September 2020

 

If I could relive a holiday it would be Labor Day Weekend of 2020.

I’m thankful for my Grandparents. 

I consider myself very lucky to have who I consider the coolest, most generous and loving grandparents around. Yeah, yeah everyone says theirs are 'the best,' but I'm serious - my grandparents are as good as it gets. They have all shaped who I am and make me want to be a better person every single day. I feel extremely blessed to say I have grown up with three incredible sets of grandparents, however, I recently lost my first grandparent. While I miss her, my grandma's death made me appreciate my time with the grandparents I still have. I will never be able to fully express the love and gratitude I feel towards my grandparents; but here’s a start.

Thank you for standing by my side and supporting every decision I make. It's nice to know that as I'm deciding who I want to be and where I want to end up, I will have unconditional support and love from you. 

Thank you for basically turning your homes into mini museums of our family. From baby to graduation pictures, they remind me of all of our memories and offer me a sense of comfort that I can't find anywhere else.

Thank you for raising my parents and instilling positive values like integrity, commitment and faith in them. Because of you, they've provided me with a loving home and continually prove to be the best role models I could ever hope for.

Thank you for making sure I never (ever, ever, ever) leave your house hungry. Whether it's a big holiday or just a pop-in visit, I'm always guaranteed to be treated like a queen and fed amazing food.

Thank you for giving me a family I couldn't live without; my aunts, uncles and cousins have all had major impacts on my life, and I owe it to you for holding us all together.

Thank you for always putting family before yourselves and showing us how generous people can be. You never miss an opportunity to provide for others, and it is truly admirable. 

Thank you for making sure all of your grandchildren feel equally loved and supported, even if that means going to four soccer games in one weekend.

Thank you for showing me what it means to rely on God and practice my faith. Your constant prayers mean everything to me and have helped me through difficult times in life.

These thank you's don't even begin to describe the love and gratitude I have for my grandparents. You all mean more to me than you'll ever know, so thank you for just being you.

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It took me a long time to realize that I was born into an extraordinary family, Thank you for so many family traditions and memories. For all you do everyday to be such an amazing woman. You are the sweetest, kindest woman that I know! Enjoy this day, knowing that you are loved by me (and Montgomery).❤️

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Monty started 3rd Grade (in-person)

September 24

 

UPDATE: 3 months ago.... was probably the worst day of my life. This kid is truly my hero! With all that he overcame, with all that he missed this summer and to see how amazing bodies heal themselves. 

Montgomery Gene, You are my Greatest Adventure, My Best Friend; I love you to the moon and back!🐺 ahrooo! To Infinity and Beyond!

His legs are healed! They have been since August 14th; which was our last trip to the Medical Mile in Grand Rapids. He still applies lotion and sunscreen multiple times a day! 

Since June 24th; our world has been like a rollercoaster, we’ve had so many ups and downs, but the one thing we’ve always had is each other. This accident has taught me about patience & about how I cannot control situations. It has taught me to pray harder and in detail. It has taught me that if you are doing the right thing, all things will work out. 

God's never early, never late, but always on time. ... God's perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through. "My times are in Your hands ..." Psalm 31:15

August 2020

 

https://amberelkranch.com/

Amber Elk Ranch is located in Mason County (Ludington) .

There is a gift shop that sells Elk Meat, Guided tours and a Petting Zoo. 

Amazing Hidden Gem in Our Home Town!

Montgomery was cleared to go swimming & play soccer.

July 2020

 

July 24: While in Grand Rapids today, we met up with my Sister-In-Law Cara and Montgomery’s cousins Quinn and Easton at John Ball Zoo. It was super Hot today; but so fun to see all the animals and LEGO statues.

Legs:

Week1

Who wants an UPDATE:

Both Hands are amazing, no longer need to be wrapped.

Right Forearm is 1st degree and only needs ointment.

Right Leg is second degree.

Left leg is the worst with a few spots that are third degree burn that go into the innermost layer of skin. Mostly second degree. 

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He slept on the way down! His pain after removing bandages was 5, they scrapped and washed all the dead skin off. He has been re-wrapped and sent home till Next Wednesday when we need to be back in Grand Rapids. 

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This kid is amazing!! 

A true Hero! My Hero! 

He only shed a few tears!

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He is now used to laying on his belly. We have to work on stretches, and change dressings at home. Thank you to all the amazing Doctors, Residents, and Nurses for being amazing teachers to this mama! Each step they walked me through, packed me so many supplies and explained how in detail to keep infection away.

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Thank You to everyone for all the Prayers, messages, phone calls and gifts!

June 2020

 June 5:

June 10: NO CAVITIES 🦷 

June 11: I turned 39

June 24:So Tonight was the scariest night of my life. My best friend, My Greatest Adventure, had an accident. He was moving his chair away from fire, he lost his balance and landed in our firepit. I’ve never screamed so loud in my life and heard my son scream and cry the way he did. A huge Thank You to the amazing staff at Ludington Spectrum Health for the amazing care we received tonight. Montgomery has first and second degree burns to the backs of both legs, as well as small burns on both hands. We will be heading to Helen DeVos Burn Center on Friday for a wound change and to see the next step of action. I think tonight my heart almost broke, but as we were leaving the hospital a double rainbow was out!!! A promise of hope, hope that all the troubles and pain are over for the summer. So say some prayers for my Greatest Adventure..... he needs them right now.

