The Party is Over

Mary's party is over and everyone had a nice time. We grilled hot dogs, opened presents, played Guesstures, ate cake and then had fun up in her room. Most of the guests left by 5:30pm. Gia, Dave and Greg stayed and watched a few movies, "Clue" and "Young Frankenstein", had pizza and ice cream. Although we expected rain today, we had blue sky most of the afternoon and clouds in the evening. I am not sure if we ever had a raindrop. Thank you Lord! Have a great Monday!



Grace

Matthew's Mackinac Island Trip

Matthew and Jeff had a nice trip and better weather than expected. The Harmonizers sang well, Matt's solo went well in the Blue Skies song and the clinician was very complimentary. I have posted a few pictures of the Cheboygan Opera house where they had the vocal clinic, and also some of Matt and Jeff sightseeing on mackinac island. The one from up high is Ft. Mackinac. You can see the Mackinac Bridge in the background. There are more pictures on the Wilhelm Family Photo Album.


Mary's bake off was a success. Both cakes were edible even after a little sabotage with pop and peanut butter. Yesterday was uneventful. Sarah had tournament and they lost all 3 games. She did get to catch a little, she coached 1st base a lot and then played left Field. They have another game on Tuesday.

Mary's official party is in progress. It started outside with a hot dog roast, cake and Guesstures, and now moved up to her attic. I have heard her guitar playing, guess I got the right replacement string. I will post party pictures later.

This week is very busy... Monday: Awards day, Grandma H. arrives, Theater Banquet and Church softball. Tuesday...Work, baseball and softball game, Middle School Band Concert. Wednesday: Scholarships Awards day, Cello lesson, Jazz Band Concert. Thursday: Work, Academic Awards, Baseball game, Orchestra Concert. Friday: Sarah has Swingout, last day for Seniors! Then she will get on a bus with more than 100 others seniors and go on their mystery trip. It lasts around 24 hours. I work Saturday 10 hours in the afternoon. I wonder if I can jam anything else into this week?

Well, I will update later on...after the party and post some pictures.

<> Until later this evening, Grace

Happy Birthday Mary Sweet Sixteen 16

Good Morning! Nothing new just a few pictures of the birthday girl.. Have a good day!

G

Later on Mary's birthday....

Mary had a fun day so far. After I got home from work, I took the girls to El Rancho for dinner. Mary received a fried ice cream for dessert. Then Mary and I went to the Dirty Dozen Jazz Band Concert at the High School. They are from New Orleans and were really good. The GHS Jazz Band opened for the concert (we missed that part) and then they were invited to play with the band on stage. That was really awesome. Mr Ayres the Jazz Band director was dueling with the lead trumpeter. It was just fabulous. There was just so much talent. I took a picture with my phone of the trumpeter, he played a trumpet and flugelhorn at the same time. The picture is kind of blurry, but you can tell he has something in both hands. Now we are awaiting a birthday cake bake off that begins soon and lasts past midnight. I wasn't here for the cookie bake off, but I am sure it will be interesting to watch and they will have fun. That is all. Here are the pictures of the trumpet player.

Wow, What a Day!

Today was a great day! I worked for 3 hours and then took a nap, because I knew it would be a late night. Matt had a game and then we went to the girls' choir concert. First I did some birthday shopping for the birthday girl and made what resembled weinerschnitzel. It was tasty, but "not as good as in Germany".

Matthew's team won their game tonight. Had good at bats with a RBI. Jeff got some pictures of him playing. The weather was pretty chilly, but it was a fun game to watch. Matt played 2nd base and did a good job. Way to catch the pop fly, Matt! He will miss Saturday's game, because he and Jeff are going to Mackinac tomorrow with the Harmonizers. Jeff predicts cold wet weather.

The High School Choir Concert was absoulutely fabulous! The

songs were great and it is so amazing how well these high school students sound. Sarah's group the village green was awesome..They become like a little family (big really 30!). The singers get pretty emotional at the end of the concert, esp the seniors, since it is their last one. Even I got emotional watching them get all teary.

Mary is excited about her birthday tomorrow. I am excited, because my client called and doesn't need me until 0745. I can sing Happy Birthday to her in the morning to keep with our family tradition. She is quite the trooper with all the activities going on, her birthday gets squeezed in.. Tomorrow is the late night bake off. Sunday is the hot dog cookout with all her friends. WHew!

Sarah has a softball tournament on Saturday in Big Rapids,about an hour from here. I am going to stay home and get the house cleaned up and work on other projects.
Next week is her last week of high school. I can't believe it.

Better get this posted.

Grace, (mother of the birthday girl, senior singer and baseball 2nd baseman)

A Wednesday Full of Activities

Today was filled with things to do! I spent several hours this morning working on invitations and trying to get our scanner to work. I never did, but got the job done using other methods.

