Ben-- bio part 1

When and where were you born?

I was born in Provo, Utah on July 4 at 7:09 am.  I weighed 7 lbs and 9 ounces. 

Did your parents tell you any interesting stories regarding your birth?

My mom was supposed to go to the airport to see her brother, David, leave for his mission to Russia.  But instead, she had to go to the hospital and have a baby instead.  She got to talk to him on the phone. 

The nurses kept calling me “Harry” before my mom and dad announced my real name because they all loved my thick head of black hair. 

They watched fireworks outside the hospital room at the BYU stadium.  Also, my mom told me there were lots of hot air balloons in the air that morning and weekend.

Were there other children already in the family?  How old were they?

Nope.  I am the oldest!  But I got to welcome in each of my siblings.  I was 19 months when my brother Luke was born.  I was 4.5 when Zack was born.  I am 8 years older than Simon and TEN years older than my sister, Roma.  My mom is about to have another girl and I will be 12 years older than her.  We think we might name her Eden, but I am not sure.

How did your parents choose your name?

When my mom was pregnant with me, they were reading the Book of Mormon together and felt impressed after reading the words of King Benjamin that my name should be BENJAMIN.  But they also really liked the name Jackson too.  When I was born, my parents kind of fought over which one to do for my first name.  My mom wanted Benjamin Clawson.  And my Dad wanted Jackson Clawson.  They settled on Benjamin Jackson.  None of my brothers have the middle name Clawson.  I like my name a lot.  My nicknames are Ben, Benny and BJ.

What are some of your earliest memories?

I think my earliest memories are from Spokane, WA.  I remember picking the bark off the trees out in the yard of our apartment. We had big deck in our back yard and got to watch the trains pass by every day.  I remember playing at the park and having one of the train conductors wave and honk at us. I remember playing in the snow, but not wanting to be outside very long because it was so cold!

I remember when Zack was born.  We were getting babysat by a girl in a wheelchair in our ward.  My dad came to pick us up in his green car and took us back to the hospital.  I remember going up in the elevator and feeling really excited. I was there at his birth.  He was really small and pale.  I remember his umbilical cord.

Who was the most influential person to you as a child?

Definitely my Dad.  He’s just everything that I want to be when I grow up.  He’s way funny and always plays with us.  He works hard to pay for things for our family.  He’s not mean, but he’s kind of strict, which helps me and my siblings be better. 

My mom too.  I want to spend a lot of time with my kids like my Mom does.  I like all the traditions that she starts.  She always takes us fun places and lets us choose what we want to do on the weekends. 

How would you describe your personality now? 

I am a little shy with strangers, but once I get to know someone I am not shy at all.  I like to laugh and have fun.  I am pretty responsible.  I am nice to my siblings and I am good with kids.  I get a lot of babysitting jobs.  I think I am most like myself around my brothers and my cousins.  I just feel comfortable around them and like to make them laugh by telling funny stories and jokes.