To see the world is to see it through my daughter's eyes.

My path recently led me to Europe with my oldest daughter where we spent 10 days traveling Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.  We traveled with youth from our region to a attend a YMCA international festival.  This blog post will be full of photos, as I have not come up with all the words to describe how amazing our trip was.  I am continuing to replay our stories and our time in my head.  I am forever grateful for the opportunity to attend this trip and watch not only my daughter, but other youth as well develop right before my eyes.  We took a group of mid western small town kids and watched them discover the world.  This was the first time for many of us to travel outside the United States, and for some in our larger group it was their first time to travel at all.

We set off on our journey on August 1st and flew over the ocean.  We arrived in Prague, Czech Republic on August 2nd mid-day.  (7 hour time change difference)

At the top of Emily's wish list of sites to see was the Petrin Tower.  We hopped off the plane and headed that way.  Once we got to the top of the tower her wish list shifted as she remembered her fear of heights.
Emily had researched quite a bit about Prague and it was fun to watch her discover sites as we came to them.  She held a lot of information about the sites  and it was nice to have a little tour guide with us to explain the sites.  And when we got turned around and lost on our way, Jessica Schasteen could get us going back the way we wanted to go.

We traveled to the Prague Castle next and we were lucky enough to arrive as they were doing a changing of the guard.  

 Seeing the love lock bridge was another one of Emily's wishes.  We attached locks with everyone we traveled with and threw the key into the river.

 The Charles Bridge was full of vendors and performers and great sculptures.  Below is a picture of Emily rubbing the copper piece for good luck.

 The John Lennon Wall was one of Emily's favorite site in Prague.  I was a little disappoint because the original art work has been covered up with graffiti. Emily thought is was neat that it was ever changing.

After we saw the sites in Prague, we enjoyed a day at the international YMCA youth festival. Emily was a "vlogger" and interviewed peers.  Our local youth did team building activities with different groups as we walked through the festival.  We all enjoyed the t-shirt exchange with different countries YMCAs.  

Our next adventure was to Poland.  We had hopes to get there because Jessica's family is from Poland and Christopher's mother was born in Poland.  We took a train to Cesky Tesin in the Czech Republic and walked across to border to Poland.  We enjoyed an easy afternoon in the town square.

We set our on a big adventure next.  We traveled into Germany with our first stop being Dresden.  Dresden was destroyed in a 1945 at the end of the war.  In 1990 the city was rebuilt and by 2005 in was completely restored.  It is a beautiful city with a wonderful story of overcoming.  You can see in the photos the old stone mixed with the new.

From Dresden Emily and I took off in a foreign country on our own!  We took several trains and traveled to meet our German cousins!  They were very generous in hosting us and sharing our family history with us.  Emily spoke the universal language of music to them by sitting at the family farm and playing the piano.  It was a quick visit, but I feel very blessed that we were able to meet them.  My mom wrote to me during our journey saying, "you have spread your wings and found your roots"  We did get to have a facetime meet and greet with my mom and her cousins, however I am hopeful she will make the journey there someday as well.  

Emily and I met back up with our traveling crew in Berlin and had a quick tour of the city.  We were humbled by the city and the history.  

Our train ride back to Prague was one of our greatest adventures.  We missed our first train out and found ourselves in the midst of a very busy train station during European holiday.  We were lucky to find the last train out Berlin headed to Budapest would be stopping in Prague.  We didn't have the correct tickets and had to sweet talk the conductors into letting us stay on the train.  The kids were exposed to a lot of different cultures on this night train ride and were happy to be back in Prague.  Our final adventure in the Czech Republic was to a concentration camp outside of Prague. (Terezin)  Emily and I did not participate in the tour.  We sat in silence and respected the memory of those that went through the camp.  

As we traveled we looked for the Rotary sign.  

We left gifts from Kansas for them as well as our Paola Rotary and district flag.

I feel extremely blessed to have witnessed my daughters first big world adventure.  I enjoyed watching her (as well as the other youth) experience and learn that we have a great big world.  Each of them grew so much in their identity and self confidence.  I can't wait until we start our next adventure.

Because the photos speak better than my words: 

A = reward?

In the past we have really struggled with reward systems.  Not wanting to reward with food or other unhealthy prizes in the forefront of the struggle.  We also want our children to learn to behave in ways that they feel internal pride and achievement rather than worldly prizes.  We have rarely rewarded for grades, but this quarter we did not have to a lot follow up on homework and found the girls have really developed good homework habits. They all helped one another with homework and school projects.  After the results came in....we believed these gals deserved a reward!

