Lately.

Happy Hump Day!

Lately, the posts are getting shorter. Life is getting busier. Mommyhood is getting sweeter, but a bittersweet. Baby Grace is growing at lightning bolt speed. It amazes me every day. I just want to stop time, never go back to work and spend my days with her, ahh, the dream. Shout out to all you momma's that get to say home with your littles. I know its hard, but its so rewarding. 

I love her cuddles, and the way she lays her head on me when she's watching Bubble Guppies. She's such a diva to other people, she won't even crack a smile - but to the close family she loves to play and she is full of joy and laughter. I miss her as I am typing right now. Crazy how this mommyhood thing works. I could never imagine my life without her. 

My life is a bit hectic right now. Lots going on, but "tis the season." Haven't even made it out to shop for Christmas gifts yet, and I think most of my shopping may be done online this year. Just easier. Look out for my wish lists coming soon to a blog near you. In the mean time you will have enjoy my short posts at least until this weekend is over.  I will be back in December with a vengeance. :) Got something fun and special up my sleeve this year!

Well, that's all I have for now!

Have a blessed day!

-J

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Thankful Notes

Happy Monday!

Hope you had an amazing weekend! I’ve got a busy week ahead with the holiday and my sister getting married! Plus running shop deals on Black Friday! So much going on, but ‘tis the season right?

I get the chance to do comp shopping and idea gathering at work and it often involves diving into pretty interior décor catalogs and magazines to try and spark new and fresh spin-off ideas. Looking through them this time of year is the best. It puts me in a great attitude and has me thinking about gifts I need to give and things I need to get done before the year is up!

The days are flying by, its getting colder and the snow is sticking – but we had a beautiful weekend. I am thankful for these moments I get to share with the ones I love. I am thankful for the upcoming holiday and to have all of my family together for that and my sister’s wedding. There’s something so magical about the holidays and this photo just captures it for me.

Hope you have an amazing week!

-J

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#DropTheMask + Apologies, Tea Time + Let Your Light Shine Link-Up!

Happy Thursday!

I apologize.

 Life has been busy this week. I got busy in the shop *Jumps for joy!* But that unfortunately came with some neglect of my blog. This week my focus is using my planner (also one of my November goals) I need it to make sure I keep up with it all. Sometimes busy is good, right now its a good busy! I will be back soon with more lovely things to share with you and planning to also revamp the look of the blog again. What do you do when you have so much going on with your life but not enough time to blog? I hope you follow me on instagram so you can at least stay semi-updated with me :)

For today - I apologize as I did not draw a mask to get rid of and share today. But I would like to say that I am breaking down the walls of "I'm not good enough." That's something as I journey in this new art life and turning it into a profession, I struggle with this sometimes. That my ideas aren't as great, as big, or as I think they should be. But mostly these negative feelings come as an afterthought, so I know its not my heavenly father leading me this way. I am standing strong in learning all that I am in him. I'll delve more in my next #Bossy Post. 

For now, I would like to share a lovely piece that I recently finished. Hope it makes you smile :)

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Today is Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

You know what time it is, let that beautiful light shine!
Each week we appreciate those of you who come by to share your posts on fashion, beauty, faith, love, and all the in between.

We are continuing our conversation about showing our true selves for this month of November!
Join in with #DROPTHEMASK!



Today we are sharing a post from Samantha at Godly Womanhood.

Her post in LYLS link up last week was about how we are made to love.
Its a quick, but powerful read, I highly suggest you take the time to read it today :)

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!
Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-J

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up

Jean Yang Photography

Happy Tuesday!

I am sorry I have been absent on the blog the past couple days. Been keeping busy with the shop and remember the goal of using my planner? Well, that hasn’t happened quite yet. Hoping to get on top of everything this weekend!

However, today I wanted to share these amazing family photos with you all. We had the pleasure of working with a family friend, Jean Yang and she got some great shots of us all before the snow hit up here! I am so thankful we got them done, otherwise it would have been way too cold for baby Grace! Jean is great and picked the perfect little spot for us to gather. She even showed up with hot chocolate for us! Now that’s service ;)

Jean Yang Photography

Facebook – Blog -- Instagram

I love them! I even made one of them into a holiday card! Which reminds me, for those of you not following my shop on Instagram (shame on you!) – I am offering custom made holiday cards this year! 

For more information visit here.  Also all custom illustration requests must be made by this Friday 11/21 to be guaranteed to arrive by Christmas! So don’t miss out on an amazing gift for your loved ones! Or yourself!! J I also do blog headers, logos, and whatever your little heart desires! 

