Happy Birthday Dad

Well, he surely made it to this big birthday. He may be sick, but he is still very sweet, and grateful. He ate a small plate of food, a small piece of cake and some homemade banana icecream. Beverly's family and Clyde and I were the only family able to be there. That was plenty for the space we had and the fact we needed to have a quiet event. We did sing "Happy Birthday" to dad and sat around watching the Reds play. My mom is a dieheart Reds fan. I am glad she enjoys them so!

Catching Up!

My kids are blessed with the world's best dad....funny thing, I was too!

Tomorrow is a day that our family would not have thought we'd see. June 25th, our daddy's 90th birthday. As anyone close enough to my family knows, dad was diagnosed with cirosis of the liver last year; and, in December, Hospice came for the first time. They have been nothing short of amazing. They come several times a week to clean him up and care for him. That person's name is Debbie. Dad, mom & my brother Kent all love her. Diane is his nurse and they think the same of her. Anything dad needs...anything...they see to it. We are blown away. If Diane hears a funny "rattle", she watches it closely, then calls in a doctor when necessary. If Debbie sees the bed needs to be made, or whatever, she does it. If you ever have any thoughts about Hospice, I can sure give them a strong, positive recommendation. Debbie even brought dad a very nice birthday present (early). No words can express our gratitude.

Today, I met my friend for lunch then ordered dad's cake, and did a little shopping. Afterwards I went over to their house for a game of Rook. As always, mom & I take on my brother & dad. There is usually "no mercy" when we play, we play to win:) Saying that, I really don't care if I win or lose...really! This gives dad some "awake" time and, hopefully, helps him sleep better at night. Sad thing today....he took the bid. Called trump (trumps?) black, and played his Rook (we kid him by saying he "lives" with the Rook). Each of us played a black. Got around to dad, and he said "what did I call trumps....red or black?" We told him black and he was so confused. He kept looking like he wanted to change it, and that would have been fine with us...except I was holding the highest two reds plus two smaller ones. I was pretty sure he wanted to stick with black. Then he said "I think I'm getting too confused to play Rook anymore". This kind of thing has been happening lately more and more, but he still plays well and they win as many as we do. Today's game was their lead up to the end of the game when mom & I pulled it out. Well, it's very late and this sounds "rambling" and my back is hurting, but I wanted to make a post, since it's been a week or so. Please pray for our dear dad.

Thursday on Mackinac

We hired a carriage for just the 4 of us and that was very nice. We trotted around the island for over an hour.
A stop to look over a nice view.
Ready for our ride.

Sitting in style on the world's largest front porch!

One of the flower shops on the grounds of the Grand.

The view as we walked up the drive to the hotel.

These butterflies may be hard to see, but they were all over this Lantana. It is my favorite annual and, at this Butterfly house, the butterflies love it as well.

Today was the type of weather you want to "bottle up" and sell. Just a perfect day, with warm temps., sunny all day, and cloudless. I couldn't keep from saying that over and over...how much I loved being here and how georgous today was.

Mackinac Island

This is the Mackinac Bridge.

This is the Waggoner's room, called the "Bicycle Room".

Arched Rock

This is our B & B The Cottage Inn

This view was very nice....we could see The Grand Motel in the distance.

We are enjoying Mackinac Island so much. The island is very quiet, with lots of pretty flowers, houses, views looking out at the huge Lake Huron. Horse drawn carriages are everywhere. Today we walked everywhere we went. We came back to the B & B at 3:00 for tea time. Tomorrow we will go to the Grand Motel and tour it. There are fudge shops on every corner, the food has been good. Tonight we ate at the Sea Biscuit Restaurant.

Tee-ball is Winding Down!

Too hot to watch the boys play ball....the shade tree was much better for the sisters!
Austin on deck....

Made it to first....be ready to run!

Alex Coleman, friend from church and Tots!

