Saturday, June 30, 2012

Happy saturday

I am so glad it is the weekend. Hehe. (: (:
Today was a very hot one again so hubby and I stayed inside, drank coffee, watched shows, and ate some homemade pizza. It was a good day.
I have always wanted a Mr. and Mrs. mug for the two of us for a long time so I finally decided to make some. (:
I got two white mugs from the dollar store and wrote with sharpie. I baked in the oven at 350 for the thirty minutes and ta-da all done! I wrote our vows on the back of his and what we said when we exchanged rings on mine. (: [ they have to be hand washed and honestly today when I was drinking out of them I noticed it smeared.. just a tad. I want to buy a ceramic pen from hobby lobby and go over what I already did].
Happy weekend!






DIY mugs and love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday's Letters

Wow! I cannot believe Friday is already here but I am so so happy its here!

I had an "off" week to put it honestly. I have not been feeling well since Sunday morning and it is so hot here in Alabama that I have been getting heat advisory warnings! I am still seeing cockroaches (dead and alive) in my home even after pest control came twice last week. I have felt very homesick and had 800 questions going through my head as I sat at my house.

BUT today I have decided to choose joy! Today is a new day and I will not let the devil win!

Let's write some letters with Ashley at Adventures of Newlyweds.

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Dear Alabama, 
Maybe you didn't get the last letter I wrote you so I decided I should probably write to you again.
You are very very hot. I received a notification on my phone that said to be warned of your temperatures. I am sure that you are not trying to be this cruel and I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Please work on this.... I am sure I am not the only one who isn't fond of this side of you.
Sincerely, a hot wife

Dear Sickness in My Body, 
Unfortunately you have overstayed your welcome. I would appreciate if you took your things and left.
Signed, Divine Health

Dear Hulu, 
Thank you so much for spending time with me while I haven't been feeling well this week! It has been amazing catching up with you! (: I think hubby and I will keep you! (:
With love, Your New Friend

Dear Love, 
 I adore being your wife. I am so proud of you and all that you do! I love having you home at night and on the weekends. I am soo glad that you finally have two days off in a row and possibly more time off next week. You have grown so much since I first met you and you always seem to keep my grounded when I am freaking out. Thank you for praying for me and comforting me when I need it. Most of all, thank you for pointing me in the direction of our Lord. You are such a good leader!
Love Forever, Your Rib

Dear God, 
First of all, I am sorry that I took my attention off of You this week. I got caught up in fear and frustrations and lost sight of You. But today.. today I am seeing You clearly. You are so good and have blessed me beyond measure.  You are so worthy to be praised. My thankfulness cannot even be put into words to tell You how I truly feel about You. I am just in awe of who You are. I want to encounter you more and more daily. Bless my readers, as well, and reveal Your steadfast love to them.
Always, Your princess.

Happy Friday Lovelies!

Letters and Love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Confession Tuesday

Happy Tuesday!!! Time for some honesty -

Confession Tuesday


- The past two days I have been kinda watching 16 & Pregnant on Hulu a lot. I have no idea why I like this show but it is like my guilty pleasure. I so do not agree that 16 yr olds should be having babies at all but I cannot help but keep pressing 'play' when the previous episode ends.

- Yesterday I was making up scenarios in my head of what my future could be like. Honestly, it just gave me anxiety.

- I check my Facebook on my phone when I am mean to just look to check the time.  I get off Facebook and start doing something else and then realize that I still have no idea what time it is.

- I LOVE crock pot meals... because it tastes (and looks) like I slaved in the kitchen for hours... when really the crock pot did most of the work. I made a DELICIOUS crock pot lasagna that I plan on making again this week. (I will post about it [with pictures] later in the week.)

What is your guilty pleasure? Anything silly that you always do?

healthy confessions and love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Monday, June 25, 2012

Blog Love {Unscripted and Undefined}

Happy Monday everyone!

I wanted to tell all my lovely readers about a new blogger that I absolutely ADORE!

She is my husband's cousin and her writings are beautiful!!! She is so so talented! Even if she was not related to me at all I would still read her words!

- . - . - . -

hi friends! I am Kaitlin and I write over at Unscripted and Undefined. So far I think my blog has developed into posts that are meant to inspire people, but more than that its just a place where i can voice my views and opinions. I didn't have a solid idea of what i wanted it to be when i made it, so its morphed into its own thing lol.. its a blog on the realizations and trials of a girl in transition to adulthood. As for myself i'm an open minded person just trying to find myself in our hectic world :).

