Where In The World Is Ben Now?

 Mexico...again.  For work this time.

Guadalajara temple
He was able to do a session!

Lucha libre!

Cool, Immersive freaky Frida Khalo exhibit

Christmas in July

Holly is obsessed with Hamilton and everything Lin Manuel Miranda.  Merry Christmas Holly, you're going to Hamilton in January!!!! (David and I split the cost of her ticket.)

I'm also working on her graduation gift...

Not holding my breath.

Our Sweet Calipso...

passed away.  She was the sweetest ferret ever and will be missed.  Calipso lived a good life and was loved.  It was her time, she was old (7 we think) and sick (insulinoma) so we knew it was coming, but that didn't make it any easier.  She was such a fighter, I don’t think she wanted to leave us.  She had seizures and twice had gone into a coma. We prematurely mourned her death but she miraculously came back both times.  This time, she laid down to sleep and peacefully left this life.  I imagine she is romping around in heaven with Apollo now.  See you on the other side Calipso.

She LOVED soft, fluffy rugs!

Q created this in memory of Cali.

Lots To Celebrate!

Today was a beautiful day!  I gained a sweet, spunky step-mom (step- momster) and an eternal brother-in-law.  Congratulations!

You may notice that Dez is in a wheelchair.  She was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer a couple weeks ago, had been in the hospital several days this week and began chemo yesterday.  It was amazing that she was still able to go through with the wedding!  We are hoping, praying and fasting that the newlyweds will have many happy years together!  

3rd, 4th and 5th of July

With the 4th falling on a Sunday this year, it seemed that everyone was a bit confused about when to celebrate.  So, we just did a little celebrating all 3 days!

It's not enough to simply watch the fireworks.
It's much more fun to jump over them.

Alyssa could barely breathe after this one.

T was our designated pyro.
I'm lovin the eye wear.

We ran into Caden at Balloon Fest.
His Aunt is a balloonist, what?  
We got a hands-on experience.

Now he's done something Ben and I have never done.

yum.

Holly basically opted out of all celebrations.  She quietly avoided all the fireworks but did watch Hamilton, a very appropriate choice for the 4th of July.

Girl's Camp!

Reyn, Alyssa, Holly and Marlee all 
got to go to camp together this year!
It looked like a lot of fun to me! 

Join the Cause!

Today I celebrate the inspired men, women and children who bravely followed the stirrings of their souls to rise up, united, in rejection of tyrannical rule.  Who felt compelled to sacrifice their comforts, their homes and even their lives to gain freedom.  

I am a benefactor of their sacrifice, and of the miraculous events that followed.   Gaining our independence was a victory which created a fertile landscape upon which the seeds of an even more noble cause would be planted, sprout and begin to flourish.  It brought about the restoration and propulsion of the cause of Christ.  Inviting and gathering others to Christ is the greatest cause happening in the world today. Will we rise up?  Will we be willing to sacrifice our comforts, leave our homes and live our lives in the cause of Christ?