I do not participate in any sport...

 with ambulances at the bottom of the hill.

Erma Bombeck

As I mentioned yesterday,

Kiddo began his first ever skiing lessons on Wednesday.

We should have done this sooner!

He loved it and is a total natural.

Introspection is often prompted when I least expect it,

and going through this experience with him got me thinking:

Growing up I wasn't often exposed to the culture of skiing

and therefore had little reason to learn.

That changed come high school when my family moved to Montana,

home to some of the best skiing in the country.

The natives (like my husband) often grow up on the slopes,

so this particular skill is on par with learning to ride a bike.

As a sophomore,

I took a day trip to a nearby mountain with my youth group at the time.

Upon finding out that I was the only novice,

I was easily talked out of taking lessons on the bunny hill.

"Oh, you'll be fine!",

"These runs are just long versions of the bunny hill",

and "It only takes a second to learn!"

were heard several times that morning.

It. Was. Awful.

I didn't have the proper attire,

so my jeans quickly felt like wearing wet, stiff cardboard.

I fell so many times I lost count.

Then I actually got lost.

As in, I couldn't find my way out of the woods with two by fours strapped to my feet.

I literally rolled down one particularly steep, snow-packed hill,
ass over teakettle.

I couldn't lift my arms or climb even the shortest staircase for a week.

One winter, after moving in with my now-husband,

I worked at a private ski resort.

As in, people owned multimillion dollar homes

and had miles and miles of premium slopes to themselves

because mere mortals (i.e. The Public) were not welcome.

I was the only one that didn't use the 'perks' of the job.

I just didn't appreciate or understand how amazing that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity truly was.

Oh, and did I mention that my husband can ski and snowboard?

So now that Jared has taken to the sport,

I'm feeling a little left out of an activity I wrote off long ago.

I was going to be the chic wife/mom that sipped Alpines in front of the fireplace!

Now I'm thinking that the warm confines of the lounge were an excuse more than anything.

An excuse not to step out of my comfort zone.

An excuse not to be that grownup with the group of four year olds learning how to snowplow turn.

An excuse not to live my life to the fullest.

The truth is, deep down I have always wanted to learn.
I've been lying to myself.

Adults learn to ski every day!

More importantly, it's essential that I stop holding on to old fears and perceptions.

They do keep me from living a truly fulfilling life...the life I envision for myself.

I'm not sure if it will happen this year (maybe I can fit in a lesson or two?),

but I vow to become a skier.

In doing so, I am making the commitment to stop holding myself back in other areas as well.

I don't have to be Olympic-bound in order to consider it a success, either.

Another thing I desperately need to let go of is that deep-rooted need
to be the best at everything I set my mind to.
The best writer.

The best student.

The best mom.

The best wife.

The best [fill in the blank].

It's so much pressure, and in the end, all it serves to do is hold me back.
And suck the fun out of things I should enjoy.

Perhaps skiing isn't for me in the end.

But how will I really, truly know if I never try?

Like so many things in life, it's time to put myself out there.

Getting prepped in the car.

A little nervous at first...

...but he quickly found his mojo.

Enough about me.

Kiddo was awesome!

He is naturally athletic,

fearless,

and a lightning fast learner,
so he excels at most new activities he takes a liking to.

He was getting his skis on and off like a pro after a couple of tries.

He accidentally learned how to turn before his instructor even got to that part.

Mario is like that, too.

I find the ease at which they do these types of things to be quite annoying...but also awe-inspiring.

It was frigid outside and the wind quickly cut through my gloves and froze my ears.

So after taking a zillion pictures,

Husband and I had a mini-date at the bar while Jared finished his lessons.

As you can see, we are sooo lame hip.

It was a great afternoon overall and I loved every second watching Jared learn a new skill.

Parents, you know that determined, focused face kiddos get when they are tackling something exciting and new?
 He had it.

And a glow that lasted the rest of the night.

Love.