A true competitor

We have found out recently that our Braxton just may be a little too competitive. His personality is such that he always wants to perform the best he can. He sometimes gets frustrated if his personal expectations aren't happening in whatever he's pursuing. This has always been the case. He is a fairly athletic little guy and has had an incredible focus (obsessiveness) when it comes to his interest. Anyone who has seen him with a basketball knows this is true. He got his first hoop at 15 months and played on it literally 2 hours before we had to tear him away to transport it home. Even that young he was good. Dad and Braxton soon began attempting trick shots and that was something I regret not catching on film. Across the room, sitting down, laying on his back, behind the hoop, backwards... he was making far more than I expected. Although two years have passed, he has played on that hoop nearly every day and doesn't seem worn out with that toy yet.

Recently we registered him in t-ball. He unfortunately didn't get to go to the first three games but caught right on later. His first game was a bit rough. He had stayed up all night playing trains in his room (remember how I said he's quite obsessive?) and was too tired to have me wake him up for an 8 AM game across town. I think that he wasn't sure what to expect and soon became disappointed that every ball wasn't hit his way. He decided to make up for that by running back and forth to whichever spot was getting the hits, which wasn't helping with the whole too tired for tball thing. Finally since he adores Coach he took up a piece of ground a few feet away from him. Luckily the tears went away and Braxton was encouraged after a few more. He ended the game excited about "catching" three balls.

His next game he knew quite a bit more going in. It took maybe one inning before he parked himself right in the center of the infield. He had seen where all of the tball kids were hitting. Braxton would run a few steps in either direction to get the hits coming off the tee or forward as fast as he could if he need to give the foul ball back. It soon became apparent that with him in this spot the rest of the team was going to have fewer opportunities to show their stuff. It was hard to know what to do because he was doing what he thought he should and was visibly excited about each and every play. He even said from what would be about pitcher's mound, "This is AWESOME. I am getting a lot." Of course there was jumping to accompany this. Dad and I were going to move him out of that spot but the game was coming to an end soon. We let him have his moment and then talked about it in the truck. Our hope is that two things will happen next game. One is that he'll forget (not likely) and the second is that Coach can convince him into a different position without too much trouble (fingers crossed). We'll see...

The best part of it all happened when his team was batting anyway. He hit the ball and ran to first just as expected. Although I think he's batted last too many times because he was trying to round the base and head towards second at one point. Another two kids batted him to third. He was ready to run home and his eyes were already fixed on the plate as his teammate grabbed the bat. The batter had a pretty good smack and sent the ball directly up third baseline. Braxton ran ready to stomp the plate until he saw the ball pass him. He turned and ran after this ball that was now heading past third and into the outfield. The crowd was chuckling and a few adults from our team were still trying to cheer Braxton on towards home. He eventually remembered he was supposed to score and headed back to make one of the final points of the game. A true t-ball classic!

Reflecting on Braxton's bedtime prayer

Braxton gives quite a few family prayers and loves the opportunity to choose the words on his own. He missed out at dinner time so I offered him the chance to say the family prayer before bed. He started and it was a pretty typical three year old prayer except one line was a real gem. Braxton prayed "please bless our... (pause) blessings!" He finished his prayer and then said "That was a pretty short prayer." Lee and I snickered but later I thought about it and found something in those words.

I spend most of my prayers pleading for the same thing and this little boy said it in a sentence. I pray for the blessing of my marriage to continue in happiness and success. I pray that my husband and dear friend will have his health restored or at least maintained. I pray that Braxton will continue to learn and have his needs met when he is getting less of me. I pray that Bryson will be able to develop in the way that he should despite several bad months of illness. I pray that my boys can know even at a young age what is truly important in life and that I might be the parent I should be to them. I ask my Heavenly Father everytime to bless my blessings. I think that prayers give wives and mothers a comfort that more will be provided to their family than their hands can do. I am grateful that He is in control and I will always work to follow His plan for us.