Ready to Go, Covered Bridge Festival...

This is the Bridgeton Bridge, and mill where we will be.

just another bridge in park county, there are many...........................

We will be going to help Shawn and Megan at the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County, Its always lots of work and lots of fun. Hopefully we will not have any major mishaps on our travels down and back and we are praying for nice weather,. When it gets to cold its really hard to keep the campers toasty warm. One year our water lines even froze, we hope this year that doesn't happen. We will miss everything going on back here, Keep us in your prayers and we will keep you in our prayers. Have a wonderful day. Going to start packing camper. Hoping we have enough clothes, that's the hard part. Coats, shorts, you just never know? We will be in Bridgeton here is a picture of where we will be its really pretty, but you have no cell service its like in the middle of no where,

Where is Grandpa!.....

Pa hugs are the very best!!!!!!!

Does anyone tell stories as well as Pa?

Oh where did Grandpa Go?

Shad says Where is grandpa, are you in there?

We had Shawn and Megans kids spend the night one day last week and they always have fun with Grandpa, they were getting ready to watch a movie and they had all the pillows out so they could lay on the floor and get comfortable. Well you guessed it all of a sudden Grandpa disappeared, under the pile of pillows. We had a good time with them. They thought this was great fun! A picture of Ezekiel and Titus with Pa! When we have Shannon and Aarons kids the boys always like to have squeeze hugs from Pa! . They are all blessings and we love them each very much. What would Pa do without that big recliner that can fit many kids at one time.

VACATION 2009

HIDING OUT IN A CAVE

CAN YOU BELIEVE WE ACTUALLY HIKED THIS.

YEP EVEN THE LITTLE GUYS ENJOYED HIKING! WHAT FUN! THEY ARE ALREADY
ASKING IF THEY CAN DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR,

SORRY THIS IS BLURRY BUT OFF WE GO!

THIS IS LATE IN PUBLISHING, BUT WE HAD A GREAT TIME ON VACATION REALLY NICE WEATHER AND LOTS OF HIKING AND FUN WITH KIDS AND GRAND KIDS. THE GRAND KIDS HAD A GREAT TIME HIKING WE HAD TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH THEM BUT ON DAY ONE SHAWN TOOK US ON A REALLY RUGGED TRAIL THAT WAS HOW IT WAS LABELED ANYWAYS AND WE AGREED THAT IT WAS A RUGGED TRAIL, JACK AND JADA STAYED IN THE PICNIC AREA AND OFF WE WENT THE KIDS KEPT RUNNING AHEAD BUT AT THE END EVEN THEY WERE JUST WALKING AND NOT RUNNING AHEAD AND CLIMBING UP EVERY CLIFF AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW CLIFFS AND STREAMS WE HIKED OVER THROUGH UP AND DOWN WE LOVE SPENDING VACATIONS TOGETHER AND SHARING AND FELLOWSHIPPING WITH EACH OTHER AND THE RACOONS!

Vacation

Keep us in your prayers as we are going on vacation as a family, We have a wonderful time together . We all really need a vacation between Aarons mom, Jerry, two new babies and the loss of Jacks dad plus mom breaking her shoulder this year we are all feeling like we need a break. Hope to have some pictures to share and some family memories to share with everyone so see you in a week. This is the first time mom hasn't gone with us in about 5 or 6 years, We will miss her. Also keep Aarons mom in your prayers as she isn't getting better like we would like. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers,

Beautiful Grand children

Reuban and Sarah our youngest babies

Malachi, Halee, Micah and Shadrach

Caleb, Josiah, Rachel, Jada, and Sarah belongs here!

Gabriela, Ezekiel, Titus, and Reuben belongs here!

God has indeed blessed us with thirteen beautiful grandchildren. He has been so very gracious to us. In Psalms 127:3 It says; Children are a heritage from the Lord,children a reward from Him. This is so true, each one a blessing and each one so very different. I love the hugs and greetings we get from each one and watching the excitement as they do new and different things. What a delight they are. My prayer for each of them is to know the Savior personally and to serve Him in all they say and do, A few pictures of the darlings.

Some funny prizes, right Josiah and Halee

Having fun playing one of the games! Looks like fun don't you think...........

