humility

as i sat in the chair in the locker room nursing mackenzie at the ymca, i was reminded again to be grateful. now, with this story, i am not asking for sympathy, i am just simply telling the tale.

there is a girl i see at the gym all the time who is probably 19 or so, super tan, bright blonde hair, always in short spandex shorts and workout tank tops, toned BEYOND belief. whenever she walks by, i usually feel a LITTLE on the "poor me" side. poor me that even though ryan loves me blonde (but says he thinks im pretty either way) i am too cheap to dye my hair blonde every 2 months because my hair grows too fast. poor me that i dont want to go tanning because i dont want to pay for cancer, even though sometimes i JUST REALLY WANT A TAN. poor me because i dont have super awesome workout clothes. poor me that she looks like she just walked off the cover of fitness magazine. poor me. but then after like 20 seconds i get over it. and im content and so SO happy with my life.

when we first got to the gym, mackenzie was hungry so i went to the locker room to feed her. today, i was in my baggy OLD byu phys ed shirt and some knee length old workout shorts. however, i strangely felt kind of cute because i had my make up somewhat done, and i actually styled my hair in an up-do sort of thing instead of just throwing it up in a ponytail. as i sat there nursing her, blondie mcbronzen came out in her victoria secret PINK zebra workout pants and a sports bra. it was like she was compeletely rubbing in all of her tan, toned, blondeness in my face all at once. note- i dont know her, and im not saying i dont like her, im sure she is super nice. anyway, i sat there starting to get down on myself thinking, why can't you control urself and stop eating pumpkin brownies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. maybe then you will get in better shape. you look so bad with ur frumpy, old clothes, ect. ect. ect. i was really starting to get down on myself. but then, i looked down. i saw my sweet mackenzie. i saw her incredibly precious little face looking up at me. when she was finished eating, and i picked her up, she smiled SO big and it melted my heart. and then i was reminded...who cares that i dont have the hippest workout clothes. at least i have clothes. who cares that ive got naturally ashy, dishwater blonde hair. at least i have hair. who cares that im pale as all get out. at least i have healthy skin that is disease free. who cares that she is so stinkin ripped and im not. get over your pride and be THANKFUL for a healthy body that God has given you. the healthy body that moves freely, hears, sees, and is able to help make and deliver the precious little babies He has entrusted to you. be thankful for arms that can physically HOLD these sweet little bodies.

i thank my Heavenly Father for the gift he has given me- MY body. i know that i-like many women- can get caught up in comparing myself to others. but that is not what life is about! so as i sit here with my muffin top and bags under my eyes, i am SO thankful. thankful for a healthy body and for the healthy bodies of my children and my hubby (and my extended family, friends, ect). i couldn't be more blessed. although they have changed my body over the years, my kids are my world. not my skinny jeans.