I hope you are all well! How are we in March already?! I still vividly remember welcoming January and now we are in the third month of the year—wow! Time is truly flying by.

I want to thank you all for being on this journey with me over the past few months. If you have been reading my blog, you will remember that in January, I shared about my birthday, my time at university as well as my upcoming exams. Then, in February, I updated you on completing those exams and the emotions that came with them—uncertainty, reflection, but ultimately, victory as I passed!

Well, here is the big March update: 

I have officially completed all the work for my program at university! I have submitted my final essay and wrapped up my portfolio. I AM DONE!

I remember submitting that last piece of work and feeling a wave of emotions—relief, joy and a deep sense of accomplishment. The past few months have been a whirlwind of focus, determination and hard work. My priority was finishing well, and now that I have, I find myself in a season of reflection.

As I look back on this journey, I realise just how much I have accomplished. Balancing university, motherhood, work as a pharmacist, being a wife and juggling so many other commitments—it has not been easy. But, by God’s grace, I made it through! 

I am so full of gratitude and in complete awe of God’s goodness. 

I often questioned why I was doing this, but time and time again, God reminded me of His faithfulness. Every time I felt overwhelmed, I prayed and He provided—whether that was through wisdom, strength, the right people or unexpected support.

I am incredibly grateful for my husband, kids, family, friends, colleagues, and the amazing relationships that God has placed in my life. Some friendships blossomed, and divine favour made a way where I thought there would be no way. Even when I doubted, God showed up, turning things around and making a way forward.

One of my biggest takeaways from this journey is the power of gratitude. I am also reminded that I am capable of so much more than I sometimes give myself credit for. Seeing other women—mothers, professionals and multitaskers like me, pursuing education or new ventures inspired me to keep pushing forward. Their stories encouraged me and now I hope my journey encourages you.

To any woman reading this—whether you are balancing multiple roles, considering a new project, starting adult education or stepping into an unfamiliar season—I want you to know: Just do it and You have got this! It may not always be easy, but trust yourself, trust the process, and most importantly, trust in God. Lean into your support system, take care of yourself, and keep going. You are more capable than you think.

I am so proud of myself for completing this chapter and I am beyond excited for what is next.

I will be sharing insights, tips and lessons from my experience, hoping to encourage and support others walking a similar path.

If this post resonates with you, I would love to hear from you! 

Leave a comment, send me a message or connect with me on Instagram (@mrs_fash) — I even shared a short video reflecting on this season, so feel free to check it out!

Let us continue to uplift and inspire one another. We thrive together!

Stay tuned for what is next!

With all my love,
Esther xx

Isaiah 41:13 – “For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Welcome to February! Can you believe we’re already here? January felt like a long stretch, yet somehow, it flew by in the blink of an eye. Funny how time works like that, isn’t it?

The start of a new month is always a great opportunity to reflect and be grateful for how far we’ve come. And truly, there’s so much to be thankful for.

Speaking of gratitude, my last blog post was on January 4th—my birthday! In that post, I mentioned that I was preparing for an exam. Well, a lot has happened since then, and here’s the big news—drumroll please… I PASSED! Woohoo!

I still remember the moment I opened that email. All I could see were the words “You passed” staring back at me, bold and beautiful. Those were the exact words I had been hoping—sometimes anxiously—to read since I finished the exam. In that moment, everything else faded away. Let’s just say I dropped to my knees, raised my hands to heaven, and could only muster, “Thank you, Jesus,” over and over again.

To be honest, I had my worries after the exam. Adult education is no joke, lol. It’s been ages since I last sat for one! Some parts didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped, and I couldn’t help but replay those moments in my head. But in a way, that reflection was helpful—especially since I had to write a 300-word reflective account on the exam as part of my course. But my family and close friends—bless them—kept reassuring me. They believed in me even when my doubts tried to creep in. And then I reminded myself: “I’ve been a pharmacist, and an amazing one, for over a decade. I know what I’m doing.” And that’s the truth. I’ve invested in myself, I’ve built my expertise, and I do know what I’m doing. But let’s be real—there’s just something about exams that can bring out all the nerves! Who else can relate?.

This experience reinforced a few important lessons for me. First, the power of having good people around you—those who uplift you, encourage you, and speak truth in love. Second, the importance of believing in yourself. Sometimes, we just need to pause and remember who we are and, more importantly, whose we are.

