Announcement!

Hello lovely readers!!! 

I know I have been missing for quite some time! 

Tryin to figure out with mom/wife/working girl thing. Lol. 

Plus living in a new city in a new state and attending a new church. 

A lot of change and adjustment.

I have been thinking and praying about my awhile now aaannndddd I am going to do a rebrand. 

Refocus.

Regroup.

Rededicate. 

I love blogging my life like a journal and somewhere I lost that ... & I am ready to get back to that. 

So! I need to find a new blog design and then I will rebrand all my social media so it's all the same too. 

I am thinking I will keep my blog name because it's still true to what I am about and wish to blog about. 

Question for you all is .... Who designed your blog? Do you love it? Do YOU design blogs? Is it your passion? 

Let me in the comments! 

Have a happy day! 

Refocusing and still captivated, Monica

20{fourteen}

Happy new year!!! 

Gosh, I can't believe how fast 2013 went! I know it probably feels like that every year but still! 

This past year was filled with a growing baby (and belly), lots of sweet tea, Mr. V working a lot of hours, Alabama humidity, finding a southern church, giving birth to my beautiful baby boy, packing up and moving to Missouri, traveling in a new state, and learning what it means to be a momma and working wife. 

It's has been such a beautifully blessed year and I cannot wait to see what The Lord has in store for 2014! 

With this new year and fresh start here are some goals I am trying to stick to:

• be more organized {I NEVER know when I work and never give myself enough time to get ready}

• read my Bible and pray everyday 

• be the best mommy I can be to Baby V

• have a trip to California to see my family 

• be the wife God created me to be

• live a life that shines and represents Jesus. 

Do you have any goals for this bright new year? 

Fresh starts and love. - Monica 

Inspiring and convicting

Oh how I need to live life differently. 

Last weeks sermon and a friend's post on Instagram convicted my spirit and inspired me as well. 

I want to live my life in such a way that reflects the love of Jesus ... Am I doing that? 

Am I daily seeking God's face? 

Am I just "talking the talk" and refusing to fully "walk the walk". 

I hope to never have to tell me son (and future little ones), "do as I say, not as I do." 

So.... I will do my best. 

Not so others will think I am perfect - I am FAR from it and need a Savior. 

But so that other people will see the light in me and it will point to Jesus! 

Amen! 

Changing and love. - Monica 

Christmas Cards! {Indie Inkpress}

Merry Christmas!!! 

Ok.... I know I am a little too soon, but I just love this time of year! 

The birth of our Lord. The lights. Stockings. Snowmen. And Christmas cards! 

I am kind of in love with photo Christmas cards! I enjoy seeing how a family changes from year to year - especially if you don't live close. 

Last year it was just me, Mr. V, and Sophia Belle. 

But now we have the beautiful addition of Seth and I want all my friends and family to see him grow throughout the years.

This year a beautiful friend of mine designed my Christmas cards and I am completely in love!!! 

Sierra is sooo sweet and I secretly wish we lived closer so we can hang out (she was my first ever roommate during my one and only year of college). She is such a delightful person with a beautiful family. 

Sierra is the owner and designer of Indie Inkpress ( www.etsy.com/shop/indieinkpress ). She is so incredibly talented and also does invitations and birth announcements. 

Her Instagram:

@indieinkpress

Her blog: http://sierrahowerton.tumblr.com/

Her Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indieinkpress

Her cards are already reasonably priced but she is offering Captivated By Love readers 25% off! If you still need Christmas cards, make sure to check her out! And they don't have to be photo ones if you are not into that. She has some great designs and will work with you. The cards got here so quick too so you can send all your friends and family beautiful greetings just in time! 

Make sure to mention my blog so she can give you a discount! 

Cards and love - Mrs. V

Friday's Letters

Writing some letters with Ashley tonight. 

Dear husby,

Thank you so so much for cleaning the house yesterday!!! After being at work all day {on thanksgiving when I would rather be with my family} it was so wonderful to come home to a super clean home. I hope we can get a tree soon and decorate for Christmas!!! I love you! Thank you for being my spiritual leader and my best friend. 

Dear Seth, 

I know this thanksgiving wasn't very fun for you... Since you couldn't eat all the deliciousness. Next year I promise. One year ago today I found out you were growing in my belly! It is a day that will always be remembered! I looked at these two pink lines and couldn't help but cry! I rejoiced and praised God for my little miracle. 

You are becoming just the cutest little guy ever. I am really enjoying watching you grow. Today you stared at a pillow and reached out to grab it and it just warmed my heart! I love you more then you can know! I pray that The Lord protects you and guides you all the days of your life! I declare peace and joy over you and that weapon formed against you shall prosper. I love you, son. 

Dear bank account,

I. Am. Sorry. 

Dear Missouri,

Well we have been here for almost two months and I am still unsure about you. It's way to cold!!!! Maybe take it easy on me? At least until I have more in my bank account and I can buy winter clothes. 

Dear Jeep,

I guess your radiator went out the other day. You probably don't like this cold weather either. I will try to fix you soon. But for now you will just stay parked. 

Dear Lord,

I am always in awe of You. I feel you convicting my heart and longing to be with me. My time management has been awful and I know I NEED to get back into that secret place with You. I am such a better wife, mom, and person when I am relying on You, Lord. Thank you for grace and for the Holy Spirit who so lovingly reminds me of what's important. Amen. 

Dear readers/followers/friends,

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving filled with lots if yumminess and love!!!!!! If any of you went Black Friday shopping then I hope you found some deals! 

Thanks again for reading my little blog. I am so encouraged by your emails and testimonies that you send to me! I pray for each of you and it delights my heart when you email me and let me know how you are doing! Praying The Lord speaks to you this week friends!!! 

Letters and love. -Mrs. V 

Sunday .... Sick day.

Well... The little munchkin and I are fighting a cold. 

We are sleeping with a humidifier (and with tissues) and trying to get better. 

The first of many sharing cooties I am sure. 

If you are feeling under the weather - my prayers are with you! 

Stay warm! 

Lots of sleep and love - Monics 

Don't panic....

Praying for you all today on this cold Tuesday afternoon! 

No matter what is going on - remember that God is with you and holding you! 

Last night Baby V slept for only four hours and the rest of the night he was up every hour. I am two cups of coffee in and still could use more. I NEED His help. I NEED His strength. I NEED Him to be with me. 

Getting my strength from The Lord and love - Mrs. V