It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..... I had a better day today..... The Christmas tree is up and most of our Christmas decorations are in place! I love Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving to all My Friends and Family

(emphasis on "Happy" - I was too grumpy to let my mom take a Thanksgiving picture of me!!)

Some Days (weeks) are harder than others.....
much Grace needed this week!!

This picture shows a wall in my bedroom and most days this saying is true.... but ....

It is impossible to maintain Beauty at all times without Amazing Grace!!!

Most weeks, it is very easy to let my light shine and to see the beauty that God has placed within me.

Some weeks are harder than others......I am having one of those weeks.......

Much GRACE is needed this week!!

How do you keep "Critters" off your front porch?

A critter is having a mid-night snack right on our front porch. Is it a squirrel, a raccoon or even a skunk (we had a strong skunk smell last Friday). Not only did it eat half of a "pumpkin-pie" pumpkin but took a little bite out of EACH item in the display!!! Even the gourds!!

Today Mom and Dad replaced a few of the items....Since it is mid-October, they will not buy more food for the critters. If they snack again, the display will be removed!!!

HAPPY FALL

The Fall Colors

are Beautiful this Year!!!!

You just never know what a day will bring..... or who you are going to meet !

My family had talked about taking a drive to one

of my favorite places - Frankenmuth, MI -

so that my Grandma Geiling could visit a little yarn shop. Grandma wanted to start another one of her beautiful afghans.

It was a beautiful, sunny, fall day so we decided on the spur of the moment to go ...TODAY... What a beautiful drive! We went to Bronners - Grandma purchased a few more decorations for her Christmas Tree. We bought "lantern" hanging lights for the camper and a "Russian Santa" to add to our Santa collection.......

Speaking of Santa....

After we had a lovely mid-afternoon meal at Bavarian Inn...we were leaving the building when we had a WONDERFUL surprise in the lobby.

A "Santa" gathering - We heard there were 103 and another said 80.... needless to say.... there were a whole lot of "Santas". We understand that Midland hosts a nation-wide Santa Training program through our Main Street Santa House. This large group of jolly souls had just completed their training in our home town of Midland.

What a sight..... Of course, sad to say....Mom did NOT have her camera :( Several other people were taking pictures for us and said that they will email them to us. Midland Daily News took my picture and wrote down our names and said there would be an article in November. We will keep our eyes open for that !!!

As these wonderful happy men (and some of their wives) marched through the dining rooms, they were singing "Santa Claus is coming to town". Several gave me their business cards. They were not dressed in full "Christmas Eve Uniform" but had their everyday Santa clothes on (nothing like our everyday clothes). One very special one stood out in the crowd - His shirt said

"CHRIST" mas

Keeping the Reason for the Season

He was a Godly man and had a special place in his heart for people with special needs. He wanted me to get out of my chair to sit on his lap. He went and got a chair and my Dad placed me on his lap. He gave me his Christmas hat to keep and we took several pictures with his camera. He talked to me about God and told my parents about his emphasis on reaching people like me. He got "choked-up" when he heard that the only word that I sign is for "Jesus". He was a wonderful man.

There will be more to follow as soon as I hear from some of my new friends over email or if/when my picture appears in the paper!! Here are a few of the cards collected today..notice the bottom right Santa bowing before God!!!

It just keeps getting BETTER!

We just returned from a week-end camping trip at Ludington State Park on Lake Michigan. What a wonderful week-end! The State Park in Ludington is fantastic!! We now know why it is the most popular State Park in Michigan!!!

So many things to do....

• Many hiking/bike trails (many paved for easy use with my chair)
• Boardwalk along Hamlin Lake
• The Sable River
• Salmon are just coming up the Sable River to Spawn (many fisherman were trying to catch them!)
• Big Sable Point Lighthouse (we didn't get a chance to see this yet but plan to on our next trip)
• 3 different campgrounds - each a little different - one sandy, one grassy and one wooded...something for everyone
• Sand Dunes
• Lake Michigan Shoreline
• and much more....

Our family had a nice surprise - at the Lake Michigan Beach House, we discovered a couple really neat beach chairs with the following sign

Check out the following slideshow - it was a wonderful day for my family....my first stroll on the Lake Michigan Shoreline!!! The trip was so fun that we booked another camping trip to Ludington in October!

Beautiful Fall "GOODMORNING" Greeting

The BALLOONS are in Town!!!

This was the scene right over my house this morning about 8:00 a.m.

