Inspired By Giving

Golden

May 17, 2013 by Tabitha · Leave a Comment

I’m writing a literally inspired post because I hadn’t planned on writing today. I can’t shake this feeling to post this, so here we go. Yesterday I walked into Target to grab a few things at lunch and saw the Lady Antebellum CD. I got excited because I bought tickets to their show in June a few weeks ago, and have since been super excited! So I popped the CD in and scanned through the first few songs. Then I got to the song “Golden” which happens to be the title of the album. I always like listening to those songs because you know that song holds special meaning for the artist.

The song is a simple, gentle song. One you might hear in the backround on your radio. Nothing too fancy, no crazy vocals. But the simple melody matched with the lyrics are what touched me deeply. I immediately thought of my husband.

The sunset falls in Wichita
Yellow dances through the blue
The wheat fields catch a glimpse of Heaven
Makes me think of you
Even when you’re miles away
You’re always on my mind
Lord, knows you’re in my heart
Even when I close my eyes

You are golden
Precious as a prayer
Flyin’ up through the air
While the rain is fallin’
Golden
Timeless as a kiss
Baby I don’t wanna miss
Another perfect moment
To tell you
How you make me feel
The day you strolled in
My heart was stolen
‘Cause you are golden

Smallest parts of who you are
Are everything to me
From the way you laugh, the way you cry
To the way you love all me
Shadows run and darkness fades
When you come around
My single star amongst the grey
Always shining down

‘Cause you are golden, lovely
Oh so hard to find
Yeah you are goodness, forgiveness
Of the purest kind
Ooh yeah

From the day you strolled in
My heart was stolen
You’ll be the hand I’m holdin’
When the heavens open
‘Cause you are golden.

When you live your daily life and things are just a calendar of to-do’s and checklists you can begin to get comfortable in the no-effort romance department. Not that Matt and I have no romance. Quite the contrary. But certain weeks can leave you lingering in the clouded midst of taking someone for granted. This song changed that for me in an instant. I immediately saw him playing with the girls outside in our backyard at dusk. Waving the watering hose up and down as they squeal with delight underneath the setting sun.

Then I saw him sitting on our front porch as we pull in the driveway waiting to meet his girls after a long and seemingly never-ending day as the sunlight trickles in on his smooth skin. I saw him reach out to take my hand as we walk back in the house after a evening stroll, the breeze settling softly all around us.

I see him through this lens of beauty. Like I’ve captured a movie that has the best ending and I get to be apart of it. Always.

This is truly one of the best feelings. Having a love so strong and so deep that the timeless safety and security that bind it together are solid like an old oak tree. I get this. I have this. And I am among lucky few who see it.

So if you are like me and you have this kind of love. One that crosses time and distance and hardships and joy and blessings then I would ask you to not take it for granted. Call that person. Tell them. Dedicate a song to them, or sing one to them.

God put us here to love. And no amount of tasks or ladders to climb can stand in the way of that.

If you want this lovely free printable, click here. What amazing thing has love done in your life lately? Share below.

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Filed Under: Freebies, Love ·

Project: Home Organization

May 15, 2013 by Tabitha · 2 Comments

I’m excited and I’ve been twirling ideas in my mind about doing a home reno! Not the typical renovation you might be thinking of. But rather, a Home Organization Renovation! I purchased this label maker and now I’m on a mission! Operation Label My Whole House! So with all this talk of Operations, Missions and Home Renovations where does one begin? Well, the smartest place to start is with a plan.

A plan will let you get all those little tidbits you want to make happen and put them in front of you for execution. There are so many resources for planning and goal setting online. You can download and print pretty lists, binders and even keep it paperless if you want! But the point is clear: Set a goal so you can reach it. I prefer to see it in the big picture. For me crossing off the item is the ultimate goal. So if I see it then it needs to be done. So what I’v done first is printed out a blank monthly calendar. My purpose is to list what I’d like to do organization wise and by when.

For example, I would say I want to clean out and re-organize my hallway closet by May 29th. That way by May 27th I have a task and know that by Wednesday I should have it done.

The next important step is creating actions steps. Again, we’re looking at the big picture here. Below I’ve listed each room of my house and created 3 action steps for each room. I can go to this list when I get close to that room/area on my calendar and have definite steps to take. This will make it less likely for me to come up with excuses, or to wander into a project to only be distracted and start something I’ll never finish. The action steps keep me on target.

Pairing these together is my little secret for tackling any type of reorganization issues I run into. Plus the action steps are fun to cross off. Did I tell you I love lists?

