March 13 The Academy

Friday:  David is the "Headmaster" of Brandon Christian Academy, pre-school through Grade 8. He had a full day at work today, so I went with him and got to meet his co-workers, the students, and look around the campus. It was a busy day! What a huge campus. It would take me a very long time to learn my way around this place and not get lost every five minutes.

The school is attached to the First Baptist Church of Brandon and is essentially a church-school. When David worked at ACSI, he always found church-schools to be challenging. He has not changed his opinion in that regard. However, David was BORN for this position. You just cannot find a better school administrator than my brother! He is in his element completely. It was very fun to watch him in action!

I met most of the people who assist David in his job. I liked all of them--what wonderful people!

Technically, this was a half day of school because it is the start of their spring break. Students were free to go at 1:30 (I think) and then there was a staff meeting at 2pm. This is David waiting for the staff to arrive in the cafeteria once their students were gone for the day.

Past administrators would schedule staff meetings on a day like this and keep everyone until almost 5pm. David, however, is not of that ILK. The meeting was totally finished and everyone out the door at just about 3:00--they were thrilled. The teachers love my brother! 

David did an interesting exercise with his staff to start off the meeting. I believe they were sitting five to a table. He gave each table a plain 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. He told them to collaborate and make a sturdy "stand" out of that piece of paper--sturdy enough to hold the weight of several books. They were given 10 minutes to design their "stand." It was fascinating to watch five people (x about 8 tables) discuss the best construction plan! They had a lot of fun! Two tables had a very similar design. What they did was to fold the paper kind of like an accordion (the structure had to be at least 1" tall) and then they looped it into a circle (I'm not good at explaining this). Anyway, one of the structures held 21 books on top! I'm not kidding!

After the staff meeting had ended and David gathered up a few things, we started on our journey to Georgia to be with our family.

April 12 Flight to PIE

Thursday:  Jesse gave me a ride to the airport this afternoon. My flight was taking off at 3:30, so TSA recommended people arrive about 2.5 hours early to get through security, etc. I love getting a ride from Jesse. First of all, he loves to drive, so I know it's not a burden for him; secondly, he plays beautiful music as we drive; and third--I love talking with him!

My flight left a little early actually and almost every seat was filled. Thankfully, I always schedule a seat by the window. It helps to be able to look out into the vast sky instead of being stuck looking at the tiny little space they give you on an airplane seat. They seem to shrink every year. Honestly! I thought my legs would die from being so cramped between the seats.

It was gloomy and cloudy when we took off from Grand Rapids, but look what was higher up--aren't those clouds beautiful? My flight arrived on time at St. Petersburg and David was there to pick me up.

March 12 Asher

Thursday:  I left late this morning for my scheduled trip to Florida to spend Spring break with my brother and Carol. I am pretty sure that we planned this trip and I booked my flights at the end of December. David and I planned to spend the first weekend down at Fort DeSoto camping, kayaking, and alligator hunting (!!). 

BUT ... our plans did not matter whatsoever to us when we received word on Tuesday that Ruthanne and Terry's grandson, Asher, had died in the wee hours of that morning. I'm not sure I have ever received a sadder phone call than that one. Terry had no information yet regarding funeral arrangements, but David and I discussed that we would cancel our camping trip if we needed to drive up to Georgia instead (which is what ended up happening). 

Out of respect for my extended family, I'm not going to give details about Asher's death. It's too tragic and horrifying to put into words. My niece, Shari, and husband (Mark) have lived out of state almost all of the years they have been married. I had only met Asher once, perhaps twice, when he was a little boy. I didn't know him at all but I remember how happy Shari was when he was born, a first son to them.

As David and I attended the visitation and funeral service, I learned a lot about this beautiful boy. He loved hunting "game" on their 50-acre property. He enjoyed the boxing at the "Armor of God" boxing club--a once-pastor dude runs the place, and he and Asher had a good connection. He was also interested in pottery and had made some beautiful bowls and plates with his own hands. He had taken a Fall missions trip to Thailand with his youth group where his faith was challenged and grew. He was looking forward to getting his driver's license in the upcoming weeks. 

Many young friends of Asher's came to pay their respects. There were many tears. A lot of deep grief. It was heart breaking, especially for Shari and Mark. Ruthanne and Terry, too, were devastated by the loss of their grandson. I was so thankful David and I could just be present for our family, to love on them, and support them in their grief.

This is Asher's sister, Esme', and his mom, Shari. Esme' will be 18 in August. She sang at the funeral. She and Asher were close friends. Audric (10) is the younger brother (I did not get any photos of him) I can't say enough good things about Shari. She's a terrific person and I am so sad for her. 

