About Ben

I grew up in a great family, and while my family was not wealthy, we always had enough for our needs.  My parents always strived to teach us the value of work.  At the age of 12, my grandfather had a serious heart attack and was unable to do many of the things that he used to be able to do.  It was my responsibility for several summers to ride my bike to my grandfather’s house once a week and mow his lawn and do other small yard work jobs.  While some of my friends were making 10-15 dollars for a job like this, I was not working for money.  My parents taught me that the reason I was doing this work was to help out someone who was in need.  My grandfather would finish the job, and each lunch my grandmother provided.  Usually before I left, my grandfather would hand me 5 quarters, tell me to buy a soda pop on the way home, and thank me for a job well done.

I am the 3rd child of 5 children.  My parents would take each one of us out for a night to do whatever we wanted to do once or twice a year.  I would usually choose to go out to eat at a restaurant or go miniature golfing.  It was great for me to have individual attention from my parents.  My parents also wanted me and my siblings to know that we were loved, and that they thought very highly of us.  At the end of each school year my parents would reward us and my siblings with some sort of special recognition, usually presented in during family time.  My parents would create awards and give them special names like smarty pants, top banana or cream of the crop.  My parents would make a special evening of presenting the awards us,  having a special dessert, and sometimes giving out a little prize.
I was always very interested in music as I grew up.  I  played the trumpet for several years in high school and in college.  I also enjoys singing whenever given the opportunity and have tried teaching myself a little piano.

About Sherrie

I grew up with two sisters and am wedged right in the middle.  I grew up in Daytona Beach, Fl and always enjoyed the times when my family and I would travel to Chicago every other year for Christmas.  My family would pack up the van and take the two day car drive to visit the family on my mom’s side.  The first thing that we would do when they got there, no matter how late it was , when we got out of the car, we would have a snowball fight and then build a snowman.  My family would spend a lot of time baking cookies and have homemade cinnamon rolls my uncle would make for Christmas morning.  We would also go to a huge family party on Christmas Eve where everyone on my mom’s side would be there.  We are talking 2nd and 3rd aunts, uncles and cousins.  After the party we would all go to my grandparent’s house and open gifts with them to finish off the night.  Other traveling memories are when we had family reunions in Georgia where my dad is from.  I remember a time when we went to this little town called Nashville, Georgia; if you blinked you would miss it.  My great aunt owned the only beauty shop in town and it was in her house.  My cousin and I had a fun time trying on all her wigs.  My family also had a hoot when the hired entertainment was cloggers.  Most of the memories I had growing up were the times that she spent with my family.  Living in a town that had so much to offer we didn’t have to travel far to do the things that we wanted to do, so we were able to do the fun family things often like going to Disney World and Universal Studios.  We often would pile in the back of my dads truck and go to the beach and spend the whole day there.   My family loved to go to the springs and go canoeing.  There was also a time or two when I woke up really early to go fishing with my dad and sisters.  We also loved to make homemade popcorn on Sunday nights and play games together or watch “The Wonderful World of Disney”.  Friday nights were always special too, because we would always go out to dinner and watch “TGIF” it was a treat because it was the only night my sisters and I were able to have soda and the only night we were able to stay up late. One thing that is very special to me is the closeness I have with my older sister and this is because, we share the same birthday.  I was born on my sister Shannon’s first birthday, so yes, you guessed it, we are one year apart to the day. I treasures every single birthday that I can spend with her by my side.  With us being older and living further apart it’s a bit harder to do, but I remember all the birthday’s we did celebrate together the cake that was divided one side for me and on side for Shannon, and all the sleepovers we  had.  My dad took all of us girls on our first date.  When I turned 16 my dad took me on my first date to do whatever I wanted to do.  Being that I love shopping my dad took me to go buy an outfit at the mall and then out to dinner.  I am very close to my family and love the times that I can go and visit them.