We're In!

BEN IS HOME!!! And I couldn't be happier. There's nothing like having the hubby home.

On another note, here's some exciting news. I've been procrastinating this post though because posting it means I'm really in. But that's exactly why I should do it.

I've always wanted to do a triathlon. Mostly because I love swimming and was on the swim team in high school, and would just love to get in that kind of shape again. I've been looking online for a while trying to find Triathlons in Johannesburg and couldn't find anything. A couple of days ago, I thought I should widen the search and typed in "Gauteng," which is the providence we live in...and there they were!! All the upcoming triathlons in the area! I was so excited. I started shaking and got all hot and nervous. I knew I was in.

So I told Ben we're doing it and he's in too! It's 10 weeks away. I started Monday but now that Ben is home, we're really starting training this Monday. I'm not too worried about Ben, he's a guy and a power house. He could probably do it tomorrow and be fine.

So we commit! We're doing our first triathlon!!

October 25, 2009

Swim: 600 meters
Bike: 20km (12.4 miles)
Run: 5km (3.2 miles)

I've been working on the training schedule, pulling ideas from friends who have just done one, and also from sites online. It's ready! Really excited about those brick workouts! Not. It's posted on my new Triathlon Blog. I'm using that blog for my training journal. I'm just going to write how I feel each week about the training and what we're doing. Mostly so I can see my progress, and be able to look back at everything. But possibly for anyone out there who is thinking about doing one...JUST DO IT!

If I can do it, anyone can do it :)

LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

Happy Birthday to Jon!

Today is Ben's baby bwuda Jon's 24th birthday!!

Aren't they adorable??



We love you. And here are just 24 reasons (because you're turning 24) why:

1. We love your "PANZA" (Big Belly), that you've obviously had since you were wittle:

2. You always makes any saying popular. "BURNT!"
3. You're a great storyteller. You remember all the funny stories.
4. Your OCD-ness. You can tell which pen we used at your desk.
5. The crazy arms-up-head-bob-winning-ping pong dance move.
6. You're cheaper than Ben is!
7. You have a good heart.
8. That you rock the bull horns on Martha!
9. "He's my baby bwuder." --Ben
10. Your crazy laugh.
11. The prank phone calls you and your friends do.
12. Playing ping pong and golf together.
13. That you obeyed Sargent Garrison on your trip to Hawaii and kayaked the whole Napali Coast with Ben.
14. " That I know he's got my back, and is bigger than everyone else I know." --Ben
15. You're freakin' hilarious!
16. Your ridiculous obsession with "S.O.S."
17. How much you love your cat, Ruby June.
18. The commitment you give to the 3 things you love most: the gym, Rose, and Ruby.
19. How you're always looking up to Ben. Here's proof:

20. That you call me "Camille-babe"
21. That you're graduating this year! Hurray!
22. "NOT a very good spot!"
23. You're ambitious and going places!
24. "That we're best friends" --Ben

KISSES!!

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Ben in Kenya

So I'd give a quick update on Ben, since we all know what I'm up to, and there's nothing new I can report about besides stuff like: I went to my 3rd movie by myself this week. For $2 each, who wouldn't? I try to space them out so I have something to look forward to. I also find myself still getting embarrassed, like pulling my phone out pretending I'm talking to someone while I buy the tickets so it looks like I'm meeting someone. Just being honest here. I saw "My Sister's Keeper"...I enjoyed it. I also started reading "Breaking Dawn"....and it just got stupid. Ok, not just, it's been pretty lame the whole time. I was fine with it until all the stupid wolves changed their minds and decided to attack and kill Bella and the "creature" growing inside her. What?! Seriously? Haven't picked it up since. She really should have stopped at #1. Sorry all you Edward-lovers. I'm just not one of them :) I've also been put in charge of this dance thing, as some of you know. A big stake Relief Society Activity and we're "Dancing through the Ages" so we picked Grease Lightning for the 70s, Thriller for the 80s, Backstreet Boys for the 90s, and Beyonce's Single Ladies for Today. I've had to make up all the dances and teach them to the Relief Society women. It is quite the spectacle. But it's keeping me busy nonetheless. One last thing I've been up to, making over blogs. It's quite fun and I should start a business or something. Go here, here, and here to see what I've done.

Sheesh, why do these always end up about me? :) Back to Ben. His last trip was to Kenya. He works a ton, 6am to midnight, so he doesn't have a whole lot of time to see the sites, but here are a few pictures from his trip:

The classic African driving & traffic. Oh how I loved driving through this with the girls here, they were white with fright:

Ben working with some of the farmers:



This was the airport. NO joke.


And these were the taxis. Again, no joke:

Now he's in Uganda and has actually had a little bit of a weekend! He was able to hang out by the pool, soak up some sun, and go to the Equator!! He said it was so cool. There was this line and they had a big funnel with a bottle and would pour water into it, on the North side it would flow clockwise, and on the South side it would flow counter-clockwise, and ON the line, it wouldn't flow in a circle at all! Weird/cool huh? Proof there is a God. Tomorrow he gets to go find wild Chimpanzee's in the jungle on an island. Hope he gets lots of scratches and pictures. Can't wait for the boy to be home. Only 6 more days. Ok, I've got to prepare my lesson for tomorrow.

Love and world peace!

Precious

Once upon a time, I walked into a room full of little black babies at Princess Alice Adoption Home. I scanned the room looking at them all. There were 30 babies under the age of 2. Some were crying, some were sleeping, some just staring up at the ceiling. Most didn't noticed that I had entered...but there was one, just one, who stood up in her little crib and our eyes met. She smiled the brightest smile at me and our hearts connected. Her name is Precious.

Today I'm a little sad. For a few reasons; one being I'm a lonely wife, but also because today I went to the orphanage that I've been volunteering at for the last 6 months and found out that my little Precious (who turned 1 this week) is being adopted. When the lady told me, I started to cry. I am SO extremely happy that she has found a home. She is going to have a mom and dad and be raised like every child should. But I am also sad because I will never see this gorgeous little girl again. I wish I had a picture of her, but I know that the image I have of the first time we met will stay with me forever. I also hope that all the other children will be as lucky as Precious is someday. They all deserve it.

I Just Call You Mine

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

What a true statement. I know that our Anniversary has already past, and with it our yearly-mushy post. But after being apart for a month when I was home in Utah, and now another month apart while he's working in Kenya and Uganda...I just had to post this.
Time apart makes you realize what you have.

I found this song (by Martina McBride) and I dedicate it to you Ben.
The words couldn't be more perfect for how I feel about you love:

I pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems
I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home
And here I am, I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring

I fall apart
Just a word from you just somehow seems to fix
Whatever's wrong
You reach into the weakest moments
And remind me that I'm strong
You've got to know
I'd be a fool not to see you, even worse
To forget that you're more than I deserve

Nothing makes sense when you're not here
As if my whole world disappears
Without you what's the point of it

Cause everyone that sees you
Always wants to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're a standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine