VBS 2022

Since 2016, Jeff and I have made an effort to include our grandchildren in Vacation Bible School (with the exception of 2019/2020).  I'm beginning this post, with a few memories of "years" gone by before I blog about this year💖

2016 - Only 3, at that time, were old enough to attend....First Baptist Church, Galena, KS

The parents came for the program on the last night and brought the 2 younger grandkiddos.

2017 - Added one more (Eisley)--First Baptist, Galena

Again, the parents came for the program and brought the 2 younger brothers

2018--Shep joined us - First Baptist, Galena

And on program night, parents and Gideon came

2019, they all lived too far away to come to Galena (and I was in the midst of packing for our retirement/move). 2020 -- COVID cancelled VBS here in Conway.

2021 - Ellie, Copeland, Eisley and Shep attended VBS at Antioch in Conway 

(Laine helped a couple of days and Mack, who was too young, stayed home with me).  

Program Night

And now 2022!  My first time to have all 9 grandkids in my home for an extended period of time!  Thankfully, Rachel came and stayed during the week which was a BIG help (I honestly don't think I could have done it without her - especially since Jeff was still recovering from his back surgery).

On Sunday (Father's Day), Josh brought Saylor to us.  That was a sweet blessing for Jeff to have his oldest son and granddaughter with him on Father's Day (it's a rare treat)!

(Yes, Saylor had put on her swimsuit😍)

 

Andy sacrificed Father's Day (for the second year in a row) so that Carman could drive to AR and bring the kids to us.  She took her 4 to Rachel and Jonathan's that day where they spent the night.  The cousins were excited to see each other (first time since Christmas).

The next day, Rachel and Jonathan got all 8 kids up, fed, and ready for the 40 minute drive to Conway!

Saylor was excited to see her cousins!

We all met at the church for the first day of VBS!!  DAY 1

Josh also went with us, so he could see everyone before he headed back to TN.

A few pictures I "stole" from the VBS Preschool Facebook page.  Laine was the helper in Mack and Gideon's room....

Saylor's class

Our first afternoon together, we went to Jay and Jana Hefner's pool for a fun afternoon of swimming.  The temps were very hot the entire week the kids were here (heat index over 100😓).  Thankfully, the Hefner's pool is partially shaded and in the water, we were nice and cool!

So glad Jonathan had off Monday and was able to come over and help that day!

So appreciative of the Hefners in letting us use their pool - 2 years in a row!

Jonathan went back home that evening and Rachel, Gideon, Kipling and Laine went to Grandma's (my Mom's) to sleep each night, which was a huge blessing.  I slept 6 here (3 in each bedroom/2 in each bed and the other two each on a child's blow up mattress on the floor).

DAY 2

Everyone was happy and ready to go back to VBS!💗👌

That afternoon was "rest" day -- showers, baths and naps for the little ones/Nintendo Switch for the older ones.  Great Grandma joined us for dinner that night

Then Laine made everyone snow cones for dessert

DAY 3

This was "picture" day so they were instructed to wear their VBS shirts that I had ordered for them.

(Kipling was too young to attend, so he stayed home each day with Rachel and I)

That afternoon, Rachel and I took them to the Laurel Park/Splash Pad

They had a great time -- Rachel and I about died of heat stroke 😜

They also played at the park for a "little" while

On our way home, we stopped at Sonic for "Happy Hour" Slushes!

We definitely had some tired kids that afternoon! (And they slept good that night!)

Rachel fixed dinner for us that night as she could tell DeDe was plumb tuckered out!  After dinner, we did have a fun evening of games....First was Charades!

We were so surprised that one of our youngest (4 years old) guess the first one!!

Aunt Ray Ray helped the younger ones....

A couple of rounds later, Saylor (also 4 yrs old) guessed the word!👏

The other game they played - "Heads Up"

I loved it when I walked thru the room at one point during the week, and these kids were singing and doing the motions to one of their VBS songs, "Awesome God!"

Each night after Rachel took her crew to Grandma's, the kids staying here prepared for bed and then Papa read them a Bible story and prayed with them.

DAY 4 (last day)

That afternoon was another "rest" day - baths/showers/naps for the little ones.

And then our 10th grandchild, Avi and her Mom, Michelle came.  Saylor was sure excited to see them!  I didn't get a good picture of their reunion though 😏

Jonathan came back over and we had Brick Oven Pizza for dinner and then headed to the program.

ALL TEN OF OUR GRAND BLESSINGS!! 💗💗💗💗

The picture Antioch took on Picture Day of all who attended VBS

The program was very cute!

Preschool sang first...Saylor....

