My love language!

My love language is gifts...I just LOVE to give people gifts. But I also love to receive them. My husband can come home with a coffee for me, and I swoon over it! My mom gave the BEST gifts...she always knew the perfect thing to make someone feel so special. Since she went to be with Jesus three years ago, there aren't very many people in my life who "speak my love language".  You can read more about the 5 love languages Here . But here is a list of the 5 languages:

Words of Affirmation -

Quality Time-

Receiving Gifts -

Acts of Service-

Physical Touch-

SO since my language is gifts I have been SUPER stoked to learn about "blog swaps!" You get to send a special something to another blogger, and they send you something too! Its perfect! Lately I have signed up for quite a few swaps, and my hubby keeps asking who is sending all these packages to me...I just tell him its strangers who love me! :)

 

I did a scarf and polish swap from Jessica and Ashlee

I was paired with Cole from www.myweinertales.com and she sent me these FABULOUS scarves...an awesome cowl, and a pretty sweet long cotton scarf. I just LOVE both of them. She also sent me a gorgeous blue Nicole polish called "respect the world" and some funky Sally Hansen nail decals that match the red in the cowl perfectly! She threw in a WHOLE box of snickers miniatures, which my hubby promptly stole and ate ALL of! Thanks Cole, I just LOVE everything!!

 

 

I did another scarf swap, it was a scarf and scripture swap hosted by Viv over at Big K Fam...which was really awesome.

I was paired with Bernadette from Barefoot Hippie Girl! She sent me the most amazing zebra print scarf from Target! I LOVE it! She mailed the scripture part of the swap separately, and it hasn't come yet...so I cant wait to see what her favorite scripture is! But I just adore the scarf!

 

And the last swap that I did last month was a coffee mug swap! It was hosted by Steph over at Midnight Hershey

My partner was Nicole at Heartbeat Companies she sent me the sweetest package with a cool red mug, a sweet letter, some books, a bath poofie, and some highlighters! She also sent me a copy of her magazine! Check it out www.heartbeatmag.com

 

So as you can see, my love language was definitely spoken this month! Thanks ladies for hosting fabulous swaps, and thanks ladies for the AWESOME swap goodies!

I speak for the weak.

I debated for a long time about writing this post because I didn't want to offend anyone....or bring out the crazy in anyone. But I feel like God is saying "speak" so here goes.

 

I love my job. The job that I have now is the best.job.ever. I am never gonna get rich...I am never gonna make the Forbes list...but I am going to make a difference.

 

I work at Life Choices Clinic. I am the Development Specialist. Our goal is to save babies from abortion, Help young moms, and break destructive cycles. We specialize in unplanned or crisis pregnancy solutions. No judgement, no one telling women what to decide. There's no hype, no politics. We don't make money off of any decisions they. We help with FREE quality medical pregnancy tests. Our staff explains every option you have if you are really pregnant. But, we do not provide or refer for abortions.

 

Its not about being pro life or pro choice. Its about love and compassion. Its about making the RIGHT choice. Its about replacing Lies, Death and Deception with truth, hope and love.

 

Its about the 16 year old girl who comes through our doors SO scared out of her mind. She thinks that her parents are going to kill her because she is pregnant. We help her. We give her hope.  

 

Its about the single mom who has 3 young kids, and no money. She takes a test after a one night stand and sees two pink lines. She falls apart into earth shaking sobs because she has NO CLUE what to do. We help her. we give her hope.

 

We teach young moms to be how to be good moms...how to break cycles. How to discipline with love and logic instead of abuse and destructive behavior. We provide resources for young families and moms who don't have money for diapers or formula. We teach dads who to stand up for their families and be great men.

 

 Each year,750,000 women between 15-19 become pregnant, and don't know what to do. They have no one to talk to, but lots of people talking AT them and FOR them. When women walk through the doors of our center they can breathe easier, they can talk...they can speak their mind, and their heart. Without judgement. We are a sounding board.

Since 1973 there has been over 54,559,615 abortions in the US. A lot of those women chose that path because they felt like they had no other choice. This breaks my heart. 

 

It is my passion to speak for the weak...but I am not just talking about those little babies inside their momma's tummy. I am talking about the weak hearts, the burdened hearts. The women who are so alone and so scared that they think aborting their baby is the only way out of their crisis situation. They need to feel loved, and valued. They also need to know how much Jesus loves them. And how He has an AMAZING plan for their life. That the test they just took that reveals a life growing inside of them is NOT the end, but in fact, a beginning.

 

 

Nash Vegas. In love.

I have spent the last week in Nashville, Tennessee...and I fell in love! We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland hotel...that place is HUGE!!! Seriously...you need gps to get around! It is gorgeous! We were there for a work conference, and it was one of the best " conferences" that i have ever been to. I work for a nonprofit ministry where we help young women who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy situation make the right choice. We also get to speak love into their lives....and its amazing. God spoke to me in huge ways this week.

I thought I would share a few pics with ya'll...