Close enough that we said "Good Morning" to the Balloonist!!!!

BEAUTIFUL Morning for a Balloonfest

My First Day of the Last Year of School . . . .

Today, I started school again... my last first day!!

This picture was taken
on my first day of school - my
first bus ride - 1987 - wrapped in the baby quilt made by my Aunt Pam (p.s. to Aunt Pam..I still use that quilt!)

The school district wouldn't let Mom ride with me
so she followed the bus all the way to school and back home again....needless to say there were tears!!!
I started with 3 half days of school each week at Age 3.

This picture was taken this morning as I loaded the bus to begin my last year. I've grown a little and matured a lot!!!!

Mom is handling the separation a lot better these days! Mom and Dad miss me but they enjoy their time together!

23 years of school and a lot of bus rides

Different bus drivers, different schools, several teachers,

para-professionals and therapists that have brought me to this point.

This picture was taken during the time that I attended Seibert Elementary....one of the few pictures we have with me wearing glasses.....obviously I don't need them!!!

I had a very good day and I am looking forward to a WONDERFUL year!!!

CAMP "BED HEAD"

We just spent 10 wonderful days at Burt Lake State Park in Indian River, Michigan. I love camping and as you can see from the previous picture....I also love "no-more-tangles". I spent a little time sleeping in the great outdoors and we came up with some pretty messy hair-do's!!!!!

We took a couple day-trips while camping up north. . . To Mackinaw Island, Mackinaw City, Harbor Springs and we checked out two state parks for possible future camping trips: Wilderness State Park and Petoskey State Park - They were beautiful parks but would not really work well for our family.




We spent a lot of time outside!!!

This has been a good summer for our family. We enjoy camping . . . .

lots of walking through the park . . . my parents ride their bikes through the park and Mom enjoyed riding her bike to the grocery - filling her handy basket!!

Campfires . . . meeting new friends . . .

A "Cross in the Woods" - at the top of this tall hill, just above the State Park is a cross in the woods. (It's a little hard to see in this picture but it's there!)



Memories of Mom's teen years of camping with her family right about in this spot!!!

Peaceful during the week - when the week-ends comes, the park fills up with campers and we meet new friends.





Exploring

God's

Creation

Neat things to see outdoors....

We went to a DNR information meeting at the camp activity center - we learned about pollination (bees, butterflies and birds).

Our next trip will be to Ludington State Park on Lake Michigan - we have a week-end trip planned. God is Good...he has blessed us with a wonderful summer filled with his Great Outdoors!!!

We

Supported the

Market Livestock Sale

at the

Midland County Fair

Last evening, we had another fun night at the county fair. Our family always enjoys going to the Livestock Auction - we enjoy looking at the animals and looking on as they go to Auction.

We know a few of the 4H's - Friends from church and the community.

Dad decided last night that this would be the year to buy a HOG!!!!

It was an exciting experience and we were excited to meet the young lady that raised the beauty! Her name is Chelsea and this was her first year raising a HOG and entering it into the 4H program - pretty cool since it was Dad's first year to be a buyer!


We spend a little time in the barn after buying .... talking with Chelsea and her cousins. A very nice group of young people that we enjoyed meeting. They said that they would call us when the "professional photo" arrives......it will be fun to share that picture with you. Mom ask Chelsea if she feels bad the her pig will end up in our freezer and with no hesitation, she said "NO - she doesn't mind at all ". She knows that's how it works!

As we chatted with Chelsea, we learned that the pig's name is "Sissy" - which we thought was cute because my parents call me "Sissy" all the time!

My Dad always dreamed of being a small time farmer. He is fulfilling a part of his dreams by planting a garden and supporting the youth in our community that may someday decide to farm!

It's been a great week at the fair for our family.

A first time for Chelsea and a first time "Auction"
experience for our family.

One more check mark on our "Bucket List"

Life is Good!!!!

INTRODUCING

Mr. & Mrs. Andy Cliff

It was a BEAUTIFUL Day.

GOD ANSWERED MANY OF OUR PRAYERS!!!!

Hope you enjoy the following 2 slideshows of a BEAUTIFUL Union....more to follow when the professional pictures arrive...

Wedding Prep . . . .

It has been a very busy week at our house and at the house of my friend Taylor. This Saturday is the BIG DAY! Taylor and Andy will be married and we are helping where we can to make it a very special celebration.

The following slideshow gives a sneak peek at what we have been up to.....