Mack and Gideon

Laine and the other helpers doing the motions

Then the older ones turn....Ellie, Eisley and Shep

Copeland

I love this picture, Michelle got of Saylor during closing prayer time:

Rachel and all her crew went home after the program.  Michelle, Avi and Saylor along with the Texas Swart kids spent Thursday night with us.  Michelle and the girls headed to NWA that next morning to spend the weekend with her brother and family (and I again forgot to get a picture!😞)

Later than morning, I had the Texas kids all packed up to drive an hour or so to meet their Mom.  The week had been hard on Jeff....he did work each morning at the church and helped Rachel transport kids back and forth, but he didn't get his normal quiet afternoon to rest, so he was worn out.  So I took the kids by myself (which was fine).

I was all "cooked" out - so we first went to Taco Bell here in Conway for lunch and then we used the free ice cream coupons that were handed out at VBS at Andy's on our way out of town....of course, that wasn't the smartest idea this DeDe had....100 degrees and ice cream outside was a mess--but they enjoyed it!

Always a relief to be able to return grandchildren to their parents - safe and sound!!  So thankful for God blessing the week with health, no accidents, no fights, and LOTS AND LOTS of sweet memories!!💕💕💕

Saturday, we were "toast"  -- thankfully, I was able to finish up laundry, clean up the house a little and rest!!  Sunday was a great day at Antioch.

Monday, Michelle and the girls stopped by for a couple of hours to give them a break on their long drive back to TN.  Always sweet to have them in our home!😍

And now.....the next "big" event on our calendar, is our family's trip to Disneyworld in December to celebrate Jeff and I's 50th wedding anniversary as well as Christmas, etc.  I realize Disney is definitely not what she "use" to be and I'm heartsick at the decisions the CEO's are making.  I know Walt would not be pleased!!  However, we planned this trip last year before many of those decisions were made and we have already paid on our trip, got our airline tickets and even more importantly, our grandchildren are so, so excited about going.  So we will go.....for Jeff and I, I'm sure our last time.  Still praying that someone "wakes" up in the Disney leadership and realize they are making some major WRONG decisions!!!😲😲

During the week, while Rachel was here, she made each family (with kids) countdown calendars (to start using when we are 100 days out).  The kids were excited about that.

Next Monday is July 4th.  One of my favorite holidays....Saylor has been with us the last two years on the 4th but won't be this year.  However, I'm using this picture as my profile pic on FB remembering her visit and celebrating the 4th!💖💙💖💙

May and June

 May 1st was our "baby" girl's 37th Birthday!  Happy Birthday, Rachel Ann!  We sure do love you!💖

MOTHER'S DAY 2022

So thankful for these Mom's and the great job they are doing raising our grandchildren!!💗💗💗

So thankful I am blessed to be a Mom, MIL and DeDe💗

And very thankful for my Mom!! (and sister, Kaye).  I fixed lunch for us that Sunday (and Rob and Jeff )

The next week, Copeland and Gideon stayed with us for a couple of days to celebrate their birthdays (Gideon's was in April and Copeland's later in May).  Grandma came over to see Rachel and crew

Love these guys!

We did some park time, visited the pet shop, etc.  It was really hot, so didn't do much outside

May 17th is our daughter-in-law, Carman's birthday.  We love you, Carman!

May 19th, our oldest grandson turned 9!!💙  Love you, Copeland!

May 23rd was the day Jeff had been waiting for - for almost 2 months!!  Back surgery--rods, screws, bone fusion, rotor-rooting out some stuff, etc.!

The surgery went great, according to the surgeon!  Jeff spent 2 nights in the hospital and seemed to be doing really well.  He was discharged Wednesday around 2 but by evening was in so much pain (in his calf--opposite leg of the surgery leg).  We were afraid of a blood clot, so went to the ER.....major mistake!!  6-1/2 hours later, we had no answers and Jeff was absolutely miserable.  Got home around 4 a.m.  The next morning, he called the surgeon's office, who had him go later that day to get two ultrasounds (both calves were hurting at this point).  Again, the tests did not show any clots.  For 3 weeks, he has been in so much pain.  Even the surgeon has no answers as to why he's experiencing the calf pain.  Today (June 17) he FINALLY had a pretty good "less" pain day.  Sure praying he's finally on the road to recovery.

Our brother-in-law, Rob bought him this nice walker and it has definitely been a major blessing to him!!  But we are sure looking forward to the day, it is no longer a necessary part of his life!

We are also so grateful to the many, many people who brought us food and/or gave us gift cards, for all the calls, cards in the mail, texts, and most of all prayers!  We are so thankful!  Also very appreciative of our Worship Leader Travis and his family for taking care of our yard during this time!  

May has been a busy month for our grandkids as they finished up their school year.  Laine is very much into drama and performed in a musical.  Wish we could have seen her....as well as Eisley do her dance performance in Little Rock.  

