OK, I have to say that I can’t believe how many of you actually read these and care what I have to say, and EVEN respond to me!!!  You have no idea the BOOST it gives me to hear from some of you and to know that it helps you get through your day, or simply makes you look at things from a different perspective!   Like the one that asked WHY she’s supposed to bloom where she is planted while being planted in an abusive relationship…NO girl can Bloom there!  I’ve loved getting to know you and helping you through a difficult situation!  To YOU that went through your 5^th round of IVF and have decided to adopt…you go girl, I just experienced the most unbelievable thing I think I’ve EVER been a part of next to having my children and that was watching one of my very BEST friends receive her adopted baby from Korea…the feeling is indescribable, I TRULY wish words would do this experience justice, it simply cannot, I wish YOU the BEST! To those of you who are mad at me for not writing everyday, I will start NOW…I promise, some days may be BORING, but I promise to at least let ya know that J HA! You girls have NO idea the blessing you all are to me just by letting me express myself daily…it’s really fun!! I just LOVE you girls and I love knowing that we are all playing our own Monopoly Game called Life yet we’ve all got our girls to lean on, even ones we may Never meet face to face, or at least, not in this life!  Blessings to you-Jenn

As a woman…have you ever looked at your life and wondered, “what am I doing here?” You know those, what I like to call, Calgone Days!! When all you want to do is sit back, reflect on what you’re doing and where you’re going and possibly re-vamp! Well, let me just say that sometimes that’s a GOOD thing! Mainly because it does make you look at things and put them all into perspective! It’s also those days when you seem to maybe look at all of the people around you and think…they have it better than me…or even wish that you could maybe wear their shoes for a day or two! Well, truth be told…we all feel this way from time to time, but let me encourage you that sometimes we just need to look at out lives and fix a few leaks, make a few minor changes, or just take a spa day…but NO MATTER what, YOU NEVER NEED TO WEAR ANYONE ELSES shoes! Your shoes are just perfect for you Cinderalla, although this may not feel like a ball all the time, and who REALLY needs glass slippers, I mean one step and they’ll break…not as good as a good comfy pair of flip flops!!! So, my point to all of this is just this…whether you’re in flip flops, high heels, boots, or a good flat…wear them well Sista, tomorrow, you can wear something different…the choice is all yours to make! Maybe even throw a few old ones out that just aren’t working for ya anymore…better yet, donate them! Just be glad you are where you’re at today…and if you DO want to make some changes…go make them, we’ve got this one life and this one chance! So, go strut your stuff on the catwalk of life…the show is yours!!

Yesterday, my oldest son, Hayes and I decided that we were going to plant some Spring Flowers and surprise Daddy while he’s out of town! So, as we were doing this the ice cream man came by and wow did the neighborhood respond! Something so simple truly brings so much Joy to a child, and I must say…to us adults as well! I decided that I would treat myself to a sundae pop…yummy it was! Needless to say, hayes said that when he grew up he would like to be an ice cream man! I said, that’s a great idea! Then he asked me how much money they make, I told him that I wasn’t sure but probably not a lot! Then I saw his little brain go to work and he finished with this….,”that doesn’t matter mommy, at least I would be bringing joy to all the children” I said…”how wonderfully true hayes.” So, it got me to thinking that I sure hope I am bringing TRUE JOY to God’s lil peeps, I mean…they are our future, and if we as the older folks don’t teach them to laugh and smile and enjoy life…then who will they learn from, or worse, what will they learn! So make sure that you are taking care of the lil ones you come across, that little snotty nose that smiles at you in the grocery line, or that child in your classroom that never seems to smile, or your own kids, when is the last time you got into a true tickle fight…laughter really is the best medicine, so go overdose!!!

God has given laughter to me! Gen. 21:6

God will fill your mouth with laughter, Shouts of Joy will come from your lips!

Job 8:21

MAKE SURE YOU LAUGH TODAY and YOUR CHILDREN SEE YOU…it’s contagious!

We’ll we’ve been open for three days and things are going well, so thank you to all of you that said a little prayer for The Ranch! I can’t tell you how much I LOVE getting to talk to our customers and find out about them and who they are and where they come from…our world is FULL of VERY interesting people and I’m so happy that I have the opportunity everyday to just visit with some of them! Which leads me to my thoughts for today’s blog which are these: I hope you are actually taking the time to just sit a spell and visit with someone! I know we all have crazy lives and we are in a tornado of activity as women living in 2009, but its SOOO important for all of us to enjoy each other’s conversation! Look at it as “loving” those around you! When you take the time to listen to others and what they have to say, you are showing them So much love, in 1 John 2:10 it says, “Those who love their brothers and sisters are living in the Light of The Lord!” So, make sure you are living and Being that little light for someone, you never know what you may find out! So, go get on the phone and invite a friend to coffee, or even better….Ice Cream, and just talk it out, I promise it’ll Bless your Socks right Off!

Blessings-Jenn

Today we are having our Grand Opening in Dowtown Rockwall and I’m nervous…mainly because I REALLY need this to make it! I absolutely love it, and I love the freedom that comes with owning your own business…YES it can be Such a struggle at times, and soooo very hard, but the Blessing FAR outweighs anything negative! It’s like a performer, on their way out on stage…it’s taken LOTS of practice, and prep, and at times can just be exhausting, but, right before they step onto the stage, and they hear the audience Roar…it ALL becomes worth it! People LOVE watching them do what they do best…entertain! So, I guess my clothes are my performance, and I can’t WAIT to hear and see how people react to what God has created through us girls at The Ranch! So, I ask that you all pray for our time on stage today…may it be blessed, full of new horizons and relationships with customers! Also, YOU go be on YOUR stage today…put on a great performance, for yourself and The Lord…after all, He’s placed you just where you are today! BLOOM, and Bless Him!

You each have a special gift from God. One has this gift. Another has that. 1 cor.9:14-15

I think that it is so important to be a mommy that follows her dream, and to make sure that your children see you doing that! They are like sponges everyday, watching us, letting us guide them into tomorrow! So, make sure that your kids are seeing you happy and excited to start each day…no matter what you are doing, and make sure they Know that you are doing exactly what God called you to do…first, being a mommy, and second using your gifts from God everyday! If you are creative, be creative, if you are a wonderful cook…cook for everyone you know, if you are an excellent writer…write your legacy and make sure you leave it, if you are a caretaker…go be a nurse, if you like to teach, go teach! I have just recently had this on my heart and thought I’d share this with any other mommies out there….just remember, they are watching, and we want them to be anything and everything they want to be and we want them to stop at nothing to make their dreams come true! So, make sure your dreams are coming true and that your children see this in you! Happy Mommyhood to you all!

As I went to put my children to bed last night, my oldest son Hayes said,”Mommy, I’d like to say the prayer tonight.” So, I said, Ok, and couldn’t wait to hear what a 7 year olds little mind was thinking to tell Jesus on what seemed to be a desperate occasion! So, he proceeded to go through the usual, “Thank You’s” to the Lord, then He said, this, “Lord, please help Daddy’s business do better, so that I can have a new room, and after that, I want to help other kids get a new room too, so my daddy REALLY needs your help! I asked him what made him want to do this and he said that there are so many kids out there that don’t have a neat room and he thinks that God wants ALL of us to have a special place that’s ALL ours! I agreed with him on this and quickly began to recall a few verses from the Good Book and shared them with Hayes! In Psalms 37 it says this, “Those who are godly give freely to others. The Lord loves a cheerful giver,” and in Proverbs it says, “Those who give to the less fortunate will have everything they need!” So, after doing ALL of this, I thought…isn’t it COOL that we are in this Economic crisis right now…God has given us SUCH an opportunity to show our Faith in knowing that He will take care of us, so long as we take care of His people! So, today, do something nice, kind, or OVER THE TOP for someone…You’ll help us ALL get out of the recession by doing one little thing at a time!

Blessings, Jenn