Sarah had their class photo this morning and then the seniors were released for lunch and senior tea for girls and a guest and the boys went golfing after lunch. I took Sarah to Applebee's and then we went to the tea. It was ok. I can't believe that she only has 7 days of high school left. Sarah's team won their softball game and Sarah played well and is very happy.

Mary had cello lesson at five. It looks like we will have only 3 lessons left for the year. With gas prices and summer events, Mary is taking the summer off. Cello lessons are ~15 miles away. That's 30 miles a week. Gas prices here are $3.98 per gallon. We will see how next year pans out. It is sure to be busy with drama, show choir and orchestra. Mary is driving more and more and is getting good experiences and doing pretty well. Tomorrow she and Sarah will be in the HS Choir concert. I am looking forward to it!

Matthew sang in the middle school concert and did a great job! He had a little solo part in the song "Blue Skies". He was wonderful.Matt looked calm and relaxed and sang with confidence. We are so proud of him. Tomorrow he has a baseball game at 6 pm. We will watch him for a while then attend the girls concert at 8:15pm (there are two performances of the HS Choir concert).

Jeff and I signed up for a golf outing in June with our friends. I hope that it will be a best ball scramble. I work tomorrow and Friday at 0515. I work 3 hours on Thu and 12 on Friday, Mary's birthday. Jeff and Matt leave for Mackinac on Fri morning for an overnight. Mary and I,and maybe Sarah will go to the Dirty Dozen Band Concert at the HS. It is supposed to be awesome. Then a few friends are coming over to bake a birthday cake. We try to squeeze as much as possible into one day! Sweet Sixteen-how time flies! I will need Saturday to prepare for the party here on Sunday afternoon. Hope the weather warms up by then. Cold weather for the season is back.

Well, better get some shut eye..

Grace

Heathrow Terminal 5

Here's a video that pretty well sums up how things are (still) working, or lack thereof, at London Heathrow's grand new terminal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kp3bNlBi-Iw

Awards and Wins

Tonight was choir awards night. Sarah received her Varsity Letter for choir, and an award made just for her, "Where Did My Voice Go"? She had laryngitis on her choir trip. Mary received Musician of the Year Award (sophomore). We are very proud.

Speaking of proud, Mt Calvary's Softball Team won their second game tonight. We are 2-0. Jeff managed the team for me and pitched half of the game, and I went to the choir banquet. Next week, there is a Theatre Banquet, and we will have to repeat the procedure. Grandma will be here that night, so she can attend the banquet as well.

Sarah's softball team had another loss, but Sarah keeps smiling as long as she gets to play. That is the spirit! Her knee is still bothering her after she hyperextended it at Saturday's game. She had to dance on it today for show choir, as the choirs performed for the elemenatary schools today. Mary's choir sang as well.

Well, I had better catch some ZZZ's, because I work at 0515 again and it is 2330. Yikes!

Goodnight!

Grace

Baseball, Softball, Parties and Plays

Happy Mother's Day!

Matthew's baseball game started at 9 am and went for 2 hours. They lost by one run. When Matt's game was over, we stopped at home picked up water had a bite to eat and then drove over to Sarah's 2nd game of a 3 game tournament. They won their first game and lost the last two. Sarah made a spectacular play in left field. I wish I had a video camera with me. She dove for a ball, caught it did a somersault and held up her glove with the ball in it! Way to go Sarah! She did some good base running as well, and slid into home plate and was called out, but I am sure she was safe. Ties go to the base runner, blue (ump)!




Jeff went to the third game and I went to my patient's birthday party. It was small family affair of which I feel a part of by now. She had fun playing in frosting, wearing frosting and even got to taste a little.

While all this was going on, Mary was baking a cake and dinner to surpirse me for Mother's Day. They made tacos and a delicious funfetti cake! Thanks guys! I wanted to go to the whitecaps game tomorrow, but it is supposed to be rainy all day. I guess we will do something else.




The Hobbit had it's final performance. It went quite well. Matthew did a fine job for his first role. He thinks he might try being a techie next time, and Mary wants to return to acting. We do have an addition to our house. One of the spiders from the play lives in the attic. Creature crew got to adopt a spider. The dragon is so big that they may have to destroy him.. too bad they worked a long time on him. I guess there is just no place to store him. Maybe they should put it on Ebay and see how much they get for him. Shipping would be quite expensive. This pic shows Mary working on stage preparing for this week's concerts.

Sarah went to a softball team bonfire at a players house tonight. She had a good time and now all the kids are sleeping. I should be too. It was a long busy day.

Tomorrow is the day of Pentecost and the kid's choir is singing and we have a very musical service ready to go. I will be playing quite a bit.

