Girl Invited

My daughter, like me, is a sucker for lipstick - she’s 4. From the time she could practically sit up, she would watch me apply my makeup as I would get ready for my day. She would play along and always wanted to know what each item was used for. I would explain each shadow, pallet, cream, and wand to her and she would just watch in awe as I applied the “sparkle” to my face. She loves when I share my products with her. She’s tried on mommy’s eye shadow, blush, and powders, but her favorite thing is lipstick. It’s to the point where every time I go to reapply, I reach my hand to the backseat so she can have some too. I even have special colors that I’ve purchased with her in mind. If I’m being honest, I just love sharing this with her. I love her God-given desire to be beautiful and “look pretty.” I love that she can play in the dirt one moment and be playing princess the next. I love that she desires to be beautiful and adored by others. This week, I held her face in my hands and ...

I’m on a journey of discovering the importance of rest threaded into the overall balance of life and its daily demands. I mean, not the kind of rest where we sneak in that 20 minute nap between appointments because we’re all stretched too thin. The kind of nap we think might help mend the exhaustion from running around; time spent driving the kids, packing the lunches, going to work, meetings, homework, cooking and cleaning, and the list never ends...and can I just get another double shot grande coconut milk latte (I promise, I don’t normally make this an afternoon thing...FALSE). No, I’m talking about real rest - biblical rest. I am learning every day that this is a real thing. It’s the kind of rest where you force yourself to say no to things - and people. The kind of rest that forces you to own your schedule and leave room for margin, removing the distractions of social media, the news, and the unrest of life, and choose gratefulness in the mundane. The kind of rest where I don’t...

My mother is my warrior. Notice I didn't say "hero." A hero is described as "a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities." That's all true - she is that. But, a mother is so much more. A mother goes to battle every day fighting for her children. When a woman is made into a mother, there is a fierceness ingrained in her that comes alive - it's like it was always there but now suddenly awake. My mother is a warrior and over the years, has taught me a great deal, most of which didn't come full-circle until I become a mother myself. So, without further ado, here are 5 life lessons my mother taught me. Make your bed every morning. Now, I know there are two schools of thought on this, but my mom taught me that making your bed every morning provides one with a sense of accomplishment (easily attained) and can make the whole space feel clean and organized. If you’re like me, living in a mess or cl...