This is the Thesis that Ben Wrote

Please read this aloud.  Preferably as a bedtime story for a future or current grad student.

This is the thesis that Ben wrote.

Chapter 1: Get in Line: Chapter 11 Restructuring in Crowded Bankruptcy Courts

Chapter 2: The Ownership and Trading of Debt Claims in Chapter 11 Restructuring

Chapter 3: Can Gambling Increase Savings? Empirical Evidence from Prize-linked Savings Accounts

These are the words 

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the computer 

that typed the words 

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the data 

that vexed the computer 

that typed the words 

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the program, all 80's and dated, 

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the code, formatted and shaded,

that ran the program, all 80's and dated,

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the brain, ELATED! deflated,

that wrote the code, formatted and shaded,

that ran the program, all 80's and dated,

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the office, quite isolated,

that housed the brain, ELATED! deflated,

that wrote the code, formatted and shaded,

that ran the program, all 80's and dated,

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

These are the professors, some helpful, some jaded,

who visited the office, quite isolated,

that housed the brain, ELATED! deflated,

that wrote the code, formatted and shaded,

that ran the program, all 80's and dated,

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

This is the class, all lectured and graded,

that stressed the professors, some helpful, some jaded,

who visited the office, quite isolated,

that housed the brain, ELATED! deflated,

that wrote the code, formatted and shaded,

that ran the program, all 80's and dated,

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

And this is the idea, so long awaited,

that began in the class, all lectured and graded,

that stressed the professors, some helpful, some jaded,

who visited the office, quite isolated,

that housed the brain, ELATED! deflated,

that wrote the code, formatted and shaded,

that ran the program, all 80's and dated,

that crunched the data

that vexed the computer

that typed the words

that formed the thesis that Ben wrote.

Patterned after This is the House that Jack Built.

Shug and Paul

This is Shug and Paul.  You might remember them from such posts as Shug and Paul Come to Boston or Anchorage, Alaska or even as far back as the New Jersey days in Shug's Visit.  They are two of our most favorite people.

Shug and Paul love adventures, and right now they're looking to embark on the greatest adventure of all: parenthood.  But, they are lacking a kid, which is kind of a key ingredient.  Recently, they were approved by LDS Family Services as adoptive parents, and so we're spreading the word to as many people as possible that they are looking to adopt, in hopes that someone who reads our blog might know someone who is looking for an incredible home for a child.

Shug and Paul will be spectacular parents.  They're fun, committed, grounded, responsible, adventurous, loving, generous, and patient people.  They love the gospel, and they love each other, and love life.  Basically, if I weren't grown already, I would love to be their kid.

So, please check out their profile on LDS Family Services and their blog, and spread to word to anyone you know!  And, if you need any more convincing that they would be great parents, check out these pictures:

14 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Sam-o

1. He gets an insane amout of delight from running off with the toilet plunger.

2. He is constantly singing, and he picks up songs very easily.  Often I will hear him singing a song that I didn't even know he knew, and I can recognize the words and tune from his singing (B-I-N-G-O, Latter-day Prophets, I've Got Rhythm, This Land is Your Land, etc.)

3. If someone is having something, Sam wants to have some too.  He usually insists, "I hap some!" And then if you try to cut whatever it is into little baby pieces, he cries out, "NO!  BIG!!!" because, you know, Sam is already SUCH a big boy.

4. At prayer time, he folds his arms like this:

5. He loves praying and most of the time insists on saying the prayer ("I say it!"), and if you tell him no, he just says it anyway . . . louder than the other person who is praying.

6. He is the best in our family at saying "thank you."

7. He is also very good at recognizing who has helped him.  He will often come up to me and say, "Henry gave it!" or "Ellis gave it!"

8. He is following in Henry's footsteps by spending a lot of time lining up cars . . . 

and being really proud of himself.

9. He's following in Ellis' footsteps by LOVING and learning about and lining up the presidents.

10. He also has jumped on the bandwagon with the recent Star Wars obsession at our house.  He knows most of the characters' names, and he loves flipping through the Star Wars Character Encyclopedia and randomly saying, "He's good; he's bad."  He also calls Yoda "Yodee."  :)

11. He calls anything with chocolate in it "hot chocwit"

12. He has a special love for people who are smaller than him, and he likes to give them lots of hugs . . .

  

 . . . until they start playing with the thing he wants, of course.

13. He has recently started saying the word "Chicago" ALL the time.  In Nursery, the teacher showed a picture of Jesus.  Sam identified "Jesus!" and when the teacher asked where Jesus was, Sam quickly replied, "in Chicago."

14. Some of our favorite words and phrases that come out of Sam's mouth right now include:

"Jess!" (yes)

"Nopa." (nope)

"Hee go." (here you go)

"I wanna hold you." (please hold me)

"I'm strong." (I'm heavy, and you must be strong to be carrying me up the stairs)

"That tickles!"

