Saturday, December 22, 2012

O Holy Night.

My mind has been in 100 different places the past two weeks.

God has been speaking to my heart and I have been absolutely stunned by the tragedy in CT.
I have been trying to gather my thoughts to put something on this blog but nothing could come out. I needed to just sit and be quiet for awhile. But I have missed you all!
-.-.-.-
Christmas is only a few sleeps away and I have been so impacted by the meaning of Christmas. I have been following through with the  #shereadstruth advent study and my pastor also has been doing a series on Advent (which means "coming".)

I am overjoyed to spend another Christmas with my amazing husband and celebrate the unbelievable birth of our Savior.

I leave you with the lyrics to my FAVORITE Christmas carol. I LOVE 'O Holy Night' because of the beautiful story it tells. The lyrics are so powerful!
Read the words and open your heart to the meaning. (:

What's your favorite Christmas carol?
-.-.-.-
'O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining. Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy Night , O night divine! O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace. Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother. And in his name all oppression shall cease. Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, With all our hearts we praise His holy name. Christ is the Lord! Praise His name forever. His power and glory ever more proclaim! His power and glory ever more proclaim!'

A thrill of hope and love. - Monica

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

BIG announcement! (:

Well.... we have a very very big and exciting announcement to make today! (:

Yup!!!

Martin and I are expecting our first little baby in August 2013!!! (: (:

We are very excited for this new season in our lives and we are completely in awe of the Lord!

Excitement and love - Monica

Monday, December 10, 2012

Taking control of my emotions.

So... I would consider myself a pretty emotional person. I cry when I need to. I laugh A LOT (even when I am nervous and in completely awkward moments for someone to laugh or smile). I yell. I scream. And I cry again.

Now I think it is a good thing to be in touch with your emotions. I don't ever want my heart to be hardened.
BUT there can be a point where we need to take stand of our emotions and not allow them to control us.

This is where I am at currently.

The past week I have felt my emotions (and crazy hormones) control me... and I want it to change.
The bible says {Ephesians 4:26} to be angry and sin not.
Well... since I am being HONEST on my blog.... I have failed in that the past few weeks.

I have allowed my anger to overflow like a flood attacking my husband. Something I am NOT proud of.
I have let my stress get so unbearable that I have SINNED!

This next week (and forever) I want to learn to take control of my emotions. I will no longer let my emotions rule over me.
I know its not easy... and sometimes I get mad/frustrated over nothing but I have to choose to breathe and not sin. I need to take that extra moment to focus on responding in love instead of reacting in anger.

I also had to ask my amazing husband to extend a little more grace currently... but that never gives me an excuse to be mean all the time.

If you have been a little more "on edge" lately how can you work on taking control of your emotions?

Emotions, more grace, and love. - Monica

Thursday, December 6, 2012

I am back.. promise

hi lovelies!

I know I haven't been blogging much and I promise that will change.

I have been working out in my own head and heart how I have been feeling about this little blog world that I have come to love so dearly.

When I first started blogging I was mostly writing for myself to journal and see how I was growing and changing and document all the funness of planning a wedding and being a newlywed.

Now my blog has grown to a little over 100 followers (whoo hoo!)!!! I am still in shock and still no incredibly honored and humbled.

But I started to feel..... pressured. Like I NEEDED to write because I had people waiting to listen. Not that I think any of you stare at your computers or smart phones anticipating a new Captivated By Love post but there was that sense of pressure now.
I felt forced... like I needed to say something to fill the silence. I didn't like feeling like that so I took a short hiatus.

WHY do I blog?
What is the point of it? Am I having fun and is it giving my joy? Do I have something to say?

Those were some of the questions I asked myself this past week.

I blog because I love it. I love writing my thoughts and feelings down. I like sharing with others the ups and downs of being a newlywed and what its like in my little home.
The point of my blog has always been to give me smiles and hopefully give you all some too. I want to be inspired and to inspire others. I want to hear your stories and how you met your husbands. I want to listen to how you are doing and show you that you can get through your difficult situation.
I want to laugh while I show you my silly puppy and even sillier husband. I want to share with you what the Lord is showing me in this current season and hear what He is showing you.
I am still getting so much joy from it. As long as I am breathing.. I have something to share.

Happy happy thursday to you all!

Blogging, contemplating, and love. - Monica

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Grown up Christmas list

Well Christmas season is here!

Christmas trees are decorated and stockings are hung. Streets are filled with sparkling lights and the countdowns are starting.
Which means....... its time for letters to santa.

Do you remember what you wished for 10-15 yrs ago? (oh my! I was 15 yrs old ten yrs ago! How is that possible?)
Its funny to think how different our list was from then to now.

When I was 15 I probably wanted clothes... or a cell phone. Haha. I most likely got cds, makeup, clothes, and jewelry.

