Be with someone that takes care of you.

I read this quote while scrolling through Facebook one night. I read it, thought of my husband, and continued to look at the news. However, over the last few days I've realized my husband takes care of me in more ways than I ever thought anyone could.

In the beginning of August we celebrated our three year wedding anniversary. We didn’t go out to dinner, we didn’t even exchange gifts, instead we took a moment to remind one another about the love that brought us together to combine two lives into one. As an emotional person to begin with, I of course cried the entire time. Hearing my husband’s words of love, encouragement, and appreciation for my dedication to our family is something that I think about every day. The man I met seven years ago is not the man I am in love with today, but he is the man I have grown older with, experienced life with, and have grown closer to each day. The man I proudly call my husband is a man God placed in my life to be my partner and I couldn't have imagined the life he built for us. 

Being with someone who takes care of you does not mean being with someone who helps pay the bills. It’s someone who will be there for you in times of laughter and in pain. Someone who will support you when you take chances and encourage you if you fail. My husband has encouraged me through failed business startups and poor career decisions. He has encouraged me to follow my dreams that eventually lead me to where I am today.

Happy, fulfilled, and excited for the next step in our life together.

So be with someone that takes care of you, but also be with someone who fulfills you, truly makes you happy, and loves you unconditionally.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter chapter 4: 8-11

May God remain the central figure in your relationship together. May you never take each others love for granted, but always experience that wonder that exclaims, “Out of all in this world, you have chosen me.” When life is done, may you be found, then as now, hand in hand, still thanking God for each other. May you ever serve Him happily, faithfully, together, until Christ returns in Glory, or until at last one shall lay the other to rest in the arms of the Savior, and all this, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cheers to Cold Coffee

I recently read an article titled To Mom's Who Waste Coffee expecting to have someone tell me how I need to take more time for myself, sit down and read a book, blah blah blah. All of these things are good in theory but the problem is when you are done reading that book the dishes are twice as high and your son is digging a pair of dirty soccer socks out of the hamper to wear because you didn't do the laundry yet. I was expecting to read another article written by someone who doesn’t understand how putting ourselves before our family is simply not in our DNA.  

Instead, I was enlightened and felt appreciated by man I have never met.  

Every morning I drink cold coffee. At 6:15 this morning I made my coffee and around an hour later I finally sat down to drink it. My morning was spent making sure the camp bag was ready to go with sunscreen, water, and all the things my son needs to go swimming and because I needed room on the counter I also loaded the dishwasher, fed the dog, and got my lunch ready for work. My morning ended with kissing both of my boys goodbye and while heading out the door I fed the cats, picked up the shoes that were in the way and ate my breakfast on the road.  

This is my life and I love every minute of it.  

Taking care of my family is not a job or task I check off at the end of the day, it's my lifestyle. I try to be kind, thoughtful, and make sure the people around me know I love and appreciate them. When my husband comes home I make sure the house is cold because working in a warehouse when it's 90 degrees outside is exhausting and managing 80 people on top of that makes the day even longer. I make sure my son understands responsibility and each week have him help me with a different task around the house. After a week of being sprayed with the hose he is no longer allowed to water the plants but the concept of hard work is starting to set in.

I'm a mother and a wife, a sister and an aunt. Each important in their own way. Each filing a place in my heart making me whole.

To my friends, thank you for being apart of my life and helping me raise my son and for allowing me to apart of your children's lives They bring an overwhelming amount of love into my life that can never be replaced.

“Moms, thanks for all you do, have done, and will do. You make this world a better place. May you see your sacrifices as an investment. May you find all the energy, wisdom, patience, and courage you need to navigate this immense responsibility. And may you soon find the time to enjoy a warm, un-reheated, cup of coffee. ”

— Chris Gilmore

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Read the entire article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-gilmore/to-moms-who-waste-coffee_b_9859534.html

Another Side of Me

I posted this photo to my social media accounts the other morning. Typically, I have a few shots already edited and saved so I can post them in the morning but lately I’ve been taking them on the go. When I take a photo I try to incorporate of all the tips I’ve learned; understand blank space, lighting and angles of the camera, incorporate your personality into the photo where you can and make sure you have a targeted hashtag game. My sister recently declared I am the selfie queen next in line to Kim Kardashian. I’ve taken so many photos since I’ve started my small business that I’ve figured out how to photograph myself with the power of my selfie stick. Even after all of the knowledge I have gained about taking photos I am still wary about posting photos of myself.  

