This is something that I have been provoked with the past few weeks and something I have NOT done so well at!
Are you actually listening to your spouse when he/she shares their heart?
Today we are talking about what that looks like and how we can deepen our relationships! Comment below with some of the ways you set aside time to listen to one another and carve out that meaningful connectivity!
*Video cuts off a few seconds before I ended, but the content is RICH!
Enjoy!!!!
I thought this would be a FUN way for you all to get to know me a bit more!
I found this idea over at Noobbeauty and just had to join in on the fun!
I loved these questions and would LOVE for you to answer them too if you’d like!!
Make sure to pop over to my FACEBOOK page and answer these in a post!! <3
HERE WE GO 🙂
What is your middle name? Dee! I was named after my grandmother Delores and she always goes by Dee. I’ve loved my middle name my whole life and that’s what I go by for business!
What was favorite subject at school? Hmmm… English was a favorite because I love to read and write but if I can be 100% honest, it was ART. No matter what class it was, I absorbed it all in and loved pottery the most. I dream of one day having my own studio in a garage xox
What is your favorite drink? Right now COFFEE. Black with a splash of cream. OMG I could drink it all day every day!! I am also a sparkling water fanatic and love to put a couple drops of citrus essential oil in my bubbly.
When it comes to an adult beverage, I love a good RED!
What is your favorite song at the moment? No longer slaves by Jonathan and Melissa Helser. YOU. MUST. LISTEN!!!
What is your favorite food? Pizza. I mean, is there another option?? Ok but really… I am currently craving Thai food something fierce! Get some yellow curry in my belly!
What is the last thing you bought? An adorable pair of TOMS that I got at Ross for only $16.99! I have teensy feet and can fit into a kids size 4! LOVE!!!!!
Favorite book of all time? The Bible. Where would I be without those words of LIFE!?
Favorite Color? Always and forever P I N K ! ! ! !
Do you have any pets? My furbabes and besties for life Lovie the fun-loving Yorkie and King Felix the tyrant of a cat 😉 I need to start-up their own Instagram because they are so cute!!!
Favorite Perfume? I stopped wearing perfume a few years back but have an Essential Oil blend that I swoon over!! Its called the Joyful Blend and actually boosts the endorphin’s in my brain making me happier and healthier!
Favorite Holiday? I am all things CHRISTMAS!!!! It’s the most magical and wonderful time of the year! It’s when we celebrate the birth of Jesus! Happiest time you will see me… plus the weather is PERFECTION and I get to wear boots, scarves and pea coats!!!
Are you married? To my best friend and love of my life! You can find our love story HERE <3 He was definitely worth the wait! I would do it a thousand times over to be with him xox
Have you ever been out of the country, if so how many times? The travel bug hit me hard when I was younger and I love going overseas! For both pleasure and ministry, I want to touch so many nations with the life and love of Jesus. I have been to Mexico (for a missions trip when I was 16 and we also Honeymooned in Cancun!) Uganda (we helped build a medical clinic as well as a fresh water well!) Cairo, Egypt (I actually rode a camel around the pyramids… CRAZY!) England (London, Bath, Shaftsbury, Manchester) as well as Scotland! Ready for my next adventure for sure!!!
Do you speak any other language? I wish I did but only a little bit of Spanish… Very little!
How many siblings do you have? One amazing sister who is my best friend in the world! And an incredible sister in LOVE that I get to keep forever <3
What is your favorite shop? Oh man… I have a few faves! I have always been an American Eagle girl but looooooove the deals I can get at Macy’s! I love finding a good bargain and am NOT attached to name brands! Forever 21 is great for all the cheap trends I don’t want to spend a fortune on!!
Favorite restaurant? I have 2! Fogo De Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse is where we favorite EVERY year for my birthday but I also fell in love with the customer service at The Capital Grille 🙂 Perfect for an anniversary or celebration!
When was the last time you cried? Yesterday… The waves of sadness still creep up on me from time to time in loosing our first baby and the pain of miscarriage. I miss our son so much but know that he is in perfection with Jesus! That reality alone gives my heart so much HOPE! We miss you little guy xox
Favorite Blog? I’m super crazy about my business coach and mentor Sandi Krakowski at arealchange.com 🙂 She is AMAZING!!!
