Susan Is Pregnant

I keep thinking that I need to write and update everyone on everything that is going on. Not gonna happen. So, I will just blurt some news in the title.

Oh, I guess I could say a thing or two more. First: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

A bought a little Ranger pickup that is requiring much more work than I thought. I also sold PutterButt (or however Darcee spelled it) to Pick-n-Pull, along with another old truck. I recommend them--they actually give you money for your car. (I got $141 for PutterButt.)

Awhile back we went to Disneyland. It was very busy but we had a very good time. If any of you are going, there is one must see attraction: Turtle Talk with Crush. You need to see this. Don't quibble with me. You need to see it. Go twice. Trust me. It is the best thing there.

Andrew really wanted to go back to Disneyland the other day and insisted that I take him RIGHT NOW. I told him it was really far but that I would be glad to go on a walk with him. He was excited and got his shoes on, and insisted that we were now going to walk to Disneyland RIGHT NOW. I admire his determination. I do not admire his grasp of reality. He also dug a large hole in the back yard and insisted that I help him build a house for Grandma and Grandpa Benge there. I fear that the next few years of my life will be spent destroying this child's dreams.

We also still have 5 other children, and like them most of the time. I still have a job. Life is pretty good. We love you all and wish we could see you much more often. We think it is cool to have the Adsits closer (even though it seems like we never get to do anything). It was great to see the Schlenske family recently and we think they should drive over more often. We were glad the Johnsons came to Fairview, too. You are good people to be with. Take care of each other!

Benge Family Blog

Benge Family Blog So, Thanks David for reinviting me. I still can't figure out what I possibly used for my password! We enjoyed seeing so many family members on our trip to Utah! We love you all and were so grateful for the time we got to spend. I was going to send some pictures. How do I do that? Okay, so I just got back on and figured it out. Here goes an attempt to send you a couple photos of our trip.

SPRINGTIME PICTURES

Family History

Hi there family. For one of my history classes, I have to do a service project that is history related. For this project, I am planning to do a Benge family history. Anyway, I would like to either call each of you, or perhaps just have you guys email me some memories. I'm not sure yet. For now I was just wondering if somebody could email me a list of everyone's phone numbers and email address. I have some, but I don't know if they are current. Anyway, if somewould could do that, that would be awsome. Also, if any one has an idea of how best to do my project, I would appriciate any input. Thanks.

Judas - The Long-Lost Gospel ?

Judas Is No Traitor in Long-Lost Gospel - Los Angeles Times

This article in the LA times, tells of a manuscript, which scientists date to the year 300. It is an account of conversations between Jesus and Judas in the last week of their lives. It is very interesting to read about. The ideas portrayed in this "unknown" gospel would probably be considered pretty blasphemous by the early catholic church, and even by most christian sects, but I think much of it fits nicely with our faith and with modern revelation. You can read the EXCERPTS FROM THE ORIGINAL TRANALATION HERE. (in pdf format)

Cyclops

Cy, short for Cyclops, a kitten born with only one eye and no nose, is shown in this photo provided by its owner in Redmond, Oregon, on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005. The kitten, a ragdoll breed, which died after living for one day, was one of two in the litter. Its sibling was born normal and healthy.

Source: Yahoo news

Funeral

As you all probably know, Grandpa Walker's funeral is Friday at 10:00 A.M. in the Emmett Stake Center.

I am determined to attend, but haven't decided if I am going alone or with Susan only or with the family, so if any of you that might come through SLC are planning on attending, call me (801.352.1173) and maybe we can carpool or go as a group. Arizonans are part way on their own if they can arrange coming. North Dakotans are definitely on their own.

You know, I feel like I should be a lot sadder about his passing. But when he couldn't remember me or my family I think I went through much of the mourning then--I felt like I had already lost him. Now, I am just happy he can be with Grandma.

I can't think of a title

Hi ya'll. I just thought that everyone should know that I got a cell phone, and thus my phone number has changed. It is now 801-310-5952. I have Cingular, in case someone else has them. Thats about it. Life in Cedar is good, but it keeps snowing like crazy. Oh well, such is life.

Funny Video

This is what happens when you use too much baby powder!

I think you'll like this one

(click on the picture to download the movie)

source: http://moodhacker.qj.net/

Men's restroom mural

This came to me in an email forward.


Edge Designs is an all women run company that designs interior office space. They had a recent opportunity to do an office project in NYC. The client allowed the women of this company a free hand in all design aspects.
The client was a company that was also run by all women execs.

We all know that men never talk, never look at each other, and never laugh much in the restroom....The men's room is a serious and quiet place. But now with the addition of one mural on the wall......

