Dearest Olivia Louise,
Our “peaceful warrior” also called “Olive”, and “Baby Cute, Cute,”, during your first year you’ve lived into the word mommy prayed for you from your conception “joy.” The first twelve months of your life overflowed with abundant joy. A fairly quick birth once contractions started (four hours after mommy’s water broke), you entered into this world healthy and easily without a tare. Then like an expert third child, you quickly adjusted to a feeding and sleeping schedule, that allowed for eight hours straight at night even as a newborn. Months flew by like days as you advanced to crawling and climbing. Strong physically and vocally, you never cease to amaze me how you manage to climb up to heights too tall for your age or express how you feel through small words such as “hi” and “dat, dat” and intonations indicating displeasure. Quick to laugh, giggle and blow bubbles you often show off those now six teeth by chewing almost everything with (especially berries).
With a feisty and adventurous spirit, you adore tackling daddy and chasing brothers; as well as zooming on your push bike or even on a motorboat. You barely tolerate the confines of hair ties and dresses that hinder your ever need to flow and explore- a restless kicker even in the womb.
As you shift from babyhood into toddlerhood with your joyous adventurous spirit, as your momma I desire to guide you from girl to womanhood. I hope you continue to explore, stay close to your dad and brothers and ready to share your thoughts with momma enthusiastically. I pray you live into your identity as God’s beloved daughter first, fall in love with Jesus personally as your best friend, and embrace the graces given daily by the Holy Spirit. I dream of you blossoming into a strong enough woman to submit to a man who loves you unconditionally, steaming from being a friend you who loves sincerely ready to serve and be served, and rooted as a daughter connected with her parents and siblings as a close-knit community for the rest of your days. Most of all may you remember:
“The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17
You are so Loved,
Mom.
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