May 2020

 Tulip Time Canceled 

Monty used Birthday Money to buy a trampoline 

Hurt his knee and had to get X-ray. (Masks are part of covid-19)

Memorial Day at my parents on Gun Lake.

Since we cannot go to Holland and Tulip Time has been canceled... this is the best we can do. 2020

We are sad about missing Tulip Time, but more sad because this guy misses his cousins, his aunties and uncle and his papa and nana. 

Tulip Time is a tradition!!!! We miss tradition, and elephant ears!

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HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — The annual Tulip Time Festival has been canceled due to concerns about coronavirus. 

Tulip Time cited a volunteer base primarily made up of those most vulnerable to contracting serious cases of COVID-19 — older people — and said about 45% of its guests are part of that vulnerable group, too. The organization also noted there are two retirement homes in downtown Holland, where the festival is held. 

“It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share this news. Our team has spent the last 11 months planning our 91st celebration and we are heartbroken not to see our work come into fruition.”

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Congrats to Quentin and Malakye!! 

💛👨🏾‍🎓💙class of 2020 MCC 💙👨🏾‍🎓💛

Grandpa VanOrder

 https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/holland-mi/richard-van-order-9166346/amp

April 2020

 His 8th party canceled. 

Covid is on every news channel.

No School. Homeschool

Yard work.

How can you be 8?

You have come so far this past year, you learned to ride without training wheels & are now a “pro”; and you love your bikes! You became a better swimmer, you are creative, a great artist, you love your Monster Jam Trucks and Hot Wheel Cars. You have Jesus in your heart ❤️ You love your real Bible & your so good at reading it. 

You like to read books and are super good at math! 

Montgomery you can move mountains, you have a great heart, and you love your stuffies. You are a great teacher to Mom and Tim of Minecraft. You are a great helper!!!! Most of the time unless your so engrossed in YouTube, you forget your ears work when we call your name. This year you decided you want a nickname and to be called Monty! I call you it sometimes, but I still like to call you GUM! Over time it will come more natural to call you Monty!

You loved school and your friends, this year due the C-C-Coronavirus 🦠, you have been out of school since March 13. This year will be different, no treat and gift for the class, no party at Johnnys; as it’s been rescheduled to after this pandemic is done sweeping the nation. You and I have learned to homeschool, we learn stuff everyday; you teach me and I teach you. It may be different but you accept change well, way better than Mom! On April 2nd we learned that you will not return to face-to-face learning in the school building. It was a sad day and we both shed some tears, we understand that we want everyone to stay healthy but you miss your routine, your teachers and friends.

Today, I just want you to know that not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for that smile of yours, your fun personality, your chatter; your mouth is always moving 😂 and your laughter. You light up my life, You are the best thing that has ever happened in my life, please don’t stop being yourself. Don’t let anyone change what makes you, YOU! This year you have decided to grow out your hair till at least Halloween, I very much dislike this idea, but it makes you so happy; so we will compromise with a kept up shaggy look!  

You are my Greatest Adventure, My Best Friend, and I love you to the Moon and Back.🐺 Arh-wooo

Happy 8th Birthday Montgomery Gene! 😘 "I fell in love with you the day you were born. You made my heart smile. You'll always be a part of me, and I'll be a part of you."

March 2020

 If you would have told me on March 12 (conferences) that March 13 would be his last day of school, I would have never believed you. What was issued from our governor of Michigan, was a small 2 week break. This would be the start of Covid-19 (coronavirus). 

He won’t attend inperson school again till September 2020. 

I homeschooled him for the remainder of his 2nd grade. 

Just so I NEVER forget..... March 2020

-Face-to-Face School cancelled - yes cancelled (students left  March 13 and wouldn’t return)

-Self-distancing measures on the rise.

-Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.

-Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.

-Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed.

-Parks, trails, entire cities locked up.

-Entire sports seasons cancelled.

-Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.

-Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.

-No masses, churches are closed - even Easter Sunday.

-No gatherings of 50 or more, then 20 or more, now no gatherings of 5 or more.

-Don't socialize with anyone outside of your home.

-Children's outdoor play parks are closed.

-We are to distance from each other.

-Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.

-Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.

-Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.

-Shelves are bare. No bread, No butter, No Ground Beef....

-Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.

-Government closes the border to all non-essential travel.

-Fines are established for breaking the rules.

-Stadiums and recreation facilities open up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.

-Press conferences daily from the President. -Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.

-Government incentives to stay home.

-Barely anyone on the roads.

-People wearing masks and gloves outside.

-Essential service workers are terrified to go to work.

-Medical field workers are afraid to go home to their families.

This is the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.

Why, you ask, do I write this status?

One day it will show up in my memory feed, and it will be a yearly reminder that life is precious and not to take the things we dearly love for granted.

We have so much!

Be thankful. Be grateful.

Be kind to each other - love one another - support everyone.

We are all one! ❤️

February

 

My loves, celebrating Valentine’s.