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It’s a Good Friday indeed! Slept in, pancakes for breaky, movies and snuggles with a tiny guy who I think it feeling a tad under the weather. We are bunny (yes, bunny! ?) sitting starting today and the big kids are excitedly running around in anticipation for her arrival! Easter eggs are getting colored this afternoon and the coffee just keeps on flowing! Happy #goodfriday ❤️
? @kelseyhettinga .
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#spring #flowers #peonies #pink #fashion #fashionpost #fashioninspo #personalstylist #personalshopper #relax #entrepreneur #momlife #noschool #gr #grandrapids #michigan #grmichigan

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These three. I have never second guessed pressing pause on my career to give them all of my heart, I think that’s because I never let myself stop dreaming. That doesn’t mean I didn’t fight with thoughts of doubt – I definitely did. A lot of women feel like they lose their dreams when ‘mama’ becomes their title, understandably so! The demand to be present and available for them doesn’t leave much free time to invest in ourselves as women apart from being a mom. But can I just throw this out there… choosing to be a mom first in no way disqualifies you from chasing after your dreams! They might get a little dusty but they’ll still be there when you’re ready to pursue them! And for mom’s who need to work to provide, that doesn’t discount you as a mother! Finding the balance is HARD! I continue to see women show up, give it their everything in their careers and at home and seriously right now, y’all are BOSSES. I’m just really proud of so many of you for doing what you can to hold onto your dreams through the sacrifice of raising kids & when the time comes for YOU to shine, God honors the sacrifice and it doesn’t go unnoticed by those around you. I’ve become a pillar of strength in my kids eyes, a place of refuge & peace – someone I wasn’t familiar with before my kids helped me see that that’s part of who I am to my core. Raising those babes is a beautiful sacrifice! #proudmom #mompreneur ? @kelseyhettinga

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This little quote just keeps circling around my heart. Isn’t it so (unfortunately) normal for us to consider ourselves a mess instead of a work in progress or a story worth writing? Life can most definitely be messy & for some the messy chapters feel like the end of their story. My story has been full of love, pain & beauty. It has bursted with adventure and challenge & it’s a story of loss, hope and healing! My story is about a girl discovering the depth, width & constant love of Jesus! For the refugees that are rebuilding their life in a foreign place, the mothers who are raising babies on their own, or babies who have grown without a mother, the people who have suffered the loss of a loved one or have dealt with depression and heaviness – YOU ARE A STORY WORTH WRITING! •“If here is hope in the future, there is power in the present!”-Zig Ziglar •“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you & not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
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#bettertogether #real #hope #future #story #iamastory #worthy #encouragement #jesus #messy #life #lifeisajourney #zigziglar #fashionstylist #personalstylist #gr #grandrapids #michigan #michigrammer #insta #realtalk #quote #quoteoftheday

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Dear Mr. Sun,
Thank you for coming to visit and shining oh-so-vibrantly today!
So, this morning I went to a kickboxing class at 7:45am, I was still wiping sleep drool from my chin when I pulled up. So early. But! It was my first time & can I just say, I felt like such a BOSS. Seriously. The whole time I was taking to my punching bag, “my arms might be skinny, but fool you’re going down!!” It was an entirely different kind of satisfying than I had anticipated! I won’t be able to walk or lift my arms tomorrow but it was def worth it. After that I came home with a tray full tasty Starbucks drinks for my hair dresser (& lifelong friend), one of my closest gals & myself in preparation for a spring hair makeover in my kitchen! (Pics to follow someday, we all know I’m not the best at posting often…Is it bad that I don’t care?!) It’s been a really happy day and I’m a really happy girl. Also, any chance you noticed the incredibly fantastic top I’m wearing in this picture?! @clothandcabin Spring line gives me all the feels! So many good pieces for you to drool over, good luck only picking 7!! Happy Saturday!! .
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#fashionstylist #personastylist #personalshopper #wardrobe #wardrobestylist #stylist #lifestyle #lifestylephotography #oranges #happy #fashion #style #stylegram #dreamer #dreamchaser #darling #holland #grandrapids #gr #grmichigan #michigan #womensupportingwomen #beyourself #bettertogether #kickboxing #kickedmybutt

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Only a liar can make you feel isolated in a world full of people fighting the same battles as you. Depression, anxiety, divorce, miscarriage, grief, insecurity, self doubt, fear… we’ve ALL experienced something that’s left us feeling broken, all of us. (Yeah, it’s gettin real up in here) The catch is that we tend to choose shame and isolation from our brokenness over believing that it doesn’t define us or determine our future. A perfect Insta photo is lovely but it’s too easy to hide behind & we can’t maintain a life that appears beautiful when everything behind the scenes is falling apart. It took me a long time to stop feeling shame for miscarrying 3 of my 6 babies. Who told me that was MY fault?! Who says you deserved to be abused? Who said you aren’t good enough? Those are lies that are too commonly tucked away in our minds and left to torment us. When Jesus gave His life He made it possible for us to walk THROUGH our pain, not live in it. For us to be free from guilt & shame! We weren’t meant to figure it all out alone, we were meant to huddle around the broken and surround ourselves with people who love the way Jesus loves – without judgement. Jesus says, come all of you who are weary & burdened and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).Jesus loves the broken & beaten down! He calls us His beloved & He prepares a way of escape when it feels like there isn’t one.
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Photo: @happyphotoco

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“Oh, hi! My name’s Olivia! So nice to meet you… now tell me about your childhood & also your biggest dreams & if you cry, I’ll hug you!” Yeah, I’m that girl. But there’s also this side of me, you guys…This side that is so similar to a 12 year old boy… who cries with obscene laugher following a toot joke (yes, we say toot) or when I feel like chasing my kids around with an overly dramatic evil laugh and feel extremely satisfied by their screams… of joy, come on!! I’m not that crazy!! (but also sheer terror, let’s be real. I’ve made them cry.) You just get what you get with me. There’s really no point to any of this except that I thought you should know that there’s no shame in my game… but also so that you’re not startled if I ever approach you with a very scary laugh. You’re welcome. .
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#realtalk #momlife #crazy #mom #mompreneur #entrepreneur #helloitsme #noshame #fashion #fashionstylist #michigan #michigrammers #grandrapids #fashionpost #fashioninspo #style #red #shoes #stylediaries #styling #wardrobestylist #grmi #springfashion #humor #momhumor #relatable #compassion

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