Benjamin

What can I say about Benny, except that he makes everyday a pure joy.

He is the most obedient child I have ever known. Now this doesn't mean that when I am not looking he doesn't get into his fair share of mischief; only that he is very good about doing everything I ask. Sometimes he gives me the drawn out OOOKKK mommy, but generally he loves to help. He loves his little brothers and is very protective. If we are at playgroup or the park he will come tell me if someone is being mean to the babies. If we are at the mall or somewhere and me and Chris pretend like we are going to leave Caleb cause he is throwing a fit about leaving, Benny gets really upset and says "come on Caleb", "You can't leave Caleb he is my brother", or " He is our family don't leave him". It never works on Caleb anyway, so Chris or I tell Benny not to worry we will just go get him, as he is fighting back tears. He adores Josh too, always very concerned if he is crying or if he falls down. Benjamin wakes up in the morning and comes straight to my bed and says "Hi Mommy, can I watch cartoons?" He loves Super heroes, especially Batman.

He has an extremely active imagination and has come up with a pretend friend Charlie who has super powers, but also likes a turn to pray at night. Benny knows his ABC's super well and has started putting small words together. The other day I was spelling T-O-Y-S to Chris about something and Benny without even noticing what he was doing said "toys". I said "Benny why are you talking about toys" and he said "cause you just said the letters for it". Chris and I where in aww! We have only worked on cat and hat and things like that. He also knows most of his primary songs and has started singing Christmas songs this year. We thought he would never sing in front of us. He always seemed so shy about singing in front of us.

Unfortunately he may have picked up some of my lack of talent for singing, but it is still the sweetest voice I have ever heard. He still tells me I am beautiful even with out makeup and loves when I snuggle with him at night. He calls Chris's school Doctor school and says he is going to be a doctor too. Benny loves to make up recipes like salami lettuce rolls.
I love having him around during the day. With Chris's late hours he helps keep me company. Benny love his cousins, especially Esther and tells people that when Chris finishes Doctor school we are going to move back to Provo to live by Esther. He says that the people here are just not like him and Esther and he wants her back. It hurts my heart when he says that cause I want my Hannah back. Hopefully he will get his wish and we can live close again.


He also randomly remembers his other friends like Kenyan and Little Emma (as he still calls her). He claims he is going to marry Annabelle and build a house where we can all live together. That might be fun. I have been trying to teach him how to put his shoes on the right feet for months and while he was at my Dad's house, my Dad told him that if he puts them on the wrong way he will end up going in two different directions. Now everyday he says "I gotta make sure they are on the right way or I will go the wrong way".

Here are a few more cute conversations we have had with Benny lately. Chris keeps a note on his Facebook page of more if you are interested.


Benjamin-Mommy (who is in the bathtub), you need some pickles.

Mom-Pickles?

Ben-For your eyes.

Mom-Do you mean cucumbers?

Ben-Yes.

Mom-Why do I need cucumbers for my eyes?

Ben-(pauses for a moment) In case you need a snack.


Ben-(At Wal-Mart) I want that Transformer Mask.

Dad-No.

Ben-But I want it.

Mom-You already have lots of toys.

Ben-But I don't have a transformer mask.

Mom-Well If you want it, then you will have to give away some of your toys (thinking this will make him think twice...not happening).

Ben-Daddy, can we go home so I can pick out some toys to give away?

Dad-Look Benny, let's make a deal. If you will help mommy do some special jobs around the house, I will pay you some money and you can buy the toy yourself.

Ben-(Thinks for a minute) Daddy, lets make a better deal. How about I give some toys to kids who don't have any, and you can go and work and make some more money and give it to me, and I will buy my Transformer mask.

Mom-(cracking up)

Dad-Let me get this straight. I work and make money, and you get the toy?

Ben-Yeah.

Dad-That sounds like a pretty crappy deal to me.


Ben-(Standing at the open back door and yelling into the yard) STOP!....STOP IT!!!....STOP MAKING IT SO HOT!!!...DO YOU HEAR ME???....STOP MAKING IT SO HOT...STOP IT...STOOOP IT!!!....STOP MAKING IT SO HOT!!!....YOU'RE MAKING JESUS SAD!!!!

Mom-(inside folding clothes)-Benjamin, who are you yelling at?

Ben-(matter-of-factly) The Sun. He...he keeps making my swing to hot to sit on.


I had just finished cooking some bacon (to get the grease for cream gravy) then I had to step out of the kitchen. Benny comes in, then runs to Sara all excited saying;

Ben-"Mom! I just found bacon just sitting on the counter!!!"

Sara-"Oh yeah, well you can have it if you want"

Ben-"Really?! I can have all of it??"

Sara-"Sure"

Ben-"I love you mommy"

Without Benny my day would be full of naps and poopy diapers. He keeps me sane and offers me a chance to regain a bit of innocence through his eyes each day.