"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
My life has always been surrounded by music. When I was young I started playing the guitar and singing. I remember my first "performance" was at an assembly at Victor Elementary School in the 3rd grade. I played the guitar and sang...probably something like Home on the Range. The guitar was bigger than I was. But from then on I never missed an opportunity to play my guitar and sing....at reunions, at camp, at assemblies, and anything else anyone would ask me to sing at. My friends and I started singing together. At one time there was Cheri Freeze, JaNae Hill, D'Nell Ripplinger and I singing together. Then it kind of just dwindled down to Cheri and I. Cheri had a beautiful voice and could harmonize with anyone. She made me sound good. We were able to perform for several programs. Those are some of my best memories!!!
One of the first times that Jeff and I first met each other we were both playing our guitars and singing. After we were married we performed together for church programs and even sang at a wedding or two. As the boys came along we tried to pass music on to them. Music has been a huge part of our families' life!
About 10 or so years ago our family started performing as a group doing Cowboy music. Jeff played the guitar and sang vocals, Ryan was our bass player, Tom our fiddle player(he played the spoons too), and Bobby and I sang. I wish we had started a little earlier cuz' we might have been able to get Ben to join in with us. We had so much fun. As the kids got older they just got busier though and it just sort of fizzled out. But a couple of weeks ago Jeff, Tom, and Bobby performed again for the first time in about 5 years for a charity program in town. It was awesome and I wanted to share it with you.
Here are the two numbers that they performed that night:
Ponies
Texas Plains
Never pass up the opportunity to cry when you hear a beautiful song!
Until next time! Becky
About Me
- Becky Muench
- I grew up at the base of the Teton Mountain Range in Idaho, in the most beautiful valley in the world. I started riding a horse as soon as I could walk and spent most of my summers riding horse bareback and singing at the top of my lungs all day long. I helped on the farm/cattle ranch that I grew up on, driving tractor and changing sprinkler pipe. At 14 I got a job cleaning motel rooms, then got the best job in the world, working for the Forest Service, counting people at the trail heads. I would spend the entire day sitting in the forest counting the number of people that went on hikes on certain trails. Sometimes I got to hike up into the back country and spend 10 days at a time and count the number of people that came up there. I did that for 3 summers during my high school years. It was awesome!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Reunions
"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
This past weekend was an enjoyable one for me. For those who "really" know me, I'm usually the type that likes to hide in my house and not get out and "socialize" much. Hmmmm....wonder which side of the family I get that from!!!! Dad? Anyway, my Mom has been planning a reunion all summer for the Burgener's. Her 3 brothers and 1 sister and herself and their families. As many as were able got together on Saturday, August 28th. We had planned to have it at Mom and Dad's, since that is the house that all those "kids" grew up in. But just in case, Mom reserved the church house in town, and it's a good thing. Boy did it rain that day!!!! I'm not quite sure how many were able to be there, but about 50. There was Uncle Bill and his wife Betty, who are living in Rexburg right now. They go to Oregon in the winter time. Uncle Sid and his fiance, Sasha, were there from Tempe, Arizona. Aunt Annette May was there from Clovis, California. Her husband, Ross, was there part of the time. He had a class reunion over in Jackson at the same time. Uncle Dale and his wife Melvina were there from Bremerton, Washington. Then there was Mom and quite a few of our family. Bill's kids, Valyn and Kelly and some of their kids were there. I think that everyone really had a pretty good time! I will post some pictures of the event.
Then on Sunday, my friend/cousin celebrated her 50th birthday and wanted to have a party. So we went up to Teton Valley to her new house and saw tons of old friends there. It was actually really nice visiting and seeing that I'm not the only one that the gray hair is showing through and the wrinkles are getting the best of. Heh!
So, now I can crawl back into my hole in the wall and hibernate.
