Caring, Sharing

This morning Ria tugged a little baby doll along with her when I took her out of her crib. This particular baby doll was a present to Ely for her birthday. I told Ria that it was her sister's doll, but I was sure Ely would share, Ely said, "Yes, you can play with it because the doll is both of ours."

What a sweet sharer.

Sick Sister

Ria was sick today with a fever. When I told Ely, she looked worried and asked, "Where is she sick?" I told her it was a fever and had her touch her sister's head, whereupon she got a horrified look and made a worried sound. She asked me if she could kiss her sister, and I said yes.

Ria turned away grumpily because she wasn't feeling well, so Ely just patted her hand and said, "poor baby Ria."

Mini Missionary

This morning as I chatted with my daughter, Ely, she told me about a new friend she met at her daddy's house. This new friend for some reason can't walk. She was telling me about this, and then interjected, "and she thinks Jesus isn't real, but He is, isn't He, mommy?"

I wasn't prepared for the sudden change in subject, but I confirmed for her that Jesus is indeed real, and that He is my friend. She then said, "but my new friend thinks He's just pretend. Jenny* at school thinks He's dead for always, but He's not."

I said, "That's right, He lives with Heavenly Father now, but He is alive again."

"Jenny thinks He's not here at all. Is He, mommy?"

"Well, sweetie. He lives with Heavenly Father. Sometimes He visits here, but He doesn't live here like we do. The Spirit is here, and tells us things in our hearts."

"Yeah, Jenny is wrong. Jesus loves us, huh?"

"Yes, He does."

Four years old, and already soaking in more doctrine than I thought she could comprehend. Already testifying. What humbling news for me. What a responsibility!

Almost Human

Last night as I was getting Ria in her chair to eat supper, I was babbling with her and made a little "yeah" sound. She repeated it almost perfectly.

Her sister Ely's eyes lit up and she said, "Mommy! Ria almost talked like a human!"

I responded through my suppressed laughter, "Ria is a human, honey. You mean she almost spoke like a big kid?"

She said, "Yes, or a little kid. Little kids can talk, but not babies, right?" I agreed. She said, "She is almost a human little kid!"

Littlest Helper

My nearly-one-year-old, Ria, always feels sad when I take her older sister into the bathroom to do her hair. Because one of Ria's favorite pastimes is playing in the toilet, it is necessary to shut her out.

Today, she was extraordinarily quiet. I knew I was in for trouble when I came out. (Quiet generally means mischief.)

I was pleasantly surprised to see that she had only retrieved her shoes and put them near their little couch, ready to put on her feet.

Warm and Safe

There is nothing simpler and more beautiful than both of my daughters sitting on my lap in a family cuddle.

It does make me wonder how moms with more children do it. It seems that it might be a bit uncomfortable.

The Touch

In the mornings, my two daughters are like comedy and tragedy, Oscar and Big Bird, Bert and Ernie. My youngest is always smiles no matter when I wake her up, but on a good day, my eldest throws the covers over her head and cries. On bad days, she throws the covers off and yells at me, "I want to sleep, Mommy!" shaking her entire arm like an overwrought librarian.

This morning, when I put Ria (the six-month-old) on her big sister's bed to get her dressed, she reached towards Ely. Blinking sleepily after her obligatory grunt, Ely reached back, their fingers touching just at the tips, reminding me of Michaelangelo's Adam and God painting. They touched for several minutes, and it was the most beautiful thing I have seen in ages.

Tiny Hand

Sometimes the hard times come when you aren't really expecting it. This morning, I was getting my 6-month-old daughter dressed, and a wave of sadness (self-pity?) overwhelmed me. I try very hard not to cry in front of the girls, but this time I couldn't stop. Completely sobbing, kneeling by the couch with her on it, I felt a tiny hand touch my cheek. Opening my eyes, I looked up to the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. Somehow, I know she understood and loved me.

Then she grabbed my nose.

You Scared Me

I love to watch Ely develop her sense of humor. Today, I snuck up on her and jumped out to get her. Calmly she replied "Oh, mommy! You scared me!"

It is nice to know she is learning how to humor me already.

She had told me she was hungry, so I went in to make her a sandwich for lunch. She came in a few minute into the sandwich-making and soulfully asked, "Mommy, is that sandwich for me?"

Never was child happier than she was when I told her that it was.

Testimony of a Child

This morning, I asked Ely if she would like to bear her testimony. She agreed and flounced up to the podium with a proud little smile. As soon as she got up there, she said in a loud stage-whisper into the microphone "Mommy, help me!" So I helped her through testifying of Jesus and his love for her.

How I hope that she will learn to love Him, trust Him and rely upon Him!