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Defined By His Love

Psalm 116

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definedbyhislove

Story behind my sleeve.. 8th + 9th grade is the f

Story behind my sleeve..

8th + 9th grade is the first time I recall being depressed. Struggling w/swelling on my brain, missing school, just wanting to be normal, teenage drama. At 20, apartment caught on fire, had no money + other things, led to suicidal ideation. Mid 20s, things were great & then life was like nah, here's some cancer 😫 By the grace of God, I'm much better since then but even still, whether it's postpartum depression or dealing w/hard stuff, sometimes I just be real sad.

Until cancer, I was averse to therapy. I do not enjoy being vulnerable w/people 🥴 Back when I was suicidal I talked to someone about antidepressants & was told that I couldn't treat a demon w/pills, which reiterated that I should keep things to myself. Now, of course, I realize that is foolish. Our mental health is important. We should always seek help & shouldn't feel ashamed b/c our shame died on the Cross w/Jesus. Also, just… everything ain’t a demon 😩

Earlier this year I was diagnosed w/Bipolar Disorder II. It was misdiagnosed as Major Depressive Disorder b/c my depression presents worse than my hypomania. Shout out to friends who talked + prayed w/me after diagnosis *hugs*

I started my sleeve in October & it’s mostly finished. I'ma fill the empty space w/petals & stuff but I love this tattoo so much. It’s a reminder of God's grace, mercy & faithfulness in my life.

Thank You, Lord, that I can look at the beauty of Your creation & be comforted by Your love & peace. When I feel frustrated or when things are hard, there are new mercies every morning. When I feel alone or hopeless, You remind me that You are my salvation & my hope. My soul thirsts for You. (Lam. 3 + Ps. 42)

Also IT'S A DEER 😫 If you know me, you know I'm obsessed w/deer + As The Deer is one of my favorite songs. Wish we still sang it in church.

The semi-colon tattoo is meant to highlight overcoming struggles w/depression, anxiety and/or addiction; the story keeps going. My semi-colon is in the Cross at the end of the lyric. I'm grateful that God is the author of my life + that He chose to continue writing my story when I wanted it to end. Everyday I live is a blessing 🙌🏽

*Tatted by @theiinkcloud

23 yrs ago I started having seizures & chronic mig

23 yrs ago I started having seizures & chronic migraines. Several misdiagnoses in, docs said I had swelling on my brain. “It was gone” when I was 19.

Mid-twenties, things got worse. Unbearable migraines, constantly dropping things, aphasia, seizures all the time. I told my neurologist the swelling was back & he said swelling doesn’t last more than 2 wks. I had a mass on my brain & needed an immediate craniotomy. 2 wks later, my 1.5-hr craniotomy turned into a 16-hr partial-resection brain surgery.

I had a malignant grade 2 astrocytoma & graduating college at 25, I had to re-plan everything. I struggled w/giving control to God; though, I quickly realized that I never had control anyway.

The next year, I had awake brain surgery. The location put me at risk for stroke & paralysis. Praise God I was near MD Anderson; one of the few surgeons who could operate on me was there. Docs weren't sure surgery + radiation would work & wanted me to have chemo, leaving me infertile at 26. But God had better plans. My surgeon removed 90% of my tumor & radiation worked.

85-90% of the time my tumor grows back & kills w/in 5 yrs. I thought I'd never get married, have kids or fully enjoy life b/c I knew I’d be dead by 30. But God knew better. I struggled w/guilt for marrying Al & having kids “knowing” I was about to die & leave them alone. Praise God for peace.

Al & I just celebrated 10 yrs of marriage + 10 yrs of me having no evidence of a brain tumor w/people who have supported & loved us. Grateful for y'all.

Lord, everyday You give is a blessing. You have been more gracious, faithful & loving to me than I can express & I can’t ever praise You enough. Misdiagnosis of brain cancer at 14. Questionable results from doctors. Statistics say I should be dead. But You have mercy. I don't know what the MRI results will be in July, but I'm grateful I can rest knowing that whatever the results are, You are still good 🙌🏾

Cheers to 10 yrs of marriage w/no evidence of a brain tumor. Prayers for 50+ more ♡ #thankyoulord #toogoodtonotbelieve

Al, you are the best part of my life. What a joy t

Al, you are the best part of my life. What a joy that I get to love you forever, and we only ten years in. Happy anniversary, babe 🤍 #050413 #iloveyou

#blacklove #marriage #anniversary #tenyears #itsouranniversary #marriedlife #wife #husband #ilovehim #love #family #dateyourspouse #blackcouples #blackfamily #blackfamilies

Easter Sunday 🤍 "Blessed be the God and Father

Easter Sunday 🤍

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" 1 Peter 1:3

Thank You, Jesus, for dying for our sins and bearing the weight of our shame. You are a good God 🙌🏾 #grateful

📸: @jessmitchellphoto
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#latergram #easter #eastersunday #sunday #resurrection #resurrectionsunday #jesus #family #love #church #blackfamily #blackfamilies #blacklove #naturalhair #teamnatural #protectivestyle #locs #locdup #charliebrown

Today I turned 37 years old, and I'm spending the

Today I turned 37 years old, and I'm spending the week in Orlando visiting the most magical place in the world with most magical people in my world, my Richburgs. Took a break from Disney today, and came to Tampa to see our family.

