Bob and Joan Becker

How Time Flies

2011-02-13T08:02:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe we have been here some seven months already - time truely does fly when you are having fun. I am enjoying my job here in Pulaski County Public Schools, I am fortunate to work with wonderful school board members, great educational leaders, principals, teachers, and staff - it is a community of caring. Joan, likewise has settled in and had fun getting the house set the way she likes it, being able to help Brittan with her new daughter, Brooklynn, and just being able to relax a little.

We have enjoyed visits from family and Christmas in Naples with the entire Becker clan. Here are some recent pictures:

My New Office

2010-06-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

First Week in Pulaski

2010-06-18T16:32:00.001-07:00

Well I have completed my first week in Pulaski County Public Schools and LOVED IT. I am very lucky to be working with some very fine people. It was a busy week, I began my meetings with School Board Members, my Administrative Cabinet, School Principals, Education Foundation Members, Community Leaders, etc. all in all I will be meeting with over 50 people as I work to understand the many perceptions of Pulaski County Public Schools.

I have included some pictures of my new office - the only thing you cannot see is the incredible view out the window behind my desk - it looks right up into the wooded hills, it is beautiful and really helps keep things in prespective.

We are looking very forward to everyone coming in July!

2010-05-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

We have just returned from Pulaski County where we now have a home, we were able to settle on an old Victorian home that is about 5 blocks from where my office will be. We are excited about getting moved in and that it will have many things for family to do when visiting. Across the street is a tennis court and a half court basketball set up, and there is a playground down about a block or two. Now we just need to get final word on when I will be starting, that should come on Wednesday night or Thursday morning as it is a board agenda item for this weeks meeting.

This has been an interesting process and to say it has been faith promoting would not be doing it justice, we have been greatly blessed.

While in Pulaski this weekend we were able to watch one of the presentations of the High School Musical and it was fun, the did Thoroughly Modern Millie - they were well mic'd so it made it easy to hear and did a great job, we were glad we went and look forward to many more!

We are Pulaski bound!

2010-03-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting to update the blog until I had some news to share - I can do that now, Joan and I will be relocating to Pulaski County in southwest Virginia where I will be the new superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools. We are very excited about this new opportunity. Interstingly the posting for this position and another that I had applied for closed the same day, yet I was not contacted about an interview until I had heard that I was not going back for a second interview with the other school district.

I had my first interview in Pulaski (pronounced Pewlasksi) on Saturday, January 9th, three days following my brothers memorial service - I figure Jeff was already busy pulling strings for me! Joan and I had gone up the night before to look over the area and really fell in love with the town, the people we interacted with were all very nice. The interview went well and we prayed we would hear back.

We went back Wednesday the 20th and the interview seemed to turn into a conversation, I felt very good about how it went and then on Thursday received a call from the school board chairman that I was their top candidate. Many things have transpired between then and now, but on Monday, March 15th I was introduced as their new school superintendent and will begin on July 1st.

I (we) appreciate all your thoughts and prayers - we have felt the hand of the Lord throughout this process and do feel we will be where he wants us. Now you all have a new place to come visit us in as we continue on our journey through life!

Is It Virginia or Michigan?

2010-01-31T07:09:00.000-08:00

Well we certainly learned that it can snow in Virginia! We received some 10" of snow on Saturday. It was forcast to begin sometime after midnight and when I got up at about 3:30 am on Saturday morning there was no snow, so I returned to bed convinced it had missed us - WRONG! It snowed all day and finally about 8:00pm it quit. Of course to make matters worse after 3 years of no snow I had gotten rid of any snow shovel, so there I was shoveling with a 6" wide flat nosed spade, it took me forever to get any shoveling done - yes my next purcase is going to be a snow shovel if I can find one. Joan and I will be house buddies again today (Sunday), I hope she survives bein in the house with me for two days. We ventured out on Saturday in the morning and got around ok, but there were no stores open.

There is bright sun shine today, so while it may not melt, it will be beautiful!

2010-01-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Well this new decade of the 21st Century really started off hard. Following what was a wonderful Christmas and New Year things got interesting as we learned my younger brother Jeff had passed away on January 7th. It was a great blessing for me that I was in Michigan with Bob, Emily, & girls when I got the news. Interestingly I was in Michigan to speak at the funeral of a long time family friend and my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Ekelof. It was a beautiful service and good to see many long time friends.

