... or something! Not sure if you guys noticed or not, but I am overweight! Fluffy! Big! Plump! Healthy! Voluptuous! Or my personal favorite, Rubenesque!
Last night I had to have a kind of funny but honestly really sad talk with my sweet heart of a son, Jack. He's five.
We were sitting at dinner and he looks over at me with his big brown eyes and says in this little quivery voice
'Momma, my friend said you were fat.'
And I am like, Well DUH! But not really... I said very matter of factly, ' Well honey, I am!' He just didn't know what to do with that information and his little lip quivered and he said 'I told him that you weren't!'
Now. When did being fat go out of style?? I NEVER GOT THE MEMO!!!!
This conversation is taking place in front of my in-laws, mind you, and Georgie. All of whom are silent, in a kind of embarrassed way (except Georgie, who is three and still kind of oblivious for now), because in American culture it is SO taboo to make observations like the fact that I am overweight and talk openly about it. Definitely not a dig on my in-laws, it's just the reality. In the olden days yeah, my feelings would have been hurt and I would have strategized about how to lose weight and stuff.
And now? Nah. Even when I was running an average of 15 miles a week and working out I was still big. Or plump! Or plus size! But I felt good about myself, big momma or not!
So I told Jack next time someone says something like that to him he should say, 'My momma may be fat but she sure is beautiful!'
....and, she can kick your ASS!!
37 comments:
kids say the darndest things.
Ooof... heart-wrenching... but my god, you make me grin ear to ear. =D I just adore you and your wonderful attitude!!!!!!
Your f-in awesome! I love you.
You so made my day, Carla! What a sweet story and I just want to give your Jack a big hug! I do think you are beautiful. And you make the world a more beautiful place with your sunny-self and your art. :) Rock on!
You go girl! I just love your attitude on life. The comments you make on your photos keep me very entertained at work! :-)
ohhh at first i got tears in my eyes....
jack is so sweet!
but then i read on and you go girl!!!!
your are beautiful and have the best attitude of anyone i know!
rock on sista! ditto on what julia said. you're the best!
oops! sorry, that last comment from CT PUG was me ;)
Very touching blog. Our society places too much empasis on what we look like and not enough on wether or not you have a good personality or if your a good person. Although I may not know you very well . . . your personality ROCKS, and your son jumped to your "defense". That just shows how much love he has for his mom and what a great job your doing!
Maybe you are a little bit plus size - that's your words - but I've got the feeling your heart is "super big plus sized" and that's the only thing in life that matters. I've just got the honor to stay with you for a few hours - but these hours where great - thank you.
carla...i have had kids tell me mean things that crushed me to pieces...and the worst of it was that it was true...but you are such an awesome person and in life a person's soul is what is most important...and you are the perfect example of how someone should live life. I have always admired your "if that is what they think then f*** them" attitude...that's the way it should be. You're beautiful inside and out! besides...that kid's karma will eventually haunt him.
The words of meg are just telling what I'm feeling - she so right.
Carla, you rock. I don't think a better response than yours exists.
I think confidence is way hotter than a thin waste line....any day.
You rock Carla!
Poor little Jack and his quiver lip. I am sad for him that he didn't know what to say but you are so right in your attitude.
Definitely a healthy perspective, but of course I would expect no less from you!
Carla, Isn't it sad what our young are being sucked into. You are one of the MOST beautiful people I have ever met... and maybe if people didn't spend so much time on outward appearance, this world would be more beautiful! That poor child who already judges people for their appearance is in for a hard long life.
Go Jack for standing up for your mommy... I'm sure your the most beautiful woman in his eyes too!
Some one needs to stand up for us Plus Size Hunnies! ;)
Carla Ten Eyck = HOT
the fact that really awesome photos turn me on doesn't hurt either! ;-)
A little junk in the trunk never hurt anyone! :) It's so motivating to all women to see a confident woman like yourself! Thank you Carla for being you!
from the second i saw you with your camera in your adorable bare feet this evening i just knew were even cooler than the blog version. you are a complete and total goddess of coolness and it was sooooo fun meeting you.
can't wait for tomorrow!!
xo
Awww, Carla I LOVE how you handled that. You always get me all tearied eye. My son try to tell me in a nice way, Thank God not in front of anyone. Mommy, I like it when you used to wear the little shirts. Then he consoles me with your not fat mommy my baby brothers stretched your tummy,lol. You are so awesome! It's all about attitude and heart YOU Carla, Have an AWESOME attitude and a HUGE heart! BEAUTIFUL :-)
Carla- Thank you so much for your kick a** attitude. Being a plus size girl myself, you made me feel so at ease and beautiful on my wedding day. You truely are a beautiful person! You ROCK!
Nicole
"Goddess Of Coolness" I love that Daria!
You are a beautiful and amazing Mom - and you made my day!
You go girl!! :) :)
Tell me who that kid is and I'LL kick his butt!!! :P
You are beautiful and you know it which is double the sexy fun!
xoxo
M:)
I love your perspective on life! You are such a confident person... and you're giving that gift to your children- that's incredible!
YOu sure are beautiful and I just love you attitude. I and I believe everyone always enjoy being around confident people like you....
GO CARLA! GO CARLA!
You could probably kick the kids dads ass as well, but we don't need to go there.
Maybe we can get the sisters Hernandi together for a good old fashioned Charlies Angels style beat down.
Afterwards you go shoe shopping.
It's perfect
I'd tell you you're a hottie but there would be all that weird "eww, he's my brother in law." stuff going through your head. So I'll put it this way.
Dave's a lucky guy.
From one "fluffy" person to another "fluffy" person, they, "the skinny people", are just jealous!!! Why you ask because as I always say..."fat is the new thin" and all those people are out of style
We just met at Amanda's wedding--I am Amanda's cousin (the girl in the pink dress with the pink bow). Just saw your blog for the first time today--what an incredible post! You made me laugh and gave me goose bumps all at the same time. You're photography is stunning!! You're really amazing...hope to meet you again soon!
Amen Sista!!!
I too am "pleasantly plump" and applaud you for your explanation to your son. Well done!
I am just begininning my photography journey and LOVE looking at your work. I found your blog via Amanda (she took photos of a dear friend's baby) and have been stalking your page ever since!
Ohhhh - Kids sometimes :)
Only you can become an instant celeb by admitting you're fat. I've gone pound-for-pound with you since we were 11 and I have nothing to show for it but a bad case of chub rub and a likely gall bladder attack (fair, fat and 40 is looming), while you get a constant stream of "You go girl!" shout-outs. You've always had this magic- like making a mohawk look cool and wearing the same sweatpants every day for a month...actually, you were'nt quite able to pull that one off, George. (Again with the sweatpants?)
oh SNAP!!!
leave it Bethany to bring my plus size ass back down to earth!
Maybe I'll give the sweatpants another run at looking cool? Almost like, 'no really, I'm off to the gym, in like FIVE minutes. Seriously.'
I am still laughing at your comment, you fool!!
HOW DARE SOMEONE SAY SOMETHING MEAN ABOUT YOU!!!! I'll kick that lil SOB's ass- 5 years old or not! Work it sister- you're perfect!
ohhh carla you are too funny!!! my first ohhh turned to a quick laugh when I read your response. I LOVE the open communication you have with your kids (no matter where you are!) and I want to be standing there the next that crazy child decides to make his not so pleasant remarks! if you didn't know I think you are beautiful and a kick butt artist!
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