Jenny & Macs Wedding Weekend

Jenny & Mac's Wedding Weekend was so much fun!  I am so happy that I have a new Brother In Law!  Here are a few fun pics from the weekend.

Friday morning, the girls all got together to get our nails and toes done.  So fun!

The bride to be and her Mom

No celebration is complete without Mimosas!  Aren't these container cute?  My Mother In Law got these at Michael's - I just love them!

The spread - and the adorable Mud Pie napkins.

My Mother In Law and Me

The bride to be.  How adorable is her tank?

The bride to be and Veronica, one of her bridesmaids.

Some of the girls.

Self Portrait of Hubby and I at the rehearsal.

Hubby and I at the rehearsal.

Hubby and his Dad.  I love this pic of them.

Hubby and I before the wedding

Her cake - isn't it beautiful?  This picture doesn't do it justice!

Jeff and my Daddy

Jenny and her Daddy.  Isn't her dress amazing?

My parents :)

My Daddy and Me

The proud parents of the bride

Introducing...Mr. & Mrs. McKee!

Completing Him Challenge - Week #1

 

Good morning Ladies, and Happy Monday!

Today is Week #1 of the Completing Him Challenge.

Today's Topic - Captivate Your Husband.  Click HERE to read today's message.  (The purpose and challenges are in bold below) 

"May you rejoice in the wife of your youth.  A loving doe, a craceful deer - may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love" Proverbs 5:18b & 19

Consider: How much time do you spend on a daily/weekly basis cultivating your marriage now?  In what ways can you regain some of that has been lost in the daily shuffle of life?

I pray about this a lot.  We have only been married a little over a year, have no children, and it is still way too easy to lose "us" in the daily shuffle of life.  We both work, try to work out each day, and try to keep our house clean, and many days it seems that by the time we are done, it's time to go to bed!  I actually made a committment to myself yesterday, that I would not play on the computer (blogging or facebook) during our limited time together at night.  I'm not excited about this decision, but I think it's important to our marriage that we spend some quality time together.  Wish me luck!

Purpose this week - to do something that reminds your husband of the youthful wife you once were - maybe it's wearing something you know he loves on you (remember we dressed to please back in those dating days!), go somewhere you both used to enjoy going together - alone!, look at photos together talking, listening, dreaming, holding hands, rubbing his back, and simply paying attention to the amazing husband of your youth!  Treasure him this week!

Today, we are asked to share our dating pictures and story.  Our story is below, and a few random pictures from over the years.

At this time in my life, I had just graduated from college, and broken up with my college sweetheart, who ended up being a not nice guy.  Not at all.  He did some very bad things, and I was pretty certain that I wouldn't date anyone EVER AGAIN!  So dramatic for my little 23 year old self, I know, I know.  I decided that boys were trouble, and that I was perfectly happy spending time with my girlfriends, working, and visiting my family in Dallas as much as I could.  Life was great.  And then....

Hubby and I both worked for a rental car company right out of college. Hard job, long hours - but we both learned so much there. Anyway, my manager, whom became one of my dearest friends, was engaged to her college sweetheart, and, like all soon to be married girls, wanted everyone else to be getting married too. So, she had worked with Jeff before, and was telling me all about him and him all about me. I wasn't really interested in meeting anyone, I had an ugly break-up about a year prior and was not really interested in going through any of that again. But, to humor Julie, I agreed to meet him. He had a house on the other side of Houston, and she arranged for a BBQ there so we could meet. I bailed that morning. I just didn't want to go, it felt like too much pressure and I really, truly was not interested. She dropped the subject and was not thrilled with me, but she wasn't done scheming!

