A lifestyle brand encouraging a life of grace through creativity, storytelling, and God’s word
May we enjoy the magic and joy of Christmas even if it’s a bit different this year. These wallpapers are inspired by the comfort and blessing of “home”.
I hope these small pieces of artwork remind you to embrace the people, the memories, and the peace you can always find when you’re where you call home.
To download the wallpapers, long press or right click on the images below.
I’m doing a happy dance because NEW Styld by Grace wallpapers are here! It’s been a while… getting into a rhythm with the new baby has been a process but little by little I’m learning to make better use of our time.
Well, I thought fall season would be the best time to bring back SBG wallpapers. And they are my favorite I’ve ever made! (I say that every time haha).
I created three fall inspired wallpapers. The olive and mauve wallpapers have a classic look. Lots of flourishes and calligraphic lettering. My favorite part about them is that they are completely original writings.
The third wallpaper is an ode to my favorite fall drink: The Pumpkin Spice Latte. This year, I thought it was appropriate to feature a recipe since we’ve all been stuck at home learning to make new things. Why not learn to make a classic PSL?!
These wallpapers inspire me to cozy up and enjoy the simple things in life. Like the fall breeze, a creamy cup of coffee, and God’s presence. All simple but so powerful in their own way.
I hope you love them as much as I do and use them throughout this fall season. I invite you to share them with fellow fall lovers 🙂
To download the wallpapers, long press or right click on the images below.
I never understood what it meant to pray without ceasing until I became a mom. I never understood why my mom prayed over me one night I got home at 4 AM after being out and up to no good. But now I do.
She literally came into the room, turned on the light, and said, “I have to tell you something I felt God put in my heart and pray over you”. And I was like, “Mom. Please not now”.
She told me anyway and prayed over me anyway. Even though I was half asleep and didn’t want anything to do with God.
She just knew she had to. She knew the power of prayer and she had not lost hope that I’d return to Jesus.
Well, I truly believe God heard the cries of my mom. And that memory will never be erased from my mind.
Now that I’m a mom, especially during these uneasy and uncertain times, I too have not stopped praying for my son. And I hope one day he holds a lasting memory of his mama praying for him fervently, like I do of my mom.
There is one prayer I pray every night over him. It goes like this: “Lord, may your goodness, mercy, love, and favor always be with Phoenix. I declare that even at a young age, Phoenix will receive you as his Lord and Savior and never turn from your ways. And I pray that he’ll grow up to be a mighty man of God who will do great works for your Kingdom and glory”.
Isn’t that the cry of every parent for their child(ren)?
I really wanted to gather scripture that could backup this prayer. So I compiled a list and I thought I should share it with you.
“Create a new, clean heart within me. Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.”
Psalms 51:10 TPT
“We have proved ourselves by our lifestyles of purity, by our spiritual insights, by our patience, and by showing kindness, by the Spirit of holiness and by our uncritical love for you.”
2 Corinthians 6:6 TPT
“So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.”
Philippians 4:8 TPT
“Teach me more about you, how you work and how you move, so that I can walk onward in your truth until everything within me brings honor to your name.”
Psalms 86:11 TPT
“Lord, when you said to me, “Seek my face,” my inner being responded, “I’m seeking your face with all my heart.””
Psalms 27:8 TPT
“Seek more of his strength! Seek more of him! Let’s always be seeking the light of his face.”
Psalms 105:4 TPT
“Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God. Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers.”
Ephesians 6:17 TPT
“You will be satisfied with a full life and with all that I do for you. For you will enjoy the fullness of my salvation!”
Psalms 91:16 TPT
The Lord is my revelation-light to guide me along the way; he’s the source of my salvation to defend me every day. I fear no one! I’ll never turn back and run from you, Lord; surround and protect me”.
Psalms 27:1 TPT
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
James 1:22 ESV
“Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One!”
Colossians 3:23-24 TPT
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”.
Matthew 5:16 ESV
My hope is that I’d be able to leave a legacy of faith in Phoenix like my mother has for me. That I’d pray bold prayers and stand in the gap when my kid needs it. And that I’d extend the same grace to Phoenix that I was given by my mother and by God, as he finds himself in Him.
I can’t believe six months have already come and gone. Many nights as I give Phoenix his last bottle, I hold him close, and I look through his newborn pictures.
Especially the ones we have from the hospital. It’s almost surreal that we’re here. Despite all the opposition, we made it! (Thank you, Jesus).
It amazes me how much he’s grown since he was born. We love seeing him discover the world little bit by little each day. It’s beautiful to rediscover it with him.
When people say, “Enjoy every moment. It goes by so fast”, they are not lying. It truly does happen so quickly. One day seems like an eternity but as a whole, time flies by!
This baby will have a very well documented life because we have taken at least one picture of him every single day since he was born. Pictures are special. I treasure them. And my phone’s camera roll is FILLED with pictures of Phoenix. Actually, I think all my pictures are of him.
In the last six months, I’ve been learning to be a mom. I’ve been learning to love my new body. I’ve been learning to be selfless. To give more than I possibly think I can. And I’ve learned that less important things, like working all the time, can wait.
Becoming a parent changes you forever. It all changes. But it’s such a beautiful change. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even during a pandemic.
While this new season can be really difficult to adjust to, the right support system and encouragement, makes all the difference. And so does having the right baby must haves. And all the mamas, said, “Amen”!
Here’s a list of “must haves’ that helped us thrive in the newborn stage and “must haves” that we now cannot live without:
Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Baby Bottles
LIFE. SAVERS. It is worth the time and effort that it takes to assemble these if your baby struggles with colic.
