tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21943173659430959092024-03-21T05:14:26.471-07:00The Beck Family BlogBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-22304260854806645682011-07-07T07:02:00.000-07:002011-07-07T07:26:46.236-07:00Brianna's First Day of WorkToday our Brianna went off to work at Downing Fruit Farm. We are so proud of her. I have heard her talk to Mr. Downing and she is so professional and grown up in the way she handles herself. This is her first real job. She will be working in the sales room, answering the sales phone, helping customers and grading fruit as it comes in. I assume she will also be picking when they need extra help with that too.<br />She has worked with Chris for the past few years whenever he needed her but this is so different. Daddy is just Daddy and this more responsibility that Daddy can't save if a mistake is made. My heart fluttered a little as she shut the door to the car and I heard her tell the farm manager "I am supposed to start work today, my name is Brianna". I cried all the way home. <br />I am so aware that she only has two more years at home before she is off to college and begins her own life apart from us. I was so excited for her to get a job because well lets face it teenagers...especially older ones can be a challenge. I thought perhaps a new job would ease some the challenge as she has something new to focus on. I praise the Lord for giving us such a wonderful daughter and pray she go to the Him for guidance in the choices she makes.<br />Way to go Brianna on your first job!! We are so proud of our girl!!!<br /><br />Love,<br />Your MammaBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-31373307234617315312011-06-09T06:37:00.000-07:002011-06-09T08:33:47.229-07:00Family UpdateOk so I guess it has been a year since I blogged. I will update the major happenings so my children will have a diary accountance of this crazy year then hopefully I will post more this summer. Each of our children are growing at what feels like lightning speed. All three so different and all three so similar.<br /><br />Bri has worked hard her sophmore year of high school. She applied to Miami Valley Career and Technology Center just before Christmas. She applied to their Ag program for her junior year hoping to be accepted into their Vet program for her senior year. This is a great school for kids who are really interested in learning in a specific field. This program has a major science emphasis which has been her life long interest. I remember at first homeschooling her heading to the library each week to pursue more books on whatever we were learning in science because I knew the school books just wouldn't be enough, she always had so many questions and needed so much more information and was always so facsinated by animal science. I remember taking her to the Aquarium in Newport in first grade and looking at the sharks. She said "wow take at look at the dorsal fins on that shark". God must have bent her toward animals cause I have many other stories similar to that one. She has been active in a dog 4-H club this year and likes it very much. Only two more years til she will make her own way in this world. <br /><br />Joseph has grown leaps and bounds this year. He really enjoyed second grade. He too has a great interest in science. He seems to be more interested in the earth and mechanical science side of things. He did a very interesting report on Neil Armstrong this year. I am not sure I have ever seen him so excited about school before. He dressed up like Armstrong on the day of his presentation and looked just like a little astronaut. Funny he is always saying he will be a mechanic someday and with all his interest in flight I said to him "Joe.. maybe you will be a mechanic for airlines" he said "or maybe I will be the first man to walk on Mars". Way to go Jose, set your sights high so others can see how Great God is to work such things in our lives. I remember my friend Melissa who is an experienced mother of boys saying that boys hit an age and then they just want to be with Daddy. This was that year with Joseph. He has become quite the man's man. He loves to work outside with his hands and loves to do anything along side his Dad.<br /><br />Natalie is still our little princess. She graduated from kindergarten this year and loves being considered and official "big kid" now. She did so very well and seemed to excel at anything she did in school. She loves to read and is a very good reader for her age. Natalie is my little home maker. She loves to do anything in the home. She is a big helper with clean-up and really enjoys baking and cooking. This summer we are going to work on some sewing projects. She loves to pretend to be a mommy but if you ask her how many children she has and what their names are she will surprise you. She is not like many little girls who maybe have a baby doll or two she will tell you "well I have eight kids, my oldest is in college for a nurse and this is the baby". She will then proceed to rattle off all eight of their pretend names and seems to know the personality of each make believe child. I pretended as the Grandma to take all eight make believe grandkids to get ice-cream and she said to me "what did you feed the baby?" I said that I had given her a little vanilla ice-cream in a cup and she said "that's good mom that's just what I would do". I thought it was funny.<br /><br />In October of 2010 my Dad had a stroke. It was a terribly hard time for all of us. My schedule with school was already a bit difficult on the kids then adding the stress of Dad being in the hospital and then the stress of renovating a room and bathroom so we could take care of him, then the stress of taking care of him really pushed our family to the limits of which I hope to never go again. I spent months without giving my family the attention they needed. Chris spent months on his own trying to make sure our business didn't drown and trying to pick up and fill in where the children needed. We are a stronger family in some ways and weaker in others. Either way we are on the road of repair. Dad is home now and I have great hope that he will make it through. He continues to make life choices for himself that do not produce the best of results so I continue to pray he go to Jesus to work it out. <br /><br />As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Chris is giving me the summer to get our home back in shape which includes the children. We see lots of pool days and summer fun in our future. I am helping get the office back to sanity and the house organized while playing with the kids and filling up days with fun. We hired a lady to help Chris over the winter and she is working out well so he doesn't need me to help with the cleaning as much. Bri gets some hours in too to help build her savings account until she starts her new job at Downing Fruit Farm this summer.<br />I am enjoying doing what I do best which being the best Mom I can be. I register for my Fall nursing classes next week and if all goes well looks like I will be able to be home before the kids get home from school three days and will be home before supper the other two. Yay.<br /><br />Off to the pool we go, today is the first day it is open so we don't want to miss it!!Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-1195774654092227602010-06-30T02:47:00.000-07:002010-07-01T16:09:09.232-07:00It is in the wee hours of the morn 5:47a.m. to be exact. What is it you might ask has me up so early talking to the Lord.....boys. I am going to share this partly because someday you will be going through this and sharing between Moms for me anyway helps soften situations that can be somewhat hard and also partly because if I can put it down in writing maybe I'll handle this better.<br /><br />Brianna has a prospective boyfriend. Up until now I have come to the Lord over this issue oh about a hundred and one times. Mostly I say Lord please protect her heart, Lord please keep her from boys with bad intentions and a dozen other things I hash out with Him everytime I hear a new name being shared. Oh Lord when the time comes please bring her a Godly man, someone who knows you and Loves you and will love and respect her and lead their family in your sight. We are firm in letting her know that any boy that is interested in spending time with our family and her will need to meet with Daddy answering some questions and Daddy will be sharing his expectations. This by far has sent any boy within a mile of her heading for the hills. "uh, I have to meet your Dad...well forget it then". Yay I say, another one bites the dust. I say to her "any boy worth his salt and has good intentions will want to meet your Dad and be happy to share his intentions. So what does my heart do when she meets someone who meets those standards. I'll be honest here secretly I kind of hoped it would be at least college years before we met this. I give our Bri credit...she has qualities of goodness she in her own mind has somewhat constructed and nobody until now has come close to what she thinks would be a respectable fellow. It has been revealed to me that God has this and He is with her in this area but a good part of me just wants to throw my arms around her and say forget it she's mine Lord and I'll take it from here.<br /><br />Ok...so she met this boy Michael at vacation bible school. He volunteered to help with the pre-school VBS as did Bri. They have been talking ever since. He aspires to be a Pastor. He can quote scripture. He goes to a different school than Bri which is comforting to me. He wants to meet her Dad and wants her to meet his family. He sounds so great that he scares me to death. I find myself telling Chris privately "get rid of this kid, he is trouble." Of course he's all for that, in his mind Bri is still 4 and should have piggy tails in her hair running around telling everyone her Daddy can fix anything and he is so great. Ok...so I want God to bring her a Godly man someday so when there is a prospective Godly boy in the ring I want him to go away. Do you understand me? I have to grow up here and be what I need to be which is as protective as a mama bear can be but let go a little so that Bri will let me lead her. I know that if I hold on tooooo tight she will buck me harder than if I am gentle and let go of the reins just a little. Over and over in this teenager stuff I am aware of that. You find new ways to guide them while they feel they are in control, this is hard for this mom who has a more do what I say and don't ask questions kind of style.