High School Musical!!!

As promised, an update from the good twin on our trip to "the burgh". (that's short for Pittsburgh for you slow folks) Oh yes, on June 8th, Jamie and I were off to Pittsburgh for a fun filled weekend with Rachie and Mike and Kemper! It was an adventure from the start. Jaime and i drove straight into the torrential down pour! It was quite scary for a little bit. But by God's grace, we were right near a rest stop and we pulled over and waited it out. It took us over 5 hours to get there...it sucked, but we made the best of it.

This is us driving into the eye of the storm...

When we arrived, the Shipman's were anxiously awaiting our arrival! We stayed up talking FAR to long before we headed to bed.

The next morning we got up and headed to a local park for a fun picnic and games and playing with kemper...or so we thought. we arrived and there we "no pets" signs everywhere. we decided to ignore them at first, but we started feeling guilty so we left and had a nice cookout at the house. Later on we headed out to the city to get a good parking spot! Rach was quite nervous as we so left two hours early! we had PLENTY of time to park and eat at Max and erma's! (well rach and i knew that we had plenty of time, but jaime was quite nervous that we would be late!)

Us at Max and Erma's...boy i love that soup...

Well as you guessed, we arrived right on time! Didn't have to wait at all. We got our seats and moments later the show began. It was a bit cheesy, but i wan't really expecting it not to be. We sang and laughed (alot) and had a great time! Thanks for the tickets Rachie! You are the bestest.

The weekend went by far to quickly for my liking. We went to church the next morning, had ANOTHER cookout, just as good as the first i might add. Then we were back in the car heading home. No rain this time! :)

New Furniture!

Just got back from a wonderful trip to Pittsburg (which you will be hearing about shortly, i promise!) and we had new furniture! I am so excited that we were finally able to get it. Thanks to Larry and Nathan for all your assistance. I owe you both! Here are a few pictures of the room. They are comfortable too! check um out FOLKS! (that was just for you john)

The new look

John showed me today how to give my blog a bit of a face lift. So i experimented and here ya go. Hope you enjoy the new "me"

Memorial Day weekend

Sorry my second update has taken so long to post. Life got away from me once again! I hope you all enjoyed the lovely picture of Rachel from my first update, i think it is one of the funniest pictures ever, sorry rach. :)

Anywho, we had a great weekend! Sunday was incredible because we had the whole gang there. I couldn't beleive it when i found out that josh was home! i have missed that kid. I didn't get to see him a whole lot, but i will take what i can get these days. Sunday was a lazy day, we ate, got icecream, layed around (rach layed on the floor, as you've seen...) and then Rachel left for home. So i didn't get to see her much either. BUT i am spending this weekend with her in Pittsburg. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL HERE WE COME! I am totally stoked to visit.

Kemper at our picnic...grampa taught kemper to beg...way to go gramps.

me and rach...just layin around...being goofy

me and kemper kemper

Monday i spent the morning with my momma shopping and working in the garden. We also washed the car's and relaxed a bit more. My daddy took me out driving! Driving standard that is. It was not as easy as i thought it would be, that's for sure. My dad was very patient with me as my mom stood by and watched. Apparently she thought it would be great entertainment to watch me learn. :) Thanks for your support mother!

this truck was NOT easy to learn on..i am pretty sure it took me like 5 tries to get it onto the pavement here...plent of time for momma to snap a picture!

That evening, allison left and it was just me and the rents. My mom and I watched CSI and got into this lifetime movie. We stayed up far too late, but it was totally worth it.

The next morning i was on my way home. It was a quick trip but a great one! I will be home again soon for a wedding. Can't wait mom! I miss you already!

Weekend update #1

I will post a longer overview of my memorial day soon, but until then, i wanted to give you a little taste of what it was like being home and seeing the mother of my future neice or nephew...yes i am coming to terms with the fact that this baby MIGHT be a boy...even though i am still rooting for a girl. so here is a nice pic Rachel enjoying some down time from our busy weekend...

The poor dear was so tired that she crashed right on our living room floor. She was KNOCKED OUT (and knocked up...um...sorry...bad joke...) She then woke up and drove home. Yes folks, she did make it home safe and sound. More about my weekend to come.

