Hi Everyone,
Well, obviously, I am not a great blogger! Today I have added a few pictures from JANUARY and tonight I hope to upload some pictures from our APRIL trip to CA. Life just seems to roll on....
John has mowed our grass for the first time this year. It looks and smells like a hayfield! It will look better when we get the riding mower up and running. It is time for spring chores outside. The gardens are off and running so I'd better get out there and clean them up! The Earth Day crew at school cleared out the dead mums in my garden by the door. Looks like the lilies and daffodils have multiplied:-)
Spring busyness is upon us at Maple Valley H.S. We're planning for next year and trying to take care of end of the year projects while keeping our classes moving steadily along. My U.S. History class has finally made it to WWII. As I've been planning for the rest of the year, I realized that I've actually lived the rest of the historical periods that we will be covering!
We had a fantastic visit with Sarah and Bryan over spring break. We spent a weekend in Sacramento and saw Sarah's friend Jenni and her boyfriend Chuck who just moved there from Kalamazoo that same weekend. Jenni's parents Rick and Theresa were there too, having driven one of the kids' cars from Michigan. We had a great time exploring Old Sacramento which is rich in Gold Rush and Railroad history. We spent a night in Big Sur and explored the beautiful Pacific Coast. Sarah and Bryan hosted a couple of dinner parties. What fun to be included in their circle of friends!
We are looking forward to meeting our newest greatnephew born to Ryan and Amanda just a few weeks ago! Our niece Julia plans to marry her fiance, Doug, at Bill and Kelly's home Memorial Day weekend. The family keeps expanding.
John has joined a gun club in Dimondale and is having fun shooting with new friends just a few miles from home. He is getting excited about another season of Cowboy Action Shooting. He got in quite a bit of hunting this past year with his brother Bill.
Hope you are all well. Stay in touch.
Love,
Becky

April 2006

Hi Everyone,
Well, obviously, I am not a great blogger! Today I have added a few pictures from JANUARY and tonight I hope to upload some pictures from our APRIL trip to CA. Life just seems to roll on....
John has mowed our grass for the first time this year. It looks and smells like a hayfield! It will be better when we get the riding mower up and running. It is time for spring chores outside. The gardens are off and running so I'd better get out there and clean them up! The Earth Day crew at school cleared out the dead mums in my garden by the door. Looks like the lilies and daffodils have multiplied:-)
Spring busyness is upon us at Maple Valley H.S. We're planning for next year and trying to take care of end of the year projects while keeping our classes moving steadily along. My U.S. History class has finally made it to WWII. As I've been planning for the rest of the year, I realized that I've actually lived the rest of the historical periods that we will be covering!
We had a fantastic visit to visit Sarah and Bryan over spring break. We spent a weekend in Sacramento and met Sarah's friend Jenni and her boyfriend Chuck who have just moved there. We had a great time exploring Old Sacramento which is rich in Gold Rush and Railroad history. We spent a night in Big Sur and explored the beautiful Pacific Coast. Sarah and Bryan hosted a couple of dinner parties. What fun to be included in their circle of friends!
We are looking forward to meeting our newest greatnephew born to Ryan and Amanda just a few weeks ago! Our niece Julia plans to marry her fiance, Doug, at Bill and Kelly's home Memorial Day weekend. The family keeps expanding.
John has joined a gun club in Dimondale and is having fun shooting with new friends just a few miles from home. He is getting excited about another season of Cowboy Action Shooting. He got in quite a bit of hunting this past year with his brother Bill.
Hope you are all well. Stay in touch.
Love,
Becky

Full Moon and More Sunlight!

Hi Family,
It seems that the nadir of winter's darkness has passed once again. Many of you may have enjoyed watching the beautiful full moon this past week as John and I have. Just think, though we are separated by hundreds of miles, we can all stand in the peaceful moonglow of the same full moon every month!
Here are bits of family news. Please send me news that you would like to share on this web page. New pictures will appear this week.

• Shelby has seen a doc for a second opinion on her back. There is not much new but she is hopeful that physical therapy and warm water workouts will improve her life. Glad to know that you are open to exploring some alternative therapies too, Shelby.
• Andy has new glasses and a magnifying sheet that allows him to return to reading, one of his passions. Dialysis seems to be going better since his arm surgery and PT seems to be helping too.
  