Next week promises to be busy as well. I work 4 days (~30hours), have ball games, choir banquet on Monday and the school music concerts are on Wed and Thursday. Quilting, Cello lesson and Mary's sweet sixteen on Friday with a party next Sunday. Jeff and Matt are going to Macknac this weekend with Matt's school chorus. The fun will continue to the end of the month. I don't want to overwhelm myself with all the upcoming events. I need to take them a bunch at a time.

I am off to Neverland!

"The Hobbit" and Quilt Update

Tonight was opening night of Greenville High School's production of "The Hobbit". Last Tuesday was a dress rehearsal where I took most of the pictures. I took a couple of Matt after the play as well as one of the Trolls. The show was very good with lots of good costumes and special effects. Gandalf even threw fire, and the dragon, Smaug, breathed smoke! Sarah's picture was in the program in an ad for senior pictures. The owner called me a few weeks back and asked my permission . I sell tickets at Saturday's performance and will go to the show with Jeff that night. Tomorrow I will be driving to Grand Rapids to pick up Jeff from the airport. I guess I will need to get a ride home for the kids. Sarah might be back from her double header by 9:30, which is when the show is over. I guess it should work out fine.

I spent about 3 hours with another quilter today and finished tying the quilt. It looks really nice. I have added some pictures of it as well.

Matt cut the grass for the first time this year and I cleaned out a flower bed and our 3 season room. The laundry is finally caught up, now that it is time to start all over again. There never is a loss of dirty clothes.

Saturday is another day filled with ball. Matt has a game at 9 am, and Sarah has a tournament, followed by a team get together at one of the player's homes. Thanks for your prayers, the pitcher who was hit by the ball is fine. PTL! My patient turns 4 years old on Saturday and there is a party in the afternoon. I will need to get ready for Sunday as well, Kid's Choir sings and I will be playing a lot of the service on the clavinova. In the meantime, I had better get those annoucements out! I keep saying that but it doesn't get done. It will though.

Guess that is it.. Until the weekend,

Grace

PS--Mary is still first chair cello.

Excited and Exhausted!

Sarah is home and had a wonderful time on her trip to Boston with the Village Green Show Choir from the high school Here are a few photos of the trip and see more on the photo album site. Sarah was very tired but pulled it altogether and got her work done. There was a double header today and although she didn't play she coached 1st base to a win in the 2nd game! They finally won!

Equally as exciting, our church softball team won it's first game tonight. We had a lot of good hitting, fielding and base runningby all. Both Matthew and I had at least 2 hits a piece. I am very very happy. The weather was beautiful today. I went donw to Grand Rapids twice, once in the early AM to take Jeff to the airport, then later with my patient for a Doc's appt. We ran out of gas on the way home. Luckily we were just a couple hundred yards from a gas station and a kind man from UPS, Jeff, helped us and we were back on the road within a half hour. Praise the Lord.

Mary had an orchestra banquet tonight and she was awarded most valuable sophomore by her peers. That is an honor. She ran for secretary for the orchestra next year but lost to her oppponent. She is still running for Sec of the Theatre Club. We hope to get Mary's permit to drive tomorrow. The Hobbit has a performance for the middle school and parents are invited to come and take pictures. I think I will try to make it.

I am striving to send out annoucements this week and plan Mary's party. She is going to have a baking day on her birthday with some of her friends and then a larger party when dad gets home from his trip with Matt and (the Harmonizers, mixed chorus) to Mackinac Island. We are going to tie my red white and blue quilt this week too! Matt has a baseball game in Grand Rapids tomorrow evening. I hope that #1, we find it and #2 it doesn't rain!

I am getting a bit tired so I am off to bed!

Later on Saturday....

Matthew's team won! Wait until you read the score-34-19. It was crazy. They forgot to put time limits on the game so we played 7 innings! It took nearly 4 hours. My scalp is pink eventhough it was cold..still sunny. Matt played his first game as catcher and then center field in the last 2 innings. He also had two base hits. So we hurried from the game to the HS auditorium for play practice. I picked up Mary from home first, she packed Matt a lunch.

While Jeff and I were at lunch, Sarah called in from New York City. They were on the way to Ground Zero. She still sounds very happy and full of excitement. She better sleep alot on the way home, because she has lots of homework waiting for her. She was going to take it with her, but they have so much planned that it wasn't worth all the effort.

Now I am baking brownies for our Small Group Bible study. We helped a member today with cleaning her windows and such. She was very grateful. I bought a pumpkin pie yesterday and I thought I should have some type of chocolate to take too. I practiced the piano for tomorrow. I am playing for the choir tomorrow and of course prep for Sunday School. Softball practice and concerts and laundry the list goes on!

Have a great SONday!

