Totally makes the chaos of mornings worth it when I find love notes from my 6 year old, after cleaning up the tornado, left on the front door

This morning Branten was asking me how to spell "you"....I was in the middle of finding football pads, making breakfast, making home lunches and signing off homework so I didn't ask what he was doing.  After I took all of the boys to school I came home and heading into the Den to work on the computer.  When I passed the front door I noticed this note left for me.  

I left the note up there because I loved looking at it whenever I passed.  When Branten came home from school he noticed it was still there and asked me if I had seen anything on the front door :)  I told him I had and loved looking at it and that is why I left it there. 

B's thoughtfulness on Cute Joanie, baseball, and missions

Branten has been giving a lot of thought to things lately.  We were at Easton's baseball game a few weeks ago and B sat next to me asking me questions about why the ump was calling the pitches balls or strikes.  He also wanted to know why the catcher and ump were wearing gear.  He asked about why kids got on base without hitting (a walk) or why they got out on first when they hit the ball (they were thrown out) he also noticed when one kid should have been thrown out at first but was safe..... he told me the throw was not very good and the first baseman had to reach really low to get the ball and his foot came off the base.  He literally sat by me for a good 20-30 minutes discussing the rules and plays of the game.

Just a few days ago we were in the kitchen at the counter and this was his random thoughts...
B: "Mom, why do you love me?"
Me: "Well, I love you because you are my son.  You are kind to others and you make good choices.  I love you because....."
B: "Mom, do you love me because I can do hard things?"
Me:  "Yes B, I love you because you can do hard things."

I hope that he ALWAYS remembers he can do hard things and never lets anything stand in his way.


This past weekend we were staying at Nate and Sara's and B was in the same room as us to sleep.  When we were all getting into bed he began asking all about when Cute Joanie died and how long he got to be with her in heaven because he waited the longest to come down.  He also started contemplating, out loud, where Layton might be called on his mission.  He then stated that he really wanted to be called on his mission to the jungle so that he could see all sorts of cool animals like monkeys.  He said he would like his house to be in a tress with vines so he could swing to other people houses to teach them.  He then concluded that it wouldn't be very easy to swing on vines in a suit and tie so maybe a house on the ground would be better.


I enjoy his insights so much and love how much thought he puts into things.  It also surprises me when he brings up past conversations that I have had with Derek when he was around.  I am always under the assumption that little ones are not paying attention but I am finding that he is most of the time, even if he is actively jumping around or playing ipods when we are talking.  

Christmas 2012

Christmas this year was lots of fun with Branten.  He started several letters to Santa on his own and finally had me transcribe one for him, this is what it said:

"Dear Santa,  I am the littlest boy downstairs on the couch.  I would like a Ninjago and Hobbit house Legos"

With the letter in his hand he then came up to me in the kitchen and asked if we had any tools.  I asked him what he needed tools for and he told me that Santa needed new tools so he could make lots of toys.  I don't think I have had any of my boys ever think of giving Santa a gift.  We went to Walmart and picked out some tools for Santa and Branten wrapped them him self and left them next to the cookies by the fireplace.
















Santa left a note thanking B for his thoughtfulness, and Dad liked those tools so much that I bought some just like them so that B could give them to his Dad at some time.

 Santa made a HUGE mistake and left a Barbie for Branten.  He wasn't very happy but even Santa makes mistakes and Branten was very quick to forgive when he opened his next gift and it was a Ninjago.  Santa must have dropped B's last gift when he set out all of the other gifts because we found it under the couch.  Branten was very happy with everything he received but wasn't very happy with me for posting the video of him getting a barbie on FaceBook because everyone keeps asking him about it.

Branten's experience with an Apostle

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Dear Elder Andersen,

I am writing to thank you for your visit to our Blanding, UT Stake a few weeks ago.  It was wonderful to hear your testimony and share in the spirit that you brought with you.  I wanted to share a story with you that involves my 5 year old son. 

Before your visit we had discussed with a few of our younger boys (we have five sons, no daughters) about your visit and how we hoped they would listen and enjoy the message you brought.  We explained to them that you were an apostle of Jesus Christ and this was a pretty special visit for our area.  We explained to them that when Christ was on the earth he had called 12 apostles to help him teach and administer to the people at that time.  Since the restoration of the church there have been 12 apostles also called to serve with the prophet and as witnesses of Jesus Christ. 

Our five year old, Branten, was a bit curious and eager to see this “special person”. 

When the congregation stood as you entered the chapel Branten could not see over the people around him and when we again took our seats he leaned over and stated that he didn’t get to see you.  My husband lifted him to see over the heads of the families seated in front of us.  He was beyond thrilled that you waved to him personally.  As you went around the chapel shaking members hands, he was watching and again received a wave from you as we were in the center of the bench.  Well, I suppose he then thought that you were fast friends as I discovered the following week. 

The following Sunday as we were getting ready for church Branten came into me and asked, “When is Jesus’ shepherd going to come?”  I asked him what he meant, as the Christmas season is here and we have also been discussing the birth of Christ.  He again asked, “When is Jesus’ shepherd going to be coming?  You know the one that he called.”  I was a little confused and Branten tried again to explain what he meant.  “Mom, you know when Jesus was here and he called his shepherds.”  After I thought about what he was saying for a minute it dawned on me that he was referring to you.  I asked if he meant an apostle.  He answered yes.  I reminded him that you had come the previous week to speak to us in Stake Conference and asked if he remembered you waving to him.  He answered, “Yes, I remember that but when is he coming to OUR house?” 

I suppose that our prepping and your waves indicated a kinship that he thought would conclude in a personal visit.  J I just wanted to thank you for being a “shepherd” and special witness of our Savior Jesus Christ and the impression you left with all of my boys (my oldest also got to meet with you in the mission prep class following stake conference).   Again, I enjoyed your testimony and hope that my five boys can also become “shepherds” throughout their lives as they follow the example of their father, grandfathers, apostles, and the first Presidency.

Sister JoAnna Bethea 

Foster Care

Kindergarten

Today when I picked Branten up from school he handed me a small piece of paper encouraging people to become foster parents.  When he asked what it said I started to explain that some moms and dads don't know how to take care of their kids and sometimes they are mean to them.  Sometimes they hurt them or ignore them.  Then people like dad come in and tell them that they aren't taking very good care of their kids and they are going to take them out of the home until they can learn how to take care of their kids.  Then they need good homes for these kids to live in while their moms and dads learn how to take care of them.  They need people that can take care of the kids and be nice to them and feed them, and that is what Foster Care is.  When I finished he looked at me reallly sad and said, "Well that's sad."  I said, "Yes it is".
It is so good to see that he has a tender heart and sympathy for others.

This year I bought this Jack Sparrow costume for Branten before he even thought about what he wanted to be for Halloween. I thought he would love it....and he did but when the other boys started dressing up for school he realized that there were many more options. Easton was a werewolf, so B decided he wanted to be a "Werewolf Jack Sparrow" with hair glued to his face. Then Jaden dressed up as a Zombie with slash tattoos on his cheek and blood dripping so B wanted slash tattoos and blood to be part of his Werewolf Jack Sparrow costume. In the end we put a slash on his arm to indicate he had been in a pirate fight and he was good with that. He recieved TONS of compliments on his costume and decided he wanted Derek to take him out trick or treating. While they were going from house to house he said to Derek, "Dad, I know you are scared of skeletons but you don't have to worry, I know karate....Benjamin taught me." Thank goodness he was prepared.