2nd Trip to Detroit

My friends and I went to Detroit again...this time for Dianne to be sworn in as a citizen of the USA. She was born and raised near London, Ont. Canada. We had a great day!

My four friends: Donna, Linda, Francine, and Dianne. Our friend, Rose, wasn't feeling well so she stayed home. We missed her.


Dianne, rode in front and was my excellent navigator!

Francine, Linda, and Donna. I drove.

Dianne being sworn in!

Color guard.

Dianne saying the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dianne reading her citizen certificate.

Here she holding it up so we can read it. She's very proud! She has a right to be proud.
Lord, thank You for this great country and for good friends we can share experiences with. Thank You for Dianne, Donna, Rose, Linda, & Francine.

The Last 'Chili' Supper

Last evening was the 'Last Supper for the Archer Adoption' and was so well attended, it was amazing! I'm guessing 300 folks! Others said the same amount. It was impossible to get a count! But there were still folks we didn't see, some who had said they would be there, but for one reason or another didn't show up. It was a great time!

Connie, how many bowls of chili did you eat? It was very good!

Armon joined some kids playing a game in the south fellowship hall.

These good looking young men are all members of a Northwood University fraternity! They were the only folks dressed up and, boy, did they look good!

A small portion of the line waiting for food. The line went clear down the hall, through the double doors, and beyond! It moved fast though!
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful evening yesterday. The folks who turned out were amazing! Thank You for the reason for the supper. Thank You for the way folks have rallied for Rob and Jessica, Armon and Elmise.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Megan! You're a pretty 14 year old teen ager! It was fun visiting you and your family a couple months ago. I wish we didn't live so far from each other, I'm missing so much of your growing up years. I'm very proud of you. You're a good big sister to Maddie...and to your brothers. I know Max is older. You're a good sister to Max.
Lord, thank You for Megan. She's at a very critical age. Please keep Your Hands upon her as she grows up. I love her so much and You love her even more.

A Special Treat

Today we were treated to lunch at the Playroom MacDonalds with our grandchildren, Elmise and Armon, and our children, Rob & Jessica! I took my camera thinking I'd get some good pictures of the kids playing on the creative play equipment. Wrong! It was too overwhelming. The place became packed shortly after we arrived. Kids and noise and running around. Elmise and Armon never left our table!

Rob bought a new van for the family! They needed a bigger vehicle with their expanded family! 2008 Chevrolet Highlander. So they came to take us for a ride and then we ended up at MacDonalds. This is Elmise sitting in her booster seat. She has a tooth so ready to fall out!

Armon in his booster seat! They are such bright and loving children, like all my grandchildren!

Jessica and Elmise sat in the back seats, Armon and I in the middle, Jerry and Rob in the front.
Oh yes, Rob has a new job starting in February!

Here we are in MacDonalds. I should have had my camera on a different setting. This is too light. Armon, Jessica, Jerry, Rob, and Elmise. It looks like the kids don't have much to eat...I moved their bags off the table so I could get a good picture...and then had the wrong setting. ;(

Lord, I love You. Life is such an adventure. I praise You.

A Fun Afternoon

Elmise and Armon came to visit this afternoon with their mom. Jessica. What a fun time we had!

Elmise came as a princess! See her tiara, jewels, and skirt.

Armon is playing with the match box cars and trucks that were Papa Rob's when he was a little boy!

These monkeys were also Papa's when he was a little boy!

Elmise found a kazoo in the box of toys. She started playing it immediately! Not just making noise...she was humming tunes! This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; Come and Go With Me To My Father's House, and more! Jerry started singing Come and Go With Me in Creole...she looked at him in surprise and started singing along with him! Then she sang the rest of the verses! She has a lovely voice!

The house quickly became a mess today but who cares! We all had fun! The Fisher-Price school house and play house were Aunt Christy's when she was a little girl!

Oh Heavenly Father how I praise You! Thank You, thank You, thank You for these precious children. Please help them as they make all the adjustments. Thank You for bringing them to our family. Help me to be a good grandma to them and to the rest of our grandchildren.

Plaid

Here's Plaid waiting to go home. I took this shot in December, you can see bells hanging on the door knob. But this is how he watched for his family! He went home yesterday...I miss him. I hope he and Elmise and Armon can adjust to each other.

Lord, thank You for pets. Thank You for Plaid. Please help the children and Plaid to adjust to each other.