Everything I need to know I learned TEACHING pre-k

You may have read the popular poem titled "All I really need to know I learned in Kindergarten." And how true that is. Things such as: play fair, share, flush, wash your hands, say you're sorry, clean up your own mess, take a nap every afternoon (i learned that one REAL well), and when you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick togther. How true all of these are. Yet, how often do we forget these basic rules. More often that we should maybe. But after a year of teaching this particular Pre-K class, there are many MORE things i have learned that I will take with me on this journey called "Life." And here are just a few of those things:

1) A simple smile goes a long way

2) My definition of emergency is much different than a 5 year old

3) Saying Sorry isn't as hard as we make it out to be, and what a differnce a simple word can make.

4) Admitting a 5 year old is right and you are wrong...also not easy

5) Patience is TRULY a virtue

6) Laughing when a child does something naughy makes it IMPOSSIBLE to then punish them

7) Hearing a child laugh can at times be such a beautiful sound, and othertimes it resembles crashing gong.

8) Teaching is the best form of birth control EVER

9) According to my students, i am the most beautiful woman alive

10) When you have a square rug, yet you call it "Circle Time"...kids don't fall for it...

Last night we had our Graduation Ceremony here at Pearce 4 Kids. It was a crazy day getting all the last minute details in order, but it was well worth the ciaos. Here are a few pictures from our ceremony and a few of my favorites from the year.

Here are the Graduates! (the front row are my students)

Here is a picture I took when we were practicing wearing our hats AND singing, (notice my little model in the front row...she is a mini Punky Brewster!)

ok, i know that the first rule of teaching is to NOT have favorties, but really secretly everyone does have a favorite, well here is mine. He is the sweetest child and he is so cute and i melt when he says my name. I teared up last night when he said to me in his little voice "Miss Becca, I love you and I am really going to miss you..." I melted. I will miss him so very much.

We went on a field trip to a local gymnastics class, and this was a foam put they had. You couldn't get in it if you were over 100 pounds or you can't get out easily...i didn't get it....

cutie....

this says it all about him... it says it ALL :)

And to conclude this post, I will share with you a few of my favorite quotes from the year.

"Miss Becca, are you having a bad hair day?"

(This next quote is from a former student who was at graduation):

Former student: "Miss Becca, are you getting bigger?"

Me: "Oh! Do I look taller?!?!"

Former Student: "oh...well that too..."

Me: uh...maybe (uncomfortable laugh)

" MISS BECCA! I have to go to the bathroom now, my pee pee can't take it anymore!"

let me preface this next one with a few details: This child was wearing my patience thin and i had had about enough, so i called him over, and this is what he said:

(child slowly approaches, when he reaches where i am standing, he puts his little hands on his little hips) and said: "This had better be good"

"Um, miss becca, i have a question... um....uh....uh (seriously, like a minute of this goes on, while i just wait patiently for his question) well...i can't remember what the question is, but the answer is George W. Bush!"

On one of the last days of school, a mother in the class made T-Shirts for each of us to wear on the last day of school. So the day before, I held up MY shirt before handing out each of theirs, and this is the conversation we had:

Me: look boys and girls! Here is the shirt that was made for us! I want each of you to wear it on our last day of school!

Child: Um...that shirt looks like it will way to big on us. It looks like it could fit a man.

Me: This is my shirt

Child: Oh, it will fit you too i guess. but mine needs to be MUCH smaller.

Last night at graduation, we sang a beautiful song about how Jesus died for us, and we also did the sign language to it. We sang through the song twice, but at the end of our first time, one of my students yelled out "don't clap yet, that's not all folks!" I died laughing. oh kids are so unpredictable...

my favorite quote of the year is: "Just so you know miss. becca, I am a way better singer that you. You may sing on stage at church, but i will be the next americal idol."

I am really going to miss these kids!

"Rochester...." "RHINO'S"

I am really going to try and get better at this blogging thing....so here we go, two post's in one month! Eat that for breakfast JOHN!

Last Friday Heather and Tony took us out for a night on the town...well....really just to a Rochester Rhino's game...but it WAS in town! :) Anyway, for those who don't know who the Rhino's are, they are our local soccer team.
Our evening began with dinner at Tony's...two LARGE pizza's for FOUR people!...The sad thing folks, we ate most of it... but boy was it good. Then we were off to our game!