I would still want makeup, clothes, and jewelry [*wink wink husby*  (; ], but yesterday I was thinking "I wish Santa would bring me a vacuum that picks up dog hair and works on carpet and wood floors." Lol

Now that I am married (and 25) my wish list has changed from things I want for myself to things that would benefit our home and has more of a purpose.

Here are some of the bigger items Santa can bring us. (:
- vacuum
- a kitchenaid
- fancy blender
- decorative stuff for the house
- mixing bowls
- coffee table
- bigger TV (husby would like this one)
- new car
- tv stand/entertainment center

Those are some things off the top of my head. Hehe.

What's on your Christmas list?

Growing up and love - Monica

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Enjoy life

I think that no matter which season we are in... we can sometimes lose our joy when we become to focused on the future.

If you are single you {impatiently} wait for the day when you are married.
When you get married you long for the day when you have a baby.
You might have a job but you work even harder to get to the next level.
You are enrolled in school but day dream of when you will finally graduate.

I am sure we have all done it at some point in our lives - I know I have.

During this month of thankfullness (and reading the #Shereadstruth devotion on thankfulness) it has really been making me think more about all the blessings I have.

I don't think life will EVER be perfect, there will always be room for some sort of improvement. And I don't think it is bad to hope and be excited for your future (I am BEYOND excited for the day I will be a mother) but remember to stop and enjoy this day, at this hour, at this moment that the Lord has given us. We have so many reasons to smile.

If life isn't EXACTLY how you pictured it... know that I am praying that God will reveal all the beauty that surrounds you. Joy will ALWAYS come in the morning, lovely.

Enjoying life at this moment and love. -Monica

Saturday, November 24, 2012

2nd thanksgiving married

I hope all you had a wonderfully beautiful thanksgiving!

The husband and I had a great time with fantastic food!!!
I had sweet potato casserole for the first time and Martin tried pecan pie for the first time!
The only bad thing with not cooking for own dinner is no left overs! Hehe.

We did not partake in black Friday but we did end up going to Wal-Mart and getting Christmas stuff and decorated our tree.(:
The theater was offering matinee prices all day so we saw Red Dawn after eating a DELICIOUS meal at Logans (two steak dinners with two sides each and dessert for $20).

After that we got all bundled to go see this part of town that is all lit up with Christmas lights. We were even going to take Sophia.... but when we got there it was going to cost $5 each. No thanks. Lol.

Today it has been really cold so we have just been snuggling all day. (:

Hope your weekend is going wonderful! (: did you do black friday? What was the best part of your thanksgiving dinner?

New foods, Christmas trees with colorful ornaments, and love. - Monica

Also make sure to like my Facebook page to see more about what's going on in my life. (:
Www.facebook.com/mrsv820blog

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy thanksgiving lovelies!!!

What are your plans for the day?

Martin and I are hanging around the house and then going to a friend's house for dinner. I am excited for it but actually a little sad that I won't be cooking.
So I made a big breakfast instead! (: I even made heart shaped cinnamon rolls (Martin ate three of them... after eating a huge plate of hashbrowns, eggs with sausage, bacon, and cheese, and biscuits)!
Now its time for some football as Sophia naps.

Happy Turkey day from my little family to yours!

{Psalm 136:1} Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.

Turkey, giving thanks, and love. -Monica

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Hooray for followers & checks off the list

Hey lovely readers!!!

Guess what??

We have reached over 100 follower/friends!!!!
I am completely humbled and overjoyed! (:

i really want to do a giveaway soon for you all! I have never done one and i am so so excited!
I appreciate everyone who reads my words and comments. You all have inspired me and encouraged me so much!
- . - . - . -

Since my last post the Lord has been working on my heart a lot. Its been really really great. (:
i can't wait to share some things with you next week.

Last weekend husby and i went to our first college football game. We had so much fun! And Auburn beat Alabama A & M! It was exciting to mark something off our baby leap list. (:

I am babysitting all week but Martin is off! We are going to a friends house for Thanksgiving dinner and then going to have our own little Thanksgiving next weekend. (:

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

College games, 100 followers, and love. - Monica

Thursday, November 15, 2012

When you have a bad day...

Hello lovelies!!!

Sorry i have been slacking with the posts.... you would think it would be easier with it in my phone but its not. Hehe.

- . - . -
Do you ever have weeks (or months or days) that you just feel attacked -like more then others.
Your car breaks down, you are having problems with work, you are fighting with your mom, and then there is road construction!
THOSE kind of weeks! Am i the only one?
You feel like you just cannot catch a break. I think that was my week.

It wasn't anything HUGE... Just small things. A person criticized me for wanting to be a stay at home wife/mom, husby and i got into a little disagreement, our car insurance took money out before they were supposed to which caused our bank to get overdrawn... And then i stepped in dog poo today.
Awesome.

I am feeling spiritually attacked. I felt beat down and broken. I just wanted to lie in bed all afternoon.