I am a child of God, and Isaiah 41:13 reminds me:

“For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Wow. What a powerful truth! And that’s just one of many reminders in the Bible for both me and you. No matter what we face—whether it’s exams, life’s bigger trials, or simply the day-to-day—we don’t have to be afraid. We have God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, walking with us and helping us. That fills me with peace and hope every single time.

So, if you need this encouragement today, take it and hold on to it: You are amazing.

• Take a moment to reflect on your achievements, both big and small.
• Write them down and let them remind you of how far you’ve come.
• Let that fill you with gracious confidence.

And don’t forget to:

• Remind yourself of who God is and what He says about you.
• Jot down a few Bible verses and personalize them with your name.
• Speak those truths over yourself daily.

I hope this encourages you as much as it encourages me. Until next time!

With all my love,

Esther xx

Hello, my wonderful friends, and Happy New Year! 

2024 was a year filled with growth, challenges, and countless blessings. From moments of joy to lessons learned through the tougher times, it was a chapter that shaped us in so many ways. 

Whether you achieved a lifelong dream, learned something new, or simply made it through the year one step at a time (and let’s be honest, sometimes that’s the biggest win of all!), 2024 was a testament to our resilience, joy and the grace of God.

I’m incredibly grateful for every step of the journey, and now, as we step into 2025, let’s carry forward the lessons, laughter, and love from last year. This is a fresh chapter, brimming with possibilities and opportunities to shine bright and share that light to those around us.

And as if the start of a new year wasn’t exciting enough, today also happens to be my birthday!  This birthday feels extra special (to be honest, every birthday is extra special) as I celebrate my last year in my 30s. It’s a wonderful and beautiful reminder of the Goodness of God, how far I’ve come and how much there is still to look forward to.

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A little life update: My husband and I celebrated our 12 year wedding anniversary at the end of 2024, with a two day trip away, just the two of us, which was amazing and just what we needed. Then it was straight back into studying mode. I’m currently preparing for an exam as part of the postgraduate diploma course I’m taking to develop myself as a pharmacist (I’ll share more about this almost 3-year journey in the coming months).

It’s been a rewarding and sometimes challenging journey of learning and growth, and I’m excited to complete the course in the coming months. I’ve had to lean on God through this journey and God has been so good. Also, If you see my husband, please thank him from me—he has been such an incredible support throughout this journey. I’m so grateful for his encouragement and support (a lot of solo parenting at times when I have needed to meet deadlines, study etc). I couldn’t do it without him! 

On top of that, I’m feeling energised about the future of this blog and the wonderful community we’re building here. My heart is that we all thrive together, supporting and encouraging one another along the way. As we embrace 2025, I’ve been reflecting on what I’m most expectant for this year, and for me, it’s all about growing even closer to God. I want to remain rooted in His word because I believe that as I seek Him first, all other things will be added to me. That truth fills me with so much hope and joy as I step into this new chapter.

Now, I’d love to hear from you: What are you most expectant for this year? Please share in the comments—I can’t wait to celebrate your dreams and joys with you!

Here’s to another amazing year of growth, love, gratitude, and grace.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV

With love and excitement,
Esther x

What does prayer mean to you? To me, prayer simply means talking to and communicating with God. The irony of ‘simple’ in my explanation above is profound, because to me, the ‘simple’ act of communicating with God has had and will continue to have a profound impact on my life and my children’s life. I am so grateful for the gift of prayer.

I remember praying and trusting God for the children we were yet to have during our season of infertility. I did not know when we would have them, but my husband and I talked to God and believed that we would be blessed with children. That is because we believe in the power of prayer. I remember when our first child was born, marking the end of our infertility stage, and with me very much in that newborn haze, my mum shared a bible verse with me, Exodus 23: 20-21. She encouraged me to pray this scripture over my daughter and future children and reminded me of the importance of praying for our children. I have held on to that advice and I am so grateful to my mum for the advice and reminder. Thank you, mummy. 

Fun fact: my daughter’s name means ‘God has answered our prayers’!