This past weekend was an enjoyable one for me. For those who "really" know me, I'm usually the type that likes to hide in my house and not get out and "socialize" much. Hmmmm....wonder which side of the family I get that from!!!! Dad? Anyway, my Mom has been planning a reunion all summer for the Burgener's. Her 3 brothers and 1 sister and herself and their families. As many as were able got together on Saturday, August 28th. We had planned to have it at Mom and Dad's, since that is the house that all those "kids" grew up in. But just in case, Mom reserved the church house in town, and it's a good thing. Boy did it rain that day!!!! I'm not quite sure how many were able to be there, but about 50. There was Uncle Bill and his wife Betty, who are living in Rexburg right now. They go to Oregon in the winter time. Uncle Sid and his fiance, Sasha, were there from Tempe, Arizona. Aunt Annette May was there from Clovis, California. Her husband, Ross, was there part of the time. He had a class reunion over in Jackson at the same time. Uncle Dale and his wife Melvina were there from Bremerton, Washington. Then there was Mom and quite a few of our family. Bill's kids, Valyn and Kelly and some of their kids were there. I think that everyone really had a pretty good time! I will post some pictures of the event.
Then on Sunday, my friend/cousin celebrated her 50th birthday and wanted to have a party. So we went up to Teton Valley to her new house and saw tons of old friends there. It was actually really nice visiting and seeing that I'm not the only one that the gray hair is showing through and the wrinkles are getting the best of. Heh!
So, now I can crawl back into my hole in the wall and hibernate.
Front Row: Dorlene Burgener Beard, Annette Burgener May.
Back Row: Sid Burgener, Bill Burgener, Dale Burgener.
Bill and Betty Burgener and Family. Valyn and Kelly and some of their families.
Notice the triplets taking center stage.
Virgil and Dorlene Beard and parts of their family. Kenneth, Becky and Randy and some of their families.
Sid Burgener and fiance, Sasha.
Annette Burgener May
Dale & Melvina Burgener.
Melissa, Ryken, and Robert Rose.
The food line!!!! Valyn Burgener Hill.
Amanda and Wayne Nelson.
Bob and Tom Muench playing a musical number.
Bill and Betty Burgener and great-grandbaby triplets.
Ken and Randy Beard.
Landon and Amanda Nelson.
Dale Burgener---happy to have his food!!!!
Sonia and Justin Beard
Jeff Muench
Jacob Beard
Matt & Jen Beard
Ben Muench checking out the yummy food!!!!
Great minds? Hmmmm....I have to think about this one!
Bobby Muench found the food too!
Kelly Burgener and his family enjoying the food!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Let Adversity Make You A Better Person
Oh My Gosh! Today marks a huge milestone in my life, I joined Facebook. I hope that I'm not embracing too much of this technology stuff too quickly. I might have an overload. But then again, it might help me to catch up with the rest of the world and keep in touch with those of you who are out there zooming along with all of this stuff. It's actually a way for me to stick with my "hermit" lifestyle, and yet still connect with others. Hmm...I kind of like it! Becky's Facebook
Until next time! Becky
Oh My Gosh! Today marks a huge milestone in my life, I joined Facebook. I hope that I'm not embracing too much of this technology stuff too quickly. I might have an overload. But then again, it might help me to catch up with the rest of the world and keep in touch with those of you who are out there zooming along with all of this stuff. It's actually a way for me to stick with my "hermit" lifestyle, and yet still connect with others. Hmm...I kind of like it! Becky's Facebook
Until next time! Becky
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Changing of the Seasons
"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
Autumn is my most favorite time of the year. It is upon us now and I notice it most here in Idaho. Our seasons are so short it seems, except for maybe winter. (Where did summer go.) We have grain fields on 3 sides of us and one has already been harvested and the others are golden and ready. Any day now.
The nights are getting cooler, altho' the days are still pretty warm. And as with every year, I wonder where the summer went and why I didn't get more done. All the things that I wanted to do. I look at my list and see that not much got marked off. Oh well, I actually feel better than I did 3 months ago, which is a plus. I still have my family. I can look forward to the next few months of cooler weather and not having to worry about watering the lawn so much. Heh!
We did get to do some fun things this summer. A couple of fishing trips, went to Oregon to visit Ryan, Jenni, and Nicole. Thought I'd add a couple of pictures of some of the fun things.
