Feeding Frenzy

While I was gone over the weekend several packages showed up for me.  Maren, was kind enough to set all of them aside for me until I came home last night.

I immediately opened up my package from the GAP which contained the cutest little ballet flats ever!  Ok maybe not ever, the point is it was exciting to open!

I ignored the other 3 packages, knowing they were stuff Ben ordered and I am to send to him asap. 

Maren wondered why I didn't open the others.  I explained that they were stuff Ben had ordered...she still didn't get it.  She said it's still fun to see what's inside.  

Silly Maren.

Here's what was inside the first package I opened of Ben's:

"Feeding Frenzy--Prey you are not the victim"


Har Har they are so punny!!

The Dessert Diner...Oooh La La!

In between Elijah's races Tami and Adam had the brilliant idea to fill the time by taking me to this scrumpdidliumptious place called the Dessert Diner.  Catchy isn't it?

I had a hard time picking out just one...so I had two!

 This looked like something Ben would like.

 This looked something I would like!

 But then again so did all of these....

 and this one looked really yummy too...how could I choose just one??

 I'm not sure if this one looked good...or if someone spilled a can of paint...I can't decide!  Either way I thought it looked neat-o!

Still having a hard time deciding on just one piece of cake!  Even Humphrey Bogart was giving me the eye...like 'listen lady just choose already'!

So you see why I had to have two!

And here are the two delightful people who brought me to the happiest place on earth... oops I mean the Dessert Diner.

I ate their cake too.  I'm fast.  Just like Elijah.  'Here Tami and Adam let me take your picture...now just slide those pieces of cake right over here for one second'.  Ha!  Sneaky and fast!  A dangerous combination :)

Elijah's Race

While I was in California visiting the Brubaker's I got to go see Ben's little brother Elijah race.


That's him #263 without any shoes on.  Don't worry he put shoes on for the race...I think!

 It looks like they are having an intense discussion doesn't it?  Well they are.  Elijah wants us to come back 5 hours later to see the other race he's in.

 Oh look they decided to do it and everyone is happy!  Yay we are going to see Elijah's second race which he referred to as a 4x4.

I thought it involved lumber, but I can assure you it does not.

 This is a 4x4 race.  4 laps, 4 runners.  1 runner for each lap.  Elijah was runner #3...he is really fast!

And there he goes!  Leading the pack!

Racer #4 is ready to go.  He has his eye on Elijah as he approaches the end of his lap.

 Runner #4 moves further inside the track to take the baton from Elijah...too bad I missed the hand off!  That's how fast Elijah is...I blinked and I missed it!

 Runner #4 is really fast too.  Oh look he's back already!  Wowza way to zip around that track runner #4!!

It was a very close race!  Notice the time that the four runners were able to complete a mile?  Just goes to show 4 runners are better than 1!  Haha!  Get it??  You know like 2 heads are better than 1?  I crack myself up!

Who Does This Dog Think She Is???

GET OFF OF MY BED DOG!

Or more appropriately what does she think she is...a person? Obviously Melissa has turned into that crazy pet hair lady...a person that Melissa has dreaded becoming ever since the idea of having dogs came up between us.

As soon as we were married I wanted a dog. Apartments that allow dogs are hard to find! For the first few years we were not able to have dogs or any kind of pet. It was when we were a month away from leaving our summer jobs in Montana that we debated enough and had come to an agreement.

We looked though many websites that gave the pros and cons to different breeds of dogs. We had three specific goals (that we agreed on) that had to be met in order to get a dog.

1st minimal shedding (Melissa's fear of the being a pet hair lady), 2nd not a barker (cant have a barking dog in an apartment complex), 3rd apartment living (the dog had to be able to get enough exercise in an apartment).

My idea was a Great Dane! Minimal shedding...check. Not a barker...with the proper training not a problem...check. Apartment living...well it would do good in an aprtment but it needed frequent outside trips...check. Great Dane would work!

Melissa said no. Seeing as I really wanted a dog I didn't argue. After more research we decided that a Boston Terrier would be perfect! Long story short Melissa's parents picked up a puppy from St George Utah and brought it home for us...Molly was the newest addition to our family.

The last and most important thing about having a dog and being a student was a place to live. We lucked out because we found a complex that decided to allow pets. Little did we know that we would have a great time there with all the other pets.

One problem with having a dog...soon you want another one. I had a friend with a puppy that didnt want it anymore. I couldn't let it go to the pound so I took it. Molly had a new friend...Tank a Miniature Pincher. He was the calmest little guy! We had him for about a year when we found out he had a tumor and had gone blind. We found a man that wanted to take care of Tank with his blindness. It was hard giving him up but he needed more stability then college students always on the move.

