One of my Catalyst Moments was being the heaviest I had been, my marriage was struggling, my health was in decline, and I couldn’t even stand to make a healthy dinner without having pain and burning in my legs. I didn’t have women to turn to because I had pain from past friendships and didn’t want to deal with drama.  I had a smile on my face but I had so much internal hurt. I was always doing, always giving and never stopping! I had given so much that I had no more to give. I needed deep foundation work. I was carrying pain and so much forgiveness that i needed to do. I needed to see that the most important person to give to was myself. That is when it all changed,  I needed to see my mess, my dirt and get back to who I was created to be!

I have read many books, but nothing has changed me like God’s Word has. It’s not just reading it, it’s doing the foundation work and putting it into action. There are steps to building momentum. We can only control ourselves, the use of our words, and our thoughts. That is extremely powerful when you realize this and let God take over and miracles happen!  Once you apply foundation work only then will you be able to thrive! The scriptures have the power to create change! I thank Jesus every day for my new life. It’s the complete opposite of what it was. 

After my change I had a tug deep within me to share my journey, to empower women and to be the role model that I wanted my daughter to have.

Let God take over amazing one!

Laughter and Love,
Regina

​read more excited to share

​









Hello Amazing Ones! Are you ready for the new year? One thing that I have been doing the last 3 years is searching for a word and a scripture that supports the one word. For the first year after much prayer the word that stuck out to me was Trust. Yes, it is so easy to say that you Trust God and He is in control. BUT...I wanted things to get done in my time or my way. It was work for me. And the year passed so quickly it seemed. Of course the second year..was Trust again because it took me some time to fully trust and not lean on what I thought was better for me.

My verse for two years was:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way submit to him, and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

This was something that I really needed to work on. I must say that I learned so much and it helped to keep this verse next to me. Year three was the word Prune. I had so much in my life that I used to carry with me, things that I took on because I felt like I had too, things that I was carrying that were painful and wearing me down, things that needed to be cut and pruned from my life!

My verse last year was:
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2

This year was painful and freeing. I healed from many things. I learned about myself and loved myself! And next year I am so exited my new word is Cultivate for 2018! Doesn't that sound exciting!!! Cultivate Love, Cultivate my Marriage, Cultivate my Family, Cultivate my Purpose, Cultivate my Savings!

My scripture next year is:
​Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10

Join me, pray about what you need to work on this year! Find that word and verse and write it down on this free download. Honestly when you write it down it gives life to it! Carry it with you or put it somewhere you will see it everyday. I made it beautiful for you so you can carry it with you, place it on your desk or tape it to your journal/planner page, or your fridge.

Let's roll and start an Amazing New Year!

Love and Laugther,
​Regina

​​​
​

It's such a beautiful season. A season of warmth, thanks, giving and time for you to slow down. It's hard to slow down I know it is. I work full time, a wife, mother, daughter, aunt, sister, friend etc...you know the list!

I started this blog to share and write things to leave behind for my children. Yes I talk about many things like life, decor, inspiration, love and faith. As I sit and think of all that is in my head this picture that my husband and I took at the beach two weekends ago while my youngest and her friend are enjoying the water comes to my mind.

I see the beautiful sand, the simplicity of life and our bare feet, and thinking to myself I ask? "Why do we make things so complicated?" I have had so many jobs and titles but before I leave this world I will only have one chance at being a mom and wife! These past couple of years my focus has been my family more than ever. My mom always told me to stay grounded in God's Word, to love and to give, and we do! She called the role as wife and mom your first ministry. We need to have balance. We have to focus on our Purpose.

My youngest is in high school and that is the place where all drama has become so real. I tell her to love no matter what, it's hard but sometimes people hurt you, some don't even know they hurt you, or intentionally will hurt you. Still love them because you have to, we need too, and we can't hold it inside of us for we have not been created to hold hate. The circles of people around her or around us will change of course but God's Love and Our Purpose never will! People will bring drama to your door and you have to close it. We need peace not negativity. It's so sad that we see this in adults as well. We all have boundaries and if you see anger or hate thrown at you remember your Purpose and focus on that! There really is so many positive people so draw to them. When you are Loving and Doing Your God Given Purpose that is all that matters ~ be wise. ​The verse below says Ponder the path of your feet in All of Your Ways.

Meaning of Ponder:
Think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.

Let your eyes look directly forward and let your gaze be straight before you, Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Proverbs 4:25-26
​
Always Remember Your Purpose and Your Focus,
Regina

Why do I decorate? I love having beautiful things around me. I always have but do you need lots of money to have nice things? Of course furniture and large items for our home cost and when we purchase them we must choose with caution. I have a hard time getting a large purchase like our couch or fridge. My husband and I will go several times, and will stay for hours and we will wait until we are both happy with our decision. It's funny I know but I want to make sure I am happy with it. 

