anniversary days...

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love never fails...but love will last forever" I Cor 13:4-8...

Thank you for all of your sweet anniversary comments on here, text messages, phone calls and facebook comments! It made our day even more special and we are truly blessed by y'all!

People asked me if Ben and I were going to go out and celebrate our anniversary by going to a show, out to dinner or what have you. We really didn't plan anything but it ended up being an eventful last few days! I didn't really want to plan anything because I was just so happy that we were together at home! Not in a hospital like the last two years but at home and lovin it! We were just fine with this!

Wednesday Ben had his massage scheduled for the afternoon and I decided that I would schedule one in as well. I hadn't had one in a few months so it was about time! There are not two massage therapists so we just went singly. I asked Ben who he wanted to go first and he said, "you, because you need it more!" I was fine with this. We brought his ipad so he could play games while I got mine. Oh my goodness...I was in pain! I knew going into it that it was going to be uncomfortable because they are not swedish massages yet deep tissue...in which I needed. Lets just say that she hit some very tight spots!
Ben was up next and she got him just as good as me! At one point the therapist and I were talking and Ben let us know that we were "cackling to much" and could we please just let him enjoy his massage like I got to enjoy mine...well la ti da! I was laughing...quitely of course!

Right after our massages we were going to meet up with some friends that we met at the VA in Cali because they were in town! I had told Ben earlier in the day that we were going to meet up with them and a few times that day he kept saying, "I wonder how Cale is doing?" Ben doesn't really remember alot of Cali but he remembers Cale and the few times we have seen them and been in contact with them since coming home! We looked drab and relaxed (or sore) after our massage but they accepted us! We went to the Rock pizza and that place is so good! Their brown sugar bread is to die for and yes Ben and I ate alot!




Thursday, actual anniversary, Ben had speech therapy in the morning and I hit the treadmill which was much needed! His physical therapist ended up canceling that afternoon so we did some work on reading, playing with Diesel and just hanging out. That evening my lil brother had his last football game which happened to be senior night and homecoming. They won, well better yet they laid the smack down! I think the score was 52-6! It was a good game and they are 2nd in their league so they are off to the play-offs this coming Friday! Ben is in his element when he is at these games! He loves it and is updating me on all the things that are going on!

Ben and I surprised each other with some gifts. You know that day my lil bro took him to lunch, well it was through a drive through and then to the mall to pick something out! Ben told my brother every thing he wanted to get and did the picking! It was so fun to hear all about it when he gave it to me! I have to say he upped me on the gifts this year...stinker! In the oast we haven't done anything big so I wasn't really expecting much which was fine because we were together! Well, he ended getting me a Coach purse, some lip gloss and another lil something! It was fun and it was perfect!
I made him a poster candy board letter! It was fun to make it for him! He got socks too because he needed them! Whenever he puts them on now though because he will know even more how much I love him!
Another thing that Ben surpised me with that actually came in the mail Wednesday was a card that he designed with his ST. He picked out the pics he wanted to use and also the words that he wanted to say! Super sweet and he kept it a secret for over 2 weeks and when it came he told me all about how he had made it!






{yeah i know we look like were 14}

**no time for photo editing tonight or just pure laziness!**

Friday we had the majority of off. We again chilled, spent time doing some therapy on our own and playing more and working with Diesel! Later that afternoon we had a neurology appointment on post. It was ok, I didn't get all of the answers I wanted or things I wanted to hear. Ben did great so that was good.

Saturday it was cleaning day for me! How this house goes to shambles with only me moving around beats me! One hour it is clean and the next, stuff all over! I don't like mess but sometimes it is so hard to keep up with it so this was a catch up morning! There was some football watching and naps in there for Ben! Later that afternoon we went to the nephews last soccer game. They lost but it was one of the best ones both boys had played all season!
Shortly after the game we headed over to our friends house to make grilled pizza and watch a movie. Well we got to watching the Stanford football game and we got hooked on it...so good! When a game goes into triple over time you have to watch to see the results! Ben got to hold sweet baby Z and he loved it!