- . - . - .

Go check her out and you won't regret it!

Blog love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

New blog design AGAIN!

Well, I have redone everything on my blog this morning.

Saturday afternoon I was trying to fix something on the blog and managed to erase majority of the things saved on my blog. Fonts. Backgrounds. Layouts.

I am not tech savvy and I wasn't sure where to start or how to fix my problems. After some frustrations and my husband convincing me that it really didn't need to be fixed TODAY, I put the computer down and enjoyed the rest of the weekend with my love.

Today I got up, cleaned the kitchen (since Sundays I usually do NO cleaning.. Mondays usually start at 6:00am with the kitchen), and started looking up ways to fix my blog.

I just needed to breathe and take it one thing at a time. After about 2 hours .. I am OVERJOYED with the result. I even like this one better then my previous layouts!

So.. here you (again) my lovely blog! hehe.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think! (:

glittery pink and gold, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Celebrating 10 months

Martin and I have officially been married for 10 whole months!

We went out on a romantic date last night celebrating. hehe.

He called from work yesterday and said "be ready by 7pm - I am taking you out."
Oh I love hearing that!

I got ready and tried out a new hairstyle too! I have always loved side pony-tails but I never knew if I could pull it off. I thought I would try though since Martin always thinks I am beautiful. hehe.
My wonderful husband got reservations at a cute little romantic spot called Courtyard Cafe.
It was so much fun and our waiter was so nice! (also had an intense mustache. hehe)

There was a HUGE group behind us. hehe.

anniversaries and love, Monica
♥. ♥ . ♥

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday's Letters

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Dear Disgusting Cockroach, 
You are never allowed in my bed! EVER! I am still in shock that you I found you there. I hope your friends got the warning too. 
Sincerely, Me

Dear Midwifery Laws, 
Really?? I had no idea that it was this serious in other parts of the country! How could midwifery be a crime in some states? These women are dedicated to the Midwives Model of Care   that is based on that fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section. [source]
Well I will not let you get me down! I am determined and will push forward. You can't get rid of me this easily!
- Concerned Future Midwife

Dear Hubby, 
Thank you for always being supportive of my dreams and of how I am. Thank you that we can talk and talk and you are always interested. (: You are such an amazing spiritual leader. I am excited to buy a new book and read it together. (:
Love, Your Rib

Dear Lord, 
Wow! I am always in awe of who you are! Thank you for always providing and that I never have to worry. You take care of the birds of the air and I trust that You will take care of me. I want to always give you the honor and the glory. I praise You for just being You. I love you, Lord.
Forever Yours, Your daughter

Letters and Love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥


Thursday, June 21, 2012

Steadfast

'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. '
Lamentations 3:22-23

That was my verse of the day on my 'Daily Bible' app on my fanc-ay phone. It just made me smile. (: 

Steadfast - (adj) 1) fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast" gaze. 2) firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend. 3) unwavering, as resolution, faith, adherence, etc. 4) firmly establised, as an institution or a state of affairs, 5) firmly fixed in place or position. -[ dictionary.com ]

I love that its the 'steadfast' love. The love that is firm, unwavering, and fixed upon me. (:

"My hope is in You, God. I am steadfast. I will not be moved. I am anchored, never shaken. All my hope is in You." [Hope's Anthem - William Matthews  ]

Just something I needed to hear today so I thought I would share it. (:

steadfast love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥




Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Blog Love {Our Beautiful Blessings}

I really enjoy this little blog world! I am getting to know so many lovely people here and getting to read all of their blogs.

Someone that I have been able to get to know better is Bronwyn from 'Our Beautiful Blessings'. I "met" her outside of the blogging world but it is been so wonderful to see her grow. (:

Check out her blog and find out why I like her so much!

- . - . - . -


Hello there lovely readers! 
I'm Bronwyn & I blog over at Our Beautiful Blessings.



Our Beautiful Blessings
I am a lover and follower of Jesus Christ....& my first priority is to serve Him in everything I do.
I married my best friend, Stephen, on October 9, 2011.
We were 19 when we got married!
I'm a junior in college, studying Bible & Teacher Ed. to be certified to teach K-12 ESL.
I can't wait to be a mommy someday.
My husband and I talk to each other in silly voices sometimes.
I tend to be rather crafty & I have an etsy shop
I spent 8 weeks in Guatemala right after I graduated high school & absolutely loved it.
We are going to be missionaries after we graduate.
I am pinterest obsessed.
I blog to remember things, to inspire people, to write what's on my heart, to have a creative outlet, to remember just how blessed I am, and to document our young marriage.
I hope you'll come by and stay a while.