Now everything got fixed. The lady apologized to me for what she had said, Martin and i are communicating through our problem, insurance is doing to reimburse us, and i cleaned my shoe - but i allowed all of that to steal my joy.
My joy was gone.... And even now i am praying for it to return.

Psalm 30:11-12

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

This is my promise that i cling to.

God will turn my sadness to gladness and any hurting into dancing. I will NOT be silent. (:

If any of you are struggling or going through anything.... Cling to this promise and know that i am praying for you.(:

Dancing, singing, and love. - Monica

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Date night....weekend?

Happy Tuesday all my lovely readers.

{whoa.. Tuesday! Where did my week go? And its the 13th!! Where did my MONTH go?}

This weekend my husband planned a romantic time. Friday night he "made dinner" (which he actually just bought take out... Which i was surprised because be is actually a very good cook). I came home from taking Sophia on a walk to a candle light dinner, soft instrumental music, and little pink roses on the table. It was so sweet (swoon, right?).

Saturday he got up and made a delicious breakfast of omelets and biscuits with orange juice. Mmm! Omelets are his specialty. Later that day we drove around Alabama looking at all the gorgeous colors (its called 'alabama the beautiful' afterall). That night we went to church and then went bowling.

Sunday we lounged around and watched football. Later we watched movies.

It was such a great weekend!

I talked to a friend about dating in marriage (she has been married for 12 yrs) and she said that she doesn't NEED to have a date night. She would like it.... But her marriage is still strong without it.

Martin and i have been married a little over 1 year and we try to have a weekly date night. I want to stay in routine with this for when we have kids. We dedicate a night to just be married and be together. We try to do something (if finances allow) outside of the house and we don't talk about bills or anything like that. We just enjoy each other.

How important is a date night to you and your husband (boyfriend, fiancé)?
How often do you have one? I babysat for a couple who went out once a month with her husband of 10 yrs.

I don't think a date night has to be going out and spending a lot of money either. One Sunday Martin and i played card games and it was SOO fun!
Its a rare occasion where there is candle light too. Some nights its just left overs and a movie... But we still set aside time that is JUST for each other. (put your cell phone on silent)

My love language is quality time.... So i think that is also why i love a date night (or weekend) with my man. (:

candles, left overs, and love. - Monica

Also make sure to check out Sippy Cups and Pearls to read my guest post and learn more about me and husby.

http://www.sippycupsandpearls.com/2012/11/meet-monica.html?m=0




Friday, November 9, 2012

Blog Love {The Choffs Going Primal}

Happy Friday lovelies!!! (:

I have a special person that you should all go check out.

My friend Mrs. Choff is just starting to blog again and i am soo stinking excited! She is witty, sweet, smart, and has an incredibly beautiful family!
She has decided (for multiple reasons) to start eating paleo/primal and is wanting to document this new adventure for her and her family.

Mrs. Choff has four amazing children (one beautiful girl and three charming boys), does cloth diapering, is a military wife, bakes like a champ, and has a beautiful faith in the Lord.
If you are interested in any of this or just want to make a new friend then go check out her blog.
And let her know i sent you. (:

http://thechoffsgoingprimal.blogspot.com

blog love, - Monica


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

a christmas card code!!!

I love coupon codes!

 I heard from Wifessionals that minted.com was having a coupon code for Christmas cards and I went right over and ordered some! I am beyond excited to send them out! I love picture cards and this will be our first! (Husby did not want to do them last Christmas because I bought thank you cards with our wedding photos and never sent them. oops!)

There is a coupon code for $25 off AND no shipping! Awesome!
And if you click right here and sign up they will give you $25 of credit just for signing up! Amazing!

So you can get up to $50 off PLUS shipping!

Now there is a trick about the $25 credit ... you have to spend $50 or more and then they will deduct the amount automatically.
So you can get 50 postcards or 25 regular cards and spend practically nothing!!!

The $25 off and no shipping is only good until 11/12 so hurry! (:

Here is the promo code:
HOL25SHIP

They have tons and tons of different styles and you get to personalize it all!

Happy Holiday Card shopping!!!

(:

-Monica

SheReadsTruth and praying for friends

Happy Tuesday morning lovelies!

Is anyone else confused with this time change thing?
Usually when my husband goes to work at 5:40 i can go back to sleep.... But i have been staying up since its light out. Then i want to go to bed at like 8:30pm. Hehe.

Who all is participating in #shereadstruth? I am loving this community of woman reading and growing together. {if you do not know what i am talking about check it here. }
Today was day 2 of the new study in Colossians... So if you haven't yet, join! The plan is on youversion on your smart cell. (: There are verses to read and then devotional content. Its impacting my life!

Yesterday we made some pretty powerful proclamations ... And if ton know anything about my church in California (Bethel) you would know we love to proclaim things! (:
I, Monica, have been sent on a special assignment by Christ as part of God's master plan.
Oh... It just empowers me!!! It puts a fire in my heart and a skip in my step. I have a unique calling.
YOU have a calling that is different then anyone elses. (: No one else can do it, but you.