At the rental car branch that I managed, I did everything - including washing the cars (I know, the horrors!) I worked alone at my office, ran around there all day, and rarely took a lunch, so I was skin and bones. Literally, right under 100 lbs at 5'7. Yuck. Anyway, on this particular day, my clothes were huge (falling off really), I had ripped my blazer, and I had been rained on all day, so my naturally curly hair was HUGE! (what my husband now refers to as my 80's hair). Julie asked me to meet her for queso and margaritas. Of course I said yes! So, imagine my surprise when I arrived and a really cute boy was there with her. I was not pleased - but what can you do? Hubby now jokes that he knew I had "potential" even though I looked like a homeless person by that point in the day - ha! Turns out, he had come to a happy hour that I was at about a month prior, and he hid at the bar because he was scared to introduce himself. Silly boy. Well, that night at Ninfas was the start of a great friendship. Julie arranged many more of these meetings, with future hubby's encouragement. 6 months later, we finally kissed, and we have been together ever since.

After 3 years of dating, Jeff proposed on New Year's Eve.  It was a wonderful moment that I will never, ever forget! 

I am so blessed and thankful to God for sending me this wonderful man!!!

Love Games!

Today I am participating in Love Games at Marriage Tales.  This is the first week, and I just love the idea!  Here's how it works.  You ask your hubby the weekly questions, post his answers and link up!  I had so much fun asking hubby these questions!  Here they are -

1. What is the first thing you noticed about your wife when you met?  They very first thing.
That she was soaking wet. 
It's true.  You can read the story of how we met here.

2. What is something that your wife does that drives you crazy?
Drinks too much wine.
Oops.  I love wine!

3. If money wasn't an option what is the one thing you would make sure you had done for your wife?
Taker her on more trips.
Good man.  I love vacations!

4. When do you find your wife most attractive?
When she is all dressed up and we are going out.

5. What does your wife do for you that you totally appreciate and would miss if she was gone.
Cook & Grocery Shop
My-Oh-My how romantic!

6. If you had your wedding day to do over again and everything was your call, would you keep everything the same?  Change something?  Everything?  Elope or if you eloped vice versa?
Get married on a beach.

7. What's one beauty up keep that you wish your wife didn't do?  Or what's one that you wish she did do?
Nothing
Nice job, babe!  I like that answer!

8. If you could go or be anywhere in the world with your wife right now, where would that be?
The Bahamas!
Oh, me too honey!

9. What is one moment you wish you could back and relive with your wife just to get to experience again?  Would you change anything?
Our Honeymoon.  I would change nothing.
I couldn't agree with him more!

10. What do you love most about your wife.
Her genuineness to others.
Awww...that's sweet, thanks babe!

As  you can see, hubby is a man of few words..tee hee!

Link up to Marriage Tales and play along!

Show us Your Life - China Patterns!

Today's Show Us Your Life is China Patterns!

I LOVE dishes.  Serving dishes, plates, bowls, you name it, I want it.  When I think of moving into a larger house someday - the idea of more kitchen storage makes me giddy - I want more kitchen stuff!!!

Hubby and I had a great time registering.  But, I only believe that because I researched for months to find the perfect of everything online.  I would email him all day long, "Do you like this?  How about this?".  So all the hard work was done before the day we registered.  If you aren't married, I totally recommend it!

Anyway, we chose Waterford's Ballet for our fine china.  We wanted something that we both loved (which meant nothing too swirly or girly for hubby's taste), and something timeless that we thought we would still want to pull out for company in 20 years.  This fit the bill for us!  It makes me happy just looking at these dishes!

See the blue accent plate?  It comes in black, blue, mint green and pink.  I want them all!  I mean, could you imagine having the pastel colors for Easter dinner?  Oh my goodness - LOVE!

I just love the pattern.

The veggie dish.  I didn't get this - but I am going to buy it for myself someday.  I just love it!

And, because I can't help myself...here is the crystal that we chose.  Waterford's Lismore Essence.  It's more modern and lighter than traditional Waterford, and I can put them in the dishwasher.  Although, I haven't really tried that yet.  I'm scared : )  But, they are fairly durable, which is great for me, because I am accident prone.

And last, but not least, here are our dinner dishes.  They are only carried at Dillard's, and they were the only ones that hubby and I both really loved.  I am so very happy that we chose them, we use them everyday!  They have kind of a Tuscan look, which I think is really fun!