All that being said we did some research and here is what we came up with this time around:

My dears,

Congratulations on making all A's on your report card this quarter! As a reward for your awesome achievement you all are invited to pick a show to watch in the evening in our bed!  You may choose to watch a movie if you all agree one on or you may each pick one TV show.

As a special bonus for you ALL making good grades and supporting one another. You will also receive 15 more minutes to stay up past your bedtime for the rest of October. So keep supporting one another! It's important to know that your sister will always be there for you.

Love you!

Mom & Dad

So yes, watching TV is a rare occasion and my gals love it! They were all very excited and pick their own shows.  Clare was very excited for the extension of bedtime.  We already have a rule that if she gets in her bed with a book by 8pm she can stay up until 8:45pm, rather than 8:30pm.  She said, "This is like DOUBLE COUPONS! If I get in bed by 8pm I get to stay up until 9pm.  

I'm on this parenting journey with you...I want to hear your thoughts on rewards for grades or other achievements.  

I am a runner

Beth & I at the finish line
Chicago 2009

Over the last 10 years I have been crossing the finish line of local 5K's and spent some time on marathon trail with my sister and my husband. I have held the hands of my friends and family as they have pursued running challenges. I have pushed athletes to their limits and enjoyed their successes along side them. I am a runner! Over my time on the road, I have learned a lot about myself and I have grown relationships with people in a unique way that only running has provided. I often reflect on my time on the road running when life gets messy. I use those challenges and successes I have experienced on the road to move through the mess and find success. The finish line can be life changing! The finish of the Chicago Marathon in 2009 was life changing for me. As I turned the corner towards the finish line for the event with my sister beside me and my family on the sidelines cheering me on my life changed. I hold that vision and that emotion with me and recall on that day often.  I hold that memory again today with my thoughts of the horrific event that happen yesterday at the Boston Marathon.  I am wearing my Chicago shirt today and will join other runners on the street today as we celebrate and honor all that it is running.  My heart is with my fellow runners and running fans in Boston. Today I will run to honor the athletes, their friends and family, the event staff and the emergency crews.

I have included some of my favorite running memory photos:

After finishing the mile at a time race in KC! Rudy was so proud!

The morning of St. Judes Marathon. Running for Gage and our brother Sam!

Justin finishing his first Triathlon!

It was an honor to run for Gage in the St. Judes Marathon

Running for Sadie Olson!

Finishing Jamie's first 5K holding hands!

A hug from my baby girl before the St. Judes race for good luck

Emily celebrated her 10th birthday with a 5K with her best pals

When the stomach flu stopped me from this half marathon, my  husband jump in and ran beside my sister.

Me and my gals coming in for Rudy and Clare first 5K finish

The first 5K for the Benton women as a group

My husband's marathon! It was a 100 degree day in April.  I was unable to finish due to heat, but he finished and carried my bib the entire way. Thankful for my family being there that helped me off the course.

Tradition continues!

ABC’s of Saving Money on Family Budgets

A is for attitude! If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right!

B is for breastfeeding. Where possible breastfeeding will save you money on formula, bottles & accessories.

C is for credit cards.  Pay off your balance when possible or choose cards with low interest rates.

D is for debt. Shopping around for a mortgage is worth it a good interest rate can make a huge difference.

E is for Ebay.  Sell and purchase used “baby” gear on ebay, craigslist or through social media.

F is for family.  Ask your family to get on board with you to support your financial plan.

G is for gifts.  Plan ahead for birthday and holiday gifts.  Put your talents to use and make gifts when you can.

H is for home-cooked. Take your lunch to work and make dinners at home.

I is for insurance. Plan for insurance needs for illness, accident, death, home and auto and shop around. 

J is for junk.  You can make homemade toys with “junk” from around your house.

K is for keeps.  Make financial plan and budget and keep with it. Do not make exceptions.

L is for love.  When you love something you take care of it.  Love your financial plan and take care of it.

M is for medical.  Take advantage of pre-tax opportunities through your employers. (cafeteria and HSA plans)

N is for negotiate. Don’t be afraid to negotiate prices on your purchases.

O is for options.  Look into different options for debt and financial growth. 

P is for paying.  Paying your bills on time can help you save on late fees and interest charges.

Q is for questions.  Ask a financial planner for help managing your expenses and investments.

R is for rates.  Monitor your credit card rates as they are subject to change.

S is for sales.  Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it. 

T is for taxes.  Ask your tax professional for the best ways to save money on your taxes.

U is for utilities.  Turn off the lights when you are not using them.

V is for vested.  Stay with the same company long enough to be vested in the retirement plan.

W is for will.  Speak to an attorney about writing a will to provide a financial plan for your children.

