A Reminder to Love, Serve, and Lead at Home (with a giveaway)
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Have you ever seen the movie, Rudy? The one about the kid whose dream it was to play football for Notre Dame? I don’t know a lot about football, but one thing I remember from the movie was that, as they left the locker room, the Notre Dame players would touch a sign above the doorway. The sign read, “Play like a champion today.”
Like I said, I don’t know anything about football and I only saw the movie once, so I don’t remember if that’s something the Notre Dame players do for luck or if it’s more of a reminder. I do know, though, that I often need reminders. It’s not uncommon for me to leave sticky notes on my bathroom mirror or my laptop. There is a reason I spell out little details on my lesson plan sheet. My need for “in your face” visual reminders is the reason I’ve gone back to a physical planner, rather than relying on my iPad, which is more fun, but easier to overlook.
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I also received monetary compensation for the time invested in writing the review and administering the giveaway. The opinions expressed are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
It’s also the reason I was so excited when the folks at WiseDecor asked me to review their wall decals. See, we’ve got this ugly little space at the top of the stairs leading out of our master bedroom that I’ve often thought would be the perfect place for a little daily reminder of the Notre Dame football variety.
You my remember a little post I wrote about a year and a half ago about something I felt God was trying to teach me: Love. Serve. Lead. I ordered a bracelet to wear as a reminder and, while I do still wear it occasionally, most of the time it sits on the counter in my bathroom. I’m not much of a jewelry person and bracelets tend to get in my way when I’m on my laptop. Which I am. A lot.
So, there sits that small, ugly little space at the top of the stairs leading down to the main living area of our home, just begging for a little wall decor to make it more appealing. Add to that the fact that our bedroom is the only thing that’s up there, so that reminder would be mostly for me. Because, y’all, if I’m not loving, serving, and leading my family first, there’s a problem.
The folks at WiseDecor have a huge selection of wall decals for homes, classrooms, and businesses. There are Christian quotes, inspirational quotes, and funny quotes. There are quotes in languages other than English. There is even a selection of wall art, like this decal for a baby’s room. What I liked best, though, was being able to custom design my own wall decal.
I’ve actually thought of getting a custom wall decal for that spot for quite some time, but I’m a procrastinator. If had know how much I was going to love that little wall decal, I’d have ordered it much sooner.
I was really impressed with how quickly we got the decal. I ordered on a Saturday afternoon and it arrived by the following Friday, complete with detailed instructions and an application tool.
We wound up with some unexpected free time on Saturday, so Brian offered to put the decal up for me. In the early days of our marriage, this process probably would have involved an argument. See, I wanted to cut the words and wall art apart and have them staggered. He thought they’d look better as they were printed on the paper.
He said he’d put them up however I wanted, but I knew that if it became a pain in the behind, it would be my fault for insisting on cutting them apart. Since I wasn’t confident in how it would look that way and I wanted the process to go as smoothly as possible, we went with his choice. No arguing.
Paper backing taped, leveled, and ready to begin
I thought the application process was super-easy, but I was the one watching. Brian had a little trouble making the lettering level, at first, because it took us a minute to realize the the paper backing wasn’t perfectly straight, so he had to check the top of the letters to make sure they were level. The directions might have said that, but Brian’s a hands-on, who-needs-directions kind of guy.
All in all, though, the whole process didn’t take more than 10 or 15 minutes. Once everything is in place, you just use the little smoothing tool to apply the letters to the wall. It’s not one big decal. The letters are individually-cut, pre-spaced letters, so once the backing is pulled off, they appear to be hand-stenciled on the wall. There are even different finishes and colors to make matching your walls easy.
Two things really surprised me about this wall decal: 1) How much I love it and 2) How much Brian likes it. We’d never really talked about wall decals, but when I ordered this one, Brian told me how much he really likes those decals. I do, too! And, they’re so easy that even the non-creative types like me (when it comes to home décor, at any rate) can make a dull wall pop with just a tiny bit of effort. I don’t think this is going to be our last wall decal.
I love walking out of my room each day and seeing that little reminder to love, serve, and lead. I don’t tap it as I go down the stairs like a Notre Dame football player might – mostly because I’m too short…I did try it once – but seeing it has provided a daily reminder that my first priority is loving, serving, and leading in my home.
Do you need some reminders in your home? Or maybe you just want to spice up your walls with an inspirational message. The folks at WiseDecor want to help you do that. They’re offering one Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers reader a chance to win a $75 gift certificate so you can shop their site for the perfect decal to enhance a wall in your home.
Find WiseDecor on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.
Follow the directions on the RaffleCopter widget below to enter.
Rules: This giveaway is open to United States residents, ages 18 years and older only. Giveaway ends on Wednesday, February 19, at 11:59 PM (ET). The winner will be selected at random using Random.org via RaffleCopter.
The winner will notified via email and given 72 hours to respond. You must enter a valid email address to win. In the event that the winner cannot be contacted by email or does not respond within 72 hours, the prize will be forfeited and and alternate winner selected.
Click to read the complete rules. By entering this giveaway, you indicate that you have read and agreed to abide by these rules.
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
Oh wow, they have a LOT of choices! I would get something for my kitchen, but I’m not sure what. Maybe a custom one with “O taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Thanks for the giveaway! I have just the right place for something like that!
Oh, I forgot. I love the House Rules decal!
We moved into our new home last August. I have so many unused spaces that could use an inspirational decal. Thanks for the giveaway!
Well I forgot to tell you which quote I want. I think I’d want to create my own using one word. Serve. That’s what I want my four daughters to really grasp. This life isn’t about yourself. It’s about serving others.
I love these and have wanted some wall words for years now! There is so much to choose from, but I think my firt choice would be the “count your blessings” to put on the wall with my children’s photos!
