Tuesday, May 7, 2013

40 Awesome Things about Ben


 
Ben Rice's Youth [May 7, 1973 - May 7, 2013] 

Just kidding!  Ben is so so young!  Young in every way.  In honor of the 40 years God has given him, we considered 40 things that help us remember how very FABULOUS he is, fabulous and forty!  We love him so much and wouldn't trade him for the world!  Happy Birthday, Love!

1.      He watches British PBS/BBC TV shows and movies with Susan whenever she wants...as any proper husband would!

2.      He works out and gives us a big hug afterward! [z] [as a joke, to get the ‘victim’ all sweaty]

3.      He gives us hugs and kisses at night. [m]

4.      He makes breakfast, lunch and dinner for us on Friday night, Saturdays and Sundays.  He often makes the kids’ cold lunches when they want them. 

5.      He lets us stay up late the night before Late Start Wednesdays. [s]

6.      He wrestles with Whitton and Zeke, teaching them skills to “put the hurt on” each other for years to come.

7.      He let me cut the laundry basket apart for my castle project and then spray painted it for me. [s]

8.      He makes good eggs. [s]  He makes great popcorn [not microwave]! [w]

9.      He lets us watch a movie sometimes on a night we’re not supposed to. [z]

10.  He plays backyard sports with us (eg. Pickle, 500, whiffle ball, soccer). [w]

11.  He plays frontyard games with us (eg. Knockout, Around the World).

12.  He loves Indian Food as much as I/susan do!  Score!

13.  He has high standards of integrity and keeps the rules.  He has a discerning heart.

14.  He is always supportive of Susan’s endeavors and gives great ideas on how to better lead meetings and work with teams. 

15.  He worked hard to put the basketball backboard together. [s]

16.  He drives us to school on his days off.  [w,s,m,z]

17.  He helps teach skills to Whitton in baseball and to Sylvi and Maren in basketball and to Zeke in football and soccer…always incorporating valuable life lessons.

18.  He built our bunkbeds a long time ago and then reorganized them recently. [s,m]

19.  He pays our bills and handles all of our finances and keeps everything in check and is generally a Dave Ramsey kind of guy [gazelle intense].

20.  He gives us [the kids] the double allowance for college deal, where he adds to their allowance if they choose to save it all for college. [m]

21.  He helps us find our AWANA books when we lose them.  [s]

22.  He has great vacation ideas [Kentucky Horse Park, Rim Rock Cabins, etc.]

23.  Loving husband, attentive, patient, devoted, nurturing father, attentive listener, great puzzle worker and game player, handsome, life-long learner, reader, quiet and calm, faithful, has great self-discipline, works and plays hard, responsible, kind and compassionate, calming influence. [judy, mil]

24.  Very smart but not a showoff, practices humility regularly. [judy, mil]
  1. As an adoptive father, Ben is a great model of God's unconditional love. :)[kendall c]
  2. His shoulders shake up and down when he’s really laughing hard. 
  3.   His graying hair makes him look so hot!
28.  He is one of the most patient people I know. I love seeing the glow of pride from his face when he talks about his family. Also, I like to joke with him that he is the most efficient person I know at passing off work, or as he calls it "delegating". [kim w]

29.  I love it that Ben serves at church by teaching the kids. He’s patient and an excellent teacher.  Thanks for the Mini Morning Missions Trip you did!  Incredible!

30.  He has shown great determination in getting fit this year.  He’s INSANE!  And now he’s going to ‘Howl at the Moon’ for 8 hours! with his mom and brother in August! 

31.  He’s a great example of eating healthily, calling me “devil woman” whenever I bring too many sweets into the house.  You may think it sounds mean, but it’s really funny to me.  
32. Ben is a shining example of a godly father in this dark world. His priority of family is evident to all! [marianne g]

33.  He’s a hilarious companion on road trips! [andy]
      
34.  Ike and Kate agree that Ben is the best story teller. They especially love the ones about the scorpions and snakes!
The rest of us agree that Ben's love for his family shows in all he does for them. He is such a patient, loving and fun dad (and uncle). Always ready to get down on the floor and play. I couldn't have picked a better husband for my sister :)[jennifer]

35.  Around here the comments from Graebers ranged from, "He's tall and I like his hair." to "He smiles with his eyes." to "He has the most amazing kids, so I know he must be a really great dad." and finally, "Ben is really kind."

36.  He has a super generous heart and hand and loves to give.

37.  Best Griller Ever!

38.  “He makes dozens of dollars and that’s right, they go straight to [his] daughters and [his] wife...”  (and sons)  [This is from a funny song, Dad Life, a family favorite.  'check me’]

39.  Has a cool claim to fame story in that he flew on a commercial flight on September 12, 2001.

40.  He makes sure our family is centered in God’s Word and following him in our day-to-day life...a constant adventure.

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