G

May 3, 2008 Great News!

Good Morning!

I have heard from Sarah a few times now, and she is having a wonderful time! Their concerts went well and everyone is safe. She called Thursday from the top of the Prudential building to tell us she could see Fenway Park and there was a baseball game is progress. They went whale watching yesterday and they saw them and took pictures. Today they left for New York City and will do sightseeing Ground Zero, Times Square and a Play tonight. Tomorrow they stop at Niagra Falls before arriving back in Greenville tomorrow night. Sarah heard from here friend on the softball team that one of the pitcher got hit in the face by a hit ball. She was in the ER with a concussion. Please keep her in your prayers. Also two girls quit the team. The drama continues!

Matt's first baseball game is this morning and he is already there warming up. I need to bundle up a little,since it is still just 55 degrees, I won't be moving around like he is. Both he and Mary have play practice today and tomorrow from 1-6 pm. The show is next week. Mary is dealing with an unhappy 2nd chair cellist who nit picks at everything Mary does and refuses to turn the pages which is the inside musicians job. Mary said she will memorize the music and then it won't be a problem. She receives support from many in the orchestra. She had a wedding gig at the end of the month with a few violins and a viola. She is the conctact person to schedule people. It will be good for her to earn money playing her cello.

We have small group bible study, and a garage sale today and tomorrow is confirmation, church softball practice and Jeff and Mary are going to the youth symphony concert, where one of her classmates has a cello solo. Jeff leaves Monday morning for the week. I will keep things running here and will keep you posted of all our activities.

Gotta go watch baseball! Yea!

Grace

May 1, 2008 Just a Few Words

Good Morning!

Sarah is off to Boston as of 6:20 pm last night. No word from her yet. They are supposed to arrive in Boston around 10 am.

Mary kept 1st chair after a 3-way challenge in orchestra yesterday. She is also the organizer of gigs for HS students requested by the community. She a few others will be playing for a wedding at the end of the month.

Matthew is excited about it first baseball game of the season on Sat at 9 am. He is busy with the last week of practice with the Hobbit as well.

I have started with celebration plans, still long way to go! Work is fine. No word from the application. Softball is coming up and now I keep hearing of banquets for clubs every Monday. There is just too much going on.. It is this way every May! I just take it day by day.

Jeff leaves Monday for Arizona. He has a lot going on before then, including going to the youth symphony concert with Mary on Sunday afternoon.

That is all....we'll keep you posted.

GW

April 29th, 2008 Good News

Mary called me with great news yesterday after school. She is first chair cello! Great Job Mary! I guess 2nd chair has already challenged her, and the 3rd chair cello challenged 2nd chair. We'll see how it all turns out. In any case Mary deserved the place of leadership. She was also nominated for office of the Theater club and to top it all off, she finished her driving course and can now get her permit. Mary had a fun time at the prom. She and her date, just friends, had dinner, dance and then attended the post prom party at the middle school for a few hours.

Matthew didn't feel so good yesterday, but bit the bullet and remained in school. Jeff took him some advil when he went to give a few weather presentations the 8th grade science class. I guess he dressed in his AF blues for the event. Matt has baseball practice tonight. He loves it and is slated to play a lot of catcher. He will be in his first play, The Hobbit, next week.

Sarah's softball team is still looking for their first win. I guess she played a few innings in right field, but her back is still bothering her from a previous pull and limbo at the post prom party. She had a nice time at the prom too, dancing with friends and taking pictures. She leaves for Boston tomorrow evening with the Village Green . You can find out more about the arts at our school by clicking on Greenville High School Arts link, then click on vocal program. You can even hear them sing if you click on Concerty MP3 files. They perform twice in Boston, go on a city "duck" tour, go whale watching, see a play and then tour NYC. They are going to see a show and eat pizza at Times Square! They will return home via Niagra Falls and Canada. I'll send the digital camera with her and post some pictures.

My softball team is organized and ready to play. We have one more practice sunday and the first game on Monday. I won't be there because Mary has an Orchestra banquet. Jeff will be in AZ next week and Sarah at her own game. I really hate to miss the game, but my family always comes first. Kids' choir finished with rehearsals last night. I bought them all a DQ cone for the end of the year. They had a fun time. We still sing on Mother's Day and Memorial Day for whoever can be there. It is nice to have a lot of our rehearsals and things done so I can focus on end of the year activites, Mary's Sweet 16, and Graduation! Jeff will be giving the message at the class Baccalaureate this year.

Well, better run..Have a great day.

Grace

Sunday April 27, 2008 Better Late than Never

Prom was a success and fun was had by all. Sarah ended up pulling something in her back playing Limbo at the post prom party. She has been taking advil and using moist heat and has had some relief. Hopefully she will be up to playing softball at tomorrow's game. It is supposed to be cold and and rainy, so we'll see if they play or not.

