Happy Birthday Ben (and America)

Name: Benjamin Jackson
Age: SEVEN
Height: 49 inches
Weight: 45 lbs
Teeth missing: 6

Favorites--
Color: Blue
Animal: Cheetahs and Rhinos
Food: homemade breadsticks, strawberries and ice cream (but not strawberries on ice cream.) He likes most foods, but doesn't want anything touching anything else!
Books: Meet the Autobots, Meet the Decepticons and any other Transformer book out there. He also loves animal encyclopedias, and anything by Shel Silverstein
Movies: Transformers, TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
TV shows: Sponge Bob, The Suite Life, Drake and Josh, Zoey 101 (I hate when they watch this show!)
Games: Sorry, Crazy 8's, Chutes and Ladders

Jokes he's made up:
(I hear about 50 bad jokes for every good one he comes up with..)

What do you call your mom when she isn't being nice? A MOM-ster.

What did one car ask the other car? Do you have GAS?

What farm animal is good at math? A COW-culator

What is tall and nice and says 'OUCH'? (Me.. after he pinches me on the arm.) "OUCH!"

Where do mashed potatoes go when they die? The GRAVY-yard


Funny Things said by Ben:

"My eyes are tired, but the rest of my body is ready to party!" (said at midnight.. age 6)

"Watching this much TV is really UN-responsible." (age 5)

"I think I know how Santa just keeps on living. He's kind of like the three Nephites who just never die. They have lots of things to do on the Earth, so God just lets them keep on living." (Good theory, kid. We had this conversation last week. almost age 7.)


Things to remember about Ben's BIRTH-day: My water broke at 11:00 pm on July 3rd. I was sun-burned, exhausted and ready for bed. Earlier that night, my husband and I were at a BBQ with friends (yo- Garmons!) and I had to leave before fireworks started because I wasn't feeling well. I didn't even consider the fact that my stomach cramps were contractions because my due date wasn't for another two weeks. When my water broke that night, I didn't know what was happening! I had to call my mom at midnight and ask if I was really having a baby. She assured me I was... She was torn between coming to Provo for the delivery or seeing my little brother at the airport on the 4th of July. He was leaving the MTC and flying to Russia.. She stayed for the airport and sent my sisters down to be with me. Debbie and Cindy were able to be there for the delivery, hold the baby, take pictures and then head up to Salt Lake City to see my brother off. It was a crazy day, but that's usually the way my family operates. Ben followed suit and started out with a bang!

July 4th is a special day for Aaron's side of the family. Not only is it Independence Day, but it is the wedding anniversary of Duke and Lee Burnham (Aaron's grandparents) who both passed away early and unexpected. Brandy was very close to her parents and was emotional at the hospital because she knew that it wasn't by chance that her first grandchild was born on such a special day. He was sent down by two very special, loving great-grandparents who knew how to celebrate in style! Ben and Aaron's mom have had a special bond since day one.

Ben was born at 7:09 am.. weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces. He had a TON of black hair and the nurses kept referring to him as "Harry" although we informed them several times that his name was Benjamin. My husband really wanted to name him Jackson.. but I didn't want to introduce ourselves and "Aaron & Janet Jackson" and I felt strongly that Ben was it. I had not even considered the name until late in my pregnancy. Aaron and I were reading in The Book of Mormon about a righteous and Christ-like king who gives the most wonderful, uplifting advice to his people before he dies. Our son is named after King Benjamin. Someday I hope he will live up to his name and become righteous, bold and strong.

Since the day he was born, he has been an easy child. He is obedient, faithful and good. He takes what people say literally and tries hard to follow EVERY rule! Our biggest challenge as Ben's parents is trying to keep him from stressing about every little thing! He was born wise beyond his years and even though it's crazy to think that I have a SEVEN year old, it seems like each time Ben has a birthday, I feel like he's been that old for a while now. He is an awesome little boy and I am so glad he's mine!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BENNY BOY!