Our wild child. Our crazy little redhead. Max Odell keeps us on our toes at all times, but he also can be the sweetest and most caring little boy. I can’t remember life without him. He makes us laugh multiple times a day, gets in trouble multiple times a day, and has the memory of an elephant- never forgets anything.

Every day he is saying something that is just hilarious. Everyone tells me I need to start writing them down, so here are a few perspectives from Max Odell!

Last week, my husband had to doctor a calf in a group of some new cows we bought. These cows aren’t used to horses so they scattered and ran and some jumped the fence. The boys and I had to come help. Naturally my husband was not pleased about the situation. Yesterday randomly in the vehicle Little Max goes “Dad remember that one time you were really mad when cows got out? You can’t get so mad. That means you have a bad attitude.” My husband and I died laughing. Sounds like my child might have heard that line a time or two!

Another time we were getting ready to visit my parents. Little Max kept telling us we need to hurry up and finish chores so we could get going. I told him we had to make sure we do chores right so the cows and calves stay healthy and can grow big and strong so we can sell the calves in the fall. We then had a full conversation about how we have to take care of the animals because that’s how we make money. He put the pieces together and reminds us very frequently that we need to feed the calves so they grow big and strong so in the fall we can buy him new cowboy boots! Every time we check cows, he tells me “Mom these calves looking big and strong! Think we can sell them soon!”

The other day when we were moving cows, we had some interesting anatomy questions. I had the joy of explaining the difference between the bulls and the cows. I laugh a little bit thinking about the knowledge of the birds and bees that ranch kids know at an early age compared to most. If you ask him, he will gladly explain that lesson to you!

His newest excitement is riding a “bucking sheep”. He got a helmet and vest for mutton busting, and I swear the first two days he wore them both almost all day long! He reminds me he just needs to wear them so he can practice a bit before the ranch rodeo.

I think we all need to look at life from a kid’s perspective a little more often. He appreciates so many little things in his life- like seeing a blue truck on the road because those are his favorite. He doesn’t let the small mishaps ruin his day. He might cry for a few minutes but then forgets and moves on! He loves learning new things. He sees the beauty and fun in life every day. When life gets me down, I try to remember the little blessings in my life every day and I begin to feel a little better. It’s so fun being Max’s mom!