Denis accused me of not paying attention to the game...don't i look like i am paying very close attention!....

It was a tad bit cold at the game, so we came prepared. Denis snuggled up nicely (he offered me the CORNER of the blanket) with heather's nice dolphin blanket.

The Rhino's ended up in a Tie (1-1).

This is me and heather eating COTTON CANDY!...i really go to sporting events for the snacks...we had fried dough the second half...

This guy looked just like Willie Wonka! Otherwise known as Gene Wilder. It was pretty funny!

again...me and denis!

Me and Heather!

And the couple of the evening, Tony and Heather. Thank you so much Tony for taking us to the game. We had an incredible time!

Also, while we were at the game...we were being stalked by John and Amy. Denis got up to get hot chocolate, and when he came back to the seat, i got a phone call from Amy asking what denis got from the consession stand...freaky huh. They saw when we got our cotton candy too. I think amy secretly wished she was sitting with US instead of you-know-who...

Now here's something to blog about!

I know that i am rusty at this blogging stuff, but as i said, I've got something to blog about! This past weekend, two of my favorite people got hitched. The celebrations began the night before at the rehearsal dinner. Since Amy and I were wives of groomsmen, we were eachother's dates...at least that way we knew we would get some attention. :) So Amy and I went to the resturant to meet up with the boys, and being the punctual ladies that we are, we were the first ones there. Soon the whole gang showed up and then the real party began. Let just say that we were the rowdy, loud, and obnoxious table that EVERYONE wanted to be around! We laughed hard, ate GREAT food and just had a blast.Here are a few pictures from the evening.

The Lovely bride to be and the Handsome Groom to be

Me and the now Mrs. Moore

Amy through the drinking glass.

It was an evening wedding, so fortunatly i was able to sleep in and recover from the crazy night before... as a side note: One of my favorite parts of the weekend was the fact that Rachel was the photographer from the wedding, so she was up from tuesday to sunday. I was spoiled seeing her that long... anyway...back to the wedding... My hot date (Amy again) came over around 3:00. We finished getting ready and off we went. Of course we were able to get great seats cause we were there early. John even met us at the door looking handsome in his tux. Rach was hard at work taking pictures and I was ready for this wedding! The ceremony was simple and traditional, yet touching and beautiful. Of course there were a few personal touches which included a original song, a slide show and a roaring "Waway" (or however you spell it) when Larry and Andrea kissed. Here are a few pictures from the wedding day.

this is just a glimps into how the Moore's behaved during pictures.... Larry and Nathan were acutally behaving themselves in this shot!

I just have to say...this man was MADE for a tuxedo.

Me and my HOT date.

The reception was out in the middle of nowheresville, but the location was so beautiful. We may have gotten a bit lost on the way there, but we eventually found it! One of my favorite parts was how Andrea and Larry Roasted all their wedding party. It was so creative. If i could go back and get married again, i would steal so many of their idea's. It was such a celebration of love and friendships. Congrats to the happy couple. I love you both so very much.

4 years and going strong

This is Denis and I this year at Josh's graduation



This was taken by rachel the christmas after our engagement...wow...look how short his hair is!



This is us last year at Nanette and Gabe's wedding. Denis was MADE for a tuxedo!



This was also taken last year over the summer when our family was getting family pictures taken. What a hottie he is!

It is hard to believe that only 4 years ago I was putting all of the finishing touches on my big day. For anyone who knew me 4 years ago, they would know that i was a tad bit stressed and overwhelmed with wedding plans, but still crazy excited about becoming Mrs. Denis Johnson. These past 4 years have had their ups and downs, there good times and bad, but i can say with all confidence that i am a better person now because Denis is in my life, so this blog is dedicated to my hot husband.

So, i thought i would take this opportunity to share with you a few of the things i have learned each year of my marriage! Here we go!