<br /><br />I'm thankful for the qualities she finds fitting in a boy. I'm thankful that she talks to me, really talks to me. I'm thankful that she recognizes this is uncharted water and looks to us for direction. She says "let me know what the rules are Mom and what you expect because I don't want to do the wrong thing here. I really like this boy". I can't help my mind from going to "ok the rules are missy you have to stay with us in an amish existence until you are 30 then we'll see". Ugh. I will get to a better place and be what I need to be but let's face it being the parents of a child that will be stepping out into the world making her own way in just three short years just is not easy. I long for those toddler days when a kiss on the forehead made it all better.<br /><br />Sorry if I babbled.<br /><br />Hope you have a great day!!!<br />Love, ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-13420249583567970702010-06-24T19:24:00.000-07:002010-06-24T19:38:34.394-07:00Special Day.Today God's one and only Son became the Savior to my one and only son Joseph.<br /><br />This day Thursday June 24th 2010 Joseph Beck accepted the salvation of Jesus Christ.<br /><br /><br /><br />God gives us precious moments with our children. Sitting on my bed listening to my son ask Jesus to come inside of him and help him to always be good and keep him from bad so that he could live forever with God is by far one of the most precious.<br /><br />Love to all.<br />ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-12696992843790412982010-06-10T19:38:00.000-07:002010-06-10T19:55:41.789-07:00Fun Summer EveningAAAhhh Summer!!!!<br /><br />I love it!!! The kids are out of school and enjoying freedom. I am enjoying them. <br /><br />Today Chris bought them a trampoline. Our kids have never had one of their own, only borrowed time playing on the one our dear friends the Browns own. I noticed how much they enjoyed bouncing to the sky this past time we visited so I vowed to make sure we got them one for the summer. Today was that day. They cheered and clapped as Daddy built it up. After that the fun began.<br /><br />All of the kids had their rounds of jumps. It wasn't long before the kid in my sweet husband was calling and he went running to get on. Jose yells "oh no here comes big "C"...look out" seconds later was my husband jumping to the sky. The kids thought it was hilarious. I told him he was crazy but soon I too found myself wanting to jump. I wasn't sure those springs would hold this big mama but Big "C" assured me he attached 72 springs and it was all good so in I went. We laughed and <br />jumped and played ring around the rosey and then jumped to fall down. It did my heart such good to play like that and enjoy my children.<br /><br />At dusk the fire flys were out. We looked out into the corn field and saw thousands of them, it was soooo beautiful. Joseph said it looked like a hundred stars jumping out of the corn. <br /><br />I praise you Lord for the family you hath gifted me and consider it as close to heaven on Earth these nights like this.<br /><br />Hope your summer is as sweet!<br />Love, ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-46216076558857922822010-05-10T04:59:00.000-07:002010-05-16T07:31:12.957-07:00Mother's Day After-GlowI hope all of you Mom's had the best day yesterday. It is one day a year that we get to be well... kind of selfish and try not to feel guilty and just enjoy it. Mother's Day has always meant a lot to me, a time to enjoy my mom, enjoy my children, reflect as a mother of where I've been and how I intend to move forward. This year was a bit different than in the past but I think perhaps the most special Mother's Day I've ever enjoyed with my children. Traditionally we have always gone to my Mom's house on Mother's day. We make a big to do with a homemade supper for her that my sister's and I share in labor, we bring gifts and sit on her patio all day and laugh and carry on while our children play with their cousins. A lovely day for all. Last year things changed a bit with Mom's new husband. We went to her new house with him in Springfield on a Friday night so that she could go with him to Indiana on Mother's Day to visit his mom. This year I was pretty sure that Mother's day with her would not happen at all so I prepared myself to enjoy the day with my children. As we grow things change and I had decided to embrace this change with anticipating spending a special day with just the children and it was sheer joy. <br /><br />The day went like this. Each child went about bringing me their extra special treasures they had made for me one by one. Bri bought some flowers for us to plant together, Joseph made me the most beautiful hardback book...an adventure he had written about a boy and his mom in a big red bus-he had illustrated it too with the most creative pictures, Natalie had put her handprints on a little towel with her name painted beside her hands. Each one so different and each one so special. Then we went off to church and I enjoyed the Mother's day sermon with Chris' arm around me the whole service. After church the kids and I had some lunch and Chris went off to his Mom's to honor her. After lunch the kids and I headed to Richmond to see the movie Tooth Fairy which was delightful. During the car ride about 25 min. each way Bri read to us from a book about an Amish family she's been enjoying. I so loved hearing her read out loud, with each word I reflected of how grown up she is and how she has grown to be such a sweet person and I wondered how she will be as a mother some day. That evening I made a nice supper for us all. After kissing them goodnight and tucking them in tears welled in my eyes as I turned out the lights listening to Joe and Natty talking to one another saying "this was the best day in my whole life...we got to spend the whole day with just Mom"! <br />The melody to that song Amy Grant sings "Better than a Hallelujah Sometimes" played in my head much of the day and I thought I know what she means. Lately I cry out to Him so often, life can be hard. I think He must get tired of me asking Him to help me out. But then I think about my own children and how I never really get tired or worn of them needing me. I love them, I so want them to need me and I so need them. I thank God he entrusted them to me and with each caring look and each sweet word spoken that day I felt such a love from my babies and my heart was so full of joy I thought I might just bust wide open. With each tough discussion and each prayer for wisdom I think "Better than a hallelujah sometimes."<br />How blessed am I to have such a life as this and be loved so much by so many.<br />Brianna, Joseph and Natalie....you are the most special, unique, loving, caring, wonderful children and I thank God each day for allowing me the pleasure of being your mama. I consider it an honor this most special and absolutely most important job God gave me. I love each of you so deeply with all my heart. Thank you for such a lovely day, I shall cherish it always.Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-34854849898993877892010-05-05T05:21:00.000-07:002010-05-05T08:52:27.862-07:00Family Update.Here I am posting on my in-between semester break. I don't have a lot of free time so when I do have it time is spent playing catch up and spending as much time with the kids and Chris as possible. I have enjoyed this last week so much. I've cleaned my house, caught up laundry, caught up business paperwork and worked cleaning houses. This is a never ending process as in all households but for at least this week I feel victorious in being ahead of it rather than behind.<br /><br /> School is somewhat winding down for the kids so evenings aren't so loaded with homework. Last night we rented a movie. Monday night I taught Natty how to sew by hand. She is currently working on sewing a blanket for Barbie's bed in her Barbie Dream house, pink of course. Tonight we will finish cleaning out old toys to take<br />some to a little boy who doesn't have any toys and some to Goodwill. The next few nights we will be planting our garden and flowers boxes, mowing and cleaning things up outside.<br /><br /> So proud of Bri. Her choir had concert a last week. The girls had all decided to wear formal dresses. These girls came walking out with dresses that in my opinion were an embarrassment. The low cuts and ridiculously short lengths were not so appropriate and many parents looked surprised. There stood our Bri in a nice tea length dress respectable enough for church. One mother came over and whispered in my ear "please tell your daughter she looks beautiful and tell her thank you for being so respectful". I know it was not easy for Bri to stand there next to all those girls feeling out of place as she often does but she stole the show in my opinion and didn't even know it. I was quick to pass along the compliment that was given. She had a teacher that was extremely kind to her on the trip she took to Chicago with her class. I passed an extra thank you to this teacher after the choir show, she said, "we love that little Brianna, she has such a value system in her that we don't often see..tell her to keep up the good work". I just had to toot my proud mama horn for my girl. Bri continues to dream of going to college to become a Vet. I am working on a visit to UK vet school this summer. This seems to be the school she talks about the most. They are supposed to have a good program specializing in equine healthcare. I am hoping to set up a tour of the campus and then I'd like to take her to the Kentucky horse park as a surprise. Hope it all works out.<br /> We are working with Joe and his interest or should I say lack of interest in reading. We have developed an incentive program for him. Each book he reads he gets a coin...after 20 coins he gets to pick the family fun time of his choice. Saturday we are going bowling as a reward. I have to keep changing things up in this area for him as this tends to be his challenge but his reading has improved greatly and we look forward to the family fun we get out of it.<br /> Chris and I got to go out on another good date last Fri. Two weekends in a row. This time we went to Tipp City and had supper in their historic district then shopped the antique shops. Later we went to Kohl's to get him some new shirts then to Coldstone Creamery for some desert. It was so nice to be alone with him, I miss him when we are so busy.