I had a wonderful time with Bob, Emily, & Girls - we even went to Bronners (the only true Christmas store in the World) and Tony's. Bob got a BLT that had ONE POUND OF BACON! It was huge and he ate the WHOLE THING. I got to help Bob build some shelves in the basement - it was a blast, just being able to do things with him was fun.

My brother John met me at our home on Sunday and we drove to Alexandria on Monday, as you can imagine it was a tender time. Jeff left his wife, Brenda, and two high school age children, Megan (17) & Max (15). The viewing and service were touching with the number of folks who came and paid tribute to Jeff - the Budweiser folks flew in a clydesdale in full parade dress for Jeff. His loss will be deeply felt, as will his contribution, whenever I think of Jeff there will always be a smile, he brought so much to our lives. It was pretty cool that after the open house they had a 21 golfer salute to Jeff - 21 friends and family drove golf balls down the fairway - he would have loved that.

Following his services Mom and I were off to Pulaski County Public Schools on Friday afternoon for a Saturday interview to become their next school superintendent - we had a great time and the interview went well - in fact we are headed back this coming Wednesday (1-27) for a second interview. It is a nice community nestled between the Blue Ridge and Shennendoah Mountain ranges.

We are both working on getting in better shape this coming year and in that end we have gotten a treadmill - after many delays in getting it here it finally arrived a couple of days ago - I am looking forward to some early morning time walking before work. I must admit however it takes up a pretty good area.

2009-12-19T13:31:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas! We have had lots of fun since our last post - we spent Thanksgiving with Dan, Brittany, Savannah, Jack, Blake, & Stacia in Florida. The weather was warm to us but not up to Florida, there was some talk of us "Northerners" bringing cold weather with us. We had a blast and a new generation of Beatles fans was started as some friends gave them a Rock Band game and we rented teh Beatles Rock Band game, it was a lot of fun. Savannah was definately the star as she could sing, play the guitar, and do the drums with great gusto! It was interesting that it was Dan and Dad who did the modified "Black Friday" shopping and managed to come away with some real treasures and amidst all the activity there was even a little time for golf.

Dad was able to sneak up to Michigan to spend a little time with Bob, Emily, Ellie, & Kate. There was much fun to be had as they went to Impressions 5 and spent lots of time playing, everyone loved the shadow screen where you could pose and a light flash would leave your shadow impression on a screen - such nimble shadows! Emily and Ellie made a beautiful gingerbread house, Ellie really demonstrated her art talent - and her talent at selecting just the right delictable delight to taste test!

We had a real treat this weekend as it snowed - yup we got upwars of 3" of snow overnight. It has mostly melted, but it was here! We are going to head up to be with Jeff, Brenda & Family on Christmas day - they look to have gotten some 10" - 15" of snow out of the same system.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas & Blessed New Year!

2009-11-12T13:14:00.000-08:00

CONGRATULATIONS BLAKE & STACIA!!

What a special time we have had this past week as we headed out to Rexburg, Idaho for Blake and Stacia's wedding. We had a wonderful time visiting with Joan's Mom and catching up with family prior to heading to Rexburg. The weather was beautiful (not as beautiful and the bride & groom) and I even had a chance to play golf with Stacia's Dad and Blake -

It was special time as all the kids made the trip to be with Blake & Stacia on their special day, for Joan and I it was pretty special. The two families got together on Friday night and enjoyed time to get to know each other, Stacia has a special family and what a great blessing that is, that they love Blake so much.

Friday we all went swimming in the hotel pool and were having so much fun we were almost late for dinner.

Saturday was a great day, there were a few nerves, but a new family was started, everyone seemed to notice how "CUTE" they looked together!

We had a great time filled with family & friends as we celebrated a special moment in the lives of Blake and Stacia. It was also a great blessing that with all the travel involved, everyone returned home safely.

Last but not lease, I was able to spend a whole week with the prettiest babe (no offense to the bride).

2009-09-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

Wow 8 months of the year gone already and it is back to school time - Kelly has literally moved upstairs this year as a 4th grader and Savannah has started pre-school - don't blink twice as soon Kelly will be graduating! Brigette and her 2nd graders are off to a good start as well. Our first day was marred by a few late buses - UG - the bane of my existance sometimes, but this too shall pass.