This is a picture of Ben and Kaybrie fishing on Warm River. We had a lot of fun that day!
This is a picture of when Bobby and I went to Oregon. Jenni, Nicole, Ryan, Bobby and I went bowling. Of course, I just took the pictures. They did all the bowling.
Tom and Kaybrie playing on the toy car in our back yard.
This is Jeff "working" this summer. He drove bus for the BYU-Idaho dance group and they went for about 2-1/2 weeks through Idaho, Oregon, and California. It was pretty "tough". Heh! He loves that part of his job!
While Bobby and I were visiting Ryan, Jenni and Nicole in Oregon, Jeff's group was performing about an hour away. We went to see the show and the dancers let Nicole warm up with them. It was awesome!
When everyone was together in early June we all went to the Riot Zone and had a great time. I took this picture of my two little grand babies. I love this picture because it shows each of their personalities if you look really closely at it.
So, now that I have added some pictures and reminisced a little, I realize that we have had a pretty good summer and have done quite a bit. Autumn will be full of other activities and then on to winter, and so goes the cycle.
Until next time. Becky
Autumn is my most favorite time of the year. It is upon us now and I notice it most here in Idaho. Our seasons are so short it seems, except for maybe winter. (Where did summer go.) We have grain fields on 3 sides of us and one has already been harvested and the others are golden and ready. Any day now.
I actually added this picture later....it was taken on September 8, 2010 when they were cutting the grain in the field on the east side of our home.
The nights are getting cooler, altho' the days are still pretty warm. And as with every year, I wonder where the summer went and why I didn't get more done. All the things that I wanted to do. I look at my list and see that not much got marked off. Oh well, I actually feel better than I did 3 months ago, which is a plus. I still have my family. I can look forward to the next few months of cooler weather and not having to worry about watering the lawn so much. Heh!
We did get to do some fun things this summer. A couple of fishing trips, went to Oregon to visit Ryan, Jenni, and Nicole. Thought I'd add a couple of pictures of some of the fun things.
This is a picture of Ben and Kaybrie fishing on Warm River. We had a lot of fun that day!
This is a picture of when Bobby and I went to Oregon. Jenni, Nicole, Ryan, Bobby and I went bowling. Of course, I just took the pictures. They did all the bowling.
Tom and Kaybrie playing on the toy car in our back yard.
This is Jeff "working" this summer. He drove bus for the BYU-Idaho dance group and they went for about 2-1/2 weeks through Idaho, Oregon, and California. It was pretty "tough". Heh! He loves that part of his job!
While Bobby and I were visiting Ryan, Jenni and Nicole in Oregon, Jeff's group was performing about an hour away. We went to see the show and the dancers let Nicole warm up with them. It was awesome!
When everyone was together in early June we all went to the Riot Zone and had a great time. I took this picture of my two little grand babies. I love this picture because it shows each of their personalities if you look really closely at it.
So, now that I have added some pictures and reminisced a little, I realize that we have had a pretty good summer and have done quite a bit. Autumn will be full of other activities and then on to winter, and so goes the cycle.
Until next time. Becky
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
My Family
"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
My kids told me that I needed to put a picture of them in here so that people knew what they really looked like, instead of just their chins. I thought that was really funny! I didn't know if they would want me putting pictures in here, but I would love to show off my family. They are the most important part of my life. Every day I thank Heavenly Father for sending me such a great network of angels to help me through this life.
My husband, Jeff, has given me unending support and is always there when I need him. It would be most difficult to make it through this life without his friendship and love for me.
I have 4 sons, Ben, Ryan, Tom, and Bob. I am so proud of each one of them. They are so different and yet so much alike. I think of each one of them every single day and how much they mean to me. Ben and Ryan are married now and each of them has a sweet wife and a beautiful little daughter. The little girls were born just 6 days apart. Ben works as a Draftsman at an Engineering Company and is doing very well there. Ryan is going to school at OIT and just got accepted into the Radiology Program and will be working on becoming a Radiologist this next few years. Although they live too far from home, I know he is doing the right thing. Tom served an LDS mission to South Africa and returned 2 years ago and is attending BYU-Idaho, going into Health Science and planning on becoming a doctor. Bobby served a mission in Tempe, Arizona and returned in January 2010 and is attending BYU-Idaho, going into Health Science and planning on becoming a Physical Therapist.
