What Miss USA taught me....

I watched my eight year old daughter's face as the pageant contestants walked across the stage. Her expression was that of amusement and curiosity...I could only imagine what was going through her head at that moment. For an eight year old--some what of a tom boy-- sitting almost next to Miss USA this evening may have been somewhat of a culture shock. From our morning battles to brush teeth and comb hair to seeing perfectly poised beauty queens on a gleaming stage, I was secretly hoping the evening would inspire her to be 'more of a little lady'. And at the end of the night, I got exactly what I wanted.

Having sponsored Miss Maryland USA for the past two years, I've learned a lot more about the competitors than I ever thought I would. Sitting in the audience tonight watching the girls perfectly poised in their evening wear and swim wear, I had so much admiration for what it takes these women to be on that stage. So many people have the misconception that it's just a 'see who's prettier' contest. In reality, these women work their asses off. From diets, workouts, walking, posing, gowns, teeth, hair, wardrobes, tanning, nails, skin care, choreographed routines, accessorizing, sponsorships, countless interviews, pre pageant training, and so much more...these brave women have fought hard to be where they are. Not to mention that they are all educated, productive citizens in our community. The winner of tonight's Miss Maryland USA 2012 tonight graduated top of her class from UCLA and was an All American volley ball player...another was a scientist at NASA...while someone else was a partner in a law firm. They are strong, intelligent, beautiful women who are all competing to represent the state of Maryland in a positive and vibrant way. I learned this last year when I attended the pre competition meetings with the girls. They were given the rules of the competition which included being sweet, gracious, and respectful to every single person that they meet. To always be put together and ready for anything, and most of all that they were all beautiful and were equals amongst each other.

What a beautiful life lesson for all young girls. That they should take care of their bodies, respect themselves, respect others, always be humble, and make a positive impact on the world. Isn't this a lesson that all mothers want for their daughters? To take pride in themselves and have a sense of confidence that they can truly do anything they want? That their goals can be achieved with hard work and determination. And that nothing should get in the way of their dreams. To stand up tall no matter where they go and be prepared for anything?

Although there were moments during the evening that I had to strongly remind my daughter not to kick the chairs in front of her or sit up and watch the show...at the end I could see she was inspired. And even more so when she expressed in the car that she was going to be Miss USA one day and that we should start 'getting ready for when she's a teenager'. We got home. She went upstairs, hung up her clothes, took a shower, brushed her teeth, and preformed all the 'grooming' tasks that we ask our kids to do with lots of prompting. Already the inspiration has set in. She's expressed more sweetly than I've ever heard her talk, unless she really really wants something, that she is practicing for the pageant....Thank you Miss. USA...I am a very grateful mom tonight and I hope your message gets across to many more young girls...

'Susan'

I remember the day my dear friend's seven year old daughter was diagnosed with type 1diabetes. Her mother was devastated, and her daughter's life would be forever changed. Coincidentally, her daughter was also one of my dancers at the studio. I learned very quickly how to make sure (lets call her Susan), Susan measured her blood sugar correctly and delivered the right amount of insulin through her pump that was connected to her body. I remember being so impressed by this seven year old who knew so much about her 'disease', the effects it had on her body, how to control it, and how to use all of this equipment (that she carries around with her in a back pack). Susan's knowledge of nutrition, diet, exercise, and leading a healthy life style was so amazing that I had her speak at a few of our studio events. Susan is someone to be impressed by.
Susan is also my eldest daughter's best friend. So, after a sleep over one night (at Susan's house-because she has to get up multiple times per night to check her 'sugar') I took the kids to breakfast. Susan ordered her meal beautifully. All clean, nutritious food. She even suggested to my daughter that she skip the unhealthy food and make a better food choice. Like I'd done so many times before, I watched Susan call her mom, tell her everything on her plate, including portions, and deliver the correct amount of insulin to her body. The conversation that took place after was inspiring.

"Susan, before you eat anything do you always have to go through this process? How does it make you feel? Before you put anything in your mouth...even a sample or a taste, you have to measure and adjust your insulin?"
The answers were clear. Before Susan puts anything in her mouth, even a bite size sample, she has to check her blood sugar, and deliver the correct amount of insulin to her body. NO EXCEPTIONS! Every single time...no matter the size. No matter the food. Susan goes through this process. And, she doesn't seem to mind. She's accepted that this is a part of her life. And instead of hanging her head low and frowning, she has gracefully risen to the occasion and decided to live a happy, productive life.

So, here is where my wheels begin to turn. If Susan, a seven year old girl, is so responsible with her body....then why aren't we? Why would we ever complain about logging our food, or skipping desert? Whats the significance of having to eat massive amounts of junk just because it's snowing outside? What do you think Susan would do? If a seven year old child takes such immaculate care of her body, while also having responsibilities in life, what is our excuse?
There isn't one.

There is no excuse to put trash in our bodies. There is no excuse not to reach all of our health and fitness goals. So, I'm giving myself a challenge for the next weeks. My body is "under construction". I'm going to be as diligent as Susan, well maybe not as diligent...but I am going to log everything I eat. I'm going to be accountable for everything, not just some things. And I'm going to pay more attention to my body and it's needs.

I am truly inspired by Susan. And I hope I can be as strong as she is.

Mommy thoughts....

After the first glass was finished, the cheap bottle of red wine didn't taste that bad after all. The room was warmer, my cheeks were flushed, and all those busy feelings were settling down. Yes, the week was coming to an end, the weekend was about to begin. I swear, Mondays should be a vacation day for all adults with children. Mondays should be Sunday's vacation. When you become a parent, you accept that your life will never be completely about you again. Your world, views, driving, everything changes. Suddenly, the world is much more full than it was the day before, and you unexpectedly care more about the little things then you did nine months earlier. You change, grow, and become a new you.
I never knew that I could love someone one as much as I do my child. I never imagined that such a love could exist. I never knew how much walking alone through the quiet isles of Target was a small valued treasure. How nice it was to watch something other than, "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs" over and over again. I took advantage of sleeping past 730am.
Then you look at the face of the love of your life, your child, and think, "weren't you just in diapers?", "When did you get so big?", and "What the heck are you wearing?", and most recently think, "She can't talk to me like that...hey, I say that...." And you think about your acquaintances whose children have grown and "flocked the nest" and what a foreign concept that is.
"Everyone is getting so big" starts to sink in.

Never, would I ever have cried at the opening of the Lion King before I had children. Nor would I imagine that I would demand the grocery clerk, "check in the back" when the store was out of my child's favorite cereal. The importance of a bed time routine and 8pm were foreign concepts.

I love my kids more than anything or anyone in this world. And although they sometimes drive me crazy, and will someday give me gray hairs, I couldn't imagine my life without them. The daily chaos that three children cause a single mother, in some ways, should be treasured. Because when they have "flocked the nest" and when the house is quiet again, and when a trip to Target becomes a chore rather than an escape, those will be the days when we look back and wonder how quickly the years have past.

My New Years resolution is to live in the moment. A concept I've tried to explain to my seven year old, and have found is way beyond her understanding. If we don't live in the moment, and we are constantly thinking about what the next moment will be, how can we truly enjoy the gifts we are given. May they be monetary, or something as simple as a quiet moment to ourselves, living in the moment makes each day better than the one before.