Consequences

A little boy in our family has been pushing the line. Making trouble. Being unkind. And mom and dad have been racking their brains to make a point that it is NOT acceptable.

If the kids are good during church on Sunday, they can get 3 scoops of ice cream. We always ask the kids if they earned their scoops and expect them to be honest.

**On a side note, one Sunday over dinner, we asked Abby if she had earned her scoops. She replied yes. Then started to cry and bawl and become hysterical. We couldn't understand her mumbling. After awhile, we were able to get her to calm down. She told us that she had lied and wasn't good during her Primary class. Nothing better than a good conscience!**

I'm grateful that our kids can feel like they can tell us things and know we won't freak out. Carter told us had been talking out of turn and that he lost his scoops. We were going to visit Grandma and Papa and they have *really* good ice cream. Though Carter had been really good the rest of the day, his scoops were still lost. It is hard to see a child pay a consequence for their action.

Last week, when I picked the kids up from school, Carter told me that he had been unkind to a boy in his class (a wimpy kid, mind you) and everyone laughed at the boy. I really wanted to ring my son's neck....honestly! But before I could say anything, Carter said he was really sorry for being mean and what would his punishment be. Thankfully, Tim and I have been consistent with punishments and the kids know we will follow through. His very favorite BYU sweatshirt was taken away. He wears it every day and every night.

I have to figure out a way to get this little boy to "GET IT". Sometimes I think he just doesn't THINK! It is a good thing that we love him and he is trying!

Just so I don't sound like I am a total grump....I want to remember how tall Carter is right now. I had to buy him another pair of shoes and jeans. Because the ones I bought him in AUGUST are too small. He ate 5 pieces of french toast the other night for "brinner" (breakfast for dinner). When he was bored the other day, he vacuum out all my kitchen drawers and the van. Big brownie points for that Bud!