Let's Talk Colors
This is a personal thing that only you can choose in your home. What colors speak to you? What colors make you happy and feel peaceful? We are all different and have different likes and dislikes. Before getting anything new first have your colors selected.

Style
We have so many styles to select from it's so fun to pick this! Many of us have different styles is ok to mix them? Yes of course! It's your home and your in it everyday enjoy what you love! I love shabby chic, farmhouse, cottage and nautical. I keep things in the same color tones. 

Decor and Final Touches
Have fun with this. Just be creative. I gave myself a challenge to only spend $50 a paycheck which is $100 a month to update things in our home. I was so excited and as soon as I said it...Bam I seen so many things I wanted to purchase but I didn't need them. I had to stick with my budget. I was forced to be creative. I actually did these projects below with paint that I already had and furniture that I had in my garage because I wanted to do something with them. 

Why Do I Decorate
I love seeing beautiful things! I love to pour into our home to create memories for my family, for my friends and to create a feeling of comfort. I love going to hotels and visiting different places and I want that same feeling daily for my husband, kids and guests to say I can't wait to go home, to visit and have dinner or a BBQ and look forward our time. To be excited and say I love to be home! 

I painted these two chairs (above) and moved the table we never used and now have a sitting area and room to dance! Haha!

I also had a Kitchen Garden Box (below)that has been in my garage for almost a year! I gathered succulents that I had in my yard and created a beautiful succulent garden!

I also painted our kitchen with paint that I had left over from painting our living room. Being on a budget caused me to be creative and complete the projects that I wanted to do that where on my list. You can see the color in all the pictures below.

What I purchased:
$3.00 for Bloom Sign at Target Dollar Spot
$3.00 for Teal Glass Jar for Flowers
$15.00 for Sign from Home Goods - Measure Mix Bake Eat
$10.00 for Yellow Tulips at Costco
$2.00 for Yellow Daffodils at Sprouts
$28.00 for Teal China Plates from Marshall's Clearance Area
$17.00 for All Flowers in the Sink (Yes Flowers not Dishes haha! This makes me Happy!)
Total Amount Spent is $78.00

*My challenge official ends on April 20! (I rounded up some of the cost) I am excited and looking forward to my next challenge because I have a beautiful chandelier in my garage that I want to paint and hang in my living room. Also want to paint my vanity! :)

Have fun and be creative!

Regina

I haven't really shared this with many people but I feel I need to share it with you. For some reason this memory has been coming up in my head for a couple of months. Which makes me feel I should write it. Friend, I have always loved to write, I always have a journal, and love to write in my computer at home. I started writing a book about the women in my family for my daughter. Writing helps me to grow and helps me to heal. I want to touch and inspire others as well.

I doubt myself often and stop myself many times when it comes to writing. Just recently I started to open up and share. As a teenager I had a typing class. Yes, it would be considered an antique today. It was a large metal typewriter that sat on my desk. Everyone next to me typed so quickly. I was slow. I just couldn't get it down. I adored my teacher, just like all of them, I had such respect and would sit in the front of the class if I had the opportunity too. So many times I tried to hit the keys and I would hit the wrong key. I reversed the keys many times and got so frustrated. Why, couldn't I get this typing thing down? When the timer would go on to test speed I automatically tensed up. My teacher stood over me one day and said, "Your just never going to get it! I don't know what your going to do for a living to take care of yourself!" Then she started to name different things and said, "Oh but you will have to type to do that!" Meaning I couldn't be much.

Wow, that crushed me to my heart. It caused so much doubt. First of all I was embarrassed because my classmates heard, she spoke confusion on my life and discouraged me. I had a father and mother that told me I could do anything and I knew I could. I passed the class yes but not with an A and definitely not the fastest one in the class. So I had this little battle of doubt in me. I just wrote my words at home or in a journal.

Now I work at an Amazing University and I sit behind a desk and type all day. I respond to emails, create agenda's, type minutes for board meetings. I also started a blog because some of the most precious things my mom left behind are her words in a journal and the notes from her bible studies. This made me want to leave something behind for my family.

Have you ever had doubt, been stopped or told you couldn't do something? I say go and do what you have been called to do! Reach for it, work hard at it, and press on. That person that disappointed you and made you feel less isn't the voice to hear. Don't allow confusion or doubt to rule. Work harder! Reach for your dreams! Listen to your passion!

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Blessings,
Regina