Today, Sunday, we went to church and it was so good! I told Ben that Pastor B was going to be preaching and he wanted to go to the main service so he could see him! It was a really good service and belted out some songs! We got to see alot of people we haven't seen in some time and Pastor B! He loves Pastor B because before the accident when we were dating and shortly after we were married Ben would chat alot with him because he used to be a Navy Seal. They had alot in common even though their years of service were at completely differnt times! It was so good for him!
Later tonight we went to my sisters house for dinner and Starwars. The boys are going to be starwars people (can you tell i know nothing of starwars) for tomorrow so they have been getting caught up on the movies! It was cute because when we got there they all bolted out in their costumes. Ben was able to name off all the costumes as I stood there saying that looks so cool! Ben ended up falling asleep during the movie and since the last few days had been so busy we headed home to get some rest!

The last few days have been so good. No, they are not what we want them to be but they are good, we are alive, we have each other and we are happy. Thank you Lord for this...there is no one else to thank...He has allowed this and we are going to live our His plan EVEN though I would have it so differntly!
I got this from a lady whose husband was drastically injured overseas I think about 4 years ago. She has been caring for him ever since and he has not uttered a word to her and is not able to do what Ben has been blessed to be able to do. Their story reminds me everyday that we are blessed and have alot to be grateful for. It doesn't take this tragedy away or make my pain any less but it does make me alot more thankful..."OH MY GOSH, I can't believe I forgot...I want to wish you and Ben a very Happy Anniversary! Don't you think that anniversaries mean so much more now that you know that you almost didn't celebrate any more??? I hope you guys had a fabulous day and continue to have a fabulous night. Enjoy all those kisses from your man and dont' forget to give them back ten fold!" She is a huge blessing to me!

Just an update on Diesel...he is growing and as Ben always says, "just being a stinker like me!"

His paws at 9 weeks have doubled in size and I swear he has almost tripled in his whole body size!




"A kiss is a lovely trick, designed by nature, to stop words when speech becomes superfluous." Ingrid Bergmen

"In my wildest dreams, you always play the hero. In my darkest hour of night, you rescue me, you save my life." Bliss and Cerney

four years of lovin...

Love is just a word until somebody comes along and gives it meaning...

It is October 27th so that means I have been married to an amazing man for 4 years! I cannot believe that it has been four years since we said I DO and that we would love and be with each other forever.

Four years ago the words, "In sickness and in health" were easy words to say and they rolled off the tip of my tongue. Throw sickness and tragedy into the life that I thought was so perfect and those words take on a whole new meaning.
I look at weddings and those words in a whole different way now.

I didn't know that two years shy of just our second wedding anniversary that Ben would be in a coma for 2 months at that point, now know where life was going to take us, if Ben was even going to live, me have a 10 inch scar down the middle of my stomach and a cast and scar on my left arm. Just barely two years of being with my man and suddenly it was all very differnt.

Ben and I cannot change where we are right now. If we had the "miracle brain injury pill" then things would be different. I can wish things were different but I cannot. What we can do is live out our lives to the fullest right here and right now. Things are not perfect, things are not always happy, things are not always grand but life is good. Ben and I have each other and that is all that matters! God saved both of us for a reason. We may not have the marriage that we want right now but we are happily married in the midst of sorrow and tragedy.

I am so grateful that this year Ben and I will not be in a hospital celebrating our anniversary! The first year we were in Atlanta with no words uttered by Ben, the second (our 3rd anniversary) we were in California and Ben was just able to softly say I Love You and this year we are home! We are in our own place and Ben is able to remember our anniversary and says very clearly and loudly every day, I LOVE YOU!
I thank the Lord for those words!

Ben, from the bottom of my heart I LOVE YOU! You belong to me and I to you! We have each other for the rest of our lives. I am honored to be your wife and love you like no other one person could! I want you all back more then you know! You are amazing and from the bottom of my heart I LOVE YOU more then you know!

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
And I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo
{God Gave Me You-Blake Shelton}

fall, john wayne, goldfish...

