I managed to keep a smile on my face yesterday and get through the day okay despite minor annoyances. I did have something niggling at my insides though and today it has run me down.

You see, while going through photos from our Meet Us at the Manger event at the church I stumbled across this photo that Peter had taken.

Besides the fact that he really only knows how to work the camera on Auto, this picture immediately sent me reeling with all sorts of negativity.

Is that what I look like right now? Do I really look THAT big? THAT tired? THAT plain? And that much unlike what I’m used to seeing? And I left the house that night thinking I actually looked decent for a change!!! How BAD do I look  other times?

I asked Peter about it and could see the hesitation. That’s all it took. He of course still assured me that I look great, that it’s not much longer, that I’m pregnant and naturally going to look/be bigger, that the photo is an unflattering shot, and that he loves me now more than ever. He said all the right things. I smiled and accepted them and pushed those initial feeling aside. Then, I visited my friend, who even after surgery still looks great. She shows me her incisions and where she is so sore on her stomach. A little pang of jealousy hits over her flat stomach and smaller size that I once resembled. I laughed at that and quickly told myself “I’m pregnant! She just had surgery! Why are you even thinking about that?”. Then, I pushed those initial pangs of jealousy aside too.

Apparently those thoughts and feelings continued to fester because they built up from me being able to laugh them off to me crying, big-lose-your-breath sobs crying, just now as I began to write this post. Writing it out provides solace because it helps me expunge it all from my head. I knew I had to write it, as hard as it would be to write…and post that picture. I already feel a bit lighter in spirit again. It also helps knowing I have to get over it to be strong for this gorgeous face…

…so she can stop worrying about why her mommy is crying. I guess we all have these moments. Much love to you all for listening, despite the downer of a post on a Friday.

• TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SIGN UP FOR THE GIFT EXCHANGE!!
• Have you “liked” Faith Fitness Fun on Facebook yet? Please do!

I woke up this morning compelled to say a big thank you! I felt pretty hesitant yesterday morning to post my Q + A on weight. I do not believe a number on a scale shows a complete definition of health, yet know how comforting those numbers can feel as a way to compare, control, measure, etc our level of health/fitness. I too can easily get caught up in them and that serves as a big reason I will not use a scale when getting back in shape post-pregnancy.

In yesterday’s post I wanted to openly share what was asked of me, but I do not plan to explicitly discuss my weight, size, measurements, etc “numbers” (or the little I will even know of them) in the future, as such numbers are so unique to each person. I do thank you all for the respectful and open discussion in the comments yesterday. I appreciate that blogging allows for us to discuss such topics, share our experiences without judgment, possibly learn from each other, and then talk about leaking and hairy legs a few hours later. 😉 Blogging is pretty awesome, huh?

I truly thank the two ladies that originally exposed me to blogging. That would be you two Lisa and Julie! You two may even have something special coming your way as a token of that appreciation. 😉

If not for them, I don’t know if I would ever have come across this crazy, fabulous, and fulfilling world. The 3 of us, along with quite a few other awesome ladies, used to actively participate in a fitness forum. Julie & Lisa both started up blogs around the same time and shared them on the forum. They were the first two blogs I consistently read and I instantaneously fell in love with the blogging atmosphere. It jived so much better with my beliefs on health and fitness. So much so that I could not wait to have a space of my own to share.

It took a bit of time to figure out exactly what I wanted that to be, but eventually Faith Fitness Fun was formed and I will never look back. Thank you Lisa and Julie for bringing me here and your continued support and friendship. And an extra huge thank you to each of you, my readers and friends, who welcome me with open arms each day and make this such a fulfilling place for me to write, reflect, laugh, and vent. I wish I could give you each a hug because it is thanks to YOU that I don’t foresee myself stopping this blogging journey any time in the remote future. Blogging has helped me grow and lit a new fire in my life. I am forever grateful for that…and for you. I cannot even begin to express it all. Thank you.

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And I feel a little cheesy posting this update after all I just wrote, but I wanted to go ahead and let you all know that the Faith Fitness Fun Facebook page is now up and running!

I refuse to call it a “fan page” because that just seems so wrong. You’re friends, not fans! You can click the plugin on my right sidebar to “Like” the page to receive updates, pick up random tidbits I don’t always share here, and/or simply to show your continued support. I’m excited for it and can’t wait to connect with you all through there. 🙂 I’m sure my personal account friends are excited too…blog updates only for those who want them. LOL

• What was the first blog you started reading? Why do you read blogs?
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