This is where it all begins Mom and us six kids Wow did we do this!

The wonderful baby-sitter,

Mom and a lot of her great grand kids not every one is pictured because it was nap time for some, plus a few are missing.

Thought I'd try to catch up a little its been very busy here! This is the first week that I haven't had Shannon and Aarons kids for three weeks, So I caught up on mowing lawn and went shopping with my mom on Tuesday, in Shipshewana it was a very nice day, We haven't been together since Jerry became ill because she was at the hospital every day, It was nice we just enjoyed the day without too much stress. We had a great time at our Christmas in July week-end. Mom counted and said there were 79 of us there all together, I love having it in the summer since we aren't able to fit in one house anymore, The kids have a great time playing and getting to know their extended cousins. It was a little laid back this year since Jerry had been so ill and all and we were greatly surprised to have him join us since he got out of the hospital on the Friday of the week-end. He looks great and just needs to regain his strength back. My brother George has a train that he made that he gives the kids rides in they love it and it keeps them out of lots of trouble, thanks George. Vickie and Trudy worked hard to have games for all the little kids. They love this and look forward to it every year, Thanks Girls you did a great job. Here are a few pictures, Keep praying for Lenore, Aarons mom She is doing a little bit better they put a trachea in yesterday and she is holding her own. Looks like a good time had by all,

Three Stitches on the outside two on the inside. Five stitches in all

Just a little blood on his shirt, He really did a great job , all bandaged up

Its been to say the least a crazy month. My brother Jerry has been in the hospital for 3 weeks now, He finally turned the corner last Wednesday and it out of ICU He just need to regain his strength. After 2 weeks on a ventilator and not knowing from day to day if he was going to make it, It all started from a gall bladder infection that went into his blood stream. The second week that Jerry was in the hospital Aarons mom came down with a bladder infection that went into her blood stream She is still very critical and on a ventilator its day by day. So please keep praying. I've been watching the kids while they are in Dayton, Ohio. They called yesterday and needed to get back to the hospital. So we rushed down to pick up the kids., Caleb is going to camp this week along with Malachi and Halee. We were supposed to have Sunday evening service at our house, But due to circumstances it was cancelled. So since I had all the food prepared We called Shawn and Megan and Genesa and Mark and asked them over to help eat the food and keep the kids occupied. Well every thing was going OK until Caleb swung some plastic toy around and it came apart and hit Josiah above the eye, and split it open. So off to the emergency room we went and had 5 stitches put in his eyebrow, He was a real trooper never even cried when the numbed or stitched the Dr. and nurses were all really impressed with him, Here are a few pictures Hope Shannon and Aaron check out the blog, We only pray that we can simmer down and not have quite so much excitement around here, Nanny and Paw are really getting tired and its not much fun seeing a grandchild go through all of that. Let alone seeing your kids going through everything with Lenore. We know everything is in Gods hands and He will take care of everything We can trust and re lie on Him, Have a great day and keep Praying,

Ready to eat! yea the burgers and hot dogs are being grilled,. It was a beautiful day for the
fire works. Believe it or not we didn't even have a lot of mosquitoes.

Here are the troops at least 11 of the 13 grand kids Josiah had just gotten his leg scraped and wasn't too happy. That didn't last to long the grand kids had a great time and enjoyed the food and the evening together they even had time to make a club house in the fence row. Hope they don't all get poison ivy, it seems we have a bumper crop this year.,

This is what it looked like before everyone arrived. We did have a good time and no one was hurt setting off the fire works,. God has been very gracious to us and blessed us with so much. We continue to keep Jerry in our prayers he is still very critical. All we can do is pray and place him in Gods hands., Hope everyone had a wonderful 4Th of July and remembered to pray for our country because we really need it. We are planing to go to the hospital to see Jerry in a little while, So I will try to keep every one posted,. Until later have a wonderful and blessed day,.