I'm working hard to build my brand and make adjustments where I can. One of my closest friends told me when she first met me she thought I was mean until she realized I was just very sarcastic. From that moment on I checked myself before anything witty came out of my mouth. First impressions make an impact on people and sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to make a second one. If I was coming off as mean I had a lot of work to do. Since then I’ve toned down what I say, I keep to myself a little more and interject my humor only when appropriate. Don’t get me wrong, I like to leave an impression, but the impression I leave is one I decide people will remember not one they draw from their own conclusions.  

The first time I met my husband’s boss was when we were both working for the same company and there was a quarterly earnings meeting that we were both attending. He was not just my husband’s boss, he was the director of the entire distribution center and when you heard his name you knew to straighten up. I introduced myself and shook his hand and let him know how my job intertwined with his. Most of the time when people hear you work in accounting they decide who you are within seconds of hearing your job title. I continued our conversation with letting him know who my husband was and how much he enjoyed his job. Irritated and tired of our conversation he said “Congratulations” and started to turn away. Immediately, as if a light switch turned on inside of me, I responded by saying “You should really be congratulating him.” This comment was followed by laughter from not only his boss but everyone surrounding us that could hear our conversation. Funny in writing? No, but when you have 10 people listening to your conversation because some girl from accounting is speaking to the Director of the Distribution Center and she gets him to laugh it’s something people take notice to.   

This photo, as odd or normal or however it seems to you, is me. I asked my husband if he thought I should take it down because it was a side of me that I am uncomfortable showing the world and he told me that he loved it because it was me, the woman he gets to see every day. Not the accountant, not the business woman, but the caffeinated, fun woman that he loves.  

>Insert heart melting here< 

My husband’s kind words remind me that it’s my choice to show people who I am. Leaving the photo up gives people a little bit of insight into the woman behind a little mug shop run out of her basement. I love what I do, I love who I am, and I love the people I surround myself with. I am still a little hesitant to share photos of myself but I realize that showing people who I am might help them understand that small business owners are driven individuals who love what they do. So enjoy a peek into my life and for those of you who know me well, thank you for always being there for me, encouraging me, and loving me. 

>As you draw near to the Lord, he will guide you to become the best version of yourself. <  

I finally found one reason to like April Nardini

Gilmore Girls has a special place in my heart. I own all the series on DVD, I’ve record two episodes a day from ABC Family since I was 10 and quote my favorite one liners form the show on a daily basis. Growing up Gilmore Girls was my escape from simple problems like not being able to go to Alex’s house after school or getting in trouble for forgetting to do one of my chores. My parents ran a tight ship, they didn’t approve of school dances, getting my ears pierced, or listing to secular radio stations but watching a few episodes of Gilmore Girls after my homework was done was something my parents approved of and to this day I still don’t know why.

Stars Hollow was a world you wanted to live in. It was filled with kind people, a group of ladies who always knew the town gossip, and six different stores that sold something related to Hello Kitty. Lorelai Gilmore was a character that I had aspired to be. She was an independent, quick witted woman that had great style and a coffee addiction that I have unfortunately taken upon myself to master. I remember looking for an orange blazer every time I went shopping just so I could wear it with a t-shirt and tight jeans. – yeah, you all know the one.

As we get closer to the new premier on Netflix I keep dreaming of what might happen. I follow each actor on Instagram in hopes of getting another behind the scenes glimpse into what the writers have planned and watch the days go by until they announce the release date. In the end, I hope that Luke and Lorelei are finally together and April Nardini is in New Mexico far, far away from them. I realize she was just a child and it was Luke’s decision to hide her existence from Lorelai that eventually tore them apart but the blame needs to be placed on someone and I am choosing that someone to be April.

When she first came into the picture I labeled her as a Rory Wanabe. She enjoyed learning, was focused on winning the science fair and although she was only looking to beat someone else with her DNA testing she also opened the door to having a relationship with her birth father. There is nothing wrong with her and yet I am still annoyed at the fact that she was the wedge that pushed Luke and Lorelai apart. I started thinking about all of the ways she had interfered in Luke’s life and as I thought of each episode I realized I had one reason to like her, she introduced Luke to Target.