The power of a praying parent cannot be underestimated. It is so important and is one of the best things we can do for our children. As parents, our hearts overflow with love and hope for our children. We dream of their bright futures, worry about their challenges, and long to see them grow into people of faith and purpose. One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is prayer—a daily act of surrendering them to God’s loving care. My heart is to create a community where we learn from and support each other and so on that note, I want to share six prayers inspired by some amazing and beautiful Bible verses, all rooted in God’s promises. 

On the days that you feel you may not have the right words, any words or all the words to say (I know, as I have been there!), I encourage you to read these bible verses and personalise it over your child(ren):

1. A Prayer of Gratitude

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” (1 Chronicles 16:34) 

Oh Lord, we thank you because you are good and your love for us never fails. We thank you for the gift of prayer and our children. Thank you because every good and perfect gift comes from you. Thank you for choosing us to be stewards of our children. Thank you because our children are a blessing from you. 

2. A Prayer for Trust and Guidance

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord, we entrust our children (for example, insert child’s name here) to You. Guide them when they face tough decisions and remind them to look to and always lean on You. Teach them that Your plans are good, and Your path leads to peace. Teach them to trust in you and to know that their identity is found in You alone. May they grow in faith, always trusting in Your perfect wisdom.

3. A Prayer for Peace and Knowledge

“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.” (Isaiah 54:13)

Father, teach our children to hear Your voice amidst life’s noise. Fill their hearts with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, and which is not dependent on what may be going on around them. May they grow in your wisdom, be grounded in Your truth, and live confident in Your perfect love for them.

4. A Prayer of Victory Over Challenges

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Lord, protect our children from harm, both seen and unseen. Guard their hearts and minds against fear, evil, doubt, and negativity. Equip them with the courage to stand strong and walk in the victory that You have already promised them. 

5. A Prayer for Love and Compassion

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Jesus, plant the seeds of love deeply in our children’s hearts. Teach them to love You wholeheartedly and to extend that love to others. Teach them to lead with kindness and compassion. Help them to really know that they are fully loved by you and that there is absolutely nothing that can separate them from Your love for them. Help them to be fully rooted in the truth of Your love for them. Help them Lord to fully experience Your love and in turn pour out that love freely to others in Jesus name, Amen. 

6. A Prayer for Protection and Purpose

“See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” (Exodus 23:20-21)

Heavenly Father, we pray that you will assign your guardian angels to watch over our children 24/7. Protect them as they navigate life’s journey and lead them into the purposes You have prepared for them. May they walk boldly, knowing You go before them and that You are with them every step of the way, in Jesus name we pray, Amen. 

These are some of the bible verses that I use to pray over our children. The bible is full of amazing truths and promises that we can use to speak over our children. Praying for our children is more than words, it is an act of faith and trust. As much as we might like to, the fact is that we cannot always be with our children and that sometimes can cause us a bit of worry.  Being able to talk to God about my children reminds me that while I cannot always physically be there to shield them, God is ever-present and is guiding, protecting, and loving them greater than I ever could. 

Let us continue (or start) to cover our children in prayer daily, rejoicing in the power of God’s promises and resting in the peace that comes from knowing and trusting that the ever-present God loves them and holds them safely in the palm of his hands. 

What prayers do you hold close to your heart for your children? Let us uplift one another in this beautiful journey of parenthood!

I will close with this, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26.

With all my love, 

Esther x

We had 1000+ guests at our wedding when we got married almost 12 years ago back home in Lagos, Nigeria. I guess you can call it ‘Our Big Fat Nigerian Wedding’. We had an amazing day surrounded by our nearest and dearest. I can’t say we knew everyone at our wedding but that didn’t matter as it really was a true celebration of our love and faith and we danced the night away at our after party which was truly one of the many highlights (if you know me, you know that I love to dance). We had always talked about having a 10 year vow renewal ceremony right from the start of our marriage. We didn’t know what it would look like, but it was important for us to renew our vows to each other 10 years down the line. What we did know was that we wanted something different to our wedding, an intimate and beachside vow renewal. As the 10-year mark approached, with our lives looking different and even more beautiful now that our family had doubled, we knew we wanted it to incorporate our two children and our close family. 

We celebrated our 10-year vow renewal on the eve of our 11^th year of marriage in Hurghada, Egypt on the 1^stof November 2023. It was a beautiful and sunny day where with our hearts full of gratitude, we celebrated our love and renewed our vows to each other, before God, our children and family. It was everything we wanted it to be, intimate, faith filled and by the beach. 