X is for X.  Check off your debts as you pay them off and give yourself a pat on the back for working hard.

Y is for you.  You determine wants vs. needs for your family and make money choices based on your decision.

Z is for ZZZZZs.  When possible sleep on major financial decisions before acting.

This information is meant for entertainment purposes and general advice.  Financial planning best happens when looking at individual circumstances.  Please seek the advice of a financial professional before acting on this information.  

Products and books I have used for family financial planning:

The best is yet to come

My husband and I have a sign in our front entry that states "Grow old with me, the best is yet to come".  This has been a daily reminder for our family and has been proven true each day.
Today, I was humbled to be recognized in the category of "Favorite Miami Countian" in the Best of Miami County Survey.  Justin was recognized in the survey as well in the "Best Electrician" category.
 As I write this blog I cannot help but look back on the path Justin and I have been on and how true the sign in our entry has rang true to our story.  As Justin and I started our family and careers we worked hard to return to Miami County.  Justin dreamed of owning his own business as an electrical contractor and I dreamed of working with families and making a difference as an advocate.  
We are honored to be recognized in the survey and look forward to the days that are yet to come.

Photo of Mayor Artie Stuteville (1st place Favorite Miami Countian) and Callie Benton (2nd place Favorite Miami Countian)

There was a little girl, who had a little curl.......

................right in the middle of her forehead.  And when she was good, she was very, very good and when she was bad...........she was..........."What me bad, NEVER"-Emily Benton

Today we are celebrating 12 years of Emily!  What a journey this 12 years has been.  God bless the oldest child, whom I have got to practice all my parenting skills on.

The fall of my sophomore year at Kansas State University, Justin and I were surprised to be expecting Emily.  Being a student in Family Life and Community Service had personal advantages and Emily became a case study in many of my classes.  I took Doula training during my pregnancy and early childhood classes after she arrived.  My professors Kelly Welch, Dr. Webb, Tony Jurich, and Karen Myers-Bowman were great support to me as my journey as a parent began.  Tony use to find Emily and I in the hallways and sing and dance with her.  During my classes with Tony or Kelly you could find Emily in their arms as they delivered their lectures.   Dr. Webb and Karen spent a lot of time and energy into guiding me in a career path that I would be passionate and successful at.

During the end of my pregnancy I developed preclampsia and had to be on bed rest for 3 weeks.  We joked that Justin became an expert in UNO during this time as he challenged everyone who came to visit to a game of UNO.  My professors were all very understanding and allowed me to do my work from the hospital.  My family kept me entertained at the hospital by taking me for walks in the wheelchair and staging puppet shows with rubber gloves.

On May 1, 2000, Dr. Khoury told me that I had developed a dangerous level of toxemia and I would need to deliver as soon as possible.  As I write this, I remember the fear I felt that day.  Everyone seem so scared and nervous.  The ultrasound was showing that Emily was under 4lbs and that her lungs were not developed, however the pregnancy was a danger to my life at this point and they felt confident she would be safer outside the womb.  We were told that Emily would be transported to Topeka after delivery to a neonatal unit.  Justin and I quickly came up with the plan for him to go to Topeka with Emily with our family to follow.  My dad would stay with me and try to get me released from the hospital as soon as possible to meet them in Topeka.  

Labor was textbook.  I quickly went through every stage of labor and in transition became the crazy person you see on TV.  Justin and my sister Annie questioned me and offered support until I finally told them the Beach Boys song "Kokomo" was stuck in my head and driving me crazy.  And what seemed like perfect harmony the two of them began to sing "To Bermuda, Bahama come on pretty mama Key Largo, Montego baby why don't we go 

Down to Kokomo We'll get there fast And then we'll take it slow That's where we wanna go Way down to Kokomo"

The delivery room was full when Emily made her entrance into the world at 3:59 pm weighing 5lb 12oz with a healthy set of screaming lungs.  No helicopter ride to Topeka!   The family lined up to meet and hold the newest member to our family. 

Today, 12 years later she is still surpassing expectations of herself.  She recently spoke at a Women's Organization about herself.  She spoke with grace and confidence about the importance of women and the roles we play to contribute to society.  In the past year she has achieved great reward for her efforts in academic and athletic efforts.  However, as her mother, I can speak to the truth of her greatest accomplishment is her ability to motivate others to achieve their absolute potential.  At the age of 12, Emily Benton is changing the world and blazing the path for young women. "I may be small and you may not notice me, but I can make a difference, I can change the world"-Emily Benton  Do not let her quiet nature fool you, she is up to big things.

A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark. 

-Dante Aligheiri