Completing Him Challenge - Praise!

In practice with our assignment for the Completing Him Challenge, I asked hubby how I could pray for him this week.  His answer for the past three days has been, "Pray that I get my last deal".  Hubby sells services for a national company.  This is the first month of their fiscal year.  He is one deal short of his monthly quota.  Basically, they are given incentives for meeting their quotas each month, but if you miss one, you miss out for the whole year.  You can't go back if you miss one month and get back on the incentive wagon.  So, if he didn't get his last deal, he would be out of the running for these incentives for the whole year.  He has been so stressed about this - and jumped on the opportunity when I asked him if I could pray for him.  So, I've been praying.  I prayed for God to give him guidance, to send him in the right directions, to have him look places he might not normally look, and to have hubby trust him that he would provide him what we needed.  I also prayed that if it didn't work out, that God would give him confidence in his work and would not let him be too down on himself.  I prayed in the morning, while I was working, when I got home, when we went to sleep.

And guess what?  GOD ANSWERED OUR PRAYERS!  Hubby spent the entire day yesterday trying new things and reaching out to new people, and the most random company gave him a referral.  He was concerned that it wouldn't be able to run in time, but guess what?  He just called and told me that everything fell into place and is going to work out perfectly.  PRAISE GOD!

I just wanted to share with all of you doing this challenge that it's only been 3 days of deliberately praying for my husband, and look what has already happened.  God is Great!!!!  I cannot wait to see what he does next!  My first response to hubby was, "WOW!  God answered our prayers!!!"  He said, "Yeah babe, he sure did.  Thank you for praying".  That just makes my heart so happy!

Blog Awards!

I feel like such a lucky girl :)

I got two blog awards!  Can I just say how much I appreciate the blogging community?  I have "met" so many women that are so special, wonderful and supportive.  I feel so blessed to get to know each and every woman that I come across.  Thank you all so much for sharing your lives and for being a part of mine :)

The first blog award came from sweet Lisa at It's Him I Praise.  She is such a sweet woman that has an amazing love for God.  Please check out her blog.

Here are the rules -

1. Thank the person that gave this award to you

2. Copy the award and put it on your blog

3. List three things which you love about yourself

4. Post a picture you love

5. Tag five people you wish to pass this award on to

1. Thank you so much Lisa!  You are so sweet!

2. This award is just too cute!  I don't know who made it originally, but it is just adorable!

3. Three things I love about myself....1. I love God and am so thankful that I know him. 2. I am very sensitive to other people's feelings (sometimes to a fault - this gets me in trouble sometimes - haha!)  3. I adore my husband.  I am so happy that I do!

4.

This is hubby and I holding hands at our wedding during my Pappa's prayer for our marriage.  It makes me happy : )

5. I would like to pass this on the the following lovely ladies -

1. A Day in the Life of  a Newlywed

2. Just Me and My Life

3. Just the two of us...and a cat

4. Embellished Bayou

5. Veronika's Blushing

The next award, "You're Going Places, Baby" (how cute it that??) came from cute Kelly and Kelly's Avenue.  Her blog is so cute and fun, I really enjoy it!  Be sure to check her out.  Thank you so much Kelly!

This award asks you to describe where you think you will be in 10 years.

Well, in 10 years I will be pushing 40!  Yikes!  I always tell hubby that we plan and God giggles, but, I would love to be a mommy to a healthy, loving child or two, a wonderful wife to my amazing husband, a loving daughter to my healthy, happy parents, and involved in an amazing church family.  And, very successful in my career.  A girl can dream, right?

Pass this on to 10 of your blog friends (I'm going to do 5 since I already did 5 on the award above :)

1. A Southern Belle and her SWO

2. Lee La La

3. Life After Placing

4. Life as a Coaches Wife

5. We're Better Together

Wishful Wednesday...Shopping!

Happy Wednesday Ladies! 

Today's Wishful Wednesday is...

I wish I had White House Black Market as my personal closet and could shop from it daily!

I love, love love EVERYTHING from this store!

I mean, who wanted want to choose from these beautiful pieces each morning...

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!  There are many more items that I adore, but I don't want to bore you to death :)

You can find them all here - www.whitehouseblackmarket.com

I hope you have a great day!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  Head on over to Seattle Smith's and join the Wednesday fun!

Completing Him Challenge - Week #3

Hi Ladies!  Today we are participating in Week #3 of Women Living Well's Completing Him Challenge.

