The Beck's

Thankful for what??

2011-11-16T17:49:00.000-08:00

This is the month of November... The month that we are all supposed to share with others what we are Thankful for. But yet each year Christmas and that isn't a bad thing keeps taking over and little is done and shared about Thanksgiving anymore. But I am very Thankful this year. I am Thankful for my job and for my home, and for HEATING PADS.. But mostly I am Thankful for family. I am thankful for a husband who some days just rolls with it. The minute he walks in the door I am dragging him to some fundraiser, activity something for the school and he doesn't complain. I am Thankful he is such a hard worker. He goes to work daily so that we can have the things we have.
I am also Thankful for both of my boys.. Each one has his own unique personality. I never imagined what the saying every child is so different could mean. Until I had Porter and keller. They both came from the same mom and dad, but yet so different. I love them both. I love Porter that he is so calm and mild and loves me no matter what. He is a rock to me. Then there is Keller it depends on the moment what he thinks about me. But he is not afraid to tell me what he thinks. I also love how busy he is. He keeps me on my toes. I have to stay one step ahead of him. Which I am usually about 5 steps behind. I love these boys. But I am also so Thankful for my family and their willingness to step in and help me with my kids while the back is struggling. I am also Thankful for all my Aunts and Uncles and cousins. I was recently reminded this past week with losing a dear sweet cousin. What the meaning of Family is.. I have a pretty great family and am thankful for each of them:-).

We all have Greatness..

2011-10-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had the Privilege of attending a funeral. When is attending a funeral a privilege. Let me tell ya when.. It is when it is your sister in laws 31 year old little brother. A 31 year old man who had accomplished more in those short years, then most of us in a life time. Brad Barton was the Head Basketball coach for the college of Eastern Utah now known as USU extension. He was an amazing man. I do not believe that I have ever seen such a large funeral. It was held in the Ogden Dee Events Center. The place where he ended his college career. Playing two years for the Wild Cats. Many Thought, kind words, and Bradisms were shared this day. I walked away thinking when I die what will people say about me. I know that after this funeral I have a few things to change and get together in my life. I don't remember the last time I left a funeral feeling the way I did. So proud to have known him, so sad to have lost him, and heart broken for my sister in law, brother and her sweet little boys. They literally lost their super hero. He always had time for them. Each one of his nieces and nephews thought that they were his favorite.
I left the funeral with 3 very distinct ideas that stuck in my head. 1- Tomorrow is a promise to no one. Which is how Brad ended every email that he sent. 2- He also was very famous for saying that we all have "Greatness inside of us; we just need to find it." Which he truly believed in everyone. 3- Is that Brads hero was his parents and the savior. What better heros could you ask for. He had a love for his savior and was proud to tell everyone. What an amazing person. He will be greatly missed by many. Here is a link to a news paper article that someone wrote after interviewing him about some of his coaching philosophy. http://www.standard.net/stories/2011/10/05/barton-went-all-out-court-just-he-did-life#.To0Nfe5tpjV.facebook

LAst but not least Remember EVERY POINT MATTERS!!

Lazy Dayz of Summer.. In my DREAMZ!!!

2011-07-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Where to begin with this summer!! ( Pictures are out of order and I don't care to be honest). So with the mood I am in this summer you can either read and browse the pictures or not I really don't care. Let's start from the beginning of this wonderful miserable summer of mine. It all started the first week of summer. I took off and spent a week in Fillmore with three 8 years and a 3 year old. They were amazing to say the least. They had a blast at golf camp and playing with cousins. But while I was there what I thought was just a little stiff neck turned in to some of the worst pain I had ever felt. By friday my left arm was cradled up like it was in a sling and I couldn't move. By the time I got to the doctors office to have a melt down , and finally get to cry. I ended up with a herniated disc and a bulging one directly bellow. Are ya kidding me!! It hurt then and it still hurts. I am waiting to get into a specialist at the University of Utah for over a month and a half now. To maybe have surgery and another few weeks of PAIN.. Yea ME..

SO that tells you about the start of summer. With that problem in the fore front. We canceled San Diego Trip and decided if we want to do it this summer we better get it done before the specialist on the 21st. So hers is the run down on summer. I have tried to be a trooper and tough it out, but there have been days that I haven't been able to get out of bed. Those are the days for some reason a friend calls to take the boys for the day. I believe Heavenly Father hears those little prayers when you need it. SO here is the quick run down of summer.

The drive in- Yep Keller slept the entire ride down right through the movie and we did get a yawn out of him for pictures though.
Porter finished baseball league the last week in June that was supposed to end in May due to rain outs. What a spring we had..
Keller played T-ball with Ally and Abby. What a riot. Most nights my gut hurt from laughing. Keller has the Whicker competitiveness mixed with the Beck competitiveness. This could be deadly.. But he is fun to watch. He always has to win or we do it ADIN he says.
We spent every weekend we could at Shalom. This picture was actually the last day of June. The snow was unbelievable.. Four wheeler rides with herniated disc= no buieno.. But I wanted the kids to have some fun this summer
Keller went to soccer camp. He loved it and was in with a group of 5-6 year olds. He held his own to say the least. Porter and Drey also went to soccer camp and loved it. Porter missed the first day due to a round of Strep Throat. Are ya kidding me. So while I couldn't move my head or bend. I was trying to take care of a sick kid. It was a treat let me tell ya.
Another week in Fillmore for swim lessons. I must admit if the chance comes to move there I am gone PDQ. I love it there. I love being a round my aunts and uncles and cousins. I love going on a walk and checking on my dads grave every day. There is just something peaceful about knowing it is ok and taken care of. I stay with my Aunt Terri who teaches the boys swim lessons, and they get a lot of special attention. Plus Aunt Terri and Uncle Ross spoil us rotten. She makes the best dinners for us and she won't let me do dishes. It is great.. I usually spend lunch eating with Uncle Ross and he tells me things about my dad I have no idea. I usually either end up crying that I miss him so much or laughing that he did those kind of things. But I love visiting with him keeping my dads memory alive.
So a month of Tennis, soccer camp, baseball, golf, and swimming. I hope the summer has been great because who knows what the out come may be. But the one thing I know is that family is where it all begins and ends. With out them I wouldn't make it I am sure.

Simple Things

2011-04-10T15:30:00.001-07:00

What a great day we had Saturday! These to little guys so far have been blessed together baptized together and who knows what other things they will get to have done together. It has been a lot of fun sharing these important days with my little brothers family. It makes for a special day each time.The final day of a week that had non stop jam packed things for me to do each day, turned out to be truly amazing.
It was also fun to get the siblings together and spend sometime together. We may not have it all together but together we have it all. Nothing makes me feel more complete then having my family together to celebrate this special day of Porters. The only one missing was my dad. Which caused me to have a bit of melt down and many tears were shed because of this.
But my mom and Jami made a sign for Porter and Coleman. Just a simple sign caused me so much happiness and tears. As the bishop began conducting the meeting I looked up at that sign not a big deal cute, and appropriate for the occasion. But what brought streaming tears to my eyes is the tie. The ties my mom and Jami used to decorate the plaque I instantly recognized. They were my dads ties.
I thought of him in his suits at church writing my brothers while they were on their missions. One thing that really sticks out with the ties is during the time that dad was ill and still moving my mom would every sunday take the time to tie his tie for him. I never heard her complain about it, I think she actually enjoyed it. But wow a tie brought me to streaming tears. iI still miss my dad everyday, but I know he was there for Coleman and Porters special day and would be proud of them and my siblings and their families and the things that they are doing. But on a happier note I am so proud of Porter for being baptized. I Love this little guy more then he will ever know..

Every other day is a Birthday!!

2011-04-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how many birthdays we have in March and April ! I am not a big fan of birthday parties. So, it gives me a lot of stress. Why can't they just be simple go out to eat with mom and dad and your brothers and sisters. That's what we did.. John would say where do you want to go to dinner for your birthday, and usually he would add in "would you like to go to KFC, or would you like to go to KFC?" He was famous for that one liner. But this year we have had many birthdays and I think the one that has been the hardest for me was Porters. He is 8!!! Where in the heck did 8 years go? I cried getting him a suit, I cried when Jami was taking his pictures, I cried mailing and sending out announcements. I have cried alot, but I am very proud of the choice he is making. I have also been a little bummed out that my dad isn't here to share in this day with him. But I am sure he will be watching from above with his sparkly blue eyes..First was Jakes birthday. We had a PINK get together for him with the boys. We had a pink cake and he got a barbie movie from Drey, in a pink bag for the birthday Girl.
I think Kellers face sums up is birthday party. All he wanted was a football cake, and when we started the candles with the fire. Well you can see how that went over..
I do love my boys and love the choices and the boys that they are. I couldn't have asked for two more opposite sweet spirits. Each with his own challenges and joys.

OH what a night!!

2010-12-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

This is our great date night with our moms. It ended up being an adventure beyond anything we could have imagined.. So I will start from the beginning. In October I saw on a blog you could put in for the Church Christmas program with Yes David Archaleta and the Morman Tabernacle Choir. So I did.. Two months later in the mail I got tickets and thought how did I get these. Then I remembered I put in for the drawing. So we decided we would take our moms because no children under 8 were allowed. So I wondered why all the people in the lines where holding babies in the freezing cold. Obviously they don't know how to read. So two days before the concert we debated on giving the tickets to Jakes boss so we could go to Fillmore and decorate dads grave. But we didn't. So we headed up to the big city ready for the big night. Arriving an hour early going through security waiting in line forever in the cold. By the time we got in with 30 minutes tell show time there were no seats left. Thats right I said it NO SEATS LEFT. THe over book the concerts by 5,000. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.. So they told us we had to go into the over flow but you had to have a blue ticket to get in to show you were here on time and just didn't get a seat. So now waiting in line at the overflow theater with our blue tickets in had. They announce that it is now full. How can this be I have a ticket for the full conference center and a blue ticket for the overflow theater. By this point in time Jake was pretty mad to say the least he was throwing in the towel and told me to never do anything like this through the church again. So we walked over to look at the lights at Temple square and at the old Tabernacle was another overflow seating so we thought we would try it out. So as we were looking for our tickets the people were like come on in now worries. The concert has started come sit down. So my advice to you is if you want to go to the Christmas concert next year. Just go and sit in the the tabernacle, because idiots like up are trying to use the tickets that they received in the mail. We did watch the concert on the big screen in the old tabernacle. There was a sweet spirit there and I loved David Archaletas voice. He is still very giggly but the boy can sing. So in all we had a great night and loved the concert, got some exercise and spent some quality time with our moms. But the best part of the night was the lady running full speed UP the DOWN escalator. I am pretty sure it left a mark.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-16T10:24:00.001-08:00

We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year... We are very excited for next year.. Porter will get to get baptized, and I think because of Jakes good luck this year on the hunting draws. He won't get to hunt too much this year.. YEAH.. I am excited to get to start working with the young women in our ward, and some amazing ladies in the presidency..May you all have the peace and love of Christmas in your hearts the entire year..

Thankful Smankful

2010-11-09T07:18:00.001-08:00

Since it is the month of November and you are supposed to be Thankful for everything in your life. I have been reading on face book some of the Thankful post that people write each day. The one word that keeps coming to my mind is "REALLY". After losing a parent I don't think the holidays are ever the same. Each holiday brings many reminders of the lose that you have suffered, and how much the person means to you. I think if it weren't for my 3 cute little boys I don't know that I would ever hang up a holiday decoration or worry about a meal or getting involved in holiday festivities. But the reason for this post is to share in what I am Thankful for. I am Thankful for family. For the bond that even with a death can not be taken away. Each family has it's own problems, and it's own corks. But in the end they are what keeps life moving. We do what we do to help each member of our family and make their burdens less, but sometimes we make the burdens more. But in the end it is the family that we take with us, and what we do here on earth is to earn the opportunity to be with our family forever. I am so Thankful for my family this week and all that they do for me. Not only my little family but extended family. This is my note of Thankfulness. I hope you all eat tons of turkey and get fat...

APPLE FEST

2010-09-19T08:50:00.000-07:00

My cousins talked us into coming to

Fillmore and running in the apple fest race. It was a blast we ran a 5K and then the little kids entered in a childrens fun run 1 miler. Dreyton took 3rd place he was beat by an 11 year old girl and a 9 year old boy.

Porter took 8th behind his cute cousins paige and colby but towards the end a little girl tried to pass him. That wasn't going to happen and porter poured it on. I have never seen him run that fast and didn't know he could run that fast to not be passed by a girl. In the pictures my face is so red. Everyone kept asking if I was all right. I was fine. But anytime I run I turn as read as a tomato and stay that way for a long time.
This is me and my cute boys right before the kids fun run. We had a blast with all our cousins and aunts. We all started and finished our races is what is important. My Aunt Jackie did amazing for her first 5k. Terri and I ran with her and we all pushed each other. My two cousins ronni and christy did great. My mom also won her catagory and kicked butt.

It was fun as we ran past Christy and Brandons house all the little kids and grandma grandpa and brett and brandon stood there cheering us on.. It was so fun to see how much support family can be. had both grandmas and grandpa jack there cheering us on. I didn't get a picture of grandma and grandpa mcbride they took off before the Cameras came out. Aunt Paula was even there to cheer us on. I hope next year we can get her to run with us. I think this could become a tradition on the McBride side. You can tell on the top picture that even keller got into the racing spirit and hopped out of the runner stroller and ran all the way in.

Caution Ride at your own risk...

2010-09-13T08:06:00.001-07:00

We took a quick trip to the state fair with grandma Jana.. What an experience it was. It was hot as heck and I was complaining of the heat and porter was thirsty and keller was wild and drey wanted to ride the rides that were 4 bucks for the ferris wheel. So the only person not complaining was nana. But in the long run it was a blast. Porter said it was one of the best summer days this year. Porter and Dreyton rode the mechanical bull T-BONE as you can see by porters stickers that says he rode T-Bone. It was hilarious. Drey had a grin on the entire time from ear to ear and loved every minute as you can see.

