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We have a tradition that on the way home from our annual summer vacation in Maryland we stop at the outlet mall in Pennsylvania to buy school shoes. It's always fun and it little nerve racking as four of us pile boxes at the end of the aisle and try on shoes. Last weekend, after we had paid for four new pairs of shoes I told Jim that I was going to take Gracie to the the bathroom while he and Jacob went in another store.
As I looked in the mirror while Gracie and I were washing our hands I realized that my hair was a mess from driving in the car. I took out my rubber band and was pulling my hair back up when I looked at my stomach and saw it was sticking out a little more than normal. I turned to get a side profile view, hands still in my hair and said to Gracie, "oh Gracie, look at my tummy, I need to get back to Zumba."
And I hear this shy, quiet voice say back to me, "I think you look perfect Mommy."
My hands dropped and I looked in my daughter's eyes. So many thoughts went through my head in that split second. I had that little shot of joy that comes from a compliment, I was a little shocked at her response, but most of all I thought about how I really, really have to think about how I talk about self-image in front of my little girl.
I dropped down to my knees and looked at Gracie and thanked her for the compliment and told her it made me feel good. She smiled. Then I told her that she was right and that I am happy with the way I looked. I told her that what I should have said was I missed working out because it makes me feel so good and keeps me healthy.
Gotta love those teachable moments when your kids are the ones doing the teaching!
My smart, beautiful girl.
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Marathon training is going well. My first long walk was on Saturday. I did 4 miles. My legs felt great, but I was fighting a little cold and had a few moments where I was trying to talk myself into stopping early since all I wanted to do was go back home and go to sleep. I did get a little bored while I was on the treadmill and decided to hop on a different machine 3/4 of the way through so that I could look out the window. I need to work on some playlists to help with the boredom. I was really proud of myself for doing the 4 miles, especially because my Saturday was packed full of errands I had to run before heading to a party in the afternoon.
