A lesson from Jonah

Happy Monday Lovelies! 

Are you familiar with the story of Jonah in the Bible? 

That's the guy who was swallowed by a giant fish. 

Here is a quick recap: 

God tells Jonah to go to a city {Ninevah} to preach to them. Jonah doesn't want to do that and runs away to a boat. There is a huge storm and all the guys on the boat are like "everyone pray to your gods and tell them to stop this storm." The storm continues and gets worth and the guys confront Jonah and Jonah tells him that he is running away from God who made the heavens and earth. Eventually Jonah gets off the boat and is thrown into the sea. The guys on the ship were so fearful of such a powerful God that they made vows to Him! {At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. (Jonah 1:16 NIV)} 

Jonah gets swallowed by a giant fish for three days and three nights. He prays to The Lord and repents. Jonah goes to Ninevah, like he should have to begin with. 

{this was the fast recap and there are so many details that are left out. Make sure to read the story in Jonah 1,2,3}

I realized that I am a little like Jonah in this season.... But like opposite. 

I want to move back to California. Especially after visiting! My heart LOVES it there and it will always be home to me. 

But...... My husband and I are feeling like we should stay here. We don't want to leave Missouri missing out on what God has for us here (ministry opportunity, a lesson, friend, etc). I know we won't be swallowed up by a giant fish and we aren't intentionally trying to disobey The Lord , but I still don't want to miss out. 

Think of all those Ninevites who would have not heard The Lord if His servant, Jonah, had continue to run away. 

Let's all take a lesson from Jonah. His story is a short but important one. 

Listen to The Lord. Go to where He calls you. Bloom where you are planted! 

Lessons and love. -Mrs. V

No more striving

Baby V, Mr. V, and I have been back in Missouri for a few days. I have already worked a couple of days and we are {slowly} getting back to a somewhat routine. 

Today we have been talking about dreams. Schools and dream jobs were discussed and I realized something. This IS my dream. 

Growing up I never had great plans of what I wanted to do or be. I didn't want to be president or a lawyer or veterinarian or teacher. When someone asked what I wanted to be when I "grew up" my response was the same: a mom and a wife. 

It's true! 

I briefly went to college (one year) as a music major.... But that was because I wanted to lead worship at a church! Once I figured out I didn't really need college to do that, I left. 

So according to my childhood self - I am living my dream! 

So why am I not happier? 

The answer to that question was just realized five minutes ago as I was putting my 9 month old to bed in his crib. 

I strive.  

And "fail". 

Then I don't feel good enough. 

Which makes me not want to try.

Ew... It feels yucky to say, but it's true! 

I strive. 

I put so much pressure on myself to be a certain way as a mother, a wife, and Godly woman. I can never reach this goal and then I just feel bad about myself! 

Then, eventually, I give up. 

And that, my friends, is what happened. 

My passion died. 

I was no longer EXCITED about this beautiful life I have. 

I was just going through the motions trying not to cry everyday for yet again not meeting the unattainable expectation as a mother and wife. 

So! Tomorrow is a new day! 

I will not allow the enemy to take what's mine - my passion, happiness, joy, faith, and trust! 

I know I will fail. I will make mistakes. I will be tired. I will argue with my husband and I will lose patience with my son. 

BUT I will live with grace. I will live intentionally. I will give God the glory and I will sing His praises! 

Lovelies, if you are in a similar place and striving - STOP! Whatever it is, just rest in God's goodness. Soak it in. Breathe in His presence and breathe out the unattainable expectations you or others put on you. 

You are enough! 

You are worthy!  

Jesus died on the cross for YOU! 

You don't have to earn it, it's Yours. 

You are loved! 

You are a beautiful mess, and it's ok! 

New joy, new mercy, and love. - Mrs. V

VFamilyCaliVacation

Hello lovelies! 

If any of you follow me on social media (@xxooMrsV) then you know our little family is currently on VACATION! We flew to Northern California on Saturday and we will be here for 2 weeks! 

We are visiting family and places we haven't been in awhile. We are with my sister right now but starting tomorrow we will be traveling and stopping to see different family. Introducing Seth to everyone and having fun! We haven't been here in three long years -- we have missed California! 

I am going to try to blog {more} about all the fun stuff we are doing but make sure to check out my twitter and Instagram to see it too! @xxooMrsV #VFamilyCaliVacation 

Seth did so well on the planes! We had two flights and jumped ahead two hours!!! Seth slept pretty much the entire time. We had a three hour layover in Phoenix, Arizona and that was awful! All Seth wanted to do was crawl and play. After about ten minutes and three tantrums we were those parents and let him crawl on the nasty floor. We wipesd him down (and his toy) before we got back on the plane though. 

My birthday is on Thursday (May 8) but we won't be with my sister so she threw me a birthday dinner. We had chicken Alfredo lasagna and then spaghetti with meatballs. For dessert she made my favorite - tiramisu! Mmm! 

My younger brothers (who are twins) came too! It was such a great time! 

Martin and I went on a hunt for a pack n play and a high chair for Seth on Monday. We did not find one! We went to the town I grew up in and the local coffee shop was open so we HAD to stop and get a vanilla chai. Mmmm! Nowhere has Chais like coffee station. I savored every sip since I don't know when I will get it again! 

We are having a great time and trying to adjust to the time change and all the changes for Seth. It's a lot harder having "vacation" with an infant. But we are excited for more family to meet him and to see more places. 

It's going to be HARD to go back to the Midwest after this trip. 

Vanilla chais, lots of naps, and love. - Mrs. V

A choice

This... 

..... My marriage needed to hear this quote. 

Keep choosing! 

-Mrs V

From one mom to another

My handsome boy is 8 months old now. 

What an incredible, exhausting, and rewarding journey this has been so far. 

Being a mother is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life so far. 

Meeting my son's basic needs is not even the half of it. 

He is constantly changing and growing. Expanding and exploring. My child is experiencing and persevering. He is finding his limits and noticing his surroundings. What worked last month {to make him sleep, laugh, calm down, stay still, etc...) might not work now or next month. He is andventurerer. 

And somehow, I, as imperfect as I am, am supposed to help him, nurture him, protect him, and cultivate him. 

I am also learning and growing. Expanding and being stretched. Being Pushed to my limits and back again. Doing things I couldn't believe I could do. 

Like ....

Going without sleep. 

Putting his needs above my own. 

Feeling overwhelmed. 

Smiling at small moments. 

Wishing to pause time. 

And at some instances wishing to fast forward (teething, anyone?).

Before I was pregnant I imagined what kind of mother I would be. 

Gracious.

Patient.

Involved. 

I pictured how I would react and how I would raise this little prince. 

I took all those expectations... And threw them out the window! Very early on in my son's life I was being choked by this perception of what motherhood is. 

Now... My prayer daily is that I would parent my amazing son in a way that gives God glory. And I thank Him for new grace. New joy. Every single morning. 

And at times I fail. Sometimes I cry. Certain days I have no idea what I'm doing! Sometimes I fall short. And I know I will again. 

But this is motherhood. 

The small moments. The giggles. The obstacles. The tantrums. The smiles. The moments between NapTime and play time. The new accomplishments and the mundane daily activities. 

We are all growing and learning, mamas. 

So have grace for yourself, sweet friends.

Bath times, teething toys, and love. - Monica

 

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