Dance Dance Revolution

Not really. But, anybody else remember how much fun that game was when it first came out? Holy moly. We played DDR every Sunday night at my parents house. My dad was a beast!

Jadyn's dance recital was this past weekend. She did a great job. Her studio did Alice and Wonderland. She was a butterfly. She said her favorite part was bows because she liked all the clapping. Seriously, who's child is this? I have several pictures because Grandpa Mel and Grandma Carmen are out of town and didn't get to see it. I wanted to make sure they saw plenty of pictures (and I sent them a video).

She was so excited her cousins came to see her!

We have a smitten Daddy at our house.

This is when she spotted me. She waved. I LOVED it. :)

See! Still looking right at me. Love her!

She made this friend during all their bows practices. They ran toward each other. So cute! I love seeing her giggle with friends.

Even after all the practices this week she was still super excited about both of her performances. She did awesome! Love my girl!

Costumes

When people ask if we celebrate Halloween, I laugh. There was much debate in the social media world this year about whether or not Christians should celebrate Halloween. I read several great points on both sides of the argument but the one that stuck out to me the most was this: "Why wouldn't I let my little princess wear her dresses outside of the house for one day of the year." I loved it!
We don't go up and down neighborhoods gathering candy. We visit a few people we know and let the girls "trick or treat" there. This year we got to help pass out candy at Uncle Rod and Aunt Kathy's house since Roddy is recovering from surgery.

Jadyn had two costumes this year. She wore one to her Awana Fall Festival party and the other one on Halloween night. Miss Gayle did Jadyn's Snow White hair in hopes she would win the costume contest. She didn't win, but she didn't even realize she didn't win - so it all worked out!

Halloween night Jadyn went as Supergirl. The little girls went as a lady bug and bumble bee. Surprisingly enough they loved wearing their costumes and left them on all night long. 

We had a blast visiting friends and wearing costumes. If Jadyn had it her way we would do this every night! :) 

Typically

Typically this is a family blog. You know, the kind where I post pics of my kiddos. Well, today I need to get a few things off my chest. Things I think many of you will agree with, some you will disagree with and mostly because I believe in "keeping it real." Oh, and I'm doing a list because my good friend, Raylene, will tell you that I do it best this way.

1. Christmas Music. I need the world to know that it's okay to listen to Christmas music now. There are some of us who happen to love this type of music and waiting until Thanksgiving doesn't give us enough time to enjoy the music. I'm not skipping thanksgiving if I start listening to Christmas music now. Don't judge me if I listen to it now. I like it. I want to listen to it. Get over it and stop being judgy (I made that word up. Just call me Shakespeare.) about it.

2. People. Sometimes people are hard. I don't get it. If we would all just do what the Lord has called us to do there just wouldn't be a problem. I have a few people in my life right now who feel the need to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Guess what. The Holy Spirit doesn't need help. The Holy Spirit is God. Get it? The Lord gives us each jobs to do. If we do those to the best of our ability we should keep busy. When we don't do those to the best of our ability we tend to mettle in other people's business and then we aren't being obedient.

3. Seasons. There is a whole lot to be said about seasons. Seasons are used for a variety of different metaphors in literature and in life. I'm going though a difficult season in life right now. For me, this would be winter. Winter is not my favorite. I am not friends with winter. This season in my life is not fun. Parts of it are. My kids? Awesome. My hubby? rock star. (Just to squelch any rumors getting ready to start up.) I just started a new Bible Study and the first lesson immediately hit home. I love it when God does that. I know that we have these rough patches in life for a reason. I know I have a God who has a plan for me. I just don't like going though the rough stuff and I look very much forward to spring. :)

4. Students. I have some pretty cool students (hi those of you who are reading!). I have "Life Lessons with Mrs. Franz" in one of my classes and it's a blast. I got to lay on the ground and pretend I was a snake today (no pictures). I have a group that is always ready to try something new and a group that I have to pull teeth to get to do something new. You know what? Every group is awesome. We have fun. We learn, we laugh, we talk about God, and we love each other (I think. Well I do, I shouldn't speak for them). It's frustrating when little things take the joy away from the students. When people get lost in the details and forget to look at the big picture. I try to ask myself every day, "Did I show them Jesus?" Some days I know I'm successful and other days I know I wasn't. I'm human? Remember I make mistakes! I make typos! Guess what? It's okay! God gets it and usually my kiddos get it too.

I think that's all. I have way more to say but the blogging world doesn't need details. Also, just to be safe, sometimes when I read people's blogs I think "Oh they must be talking about _______". Well, with the exception of #1 I am referring to multiple situations I have going on in life so don't waste your time trying to guess :)  I told you, life is crazy right now!

And just because I can: