Good Ole Sunday Fun!!!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Go Ben! US Army Good Conduct Medal.

Good Conduct Medal
is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency,
and fidelity in active Federal military service.

Basically the Army's way of saying thanks for 3 years of service and for giving us no grief.

So this week was exciting as Ben received his first award in the US Army. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. It was so exciting to go and see him receive this award. As any wife would I was beaming with pride. Ben has made so many accomplishments in the last few years. Especially when it comes to his career. This is just one of his many. As many of you know he just received his diploma from Thomas Edison College and he is going to the promotion board in just a few weeks to hopefully be promoted to Seargent. We are so excited for his successes and thank Heavenly Father everyday for all of our many blessings. God is good.

Ben with Chief Ellwein

Congratulations Ben on your award. I am so proud to be your wife. You continually amaze me with your persistence. You may walk to the beat of your own drum but I am glad to be learning your beat and walking it with you. You have come so far and I look up to you for your courage and strength. Thank you for being a great provider and husband. Congratulations!

I love you!

Band Nerd/Spouse Luncheon

So Last week the US Army Materiel Command Band had a luncheon for Hispanic American Heritage Month. Band members and their families enjoyed a wonderful pot luck. Usually I hate pot lucks but this one turned out really well. All different types of Mexican food. It was wonderful.

I always enjoy spending time with Ben and I love to see him in his work environment where he excels. The unit has had a lot of new members over the last several months so it is always nice to get together and have a great time while we get to know other families in the band unit.

After lunch they had a pinata for the kids. They had fun trying to break it open. It made for some great pictures.

This is Lucas. He really wanted to break open that pinata because he knew what was inside. He wanted his candy. After several attempts and no success one of the adults suggested letting one of the big guys try to break it open. Lucas was in agreement as he walked right up to Ben and said "here you go big guy", break it open. It was really cute.

They wanted to make it a little tough for him so they didn't want him to see. Well...there wasn't a blindfold so as you can see from the picture above his shirt came in handy.
.

Hooray for Ben! He quickly broke it open and the everyone enjoyed the candy. Especially the kids. As Lucas was walking back into the building with all his yummy candy someone asked him who finally broke open the pinata. Lucas replied, "the big guy did".

Thomas especially enjoyed his sucker.

This is my favorite picture of all because this is Ben's Band Commander on the floor with Thomas. Why is that a big deal you say? Because that is not " typical" behavior for a Commander in the US Army. The Armed Forces are all about their position and rank so the fact that his Commander is so down to earth is a breath of fresh air. He is a good man who loves family, children and the Lord. What more could you ask for? It is not the norm to have such a commander but we feel blessed that Ben's is such a wonderful leader.

The Commander at our next duty station just left this Band Unit and has worked closely with Ben. He is moving to El Paso, TX this week. He is also a wonderful man and we had a great time chatting with him at the luncheon. We feel the lord is really looking out for us. A Commander makes or breaks a unit and we are truly blessed that Lord has sent us 2 in a row that are honorable and good men. We have many reasons to count our blessings. When is the last time you counted yours?

Jamaica

The picture above shows just how happy I was to be sitting on the beach, having dinner in Jamaica. The only thing that would have made it absolutely perfect would have been having my husband with me.
As many of you know, I have a very great friend that took me to enjoy some R&R and soak up the rays in good ole Jamaica. It was so beautiful and so hot! It did not matter how much sunblock I put on I left looking like a lobster but it was so worth it.

We stayed at Pebble Resort. An all inclusive resort. The view from my room was spectacular!

The rooms were cozy and didn't have the typical "hotel" feel. The bed sucked but who can complain. I was in Jamaica but I was happy to return home to my memory foam bed.

Josh and I before we were getting ready to go out for a swim.

I was able to Kayak, snorkel, wind sail and jump on a trampoline that was quite a challenge to get on in the middle of the water.

This was a view of our rooms from the beach.

Relaxing by the pool and enjoying the sun. Now as many of you can see there is a big water slide behind me and Yes I went on it and Yes it was fun. Who says slides are for little kids?

Nicole, Josh and me.

This is the friend I made while there. Hermy. I was just sitting at the snack bar having a soda and along came Hermy right across the floor. Silly I know but this was one of my favorite things about the trip.

Look hard at this picture. This kid is AMAZING. He was doing the limbo with fire. It was so fun to see.

This gentleman liked to put fire all over his body. He also really enjoyed eating it.

See how cute I am? Too bad Ben was far, far away.

This was my walk way to the beach every morning. Isn't it beautiful?

Again, the view from my room. I loved getting up every morning and reading my scriptures on the deck. I loved listening to the water and enjoying the amazing view.

Can you believe how blue the sky was? I know I am a photographer and can make any picture look good with digital enhancements but I did nothing to these pictures. It really was that beautiful.

Never mind the sky, look at how blue the water was. I am sure you are sick of this description but I will have to use it again, AMAZING!

The sunsets were my favorite. It was different colors every night. I couldn't wait to see what was in store each evening. Thanks so much Nicole for a wonderful vacation. I hope to go back someday with Ben. I know he would have enjoyed the water and all the fun activities. Until then we will have to enjoy the wonderful pictures.

