Living from the heart, by Andrew (the hubs and guest post :)

Live from your heart. It's a phrase we've probably all used; it's quite the romantic notion, but what does it mean? 

I could say, "In my heart, I don't feel like being decent to so and so, and after all, I don't want to be hypocritical."

I can also go a little deeper into my heart and say, "I want so desperately to love my neighbor that I am going to search out a way to see good in so and so. I am going to seek a new perspective so I can love this person." 

In both cases, you can make the argument you are "living from the heart," so which would you like to choose? 

Matters of the heart can be overwhelming at times. Sometimes it seems the first choice is your only choice, no matter how much you wish you wanted the second. I have come to believe that the heart is one of the most mysterious and powerful forces in this life. It can take you out of the game or cause you to soar to new heights. Something so important deserves our attention.

What is in your heart? If you think you know, try digging a little deeper; you'll be amazed at all you find.

- Andrew

Welcome to the French Market

I'm so thrilled to say WELCOME to all of you this morning! Every since I started blogging, it has been one of my desires to be able to help "baby blogs" and businesses grow and prosper. We understand how it feels to start your own business, because we did so 3 months ago. Making this decision wasn't easy (especially for my husband, since he's the provider for this home). But it was something that was burning in his heart for so long that, when he got a major pay cut at his previous job, that's what we needed to make the final decision. 


That's how SteinMedia was born. (Hubby's business). Later on, came BleuCloud (my previous blog). And today, The French Bird. (my little business). Here are a few words of encouragement for you:


"I started writing when I was 14 years old, and began doing it as a service just over 4 years ago. Many times I had to choose a job I did not love over my passion. Today, after 3 months of writing to fully support our family, I can see the blessing and provision in stepping out when it was time to step out. That decision can be a difficult one to make, and you may never know the right time. As one just on the other side, I want to encourage you in your endeavors, and offer our support to help you along the way." 

I have to say, I LOVE to see him doing what he loves. Writing. He thrives in it. He does it with a passion. But it can be scary at times, and that's ok. We're so thankful to the Lord for blessing our own business. It really feels like having a little baby. You watch it grow, you want to make the right decisions and take good care of it. Every single new client is so cherished!! 


For this reason, I wanted to open the doors of this blog and this "market" so we can help each other out, so we can support fellow bloggers and help them achieve their goals and make their dreams come true!


I just want to say WELCOME again! And I pray that every business, etsy shop, product, creation is blessed and prospers more than you can imagine!!


So it's officially OPEN! I can't wait to check out all of your fantastic creations!!!! And remember, if you want your product to be featured, I have 5 spots open for every Monday of this month!


Join us!

How to promote your product: The French Market

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THE FRENCH MARKET
I'm starting a new link up party called "The French Market". Every Monday, you will have a place where to link up in order to promote your business, product or giveaway. It's going to be just so fun to have all your products together in one page. When my visitors come, they will find themselves in a little market where they can get to know all of you, my talented friends!

SAVE THE DATE

On top of that, I'll be featuring up to 5 different products every Monday. So, if you're interested in advertising at the French Market, please contact me at : hellofrenchbird@gmail.com and save your spot for this free advertisement opportunity!

PRODUCT REVIEWS

I'd love to review your products!. If you think your clothing items, accessories, baby/toddler products suit The French Bird style, please send your request to hellofrenchbird@gmail.com.

( I reserve the right to promote products that align with The French Bird style).

I can't wait to see all your beautiful creations on Monday!!!

Have a lovely weekend!

xoxoxo

My toddler's games + adventures

To be a mom is definitely the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But it's also the MOST FUN AND FULFILLING role that a woman can have. One of the things that I've been cherishing the most is to watch Josiah (2 1/2) grow and start reasoning more, learning new phrases, carrying more complex conversations with us and acting like an older kid. A couple of days ago, Andrew and I were involved in a very deep conversation. We were so engrossed in it that, for a moment, we totally didn't think about our little boy's whereabouts. All of a sudden, he comes in our room... all WHITE...covered in flour. He looked like he was attacked by a gang of flour packs.

