Okay, so I have plenty of pictures, but I cannot find the cable to transfer them to the computer. I know. Excuses, excuses.

Ben left this morning. He decided that he would just drive today so that he could be around to help with a few more things around the house before he left. Mostly things that involve working at heights more accessible to people like him than they are to people like me. He left just after 6:00 this morning since he had to be at Sheppard AFB no later than 4:00. We dragged the kids out of bed at 6:00 (except for Zack, who was playing with his face when I went to get him, and what the heck is up with Tansy sleeping in?) so they could say goodbye. The babies allowed Ben a quick hug then demanded cereal. Sydney broke down and just sat with Ben on the couch crying. We tried to talk to her about it, but she eventually just ran to her room saying that she wanted to go back to bed. When Ben walked out the door, she came back out and waved to him as he drove away.

She broke down again and we went and hugged in her room while she kept repeating, "I want Daddy!" in her nearly hysterical voice. I just held her until she calmed down. She stayed in bed by herself for a little while before coming out to play with us and get something to eat. She has been so helpful with the kids.

When it was time to go to church, Tansy finally took notice of the fact that Ben was gone. I kept trying to get her out the door, but she kept walking around saying, "Where Daddy? Where Daddy?" I reminded her that he was gone for a long time. She finally said, "Daddy gone," and went out to the van.

The Primary kids sang "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home" in Sacrament Meeting today. Sydney got through the first two lines before her face just fell. She put her head down on her arms and just sang along with no actions for the rest of the song. I kept smiling at her, trying to keep her from crying. When she got back to me, she climbed in my lap and said she wanted to go home and lay in bed. After a few minutes, she decided to draw a picture for Ben instead. Poor little girl.

We had Father's Day last night complete with quiche, ice cream, and presents. In the pictures, Ben has on his awesome tie that Sydney made for him last week in Primary. They gave the kids these hideous old ties and all sorts of buttons, beads, ribbon, sequins, etc. to decorate them. They also sent home a note saying that the kids had made these especially for Father's Day and to please wear them the next Sunday. I was proud to see a lot of the dads did. I wondered what a dad would do who had multiple children in Primary. One dad showed up wearing two ties. What a guy.

I look forward to talking to my dad and husband today. Thanks for being great dads!