I LOVE this weeks challenge and I am going to commit to doing it fully!

This weeks challenge is to Pray for your Husband.

I pray for hubby every day, but no differently than I pray for anyone else, I am ashamed to say.  I am going to ask him each morning how I can pray for him, and follow Courtney's suggestions listed below, that she pulled from "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian.  I am going to order this - I hope I get it before our trip this weekend so I can read it at the lake!

Here is her list of things to pray for -

1. His Wife (that's me!)

2. His Work (I do this daily.  He is in a high pressure sales job, which he loves, but it is really stressful at times.)

3. His finances

4. His sexuality

5. His affections

6. His temptations ( I never thought to pray for this before - what a great thought!)

7. His mind

8. His fears

9. His purpose

10. His choices

11. His health

12. His protection

13. His trials

14. His integrity

15. His reputation

16. This priorities

17. His relationships

18. His fatherhood (This one doesn't really apply to us - I guess I could pray for his future fatherhood?)

19. His past

20. His attitude

21. His marriage (I can honestly say that I pray for this constantly)

22. His emotions

23. His walk

24. His talk

25. His repentance

26. His deliverance

27. His obedience

28. His self-image

29. His faith

30. His future

I am so excited to start praying for my hubby in all of these areas - Today!

Do you pray for your husband daily?  What specifically do you pray for him?

Link up to the Challenge and join!

Blog Award!

Sweet Kelly at Kelly's Avenue gave me a blog award!  Thank you so much Kelly!  Please check out her blog - it's too cute!

Here are the rules -

Thank the blogger that gave you the award.

Thank you Kelly!

Sum up your blogging philosophy, motivation and experience in five (5) words.

honest, christian, imperfect, girly, fun

Pass it on to 10 other blogs which you feel have real substance

On Love Faith and Family

Meet The Hessons

Highs Lows and Stilettos

Rooted In Love

Seaside Smitten

The Seattle Smiths

It's Him I Praise

Newlyweds Next Door

Marriage Tales

Grammy Girlfriend

I hope you are all having a great weekend!

It's that time of year...

For Bikinis!!!

I'm not going to lie to you, this is not my favorite topic.  But, I have been working really really hard to get my bikini body ready this summer!  I was in rockstar shape this time last year, right after our wedding.  Well, I've had a wonderful first married year full of dinners together, cozy nights in where we just couldn't imagine going to the gym...and well...I gained 10lbs.  Oops.  How does that happen so fast?  Well, I only have 3 more to go - yay!!!  I have a feeling that these last three are going to be rough to get off!

We are going to Vegas with friends to celebrate hubby's 30th birthday.  I can't wait!  Well, I can wait for running around the pool in a bikini - ha!  For encouragement my husband bought me two bikinis from Victoria's Secret.  Isn't he sweet?  He NEVER buys me clothes, and I was so surprised to get a package in the mail yesterday.  He is in Florida for work, so it was so sweet to know that he is thinking of me.  Here's what I got -

Mine is aqua, white and tan striped.  So, so cute!  And seriously, if you don't own a bikini top like this - you need one!  It is very padded, and gives you a big boost!!  I almost didn't recognize my bust in there - haha!

This one is so cute, and reminds me of the neon bikinis from the 80's.  I am an 80's girl at heart - so I adore it!!  Disclaimer: I look NOTHING like the girls in these pictures - ha ha!

So, getting my fun package of bikinis last night made not eating carbs for the past two weeks totally worth it and gave me more incentive to keep going!  Now if I can just make it to July 8th for Vegas...without a chip or a piece of bread....

Do you have a routine to get ready for a bikini outing or a vacation?  Have you bought your new swimsuits for the summer?

(pics from google images)

Friday Fives

Today is our first time to participate in Friday Fives with Just Me and My Life.

1. If given a choice to skip work for a day, how would you spend the entire day?

I would start the day with a workout.  Then I would go get a mani / pedi.  Then I would meet some girlfriends for a light lunch with a cool glass of wine on a patio somewhere.  Yummm....

After that I would take a little nap, watch some daytime TV and wait for hubby to get home.  Ahhh...what a perfect day that would be!

2. If you could start fresh, what profession would you choose?
I would be a psychologist.  I LOVE trying to figure out why people do the things they do.  I am just fascinated with the way people's minds work!