Year One:
- I learned that Denis will ask me everytime i go to the bathroom if i washed my hands AND check to see if the bar of soap is indeed wet.
- I learned never to put the peanut butter knife into the jelly jar WITHOUT cleaning it off first.
- Denis does indeed know everything there is to know about the cosby show.
- Denis does not like doing dishes, but he sure does know how to cook
- I learned that you have to choose your battles and not make a big deal out of little things.
- Money doesn't grow on trees
- i also learned that moving sucks

Year Two:
- Laughing with my husband is one of my favorite things in the world.
- I came to grips with the fact that i really stink at cooking
- I am extreemly sensitive
- I learned that a quiet night at home can be better than any extravagant night out
- Being in weddings in EXPENSIVE!... very very expensive...
- I now know eveything there is to know about the cosby show
- money still doesn't grow on trees

Year Three:
- Alias is the great show ever made
- I LOVE decorating for Christmas, and denis does not
- Denis looks good even with long flowing dreads, if not better than when we first got married
- Weddings are still expensive
- Having a spouse in college is hard...really hard...but i couldn't have been more proud to see him walk across that stage at graduation
- When driving in the car for significant amount of time, it is better if i sleep! it is the best for all.
-Moving still sucks!
- It is a bad thing when you forget your anniversary...

Year Four:
- I learned that my memory is fading and fast
- Sometimes stepping out in faith is hard, but it is exciting to see the Lord move in our lives
- I learned that my husband has so much wisdom, and that even if some things are hard to hear for the moment, that every word is truth and i needed to hear it.
- I was reminded over and over again what a silly man i married. we laughed ALOT.
- I learned that communication will never stop being important.
- The Philidelphia Eagles are the greatest football team ever!
- Our dream of working side by side in ministry finally became a reality
- Money may not grow on trees still, and it may make the world go round, but we have learned to make every dollar count.
- I have learned that Denis is the greatest man i have ever known and i am truly the luckiest woman alive.

I am more in love today that i was 4 years ago but not as much as I will be tomorrow or the day after that. Everyday i learn something new about life, marriage and my husband. I don't know what this next year will hold, but i don't need to know all those detials to know that my life is complete just being with Denis. The Lord has blessed us abundantly in life and for that we are truly thankful.

I love you denis. Even if i could, i wouldn't change a thing about these last 4 years. you have taught me so much about myself and what is truly important in life. You have taught me live for the moment but to dream big. You give me confidence, you give unselfishly, and you love me with all that you are. You are the love of my life and i will love you forever. Happy Anniversary baby. ( i remembered this year! YEAH)

How much have i changed in 10 years....

10 years ago.....

How old were you?: 15 1/2

Where did you go to school?: Allegany-Limestone Central School (GO GATORS)

Where did you work? In the winter i worked at O'Dea's Snow Tubing Hill... i hate the cold to... Lets just say I wasn't the BEST worker they ever had... But boy was I entertaining! :)

Where did you live?: At home with my parents. I beleive around then we had just gotten our new house! YEAH!

Where did you hang out?: At home or at Perkins...mostly home though.

How was your hair style: um...i believe it was shoulder length and blond because i used "sun in"....man...anyone remember Sun-In?!?!?! crazy....

Did you wear glasses?: I HAD glasses, but NEVER wore them....

Who was your regular-person crush? I was in love with Mike Bartz from 7th to 11th grade. But i believe i was dating Jason Hoffmire at this point in my life.

How many tattoos did you have?: NONE!

How many piercings did you have?: just my ears

What car did you drive? um.... I was only 15. i couldn't drive yet DUH!

What was your worst fear?: Not being liked

Had you smoked a cigarette?: nope

You been arrested?: Gosh no

Had your heart broken?: unfortunatly

Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter?: Taken...kind of...he had left for the navy... we never did really break-up....just kinda stopped talking...hope he doesn't still think we are dating...that might be a little wierd....

**HA HA HA!!! LETS SEE WHAT YOU ARE NOW !!!!!**

How old are you?: 25 1/2

Where do you work?: Pearce 4 Kids

Where do you go to school?: NO WHERE! I actually teach school now....look how the tables have turned!

Where do you live?: North Chili NY

Where do you hang out?: church mostly. and applebees! :) and at home with my hubby

Do you wear glasses? still don't wear them...don't even have a clue where they would be....

What is your hairstyle?: semi-long, and brown....not by my choice though...just the way it turned out when i colored it myself.