<br /> I have started planning for summer. VBS-plans Adventure on the High Seas, I get to do the bible point again with the help of Bri and my nieces. We will go on a family camp-out in the Big Red Bus at the end of July. After my summer school semester ends in the middle of July I plan to take the kids on weekly Friday adventures hoping for a trip to the Airforce museum, Conner Prairie, Indianapolis Children's Museum, Dayton Parks, maybe the Boonshoft Museum. Not sure if it will all happen but I want to squeeze all the fun I can into those six weeks with lots of park and pool days too. Joe and Natty are going to take swimming lessons and Bri will be barrel racing horses this summer. Can't wait.Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-82822138146209853562010-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:002010-03-14T18:34:00.231-07:00Family Update.I can't believe it has been so long since I posted last.<br /><br />I just spent the last week trying to enjoy my spring break from school. I say trying because it was also an unfortunate must that I get caught up on everything around here...the taxes, laundry, housework and studying for a big test in anatomy for tomorrow. I did however get to smell the roses and fill up the lovin cup of my kiddos. Took Joe on an date for ice-cream and made homemade cookies with him to take to his class. Helped out in Natty's class then took her out to lunch and spring shopping. Ran Bri all week to rehearsals for her big choir dinner theatre show. Got to see and hear our amazing teenager perform and sing her heart out Sat. night. All in all a pretty great week.<br /><br />I like school very much. It is amazing learning about the human body. I will be excited once I actually make it into the sonography program next year and all the pre-requisite classes are over. None of it seems gruesome to me, the only part I have been somewhat dissappointed about is how impersonal it all seems to others. Maybe it has to be that way because in dealing with sick people day in and day out you would have to be somewhat not emotional, I get that part. On the flip side I think someone who can be empathetic and act in a sensitive manner would be just as important. I had built up in my heart that this is a Christian school. The reality of it is that some, some of the professors actually pray before taking tests and before big events like the first time we used cadaevers in our labs and you are required to take religion classes and many of the students are Christians. The things I was not expecting was the competitive spirit in this school that is completely a survival of the fittest type of atmosphere. I keep the Lord in the forefront of my mind each day. I love the information, it is like a welcome brain food for me that I much anticipate each week. I keep reminding myself that God has put me here and allowed me to do this for his purposes and try each day to keep my mind open to what that might be. One day I stopped a study session a group of us were involved in to minister to a young mother that is going through a divorce she didn't choose. Everyone else kept talking about the function of cells while this poor girl sat in the corner crying. Seriously there were only five of us in the room. I stopped and asked her for more information and told her we can study for this test later but you need help now. The others looked at me like I was nuts and one woman didn't even look up just kept on studying. After the girl left that woman looked at me and said "I just can't do it, I hear her talking and it becomes something I think about all the time and I don't have time for it now" I said "me too, it becomes something I will think about a lot too and I choose every time it comes to my mind to pray for that girl because God will help her where no one else can and I always have time for that!" then I got up and left. This is one example of my frustration but for the most part it hasn't been that bad. One day God asked me to talk to this man that is in a lot of my classes. I sat down where he had out his religion book. He started ranting about how he hated the religion class and I let him rant then grabbed the book and started kindly asking him questions he couldn't answer. Then he began asking me questions kindly that I could answer with the truth of the Bible. God put me there at that moment and gave me the wisome to answer the tough questions he had and I walked away feeling awestruck of the Lord. The world seems so different to me, more harsh than I ever noticed, more vain than I ever wanted to admit, more broken and painful than I ever realized. God is bringing me into this reality that I am sometimes afraid of. I am afraid thinking this is the world my children are in and how shall I prepare them for this part..the part where so much of the world has become plain synical and hopeless. I share with them some things that happen and how I leaned on God and what he did for me or how he chose to use me. All the while praying they are taking away the lasting message that is upon us each day that we cannot live on self alone that we need that daily, minute by minute relationship with Him because He is the one with the play book. I am reminded with each situation that I have joy and hope and dreams and strength and fearlessness because He is the giver of all good things and it doesn't matter what anyone says to me or thinks of me as long as I know that and keep true to it.<br /><br />The hands down hardest thing I have had to deal with is the guilt. I am home most days before or soon after my children get home but the amount of homework I have I could have never imagined. Everything is so much faster than when I went to college before and I was not prepared. So much is online and shorter time frames to get work done even though all of my classes are on campus and I have no online classes. Anyway the homework takes me away from some of the quality time I enjoyed with my kids and I can't go on field trips as often and volunteer at school as often. I am working through that part and Chris helps with it. He escorted four pre-schoolers as a room father on a field trip to sing at a retirement home and then to McDonald's two weeks ago because Natty had a meltdown when she realized I couldn't go. He was quick to step in and offer Daddy go instead and she was delighted by that. It made me feel better too, knowing she would have him there and not have to go without a parent. I expect my mama heart will always have a hard time with this and I may never feel better about it until I am done with school and have a more flexible schedule.<br /><br />Love to you all!! ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-61066154002429459202010-01-09T18:05:00.001-08:002010-01-09T20:29:41.897-08:00Safety and SecurityI've been thinking about that phrase safety and security these past few days and what it really means. Locked doors, security systems, close loved ones, a strong protective husband, feeling loved, a Lord to watch over us and all the things that pop into my head when that phrase rolls off of my lips. I think how would I really react when put to the test. Like ok Lord it is just you and me on a late, dark night in the Wal-mart parking lot or after putting my children to bed at night with a husband miles away working and pray just you and me Lord please get us through this night safe and unharmed..many scenarios come to mind but none really stick, none really stick because praise God, nothing horrible like that has ever really been that close to me or ever happened that I would be tested to trust in God in such a way.<br /><br />This all changed for my family Sunday Jan. 3, 2010. My family was shaken to the core of what the world has become, what it is capable of and we are forever changed. I write this as an act of preserving history. Someday my children should know and I keep this blog as a diary for them. No comments are needed as there is nothing anyone can say that really confronts such an ugly act and prayer is the only means of healing. <br /><br />My sweet Grandmother's name is Juanita McClain. When I was a child she taught me about growing things, especially roses which were her pride. She always put aloe on our burns and cuts taken from her own home grown aloe plant. I remember her showing me the curtains she had made especially for my playhouse that my Grandfather had made for me when I was 10. She made a spiced birthday cake for every person in my family every year on their birthdays until we left home. We dressed proper for supper at her house and I always thought that the table was prepared so grand that it looked like it was taken from a picture in one of those magazines my mother had. She was to me the ultimate of women...kind, gentle, always spit spot, beautiful, she took the time to make everything just so. She married my Grandfather when my father was a junior in high school, giving him a mother he had never had. She helped my Grandfather with whatever he needed her to and took such good care and loved him in a way that no one else could for 33 years. In that 33 years they had built a wonderful life together. A nice business and a fine home in the country. Their home is way back off the road up on a hill surrounded by a perfectly groomed grounds of trees, pond, woods and farmland. My Grandfather died 2 1/2 years ago. He was a lion, a protector, a person whose word was honorable and whose actions always had meaning. He was a legend in my mind and a savior to my sweet Grandmother. I miss him deeply but even more so I miss him for her. I do so wish he could wrap his strong arms of steel around her and comfort her just once more.