Beauty isn't even skin deep

Hi all. I thought you might all find it interesting to see how Hollywood creates an unrealistic perception of beauty. It's amazing that not even super models look as good as super models. The before and after pictures are the best, though the picture where they eliminated Tom Cruise' female friend in favor of a glass wall was also impressive. A few of the models are in bikinis, so you may not want to show these to your children until you have reviewed them, but then again, you may want your children to see that you can't necessarily trust something even if you have seen it with your own eyes...

BIG DAR

so, i emailed this to most of you...but i thought i'd put it on the blog too. i don't have time to get to it often, but i got an extra hour on my computer at the library tonight (but i do need to get out of here and get home for some FOOD! i'm starving....so no haiku tonight....that would take me---like----24 hours or something.)
anyway, pregnancy is not my favorite thing. maybe i'm just too old....or maybe no one ever talks about it...but i have swollen feet, ankles, legs and hands...i have no bladder control, my throat hurts all the time from the acid reflux, i've started snoring terribly and it wakes me up (in addition to the many times i wake up to urinate), i get migraines often, and of course, my back problems are gradually worsening----and all this when i'm only 4 1/2 months along. i thought i'd at least make it BEYOND the 1/2-way mark before all this set it. i'd say i hate it, but i can't. i know that when little boy johnson arrives, i won't care at all what i went through. so here is my 4 month size. i'll update it when my waist is even larger than it's current 44 inches.
daryl is well. he is SUCH a HARD WORKER! he has put in a sprinkler system and now planted grass....which we are hoping the birds won't eat all of (the stinky manure isn't covering the seed as well as we had hoped) he's chopped down several trees....unwanted or dead, he's done lots and lots of other yard work....cleaning up the mess that we moved in to (for those of you who remember our yard when we moved to new plymouth....ours here was much like it....all weeds, lots of toys and treasures all over in the dirt.....no plants that had been watered or taken care of all....and a whole lot of cigarrette butts everywhere), he works full-time and goes to school on tuesday evenings, plus he does laundry, dishes and other household chores on a regular basis due to my prenatal ailments. what a guy. and i think that's the update from our home. i gotta go. i'm gonna have to log off this computer and go use the library restroom!!!!!!! surprise surprise

GAS PRICES!

Did you all know that you can visit http://www.saltlakegasprices.com/ and see the LOWEST prices in salt lake city listed in order and updated every 48 hrs? (just a note, the 10 CHEAPEST stations are ALWAYS in my neighborhood :)

You can also see prices for the whole state at http://www.utahgasprices.com/

It's Tax Time again... Taxation without representation?

Here are some great little quotes I pulled from this site

It's worth a quick read.


"The safety of the poor man in this government is the justice of the principle embodied in all measures of legislation. If you may discriminate for him, you may discriminate against him; and perhaps it will not be long, if we go on at this rate, basing our legislation upon the ground that we intend to impose the burdens of the Government upon the rich and exempt the poor from them, until some man may be bold enough to claim that that doctrine shall be carried to its logical consequences, and that if the rich pay all the taxes, taxation and representation shall go together."
-Senator John Scott (R-PA)1866

"There has never been such a universal demand for the repeal of a tax as there has been for a repeal of this .... The people regard [the income tax] as more odious than any other description of taxation whatever; and not the least objectionable feature of it is its inequality."
-Senator Cornelius Cole (R-CA)

OCTOPUS VS SHARK

This is amazing!

More useless things from Devin

I just wanted to post something, let everyone know I'm alive and what not. There really isn't much going here right now. David and Susan and family are passing through Cedar this weekend and I am exceted to see them. I saw that everyone seems to be giving a family update as of late, so I will do the same. I'm still not married and I still don't have kids. I will work on that. Hopefully in that order. School is ok, but I'm a little behind in my classes. Work is good. Kind of boring and I get really tired some nights. Thats it. Love you all.

Ammendment

I realized that my Haiku poem (or attempt at a Haiku poem) may have come out wrong. It sounded like I was saying I don't give a crap about Dave, which is quite the opposite!! My intention was to say that Dave puts a lot into this page and we should be more supportive. I myself am very grateful for him and his setting this up so we could all be in contact. Marc and I have lived away from family our entire marriage, and I think this website is an awesome tool to keep in touch. I wish that poeple would utilize it, reply to others contributions, and be grateful for it :) I love hearing from family, knowing what's going on, feeling like I'm included, and knowing I'm supported way out here.