I’d pick “As you leave this house, remember… your most important job today is to let Jesus look good. ” to go over the doorway in our sun porch.
I would love to make a custom one that I have been wanting for a while, “Being a family means you are part of something wonderful it means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life no matter what”
I love the Romans 12:2 choice. It would be perfect in our play room!
I liove the Spanish one that says enjoy your meal!
I would create a decal that said Love Never Ends
I would love the $75 giveaway. Moved recently and have plenty of bare walls. Plus, there’s no better item to hang in your home than daily reminders that we are to honor and serve our Lord in all we do!
Sheila
Your wall looks great!! We have word art- especially THE WORD taped up everywhere…I would love to have a customized phrase from our family business we are in the process of giving birth to…thanks for the generous giveaway and God bless 🙂
I have often thought wall decals look really cool. Good to know they are easy to put up too.
Just saw the pick your favorite… I like the scripture House Rules, Philip 4:6, Jer 29:11, Psalm 118:24, 1 Sam 6:7, and Mat 22:37.
What a great visual reminder to start your day. It really looks great. Thanks for the chance to win something for my own home.
It helps to read the directions. :/
I visited the site and I think I would like a big swirly monogrammed W for our family name.
I have used similar wall decals before & LOVE them! We are military, so it makes me sad when I have to remove one when we move because then I have to buy another one to replace when we get to where we are going. Right now, I have a couple I need to put up in our new house, but there’s a possibility we are moving yet again this fall so I’ve been very hesitant to put them up yet. Would LOVE a chance to win this gift certificate!
I think the scripture wall art I would chose would be either Jeremiah 29:11 or Philippians 4:8. However, I think I could pick at least five that I’d absolutely love to have 🙂 I think that is such a beautiful way to remind myself (any my family) of God’s promises. I am also a post it note girl, so I get it.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
It’s hard to choose but I have a spot where I think “Be Still and Know That I Am God” would fit perfectly. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway.
I really like “Live so that those who know you and don’t know Him, will want to know Him because they know you!”
I LOVE these quotes, it is so hard to decide which one I would choose. In all honesty, I would probably go with my first instinct and get one for my daughter who will be 20 later this month. She will be leaving home someday, but for now I would give to her her favorite bible quote ( custom order, I think?); “I can do all things, through Christ who gives me strength”. Its such a powerful verse, and I know it fortifies me as well as her.
I like it that if you can’t find a quote that you can make one yourself.
I think I could use some words to inspire my day! Your Love, Serve, Lead sure spoke to me about my attitude at home this morning.
I’d love to have one of the family established decals or maybe a custom one that says Welcome to the Zoo, since that’s what my house seems like most days! 🙂
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter. – e e cummings
I really want an “As for me and my house….” decal in our new kitchen, and would love to get that!
I love the family established wall decorative! Such a beautiful way to remember when God yoked us together and helped create the family!
Really pretty. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, but am slightly afraid that once I get started, there won’t be any blank space on my walls! So many good Words to remember and keep in mind throughout the day and our lives! 🙂
Looks great. I have always wanted to do something like this.
I have several ideas swimming in my head about where and what I would want. I’d like the verse Proverbs 22:6 on my homeschool room wall, I want one in my living room that would be above a clock (with photos as numbers) that says how precious time is and how I cherish every moment, one in my dining room with the quote “Gather together with thankful hearts”. And seeing the site has sparked SOOOO many more. 🙂
There are so many choices. I would probably go with a custom one but not sure or a scripture.
A tough choice but either something for the nursery for the little one coming in a couple months or the quote about giving children roots and wings for our school room (we home school). There are so many neat ones.
I would go with a custom quote for sure but which one would be an extremely difficult decision. There are many favorite verses our family would have to pick from but I do have a few spaces in mind that I could see putting one of these wall decals!
I have always admired these and would love to spruce up my house with some inspiring words!
We love the wall art that we have in our home. Wow, Wise Decor has so many options it makes it hard to pick. I did like the Love Generously Praise Loudly Live Fully decal. Thank you for introducing this company to us.
Would love one of these for my school room. Now to get the hubby to paint… Maybe Augustine’s quote that “Education is learning to love what is lovely.”
I would choose my favorite verse which is Psalm 37:4!
There are so many wonderful choices, but I think I would choose a custom monogram!
I’d love one for above our bed. Maybe this one-
I love thee with the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach. – Elizabeth Barrett Browning
I LOVE sayings and scriptures on the walls. Like Deuteronomy says! 🙂
I think I would choose a bible verse about either peace or praise.
It’s so hard to choose, but I think I would choose
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. -Aristotle
1 cor 13: 4-8 or at least part of it that is what we used in our wedding 15 years ago still love those verses!
And the greatest of these is LOVE!
Thank for the chance to win!
I would love a custom quote for the entry hall in our new home.
What a beautiful reminder to serve the Lord! I’ve seen decals like this in the entrance of many homes, and I’ve always liked them.
“Wish, Hope, Dream, Then Make It Happen” 🙂
There are so many that I like! First, I think I would choose “I have found the one my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4” To put on the wall above mine and my husband’s bed.
I would love to win this!
I think I’d do a custom quote… so hard to pick!
I’d select one of the scriptures. Either Phil. 4:8 or Jer. 29:11. I’ve wanted one of these for a long time. Love how yours turned out!
I also have to say it….so many choices! One thing is for sure, I want something for my son’s room. Some of my favorites are “work like a captain, play like a pirate” and the ” boy, n.: a magnet to toys, dirt and adventure”. Thanks!
So many things I would love to say, but I think my first one would be “I got it, Grace.” It’s a movie line the hubs and I tell each other a lot.
I like “It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us family”
Thank you!