We aren't able to get together as often as we use to, but when we do, we have a blast. My kids have taught me more than I ever could have taught them and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for the part they have played in my life. They continue to bless my life with happiness and joy every day. I couldn't "do" this life without them! Bless you! Mom
My kids told me that I needed to put a picture of them in here so that people knew what they really looked like, instead of just their chins. I thought that was really funny! I didn't know if they would want me putting pictures in here, but I would love to show off my family. They are the most important part of my life. Every day I thank Heavenly Father for sending me such a great network of angels to help me through this life.
My husband, Jeff, has given me unending support and is always there when I need him. It would be most difficult to make it through this life without his friendship and love for me.
I have 4 sons, Ben, Ryan, Tom, and Bob. I am so proud of each one of them. They are so different and yet so much alike. I think of each one of them every single day and how much they mean to me. Ben and Ryan are married now and each of them has a sweet wife and a beautiful little daughter. The little girls were born just 6 days apart. Ben works as a Draftsman at an Engineering Company and is doing very well there. Ryan is going to school at OIT and just got accepted into the Radiology Program and will be working on becoming a Radiologist this next few years. Although they live too far from home, I know he is doing the right thing. Tom served an LDS mission to South Africa and returned 2 years ago and is attending BYU-Idaho, going into Health Science and planning on becoming a doctor. Bobby served a mission in Tempe, Arizona and returned in January 2010 and is attending BYU-Idaho, going into Health Science and planning on becoming a Physical Therapist.
We aren't able to get together as often as we use to, but when we do, we have a blast. My kids have taught me more than I ever could have taught them and I want to take this opportunity to thank them for the part they have played in my life. They continue to bless my life with happiness and joy every day. I couldn't "do" this life without them! Bless you! Mom
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Muenchins
"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
So, I have a couple of sons who are in between semesters at college. They are in the middle of a 5 or 6 week break. They both have part time jobs, but they have been so use to working their tails off with school work and such, that they actually have quite a bit of time on their hands right now.
Also, you just have to try and understand these two. They were born 18 months apart, but I truly think they were suppose to be twins. I think Heavenly Father actually sent them to me separately for "my" benefit, because he figured I couldn't handle twins. But they are so much alike. They have always been the best of friends and they will finish each others sentences. When one is gone, the other is totally lost and forlorn.
They both make me laugh uncontrollably at times and they bring tears to my eyes with their awesome gentle spirit and kindness.
Anyway, about a month ago, Bobby and I took a trip to Oregon to visit Ryan and his little family and we had a "bored" moment and recorded chin singing. So when we got back, we watched those movies. Then the other night Ben and his family were over to our house and we recorded more chin singing. Well, after everyone left, Tom and Bob did this one. I wanted to share it with all of you so that you can see what it's like to live with some pretty "special" boys....in more ways than one. Hah! The Muenchins
Till next time! Becky
So, I have a couple of sons who are in between semesters at college. They are in the middle of a 5 or 6 week break. They both have part time jobs, but they have been so use to working their tails off with school work and such, that they actually have quite a bit of time on their hands right now.
Also, you just have to try and understand these two. They were born 18 months apart, but I truly think they were suppose to be twins. I think Heavenly Father actually sent them to me separately for "my" benefit, because he figured I couldn't handle twins. But they are so much alike. They have always been the best of friends and they will finish each others sentences. When one is gone, the other is totally lost and forlorn.
They both make me laugh uncontrollably at times and they bring tears to my eyes with their awesome gentle spirit and kindness.