• decorating my wheelchair .... my chair needs to be pretty as I hold the rings for Andy until he is ready to present them to his bride!!! A picture will follow after the wedding - my Mom's friend, Nancy, made a special treasure for carrying the rings....don't want to spoil the surprise just yet - tune in later for a look!
• baking and decorating cookies for a special wedding favor
• practice run for my "up-do".... Mom was thankful that Morgan was willing to lend her expertise!!!

much more to follow as we will take lots of pictures at the wedding to update you on Saturday's Celebration...... Enjoy the slideshow !

A LOVING FAMILY

a time of giving and receiving love

I spent the last couple days at the annual Methner Family Reunion..... and it was GREAT FUN.

The reunion on my Grandma's side of the family is a 4 day event... Some bring their campers and tents and stay the entire time. Cousin Sidney opens up her home and property to everyone. Groups are assigned to prepare meals and KP duty. Fun activities...Canoe Trip, Cooking Classes, Campfires, Singing, Silent Auction, Home-made Ice Cream, Lots of Baked Goods, Volley Ball, Family Group Picture, Swimming, BB Gun Target Practice..... something for everyone!!!

LOTS OF LAUGHING, STORY TELLING and LOTS OF LOVE TO GO AROUND.

There were 68 family members present at the time of the Group Picture - they ranged in age from 6 weeks to 96 years old!!!

At the silent auction we were blessed to take home a few treasures.... a CD with songs from Uncle Franklin (my favorite great-uncle!!!).... old aprons from Great-Grandma Mina.... Pillow cases made by Great-Grandma Mina with Tatting added to edges from Great-Grandma Geiling - WHAT A TREASURE!!!

Hope you enjoy the following slide show ... a few pictures of our happy time with family!!!

My Second Camping Trip

I just returned from my second camping trip ..... we had a lot of fun. My Grandma Phyllis went with us to Aloha State Park in Cheboygan. It is a beautiful park and we enjoyed spending 4 days with Grandma. It was very windy but our camping spot protected us from the wind.

As you can see from this picture, I had a little trouble at the beginning of the trip. I wasn't feeling just right and Grandma was trying to help me through a hard time. I have bad days now and then. Sometimes I just need to have my own space, Alieve for pain and ride out the storm. Grandma tries hard to make me feel better. She loves me very much and we are all thankful that most days are good!!

Each day I felt a little better. On Friday, we went to Mackinaw City - did a little shopping and had a wonderful Panini Sandwich (our family loves to return to our favorite sandwich shop! YUM)

Grandma bought a very unique nativity set....you will have to ask her about it sometime if you have a chance. It was cute and very unique!!!



Sunday was a little rainy and overcast but we didn't let it spoil our fun! We still ate every meal outside (under the awning) and enjoyed the great outdoors. We took a drive to Burt Lake State Park to check out our next camping spot in August. It is beautiful. Our family decided to extend our next trip....instead of staying a week, we will camp for 10 days!!!!

I had a very fun second camping trip. I was feeling pretty good by the end of the trip. We are glad that Grandma went along with us. Lots of good eating and Very relaxing!!!

SHOWERS of Blessings.....L-O-V-E.....

and (of course) GIFTS ! ! !

Yesterday, we showered our friends with our love.....Andy and Taylor will be getting married next month and it just seemed like the right thing to do....Shower them with L-O-V-E!!!!

Enjoy a peek at pictures of the shower!!!

So far . . . SO G-O-O-D!!

Update on the Family Garden - Everything planted is doing well. We ate our first cucumber on the 4th of July and have been picking a few each day. Today, we picked our first Green Beans - MY FAVORITE - we will be having them for supper tonight :)

We are enjoying the bounty of our Family Garden.....we are checking it daily because with the heat that we are experiencing this summer, it is AMAZING how fast the vegetables grow!! Weeds too :(

God is so AMAZING.

Hope you enjoy the following slide show....

H A P P Y 4th of J U L Y

GRANDMA's 80th BIRTHDAY IS TODAY!!

My Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

came to my house today

to celebrate my Grandma's birthday.

It was a fun party!!

Everyone shared memories of Grandma to show her how much we love her.....

Aunt Pam made a BEAUTIFUL Cake.....


We ate a "Yummy" Meal and then....

Uncle Kirk looks on as my Great Uncles prepare a family favorite..

Home-made Ice Cream!!!!

(Thank you Aunt Jane for providing the supplies and keeping your brothers in line!)

I enjoyed my share!!!!






Uncle Frank entertains the family!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA

I Love You!!!