Our orchestra played for church for the last time till fall and we ended up on an awesome note (pun intended)! Softball practice went well, and we watched the movie Tristan and Isolde. We liked it very much.

Check the previous entry for this week's events. Add in a garage sale at church this saturday. I still need to go through all of our stuff to donate. I know there is plenty of that. Mary will be eligible to obtain her driver's permit Monday afternoon. Watch out world!

Well, I had better post it and head for bed. I don't work till 8am, but I am taking Matt to jazz band at 0630. Have a great day!

~Grace

April 26, 2008 Prom Night

Tonight is prom night. Mary has a date and Sarah went with a group of friends. Both girls looked beautiful as you can see! I hope that they have a wonderful time! I will update that info tomorrow morning!

Yesterday I worked and had a nice day with my patient and her grandpa who is here from California. The weather has been beautiful with highs in the 70's until the front came through last night and left with windy weather and temps with high's in the 50s. I was expecting some severe thunderstorms but never heard anything last night.

The whole family attended a Grand Rapids Arena Football game last night too. We went with our church group. I can say I would rather watch "regular" football, but it was nice to spend time together.

Tomorrow is the last day scheduled for church orchestra. We may play in the summer, but it will be more of an impromptu practices. Kids sing on Mother's Day and then that's it for music through the summer. We will have special music I am sure, but no weekly practices. I need a break! The church softball team is supposed to practice tomorrow, we will see if the weather holds out. It is supposed to rain. Our first game is next week. Yikes! I have my lineup and positions written out and ready for giving coaching a try.

Sarah goes to Boston this week, and Jeff goes to Arizona the following week. The Hobbit play is the 8,9 and 10th and then there's Mary's Sweet Sixteen Birthday, Mackinac trip for Matt, Honors week, Baccalaureate and Gradation!Whew May is going to fly by! We'll make it through I am sure. Matthew's baseball games start next week too. His coach said he will be playing a lot of catcher and relief pitcher. He is happy with that.

Well, I am going to get those pictures up so I can post this blog. Have a great one!

Gracie

PS!

I added more pictures to our Germany albums on the Wilhelm Family Photos. The new ones are from Mary's collection.

Also, if you get the magazine from Thrivent, look in the Spring 2008 edition and read a letter to the editor from Jeff on page 3.

April 24, 2008 All the luggage is home!

Matthew's Luggage arrived this afternoon. It was damaged but we expected that since we repaired it before we left. All his clothes are safe and accounted for!

Off to a busy evening. Baseball, Driving, Softball, Orchestra, Choir and pick up everybody at 8.

Later Gator!

Grace

A Quick Update to 4/21/08

Mary made Village Green! Congratulations! She will be in the show choir that Sarah is in now. Next year they get new uniforms and the year after that she will go on a trip like Sarah's trip to Boston this year. She also in one week away from finishing her first of two driver's course.

The Hobbit is just a few weeks away, and Mary continues to work on the creatures (dragons and spiders) and Matthew has his lines memorized. I am looking forward to the production. Sarah has less than 30 days of high school left. I had better get going on graduation plans. She pulled a muscle in her back and received some treatment from the Trainer today. She thinks she may have hurt it sliding into home plate last weekend, Jeff thinks it is because her backpack is way too heavy. Maybe both!

I had a good day at work. My patient is playing full force and I have to keep my eye on her all the time, now that she pulls her trach out more often. I'm not complaining though, because it is awesome to see her learn new things and she can't learn if she doesn't explore. I just have to teach her not to pull on her tubes!

That is all...

Grace

April 21, 2008 Very early in the morning

We had a busy weekend. Sarah played in a softball tournament and they lost again. She would really like to win won. The other kids and I shopped and cleaned for our small group bible study and I made egg rolls. They were tasty, but not my best. Not sure why they were so dry. We all had a nice time and planned ahead for our next study topic.

Church went well they weekend, and we had our first church softball practice of the season. Our equipment is missing so everyone came together and we had enough balls and bats to play. Thanks to Paul and camp concordia, we had a place and equipment, plus beautiful weather from the Lord. Everyone got back in the "swing" easily. It was the last night for bowling and we took 9th place. We left early and had dinner with our teammates. Last week doesn't count.

Now, I am up and off to work at 5:10 am. Mary should find out if she made show choir. Oh she was asked to prom too..Otherwise it is the same routine for school, driving, cello, softball and baseball practice and all our church activities. I'll keep you posted!

<>< Grace

PS Matthew's bag was located in Milan Italy. It will be returned to the states this week! Thanks Liz for all your help!

April 16, 2008 Praise the Lord!

Good News!

