Never Stop Dancing!

It's late...Mommy's home--thank you for your prayers--and the heels are off and the boys are in bed.  I've decided to make a collage of the night...a night I will treasure FOREVER!  First, I kind of felt like Cinderella today, taking care of a regular day of duties, changing diapers, running errands and even finishing up some work while the youngest prince napped...Mom was in sweats, hair pulled back and no make up for the majority of the day...and the rush of dinner time was in full force around 6pm when I grilled burgers for the family

 (the Princes' choice dinner for the night).

Dad brought home a gift and the boys helped put it on...                

The boys adjusting my corsage.

Prince JT-Princess Mom-Prince JD ready for the night

 I never did think about dressing the baby for the night...what was I thinking, he is our biggest dancer yet!

 Surprised at how many people there were--such a great idea!!  And way to go Dad's Club!  This picture shows just one of the circle of kids doing some dance activity with hula-hoops...my cool pre-teen was the COOLEST!

Some serious looks from the little j-man tonight...I think he was wondering what his brothers were doing with hula-hoops...

 What?  (Don't you just see the COOLNESS?)

This dancing dude

 One is particularly, not shy and not lacking in dance moves....the picture just don't do it justice. 

with his COOL bro

NEVER

STOPPED DANCING!

I don't want to stop dancing in this life...

I hope you don't stop dancing either...

But don't follow my moves...I don't know what I'm doing...just feel His heartbeat within you and follow Him...He will lead you into your own groove. 

Let's not be scared to get out there and DANCE...our own gifted dance!  I am choosing to forever remember this night, and just be...

THANKFUL!

Happy Birthday Mommy! 
Thank you for encouraging me to keep dancing.  I will push through the fears and keep dancing!

Time For A Ball

A Ball and balling are what's on my mind this FUN FRIDAY!  *Sigh*

Oh, I wonder how many of you have something heavy on your heart this FUN FRIDAY—heavy hearts make having FUN a little harder.  

I’m choosing to keep walking and make the best of this Friday—and I sense my King smiling.

I believe my King has arranged some things on the calendar for me today.  I find it a bit interesting that on this day, I am thinking about being a princess and wearing my tiara while my boys dress up in their finest prince attire to take me to the ball...yet I want to just curl up into a ball and well--just ball! 

It’s the Parent/Student Dance tonight…and I’ve dusted off my tiara, painted my nails and just written out a birthday card for my sweet mother.

Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday and her early birthday present unfortunately is coming in the form of surgery today; as she ventures on this road to rid her body of breast cancer.  Please pray for her and lift her up today.   Because of the Ball tonight, I'm reminded of our status as ‘princesses.’   And how often we forget it—maybe because we don’t wear tiaras everyday…

I’m praying for my mom and praying for all princesses in my circle—that we don’t forget Whose we are and Who we belong to—even when situations before us don’t seem so favorable. 

Renee Swope wrote about it in Chapter 2 of her new book that I’m studying, Confident Heart.  “My dad showed love by buying me things.  So, if God brought good things in my life, I felt His approval.  My dad showed disappointment through withdrawal and anger.  When life was hard and I was lonely, I wondered what I had done wrong and if God was turning His back on me.” 

Do you ever feel that way?

I know I am prone to get lost in this cycle of thinking and forget—I forget and I bet you may be tempted to forget that we are God’s masterpieces and His treasured possessions…we can’t do anything to make God loves us more and we can’t do anything to make God loves us less. 

I just read a girlfriend’s blog where she touched on this a bit too and she reminded me that we can feel forgotten too—but, as princesses of a King, “…we get to hear the whisper of the Holy Spirit in our ear each day.”   (Feel free to clink on the link and read more of what my girlfriend wrote).

Sometimes I know life tries to whisper louder than God’s whisper, so when we see disappointment happen in another’s life, we must pray for them and remind them…remind ourselves!   
We are God’s masterpieces and His treasured possessions
(Eph 2:10, Deut 7:6).

Just for FUN, I’ll post pictures of my sweet princes and me later, and I might just have to go pick up a tiara for my mom to wear on her birthday tomorrow!

FUN FRIDAY- Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!....do something FUN like put on a pair of FUN Christmas socks today! 

Thank you Mom for both the gift of you, and the gift of these socks...you make me smile.

