Dear mothers, your belly is beautiful.

"Family is the center of life, it is the key to eternal happiness"

- L. Tom Perry

As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a Mother. Never once did I think about the fact about my body changing. Growing up, I watched a whole bunch of women including my mother and sisters give birth. Never once did I look at them and think about their postpartum bodies. Maybe I was too little to understand, maybe I didn't get it because I wasn't a mother, maybe I didn't notice or maybe I was too busy snuggling babies. Either way, it was never about their bodies. 

Fast forward to when I had Noah. One of the first comments I got, mind you I just birthed a baby, was "wow fatty, let me see your belly". At the time I didn't think much about it, but looking back that bothered me so much. All of a sudden I started stressing, I needed to be back to my fit self instantly! All of a sudden my thoughts shifted and for a time I wasn't myself. My thoughts were consumed with "how can I get my pre-baby belly back??". I remember poking my belly and I am pretty sure my finger touched my back. After a good meltdown, or several... I thought, "Forget about that comment Fatty, you just had a baby...that is freaking amazing."

We live in a world were we are being told to be perfect. To look flawless during and after delivery, to have a videographer and capture every moment of that day, to have Pinterest worthy photos. Because if we don't, we "missed" the point or we aren't keeping up with the Jones'. 

Why why why?

Instead of women being hopeful of one day being able to carry a child, some are too scared to give up their bodies. Scared because they have heard horror stories. 

"You will never be able to hold your pee again. You will never have abs again. Your boobs will hit the floor, etc."

Let me tell you something, forget about all the horror stories you've heard! There's nothing more incredible than holding your baby in your arms. The moment you have longed for, for 9 months, enjoy it to the fullest. There's nothing more special than watching your spouse become a parent. Let that be your focus, not what your body looks like the day after.

Your body may not look the exact same, it will be even better! You carried one/multiple children, that is freaking amazing. You discovered strengths you had no idea even existed. You can now carry a carseat, grocery bags and talk on the phone at the same time. Skills! You can change a diaper in record time with no skid marks down your finger. You can sleep with one eye open, literally. You can prepare a bottle in the dark. You can read a bedtime story by heart. You get countless of kisses and hugs every day. Each day you keep your kids fed, happy and safe.

I can go on and on... because you my dear, YOU ARE AMAZING! 

                                                                  Matching outfits from Flexi Lexi

Your belly is beautiful because it created life. That is hard work.

If you are worrying about getting "back" or you're currently in that phase, my advice to you is- enjoy the journey, and know that your fit self will be back. Be patient with yourself, a lot happens with our bodies during pregnancy, so let your's take the time it needs to adjust back. 

Learn to love yourself in every stage, and you will learn to appreciate what you've done so much more.

xo

To my daughter, love yourself.

Remind yourself that it's okay not to be perfect. 

I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately. Mostly because I now have a daughter, but also because I got a whole lot more "kids" with my calling in Young Women and as a track coach. I'm not only their leader, but I also want to be an example to them.
My mom, your coco, always said, "strong is beautiful". Almost all of us kids have been into sports, but that doesn't mean that we didn't have our own struggles. She was very careful not to mention our weight and always made a point how weight doesn't matter unless we're lifting it. Honestly she would kick my trash in a bicycle spin class. I saw her work out often, take care of her health, be the best mom/wife and be her-kind of strong.

It hit me real hard the other day,  when a girl said "Coach D, when I grow up and have kids I want to look just like you". I remember being young, being a teenager with insecurities and trying to find ways to squish those little demons. Back then, social media wasn't as big of a deal as it is today. My role models were my parents, church leaders and athletes I looked up to. Today, people check instagram, hashtags and magazines and the "ideal" body image is off the charts.

Now that I have a daughter, I want to be her biggest example. I don't ever want her to have a body complex, nor feel inadequate or compare herself to someone else thinking they need to have her body. I want her and every girl that is reading this, to value your health. I want you to respect your body and ensure that they are respected by others. I want you to keep your health a focus and priority, create healthy habits throughout your lives. I want you to be the best versions of yourselves and be physically, emotionally and spiritually strong.

PC: Cecilia Harvard

You see, excuses aint cute, but confidence is. I want you to look in the mirror tonight, tell yourself that you are enough, beautiful and strong. Rock whatever body shape you have, don't let social media tell you what you should look like. Who cares if you're too curvy, too tall, too short, too skinny or too muscly (is that a word)?

I hope you know how much you matter to our Heavenly Father. That He loves you just the way you are. When he thinks of you, he smiles real big. You are not overlooked, not even for a second. Don't ever be ashamed of who you are. Embrace yourself. Love what you can do and accept what you can't. Be proud of yourself. Love your differences, and most importantly LOVE YOURSELF.

xo, Mom.