Farewell to 2009!!

The year of 2009. I for one will be happy to kiss this year good bye. It was a year of turmoil and testing of my strength. It started out the very 1st day of the year when my mom became ill on 1/1/09. In the hospital for 8 days and almost losing her. Louie is laid off from his job 2 weeks into the new year. Then 2 months later he becomes so ill with his liver that the doctor's have no idea what was wrong. They say it was some rare virus. He has recovered but it was very scary.
The economy took the worst hit since the Great Depression. In my job of staffing, it was very depressing to interview people who have never been unemployed in their life and now they so desperate for work that they sit at my desk and cry.
The whole year has been more trials of my character. One thing that it has taught me was that I need to face things head on and battle for my family and our survival. I can say I am not the same person I was a year ago. I am stronger. I look forward to a new year and the joys it will bring me. I pray for peace and prosperity for all.

One Last day at the Park

Jt took Mercy and JT to the park for once last chance to enjoy the warm weather before winter sets in. They look like they had a great time. Love my sister because she is so cool......

Watch this trick!

A monkey on the monkey bars.

October 1st

3 years ago today Cpl. Aaron Seal lost his life serving our country in Iraq. He was my son's fellow Marine, but most of all his friend. This young man will always be in the hearts of those who knew him. It is a comfort to know that this country has such brave young men and women to protect and defend our way of life.

Sweet Memories

Growing up my family never had much money. Our vacations consisted of a trip to Dowagiac Michigan to my Uncle Bud and Aunt Wilma's lake cottage. We spend most weekends there. It was a place that everyone went to. There would be 2 or 3 families each weekend. It was great. The adults would be fishing, cooking, playing cards. The kids would be in their swim suits from dawn until dusk. Hide-n-seek, catching frogs, turtles and fish was innocent play. Everyone was always welcome to spend time at the cottage. I have so many wonderful memories of our time there.
Sunday morning after breakfast Louie and I took a drive to Dowagiac to find the cottage. My aunt sold it about 10 years ago. The new owners added on to the front. I didn't expect for the flood of emotion to bring me to tears, but there I stood snapping pictures and crying. Remember all the wonderful people who have now passed on. I had the best childhood a kid could ask for. That is probably why my memories make me ache for a time much simpler. The cottage as I remember it.

How it looks today.

This is the same view

So beautiful.

ND WINS!!!!

What makes it even sweeter when Notre Dame beats Michigan State? Tailgating at the Evans' garage. Everyone is within walking distance, so there is no drinking and driving. They even have a wall plague attached above the garage door.

Sweet Child

Mercy just has her own unique way of expressing her feelings so that you understand the thoughts of a 5 year old. On Sunday, she asked if she could spend the night with me. After being told no that I had to work on Monday, she climbed onto my lap to snuggle with me. I asked her why she likes to stay with me so much? Her reply was priceless. "Because I love you grandma, and you have grasshoppers in your yard. "

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Mercy was riding in the back seat of her mother's car yesterday. Out of the blue, she said her mommy a very serious question. She wanted to know if her daddy is at work and her mommy goes to jail, who will take care of her and JT. Kelly said she cracked up laughing, but told her that if that should happen, she would have the policeman call grandma to come and take care of her and her brother. Where do they get this stuff???

Mercy's 1st Soccer game

Mercy had her 1st game on Saturday. It was rainy and cold, but the rain stopped for the 45 minutes of the game time. Her good friend McKenzie was on the opposing team. McKenzie cried and refused to play because she wanted to be on Mercy's team. By the end of the game I was very cold and not feeling very well. Ended up sick and in bed. Here are some pictures of her day. Mercy on the side lines, waiting for her turn to play.

Smiling because Grandma brought a bag of treats.

Waiting for the game to start.

You go girl!! Kick that soccer ball!

Mercy's 1st Scoccer Practice

Mercy will be playing scoccer. She had her 1st practice Tuesday night. She called me at work to remind me that she wanted me to come to her practice. She is very excited to play. Here are a few pictures of her at practice. She would kick the ball into the net and run back on the field, but not without first looking over at us to make sure we were watching her and giving us a thumbs up. 1st Game is Saturday.

Scoccer

Smile!

Mercy & JT pose so nice for their dad. When I say smile for grandma, this is what I get! They are so much fun! I can't believe just how fast they are growing.....