4 of 5 pieces of luggage arrived at our back door this morning! I couldn't believe my eyes. Matthew's luggage is still missing. We can hope that it will arrive soon. Of all the luggage, Matthew's is probably easiest to replace. The one special thing he has in there is his Gators sweatshirt. We'll keep waiting. Jeff's bag has the most damage. It is torn near the zipper. Sarah's has a few little tears. Mary's and my bag look suprisingly good. I took pictures before and after I removed the plastic they were wrapped in. By the looks of the stickers and packing slips, I think our bags were in Italy! Maybe we should eat Italian tonight!

I applied for a hospital position in nearby Carson City. It would be easier to drive there than Grand Rapids. I like taking care of Hailey, but I don't want to lose skills that I haven't been using, like starting IV's and and drawing blood etc.. With graduation coming up, I don't know if starting a new job is right, but we will see how much training there is, and if I can wait to start until after graduation.

We have beautiful weather today. High's in the 60's and blue sky! It really is a happy day. That is all for now... Mary needs to be ready to drive in one hour.

Lots of Love to all,

\o/ Grace

April 14th, 2008 Weekend in Review!

Well, it is Monday evening and I have a little time to catch everyone up with the latest.

Saturday Sarah worked at the basketball tournament while Matthew tried out for baseball. Matt played well, and as of today was placed on a team. His newCoach is Mr. Groom. That is good, because we wanted a different coach than last year and there are only 2 coaches for his age group. This guy remembers Matt from a few years ago. We are hoping for a better season. On the way home from baseball, the van was making bad clunking sounds. Jeff met me over at the car repair place and there was a bad ball joint. No driving until fixed. Duh!!

That afternoon Sarah and I went prom dress shopping and found a very nice dress on sale at a store called Younkers. It is turquoise with a long brown tie flowing down the back and the back of the dress has a little train like effect. She also got some brown wedge sandals to wear with it. Of course you will see pictures. Prom is April 26th---keep watch that night!

Mary went to work with me that night and cared for Hailey's brothers. Hailey is feeling better and is a cute as ever! We were home by 12:45am.

Sunday was our 23rd Anniversary and we had a nice day. Church went well, and the children's choir sang I am Jesus Little Lamb, my favorite. How do you think I came up with my email address? We all went out for Sunday dinner at Cory's Restaurant and I really liked my burger (another favorite) and we enjoyed some good homemade desserts there. They gave us a little cake to take home too! We will eat some tonight. Sunday wrapped up with bowling where I had a really good night- 115, 136 and 150! Yea! Jeff wasn't as happy with his scores, but we eneded up splitting the games 2 & 2. It was position night and we don't expect to move up much. We did have fun though, I did.

Matt went to Jazz Lab II this morning and had Hobbit practice this afternoon. He is working on a project for school now. Mary was painting the dragon for the Hobbit this afternoon when she backed into the green paint. It splattered on her new jeans and keds tennis shoes. We soaked the jeans and tried to get the paint out and now they are in the washer. I hope we can get the majority of it out. Any ideas for getting latex paint out of clothes? She had driving lessons tonight, came home and is already in bed. She is excited about going to a play type show with puppets this Friday with her friend in Lansing. Pray for fun times and safe travel. Sarah had a double header today and although they lost both games she played well. She played center field and DH! She got a double and a single! Now she is home doing homework. Her show choir leaves for a class trip to Boston at the end of the month. They are going to perform twice while on the road. After Boston they will return home via NYC and Niagra Falls. Sarah is officially a Hope College student for the fall, and she has been working on many scholarship applications. Still waiting to hear about any "rewards".

I had a dentist appt this morning and am pleased to say I have no cavities or other problems. I won't have to worry about a dentist for 6 more months. We picked up the fixed van this afternoon, had lunch and then I went shopping for groceries before all the afternoon events started. Jeff got new running shoes (his others are lost in Europe with our luggage) today and we had such nice weather he went to try them out. After snow flurries yesterday morning a day with clear blue sky and 60 was heaven! My children's choir rehearsal went well and we have 2 more sundays to sing and then it will be summer! Time is flying by. I really need to get started on Sarah's graduation celebration and Mary's Sweet 16th Birthday! I'd rather do that than have the taxes to complete by tomorrow that is on Jeff's plate right now..He has worked hard on the luggage fiasco, and has AF class to do as well as all the church work.

Church Softball season is starting a week earlier than I planned and now I will have to contact all my players. I guess putting in the bulletin would be a good idea too! The rest of the week is more of the same. Softball every afternoon and a tournament on Saturday. Play practice for Matt and Creature Crew (making the creatures for the play) for Mary, she has driving on Tuesday and Wednesday. I work tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. We hope to go to a community play, "Dearly Departed" on Friday night. One of our church members is in the play. Small Group Bible Study is at our house Saturday night.