Anyway, about a month ago, Bobby and I took a trip to Oregon to visit Ryan and his little family and we had a "bored" moment and recorded chin singing. So when we got back, we watched those movies. Then the other night Ben and his family were over to our house and we recorded more chin singing. Well, after everyone left, Tom and Bob did this one. I wanted to share it with all of you so that you can see what it's like to live with some pretty "special" boys....in more ways than one. Hah! The Muenchins
Till next time! Becky
Bobby's Ultimate Idol Performance
"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
I've had a few people want me to put a link here for Bobby's youtube performance. He was one of 8 finalists at the Ultimate Idol contest that they had on campus at BYU-Idaho. This is a video that his Dad took of his performance one of the nights. It's not a great video, but Bobby had a great time singing and performing. Bobby Singing "When You Say You Love Me"
I've had a few people want me to put a link here for Bobby's youtube performance. He was one of 8 finalists at the Ultimate Idol contest that they had on campus at BYU-Idaho. This is a video that his Dad took of his performance one of the nights. It's not a great video, but Bobby had a great time singing and performing. Bobby Singing "When You Say You Love Me"
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A Big Step For Me
"Let Adversity Make You A Better Person"
Well, I have been "fighting" the new technology and not wanting to get "too" involved by getting on Face-book, and by all means having my own Blog....but well, here goes...I've made the big step. Sometimes you just have to try to catch up with the rest of the world.
I decided that by having my own Blog, I could share some of the things that I enjoy the most with those people that I enjoy the most, sharing my family and friends with my family and friends. So, with this being the first of what I hope is many "posts" (ooo, that's a new word for me), and I'm just learning how to use this whole thing, it won't be a long one, but thought I'd get it out there and begin the process.
At the beginning of each "post" I have chosen a saying: "Let Adversity Make You A Better Person". I have this taped to my desk right by my computer. It was the title of a story I found in a church magazine that I subscribe to and that I'd like to share with you:
"A woman in my church fought a battle with cancer. Although she endured pains and heartache that few people understood, she remained cheerful and optimistic. She wrote her own obituary, which, in part, reads:
'Today at the young age of 33 I left this mortal existence to a holier sphere. I was born ...to wonderful parents...who taught me to live life well...We have three sweet children who I will miss greatly. At the young age of 29, I was introduced to something called cancer. Cancer was my great adversary, but I have learned that in this life enemies can become our choicest friends; the secret is learning what to do with the conflict.'
We are not always healed from pain and sickness. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve has said, 'Sometimes we are 'healed' by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.'"
So, maybe over the next several months or years I will write more about what this story means to me, which is huge.....but for now I hope that each of you will be able to think about what it might mean for you!
Until next time! Becky
Well, I have been "fighting" the new technology and not wanting to get "too" involved by getting on Face-book, and by all means having my own Blog....but well, here goes...I've made the big step. Sometimes you just have to try to catch up with the rest of the world.
I decided that by having my own Blog, I could share some of the things that I enjoy the most with those people that I enjoy the most, sharing my family and friends with my family and friends. So, with this being the first of what I hope is many "posts" (ooo, that's a new word for me), and I'm just learning how to use this whole thing, it won't be a long one, but thought I'd get it out there and begin the process.
At the beginning of each "post" I have chosen a saying: "Let Adversity Make You A Better Person". I have this taped to my desk right by my computer. It was the title of a story I found in a church magazine that I subscribe to and that I'd like to share with you:
"A woman in my church fought a battle with cancer. Although she endured pains and heartache that few people understood, she remained cheerful and optimistic. She wrote her own obituary, which, in part, reads:
'Today at the young age of 33 I left this mortal existence to a holier sphere. I was born ...to wonderful parents...who taught me to live life well...We have three sweet children who I will miss greatly. At the young age of 29, I was introduced to something called cancer. Cancer was my great adversary, but I have learned that in this life enemies can become our choicest friends; the secret is learning what to do with the conflict.'
We are not always healed from pain and sickness. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve has said, 'Sometimes we are 'healed' by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.'"
So, maybe over the next several months or years I will write more about what this story means to me, which is huge.....but for now I hope that each of you will be able to think about what it might mean for you!
Until next time! Becky
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