To be naked or not to be naked...

The other day, I woke up at the crack of dawn, and threw on my suit and headed to the pool. Yes, it's the beginning of Triathlon season. After an invigorating swim, I headed for the dressing room. It was there that I was posed with a question that I have been mulling over in my mind ever since. My friend sat waiting for me, as she had already showered and was dressed. Now, the big question...to change in the dressing room, or out in the open. I have been puzzled by this dilemma for a couple of years now. If you walk over to the men's side, you'll see a flock of happy men, walking and talking and showering...naked. They don't care if they know each other or not. They don't care if they are fat or skinny. They don't care if they are hairy or bald. They are just naked. Now back to our girls side. You hardly see a naked body anywhere. The women are scurrying behind curtains and covering up with towels. Why the difference? Is it modesty (or lack thereof), is it shame (or lack thereof), is it judgements? A couple of years ago, as I began running triathlons and swimming at the pool, I thought I'd take a stand and start a revolution. I'm tired of women being ashamed of their bodies. I'm tired of us never feeling good-enough, or skinny-enough, or tan enough. So I started changing out in the open! But I have to say, I am self-conscious every time. Maybe it's because I'm one of the only ones standing butt-naked in a group of carefully covered up women. Maybe it's the strange looks I get. Whatever the reason, I try to stay strong, but sometimes I falter. So back to the other day. I'm standing there, thinking about taking my stand, (my naked stand) and my friend is sitting right there, waiting, watching. I stalled a little as I tried to decide what to do. Finally, I caved. I grabbed my stuff and went behind the curtain. When I came out, there stood my friend, talking to another fellow swimmer. Who was standing there completely naked! I shook my head, (at myself) and silently applauded the bravery of my fellow birthday-suitee. I resolved to stay strong. As we left my friend said, "It's kind of hard to have a conversation when a person is standing there naked." So, I guess the battle continues. I have to try to remain strong, to stand up for women everywhere.
To be like the guys and just be happy to be me. To be okay with my body no matter what the shape, size, or color. But for now, just give me my towel!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tell me one I haven't heard...

Story #1
Last Saturday morning, Blake and I were enjoying a rare "sleep in" day and we were reading in bed. Halli came in and jumped on Blake and started telling him knock knock jokes. He wasn't really in the mood and said, "Halli there aren't any knock knock jokes I haven't heard so you don't need to tell me any." Now, one thing he should know by now is that you never tell one of us Davis girls that there is something we can't do! I saw the look in Halli's eye and I couldn't wait for the next few minutes to unfold. I was really rooting for her behind my book! After a minute, her eyes lit up and she said, "Knock knock," to which Blake begrudgingly replied, "who's there?" There was a pause then Halli said, "I forgot!" He thought he'd be funny and said, "I forgot who?" Then a full smile broke out on Halli's face and she yelled, "I forgot you!" We all started laughing so hard, and Blake conceded, "you got me, I've never heard that one!" Aaaahhh, Saturday mornings! One of my favorite parent moments!

Story #2
Faith was playing around in the kitchen where I was trying to get dinner on. I am usually an expert at zoning out everything around me and doing what I need to do, but she was being extra loud. I asked her a couple of times to quiet down, but she was still being super loud! I finally said, "Faith, why don't you go turn on Planet Earth (her favorite movie)". She said, "Okay, Mom...that's so I'll be quiet right?"
They are on to me!

Ring in the new Year!

I always dreamed of hitting the jackpot when I was little. I'm not a gambler, so I'm not talking Vegas here. I'm talking about in the man department. I would sit and gaze out my window and wonder what my future husband was doing. Being a bit of a musical lover, and having seen the show "The Music Man", I would sing every night to him. "Good night my someone, good night my love" etc. Okay, okay, I know it's cheesy, but it shows what a romantic I am! I don't put much value in "things" unless they have sentimental value to me.

A little over a year ago, I lost my wedding ring in Chicago. I was sick to my stomach as I tried to retrace my steps and track it down. But it was to no avail. I was so sad to have lost the ring, not because it was big and fancy or even expensive, but it was the ring with which Blake asked me to spend the rest of our lives together...and longer! I've been ring-less for over a year now and to tell you the truth, I have begun to wonder if he'd ever get me a new one! He jokingly said that one was all I'd get and I was beginning to believe him!

He really tricked me good for Christmas this year. I had no idea what he was getting me. He was throwing all kinds of curveballs and I was so confused! Finally on Christmas morning he gave me the present. Before I could open it, he gave me the picture that is posted above. He told me to read it out loud and as I did, I could barely see through the tears in my eyes! I knew right away what was in the box. (The box filled with a towel and a package of flour to throw me off!) I opened the box, and there was the most beautiful ring! The thing I love the most is that it has such beautiful symbolism. The ring has one big diamond and several smaller diamonds "flowing" away from the bigger one. It represents a lake and a river. It ties in with the poem that he wrote.

So I think I did hit the Jackpot. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend, the person I want to tell everything to, and share my life with. The man who is an amazing Father to our beautiful girls. The man who loves me much more than I deserve sometimes, and who I look up to and adore more than he'll ever know. So, to the "someone" who has become mine... True love can be whispered from heart to heart, now goodnight my someone, goodnight!

Note: I have grappled with whether or not to post this. As it is personal, and yeah, a bit cheesy! However, since I'm using this blog as my journal; personal is what you get! If it's a bit too sugary for you to swallow, just skip to another post! ;)

Happy Anniversary!!!

Hey Baby,

Henry David Thoreau said, “For every thousand people hacking at the leaves of evil, there is one hacking at the roots.”
That reminds me of you and your constant resolve to do what is right.
As an example of everything that is right and good you are one in a thousand.
As a Mother you are one in a million.
As a Wife, there is no number to compare. You are truly priceless!
I love you more than life, and I look back with immense pride at the last 13 years we have had together. As always, I look forward with great hope and love to our future together. With the strength we have built together I am sure we will breeze through whatever comes our way. Happy Anniversary.

I Love You,

Blake

P.S. To prove I actually wrote this: You’re also Stinkin HOT!!!!

Separated at birth?

Tonight we carved pumpkins for Family Night. Can you see the resemblance in the face of each girl to her pumpkin? :)

I'm supposed to list six of my odd habits or quirks as I have been "blog tagged!" (Thanks Carrie! I bet you thought, I'd never get to it!) Well here goes:
1. Thinking I have time enough to keep up on a blog
2. Changing my hair style or color a few times a year!
3. I am always trying new and healthier recipes on my family, I know that when I put a dinner in front of them, they'll be saying, "What weird grain is in this one?"
4. I am becoming a yoga junkie, I love contorting my body in lots of weird ways! I just did "pigeon" the other day!
5. Brushing my teeth for about 5 minutes! I love that squeaky clean feeling!
6. Sneaking lots of chocolate or other treats when I am supposed to be the healthy one in the family!
Okay, so Carrie, this post it especially for you! :)