Well, I guess that does it. I need to be at work at 5:15 am so I had better get some sleep pretty soon!

Until Next time,

Grace

April 11, 2008 A Pretty Good Day

It is the end of another day. We had some bad weather early in the afternoon. There were tornado watches, and thunderstorm warnings. We never had any severe weather though. The schools decided to cancel all the aftenoon and evening activities. So there was no play practice, softball practice and no Village Green Dance auditions for Mary. I guess she will have to dance on Monday.

Jeff and I worked on filling out the latest claim forms for our lost baggage. I went to another store to price things and got 4 suitcases inventoried. I have to keep the faith that we will see our things again, and if not, be thankful that they are just things and we are home safe and sound unlike many passengers of American Airlines.

Mary drove on the freeway for the first time and she did fine. I was a little worried since there was still a small threat of rain and storms. Luckily, I have a weatherman at home and he reassured me that the storms had passed. He was right!

Jeff and I attended a wonderful concert by our local Flat River Band (Jazz) and the High School Jazz Band together. Mary got there after driving and got to hear the last 20 minutes or so. Some of the songs they played were: In the Mood, Summertime, Chattanooga Choo Choo, a Count Basie Song plus more! Wow, I wished had lasted a little longer, but I am sure the musicians were tired and hot from the lights.

Tomorrow will be another busy day. Sarah is keeping score for a basketball tournament from 8am - 1pm then we are going to look for a prom dress. Matt has Show your skills in Baseball tomorrow morning at 9:15am. I work at 6pm- 12mn. Somewhere in there I need to get ready for Sunday School opening, Kid's choir reminder and softball meeting notes ready for after church. Of course tomorrow night is position night at our bowling league. I hope that we can move up a little more.

That is it, and enough I'd say! Sorry no pictures to post this time. Have a great weekend!

Grace

April 10th: 8:30pm--The Pictures Are Posted!

Well, I sat down at the computer and spent a lot of time getting the pictures done. Be sure to click on the link to the right (wilhelm family photos) for a whole slew of them! There are actually 3 new albums!


Enjoy!

Grace

April 10, 2008 Still Trying to Catch Up

Well, it is Thursday and I am working on getting pictures posted. Please be patient. Right! That is Luftansa and British Airways tells us. Truth is I want my luggage! The latest news is that we are now filling out itemized reports of the contents of our bags. This makes it sound like we will never see them again. They want description and prices etc.. I spent time at Wal Mart and other stores to obtain prices of items that would need replacing. Jeff called this afternoon and they still don't know where they are. He asked if they have been in touch with British Airways and they said I don't see anything about British Airways. Wow! What in the world are we going to have to do to get them to look for out stuff in the right place and get it back. What a headache.

Today was my third anniversary of caring for my little patient Hailey. She has done so well over the years and has become very very special to me. I love it when she holds her arms out for me or crawls up to me and gives me a hug and pats me on the back.

As for the kids, they have kept us running. Sarah had her first 3 softball games this week. They lost all three. Sarah and another girl went on vacations with their families and were not allowed to play in any of the games. As of yesterday, Sarah reported that their "sentence was over". Nice to be punished for spending time with family over spring break. I went to the double header on Tuesday anyway and just about froze. The weather is still cold and we could have a little snow this weekend. Sarah has applied to ump rec softball and sent in a few scholarships and other college papers along with homework. Mary had driving all week and is trying out for the high school show choir even as I write this post. She is also involved with cello and making the creatures for the next play "The Hobbit". Matthew is back with Jazz Band, Hobbit practice and looks forward to Skills day for the summer baseball league. Looking ahead, besides the baseball deal, Sarah is scoring for a basketball event, and wants to look for a prom dress. I have one day of work left this week either tomorrow or Saturday night. Had to cancel orchestra, everyone is busy. Sunday the kids choir sings and I have a church softball meeting afterward. I am in charge. I can't wait to make a line up (Sarah is going to help me).

I guess that about does it, need to get going and pick up Matt from school. It won't be long and the pictures will be up to see!

<>< Grace

April 6th- Back to the Old Grind

Everyone was up this morning without an alarm clock. Yea! I wonder how long that will last?? Church went well and we had lunch out at the local mexican restaurant. After a short nap, I got busy putting the few things away that we brought home with us. FYI, our baggage is still MIA. Our luggage might see more of Europe than we did. Evidently British Airways is sending 1000's of bags to Italy for sorting. Many of the returned bags are badly damaged.