Am I the only one that is this crazy about dishes?  I can't wait to see your dishes!

Thanks for stopping by!

Prayer Thursday

Good morning Ladies! 

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelleannadams@yahoo.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for baby Cohen and his parents. You can read their story here.  He is having heart problems- please keep them in your prayers.

Please pray that the benefit for the Layla Grace Foundation goes well this weekend. 

Please pray for my friends, April and Brad.  They had twins this week, and the babies are so tiny and need a lot of love and TLC.  They are expected to be in the hospital for at least a month.  You can visit their page here to read about their story.  They are improving each day - please pray that this continues.

Please pray for the people of Nashville.  So many have lost so much because of these floods.  It has been amazing to see the articles about how that community has come together.

Please pray for the oil spill.  That it will be resolved in the best way possible, protect our oceans, beaches and animals. Please pray for the families of those that lost their lives in this disaster.

Please pray for my dear friend Craig.  He is actually my Daddy's best friend, and has been like a second father to me.  For those of you that know me "in real life", he is the gentlemen that read in our wedding.  His father passed away.  Please pray for their family and their healing.

Please pray for my sweet friend Jackie.  She is pregnant with quadruplets!  You can read about her journey here.

Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  He did not get the job offer that he has been interviewing for for months, and I know he is disappointed.  I just know God has the perfect plan for him.

Please pray for my Grandparents, Ed & Helen.  They are having some health troubles, and my grandmother seems like she is suffering from depression. 

Please pray for little Jed Harper.  You can read about his story here.  What a beautiful family turning their sweet son's health over to God.  They are truly inspiring.

Please pray for my friend Pam's daughter, Julie, and her husband.  They are moving across the country, and looking for new jobs!  Please pray for their move and their job searches.

I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl in the whole world!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.

Please pray for one of my dearest friends, Sarah.  She lost her Grandmother last week.

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

Wishful Wednesday

Today I'm excited to participate in Seattle Smith's Wishful Wednesday for the first time!

Today's Topic - I Wish...I had the opportunity to change careers, and I would be...A Psychologist!

I got my Psychology degree at Texas A&M, and I really, really wish that I would have kept going to school and gotten my PhD.  I would love to be any type of counselor.  I am fascinated by how people think, and why they make the decisions that they do.  I am also beyond interested in behavioral disorders, OCD, bipolar, addictions, hording, serial killers...if it is different than the normal behaviors - I want to learn all about it!  And, all the new shows on A&E DO NOT help with my fixation - I can't get enough of them and Hubby pretty much hates them - haha!

If you could change your career, what would you choose?

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge - Day 29

Good morning Ladies!

Welcome to Day 29 of our Encouragement Challenge!  I can't believe we are almost done!  For those of you that have been following our challenge, thank you so much for sticking with me, I appreciate it more than you know.

Here is Day 29 -

"A prudent man foresees evil, and hides himself; the simple pass on, and are punished"  Proverbs 27:12

As you near the end of this challenge, take time to think about your husband's responses to the wickedness of the culture, the media, etc.  Does your husband recognize and avoid evil?  Does he regularly turn his back on pornography, sexual temptations, and the urge to lie and cheat?

This is a valuable character trait.  Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who fled from the wicked advances of Potiphar's wife, this takes an understanding that these kinds of sins are first and foremost, sins against God.  (Genesis 39:9)

Praise your husband when he recognizes and turns his back on wickedness.  If you can think of a circumstance where your husband stood for righteousness, remind him of that today--and express your gratitude.

Our church tells us that more than half of the marriage counseling they do stems from problems with pornography.  Wow.  That's obviously a huge problem in many marriages.  Thankfully, this is not an issue in our marriage.  But I do know many friends of hubby's that do have this problem in their relationship.  I cannot imagine how I would feel about that.  Inadequate, not pretty enough, and so sad are the first feelings that come to mind when I think of how wives in that situation may feel.  I am so grateful that hubby is a good man that does not participate in these types of activities.

