The Challenges of a two year old

So I know I am not the only mother to struggle with a stubborn two year old but I have to share the challenges of this weeks so far. First, Monday night Eric allowed me to take a nice hot 15 minute bath while he put Hyrum down to bed. While he was doing that Mackenzie was in our room watching a show on her computer. However, that was not all she was doing. During the 15 minutes I was in the bath she had gotten a hold of my deoderante and decided to paint it on her computer and mine along with herself. Well needless to say she had a time out and we cleaned everything up. Tuesday morning she decided she wanted to color. I told her it was time to get dressed not color, but she went ahead and started coloring while I was changing Hyrum's diaper. I found her in the bathroom with a gray marker. She had colored on the wall, bathroom door, coat closet door and our bedroom door. She went to time out again and then she was willing to help me clean up the mess. Wednesday I made pancakes for the family for breakfast and she loved them. So much that she wanted to make herself more. So, she got a pancake and proceeded to pour herself some syrup. Well she didn't know when to stop and she ended up with syrup all over her plate, on the table and on the floor. Amazingly she was clean. Eric was mad at first but then he started laughing with me. The hardest part was that she wanted to help clean it up. (I guess she is learning from me) However, Eric felt that it was too big of a mess, which is was and so I took Mackenzie and Hyrum for a walk around the neighborhood while Eric cleaned up the syrup mess. Today has been a pretty quiet day for Mackenzie, mostly because I think she has worn herself out. While these are big frustrating messes to clean there are also the amazing moments. Like when she say "Love you Mommy" or "Sweet Dreams Mommy". Or when she is silly and has a blast just playing to the water outside or helping mommy and daddy take care of the neighbors. While two year olds are challenging they are also amazing blessings. As much as they want to do their own thing they also want so much to help. Mackenzie doesn't like it when Hyrum cries. She has a hard time with daddy going to work and just loves cuddling. I am thankful for the challenges with her because it makes the nice times so much sweeter. I am grateful for this time to teach her for I am also learning so much and finding myself gaining strength in my convictions and beliefs from her.

Hyrum too is a wonderful blessing. He is rolling over everywhere, loving his baby food and trying to sit up and talk. Also he started holding a sippy cup this week! I can see what being a mother is a divine calling that is only for a short amount of time. I already feel like time is flying by. I just hope I can be patient and continue to find joy even in the most crazy and frustrating times. I know there are many more to come. I just have to remember what would a holy woman do?