Last year I took all the kids to the town beach.
Once.
I had my dad there to help me, but even with that, we had one of those I-lost-one-of-the-kids-comb-the-beach-in-total-panic-mode-and-freak-out-the-coaches-and-lifeguards situations.
Yes, it was Number 4 who I lost.
We found her taking a group swim lesson.
That she wasn’t signed up for.
You can read the full story here.
Yesterday I took the younger 5 to the beach.
Alone.
It wasn’t easy.
But we all had fun.
Even Number 4 with her broken arm.
It happened to be “Summerfest” at the beach.
I had no idea that was even going on, so it was an added bonus.
There was a pinata for the older kids, a candy hunt for the younger kids, a water balloon toss, a free throw contest, and a bunch of other stuff.
So the kids got to go to the beach yesterday,
and they got to eat candy.
Plus, I didn’t lose anyone this time,
and I did it all in a bikini.
I was feeling pretty good about myself.
And I share this because had I not gotten myself in shape,
lost 35 pounds,
done what I had done during the whole Lose to Win thing, and proven to myself that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to,
I never would have even attempted to take them to the beach alone.
And certainly not in a bikini.
I had no confidence.
In so many different areas of my life.
I also just didn’t have the energy to keep up with them.
Last year I missed out on this:
Yes, it was exhausting.
Number 6 had a few moments that were exercises in patience.
But it was totally worth it.
And the kids thanked me.
Profusely.
They are still getting used to this new-and-improved mom.
And so am I.
I didn’t fully realize what I was missing out on until yesterday.
Before I know it,
they are going to be all grown up.
I have changed my course.
I am now an active participant in their lives, rather than a spectator on the sidelines.
It feels good.
It was a tough road getting there, but if feels
really
good,
and I am giving myself a pat on the back.
I posted that picture of the kids on the facebook page yesterday, and someone left this comment:
Awe! Brings me back to when I spent EVERY DAY at the Brookfield Town Park. Now my kids are lifeguards there! Have fun!
Now I will have those memories too.
There is a mom in the group right now who has made quite a transformation.
It’s inspiring.
And this summer she is taking a surfing lesson.
From a pro.
With her daughter.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say there is no way in hell that she would have even considered doing something like that a few months ago.
That is a moment she and her daughter will never forget.
She is gonna make one heck of a memory with her daughter.
And it has the potential to be a life-altering moment.
For both of them.
Totally.
Awesome.
I had a life-altering, paradigm-shifting moment at the beach yesterday.
If you are struggling,
are on the sidelines,
and are missing out,
think about registering for Fit, Fierce, and Fabulous.
The course starts on July 29th.
Don’t let life pass you by.
Change your course now.
It feels good.
Really good.
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