Thank you, Jesus, for an age I never thought I would see and for a family I never thought I would have. Everyday You give is a blessing 🩶

#grateful #37 #birthdaygirl #happybirthday #birthdayWOMAN 😂

I don't be givin' y'all the scoop on Maven like I

I don't be givin' y'all the scoop on Maven like I did with the first two. But Maven is one and some change now, and he is still the best.

He gets real hype for Gospel and Hip-Hop. He loves to sing and dance. He gets real mad when I hold other children- even when I hug Alvin and Zoe. Lol. Food is his favorite. He walks up to people at Community Group and tries to snatch food off of their plate. You'd think, dang... no home training, but he's one so it's fine. He's super affectionate and super funny and loves to be the life of the party.

He's my favorite baby. Currently, anyway. I had two other favorite babies 6 and 8 years ago. And he's real, real cute. I love this boy like crazy, y'all. We pray daily for God's grace and guidance over his life. He is a blessing 🖤 #ilovehim #myboo #mavenaxavier
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#myson #lovehim #cutie #thoseeyesthough #greeneyes #blackboyjoy #15months #oneyearold #baby #babies #babiesofinstagram #mylittlemodel #blessed

#latergram You know how you can go a super long ti

#latergram You know how you can go a super long time without seeing someone, and you see them again and it's like you never skipped a beat? That's what it was like a couple of weeks ago. Some of these ladies I've seen 6 months ago, some 5 years, some 10+, but I've known most of these ladies since I was like 12. And the two that I met that weekend were just as lovely. We had such a great weekend & can't wait until we are all back together later this year 💍🖤 #idocrew

Also, it makes me feel super old being called "matron of honor." I know it's because I'm married, but still 😭
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#friends #childhoodfriends #newfriends #friendship #mygirls #beautiful #engagement #fiance #matronofhonor #bridalparty #losangeles #la #onyxbridal

Heeeyyyy!! I decided at the beginning of the year

Heeeyyyy!! I decided at the beginning of the year that I was going to start blogging again. It's been a long time since I blogged, but I updated the page with a cool new theme. And I did a short, little blog about what's been going on in life the past 18 months that I've been ignoring my blog. Anyway, my blog is linked in my bio if you wanna check it out. I'm gonna try to blog once or twice a month 🤞🏾 Pray my strength in the Lord because... I'm weak. Lol.
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#blog #blogger #bloggerstyle #bloggerlife #flapper #twenties #roaringtwenties #dc #washingtondc

In LA with my Lawrence and my Molly 🖤 #lovethem

In LA with my Lawrence and my Molly 🖤 #lovethem #mycrew #forever #insecure #issarae
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#husband #husbae #hubster #bestfriend #besties #bestiesforlife #squad #squadgoals #insecurehbo #thedunes #losangeles #la #weekend #weekendvibes #vacay #vacaymode #minivacation

My sweet, little snickerdoodles had their Valentin

My sweet, little snickerdoodles had their Valentine's Day Sneaker Ball today, and they were so cute I didn't know what to do 🥰

#lovemybabies #sneakerball #valentinesday
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#momlife #momlifeisthebestlife #brotherandsister #siblings #besties #bestfriends #cuties #adorable #beautiful #kidsofinstagram #blackfamily #love #lovethem #mybabies #sneakerhead #sneakerheads #naturalhair #curlyhair #curlsfordays #locs #schooldance

One of our New Year's resolutions was to date each

One of our New Year's resolutions was to date each other more. Go on at least one date a month, and rotate who plans each. We missed January, but this week we went to @museumofillusions_dc and then went to grab dinner down the street at Capital City Brewing Company.

The museum was really cool- shout out to @artonhersleeve for posting it on her stories (that's where I saw it hehehe) and Capital Brewing had the best keg rolls!

