The most beautiful sound a parent can hear, is a random, "mommy, I love you." from their small child's lips.

My daughter will offer this declaration up several times a day and at the most unexpected moments.  But of course she's learned that from us, I suppose.

Of course, lately we just as often hear, "I don't love you," as well as "bad mommy," and "you're a bad girl," when she's been reprimanded in anyway or told she is not allowed to do something.

Last evening as we prepared dinner and she hung from the refrigerator door, she once again, out of no where, pledged her love. 

"Mommy." 

"Yes," I responded. 

"I love you."

**My heart fluttered**

Less then ninety seconds later, she stood at the top of the cellar stairs offering to throw the large, plastic, reusable water jug down the steps.  I told her she could not.  This conversation repeated itself about 37 times in one minute.  She asked, I said no, and she declared she didn't love me, I was a bad girl, and a bad mommy.  Finally she gave up.

Finally. it was time to eat and we took our seats at the table.  Ellie insisted on playing with her ice cubes in her cup instead of eating.  I spoke to her several time as ice cubes went flying past my plate on the oak table top.  Then at last, she slurped in a single spaghetti noodle.  Jut then, completely out of no where, I hear, "...mommy." 

I looked up hesitantly, because I was certain I was about to be told off and that last straw would have been broken sending me flying off the handle and so on... (we've been here before)  But she caught me off guard instead.

"I love you."

Whoa...

As I opened my mouth to respond, she added (without even taking a breath) "I just don't like you sometimes."

         ...  Nice.

My face dropped, my shoulders slumped, and my husband tried his best to muffle a burst of laughter.

Heart broken in the moment with the wind totally stolen from my sails, I will admit, this declaration was a huge step.  Every time she tells us she doesn't love someone, I correct her.  I explain that we always love one another, but we don't always have to like them.  So of course, my response was simply, "that's okay honey." 

 
        "Mommy, I Love you ... I just don't like you sometimes."

At least she's learning!