When it

was finally porters turn, i thought he was going to back out. This is so not like him to try something like this. But after getting his glove on he made a running start to jump onto the bull and smacked right into the side of it. Chest bump style.. I wish I had the video

a camera. I would have won Americas funniest home videos. But once the bull started he had a two handed death grip on it and his legs were squeezing so tight that the flipped out on the side. It was so funny. He made it the entire time and held on for dear life literally. But he loved it. Next came the big yellow slide. I had to beg porter to come with Drey and I and Keller was screaming because he wasn't going to get to go. So Porter,drey, kel and I started the huge hike to the top of the stairs. Believe me carrying three rugs and keller I could feel the burn. But 3/4 the way up Porter said mom hold my hand. I said why buddy he said I am going to PUKE.. I looked over and he was pale. He then said I am going to pass out. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.. BUt slowly we moved on to the top. Racing down Porter was the winner and didn't want to do it again. But the other three of us did it again. keller was made when we wouldn't do it again. But I am glad we did it only twice. I woke up and my butt hurts so bad today from landing on the jumps and bumps of the slide. But all in all the state fair was a blast. THanks NANA for making us all get out of our comfort zone and do something different..

Tradition

2010-08-27T09:39:00.001-07:00

I guess I need to keep up with

tradition and post the first day of school pictures. Yes they wore the same shirt not planned. We didn't even know we had bought the same shirt. Drey spiced his shirt up with a Shawn white pair of shorts and porter stuck with the green pair of sports shirts(decided that was a battle not worth fighting)..Keller has missed them so much. He loves to walk to them to the bus and pick them up from the bus. But in between bus trips he calls them and wants to go get them. They are also in the same class this year. Which could be the best or the worst thing for a teacher. But they have loved the first week and are now seasoned bus riders. I still can't believe they are old enough to be second graders. I still think it was yesterday sitting in NICU at Utah valley in April after porter was born watching it snow.. Time flies...

Whicker White trash Weekend

2010-08-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

It has become one of my favorite events.. My friends husband drives in the Nephi crash derby.. This year I invited everyone of my cousins and friends because I loved it so much last year.. Those who took me up on the offer this year I think were very glad they did. We had a blast..

Ryan and Ashely and their cute boys and Katie and Mark and Ella joined us in the fun. We

BBQ-ed at Jarrets before in Mona and then headed down to the derby.. Thanks to Candi we had great seats and Jason had an entire cheering section.. We had a blast.. Candi bought my kids a light stick so that their derby wasn't ruined. BUt I am thinking drums for her kids would be a great pay back.. It was fun to see the kids playing together and watching them giggle and scream.. We had a blast the only thing missing was my dad. I noticed the void . But we had a blast and the countdown is on for next years derby. But next up on the agenda. The mascot bowl in Lehi..

A week in Millard

2010-07-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

This past week I took the boys and headed to Fillmore for swim lessons. But we learned so much more . We stayed with Terri and Ross. My moms sister and husband. They had big plans that when their kids graduated with my mom and dad they would buy a condo in mesquite and spend every weekend there. Dad put a little kink in that plan , and it was fun to hear Terri and Ross talk about things my dad and mom had planned in their future, but at the same time it was sad that those dreams never did get to come true. It was fun to have ross tell the boys about their grandpa John and some of the crazy things that he had done. I enjoyed a dinner with all of my grandparents. I spent nights at the show house helping grandma Edna, and enjoyed a nice ride with grandma Marlene and a talk on the rocking chairs on her porch until dark. Wow they are all great people. I also loved how laid back everything was. No one was in a hurry and I loved it. I got to go visit with my dad everyday. It was peaceful to have time to sit and visit and look at the mountains. My cousins have kids my kids ages and we slipped and slide and rode bikes, and played until we were exhausted . Terri was amazing giving the boys one on one attention and helping them with their swimming. She is so much fun, and the boys are ready to go back next week. After the long week we went to the ute Stampede rodeo. By looking at the picture of the three boys can you tell which one just ate dust and his leg was bleeding.

But fun was had by all and I had the best week of the summer of 2010.. Thanks to all the fillmore cousins for entertaining us and making us feel so loved.

A true Fisherman!!

2010-07-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

SO I have been thinking a lot about my dad lately. Fathers day was hard , but the 4th of July was our holiday. It was Grandpa Deans birthday so we flocked to Fillmore for fun and games. We spent many night up the canyon four wheel riding, family very competitive volleyball games. But dad loved to dutch oven cook for everyone. He would get up early and cook a great breakfast be the last to eat, clean the ovens and then start preparing for lunch. He loved it. But we loved the food. That is something I really miss about my dad. I also miss a his jokes. I won't share them with you but it is really funny how I will run into one of dads old friends or a family friend and they will say remember when you dad would say this or do this. Yea how can you forget. One thing I can say about dad is he is one of a kind. But lately I have spent time with each of my siblings and each one of us has some of my dads characteristics in them. SO I guess he is still going to live on. I think he would be proud of us and how we have handled things and kept going. I also feel really bad that the grandkids didn't get to know him. They would have loved him and he would have loved them. Dads classic joke was if it would have happened to anyone else it would have killed them. I think that statement is so true. Many people having that severe of strokes it would have killed them. But he toughed it out and was a tough guy. Sorry for the whiney post but just wanted to remember dad on this holiday season. It is the best.

What do you do???

2010-06-08T07:09:00.001-07:00

So the most asked question is " Jodi now that you are out of school what do you do with all your free time?" are you kidding me???? I sit at home and watch TV and eat bon bons what do you think I do? From running kids to and from tennis, baseball games and practice, to friends house to play, and just trying to keep them busy and not fighting I really don't do much with my free time because there is not a lot of it. But I wouldn't have it any other way. If there is a down second then we read and do math facts and porter hates doing school in the summer the poor kid. But we are staying pretty busy and entertained. Just a little side note Porter graduated 1st grade right on level in reading and math. He had the most amazing teacher. Which is going to make it hard for all the other teachers to compete with the 1st grade experience. I appreciated her willingness to help and work with porter and his allergies. Now we are just going to try and work on and get porters asthma that he seems to be developing under control and his broken foot better and we should continue to have a great summer. Plus next week round one of swim lessons start.

SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY!

2010-04-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

Where to begin. Ok at the beginning. Sfor the rest of her life. I don't like to cut hair, that is why I didn't go to beauty school. I don't even like to do my own hair everyday (so I don't). But I have cut Jakes hair for the last 10 years. Every time he asks. I complain and let him know how bad I hate it and how stupid it is that there are people who go to school to cut hair, and he won't pay them to do it. I have had my fair share of good and bad hair cuts with Jake. More good then bad, he rarely complains. So last night he asked for a hair cut. I have decided that since he feels strongly about me cutting his hair. So I agreed and decided I would do it with out complaining and do my best. So I started out like I always do. When it came to the sides i usually use the blending blades. But Jake bought a new shaver and it doesn't have blending sides. AAGGHH.. So no complaining by me I just tried to do it myself with the shaver and the comb. So after doing the entire side I stepped back to look at the master piece. I dropped the razor and the comb. I couldn't believe it. He had spots that I could see the scalp at, he had some right and left angles in there. It was horrible. So I threw a little fit and sat down to decide what I should do to fix it. So I decided I could fix it and used the little razor. BUT NO it wasn't charged so it had to be charged for 10 minutes and then used for 30 seconds. SO to drag out this horrible experience it did. I told Jake that I didn't need to worry about hating cutting his hair anymore that after he saw his hair he wouldn't let me touch it again. He kept encouraging me to fix, and keller and porter helped by brushing the hair off. But it was horrible. By the time we were done Jake was shaved at 1/4 inch and in some places shorter. So today Jake woke up and realized how bad it was and shaved it all short. Almost a bic short. But I am pretty sure I am fired. I wasn't going to say anything but Jake came home and asked why I hadn't blogged about the haircut. So I decided I better. I told him that we couldn't go to Fillmore this weekend to my cousins baby blessing, because I was so embarassed and all my family would see it.

Catching UP

2010-04-18T17:21:00.001-07:00

I have spent the last week at the Ball park.. We had a week full of high school games. Then on the only day we didn't have a high school game. We had a practice t-ball game. It has been crazy. We held our annual swing for life pink game and raised over $1000 for breast cancer. Which I thought was pretty good for a couple hours of work. After last year and the experience that I had with the swing for life, and I can tell that she knew it was something that I felt passionate about. She made the cutest little baby quilt and donated it. She is the best. She still is one of my biggest fans and supporters in my old age. We then hosted a tournament with 25 teams. It was crazy but fun. We had girls from Fillmore to Ogden in Payson and the town was cray with school buses. But this week I have thought about my dad a lot. At the swing for life game a man that knew my dad from the day he moved to Payson came up and asked how he was doing. I told him that he had passed on. It made me cry. The guy said that it was a great loss to the world to lose such a great man like that. I know that, but I sure miss him. But the best part of the week was we needed help. We had three different booths to run girls to play games, and scores to be kept. Many people stepped up and helped out. But we needed snack shack help and I new just who to call. I sent out a text and with in 15 minutes my mother was there and her and Deb had it whipped into shape and business was taken care of. Jake was even the best salesman that the we had at the tshirt and hoodie shop. I thought a lot about family this weekend and the support that the girls had this weekend from their family. There is nothing better then family. Even though when we all went through out teen age years and they were so not cool. They are the best aren't they. No matter what you do wrong or right they will be there to carry you. I love my family and could not ask for more. But once again like I said at dads funeral and all the time. Make sure you take time to stop and thank them for all that they do.. You just never know when you won't have them to thank anymore... :-)

Beckation

2010-04-11T20:53:00.000-07:00

So we ventured out for spring break, along with the entire state of Utah and California and headed to San Diego. But I was determined we were going to go and have fun with or without him. But he came.. We left early and made a pit stop to see M&M world and had a 3 hour walk from the MGM to the Mirage to see the white tigers. Only to find out that they didn't have white tigers anymore and the lions were at the MGM. But things turned up and then we hit California and a little traffic.. NEED I SAY MORE.
But upon arriving at the Condo and a great hook up. It was beautiful. Not many people, a baby pool, hot tub, and regular size pool, ping pong table and fire place. It was perfect. We then had a hook up at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park. Which in the long run was my favorite place. If you have never gone to the Wild animal park it is a must.
The entire trip Jake Porter and Dreyton battled over slug bugs. I didn't play because I knew I would win and wanted to give Jake a chance to beat the boys. They are slug bug finding magnets. There were 2 of these and Porter got both of the whale slug bugs.
We ventured out to the beach for a couple of days. Jake loved burring the boys. Keller just ran around and threw dirt in every ones hair, and face. He was a stinker at the beach. But such a trooper with a massive wipe out and huge goose egg black eye was his best souvenir.
LEGOLAND was horrible. There were so many people that the strollers cause traffic jams. Waiting in lines for 45 minutes for rides, and no fast passes this day. Probably won't ever go again. So if anybody wants to take porter let me know.. But we survived and loved it.. We had a great time and came home with a tan..

Life as I know it..

2010-02-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was driving home from getting the boys haircut, and I said "Porter do you know what starts Monday?" He said "No What!" I said "Softball" His reply was "Now we can't play tennis everyday anymore and it is going to be hard, but we get to go on our trip to stay at the Hotemple." The trip to St George he loves but he is a coaches kid and has learned I guess. Lets just hope that the weather warms up so they can play at the ball field in warm and not freeze.. I love softball but this year it is going to be tough. Lots going on with the kids, and working. I hope I can pull it off. I am ready for warm weather that is for sure. So now life as we know it is now changing and it revolves around softball. I always think that life will slow down. But it never does. It just seems to get busier and busier and busier.

Has it really been a year (sappy post a head)

2010-01-08T13:15:00.001-08:00

I have reflected these last couple of days of the events of a year ago.

I have been an emotional wreck, and have thought to myself many times did this really happen? That was a very emotional spiritual time for my sibling , grandmother, mother and I. I am so thankful we were all there to share in my fathers last moments on earth.

I have also thought a lot about my mother and grandmother at this time. What must it feel like. To lose your spouse of 30 some odd years. To lose a child. If I ever lost a child I do not know what I would do. Those last few days of loved ones family and friends coming into to say there good byes, He knew. He knew what was coming and as each of these dear family and friends gathered around him and held his hand. They recalled special times with him and he held to them tightly. I remember the night of moms birthday I was leaving to go feed the baby, and remember him not wanting to let go of my hand. So I stayed, I stayed and held my dads hands. What I would give to have his tire stained black hands hugging me, or watching me play ball. He worked with his hands and worked so hard. I miss him so. But I am glad he is able to move and be healthy.
Our family has had a roller coaster of a year dealing with the new life we have. We have gone from mom taking care of almost his every need to free time that we don't know what to do with. I don't think we all realized what a task John was. But we wouldn't change it for a minute. The opportunity that we have to say we helped in taking care of our dad. that the tables were turned and we were able to give a little bit back after all that he had given to us in life. Porter is the one who really still is interested and likes to talk about Johns death. He is always asking me questions about it, and what he looked like. He makes little comments all the time. He almost daily tells me that he misses John. He also told me the other day that after wrestling I said that was really nice of your grandpa J.Dee to watch you wrestle. He then told me that his grandpa John watches him wrestle from heaven. I think that is so true. I also think that if my dad is watching over all these little grand kids. I think that they will be all right. Sorry about the long sappy post but wanted to let out some anger, sadness, happiness and all these millions of emotions that come with dealing with death. I do love and miss my dad so much.

