My Hot College Boyfriend

Ben is back in school.  He is taking classes online to finish up his degree.  He is motivated and excited and I couldn't be prouder. 

I will admit, however, that I do harbor the tiniest feelings of jealousy.  I look forward to the time when I can be taking online classes and finishing up my degree.  I know it's his turn right now but still, in my most immature moments I feel like crossing my arms, stomping a foot and humphing "it's not fair," in a corner.

He is aware of my tantrumy attitude.  I am not sure how.  I am very discreet when it comes to my bad attitudes.  I suppose I may have expressed my feelings verbally a few times, and maybe stuck my tongue out at him while he read his new class syllabus to me...twice.   He just smiles at me and reminds me that now that I am actually married to a college guy I can stop checking them out at the mall.  What? 

Anyway, he has graciously asked me to review and critique his homework assignments.  I see his underhanded tricks, trying to make me feel involved and important.  I know he doesn't really need someone to check his spelling, that is what "spell check" is for, but I begrudgingly, secretly ecstatically, agreed to be his editor!! 

Last week Ben finished his first homework assignment for his American Literature class; a 1000 word personal introduction and his interpretation of two Emily Dickinson poems, two Walt Whitman poems and an essay by Mark Twain.   He wrote, erased, re-wrote and erased...trying to remind his brain how to be a student.  The assignment took him two hours.  Finally, and with a huge sigh of satisfaction and relief he called me in from preparing dinner to edit his paper.  I got comfortable behind the lap top and read his assignment.  I was great.  He didn't need me at all.  I frowned and read it again, searching for a grammatical error or dangling participle.  Nothing.   I looked up at him, waiting patiently for my critique, and said curtly, "looks good."  I closed the electronic page and shut the laptop, returning to my menial task of dinner-making.

About 30 seconds later Ben called me back into the front room.  His voice sounded strange, higher maybe...slightly strangled.  When I saw his pale face and wide eyes I knew something was wrong. 

"Hey, um...do you know where my assignment is?"
"What do you mean?  I didn't move it or anything."
"I can't find it...did you maybe...close the page?"

I instantly felt sick.  I had Xed out of the page he was working on.  I remembered doing it.  I felt a tiny groan escape my lips.  I sat beside him and scoured every corner of that laptop.  His assignment was gone...floating around in the expanses of the Internet. I had, unintentionally foiled two hours of hard work.   My face flushed and tears stung the corners of my eyes.  It really was unintentional...despite my ugly attitude. 

"I am so sorry.  It wasn't on purpose, I swear," I pleaded.  He took the laptop back from me and without skipping a beat smiled.

"It's OK.  I was gonna redo most of it anyway...on a Word document."

With that, my hot college boyfriend turned back to his assignment.  I was forgiven and it was behind us.  He is amazing.

I have changed my attitude towards Ben and his studies.  I want to be supportive in every way possible.  He is my hero and I am his biggest fan!! 

Girls Camp 2012

I had the privilege of being the leader to 24 fabulous girls from my ward at the LDS Fredericksburg Stake Girl's Camp in June. 

Camp was held at wonderful Camp Snyder, a Boy Scout facility near Manassas, VA.  We stayed in large tents set up on platforms and slept on cots.  We ate our lunches and dinners in an air conditioned dining hall. 

Despite the 100 degree heat, the 60% humidity and the bugs we enjoyed a ropes COPE course, archery, BB guns, canoeing, paddle boating, hiking, a pool with slides, firesides, classes on friendship, optimism and making good life choices and we REALLY enjoyed each other. We sang songs, played games, stole mascots, watched stars and did crafts. We laughed, we cried, we cheered, we giggled, we danced, we we hugged, we perspired and we LOVED. 

My top five Girl's Camp phrases:
#5-Put on your shoes!
#4-Check for ticks!
#3-I can't believe you just said that.
#2-Do you have water?
#1-I LOVE YOU!!

I slept a total of 17 hours for the week, got two ticks and a gorgeous heat rash. I also made new friends and feel like I have emotionally adopted 24 beautiful daughters.  It was awesome and I would do it again tomorrow!!

Happy 4th

We grilled!

           We got fireworks!!

We made t-shirts and painted our nails!

We had lots of fun!!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Father's Day, Ben!!  You are everything in a father that I could dream of for my children!!

 Genetics run deep with these ones!!

Fathers and Sons Campout

My guys all got to go to the Fathers and Sons Campout held annually by our ward.  They went to the Do-Little Farm and fished, ate, played games, ate, had pull up contests, ate, enjoyed a special fireside, ate and ate some more. Aside from setting their tent up on a Wolf Spider family reunion (they moved it as soon as they realized the tent was covered in huge spiders) and getting horribly torn up and sore by the machezmo pull up fest (Ben did 75, Michael did 47, the winner, Tim Martin, did 105) they all had a GREAT time together!!

On a side note, Emma and I went to see the Avengers, went to dinner, shopping and then had a slumber party together!!  It was the best girls night ever!!

Michael Goes To Prom

Michael attended his first formal dance!  It was actually a dance held by the church, loving referred to as the Mormom Prom, but it got all the same fanfaire and hupplah that a school Prom would have gotten, without the alcohol, immodesty and promiscuity.  The theme was London 2012 and the decorations were amazing, down to the uncrackable beef-eaters.  Michael and his beautiful date, Anne-Greyson Long went to dinner and the dance with a group of three other fun couples and had a wonderful time!!   It's a little overwhelming and at the same time breath taking to watch my son grow into such a handsome gentleman.

Dawson Feet

Our Soccer Diva

Emma had a fabulous soccer season this spring.  She played on an all girls team called The Strikers, which coincidentally seemed to be the name of all her opponent teams as well.  Most of the girls were late sign ups or new to the area.  Her first practice was...dreadful.  I couldn't imagine that she would be able to survive the humiliating losses the season would bring.  The girls were slow, uncoordinated and unlearned in the fine art of soccer.  Emma spent a lot of time during that first practice teaching the coach, who was one if the soccer newbies, about throw ins, corner kicks and fouls.  I was the ever optimistic soccer mom on the outside, but on the inside I was crying, a lot!!  

 I am thrilled to say that I was wrong.  Her team won there first game 7-0.  We weren't there, as Emma sprained her ankle the day before at practive but I was shocked and a tiny spark of hope ignited in my soul.  She was able to rest her ankle for three weeks before the team played again.  While she limped and trotted across the field she was a ball of excitement and scored within the first 5 minutes.  Her team continued on a winning streak, ending their season with 5 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss.  She got to play in nearly every position, she played in the pouring rain, she played on astro-turf, she played in 100 degree heat.  It was a blast.

 She scored five goals this season, a personal best and she made a great group of new friends!  We are looking forward to the fall!!

 Coach B

The Strikers, Spring 2012