A Woman's Work – Brooke Basically Blogging

When my friend Jennifer invited us over to swim. I was happy to go. The kids will love it and it will be our outing for the day. Then I remembered I would need to put on a swimsuit to get in the water with Sydney.

I couldn’t cancel our plans. Sydney had her goggles and her bathing suit ready to go. I did my self talk. I am beautiful. I am fierce mumbo jumbo. The time had come to get that suit on.

Here I am standing in the mirror. The first thing that comes to my mind are lyrics from a song by Nelly. “Good gracious, ass is bodacious!” Where is a coverup when you need one?

I didn’t have time to go in my prayer closet. So Jesus, take the wheel. I found a cute, long  coverup and we were on our way. We had to stop at Walgreens first.

When we arrived at Jennifer’s house. The kids were so excited. As soon as Syd saw the pool. She said, “This is awesome.” She jumped right in the pool. And that’s where she remained for the next two and a half hours. Harrison was having fun talking with Jennifer’s sons. I was thankful for having some adult time.

Back to the swimsuit saga. The water was calling me. I can’t swim. So when Syd went down the slide in the deep end. I thought I was going in to save her. She popped out of the water, a little stunned and made her way back to the shallow end.

Life’s short. I don’t care if my hair gets wet. I don’t care that my full figure is in a bathing suit. I’m going to enjoy the pool with the kids. And that’s just what I did. The water was relaxing and calming for me. I see why Sydney didn’t want to get out. I made three shots in a row in the basketball hoop! Walked around the pool for exercise and just enjoyed being in the water.

Would I have been this free and confident at the beach or a community pool? I’m not sure. I do think Syd does better at a pool with less people. Honestly, so do I. I can keep an eye on her and it’s less stressful.

Our first pool experience of the summer was a success. My friends didn’t care about what I was wearing in the pool. My children didn’t care either. They just wanted me in the water having fun with them.

I learned a valuable lesson that day. The smiles and laughter were worth stepping out of my comfort zone and getting my hair wet and not having a care in the world. Listen up moms. Who cares about your stretch marks, c-section scars, muffin top or thick thighs. Get a bathing suit and enjoy the pool this summer with your kids.

I embraced my curves, rocked my swimsuit and worked on my tan. Can’t wait for another pool adventure.