My First Christmas

2009-12-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

This will be my first Christmas with out my dad. I will admit the Holidays this year have been hard and a little on the disappointing depressing side. I have thought a lot about what the holidays were like with my dad. His twinkling blue eyes and smile. He smiled and grinned on Christmas each year , and I think it was because he was so happy and proud of my mom. She always does and has amazing Christmas gifts. Christmas eves consisted on laying on the couch and watching Christmas Vacation and eating soup. He used to tease us when we didn't get along during the season that he was going to shoot one of the reindeers. One year he even went as far as sitting a gun out in the kitchen. We stopped fighting right then. BUt I do miss him. I recieved a gift from a friend about him spending Christmas with Jesus. But to be honest I am a little jeolous of him. Getting to see my dad in his healthy ways. Laughing and teasing and smiling. But I guess that is how life goes. But I do miss him and am thankful for the family and legacy that he left and instilled in me.

But enough of the sob story the happy stuff. This christmas season like the rest of you has been busy filled with family parties and eating. Porter has seen Santa 3 times this year and each time asked for a skateboard. I think Santa will be able to handle it. Keller could care less about Santa but that is fine also. With Christmas comes the annual McBride family party. This year my cousin Brooke decided to have a dodgeball party. It was a blast. Yes we dominated. We are the biggest family. We had Jeremy's boys who are as competitive as they come so that helped. Jeremy showed up in a pair of daisey dukes and headbands, Jarret displayed the classic MULLET. He walked on the floor and Jeremy yelled where is Jarret, and he was like I am here. Jeremy said. Oh I thought you were Billy Ray Cyrus for a minute. But we had a blast. My cousin brooke and her family dressed up. Her husband charlie who is here in the front. Modeled a great pair of Spandex and tube socks. It was a classic. We had a blast we were all a little sore the next couple of days. My cousin dustin hit a few of us and left marks to show it.
Last but not least. With the passing of dad jami has stepped up and take his place as the buyer of gifts that you would never buy for your kids. She bought keller a PINK STROLLER and baby. He has not stopped bushing it around since she gave it to him. He loves it. I do not. But I told her PAY BACKS..
But in the end I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

P.S. Make sure you take time to tell the ones you love how you fell. Because some day they won't be here to tell, and it is something you do not want to regret.

Fall fun

2009-10-15T18:46:00.001-07:00

Like I have stated many times all ready. This year started out pretty rough. Going through the hardest thing I have ever had to face. The year has not and just seems to not be getting better. So I have wished 2010 would start PDQ. But as I really think about it. I have wished this year away and not really taken anytime to cherish or enjoy it. Over conference weekend we made a quick long trip to bear world. We spent a ton of time in the car, but just enjoyed spending time together. This was a little stick your head through it fun thing. So today we took the Halloween pictures. It was one of the only days Jami doesn't have a million things planned. So we headed out.

I loved this one of keller he sure loves to force every one arms go out and leg up.
But this is my favorite he was forcing and as he was falling over I snapped a picture. The good news is jami was there. So there will be good pictures. I take my camera, same one she has. Mine look blurry and terrible, and hers look good. But here is our fall fun..

Thinking lately

2009-10-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Just been thinking a lot about my dad and how much he loved the fall. It brought hunting , and one ugly pheasant hunting hat. He loved to watch the boys play football, and Jami and I play volleyball. He loved his pine nuts, and of course this is where my love of NFL football came. I loved to watch with him. We would sit in the basement with the fire going and flip from game to game. It was always so much fun when our teams played each other. Jarret always claimed he had so many favorites so that at least one of his teams won each week.
The past few weekends I have been able to spend time with each of my siblings and their kids. I couldn't help but think how much my dad would have loved each one of them. How he would have treated each one with their unique personalities. One thing i have been OK about is having kids and getting birthday presents we never faced the wrath of John and gifts. His siblings and their kids got the best of that. I am sure we would all have many animals and drums and the most annoying toys you could imagine.
The family has really had some ups and downs. We have rallied together for each other. But we know that one key ingredient is missing. But like the seasons there is always change. Whether it is for better or for worse change happens and we deal with it.

Two Words

2009-10-13T17:51:00.001-07:00

SWINE FLU

Smear the Mascots

2009-09-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here is my favorite mascot Miles. He was a beast. Jana and I picked him to be our favorite, drey liked the Salt Lake Soccer Mascot because he could break dance. Porter loved them all, and Keller set in awe and cheered the entire night. But what a night it was..

Mom Just happened to be watching the news on Monday and saw that Lehi was having a charity football game. So I sent out an email to the family and we decided to go. What a great choice we made. We went at 5:30 and the parking lot and stands were all ready full. It started at 5:30 according to the news, but next year we know to go early. Oh what a night. I think I got the best ab workout I have had in years. The Whickers came and loved it. Ally loved the mascots. But when the gorilla got close she had some issues. But we had fun. Jarret and I got a good chuckle. Jarret thought that his first grade team could have given the Lehi teams a run. The quarter back for the mascots was a good old Millard boy. He was a Boone he knew my cousins the Cummings. So we had a little talk with him and he told porter he would score a lot of touch downs and they would win.The starting line up on the field. Those are all mascots they came from everywhere. There was swoop from the U, Miles from the Denver Bronco who was my favorite. He was pretty competitive. He came to win. He laid out a few of the little Lehi guys with some pretty mean stiff arms. Hoot and Holly who made out during the fire works. The Jazz bear, the Jazz dancers, The Ute cheerleaders. For you cougar fans they introduced Cosmo and he was a NO SHOW..
But mascots came from far and near to help. The New Jersey net Sly fox, The Gorilla of the Phoenix Suns, The Indiana pacer mascot and the Chicago Bull.
They signed autographs and T-shirts porter has on his mascot bowl t-shirt and had to wear it to school. This guy was the Salt Lake Thunder mascot and he was a jammer to the music.
Holly she couldn't play her head was to big to even walk..
We had a blast. So everyone put it on your calendar for next year. It is for charity and is a blast.

The Hamtastic four yes I said HAM

2009-09-07T20:30:00.001-07:00

I forget when you upload they upload back wards so just enjoy the pictures. Porters friend Grant from schools mom asked if Porter and Dreyton would like to pig wrestle. So we said sure and it was an adventure. The team was named the HAMtastic 4. So cute.They dressed up like super heros. It was hilarious. They started with a plan that they all came up with. Tucker started out pretty aggressive, but one he picked the muddy pig up and it squealed he was not to excited. But Batman Grant as you can see was an animal he was tackling and taking control. They didn't follow their plan, but they had fun.
Porter and drey touched it a little bit, but once they saw how dirty it was they didn't really like it. They were funny. They had a ton of fans there cheering for them. Next year they want to do it again, and Jake is going to go with Jarret brett and Jeremy.
So here is the before pictures of the HAMtastic 4. We didn't get the pig in the barrel but we had a lot of fun anyways... We didn't win the 200 dollars, but we one the best costumes in the PEE WEE division as you saw with the trophy's above.

We survived.. Post about throw up beware..

2009-08-23T13:52:00.000-07:00

Don't they look so sad with the IV's. Here is the story behind them. They both milked them for all it is worth.

So we have had a huge bump in the road this past week. It involves a lot of throw up and other things I don't want to mention. But it all started on Wed. Yes the first day of school. At around 3:30 in the morning Keller woke up sick to his stomach. Jake stayed home until 11:00 so I could go to the first day. Everything that went into the little guy came out of the little guy one way or another. He was miserable. So I spent the day cleaning towels and clothes. Then on Thursday morning it was my turn. It was awful, my gut still hurts from the day. But all day long Keller and I laid in bed. Saying little prayers that Porter wouldn't get this because he just started school. It would be horrible if he threw up at school. But the good news was he made it home and threw up in Jamis car... So the three of us laid in bed and were miserable together. Jake attended back to school night. :-) But when he came home after many more towels and blanket washing keller was very lethargic. We could get him to open his eyes but he wouldn't look at us, and they would just roll back in his head. So we decided he might be in a little trouble since he hadn't eaten since Tuesday morning. We loaded up and headed to the ER. Checked both the boys in, figure we might as well get porter help before he got to the point keller was at. They took their blood and they had elevated liver numbers, both of them so they took more blood and sent that off to be tested for a little of everything. Both boys were given IV fluids. keller was also given sugar to help his sugar levels since they were really off. But IV drips in little boys drip really slow... So at about 2:00 in the morning we headed home with our sick boys and their IV's in arms, and were told to bring them back in 10 hours. So ten hours later back to the ER we go. After telling 4 people the same thing over and over again. I even got the comment if they are doing better why are you bring them back. Well I don't really know how to take IV's out of peoples arms. So we finally got to see the doctor, who wanted to leave porters in and take kellers out since porter was still throwing up. But porter wanted it out and had had it with the pokey thing in his arm. So we are feeling better. Still no results on our tests, but wanted to update everyone on the boys and let ya see how hard it was to have the IV. But no worries I am feeling better. I didn't get a shot to stop my throwing up. But I survived..

Little update

2009-08-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for the first day of school. Having a kid in school and being a school teacher is a little difficult on this day. Jake is going to take Porter to school . I Decided he needs to wear what he wants and feels comfortable in even if he doesn't match. We had a little stress about it. But I am stressed and worried to send him to school all day he is so little. But that is the way life guys.

Dreyton, Porter and I were outside sitting on the bench, and we started talking about John. I asked them what they thought he was doing. I could see the wheels turning in Dreytons head. Porter said he typical well thought out answer " I don't know." Then all of a sudden Drey blurts out. " I bet he is playing poker." Where in the world did that come from. But it gave me a good laugh because John would love that. :)

What a NIghT!

2009-08-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago my friend Candi sent me a text and asked if we wanted to go to the Crash Derby. I said sure sounds fun. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. So Saturday we loaded up the truck and headed to the BIG city of Nephi. After some great performances of Juab Idol it began. Oh My Gosh!! I have never seen anything like it. It was so much fun. I would have to say it was one of the wildest and craziest things I have ever seen. Candi's Husband drove a car, and after a few good hits he lost a lot of fuel and was down for the count. We stuck around for the ending to see who would win. But I must confess that the girls were awesome. They were fiesty things. But fun was had by all and a great night at the crash derby..

Spanish Fork Res.

2009-07-29T13:13:00.001-07:00

No pictures just ramblings from me about today. Jami and I decided to take the kids to the res today. We took our chips and sandwiches and headed up early. We got there and not many people were there. Which surprised me. We dropped our stuff off and laid out our blanket and put up the umbrella. We were good to go. Jami and Drey headed to the water and set with Keller and Porter on the blanket. Which was when I got and earful and an eyeful. The little couple in front of us with their feet in the water. They were killing me. LITERALLY :( Who thought they had the most smokin hot bodies. the only thing smokin were the cigarettes you smoked every ten minutes and about killed everybody on the beach. When everyone is coughing and all the little kids even mine were complaining about the smell take a HINT:). To make matters worse both of them could use a few tips on their swimming suits. Boy pull yours up, I could see your pubic hairs. Girl next time I would go up about 4 sizes you didn't leave much to the imagination. Last but not least the boy was in the military. So he was awesome and could drop the F bomb about every 4-5 words. Not cool. But listening to him tell the girl what he had been doing and did in the military made me physically sick. Talking about all the different women and how hot they were, the girl with him should have taken off and ran for his life. To be honest if he was responsible to defend me, I would be worried that he had every shot a gun sober. I hope he was trying to impress her and telling a few fibs. But he was disgusting, and I wish if I were not such a chicken I should of stood up and asked him not to smoke, clean up his mouth and last but not least pull up his swim suit. But that is easier said then done right.

Oh what do you do in the summertime????

2009-07-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

Well we play and play hard. Time sure does fly by in the summer doesn't it. Porter and Dreyton took a round of swimming lessons from Payson city that I don't want to talk about because I have nothing nice to say. So for our second round I took them up to Natalie that I play softball with. Oh MY GOSH. I would recommend her to anyone. She was amazing. Porter was his normal timid self. But we had a major break through. She was so positive with him that he thought he was Michael Phelps. he has a long way to go but he doesn't know that. She was wonderful. Today they were having a pass off day, and she didn't get in with them and he jumped off the diving board with a little spring in his jump. Then he swam across the pool. I was shocked he did so good. I could see him getting so nervous when it was his turn. But she said go and off he went. When we got home. He asked me if I thought Grandpa John would be so excited for him that he swam across the pool. I told him I was sure that Grandpa John was watching him and so proud. I cried. But Thanks Nat you. are amazing

We finished off a great year of t-ball. Porter really caught the baseball fever. He loves to go outside and play catch. He even sits down and watches it on TV. He is always asking questions about the rules. I am excited because I love baseball and softball. But this is a picture of our cute little team. They were so much fun, and I had some great parents that were also fun to go to the games and chat and laugh with.

last but not least we headed to shalom for the 4th. The 4th has always been my favorite holiday, but this year I went kicking and screaming. I think it is because it is grandpa deans birthday and he is no longer with us, and it was always a time when my dads personality really shined. Fireworks out of pop bottles, bbqs and him teasing all the nieces and nephews. So I think due to all the memories I was more emotional about going then anything. We had a blast it was a quick trip, but everyone of my neices and nephews were there, and the quarnberg girls. We had a blast riding 4 wheelers, canoes, and most of all we had fun catching rodents. We were up in the main cabin at shalom visiting and cooking breakfast when porter, drey and tai came running up the stairs. Grandma linda had given them some nets to catch butterflies. But they thought bigger and better. Porter had a squirrel in his net. He was so excited. I will have to get a copy of the picture to show from Linda. Jake, Jarret and Kendall spent hours fishing for squirrels. You have to have jarret show you his contraption, but we caught more rodents then fish. We had a blast and fun was had by all. I was so proud of my siblings and they great job that they are doing raising their kids. They are amazing. Oh and I finally ordered my MAC with a free IPOD touch. I am so High tech now that I have no idea what to do. Looks like Mac class for me this summer.