We went to Maryland on Labor Day to help move Blake into his (& Stacia's) new apartment - it is located just off the campus of the University of Maryland. There is some nice shopping and the metro station within a 15 minute walk and a Ward building right there too. It has all Blake will need until Stacia arrives (XBOX, Cable TV, & Internet). He started his internship with Boston Scientific today and seemed very excited - I am sure he was nervous, but worked hard not to show it.

We planted some herbs, flowers, and a tomato

plant around the 4th of July and I am pleased to announce that we have ripe tomato's! Mom is really happy - she even gave the first ripe one (awe)

We are excited to see every one in about 60 days at the wedding!!

2009-08-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

I believe it was Shakespeare who said in his play A Midsummer Night's Dream "the course of true love never did run smooth." After much effort it was found that October 23rd was not going to allow everyone Blake and Stacia really wanted at their wedding, so they have set November 7, 2009 as the date for their wedding. Our hearts go out to them, you want this time to be one of special memories, it is just hard sometimes, it speaks highly of Blake & Stacia that they care so much for each of their families that they would postpone their wedding so everyone could celebrate with them - Great things are in store for them! We look forward to seeing everyone in November in Rexburg - doesn't the Temple look beautiful!

The oppressive heat wave has given us a little reprieve - Blake & I took advantage and went out to play golf last Friday at a course not far from the house named Kiskiac - it is a nice course, both fair and challenging. Like any good course it gives you just enough of a look to get you to take a chance, then Wham, it gets you! The golf was nothing to write home about, but we had a blast and completed 18 holes in 3 hr 15 minutes, we had the rest of the day to run errands or whatever!

Blake is preparing for his internship with Boston Scientific, he starts on September 8th - we were able to find him some great shirts this weekend - Mom thinks he looks "cute" in them. That made him feel all warm and fuzzy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to Kelly & Steve, their birthdays are coming up very soon (18th & 20th), since Steve is officially "over the hill" we will not disclose his age - for a few years anyway.

I was able to talk to Grandma a couple of times on her birthday, it is always a treat to wish her a happy birthday - there is no way for me to express my appreciation to her for how great a Mom she is - Mother's are truly Heavenly Father's greatest gift to mankind.

I missed not being able to call Dad and wish him a happy birthday this year - but i kept his birthday in my heart all day for him, life sure is fragile - I have come to the realization that we truly have to treat it like playing an athletic contest - live life so you leave it all on the field, that you lived every moment with all your power so that when someone goes on before you never have to question whether or not they knew you loved them - that is about as good as it gets.

Not that anyone is counting - but see you in the Rexburg Temple in 83 days!

2009-08-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful couple of weeks we have had! We had Brittany, Savannah, Jackson, Blake, Stacia, Brigette, Steve, & Kelly visit us - well ok, they all came to meet Stacia, but they at least came here to do it!

CONGRATULATIONS to Blake & Stacia, looks like an October 23, 2009 wedding in the Rexburg Temple. Don't know that they realized what a special day that was when they picked it - it was on October 23rd that Joan and I went out for the first time on our blind date, it was also the day Brigette & Steve became engaged - should be no problem remembering their anniversary date. Blake & Stacia stopped and spent time with Bob, Emily, & family as they made their way to Williamsburg. Grandma B came down to Bob's so she could meet Stacia.

We all appreciated Stacia taking time away from her new job to come out and meet us all, we figure that if she could survive meeting us all at once marrying Blake would be the easy part! She is a wonderful young lady and will bring much love & joy to the family.

We loved having everyone here and got to do many fun things - I personally liked the sprinkler. I do believe that all the energy that the kids had as youngens has been transferred to their children as they are full of energy and even like to climb most everything in sight. It is a great way to feel young again, we are truly blessed in our children and grandchildren.

2009-07-10T03:50:00.000-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Blake and Stacia Skidmore, they became engaged on Wednesday, July 8th!

How cool is that, they met this past winter while attending BYU-Idaho in Rexburg and the rest is their love story. There is no more exciting feeling than finding your eternal companion - you can just feel their smiles as you talk to them.