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge - Day 28

Good morning Ladies!

Welcome to Day 28 of our challenge!  I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday, blogger was acting up and I was having trouble. 

"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, and before honor is humility" Proverbs 15:33

Sometimes, when we just "know" we are right and our husbands are wrong, it takes great humility to honor them.  It is difficult to speak well of our husbands when our own hearts are puffed up with pride.

As part of your challenge today, pray that you will respond to the Lord in faith and humility before you react to your husband.  Speak wisely and well, and leave the results to God.

The humility that comes from a right relationship with God--the humility that comes when a man is willing to listen to God and be taught from His Word--is indeed a beautiful quality.  Jesus was an example of this kind of humility when he was willing to submit to His Father's will John 6:38, Matthew 26:39

Does your husband have that kind of humility?  Is he willing to learn from and submit to direction from the Lord?  Let your husband know how precious this is to your marriage relationship.

This is a lesson I am still learning.  I have a tendency to argue when I know I am right, and my husband is just as stubborn, if not more.  So, now, when I know he is wrong, I tell him once, nicely (something like, that might be the case, but I think it might be this way...) and when he continues to disagree with me, I say, you must be right, I'm sorry about that.  Usually, a day or two later, (sometimes sooner, sometimes never), he will say, you were right about that thing (whatever it was).  He doesn't apologize, but he will acknowledge that I was right and that he realized it.  I just smile and say, I know.  It's HARD.  Especially when your husband is very opinionated.  But, that is one of the things that I love most about him.  He always stands by what he believes in and thinks is right - and that is a beautiful quality!

Women Living Well - Completing Him Challenge!

Today I am so excited to begin participating in Courtney's challenge - Completing Him! 

As a new wife, I am still learning and struggling to be a good, supportive, biblical wife.  Courtney's blog has been such a wonderful resource for me - I just love it!  This challenge will take place on Mondays this summer.  Visit her blog and check it out!  My plan is to link up each Monday and participate.  (I know I'm a day late today...oops.)

I hope you'll visit Women Living Well and join in!

Prayer Thursday (A Day Late)

Good morning Ladies!  And, Happy Friday!!!

I sincerely apologize that I didn't get to our prayer requests yesterday.  It was a crazy day at work, and we had a "team building" happy hour afterwards, so I didn't get home until later in the evening.  But, I didn't want to miss our prayers for this week - so I'm posting a day late - I'm sorry!

Thank you all so much for your prayers this past week!  If we can pray for you, please leave your prayer request in the comments below, or feel free to email me - michelleannadams@yahoo.com

Here are our prayer requests for this week -

Please pray for my friends, April and Brad.  They had twins this week, and the babies are so tiny and need a lot of love and TLC.  They are expected to be in the hospital for at least a month.  You can visit their page here to read about their story.

Please pray for the people of Nashville.  So many have lost so much because of these floods.  It has been amazing to see the articles about how that community has come together.

Please pray for the oil spill.  That it will be resolved in the best way possible, protect our oceans, beaches and animals. Please pray for the families of those that lost their lives in this disaster.

Please pray for Mary's Husband.  He has prostate cancer.  Please pray for him and the doctors that care for him.

Please pray for my dear friend Craig.  He is actually my Daddy's best friend, and has been like a second father to me.  For those of you that know me "in real life", he is the gentlemen that read in our wedding.  His father passed away yesterday.  Please pray for their family and their healing.

Please pray for my sweet friend Jackie.  She is pregnant with quadruplets!  You can read about her journey here.

Please pray for my Daddy's (Jerry) job search and that his good spirits continue.  He had his last round of interviews this week!  Praise!  Please pray that God will show the company and Daddy the right path, and that if it doesn't work out, he knows that it is God's plan and isn't crushed.  Thank you so much for your prayers!

Please pray for my Grandparents, Ed & Helen.  They are having some health troubles, and my grandmother seems like she is suffering from depression. 

