Beautiful Differences

My children are all beautiful. They all amaze me every day. I love them completely equally. But as they grow, I find that I love them as individuals, for the unique people they are becoming.

My oldest is incredibly smart, funny, and beautiful, but more than anything she is kind. She tears up when something sad happens in a movie. She goes out of her way to help anyone she can, however she can. She asks me regularly how I'm feeling, and if there's anything she can get/do for me. She "mothers" her younger siblings, with so much love in her eyes. She's also fiercely protective of them, and jumps between them and any perceived threat without a second thought for herself. She expresses a desire to jump into movies and warn the "good guys" about the "bad guy" and his intentions. She doesn't always like the rules, or necessary discipline, but she has enough maturity and perspective to trust her parents and always loves us regardless. She shares her feelings with us readily and asks for help dealing with the negative ones. Her desire for knowledge is insatiable, and she loves to learn. At only 6.5 years old, she seems so much older. She is such a beautiful soul, and I hope she always retains her thirst for knowledge, truth, and love.

My middle child is truly unique. She is my Sunshine/Thundercloud. She can go from giggling and happy, to closed off and angry/crying, in seconds flat. She is ridiculously sharp-minded, and perceives much more than one would expect of a 4.5-year-old. She's full of constant questions, and so strong willed that she will repeat those questions endlessly in an attempt to get the answers she wants. Her determination is without equal, that's for sure. She loves to be loved, though she can be slow to bestow her own affections on others. And when she does, she is the snuggliest, sweetest little thing. She has her own way of doing things, and nothing anyone says will get her to do things differently, or on any timetable but her own. She marches to the beat of her own drum, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. She is unbelievably intelligent, and once she gets past the "dreaded fours" (age 4 has been the hardest of all with both girls), she'll be even more of a fascinating little joy than she already is.

My son, though he is only 1, is already a force to be reckoned with. He's smart, he's strong, and he's made it clear that it's his way, or the highway. He's a bright, bubbly, happy little boy, but when he's angry he makes sure everyone knows it. He has a compulsion to climb and explore and understand his world through physical means, and he will go to any lengths to achieve his purpose. He eats like a frat boy, and loves nothing more than mealtimes with family. Snuggles are a necessity at nap and bed times, and he's finally starting to understand that nighttime is for sleeping. His shrieks of laughter are so joyful, and the way he analyzes everything he encounters is fascinating to me. He's certainly a trial when it comes to keeping him both safely contained AND entertained, but that's normal for this age. He's an adventurous little wonder, and I can't wait to see who he grows to be.

I love these little miracles my husband and I have created, with all my heart, and I'm eternally grateful for them. I look forward to many, many more years of watching their personalities develop, and helping them to become everything they're capable of being.

Two-Face

I am a woman with two faces.

One, the face my family sees every day. No makeup, glasses on, and usually topped with messy hair (whether in a ponytail or worn loose).

The other, less frequently seen, wearing makeup and contacts and with smooth, styled and/or curled hair.

They are both me.

There's a common misconception that makeup is a "mask," or somehow used as a way to hide one's true self. In reality, it's most often used as a form of self expression, or because the individual wearing it simply enjoys it. Sometimes it's used as an enhancement or ego boost, or to make the individual feel good.

As for me, I can go out without makeup, no problem. I have no issues with my appearance. I'm aging well, I take care of my skin, and I'm reasonably confident. I'm fortunate to have good self esteem and a husband who thinks I'm irresistible, even when I've neglected myself for days on end. I like my face.

But I also have a LOT of fun playing with makeup. It's fun, I like how it looks, and it's an opportunity to express how I'm feeling. Certain situations and moods bring out different sides of my personality, and I like allowing my outward appearance to reflect that.

As a mother of two little girls who love to watch me put on my makeup, I try to impress upon them that it's just for fun, and certainly not necessary. I don't want them to think they have to wear makeup to be presentable. I don't ever want them to do it for anyone but themselves. I don't hide my natural appearance from them. I want them to know that they don't have to "enhance" themselves to be considered beautiful, and that any makeup they choose to wear  (when they're older) is for them, and no one else. I want them to know that choosing to wear makeup doesn't indicate a lack of self esteem, but rather a desire to have fun with their appearance, the same as hair styles and colors, piercings, tattoos, and clothing.

I share no-makeup selfies on social media as often as makeup selfies. Both of those faces are mine, and I like them equally. Why? Because they're both me. My kids tell me I'm beautiful when I'm in PJ's, yawning and making coffee, with no makeup on and greasy hair falling in my face. They tell me I'm beautiful when I'm all dressed up, with a full face of makeup, ready to go out. And you know what? They're right on both counts. And thanking them for their compliments, no matter when they choose to give them, will hopefully teach them that their self worth doesn't lie in their appearance, but that it's also okay to care about and have fun with their appearance.

There's no one right way to show confidence.