<br /><br />On Sunday evening Jan. 3rd around 7:30 Juanita my grandmother was in her basement paying bills. She finished and headed up the steps only to be met my two men in ski masks, one holding a gun on her. For the next few hours that followed these men took her from room to room making her show them where she had all the valuables she owned hidden in her home. They told her over and over they would kill her if she didn't cooperate. When they were done with what they needed from her, they pushed her down and then put her in a chair and wrapped duct tape around her and locked her in her bedroom closet. She then sat in her closet for hours listening to these men ransack and rob her home. Around 9:00 the next morning light shown under the door she worked her way free from the tape. She had told these men that she was very asthmatic and she would die without her inhaler so they had tied her arms a bit more loosely so she could take her inhaler. This is what was able to help her get free. She then slipped past the basement door grabbed her coat and ran for the neighbor's house to call 911. The robbers were gone by this time and had taken thousands of dollars in cash, valuables and her car. The story was put on every Dayton news channel. My sister and I cried from our homes Monday night as we watched the TV news and listened to our sweet Grandma's voice in the 911 call they played. This voice of love and kindness that we've known all our lives changed into a voice of absolute fear and a voice that crackled under the sheer emotional pain she had endured. In my whole life I will never get this out of my mind and I can never imagine this kind of fear, this kind of horror, this kind of pain, this kind of security being taken away at a moments notice. I am angry that someone would do this to another. My Grandmother in all of her strength and wits was able to take off her wedding ring and hide it in her pocket when the robbers were not looking. It warms my heart the love she has for my Grandfather. Christ is her savior and she will endure this. She will endure and get beyond not being able to left alone, she will get past seeing those men in her mind in her home. I praise you Lord for saving her for I am so well aware this outcome could have been sooo very different without you. I pray peace be warmed into her heart that her mind be relieved of this constant agitation. <br />I praise you Lord for answering the prayers sent up that these people would be caught quickly. Tuesday these men and a woman (who as it turns out is my Grandmother's cousin) were caught driving her car with some of the stolen goods in it in Dayton. These people are in custody and have been brought back to Darke County and are being charged with aggravated robbery, kidnapping, grand theft auto and a list of other charges. I do so pray justice be brought and they are imprisoned for a lifetime. All the money and all the things are just that... things. They can be replaced or learned to live without but they took away the place she feels closest to Grandpa, a home she's known for so very long a Camelot of such that my Grandparents had built together. It is doubtful that she will ever live there again.<br /><br />When put to the test the only true security we have is our trust in Christ as our Savior. He is the only security that is unfailing, the only thing that we can really grasp and hold on to at any given moment. The moment when we can't reach the phone or can't make it to the car or can't run fast enough or God sparing we are put into a situation of absolute terror, Christ will see us through to the morning light.<br /><br />Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place, you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.<br /><br />Please keep Juanita McClain in your prayers for she will need them for so long.<br /><br />MichelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-54635589336181607512009-12-11T20:18:00.000-08:002009-12-11T21:46:32.239-08:00Praise the Lord for Our Brianna!!!I'm not sure what the Lord is doing with our Brianna but it is amazing as a parent of this little spit fire of a teenager to watch Him do work in her and with her.<br />The Lord has laid upon my heart these past few months to sit back and let Brianna make choices in her life without my opinion all of the time. I am trying soo very hard to be supportive when the choices appear to come from a good place in her and bite my lip a little when it isn't and give guidance and direction with parables if you will, sharing life lessons learned to give influence to her instead of my old more direct approach. I have seen a huge difference in her heart for me. Praise the Lord, her heart has softened greatly for me and in some ways I feel I have my little girl back. Hugs and kisses and all. The teen years are so hard, they can be rude and edgey which truth be told brings out a little rude and edgey in me. They can be inconsiderate and seem to be mostly interested in self. That being said I have also had some of the most heart warming and special conversations with this person who is not even close to a little girl anymore. She is a young woman. A young woman who I am so proud to say has value in herself before the Lord. I'd like to share a piece of a conversation we had today.<br />A close friend of hers who is also a freshman has been dating a senior boy. This relationship has been very hard for Bri to watch. She sees her friend acting in a way that really bothers her, she feels this boy is too old for her friend and says her friend is too wrapped up in one person at this age. Today things came to a head between Bri and her friend. She said at the lunch today the boy was not being very nice to her or her friend. Then she witnessed them in Bri's words "kissing on the mouth and it was soooo gross". Bri told me about it when she got home from school and said they left school mad at each other. Soon the phone rang and it was her friend.<br />It was sort of amusing to listen to her tell me how she shared the word of God from a teen stand point. Bri said to her friend "Hey I know you don't want to hear this but I'm going to get all Biblical on you. You shouldn't be acting the way you did today with a boy. God intended for your first kiss to be with the man you are going to marry but today you ruined that. You can't ever get that back. I wonder how you husband will feel about it. It is wrong to be acting this way with any boy let alone one who is way to old for you and wants you to do older things with you, it goes against God. Then she told her she would always be her friend but that she should not be ok with a boy treating herself or any of her friends in the manner he chose to treat everyone today." Her friend told her that she was right and she was going to talk to her boyfriend about it.<br />I ask you could any mother imagine to hear those words come from their teenage daughter? I am so proud of her for not sitting quiet, not allowing behavior she knows is wrong to go without saying something. I'm proud of her for being a good friend. I am proud of her for walking with Jesus and allowing him to use her. I am in awe of her strength I am excited watching God use her and wonder how he will next. He is using her in ways I could have never imagined to minister to girls in her class. We have had a few similar conversations lately about two other girls who have asked her questions about heaven and why God put us here. It is fantastic listening to her share these conversations with me.<br />She recently decided that she wanted to give up 4-H and soccer. She had mentioned 4-H a few months ago then soccer almost as soon as it was over. I told her these where her decisions but I felt she should be very prayerful with any decision made as to make sure it is God's direction and ask Him to bring clarity and peace in the decision. Chris really likes her doing both so the day she announced that she was ready to quit both he was a little irritated and asked her why, and he wanted some good reasons. She said this "I really feel like I have fallen away from being a part of Youth Group at church. I learn a lot there about God and don't feel like I have any time for it anymore because I'm always busy doing other stuff. I think the things I learn about there will be with me forever and it's way more important. She also went on to explain that the friends there like her for who she is and she likes being around them and feels more comfortable. " Umm, I thought those were some pretty good reasons and I guess he thought so too because he didn't challenge it anymore and looked a little awestruck of her answer.<br />Praise God for showing me how to trust in Him with all things. Praise God for being faithful with my children and praise Him for giving me the eyes to see it and the heart to love Him for it. Praise Him for allowing me the honor of being Brianna's mom.<br /><br />Hope you are all enjoying this Holiday season!!!<br />Merry Christmas!!!<br />ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-15870203037298582542009-12-08T18:11:00.000-08:002009-12-08T20:46:54.517-08:00A KCMA Student!!!As of today I am a student of Kettering College of Medical Arts. I will be taking pre-requisite classes for a year beginning Jan. 11th, then I will apply to the Ultra-sound program. Upon completion, I will have a Bachelor's degree and will be certified in all four areas of ultra-sound; heart, ob, vascular and abdomin. KCMA is one of only two schools in Ohio that offer all four areas and ranked 10th in the nation for this program. It is also a Christian college. Healthcare is being taught from a biblical perspective and I will get to have religion classes along side my medical courses. God blessed me with a schedule that will allow me to be in school when the kids are on MWF and be home when they are. They will not notice much change this semester. That is my goal for every semester, to keep their lives the same with me there for them as normal as possible. I will get to have a job that helps people but also allows me the flexibility to continue to be the Mom I love being. The kids think it is cool that Mommy will go to school too but mostly they think it is funny that I will have homework.<br />Below is the Student Personal Statement essay that I wrote and attached with my application.<br />The question was. How do you measure success? What have you specifically done to try to reach your own measure of success?<br />My answer:<br />I measure success by what God's best would be from me and for me. It comes from whether or not I feel He would be pleased with the goal, endeavor or task. Winning or being the most sought after is not as important as how the goal is achieved. Working hard while keeping the importance of honesty, integrity and treating others with the honor God has asked me to is the scale.<br />In order to succeed, first I pray. God's guidance brings direction and peace over paths chosen. Bible study is also key. Professionally its wisdom has molded me into a person who is dependable, responsible and puts others first. Personally it has taught me to be a wife my husband needs as a helper to him and has trained me to build character, love and direction in my children. God in the center is the key to all success.<br /><br />Next question was: In what ways, if any, does your relationship with God influence how you think about the following statement; "Kettering College of Medical Arts desires that its graduates understand their profession as a call to serve others, not just a livelihood".