Don’t forget look back at what you’ve done so far. Maybe you skipped one room or swapped one project for another. Keep yourself accountable by tracking your accomplishments.

The best part of this is to revise your original big picture goals. They may change. For example I really want to tackle my office files with my label maker, but my two girls rooms are in desperate need of a toy purging. And since I’m in those rooms every day, the toys stare me in the face. Those rooms go up on the goal list as priority over the office files.

In the end the euphoric feeling of having a well-kept home is deeply satisfying. You can feel some control over the chaos of everyday life. So grab your label maker and your best purging method and get to organizing!

Want more great resources on Getting Organized and Clearing The Clutter? Check out these amazing sites!

IheartOrganizing

Lara Casey

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Filed Under: Organization ·

John 15

May 14, 2013 by Tabitha · Leave a Comment

Today I’m sharing some lovely verses from the Book of John. I’m reading chapter 15 today and really taking in what Jesus is saying about loving one another. It’s so beautiful and amazing that the greatest commandment he gave us was to love Him with our whole heart and mind and to love one another that way. It’s is H A R D to love others. There are people in this world who we say “Really? I’m supposed to love that?”. And then we hear God say “yes, just as I have loved you.”

The free printables I shared today remind us to remain in His love, just as Jesus commanded us to. I looked up the word “remain” and this is what it said:

Continue to exist, esp. after other similar or related people or things have ceased to exist.
Stay in the place that one has been occupying

We could say Jesus is asking us to stay in His love and to exist in His love. That requires us to be in communion with Him. So today I encourage you to pray. Stop what your doing right now and ask God to let His love remain in you today. No matter what you’re facing, or who has hurt you, or what valley’s you face ahead. Remain in His love and your joy will overflow.

Click HERE & HERE to get your Free Printable’s.

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Filed Under: Freebies ·

Project Life

May 9, 2013 by Tabitha · 2 Comments

Project Life is my new happy scrapbooking discovery! Sometimes the thought of sitting down to plan a scrapbook layout, match the pictures colors with your scrapbook paper, and making sure you have the right embellishments can be both time consuming and overwhelming. At least it was beginning to feel that way for me! Then came Project Life! Simple, standard and with an important focus on the pictures, Project Life is an easy way to document those special moments that life brings us! You’re supposed to complete a page for each week of the year, but as I’m re-focusing my life on what is really important (read here) I’ve decided to only document important or meaningful weeks. I’m still not finished with the Easter week, as you can see I have some journaling to include…but overall, the process is fun and really easy!!

I bought my album here and the page protectors here. I’ve also found some great free printable’s online for Project Life. If you search in Pinterest “Project Life Printable” you’ll have an abundance of cute pre-made journaling tags and cute word cards!

In keeping with the idea of simplifying my life this has made me a happy momma!!

What simple ideas do you have to track milestones? How will you share them with your kids? Comment below!

Learn more about Project Life here.

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Filed Under: Scrapbooking ·

A Simple Mousepad

May 6, 2013 by Tabitha · Leave a Comment

I’ve been taking joy in the simple things around my home and office these past few days! Feeling a little need to do something crafty for myself, I whipped this cute little mousepad together! And let me tell you how it’s brightened my day! It was super easy to make. I followed this tutorial. I found this totes-amaze fabric at World Market where it used to be a napkin! I grabbed some shelf liner and proceed to make a fun mousepad in less than 5 minutes! I’ve gotten so many compliments! Cute right? What simple projects are you creating today? Try something easy like this mousepad, I promise it will brighten your day!

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Filed Under: Tutorial ·

Count Your Blessings-Free Printable

April 26, 2013 by Tabitha · Leave a Comment

Sometimes when you are having a rough day or a rough week, or yes a rough year it’s a good idea to stop and take an inventory of your life. What is good here? What am I thankful for? It’s so amazing what perspective can do for you. I finally finished the book “Unglued” by Lysa Terkeurst and let me tell you, it’s the best. She talks a lot about perspective and seeing things from a different view as it applies to raw emotions.

So I created this cute little printable for you to jot down what you’re grateful for. It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving for us to stop and say “God, you have truly blessed me!” Please click here to get your free printable. I have mine posted at my desk at work so I can look up if I’m “in a tight spot”. I need this daily reminder that God has given me far beyond what I deserve in this life.

