The Making of M.O.M.

It happened.

Somewhere between summer ending and school starting and life whirling around me, my sweet little girl grew into a 2 year old. Because of her bigger brother's 4 month head start, I often forget that they aren't really twins and that she is 4 short months younger than he. And at the tender age from 20 months - 24 months those 4 months are probably more obvious than they've ever been.

She's still in that odd baby-to-toddler age where she's still too little to do toddler stuff, yet to big to do baby stuff. She can't communicate totally what she wants and life is often frustrating. Especially when Mommy doesn't understand that you really just want another cup of milk.

Still too little to really dress yourself, yet desiring to put on your clothes all by yourself. Or stand on your head. Whichever feels best at the moment.

Yet this past weekend it happened. The Queen reigned for a day and received songs and parties and the sole attention. I know that I've said that 2 isn't exactly my favorite age. Still, I would do anything to pause her sweet little self at this age for just a few more months so that in my old age I could remember so much more of all the things she's growing out of. Two years ago today my sweet girl laid in the hospital alone, without me even knowing she existed. How it breaks my hear to think about her sweet, tiny little self being there with out me. How I pray she allows God to use her story for His glory alone.

My sweetest Olivia,

Two years ago everyone (including us) thought we were crazy for bringing you into our family. Little did they, or we, know just how much of a blessing you would continue to be in our lives. You proved to be our most particular baby. Not necessarily fussy, you just certainly had your preferences! At two, you remain the same. You love being the center of our family's attention and you get especially pleased with yourself when you make all of us burst into laughter, which happens frequently.

We've kept your hair short because of it not growing in evenly, but now it's beginning to get thicker and fuller and I just can't wait to try some fun hair styles out with your curly, black locks. The eczema that once showed up in several painful patches on your arms and legs is completely gone. Your smooth, creamy, brown skin is the softest thing I've ever felt and I love putting on your lotion. And you are loving being old enough now to "help" me.

Your pint sized frame houses more volume that I understand to be possible. How someone so tiny can make such noise is beyond me. You love, love, love to sing and dance. In fact, most of the time that you are awake you are singing or talking or dancing or all three at the same time. You've been known to stop dead in your tracks and bust out some serious dancing when you hear a rhythm that moves you.

You make my heart fill with joy over and over again. You offer me so many hugs and squeezes throughout the day. It is not uncommon for you to seek me out, where ever in the house that I happen to be and give my knees a good, hard squeeze. I love it so much that each time my heart feels as if it will burst.

You love babies. Especially your little sister. You've watched and felt your older sisters doting over you and now you like to lavish that same love upon Ella, whether she likes it or not. One of my favorite memories of you is when you were just a little over a year old and we went to visit family and friends. As your "Aunt Amanda" held up her littlest one (with whom you share a birthday), who at the time was still very brand new, you leaned in and kissed and squeezed on her, showering her with the love that only a 14 month old could show. Your heart must hold joy and love in such quantities that I'll never understand. You are my miracle, sweet girl.

Happiness exudes from you constantly. You are the life of the party. Yet you are growing increasingly shy and cautious in new environments. If I had to describe you in one word, it would certainly be silly.

My sweet, silly girl. I love everything about you. Squishy face and all.

Happy Birthday my precious princess! Mommy loves you!

I really shouldn't even be making time to post this today, but since about 2 days ago it's been on my mind and every time I get on Facebook it flies all over me again.

I try not to make it public (blog) knowledge that I have a facebook account. Mainly because I don't want creepers trying to find out information that I don't want the general public to know by stalking me on FB. But, I just don't think I can sit in silence about this anymore. Maybe some of you will call me rigid or stupid or a religious "holier than thou" church lady.

Frankly, I don't care.

Last year, apparently for October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, I got several messages in my FB inbox asking me to post the color of my bra as my status. I wasn't suppose to say it was the color of my bra, but rather just say the color.

I chose to opt out of that little FB game since my purpose of having FB is to keep in contact with friends and to share about my family, not to air my dirty laundry. Literally.

But this year's "game" I cannot choose to just ignore, especially given that last year I saw several men posting their reactions to the bra game after they realized what was going on.

This year's Breast Cancer Awareness game, again for women only (because the point in these games is to keep men in the dark and make them wonder), is to state where you keep your purse/pocketbook. Except you don't just state the location you also say, "I like it..." in front of the said location. So, now statuses are popping up everywhere such as, "I like it on the table" or "I like it in the closet" or "I like it on my dresser."

I cannot see how as women, who are followers of Jesus, we can simply add this to our status without a second thought. Colossians 3 clearly says that we are to set our minds on things that are above not on things that are on Earth. How can we, as Jesus following women, post such things for men to see, to entice them even, and believe that we are setting our own minds, or even encouraging our fellow men, to focus on what is above?

I know my husband is extremely visual. The protection of our marriage through him focusing his eyes, ears and mind on things that edify our marriage is one of his priorities. Men think about sex, far more than we women do (well, most of us). All men are visual. I'd take a guess that most men who are lovers of Jesus struggle with lust, pornography and other sexual addictions at some point in their life.

Why o why would we women of faith choose to tempt our brothers and fellow believers with such talk?

I just can't justify it. I know, for certain, that I'd not like my husband reading the status' of my friends and where' they'd "like it." So why would I do the same for another woman's husband or fiance or brother who's marriage may already be in jeopardy over such things?

I won't. And I hope that you'll reconsider this yourself as well when you receive offers to play this "game." Truly, meddling in the mind of a married man is not a game I choose to be a participant of.

Unless it's my own man. Then, game on. ;)

Finally, I'd really like for someone to explain to me how this raises awareness for Breast Cancer. I'm ALL FOR finding a cure for one of the leading killers of women but I just fail to see the connection here. Anyone care to enlighten me?