<br />My answer:<br />I consider an education at KCMA and my future profession to be an answer to prayer. I have spent a large amount of time asking God if it would so delight him to delight me in filling my days with work that would be helpful to others while challenging my mind on a daily basis. I found confirmation to the call of becoming a sonographer when I found KCMA. I could have never imagined to find a school that would teach health care from a biblical perspective but God has led me to it. I am excited and anticipate looking for the opportunities God will put before me each day to do his work serving patients and my co-workers in a manner which would bring glory to Him.<br /><br />My Christopher, I love you and am grateful to be called yours. Thank you for working your tail feathers to the bone for us always. Thank you for not only giving me permission to do this but also being my biggest cheering section and for trusting God and believing in the abilities God has placed in me more than I do myself. Mostly thank you for your strength as my husband and father to our children, the cornerstone that never breaks and continues to give even though you are so exhausted. You never complain and just envelope all of us in your love and protection. You are my hero.<br /><br />Hope everyone has a great week!!! ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-46487289102429268382009-11-15T18:31:00.000-08:002009-11-15T19:21:22.448-08:00True Love with ChoicesOur pastor delivered a truly awesome sermon this morning about God's love through choice. I have thought a lot about this truth these past few years. True love only comes from choice. I completely get this from the standpoint of God and how he loves us and how we love Him. I know He is jealous for my heart and I love knowing that he is.<br />Chris is jealous for my heart too. Secretly I love knowing that he is. I once heard a woman say that her husband was so jealous and it just drove her nuts. I thought really? I know my husband is jealous too, he shows it whenever any man gets within a 5 mile radious of me, here it comes with the questions and his chest get all puffed up and he gets a stern look and I think praise the Lord. It doesn't happen often and I in no way shape or form put myself in situations to make my husband jealous but when a situation does come up I know under no uncertain terms that I belong to Chris Beck!! That doesn't make me nuts at all because I do belong to him and I love that he wants me to belong to him. So I think that is how God must feel when I read in the Bible that He is jealous for my heart...He wants to protect me and wants me to belong to Him.<br />Our marriage has gone to heights I would have never thought possible out of our love for wanting to choose to help each other. It is so much sweeter to come home to a cleaned up kitchen or clean laundry that has been taken care of when my husband chose only to want to please me without me having to ask for the help. In turn I see the look of sheer appreciation on his face when a customer called in and I chose to go to the site to give the customer estimate without him having to touch until the actual work is scheduled. Words are much more kind when you are choosing to build up each other rather than concentrate on whose fault and just pitch in to make it all work out. I see this choosing Love and I unmistakably know that that is the kind of love God wants from us.<br />As I look at our children, especially our now 15 year old daughter, I think is this so for them. Bri is wanting to make so many of her own choices and as her mother wanting to protect her it is so hard. I want her to make good choices. But the only way to really know whether she will or not is to actually let her make them on her own. I think in just 3 1/2 short...SHORT years I will be standing at a place in life where hope will exceed the mourn of a grown child spreading her wings and I think I want the choices to be hers. I can see how it must be so hard for God to know we are going to fall and just let us so we can learn how to change and do what is right while standing right beside us every step of the way. As a parent of a teen who is getting ready to start driving soon and looking at colleges and talking about what her life might hold I think teach me Lord. Teach me to parent the way you do. Help me to be ready to watch her fall and let her figure out how to get up all the while standing right beside her every step of the way. Let me be the one who is her loudest cheer leader when she does choose right and the quiet one in the corner with arms open wide when her choice was wrong. I faithfully keep her in your hands Lord looking over her at all times. I choose to pray your guidance in her Lord, I choose to trust in you on her behalf and I know you are Lord.Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-41094832782685651072009-10-05T19:14:00.000-07:002009-10-05T20:03:43.345-07:00This week is crazy with one kid at the hospital today getting a knee x-ray, five soccer games between two kids, soccer practice, church hand-in-hand Wed. night, a field trip F<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ri</span>. for Natty and a big Tinkerbell Tea Party birthday for Natty on Sunday afternoon, oh yes and if we can make it a Pumpkin Show parade with Papaw on Sat. evening. What you may ask would keep a mother sane trying to keep up with all of this and work......prayer, prayer, prayer. I find myself in such a minute by minute relationship with the Lord. I need it, He requires it, and with Him it all gets done and Mom is at peace. Chris downloaded the Bible on my MP3 and I have been listening to it each day that I work. I love it. His word is in my ears, my mind and my heart continually and it has been such joy. One would think you could not listen to thine word for thou might think thee would get somewhat tired from 6 hours of thine and thou but I find at the end of the day I'm trying to find a good place to stop as not to miss anything. I pray on each day asking Him to open my heart to what He would have me learn. Such a submission has spilled over to the rest of my day. I find myself praying continually each time an issue comes to my mind I ask His guidance, His blessing, His wisdom, His peace and it comes. With prayer <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bri's</span> knee is a minor swollen tendon, I find joy in watching my children play their hearts out at soccer, my heart warms over a child thanking me for teaching her about Jesus, I feel honored that I am a Mother who gets to take the time to go on the field trip, I look forward to the delight in my 5 yr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">olds</span> face as she serves all of her friends even though she is the guest of honor, my heart sings as my son explains how he prays at school at lunchtime even though nobody else does and with prayer, I feel the blessing of a husband who goes out of his way to make my life easier in any way he can and never complains about the many hours he puts in to keep our family going and loves me even when I'm not lovable and with prayer I can feel the treasure of having our parents and siblings close enough to share it all. Like a bruised, bumpy peach is such that makes the sweetest jam. That is what I am or maybe I'm still just in the processor, either way it is sweet with the Lord as the maker.Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-17121945356333187442009-09-29T19:41:00.000-07:002009-09-29T20:06:29.927-07:00Joseph in "Awe" of his FamilyThis warmed my heart so, I had to share it.<br />We were in full swing of our Tues. after school routine. Me making supper, Bri in her room doing homework, Natty sitting on the deep freeze coloring and Joe who had just finished his homework had moved on to working on his Mapbook. Our church has a Wed. night program we are involved in called "Hand - In - Hand". Supper at the church at 6:00 then at 6:45 kids and adults go to their age appropriate Bible Study classes. The older kids such in Joe's class bring home a paper or worksheet "Mapbook" to work on through the week then they take it back the following week and whoever brings it back gets candy. You can imagine our 7yr. old son is all over this. He gets<br />CANDY right!!!<br />Anyway we were going through the point which was how big God is and how Him being so big loves little old you. They were talking about galaxies, the sun, the moon and the earth, how God created this in all His glory and that same God loves Joseph. The next part of the book says to draw something you are just in Awe of and think about the fact that the God that made that thing you think is soooo Awesome loves Joseph. He began drawing and as I looked over I was surprised he had drawn our family.Jose, "I think you are supposed to draw something like the sun or you know something big." He says, "no Mom it says to draw something you think is awesome and I think our family is really awesome and I think how much I love you and Daddy and Sissy and Natty I think no way God could love me more than that but he just does."<br /><br />How blessed am I to have such a family as this, with such awesome kids and such an awesome husband.<br /><br />Hope you are both having a great week.<br />Love, ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-18950549435775925362009-09-07T14:38:00.000-07:002009-09-07T16:31:40.293-07:00Aaaah FallThere is a crisp in the air in the evening and it is beginning to feel like Fall. I love Fall. I love the falling leaves with so many warm colors. I love the smell of burning wood and the apple, cinnamon that fills the air at our house with all the goodies we seem to have to make when the air is cool again. I enjoy the routine of school and the ball games. The pumpkins, hay rides and all the other glorious changes the world makes to prepare for winter. I enjoy the changing of the seasons. I suppose if I lived in a climate where the weather was somewhat the same all year long I would appreciate it too, not having the yuck in the winter would be at the top of my list but for now I am going to enjoy it. We are home this weekend for the first time in I think Chris and I counted 6 weeks. I cleaned the house, got mostly caught up on laundry, painted on the house some more, mowed some of the grass and have loved every minute of it. Everything beginning to go back into order after the craze that August brought.