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Filed Under: Freebies ·

Currently

April 9, 2013 by Tabitha · 2 Comments

Via The Hand Lettering Of Kelly Cummings

Life lately has thrown some curve balls. Some good and some not so good. I’ve felt the heavy weight of worry creep into my mind making me feel like I’m walking on shaky ground. But the good part of all of this, is the way I’ve leaned into God so much more now than I have in a long time. The sad part is when everything is going the way I’ve expected it to or ordered it to who needs to depend on God alone? But the moment life changes and you get that call or you hear that gossip something shifts. You begin to order your spiritual life to become front and center as you cry out to God. And He is so ready to listen, He is there, waiting to heal our mess and bring us to the goodness He has called for our lives. “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

I feel like I’m always in a season of change. With young kids it’s hard not feel like anything could happen out of the norm at any time. In the middle of the day or (my favorite) in the middle of the night. You begin to loosen your grip on things being so set and so certain. You allow for upsets, you allow for change. For me these things have not been easy. I’m learning though that with God sometimes you won’t know what’s about to happen and that’s okay. Everything is not perfect, Tabitha. That’s what I’m learning.

And so in a roundabout way, while seasons of change circle me and my life I’m happy to say that I’ve narrowed in on what’s important. Being with my God and my family. Anything else that doesn’t directly propone those two things are being put on the back burner right now. I want to look back at life and say that I had the right priorities. I want my husband to feel like we loved to the capacity at which my heart and soul would allow and I want my girls to gain a life of wisdom, faith and grace from my example.

As I take on these changes I want God’s will to be done. I want anything He has for me. So pray with me that we have ears to hear His still small voice through all of this change?

It’s funny how everything seemingly happens at once. That’s what I love about the quote above. Is it going to be my will or God’s will? That is the question. I want His will by far. The easy road isn’t for people who want to make a big impact. Being prepared for every life circumstance will not produce a life of faith within me.

So I’m asking for your forgiveness in advance. If my posts are more sporadic, please understand that while I love this blog and I love being creative my time is limited. And sometimes the worst pressure you have is pressure you put on yourself. So I’m giving myself permission to be a bad blogger. And instead be a good mom, a good wife, a better friend and a better servant of God.

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Filed Under: Grace, Thoughts ·

Giveaway Winner!

April 5, 2013 by Tabitha · 1 Comment

Hi Everyone!

I’m so glad to announce the winner of my Spring Canvas Giveaway:

Please email me at inspiredbygiving (at) gmail.com so I can get this lovely canvas shipped your way! I hope you enjoy this cute canvas!!

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Filed Under: Giveaway ·

Spring Canvas Giveaway!

March 30, 2013 by Tabitha · 4 Comments

Let’s start Spring off right with a proper giveaway!!! I’m excited to be giving away this La La Lovely canvas to one blessed reader!! I have enjoyed this cute 12 x 12 pink and gold piece in my craft room and I’ve decided I want to share it with you! I really love the gold metallic craft paint from Martha Stewart and I finally got a chance to use it on this piece! It looks especially glittery in the sun!

Please do the following to win!

*Like Inspired By Giving on Facebook.

*Leave a comment below on this blog.

*Pin the giveaway to Pinterest and share with friends!

I will announce the winner next Friday April 5th!

**************THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED***********************************

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Photography Tips: Natural Light vs Flash

March 28, 2013 by Tabitha · 2 Comments

I’m still very much a photography novice myself, but I am always looking for inspiration for pictures and ideas on Pinterest. If you haven’t seen my Photography Love board yet, see it here. A common trend in photography these days is natural light. From the way I see it “flash is bad”. Well, I’m here to tell you that that isn’t necessarily true. It just depends. I’ve taken a few (well a lot) of pictures below. Most are using natural light. Allowing the outside daylight to filter in casting the right light and shadows on my subject.

This picture below of my lovely little dog Pink is with flash. Because she had her back to the light filling the room, it made her face very dark. When I sued the flash it opened up the picture to be able to see her better than in the above picture. What I don’t love is the tone that’s cast. But that’s what I love about photography. You can try new things all the time. You can mess with the camera settings and then edit the photo in an editing system. Either way you can create the look your going for by giving yourself some creative liberty.

My husband took these great shots of our oldest as we sang Happy Birthday to her on Sunday. It was her real birthday (even though we had a big party for her the day before with friends and family). We always make room for one more cupcakes and candles! The flash was used in the below pictures because I had left the flash setting on. You can see the difference in the two pictures below. They look 2 dimensional and cool. The other pictures in this series look 3 dimensional and warm. You get a sense of the back round environment even though it’s out of focus. The flash-used pictures just make the back round look black.

Overall, I’ve learned there are no mistakes in photography. Only gained information. Try something new with your camera. Play around with lighting. But most importantly, have fun! A great book for mom’s which I own myself is “Mamarazzi Every Mom’s Guide To Photographing Kids”. You can buy it here.

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