Records visit from Virginia

 These are some pictures to help us remember the time the Records spent here at our home.  Aside from the awful and embarrassing plumbing disaster, it was a pretty uneventful week.  Hard to believe that Isaac and Ben are so big now.  Sammy's next.  He really enjoyed Wilson, and scaring us.  We are pretty easy to scare.

The Great Exchange

 I wrote this song back in 2018 after I had a major surgery.  I was thinking about the fact that Jesus knew every part of me and I could trust Him to do whatever He wanted with me, and this body of mine.  This song helped me remember the truth of who He is and who I am...

Ryan did an amazing job producing this!  It's epic!

It's a 2020 Christmas

Our table set for 4

We celebrated 2 days early

Wilson

Janelle loves her teddy bear

Ryan at the hospital apartment with Janelle

Janelle and Denise at the apartment

 It's a difficult Christmas this year with Janelle in the hospital (hospital apartment right now) and being away from home.  We miss her and Ryan.  Nothing feels right this year.

Our house guests have been here since Monday night.  It's been quite an experience.  Feel so bad that the plumbing problem happened while they were here.  I guess now we know what it's like to have a family of 5 living in our basement.  I'll have to get some pictures before they leave.

Not the happiest times... :(

Our family is pretty turned upside right now with Janelle being so very sick, and being in the hospital for so long.  She's in desperate need of a new liver.  The holidays have taken a back seat of importance this year.  Our prayers continue for her to be pain-free and made whole and healthy again.  We miss you, Janelle.

Right now Ryan and Janelle's mother are in Detroit to be near her.  Last night the hospital staff let them visit with her for 6 hours.  She was in unbearable pain.  They are going back to see her again today.  It's so very sad.

Tomorrow the Records family will be arriving to spend a week here in our lower level.  It is going to be a one-of-a-kind Christmas this year.

This is our teeny Christmas tree.

I rearranged our huge sectional so I'd have a better view of our big window.

This was my actual birthday picnic.  We got take-out from Logan's.

We see lots and lots of geese on our walks.

No Thanksgiving dinner this year.  Ended with with noodles.

I bought this one first, but then decided to put it outside the front door.

My Kyle, enjoying some cider.

We watch Ryan lead worship on-line since churches are closed again.

For my and Hilary's birthday celebration we met outside for cake and coffee in December because we didn't want to take any chances.  This is the cake that Darryl made for us, with homemade icing. 

Hilary turned 30 this year!

Here we are, minus Janelle.

Darryl bought me a lemon tree!  I'm so excited about it.  I just hope those wilted leaves don't mean it won't survive.

 

Leading at the Summit

Maranatha was able to hold their Summit, finally.  It had been postponed from May.  If you remember, Ryan and I did the worship there last year with a few of Ryan's friends.  This year we had a drummer for one day, but after that it was Ryan and I.  It went way better than last year, and way better than I thought I was even capable of.  Praise the Lord.

Day 2

Day 1 back at the hotel

I brought a lot of food from home.  We ate very well.

It's been over a year since Ryan and I led worship, so it was a really wonderful experience.  I'm so grateful and blessed to be able to do it, and that God made it go so good!

Working with my boys

 It's been a long time since I've written.  Not a lot going on.  Darryl was away all the time, so I was here alone a lot.  While he was gone, I helped the boys with some projects.  

I helped Ryan paint his deck.  It turned out so much better!  

I helped Kyle put up his fence.

Kyle & Hilary finished it.  

It was really nice to spend time with my boys one-on-one, while also accomplishing a good task.  Maybe it was a blessing that Darryl was away.  

Millenium Park

After living in Michigan all these years (4?) we finally made it to Millenium Park to ride our bikes.  

He forgot to put his helmet on...

 

Remembering the past

1987 when we took Dana and her friend to climb up the Statue of Liberty for her birthday.

Dana.  Same day...twin towers in background.

Same day.  Me, Dana, and her friend.

Dana's high school graduation with her Dad and me.

Mike and Dana.

Ryan and Dana.

Just moments after birth.

So proud of my baby girl.

Darryl and Dana having fun, like usual.

Macrame frame I made for her sweet picture.

Memories are painful.

I continue to pray.  

I have no answers.

Someday...