Today we read Colossians 1:2-14 and discussed praying for our friends.
Prayer is so important! I know that i do so much better when i am being covered in prayer. My husband has a better day when i have prayed for him while he is working. The circumstances may be not what you want them... But when you have someone praying for you, your perspective changes. You still have that peace among the storm.
We were encouraged to pray a very uplifting, specific, and personal prayer for our friends and i am praying for every one of you!

Lord, i thank you for every follower and reader. Thank you that they each have a calling and purpose. I pray that You will give them wise minds. Father, i pray that their spirits will be aligned with Your will so they can hear your voice. i pray that they are honoring You with their lives, with their minds and thoughts, and with their bodies. I pray that each person will see their worth and will have a desire to honor their loving God wholeheartedly. Lord i pray that with every good work they do that they will bear many fruit and see that there efforts to do not go unnoticed by You. You see them. I pray that their knowledge of God will increase greatly and they will dream about Your goodness. They will think about.heavenly things and the revelations  flow. Father, i ask that they will be completely strengthened in all power with the endurance that they need and patience with extreme joy. No matter their circumstance. Lord, we are all in different seasons and walks of life but i ask that no matter what is going on that all these beautiful people will realize their inheritance in You and begin to thank you with all that they have. In Jesus Precious Name Amen.

I hope that you all have a happy Tuesday! And thank you all for reading and stopping by! (: (: (:

Prayers and love. - Monica

{also i don't know if my social media buttons are working because i changed my usernames... So now my instagram and twitter are both @Mrsv820. You can also like my Facebook page www.Facebook.com/mrsv820blog }



Thursday, November 1, 2012

Overcoming obstacles.

Our washing machine and dryer are located in our huge garage.
We noticed a couple of weeks ago that there was a small puddle in the middle of the garage. It started getting larger and larger and we thought that the washing machine had a leak.

Yesterday my wonderful husband checked and rechecked all the plugs and hoses to fix the leak, but he wasn't sure how to fix the stagnant water problem in the middle of our garage.

He decided to use a hose and blast the water out.
When i came down stairs to check on him, there was even more water in the garage along with a very frustrated and overwhelmed man.

I thought he was just going to give up and our garage would just eventually dry up (or have a puddle of stagnant water forever).

But Martin was determined and through his frustration he kept going. He started grabbing towels and trying to push the water out but that wasn't really working. The towels got thrown on the ground.

He borrowed the neighbors leaf blower and tried to get the water out that way... But that seemed to just spread the water.

I saw my husband hit that wall. That feeling like you can't get it. You are done. Its not working. I thought (for the second time) that we would stop... But he amazed me and pushed through it.

He grabbed this piece of metal thing, angled it to the ground, and scraped the water out. It started to work!!! The water was being pushed out of the garage! He kept it up and got a lot out. He grabbed the leaf blower and dried up the entire garage!!! After about four hours of a constant obstacle he overcame it!

I hadn't been as proud of my husband as i was then. He did it! He experienced a huge obstacle and was able to use the tools he had and got through it!

Frustrations, doubt, anger, and annoyance came but my man was able to overcome.

Afterward it started making me think of all the obstacles we face in life and how often times we can feel so done. So ready to give up. We feel like the tools we have aren't good enough to get the job done or worse- they make it harder on us. But keep going. Don't give up. Persevere. Fight through those frustrations and feelings of shortcomings.
God has given you the tools to get through it. Sometimes you have to use them over and over again but you will get it.

Not only did Martin fix the problem (a leaky washing machine), he also cleaned up the mess (huge puddle of water). Remember that often times you will need to do both.

But God is gracious and is rooting you on!

If you are currently going through any type of obstacle know that you will see the other side of it. I understand it feels like it won't ever end and that you are not prepared...but you are. You are.

Let God use hard times to equip you, not to beat you.

fixed washers, obstacles, and love. - Monica


Monday, October 29, 2012

Autumn in Alabama

Happy Monday everyone!!!
Today i am spending the day cleaning and then babysitting. Husby is at work and then he gets to watch the 49ers game.
This past weekend we went to the pumpkin patch and carved our pumpkins. We had so so much fun! It was extremely cold but luckily my husband can still have fun and be silly with me!
We bought some hot cocoa and hot apple cider first! I shot off a corn blaster (pics are in Martins phone though), we did the mini corn maze (we pretty much just walked in it, took a picture and left), we rode on the back of a tractor thing, and then picked out our pumpkins!
We ended our Saturday with an amazing church service about how God, who is the great one, called us GOOD! The guest speaker talked about what it means too be called good by a great God. It was really empowering. We had some wonderful prayer time and my husband and i were really touches by it.
After that we dinner with friends. (:
Sunday we relaxed and carved out our pumpkins. I told Martin i didn't want to do a face and so we came up with our own little thing. (:
It was a wonderful weekend
Enjoy some pics and i am gonna go clean some more! (:
What did you do this weekend?
Have a blessed Monday and week!
Carved pumpkins, hot cider, and love. - Monica










 

Friday, October 26, 2012

There has to be more...

