We have some good friends who used to jokingly say their motto was “Krawczyks never loose!”  It’s a great starting place, right?!  So, Gabe thought we should make ours, “Hoffmans always beat Krawczyks!”  But, we thought it deserved more depth than that.  (more…)

So, for our family motto we choose:

Adhere to Truth, Bring Freedom, Create Beauty, Choose Love

I’ll talk more on these things in days to come.  It’s just what is on our minds and on our tongues.  And it is really good stuff that the Lord is working out in me.  But this is so what I want our family to be about.

What about you?  What do you want to define you and your family?
I’d love to hear your family mottos too!

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary.  9 years!  And what a 9 years it has been!  There have been really high highs and some really low lows.  But, I think that is what marriage and relationship is all about.  It’s been a great 9 years!Here is a quote I still love that was on our wedding program:

How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians, two who are one in home, one in desire, in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice…  Nothing divides them either in flesh or spirit…  They pray together, they worship together, they fast together, instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another.  Side by sie they visit God’s church and partake of God’s banquet; side by side they face difficulties and persection, share their consolations.  They have no secrets from one another; they never shun each other’s company.  To such as these He gives His peace where there are two together, there also He is present.     ~Tertullian

Good stuff, right?  And marriage is just good stuff.  I love they way God has made us for one another.  And it’s just a glimpse of how much God loves us and provides for us.  It’s a beautiful thing.

This really is my favorite picture from the day.  It’s a view I didn’t get to have myself.  But I love getting to see it.  I love the intimacy of the moment.  I love the warmth that’s given.  I love being surrounded by the people we love and call family.  And I love that so many of these same people are still in our lives encouraging us onto greater things.

I remember the excitement and preparation of that day.  It was months of preparation, joyful preparation.  It was entering into something that I didn’t know exactly what it would look like, but I knew the person I was entering into it with and I could hold fast to that.  And I see it that way with the Lord.  I am now to be joyfully preparing myself & His church for Him.  And our relationship with Him is good, not predictable.  But we can so hold fast to the goodness of God, walk each step with Him, trusting His love and protection.

I am so thankful for Gabe.  I am so thankful for the man God is making him to be.  He truly is a great husband and a wonderful father.  I love His heart for the Lord and his commitment to hear from Him and do the right thing.  He’s a blessing to me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  I am not the same person today that I was 9 years ago.  I really believe I know myself deeper and can love better because of my marriage.   And I thank God for His provisions!

About 3 weeks ago she showed up at my door and stayed!   She’s amazing!  I really love her.  And I would totally keep her, but I have 3 little kids and 2 dogs and my hubby says no.    Not sure why, but he seems to think I have enough on my plate!

Since I kept her, I have put out signs and had her scanned for a chip- but no owner has been found.  I knew she needed to be fixed and she would need shots- but that would take $400- $500 if I were to do it.  So I  spoke with this sweet lady that does adoptions and she paid for it all.  So whoever wants this great dog, just has to adopt through her and the adoption fee is only $150.

And believe me- you’ll want her if you ever meet her!  She is such a love.  She loves people, kids, other dogs- pretty much anything that will give her love and attention!  She’s really great!

Let me know if you are interested or know someone else who might be.  I will be taking her to Petco in Snellville for adoption on Saturday otherwise- so let me know soon!!!  There’s nothing like the unconditional love from a sweet pup!

Seriously, I cannot even tell you how much I love the new stuff.  I cannot even decide which piece I love the most!  I had the hardest time not buying everything.  It’s cool.  It’s edgy.  It’s classy.  It’s fun and a little sassy.  What girl can resist all of that??  Read more to see how we are making it even easier for you to get more than usual…

Plus… Hostess Bonus Days!  Now through August 31!

Our average hostess receives $250 in free jewelry and shops more at 1/2 off.  Get an additional $50 in free jewelry during hostess bonus days!

Let’s book your show today!! If you don’t live near me, but want to get in on this fabulous deal, we can even do an online party!  But, trust me- you are going to want a lot of these pieces!!!

Just check and see!

Isaiah 5:18: What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart!

These are some things that I have really been working through lately.  I know He’s there, but I don’t always live that way.  It’s that “orphan spirit” Jody (my MIL) was talking about.  It’s that living as though you aren’t a part of His family, with His spirit, without His rescue.  It’s not accepting the freedom that He’s freely given.  And I don’t want to miss out on it anymore.  I don’t want to try so hard at things in my own strength that I burn out.  I don’t want to feel empty and alone.  I choose to embrace Him, let His freedom pour over me, lift me up and send me dancing!

Romans 4:4-6 (the message) If you’re a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don’t call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it’s something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift. David confirms this way of looking at it, saying that the one who trusts God to do the putting-everything-right without insisting on having a say in it is one fortunate man.

What about you?  Is there something that you need to let go of?  Are you embracing Jesus as your rescuer and God as your Daddy?  Give it a try.  Just taste and see just how good God is!  And listen well to the love, the freedom, the grace He speaks over you and gives freely, without reservation.  It’s there for everyone who will receive!  freedom…..

But, lucky for you- I am back.  I am going to make effort to get my thoughts down- if not for anyone but myself!

So, here’s my official apology.  I don’t feel guilt over it- which is good!  I am learning a lot about living in freedom.  There will be lots of posts regarding this coming soon.  If I am going to speak my heart- freedom is what you will hear about.  It is the melody that God is singing to me in loud, beautiful songs.  And I am dancing to it!  Freedom.  Hmmm….. just sounds good.  Okay.  I’ll write more on that soon!

Look forward to chatting with you soon.  ~Marci

If you are getting married or are in a wedding- please check out Stella & Dot’s Bridal Boutique!  We have some great pieces for the bride, bridesmaids, mothers and even the darling flower girls!

And I have heard that some brand new pieces will be released in June- so check back!

Find the perfect piece here.