Cutting Grass

It has finally stopped raining around here. Yesterday I started to cut our grass, for the first time this spring, since the yard was dry enough. The back yard has to be 8” tall and the mushrooms are growing. The result of a few weeks of many inches of rain. We’ve had AJ for the last 2 days. He is getting bigger every time we see him and you can see him understanding things when you talk to him. He is a very happy baby. Becca has sure done something good with him. John is still unemployed since he lost his truck driving job back in January. We pray everyday for him to find another trucking driving job. Since his company was out of Nebraska he has to get unemployment through that state. He still hasn’t received his first check. You’d think the unemployment office would have more compassion for people who lost their jobs and get the checks out as soon as possible. They are really starting to struggle. We just ask everyone to pray for them.

AJ Spending the Night

Last night Beth picked up AJ after work to spend the night with us. John’s home and this gives Becca & him some quiet time together. He is almost ready to start crawling. He’ll get up on all four and start moving forward. Just a little bit more strength and he’ll be mobile. Right now he does a lot of rolling to get places. Also, he has his first tooth. So now you have to be careful when he grabs your finger and sticks it in his mouth. We are stuck in a deep freeze. Today’s high only around 11 degrees and tomorrow only 9 degrees with the night time temperatures below zero. These temperatures should stick around until the weekend before it gets closer to the normal for this time of the year. I even had a big surprise last night when I got home. Our drive way, side walks and deck were completely shoveled after the previous night’s snow. Cori’s boyfriend Justin came over and shoveled for us. I really appreciate this since I didn’t have to go out and do it after getting home from work. Thanks Justin!

Christmas 2008

It was a white Christmas here in Michigan and a beautiful time to celebrate our Lord’s birth. John, Becca, AJ and Cori were here on Christmas day for dinner. We opened gifts and watched AJ play with his toys.

We recieved around 18-20 inches of snow with in a week before Christmas. Then the Saturday after Christmas the temperature hit near 60 degrees with rain and most of the snow melted. So now it looks like spring after most of the snow melts but we know there is still 3 months of winter to go.

John got home on the 23rd and was able to stay until the 28th. He wanted to stay home longer but with the economy his company couldn’t guarantee he would get his dedicated route back. He did spend some quality time with Becca and AJ. He even added insulation in the attic of his house.

Andrew James spent the next afternoon with us while John and Becca took care of some work around the house. AJ is getting close to crawling. He gets up on his hands and knees but not quite the strength to move forward. He does a lot of rolling around but he can cover some ground this way. You have to keep an eye on him or he’ll roll into trouble.

Check out the photos from Christmas and the day after by clicking on the family photos link. Have a Happy New Year.

Becca and AJ Visit

Becca and AJ stopped by a few days ago for a visit before their trip out of town. They are heading to North Carolina to visit Becca’s aunt. They will be back before Thanksgiving. John should be home before Thanksgiving if all goes well on the road. Check out the lastest photos by clicking on the family photos link on the right.

AJ Spent the Night

John came home on Wednesday after 3 long weeks out on the road. So on Friday night we watched AJ all night so John and Becca could have some free time together. He is really growing more and his neck muscles are getting stronger. He sure was interested in our ceiling fans in the living room. Grandma Beth enjoyed this time getting AJ to laugh and talk back to her. Not sure what he was saying but he had a lot to say.

 

Becca and John came on Saturday afternoon and picked him up. Then a few hours later John was back on the road. The life of a truck driver, home for a few days and gone for weeks.

John Back on the Road

Yesterday John headed back out on the road truckdriving. He spent the last 1.5 weeks with Becca and AJ in West Virginia and a few days at their home. He really bonded with AJ who he only saw a few days prior to this time off. I talked to him this morning and he is missing AJ. This is the life of a truck driver. All we can do is pray that a route opens up in his company which will get him home more often.

Another visit from Becca and AJ

A couple of nights ago we had another visit from Becca and AJ. Boy, our grandson is really growing. He is starting to smile and getting alert about his surroundings. You can see him look when his mother enters the room. His eyes light up everytime Becca speaks. It is enjoyable and beautiful to watch them interact with each other. John is missing out on a beautiful time of AJ’s life. That is the life of a truck driver, out on the road for weeks at a time. He is getting ready to start a 1.5 week vacation to relax and be with his family. This will be a good time for the 3 of them. Here’s a picture of AJ with a big smile. Click on the family photos link to see more pictures of their visit.

Becca and AJ Visit

Thursday night Becca and AJ came over for a visit. Grandma Beth was so excited and she couldn’t keep her hands off AJ. I had to fight just to hold him for a few minutes. There are more pictures in the family photo link.

4 generations of Wood men

Last night our family got together for dinner in Frankenmuth. This was the first time great grandpa, grandpa, dad and son were together. It was an enjoyable time see everybody together laughing and joking with each other. I couldn’t help thinking about mom missing this special occasion but I know she was looking down on us from heaven. Click on the family photos link to see more pictures from dinner.

 

Babysitting AJ

Yesterday we watched AJ for about 5 hours. John and Becca took care of some business, went grocery shopping and then out to dinner. AJ was very good. Grandma bathed him after he filled his diaper and afterwards he fell asleep. He slept in the cradle which great grandpa Withers built for John and Cori. He sure looked comfortable in it and it brought back memories when John and Cori were infants. Check out the family photos to see all the pictures. Also, pictures with AJ, Becca and John.