Taking Cara Babies Newborn Class
Lord, what would I have done without this?! It helped me learn about baby sleep, how to lay a solid sleep foundation, without feeling guilty if I wanted to hold my baby to sleep.
SwaddleMe Swaddles
Unless you’re a labor and delivery nurse, swaddling with regular blankets is super difficult and a waste of time. Just get swaddles with velcro. These were my favorite.
Uppa Baby Vista Stroller & Bassinet
Worth every penny. I love this stroller. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble, easy to open and close, and easy to use with one hand. And the one hand thing is important because I’m always holding either a bottle, a toy, or Phoenix.
Moby & Friends Showerhead
Makes removing bubbles and soap easy and now that Phoenix is older, he loves playing with the splashing water.
Hatch Baby Sound Machine
Now we can’t fall asleep without it. We may have to buy one for our room once Phoenix starts sleeping in his nursery (lol).
BEABA Babycook 4 in 1 Steam Cooker & Blender
If you’re planning on making your own baby food, this is worth the investment. You don’t have to worry about a long food prep process. This makes it so easy and quick. I also love that I don’t have to worry about using our blender and cross contaminating his food with ours.
Nested Bean Zen Sack Classic
As you can see, most of the products here are sleep related. Because sleep is IMPORTANT. We love using sleep sacks for Phoenix because it keeps him at a good body temperature and it’s safer than using a loose blanket.
Little Tikes My First Seat
I use this on my countertop to have Phoenix close by while I clean my kitchen. And I’ve been using it during feeding time before transitioning him to a highchair.
Skip Hop Campling Cubs Activity Gym
We’ve used this activity gym since Phoenix was about one month old for tummy time. And now it’s a true life saver when I need to check emails or finish up some work. It keeps him entertained while learning through all the sensory activities.
Fisher-Price Pizza Teether
I left the best for last. This is Phoenix’s favorite teether. We usually have pizza once a week and since Phoenix can’t eat real pizza yet, we got him a baby version 😉 He loves it! Fun and functional.
Hope this was helpful! Why don’t you share it with all your new and expectant mama friends? 🙂
It’s been 5 months with this cutie and 5 months of sheltering at home. I wish I could fully express through these words how utterly exhausted AND incredibly grateful I feel.
Phoenix is becoming so much more aware of the world around him. He loves his play gym, crinkly toys, and has recently started watching Sesame Street, which he loves. He’s sitting up with support from mommy and daddy. He giggles and laughs, loves silly play and dance parties.
Although I love making special memories with him in our home, I really wish I could take him to all the places I dreamt of taking him when I had him in my belly.
Put plainly: this sucks. Becoming a mom at the same time as a global pandemic is not what I ever expected. Especially after waiting so long for our miracle baby. In all honesty, I just feel like it’s so unfair. And I feel selfish admitting that because I know there are people in far worse situations during this time.
I’ve dealt with the worst anxiety I’ve ever felt in my life. My thoughts have been like an endless roller coaster. And there is so much sadness in my heart. The consensus, from speaking to friends and connecting with others on social media, is that I’m not the only person dealing with this.
While I feel so blessed to have Phoenix, I also feel like he’s missing out on the best version of me (mom guilt, anyone?) I try my very best every single day. But sometimes it’s inevitable to feel worry, anxiety, sadness, and fatigue.
Being in isolation and dealing with anxiety has taken a toll on me. As I’m sure it has for you with whatever you’re dealing with. We were not created to do life on our own.
So today it’s my true heart’s desire to offer you a space where you don’t feel so alone. Can I share somethings I’ve learned in this pandemic to cope and overcome?
CONNECT
I’ve found it so helpful during this crazy time to connect with other new moms. Listening to what they’re going through has opened my heart and perspective. I’ve been surprised by how their emotions and experiences are much like mine. The result? Not feeling as isolated and alone. While also being reassured that I am not crazy or a bad mom (and neither are you, friend).
TAKE BABY STEPS
If you’re suffering with anxiety, what has helped me is to just take baby steps. Don’t allow people’s expectations or criticism to influence your decisions. It doesn’t matter if no one understands. Trust me, I know this is extremely hard. As a 4 in the enneagram, I really hate feeling misunderstood. Just take care of yourself and do what you need to do, little by little, to move forward.
BE CONSUMED
Finally, being consumed by God’s presence has given me a place to rest and be made new. For me, being consumed by His presence means to absorb it and give it my full attention. And I’ve practiced that by trading all the crazy things I read or hear for His truth. In order to do that, it’s meant reading his word more, staying away from social media, and having conversation that edify my faith in Him.
I wish life was different right now. I wish I could take my son to my favorite places and share his beautiful smile with the people who love him. My heart is broken that this is life right now.
But despite all that, in my heart of hearts I know that God is a God who uses all things for our good. I know He is a God who redeems lost time. I know He is a God who mends and heals our broken hearts. And I know He is a God of restoration and nothing is wasted when we put our hope and trust in Him.
Truly, I hope you feel seen and heard through this blog today. I don’t know exactly what you’re facing. We may all be going through the same pandemic, but all our experiences are different. Styld by Grace will be here to offer you support, understanding, and the hope of Jesus.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
I surrender all the stress, heartbreak, confusion, and anxious thoughts. I ask for you to fill me anew. Lord, I humble myself and bow before you. I come under your Lordship and sovereignty. There is no better place to be. You see the bigger picture. And I trust you. I trust that you’re good and faithful even when I can’t see it. Jesus, I speak your name and declare it over my home and family. There is power in your name. There is nothing that can match it. For you defeated death. And through you we are saved. Lord, give us an extra measure of faith and grace in this season. We lift our eyes up to you. We love you and we’re thankful that in just one moment we can come before your throne and be transformed and renewed. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
