Another Benjamin Story

After one whole week of kindergarten Benjamin can now read. Well, so he says. He came home the other day from school and told Dan and I he learned how to read at school that day. He then proceeded to explain that he can read the words he just reads like Emily and Hannah in his mind. He doesn't need to say the words out loud because he says them in his brain, to himself. Alrighty then!

Yesterday he did come home though pretty proud of himself because he can spell C-A-T. I then taught him how to spell D-O-G too! He thinks he is all that (& a bag of chips!)

We Will Not Forget

September 11th...I don't think I will ever forget that day...I remember where I was when the Challenger blew up (9th grade ~ St Ben's library) and I am sure at that time I felt sad but, when I think of 9/11 I still get tears in my eyes and it takes me right back to that day. What a horrible, horrible day for our country and how it changed the world. Ever since that day when we say prayers with the kids at night we "God Bless ...(our family)" and then we say "God Bless America", ever since that night. Benjamin grew up knowing nothing different.

Emily and I watched "United 93" this week as they are talking about the attacks at school. It was hard to watch and get back in that frame of mind. After the attacks we didn't have cable or satellite and that was all that was on the major networks, I came home from work and put the tv on and cried. Watching and listening as they found more bodies or told the stories of the heroes from that day. The babies that were not born yet that would never know their Daddies. The story of one man missing the subway and cursing because of it but he was still alive because he would have been in the WTC. I actually went on anti depressants for awhile after that. It was hard. Emily started talking about people flying after that and said she couldn't imagine but she had forgotten that we had to get on a plane within two weeks of the attacks to fly to Erie so she could be the flower girl in Kevin's wedding. I didn't want to, I begged Dan to let me drive the girls and I. He didn't fly with us, he flew in for the weekend. He said it would be safer than ever for us to fly. I told him he didn't love us but, actually who was going to take down a plane going from Missoula, MT to Erie, PA. Realistically, wasn't going to happen.

Also, you cannot think of this day and not think of all the soldiers that are defending and fighting for our freedom and rights every day. The soldiers giving their lives and time away from their families for me, you ~ they don't even know us but they feel it is important thing to do. And it is. I am proud to be an American!!!

I took this picture at the fire station right behind our house about a year ago. I love to see the flag blowing. What a sight...a beautiful sight...Forever in our hearts...We will not forget...

The (Art) Work of the Lord??

Benjamin & Hannah drew these pictures in church on Sunday. For whatever reason they did not have childrens time and boy, is an hour a long time for them to sit, especially our little buddy. Benjamin's pic is a self portrait ~ pretty good job since he wore a blue plaid shirt to church. I could totally tell it was him. Hannah's is just a pic but I told her it looked like "Farmer Dan".

I've been feeling bad when I look at the blog. We do have two daughters you know, but lately it just seems like I only talk about Benjamin. Sshhh...he is my favorite, wink, wink ~ so they think and they don't really do "cute" things anymore. But, Emily & Hannah both are doing well with school starting. New teachers, new friends. They both save the school drama for their mama though! Thanks Girls! You gotta love tween girls!!!

GRIZ Football Season is Here

Tis the best time of the year...Griz football

started this weekend!!! Yippee!!! I can't wait for next weekend 'cause that is the 1st home game...I can't wait for the sounds (music, fans cheering, the crashing of helmets), the smells (tailgating), the views (the field from our seats, the big mountains behind us, friends). Bring it on!

On Saturday, Benjamin was the first up and he got all dressed up in his GRIZ clothes. Later in the day he was walking around with his GRIZ helmet on and his GRIZ football and he has "hut, hut, hutting" and tackling Sadie. The GRIZ won(30-28) in the last minute when the Cal Poly kicker missed the field goal. Yes, I kept saying "miss, miss, miss". It was a good weekend for Missoula football. Sentinel & Big Sky high schools won too! I told Dan not to worry the GRIZ would be ok. It was Missoula's weekend, damn, I'm good!

So anyway on Sunday I wake up to this Lego scene in the entryway. I asked Benjamin if it was a football field and he said it was. I told him way to go, good use of your imagination. He tells me it was just in his brain and he just used it. What a smart little boy!!!!!

Update on the 3 Letter Name

So Benjamin has decided that he will be "Ben" when they have a project

that it is going to take him awhile to do the whole "Benjamin". Tonight I asked him why he is growing up so fast and he told me "mom, I'm all growed up...I drink my milk". I had told him years ago to quit drinking the milk...it was helping him grow too fast. Me and my big mouth gave him the idea!!!!! My mouth continues to get me in trouble.

Can I Have a 3 Letter Name?

Benjamin's teacher just told Dan today that they were doing a project in class where they wrote their name and then glued beans around the letters. They had just got started and Benjamin asked Mr Fines if he could have a 3 letter name. B-E-N-J-A-M-I-N was too long! Is he already ready for the BIG change to Ben? I sure hope not, I love my little Benjamin. He is just not a Ben, gosh darn it. We named him Benjamin!!!!! And the other problem is it's only the second week of school and he is already getting so big that he can just change his name. What's next? Is he going to make his own dinner? Wash his own laundry? Get a tattoo?? Why is he doing this to me? Doesn't he still need me...his Momma??

Sorry I've haven't blogged in a few days. I guess my life has just been sooo boring, nothing to report. We had the three day weekend, the weather was very gloomy here and we stayed in and watched all the Pirates of Caribbean movies ~ never had seen them before. Looking forward to hearing what Sarah Palin has to say tonight at the RNC, that's about it. A shout out to my friend Terri Klein...I just found out she checks in on me every now and then. I haven't seen you forever ~ hope all is well.

There Goes My Life

Last week was hard on this Mommy. Not just giving my little boy up to the school system for a full day BUT putting him on a bus. There were so many things I couldn't assume he knew and I had to explain to him. One being, just because a bunch of your friends from the neighborhood are on the bus and you weren't wearing a seatbelt you still had to stay seated and listen to the bus driver. Well, he was so excited about the bus. We get there way early every morning because he is ready to go. The first day he comes bouncing off the bus, he had to goooooo. I emailed his teacher that maybe the next day he should try to make him go potty before he gets on the bus. That worked better. Also, with tears in my eyes I asked him how the bus ride was and he says, "good. that bus driver is a crazy driver." That night at dinner as we were talking about their days, Hannah asked Benjamin "buddy, what was your favorite part of the day?" Benjamin takes a minute to reflect and comes back with "the BUS. those boys on there are so funny."