Happy Friday everyone!!! (: (: (:

Any plans for the weekend? I am hoping husby and i can go to the pumpkin patch!

- . - . - . -
have you ever woken up with conviction on your heart? not guilt or shame because that is not from the Lord.... But just felt that Holy Spirit was convicting you of something?

well that was me this morning.

After waking up with Martin and getting his coffee made and water packed I went back to sleep after reading some tweets. One of the tweets was from a beautiful woman of God. i first found her corresponding with Jennifer (@unveiledwife) founder of Unveiled Wife (a ministry devoted to encouraging and uplifting wives) so i decided to follow her too.
This woman (@JenniferPepp) wrote a sweet tweet about her 3 your old daughter understanding the Trinity. Her tweets about her daughter always delight my heart and encourage me for when I will be a mom.
After I read it I went back to sleep for our little morning nap... 2 hours later I woke up with such a pressing on my heart.

I DO NOT want to be a Sunday Christian!

Now i don't think i do anything "bad" according to society's standard. I do not party or drink alcohol. I do not cheat on my husband. I don't steal or kill people. I don't litter. I try my best to be polite. I dress modestly. We go to church every Sunday and say hi to the pastor. I say my quick prayer at dinner time and I forgive.
On the outside i look pretty "good", right?

But God calls me (us) to MORE!!! How is Sundays sermon impacting the rest of my week? Am i spending quality time with Lord and just being with him? I want to be salt and light to the world... So what does that look like?,I desire to be a Godly wife and future mother. I want to teach my children about God and instill in them values. Which means my husband and i need to do them NOW!
We are called to share the gospel -- not by going to church once a week or holding a sign that says "i love Jesus" but by representing Him! Or like my old pastor would say "re-PRESENTING" Him. Its by spending time with God so that we can be more like Him.
Its not a religious thing and i never want it to be a task or a duty... But an honor!
It is a true honor that i get to serve the King of Kings. It is a joy that i can read His word and apply it to my life. Its not just words! It is the LIVING word - it should change how we live! Prayer is not just "thank you for this food and amen". It is a conversation with the LIVING God - it should change how we live!

So... This is where i am at. There is my heart on paper (well on your computer or smart phone screen).
I just really feel the tugging on my heart for change and going after Him more.

Please let me know how i can pray for you this weekend.

- . - . -
So i probably won't blog until Monday (hooray for husby being off on the weekends!).

I just wanted to thank you all for following and reading! Last time i looked i had 88 followers and i am humbled and amazed! You all encourage me and inspire me so so much!
Hugs from my little family to yours!

-Monica

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Conflict Resolution

Well my computer is still at the doctor (boo) so here i am blogging from the smart cellular. Hehe.

This weekend husby and i went on some fun dates! We went to the local high school football game on Friday. We went to lunch at a nice little restaurant, saw Taken 2, and went to a new church/worship service on Saturday. On Sunday we went to our church and then lunch at one of our favorite places.
It was a really great weekend.

But it had the potential to be a not so great weekend. On Friday night after the game my prince and i got into (dun dun dun) an argument.

I know what you are thinking, "but Monica, you are married which means you never fight. You are a Christian wife and have a Christian husband, what is happening?
i thought your marriage was perfect because of all the stuff you post on twitter and instagram (Mrs_v820).
I am baffled! How could you have argued?"

Ok, hopefully you don't think like that... But i would be lying if i said that I didn't kinda think that way when i was single.

I want to be real on my blog. I don't want to paint this picture of the perfect marriage that is unattainable.
My husband and i are two months into our second year of marriage and we are still learning! We get into arguments. We disagree sometimes. Occasionally we hurt the other persons feelings. We forgive. We apologize. We forgive. We apologize. We forgive again.

So.... conflict can come from anywhere. Insecurity. Past hurts (caused by the person or other people). Misunderstanding.  Not communicating at all. Frustrations. Fear. Confusion. And the list can go on and on.
We, as individuals, need to deal with things like past hurt, fear, insecurities, learning to communicate effectively, etc. But let's pretend (well... Its not really pretending for me) that we haven't dealt with every single issue yet... And a conflict has happened.
This isn't an issue at our house but for the sake of conflict resolution we will use this small example.

Your husband left the toilet seat up!!! Oh great! Out of your anger and frustration you confront your husband who has just got home from work. Out of his defensiveness and tiredness the conflict emerges.
Here are some things i have learned..... Uh.... things i am learning about conflict resolution.