If you would like to be featured on another 'Blog Love' just grab my button, put it on your blog, and I will put your button on mine. (: Feel free to e-mail me. (:

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Confession Tuesday

Hello lovelies!

Welcome to the new week! (:

There are so many fun weekly link-ups that I have found here in the Blogging world that people have started (like Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday at The Vintage Apple, Fridays Letters at Adventures of Newlyweds, What I am Loving Wednesday at This Kind of Love ) so I thought that it might be fun to start one of my own.

May I present to you 'Confession Tuesday'! ta-da!

Every Tuesday I will be confessing my silly little quirks and things that happened in the past week. If you want to join in on this fun little adventure -  just grab my button (below) and post it to your blog, linking back to my lovely blog!

Confession Tuesday


So lets start:

- I confess that I did have a Whitney Houston sing-along by myself this weekend while deep cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. I danced and belted my little heart out. I am sure the neighbors were impressed with my very-close-to-America-idol-skills. (:

- I confess that sometimes after I have an intense workout do pilates in my living room, I eat a cookie after my shower. Not to reward myself for the amazing job getting through the whole DVD, but just because it looks scrumptious!

- I confess that occasionally when I have to go out to the store after being home I will throw on my yoga pants, tennis shoes, sports bra, tank top, and throw my hair in a pony tail with a stretchy headband so it looks like I was JUST working out... instead of cleaning and cooking sitting at my house. (: sneaky sneaky this girl!

Well that is it for this week's Confession Tuesday!

confessions and love, Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Sis-In-Law Shoutout!!!

Hello!

Yesterday and this morning I spent some time working on my sister-in-law's blogs. I am NO expert in the blogging world and I have a lot more to learn. But I am super good at cutting, pasting, and googling. (;

She is a new blogger but is witty, smart, and absolutely beautiful! I am excited to read more and more of what she will write.

If you have time head on over to her blogs and check her out!

Make sure to comment and let her know I sent you! (:


Truth Is

Irrationally Rational

New blog friends and love. - Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Friday, June 15, 2012

New Blog Lovin

Since I changed my domain.. make sure you follow it on Bloglovin to stay updated on your smart phone! (: 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

New URL

Hello again!

I just wanted to drop in really quick to let everyone know that I have changed my blog URL.

You can now find Captivated By Love at www.mrsv820.blogspot.com

I figured that was wwaayyy easier then the lengthy original.

Well I better be off.. cheesy chicken quesadillas for dinner!

Have a lovely weekend!

Easier domains and love. - Monica

♥ . ♥ . ♥

Friday's Letters

Hello lovelies!  Hooray for the weekend!

Today I am linking up with Ashley from Adventures of Newlyweds for some Friday's Letters.

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Dear Alabama,
It has been really nice getting to know you the past two months but must you really be this humid? I like your accents, your manners, your food, and your tea. I bragged about you to all my friends and family in California when I was there last week. Its not that I want you to CHANGE but lets me half-way. (: Thanks in advance!
Sincerely, Feels like I just took a shower.

Dear Guy who found my husband's wedding band, 
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My husband was so upset when he left his ring at work last week. Thank you for returning it! (:
Best Wishes, a ring-wearing wife.

Dear Paycheck, 
I am so sorry that you always go so quickly. We will try to work on that. I hope you can stay a little longer next week.
Looking forward to seeing you again, Bill-payer.

Dear Love, 
Thank you for getting up and going to work every.single.day. I truly appreciate you and all that you do. I am blessed and honored to have you as a husband.
Yours Forever, Your Rib. 

Dear Sickness In My Hubby's Body, 
This is your eviction notice. GET OUT! I do not want to tell you again.
Signed - a praying wife.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Letters and love. - Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Thursday, June 14, 2012

creatures of emotion

I am back in the great state of Alabama! I am very happy to be back too. I had a wonderful time visiting with my family and seeing my niece graduate but I did miss home.