{last weeks football game...we won!}

I have got to get my heart rate down! Ben took a fall this afternoon and it was the first time with me out of his sight and not able to catch him! We had just come home from Costco with my mom and I got Ben sitting on the couch and needed to get Diesel outside to go potty. When I was coming through the door I saw Ben finish his fall...and watching him crash to the ground. He saw me, looked up and said, "I needed to go to the bathroom!" He landed on his left bumm cheek and on his left arm. I got him sitting up and leaning back on the wall. He at least knew enough to use his walker! He stood by himself and took a few steps before going down! Oh, I failed to mention that he was within inches of smacking his head on the kitchen counter on his way down! Anyways, I told him not to move, called my brother and tried to calm my heart and my hands that were shaking. I could have helped Ben get up because he is pretty good at it but just in case something was hurt or not working right when he stood I wanted my brother there. Thankfully I caught my brother right before he was leaving the house! We got him up and to the bathroom. I asked Ben if it freaked him out and he said no. I asked him again and said you don't have to be strong in your answer but just tell me the truth. He said that he was not scared when he stood up and took a few steps but it is when he fell that he got scared.
All is well. I checked out his whole body when he walked, was in the shower and when he went to bed. Amazingly he doesn't have a scratch or bruise on him! After Ben was settled on his chair and Diesel was sittin on his lap he was talking to him and telling him how he needs to listen to his master just like he had to listen to his! Ha! I am thanking Jesus that is was not as worse as it could be!

Ok, on to John Wayne! Ever since I met Ben I have been well aware of his love for everything JW! I cannot count on my hands how many JW movies he has either! I like watching them once but over and over because there is nothing else to watch gets a lil dull! Ha, it is fun though, I must admit! Ben also has card board cut out of JW. I don't know how long he has had it but it's never really been on display anywhere.
Ben and his OT were working on some sitting the other day and shooting at the window. When I got home from the gym it was me that turned into the target until I had a bright idea...get the JW and use him for target practice. Since Ben was sitting down JW had to do the same thing! It was pretty fun to watch!






Ben and I watched one of nephews for a little bit yesterday and we had fun. T at one point said, "aunt kk, goldfish please!" Um, couldn't resist and of course he got a lil bowl full. Uncle Ben had to have some too since T was sitting right beside him! I love how my neices and nephs love on Ben. The see past his lack of speaking and ability to move less then others. They pray for him always and are always letting us know this. One prayer I will always remember came from L, "and Jesus, please heal the broken bones in Uncle Ben's head!" So sweet, love them!





Ben went back to the chiropractor this past week for more traction...


My sister and I at her boys soccer game...


I got to go hang with a few of my friends I hadn't seen in a long while...




and Ben got more sleep time in with Diesel...

...hopefully it will not be until next week until I post! Time just slips away from me and by the time I get to it, it's almost been a week! Man of man!

balancing...

While Ben and I continue to work on balancing our schedule and lives, which can change at any moment, Ben and his therapists have been working on his balance skills. It has been fun to watch and now has turned into a competition between the therapists as to who can get Ben to stand and balance on his own the longest!

A few weeks ago Ben was barely standing over 1 minute. Then it was 1:30 and then moved up to 2:45. Last week we tried something new to see if it would help with his balance and that was using his snow board! Growing up Ben had a paper route and he would save his money to buy lift tickets to go boarding. He always wanted to take me up and teach me but the first winter when we were dating he was deployed, the next he went like one time because of his work schedule and the third we were in GA and got like a half inch of snow (first time in like 10 years) and everyone there freaked out! It was amazing to see that Ben still remembered how to sinch up his boots and strap himself to his board! He needed a bit of help but when he did he was able to tell his PT what to do! He has missed it!

You will see in the videos below that Ben has to work super hard just to get up off the couch. He fell and got back up! Please know that he is totally fine when he falls back and the couch is totally soft so he never gets hurt! The longest he stood on his board was 5:45!!!!! Go Ben go, go GOD go!! So proud of him!





The look of pride that Ben had on his face and the satisfaction of being on his board
was amazing! His face lit up, he tried to stand as straight as he could and when he started throwing some punches Ben was in his element! Although he was not on snow up on the mountain you could tell that just being in those boots and on that board was so good for him!

I have to say that today I got the report from him and his PT (I was working out at the gym...just trying to stay upright after my workout after being out of the gym for a month) that he balanced on his own this morning for 6 min!!! No snow board, no walker, no support...just Ben! Wowzers!! Ben got alot of praise, hugs and kisses!!











