it pays to obey

Jackson had the biggest smile on his face the entire time! So fun!

I love his little arm hanging over the wheel! Harrison and daddy driving with NO HANDS!!! Probably not a good idea but fun nonetheless!

I love my three men!!!

Addison and I just hung out with the boys, loving every minute of it!

Anthony's so proud...future golfing buddings he's grooming!

Jackson made a hole in one! He was so excited! Aren't these boys so handsome!

mini golf courses have the most fun spots to pose! ;)

the boys loved hitting the ball in this one hole. it would go down a tube and roll out of the wooden track. very cute!

oops, Harrison lost his ball in the water and had to get another. :) daddy showing off his putting skills.

"hum, i think i should hit it a little to the left this time."

there were two elephants that were good for climbing, one for Jackson and one for daddy too!

afterwards we stopped by McDonald's and the boys bought chicken nuggets and ice cream with their money from Uncle Doyle and Aunt Linda. they loved paying with their "own" money! :)

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We were supposed to go to ride go carts and play mini golf on Saturday night. However, the boys had a TERRIBLE day in the area of obedience and our fun plans had to be canceled. This is the part of parenting that is SO hard! We had a big family meeting and some changes are going to be made around here. They are aware of the expectations and we will be trying harder than ever to be consistent.

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These boys are such sweet boys, but some behavioral issues are coming out of no where. It seems like you are going along as parents and things are pretty cut and dry. "Don't touch. Please stop. Let's share. Use kind words. Listen carefully." We are still saying all of these things and will be until who knows when. But, something switches along the way and it's hit me like a ton of bricks. So many issues we are dealing with right now are heart issues. They are deep and the answers and punishments aren't cut and dry for me. I am so often scared that I'm failing these boys. There is so much "talking" to be done and "correcting" to do but I wonder if I'm really getting to their hearts...to the heart of their problems. Especially Harrison. He's changing on me. He's becoming more "kid" and his trouble areas mean more and will determine who he becomes. I want so badly for him to "get it" and to make right choices. I want so badly for these kids to always want what God wants and to want it even when they don't get it. Who am I kidding...I don't even do this. I still struggle with knowing what God wants and doing what I know he wants me to do KNOWING all the while what I should do! Sometimes I think my expectations are too much. But I'm going to keep trying, keep praying and keep pushing them in the direction I know is best. and pray that God will hold on to their little hearts and they will start to GET some of the reasons WHY. Why we don't say certain things, act certain ways, react certain ways, love people even when we don't want to, be kind even when we don't want to, tell the truth, obey with a happy heart, trust our parents, look for ways to bless others, love and treat our siblings well.... I could go on and on. Harrison is questioning these things and I don't always feel like I have the answers. Don't always feel like the answer is good enough for him. Just praying I can point them to scripture and discipline them in love. That they will always know their parents LOVE them and want what is best for them.

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Anyway, Sunday some changes were made. They worked hard to obey. Anthony and I were thrilled to take them to ride go-carts and play mini golf. They were kind and loving. Harrison waited patiently for his brother to go first and didn't complain...something I know he had to work very hard in his spirit to do. They were a joy and we had a blast as a family. Oh how I wish it could always be that way! It was a great day and we're moving in the right direction. Gonna take each day at a time...