I had every intention of writing all about my Cali adventure and posting tons and tons of pictures of my trip and my family -- but after 3 different conversations about emotions in the past week (2 from today) I decided to change courses. (But I will let you all know about my trip... eh.. well here is a teaser. [;  )

- . - . - . - .

I think I have always been a very emotional person. I cry pretty much with every emotion. Sadness. Anger. Frustration. Even joy. I guess I just need to let it out in some way. I feel if I don't let it out that I will just burst!

I know that not everyone is like me and they do not like to cry or even FEEL emotion. This truly saddens my heart.
I think that it is very import to feel whatever it is that you are feeling. Not act out on that feeling (Ephesians 4:26 tells us to be angry and sin not) but feel it.
It actually hurts us when we bottle up our emotion. There are tons of research linking bottled emotions to health problems. Not crying it out is literally making people feel sick!

I have always kept a journal since I can really remember. I write what I am feeling in that moment -- happy, sad, confused, angry, content, excited, anything. I do not sugar coat or belittle anything that I am feeling. I choose to just feel. Sometimes it hurts. At times it felt like I could never see past the pain... but I did. I got through it. I felt what I needed to feel and got through the end of it. Now I have countless victories in writing.

Do not ignore your feelings. Don't diminish them or belittle them. Its okay to be sad or grieve. Its okay to be mad. Or upset. Or even confused. Let it out. Journal. Cry. Scream into your pillow. Paint. Pray. Run.
If you need to talk to someone -- find a person who will let you feel everything you need to.
And if you know someone who needs to talk.. let them express themselves. Don't tell them to be less emotional and quiet their feelings.
[Remember that when you are being self destructive or hurting others with your words and actions -- that is not "letting the emotion out". That is letting the emotional control you. Do not do anything in the emotion that you would later regret out of the emotion.]

So if you are happy - smile. If you are sad - shed a tear. If you are mad - yell at the air. We are not robots -- we are people. (:


Lord, bless everyone who is reading this blog right now. Father help them to feel again. You have given us all emotions and it is okay to feel... even the not-so-fluffy feelings. Help us to encourage others to do the same and not to write people off as "babies" or "wussies" because they are able to feel those God-given emotions. Lord, even in Your Word it says that you too felt anger, sadness, and joy. Thank you Lord that you love us unconditionally and that You are a beautiful example of an emotion being.  In Jesus Name, - Amen.


feeling everything and love. - Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Maybe I am a transformer..

I made it to California!!! (:


I am visiting my family and having a pretty good time. I haven't seen them for about five months so it has been nice catching up with them.


I had good plane rides and sat next to some nice people. I was able to share my faith with most of them. (:

I am always amazed that when I speak of the love I have for my Lord and my commitment to Him how it stirs up my heart even more! (:

Its like I remind myself of the goodness of the Lord and I cannot help but fall in love all over again.


But at times it can be hard to stay faithful, especially when so many around you do not agree or do not understand.

Stay strong. Do not waiver. God will reward you for your complete faithfulness. Find people who inspire you and encourage you.

My husband is that someone for me. I am so blessed to have him to remind me of my worth and that it is okay to go against the crowd.


Romans 12:2 - "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you May prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."


Before I knew my husband my aunt was the one who encouraged me.

Find someone in your life that completely supports you. (:


Not conformed but transformed and love. - Monica


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Friday, June 1, 2012

Leaving on a jet plane & a graduating niece.

Happy Friday lovelies!!!

My beautiful niece is graduating high school in one week and my sister blessed me and bought my plane ticket. I will be flying to California on Sunday morning. I still cannot believe she is that old!
Awh... when she was little.

I am only 8 years older then my niece so we grew up in a very different relationship then the normal aunt-niece relationship. Its kind of like I have two sisters - my sister and my niece. hehe. We were really close growing up and she was my maid of honor at my wedding (my sister was my matron of honor -- I had two of honors).
I am extremely proud of her and so excited for this next season in her life! She is a beautiful young woman who will do amazing things! (: 
 __ . __ . __ . __

I am actually sad to leave Martin for 8 days. We are still newlyweds and this will be the farthest that I have been away from him. I have been a housewife since we have been in Alabama and I am just hoping my house doesn't fall apart while I am gone. Hehe.

I have never traveled this far alone before so I am a little bit nervous too... but I really am excited to see my family! My brothers' birthday is June 4th, so I am hoping I can see them too! (:

Happy weekend! (:

Air travels and love. - Monica
♥ . ♥ . ♥

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