Has it really been nine years

2009-07-07T13:02:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that Jake and I have been married for 9 years now. It has had it's ups and downs. We have been through 2 kids, 6 dogs, 4 computers, and an inside and outside total house remodel. I would have to say that this has been by far the most trying of years. With the loss of dad, me going back to school, and the bear. But we survived. Jake is the great gift giver and puller offer. So when I call jake yesterday to tell him I will be home in a minute that I needed to run to smiths. He started thanking me for the great gift that I had gotten him. He was telling me that it was by far the greatest gift that I have ever given, and he can't believe that I did this. I was amazing. In the back of my mind I was thinking, what did I get Jake. I haven't gotten him anything yet. Have I? I had thought about a few things, but hadn't acted on them. So I am thinking what in the heck is he talking about. I made my fastest trip to smiths ever, t0 get home and find what I had gotten jake. Well wouldn't you know. Just look at the picture.

I guess now we have been through 7 dogs. It was a good one on jakes part I must confess. But happy anniversary anyways. i love you and think you are a great dad and husband.

Seriously :(

2009-06-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

This is my computer screen. Yep I dropped it. Everything that I have been working on all semester and need to turn in net Tuesday is on it. Not a happy camper am I right now.
So know I am working on the old lap top. Most of the numbers don't work. Half the letters don't work. It is amazing what spell check can decipher as a word. Things that should take two seconds, take 5 minutes. I timed turning on and be ready to go. It took 12 minutes and 38 seconds. WOW what a day. The good news is it will only be 350.oo from Dell. Let me tell you. DON'T EVERY BUY A DELL. They have crappy coverage. The mouse and CD player haven't worked since I got it, and they keep doing little things to try and fi it, but it ain't happening. So I am a little stressed. Physically sick to my stomach right now, and have hours of redoing my project a head. It's a good thing I threw all my paper copies of the project away on Sunday and the trash went out Monday. I am not above going through the trash for them at this point if it wasn't at the DUMP all ready. Wish me luck and a better week.

Kiss my grass....:)

2009-06-12T21:05:00.001-07:00

We have had a pretty busy last part of may and first of June. Here is a picture of Keller crying and fussing when I hold him. But if I am not holding him then he is crying and fussing. He is a treat. I love him to death, but he is a tough little bugger. Not the most mild child you could say. But he is darling and so cute with his blue eyes and unabrow. Porter also graduated from Kindergarten. He will graduate in 2021. That didn't sit well with me. I can't believe how fast he is growing up. I want him to stay little and be my buddy for ever. But it ain't going to happen.

Here is his teacher. She was the best we could ask for. She loved and took care of porter. I didn't even worry about him after the first week. Grandma Shelby and her took care of all the little ones like they were here own. I wish everyone could have them for kindergarten. Last but not least the moment you have all been waiting for. I got grass. Jake has worked his butt of to get it ready and we have grass. We started as a weed patch and now..

It is done and we love it. we just need to give it time to settle. Porter is excited to ride the riding lawn mower. Little does he know that in a few years it will be a job not a fun time to play with dad on the tractor. PS.

I attended the Kelly Clarkson concert with my friend Candi. She has been a good friend and rock for me since we were in Kindergarten I think. She is someone I always know will tell me the truth and set me in my place if I need it. But we headed out, really not to excited because the rain was coming down like tomorrow and it didn't show signs of stopping. But we headed to the UVU ball park and the rain stopped and I had a blast. I would have to say it was one of my favorite concerts of all time. Kelly Clarkson can sing. She was not a little skinny Hollywood star which made me like her more. But she was good. I will have to post pictures soon. But I also got to go with Shelby to her first concert. It was a blast. Thanks to all who came and sang. V you are amazing on your blog. I think you have a chance at Utah's got talent next year. But you will have to beat Candi out first.

Cast in Stone

2009-05-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

It was a bitter sweet weekend for me. My dads headstone is in and finished. It is beautiful. But it was weird to see my name and my families name on the stone. It turned out so pretty. Mom picked well. The thing about this weekend is lately I have been at moms and things will pop into my head and I will think I should take the paper down to dad. The other day at McDonalds I asked the boys what we should get grandpa john. I have walked down to check on him, but this stone was a real wake up. The bad dream is not really a bad dream, but the direction the Whicker family life has gone.

We did stay at the hotel in Fillmore and swam in the coldest swimming pool I have ever been in. My cousin bought one of the blow up slides from Costco and the boys played all day on Monday. We had a nice visit with some of my cousins on the Whicker side that we haven't seen for years. It was a great weekend and I couldn't have asked for more then to be surrounded by family who stepped up and gave our family and my mom so much support during this time. Thanks Whickers, Cummings and McBrides. We felt your love this weekend.

0-4

2009-05-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

So I am having a bad week in the win loss record. I took keller into the doctors on Monday morning after non stop crying since Friday afternoon, and not sleeping for more then two hours at a time. He was 2 for 2 on the ear infection so I put that in the loss record. The antibiotics are not helping matters and I am a grouchy bear that can't wait to go to work to get a break from the crying. Then on Tuesday we trecked to Salt Lake for a great day of softball. I knew in my gut that this was our game. We were due, and the buffalos were going to eat their chips. In the 6th inning we were down 7-0 and I started to tear up, because I wanted and new that the girls had it in them to win. Coach Brent looked and me and said Oh no we are in trouble if we have beck crying... But I just wanted them to win so bad. We did lose and I felt terrible, because this group of girls were so much fun. No drama go to the park work hard, and get the job down and laugh and have fun while you do it. But life will go on. Softball will be a great memory they all have. I also thanked them because at a time in life when we have had little Joy in our life with losing dad. They brought some to the Whickers. Mom loved to sit up in the booth and cheer for the girls and forget about things for a while. So I know the girls don't read the blog but I want to thank them for the joy the last few months have been. So we headed home on the bus and stopped one last time for a lunch with a bunch of giggling girls. Who could have thought the night could have gotten worse. Seriously people what in the heck are you thinking. Why when you could vote for this to win the mirror ball....
Did you vote for the flaming male and robot dancer.

The good thing about her winning, is She WONT be back next year. Even Melissa would be better. I know the Jana and Vanessa are feeling my pain right now, but

i guess we will have to wait until season 9. Max one more time and I know they will give you a great partner..

Help with Swine Flu

2009-05-04T12:27:00.000-07:00

In case you need a mask

What a Day!!

2009-04-25T18:23:00.001-07:00

I have coached high school sports for 12 years now. No matter what happens in the year, no matter where we place or what we do. This day is by far my favorite and most memorable. We take part in the swing for life. It is a fundraiser for breast cancer. It was a task to get there today due to a no show on the bus, but we pulled it off and it was worth it. We had a blast. When the girls came out from behind the curtain the cheered and the crowd cheered, and teams we have beat and are our enemies on the field, cheered for us and were glad to be there with us today. But when the girls came from behind the curtain I teared up and had cold chills. It made me so proud. I talked with the coaches that were there with me and told them " I have coached a lot of girls in my 12 years, and I know that some of them will have breast cancer. I hope that none of them do but odds are they will. I hope that they will look back at this and they will say I did try and do something to help this cause. I hope that we can help find a cure for breast cancer so none of them have to go through it. So I hope they will all look back and say I did something to help. I don't think the girls realize the impact of what they did, but I did and I am a proud coach today. There was also an article in the news paper about the Payson girls. I am attaching the link if you have a minute and want to read it. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705295457,00.html or you can check out the softball blog on the side for a more detailed account of the day.

Porter and Drey had their pictures taken with everyone. Including big Budda. He is HUGE. Did I say he was a BIG dude. But we came home to a horrible rain storm and so porter went out and played in the puddle. It was a great day, nothing in the house was hurt or wet. So we are glad..

In the end !!! (long pitty post ahead)

2009-04-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

The last few days of spring break have been pretty emotional for me. I think it is because I have had time to finally slow down and reflect on the last few months. WOW they are a blurr. I also have a blogging friend that is in the same situation I was a few months ago. My heart aches for her. I also had a really good friends mother get in a car accident and break both of her hips and broke her pelvis in 5 places. The last couple of weeks have been very emotional for my mother as well as the rest of us. It was Easter, and this was the first time that I have really sat and thought about Easter and how important the death and sacrifice of the savior really is. I am so thankful for it now.... It really helped my testimony I had to teach the 11 year old girls and I sobbed like a baby giving the lesson. The week before I took mom to Fillmore to look at headstones and try to pick one for dad. It made me physically sick when my mom was telling the guy that she wanted the kids names on it. I always thought that I would be an old blue haired lady with a walker when I buried a parent and had my name on a headstone. That is one of the biggest curve balls that I have been thrown in my life. But in the end we picked out a mountain with a fisherman and a stream and a DOGWOOD for mom....

I have listened to my dads funeral twice in the past few days and I have come to a few conclusions that I all ready new, but needed a little refresher on. Family comes first ALWAYS!! We get wrapped up in so many things and forget that, but no matter what they are the most important thing. I coach softball and love it, it is very time consuming,, and people take it so serious. A strike out for some girl is devastating, but how do you tell a high school girl that it really isn't that important in the scheme of life. It is just a fraction of a second and nobody will remember it. I also watched the movie Marley and ME. I knew what was going to happen the minute Jake put it in. I have never cried so hard at a movie before. I think it just hit so close to home. I have been thinking about getting porter a little dog to have in the house, but after this movie realized what happens and I don't think I could handle losing a dog. I looked back on my dads life and I knew but it hit me really hard how unselfish he was. Everything he did, he did for my mom and us kids. I wish that my kids could have known him. They would have loved him. I also think that he would have loved being a grandparent more than anything. Cade was the only grandchild we had that dad really had the chance to enjoy before his first stroke. The other lesson that I really learned from dads funeral was from his friends Bill's talk. Now that I have a kid of my own I understand. If your kids are involved in then you need to be too. You need to be involved 100% and be to all of the games and take the time to throw and extra pitch or work on their foul shot, or watch them do their dance one more time, and in the worse case listen to them screech the violin. Encourage your kids to be involved in good things, and make sure they see you in the stands cheering for them. I do know that my dad learned this from his parents. I also had a message today on face book from someone who was at my dads funeral who thanked me for encouraging them to tell their parents how they fell and what they mean. So things have snow balled lately, and I think that reality has hit me right square in the face. I miss my dad, and would give anything to have him back I am sure that my mom is reading this right now and crying. Sorry mom, but I needed to vent a little and what better way then blogging for the world to hear.

More information needed

2009-04-14T17:14:00.000-07:00

The bond is going to be voted on in June. The June elections have very little turn out. So we need more people to look at it find out more information and get involved. It will raise our taxes. I was told from someone that it will only raise our taxes 15 dollars a year. But I was also told from someone who knows. It will raise them $300 quarterly for every 150,000 your house and property value is. So I like I said have very mixed feelings about it, but I think that people need to know what is happening. On the Nebo school district website they have a power point presentation and also a date when they have meetings in the Towns. That gives the public a chance to ask questions. I am not good with this type of thing, but I just wanted to let every one know what is going on. I also feel like it is not be publicized outside of the school buildings so the public doesn't know, and that is concerning me a little.

Need to know information

2009-04-11T17:51:00.000-07:00

I thought that you bloggers out there that read my blog so faithfully might want to know this. If you live in Nebo School district boundaries you may want to check this out. I as a teacher have mixxed emotions, but I think that you should all look at the presentation. They are trying to bond again, and you may want to look at what it will do to you. Click on the link and then click on bound presentation.
http://www.nebo.edu/

Easter

2009-04-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have any good ideas for an Easter lesson for 11 year old girls that does not involve eggs opening them up and having an object and a scripture. after looking around all the websites I am assuming that is the standard Easter lesson of the church.

Why I love PJB!!

2009-04-03T17:55:00.001-07:00

I think this face sums it up. Jami took his pictures the other day and this face and the thinker pose seem to be his favorite for the session.

No JoKe

2009-04-01T10:33:00.000-07:00

It is his 6th Birthday. I can't believe that he is all ready 6 years old. He is the funniest kid. He is so well behaved and such a joy. Although lately he is breaking out of his shell. So who knows what is to come. I love him, and am so thankful that he is with us. He is an Aprils fools day baby, but his entrance was one to remember. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!!

Embarrassing Teacher moments

2009-03-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

Embarrassing teaching moments are sure to happen. But we have been talking about them lately. I have been taking classes at BYU, and it has been a treat let me tell you. I am the one that brings PEPSI and not caffine free diet either. The real stuff to class. But that is not the point. A freind of mine in the class was doing a presentation a couple of weeks ago and while she was up at the board looked down and went bright red and busted up laughing. She had on a long sweater that covered mid thigh. But she felt a little draft and realized she was in her black slip. We all laughed with her and that was her moment of the year. But I had one today. I am reading a book called tuesday with Morrie. the guy in the book ends up with Lou Gerigs desease. Over time he begins to loose control of all of his muscles and eventual all he can do is lay there and listen. He eventually dies, but the story is great. A good quick read, but today in the middle of the chapter he is talking about things and how they are going and what it is like to be a person who is knowing he is going to die and how he needs to still be positive. It hit pretty close to home with my dad, and I started to cry. Not just tearing up but a cry. I excused myself from class, and I expected the kids to be sitting there laughing and thinking I was a nut. THey were really good though. The best comment was " Mrs. Beck I think we shouldn't read this book anymore if it is going to make you cry." They all really like the book but it was a little on the embarrasing side because teachers are supposed to have it together. We then moved onto another activity, and never fear I tripped over the overhead. Yeah I went down on all fours, and I looked up and the kids waited to see my reaction, when I finally stood up I said " I am only going to give it a 8.5, because I didn't hit the landing." The all died laughing..

The weather outside is frightful, but the Beck's are so delightful (not).