Kimmie & Ralph came and that makes the boys happy:)
They may have lost, but the icesicle makes everything better~

Well, I have loved having grandson's on a baseball team. They have been a joy to me. I have loved watching every moment. I am quite "verbal" at games so I have tried real hard to be quieter. I just think everything I have to say is important and will help them...LOL...not! Anyway, I know to encourage them is #1 and that is always my priority. They are little boys, that came into a game knowing next to nothing about running bases, where to throw the ball, and just overall baseball language. They had hit a wiffle ball in our back yard, hit on a t-ball stand last year some, but that was about the extent. Now, I can say they hold the bat beautifully, have full swings, listen to their coach, stop the ground ball, and make better throws. They still are learning what to do infield if the ball comes to them, as they have only played infield in a few innings (when the score is WAY up). We have loved Coach Steve and his son. They have been good to the boys. I have loved the other players moms, although I really haven't "met" them all individually....just as a cheering section. They have taken Becky and the boys in as "Met's family" and today Maggie was playing very well with two little girls. We will miss the next game, which is their 3rd tournament game. If they win, they'll play another, if they lose, this will be their last one. Thanks Austin & Matthew for making the start of our summer (end of spring) so fun. We love you bunches and we are VERY proud of you.

Beautiful Wedding!

Enjoyed Sat. night at Joe & Stefanie's wedding. Very elegant, she was a beautiful bride, with a gorgeous dress. Here are a few photos....

Early Summer Garden

The photo doesn't do this hydrangea justice. It is really blooming nicely at this time.

Maggie sitting watching the fish. She laughs when they eat the food she throws in.

Taken at dusk tonight, these choleus are a nice size and color. Coupled with bright green sweet potato vine, I love the colors in these pots. This blog is called "Lantern's Garden" named by my sweet hubby. So, I thought I might start adding a few photos from the yard. Everyone's gardens are doing well due to the good weather and enough rain to keep everything green and growing. I spend most of time out back and cherish the hours I am not working (at school) and just enjoy summertime in my yard. Tomorrow we are leaving to take our new (to us) pop up camper to Boonesboro. With the boys t-ball game and our very good friends son's (Joe Wiley) wedding, we will be driving back and forth. Glad to have the camper and spend quality time with the grandkids:)

"Yes nana, I have on big girl panties"....

"OK, I will let you know when...just don't ask me every 5 minutes".

Boys watching Tarzan DVD....nana "boys, let me see your silly bands".....didn't even look away from TV, just held up their arms.

I enjoyed a short visit this morning while Becky went to the dentist. Love these kids:)

School's out, Graduation & Mets!

This is a chicken dish that Susan and I ordered. Very good:)

The girls at Merrick patio!

Sweet Maggie!

We just finished the school year:) So good to be out for the summer. It will go fast, that's a fact. I will enjoy every moment, that's a fact. Vacation is just around the corner. We are traveling to Mackinack Island June 15th and looking forward to the trip.
Today we celebrated our niece, Erin's, graduation from LHS. We had a party here at our house. Her boyfriend, Phillip, joined us along with a friend, Donna, with Harley. Tomorrow is his 50th birthday. So, Erin wanted to celebrate his birthday along with her graduation. I made the meal on Sat. and baked the ham on Sunday after church. Martha brought the cakes, and they were so good. She brought dressed eggs and Harley made a great pasta salad and brought two bowls of it. The rest I made and was glad to! We played cornhole, croquet, and everyone seemed to just love being outdoors. It was a beautiful.

My day was interrupted with an emergency call from mom. Kent had a seizure so she called the EMT. He was taken to the hospital, I came quickly and met the life saving squad at the house. I waited for Bev. and I drove us to UK. Kent was conscience and doing much better. They are keeping him overnight. His nurse this evening is so sweet. Her name is Kelly (I think) and she said her dad was an alcoholic. She seems so understanding and good to him.

Tomorrow is Austin & Matthew's last season game. They have come SO far. They both have learned a lot. The team has improved as well. They have won their past six games. We are just thrilled. Sat. night was nice eating on the patio at Merrick with friends. Jason & Cassie ate on the patio at the Ketch, and said the atmosphere was very good. Becky & Jason ate at Malones....all of us enjoyed our Saturday evening! Here are a few pictures....