Bethany had YW camp this week! It was the first time she's been to camp without me being one of the leaders which was a little weird for both of us! But she still had a super time. One of the leaders from our ward who Beth loves was also a camp nurse and she sent me regular updates on how Beth was doing which was great. Beth says she felt tired a lot, but she loved the canoeing and the zipline and being with the girls in the ward. We're all so glad she got to go!

Ben and I were pretty much just bored all week! I enjoyed it for the first couple of days since the week before had been so busy, but by the end, honestly, I was pretty miserable. Never fear. I will add more structure into my life next week. I've learned my lesson! Again. Ha ha.

Ben ended his week quite spectacularly! Ben earned his black belt at the end of this week! Actually, he earned it after seven years of grueling martial arts training. He is a true ninja rockstar!! Ben started the test yesterday by running 5 miles. Then he did push-ups, sit-ups, blocks, strikes, kicks, performed every form he's ever learned, did them all again with weapons including disarming someone with a gun and disarming someone with a knife, then showcased what he had learned by fighting with other black belts and fighting with multiple opponents. They finished everything up with board breaking seven different ways. Somewhere in there they had to answer questions from the board about their written applications and essays, as well. Crazy, right? The test lasted from 7:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon with only minimal breaks. Ben did, indeed, receive his black belt at the end and it's beautiful with blue embroidery that we are told says his name in Japanese. It's all so very impressive and we are so proud of his hard work.

Our ninja-star six years ago.

Ben's in black and red.