I am thankful that Asher's life was honored at the funeral and that Christ was lifted high. Asher trusted in Jesus for his salvation and is now with Him. Asher's family will have very difficult months ahead. I am praying that the Lord will walk closely with them, give them His peace, direct their decisions, and protect their family--keep them loving each other and following Christ. I love you guys.

March 11 Aidan's Card

Wednesday:  This is the EIGHT-page card I made for Aidan. I had so much fun making it, but ... it sure took a long time to decide which pictures, etc. I think he liked it though, so it was worth the effort.

 I'm getting better at these 8-page cards! How handy it is that I have a computer, a photography program, a printer, and card stock right at my house. I absolutely love making cards!

I love these pictures of you, Aidan, and I love all of the memories of your 8th year (2025) that is now finished. What a blessed grandma I am!

March 10 Celebrating Aidan

Tuesday: Aidan's 9th birthday is not until tomorrow, but since I am leaving for a 9-day stay in Florida and have too many things on my list to do in preparation for that trip, I asked if I could celebrate Aidan's birthday a day early. Everyone was on board with it, except Aidan! He thought he should be able to open his gifts today and still have me come over on his actual birthday. I will take that as a compliment that he likes hanging out with me. 

I was at their house at my usual time, the kiddos came home from school, we played a few games together and ate snacks, but we agreed NOT to open presents until Dylan and Kelly came home from work. I kept the gifts in my car so as not to torture poor Aidan while he waited.

Here are pictures of what followed:

These first two pictures are of the LEGO remote controlled robot gifted to Aidan by his Uncle Shane.

"Uncle Shane gives the BEST gifts" was Aidan's introduction to zooming this cool remote controlled robot all over the place. Aidan said it took him quite awhile to build it, and he seemed so proud that he was able to put it all together. 

Here is our darling Erin eating her cinnamon toast while we waited for the parents' homecoming ...

Erin and I played a few games of my 3-D chutes and ladders game ... we had so much fun.

Aidan and Erin played a game of it too.

Our young Gregory was in his typical playful mood ...

Aidan and Erin absolutely love their little brother. This is Aidan hugging the daylights out of him! I love these pictures!

The parents arrived home--YAY! Now, we are just waiting for everything to be ready for Aidan to open the gifts from his grandma.

The troops were VERY restless while waiting, so I organized a game of "Animal, Animal" to see if any of the kids wanted to play. I could not believe their completely positive response! Gregory finally got to be in charge of calling the animals ... I believe this time the animals were from the rain forest and he decided they should be PYTHONS ... so here are Brendan and Erin pythoning it on over to Cal. Aidan declined to play, because he was very focused on those unopened gifts ...

Aidan looks a little bit tired in this picture ... but isn't he such a handsome child?

I made Aidan a kind of "fancy" card, 8 pages of pictures and memories from 2025 for him to enjoy, including THREE riddles!

Aidan opened the smallest gift first, because he already knew what it was ...

He opened the biggest and heaviest box next because he had no idea what was inside. I took a chance with this gift, but after watching Aidan build at the museum last summer with these wood "planks", I thought it would be a hit--and it was! In fact, ALL of the kiddos wanted some.

The Paper Airplane kit was a request from Aidan, so it was no surprise. It looks like it is a nice kit.

We relaxed a little bit afterwards, and then it was time for their family to have dinner. Aidan's party isn't until Friday and I will be in Florida at that time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AIDAN, who announced that he was officially "grown up" now. Oh my!

March 8 ... and there she was!

Sunday:  Have you ever been so happy you couldn't sleep? It is going to be difficult to chronicle what I want to say and actually find WORDS that will adequately describe my joy about what happened yesterday ... but I'm going to give it my best effort anyway.

I went to Calvary Church yesterday, both services, because my Sunday school class meets every 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays during the first service, and then I worship during the second service. I have really learned to enjoy and actually love my Sunday school class. Perhaps it's because I am one of the younger (!!) members ... which means there are not any single men of interest that I am at risk of being stupid enough to actually get involved in a relationship with. Zero. 

But there are some really lovely couples in the class and some widowed ladies too. There are a few single men, but they look like they are closed to being 100 years old! There are two teachers, both of whom are able teachers, and the class supports each other in prayer and truly seem to care about each other. 

After class was over, I sat in what has now become my "usual place" in the auditorium. I used to sit (years ago) just off the center aisle, (on the left) toward the front, but not terribly close to the front. This was back in the days when Emma came to church with me almost every Sunday. NOW, I sit over on the orchestra side rather close to the front, row 3 or 4 typically, and my good friend Cheryl sits with me. 