I did some grocery shopping, and then Jeff and I went bowling and our team took 3 points. We lost one game by only one pin! Mary did some laundry and we got through a lot of our mail, organized this week's events and deadlines, esp for scholarships and such. Mary will be trying out for Village Green, the show choir that Sarah is in this year on Tuesday. Sarah has her first softball game on Tuesday too! Matt has jazz Band on M & TH and I am working M,T,Th and either Fri or Sat. I need to make up some lost time.

I have downloaded lots of pictures from out trip and hope to have them posted sometime this week. Keep and eye out...maybe by wednesday. The sandman has arrived and I need some sleep before my shift starts at 0515. Have a good day!

Grace

August (oops!) April 5th, 2008 Traveler's Log #4 Almost Home

Our last day in Germany (April 4th) was a lot of fun. Liz and the girls took us to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. It was very interesting, and Liz did a great job as tour guide. We saw a cathedral and the Old Basillica, that is now the only Lutheran church in Trier. Of course we took pictures. We enjoyed a home-cooked meal at Liz's. Yummy Baked Ziti. We all had fun playing a few games, took a walk around the German town of Schrollbach, and watched the Tigers lose to the White Sox. This morning it was a little sad leaving the beautiful country of Germany and saying goodbye to family.

We arrived in Chicago after 9 hours on a 767. They showed us two movies and served two meals. Everything had mushrooms! We only had carry on baggage so that cut down on some time not that it really matters, because our flight to Grand Rapids isn't until 9 something pm. So the family is relaxing in the Chicago O'Hare USO area. They served us some food and now we are watching Lord of the Rings. There is still no information about our lost luggage..but we have been assured that we will get them back. We had a wonderful trip and had a lot of fun with Liz, Bob, Rachel and Abigail. We look forward to seeing them this summer.

Mary is glad that she can text her friends again, I called mom and left a message and Sarah finished her homework, and checked her email etc... She has her first softball game this Tuesday! She also has an interview for a scholarship. She will be going to Boston with her Show Choir at the end of this month. Matt is glad to be home too. He is anxious to see his friends, esp. in Sunday School tomorrow. Church will come early and then I will have to wash what clothes we had in our carry ons on the way home.

Wel, that is all for now. Gute Nacht!

<><>

April 4, 2008 Traveler's Log #3 Back in Germany

We have decided that we like Germany much better than France and Paris. We spent a day looking at the sights mentioned in the last letter and we had great weather. We climbed to the top of the Arc de Triomphe,

then took a lot of pics of the Eiffel Tower. There were a lot of beggars.



We headed to the Opera house and took a few pictures there then the Louvre. We don't like art enough to spend a lot of euro on going inside.

Lastly we went to Notre Dame and I think that was may favorite. It was beautiful inside and outside, and we even experienced an evening prayer service with wonderful organ music and singers. Although it was nice to see everything, it was nice to get "home" to Germany. The language is easier for us and I think it is friendlier and cleaner. We still have no luggage and probably won't see it for awhile. Jeff went to buy a few small bags to take home with us. We plan to hand-carry all of our bags (2 per person) on the plane. We don't have that much; we have been washing every few days. Lunch just arrived, so I am going to sign off. Next log will be back in the states. -GW

April 3, 2008 (12 midnight) Traveler's Log #2 Plans for Paris

We arrived safely in Paris. Our hotel room is really like a little apt...two floors! The gasthaus in Bavaria had a loft in the room too. We visited a Parisian mall and ate at a restaurant called Hippopatamus. Expensive. We drove past Parc Disneyland and found the train station for tomorrow morning.

We plan on seeing the following: Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Garnier Opera House and the Louvre. We go back to Liz's tomorrow night. Looks like we will have to buy luggage to go home with since we still don't have our bags. At this point, I just hope we get them back.

It has been nice seeing and visiting with Liz, Bob, Rachel and Abigail when we are there really nice home. It is always nice to be with family.

Better sign off. Not sure when I can post again...Will download pictures after I get home.

Au Revoir,

Gracie

April 2, 2008 Traveler's Log -#1

Hallo von Deutschland! Although we arrived late Saturday after our British Airways flight was cancelled, our luggage is still missing. We waited many hours at London Heathrow (12 hours) for a flight to Frankfurt on Luftansa. Liz, our sister met us and we washed clothes, bought more clothes at the BX on base and then left in our rental minivan for Bavaria on the autobahn. Of course we were late arriving there as well. Our gasthaus stay was very nice with very nice hosts.

Over the past few days we were on the top of Zugspitz, tallest mtn. in Germany, saw several castles

and toured the Passion theater at Oberammaergau. That was fun.

We are back home at Liz's, washing clothes again and getting ready to head for Paris later this afternoon. Through all the problems, we are still having a lot of fun. This morning I got to see Abigail's German Kindergarten. We hope to see our luggage again, but we will probably be back in Michigan before that happens.

Auf wiedersehen!

GRACE