Little JT and his daddy on his 1st day of school at Elkhart Christian Academy. What a handsome duo. Just looking at this picture makes me smile. I am amazed that my kid is old enough to be a daddy.

3 Babies

Louie and I were hanging out in the yard Sunday afternoon. I happened to look out into the back yard and this was what I saw. A mommy doe and her triplets. We watched them for about 15 minutes. I was surprised that I was able to run into the house and get my camera and make it back in time to snap a few pictures. She watched me closely, but didn't run off into the woods. They are so beautiful.

1 Year

It has be 1 year ago today that I quit smoking. The first few months were the most difficult. I would have a craving, but learned that it would pass quickly and I could go on without thinking about smoking. I have very few moments anymore that I think about it. I still will have a strange out the blue craving, but it passes very fast now. I will think "wow, I just had a craving" and just that quickly the craving is gone. I am very grateful to all those people who refused to give me a cigarette when I asked for one. I have NOT had even one puff in the last year. Lets hopeI can say that again next August 10th.

For the Love of a Child

This beautiful little girl told me yesterday that she loves me more than flowers. There is no better way to explain love when you are only 5. I knew at that moment I was the luckiest grandma in the world. I can only hope that more people love me more than flowers.

A Day Out with Thomas the Train

Our trip started on Friday morning at 10 am. We set out to travel to southern Indiana to spend the night in a hotel. Not a 1st for my grandkids, but they do not remember ever staying in a hotel, so it was fun for them. The trip down was fairly smooth. Only had to stop once for a potty break, and once for lunch. We arrived at the Comfort Inn in Richmond, IN at 3:00 pm. The 1st thing to do on the agenda was to swim in the pool. This was a wonderful experience for them. Little JT loved the hot tub. Mercy, Big JT, Nick, Dianne & Ken took to the big pool. Then it was time for dinner. Jill & I had been looking forward to eating at the Big Boy restaurant all week. We pull into the parking lot. There are employees standing around outside. THEY HAVE NO ELECTRIC!!! I can't believe it. We go shopping at Wal-Mart for an hour and return. They now have electric and we get the BIG BOY sandwich that we have been craving forever.

Back to the hotel to get some sleep. We have to leave for Our Day out with Thomas at 7:00 am. We arrive at 8:30 am after a few detours. Little JT received a Spiderman costume for his birthday from his mom & dad, so the picture of all the kids with Thomas, has Spiderman there. We then go on our train ride. It takes about an half an hour. After the ride we hit the bathrooms in the depot. They are playing a video of Thomas in the depot. Kelly & JT take some of their stuff back to the car. Dianne & Jill use the bathroom 1st. Mercy, JT & myself are watching the video. Dianne comes out and Mercy decides she has to go to the bathroom. I tell Dianne I am taking her to the bathroom. Only I fail to mention to her that little JT is sitting there watching the video, because I think she sees him. I come out and they are all out across the pavement at the Tattoo booth getting tattoos of Thomas. As Mercy is getting her tattoo and I ask Dianne what kind JT got. She looks at me and says that she doesn't have JT with her. Jill and I panic and run back to the depot. I am calling his name, he is not in there. I go outside, now I am in a full panic. I tell a lady that is at the booth outside the depot that I have lost my grandson. I go back inside the depot and there he is standing watching the movie. I grab him and asked where were you? He looked at me and said "I had to poop". My god, I thought I was having a heart attack.
By 12:30 pm we were all hot and wore out. They were getting cranky. It was time to head for home. They were both asleep before the 1st stop light. Now I know why I had only one kid. They woke up about an hour 2 hours out of South Bend. The "he is touching me" and "how much longer" drove me nuts. I was very happy to pull into my driveway.


Mercy & Daddy doing tricks......

Jill, me, Nick, Mercy & JT in front of the Big Boy.....

The group in front of Thomas

JT is a Jr. Engineer

Nick & Mercy enjoying the train ride.

Mercy riding Fancy. She loved this pony.

JT lovesdthe bouncy house. I had to drag him out...

Happy 4th Birthday!!

It is amazing how fast grandchildren grow. This sweet little baby has grown into an adorable little boy. Hard to believe he will be 4 on Friday. Tomorrow morning we leave for Connersville IN. For his birthday we are going to spend the night at a hotel, enjoy the pool & hot tub Friday evening. Saturday morning we will visit the train museum. Thomas the Train will be there. We are planning to have a fun filled weekend. What I am looking forward to? Eating at the Big Boy restaurant near our hotel.