We became the poster children for propper dog owner etiquet. We took our puppies to dog training and read as many books as we could on dog training. No one likes finding presents on the living room carpet! We became good at training our puppies! For a while Melissa found herself at the bottom of the food chain. I was the boss and she was one of the dogs. This realization turned Melissa into the mean one... at least I am sure that is what the dogs thought ;) I never though I would be one of those people that pick their dog's poop up!

Down to one dog...not good! I couldn't resist! After Tank it was lonely for Molly...she told me so...I soon found a Boston Terrier puppy in Utah...Lemon would soon be part of the family. In the beginning all I heard from Melissa was "I am going sell her when you are gone!" "Lemon is a dumb name for a dog!".
Lemon has earned the most hug-able dog award. She loves being held and Melissa cant resist her! The dogs have turned into royalty under Melissa's care.

As you can see Melissa has turned into the crazy pet hair lady that she never wanted to be. She will now tell you that she loves her babies! I dont know if she could live without her puppies Molly and Lemon! Dogs...Man and Woman's best friend!

I Miss My Puppies...and my Wife!

Another post about underwear!

Recent converstion with my mom:

Mom:  Did you see that article about the new kevlar underwear for soldiers??

Melissa:  No.  Does it double as a chastity belt?

Mom: Hey that would be handy!


Melissa: Mwooohahahahah!!



http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/ballistic-boxers-might-just-save-your-tail-1.122993

Trapped in Church!

I always make it to church 15 minutes early so that I can have a bench all to myself.  I strategically spread all my stuff out so it looks like lots of people are going to be sitting with me.

A family stole my usual bench, so I had to find an empty one on the other side of the chapel.  The meeting had started and I assumed I was home free!  Until about 10 minutes into the meeting a family with a new baby asked if I could scoot myself and all my stuff over.  So I did.  They were very nice and their two little babies are really cute.  They are African by the way so their babies are really really cute.  Anyways, they must be tired from that new baby waking them up, because after the meeting I was trapped between them the baby seat and the wall.  They had been chatting with another couple clear until everyone else had exited the chapel.

No worries though, because I had two envelopes of tithing to give the Bishop who is always the last one out.  I hate the feeling of getting behind on that.  I have decided that I wouldn't mind having a collection plate passed around sacrament meeting like other congregations.  It would really save me a lot of time and effort.  Haha!  I hope you guys know I am only kidding...although it certainly would be more convenient for me!

Benjamin lied to me.  Yep.  Right to my face...er ear since we were on the phone.  I'm grateful he did!  Funny because earlier in the week my co worker caught her husband in a lie about money, and she said she knew that my husband would never lie to me.  I agreed whole heartedly....that's how good a liar Ben is!

Bet you're wondering what he lied about huh? Ha!  Is the suspense killing you yet??  OK ok it's killing me!  I can't keep it a secret any longer!

He told me that he wouldn't be able to skype me for a couple of days because he was going to be too busy getting some awards blah blah blah stuff ready for something or other.  On second thought, maybe I'm just a really easy person to lie to since I'm not that great of a listener.  Anyways, he was really leaving the base for something he can't tell me about.  Only that involved a helicopter and a convoy.  I am so grateful he didn't tell me until after he was back safe and sound on his regular base.  Not that his regular base is safe and sound, he's just done a really good job at reassuring me.  I'm glad he got to have an adventure and see some more of Iraq, but I'm more glad I didn't know about it!!  Phew!

Weather Fighters

Ben said something in one of our conversations a while back that has stayed with me and I roll his words over in my mind from time to time.  He said 'they are weather fighters' meaning they hide out during the winter and only fight when the weather is good. 

I suppose it stuck with me, because it just goes to show what a shining example our American soldiers are.  One of my favorite quotes says it perfectly:

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."

My husband is not a summer soldier.

Speaking of my husband...Ben your mom wanted me to tell you that she loves you.  I thought I had better throw that in here in case I forget to tell you she said that...ya know cuz I won't forget to tell you to go read my blog ;)

Let's see what's new with us?  Um I got new black pants, Ben finished his master's class,  the government wasn't going to pay any deployed troops this month.....hmmm it seemed like there was something else.

Haha I just wanted to talk about the government shutdown affecting pay to deployed troops and I wasn't sure how to introduce it.  It's a crime of course.  I finally realized why congress came up with a budget so quickly.  No, it's not because they're afraid of our soldiers...it's because they saw how scary the women standing behind 'em can be when their husbands don't get paid on time.  If you think our soldiers are scary, you should see the women standing behind them.

Seriously we are a scary sight after 8 months of deployment!  I can't remember the last time I shaved my legs, I've given up on perfume and bath & body works lotion...I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

We of course would have been fine if Ben didn't get paid for a while.  Plus I could add it to my list of responsibilities: protector, provider, caller of stuff while Ben is gone...you know the really important things!

I was really looking forward to teasing Ben about being a stay at home husband in Iraq. He could've really used the vacation.  Well maybe in 6 months.

Thanks family for all your prayers and support.  It means a lot to us and we love you for it!