2009-03-23T18:05:00.000-07:00

Keller is now 1. I made him a cake that looked like a snake and he wanted nothing to do with it. But never fear his big bro porter came to help (no milk frosting) and nothing changed he just wanted his hands clean. This time of the year we have one birthday after another. Between the 18-April 4th we have a birthday on almost everyday but 2. So Jakes was on the 21st and he was at scout camp and I had sick kids so I didn't get out. We ordered pizza for dinner. Jake sat the pizza down and went to get plates and napkins out of the kitchen and I went to get Keller and came back and found porter enjoying the BBQ chicken wings. I don't know what gave it away that he had dug into them.
But the birthday hit was yet to come. Don't scroll down and ruin the surprise. but Drey and Nana came up to give Jake his gifts. Nana said that Drey asked if they could go to walmart and get Jake's present. he picked it out himself. Drey handed his to Jake and went behind the couch. He was giggling and when Jake opened it. IT WAS A......

Barbie. Since Drey was old enough to understand Jake has told him for Christmas ,Birthdays everything that he was going to get him a Barbie. One year Jake wrapped dreys gift from us in a pink box, and Drey threw it down and pitched a huge fit, and wouldn't open it. Porter finally had to open it. But this year Drey go the best of Jake. The good thing according to Jake is that he now all ready has Dreys B-day present. But drey got the best of Jake.

Weekend outing

2009-03-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

So this weekend was the annual March Warm up tournament for the softball team. I packed my 6 bags litterally and headed to st george. 2 were for me 1 for porter and 3 for Keller. I tell you what vacations and babies don't mix. But we had fun in the long run. Jana read her Fabio romance novel and we all laughed at her. Jake played cards with Susan any chance she could get she would track him down to play cards. But he loves cards so it was all right with him. I won't play with him because I am so competitive and when I loose I throw them or yell at him. But the trip was warm and I love this time of year. Softball is such a fun competitive sport in the outdoors. But on the way home we stopped by Fillmore. Porter really wanted to go see grandpa John. So we did. I think this was the most emotional and upset I have been since the funeral. When we left Fillmore after we buried dad it was so peaceful. I felt the spirit I knew all was well and that things would be all right. But today it wasn't. My dad is gone and it hit me like a ton of bricks. There in the background were the Beautiful mountains up Fillmore canyon. Where we used to spend so much time camping with family. The grass over dads grave has started to settle and it is looking like it is part of the ground now. It made me a little upset and feeling bad for myself. But I guess it will be easier as time goes on. But I do daily wonder what my dad is up to. I think he is probably keeping busy I am sure there is a lot of work for him to do. But I wonder what he is up to. I keep thinking he is going to swing by and tell me things are all right. Tell me a little joke and let me know who he is teasing. But i do miss him. It is times like this I am so thankful for the Gospel, and my mother who is a rock. I know she has her ups and downs, but she knows that families are forever and she will be with Little Johnny Whicker again.
So know that you all know I am sad and a crybaby. The tears are killing me because I am majorly sunburned.

Stop Collaborate and listen..

2009-03-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

All right here is the run down in my eyes.. After narrowing a could be catastrophe with the t-shirts (because Candi couldn't find them in the crate). We all spent many hours primping for the night of all nights. I stopped by Candi's to pick up my t-shirt and dig through her sack of oldies but goodies. Coming home with some tight jelly bracelets and sunglasses (thanks Har). The fun bus arrived at exactly 6:00 on my driveway. After a smooth ride on the freeway we tried turning into the mall. Where a very nice young man in his DADDY'S Cadillac escalade puts his car in reverse so we can not turn in. So a few gestures and not so kind things were said. We won't mention any names. I hid behind JoAnne so I wasn't seen. The good news is, is the kids car is worth more than our lives. What a PUTZ!! A nice meal at P.F. Changs. Good choice I had never eaten there before. I need to go again soon.
OFF to the concert. After waiting in a line in the freezing cold up hill both ways. We reached the two men looking through bags. Don't worry that out of mine the guy pulls a pair of Porters swim googles. I told him I was going for a different approach on the sun glasses thing...
NEXT
A group shot. With a huge drunk guy that we pushed and yelled at and wouldn't get out of the picture. FINALLY: we reach our seats. Front row in the not general admission of 50 plus thousands dressed in spandex and neon. We sat for an hour and a half waiting for vanilla ice to perform for 30 minutes. The hype about the water and fireworks, was hyped way to much. But hey he played ICE ICE BABY with a set of drums and a DJ on the Steel Wheels. ( I was a little disappointed to not hear the ping of the old version). But then never fear after another 30 minutes.
IT"S HAMMER TIME..
Man he is getting old. He did fine, because he took a 5 minute break between songs to catch his breath. But he was all right. I felt like I got my moneys worth in the concert and people watching..
The best part of the night was sitting there and all of a sudden I hear Coach Beck, Coach Beck, Yep some of the softball players were there. I won't mention any names. Because I told them to tell no one I was there.
But the MOMENT You have all been waiting for our evenings costumes.

Marc put these together for us in a day. He did and amazing jobs. So go ahead and look at our chests and if you want to bust out in a song go ahead. You word to you mutha ICE ICE baby To GO

A year allready

2009-02-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

Isn't it amazing how fast a year goes by? What can happen in a year. But keller had his first birthday party and what a time it was. We had a WII fit Hula Hoop contest, ski jump, and bowling contest. He watched but fun was had by all. But as I was looking back at Keller over the last year. I found this picture of him and John. I think John would be loving and laughing at Kellers naughty little teasing spirit. He is a fun one with a blue twinkle to his eye.

One Year..

2009-02-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

WOW!! It has been a year all ready. keller will be one in the morning. What did we do with out the little bugger. He is a busy, teasing, happy, bossy, love able little guy. I have heard from a few people that I am getting what I deserve in him. Jami just took new pictures of him, but this is my favorite picture of him. I think it is because your really get a look at his beautiful blue eyes (he got grandpa john's sparkling blue eyes). It is amazing what can happen in a year. It has been a very rocky year for us, but Keller has brought a lot of joy to our family. I am thankful that my dad was still here to meet him even though it was for such a short time. But Happy Happy Birthday Keller Dear, I hope happy days will come to you all year. Wow writing this has brought tears to my eyes. Life is so precious and it goes by so fast.

I need help..

2009-02-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

So I think that my frustration level is at a max right now. I finally transferred my ITUNES and IPOd over to the new computer. But the problem now is nothing from my old itunes and ipod is showing up.. All the songs and movies and tv shows are there, but no play lists. I have two ipods and i have managed to make it so one has nothing on it. What do I need to do to transfer all my stuff from my ipod onto my new computer and Itunes. What ever you do don't go to the ipod website. Then your frustration will triple by them wanting you to pay to restore it or talk with someone, or join discussion group. Just tell me how to fix the problem. So for any of you computer and IPOD geniuses. What do I need to do to make all of my playlists off of my ipod and the old computer appear on the new computers IPOD. Now anything that I have bought on the new computer can't be put on my ipod. Can someone please help or maybe I may have some IPODS for sale..

Start you Engine long post a head..

2009-02-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

So today was Porters Kindy 500. Each kindergartner made a car out of a card board box and they walked around different places at the school. They learned about different places in the united states and about patriotic things. It was awesome and the kindergarten teachers did a ton of work. I thank them for that. But it was sure eventful. I want to tell you a little bit about it and give you a few tips in case you need to make a car. I will also post pictures of porter soon. The instructions for the car were simple like out of a high lights magazine. It was box car making for dummies at it's finest. The kids needed to be able to carry it around from class to class. So Simple it was. The main bolded with italics and underlined statement said "Let you kids paint it and do as much by themselves as they can , it will be more memorable if you let them do most of the work." So those of you who have 5 year olds that can make pink Cadillac's with windshields, and slug bugs that have cardboard curves. Wow more power to you. But I want to say those of you parent who wanted the best and wanted to one up everyone. You should stay and help your kids lug the dang things around next year.
Here are my tips to you parents after being a parent volunteer for 3 hours with the dang cars.
Tip #1- If your child can't get into the box at home. How the He _ _ do you think they are going to get into it at school? (my back is now strained due to this issue)
Tip #2- They have to carry it around for 3 hours so ones that weigh 100 pounds are not good for kindergartners and the parent helpers really don't want to drag it around the entire time.
Tip #3- Do not have the way your kids carry the box around be the box is weaved in and out of their belt. When they sit down it gives them one heck of a wedgie and then when they want it off they miss half the excitement due to taking their belt off and on.
Tip #4- Horns- not a good idea when the rest of the school is still trying to learn.
Tip #5 - 10 pound wheels don't stay glued on. When things fall off, kids fall apart.
Tips #6- This tip is for the black low rider truck with the amazing yellow flames on the side, chrome tail pipe, California license plate and Oakland Raider sticker.Make sure that the box can fit through door ways before you come. That was a real bummer. That car had to sit outside all day. They must have rented a uhaul to get it there, and there kid was the smallest kid in all 5 kindergarten classes.
So if you need any help with Kindy 500 cars, you know who to call.

What's happening????

2009-01-29T13:15:00.001-08:00

We took an exciting trip up to the big city to watch walking with the dinosaurs. My family wanted to sale the tickets and make a little money off of them. But I held strong and we went and had a blast ...

Keller found a sucker that someone had brought to my dads viewing (The Brown's) and Porter was helpful and opened it for him. By the time I got keller to the tub both of my arms were stuck together at the elbow and I had my hair stuck to my cheek. Now as a mom I know why so many people cussed my dad about the mess that the suckers made. But what an idea that my child eating a sucker could now mean so much to me.

Don't Cry...

2009-01-22T15:46:00.000-08:00

"Don't Cry because it is over, laugh because it happened."
I found this quote today on one of those emails that you get that is a power point that is ten hours long. So during my prep period today I was checking my email. The for ever long power point attachment was there and I started watching it. So I started crying I am still a little emotional. But in the middle of it I read this quote there was no author but it really hit close to home and reminded me of my dad. So I thought I would share it with my "bloggin PEEPS"

In a Funk!!!

2009-01-21T09:02:00.001-08:00

I went back to school yesterday and it was weird. I haven't been back in two weeks and I felt like I was in a new world. My friends asked how I was doing and my answer was "I am in a FUNK." My friend said what is a funk. I have no idea it is just a feeling of life is moving on and going but you are there but not really there. It is weird that life has moved on. Dad has been gone almost two weeks and I still find myself going down to his room to check on him. I think I keep doing it because I am not sure that the last two weeks are real. I woke up the other morning and asked Jake if this last two weeks really happened. I asked him "Is my dad really gone?" So I would describe my life now as a FUNK. But now that I have told you all my problems. I think that the awful air outside and no sunshine doesn't help out matters. I think I am ready for spring. Ready for softball and ready to get outside. But that means the yard work. Maybe with the economy being the way it is. We will be able to get our grass in for cheap....

The 6JWS

2009-01-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a week of ups and downs. I would just like to thank everyone who sent flowers and stood in line for hours just to show support to my family at this time. I had the opportunity to see so many people and make quick little visits with many I have shared many precious experiences with in my life. I wish I could have spent more time talking with each of you. I just wanted to share the last family picture that I will ever have with my father alive. I will miss him, and know that he is in a much better place then the rest of us. Thanks again for being part of our lives and sharing time with us, and the most wonderful father anyone could ask for. (Jami thanks for making us all take this picture what would we do without it?) One thing I can say is our family may be crazy, weird, fun. The one thing that I can say without question is that our FAMILY IS FOREVER.. I love you dad.

Somethings missing

2009-01-09T23:54:00.001-08:00

So something is missing.. I feel so empty. I know that I will see my dad again and know that he is with Jesus, but dang I want him back. I would give anything to turn the clock back about 9 years. The last few years all though he has been there physically but not all the way mentally. He was still there. But now that everything is gone it has been difficult. I have seen many friends and family in the last two days and have enjoyed many visits. I have decided that there are a lot of good people out there. One of moms very best friends has been twice both days, called to check on her before she went to bed and when she first woke up. Just wanting to see if she needed anything and just so concerned. I am amazed at the love and out pouring. So Thank you. It has made the time a little easier, but I will be honest it is tough. I was informed today that I have reacted the way everyone expected. I just cry. SHOCKER. I have the bright red shiny nose and just sit and cry. One of my very best friends has taken on a huge project for our family with a smile on her face and said" What else can I do?" I don't know how to express my thanks to all of you.
But my heart is broken as well as full of love and appreciation for all of you..

Stop and smell the roses

2009-01-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

I am sure that most of you know, We lost my dad today. Wow what a trooper. It has been almost 9 years since his first stroke. It has seemed like for ever ago, but now looking back it seems like yesterday we were all at the hospital sitting waiting for a doctor to come and john cussing yes cussing because he wanted to go home. When he made up his mind that was how it was and he was only a little on the STUBBORN side, and he was stubborn up to the last breathe. He fought hard and long, but his body was in rough shape. It was quiet and peaceful and I wouldn't have had it any other way. With mom by his side. She was there every step of the way. But the hardest part of this has been explaining to a 5 year old where grandpa john was going and what was going to happen. I talked to him about how he would meet his dad again. Then I told him how john was going to get to be back in his healthy body and run and jump, and be able to kick a little butt if someone needed it. So Porter asked me " When will John be back from getting his new body from Jesus?" UH UH UH

Tonight I pulled out the scrapbook and started looking. Yes and started crying again and porter said mom you thinking about John again..... UH UH YEP

SO then I turned to a page that had all the little cards that come when you get flowers sent to you. Every year on my birthday I hurried home and did not plan to leave until my flowers from my dad made it. There were about 8 years of cards all saying " I love you , From Dad" , or I love you Dolly ( that is what he called Jami and I). Wow those were real tear jerkers right now.

Then as we are looking through the scrapbook porter says " Mom maybe Jesus will send us a picture of him and grandpa john". UH UH OH PLEASE DO..

So then the tears are pouring and he says Just wipe your tears on my shirt it will make you feel better. Young faith and innocence. At moms house today the kids were running around and said let's go check on grandpa John. They also talked to each other about how they all ready miss him. After they had taken John from his home of more than 30 years, I just felt empty. He has struggled the last few years and not really been to involved with us, but I always knew he was there. But he is not longer there. I know he has moved onto a bigger and better place and he is with his father. But I miss him. I knew it was coming and thought I was ready. But I wasn't. So if you are still reading this please call your dad and let him know you love him and what he really means to you. I would give anything to sit out on our swing again and shoot the brease with mine.