Overheard conversation between Henry and Ellis

Our most awesome blanket fort we made a couple weeks ago.  Sorry for the blurry picture.

E: "Henry, do you have a very good imagination?"

H: "Yes!  My imagination is one of my best attributes."

E: "Did you learn how to use your imagination in Joy School?"

H: "Hmmm....probably."

[pause]

H: "But Ellis, when you get into Kindergarten, you can't use your imagination anymore.  When the teacher is talking, you've got to listen to her instead."  [sighs]  "I'm still working on that."

In which Tanner visits, Henry spills his sporks, Watertown is on lock-down, and we find a house!

 The Mormons spoke, and Costco listened!  This could have been the thing that convinced me to switch to Costco.  Thankfully I have friends who are kind enough to make my weekend that much awesomer.  #lifechangingtortillas

 I see a bright future in data entry for these two, who have taken on the very important project of correctly identifying all the people in our Picasa albums.  2,500 down, 11,000 to go!

Rule: When it's 72 degrees in Boston, you absolutely must get outside and stay there and soak it up . . . even if it means the missionaries will be building their own Paninis for dinner.  #heavenlyspring

Next time you decide to use your backpack as a jet pack to fly around the playground, check to make sure the zippers are all zipped up.  Otherwise, you might risk spilling all 50 sporks from your "Dr. Forkchop" collection all over the sidewalk.  #iloveyouhenry

This makes me happy!  #sunshineandbrothers

Cleaning out a cupboard in my kitchen.  This is how many notebooks I have filled up over five years, sitting at my kitchen table.  #morningpondertime #scripturejournal #andmanyothermusings

Our Spring Break overlapped with the Yosts', so we got to have them for a quick visit!  We will miss these friends when we no longer live three hours away and get to visit frequently.  

What on earth is Henry wearing on his feet?  And by the way, has anybody seen the arm rest covers for Henry's booster seat?  

Tanner is here!  He checked two bags: one for clothes, and one for games.  Bring on the Dominion, Klunker, and Acquire!

This is going to be fun.  #uncletime #ukeleletraining

 Almost like a 24-hour playdate for my boys, but cooler (because he plays with me and Ben too).  #boardgamegeek #mybrotherrules

Only some people are cool enough to make (and eat) a Mac & Cheese Panini.  We were definitely planning on doing something cooler with Tanner today.  Instead, we are locked down in our house with the doors locked and the blinds closed.  #somevacation #prayingforwatertown

Whoa.  This just got a whole lot closer to my house (less than a mile away, just down the street).  We are definitely not going anywhere! #watertown #standoff #shootings

 Ellis decided that today would be the perfect day to wear his Watertown Police Department tattoo.  Endless thanks to the men and women who made it possible for us to leave our homes today without feeling scared.  #watertownpolice #thankyouthankyou #gotthebadguys

Impromptu scripture/testimony/missionary-story session with Uncle RM.  Thanks Tanner for bringing the MTC into my home!  These boys love and admire you so much.  

Cloudy, quiet, healing day in Boston.  A good day for finding a new favorite kite-flying spot.  #castleisland #healingwithboston #letsgoflyakite

"All by myself!" (with some help from Uncle Tanner).  Did I mention that I think kite-flying is the most wholesome family activity?

Meet the third wheel of our date night!  Can you tell we're siblings? #mikespastry #neddevines #faneiulhall

I'm sitting down to read these sweet notes from the Primary kids and teachers.  I got released today after nearly three years as president.  I will miss these amazing kids, teachers, and counselors. #seeyoulateralligator #iloveprimary #firstofmanygoodbyes #bringonthetears

I'm sitting in as Ben defends his dissertation.  Will he be good enough to graduate?  #thebigday #wayovermyhead

Dr. and Mrs. Iverson on their way to Chicago for a celebration/house-hunting trip.  Our kids are in the hands of Uncle Tanner.  Please pray for all of us!

 Ben says that I'm asking for too many prayers . . . But please bless that this can be our house.  The realtor has to beat out one other applicant!  #evanstonhouse #rental

Morning jog on the lake #chicago #icouldgetusedtothis

We got the house!!!  Hip, hip, hooray!  This shows a glimpse of the inside.  #happyday #thanksfortheprayers

 And this is the street.  The neighborhood is the part I'm most excited about.  It is full of parks, walking distance from train and shopping, two blocks from the school.  And it is SO CUTE!

Mom of six while Jamie was dancing the night away at the Newport Ball.  I think if I had to choose, I would rather be home with the six kids!

  And Ben asks, "Is there a quick version of Monopoly?"  #superdad #starwarsmonopoly

Five kids play outside while the baby sleeps and I bake lovely bread.  Sounds like a day straight out of the blissful (idealistic) dreams of my youth.  #ihavesixkids #lovelyloaves #lifeisbeautiful