So, on the one-year anniversary of our 10 year vow renewal ceremony, I wanted to share with you a glimpse into our special day as well as some practical tips for anyone considering a vow renewal of their own. 

1. Choosing Your Venue: Why We Went Beachside

• Our Experience: the idea of renewing our vows by the beach felt perfect. It brought a sense of simplicity and beauty, with nature as our backdrop. We live in England, and no shade to the weather but the sun is scarce, lol. We knew to achieve the beachside location; it would be a destination vow renewal. We happened to be planning a wider family holiday for the same year to Egypt for my dad’s 70^th birthday. Since we wanted as much as our family to be there as possible, we decided to explore holding the renewal during the same holiday which helped us to narrow down a location easily as well as save on costs.

• Tip: Think about a venue that reflects where you are as a couple today. Whether it’s a beach, a park, or destination abroad, choose a location that feels meaningful and special. Keep your guest count in mind and try not to overthink things. It can be as small or big as you want and as your budget allows for. 

2. Getting help: You don’t have to do it alone

• Our Experience: As our vow renewal ceremony was a destination one, once we had decided on the date and venue, we had to get assistance from the event coordinator at the hotel we chose. This involved sending several emails and phone calls with her prior to our arrival. Our event coordinator understood our vision from the get-go which really helped to achieve our vision for our vow renewal. My sister and husband also helped which was great. As I am a working mum who is also a student, it was important that I didn’t feel overwhelmed, and I was able to enjoy the process. 

• Tip: It is important to enjoy the process of planning your special day, so get help with the planning if you can. Family or friends can help or if it’s a destination event, utilise the event coordinator at the location who often have experience of planning such events.

3. Setting a Theme: Simple, Intimate & Elegant

• Our Experience: We went for a simple, beach inspired theme with neutral tones to let the natural beauty of the setting shine. Our wedding colours were peach and teal and so we also decided to incorporate elements of that into the decor. I utilised Pinterest for design ideas and used Canva to design a theme and used this design theme to make the invitations, menu cards, name cards, ‘welcome sign’ etc. I saved all my ideas and vision for our vow renewal on a ‘Pinterest board’ which was great as it meant I had everything in one place. To achieve our theme, we went for simple floral arrangements which were affordable i.e., using baby breath flowers and roses in mini vases. This made decorating easy and affordable.

• Tip: Go for a theme that suits the location and your style as a couple. Themes don’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes a colour scheme, for example, the colour scheme used at your wedding or simple decor like candles, seashells, or wildflowers can create a lovely, cohesive feel. Utilise Pinterest for design ideas and the feature of saving all your ideas on a Pinterest board for easy reference.

4. Choosing Outfits: Keep it Comfortable and Personal

• Our Experience: With a beach setting, we wanted outfits that were elegant but comfortable. I chose a flowy dress that let me move freely (and keep up with the kids!) and my husband wore a beige linen suit. We coordinated colours with our children, which made it even more special. My outfit cost me £60 from ASOS and it was perfect. I visited online stores like Monsoon and H&M for the kid’s outfits.

• Tip: Choose outfits that reflect your personality and match the theme/tone of your event. Light fabrics work well for outdoor settings and including your children’s outfits in the theme adds a touching family element. Focus on comfort and connection! 

5. Hiring a Photographer: Capture the Precious Moments

• Our Experience: Investing in a photographer was the best thing we did, and I would 100% recommend this. Looking at the pictures after our renewal ceremony confirmed that we had made the right choice in going with a professional. It was a must for us, as we wanted to remember not just the ceremony but the quiet, candid moments with our kids and loved ones. We took some personal, family and couple photos prior to the start of the ceremony.

• Tip: Hire a photographer whose style aligns with your vision. For a smaller event, a few hours may be all you need, which can help with budget. Consider capturing moments like the first look, family prayers, and candid shots with your children.

6. Creating a Budget & Finding Cost-Saving Ideas

• Our Experience: With a smaller budget, we prioritized what mattered most to us: a meaningful location, quality photography and simple, heartfelt decor. We used minimal floral arrangements, my sister did my makeup so beautifully, (thank you sis), my daughter and I braided our hair for the occasion, so it was a case of styling it on the day which my sister did too.