<br />Brianna and Joseph started school last week and Natalie will begin on Wed. The two older ones are riding the bus this year. It is about a ten minute ride for them each way. Joseph loved it and Brianna could leave it but it is working out for our family as a whole. Natalie won't ride until next year but she can't wait. I was not quite ready for them to go back, I cried like a baby the first day of school but they both had a great first week.<br />Brianna really likes her classes in high school. There are a variety of different classes and it has mixed the kids up more which has been a great benefit to her. She doesn't have many classes with those two that really bullied her last year. She is also playing soccer for the Tri-Village varsity team. I have to give her credit she is 1 of 4 girls on the team and she still shows up and gives it her all. This is a great team of kids with a real positive outlook that begins with the coach on down. It has been a great experience for her and has given her sort of a new place at school to fit in. Joseph is enjoying his new first grade class. He likes his teacher and is getting all kinds of prizes for doing a great job. He will start soccer in a few weeks as well. Natalie has had a great time this last week spending time with grandparents who are taking turns watching her while we are at work and spending some extra time with us on the days we are home. I can't believe next year she will be in Kindergarten and my baby will no longer be a baby. I will be volunteering at pre-school and soaking up every last minute I can with her this year.<br />Chris and I are busy with our business. It is a struggle each week to keep our lives in a balance. Our business is growing but so far we have been able to take care of all of it between the two of us. Some weeks it is very difficult and some weeks it is a breeze just like everybody else.<br />Hope you all are enjoying your Labor Day weekend as much as we are.<br />Love you!!<br />MichelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-44840734735377231472009-08-12T19:54:00.000-07:002009-08-15T08:28:06.165-07:00Summer Picture Post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqAB4lEpccFgtmx3dX8M3NPo1seRIiTbwzjF_vKSQQioAQI3yY7rdEEq7EpznXgSLqENlqFyFQAvgNWDdTk6uI-GHu27gC3BigpCFp6zaioDDv_sA70qnwMCXs0W3Ddx7muhnHYGAgZpX/s1600-h/michelle+pic+050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370209951206931634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqAB4lEpccFgtmx3dX8M3NPo1seRIiTbwzjF_vKSQQioAQI3yY7rdEEq7EpznXgSLqENlqFyFQAvgNWDdTk6uI-GHu27gC3BigpCFp6zaioDDv_sA70qnwMCXs0W3Ddx7muhnHYGAgZpX/s200/michelle+pic+050.JPG" border="0" /></a>Joseph and Natalie enjoying a day of slip and slide in the front yard.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_xgiVWoNt2vIxt-onjQAsdMUj8JHAYKS8QbOyP-hiJKMvJQB2xCx5FM78ekgJvwhyphenhyphenmZLpkiVlclQghuP1riQxkozYwxTsabMWQ-n0wwc244Da0BSXzSjA6Why5-uVfWS4SJqf91JsdDZ/s1600-h/michelle+pic+056.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370209941283708546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_xgiVWoNt2vIxt-onjQAsdMUj8JHAYKS8QbOyP-hiJKMvJQB2xCx5FM78ekgJvwhyphenhyphenmZLpkiVlclQghuP1riQxkozYwxTsabMWQ-n0wwc244Da0BSXzSjA6Why5-uVfWS4SJqf91JsdDZ/s200/michelle+pic+056.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Natalie getting ready for her date with Daddy.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhb6CaSDVk36wvuvpc98DR3_h3fHGyXk7oyEF3ieEHJNFVVLWROrPUBtWcCuC4Lsu4TbeymSwIVAnJrq7tp3QRZvSYxouUJXAm00ksT8QvtD2RTjgzsnFoMVd4UepCiUlFkTXOoix77Qk/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370207788178867474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhb6CaSDVk36wvuvpc98DR3_h3fHGyXk7oyEF3ieEHJNFVVLWROrPUBtWcCuC4Lsu4TbeymSwIVAnJrq7tp3QRZvSYxouUJXAm00ksT8QvtD2RTjgzsnFoMVd4UepCiUlFkTXOoix77Qk/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+077.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J7uZt8TVaawMWg-Y734hO_VjWGg_VlKWNf-yBo9VGMOifV5ZZcYbUvaiNFyhxONXaZFxc64q2_vpJk0T_5eB98HtbHOrfEFfG_VNDSODq3eJoT1QfhN42g8WxA7-dvB-rZYWIsePXQm5/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370207775912365090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J7uZt8TVaawMWg-Y734hO_VjWGg_VlKWNf-yBo9VGMOifV5ZZcYbUvaiNFyhxONXaZFxc64q2_vpJk0T_5eB98HtbHOrfEFfG_VNDSODq3eJoT1QfhN42g8WxA7-dvB-rZYWIsePXQm5/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+075.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Children's Museum in Indianapolis.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyKK9YzRNn1luQtcweTDVhE6F5D8eIEDR_eK870jPg8mHPdFrAawtWH1_RBzGLZu3SM2kHxl8DZxUl9gdXadN9_mOCd3QHZ7KlQMKgKAPBc3UQEU-Tg6LT9C2TO8l-vcWU_DKxHEV5hc5/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370207768648034642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 141px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyKK9YzRNn1luQtcweTDVhE6F5D8eIEDR_eK870jPg8mHPdFrAawtWH1_RBzGLZu3SM2kHxl8DZxUl9gdXadN9_mOCd3QHZ7KlQMKgKAPBc3UQEU-Tg6LT9C2TO8l-vcWU_DKxHEV5hc5/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Camp-out, roasting marshmallows.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmYqk8MQvURKZ5A68pNQPO1eBKf7FwwbXKIbmDoT9-gdTueDY0DSbvkJs6I13vd-mgWD9kPNla7mj3Hs7LQwRFobEyi5gvkYHr7N8_n2w6Du93C7lFGOfsCln_m4S45ZtgS3cRvXThV2f/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370207761011188338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDmYqk8MQvURKZ5A68pNQPO1eBKf7FwwbXKIbmDoT9-gdTueDY0DSbvkJs6I13vd-mgWD9kPNla7mj3Hs7LQwRFobEyi5gvkYHr7N8_n2w6Du93C7lFGOfsCln_m4S45ZtgS3cRvXThV2f/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+070.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_ZfrJv_Hlylz6qWUZACwYxDlZdO6N9uEqAZFyFuREGMIpJGP-5vQA9SB29hJ0kBzAd2ZioM0ujy6ZTc69qqXrEmjKB7teJzl4-vThHw8rGLaAHTZdZaEP-9xO4mPot70j1RT31XKYTa_/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370206364350223602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz_ZfrJv_Hlylz6qWUZACwYxDlZdO6N9uEqAZFyFuREGMIpJGP-5vQA9SB29hJ0kBzAd2ZioM0ujy6ZTc69qqXrEmjKB7teJzl4-vThHw8rGLaAHTZdZaEP-9xO4mPot70j1RT31XKYTa_/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+036.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The beach at Hueston Woods State Park.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdcRIlIxP4BD3Sldbbd0_CWUaIIIS9OoNEmMSW61tAq6uJk7jTEm7uv7pUk4qiuTCkE8PCBfgidKi8go1KJVhp6wDkPwVfs3i6QqbmqibkUWWEKVfBAKAhhVdIe2I7gTpXXZFmq0eHaVw/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370206357957070466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdcRIlIxP4BD3Sldbbd0_CWUaIIIS9OoNEmMSW61tAq6uJk7jTEm7uv7pUk4qiuTCkE8PCBfgidKi8go1KJVhp6wDkPwVfs3i6QqbmqibkUWWEKVfBAKAhhVdIe2I7gTpXXZFmq0eHaVw/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Chris and Bri getting ready for their mountain biking experience.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjiSyyyq_ReLVyFQhZXbofg3xsyvRPHinhEowS6JgtHaQx0NIhUt_jOlk5uPjjFFMSrAhliZ3DGNaD0_RUhN73-xBrTEKldxtkqdwBqc2ETF99Y6XrBtRsE9dyzHkpsPbITw9PZ3os53T/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202908516785394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjiSyyyq_ReLVyFQhZXbofg3xsyvRPHinhEowS6JgtHaQx0NIhUt_jOlk5uPjjFFMSrAhliZ3DGNaD0_RUhN73-xBrTEKldxtkqdwBqc2ETF99Y6XrBtRsE9dyzHkpsPbITw9PZ3os53T/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcKlu1Ch7g_sjINi7Kr4TVCN-wTdKubht7cnBp5DarQChQrWUeN8fns6bwIObc1Ma0I2RMJHMDVXKEu_TycYOSlA3Yz7ORqRU5glKphiwXil8eEJgxe8-niUKzulufnJdOxdthUxjjWUK/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202895573672850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIcKlu1Ch7g_sjINi7Kr4TVCN-wTdKubht7cnBp5DarQChQrWUeN8fns6bwIObc1Ma0I2RMJHMDVXKEu_TycYOSlA3Yz7ORqRU5glKphiwXil8eEJgxe8-niUKzulufnJdOxdthUxjjWUK/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvN05BXtRnIIv8biteQ1Zmo-SJj7p0wEdXaQ1fpNCxUYHOfutJK50OK_HgBiaxW2c1ttTD3Joa9WI4eOl9nrJRKjli243tTJDqTFZhdrTu162SuNsH4hOsX0YQwLI8LFadEGK4D_5usyt/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+021.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370202021434374146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvN05BXtRnIIv8biteQ1Zmo-SJj7p0wEdXaQ1fpNCxUYHOfutJK50OK_HgBiaxW2c1ttTD3Joa9WI4eOl9nrJRKjli243tTJDqTFZhdrTu162SuNsH4hOsX0YQwLI8LFadEGK4D_5usyt/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+021.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdEPvFBJr_tAl3P71q7-sH2Pj953aRkWQrkz9BMCADX14e7CzCNgq4EcqJkL77v1NUfDQrdhmmEtSwpkXGdEP0LujrNgf-xktG4hAsFfrrRGa1OicqPmhz1uGI7u0z6LBf4ksfHdYHiyO/s1600-h/pic+aug.+1+09+012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369278590106610786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdEPvFBJr_tAl3P71q7-sH2Pj953aRkWQrkz9BMCADX14e7CzCNgq4EcqJkL77v1NUfDQrdhmmEtSwpkXGdEP0LujrNgf-xktG4hAsFfrrRGa1OicqPmhz1uGI7u0z6LBf4ksfHdYHiyO/s200/pic+aug.+1+09+012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br />Joe's Kindergarten Graduation<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:0;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-39990519746942763962009-08-04T19:48:00.000-07:002009-08-07T17:42:11.958-07:00I have all of these thoughts running around in my head and I thought perhaps it would make sense for me to write these thoughts down and then maybe the peace I've been asking God to bring will come into my heart and my silly head.<br />My Mom got married this past Saturday. We have gotten to know Tom her husband over the past two years spending time together over a handful of holidays, birthdays and events the kids have participated in. He seems to be an absolutely wonderful man. I could not have picked a better guy for her. He is very kind, loving and has a great sense of humor and puts up with my mama bossing him around in such a way that amazes me. He says, "hey I'm a peach now, remember I'm a peach." I love it, she smiles even chuckles and whatever it was making her crazy melts away.<br /><br />That being said. Why was it so weird for me. I felt so selfish all weekend but could not make my feelings go away. I felt like a child. I think he is so great for her but kept thinking I don't want a stepdad. I really had not even thought about that part until Mom had asked me to call Tom on Father's Day since his own two daughters don't call him. I thought, that isn't my place, I don't have a clue as to what their relationship is and it quite frankly is none of my business the things that have happend between them. As for me I had never thought of him as a father figure just a friend. I have a Dad I love and go see on Father's Day. The only other person I have ever called Dad is my Father-In-Law whom I adore and have loved for the 15 years I've been married to his son and even then I have only said it on ocassion when I have felt especially close to him. Then I got to thinking I now have stepsisters. This came on the tail of Mom insisting we all spend the weekend together after the wedding at their home in Springfield. Both of his kids and her kids. I thought I don't want stepsisters, I'm perfectly happy with the two great sisters God blessed me with, I don't have room for anymore.