Daxon turns 20

Look at this awesome kid. He turned 20 on Wednesday.

Daxon bought my brother Jeremy's motorcycle. 

I did NOT want Daxon to buy a motorcycle.

 This inconceivable thing happens when your child returns from a mission-- 

they all the sudden want to make all their own choices and decisions. As a mom, you strive to teach your child to be self-reliant and independent. They go on a mission and after being without parental guidance for two years, they come home and the goal has been accomplished. At least the independence part. I find myself excited for my somewhat adult-like children, and screaming inside at the same time. It is tough and wonderful to have your kids grow up. On one hand, you see them being these amazing adults and think to yourself, "I had a hand in that." On the other hand you see them buying motorcycles and you know that telling them "NO" is a thing of the past. 

I have never liked to go to bed before my children. Daxon being home has reminded me what I have learned after each child has returned from a mission. I either need to go to bed before my child, or I will DIE. They don't want to be told to go to bed and they can manage on very little sleep. The hours that age can keep is insane. Daxon has a never ending energy about him. He LOVES working out and being healthy. Since his mission, his love for clean eating and health has increased. 

Daxon has never been short on stamina. This week on my newsfeed,

 this memory of him popped up from 7 years ago. I can't believe he was 13 when he ran the Dam to Dam for the first time. When Daxon 

sets his mind to something he achieves it!

Daxon and Riley are training to do LOTOJA in September. 

Yesterday, after working all day, Daxon rode 40 miles, 

came home and went swimming in the pool, and went to bed late. He had 346% activity on his exercise rings.

He is an energizer bunny and can keep going and going. 

I love that about him!

Daxon wanted cheesecake for his birthday.  Britton had watched enough TV for the day and needed something to do, so I gave him the recipe and told him to make it. Britton responded, "I have no idea how to make a cheesecake."  I responded, "that is why you have instructions, follow them." He did and it turned out delicious! 

Daxon had never been to Maddox, so we took him there for dinner. I love the raspberry butter they have for the rolls! Daxon ordered his steak cooked rare, and it looked as if they had cut it off the cow and put it on his plate. He did not seem to mind, but I know I sure would have.

He willingly ended the evening by watching Dora the Explorer with Ashlynn. You have to be a saint to make it all the way through that movie to make your sister happy. I love that Daxon is home with us. His original return date before Coronavirus was not until next month. Daxon handles being back in our crazy family pretty well. We have the tendency to be intense!! 

One of the things I love most about Daxon is re-discovering who he is. It is interesting that when a child returns from a mission, they initially seem like the same person and yet daily you catch glimpses that they are completely changed. I love listening to Daxon pray and do the sacrament in Persian. I love hearing the insights he adds to family scripture study. I love watching the way he has mastered certain behaviors while being away. I am thankful for the blessing he is to this family!