FUN FRIDAY- HAPPY BIRTHDAY

This morning I woke up and could not wait see my birthday boy break through this!

 A girlfriend pointed me here for the idea. 

We are celebrating him today and just got home from bringing his class donuts and later his favorite lunch "Taco Bell" at school!

As I think about making the day special and fun today for my son, I am also thinking about the balance of sharing what I do for FUN!  I do not desire to boast or brag--or say, "Look what I am doing..."  But truly my heart is to encourage FUN!

I am very aware, that my heart is able to go down the envy road just like anyone else's and I definitely don't want to breed such emptiness--I do believe there is something healthy in us sharing and encouraging FUN! 

As a child, I have to say--the FUN department was lacking a bit in my home--and no fault to those around me; I just realize now that God's love is inside of me and there is a happy heart churning inside of me to enjoy life and have FUN! 

My other son, who is NOT celebrating his birthday today reminded me this morning maybe just a little speck of why God has wired us for this?  Why have FUN...why make the effort?

My son woke up and was at a crossroad...literally in the hallway this morning and seeing the streamers decorated for his brother, he could have chosen to frown and think or say, "I want that!"
(I know we've all been there.)

The first thing out of his mouth after screaming, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' to his brother was..."I love our family...we have FUN!" 


"I had fun with Mom."

"YAY! Dad's home!"

He not only said it this morning, but wrote it on  Dad's 'welcome home' banner we made last night for Dad as we welcomed him home from a week long business trip.




OH, it feels good to have everyone home...I'm ready to have some FUN with my family this weekend.  Life is full of both up and down moments and I'm going to squeeze out every drop of FUN AND LOVE in my days!

What do you do to celebrate with your family?  Hope my sharing just spurs you on to keep it up and squeeze out the FUN in your day! 

FUN FRIDAY

This week I had some super girlfriends over to kick off some FUN this season.  We gathered around my living room with coffee mugs and sweets and ushered in this season of Love—this season that Love came down!

I’m encouraging all my girlfriends to spread some extra LOVE this season…and spread some cheer for 12 Days!  Check out the detail of the 12 Days of Christmas at the GirlfrienditFacebook Page.  Then share an idea with us at the Princess Path Facebook Page and be entered in a drawing for a Starbucks Giftcard! 

Have fun loving on those around you—and if you need some ideas…just keep checking in and see what other girlfriends are doing.  And most importantly, remember Him…remember God’s love!  Know and rely on the love that He has for you—BELIEVE in the love that He has for you and then share it--you never know who just might need it!

Have FUN and if you haven’t listened yet, download the podcast of yesterday’s Girlfriendit Radio Show…be inspired by hearing about other girlfriends who are believing in Love and applying it in their lives! 

FUN FRIDAY

Picture found here.

I love that you are checking in girlfriend.
But what are you doing online today--other than shopping? 
Get shopping girlfriend...come back later and share your great deals...

hee hee :)  

FUN FRIDAY!

It’s FUN FRIDAY and I am simply ready to halt the fingertips on the keyboard and just go have some FUN!   

I was listening to yesterday’s Girlfriendit Radio Show titled “How to Make a Sudden Impact,” and something that guest, Allen McCray said struck me about FUN.  He said that in his earlier years, surrounded by legalistic viewpoints, he believed that if you were having FUN you must be doing something bad, evil or sinful.   In order to be a good person or a good Christian, you must always be serious and Bible thumperish.

I have to say that this is what I grew up believing.  Rather than dissect why I believed that—can we just say it’s wrong!  I believe Jesus had FUN and our God has a FUN personality and we girlfriends are wired in His image of FUN!  (I like to remind myself about Jesus and we know He turned water into wine—at least He wasn’t a party pooper.   He celebrated the Passover with His disciples.  He walked on water AND invited his friend to walk with Him….now doesn’t that sound like FUN!?!)

Do you struggle making time for FUN in your day, your week, your month, your year?

My husband having FUN cheering on
his team this week!

For those of you FUN seekers…you princesses with personalities raring to go for every party and turning every gathering into a party please be courageous and share some of you FUN stories.  What do you do for FUN?  Please share at least one FUN thing that you have planned this weekend. 

You never know what FUN may transpire. 

Then, for FUN go listen to yesterday’s Girlfriendit Show and hear Sheryl Cooper share the fun ministry that her and her husband, Alice Cooper have created call Solid Rock Ministries.  Be inspired to read Acts and recognize the Holy Spirit running through your veins to make a sudden impact in our world.  Then also hear more about how Allen McCray turned his own need into ministry.  Be ready girlfriends, embrace the reflection of God in you and understand your God-given personality—then use it for His glory--you can count on it being FUN!

FUN FRIDAY

Happy Veteran's Day...11-11-11
Another Friday...another chance to have some FUN! 

Actually in the process of  FUN and don't have much time to write--will post a little later this weekend.

Go here to download podcast of yesterday's Girlfriendit Radio Show...and most importantly celebrate and have some FUN!

FUN FRIDAY

So today is FRIDAY…well, not just FRIDAY, but...FUN FRIDAY!!!

I have to admit that this particular Friday, well doesn’t seem so FUN!  I’ve got a sick little one at home.  I have to admit that on days like today, I am tempted to pull the covers over my head and hide-away. Do you ever waste the day away?

 I am reminded today that not every day—not every Friday can be a picnic.  Yet, we do have choices even deep in the muck of the worst of days, don't we? 

Refusing to stay couped up in the house with a runny-nosed, feverish toddler I decided to go for a walk yesterday and I invited one of my neighbors.  I am just getting to know her and I have to tell you she is FABULOUS!  I am thankful for the short walk we had and it did not take long for me to recognize the FUN attitude she has about life...and let me tell you she is facing some HUGE things in her life right now--heart-breaking stuff that honestly, rattled me to the core when she shared her heart...but she is still choosing to have FUN! 

Do you know anyone like that? 

I also remember volunteering my time at a food mission a few years back and I remember being so blessed chatting with the people.  I remember my heart and soul being impacted the most by the ones in line waiting for their food box who were smiling and encouraging those around them.  Faced with a hard day and they were still having FUN! 

We all desire to have FUN, but do we all choose FUN?

I see it every week, my young boys want to have some FUN to look forward to each week--even the biggest kid in our house makes sure there is some FUN in the week.  Doesn't God have FUN planned for us too...YOU BET HE DOES!!  So, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it...we work hard and we do the hard stuff--but we make sure to have FUN!

So, I hope you get my point and if today you are feeling a bit like it is no FUN FRIDAY at all...maybe you are tempted to sift through Facebook envying the FUN that everyone else seems to have this Friday--don't (I've done it and it's--well...NO FUN!).  Maybe choose to do for yourself what someone else shares on Facebook...but the sulking and envious part--SQUASH that! Get out and have your own FUN.  

Still not sure what to do?  One great idea to get you thinking and out of a funk and into some FUN is download this week's Girlfriendit Radio show titled, "How Do You Fight Apathy?" 

And you can read more about the great nuggets of information I got from the show here. 

Have FUN girlfriends!  And see you back here Monday...I've got some great news to share then!!!

*Oh, yes--we can have FUN on Monday too*

FUN FRIDAY

It's FUN FRIDAY again!  woOT  WOOT! 

Can't help but have this thumbs up is on my mind again!

Lots to celebrate in my heart this Friday as I listened to Girlfriendit Radio yesterday and was motivated to make a list of the things I am passionate about.  Read more here and click on the link to listen for yourself. 
The Girlfriendit radio show and movement is close to my heart because they remind me of the kind of woman God has created me to be, the kind of girlfriends that I want surrounding me in this life, and also the kind of girlfriend that I want to be.  One thing I am passionate about is encouraging others, and I do think that this passion was born out of the void I had as a young child who often lacked that encouraging word from those closest to me--especially my father.  I am now on a journey of continuned healing with my Heavenly Father and seeking to understand more everyday just how much Jesus loves me and I'm passionate about all of my girlfriends embracing this love too!  Look for more encouraging stuff coming from me--inspired by the love that I have found from knowing Jesus--it's gonna be FUN and no real tiaras are involved...but it's definitely all about walking down that princess path in this life! 

Don't forget to listen to this week's show...it will cheer you on in your pursuit of God's plan and purpose for your life.

I am trusting and just taking one baby step at a time right now...very similar to the tiny steps my 10 month old is taking--small but HUGE at the same time. 