1. Inside our hotel...amazeballs
2. This fabulous restaurant called "pucketts" in downtown. We had the best food Ever. And live music!
3. An awesome sign from the conference
4. This is what they give you when you ask for a little butter. Its a HALF a stick!! Mmm mmm good...
5. Ice cream!
6. Co workers...and friends :)
7. Clowns driving down the street in downtown..
8. Fried green tomatoes
9. Rex.velvet.amazingness.thank you sweet baby Jesus.
10. Amen.

I will share more with ya'll later...the flight attendants are giving me the "turn off your electronic device before i kill you" look.

Happy Sunday!

Tell them you love them.

October is always a hard month for me...October 3rd is the day that my mom went to Heaven, three years ago. Her death was very unexpected...and I was travelling, so I heard that she had passed away when I was on an airplane 1,000 miles from home. It was horrible.

My mom was one of my best friends...and she was amazing. After she died, it made me realize how precious time is. And, how you need to tell the people that you love just how much you love them. All the time. Spend time with them....as much time as you can. When we made the choice to move in with my Dad after she died, it was hard at first...but now I realize just how lucky I am to be able to spend every day with him. And how I would give anything to have realized how precious that time was before my mom died.

Yesterday, I read that one of the sweet bloggers that I have been following for years Julee...lost her husband Matt saturday night. He died in a car accident. They have a little girl named Preslee. I cannot even imagine what Julee is going through, but I do know that God is with her. Please pray for her, and for her daughter.

Hearing the news of Matt's tragic passing, made me realize again that never know what tomorrow will bring. You never know when that hug will be the last, or when you say I love you for the last time. Treasure the time that God has given you. Love the family that God has blessed you with. Even when they bug the heck out of you, even when your husband annoys you....when your kids are on your last nerve...when you sister irritates you...tell them you love them. Hug their neck. Treasure today.

Thankful.

Today I am Thankful.

• thankful for my husband who is super hot. (and God fearing and just plain awesome)
• thankful for my Dad...who is the most amazing man I've ever known
• thankful for my daughter, who I love to the moon and back.
• thankful for my 3 awesome step kids, who I get to love and watch turn into amazing people
• thankful for my job where I get to save babies, help moms and break cycles
• thankful for my church. God is good and He is alive and kicking at my church!
• thankful for my Jesus.
• thankful for HUGE handbags..you know the kind that knock over store displays, when they are hanging off your arm
• thankful for money to pay bills and buy crap I dont need 
• thankful for my friends
• thankful for veggie breakfast sandwiches from Starbucks
• thankful for my family (especially my cousins and my aunts)
• thankful for my struggles with my weight (because they have drawn me closer to God)
• thankful for candles...lots and lots of yummy smelly candles
• thankful for JOY
• thankful for anything that has a butterfly on it
• thankful for tears
• thankful for bright colors and zebra print
• thankful for Birchbox and the love club
• thankful for a chance to get away with my husband at weekend to remember
• thankful for YOU...because you read this.

Whats your secret?

Secrets. Everyone has them. Some are little....and some are big. Some dont hurt people, and some do.

 

That guy, hes cheating on his wife.

That 25 year old woman, she throws up everything she puts in her mouth.

That teenager...he cuts himself

That 50 year old woman, she had an abortion when she was 19 and NO one knows. (not even her husband of 30 years)

That happily married couple...the wife has bruises on her back from where he beat her.

 

All of these people have secrets. Things that they think no one knows.

But someone does know.

God knows. He knows EVERYTHING.

 

He knows that I cheated on my ex husband more than once.

He knows that I used to stick my fingers down my throat and make myself throw up every day.

He knows that I am disrespectful to my husband.

 

There isnt anything that I have done in my 31 years on this earth that He doesnt know. He created me, He knows my heart. I cant hide from Him.He has helped me deal with all of these "secrets". And He has forgiven me. I am redeemed.

 

You cant hide from Him either. He loves you, and He wants to be in your life. All of your secrets...He can help you with those, you can be redeemed. All you have to do is ask.

 

That guy, hes cheating on his wife. God can restore trust, and save that marriage. Redeemed.

That 25 woman, she throws up everything she puts in her mouth. God can heal her body and restore her self worth. Redeemed.

That teenager...he cuts himself  God can give him confidence and heal his body.Redeemed..  

That 50 year old woman, she had an abortion when she was 19 and NO one knows. (not even her husband of 30 years) God can restore her, and help her heart. Redeemed.

That happily married couple...the wife has HUGE bruises on her back from where he beat her with a toilet brush last night because she didnt clean the bathroom good enough. He can even change this. Redeemed.

 

God can change ALL of this.  

 

Whats your secret? Dont hide it from Him...He knows, and He loves you. He really REALLY loves you.

 

Redeemed. Big Daddy Weave.

 

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

Fun Fun!

I did another awesome polish swap with the ladies from Shine On and hairspray and highheels!! This swap was SO fun!