1) talk calmly. Even if the other person confronts you with loudness and harsh words. Usually if you can keep your cool the other person will calm themselves down too.
2) use your best communication skills. Let the other person know that you HEAR them.
3) do not try to "win" the argument. You guys are a TEAM! the goal is to get to an understanding ... Not to win or hurt the other person more.
4) don't play the blame game (this is YOUR fault. You always do this. I get,mad because of YOU!). this is also a game with no winners.
Use phrases like "when you do this... It makes me feel...." That way your spouse knows that its not HIM and you can effectively express how you feel without being offensive (when you leave the toilet seat up it makes me feel disrespected. When you yell and scrream at me it makes me feel attacked.
When you don't call me when you leave the store it makes me feel worried. When you don't want to hold my hand it makes me feel unloved." )
5) never bring up past things that you have already forgiven him for (this is just like last Friday when you left the seat up!)
6) let them know again that you truly hear them by talking about what has been said when you apologize and agree to work on what caused the conflict. (ok sweetheart i never want you to feel disrespected. So will try my best to remember to put the toilet seat down and i am very sorry.)
7) in a conflict it is good for both of you to apologize and forgive and agree to change. (i am sorry too. I don't ever want you to feel attacked so i will work on how i approach you)
8) it is never to late to humble yourself and apologize. Even if you feel the conflict has been resolved still apologize!,still forgive. It helps your marriage so so much.

Also remember that you married an imperfect person and you as well are imperfect. Jesus is the only perfect one. When we remind ourselves that our spouse is not perfect we can start to forgive more frequently... Because we also need that constant forgiveness.

Like i have always said make sure you are responding in love and not reacting in anger.

Husby and i are still learning. Still growing. Still experiencing and making mistakes. But we do it together.

{Ephesians 4:26 NKJV}
“Be angry, and do not sin” : do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

Resolving conflict and love. - Monica

Friday, October 19, 2012

Baby leap list. (:

Okay... Here it is!!!
I had some help from my fantastic friend, Shawna, who has four beautiful children. (: (:

I might add to it in the future but here it is so far!

I am excited to have these adventures with my husband before we dive into the next season of our marriage. (:

baby leap list
- take care of a pet. CHECK!
- travel across the country. CHECK!
- love in a completely new place. CHECK! Thank you Alabama.
- go to a live concert. CHECK! Jason Mraz and Christina Perri
- amusement park: just us two
- camping in a tent.
- water park: just us two
- weekend at a bed and breakfast
- college football game
- professional football game
- watch a play at a fancy theater
- go to Dennys (or something like it) at 1 am to eat or have dessert
- couples massage at a day spa
- go on a cruise ship
- see the Grand Canyon
- take a train ride somewhere
- some type of dance lesson (swing, Latin, classical...etc)
- hike somewhere and have a picnic
- no agenda day... just relax in pjs.

I know some of these things we could do with our future children but we want to experience them with just each other first and then do them with our kids. (:

New experiences and love. -Monica


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Changing thoughts

Good morning!!!

thanks for all the ideas of my baby leap list!!!
I am excited to talk to my husband about it more and let you all know my list. (: (:

yesterday was a hard day because Sophia got very very sick. I had to take our poor little puppy into the vet because she was throwing up all morning.
since then she has been sleeping and not really eating or drinking.
the vet did tell us that the shot would make her very very tired. I am hoping that is all it is.
so today is just snuggle day.

I also had my little babysitting job yesterday. it is spirit week at her school and today is superhero day.
we....... well I made her costume.
she is Wonder Woman. (: (:

I found this super cute picture of my husband, sister in law, and brother in law showing off their cool new kicks. He he.

anything you have learned so far this week?

today I feel like I am learning to not give my thoughts over to the enemy.
I have noticed that I can be very anxious ... if I am not aware of my thoughts.
sometimes I can make up whole stories or scenarios in my head and then react on those feelings.
I know that is something I need to pray in to give completely to the Lord.

"Satan wants a foothold so he can get a stronghold. small place that turns into something huge." - this was on Beth Moore's twitter this morning.

I cannot allow the enemy to have a foothold or a stronghold on my thoughts.

Lord, renew my mind. Wash me clean. I know these negative thoughts are not from you and i declare that they will leave now!  I will not be anxious about my future or my marriage because my hope is in you. I trust you with all that i am and i believe in Your promises for my life.
Continue to grow our marriage and conform it to Your will. Be at our center and saturate us with your love. Speak too my and my husbands heart and show us our callings. We will yield to You. We give you praise and honor forever.
In Jesus name. Amen.

if you feel any area in your life that the enemy might have a foothold on, please pray. talk to God and give it back to him. let me know how I can be praying for all of you.

have a happy happy happy Wednesday!

Sick puppy cuddles, restored grace, and love. - Monica




Monday, October 15, 2012

Before a baby bucket list

Have you all heard of a bucket list?

Its basically a list of things you want to do before you die.