I'm celebrating today because it's FUN FRIDAY, because I worked hard all week, because I'm choosing to embrace the joy in today.  My boys reminded me this week that it is all in the choosing.

Last night I enjoyed watching my nephew sing with his entire third grade class and the theme was embracing the show biz--or the FUN of life!  The chorus of kids singing or screaming at some points, jump started my thinking and reminded me that God is often reminding us to be present enough in our day and choose to have FUN!

My oldest son, chose to have FUN and actually ran in the FUN RUN at school this week. 

And then my middle son chose to have FUN and be a crazy cheesehead fan for his favorite football team. 

And then my youngest...well if you knew him, you would just know that he is all about FUN! This is his new wave...he extends his arm straight up in the air...looks like he is raising his hand to be excused from his seat so he can have some more FUN!

So what are you choosing to do for FUN today?  Please share some of your FUN ideas...your great ideas might spur another to have a great FUN idea-AND I would like to post some applicable FUN ideas for us to implement in our days each week.  What do you and your family/friend do for FUN?
And isn't it just so awesome that FUN FRIDAY precedes the weekend...have a great one girlfriends! 

FUN FRIDAY

It's Fun Friday again--but this time I missed the FUN girls from Girlfriendit Radio LIVE yesterday, so I am waiting for the podcast to be posted so I can listen to it.  Otherwise, I would be telling you all about it. 

You can read a bit more from one of the guests here and check the radio page here to listen to the podcast with me on this FUN FRIDAY!

And while you're at it, just in case they are having some technical difficulties...this is a great place to listen to some other great stuff Beth Moore...she is one of my favorite Bible teachers--and her study on Eat, Pray, Love is the BOMB--she is such a hoot!!

And then sticking with this FUN FRIDAY theme (I'm cracking myself up)...

Are you looking for something fun to do with your kids this FUN FRIDAY? 

Go BOO someone...check out this website here.  My boys and I had a blast making some treats and then had even more FUN being tricky with delivering them...it was FUN and a great time to talk about loving and not letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing (Matthew 6). We love often because we want something in return--but when we walk and love as God's princess we love for FUN....just like BOOing this Fall season--because He first loved us...right?!  FUN!

Picture found here

Speaking of love and FUN...come back for some great things on Monday!  Until then...go throw some confetti or something...
IT'S FUN FRIDAY!!!

FUN FRIDAY

It's FRIDAY!  WOOHOO! Come have some fun with me today girlfriends!  Go here and download the latest Girlfriendit Radio podcast titled "Unstoppable,"and listen with me!

Are you unstoppable! Are you willing to go for it girlfriend? We know there is a God who is unstoppable.  Do you BELIEVE that with Him you are unstoppable? 

Will you be courageous and dare to look at your life's circumstances and ask both "Why me?" and "Why not me?"  The stories that are shared are both eye-opening and inspirational--prepare for your heart to be rallied!

Amira Birger tells her story about coming out of a life of sex trafficking and hear how God is using her story to bring hope and healing to other girls through her work with Mending The Soul Ministries. Amira challenges us all to take a look at our own brokenness and do our own healing for it is there that the power to love and heal happens. Patty and Lisa celebrate Amira's upcoming anniversary with her--join us and celebrate too! Amira is a new dear friend of mine--and you will love her heart!

You also won't want to miss Judy Robles as she shares her journey with mothering her son Anthony Robles. Anthony was born with only one leg and Judy shares how God has used this great challenge in both her and her son's life--who won the 2010-11 NCAA individual wrestling championship in the 125-pound weight class.  Check out the winning match here.

You will not be able to walk away from listening to this Girlfriendit show without seeing a glimpse of the love that God has for you!  For, when we see that others like us BELIEVE in themselves, even amidst difficulties, we can't help but BELIEVE in ourselves too!

Join us girlfriends, download the podcast and then chat with God, ask Him what it is that He wants you to keep going with and let's not forget to take those moments to celebrate our victories and have FUN being UNSTOPPABLE! 

As girlfriends we can share our journeys and the challenges we face and pray for one another in our various pursuits with God to be UNSTOPPABLE. 

My current pursuit is to keep writing...and I would love for you to post and share a bit of your own journey with me here.  May we continually point each other to God and His perfect plan for each one of us...for with God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)