We are learing to balance and train Diesel too! He has been quite the amazing pup but there are those things that come with having a puppy! As are as his crate training goes he has an A+ in that department! We put him in at night and he goes all night without a peep! Thank you Diesel! Potty training is coming along. I am trying to get him to go in one place way in the back yard and he is working on it! Ben uses the yard alot of walking so we don't need droppings all over the place! We are starting to give him one word commands and he is slowly but surely getting it. I know it will not come over night but I know it will come!

Please continue to pray for Ben and his balance...and his mobility as a whole. He really needs this! He was getting his shower in today and he said, "I need to beat this brain injury soon because I have alot of things I need to do and accomplish!" He went on to list what they were and they were goals and dreams he had at the time of the accident. His mobility is huge and I really believe that when he gets control over that, that he will just thrive and bust the walls down and make huge gains.
So, please pray for balance, mobility and freedom from the things that hold Ben back!
I am praying that God will breath life into dead cells, weak bones, weak muscles and anything and everything that needs God's breath to heal his body!

We are blessed to have y'all in our lives and continually there to pray, encourage and cheer us on in this journey! We are grateful!

Please remember that family of Dan Dan Wheldon, Indy car driver. He passed away Sunday in a race. We had the privilege of meeting him last August when he came to visit the VA. He has a wife and 2 small boys that he was very proud of!

a family of 3...

No, we are not pregnant but we did add a new family member this past week! Ben has been asking for a baby and a puppy for many months now. He told me one day, "if we cannot have a baby right now can we at least a puppy?" I had to think about if for some time because it is no easy task adding a puppy into our lives at this time...like I don't enough on my plate!

Well, after some good thinking about it and more begging and asking from Ben we decided to just go ahead and do it...with permission from our land lords of course.

We went about a month ago to go see the pups and Ben had specifics on what he wanted. He wanted a male, black lab and he wanted the "stinker" one. I on the other hand wanted a calm one! The owner had two black males and so the decision was not going to be that hard. We put the first one on his lap and he held it for a bit. Then we switched out for for other one and just a few seconds after putting him on Ben's lap he said, "this is going to be my fido and his name is Diesel!" He has always called all dogs fido so I knew that he was firm on his decision!

This past Wednesday we went to pick him up and oh he had grown! The cutest lil guy you have ever seen! I did a few things inside and then brought the puppy out to Ben! When I put Diesel on Ben's lap he had the biggest smile that nobody could wipe off! I wish I had my camera out...it was that good!

So jump ahead a few days til today...we are still alive and things are going well! The first night Diesel was home we put him in his crate. He cried for about 5 minutes and then was out. He got up at 5am, went potty and then back to his crate until we got up with about 5 more minutes of crying. The second night we put Diesel in his crate he cryed for about 15 min and I went in there and gave him his stuffed alligator and put a blanket on his crate...not another peep until he heard us moving around in the morning! Third night (last night), put him in his crate and not a peep...but up at about 6am to go potty and then back to crate! This I can handle! Ben of course just tells me if the pup is crying and then smirks as I roll out of bed!

Going potty, we are working on it! He has only had one tiny accident inside and that was because I took my eye off him and he was sniffing! If we get him outside about 15 min after he eats he does great! He will not be an indoor dog but for now he is in his crate or just snuggling with us because he is so small. I am trying to get him to go in one specific spot which at this point he is not liking because it is on pine needles under a tree and not the grass!

Weve been taking him to a few places...soccer games, football games and such. He is getting used to riding in the car but still at this point doesn't like it! Poor guy!

I will say that Diesel has been awesome for Ben so far! He cannot do alot of command stuff or run around with him outside yet but he talks ALOT to him, he sits on the floor and plays with him and just snuggles with him! So good to see how he takes care of him and how he talks to him as well!

Anyways, here are a few photos that we have taken of our sweet Diesel...




{introducing diesel to his gator}


{gator war!}


{thats my hair...i woke up to him snacking on it!}






...you would think this is what I would look like after caring for a pup but no, Ben is completely tuckered out!!

october 15...

"There is no greater tragedy in life than the loss of a child. Unfortunately, because our babies live only within our wombs or they live outside of the womb for a short period of time, an uneducated society often minimizes the importance of their short lives and, in turn, our grief is trivialized.” Clair Baca

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month (President Ronald Reagan proclaimed it) is in October and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is on October 15th. We have succeeded in getting State Proclamations established in 47 States to date (October 11, 2001). First of all, just because we may have states that have not signed, does not mean that the Month of October and October 15th will not be recognized in these states. We are hoping to have October 15th observed all over the world, and we truly believe in our hearts that someday it will be.