Just email me (spoonfuloffaith@gmail.com) or inbox me on etsy for more info! J

Have a beautiful day!

-J

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Choose To Love.

Happy Friday!

Green Cardigan - Heartbreakers

Blue Bird Blouse - Nordstrom Rack

Blue Denim - Nordstrom Rack

Brown Booties - Steve Madden

Hope the end of the week is winding down great! I wanted to quickly talk about something I just recently learned this morning. Yes, literally about an hour ago. Its about love. Something we all know so little or so much about.

Well let me tell you, the older I get, the more complicated love becomes. Love used to be a feeling I got when I saw my crush. I soon learned that wasn't really love at all. Then I felt love was putting up with your sisters when you fought over clothes. But I've grown to know love isn't that either. And then I knew I had figured it out when I met A.

But funny thing is, I am learning what love is all over again. I am learning love is a choice, and not ruled by emotions. It is a decision to put others needs in front of your own. It’s the choice you make when you really want to buy that new pair of shoes, but you know a friend that needs the money and you give to them. Let me tell you, I am not at that point of love yet. But I am learning that, this type of love is what I want.

This morning I learned about choosing love. When faced with tough situations, being upset and making others feel just as miserable as you becomes an obvious first choice for many. But this morning, love popped its head around the corner at me and said “You can choose to still do right by those who hurt you.” And although it seemed so much harder to do right, it felt so good and immediately the situation changed. Walls were broken, bad feelings were melted, and love won. It won.

So, I just wanted to encourage each of you to choose love. Sometimes we get so upset with others, or we feel wronged or hurt by others – we often are mean to them and treat them poorly. But love taught me this morning that having grace and mercy in those times is a show of true divine love. It taught me how Christ looks and deals with me – with grace and mercy. And so I want you all to choose love, or just think of this post this weekend.

I would love to hear if you have ever experienced this, or decided to overcome evil with good? I’ve talked about before when I am having a bad day, I go and buy someone at work or in the drive thru a coffee. It helps me to be the light and be good when I can see none. It really helps!

Hoping you have a love-filled weekend!! :)

-J

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#DropTheMask: I Am Healed + Let Your Light Shine Link-Up!

Happy Thursday!

Today I want to talk about mask that I want to remove and show to you all. I want to talk about my journey with dealing with lupus. I often give uplifting stories and talk about positive things to each and everyone of you and I show my happy, joyful side. But there was a time that I was always so unhappy. I was diagnosed with lupus and 2006, and my life was forever changed. Anyone that knows what a diagnosis feels like, can relate. To be told that you have something that is out of your control is disheartening and cause you to lose your faith and hope. My journey was difficult but when I came into Christ my journey shifted courses. In Christ, I began empowering myself to know more, hope more, and do more about this diagnosis. I know that he has already paid the price for my health and that I can be completely whole in Him. I definitely believe in miracles, and I also believe in healing. I believe in Jesus. 

I believe that he wants each and everyone of us to be complete in him. I believe that there is a story in my journey with lupus. A story that can touch places in people that that no other words can reach.  There's a bigger purpose in this tough and negative situation, and in Christ it can be turned into something that propels me into a firm faith and belief in who he is. Through my journey, I can see him taking on all of the pain of this world to offer freedom, liberty, love, life, and truth. 

I want to begin a personal journey of taking a more aggressive approach to my healing. I don't want to take medication for the rest of my life. Who does? I know that since it is labeled a chronic illness, they say its something I will deal with for the rest of my life. I know that many people have seen it go into remission for years. If it something that can go into "remission" for the rest of my life, I call that healed. Right now it is in remission. I have not been hospitalized for over 3 years. I thank Jesus for my health today, and every moment of everyday I am getting stronger in him, and stronger in hope and faith. 

I just wanted to share a piece of that with you that I never talk about it on here but it is something that I deal with on a daily basis. It used to haunt me, it used to scare me, I used to cry myself to sleep - upset that I had to deal with it every day of my life and nobody understood. I thank Jesus for those tough moments, the moments when A was right next to my side, literally carrying me to and fro because of inflammation in my body. I thank him that I can look back onto those dark days, and I can see the bigger picture, and the light he has given me and put into my life! I thank Jesus for the strength and the power to get through each and everyone of those moments, and the victory that he has given me in my life today to continue to conquer this disease. 

Call it what you want,  I call it healed.

So today, let's drop the mask we so often put on and show people the real us- because we all have a unique being we could share to help someone else.

Let's start the conversation with

hashtag #Dropthemask. 

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Today is Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

You know what time it is, let that beautiful light shine!
Each week we appreciate those of you who come by to share your posts on fashion, beauty, faith, love, and all the in between.