We are so excited for them, now comes all the fun - picking a date, deciding which Temple, receptions, announcements - yeah, all the fun stuff. Blake and Stacia look to be headed to Williamsburg, vial East Lansing later this month, needless to say we are touched that Stacia would make the trip to come and see us. She has a new job and is sacrificing much to do so, Blake (all of us) are really lucky to have found such a great young lady. It will be a whirlwind few days as she will meet Bob, Emily & family then head to our place where Brigette & Brittany and families will be here too - we will try not to scare her off!

2009-06-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

WOW, we had a wonderful trip to Michigan! We got to see our newest granddaughter, Kate, her big sister Ellie, and Bob & Emily. It was a quick visit with them, but it is sure wonderful to be able to spend time with them just being Grandpa and Grandma.

Joan & I also were able to stop for a short visit with my brother John, Ellen, and Michael on our way to see Bob, Emily, & girls. They live in a great neighborhood very close to where they previously lived in Sylvania.

Bob and I went to Tawas on Monday to spend the week with my Mom. I spent the week doing many projects around the house and tried to help Bob study for this medical board exams - one of the funniest times of the week was trying to help Bob with his terminology flash cards - it was one tongue twister after another - he was a good sport about it.

Mom and I went into Saginaw to visit family and friends, it was truly bittersweet - it was wonderful to see them, yet they are not getting younger and it is hard to contemplate losing them. I was able to walk through South Jr. High - only to find out it is now an elelmentary school - Handley Elementary, where I went to kindergarten and Mom taught & was principal - it felt wierd.

Mom, Bob, & I played golf on Friday during one of his study breaks, and we had a blast. Bob hit the shot of the day when he chipped in from 25 yards for a birdie on the second hole!

2009-05-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

We hope everyone had a great Memorial Day and that your travels (if you traveled) were safe and uneventful. We headed to St. Augustine, Florida to visit with Brittany, Dan, Savannah, & Jack, we had such a wonderful time! Savannah and Jack just seem to grow up so fast, we love spending time with them - we had a great time playing Princesses, it is too bad there are no pictures!

Both Savannah and Jack love the water - it seemed a little cool for the adults. but didn't bother them at all!

Dan and I were able to visit the World Golf Hall of Fame, it was really cool and we could have spent more time there than we did, there is so much to see.

Jack and I got to spend some time together just walking and talking: I'm not sure he understood all our conversation, but then again, I am not sure I understood all his questions, we just had a good time.

Joan and I are off to see Bob, Emily, Ellie, and Kate early in June and are very excited, we are greatly blessed in our family.

2009-05-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

We have a new Granddaughter! Kate Becker was born to Bob & Emily on Friday, May 8th. She weighed 7lbs 3oz and was 20" long. She and Mom are doing well - what a blessing that all is well. I would like to think that she had a chance to talk to her two Great-Grandfathers prior to her birth.

Little Kate will receives lots of love from older sister Ellie!

We are truly blessed in our children and grandchildren.

2009-04-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

After a busy week Joan and I tested our luck with the I-95 North traffic and traveled up to the Washington DC Temple and to visit my brother Jeff and his family. The traffic did not let us down, but we pressed on.

The Temple grounds were alive with beautiful color and this was my attempt at being creative - it was pretty funny as I was laying on the grass trying to get this picture one of the chaperones for a group of youth was rather loudly proclaiming how odd it was that that man was laying on the ground - oh well.

We recenly got Joan a new set of golf clubs and after our first trip to the driving range, I knew I was not the one to help her. That will come as no surprise to many of you - since i subscribe to the hit it as hard as possible philosophy. I knew my brother Jeff was the one - he is and has been the best golfer in the family and is really patient. Within minutes he had her chipping like mad and the only one to chip in on the day was Joan! He had her really hitting a nice little draw and everything - we really appreciate his help.

This is a First

2009-04-10T16:23:00.000-07:00

Joan and I have decided to brave the new world of blogging as a way to keep in touch with family and friends as we venture through life, it is always better as a shared journey.

Joan and I have journeyed to Scotland a
couple of years ago now, and there we are on the shores of Loch Ness - we tried
hard to spot Nessy no luck.

This is our last family picture taken
Thanksgiving 2007 - since then Dan & Brittany have added a son and Bob &
Emily are expecting a daughter in early May.
Once we get the heck of this more will follow!