Mindless ramblings at 1 in the moring.

2009-01-07T23:53:00.001-08:00

So today has probably been one of the most bittersweet days of my life. I had all of my siblings, mother and fathers mother around. It is the first time we had all been together in a long time. We sat around my dad and cried and laughed and then cried some more. We talked about growing up and all those fun things that happened while you were growing up with siblings. Laughing about all the things that you did and have done with the family. We laughed about all the jokes my dad used to tell us. But for those of you who know him and know what he was like. We were talking about something that had happened and he has not really resonded to us besides squeezing our hands in the last few days. He all of a sudden is trying to pull his hand out of the bed to YES hang us all the bird.... It was his sign for I LOVE YOU>>>>
But we worked as a family to help keep dad comfortable. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but yet looking across his bed at my brothers and sister all with tears running down their checks gave me a feeling of peace. That together I think we can make it. But the hardest part of it all was singing happy birthday to my Mother who has been an amazing rock and taking care of my father through this all and singing happy birthday to my dad for probably the last time. He will only be 57 on the 14th. It is amazing to me what an impact he has made on so many people in such a short life.
Thanks for letting me vent my feelings of frustration love and appreciation. Now I will wipe the tears from my checks and post...

My favorite gift.

2008-12-27T11:47:00.000-08:00

So I have spent the last few months like the rest of you preparing for a day that seems to be over in minutes. I had a great Christmas. After weeks of being teased by porter and drey that my gift had a pink purse and was a girl barbie. I can't believe they kept a secret. Jake always pulls off a good surprise for Christmas and this year he did it again. He called T a friend that I played ball with, that always laughs that I play with a glove that I had in high school. I really have only been graduated 5 years my reunion should be coming (JK). The last time I got a new glove the glove I have now was sitting on my bed and the old glove with the tape around the band holding it together was no where to be found. But the one that I have now is flatter then the taco I had a taco time last night. So Jake and T headed to good old MVP and hooked me up with a peach. Nana gave us food storage that if it wasn't for her I wouldn't have a can. But I have to admit my favorite gift was the cheapest and probably the hardest to make. It came home from school in a back pack and every time I would tease and pretend to open it. I got my hand slapped because the teacher said porter could slap it. But on Christmas morning it was a calendar with each month a hand print of Porters decorated like on object for the month. My favorite is October it is a black spider. I love it. I looked back in the scrapbook at his birth certificate. Was he ever that small. That hand print was half the size of the one on the calendar. WOW time flies and it is precious isn't it. Take some time to hug the ones you love this time of year, because you never know...

Happy New Year

Blog Definition

2008-12-21T16:52:00.001-08:00

My little brother's wife started blogging and she wanted him to blog with her. So he gave in and posted and this is what he said ( i would link you to them but her blog is private)

Blognore- (blog-nohr)Synonyms- disregard, neglect, slight, connive at, pass over, avoid, bypass, discount, circumvent-
verb (blog- noring, nored)1. to type one handed while bloglivious to screaming child in other arm2. to refrain from attending to basic life functions such as breathing, feeding your bloglected husband and children, washing the cars, putting up Christmas lights3. to be unaware of large or small emergencies, acts of God, world calamaties, disasters and the like-adjective- blognorant

(blog-ner-uh nt)1. lacking in knowledge or training do to endless hours in front of computer reading about other peoples daily lives2. due to or showing lack of awareness of your phsyical surroundings (I haven’t showered in 2 days?)
And last but not least, the real meaning of blog is that it’s acutally an abbreaviation-
B.L.O.G. (Beyond Loony, Online Gallivanting!!)
JJW (Jarret John Whicker)

Twighlight....

2008-12-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

This is a classic. If you are a Twilight fan then you will love this. Check it out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dompotjTeIA&feature=related

In My Next Life???

2008-12-10T14:21:00.001-08:00

I recently received this email from a friend and thought that really it wouldn't be to bad. Unless Jake drew out and is hunting you. I even attached another picture of jakes bear for this post( I think it may be the one living in my family room right now). THe bear has found a use: The boys will play for hours with their cars like it is the mountians, and they are hunting the animals that they have set up all over. But here is the email.

Gonna Be a Bear:

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that. Before you hibernate you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children ( who are the size of walnuts) while you are sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I would miss the baby part but walnuts vs. a watermelon. I am all right with that.

If you're the mama bear everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line you swat them too.

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you have HAIRY legs and EXCESS body fat.

YUP, I'm gonna be a bear...

Go Utes

2008-11-25T09:58:00.001-08:00

So if you are a BYU fan you may not want to check out this You tube video. But if you are a BYU fan with a sense of humor you may want to check it out. It is funny my cousin sent it to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291-tA_Dqaw.

I love Jim Rome..

Body's and vampires what a day

2008-11-21T10:35:00.001-08:00

So I wend to the Bodyworks 3 exhibit at the Library in Salt Lake. A friend of mine from school asked me if I would go as a chaperon. I thought about it for a while since I have a little issue with blood and body parts.. I registered for anatomy in college 3 times and never made it out of the first day before changing. But to get the PE major you had to take it. So last term of my college career I took the class. Luckily a friend from the football team who happened to be the Center and weighing well over 300 pounds was in the class. He told me he would help me out stand behind in case I went over when the opened the cadaver up. But when they opened it up the smell was horrible, and we heard a huge thump. Don't worry it was him who passed out not me... But I struggle with that stuff so I debated if I wanted to go or not. But I did and it was amazing. If you get a second to go take some time and go. They have really bodies posed in sports positions so you can see what muscles are being used during that activity. At the end they had an obese person cross section. OH My I ordered a salad for lunch and went to walmart for slim fast.. Just kidding about the slim fast.
Then it was off to the midnight showing of the movie. It was all right. If you want to see it and don't have tickets. Wait I sat in a movie theater with a bunch of giggling girls and couldn't hear half of the show. Every time Edward would appear the oohs and ahhs. I wanted to stand and yell SHUT UP.... Good thing Jana, Jami and I had front row seats and were only there 1 hour early. But we had fun... The best part of the night was running in to a cousin from far away in the movie theater. So wait for 2 weeks and buy discount tickets and it will still be the same. But I give it 4 of 5 starts

The Phone call....

2008-11-13T10:33:00.000-08:00

What a week with phone calls we have had with Drey. It started Saturday night at our sleepover at Nanas when the boys were in the closet hiding with her cell Phone calling everyone. Mom heard about it the next day at work. But Sunday was a real peach. HE called 911. Mom put on a real performance when out of coincidence I called about 2 minutes after the call. Mom played it up Oh Please Mr Policeman don't take me and my little grand boys to prison. I fell for it and the best part was Porter and Dreyton were in the background crying. They were pretty shook up by moms performance.

But this morning takes the cake. On my days off I always get a call from Drey that starts out "HI Jodi, what are you doing? Is Porter awake yet?" The answer is always no because Drey is an early bird and porter would sleep all day like his Aunt Jami. But today's call was HI Jodi, Guess where I am? I said at Walmart, No, In bed, NO. He then starts to tell me this story..

I woke up and my mom was still sleeping so I went to find Nana. I saw the ladder and climbed up on the roof. I scared Nana but now I am helping her with the Christmas lights...

Where's the Turkey???

2008-11-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

So last night Porter came home with an assignment from school. I am sure that all of you have done this with your kids before, but I wanted to show you Porter's. He was given a blank turkey and assigned to disguise him. Porter thought about it for a minute and came in and said I want mine to be.. I will see if you can figure out who he decided he wanted his to be.

It is BATMAN... I thought it was cute, he had to show Jami, Drey and Nana before he took it to school..

Warning

2008-11-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

Dear friend,
For those of you who do not know I am a chicken. If something bad is going to happen I believe that it is going to happen to me. But I was watching the news the other day and saw this. It scared me to death. Shocker Jami shh... But it is interesting I think it is something to look at and maybe look at your own blogs. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=4699330I used to be private but I have thought about going private again. If you who read my blog do go private you have better invite me to your blog..

Thanks
Jodi

Where does the time go..

2008-11-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that Halloween has come and gone. I guess with all the excitement and candy eating, it just flies by.

Porter had a fun time at school making cookies, ghosts a pumpkin walk , spook alley and of course a parade. Keller and I sat and waited for Porter to come with Dreyton, jami and Nana. Porters class came around the corner. There was a big gap and then >>> here comes porter walking to the beat of his own drum..

Darth Vader in the parade. He had the mean mom who wouldn't let him wear his mask or his lightsaber. Because it is against the rules. The cottonbetteridges carved pumpkins

We had a family home evening with The Baileys, and the Cottonbetteridges. We carved pumpkins and had a blast. Dr Bailey is a dentist. He was nicer to the pumpkins then he is to me when I go to visit him.

But my favorite costume of the night, was a friend that I used to coach with isn't coaching anymore, because she wanted to have kids. They tried for a while to have kids and couldn't. So they adopted this cute little guy Jarret. But he was dressed up like a lion and his costume said:

No Lion I am going to be a big brother.

They are not adopting this one either..

I looked out the window and what did I see?

2008-10-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

My brand new laptop waiting for me.... It finally arrived. It is wonderful. I can type and back space. All the letters work it is wonderful. I am back in blogging action. But I guess I am really back in blogging action because of Jake. Isn't he a peach. He has given me so much to blog about and I am so thankful don't get me wrong. All the guys at his work think I am a Queen B. They just now really know the truth about me after the last blog. But life is only getting better. Jake surprised me with a nice romantic dinner from his girlfriend Wendy's joint. But while we were are enjoying our fries and hamburger Jake slips in a little bit of useful information.. "while I went with Jesse, I gotta a dog." Seriously "Yes" he said. So I asked what any normal wife would ask who has had the weekend that I had. "Are you just trying to piss me off?" So off Jake heads to meetings. I go outside to check to see if there is a dog. No there isn't a dog out there....There was 2 dogs.... So, I am wondering if anyone knows of an apartment for rent for Jake and an extremely large bear.

The wrath of Jodi

2008-10-26T18:36:00.001-07:00

So since my last post I have thought about how am I going to blog this upcoming event. I have thought of a few ideas to introduce the subject. Were going on a Jake hunt. Bear or husband that is the question. Husband for sale. What category would this go under on eBay. But the last few days I have unleashed the wrath of Jodi on Jake. It all started over dinner Jake said "the guy called and the bear would be ready this weekend. " I laughed . SURE.. So Friday Jake called home and said "can I go bird hunting on Sat? Or do you want me to bring the bear home on Friday night. " Well I weighed the options. A hundred dollar bird hunt on Saturday or a bear. I choose neither. So Jake said fine I will hunt birds on Sat and then pick the bear up that night. SO this is when the claws came out. I needed a big break and a deep breathe . So I went to pick up porter from nana's and then another issue came up that almost caused a use of the epi-pen. A crying mother praying to heavenly father for her little boy who couldn't breathe after eating cheese popcorn with Drey and nurse Jami who deals with this stuff at crest working.

But the news was told to porter and he had to call Drey and nana. It has almost been as exiting for Jake and porter as Christmas. So after a trip to Lehi with a snowmobile trailer it is here. Yes I want to tell you that it isn't as bad or big as I thought. But it is huge. Porter and Drey love it. Jake loves it and I am in depression. At least it doesn't stink.. So if you would like to see it. Come on down Jake and Porter would be proud to show you.

The boys took about a million pictures of it and then they wanted their picture taken with it.

So since it has been outside in the trailer since Sat night waiting for the guys to help move it. I have just talked mad OK yelled and scram at Jake about looking at me. Or anything that I can think of too yell at him about. I know many of you will not believe that but it is true.J ake has said the bear has been in the house for the last few month. I guess that is me...

So there is some of the beck's dirty laundry for ya.....

So for all of you who would like to see it. Here it is.....

PS-- Jake is looking for a 1 room apartment for a few months while I calm down..

PSS-- The only comfort I have this week is that a email came and my new computer has been shipped. It is hard to type when half of your numbers and letters don't work..

Like sands through the hour glass.. So are the days of our lives..

2008-10-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

There will be more information posted soon about this time in my life. I will give you and update and a picture when I have my new computer. Since I spilled water all over mine and the numbers and letters I need to log into the blog. Don't work any more. I just hope that I survive the weekend. I may need your help with sympathy and chocolate.

What time is it?

2008-10-19T17:07:00.001-07:00

Only in Payson would you see this sign to send off the hunters. I have heard the opening of the deer hunt compared to Cinco De Mayo. A bunch of men running around drunk shooting their guns. PRETTY SAFE.

They added the Root about 2 days after the first posting. But Jami and I got a good laugh at it.
Our Garden would you say we have a "Plethora of Pumpkins?" Quoting the Three Amigos. Our garden kicked out about 25 pumpkins. We will be carving and digging out seeds for the rest of our lives.

We actually bought some of the Mr. Potato Head stick in the pumpkin things that work real smooth. But Jake feels we need the carving and cutting experience. He will do any thing to break out his knives and sharpen them...
But now that I have told you about how great life is. Let me tell you a little gripe. I HATE HALLOWEEN. I hate the scary shows that come with it, I hate the dark. But most of all I hate those stupid emails that go around. I have all ready commented about the pumpkin moon. Since posting that I have not got another one of them.. But the ones that get you watching a movie of a girl wrecking on her bike the email states, or playing tic tac toe. So you are concentrating thinking you have three in a row in the bag, and then the scary lady pops up and screams. What the heck. I appreciate all of you sending those and scary the you know what out of me. Porter and I about had a hard attack after a tough game of Tic Tac Toe. So anyways if you continue to want to send them great, just don't send them to me. And that's all I have to say about that.