April introducing Luke to Target made me like him even more because I knew he shared my enthusiasm for finding a pack of socks for an amazing price. Who knew? I knew Luke, and I’m happy you do too. As I write this I am eating Archer Farms Sweet Potato chips and wishing I bought two bags instead of one. Why? Because I’ve eaten then entire bag already.  Also, how successful are petitions and how do you make sure they go to the right people? Because every other Target I go into there is a Starbucks inside except the one closest to my work. Target and Starbucks are on opposite ends of town and I’m sorry but it’s getting hard to choose which way I should drive during my lunch break. Table cloths, candles, a vase for flowers, all things that I would not have been able to pass up while walking down the aisles to get the one thing I actually went to Target for. How do you think I got the bag of chips I’m eating? Face wipes people, I went in for face wipes and walked out with a cart full of toilet paper, t-shirts, snacks, and pure joy as I opened the bag of chips before I even got to my car.

This episode also was the result of April trying to set Luke up on a date with one of her teachers but in the end we all know who Luke’s true love is. I just hope that’s what is planned for them in the upcoming release.

Welcome to Target Luke, and thank you, April for introducing him. #teamlogan

Opening Day

It’s remarkable how your memory works. A smell, a song, or even a voice can trigger a flood of memories. This morning I heard a radio DJ quote, “life begins on opening day,” and was instantly taken back to when I started dating my husband.

I met my husband, Chris, in college our sophomore year. Mutual friends introduced us, and we discovered we had a class that overlapped. Little did I know I would meet my future husband in a sociology class called Marriage and Family.

Our first time off campus together was a trip to Taco Johns. Romantic, right? We went with a friend and I sat there trying not to crush on this handsome man sitting in the seat in front of me.

A few weeks later, after a failed attempt of him asking me to go running with him (like that was ever going to happen), we went on our first date – dinner at Culver's and the movie Couples Retreat. He just came off of a long-term relationship and I was looking for someone who would be a good role model for my son. At this point in my life it was hard to find a guy who wasn’t scared off by a baby. Jacob was just over a year old and I was trying to figure out how to be a mother, a college student, work two jobs, and still date.

My First Brewer's Game. Milwaukee, WI

The next summer, Chris took me to my first Brewer’s game. He picked me up from work with his best friend who would later be the best man at our wedding, Justin. As any lady out there can attest, when you are in a new relationship, you try to look “cute” over “practical”. So of course I left my thick mop of hair down and nearly passed out from a heat stroke but hey- my hair looked good.

Baseball became a part of us; we watched games at home when we didn’t have tickets, and we eventually collected a ridiculous amount of bobble heads. I knew so much about baseball, I could talk shop with any guy that dared speak down about the Brewers.

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Chris and Jacob Grilling on the Deck. June, 2010

My husband and I have been together for almost seven years. He has introduced me to baseball and the Harry Potter series, and I have introduced him to vegetables and a whole world of other foods beyond just hamburgers. He embraced being an instant dad and I embraced knowing I found the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.  I thank God every day for putting Chris in my life and continuing to bless me with more than I could have ever imagined for myself.

And to this day, Couples Retreat is still my favorite movie and I feel like I need to dress up to go to Culver's – for hamburgers, of course.

>Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8<

The Mug Life

“Custom coffee mugs? Do you use a Sharpie?”

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One of my original mug creations using a Sharpie marker.

This is what most people say to me when they learn I turn coffee cups into custom creations. And after a chuckle, I politely say no. My mugs are professionally-printed using a process that I’ve perfected over time. Like many things, my mug business has been a journey full of many mistakes, failures, frustrations, and victories.

Sharpies are to blame for giving me my mug obsession. I decided to give coffee mugs to Jacob’s teachers at church and customized them with a Sharpie marker. Did they look a little rough? Yes. My sister told me how great they looked, but they looked rough. I have semi-nice hand writing, but I always compare it to people who have better handwriting – like my sister. No doubt her two girls will inherit her gift for beautiful penmanship and her home will be filled with Pinterest-worthy chalkboard signs and scrapbooks.

