YOU NEED TO PUNISH ME!

Funny Story...

I left work early on a Friday afternoon so Dan and I could take the kids to see a movie. We were planning on seeing the Tooth Fairy, with Dwayne the "Rock" Johnson. Jaxson was especially looking forward to this. I left work later than I wanted to, as always and called Dan to tell him I was on my way home and to get the kids ready. Well instead of getting the kids ready they were off playing with friends and we had to go round them up.

We weren't sure where Jaxson was playing; however the next door neighbors told us he was at Dylan's house. When we went there, nobody answered. Dan even called out to the back yard to make sure they weren't playing outside and didn't hear the doorbell ring. He received no response, so we left and began our search for Jaxson. We started calling other neighbors and driving and around, nobody had seen him and he was no where to be found. We dropped Reagan off at my parents house anyway and continued to look for Jaxson. About 20 minutes later we went back over to Dylan's house and he had been there the entire time. They just didn't answer when Dan called out to them. Dan told Jaxson to go home and told him he was in trouble.

By this time we had already missed the movie (which we had purchased tickets for), so we went to pick Reagan back up and take her home. My parents were kind enough to offer to babysit her later so we could still catch the show, but we weren't sure if rewarding Jaxson at this point was a good idea. Jaxson then called us while we were picking up Reagan from his friend Jacob's house, asking if he could go to Karter's. Dan replied by saying "What are you doing at Jacob's? You are supposed to be home. You are in trouble for not letting us know where you were." We went back to the theater and explained our situation with our son and they were kind enough to give us a credit for our tickets.

As we arrived back home, Jaxson was in his bed sleeping (because he knew he was in trouble). At that time Dan and I had decided to go to the later show, because we didn't want to sit home on a Friday night and do nothing, so I went upstairs to talk with Jaxson about what had happened over the last hour and a half.

I woke him up and asked him if he knew why he was in trouble? He stated it was because he didn't tell us where he was going. I agreed and also explained to him that the reason it is a problem is because I love him and I worry about him. I told him it is about being safe! Not knowing where he is is scary and he always needs to let us know where he is going.

I gave him a hug and told him I forgave him. I then asked him if he wanted to go to the movie and he told me "No, because I needed to punish him." I responded with "What if I am done punishing you?" he stated that he shouldn't go to the movie because he got in trouble.

He honestly was not going to go to the movie because he thought he shouldn't due to his actions. It was so cute that I had to try not to laugh out loud. What a sweet boy to know when he had done something wrong and needed to face the consequences of his actions. At that point I really wanted to take him to the movie. We talked some more about safety and forgiveness then after some convincing he decided to join us for the movie.

JOESPH SMITH

On Martin Luther King Day we decided to take Madi and Jaxson to Temple Square for the day. I thought they would like the movie playing in the Joesph Smith Memorial Building about the life of the prophet Joesph Smith.

We started out our day by delighting ourselves with lunch at the Lion House. The kids had never been there and they have delicious rolls, not to mention everything else. As we ate lunch we talked about Brigham Young and how the house we were eating in was his home. We ate far too much - pie, rolls, etc. and then off to the Joesph Smith Memorial Building we went.

The kids learned quite a bit about Joesph's life and what he was able to accomplish here on this earth. The message was quite powerful! I will forever be amazed at what he endured and the faith of this man. I truly believe he was preordained to bring to pass the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I don't believe many people would have had the strength and tenacity of this man to keep going the way he did. In spite of all he suffered he never denounced the truth of what he had seen and been taught. He gave up his life for us so that we could have the gospel in our lives. I am indeed grateful for the prophet Joesph Smith! I just hope my children got a glimpse of what a remarkable man he was!

After the movie we headed over to the visitor center at temple square and learned more about the pioneers and the construction of the Salt Lake temple. We spoke to the sister missionaries for a while and wandered through all the exhibits in the visitor center.

It was an excellent way to spend the holiday. I can only hope that I am teaching the right way to live and what matters most in this life. I am grateful for my family and the blessings it brings me!

HOOPS and MORE HOOPS

Madi and Jaxson both enjoyed playing basketball this winter. It made our Saturday's a little crazy having two games each day, especially because they were never close together. Madi usually played at 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning and then Jaxson would play in the early afternoon. (Nothing is ever convenient)
Madi got to played with a couple of friends from school (Adalyn and Jessica). This was her first time playing and she really liked it. It was a workout for her that she wasn't used to, running up and down the court. The girls were interesting to watch because most of them didn't have much experience and nobody wanted to touch the ball. As soon as the ball landed in their hands, they were automatically looking for someone to throw the ball to. I'm glad Madi enjoyed playing the game instead of focusing on the win, plus it was nice to get some physical activity in!


Jaxson's games on the other hand were entirely different. It is amazing to me how competitive the boys become at such an early age. It is all about winning to them (although we try to teach him otherwise) I do love the confidence Jaxson possesses, it used to bother me until someone told me that it will go away quicker than it should, let him enjoy the fact that he believes he is superior at everything!

Sports with Jaxson is always entertaining because he is so in to it. The boys on his team are all fighting for the ball and when given the opportunity, it isn't about teamwork, its about being a ball hog. Jaxson is actually a talented player for his age. With Jaxson being my only boy, I am going to enjoy watching his as long as I can. (I know there are still a lot of years left in him, so maybe I won't always feel this way; but I'm glad I do now.)
Jaxson also gets to play with several friends in the neighborhood and friends from his baseball earlier in the year. Even his coaches are his baseball coaches. I believe it gives the kids a good sense of sportsmanship and teamwork, even if they all want to ball. It is excellent associating with the same kids with every sport.