Free stuff

2008-10-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

So check out "You don't know schmidt." Vanessa is giving away some good STUFF.
Click on my blog list of you don't know schmidt to enter
She isn't entering in her own so everyone else will have a chance to win..

Nothing blog worthy to blog about..

2008-10-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

So I haven't had anything blog worthy to blog about lately. Porter was the star student last week, and now this week it is someone elses turn. He had to bring his poster home. He wasn't to happy about that. I guess he felt like he should be the star student all week. Keller has a cold and he is the grumpiest kid I have ever meet. Jake has now racked up two straight weeks of bird hunting at a bird farm. The justice is it has been cold so I feel better about him getting to go out and play while I stay at home and slave over the laundry and the chores (if you could see my house you would call BS on that statement). I think that there is a reason you go to college when you are young and single with no responsibilities but looking for your spouse. I will confess lately I have been skipping paragraphs and if it is a chart,graph or some kind of statistics it is skipped. I sure hope my professor isn't a blog stalker and comes across this sometime. But I love the weather sitting in front of the gas stove, drinking hot chocolate and watching Iron Man with Porter is my favorite thing to do lately. Here is another picture of out Halloween costumes and an update on the P-town becks..

Sports do not build character. They reveal it

2008-10-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

A wise man once said; "Sports do not build character. They reveal it." -- Coach John Wooden and if you don't know who he is. You can not call yourself a true sports fan.

But the other night I was playing for the world series of COED SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL in Santaquin Utah. When I was once again reminded of one of my favorite quotes from coach wooden. "Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
WHY.. THose of you of you who were there you know what I mean.

2nd on my list of gripes today. Is Yes I am guilty of this one. But I have now officially been mooned 7 times this year by the scarecrow pumpkins butt... But it is all fun and games but I am wondering if you have all been mooned as much as me..

The house from start to finish

2008-09-29T06:20:00.000-07:00

The house when we were first married in 2000

The house in the destruction process

The house finished as of September 28th 2008

Jake spent every Saturday this summer and pushed through to get it finished. It looks great doesn't it....

Keeping up with the Beck's

2008-09-22T14:40:00.001-07:00

THE JOHNSON CREW WALKING FOR A CURE

OUR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

What are we up to. Well we are up to our necks in about 10 loads of Laundry. Really we are up to about everything. Come to the end of soccer, right in the middle of Jami's volleyball season and trying to get caught up with grades because mid term is happening and we are having parent teachers confrence. But other then that we just finally put the finishing touches on the house and are going to start with the lawn. But we may wait until the spring. Because I am so sick of working on the house. SO I can't imagine how poor jake feels. But I bet the feeling is mutual.. Anyways wanted to update you on the Diabetes walk. It was a lot of fun. The Utah Grizzly was there from the hockey team, the Salt Lake Communtiy College Golden Bear rode around on a motor cycle that was louder then anyone I have ever heard. The Utah Flazh fox was there and Glenna shook his hand and said your the fox and I am the hound with a little grab of his butt> (JK about the butt) but for you guys that know glenna Just imagine... Grandma Edna made the walk porter, drey and all the kids were awesome and walked hard.. At the end they feed everybody sack lunches and water. But it was for a good cause. Our team the Johnson Crew wanted to earn $1000. We only earned $954. But I thought that was great. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED TO OUR WALK.
Now with the Halloween I am the best at surprising porter and drey with halloween costumes. Last year I ordered them Power ranger costumes and porter got his out of the mail and was thrilled, and so we dressed him in his costume and took him down to dreys. Drey opened the door and started screaming. Then he said oh it is porter were is my costume and there it was. So this year they were driving me nuts so I ordered them and they have been checking the mail box everyday for the past 2 weeks. So after the diabetes walk porter woke up as we pulled in the driveway with spit running down his face "MOM there is a box out front." He jumped out while the car was moving and ran out front. So he dressed as DARTH VADER and hid when drey came up and jumped out and drey ran around screaming. There here, there here. So here is a sneak peak at our Halloween costumes. I all ready have them and now you all had better be getting your treats so we can come trick or treating. And yes here is the long awaited picture of the house. Ignore the dirt. I think Jake did awesome...

Six Unspectacular Quirks (tagged)

2008-09-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

This is tough I am going to have to narrow it down..
1. I leave for school each morning and will walk back in the house 2or 3 times to make sure I unplugged the flat iron.
2. I hide candy bars all over so that Jake and Dreyton can't find them and eat them.
3. I always leave one side of my sink full of soapy water. My mom and aunt terri taught me that.
4. I leave my clothes on the floor in a pile, but Jake and Porter are not allowed to.
5. After Easter I buy Cadberry Eggs by the bag full half price and eat them into may.
6. If something breaks I can not move on or do anything else until that problem is solved. (thanks MOM) And it usually ruins my day
**The 6 people I tag are Candi, Jami, Tiff, Catie, Vanessa, Marie

I tell ya what...

2008-09-08T15:25:00.000-07:00

So we have now started our 2nd week of Kindergarten. Porter has begged to ride the bus and I have said NO. So I gave in and let him ride. We waited out front throwing pine cones and rocks at the passing cars. The bus came and we were so excited let me tell you what. First the bus lady gave us a little talk about how to cross the right way. Then I told her porter would ride the bus home. She said that she only takes them it is another driver that brings them home. So she won't be bringing him home. I said that is fine I put a note in his bag so that the teacher would know. Because she is great and she is always worried about if he is going by bus or if I am coming to get him. So I picked Drey up from school and came home and told drey that I would be on the porch waiting for porter. If the phone rings let me know. So I am outside on the porch waiting for porter doing my BYU home work. When candi drives by and honks and I am thinking wow this bus home sure takes a while. But then drey comes out. Jodi someone I don't know is on your phone. It is the school wondering if we are all right porter is here in the office, It is my friend bobbi and I said that is funny I am here on the porch waiting for him on the bus. So i load up drey and kell and drive like a bat out of he.. he was in the office fine. I was the one with the red tears in my eyes. On the way to the school Drey said. I hope porter is ok and not scared because the bus left him. So porter heard the bus driver say she wouldn't bring him home so he told the aide i was coming. I about died my heart dropped and I did cry. But he was fine and wants to ride again tomorrow.

tagged!!!!!!!!

2008-09-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

I GOT TAGGED
ABC........
A- Attached or Single? ATTACHED, BUT SINGLE DURING THE BOW HUNT
B- Best friend? Porter,Keller & Jake
C-Cake or Pie? Costco birthday cakecake
D-Day of Choice? any day kell sleeps past 7:00
E-Essential item?
F-Favorite color? yellow
G-gummy bears or gummy worms? Bears we love bears at our house
H-hometown? p town
I-Indulgences? The Hills , Americas best dance crew (MTV)
J- January or July? January, love winter
K-Kids? 2
L-Life is incomplete without? FAMILY
M-Marriage date? JULY 2000
N-Number of siblings? iT DEPENDS ON THE DAY 1 big brothers, one LITTLE sis,ONE LITTLE BRO, one brother in law, and 5 sisters in laws....
O-Oranges or apples? APPLES they dont make your hands stink when you eat them
P-Phobias or fears? not being around to raise my kids and jake will pick someone who doesn't love them as much as they need
Q-Quotes? "imagine what you could accomplish if you knew you couldn't fail"
R- Reason to smile? Life
S- Season? Spring softball and everything comes back to life
T-tag 8 people- MANDI,brittany,allison,jill,EILLEN,vanessa,ri-bone,sam, ronni, anbre EVERYONE WHO READS MY BLOG TO THIS POINT DO THIS SO WHEN I STALK YOU BACK I CAN SEE YOURS
U-Unknown Fact? I AM ADDICTED TO DREY'S LEGO STAR WARS ON THE WII
V-Very Favorite store? Costco
W- Worst habit? LEAVING MY LAUNDRY IN PILES
X- X-Ray or Ultrasound? x-rays ultrasounds usually mean bed rest and stress for me, AND ANOTHER MONSTER FOR JAMI TO WATCH...
Y- Your favorite food? Chinese
Z- Zodiac? Taurus

what I belong in the 90 with Donna and Kelly...

2008-08-24T19:02:00.001-07:00

You Belong in 1991

With you anything goes! You're grunge one day, ghetto fabulous the next. It's all good!

What Year Do You Belong In?

6 Months and I want your money...

2008-08-21T15:10:00.000-07:00

Happy 1/2 birthday Keller. I told porter and drey he was 1/2 year old and they sang happy birthday to him. He has been the best thing to happen to us since porter. We love him to death.

We love his little red una-brow...

But really I want your money. My cousin Amber is 17 and has Diabetes. We are doing a diabetes walk on September 20 in Orem. If any of you want to walk and join us we are The johnson crew. Or if you want to donate that would be awesome. Let me know here is the website I am under the johnson crew. http://www.walk.jdrf.org/ Thanks I think it is an important thing to help out with. I am going public again and we will see what happens...

family picture and flippin twigs

2008-08-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

So once again those of you who do not know but this is a very important weekend at the beck house. It is the opening of some kind of hunt. It is sooo important that I don't even know what hunt it is. I just know that jake will be flippin twigs.( Bow Hunting). He should have been born a hundred years ago and to an Indian family so that he could ride a horse and chase down the buffalo.

But jami has really been getting after me to have a family picture. I need to but it is hard to find something that will make me look skinny. So I found this on a blog. Yes I have been going to BA bloggers anonymous. I love to look at blogs and read what people are doing. If any of you need to come to BA. We meet at crest in payson at about 10:00. Bring $1.26 to cover the cost of your coke. But I thought it was fun to do this. So I want all of you that read my blog. Make your family a picture and then leave me a comment so I can see them. I thought it was funny. It was at pyzam.com

PS It is only a day away until the cowboys have a Pre-season match up. I am sure they will be a a contender this year. Only if jessica simpson gets out of texas first (hahaha)

The Olympics

2008-08-12T11:53:00.000-07:00

Right in the middle of the most important TV time in 4 years... Jake takes the Satellite down for house work.. I am glad about the house work, but he doesn't realize what I am missing out on. Mom is recording everything for me. SO in my spare time I am at her house fast forwarding through the commercials. There are some good ones too. I think that I am most impressed with the 41 year old women. What a body... I think may-trainer and Walsh are going to sweep the 2 on 2 volleyball with no problem. But I must confess the men 4 X 4 medley the other night. I loved the announcer saying 4 or 5 times Í just don't think that they can do it, the french are just too good I just don't think they can do it. How about you stick your foot in your mouth and watch those four Americans pull it out in the end...

But I am still crying about the little 9 year old that walked with the Chinese tall guy (whose name I can not spell) but he is the pro basketball player. That went back in after the earthquake and saved two other students. What a hall monitor. The hall monitors at PHS hand out drugs.. Just kidding we don't have hall monitors at PHS.. But I love the Olympics and the worst part about it is I HAVE TO START SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF THEM...

Softball is coming just you watch. How about Logan Tom she is a monster in volleyball. Ask Jami and Brenda how that feels trying to dig one of her hits. I think they both still have marks on their arms..

House Update: Everyone keeps emailing about a house update. It is coming. I need to get some pictures. Jake is in the middle of the rock. It looks awesome it is time consuming, but looking good. SO would you rather me post every couple of days or else when we are done?

The best is yet to come..

2008-08-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

I must admit that I am missing volleyball a little. I do miss the girls they were a lot of fun. But I do not miss the time and the paper work,open gyms, scheduling,ordering clothing and my favorite of all the parents. They were not that bad but I had a few dandy ones in my years. The olympics are coming in three days. I have been talking with Porter about them, and I told him I would love to go to china and just watch. I have always enjoyed the olympics but after the great experience I had with the Salt Lake Olympics in 2k2. I love them. I love the opening ceremony, and it bores jake to death. But I am going to confess. I am a little bit of a cry baby when the olympics come. I am so happy for the winners but usually cry for the lossers. They devote their life to the sport to come up 2nd or if they get hurt that is a realy tear jerker for me. But the summer olympics bring my 2 favorite sports Softball and volleyball. Volleyball 2 on 2 in the beach is tough and they make it looks so simple. But softball the fast action and the pitchers. Wow the game has changed. Krystal Bostos (i swear she is a man) batting # 4. If she gets a hold of one she could hit it out of any major league ball park. I attached a pitcher of her so that you could make your own judgement. We went to a softball camp and she was their in cedar. She had a very deep voice to go with the package. BUt what the heck she is amazing at softball.

But how would it be to win a gold medal???

#2 Coaching Porter is soccer. We are going to run the swarm offense and defense somebody kick it and then we will all swarm to the ball. Enough about that

#3 BYU - I am not a true Zoobie. I will make sure I wear red every tuesday on class days.

#4 FOOTBALL- I love football. I had Jami put the monday night football song on my phone as my ring tone. Every time it rings I just get so excited and get goose bumps. I keep praying that Troy Aikman will come out of retirement. But I will settle to listen to him announce on Fox for now. He is the one person that I told Jake if he comes knocking on my door. I would be long gone. Jake siad well don't let the door hit you in the A__ on the way out. So it is all right. I would sit on the couch all day on sunday and monday nights and drink pepsi and eat chips if I could. But what do you do. So I am tagging (just kidding about the tag thing) I just thought I would let everyone know some of the crazy things that are going through my mind tonight.

BYOC!!!