Favorite Movie? You can’t have just one! Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, The Princess Bride, Die Hard trilogy, Lord of the Rings trilogy, How to lose a guy in 10 days, The Intern, Frozen (don’t judge!!) and so many others!!!!!!!!!!!
Favorite TV shows? 24, Person of Interest, Once Upon a Time, Agents of Shield, The Flash, HGTV (Fixer Upper is my fave but I will literally watch anything from there!) Madame Secretary, When Calls the Heart… SO many others!
PC or Mac? I’m a rebel… CHROMEBOOK! I know it is probably on the PC end… but its in a land of its own!
What phone do you have? A Sprint iPhone 6! Only the best!
How tall are you? 5″1 and a HALF! I take my half very seriously thank you very much!!!
Can you cook? I looooooove to cook! Every since we discovered how severe my gluten intolerance is, I had to get real crafty in the kitchen. The only thing I haven’t mastered yet is the art of making a perfectly cooked steak. I leave that and the grilling to the Mister. He is WAY better at that than me!
WELL THERE YOU HAVE IT!!! Now you know a bit more about ME and I want to know a bit more about YOU!
Comment your answers BELOW or pop over to my Facebook page and post some of them there!!!
Some seasons come with joy.
Other seasons come with pain.
Heartache. Challenges. Grief.
Yet in the midst of it, hope remains firm.
Constant. Brilliant. Beautiful Hope.
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. -Romans 5:5
For us, these challenges have not been easy the past few months.
Yesterday I celebrated my first Mothers Day…
Two months ago today, on March 9th, our precious first baby went to be with Jesus. Only a few short weeks after we found out that we were pregnant, the pain of miscarriage swept in like a flood.
A silent pain that so many women walk through, yet rarely talk about. The loss of an unborn child.
Death. Grief. Aching.
To be honest, I imagined my heart to spiral into depression.
To lose heart and forget faith.
Yet something amazing happened.
I leaned into the pain and let Jesus simply hold me.
Waves of sadness and grief washed over me in the days and weeks to follow and instead of numbing out, I let my heart FEEL the sadness.
Through this process, I FELT GOD DRAW NEAR.
I wasn’t afraid to be honest with Him. To sob so deeply. To let Him know my pain. I chose to NOT turn my face from Him, but see that He was sitting with me in my sadness.
It was deeply comforting to know that He was with me…
My husband was given a beautiful picture of our baby with Jesus, in perfection… praying for us.
This picture the Lord gave him has graced my heart with such hope. My amazing, wonderful little baby has a greater knowledge of God than I have ever experienced in a lifetime. How beautiful His mercies are to our hearts.
Its been 2 months and my heart has felt that sadness sweep over me this week as Mothers Day approached.
I let the tears flow freely and chose not to stuff my pain.
We celebrated, because we know that tiny, little life began at conception and forever we will be parents.
It was important to acknowledge the sadness and let the tears come.
Today I embrace the promise of HOPE.
Hope that I AM a mother.
Hope that I will be with my child for all eternity.
Hope that there is an age to come with no more death, no more sorrow, no more tears.
Hope that in the end, we will be united with God forever.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:4
I am a mother… one of the greatest dreams of my heart. I am a fighter… waiting and hoping for the restoration of all things. I am a lover… trusting in the process and beautification pain brings.
I will not allow despair to steal the HOPE He has given me.
Hope rests and remains in the age to come and I will always lean into that grace.
For those of you who have lost precious babies, or the pain of infertility, and felt the sting yesterday, know that you are not alone and that I am praying for your heart, mind, emotions and body.
You are beautiful and you are loved fiercely by your Heavenly Father.
I pray you feel His affections resting on you today.
So many things have changed for my husband and I recently and change is good… BUT HARD.
In the midst of learning new skills, growing as a business woman, wife and friend, I have been provoked to STAY OPEN. To LIVE OPEN. To have my heart be soft, pliable and tender.
How many times do we go through seasons of pruning and RESIST what God wants to do? How many times do we RUN AWAY from the good that change is trying to bring?
