Princess for a Day

Yesterday the two most precious little girls spent the entire day as princesses.  Savannah (8) was Princess Savannah Belle & Payton (6) was Princess Pinkalicious Payton...I was Mommy, but that wasn't good enough for Princess Payton so I became Princess Mommy (OK!).  They started by dressing up in princess attire & I fixed their hair up into buns.  They played with ALL of their princess dolls/animals (and eventually yes cleaned them all up).  I made them a little 'castle' & put their Pottery Barn Kid chairs under it for them to have a 'picnic' of Princess pizza, fruit strips, cashews, & fruit snacks!  Then my little princesses read & rested to sharpen their princess brains!  For snack they had a Tea Party (water, crackers, fruit snack) and used their Princess Tea Set!  These very sweet ladies watched Beauty & the Beast & Disney's Enchanted Tales today.  And like perfect little princesses, they cleaned up their rooms, took a shower, ate their dinner, brushed their teeth, & went to bed without a fuss...it was a royally blessed day!

 Princess Pinkalicious Payton & Princess Savannah Belle

Last night we watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics and I pointed out to them The Queen, Prince Henry, Prince William & Princess Kate (whom they remember from the Royal Wedding).  Their faces lit up with excitement at the reminder that there are real queens and royalty in other countries.  And while the thought of being a princess in a fairytale aspect is dreamy, there's more to it, much more! What I hope that I can teach my daughters is a priceless lesson...that they are real live Princesses!  They are God's Princesses and that is a priceless gift!  I love the Gigi: God's Princess books & DVDs by Sheila Walsh.  It is a great reminder to my girls and all women, that we are not only God's Princesses, but also made in His imagine...by Him.  Comparing ourselves to each other is like questioning if God messed up.  I realize there are things about us we'd love to change & that we have to take care of the gift He gave us, but let's face it...those stretch marks on my hips & belly are a reminder that He blessed me with my two precious girls!  And that extra weight I'm carrying around is a physical reminder that He has blessed me with food to eat (and obviously the ability to love all food!). 

I want my girls to know that yes, Chris and I love them just the way they are...but Jesus loves them in a way that only a sinless Father can love.  His love is unconditional and without judgement and He doesn't look at anything except our hearts!  Leading them by example to be healthy is what I'm trying to do, but reassuring them that I know Jesus (and Chris too) loves me the way I am is priceless!  If we don't talk about it & teach them, they won't ever know.  I wish someone would have pulled me aside long ago & looked into my soul and said, "You are beautiful on the inside...the part that matters in eternity...the place that no one can take from you...you are a Princess in God's eyes and He loves you unconditionally just the way you are!"  That's what I tell my girls!

It's been two weeks since I took the challenge of working out 5 days a week & eating right. Well, I have indeed worked out 5 days a week (yay me), but I have failed miserably in the eating right part(although doing better). It is hard for me to be home all day - I thrive on schedules!  I am a sinner though and with that comes times of failure. I recommitted myself today and did well! I went as far to write down my weight on a post-it on my bathroom mirror and taking a photo of myself to put up there as well. For me that's like the free version of buying a tiny yellow polka dot bikini and hanging it in my room! :) So though I didn't eat great, nor lose weight, I did exercise (which is huge for me) & stay the same (again, huge for me especially with my anniversary last Saturday)! So those of you that may have taken on this challenge with me, pray for me, and I will do the same for you! If only it wasn't so hot outside with west-nile mosquitoes flying around --- it would be great to get out and play with my family in the evenings!  HA HA!  I am posting my first and new favorite recipe, so click on my tab to check it out!

A couple days ago, I went to my final Bible study of the summer and had wonderful fellowship with some amazing Godly women.  The next day, I played Bunco with a fabulous group of ladies, some of whom have been friends their entire lives.  It reminded me how truly blessed I am to have so many amazing friends in my life, perfectly placed there by God Himself!  These strong women all have difficult stories...stories of trials, failure, defeat, sadness, loss.  But what's so important is that they all have God stories...stories of victory, confidence, love, faith, strength, forgiveness, grace, joy!  I am in love with our Lord that takes the sensitivity of a woman and turns it into diligence, hard-work, strength!  To be with all of these women is a blessing of abundance!  Praise on girls!  I pray you all are blessed to have wonderful friends & strong women in your life & I pray that when you least expect it, you hear the Giggles from Heaven!  USA, USA, USA

Tammy Jones
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11