Still talk to any of your old friends?: Just a few of them. I guess only a few decided to stick around! :)

How many piercings?: just my ears still....but if you ask John, my voice is piercing as well...whatever!

How many tattoos: none!

What is your biggest fear?: Losing someone I love

Has your heart been broken?: Yes

Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: MARRIED!!!!!!!!! to the most wonderful man alive. we are coming up on our 4 year anniversary!!!! I am so lucky....

How sweet it is....

I know i haven't written a blog in sometime now...june to be exact...but i promised some very special friends of mine that they would have an appearance on my blog in honor of their wedding. Here are a few pictures that really help capture the day, if you want to see more, check out rachel's blog at www.fotogirl14.blogspot.com.

Enjoy!




Here is the whole crew in all it's glory. We are one good looking bunch if i may say so myself!!!! It was perfect weather for a perfect day! :)



Awwwww.....so cute! John complained that you can't see anyones face but i just love this picture! Great pic rach. You're a good kid, i don't care what they say about ya!



This is amy walking down the path to meet her handsome groom. I was told not to watch...but i did...sorry john. It was a special moment i am sure. Amy was such a beautiful bride....one of the prettiest i have seen...and i have seen alot of them! :)

Just the 4 of us at the end of the evening... when john saw this he said "look, each twin went to the side of the person that likes them the most..." you know what i have to say to that... THATS FINE WITH ME SUCKER! :)



I took this picture during Amy's brother dance. Ben is offically one of the funniest people i know. He really is. Of course, he smiled for the camera! CHEESE! Oh and ben, if you are reading this, my husband is not related to Bob Marley!



Oh... I know this look all to well. And for anyone who wasn't there, this look is once again directed at me. i have no idea what i did, but it was obviously something that John felt the need glare at me for...HAPPY WEDDING DAY GRUMPY PANTS!



When rachel emailed me this picture, her caption was "this is the picture where fervent prayer was happening" I think he was extreemly concerned for his cousins well being...amen brother...amen.



This picture has a funny story. When i first asked for picture from rachel, i specifically asked for a picture from the canal. When i told rachel this, she said "I think I only have one, but Johns Fat arm is in the way of Amy's face" exact words folks. Well i just laughed at that. So then rachel felt bad for what she said, but soon decided that she didnt feel AS bad cause she felt like she was getting back at john for calling amy's face big....that is another story for another time... But after she sent it to me she realized that his "fat" arm wasnt really covering amy's face. but it is still a funny story!

Congrats to the mr an mrs. I love you both so much. Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day!

Pomp and Circumstance....

"Joshua Stephen Freer"

They called his name and across the stage he went. It didn't even seem real. My little brother, a high school graduate. He looked as handsome as ever in his bright pink tie he wore in honor of his girlfriend who couldn't be there. I could not have been more proud of him at that moment. My brother...all grown up.



It was a family affair. It began with a graduation party on saturday. Denis and I arrived fashionably late due to a tire malfuncion on the way there. The yard was full of friends and family. It was thrilling to see so many family memebers there. Family I hadn't seen in years. We ate, told stories, laughed and played games... mostly bocce ball...thanks to my brother in law!...he is a whole other story. He said he wanted to spend his weekend making sure he had the position of our family clown. Mission accomplished. Don't believe me, come over sometime, i will show you the "graduation video" aka "The Mike Shipman Extravaganza!" Hysterical.



Some might say i am a TAD bit overprotective. I have spend years attempting to chase girls away from josh, hanging up the phone on them. Putting on my tough girl face to scare them away. I must say though, i do LOVE his current companion. She is awesome. I would like to keep her around. BUT, I still enjoy being the over protective big sis. I love him to death. Don't believe me...check my wallet...case in point.



It isn't often that i get to make the trip home with Denis. I am pretty sure this weekend was the first time he was in Allegany on a sunday morning. Of course we put him to work. Rach, mike, denis and I all sang together for the first time, just the 4 of us, at good old Allegany Baptist Church. Practice was no fun, but the real deal came out just fine....but according to rach i was a microphone hog. Sorry rach...



Here is one final picture of the Handsome Graduate. So long allegany-limestone. The freers have left the building. Try not to miss us too much! :)



Josh, if you are reading this. I am so proud of you. I love you so much and that will never change.