What Is the Opposite of a Dog Pile?

This:

Esther was playing The Princess and the Pea with Marcus. Pea brain?

Here is what happens when doctors and nurses pile on me:

Diebus Valentini + Painful Choices

Here is my blog post with a video and Valentine's Day Party pics.

I was able to upload us singing Lullabye from 5 or 6 years ago.

I uploaded the pictures of our family we took in 2015 and put them on a special page on the blog, if we want to use them.

The Theurers share some amazing photos of their mission to Zimbabwe in their last post. Not only are their magnificent beasts, but I had never heard of "The Great Zimbabwe" before--I can't help but think it inspired some of the idyllic and panoramic views for Black Panther.

One of my favorite quotes at the end comes from a Sister Mkhabela there:

"Everyone must choose one of two pains:  the pain of discipline or the pain of regret."

Valentine's Day Circus Party

 Every year, my sweet wife and children surprise with an amazing Valentine's Day party. I've partied and dined in Spain; I've eaten oily sludge as a robot; I've dined amid treacherous pirates onboard the Black Pearl; I've commanded the table as a Pharaoh.

This year, in the spirit of The Greatest Show, I was taken to a wild and wonderful circus, filled with performers and freaks.

Enjoy the photos and video!

Bad to the Bone

I took Susan and Miriam to Winco today to get some stuff for our reunion Monday, and when we got home Marcus and brought a dead magpie through his little doggie door and dropped it in the middle of the living room. I should have taken a picture. Disgusting. But I believe the intent was wonderful. Good doggie!

I am scheduled to have surgery tomorrow at 1:30. Say a little prayer for me, will you? I like getting that extra little help. For the doctors and nurses, I am sure this is all very routine. For me, this is extraordinary.

O+ Dear!

I still haven't gotten around to posting on the blog our Valentine's Day Party pictures. Sorry.

Friday, Susan hurt her back. She had spasms Saturday afternoon and couldn't go with Rachel to her Federation performance this afternoon. Ow.

While she was suffering, I went the the armory at Central Davis to help construct the castle for the next musical, and I apparently tore my bicep. I don't think it is completely detached from the tendon, but man it hurt. My left arm isn't very useful right now, but it did feel better today. I see a specialist tomorrow morning.

Lullabye

We recorded this over five years ago. It ain't perfect, but I love singing with my wife and children.

A Fond Memory

I was looking for something else. I came upon this and it made me happy, so I thought I'd share this with the people we were with!

A Fish Swims into a Bar ...

... and says "Dam!"

That's another DVB special, folks!

I want to send some photos from very enjoyable Valentine's Day party this year. I will get to it. 

But, in the meantime, I thought I would just point out little things that I found odd, humorous, awesome or disturbing.

Kudos to the Apprentice

Not long after getting home from Italy--which reminds me: did you see the snow in Rome?--Isaac created a chutney burger that he tried out on a date and really liked. Well, look what is on the menu at Troon Prive?

A Young Fish Swims into a Bar ...

... and the bartender asks "Shouldn't you be in school?"

One of my favorite experiences was when Mom discovered that her cousin had a missionary in Taiwan. That was a neat experience for me. We second cousins made sure we got together before we came home. (He married a church member from Taiwan and is a physician in Cananda now.)

Today at work, signs in the lunch room encouraged us to download the FamilySearch Tree app to our phone. (It is best if you turn GPS on). There is an option to see relatives that also have the application nearby.

President Nelson, Pope Francis and Rabbi Yahuda Krinsky Walk into a Bar ...

... And the bartender asks "What is this? Some kind of joke?"

Some kind of joke, yes.

Esther is 5 today! Gideon was able to visit and attend her party, and it was fun to see him. 

Theurer'd Yet?

https://theurerzimbabwemission.blogspot.com/2018/01/this-is-how-they-do-things-in-zimbabwe.html

That is the latest from the Theurers. They do a nice job of showing the unique culture through pictures and stories.

At the end are some quotes from President Monson, and this one got me pondering:

"God left the world unfinished for man to work his skill upon. He left the electricity in the cloud, the oil in the earth. He left the rivers unbridged and the cities unbuilt. God gives us the challenge of raw materials, not the ease of finished things. He leaves the pictures unpainted and the songs unsung and the problems unsolved, that we might know the glories and joys of creation."

A Young Recovering Alcoholic Just Out of Law School ...

... resisted temptation and passed the Bar.

Way to go Dad! I edited it slightly, but I love it!

Quick note for Isaac: I just heard that Kori Anne Dryer just received a call to serve in the Italy Milan Mission.

Testimony meeting was really good today, and maybe the best part was that Miriam not only stayed for the entire meeting but also bore testimony. In fact, she was sitting with the Haruch family, and stood up at exactly the same time Andrew did to bear testimony. Way to go, Mirkat!

Small Town Boy

I found this short video about the how BYU is actually able to do volumetric imaging now -- super, super cool stuff. It is the next step beyond a hologram: like the image of Princess Leia that R2D2 displays.

Does anybody recognize the featured professor?

A Banana Walks Into A Bar ...

... full of ice cream, cherries and nuts and says "I think I better split."

That is a DVB original!

News items:

Missing Two Men

I have more "[enter person or thing here] walks into a bar" jokes, but I will skip it for this.

I thought I should pass a long the news that Keith Steindorf passed away Monday. I don't know if you remember him or not. He lived next to the Damitz family. He was a very nice fellow and I enjoyed talking to him the few times I did. I think Lucy rode one of his horses for Activity Days.

He had been in a nursing home for awhile, and just wasn't the same Keith.

A Dyslexic Fellow Walks into a Bra ...

You're welcome!

I found some videos I neglected, and thought you might enjoy them. They are posted to the Benge family blog. On Christmas Eve in 2016, we had a mini talent show. I wish I would have found them before Christmas to add some holiday cheer!

This is Lucy singing Silent Night.

This is Andrew singing O Come, O Come Emmanuel.

This is Lucy, Miriam and Hannah singing Joy to the World.

Enjoy.

Lucy, Miriam and Hannah 2016: Joy to the World

Andrew 2016: O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Lucy 2016: Silent Night