<br />Is this possible that I would feel this way as a grown adult. Shouldn't I be able to embrace this a bit more maturely. All I can think is she is myyyyyyyyyy Mom. When I heard one of his daughters call her Mom I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. What is wrong with me. I kept thinking this is not how I am supposed to feel, I am supposed to be happy and supportive and the person Mom can lean on if she is nervous but I just wasn't. I didn't talk much. I was thankful for my sweet husband who held his arm around me tight through the ceremony. Actually he was awesome the entire weekend. He seemed to be right beside me at every moment I needed him to be and left me alone when I needed to be left alone.<br />I kept thinking this is why God says one man and one woman and why he despises divorce, the pain is so great and changes lives in such a way that nobody is ever really the same. I walked around with this fake smile all the while re-visiting this gaping wound left in my heart from 13 years ago when my parents of 25 years decided our family wasn't worth fighting for and gave up. I know that sounds harsh but it really is harsh and here I am 13 years later still trying to get over it.<br />Again, I feel like a child that I have these feelings and through prayer and understanding God will heal me up once again and put peace back where I feel sorrow. I trust this as he has done it so many times before.<br />I do love seeing my Mom so happy for her smile could have been the guide light to heaven on Saturday. I just needed to get these horribly, selfish feelings out of my head.<br />I WILL GET OVER IT!!!<br />MichelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-43463023049074493792009-06-29T17:07:00.000-07:002009-06-29T17:36:04.203-07:00Beautiful DayThe weather here was absolutely gorgeous today!!! Sunny 79 and very low humidity, my favorite.<br />I got up at 6:30, took a shower, made some coffee and dove into the book of Samuel 1. I have never read this book in the Bible and so far I find it very interesting. I thought long about the part where Samuel hears the Lord call his name but thinks it is Eli. Eli then instructs Samuel that it is the Lord calling and listen to what he has to say. I know there are times I hear him call my name but answer to something else before Him. I need reminded that I should listen to Him first in all things. Thank you Lord for speaking to me please give me ears to hear you and follow your ways before my own.<br />I went off with my day remembering the sweetness of the weekend. Thursday was our 15th wedding anniversary. I was a little hurt that the festivities for such an occasion amounted to a card and a romantic evening cd from the dollar tree but I got over it. I think I did, what can I tell you girls, my man is not a romantic fan. Friday night Chris took the kids to the Father-Kids camp-out with our church. The kids had a blast with Dad while I went to a quaint little town called Tipp City with friends for supper and a stroll through a lovely antique shop. Saturday we caught up on chores then Chris and I went out with friends for supper. Chris' buddy was in from Utah so we always make time to go out with him and his parents to catch up. We had a great time as we always do with them, lots of laughs, lots of hugs, lots of remembering the old days when we were teens. <br />Sunday brought rest which was much needed. <br />Ohioans enjoy the temperature this week, hope it stays like this for the 4th. Not sure what it is like in Arkansas M but I hope you are getting the same wave, I know you like the mild but sunny too. Love you both!! ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-62677205714165993862009-06-23T06:33:00.000-07:002009-06-23T18:48:28.657-07:00Strange WeekendOur weekend started off with lots of fun. Friday we finished up VBS and took my nieces to the pool for the afternoon. Saturday was a birthday pool party for my niece Kelsy who just turned 10. It was a great day, our family had so much fun. We put water wings on Natty and she was swimming like a fish to my mom for about 10' lengths at a time. My Dad even came to the party and we enjoyed some of his old Navy stories. Chris and I soaked up the family fun, we laughed much and were sad to see the party end.<br />Just after we had gotten home, everyone showered and into beds the phone rang. A good friend from church calling to let me know that a close family member had committed suicide hours earlier. She called me hoping I could direct her as to who could do the clean up. I am not going to go into details except to say a gun was used and you can imagine the rest. This is a very private matter but I wanted to ask for prayer for Chris. You see I did just what she asked I instructed her as to who to call. I got off the phone and told Chris all about it and began praying for them. Chris said to me "Call her back and tell her because it is her family I'll do the clean-up". When we were first married Chris worked for a cleaning co. that did this kind of work so I knew he was trained and he is very careful about regulations but the heart of the matter was that I really didn't want him to go. I asked many times "are you sure" before I called her back. He seemed to feel better knowing he could to this to help the situation and thought that at least the details of the matter would be contained instead of a co. not knowing the family doing then perhaps sharing what they had seen not to mention the cost they would be charged for such a job. No there was no changing his mind. My heart flew into panic a bit after calling my friend to tell her Chris would do it. I was thinking of his mind and how he could never erase it. I was in awe of the grace my husband could bestowe upon another and a part of me felt like he was some kind of super hero. No I would depend on the Lord for this and peacefully let him carry out what the Lord had so apparently asked him to do. I prayed, I prayed a lot. Finally, yesterday as he was pulling out of the drive I felt God's hands over the situation and peace came to me. He came home and seemed ok. He shared some unexpected details but for the most part he said it wasn't so bad and he was glad he could do this for my friend. My husband the "solid rock". God knew he could handle it even though it frightened me to my core. Please be in prayer that the details of this fade and God keep him strong over the situation. Please be in prayer for this family who lost this Christian man who was a husband, father, grandfather and brother.<br /><br />Love to you all.<br />ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-32928908727965947562009-06-19T17:40:00.000-07:002009-06-19T20:39:26.344-07:00My mood is rather heavy this evening. We have been enjoying the business of summer. We enjoyed our camp trip with the kids so much. We all had a great time swimming, biking, hiking, fishing you name it we had a blast. We came back to a busy, busy week of playing catch up on our business and making decorations for VBS and then putting up the decorations for VBS. This week of course was VBS. My job was to give the Bible Lesson for the Pre-schoolers. We did Crocodile Dock so I was a southern woman character Miss Sylvie Sugar and talked with a southern accent all week. Fun, Fun, I love seeing the lights come on in their little minds when they begin to understand. My sweet young nieces Kayla 13 and Kelsy 10 stayed with us the entire week and served at VBS with us. This was the first time in two summers we have been able to have them for a week like this and I savored it, we all did I think. Cherished memories.<br />But this week a tragedy hit our community that has me really shaken.<br />Yesterday when I was checking in to begin the morning routine with the director for the Pre-school ministry she took me aside and gave me the news that a child that had been attending our VBS had drowned at a pool party the night before. It is a small community so news traveled fast and we soon came to know it was a 4-H pool party and several families from our church were there and new this poor little boy. We had been visiting with my neighbor, swimming in her pond as her son was getting ready to go to this very party that evening. The boy was Jonathan Kinnison 10 yrs. old. The boy was not a good swimmer and had gotten caught under a bunch of other kids when a group of them jumped into the pool all at the same time. All of these children watched as he was hoisted out of the pool, cpr performed and the rescue squad called in. All children watched as this little boy was taken to Jesus including his little 8yr. old sister. Tears well up in me watching the news coverage of our Elementary principal give an account of what a special boy he was and what a blow it has been to our community. My heart hurts for his parents who were not present at the pool party, the boy had gone with friends to enjoy and evening of fun. A picture of him at our VBS is being prepared for the family as it was the very last picture taken of him Wed. afternoon just hours before this tragedy had taken place. My heart aches thinking of my friend having to counsel her children one of whom saw this all take place and one who was classmates with this boy. I truly cannot imagine the kind of pain this brings to those involved, I offer up prayer and nothing else seems like enough.<br />It was a very real reminder of the big picture of why we are here and how important it is to continue planting seeds for we do not know His plan for our lives and the timing at which He chooses for us to be with Him. So my mood and my heart are heavy thinking of the work ahead that these families will have to endure knowing that he is in a better place but dealing with the harshness of the feeling of loss here and the shocking way in which he left. Please pray for the Kinnison family and for all those families that have been affected by this horrific accident.<br /><br />Love to you all.