Ohio trip

Some pics from our trip to Ohio this past week:
Jason & Joshua
my brother Kevin and me
Jason in woods behind cabin
Josh and his uncle Matthew
Me
summer cabin my great grandfather and grandfather built 63 years ago. It just sold this week.
us at great hibachi restaurant
my dad and newest brother, Matthew
my great aunt Joanne
My dad's wife, Nola, and my newest brother, Matthew
Me, Jason, Josh, & Matthew in hotel pool

Saturday

Yesterday my boys had there first basketball games. They both did great (Josh after a rocky start and some bribing from Grandma.)
My mom, brother Kevin, & sister Sam all came out to watch. Josh's game was at 9, Jason's was at 12. In between we all went to the pancake house for brunch. It was nice.
Then the boys and I relaxed at home and I even got a nap.
Last night we went to their cousin's house and while the kids played we watched The Hangover and then played Yahtzee. I got my highest score. I got 3 Yahtzee's in 1 game, with a total score of 499. Go me!

My mom, Kevin, & Jason on sidelines at Josh's basketball game
















Kevin (my younger brother) and Jason while watching Josh's basketball game

















Joshua dribbling
















Joshua shooting


















Jason at basketball

















Samantha, me, my mom, Jason, Kevin, & Joshua

Decorating cookies today

Today was another at home day. I watched my pastor's son. Jason's friend was also over for half the day. And my niece and nephew were here on and off throughout the day. I painted and did play dough and model magic with the little boy. The older kids played outside in the snow again. We also made sugar cookies and decorated them. I actually had to force them to do so (except Breanna,) they think these ideas of mine are dumb. But here is the photos I also made them smile for. Boy my kids have it tough. LOL!
Jason



















Joshua



















Michael





















Breanna

Looking back on snow play

Jason & I exactly 9 years ago. I was 21. He was 3.















Joshua exactly 5 years ago playing in the snow. He was 1.













Josh & I, 5 years ago. I was 25, he was 1.














Jason exactly 5 years ago playing in snow. He was 7.









Me last year (Notice the hat is same as 9 year ago photo. I still have it and had it on today while outside in snow. I have not bought a hat since. That's frugal.)















Joshua last year















Jason last year

Notice anything missing?

besides a smile, notice anything else missing?

Lessons from a butterfly

Jason with his monarch butterfly

putting butterfly on flower

happy butterfly















We recently had two chrysalis given to us by a friend. Her family had already seen two butterfly emerge and knew Jason would enjoy watching the other two emerge. Our first one came out today. I love butterflies, they are so beautiful. But even more so, they are amazing. They will start to migrate as our weather gets colder. Some will go as far as Texas . All the while they will have all their needs met. God has already seen to that. They don't question or whine or wonder or even try to do it there own way. They just flutter on. It is a reminder to me that God has an amazing plan for me, and I just need to keep going His way and I will be ok.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, "Plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.""
Jeremiah 29:11

-Becky

three years ago

back to school 2006. Jason was starting 3rd grade. Joshua was 3 and home with me in my in home daycare.
Me in 2006 before I broke my ankle the first time.

Being shy

Jason doing his devotion and hiding from the camera

Jason first day of sixth grade

Jason doing work yesterday

One of the reasons why I love homeschooling is how much time we can take and the flexibility we have. Yesterday Jason had to do a math test. He asked if he could make all the answers out of model magic. Why not. So he got math and fine motor done in one activity. How fun.
Jason doing his work
answer to math problem