Flour is one of Josiah's favorite things to play with. He will go to our little outdoor table with his cars and spend hours there making them roll through a little mountain of flour. Many times, I let him play with it since it's so entertaining for him. But this time, he realized we were distracted and just couldn't help it. He silently sneaked into the pantry, grabbed a brand new pack of flour, took it outside and dumped the whole pack in the table... and became the happiest kid on earth.

What to do after seeing that smile? SMILE WITH HIM! ( and later on, hose down the little deck, of course =)

xoxoxo

FIVE THINGS I would LOVE to have for this FALL! #wishlist

#1

... a mustard yellow coat

#2

...Modcloth sweaters!!

#3

... Toms wrap boots

#4 

... cozy Anthro quilt :)

#5

... a LARGE Sbux gift card that can keep me caffeinated all fall long!

=D

xoxoxo

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A day in pictures: Anniversary celebration!

morning cuddles

 headed to church!

...with the fam 

4th anniversary celeb: Bowling! (and yeah, I cut my face on purpose so that you could see the sign! hahaha)

what I wore 

 lovely :)

 my bowling ball was XXSMALL!! hahaha ( the 7 year-old right next to us was using the same kind!)

 andrew's happy dance

my happy dance 

cuddle time before going night night ... 

It was a lovely day!

xoxoxo

I'm back! =D

Hey friends!

After almost 2 months of being missing in action, I’m finally back. For a moment, it felt like I wouldn’t be. I was ready to just give it up and not look back. You see, there are seasons in life in which you need to simply put a halt on everything and rethink… reconsider… reestablish priorities… rest… and restart…

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I’ve been through that season recently. A series of circumstances (health, family, emotions, etc) brought me to the point of needing time to stop doing, stop running, stop filling my time with activities and dreaming of adding even more to my schedule…. It was time to stop and think… to look at the condition of my heart… to bring my burdens to the feet of Christ and enter into rest… I was able to question my motivations, reestablish my priorities, rest in my identity and let the Lord renew my strength.

It is time to go deeper.

I can’t even explain how much this time meant to me. I had no idea how much “stuff” was lingering in my heart until I allowed the Lord to have my time and to do what He wanted with it.

Lesson learned: Always give room to the Lord. Make time for Him, even if it’s plain ol’ silence.

I never knew fear had such a hold on me. I never knew how hard I was trying to have a “happy” family. I never knew how much control I was trying to have over my circumstances and emotions. I never knew how tall the walls around my heart were.

You never know until you know… But once you know, it’s time to let go.

Once I was stripped from all the things I was clinging onto and depending on for my joy, I found out that I just can’t hold on to any earthly thing. I realized my identity is not in anything this world can offer. It’s not in a blog. It’s not in my looks or my success. I can’t find my identity in my abilities or in my “labels” (wife, mom, homemaker, etc).

But when I look up and take my time to look in His eyes, I realize who I am. I am His daughter. I am loved extravagantly and fiercely. I don’t have to try so hard, because I’m not loved for what I do, but merely for who I am. All the things I do, I do them because I get to, not because I have to. I don’t have to be strong, I don’t have to have it all figured out, I don’t have to be the perfect wife, mom and friend. That will never happen. I’ve been invited to walk this journey just holding on to His hand. And I really do want to live like that. Realizing that there’s no better place to be than by His side. As I recently heard, “ the valley of the shadow of death and the middle of a raging storm are the safest places to be when Jesus is there with you, holding your hand, walking by your side”.

I’m just learning this… Just getting started… But I’m so thrilled to see what is ahead. I can finally rest and enjoy with real joy in my heart.

Thank you so much for your love during this season, and I can’t wait to “hang out” with y’all, my bloggie friends!!!!!!

Let’s do this! =)

xoxoxo

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