<br />MichelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-17258867208579664032009-06-04T04:33:00.000-07:002009-06-04T05:00:49.129-07:00Quiet of the MorningI am the one and only in our family that loves the quiet of the morning. For the most part I always have. Sure the morning never seemed a pleasure when the kids were babies and we were up half the night or they just plain wore me out during the day. But now, here in this place, today, everyone is asleep and the day is just beginning. The birds are chirping, there is a chill in the air and God's world is beginning to come alive. Even as a kid I was always the first one out of bed. In college I annoyed my cousin who shared my room when I would get up at the crack of dawn to study or just drink coffee and grab the news. Then it was the one thing I could count on, no matter what the night was like I knew a new fresh morning was just around the corner. Now it is the one part of the day where I completely feel the peace of the Lord, I can connect with Him without interruption and pray over our day before it begins.<br />Today I am praying over our camp trip. I pray for good weather, I pray for God's blessing over our vehicles and safety for everyone, I pray our business stays in tact and no emergencies pop up that just have to be taken care of, I pray customers understand when we say we can't get to them until next week and stay our customers anyway, I pray nobody gets sick and everyone gets along and most of all I pray for that re-connection where our sentences run into each other and we laugh until it hurts. Oh Lord I pray your blessings over this trip my children so deserve it. We have planned this much anticipated camp trip in "The Big Red Bus for months. Whenever the kids were tired of school or just bored I would encourage them to plan some more crafts, games, activities, meals you name it, it has been planned. The kids have it all in their little minds and we need to have some Family Fun. School is out for the summer and their reward for this crazy year has finally arrived. We made it. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, all were seen this year with all of the changes in our household but we made it with everyone Happy, Healthy and Emotionally in tact. Praise the Lord.<br />I'll try to post pictures. Hope everyone in enjoying the beginning of a wonderful summer.<br />Off the Hueston Woods State Park we go.<br /><br />Love,Chelle.Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-38423671058689167292009-05-23T12:50:00.000-07:002009-05-23T13:04:40.543-07:00I Dreamed About PrincessesWhen Natalie woke yesterday morning, she quietly came down the stairs to find me on the sofa. She wrapped her little arms around me so tight and said "I dweamed about pwincesses wast night and it was so bewtiful". I scooped her up and gave her many kisses while looking into her big brown eyes that were just glowing and told her she was my little princess. Oh how I love this age with her, every moment seems so special.<br />It was Grandparent's Day at her pre-school and she was so excited. My mom came to get her at about 9:00 to take her to the school. I had to stay home with Joe who was up all night with a stomach flu. Chris' Dad, Stepmom and Mom were meeting them at the school at 9:30. They had a great morning of crafts and fun. Mom took us to get lunch to bring back home and we enjoyed visiting with her the afternoon on the front porch.<br />After I picked up Brianna from school I took her to meet my sister. They invited her to go camping with them for the Memorial weekend.<br />Chris is working today so the little kids are playing outside in their new pool and slip -n- slide while I'm cleaning the house and doing laundry.<br />We have been so busy, most of this weekend will be spent just catching up but it feels good to be home. We are going to make a campfire one night to roast hot dogs and smores. The bus came with a fire pit that we have fixed by the picnic table at our house since most places we would camp already come with a fire ring so we look forward to just having a little campfire at home in the evenings this summer.<br /><br />Hope you all enjoy this lovely weather and have some Memorial weekend fun!!<br />Love ya-ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-40500868044642253762009-05-10T17:30:00.000-07:002009-05-10T17:41:15.445-07:00Poems by: Brianna Beck<div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><em>I AM</em></strong></div><div align="left">I am caring and a servant of God.</div><div align="left">I wonder how animals are built.</div><div align="left">I hear a whistle.</div><div align="left">I see a unicorn.</div><div align="left">I am caring and a servant of God.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I pretend to be a vet.</div><div align="left">I feel happy about unicorns.</div><div align="left">I touch zebras.</div><div align="left">I worry about when I die.</div><div align="left">I cry when I think about my dogs, which had died a long time ago.</div><div align="left">I am caring and a servant of God.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I understand that I can't own a zebra or a horse.</div><div align="left">I say that I trust in God.</div><div align="left">I dream about horses.</div><div align="left">I try to take good care of animals.</div><div align="left">I hope to become a vet someday.</div><div align="left">I am caring and a servant of God.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"><strong><em>Brianna</em></strong></div><div align="left">Kind, horse rider, helpful and loving</div><div align="left">Daughter of Chris and Michelle Beck</div><div align="left">Lover of horses, friends and family</div><div align="left">Who feels loved, happiness and energetic</div><div align="left">Who feers spiders, sharks, and snakes</div><div align="left">Who would like to meet Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and Toby Mac</div><div align="left">Resident of New Madison, on Preble Co. Butler TWNP Rd.</div><div align="center"><strong><em>Beck</em></strong></div><div align="left"></div>Beck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-60371104623474524312009-05-08T20:15:00.000-07:002009-05-08T20:46:20.123-07:00Happy Mother's DayToday Chris and I went to Wal-Mart to look at paint colors for the exterior of our house. I can't wait. Finally after four long years we are able to revive the look of our old place. Our house is over 100 years old and still has the old wood siding, not sure if it is original but it sure looks it. Painted I think it will look quaint and charming. Currently, the yellow paint is peeling and cracking and much of the largest side of the house is completely bare of any paint at all. Yes indeed it will do my heart good to pull up to a freshly painted house. We can't afford to put new siding on it and I kept thinking it was a waste of money to paint it but I just can't take it anymore. I'm sure that sounds so silly and maybe even selfish but I just need to like the way my house looks. Don't get me wrong every year I love where we live even more and so do our kids. But here I am with a former career in design and I can think of one million and one things each day that would make our old farmhouse look just darling until the reality of little money and often even less time creeps in. So excited to have one idea come into view. We are thinking burgundy house with white trim. We need something dark to cover all the crack and hole fills and areas where new windows have been put in but you can still see where the old 10'H windows were. I'll be sure to post before and after pictures so you can share in the experience with us.<br /><br />Tomorrow I am heading to church for a Mother's day seminar called "Taking Care of your Mother's Heart". A heart surgeon is coming in to talk to us about heart health and then they are going to be talking about our spiritual hearts. After that we are off to my Mom's to celebrate with her.<br /><br />Sunday I am actually going to be home for the first time ever on Mother's day. What a treat. After church the kids and I are planning to plant flower boxes and perhaps work on our garden.<br /><br />Happy Mother's Day I hope you get to enjoy it because each one of you deserve it!!!!<br />ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2194317365943095909.post-7499325662264640612009-05-02T06:12:00.000-07:002009-05-02T11:23:12.686-07:00Silly Old Snake HunterI killed a snake on our property this week. Chris and I were taking our spring tour of the place with the kids looking at all the beautiful flowers God has sent. Joseph and Natalie were playing in an area where there are trees and a little brush. Jose starts running yelling " Run Natalie, SNAKE, SNAKE"! Chris is deathly afraid of them so I asked him to go get a shovel. I told Joseph to show me where he saw it. I was stepping around, not seeing anything, then I looked down at my feet and noticed a hold close to my foot and realized I might be standing on the nest. Sure enough a few seconds later I saw a brown snake standing up at me with it's red tough going nuts. I jumped off the nest and got to Chris with the shovel. I started chasing after it and caught it with the edge of the shovel enough to get in there to finish the job. I've never seen any this long here before, it was about 3' by the time it all came out of that hole. Par for course of where we live but the funny thing is, I pulled a muscle in my arm killing it and I'm still taking ibuprofen. Guess I'm a silly old snake hunter or perhaps one that is just really out of shape.<br /><br />Last night Chris was in Col. working so the kids and I finished up most of the spring cleaning I wanted to get done this week. After supper we got out all of the camping books we got from the library. We had so much fun. We are planning lots of different games, crafts, cooking over the fire, hiking with the purpose of teaching how to leave a trail to find your way back and recognizing animal foot prints and dare I say "scat trails". Yes they are fascinated by the pictures of the different scat which is a nice way of saying poop in the books. They want me to be sure to print off the poop pictures of different animals so they can recognize it on the trails. Funny the things kids get interested in. Anyway we had a great time planning all of the fun. We are all so excited for our first official "School's Out" camp trip in the bus. Perhaps a new tradition for the Beck family. I'm going to go to Richmond this week to see about finding some fabric to make new curtains for the "Big Red Bus". Can't wait for all the fun.<br /><br />Hope you are all having a great weekend!!<br />ChelleBeck Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15672282009854152435noreply@blogger.com0