So much to say...

WOW! It has been so long since I posted anything on here and sooooo very much has happened in my life for the good that I must share!
First, we had another successful family reunion at Buffalo Campground in Island Park. Lots of floating down the, at times, super lazy and shallow Buffalo River with as many as could come. I think all of us went multiple times except for mom who wasnt quite into the float so she stayed behind and hung out with the lil ones most of the time. Brian and Taylor did their hilarious "Mini-man's daily routine" act that only they can pull off...it just wouldnt be the same if they didnt do it at a Benson family reunion. They had us rolling in the dirt and Erin was officially inducted into the Benson craziness once and for all! I'm sure she was wondering what in the world she had married into but she is one of us now and I dont think we will be letting her go! The Benson Reunion was made so fun and so relaxing and just memorable by all the family members...we were all there together and who knows when that will be able to happen again?! I sure enjoyed every minute spent with all the kids and even the adults! Everyone pitched in for glorious meals and treats galore! It was FaBuLoUs! Had all the major ingredients for a great time: Family, Food, and Fun! Cant wait til we get to do it again!!!
Another exciting announcement isnt really mine to announce so I am just gonna say there are gonna be two more additions to the Benson Clan in the early part of 2011. I am so excited to say the least! Cant wait to hold them and kiss them and love on them!!!!
Last but certainly not least, Bralee was baptized on the 4th of September by her Uncle Taylor. She looked beautiful and radiated such joy and happiness in a white dress that her cousin Ashley let her borrow (the dress prolly cost as much as a wedding gown)! A lot of members came from both sides of her family which made it extra special for her. Her father and stepmom and 5 month old brother were an added surprize since they werent sure if they were going to be able to attend. Bralee was so excited to see each and every person that came and supported her decision to be baptized. To top it all off she recieved such wonderful gifts from family and friends to help her remember her day...not the least of which is her new puppy Angel. It was such a great day!

What gives you the right?

So, I want to know what you think gives you the right to be a parent? What makes you a father/mother or simply a biological component in a child's DNA makeup?
Last week I was notified that my ex-husbund and father of my daughter was fighting against Idaho Child Support Service's summons to modify his child support. Really? How can he disagree that he is making 3 times as much as what he was, and still pays next to nothing to support her? I try to understand how he is too busy for her, can abandon her by changing his name so that she has no family identity, how he can go for weeks without contacting her, and how in the world he is able to look himself in the mirror knowing that she love him and he neglects her constantly. But it is no use for me to wonder these things because I can not fathom going 24 hours without some kind of contact with her, or her going without a single thing that she needs or may want. I just cant begin to comprehend.

What is it that gives us the right to be a parent to a child?

OMG Long Time no see!

So as it has been well over 6 months since my last post I thought that I would update my blog. There is so much going on lately that it seems that I have no way to keep everyone informed that is important in my life. Well WHERE TO BEGIN? There is really no way to catch everybody up so I am just going to staryt with what is new and exciting around here.
On July 30th- August 1st the Benson Clan is headed camping for our Family Reunion. I am so excited cuz we are going to Buffalo Campground in Island Park. We went there alot as kids and it has played a cherished role in the memories that we made as a family. It will be so good to have the whole family together again. Its been almost two years...
Save the date: August 7, 2010 Bralee will be baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by her uncle and my brother Taylor. We are so pleased with her descision to be baptized and realizing that this is a huge step in her eternal progression, she is going to be taking the discussions to make sure she understands just what baptism is and means. Family and friends are welcome to attend both the baptism and the confirmation the following day. For more information just give me a call.

Baptism...

Today my nephew was baptised by his father. This got me to thinking that the next child in my family that will be eligible for this blessing is my daughter. I took this opportunity to explain a few things to her...what baptism symbolizes, why we as Latter Day Saints are baptized, what immersion means, and the difference that baptism makes and signifies in our lives. She took it all in and devoured every peice of information that I gave her. She asked so many questions that it was hard for me to answer them all. In fact, I couldn't answer them all. Luckily, she can be somewhat appeased when I tell her that I will have to find out and then let her know.
Anyway, I had a very amazing experience during the confirmation of my nephew. I kept it to myself until my Mom and I were talking afterward. She asked me if me and my brother had felt our father's presence there. I immediately said, "Yes mom. I most definitely did! In fact during Braxton's confirmation I could literally see dad standing on the right side of Paul." It was not with my earthly eyes that I beheld my father. I know it was with my spiritual eyes because my eyes were closed and my head was bowed. I feel so blessed to have had this special event take place and to have it happen at Braxton's confirmation makes me think that there are some awesome things in store for that boy!

Keepin up with the Jones's

Last weekend we had our Jones family reunion at Buffalo Camp Ground in Island Park, Idaho. It was soooo much fun! Taylor, Marci, me, and the three rugrats arrived shortly after noon on Friday to set up camp. The tent was easily a 10 man tent but it comfortably fit all 6 of us plus Dolly (Taylor and Marci's lil Cocker Spaniel) with bedding and bags lining the inside from wall to wall. It was a blast...s'mores and tons of great food, fires, the great outdoors, and family from all over (not to mention being able to listen to my favorite band play across the way at Pond's Lodge all night long)!!!
Debra has brought a new tradition into the Benson's get togethers and since we were in charge of the Jones reunion this year, she introduced it the rest of the family...Family Jeopardy! The game was made out of funny stories and old secrets that the family members had accumulated of the years and it made for a night full of laughs and sidepokes! She did a great job!
Saturday was filled with more games, food, prizes, and floating Buffalo Creek. The kids loved the slow pace of the water (as did the adults) and we traversed the stream a couple of different times that day. It was amazing seeing how my whole family interacted with eachother...it felt like old times having most of us together.
All in all, it was a very memorable experience and such an amazing time. I hope to go up there again soon with Bralee and have a little less structured time than the hustle and bustle of normal, everyday life. There is really no better way I can think of to get to know eachother than in God's beautiful scenery in Island Park.