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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 }

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