Today we are sharing a post from Katya at Life, KV Style.

Her post in LYLS link up last week caught my attention because let's admit, we are all trying to find the key to eating healthy!  This blog post of hers offers a fantastic tip on how to start your health journey and stay on it. Take a look!

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!
Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-J

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up

November Goal Setting

Happy Hump Day!

Green Cardigan - Thrifted

White Butterfly shirt - Victoria's Secret

Blue Skinny pants - Heartbreaker

Tan Circle Scarf - H&M

Brown/White Booties - Dresswe

Hope the middle of the week is working in your favor! It’s cold here. Like 25 degrees out cold, and we got a huge amount of snow the other day, like a foot, so it’s been well, cold. The only good thing to do now is hurry home so that you can cuddle up in the warm house, and cozy blankets. This part is always fun though, and now that we have baby Grace to share those moments with its even better.

I thrifted this cardigan I am wearing above. I adore the color, I think it would look nice with a nice berry purple tone and dark blue denim as well. And the booties, I shared these before, here. But they are from a sweet little dress shop, Dresswe. They are the perfect addition to any plain outfit, or look that needs something to make it pop. They just add something fun to the mix!

Onto the purpose of this post, goal setting. October flew by and November is doing the same. I’m finally getting around to writing my goal list for the month. (SMH). Let’s not even discuss October goals, remember these, because only a few actually happened!

To recap - October Goals:

1. Do 1 DIY Post
2. Create a Scripture/Study Printable
3. Spend more QT with family
4. Start holiday savings plan
5. Add 10 items to my Etsy shop

Out of the 5 set, I did two of them. Not great. The DIY post just never really happened due to time. I guess you could say that’s usually a factor for most people. Well, this month I want to set a mixture of goals, something that seem far, and some that are low hanging fruit.

 Looking forward - November Goals:

1. Create a Scripture/Study Printable – I can do this, and I totally need it too.
2. Look into print options in my shop – I am delving into stationary and pretty little things to be available in the shop this month. What types of things would you envision my little illustrations to be on?
3. Get some holiday shopping done for at least 3+ people
4. USE my planner. I gave up on it a few months back. I need it back. Pronto. 

What are you goals for November?

Are you like me, or did you hit all of your October goals?

Hope you have a beautiful day!

-J

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Hybrid

Happy Monday!

Colorblock Blazer - Hybrid

Cream Blouse - TJ Maxx

Light Denim Skinnies - H&M

Black Booties - Shopreflection.com

How was your weekend?

Mine was fun. We had a chill night on Friday, threw my sister's bridal shower on Saturday, and had a great church service on Sunday. We ended last night celebrating a family friend's birthday with dinner and drinks. 

I also got to take some fashion shots for the blog, and feature this lovely blazer from Hybrid. Hybrid sent me this beautiful piece and I am impressed with the quality of it. I love that its got the color block quality with a light cream touch. I like with jeans, but also would adore it with skinnies and knee high boots! What do you think about this Hybrid blazer? Would you wear it?

On another note - Today its snowing, like we are planning on getting a foot of snow. 

Yay! Can you hear my sarcasm? I guess I should be okay with it, since I live in Minnesota. 

Anyway,

Have a beautiful day!

-J

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PS. If you desire prayer, I would love to pray for you. 

Today, I pray that Jesus protect your throughout your day. I ask that he guide you in all that you do, so that you make the right decisions. I pray for your peace and joy this week. I pray that you find Christ in the smallest, quietest moments this week and I pray that you dwell in those moments. For they will bring you joy. 

Amen.

#Dropthemask + LYLS!

Happy Thursday!

I hope the week is winding down for each of you! One more day until Friday which for me means we will be taking family photos - can't wait :)

I definitely want the best family photos. I started going to Pinterest to get ideas on what we should wear, etc and it seemed all there was were perfect family pictures. Its funny because when I look at pictures of my family growing up, there was so much else that was going on behind those pictures. A lot like my life as a mother. I can post the prettiest pics of baby Grace, or the perfect #OOTD shot and it portrays this image of me having it all together. 

I don't. I've met so many people who have carefully constructed their Instagram feeds so that they don't put too much of this or make sure they add a little bit of that. And as much as I hate to admit, those are the feeds I like to look at the best. But that isn't life as it truly is. 

So today, I'm #Droppingthemask, and sharing 12 things you may not know about me.

