Dear Brooke

Brooke I am writing this to you now for the day you call and tell me that your toddler is driving you crazy.

My little Brookie. Lately you have been one hard little girl to live with. You are grumpy and sad and like to hang your head low all the time if something is not going your way. You like to yell at your mom very loud and ugly and have learned to use a voice and tone that scares me. Where did you learn this dear daughter? (You just told me today that a little girl at preschool taught you how to talk this way.) You think it's fine to take a toy away from somebody as long as you touched it first, which means it is now yours. You tell me "No" every time I ask you to do something. You complain about how hungry you are and then when I make you what you requested you sit and tell me that you don't want it and you are not hungry. You tell me how tired you are when I ask you to help with your chores and tell me that you "just need a little rest." Where do you learn this from? I do not do that.

You are really into teasing people, especially your best friend. You want to do everything your brother is doing but you don't want him to do it anymore which makes playtime difficult. You do not like your hair brushed at all and I am considering shaving your head. You do not like the bubble gum toothpaste you picked out and there for only want to brush your teeth with water.

Everything is a battle at this age. Luckily I love you so much that the good times overshadow the bad. You are teaching me so many things. I am starting to understand what the word patience really means. You are the sweetest girl when you choose to be and you are starting to understand what kindness and love really mean. You have a sweet spirit that recognizes truth so easily. You have a love and a testimony in the Savior at such a young age. You are super inquisitive and smart and want to know why everything is the way it is.

So even though you make me want to pull my hair out a lot of the time, you sure bring more happiness and love into my life then I could have ever hoped for. How grateful I am for you Brookie. Thank you for teaching me what it really is to be a mother. I love you so very much!