KC is FAT, and Kianna is a good sister

So I thought I would update a bit. Things are going well. I am of course in school and working full time, but it's not too bad. Cherrie of course celebrated a birthday a few days before Valentines day... I'm not certain if I'm allowed to disclose her age... I'll hafta check on that. KC is turning into a cute butterball of a boy. Whenever Cherrie sings "close, open; close, open" ( little Filipino dity to get your kids to open and close their hands) He dances, or something like it, and opens and closes his hands... kinda like "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree".
I just wanted to use this forum to let you all know that Kianna will be having her fourth Birthday on the 5th, and celebrating on the 4th. ( her party/my birthday is on the fourth, the same day as Kyle's baptism). Kianna is gonna throw a party for her freinds and family, so, of course She really wants to invite Ethan, Annabelle, and Miriam over on the 4th for her party. I don't know any details yet, but I figured I'd let you all know that your kids have things scheduled for saturday the 4th of March.
So, lets recap, Kiannas 4th on the 5th with a party on the 4th which is my 28th, got it?

Thanks David, Haiku for you

Proactive in the universe
Uniting Family
Too bad no one gives a crap!

Dave I really liked your Haiku, and meant to reply to it, didn't, forgot, sorry. I would like to thank you for setting up this site and keeping it going! You and I are typically the only ones who ever comment to postings, but I think everyone checks it out. I loved hearing about your family-- so will post a bit about mine as well. :)

Lily is adorable. She is speaking a little -- my favorite is when she walks up to me and says "hi baby" (think I've ever said that to her?). She and her brothers spend as much time as they can dancing to Peter and the Wolf, I Like to Move It (from Madagascar) and some other favorite songs. Her little bum moves side to side and she takes huge side steps lifting her alternate legs in the air while raising alternate hands in the air - she's a hoot to watch.
Toby is the sweetest, but quite emotional these days. As you may have seen on his website, he's inventing words like "meaniac" and "interrible". He makes up jokes all the time, sometimes confusing jokes with stories he'll say "mom I have a new joke -- once upon a time, there were three bears......" His treatment has been on hold for two weeks, we'll see this Friday if his counts are up enough to continue. He really is tough!
Kyle just got Star Wars Battlefront II (playstation) from a guy in our ward for his birthday - he's quite obsessed with it right now. He is doing really well in school and his teacher raves about him. He will be baptized on March 4th (everyone's invited). He is very mature and wise - he's ready to be baptized and I'm proud of him.
Marc works so hard! He works all day and then comes home and works on the addition. He really has done a lot and we should be able to move into it in the next month or so.... I can't wait!
As for me, I'm sane, I think.
We will not be taking any vacations any time soon unfortunately, but that isn't uncommon for us. Even though the kids and I have taken a couple of trips to Utah/Idaho without Marc, we consider those visiting family, not really vacations.

DVB to VRD

I see my amazing haiku has left everyone speechless. Sorry.

I have accepted a new position at the Church. Unfortunately, I was so tickled to get it that I can't remember what my new title is exactly, but it is "VRD Application Engineer" or something like that. VRD stands for Vernie David as well as Vignette Records and Documents.

I won't be bore you with the details of VRD (unless you want me to), but it is a records and documents management server application. The Church purchased 400 licenses--many departments have been searching for this kind of solution for quite awhile. But, (and here is where I come in) nobody really knows anything about it. In fact, the company Vignette experts don't know how to implement it for some of the specific things the Church needs (customized portlets may be needed, which would be created using Java). Thus, they need someone to learn how to use it, and that is me! I am excited to get going.

This may or may not be a dead end, but it is no more dead than my current job of being a part of a big plan to do something every 6 - 9 months and then canceling and reorganizing. FYI, one of the main players in Keane's demise just quit or was "forced to resign" (I dunno which) after 9 months of being in charge of all development at the Church. It is time to reorganize. I just hope they don't kill the Vignette project--at least not yet.

Family Notes:

Lucy likes to go around grunting and pointing at everything as she learns words. I love this age.

Andrew has stopped throwing chairs and threatening children (he growls and poses like the Hulk) in Primary and now enjoys opening exercises and his teachers, and is actually one of the better behaved children. However, he still likes to get reactions from his teachers by making statements like "My daddy doesn't love Jesus" and "I don't have a mommy."

Miriam is learning to play the violin. Cute! The violin can't weigh more than an oversized lollipop.

Gideon is now as cool as Hannah and I because he now wears glasses. Susan isn't cool yet because she only needs hers for reading.

Isaac entered a "claymation" movie into the state's Reflections contest and was one of the regional winners. He was disappointed to not be selected to continue to the state competition.

Hannah is getting really good at playing the piano by ear. She also allows Susan and I to go on dates because she has become a responsible babysitter (and Isaac is learning the trade as well).

Susan loves me because I am taking her to the King's Singers concert on Friday.

And, we are going to Disneyland next week! Fun fun fun. None of us can wait. Love ya all!