New Grandchildren

Here they are....our new grandchildren! In the picture is: Plaid, Elmise, Grandma, Armon, & Grandpa. Elmise was trying to hold Plaid down so she doesn't have her beautiful smile.
They were introduced today at church. They had to go up on the platform in front of everyone. Rob & Jessica & Haleigh were with them. Pastor Dave had Rob tell a little bit about how things are going. Rob did well even though he got choked up a few times.
Pastor Dave prayed for the whole family in their new life together. It was touching.
Rob, Haleigh, Elmise, and Armon came over this afternoon and took Plaid home with them. I could tell Rob had talked to the kids about taking him home. They seemed to be okay with it.
Lord, thank You for Elmise, Armon, Plaid, Rob's original family, and our church family.

Senior Luncheon - Prime Timer's Luncheon

Today 38 folks met for a pot luck dinner after 2nd service. This first picture shows some younger guys! They provided us with entertainment! They are all International exchange students.

Fernando from Spain played the bag pipes! James from Thailand played a Thai flute! Next is Michele, the boys host mother. Jooman from Korea played oboe!

James playing his Thai flute.

Jooman playing his oboe.

Fernando from Spain playing his bag pipes!

Larry and Jerry relaxing and visiting.

Joanne, Jane, Herb, Marci, Richard, and Dave.

Heavenly Father, I praise You because You are Sovereign. You are love. You love each one of us enough to die for us.

Armon, Elmise, and Plaid

Okay, yes, we'll keep Plaid for another day or two!!! Armon, Rob, and Plaid. Poor Plaid.

Plaid, Haleigh, and Elmise. She loves Plaid, but would rather he stay at Grandma's house!

Lord, I'm coming to You on behalf of Plaid. He's such a sweet little dog. He belongs to Rob's family. Please help Armon and Elmise to adjust to life here. Help them both as they encounter new experiences. Thank You for this challenge that is before us.

First Popsicles!

I know it's cold weather and popsicles aren't the most popular treat now but I was trying to think of something I could give them besides candy for a little treat at grandma's house. They loved them!
Haleigh and Elmise.

Rob & Armon.

Lord, thank You for little blessings.

Who is King?

We've been keeping Plaid, Rob's families dog, while they've been gone. He does get his own way, I'll admit. But this is going too far!!!
Everyone knows Jerry has his own chair. Anyone can sit in it but if Jerry walks into the room the chair is vacated and Jerry sits down!
Today I came home and found Jerry sitting in the wing chair...Plaid is sitting in Jerry's chair! I laughed and laughed!
Dear Lord, thank You for life, for pets, for home, for comforts of home. Thank You for laughter.

Home at Last

Finally at home in Michigan. Armon and Elmise saw their first snow and even played in it! Here's the whole family of six! Tyler, Jessica, Elmise, Haleigh, Armon, & Rob.

Elmise with a pretty smile!

Armon is a handsome young boy!

Heavenly Father, thank You for this precious family.

At MBS

Here we are at MBS. Their plane even arrived early! A few close friends and family were there to greet them. Kelby and Elmise. She's busy coloring.

Jessica and Rob being interviewed by MDN. The reporter wanted to follow them home but they said no. We want to just be our family at home. I'm proud of them for that. I'm also anxious to read the newspaper tomorrow!

Rob finally leaving MBS.

Armon was glued to Tyler!

Jerry and Rob.

Lord, thank You for the safety with all the flying. We have so much to thankful for. I praise You.

Before They Arrived Home Jan 2010

Today was a huge day in the life of Rob & Jessica and their family. A few of us had a lot of fun doing some special things for them.
I've added a picture of the garage with streamers to the original post because I thought maybe you could see the streamers better here. Click on the picture.
Kelby and Jon are responsible for all the stuff on the cupboards. Here the cupboards are loaded with purchases. I wonder where it's going to be stored!?

The back porch with streamers, done by Amy and Shana.

Balloons and banners welcome the Archer family home.


The banner was made by Jamie.

These colorful chains were put across the kid's bedroom doors. This is looking into Armon's room.

Inside Armon's room.

In Elmise's room.

Driving in the driveway the first thing they saw was the garage with balloons and crape paper strung across the doors. It's hard to see it here, but if you click on the pictue you can see it.

Lord, what a wonderful day You have given us.