So, hand-drawn mugs were out; on to step 2. I bought decals that I could print myself and seal onto the mugs. Did this work? You bet it did. I was able to design beautiful, perfectly-written decals, print them, and put them on mugs. Were these better? Yes. But they looked like stickers on the mug. Basically, they looked good from far away but up close you saw imperfections. The biggest issue with these is they weren’t’ dishwasher safe.

Ain’t nobody got time for that.

Then came step three- sublimation printing. This was a scary step for me as it required a rather sizable monetary investment.

It didn’t’ go well.

This step was so full of problems I honestly almost quit doing any mug-related anything. Printers didn't work, I had to learn a new software to design my creations, machines didn't heat properly, and, at one point, my hands were so stained with ink, it looked like I got in a fight with a clown (and won!). I was spending more money and time on a new set up and I wasn't even sure was going to work. After all the struggle I just didn't want to do it anymore.

>The struggle and extra time was worth it.<

I love my mugs. I’m proud of my designs and being able to slide people a business card that contains information about the products I’ve worked so hard to create. I look forward to nights spent printing my mugs for customers with my dog laying in the perfect spot for me to trip over her. Having to work hard to find success makes me appreciate what I’ve created so much more.

You don’t choose the mug life, you work your butt off for it.

>For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37<

Walls of Jericho

Growing up, we are told to follow life by the rules. We’re told how to dress, how to act, to make life goals and get an education. Guidelines can be walls - “stay on the correct path, young lady! Don’t stay too far from the correct way!”

On Sunday my pastor was speaking on the walls of Jericho and it really hit home for me. I realized how differently my life would have turned out if I didn’t venture over life’s walls.

My High School Graduation.

I’ve worked hard on my reputation. I’m the accountant, the crafter, the mug lady, the soccer mom, the wife. But to some, I’m still just that girl that got pregnant in high school. I’m a statistic. I had a baby when I was 17 years old, therefore I’ll never graduate >wall< I’ll never amount to anything >wall< No one will ever want me >wall< I’m white trash >wall<.

I don’t consider this to be an obstacle in my life, but rather the point at where my life began.

I am one of the 38% of teen moms that graduate high school and I am one of the 2% of teen moms to earn a college education before age 30.

Just because someone decided for me that I needed to be a statistic, doesn’t mean I had to listen. And neither do you. Anyone can tear down walls that have been put up and shout in victory that you are still capable of achieving your goals.

I know God has a plan for me, I just have to be patient enough to see it. I’ve tried to make my own plans many times and have had them crumble at my feet. I’ve even taken it a step further and blamed God for them not working out (it usually turns out awesome when I do this)

>Wall + 40 feet of mud to walk thru<

My advice for breaking down your own walls is to pray and pray some more. A lot of times I feel like I’m having a conversation with myself but then sometimes you get clarity and you know what you need to do. You understand what had to happen in your life to see what He was doing. Talking to God isn’t like reciting the same lines you’ve been saying at the dinner table for 15 years, it’s being truthful with yourself and admitting that you don’t really understand life and need guidance. It’s deciding, for yourself, that there is a Higher Power. The second you decide to believe is the second your life becomes blessed, and loved, and a life that you have never imagined for yourself begins to come alive.

All you have to do is ask and He will be there, even in your darkest moments. Breakdown your walls. Break down what people think of you and walk into the land that God promised you. It’s waiting, you just have to have faith to get there.

Be strong and have courage, do not be afraid. Joshua 1:9

>God’s love conquers all<

This Is Me

I’m Amber. I’m a 20-something Mom who finds joy in life.

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I design and print mugs. I have a beautiful son, a husband who is crazy for marrying me, and a life that I’ve built by believing in myself and believing in God.

I print and design mugs. I usually chuckle when I tell people this because it sounds so simple, and yet it is anything but that. Every design, every photo, and every sale is a labor of love.

When I look back at my life, I can’t help but be proud of my accomplishments. Through some hardships at a young age, I learned how to stand on my own two feet. I learned how to make tough decisions that shaped my future. Hardships can tear you down or give you drive.

I chose drive.

One of the best things about this journey is finding a great community of small business owners who encourage each other and support one another in their business. Whether you’re a customer, a friend, a fellow small business owner, or all of the above, thank you for being a part of my life.

>God is within her. She will not fail. Psalm 46:5<