Today i was shamelessly watching 'Married to Jonas' (which might be one off my favorite shows right now.) And he had a bucket list of things he wanted to do before having a baby.
I think its called something else though and not a bucket list....but a... Uh.....  Anyone know?

Anyways it got me thinking about certain things i want to do before we have a baby.
I hope that even after we have children that we can still do fun stuff but i know it will be different.
So i want to come up with a list of things i want to do with my husby before we have a baby. (:

1) camping
2) amusement park together

That's all i have so far. He he.

Lovelies, did you have a baby bucket list? Or a list of things to do before you turned a certain age? Do you have one now? Any suggestions for me? (:

lists, new experiences, and love. - Monica

Socializing Media Alert!

Did you know that i have a Twitter?

Were you aware that i have a Facebook?

I also love to post pictures on instagram and you can follow me @Mrs_v820.

These are also some fun ways too follow along with me. (:

Social media and love. -Monica

Friday, October 12, 2012

Fridays Letters

Happy happy Friday lovelies!!!!

Husby is watching some football channel and I am sitting here trying to convince him that he DOES want to see the play 'Peter Pan' tonight. Haha. We will see how it goes.

Lets write some letters with Ashley

Dear Husby,
I am so so glad that you are feeling better!!! After almost two weeks of you being sick ... I am beyond ready for you to feel like your normal self.
I know that this sickness was not ideal but I am overjoyed that we had some quality time and talked. My heart gets so so happy to just sit and talk to you! I love you so much!
Love always, Your Rib

Dear Sophia,
You are growing up so fast! I love to look at pictures and videos of you when you were a puppy. (:
Lets keep it up with this potty training thing... I think we are finally getting it.
Love, your momma

Dear Fall,
I am sooo glad you are here!!!! I never realize how much I missed you until you come back! (: I am excited to see how you will be in Alabama.
Stay as long as you would like! We can enjoy boots, scarves, pumpkin spice lattes, colorful scenery, and football. (:
- Mrs. V

Dear homemakers,
I made homemade apple sauce, cinnamon roll pancakes, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and spinach and pepper Jack cheese stuffed chicken this past week.
I am just really really proud of myself and wanted to tell you all! (:
Sincerely, the new domesticated wife

Dear readers/followers/friends,
Thank you all again for coming back to my little blog time after time and reading my words. (:
Your comments always warm my heart and put a smile on my face. I would love to do a giveaway when o get to 100 followers just to thank you all!
You all truly inspire and encourage me! You allow me to be open, honest, real, sometimes silly, and true to myself. So thank you all!
Incredibly humbled, Monica

Dear Lord,
Here I am again in awe of who You are! Thank you for blessing me and my family. These past few weeks you have freed me from a lot of hurt and insecurities. You have done amazing things in my heart and in my marriage. Thank you for giving me life and for calling me Your beloved.
Thank you for your constant provision and everlasting love that goes beyond my thinking. Please encounter everyone who reads this blog. Reveal yourself to them in a new way and restore broken relationships. You are such a good good God!
Forever, Your Beloved

Letters and love. - Monica

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Crock pot Cinnamon apple sauce {recipe}

Good morning lovelies!!! (: (:

I am sitting here on my phone while my puppy naps and my husby plays xbox.

Husby has been sick for almost two weeks!!! He seems to be getting better though. Yay!
The doctor told him to eat softer foods that are easy to digest -- one of those was applesauce.

I had seen a recipe on pinterest for homemade applesauce and I was really excited to try it.

(Sorry that the pictures are at the bottom and probably out of order... I am still blogging from my cellular)

Ingredients:
- 8 apples (various types)
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 strip of lemon peel
- 5 tsp of Brown sugar
- about 1 tsp of cinnamon (I said about because its more for your taste... the original recipe said to use a cinnamon stick and then remove it... but I like my applesauce with cinnamon)

Directions:
- core, peel, and cube apples
- place Apple slices, cinnamon, lemon juice, lemon peel, and Brown sugar in the crock pot.
- cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally
- after six hours mash the apples (the original recipe said you could blend it to make it smoother.... but I just used a fork so it was chunkier)
- applesauce will last in the fridge for 3 weeks.

Ya'll (that's my southern coming out from living in Alabama for six months) this was soo good! I was actually shocked at how delicious and easy it was!!!

Enjoy and let me know if you try it!

A house smelling like Apple cinnamon and love. - Monica





Monday, October 8, 2012

Happy fall ya'll

Well it is cold here in Alabama!!!

I feel like it just happened overnight too!
I am wearing sweaters inside and scarfs outside!
I even made a cup of decaf coffee just because I was cold!! Heehe.

So what is the weather like where you are?

Also Martin is still sick so if you could all pray for him I would appreciate it!

Snuggle up and happy Monday!