• John and I have bought our airline tickets to visit Sarah and Bryan over spring break. They will meet us at the LA airport and we will spend a weekend at the beach in Santa Monica before driving to Fresno!
• We miss seeing Sally and Ryan! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let us know how you are doing and what is happening in your lives. We would love to post news of Carin & family and of Jennifer's adventures out West too. Seems you have returned from Guatemala by now, Jennifer. Any pictures to post?
• Don has a super-duper new TV which is also connected to his computer. This creates a giant computer monitor. It also allows him to download very inexpensive (NEW REALEASE) videos and view them with theater quality picture and sound. We enjoyed watching The Alamo yesterday.
  
• John has painted our bedroom ceiling, taken down the wallpaper, patched and primed the walls. This week we will apply the new paint: Spa Green!
• Sarah had foot surgery this week. All went well and she will most likely return to work Tuesday or Wednesday.

How is school, Adam? Will you send us the dates of your spring performance?
How did your class like your latest story, Johnny? It is one you can be proud of.
Ryan, what will you do now that BB is over for the year?

We love you all. Have a fantastic February!
Becky

Happy Birthday to me!

Hello Everyone!
It has been a lovely birthday weekend. Thank you to all for good wishes, cards, and presents! I do feel loved and I love you all very much.

Here are a few bits of news you may want to know:

• Shelby will have an MRI for her leg this week. Hope this leads to a better treatment plan.
• She also has some fun planned with a Grandmothers' Circle Gathering and a Church Women's Retreat !
• Sally and Trent took her electric piano to Adam in Cleveland. Hope the added practice time helps, Adam.
• Bill and Kelly have a darling new puppy. Ziann is an adorable brindle Boxer with a sweet disposition.
• Johnny is now writing reviews of new video games for the Western Herald.
• John dropped a chair on his big toe Saturday and is quite lame at the moment.
• Don's van is in Toledo for repairs. Hope it comes back soon!
• Sarah will be 26 on Wednesday.
• We hear that Ryan is getting TALL. Send us a picture, Ry :-)
• Andy's surgery on his arm went well. Dialysis should be better now.

Send me your news and pictures and I will post them here to share with the rest of the family.
Tomorrow is the beginning of second semester at Maple Valley. It feels great to be back in my classroom.

Love to all,
Becky

Where Everybody Knows Your Name...

We celebrated New Year's Eve quietly. When we walked into JOE'S everybody cheered. The waitress asked where Johnny was spending the evening. Joe welcomed us too. Jean and Earl were there and stopped for hugs and to ask about Andy and Shelby on their way out. Maybe after 20 years we are no longer newcommers in our little community :-)
I've been journaling today. A few of my goals for the upcoming year are to clean out every closet and cupboard in the house, to redocorate two of our bedrooms, and to work at becoming a certified reading specialist.
Happy New Year! May 2005 bring blessings to us all.
Much love,

Christmas

Christmas has been celebrated all across the continent by our family. The best part of the day here in Alabama was receiving phone calls all day as kids and grandkids checked in. Each was celebrating in some way; all remembered the importance of family ties, however far they stretch.

Andy will be going in for a procedure to check the vein/artery in his arm tomorrow. He should be in the hospital about six hours. Hopefully this will help correct a problem that may be affecting his dialysis.

During my travel hours on my way homeTuesday I plan to firm up some goals for the new year. I don't make resolutions but I do like the idea of a fresh start. Anybody have goals/plans/resolutions for 2005?

Much love to all~

Finally...Christmas Break!

It has been a long three day week. I've celebrated Christmas with all of my students, some of my family, and many of my friends and coworkers. Cards and newsletters have been mailed. Gifts have been purchased, wrapped, shipped, opened, and appreciated. I've attended cantatas and concerts, read A Christmas Carol and shown two versions of the popular Scrooge movie to my classes. Today my students helped me move back into my classroom that has been repaired from the storm damage last August. The end of the semester, final exams, and scheduling for next year await when I return to school in January. But for now...it is time to slow down and savor the gift of Christmas with family. Dinner with John tonight and tomorrow my trip to Foley to visit Dad and Shelby. A few days of relaxation before picking up the threads of life. I'm so grateful for this winter break.
Much love to you all~
Becky

TGIF!

Well, it's Friday. The holidays are upon us. Let the parties and travel begin!

I want to invite all members of our extended family to share in this web page. We would love to post pictures from Cartwright, Hannah, Chunga, Smith, Decoursy, Holcomb, Rose-Hamlin, Rowe, Zera, & Anderson as well as Jamos. So please send your comments and pictures. Write and let us know how you are celebrating this year.

• Congratulations to Don on getting a much deserved raise!
• Shelby and Andy have new flowers and trees planted around their house. All hurricane repairs are complete, I believe.
• John and Bill are still hunting the elusive deer. The little button buck hasn't filled their quota!

Have a safe weekend as you travel or gather with friends and family.
Love you much,
Becky