And Shep graduated from Kindergarten!!  Hated we missed that too!

Two weeks after surgery, Andy made the trip to Arkansas to help his Dad out for a couple of days.  So very kind of him.  He cleaned out our flower beds, did some other yard work and also cleaned out and organized our garage.  He wanted to create a new flower bed for us, but it poured the day he was going to do that, so that will be a project for next time!  Thank you Andy for coming!!💓👍💚

The flower bed after he finished mulching!💚

Rachel's family joined us the last night Andy was here (but I failed to get a picture!).  Andy, Jeff and Rob then went to see the new movie, Maverick (Top Gun), and really enjoyed it.

Mack turned 4 on June 9th!  Sure love this cutie!💙

Sunday, June 5th, my Aunt Freda (Hardister) passed away.  This picture was taken in 2019, the last time I saw her (I had driven to Pittsburg, while still living in Galena, to the facility she was living in to hear her play the piano for Uncle Marvin who sang for the residents).  So thankful, I got to be there for that day!  I sure did love her!  But thankful, she is now whole, healthy and enjoying all the fruit of her labor and faithfulness to the Lord!

Bev drove from Texas to Arkansas on Wednesday and then rode with Rob, Kaye, Mom, Jeff and I on Thursday to Kansas for the services.  Before we went to visitation, we went to Jim's Steakhouse in Pittsburg for an early dinner.  Our "Brunk" cousin Christie and husband Wayne met us there as she wanted to see us while we were in town.  It was a great visit and a delicious meal!

Aunt Freda's wonderful service was held at Meadowside Baptist Church in Pittsburg on Friday.  She and Uncle Jack were charter members of Meadowside and Jeff and I served with them in the beginning years of the mission.  Paul Mooney, missionary pastor of Meadowside for many years, preached the service and Uncle Marvin sang.  Sweet service!

It was so good to see many of our Boore family at the services (a few had left before we got the picture taken)!

The Boore cousins that were at the lunch (Marsha and Cheryl were at the funeral but didn't get to stay for lunch)

Also good to see several friends, including Paul and Mary (Mooney)💖

I was Aunt Freda and Uncle Jack's flower girl.  My Mom made both Aunt Freda's dress as well as my flower girl dress💖

We drove home after the funeral on Friday (it was a very hard trip for Jeff😞)  He spent several days thereafter in bed.

Saturday, Kaye and I went to a Ladies Brunch at church that we had signed up for.  Really enjoyable time.  Delicious food and great devotional by our friend, Kerry Stitch

Some of the gals from our Jensen Small Group who where there in support of Kerry

Then we had a flower arranging lesson💗

All the ladies and their flowers

A picture of the one I made (not bad for a brown thumb girl)!

Bev stayed with Mom til Monday and went to church with us Sunday, which was great.  I didn't get a picture of us (thought we were taking a picture, but it turned out to be a video, so can't post here).  So glad she was in AR for a few days!

As I wrote in the post below this one - I started a healthy food plan the last of April.  I lost 14 lbs. in about 6 weeks. Jeff's surgery, then the funeral, travel to Kansas, etc., set me back some.  So I have been back on plan the last week and doing good again.  I still desire to lose 7-9 lbs.  But am so very thankful that my blood sugar numbers are staying in the acceptable range!  I go back to the diabetes doctor the first of July and hoping she will be pleased with that!  I really have enjoyed this "Crave" book along with the recipes/food plan on New Life Promise.  

Now I'm "gearing" up all my resources to keep 9 grandkids next week.  7 of them will be participating in VBS at Antioch; Laine will be helping at VBS; and Rachel and Kipling will be in town to help me out (they will stay at Mom's at night).  I'm thinking I'm getting too old to do this, but love when the cousins get the opportunity to all be together in our home and able to go to Bible School (we have done this for several years).  This will be Saylor's first time to join us for "cousin" week. 💘 So my next blog post will be all about the week!  😀

It's been so hot in AR this week (and all over the US).  Ugh....I do not like summer.  I have to do my exercise here in the house (jogging my mini lap) or going to McGee Center.  But I'm getting 'er done and must not quit!  After all the health problems/pain, Jeff has been in, I'm just counting my blessings that I have the health and ability to exercise and will not take that for granted! 

Sunday is Father's Day.....so thankful for a godly Dad and for Jeff and our 2 sons and son-in-law for the great fathers that they are!  Happy Father's Day, Jeff, Josh, Andy & Jonathan!💙

Thanks again to ALL who have been praying for Jeff.  We both are looking so forward to the day when he feels good again and is able to resume all his activities, ministries and enjoying life to the fullest!  Thank you, Lord, for being with us in this valley and never forsaking us!!💞💞