Ode to Ben

I've decided that the first post on my shiny new blog will be about Ben and how nifty he is. So here are, in no particular order, a very few of the reasons why I love him.

He is an excellent father. Whenever he is home, at least one and usually all of the kids are mauling him. And when he's gone the kids spend their time asking me when he'll be home. When Elizabeth woke up from her nap today, she sat straight up and said "I want my Daddy!" and Will calls him "My berry best friend".

He can cook. Well.

He shares his laptop with me, even though it is hard.

He can juggle. Which is nifty all by itself. But the reason why is even niftier. While on his mission, he and his companion came across a man that said he'd hear the discussions if they would learn how to juggle. So they did. That wonderful man and his wonderful wife are now sealed and have six beautiful and happy children.

He likes old, twangy country music.

When he makes me watch a scary movie with him when I'm 7.5 months pregnant, he gets up and turns on the bathroom light for me every time I need to go potty in the middle of the night just because I'm a chicken.

He wanted to name Will "Thor, God of Thunder", or Dylan, because he loves Bob.

He never forgets. Not my birthday, Valentines, our anniversary, Christmas... nothing. And he always gives me something meaningful and thoughtful. It's usually something I've said that I want but would never buy for myself. And he still won't admit that he and my "secret admirer" are one and the same.

The man has no butt.

He is going to go to my family reunion this summer because I want him to. He's not really looking forward to it, but he's going because it is very important to me.

If he feels something is right, he'll do it no matter what.

If he understands something, he can teach it to someone else. No matter how difficult the concept is.

He is hilarious. Seriously. Funniest person I know.

He is very wise and spiritual. He makes sure that we have daily family prayer and scripture study. I look forward to those times of the day as much as the kids do. We all really miss him when he has to work late and we have to do it without him.

He can play the saxophone.

He researched and studied and compared bikes, just because I said that I wanted one. And then he bought me one, just because he loves me.

In high school, he was the president of the physics club. I have my own resident geek!

Even if he's had a crappy day, he always asks how my day went first. And if it was hard, he asks how he can help. And then he actually does whatever I tell him will help.

He lets me put my cold feet on him to get them warm. The man is a human furnace.

When he makes a mistake, he's quick to apologize and to be better.

And last but not least:
He listens to me. He really tries hard to give me what I need and to be mindful of my feelings.

And just to make this a well-rounded entry, I asked the kids what they thought the best thing about their Daddy is. Here is what they said:

Will: "He takes me to the gas station and even when he tells me no about something I still like him"

Elizabeth: "He reads me stories and has a fuzzy chin" (well she said puzzy chin, but she meant fuzzy :P)

Ella: She smiled and laughed. I think that her response quite perfectly sums up how we all feel.

5-Months-Old, Give Or Take A Day Or Two*

Five months! Where has all the time gone. I know I say that a lot, but really, you are growing up too fast. You are a joy and a blessing. You can make anyone smile, just by looking at them. You brighten our days and fill our home with your special spirit.


*Or a week or two. Whatever. You may notice that the date on the picture is days after you actually turned 5-months-old. If you weren't so kissable, I'd spend more time on my blog and keeping it up-to-date. But since you're so wonderful, I'd rather spend my time with you. You're growning up too fast!