Beautiful Me

One of my besties and I are going on a scrapbooking retreat in about 2 weeks and we are both excited. We had a fair bit of homework do to for this retreat. I found the homework intriguing and challenging. Usually the both of us tend to focus on the kids and other family members in our scrapbooks. I have about 5 pages with just me on them and 4 out of the 5 are maternity pictures. The homework made me look inside myself and made me think about ME for a change. After doing the homework I continued thinking about myself. I have always struggled with the number on the scale. I know as soon as I start working out the flub and fatness will go away, I know because I have done it many times and gained it back time and time again (babies I tell ya) My whole life I was bigger than other girls and not happy with my appearance. After I had my first daughter I vowed to never let her think that and then that was reinforced by having my second daughter. How do I shield them from seeing what Hollywood thinks is perfect? I scrapped some pictures of myself last week. I was seventeen and looked amazing or so I think now but I know that on that day I thought I was fat and not pretty. My clothes were fitted so I couldn't notice the pinch of fat I had and I wore a push up bra to emphasize my breasts.I know I can not shield my girls away from everything but I want them to remember me working out and eating right. Not taking a pill, liquid or other substance and praying to be skinny. I have come to the realization I was made the way I am for a reason. This realization I have to encourage everyday many times a day. When talking to friends I hear about diets and substances I can do to lose weight, Pintrest tells me over and over again that "THIS" will make me skinny. FB has many pictures of skinny models and actresses and posts about a "NEW" fad that I should try. Last night when I got out of the shower I stood naked in the mirror and said 10 things I LOVE about my naked body and while I won't tell you them all I will tell you a few and the reasons why. I really recommend you do this same. I felt like a goddess and the feeling stayed with me for the whole night and today although I have bronchitis and feel like crap physically. 1)My hair! yes my hair, if you know me personally you know I change my hair all the time. I am finally content with its length but am super excited to try a new color! 2)My Belly! I have a love hate relationship with my belly. I have grown four amazing little beings inside of my belly and I lose sight of that, It will never be as it was, texture, tightness and more. As much as I hate the appearance it is a constant reminder of the four incredible creatures I grew inside of me. 3)My butt, This is one thing that has NOT changed through four pregnancies and I am so glad :) 4)My legs, I have power house legs and looking at them brings me back to my rugby days. They are a little less muscular than they were back then but still look sexy in heels and skinny jeans. 5)Last but not least (Well for the blog) my hands. I do so much with them, I create pages and cards, cakes and more. I comfort my kids with them, type blog posts, they cause me a lot of pain but I love them anyways. This is what I want my daughters to see, and look up to. A woman who loves her body, loves who she is. A woman who gets out of the house and does stuff for herself. A woman who has girlfriends she loves like sisters and who she knows love her just as much. I would also like to add that for those friends of mine doing the diets and such that's great, I am glad you found something that works for you. But I know they are not for me. Picture credited to Perfect Pixl Photography http://www.perfectpixlphotography.com/