• Tip: Identify your non-negotiables and look for ways to DIY or save on other aspects. Local, seasonal flowers and a smaller guest list can help keep costs down. Remember, a vow renewal doesn’t need to be lavish to be memorable.

7. Food & Drinks: Personal, Simple, and Delicious

• Our Experience: For our intimate group, we opted for a catered seafood and mixed grilled menu with fresh and local options. We also had a selection of canapés at the start of the reception for everyone to enjoy before the meal. Sharing a meal with our closest family felt special and allowed for a relaxed atmosphere. We also had a medium sized, one layer cake, which everyone enjoyed together as dessert.

• Tip: Consider food options that suit the size, theme and personal preferences of your gathering. For a beachside vow renewal, local produce like seafood works well, and you can make it personal by including some favourite dishes. Also, think about a small cake or dessert that everyone can enjoy together.

8. Order of the Day: Balancing Ceremony and Celebration

• Our Experience: Our ceremony started at 4pm which was perfect as the sun wasn’t harsh at this point but was still shining beautifully. We started with a short, faith-centred ceremony, led by my brother in-law. As we are already married, it didn’t have to be someone who was ordained to conduct a ceremony but someone who was confident to lead a vow renewal ceremony. We had preprepared the programme for the ceremony, which he used to conduct the ceremony, and he did an amazing job (thank you bro).   It was important for us to include our children in the ceremony as best as we could and so our 6-year-old daughter walked me down the aisle and said a few words during the ceremony, so precious.  We had some close family and friends that couldn’t make our vow renewal so thanks to technology, we were able to set up a zoom meeting link so that they could join in for the ceremony, which was great. We read our own personal vows to each other and our parents prayed over us. Afterward, we enjoyed a laid-back reception with time for heartfelt speeches, plenty of photos and dancing.

• Tip: Including children in the ceremony (if you have them) can be meaningful for everyone involved. Write your personal vows to each other which gives you a chance to reflect on your journey so far as well as how far you have come. Plan a simple order of events that balances ceremony and celebration.  A quick search on Pinterest or Google will bring up several options for the order of ceremony/ vow renewal programme template whether faith based or non-faith based which you can then tweak to your ceremony. For example:

• Welcome/Prayer: Set the tone with a welcome and short prayer.
• Vows Exchange: Keep vows meaningful and include family if desired.
• Photos & Reception: Allow time for photos. For a casual reception, consider a picnic or meal that lets everyone mingle and relax.

9. Adding Personal Touches

• Our Experience: We gave small, meaningful favours like a beautiful ‘hearts & crosses’ game engraved with our vow renewal date. For us, this symbolised our commitment to fun and working together as a couple. I sourced these from Etsy, and they were perfect for our event. I also sourced personalised wooden name tags for each guest, yes you guessed it, from Etsy too! They were perfect and brought the whole theme together. Additionally, I ordered a personalised topper for our cake which was beautiful and is now a keepsake for us which will be making another appearance at our next vow renewal because you now know that at this point there’s going to be a renewal every 10 years.

• Tip: Personal touches don’t have to be elaborate. Small favours that reflect the day’s theme or your journey as a couple can add a nice touch. Think of items that represent your story, like a favourite Bible verse card, sweets/candy or a small keepsake. Websites like Etsy will bring up various options which can all be personalised which helps to add that personal touch.

Renewing our vows by the beach, surrounded by our children and closest loved ones, was a day filled with joy, gratitude and reflection. It reminded us not only of where we began but of the grace of God that has carried us through each chapter of life together. As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of our vow renewal and as I reflect on the special day it was, I am so grateful that we were able to renew our love and commitment to each other and I am especially grateful for our love and marriage. Our journey to this point has not always been perfect but our faith in God and commitment to love one another and make our marriage work is worth celebrating. I am looking forward to doing this again in 9 years’ time. If you are thinking about it, I 100% recommend it. Would you consider having a vow renewal celebration? Let me know in the comments.

If you are considering a vow renewal, remember to make it meaningful for you and your partner – whether that means an intimate ceremony or a lively celebration. It is about honouring your journey, the love that has deepened over time and appreciating one another. Most importantly, remember that marriage is a journey worth celebrating and committing to, again and again. 

“Above all, constantly echo God’s intense love for one another, for love will be a canopy over a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 TPT

With all my love,

Esther x