1. My bedroom is a mess, my car needs to be washed, my daughter is growing out of her car seat. 
2. My shopping life consists of thrifting and gifts from boutiques - not high fashion, big name brands. 
3. I haven't figured out what we are wearing to family pictures, TOMORROW. 
4. I might be late to work today. 
5. I have mommy meltdown moments.
6.  I have Jena meltdown moments. 
7. But like I said on Tuesday, I know I am not expected to be perfect. 
8. Sometimes things I attempt from Pinterest, do NOT turn out. 
9. I strive to be the perfect wife, but who knows what that looks like? 
10. I didn't meet many of my October goals - more on that tomorrow.
11. I don't meet my bible study goals all the time. 
12. I'm pretty much bad with more than one goal at a time.... -_-

See, basically, I am real. I know I try to show you that side of me often on my blog. But just in case you somehow think I've got it together, for the few of you out there ;), I don't. Can you be real with us today? Share a time or a story that shows the true you. Take a picture of a behind the scenes moment with you today on your social media? Each week I am going to reveal a new mask that I am getting rid of and that we all should work better to shred. I will create illustrations around the ideas that you leave in the comment section for each week!

Tweet, post a photo on Instagram, or on Facebook today to let us all know you are real. 

You have real moments. You live a life that is very similar to the rest of us.

Let's drop the mask we so often put on and show people the real us- because we all have something real and unique we could share to help someone else.

Let's start the conversation with

hashtag #Dropthemask. 

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Today is Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

You know what time it is, let that beautiful light shine!
Each week we appreciate those of you who come by to share your posts on fashion, beauty, faith, love, and all the in between.

Today we are sharing a post from Whitney at Whitney Nic James.

We love her personal style. Looks at those shoes!

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!
Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

<div align="center">
<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

Have a beautiful day!

-J

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up

By Faith Accessories

Happy Hump Day!

Today I want to introduce you to an amazing brand, and one of this month's sponsors, 

By Faith Accessories. 

 A couple months ago, I was approached by an amazing woman, Shannita, who felt my blog was the perfect audience for her brand, By Faith Accessories. I would be lying if I said I never heard those words before. But something special happened when I took a look at her assortment of jewelry. They were not only affordable pieces, but they also offered an exciting new way to empower ourselves in God through what we wear. (One of my faves being the Jeremiah 29:11 bracelet – that so many of you loved! – read my full feature last month)

This month I wanted to showcase some of my new favorites from this amazing accessory line – all which I have had the pleasure of wearing this month. You’ve seen the name necklace above when I shared my sultry date night look, here. The others are being worn by me as frequently as possible to share my love for the brand and what is symbolizes!

I just love it! And I am super excited to let you all know that we will be giving away a “Name Necklace” this month for the holidays! What an amazing gift for a loved one, or yourself! Thanks for being an amazing group of readers!

Have a blessed day!

-J

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You're Not Expected To.

You're Not Expected To.

This morning as I was driving, I began to get down on myself. You know like we humans often do. Going down a mental checklist of things I needed to do and things I have already done. It seemed as though the things I didn't cross off yet, were outweighing all the things I had accomplished. When I think about it, I often find myself in that place. Continuing to compare myself to unrealistic and non-existent expectations of what I should be accomplishing, that I put there. In the middle of me beating myself up, I said "I'm sorry, I can't be perfect all the time. I can't live up to everything every second of every day."

At that moment, I felt in my heart, 
“You’re not expected to.”

Those words were all I needed to hear to reel my mind back into a place of peace.
You’re right God, I’m not expected to be all of this or all of that.
Or to handle everything with no sweat.
I’m not expected to even deal with any of this.
I am not expected to be strong every day.
I am not expected to know the right thing to say in every situation.

I am not expected to be without blemish or spot.
I am not expected to be the source of my own joy.
 I am not expected to hold the weight of the world (my own little world) on my shoulders.
 I am not expected to do any of these things by myself.
 And some things I am not expected to do them at all.

 I am only expected to lay my cares and thoughts on you, Lord.
 I am only expected to ask you to strengthen me when I am weak.
 I am only expected to look to you for all of my answers.
 I am only expected to cast my cares far away and lean on you.
 I am only expected to handle what a full-time working mom can handle,
 and everything else I give it to you.

We’re not expected to be superhuman.
 We are expected to call on the superhuman.
So today, Lord, I call on you.
 I throw all expectations of myself out the window.
I take my worries, my to-do lists and my beluga whale expectations that I could never live up to by myself, sigh, and I give them to you.
 I ask for peace and humility in return.

Sometimes Jesus just has me write it all out. 

Write all my thoughts out to Him and through my writing I am freed from myself.
How amazing! :)

Have you ever done this to yourself?

Put a laundry list of expectations on your shoulders and tried to carry them?

What tips/tricks have helped you?

Have a beautiful day!

-J

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