Hot coffee, scarves, and love - Monica


Saturday, October 6, 2012

Sick :(

Husby has been sick all Week.... So that is where i have been. Taking care of him and getting him plenty of soup. Also we found a store that sells Kombucha so he is so excited! He LOVES Kombucha and swears its helps him when he doesn't feel good.

My computer is currently getting better too. Lol. It was broken so my love took it to some computer doctor last week. Things are a lot slower in the south so it could take a few weeks to get it back.

I hope you all are having a beautiful weekend and i pray God encounters you in new ways! (:

Campbells soup, kombucha, and love - Monica




Thursday, October 4, 2012

Breathe

Lately i have been needing to remember to breathe and give my everything back to God.

Trust Him.

Follow Him.

Rely on Him.

Fall in love with Him.

If anyone else is feeling this way know that i am praying for you and sending you hugs.

I encourage you to pray and take some time to speak to the Lord.
Enjoy the beauty around you and remember that God is sending you love letters. (:

Breathe in the beauty and love. - Monica


Monday, October 1, 2012

Worth it

This quote has been on my heart the past few weeks.

Marriage is tough.

Martin and i have been married a little over a year. There have been laughter.... And tears. Ups.... And downs. Giggles... as well as shouts. I would be completely lying if i said it was easy 100% of the time.

I have learned a new level of patience. Grace. Frustration. and love.
We had to learn how to live together and to trust each other in a new way.

Martin and i are different people who grew up in different ways but we have to mesh that together. We have to mold together to become one.

Its challenging but sooooo worth it. Marriage is worth every fight because it is a blessed union by God.

Marriage is a union of two forgivers.

Those are just some of my thoughts this morning. (:

Happy Monday!


Thursday, September 27, 2012

A change in a lifestyle

Lately i have been thinking about some verses in Galatians 1 (thanks #shereadstruth).

Paul is speaking:
Afterward i went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And i was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, "He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy" And they glorified God in me.
{1 Galatians 21-24}

Wow! It just impacts me so so much. Paul persecuted Christians!!! He wanted to DESTROY the faith. Now he is going around and proclaiming the good works of the Lord.
What i love about this is that it says they didn't know Paul.... They just heard about him. It says they HEARD that he was once not living for God (pretty much as opposite you can be) but NNOOWWW after experiencing God He is sharing the faith. Makes me think "let's give them something to talk about..."

And then what did they do?? They GLORIFIED God in him because of it.
Paul's actions DID NOT save him (we are saved by faith through Jesus who died for our sins) but his changes in his lifestyle have glory to God.

Wow.... Let's read it again because it just touches my heart.

The things we do CANNOT save us... But our lifestyle changes will give glory to our Lord.

So don't do things to get a gold star from  God or to work your way into heaven - he already loves you and has paid the price..... But do it to give glory to the One.

If you have made mistakes in your past - which we all have - remember that God loves you with an everlasting love and NOTHING can separate you from Him. You are never to far gone that you can't be used by God. Look at Paul (formerly known as Saul) ... He was persecuting the early Christians but then after encountering the Lord... was so used to preach and give glory to God.

We can do that too. (:

I am made new by love, Monica

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Girl behind the blog. {your influence}

Linking up with Erin at SweetnessItself.Blogspot.com and Ashley at 5ohwifey.com. (:

Thursday, September 20, 2012

First year anniversary pics.

Last weekend husby and I took some 1 year photos. (:

Its something that I want to

do every year around our anniversary with our family to see how we age and grow. (: Here are some of those photos. (: One yr and love. - Monica




Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Crock pot pumpkin spice latte

One of my favorite things about Fall I a pumpkin spice latte (with two pumps of vanilla) from starbucks. At our home in California there is a Starbucks EVERYWHERE (two on either side of my work, another down the street from my house, plus many more across the town... I believe there were like 8 or something crazy for the 90,000 population town). Now we live in a town where the closest Starbucks is 30 minutes away. I am just not willing to drive there. (Which is actually GOOD for our bank account)

We had to come up with a alternative.
I found this recipe from good ol' pinterest -- but here is the original source .
The original recipe is made for like 8-10 people... so I halfed it (and played around with the vanilla and sugar) and I am pretty happy with it. (:

I would say this serves like 4-6.

(I know the pics are probably gonna be out of order. Lol)

Ingredients:
-2 cups  coffee
- 4 cups  milk
- 4 TBSP  pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 TBSP sugar (I did 5)
- 4 TBSP vanilla (I did 5)

Directions:
- mix the milk and coffee together in the crock pot.
- mix the other ingredients in a different bowl.
- combine all ingredients in the crock pot and stir.
- cook in high for 2 hours.
- enjoy your season of fall in a cup(:

(The longer it is in the crockpot the better. It blends all the flavors together. After the two hours I put it on low while I finished my first cup and then had another cup. (: I had leftovers so I put it in the fridge and it was just as good this morning.)

Hope you enjoy! (:

Let me know how you like it!

Homemade pumpkin spice and love. - Monica