Since Oct 1988, more than two million babies worldwide were born still. And countless others were lost to a variety of other devasting reasons. Please take a moment this October to think of all those babies who are so very loved and missed every single day.

Today I lit the candle above in honor or all the babies that have been lost but to the ones I know are...

Baby Cale
Baby Andrew
Baby Cohen
Baby Jake
Baby Briar
Baby Westgate
Baby Berg
Baby Morden
Baby Harper
Baby Olivia...

To many babies conceived but gone to soon! Please be praying for their families today as we remember and honor these lil ones lives!

waiting...

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry." Psalm 40:1

Oh that word, wait! I really don't like it, sometimes I have come to despise it but yet at the same time waiting brings things that I never expected!

Waiting is something that Ben and I have had to do ALOT of. Some days of waiting are better then others but most linger on and on and on. There are often days when I just look up and say, "hello, are you there because I am and we are still waiting for you to come and do a lil more healing...ok maybe alot more healing!" Like I should be telling God that what I am doing when He knows all things!

It is hard to wait when the man that you love with all of your heart says, on a daily basis, "this sucks," "I just want to walk on my own," "I am ready for this brain injury to be over," "I just want to get back to my buddies," I want to give you a baby," "I really want to just stand on my own!"...and the list goes on! I usually say I know, you're doing awesome, you're an amazing man, I am so proud of you...all the things that Ben loves to hear and needs to hear! Waiting doesn't help in answering these heartaches of Ben. He so wants to get better and just wants to get out there and do the things that he loves! He has even told me that it sucks because he cannot love me in the way that he wants and how he used to.

Time goes on, we move forward. We try and stay busy by doing "normal" things. I don't want to not do things just because Ben has limited mobility or because of a brain injury!

A few defininitions of the word wait in the dictionary are:
~to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens
~to be available or in readiness
~to look forward to eagerly

To remain inactive...no thank you! Of course there are times when Ben and I need our rest but we will by no means be inactive and just sit around and wait for him to be 100% healed. I don't believe that is what God has called us to do.
To be available...right now I am available to Ben. This is my calling and mission at this time until Ben takes steps to doing more and more on his own. Even though I know and he has said that it is hard for him to let me care for his almost every need and he understands that it has taken a tole on me...I am being available and ready to him. Today when we were driving I told him I was a bit shaky because I didn't eat breakfast. He said, "you had better eat something because if something happens to you I am skrewed!" I really don't want this to be for the rest of his life but in our waiting I will care for his needs.
To look forward eagerly...I do look forward eagerly in my waiting for what God has for us. He has things for us today, tomorrow, next month, next year. In the waiting process I cannot help but look forward to Ben's complete healing. I know God is doing things in Him right now and for that I am grateful but I still get excited about the healing that is to come! We just don't know when it is...darn it...must wait!

"Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Ps 27:14

"One of the important exhortations of the Bible is the call to “wait on the Lord.” Even though God promises special blessing for waiting, waiting is one of the most difficult exhortations of Scripture. Why is it so hard? Because, as a part of fallen humanity, we are so prone to take matters into our own hands, to follow our own schemes. Yet, over and over again we are told in Scripture “wait on the Lord.”
We don’t like to wait and when we think of waiting we are apt to respond with the pun, “Wait? That’s what made the bridge collapse!” Of course, that’s weight, not wait. But then these two words, weight and wait are not always unrelated because one of our needs in waiting on the Lord is the need to cast the weighty burdens of life on Him.
The ability to wait on the Lord stems from being confident and focused on who God is and in what God is doing. It means confidence in God’s person: confidence in His wisdom, love, timing, understanding of our situation and that of the world. It means knowing and trusting in God’s principles, promises, purposes, and power." J.Keathley

There are things that I can take into my own hands and do things but healing Ben completely is not one of them! Oh sometimes I wish that there was a pill for brain injuries or a treatment to zap the brain to make it all go back to normal but there is not! I can be here for my man and do the things I know that Ben needs and help get him some treatments but I cannot heal him. That is up to the Lord. Of course the selfish, expectant side wants to know when and how and ask why not now??!! Why is He making us wait? Why make Ben suffer when he knows what is going on and just wants to be back to who he knows who he is? Why is it dragging on when I know God could heal Ben right now! Why the waiting? It gets very frustating to know there is nothing else I can do for my man. It is human for us to want to fix things and then with my nursing back ground I want to even more!

