Why We Like Benjamin Franklin

Rebecca wrote an essay last night for the Lion's club contest question: "Who is your American Hero and Why?" At first she tried to follow the outline her teacher gave her about how to write a (boring) essay (that will blend in with everyone else's). I am really good at writing those kind of essays, but they are not as fun to read as the things Rebecca writes that have a little extra flair:) Then she decided to take a different approach and came up with something more "Rebeccaish." She was disappointed that she was confined to 1 page because she had so much more to say. Here is her final draft.
"Who is my American Hero and Why

To me, a hero is… someone who is educated, tries to improve themselves and their environment and do at least one thing to affect the world. Benjamin Franklin is all of these things. He is my American hero because…
He had many talents. Some of his talents are similar to mine. For example, he was very good at reading, good at writing and terrible at math, just like me. Because he wasn’t very good at math, his father only had him in school for 2 years, and then had him be in the candle making business. (Hey, I’m bad at math and handwriting, but I don’t get kicked out school. Sheesh!) As he became older, he became interested in politics. (I like that stuff too.) In fact he became involved in it. In the Revolutionary War, he convinced France to be their allies.
Another reason why Benjamin Franklin is my hero is because he didn’t just sit around. He did things. When he saw that the streets were unpaved, he started a program to pave them, along with cleaning and lighting them. His town didn’t treat the sick very well, so Ben organized a good hospital. Try to guess what he did when there were too many fires? That’s right, he started a fire department! My favorite thing that he did was start a public library. I love to read, so this is a big blessing for me.
I love writing just like Ben. When he was an apprentice for his brother James, he wrote letters signed, Mrs. Silence Dogood. The stories were so good that James published them in his newspaper, but as soon as he learned it was Ben, he stopped publishing it. When Ben grew older, he published Richard’s Almanac. Just like Ben I’d love to write more, but the rules say it can only be 1 pg. long. Ben was a great man."

I remember reading the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin in high school and being so impressed with his "program" for personal improvement and virtuous living. In fact, I was rereading it in college and invited Jared up to my apartment to share some of the gems from the book with him. He enjoyed the conversation and soon after, he asked me out and now we're living "happily ever after." So I guess we have Benjamin Franklin to thank for bringing our family together:)

A little tidbit from Rebecca's blog

Today was Ashlee's birthday party. I had to go to the store and by a littlest pet shop for Ashlee’s birthday. And guess what.? I got Ashlee the same present Mercedes did. Rule #1 about parties Never ever eat your chocolate milk right before you eat your main meal Rule #2 about parties Never order 2 main meals. I ordered 2 main meals.! Guess why?! Because I thought that macaroni and cheese was a side dish.! I cannot believe that I did this. I nearly died of embarrassment when the waiter looked like me like I was crazy when I asked her for a corn dog and macaroni and cheese. And I didn’t want to waste the Hennings money so I had to eat all of it plus I had drunk all my chocolate milk and by the time we finished eating the cake I felt like I was gonna’ barf.! But they did give me balloons and some M&Ms so I guess I should be grateful. I was at Apple Bees for a long time because Dad thought that the party was at Chili’s so he went there.

Rebecca's Bloggy Goal

For one of her many goals, Rebecca wants to read every blog that I read to the oldest post. She's already done that with my sister Melinda and Kara's blogs, along with my friend Angela's (you have a long blog Ang!) Well she's only read two of Kara's blogs, Having a Ball, and Kara's Kitchen Creations (which she calls Kara's Kickin' Krayshuns') Right now she's trying to read The Dishes can wait. This new goal is making it a little harder to get her to do math homework, because she's on the computer now constantly.

A Little Cha-Cha

This weekend we decided to be a little adventurous and go to a ballroom dance class for our Friday Night date. It was a nice change from the movies, but I'm afraid my lack of "form" was a bit too apparent. I don't think I'll ever be a natural at wiggling those hips. The instructor kept making comments about improving form and "ballroom style" while gazing towards me and my big pregnant belly. I was just hoping we'd move on to the next new step. I look forward to our upcoming annual Stake Valentine's Dance where we can forget the form and have fun doing Jared's specialty - country dancing. I'll probably get more exercise in one night than I've had in the last 5 months!
Good things:
Date Nights
Having a great dancer for a husband
Not having to make dinner

Starring Rebecca as "Molly"

Rebecca was pretty excited after her music theater class that she was chosen to play the part of "Molly" in Annie Jr. I love hearing her practice singing around the house and ever since her audition I keep on having the song "Tomorrow" running through my head. You can see a little clip with Molly in it on You tube. She's the girl with dark hair who imitates Miss Hannigan. I think Rebecca will fit the role well.

A Post by Rebecca

Rule #1 about Activity Days: When going to the library to get sciptures for your activity NEVER TAKE A SHORTCUT THROUGH THE GYM. The lights will be turned off and you can't find a light switch so you will just decide to run through and hope the door will stay open long enough for you to get to the other side. The door will close VERY fast. There will be chairs set up and you will crash into them, resulting with your leg stuck in a chair. You will scream fro help, but by the time everybody gets there you will be unstuck and will just be very embarrassed. At the time, your leg will not hurt, just be very hot and tingly, but later your ankle will hurt like crazy, same with your arm.
Rule #1 about changing your clothes when you fall down in the snow and get saturated: ALWAYS GET YOUR CLOTHES THAT YOU WILL WEAR BEFORE YOU TAKE THE CLOTHES THAT YOU'RE WEARING OFF. You will have to run to your mom's room to get some pants, but the builder dude (note: your mom puts your clothes on her dresser after she folds the laundry for you to pick up, and the builder dude is the person who is finishing your basement) will be walking in the door just as you are walking across the hall with no pants on. You will be very embarrassed and will not be able to sleep that night because you worry if the builder dude will tell his whole family about it at dinner. Then his daughter might tell the kids at school and the result will be disastrous!
FOLLOW THESE RULES AT ALL TIMES!!!!!!

It's a ......

GIRL!!!!!!
I had my ultrasound this morning. Our baby was so wiggly and kept putting her hand in front of her face so this is the best profile picture they could get. We're going to think outside the box this time with our names. Which name do you like the best?
Alyssa
Allydia
Mashayla
Something else?