I have done this way too many times myself…
We grow weary or tired and “check out” when we get home. We blame it on our job… the house… the kids… the spouse… but never really connect to that ache and barren place in our heart that longs for God.
The ease to disconnect because we are “too busy” to make time for the things that matter. To make time for Him.
As I was reading in my devotionals this morning I was provoked to let change happen, but also let my heart remain open. I have been on a journey the last 6 months to learn what it means to live from my WHOLE heart in all situations.
What it has shown me is how easy it is for me to disconnect, check out or numb when things get sticky. It’s highlighted seasons of selfishness, pride and arrogance. Its shown me how self seeking I have been but how much hope is in front of me.
I don’t want to be that kind of wife… mother… friend. It costs something to live from your heart.
To remain open and present.
To actually LISTEN to when others share their own hearts.
Though I feel weak, I am willing. I want to change and find the confidence to walk in my true self, love from a place of abundance and make others feel seen, heard and known.
This journey of life is too short to stay shut down and isolated.
I invite you to join me and let change perfect us in love and cause our hearts embrace all that is in front of us.
You are loved, cherished and created for a purpose.
Let your WHOLE heart (the good, bad and ugly) rest today.
The heaviness lifts and it feels a bit easier to breathe when I remember to do this… I hope the same for you.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
You are more than a conqueror and capable of living free from shame and condemnation! Nothing can separate you from THIS GREAT LOVE!!!
I’m curious what it means to YOU to live from your whole heart?
(I know I can’t be the only one wanting more!) Comment below and I would love to be praying for your own journey!
But isn’t lemonade bitter?
I think I needed something a little sweeter…
After a DIFFICULT 7 weeks, with a variety of personal challenges and struggles, we were at a point where we HAD to get away. For our hearts… our sanity… and our marriage.
Gifted with a beautiful nights stay at a resort in Hilton Head Islands, we packed the bags and hit the road Friday night.
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
My heart and soul are SO refreshed!
RESORT:Sonesta Hilton Head love love loved this resort! It had amazing service, wonderful grounds and fantastic amenities! We enjoyed their gorgeous pool (with bar service), lovely poolside dining for lunch, private white sand beaches and loooooovely room. The bed was SO plush and the room included a balcony (score!). Though we weren’t there long, we want to plan another trip there soon. The drive in alone was breathtaking!
DINNER: The Chart House we were craving delicious seafood and decided a splurge at this waterfront restaurant was in order. It surely did not disappoint! What I loved most is that they were very accommodating to my need to eat gluten free and ensured that there was no cross contamination. HUGE WIN!
We ordered the Shrimp, Crab, Avocado & Mango Stack for an appetizer and it was so light and refreshing. For my entrée I chose the Bronzed Mahi Mahi: sweet & spicy seared fish, topped with lump crab, tomatoes, shallot butter and Yukon gold garlic mashed potatoes. OH MY SWOON! Justin decided on the Peach-Bourbon Glazed Scallops & Shrimp: skillet fried corn with bacon with asparagus, red grape tomatoes & roasted red peppers. So delicious and savory. For dessert we chose our favorite Creme Brule and it was perfect! Paired with a Korbel Brut for me and a Blue Moon for him, we were happy as a clam!
Hilton Head was so gorgeous and I know that next time we will be able to take the time to explore more of the island. For a spontaneous, gifted weekend away, these Atlanta residents were LOVING that little slice of paradise!
Have you adventured there in your travels!? Comment below with where you went and your favorite parts!
So when I heard about this AMAZINGLY EASY recipe, I knew it would be a winner in my book!
Who doesn’t looooooooooove wonderful smelling laundry!??
And with ALL the combinations of essential oils you could try, you can smell fresh and clean ALL the time!
Have an oops moment and leave your clothes in the washer for too long?
Add a bit more of this mixture in the wash and voila!!!
Musty smell is gone for good!
-Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Use a spatula or wire whisk to make sure oils are fully mixed.
-Store mixture in a glass mason jar and add 1/8th to 1/4 of a cup directly into washing machine before wash cycle begins.
-Double or triple recipe and store in a large glass container in laundry room. Place a handled scoop inside for easy access.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
Comment below with your FAVE essential oil laundry combo!
