Quality One on One Time with Randy's Family

Yesterday my nephew and niece (Randy & Lizz) and their family came out to the cottage to spend the day with me. Lizz had texted me a couple of weeks earlier to set it up. The day before they were coming I looked at the weather forecast and it looked like it was going to be rainy. I warned them ahead of time so they wouldn't make the 2+ hour drive from Grand Rapids if it wasn't going to be nice. They obviously didn't realize how small (800 sq. feet) the cottage is and I was worried there would be nothing for them to do if we were cramped inside. Lizz said they were definitely coming and she kept telling me not to stress-out and that they had no expectations.

We had the best time with them! Their kids are so cute and so well behaved! I loved observing them as parents. Randy took each of the kids separately on a kayak ride. He is such a sweet dad and reminded me so much of his dad, my brother Dave. His quiet way with them and his constant interaction was such a joy to experience. Lizz couldn't have been more complimentary of our cottage. I loved how she made herself at home and jumped right in. They loved that it was just "us."

I feel like I got to know their kids a lot better. Lillian is 10 years old and is so mature. She is quite the athlete and such a sweetheart. Trey is 4 years old and is adorable. Their youngest, Eveline is almost 3 years old. I will always remember her age because I drove Dave and Pattie over to their house right after she was born. It was important to Dave that he go see her. He slept all the way over there; rallied for the visit; and slept all the way home, while trying to get comfortable. He passed away shortly after that final visit.

Linc came after work and we all went for a boat ride to go get the famous pizza rolls and of course "superman" ice cream for the three of them. Oh yeah, "Grandma Pattie" came over and joined us. I hadn't seen her in forever and it was nice catching up. She seemed to be doing pretty well.

I am learning that I most enjoy our tiny little cottage when we have small groups out there. I'm able to spend quality time with them. I didn't need to worry about them being bored. We had lunch; played the bean-bag game outside; the kids swam in the little beach area; Randy took the kids kayaking; we watched some of the movie, "Frozen" (and loved hearing the kids sing along!); played Jenga; went on a boat ride after the rain stopped; and just talked and caught up.

[caption id="attachment_1405" align="alignnone" width="467"] Lizz & Lilly[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1411" align="alignnone" width="560"] Randy & Lilly[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_1406" align="alignnone" width="467"] Lilly[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1407" align="alignnone" width="560"] Randy & Trey on the kayak.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1408" align="alignnone" width="560"] Eveline[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1409" align="alignnone" width="467"] Eveline & Trey[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1410" align="alignnone" width="560"] Eveline & Trey[/caption]

I had the best Wednesday I have had in a very long time!

My first and dearest friend, Jan.

Last weekend I was so Blessed to get to spend the weekend with my very first friend. I've known Jan since 1967 when I crossed East Street to introduce myself to our new neighbors. Since then our friendship has been one of the best gifts I have ever received. And she is one of the very few people who call me Angela.

We were friends until 6th grade when my family moved to Lake Fenton. We kept in touch and caught back up in high school when we moved back to Fenton. We took night classes together at Mott Community College where she was studying Nursing and I was in the Dental Hygiene program. We lived together across from Mott Children's Health Center and Hurley Hospital. She lived downstairs and I lived upstairs in a very scary part of town. It was typical to hear gun shots in the evening. I still can't believe we lived there! Jan was also a bridesmaid in my first wedding and she lived through my first love and marriage.

She the kind of friend I don't have to see often, but when I do we pick right back up where we left off. This past weekend we stayed at her condo at Trout Creek in Harbor Springs. We talked and talked and talked and laughed and laughed and laughed. We also shed a few tears; you know, the good kind. We both know what a gift we have and we do not take it for granted.  It is so comforting to have a friend with a very good memory. She reminded me of some very important details that I have somehow forgotten along the way. Jan knows the real me and she loves me. The way she loves and accepts people is like no other.

On Saturday evening we were in Petosky just in time to watch the sunset and I quickly grabbed my camera out of the trunk. We had a silly photo shoot and laughed some more. There was a couple in a car nearby who was watching us and got a kick out of a couple of fifty-somethings having the time of our life.

It is my honor and privilege to introduce you to my very special friend, Jan. aka... Jan Philreeski. 47 years later.

13th Anniversary Week @ Pictured Rocks U.P.

Since it's still July I thought I would post some photos I took at Pictured Rocks during our July 4th week up north.  We had talked about going for awhile and for some reason we have never made the trip to the Upper Penninsula. It's a 3 hour trek after you cross the Mackinac Bridge. We took a boat ride and it was absolutely gorgeous! It reminded me of our boat ride to Capri, Italy. If you are considering the trip it is totally worth the drive.

 

We had just bought our new Tamaron 70-200 lens and were anxious to try it out. It's a bit heavy and bulky, but I just love the photos it produces! We took a picture of each other so we could test out the blurred background (which I love!). I wanted to try to capture the fireworks in Harbor Springs, but they didn't turn out well. It's hard to practice in the dark when there isn't a lot of time to make adjustments to the camera! 

The coolest part of our Anniversary is that I've officially been a Baylis longer than I was a Williams. That's huge! XO

 

Check out my photos... :)

 

28 Years Later... Still Love Our Home

 

 

 

Au Gres 2014 with the Gang

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="alignnone" width="660"] Boltens-Mehaffeys-Parrotts-Carlsons-Carrolls-Howards-J. Randall & us.[/caption]

This past weekend we went up north to our friends' cottage in Au Gres. It was so much fun! I loved every part of it really, but I think my favorite part was Friday afternoon when we were down at the beach visiting and listening to Bob's music collection. He has the top 100 songs from the years 1950-2000.

I love how we handle meals up there; each family takes one and two couples share dinner. For dinner the M. & P.'s made amazing pork tenderloin with an amazing gravy (out of the marinade boiled for 10 mins.), smashed redskin potatoes, green beans w/bacon and a wonderful salad. Oh yeah, first we had appetizers on the beach, which were: caprese mozzarella cheese balls, cherry tomatoes and basil on skewers, grilled turkey sausage with mustard dip, hummus & crackers. Marty made the best cucumber vodka drinks! For dessert we had a Costco four berry pie.

We made breakfast before our golf scramble that included bagels w/cream cheese, salmon (cut in strips from Costco), tomato slices, chopped red onion and capers; a big fruit salad with cantaloupe, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries & pineapple; orange juice & coffee.

When we got back from golf the H.'s made sandwiches with all kinds of breads, cold cuts, cheeses, salads, pickles & pickled cucumbers, and chips. We also had left over fruit salad.

Dinner Saturday night was compliments of The B.'s and The C.'s. For appetizers we had deviled eggs, Marty's crab dip, pizza dip & crackers. For the main meal we had whole chickens on beer cans, cheesy potatoes, sweet corn & salad. For dessert we all went for ice cream at a cute little shop in town.

For breakfast Sunday morning the C.'s made scrambled eggs with peppers/onions/mushrooms, sausage, bacon & english muffins. We actually had to take off early so we missed this one.

I loved our beach dance party/talent show and playing the corn-hole bean bag game & charades. I also loved our boat ride & coffee in the morning while reminiscing about past trips and planning future ones together.

Each of those couples have been married for many, many years and we are so grateful for the opportunity to spend time with them for a fun-filled weekend.  We first met them through Meghan and they are the parent's of many of her high school friends. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. We sang so many songs together, but when this one came on it touched me in a special way. I hadn't heard it in a very long time...

(The Wedding Song by Peter Paul & Mary)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZbhrO4IEtI]

Family Fun

[caption id="attachment_1344" align="alignnone" width="560"] Naze, Diane, Bekka, Shannen, Me, Liz, Cali, Patricia[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1345" align="alignnone" width="560"] Joe, Leo, Jeremy, Tim, Jake, Josh, Tim, Kayden, Trevor[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1346" align="alignnone" width="560"] Joe, Leo, Naze, Bekka, Dianne, Trevor, Liz, Tim, Jake, Cali, Patricia, Jeremy, Josh, Shannen, Kayden[/caption]

On My Mind this Monday Morning

Thirty years ago I married my kids' dad. (I'd be lying if I didn't tell you it crossed my mind more than once lately.) This July Linc and I celebrated our 13th Anniversary and it also marked the year that we surpassed the amount of years I was married to my kids' dad. I am here to tell you that it is only by the Grace of God that I am healed; and I can barely even see the scars left behind. When I saw this amazing photo posted and stepped back to analyze how I felt, it didn't sting one single bit.

I can honestly say that I couldn't have chosen a better father for my kids.

I remember when M. & J. were young it seemed I had to... BEG him to play sports with them and play with them. At the time I attributed it to his age, since he was quite a bit older than me. I won't go into all of the details, but... it really made me happy when I saw the photo in this post and when I heard the excitement in my son's voice when he was telling me all the details how together they discussed each shot and in the end they took second place (and came close to winning!).

When I step back and consider if I never would have gone through what I did, I never would have had to learn to totally rely on God for His comfort, His healing, His constant presence, His guidance, His security, His arms wrapped around me, His patience, His control of my tongue, His gift of the people He brought into my life or His loving kindness.

It was so nice to hear my ex-mother-in-law's voice on bluetooth yesterday. She is the most loving Granny and I'm so thankful for her.

This morning when I was on my elliptical machine (It's strange how loudly God speaks to me when I am in that room!), I heard this song on my playlist. I heard it completely different than I ever had before. He is God... ;)

He Ain't The Leaving Kind by Rascal Flatts

They tried their best to drag him out
Of a courthouse down in montgomery
Now they want to kick him out of school
And take him off our money
They can take those words off of paper and stone
But he aint gone, no

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who dont believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

She stayed mad at him for a lot of years
For taking her husband
Started losing her faith and thinking that
Her life meant nothin
But when she looks at those kids
She raised all by herself
She knows she had some help
Yeah she knows

He ain't the leavin' kind
He'd never walk away
Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

No matter what you do
No matter where you go he's
Always right there
With you

Even from those who don't believe
And wanna leave him behind
He ain't the leavin' kind

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s9GN9_P940&w=420&h=315]

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” ~Deuteronomy 31:6