1st birthday, June 19th, 2006

This is his "wish grandma would get that camera out of my face look"

2 weeks ago. Riding bikes out on the driveway.

All about Me

If you weren't aware of it, it is time everyone is inform that the world revolves around this girl or so she thinks. God forbid that her little brother get one more ounce of attention than her. She will make sure you see her. I took this picture at JT's teeball game, because no one was paying attention to her, she had to get grandma to take her picture in a tree.

Take Me Out to the Ballpark.

Little JT's first teeball game was Saturday, bright & early at 8:00 am in Elkhart. The rain held off until after the game. I have missed spending my Saturday's at the little league ballpark. Now I get to experience it with my grandson. Big JT is the coach. Here are a few pictures that I took of our little slugger. This is his "game" face. Teeball is serious business.

The coach (Dad) teaching him to bat.

Made it to 1st base, but the helmet was bugging him.

Big Sister lending her support before she was off to play with the other kids.

A Man's Best Friend

Mercy and Maggie. Maggie is a wonderful, lovable dog. She is the smaller version of their other dog Sid. Sid weights 190 lbs, Maggie is only 110 lbs. They are very protective of Mercy & JT. JT took this picture with his camera. I want to have this printed out and framed. It is a great photo.

Memorial Day

For the past few years there has been no holiday that stirs more emotion and meaning to me than Memorial Day. If you have a loved one serve in the military you understand. If you lose a love one to war you really understand. I want to thank our wonderful men and women in uniform for their sacrifice so we can enjoy this holiday the American way, Bar-B-Q's and hanging out at the lake enjoying life without fear. My view from the deck of the trailor at Bair Lake in Jones, MI. I love my time here. Nothing is more relaxing than listening to the sounds of the lake.

Our family picnic Sunday afternoon. Louie & John listening to the Indy 500.

Robyn is holding our new addition to the family. This is Gracie. My cousin Laurie took her in at 3 weeks old. She has offically adopted her. She was abused by her mother. She is now in perfect health. She is a sweet baby.

Nick loves his bubble machine. He is such a cutie. He is our blonde bomber......

Happiness is a House with Grandchildren

Nothing brightens my day like grandchildren. I am amazed at how fast they are growing up. Here are a few of pictures of their last couple of visits to grandma's house.

JT is going to be Spiderman when he grows up. He says he needs to learn how to grow Webs......

She is my girly, girl. Loves that boa scarf.

She loves to pose. Maybe a modeling career in her future? She says she wants to be a "human " doctor.

3 year olds don't eat, this will cause baggy pants.........

Clay High School Prom 2009

My nephew Johnny Hall and his prom date, childhood friend Ashley Szymczak (I think that is how you spell it). Such a good looking twosome, but just friends. John is my nephew that has more charm, and humor than anyone I know. As a toddler he could talk me into anything he wanted by saying, "But your my favorite aunt" and I would always give in. It is hard to believe he is old enough to be in high school, let alone attending his junior prom. I am very proud of him. Boy, my sister is getting old, just look at how big her kids are. :)

Getting Our Life Back.

It is amazing how fast things can change. You are busy minding your own business, living your life and God throws you a curve ball. Probably to see if you are paying attention. That is how my life has been since the 1st of the year. For starters my mom went into the hospital twice, then Louie gets very ill with some weird liver virus. That really put me in a tailspin. He is now getting better each day thank goodness. Because of all the extra money I had to shell out on the COBRA insurance and his meds, I had to cancel Mercy's trip to Chicago and the American Girl store. I didn't say anything to her, but I told her mom and dad that I would have to postpone the trip until later in the summer when I could afford it. Last night she said to me, "grandma, you forgot to take me to the doll store for my birthday". I felt so bad. I didn't think she would put it together that we hadn't gone since we did have a birthday party for her. I promised her I would take her in the summer. I should have realized that she is 5 now and nothing gets past her.

Then to top it all off, my son asked me last week what I would think if he joined the Navy. Don't get me wrong, I love our military, and am so proud of his service in the Marine Corp, but another enlistment is a little more than this mom can take. He informed me that he has been talking with a recruiter about joining to become a doctor. They will pay for it. I just know that if that happens and he is a Navy doctor, he will be the 1st one sent to a combat zone. I will keep you posted.......