Please pray for little Jed Harper.  You can read about his story here.  What a beautiful family turning their sweet son's health over to God.  They are truly inspiring.

Please pray for baby Cohen and his parents.  You can read their story here.

Please pray for my friend Pam's daughter, Julie, and her husband.  They are moving across the country, and looking for new jobs!  Please pray for their move and their job searches.

I have been following Lianna's blog for a few months now, and she just seems like the sweetest girl in the whole world!  She and her husband are waiting for God to bless them with a child.  You can read about them here.

Please pray for one of my dearest friends, Sarah.  They put her Grandmother into hospice, and they do not think it will be long before she leaves for heaven.  Please pray for her family and her Grandfather during this difficult time.

Praise!  Our friends, Britney and Brandon, welcomed their first child into the world last night.  Baby Cayden is beautiful and doing great!  She had a C Section, so please pray for her recovery and their journey as new parents.  We got to visit them this weekend, and I fell in LOVE with Cayden.  He let me hold him for over an hour!  I can tell we are going to be great buddies :)

Thank you so very much for all of your prayers!  Please let me know if we can pray for you!

Show Us Your Life - Random Acts of Kindness

Today's Show Us Your Life is Random Acts of Kindness.  I LOVE random acts of kindness!  I just think they make people's days.

For some reason, I am always compelled to help elderly people.  This seems to happen at the grocery store quite a bit.  Sometimes they can't reach things from the scooters, or I see them eyeing bottles of water or something else heavy, and I always offer to help.  My grandfather rides a scooter at the grocery store because he only has one leg, and I always think of him having trouble at the grocery store when I see other grandparent looking types.  Sometimes though, they aren't very nice.  The Mr. says that sometimes offering help to a man (as a woman) can be insulting.  I learned this after offering a sweet looking older man help with one of those huge water bottles.  (not the gallon or the next one, but the next one).  He was trying to shimmy it off the shelf into his basket, and I, of course, thought of my Edaddy, and wanted to help.  So, I sweetly said, sir, can I please help you with that?  I got a not very nice remark back about he can do it himself and why don't I take my nosey little self somewhere else.  Of course, my oversensitive self went home and cried about the mean old man.  After talking it over with the Mr. though, I realized that he was probably very upset and frustrated that he couldn't do it himself and it really wasn't about me.  I still did the right thing, I think : )  I haven't let it stop me yet!

Hubby and I also do things for our neighbors.  Just little things, like putting their trash cans up by their garage after the trash service comes, returning toys, balls and riding things that get left behind, and grabbing the occasional dog that has sprung free.  They do the same for us, and it is so wonderful to have such great friends right down the street!

My last act of kindness sounds shallow, but it is something I have watched my Mom do for as long as I can remember, and I think it is the sweetest thing ever.  When I was little, I always remember her stopping to tell dressed up little old ladies that they looked pretty.  She would tell me that she thought it was probably hard to get old, and to keep trying to keep up your appearance after so many years.  She said that it was nice to let people know that other people noticed your efforts.  I don't know where she learned that, but it is so sweet to watch someones face light up when you tell them you like their shoes, their hair, their outfit - or just that they look pretty!  I mean, it makes my day if someone tells me that I look pretty (shallow, I know, but I know some of you feel the same way!).  Let's face it, our husband's don't always remember to tell us that they think we are beautiful, and it is so nice to hear it from someone else every once in awhile.  So, I tell people often that I love something about their appearance, strangers or not.

I can't wait to hear about your random acts of kindness!  Link up to Kelly's Korner to check them all out!

Our Memorial Day Weekend

As has become a tradition for our little family, Hubby and I spent the Memorial Day weekend at his parent's lakehouse in Crockett, Texas.

I love Crockett.  It is such a cute little town.  My favorite time to go is July 4th - they have that down home celebration thing down to an art!  It's so refreshing.

