Prayers For My Family

I saw Blue Eyed Bride do this earlier and I thought it was a fantastic idea. I pray so many things for my family daily. It may be fun to look back in a few years and see how those prayers have evolved.

For Josiah:

Oh, how I pray for this sweet boy! I pray that he'll be kept safe and healthy. I pray that he'll slow down just a bit so he doesn't get hurt so often. I pray that he'll give up the pacifier soon and with little resistance. I pray he'll learn and grow just as he should. I pray for fewer toddler fits. I pray that he'll always be surrounded by good friends who'll be a good influence. I pray that he'll have the courage to try new things. I pray that he'll be a great big brother when that time comes. I pray that his childhood will be enjoyable and care-free. I pray that he'll grow to be a Godly man with a giving spirit and a tender heart. I pray that someday he'll be a devoted husband and father. I pray for his future wife, that she'll earnestly seek Jesus.

For Matt:

I pray that he'll find a job a loves. I ask God to prepare the right job for Matt and Matt for that job. I pray for his heart to be opened to new opportunities. I pray that he'll continue to grow in his faith. I pray that he'll always know how proud I am of him. I pray that he and Josiah will have a wonderful father/son relationship. I pray that his outgoing, boisterous spirit will not be damaged or jaded by recent events.

For Me:

I pray for strength to survive the toddler fits. I pray I'll have the strength to stand firm when I have to send J to time out. I pray for patience and gentle words when speaking to my family. I pray I won't give in even when he begs for the "pappy". I pray for joy and for a positive outlook. I pray for guidance when making decisions for my family. I pray I have the will power to get/stay healthy so I can be around longer. I pray that I'll make the right decisions about school and whether I should complete the program. I pray that I'll be a be the mother and wife and that J & Matt need me to be.

For Our Family:

I pray that in God's perfect timing, he'll bless us with another child, if that is His will. I pray we'll soon find a church home. I pray God will move us where He wants us to go. I pray we'll be good stewards of our money. I pray we'll eat dinner together at the table as often as we can. I pray we'll make good decisions and that we'll be surrounded with uplifting, supportive people who care deeply about us. I pray that we'll always seek His face. I pray for fewer distractions and more quality time together. I pray we'll have more fun this year than last. I pray we'll remember how truly lucky and blessed we are! We are SO thankful for our parents who help us a ton, for jobs, for the roof over our head, food on our table, air in our lungs, and good health.


Thanks be to God for every blessing received and those yet to be received!

P.S. If you have ANY suggestions for getting rid of the pacifier without countless sleepless nights, PUUULEASE share!

Three

Today Matt & I celebrate 3 wonderful years of marriage! Our wedding day was beautiful, though very warm for December. I had visions of a white winter wedding. A white faux fur wrap still sits in a box unopened because it was a balmy 78 degrees that day. I live in Alabama so I certainly wasn't expecting snow but it really felt more like late spring than winter. Still a memorable, beautiful day.



When I got to work this morning I found this sitting on my desk:




A dozen long stemmed red roses, just like the ones at our wedding, and enough Godiva chocolate bars for every lady in my office. How thoughtful!

Happy Anniversary, Matty! Here's to many more years of wedded bliss!

A December Update

If you know me IRL, you know I live for a good list. Here goes the update bullet point style:

- Josiah will be 18 months old on Christmas Day. How could he possibly be 1 and a half?!? He's currently loving trains, cars, and generally any form of transportation. He also loves Elmo, Eli & Cooper (our pups), giving hugs and kisses, music, fire trucks, our Christmas tree ornaments, and especially his grandparents.

- Matt finished his masters degree this month and is seeking employment. He's working a stop-gap job for now but really needs to find something more permanent. We are praying for God's guidance as we explore new careers.

- Matt's grandparents had a kitchen fire last weekend. It destroyed the kitchen and caused smoke damage to the entire home. Please be in prayer with me as they make a temporary move and try to rebuild. They are in their 80s and have lived in this home for 57 years.

- My mama will be here next week and I'm thrilled! She and J have big plans! My mama isn't exactly a morning person and J likes to get up around 5:30 a.m. =)

- Matt's mom, known as Zuzu by Josiah, graduated with her doctorate degree this month. What an achievement! Lots of family came to town to help celebrate.

- We've have a tough year (more on that later) but God has provided for every financial & emotional need. We are so thankful for His blessings. We look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior with family in the coming days.

- We survived the Monson Family Stomach Virus of 2011.

- I'm working on a list of resolutions for the new year. I do this every year and every single year I fail. I'm going to try to make realistic, short term goals that I actually have a chance of achieving.

- May we all remember the true meaning of the season!! Merry Christmas!

Praise You in the Storm

Things at the Monson home have been a little tough lately. We've made up our minds to trust God and PRAISE HIM for the experience. After all, we know this is all part His bigger plan for our family. Though the recent trials haven't been long endured, we've already grown so much in our faith and in our marriage. For that, I am grateful. If you feel so led, please pray for us as we journey through this. Some very wise people have been reminded me of the following scriptures over the last few days:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
-Galatians 6:9

Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
-Isaiah 43:18-19

For the vision is yet for an appointed time,
but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry,
wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
-Habakkuk 2:3

Praise be to GOD!

Josiah: 16 months

Today he turned SIXTEEN months old! Seriously, where did 16 months go? He's a busy little boy with a mind all his own. Last Monday I got a call from daycare at 8:50 a.m. saying he'd fallen and busted his chin open. Kay, our daycare provider, thought he might need a stitch or 2. Since Pops was home and could get to him sooner, I called him. He took him to the doctor and fortunately we were able to avoid the stitches. Instead he got a coat of Dermabond, some lovely steri-strips, and a big bandage. He pulled the bandage off in 3.5 seconds and refused to keep another one on. He did manage to keep the steri-strips on for a whopping 2 days before pulling those off. It seems to be healing but I suspect he'll have a scar. My mom has one in the same spot so at least he & Nana will match. I didn't get a picture of the wound, but trust me, it's nasty.

He's talking more and more everyday. He repeats just about everything and mocks every move we make. This means we're very careful with words and actions. Since I'm fighting the longest case of bronchitis in the history of time, he mocks my coughing constantly. He also thinks it's pretty funny to "blow his nose" on everything, including tissues from the trash. Lovely.

His current favorite things include: his grandparents, doggies, Elmo, mama's phone, peaches, his stuffed duck, choo choos (trains), The Wiggles, the Auburn fight song, firetrucks, all books including my textbooks, and running. The child doesn't seem to know how to walk. He runs at full speed all.the.time. Which is precisely why he is 1 big bruise all the time.

Matt & I go to bed every night talking about the things he learned that day. He has brought us such joy and laughter and we are SO thankful to be his parents. What a privilege!

Alabama Cotton

With the cotton in full bloom here in Alabama, we couldn't resist the urge to snap a few photos in the fields near our house. Isn't it beautiful?! Also, I'm fairly certain my child gets cuter by the day. Of course, I'm slightly biased!

Another Birthday Party

This time we traveled to Atlanta for my nephew's 3rd birthday. It was a blast!! My sister in law, Katie, always does a great job on his parties. It was a little cool but it didn't stop us from enjoying the pool. In fact, I spent most of the party trying to keep J from diving into the pool. The child has NO fear.


This is my precious nephew, Foster, and his mama, Katie.


Happy Birthday, Foster! I can't believe it's been 3 years!