kids???

There are times during every one of my days that I have to stop and say to myself "Now, why did I want kids again?"

Kids are all so different in terms of personality, learning and such. I find myself having a hard time juggling their styles, none of which are the same as mine. For instance when I put Brinkley into bed last night she wanted the shutters left open. I told her no, explaining how she would sleep so much better if it were dark and how she already had a night light... She just looked at me and said "Ok, you go out of the room and then I will open it." How am I suppose to argue with that? I can't duck tape shutters closed every night... At least I always know where I stand with her. She tells me exactly what she is and is not willing to do.

On the other hand this morning I came into the living room after having taken a shower to find Ashley hiding behind the chair with 3 tubes of sparkle lip gloss... At first glance I thought Whew... all three have lids on. Upon a second look, her entire face covered in sparkle grease! Now, we have been through that before and she knows that she is not allowed to have lip gloss unless I'm there to help her. So I grab her hand to march her off to the bathroom only to discover that she has also painted her arms and hands with sparkle grease! Seriously, that stuff is gross when it's somewhere other than your lips. Anyway, in the bathroom I put her up on the counter and start scrubbing with soap and water... then to discover that she has also applied the lip gloss to her feet. And last but not least... it's near impossible to wear head to toe sparkle lip gloss without getting it all over the couches and carpet of the room where you applied it. After a time out I go in to talk to her and she just looks up at me with a smirky smile and says "Mom, I want you to be nice to me..."

So, what is a mom to do when she has one head strong, demanding, independent child, and one sneaky, mischievous, destroyer child? And that's only the first 2...

And then I remember the answer to my question...

On Sunday in Sacrament meeting Ashley looks up at me and says (in a louder than needed voice), "Mom are you happy?", "Yes." I say. Then she smiles up at me and says, "I'm happy to."

Or, when she tells me sometimes, if I share or something, that I make her heart happy...

Or, when I was having a long morning getting Colter fed and getting myself ready... Brinkley shows up in my bathroom with a file box lid for a tray holding 2 rolls and a bag of cheddar bunnies. She says "Mom, I brought you breakfast because I knew you must be hungry."

Or, when Brinkley tells everyone that her dad is her "Best Buddy"

And when I hold Colter while he's sleeping and wonder what he'll be when he grows up someday... But glad that he's still a baby for now.