Busy time

Bench that turns into a picnic table

Pretty princess in newly painted chair

Sunshine yellow and Pretty Blue

I've not had time to blog lately. First of all we went camping with all the kids and grand kids a week ago and I took some really cool pictures of the grand kids. Then my camera went belly up and I couldn't get the pictures off the memory stick and had to buy a new one, Then we always have the 4Th of July Gaff family picnic with fireworks at dark. So that means spring cleaning I got my upstairs walls washed and windows cleaned and cupboards cleaned. I still need to do the down stairs which I will hopefully get done next week. I've painted some of the outdoor furniture to spruce things up a little bit., Here are a few pictures. Then of course there's the gardening and weeding that needs done almost daily with all the rain, Oh well at least the house looks a little bit cleaner. Today Jack and I trimmed our Maple Trees that almost knock us off the mower when we mow and I did some weed eating that needed done, It seems alot harder to get everything done than it use to,. I just need to praise the Lord that we are able to do all of these things, Also knotted a comfort for Jack's sister, I still need to finish the outside of that before the 4Th, It is a Beautiful day today with the bright Sunshine and no rain, The grand kids played outside last evening when everyone was here for supper, Several times we made them come in because it looked so black out but it didn't actually rain until everyone was leaving. It has been a very busy couple of weeks with the next two being equally busy, I'll try to do better,

Colors, God is so good!

Lovely pinks and reds

Love the rain drops on the leaves.

It has been a rainy rainy week, I did get the lawn mowed this is a big undertaking because we mow about 6 acres. I did get soaked and had to finish the next day because of lightening but it is finished,. I love the colors in the spring beautiful flowers, trees and grass all different shades of colors. When I look out my dining room window I see vivid reds and pinks and greens I love the different shades against the', OK gray sky sometimes blue. It makes me appreciate that God had such an eye for color and how I praise Him for that. Here are a couple of pictures off our back deck.,enjoy and have a wonderful day.

Colors, God is so good!

The Alians have landed

The Aliens have landed

Gabriela and Halee are ready

United we stand, we are ready to do battle for the Lord.,

May the force of Jesus be with you:

We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength,

While we were camping this last weekend I took some pictures of the grand kids. They are all really into Star Wars the boys all have laser's which they always play with. The girls are getting into it to although they would rather play poly pockets or barbies. It is such a blessing to see them all playing together. I praise the Lord for the healthy beautiful grand kids we have been blessed with. Each and every one of them are unique and special. When I wanted to take their pictures they had to pose with the laser's. Then Shadrach received the helmet that drives like a car and Shawn was trying to get it put together and all so I think he's the alien's.

The Alians have landed

w

CAMPING GREAT FAMILY FUN.

GENESA MARK AND BABY REUBEN

SHAWN MEGAN AND SHADRACH

SHANNON AARON AND BABY SARAH

HOME MADE ICE CREAM THE BEST!!!!

SHAWN AND MEGANS CAMPER

FUN ON THE PLAYGROUND

MALACHI GATHERING WOOD.

WE SPENT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY CAMPING. SHAWN AND MEGAN, GENESA AND MARK AND ALL THE KIDS. SHANNON AND AARON JOINED US FOR SHADRACH'S BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY, THE KIDS HAD A BLAST JUST RUNNING AND PLAYING THEY HAVE SO MUCH ENERGY. I LOVE THE QUITE TIMES BY THE CAMP FIRE TALKING AND SHARING. I ALSO LOVE WATCHING THE KIDS RUN AND PLAY I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT GENESA CAME BUT SHE SEEMED TO RELAX AND DIDN'T DO TO MANY THINGS SHE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO DO. WE WERE ALL THERE TO GIVE HER A HAND IF SHE NEEDED IT. WE ARE PLANNING ANOTHER TWO DAY CAMPING TRIP IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS. SHANNON AND AARON WILL BE JOINING US THIS TIME. HERE IS SOME PICTURES OF OUR FUN TIME. WE HAD BEAUTIFUL WEATHER NOT TO COLD NOT TO HOT. GOD GAVE US A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND.

