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Today my kids and I pretended it was Christmas. Sometimes you just have to ignore some things, I’ve found out. Sometimes the weather is unbearable and when I’m not quite ready to face it, I blast Christmas music and close the shades. I told my kids I hoped the roads would be plowed by the time I had to drive home. We were flirting with the line of delusion and we were loving it.

Today a friend messaged me on facebook and asked me how I was doing, what He was doing in me, how things were going. It’s weird how we don’t ask people that question anymore. I haven’t been asked how I’m doing in months, and I haven’t asked anyone how they are doing in just as long. And so this long-lost art of asking was displayed to me and I didn’t know how to respond. How am I doing? Uhhh…I don’t quite know. Part of me wanted to run to the windows and close the shades, or run to my iPod and blast the CHRISTMAS playlist. But in the end, I just got real. And instead of some Christian answer I could have easily come up with, I told her I didn’t really know, but that I trusted that I will know eventually, and that it is enough for now.

I told her I knew He is doing something, I can feel it. And I really am excited to see the results of this busy-blurred summer.

And for now I promise to do two things: face the heat, and not overreact.

…..

Crap.

And yesterday I was in the sun a bit too long. I consumed way too many empty calories on a sonic slushie. I don’t sleep as much as I should. And you don’t even want to know about the overreactions…

Summer fails. They’re everywhere.

Can I tell you about my new swimsuit?

I’m going to. You can stop reading if you want to.

First of all, it’s awesome. There are only two things I own that are as awesome as this swimsuit. The first is my elephant TOMS, and the second is my backpatchel. It is retro, it makes me look like I work out. Did I tell you the best part? Yeah, it’s a one-piece. And I don’t look like a mom in it.

I advise you take a minute to let that combination of awesomeness + one-piece + non-momness process into your minds. Yes, people. It is possible. The proof is sitting in my closet.

And now I don’t have to feel guilty about wearing a bikini in front of boys as my brothers preach at me about the importance of modesty & the effects of bikinis on men. And I don’t have to look ugly. I am still shocked that this is all possible. I have gone through SO MANY ugly one-pieces, and I have given up and gone through some pretty cute bikinis. But I never, ever thought I would find this. And yes, maybe it was a bit expensive. Maybe there were some alterations that needed to be made on it. Nothing is perfect.

But it is pretty darn close.

Summer success stories: 1

Summer fail stories: I’ve lost count.

Well, at least we’re gaining.

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