Yesterday's service was really a wonderful time of worship. We had a guest teacher, a former Muslim who came to faith in Jesus while living in a refugee camp (he was actually BORN in a refugee camp) somewhere in Turkey (if I remember correctly). His testimony was so incredibly amazing to hear! And how in love this man is with Jesus now! As I listened to him speak I wished so badly that Emma was sitting next to me, like in the old days, and could hear how Jesus changed this man's life too--because I knew she would love his story.

After the service ended, Cheryl and I were walking in the open space outside of the sanctuary, each of us heading towards the parking lot where we had parked when I looked ... AND THERE SHE WAS! 

Emma! It was Emma! I was so absolutely thrilled and so full of JOY I thought I would burst--I'm serious! Emma had been in the service and was sitting in the area where we used to sit, only closer up--she said she thought perhaps I would see her, but I did not. We hugged and briefly talked and agreed that Emma would drive to my house where we would share lunch and hang out for awhile. I was so thankful I still had enough of one of her favorite casseroles in the refrigerator that I just had to heat up, so we ate and then we talked and laughed ... it was just like it used to be when I saw her more regularly. I am so thankful for this time with her--I was so happy that I kept waking up in the middle of the night just from the joy of spending time with her. We got all caught up on family news, and she shared a lot of what was happening in her life and with Kota. What a gift from the Lord! How kind HE IS! 

PS--This picture (above) was taken on her birthday at my house back in August. It's really the most recent picture I could find to post. I didn't snap any of her yesterday--I thought about it, and I wanted to but I didn't, because I didn't want to be rude.

March 6 and 7 Brendan comes over

Friday and Saturday:  I've been trying every other Friday night to have one of the kiddos spend the night. With me being sick for 10 days kind of through our schedule off, and since I am leaving Thursday (on a jet plane) for nine days to visit my brother in Florida, also throws things off. But I am at least making an effort, which is very worth it. Having 1-on-1 time with a grandchild is absolutely priceless.

Brendan is no longer a little kid. I can't call him "Little Fellow" anymore; but once upon a time, that name fit him SO well. He is fourteen now and in the eighth grade at school. I'm always a bit surprised that he still wants to come over and spend the night, but he does!

We did a variety of things here at the house--lots of it was just hanging out together. We did play a few games: "Fox and Geese" and "Four-in-a-Row" Friday night after we ate dinner. We talked about choosing a movie to watch at about 7pm--making that choice took us awhile. I pulled out about five movies that Brendan hadn't seen in a long time--a few of which he had never seen--but when I asked him to choose, he said none of those movies looked terribly interesting to him. Sigh. So, he went over to the movie shelf and decided to watch a "classic"--"Homeward Bound." Good choice!

I popped a bunch of popcorn, poured the soda, turned off lights, and we settled down to watch the movie. It had been quite a long time since we'd seen it, so it was fun to see it again. Brendan loves animals, and this is a very good animal story with a happy ending. Brendan also brought along a library book which he read when we were in-between activities.

We went to bed at about 10:15 and slept all the way until 8am. It took Brendan a little while to fall asleep, but he says he's the same way at his house--he thinks he probably fell asleep somewhere around 11. 

Brendan asked if he could make another sock puppet, so we hauled out our puppet-making supplies from my art cupboard and he got to work on it.

Brendan created a sheep that was dressed up as a human (try to picture that!) and worked very diligently at his creation. This puppet is named "BOB." 

Here are a few of our other sock puppets we have designed over the years ...

We also watched the highlights of a few old episodes of "America's Got Talent" when a 12-year-old girl won the big prize doing her ventriloquist act. Her name is Darci Lynn and she is amazing with her puppetry. It was fun to watch all of her really cool puppets--she can even make them sing without moving her lips! Anyway, then we got Paco, Ramone, Oscar, and Sunny out of the puppet bin and played puppets for about an hour.

Brendan has always loved these puppets. Paco, naturally, is everyone's favorite because I've had him the longest. But our "Flooglebird" whose name is Sunny, comes in at a close second. He's rather large, and very hairy. It's very fun to play with him.

I took Brendan out to lunch at Culver's on the way back to his house. Yum. I ordered the Walleye with cheese curds, and Brendan ordered a Butterburger with cheese curds AND a chocolate shake. We had a nice time at dinner, and then it was time to take Brendan back home.

I had such a nice time with Brendan. Truly, he has such a super kind heart. I love him so much. Thank you, Lord, for Brendan.