God's Princess

Alexia in my wedding gown from the 1900's....
With her husband. He's a midget, but a fine young man...

If she grows a few more inches, it will fit perfectly....

I have been attempting to clean out my closet since Christmas break. I have never had my wedding gown preserved. We pulled it out and had a little fun! Alexia kept telling me how skinny I was...that made it even better! I told Jose we need to spend the couple hundred to have it cleaned, pressed, and boxed up so maybe when one of the girls marry they can use it and it will save us some big money!

As most young girls do, Alexia sometimes struggles with thoughts of thinking she isn't pretty enough, the boys don't like her, she isn't the most popular, etc. It is so hard as a mother to handle this tough subject. We all think our children are the most beautiful, but kids can be so mean. She has had boys and girls tease her and say some really ugly things to her. I pray about this subject a lot, almost nightly, and ask God to really just bless her with great friends and confidence.

Driving back alone from Amarillo in October, God really just gave me this great way to explain or talk about body images with Alexia.

I've told her to imagine being held in the hands of God formless. No shape, a blank canvas. I told her to imagine God creating her. Carefully choosing each body part. God has held each one of us. He sat there studying this blank canvas and picked out the perfect hair color. He chose the dark brown hair with highlights of blond peaking through, just for Alexia. Then, he chose the shape of her eyes. Bright and open with long eyelashes. This isn't something God just threw together. We are His masterpiece. He thought about it some more. Looked back at the eyes and chose the perfect shade of brown. Then God proceeded to choose the perfect shape for her nose. He then moved to her lips choosing the perfect shape and the perfect shade of red He gave her beautiful hands with long slender fingers. Her feet are His masterpiece too. He then decided he wanted a cute little freckle placed right below her left eye.

We are all God's masterpiece. Who are we to say God made a mistake in how we look? Is He not the GREAT I AM, the KING OF KINGS, THE ALPHA AND OMEGA, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE? I believe He is and He loves us just the way we are. After all, He is the one who created us!

Psalms 139:13-16 reads:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

God created you to be the person you are. He loves you infinitely and sees you as His beautiful Princess!

Boyfriends and Girlfriends

Hmmm...interesting topic huh!

Well, today I went inside to pick Ariel up from school and a little boy walked up to me and asked if I was Ariel's Mom. Naturally, I said "Yes."

Just a little background information for those of you who have not had the privilege of meeting little Miss Ariel. She is in second grade and will turn 8 years old on the 25th. She is naturally a likable person, unlike me! She doesn't have to work so hard at being likable. Very easy going, likes everyone in her class. I haven't met a person who doesn't just love Ariel. Or at least they haven't told me otherwise! he he Ariel is the family comedian. The best part about her is that she can take a joke too. I just love that about her. She makes it really fun. She is a really great big sister to Logan. She helps him with whatever he needs and she puts up with so much from people. She comprises very easily. She is very lovable and affectionate. She works hard in school and does really well with her school work. Anyway...on with the whole point of this post.

The little boy, Jonathan continues to tell me that he asked out Ariel. He asked me if she could be his girlfriend. I am caught off guard here, but I did ask him if Ariel asked him a question and he said no. I am still drilling it in their sweet heads, but both girls know when they are allowed to date that the young boy they are interested in has to love God. So I asked him "Do you love God?" He said "uh yes." I asked him if he went to church. At this point I had to run off and chase Logan, so I didn't get the answer to that question.

For now, I think I dodged this one by telling him he has to call the house and talk to her Dad. he he My sister said I was wrong that I should have just told him that she isn't allowed to have a boyfriend. I'll just pray that he doesn't call! he he

Whoa! Talk about not being ready for that one!! You have to give the boy credit for talking to me. I love it! The best part is, I think his Mom was sitting on the bench listening to the whole conversation. She didn't say anything, but I hope a seed was planted if they are not believers.

You may not agree with us, but the rule in our house is when we believe the girls are mature enough, and Logan of course, they will be allowed to date. Not when they turn 16 or 17, but when we know that they are mature enough to know what is right and wrong, listen to their instincts and definitely able to say "NO!" The second part to this rule is that the young man has to come to the house and talk to us about the plans for going on a date. For example, when he would like to pick her up, where they are going, and when he will bring her home. I am not crazy about the whole midnight curfew, do what you want until then. I pray that setting these guidelines will somehow impact the girls and Logan of course in a tremendous way. And Logan will have to do the exact thing that we ask of boys desiring to date his older sisters. He will go the young ladies home and speak with her parents. If they are not home when they say they will be....well we'll deal with that subject when we get to it.

I grew up in a very strict environment and was not able to date (with permission) until I was a sophomore in high school. I just want there to be ground rules and for the kids to understand what dating is about. Not to just have a boyfriend to have a boyfriend. Anyway, what are your rules or what will your rules be and do you agree with our rules or disagree?