2008-08-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

BYOC!! Bring your own chairs. I have lived in Payson for a few years now. Since I was 2 and now that I am almost 29 (HAHAH) I finally ventured out to the Santaquin Rodeo. Brent that I coach with gave us tickets. SO we thought what the heck. We decked Porter and Dreyton out in their wranglurs and boots. We headed into the rodeo. Jake asked "Why is everyone carrying around camp chairs and blankets?" Well when we got inside we found out it was bring your own chairs. There were a few bleachers but they were roped off and saved with POLICE tap stating do not cross. SO we walked around looking for somewhere to sit on the grass. Luckily we ran into Haley and Ronni. They are from Santiquin and new how things worked. They brought a couple of extra blankets and hooked us up. IT was just a little small rodeo but it was one of the best I have been to in a while. Coach Brent was the announcer and he had a comment about us every event. But it wasn't to bad. We just laughed. Some of the contestants in the rodeo's horses bucked harder and faster then the bucking horses. Which made for a few good laughs. But we had fun. I think the funniest thing ( well not that I look back) is how many people there were perched out on the grass reading the new breaking dawn break. I have a picture here of a girl enjoying her book while her kids enjoyed the rodeo. Gimme a break. I am all about the book, but the book will still be at your house after the rodeo. But any ways good times were had by all. We enjoyed visiting with the vanausdals and seeing a bunch of old friends...

Beware of the Bear

2008-07-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

How would you feel if this monster came roaming into your camp?

How would you feel if this monster came roaming into your house?

I wish that I could tell you that he was seen in the woods ran away,

and we will never have to see him again.
BUT NO!!!!!

(read on to here the full story, I know you are at the edge of your seat)

Yeah sure enough he is the bear that Jake killed. Big,little or what ever having a blog is a chance for me to tell my side of the story. This bear has been the subjuect of 1 of the very few fights Jake and I have had. Which brings up our latest. I am airing out the dirty laundry of the Beck's

Let's start back a few month's.

Last year Jake was so dang lucky and drew out for a bear. It was a very time consuming hunt and I hated it and complained the hole time.
But finally after Jesse burning a pot of BACON the bear came, Jake raised his bow shot it, it gave out a terrible bear growl and died.

Well that was that. THen about 4 months later and I was pregnant. Looking for some papers in Jakes corner. I found a bill from the taxedermist. For a full bear mount.

So knowing some kind of mistake had been made I talked to Jake about the error, and found out it was not an error. I was upset, cried, cried about died about it, but thought it would go away. Well when I was at the hospital with Keller the man called and said it was coming along nicely. Jake said when I got home their would be a new bear waiting for me. Are you kidding me. He was about that. But not much has come of it. But the other day Jakes phone rings. Thanks to Jesse it is the most annoying thing ever. It is an elk buggling.. It is the man doing the bear saying it is almost done. I am afraid it could be close seeings how it is normally jake calling him to see how things are coming. So jake has brought the box home that he will sit on. I am not sure who jake is wanting to move out me, keller, or porter. There is just not room in our little house for the 5 of us (family of 4 and bear). So I planning ways for the bear to have an accident. What if he fell out of the back of the truck on the way to payson, what if the taxedermists garage caught on fire. Any ideas of suggestions. Let me know if you have any. I guess if Jami is reading this to the end this is my first rainbow.

Porter and Dreyton with the bear. They are so excited about him coming that they can't stand it.

Super Hero

2008-07-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

I was in charge of the kids when Jami is working. The reason I am the favorite aunt is because I come in and Spider Drey is hanging on porters

bunk beds. Instead of saying anything I tell him to hold that

pose so I can get a picture.

But after the spiderman and power ranger fight and costume change . Out came the dinosaur and lion. Any of you that have been a picture fan might remember the lion costume that porter had for his first halloween. It is a size 6-12 months. It took us about and hour to get it off . Dreys head and ears were red for an hour after. I guess it was a little tight on the fit.

It was nice it was a fight that porter could win. Drey could barely lift his arms. The top was a little tight fitting. It was pretty funny.

Where to begin

2008-07-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

We have had a wild and wacky week. I am so sore. I can hardly bend over to pick up Keller. I played some mean games of softball the other night. I am not a spring chicken any more. Jake says I am a meat chicken now.... But I headed to price on Wed for a dental appointment and 3 shots later and 2 hours in the dentist chair (it isn't that bad Ryan wasn't to mean this time) I headed home from price at 6:10 and need to be in Payson at 7:00 for a softball game. I pulled into the parking lot of the ball field at 7:15 and played the first game in my tennis shoes. The team we played were a bunch of girls that I had coached the last few years, and they kicked our trash. We only had 8 for that game. But we had to play again right after and a 9th person showed up. SO then at 9:15 we stared the championship game. We played the young girls again and we played well the game was tied 15 -15 going into the 7th and we just ran out of gas. They then proceeded to 10 run rule us. They kicked our butts and got some good looking sweat shirts. But it was all right. It was fun and I can't walk still.

But we loved lamb days and grandpa jacks 79th b-day party. The 24th was pretty boring. Luckily for us some of Jami's plans didn't work out and her and drey came and did fireworks. John and Jana came up and we enjoyed the night with a little BBQ. But Jake has been working like a mad man on the house and we are seeing a lot of progress. I will have to post new pictures. Which brings me to my next excitement. I got my anniversary present. Jake bought us a new camera. It is a little bit on the high tech side. It is pretty fancy. I am going to have to take lessons from Jami. You have to focus and all that good stuff. I am so used to the blurry point and shoot. But I am not complaining.

I will have to get the pictures up soon. I thought that I had them all on the computer and went to add pictures and I am experiencing technical difficulties.

5 months

2008-07-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Check out the tie

Baby Keller Steve Beck turned 5 months today. He is a great baby. He spits a ton and wakes up once in the night but I sure do love him. Time flies. It has been one of those weeks. A trip to lamb days parade tons of candy, the tire swing at jakes grandmas house and millions of little kids running around playing together. I watched all of those little kids play together. Some of them they haven't seen since last years lamb day. But they pick up playing together like it was just yesterday they saw each other. I wish it was that easy for us as adults. We all worry about what to wear what everyone is thinking and worried about this and that. But little kids are so not judgemental and they love everyone.

So after a great trip to lamb days Sunday at church Porter had to read the theme and scripture of the month. I helped and it all sounded like a blurr ( he mumbles like his dad). I whispered in his ear to speak clear and he yells WHAT in the microphone. That was about the only thing nana could understand.

Then it was off to Funmore for Grandpa Jacks birthday. He is so funny the last few times we have had birthday parties for him it has rained. Once again it rained. Grandpa is a farmer and he said that we need to throw parties for him more often so that we can get rain for his crops. Grandpa got flowered swimming suits for his bday he is starting to go to the pool at 5:30 in the morning to walk.

Sorry that I had to make my post private, but after a couple of comments about my cute kids by Lonely Paul it kind of freaked me out. But I love to hear from you all. It has been fun to find and see the things that some of my friends and family are doing.

House Update: We have steps in the front and a nice little porch. This week jake is going to frame the front so we have alittle porch cover and then it is stucco and facets or rain gutters I call them..

I am the hulk

2008-07-19T21:31:00.001-07:00

I just took a quiz on which superhero are you? I was the hulk.. Because I am big fat and Green.

You should all take it.

http://www.thesuperheroquiz.com/

I am a wanderer with amazing Strength...

Summer Happenin's

2008-07-15T17:09:00.001-07:00

I love summer. As a school teacher I can't wait for it to come, and I can't wait for it to go and get back into a routine. (To have a reason to get up and do my hair) We are keeping busy and like I have said a million times without volleyball I have a lot of free time. But I am filling it up with plenty.... Keller is rolling like no tomorrow. Porter attended Kindergarten Preview9 I cried taking him there). Dreyton went with me and when we were in the car he said "Jod I hope Porter does good." I wanted to cry even more after that. But the boys are keeping busy. They are really into playing baseball. They have their own game and rules that they play. We pitch they run and then we run after the ball. They only get out if we hit them in the HEAD with it. They are soft balls, and if it isn't a long fly ball into the backyard or over into the neighbors yard they won't run because they will get out. But today they found the grapes.. The vine is full and the boys used me as a target. I ran from them and was behind the apricot tree and then they found the falling apricots. (Those hurt a lot more when they hit then the grapes). Porter and Drey are pretty good aims. They hid in the grape vine when I had had enough and got hit in the head.

We hit the Ute Stampede and saw Buffalo's. Each year after the rodeo season drey and porter have Jake make them ropes with Woops according to porter. They run around and Waso everything in sight.

Keller is either drooling so much we are changing burp rags and clothes every couple hours or the teeth are coming. That makes me hurt...

But we hope you all are well and we love reading your blogs.

Oh I almost forgot. jake has been so proud of our mailbox. They took it down to poor cement and Jana tried talking him into bungee cording it to the tree. But he thought 2X4's and screws would be better. He asked if mom said anything or if anyone from the Post office had said anything I asked mom and she said our mail lady did. But it doesn't even compare to some in Payson. We didn't make the top 10 mail box disasters. But it screams out white trash to me...

Thanks Aunt Jami for the pictures

4th of July

2008-07-12T11:36:00.000-07:00

This year for the 4th we headed up to the girls camp with the quarnbergs. For a fun filled weekend of giggling,dirt and canoeing. Luckly this year no one ended up in the water. But Sunday there was a pretty heated competition on the water Jake Beck and Cade in a boat. Jeremy , Brenda and Colby in one, Paula Kenall and Tanner , and Kipp and Mallory. The winners were Kipp and Mallory which I don't think set well with the others. So they continued with much domination from Kipp and Mallory. Porter walked around with the gang of boys and Tai all day throwing rocks and chasing Pop Tarts. He woke up one morning and said "Mom go tell dad to get my gun so I can go and shoot some Pop Tarts." I about died laughing. That is one of those that Grandma Whicker would say you should write that down. So I have decided to take her advice and start writing things down. She is a wise women you know...

We got a fire side pep talk from Jeremy of all people on the proper way to cook smores. Cade is old enough to ride the big 4 wheeler by himself. He has a little trouble with the brake though. You'll have to ask Jarret about that. I think he thought he was going to end up in the water with Coleman and Abby in his hands.

J.Dee took John and a couple of rides in his rhino. Kendall came and got John giggling and talking. He told us about some things he did while he was younger. I can't post them because I am not sure if Grandma knows about them and she reads the blogs...

But John had a blast. He giggled and enjoyed the great outdoors. It is so hard for mom to get him to places like that becuase his movement is very limited. But I am so glad that she brought him. I think he really enjoyed himself.

But thanks to J.Dee and Linda for being the hostess with the mostess.

But the best part of 4th is Tiff actually made the RED VELVET birthday cake. She has learned the art from Paula and has really done a great job. But take some time to enjoy the 4th pictures they were fun takings...

Anniversary Update

2008-07-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Can I just tell you about my 8th year Anniversary. It all started with a phone call to the local Chinese Place Tsing Tso (it is my favorite they have a coconut chicken to die for). Porter throwing a fit and wanting to stay at nana's and play with her and Drey. Coming home from picking up the food to a screaming baby. Jake said he scram from the minute I walked out the door until the minute I came home (shocker). Sitting down and opening up the to go box and a knock on the door from a guy who is going to do the stucco on the house. Then an hour later after I had finished my food, Jake sat down again, and the phone rang to meet for his scout trip this week. So Jake left and returned home I am not sure when Keller, Porter and I were asleep on the bed watching Tarzan. Does it get any more romantic than that?

Coming Soon Rodeo excitement and a camping trip........

Anniversary

2008-07-07T19:14:00.000-07:00

Just thought that I would let you all know that today is Jake and I's 8th anniversary. That means we have been in the house 8 years. So 8 years of major work, and reconstruction. But hey what else is better then Building a house together. We just returned from a fun filled weekend of POP TART hunting and camping with the Quarnbergs. Porter asked me to go get his little gun from his dad so that he could shoot some "Pop Tarts"aka Pop Guts....
I would post a picture of jake and I but Jami has been trying to get us to have a family picture since the day Keller came home. Now that he is 4 months old we may need to get around to that.

Summer in a Nutshell

2008-07-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

So far summer has been rookie ball, swimming, the zoo, the library and house construction.

last night Jake and the boys were out working and he came across a blow snake. The boys laughed and new that jake was teasing. I couldn't tell what he was doing because jake is always teasing us. But he was moving things around in the vine with his shovel so I didn't know if he was serious or not. About 20 minutes later we were on my bed playing with keller and Jake knocked on the window. Drey was screaming because Jake really had a snake. Dreyton said "Jake I thought you were just being a liar about the snake I didn't think that there was a real one. So that is the excitement of the day. But we did go on a family reuion. Porter painted this beautiful fish and dreyton painted a lady bug. They are both beautiful artists and they love it. Also I found a fun spot it is called meckmom.com and it has fun scripture things and some ideas. Take a look. Have a happy wonderful and safe 4th of July and we will see you later.

Swimming Pool Update

2008-07-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

last night Jake came home and was a little shocked by the size of the pool. TO be honest so was I. I didn't think it was as big as it is. But we talked about turning off the sprinklers and then draining it Saturday so it didn''t ruin the lawn. WELL Jake didn't turn off the sprinklers and in the morning the pool was full of Paysons great irrigation water. Jake said they could swim it. "He swam it irrigation water all the time growing up." So now I know what is wrong with him. I told him Porter has all read had geardia once and it was miserable so I didn't want him to get it again. So the 800 gallons of water watered the lawn and we moved the pool up onto the dirt in the back. What an experience. If the boys were not here I would have told them someone stole the pool and put in in the garbage. But what we do for our kids.

Swimming Pool

2008-06-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Mom called this morning she was delivering mail at rite-aide. She called to say that they had their pools on cheap. I had bought something for the boys to play in the other day and it wasn't what we thought it was. So they were a little dissapointed. Well after 2 hours and according to the box 800 gallons of water (should be a little spendy on the water bill this month). The pool was full. Porter and Drey were excited about it. I need to get a few pictures downloaded off the camera card so you can see what is going on. I am a little behind. I also need to get a picture of the box that jake has built for his bear. It is pretty but a stuffed bear is going on it. I really don't like stuffed animals and am not very excited about the bear coming... Well more to come in the life and times of the Beck's

Cement

2008-06-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

It came today the first part of the cement. The steps go in second I guess. I don't know I am not the Pro that is Uncle Scotts Field...
But it is here and we are on a roll...