 

 I was paired with the lovely Collette from caffeinated convos She sent me the most adorable package of goodies! With not 1...not 2...but THREE polishes AND a nail file, super cute toe seperators, and some yummy chapstick! This pretty lady hit my faves perfectly! The colors are super bright and I was super excited that she sent 2 different colors of pink...because a girl can never have too many shades of pink!

 

Thanks Collette, and thanks to Angela and Meghan!

Date nights, boots and bibles.

The Mister and I always have date night on Wednesday nights...most of the time we go to Applebees and have half priced apps because we are poor we are trying to save money. After our fill of healthy and delicious food like boneless buffalo wings and cheeseburger sliders...we head to a Wednesday night church service called "The Well" its laid back and fun...and its a great date night for us :)

 

I really liked my outfit today, so I thought I would share it with ya'll....I am loving being able to finally wear boots! (please excuse the craptastic quality of the pic)

 

I got these signs in for my store, and I LOVE them! they are super sparkly and hot pink....

 

 

I also got these ADORABLE hats in...I love hats if you couldnt tell!

 

 

Monday night I got to hang out with my nephew....I just adore him...like really, really adore him. Hes presh.

 

The mister lost his bible....and was complaining about it (he swears it was my fault because he asked me to go by and pick it up from the church where HE left it...and I forgot to. Then it disappeared) So I bought him a new one...a pretty fancy mens devotional bible with a cool case and everything. Then I bought him some gift cards and put them in certain chapters that I know he likes or that I like...like this one is a micky D's card in the Song of Songs...He was super jacked about the bible and even more jacked when he saw that there were surprises!  I love doing things like that for him...Gifts are my love language...not his...but I know that he still really appreciates it!

 

 

Hope ya'll are having a great week so far! Only 2 more days till the weekend!

Its OK..just kill em...

Here are some examples of people that you can kill:

• Your Ex
• The driver that just cut you off in traffic
• The lady that took the LAST pair of size 81/2 shoes on the sale rack
• The rude casheir at the store
• The Mother in Law that thinks you are not good enough for her son
• The ladies that say rude things to you without thinking twice
• The person that thinks they know EVERYTHING and you know nothing

The only way to deal with these people is to kill them. With KINDNESS.

Ever since I was little my mom and dad would tell me to "kill em' with kindness, Heather". When I was in grade school and junior high and people made fun of me SO bad that I had to switch schools....I killed em with kindness. When my mother in law was SO horrible to me that I cried all the time, I killed her with kindness. And when my ex husband does things that make my skin crawl and my temper reach boiling...I kill him with kindness. See, when you fight back or say something snappy back to someone that has offended you or treated you with disrespect....it doesnt hurt them. It only hurts you. When you can give them grace, and smile and say something polite....it helps you. It might even help them.

Romans 12:20

The Message (MSG)

^20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

A few weeks ago I was traveling out of town with a group of women for a conference...the first night of the conference we got done really late and we were starving so we went to a fast food restaruant and went through the drive thru. The kid that was so snappy when we were ordering our food...and since we had a large order, by the time we got to the window he was just plain rude. When he was shoving us our food out the window I said with a sweet smile "You look like you've had a rough night...I bet you are ready to be off huh?" he stopped and looked at me kinda shocked and said "Yes...Im tired and just wanna go home" He kinda started to smile... I asked him if they could accept tips and he said yes so I handed him a $10...and told him to have a wonderful night. He BEAMED with pride and said..."Oh I will....you too!!! thank you SO much!". Now lets replay that.....If I would have been rude back to him, or said something about his rudeness to his manager or something along those lines....things wouldnt have ended that way. The poor kid ( I say kid because he looked like he was about 16) looked exhausted and he just wanted to go home. He probly shoudnt have been so rude. I get it. But he deserved a smile and a little grace just like anyone does.

We've all had those days where we want to punch everyone that talks to us in the face just go home and cry. And we've all had days where we bite peoples heads off for even LOOKING at us  are probably not very nice to people in our paths. Think about those days, and how they would be different if someone showed you an extra measure of kindness...I bet they would be different.

And the people that you have to deal with all the time, like the ex's or the inlaws...or even the snotty moms in the PTA....and it goes the same for them. When they bite you....dont bite back. Kill em. Smile, say something sweet.....compliment them. And MEAN it. Then watch what happens. The change might not happen right then and there....but over time there will be a change. It might not come from them...it might be YOU that changes. But I promise change will happen.

Proverbs 21:23

The Message (MSG)

²³ Watch your words and hold your tongue;
you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.

 

Proverbs 12:18

The Message (MSG)

¹⁸ Rash language cuts and maims,
but there is healing in the words of the wise.

 

Proverbs 15:1

The Message (MSG)

15 A gentle response defuses anger,
but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

The tongue is a nasty thing when we want it to be...the tongue and make wounds deep enough to make someone take their own life. Thats pretty crazy stuff. I know that I can be snappy with people...I can be a flat out B-word when I choose to be. But whats the point? To hurt people? To let them know how much they have irritated me, annoyed me, slowed me down or hurt me? There is no point. And I have to stop. I need to started killing people with kindness. So, Imma start killin em'....maybe you should too.