A day of remberence

"It should be the highest ambition of every American to extend his views beyond himself, and to bear in mind that his conduct will not only affect himself, his country, and his immediate posterity; but that its influence may be co-extensive with the world, and stamp political happiness or misery on ages yet unborn."
-George Washington

Today my flag flies proudly in front of our home. Television, radio and the Internet are covered with pictures, stories and a look back at what is known as the worst attack ever on American soil.

9-11-2001 is a day that most of us will never forget.

We will remember where we were, what we were doing and the shock that hit every core of our being as we watched in horror the planes hit the Twin Towers. We continued to watch when the Towers came down. Then we watched the weeks and months following as the pieces of the puzzle came together as to how this tragedy had happened.

Today I salute the hero's of 9-11-2001. Those who did as George Washington suggested and bore in mind that day how their conduct would not only affect themselves but their country and their immediate posterity. Many gave their lives so that others could live and make it to safety. Many are still giving of their lives to protect our freedom. I salute them also. As we are frequently reminded...Freedom is not FREE!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Music + Children= Joy

As a child I can remembering loving music. I loved singing, dancing and playing all kinds of music. I remember falling in love with Barry Manilow as my mother played his eight track (yes, I am that old) over and over again. I also knew that when I heard Barry it was time for a good house cleaning. Anyway, as I grew into my young adult years I remember my mother always said she could tell what kind of mood I was in when I began playing the piano. This was determined by how hard I hit the keys but if I was hitting hard when I started I was always calm and relaxed by the end. I have always been amazed at how quickly music can bring the spirit, change a mood (good or bad depending on what you are listening to) and touch the heart.

These thoughts came to me today as I was editing some pictures. 2 of them were of my husband and my niece. I think I had mentioned before how when we were in Utah my husband played his bassoon for us.
Gracie was in awe. As soon as the first notes came out of the bassoon. Nothing else existed except her, her uncle and the music.

As I was editing the picture above my heart was touched for many reasons. One, as I watch my husband share his love for music, I see the lives he touches. As I watch him take time with our niece to show her "his instrument" (and his pride and joy besides me, of course). I think of his concerts with the Army Band. All the different venues he plays. All the different people that come and I still stand amazed that no matter what race, religion, or political view one may have they sit and listen intently as the music touches them, it unites them. Music can arouse so many emotions. Especially as they play patriotic songs, I see their pride, joy and love of their country written all over their faces.

No matter your age. Young and old. Music is all around us. It is such a big part of our lives. Especially mine. I am just so grateful that Heavenly Father loves us so much that he gave us ears to hear and the beautiful music to enjoy.

Poor kitty!

Poor Miss Priss has had quite the traumatic week. Ben and I have noticed that over the past 6 months her poor little tummy would expand about 2 inches on each side. She looked like she was pregnant with 10 cats which we know is impossible seeing as she is an indoor cat. Then suddenly her tummy would go back to normal. But as you can tell....so NOT normal.

Anyway, we took her to the vet and it was quite the show. They showed me her x-ray which was a something they had never seen before. I can't really explain all the details since I am not a vet but it was quite a show. Every employee in the place was talking about it.

After speaking with the vet we decided the best course of action was to have her spayed. Apparently her uterus was filling with liquid and they needed to get it out asap. We scheduled surgery for 2 days later.

We picked her up today at 10am and she is happy to be home. The AMAZING thing is that after they took her uterus out she lost 2.6 lbs. about a third of her body weight. One of the employees today said that she had to admit she took a picture of it because they had never seen anything like it. Of course who would expect anything but abnormal when you are dealing with anything involving my life. If it is strange, weird, unheard of...it can happen to me. (or my animals). We are just happy that Priss is fine and home. Although, I can't say the same for Nala. She is feeling a little jealous that Priss is getting so much attention.

A no labor day!

Anytime I have a moment to spend outdoors with my husband doing things we love makes me happy and content. Since Ben had Monday off we decided to enjoy the great outdoors as we headed up to Rock State Park for some hiking and pictures.

On the beginning of our adventure I learned I have a new pet peeve. I have never really understood the concept of joining a wonderful activity of hiking with smoking. Now what people do with their own bodies is their choice HOWEVER nothing irritates me more than sitting there taking in the beautiful scenery and then getting a big puff of dirty, nasty, smelly smoke blown in my face. Now I don't know about you but I could have done without that! So listen up people. If you chose to smoke would you mind blowing your smoke in the face of someone who doesn't care. Oh yeah and by the way, good luck with that.

Awh...I feel so much better. Stepping of the soap box now.

Ben and I have really been getting into landscape pictures. Ben has got quite the eye and I don't think I am half bad but one thing that continues to amaze me is how two people can be looking at the same scenery and be in the same place but take two totally different pictures. It has been fun to see the difference between our pictures. Below are some of our favorites.

All in all the day was perfect. Great weather, great scenery, great pictures and a great husband. What more can a girl ask for? As we are preparing for tomorrows bad weather from Hurricane Hannah I am sure I will be dreaming of Mondays perfect weather.