Naughty or nice

Dear Olivia, The other day, your dad overheard this conversation that you had with your brother: You were in your room on the bottom bunkbed watching a show. You were thirsty, and knew that your cup was on the top bunk. You got creative. You wanted to keep watching your show, so you enlisted your brother to get it for you. In which he happily obliged. You asked, "Maddox, can you go on the top bunk and get my water for me?" Maddox climbed up, and Papa could hear this, ''Thump!'' Maddox surely brought the water down to you. The next moment was what was so hilarious, and that we felt was worth noting. You said, Thanks, Maddox. Now Santa will put you on his nice list!'' Ha, what a creative little girl. With love, Your mama.

Mom! Maddox pooped in the tub!

Dear Olivia and Maddox, Last Thursday was one of the most eventful mommy days ever. Of course we had Fey, so I was up around 6am getting showered and dressed before she arrived at 7am. Once I got out of the shower and started to dress, I heard you (Olivia) calling my name. You then began to explain how you accidentally wet the bed. Now this was quite the event because I don't think you have ever wet the bed. Once we got you out of your pull-ups at night, you basically get up and went potty and went back to bed. This was a fluke and there wasn't a need to make a big deal. I got you up, got your bedding in the washer, and put you in the tub. Of course Maddox couldn't stay sleeping through all this hustle and bustle. Up he was, too. So the day began. Fey came. We actually had a good morning. Fey was a little more needy than normal. I wasn't upset, or feeling angry, or tired. To be honest, we stayed home knowing Olivia had the week off from school and enjoyed staying in our pajamas half of the day (which is quite the rarity for your mama). We enjoyed playing, eating and just being home. By the late afternoon Fey had become quite fussy, and difficult to put down for a nap. I knew you both would be ready to have dinner soon, but getting dinner ready with Fey's fussiness wasn't going to be, so I decided to get you both in the tub, while I helped Fey to sleep. As I went to quickly fix Fey's crib, I heard this voice, "Mom! Come quick! Maddox pooped in the tub!" I raced up with Fey in my arms, to not just one poop, or two poops, but four or five large poops with a bath of mixy poop mess. Oh, my mess. I explained quickly to Fey how, ''sorry you are just gonna have to cry through this one,'' while also explaining for you two to get out of the tub. Olivia happily obliged, but you my son, felt paralyzed by the encircling poop, and I had to whisk you out of there, pronto. The worst part is is that I have to pick up the big poops. Oh, this is the worst. I then emptied the rest and reached for the cleaner and bleach. The thing is I had to keep you guys put because you needed to be cleaned, Fey was crying, the tub wasn't emptying fast enough, and then....I hear, "Wendy, I have been knocking for a few minutes!" It was Dawn Ann. At the back door. I frantically explained the situation, and she asked what she could do, and I simply said, "Hold, Fey!" For goodness sakes that girl was not going to quiet for one minute. So I was grateful to hear Dawn Ann's voice, but embarrassed all the same. I mean it was just one of those moments in a mother's life, where a baby is screaming, I have poop in the tub, the kids are naked, and I have to get to all of it immediately. Thank goodness, Dawn Ann laughed at the situation (which was quite hilarious all the same) and she didn't think I was ignoring or killing her granddaughter. It was quite the hour, and once it was all over, I realized that this is all part of being a mom. Life isn't always glamorous, fun, or near perfect, but it is a life that I live and have as a gift from God, and that my children, is what is most important. Even on a day like today. With love, Your mama

That old, wise spirit shines through

Dear Olivia, We were at Laird Park last Wednesday. You were playing in the sandbox with your brother. A woman came with her two children to the park. The girl walked over to the swings and was trying to get on them. I noticed and was contemplating going to help her up, but also wanted to give her mom the opportunity to do it. At the same moment I was contemplating whether to go over there or not, you very matter-of-factly looked up and said, ''Mom, go over there and help that girl. She wants to get on the swing.'' In that moment, I saw a little 3-year old girl's body, but a very old, and wise spirit. You saw a need, and knew it needed to be fulfilled. It was kind of a magical, spiritual moment for me without you even realizing it. I felt chastised for just not doing it right away (but it was being considered)! The difference is that you would have just gone and done it whether or not that mom would have noticed then, or later. How special you are. How close you are to Heavenly Father's desires. To help those around us. May you always keep that about you. With love, Your mama.