Community at the Gardens ...

Last evening, Calvary Church hosted a celebration of community by inviting all of the community groups that meet at church to a "free" night over at Meijer Gardens. I did a completely lousy job of photographing the event! There was beautiful music being played by our very own, very talented musicians (not one picture did I take!). And there was ice cream too! But these flowers were SO very beautiful ...

Several folk from our small community were in attendance … along with several hundred other folk from Calvary. We kind of hung out together, but then walked outside on the grounds. I have many pictures that I have yet to edit of the boardwalk leading out to the bog, and tons of other flower photographs, but those will have to wait for another posting! 

It was a very successful event. People were hanging out together all over this beautiful place. What a wonderful way to celebrate community! I'm very thankful for this wonderful group of people and for God's graciousness to our church.

A rather frightening experience …

It was a very FULL day yesterday between training at work and then meeting Kelly and Brendan downtown. Since it was past rush-hour, I jumped on the 131 to get back to the Beach House as fast as I could last night, thinking about editing photos and relaxing a little bit before bed …

About three minutes after exiting the 131, where I had been speeding along at 70 mph, I heard a very loud "bang" and then I very nearly lost control of my little car ...

… because my front driver tire had completely blown apart! Thankfully, this did not happen while traveling 70 mph on a crowded highway! As it was, I was quite startled by the noise and the immediate refusal of my car to steer in almost any direction. I pulled over into a small business and phoned AAA! They were very kind on the phone and sent a wrecker to my rescue. During the 40 minute wait, I read three chapters from "Prince Caspian" and enjoyed it very much. I was thankful this happened at a time when I didn't have any of the grandchildren with me (!), that it was still daylight, and that I was in a safe area. This could have been so much worse. So today … I'm off to the tire shop!

Thank you, Lord, for watching over me last night.

Good for an aching heart ...

There are situations in life that shatter a person's heart, and sometimes the resultant pain can be so overwhelming … but then there are also times of great JOY that help me see that God alone is in control and that I need to leave my suffering with Him. It's been a difficult few weeks on many levels. I was very glad to be invited downtown for a walk and some happy time with two of my favorite folk ...

Brendan, reaching out his little arms and saying, "Grandma Carol! "Grandma Carol!"

Dylan is downtown all weekend at a conference hosted by Acton Institute (where he works). He and Kelly and Baby B get to spend it at the Amway Grand. So, I met Kelly and Brendan for awhile last night and we walked across the Pearl Street Bridge over to the fountain at the Gerald R. Ford Museum … Kelly took a few nice pictures of me and my Little Fellow!

 And then I took a few with Kelly and Brendan! This was the first time I had walked into the enclosure where Gerald and Betty Ford are actually buried (right on the museum grounds).

And then we walked down to "THE BUTTON" to play for awhile. It's been here for years, but I can't ever remember seeing it. I hope this isn't an indication of senility … yikes. Kelly and Brendan enjoyed themselves climbing and exploring for awhile. I had my "work" clothes on, so I didn't do any climbing!

Little Fellow was super cuddly tonight …
and he always enjoys a snuggle with
his dear mama ...

That little face (above) is Brendan being amused with me taking all of these pictures … he knows he is adored by his grandma.

 But who in the world could resist this sweet little face … and precious little heart!?

We walked back across the river … and I took a bunch of pictures of the seagulls (but haven't edited them yet) … and decided to catch a bite to eat over at Cinco de Mayo, which we enjoyed very much. Brendan did a little bit of coloring ... 

But the decor in this little Mexican place is SO beautiful, Brendan was pretty occupied taking it all in! 

So glad to spend a few happy hours like this … it was good for my aching heart.

Our small professor ...

A saga regarding our Little Fellow …

I see a future professor/paleontologist here!

Actually, this is just a little guy who loves to explore, has

infinite patience, and wonderful curiosity.

I hope he never loses these qualities!

A brief visit to Frog Hollow … such joy!

Dear Kelly and I took Brendan over to Frog Hollow Park last night for just a little visit. This is my first time ever to play at this darling little park … but Brendan and Kelly have been out here before.

Such a nice playground, with "baby" swings for little fellows who like to FLY HIGH (and whose mama does UNDERDOGS on the count of 1-2-3!! at which he squeals with happiness!) 

There is a great HUGE rock mountain (!!) for little tikes to climb ... 

 The sun was glaring in Brendan's face in the above photo … he is not frowning actually just trying to tolerate the sun's brightness I think ...

Brendan climbed to the top of Mt. Everest, without hesitation! Victory! 

The park is all fenced in … lovely for wandering fellows like Brendan, always off on some kind of exploration … and running up and down the grassy hill is always a good time ...

LOVE this little face so much ...

 And then there were tiny flowers to be examined as well ...

 … and certainly they MUST be picked ...

… so tiny, and so beautiful ... 

Hey, grandma! Can't a fellow have a few
minutes of peace without that camera in my face?!

NO! My camera loves to capture the expressions and sweetness of this one small boy ... 

 I love you, Little Fellow!

We helped Brendan to climb up in what is supposed to be a flower bed (I think) but presently only houses weeds. Brendan didn't do these chalk letters, but he seemed fascinated with them and was tracing them with his fingers and a stalk of grass ... 

There are bright BLUE BONGOS to play ... 

 So much FUN!

And of course, it wouldn't be FROG HOLLOW without a few frogs! 

 There was an attempt to jump from the strip to the circle … but Brendan didn't quite make it. Perhaps next time!

 Back to the mountain … must climb it once more!

Oh! And mustn't forget that great slide! 

 Little Fellow in the ecstasy of the moment!

What a refreshing hour at the park with two of my very favorite people in the world! PS This was an excessive amount of photographs, but I just couldn't help myself. :)