The Cover and Title Page

Monday, March 29, 2010

Life with Girls...

My sister babysat my kiddos this evening while I was with my Bible study girls. When I left, Smartie was in the middle of performing Disney Princess Ballerinas on Ice. First she did some jumping and spinning herself, then she became the announcer. Aunt A and Sweetie had to sit on the floor staring at nothing while Smartie said things like, "Look at Cinderella do a jump spin! And now Belle is doing a twizzle! Aunt A! You're not looking! See Ariel do a toe jump!" Ah, little girls.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

We've moved

Wednesday/Thursday we packed up the whole house, and Friday we moved into our new home. There are a lot of boxes to unpack, but we're slowly settling in. Sweetie has had the hardest transition. Smartie did a lot better than I expected.

_______________________

In a few minutes, Papa Runner is leaving for a week-long training in Chicago. So I'm flying solo this week with a little help from my sister. Then we have the Easter Sunrise Service at church (that we're in charge of!) next weekend. Once we get through that, I'll be able to breathe a lot easier. We won't have anything else big planned until June when we give dinner at church.

______________________

The Sunday School Easter Program was today. During the Christmas program, Smartie couldn't handle everyone looking at her and hid under the bench instead of singing. This time, we talked through everything several times. She told me she wasn't going to sing, but she would stand up and smile. And that's exactly what she did. I was very proud of her.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

My Dream Dashed

I had a rather random memory surface today. When I was six years old, I loved to watch Star Search on Saturday mornings. I was fascinated by the costumes, the singing and dancing, and the judging. I decided I really wanted to be a singer.

So one day I asked my mom if I could be on Star Search that Saturday. I'm sure she wasn't really listening, because she said sure. I was thrilled! I went to school that week and told everyone that I would be on Star Search that Saturday and to make sure to watch me. Meredith, a girl in my class, thought I was lying. Nuh-uh, I told her. My mom said I could!

That Saturday, I got up so excited! I raced through my breakfast, then asked my mom when we were going. Going where, she asked. To be on Star Search, duh! Didn't she remember?

That's when I got the devastating news. You had to take an airplane ride to California, try out, and spend months preparing to be on Star Search. BUT SHE SAID I COULD! I was very upset, naturally.

That Monday, Meredith said she watched Star Search, and I wasn't on it. So I was a liar. Nuh-uh, I said. I WAS going to be on it, I just changed my mind. Poor, heartbroken little first grader.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Highs and Lows of Body Image

This weekend I saw the highs and lows of body image. On Saturday I went bra shopping, and amazingly enough I was down two cup sizes! I have never, ever experienced shrinkage. This was very exciting to me, because it gives me hope that I might get back to "normal" once the twins wean without going through another reduction surgery.

Then on Sunday, someone asked me if I was pregnant. I'm not. I don't hold any illusions, though. I'm taking a medication that as a side effect causes you to gain weight around the middle. I know I look pregnant, and while I'm not happy about it, I do accept it for now. I'll be able to come off the meds in a few months, and I'm looking forward to getting my body back in shape at that time.

Tonight, Smartie told me I need to start running again so my tummy isn't so fat any more. I hope I'm not giving my girls an unreasonable picture of what beauty should be. I want them to be at a healthy weight, but not obsess about meeting some artificial and unattainable standard of beauty. While I do want to lose a few pounds and get my abs under control, I also want to be happy with being normal. And I want my girls to be happy with themselves, too.