Christmas 2011

What a yucky week we’ve had here. Last week I started out so strong, biking and running every day and feeling really good. Then Friday, one of my boys woke up with a cough, so I decided we should stay home and keep everyone else’s kids healthy. Of course, then Monday I woke up with a severe sore throat and congestion along with full body achi-ness.  I’m feeling a bit better now, but everyone in the house has been fighting this crud, so we’ve been effectively benched.

I can’t believe this is who I am now, but a whole week without running has been unbearable! And I must admit I’ve been a little off my game with my eating as well. You know how it is when you’re sick – you just want comfort food.

But with all of the ick, I also had a moment of glory. On Sunday, we are having family photos made, so I’ve been working on a coordinating wardrobe. Yesterday, I finally figured out what I’m going to wear. I put the outfit on to see if it worked together, and as I was looking at myself in the mirror, I remembered the last family photos we had made. It was this time 2 years ago. Noah was 2 1/2 and the twins had just turned one, and I was pretty much at my heaviest weight ever. I was just thankful to have one photo with me in it that didn’t make me want to puke. But most of them I never showed to a soul.

Looking in the mirror yesterday, I saw an entirely different person looking back at me, and I liked her. Not just because she’s thinner (not thin) or even because she has cute hair and a pink streak, not to mention clear skin (seriously, exercise does amazing things!), but because she is happy and confident and strong. And for just a moment, I thought about how proud Joey would be to see this version of me. I can almost see that lopsided grin.

Stay tuned: next week I’ll reveal another photo from 2011 with an after photo from this weekend’s session.