Son's and Grandson's are wonderful

Saturday even tho it was raining all morning Shawn came and put a couple of shingles up on the roof that had blown off back in March during one of those big wind storms, Malachi just loves to help his dad and grandpa, it touches my heart seeing all of them working together, Shadrach was here to help also, all though I'm not sure how much help he is. We really appreciate the fact that if we need help we just call Shawn and he comes over and lends a hand. We must have done something right in raising him because he never fails to be here when we need him, God blessed us with a special son, Grandsons also. Here's some pictures of them working,

New Arrivals

This is some pictures of our new arrivals, in the last eight weeks we have added two new little one to our family. All the grand kids love the new babies, even little Titus thinks his new baby brother Reuben is so nice!!! This is Sarah Elizabeth and Reuben James, we were comparing size Sarah weighed 9 pounds and 8 oz Reuben weighed 8 pounds and 5 oz.. We were surprised at the size difference between the two. Sarah is 8 weeks Reuben is 1 week., they are both adorable., Our family just keeps growing and growing, God's Blessings are so wonderful we are very blessed with healthy children, Thank you God for your favor and blessings to us. Have a wonderful day,.

Busy ;Week

This week has been very busy, I've been going to Genesa's to help her out. On Tuesday we did laundry, her hot water ran in the washer with just a trickle so we carried water from the kitchen sink to the washer to fill it with hot water to wash diapers with both Titus and Reuben in diapers the washer was full. Mom came up and helped me this is the first time she has been up since she broke her shoulder. She said it was a long drive. Then we carried them outside and hung them on the line. We did several other loads and hung them on the line, It was a beautiful wash day on Tuesday, we got all the laundry caught up. Although the diaper pail was filling up again. Mark was home on Wednesday so I went back on Thursday. I told Jack to come and take the hoses off and help us clean out the screens so the water would run into the washer, Because I didn't think Genesa needed to be carrying water to the washer in the next few weeks. So bless his heart he came and fixed the hot water situation. We went to the Dr. and Reuben weighed 8 pounds and 1oz not quite back to birth weight, but everything looks good, Then we washed and hung out more laundry after Jack fixed the water. Went back this morning and did up all the laundry it was raining so we got to use the dryer. yea!!! I well remember the days when I hung out all my clothes. It was like a step back in time,. Mom and I had many laughs under the clothes line, at how these girls think its cool to hang up clothes and how we think its cool to use the dryer. We also said they aren't using the wringer washers like I remember using when I was a Girl, I remember running my arm through and it just keeps pulling you in and yelling for mom to come help me out of the contraption. All in all its been a good week Genesa is feeling better every day and the kids have been pretty good I gave Gabriela my phone number which she wrote down and told her to call me when I went home each evening about an hour before Mark got home,, She thought that was cool Genesa said she carried it around all evening even when Mark came home, I told her and Zeke that they just needed to call me if Genesa did something she wasn't supposed to do. Gen said they kept coming out and checking on her asking if she was just resting, I left two pair of jeans and a sweatshirt on the clothes line when Mark was home Gen said she was going to get them down. Mark told her no,but Zeke and Gabriela both told her to go ahead because they could call me and get her in trouble. It worked quite well because they kept a good eye on Mom and Mom didn't do anything she wasn't supposed to do. Well the kids are coming for supper so I'd better get busy. more later!

Princess and the Pea.

I had the pleasure of watching Genesa's kids when she was in the hospital having Reuben. When it was time for bed we brushed their teeth, told a bed time story and tucked them in with kisses and I love you., Well as only Grandma can I went back to check on them several times to make sure they were covered up and all. When I went to check on Gabriela This is what I found,. I keep extra pillows on the spare room bed, which I had told her to pick the one that was comfortable for her, then I put the rest on the floor by the bed,. Well not one pillow but six pillows were piled up. She said they only fell on her head a couple of times, I had to call paw back and we both had a good laugh. What will they think of next. Don't you just love Grand kids.

Matt.18:3-6

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Something all of us should think about as we go about our daily tasks. What a responsibility and a privilege it is to be surrounded by these precious little ones. Have a great and blessed day.

Reuben James Heyerly Has Arrived

REUBEN JAMES ARRIVED AT 7:44 A.M. this morning he was 20 inches long and weighed 8 pounds and 5 oz. Genesa and baby are doing well. Gabriela, Ezekiel and Titus enjoyed going and seeing their new baby brother. What an exciting and Beautiful time., Grandma's just very glad that Reuben is here and that Genesa came through without to much trouble. God has blessed us again so very much and we give Him all the glory and honor and praise. This makes thirteen grand children for Jack and I. Are we blessed or what, Hears a few pictures of the happy family.