Last year was nuts. We had a lot going on. Blog coming soon. But Al is my guy- my favorite person in the world. And when things get a little crazy (and even when they don't) we never want to forget to make time for each other. So cheers to our first date of 2023 🥂
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#marriage #marriedlife #married #love #ilovehim #lovehim #blacklove #blackcouples #protectivestyles #locs #locdup #dateyourspouse #husband #wife #sneakerhead #sneakerheads #sneakeraddict #billieeilish #dunks #uncdunks #dc #washingtondc #datenight #dating #meandmyboo #newyearsresolution

Went to the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in DC w

Went to the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in DC with the family today and had so much fun. Grateful for Dr. King and all the moves he made for Black and Brown people! #weaintdoneyet

Happy Martin Luther King Day, y'all! Oh, and Happy New Year, too, if it's not too late 😉
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#mlk #martinlutherking #mlkjr #martinlutherkingjr #family #love #ilovethem #blackfamily #blackfamilies #dc #washingtondc #jesusandtherapy #boldapparel

Merry Christmas from The Richburgs and more 🎄

Merry Christmas from The Richburgs and more 🎄

This past weekend we went to see my baby brother,

This past weekend we went to see my baby brother, sister in law and their beautiful new baby girl in Austin, TX. Always love seeing X. Regardless of how much time has passed, it has always been too long. And y'all know I got a thing for Texas. Wish we could have stayed longer. Can't wait to see them again ❤️

Also, catch a sneak peak of my new half finished sleeve, courtesy of @theiinkcloud somewhere near the end. She's dope, y'all 😭
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#family #love #infant #baby #newbaby #texas #deepintheheartoftexas #austin #weekends #minivacay #blacklove #blackfamily #blackfamilies #siblings #siblingslove #tattoo #tattoos #tattoosleeve #halfsleeve #halfsleevetattoo

We got a lot of December birthdays, y'all. A week

We got a lot of December birthdays, y'all. A week ago our sweet little Mavey Cakes turned one!! Crazy how quickly the time has passed. Maven is so sweet, so full of joy, so full of energy. He smiles more than any other baby I have ever seen- literally the happiest baby in the world (unless he's hungry, then it's like... Foodzilla). He's so, so affectionate, so busy but confusingly also very chill, hates to miss a moment, and so incredibly silly.

We are so, so blessed that God gave us Maven. Watching him grow and seeing his little personality develop this past year has been everything ❤️ Happy belated internet birthday, Maven Axe. We love you more than you know.
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#happybirthday #birthday #one #oneyearold #toddler #youngest #mybaby #blackboyjoy #thoseeyes #thoseeyestho #celebrate #celebration #myson #son #love #ilovehim #grinch #grinchmas #decemberbaby #decemberbirthday

Maaannnn babe, yesterday was your tenth birthday t

Maaannnn babe, yesterday was your tenth birthday that we spent together as a married couple. That's crazy.

I've known you more than half of your life now. It has been a joy watching you become more incredible, strong and passionate about the things you love. Blessed that I get to enjoy this life with you forever. Happy birthday, lover 😘 #33 #myeverything

Now --> the middle --> the beginning
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#birthday #happybirthday #celebrate #love #lovehim #ilovehim #married #marriedlife #marriage #couples #blackcouples #blacklove #husband #wife #myboo #boodup

This weekend my baby, our oldest, turned eight. He

This weekend my baby, our oldest, turned eight. He is such a big boy and such an amazing big brother. So full of energy, so full of life, so many big ideas. So kind, smart and compassionate 🖤

Alvin, we love you so much and are so grateful and blessed to be your mom and dad. We pray that you continue to flourish and mature and that the Lord will guide us in parenting as you grow. #happybirthday #weloveyou
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#birthday #loveyou #myson #mybaby #love #eight #eightyears #celebrate #december #decemberbaby #bigbrother #parenting #blessed #blackboyjoy #sahm #momlife #blackfamilies

It's real hard to get pictures with Maven. But ha

It's real hard to get pictures with Maven.

But hallelujah, God be praised anyhow. Today and always 🙌🏾

#happysunday #meandmyboo #ilovehim #godbepraised
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#sundays #sundayservice #church #hallelujah
#rhcdc #dc #washingtondc #igcdc #myson #lovehim #cutie #meandmyson #baby #babies #blackboyjoy #mom #mommin #momming #momlife #momlifeisthebestlife #naturalhair #teamnatural #locs #teamlocs #womenwithlocs #beaconthreads

One of my favorite pictures of my babies. Back in

One of my favorite pictures of my babies. Back in the beginning of them pandemic when I decided to finally learn how take pictures and they were my little models. Can't believe how much they've grown since then. Crazy how quickly time passes. 😭♥️ #fbf #lovemybabies
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#mykids #brotherandsister #siblings #siblinglove #besties #bestfriends #bff #bffs #bestfriendsforever #family #love #blackfamily #naturalhair #teamnatural #momlife #sahm #photography #hobbies #mymodels #models #cuties #beautiful #ilovethem

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bear

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2

Etsy shop linked in bio!
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#bible #holybible #biblejournaling #biblejournalingcommunity #journaltheword #biblestudy #paintedbible #biblegram #bibleverse #bibleart #custombible #etsy #etsyshop #etsyfinds #etsyseller #etsyshopowner #etsysellersofinstagram #smallbusiness #illustratedfaith #createdtocreate #madetocreate #christiancreative #letteringhislove #sharegoodness #handmadegifts #art #painting #acrylicpainting #crafts #devotionalbible

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Psalm 116

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