Hubby and I got into town Friday night and ate at Don Raffa's.  It was SO GOOD.  We actually ate there twice that weekend :)

We got to see deer each evening.  They were just to fast for me to get a good picture of them!

This is how I spent most of my weekend.  And no, I didn't care that my chair was in danger of tipping over - haha!

Seriously, this was the most relaxed I have been in a long, long time.  It's just something about the water I think.

Hubby and I spent two afternoons by the water - solving all the worlds problems.  Just kidding.  We did spend hours taking about our life, what we love about it, where we want it to go, and how we want to get there.  It was wonderful.

See the ducks at the end of the picture?  I decided that they are married.  Jeff says ducks don't get married, but they were just too cute.  When we got there, they were doing this -

Having a nice little bath.  Then, they spent the next half hour grooming.  My father in law says they were oiling their feathers.  After that the girl duck (the white one) headed under the bench and sat in the shade.  Not long after, the boy duck went and sat next to her.  They were still there together hours later when we left.  I know it's silly to write all of this about ducks, but it was just so sweet and nice to watch.

We have been talking about buying an investment home / lake house lately.  These are for sale and I love them.  We are not even sure where we want to buy something, or when - but it's so fun to look.

Isn't this one cute and charming?

I want to thank everyone that has served our country.  You are constantly in my prayers, and I appreciate all that you do more than you will ever know - Happy Memorial Day!

30 Things before I'm 30 - #15 - Volunteer!

So, I have really been lacking on my 30 Things before 30 list!  You can read it here if you would like.

But, last night, I took a step in the right direction!

Number 15 on the list is to join a volunteer organization.  Well, I took the first step and signed up to volunteer for the Layla Grace foundation!  If you haven't read sweet Layla's story, I encourage you to do so.  The event is - A Taste of Cy-Fair.

The event is Sunday, June 13, from 12pm - 4pm at the Northwest Forest Conference Center.  It will be a great family event and all proceeds will benefit the Layla Grace Foundation.  Many local businesses will be showcased, and the price of your ticket includes free food and drink samples from over 40 local restaurants!  I get to help with the kid's crafts - making butterflies :)  I'm so excited!  If you live in the Cy-Fair area, please come and check it out!

30 Day Husband Encouragement Challenge - Day 27

Hi Ladies!  I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  We did, I promise I'll do a post tonight :)  Work has been crazy, and it always seems like I am so behind after having a day off.  Does anyone else feel that way?

Welcome to Day 27 of our Challenge -

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:24

You have almost completed the "30-Day Husband Encouragement Challenge".  Perhaps it has taken you are tremendous amount of courage to speak words of encouragement consistently to your husband.  Have faith that God will continue to work long after your encouraging words have been shared.

There are lots of "tough guys" in the world, but true courage comes from the Lord.  Does your husband exhibit the courage to take an unpopular stand, perhaps even to stand against evil?  Is he courageous in his faith?  Does he work hard to change injustice?  Is he a stickler for the truth?  Does he protect you or your family from attacks of the Enemy?

Psalm 27:14 says this kind of courage comes from "waiting" on the Lord for his strength.  If your budget allows, award your husband with a medal, trophy, framed picture of a brave knight, or some other token that represents his courage as a man of God.  Praise evidences of your husband's courage in protecting you, your marriage, your family, or your home.

Today's challenge makes me think of one of our "Nearly Wed" classes at our church.  They spent the majority of class talking about the wife's responsibilities - make a nice home, support, encourage, and build up your husband, raise your children, be sexually available for your husband, be meek, be timid, be graceful, etc.  Just when I thought, wow, this is way too much, I don't know if I can do all of this - they said, and the husbands are responsible for the family's salvation.  WOW.  That is huge.  Hubby's job is not only to provide for and to protect me and our future children, but also to nuture and protect our salvation and our relationships with God.  I'll take my duties anyday - haha!  I can't imagine the weight that he carries on his shoulders, and I am so proud of the courage that he shows by taking on all the husbandly responsibilities that God called him to.