I will say that in our waiting we have learned alot! Selfishly I am done learning things but spiritually I want more! In life I want more.
Waiting for me involves: expectations, hope, trust, positives, negatives, seeking, action, contentment (hard one), and so many other things. Who knew waiting could entail so much!

The promises from the Lord to those who wait on Him are amazing! He meets our needs according to His promise, He gives us our requests, peace, His faithfulness, His never ending love for us, rest (awwww), safety, satisfaction and the list goes on!
When we were driving up to post this morning for another appointment a song came on that I have heard before but not for quite some time...all about waiting!

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

...this is what Ben and I will continue to do, wait on the Lord! I will thrive to be peaceful, faithful, worship, love and continue to care for the man whom God has given to me!

"Do any of the worthless idols of the nations cause rain to fall? Do the skies themselves send showers? Is it not you, O Lord our God, who does this? So we put our hopes in you because you alone do all this.” Jer. 14:22

"Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me: for You are the God of my salvation; on You do I wait all day." Psalm 25:4-5

i did it...

This weekend has been busy, with a capital B, but it was all so good!
It started out on Saturday morning with me doing something I have wanted to do for awhile, some sort of sporting competition! It was a 5k run/obstacle course! I was invited to do the Warrior Dash back in June with a friend but the timing was just not right. My sister let me know about this event in town and I went straight to my computer and signed up! I am so glad that I did and had so much fun!
My two sisters also did it and a few of our friends!
We were in the 1030 heat so we didn't have to wake up to early. Ben hung out with the boys as the girls did our thing!
5K equals a little over 3 miles and my goal was to run the whole thing! This was a big goal for me since I hadn't worked out in about a month! I did it though! There were a few times when I would jog slowly or in place as we were letting the rest of our group catch up or go slow with them (we started as a group and wanted to finish that way) but I finished strong! There was no holding back in the obstacles! The obstacles included tunnels, cargo nets, sand, water slides, fire, mud and so many other things! I had no issues getting wet and dirty! I have some bruises in disclosed areas from the water slide and they still hurt but hey battle wounds are great when it comes to these things right? Right?
If you want to check out the course you can go HERE!












We couldn't have asked for better weather! It was high 50's but the sun was warm! After the race Ben and I headed home. I asked Ben what his favorite parts were and he said, "you crossing the finish line!" I asked him what else and he said, "the mud!" Before I even started the race he told me that I couldn't be a puss when it came to the mud so I guess he was impressed when I jumped right in!
By the time we got home I was shivering and hungry! I warmed up, got some food and hit the couch! My body was tired!
Ben had wanted to go to my nephews soccer game about 1.5 hours later and I asked him about 5 times if he was sure because I didn't know if I could move! Of course he said yes! We went and had a fun time!
Later that night we had pizza, just what one should eat after all of that hard work!

Today we went to church and it was a really good service. It was great to watch Ben worship, pray and laugh at the funny points! Warms my heart!
My body wasn't as sore as I thought it was going to be. Thank goodness! We chilled for a bit and then I got in house cleaning mode! Once I get started with that it is hard to stop because I just want to get it done. Ben relaxed and watched a movie. Ahhh, one of these days he will be able to help and I look forward to it!

In the afternoon we took off to my brother's house for his 30th birthday party! It was low key with family (that makes for a big gathering with all of us though) and we had a blast! He didn't have a birthday hat, yet birthday horns!
There were four Bens there, 3 are related and one really good friend that we consider family so I had to get a pic! Later on there was some book reading with my niece! Ben took turns reading the pages with my brother and he did really well!






All in all it was a great weekend filled with fun and adventures! I cannot wait to do another type of competition! I might sneek some more photos in as I get them but the ones above are the ones I have for now!

Here are just a few pics from Ben's last triathlon that he did when we were dating! One day I pray that we can do one together!