3. What is your favorite Candy Bar?

4. Have you ever bought anything off of an infomercial or an "As seen on TV" item?

5. What movie do you ALWAYS cry at?

I adore this movie, but it just breaks my heart.  Multiple times. 

Hubby was mad at me for a week after I brought this home to watch.  We cried like babies.

Hubby had never seen this movie, and made fun of the fact that all girls love it.  He said, "It couldn't possibly be as wonderful or as sad as you say".  Ask him what he thinks now :)

Go link up to Friday Fives and join the fun!

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's parents. You can read their story here.  I would love for you to take a moment to say a specific prayer for baby Cohen.  He is in God's beautiful hands now.  You can link up and read everyone's prayers for him today on Send Love to Cohen.  I cannot imagine how his parents feel right now.  Please pray for God to give them peace and understanding.

 

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

Please pray for sweet Sarah.  She is praying and waiting for God to bless her with a true Godly man that could be a wonderful influence to her young son to share their lives with.  Her testimony is so beautiful, I felt inspired just reading it.

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 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 Pappa.  It was about this time last year that he and my Daddy made some very difficult decisions regarding her care.  She passed away almost a year ago, and I know he is struggling with all those feelings.  It would mean the world to me if you could please lift him in prayer over the next month.

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.  She will be having surgery soon, please pray for her doctors and that God will guide them during their decision making process.

Please pray for all the beautiful wives participating in the Completing Him Challenge.  I have read about so many amazing women that are praying for their husbands this week.  And, in light of our challenge this week, could you please say a sentence prayer for my marriage?  Thank you!

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

Wishful Wednesday...Lost...

Good morning Ladies!

Today's Wishful Wednesday topic is...

I wish I hadn't lost...

Lots of Jewelry!

I know, I know, it's terrible.  But I have lost SO MUCH jewelry over the years.  I'm much better now - I have held onto my Aggie Ring for 7 years now, and my wedding rings seem to be safe...

I have been given some beautiful pieces of jewelry.  My Aunt, otherwise known as the most fun woman in the world, has given me enough fun jewelry to last a girl a lifetime.  Do I still have the good stuff?  Nope.  Do I somehow manage to keep up with the costume stuff?  Of course. 

I think my losses are a combination of sports / dance practice in high school, and just college in general.  I am determined not to lose any more jewels!

Link up to Seattle Smith's and join the fun!

Blessed.

Do you ever have those days where you are just overcome with the blessings that God has provided you?
I felt that way this morning.  I was thinking about how wonderful my husband was, how kind, fun, forgiving and sweet.  There are so many times that I do not deserve such a wonderful man.  I started thinking about all the other blessings in my life that I do not deserve - my amazing, supportive family, our wonderful home, our jobs, our friends, our finances...the list is endless.  There was some song on the radio with lyrics, "God will never leave you..."  I can't remember what the song was - but it was just the icing on the cake.  That is the greatest blessing of all - God's love and forgiveness.  I tear up at the thought.  I do not deserve this selfless love, devotion, and Grace.  How amazing is it that God gives us all of this, and all he asks for in return is that we love him and walk in his word?

I have been overwhelmed with everyday things lately.  Work, our social calendar (seriously - we have 7 weddings this year - 7!!), keeping up with our families, keeping up with the house cleaning, and just keeping up with "us".  I know that God puts these little reminders in my life to keep me grounded and focused on just how wonderful things are, and just how blessed we are.  It is just amazing to me.  I am so grateful.

Do you ever feel like God puts little things in your life to keep you grounded and focused?

Completing Him Challenge - Week #2

Hi Ladies!  Welcome to Week #2 of the Completing Him Challenge!  Please visit Women Living Well to read the full challenge and to link up!

This weeks challenge - Remember.  Remember the day you entered your sacred vows.  If you are a blogger, please post pictures from that day and share your story. 

Our wedding day was everything I wanted it to be and more.  I hope and pray that I will never, ever forget how I felt that day - so happy, so blessed, so in love.

Our wedding was at the First Methodist Church of Houston, Texas.  It is a very old, ornate church with the most incredible people ever!  Our minister, Pastor Mark, was beyond amazing.  I could watch our video over and over to listen to him prepare Jeff and I for our marriage vows. 

Our reception was the most fun I have ever, ever had!  All our loved ones were there to celebrate the start of our lives together.  It was a beautiful Spring day in April, and we spent hours celebrating.  We kept extending the DJ because everyone was having such a great time.  I would love to relive that day over and over.  I don't think it's fair we only get to do it once - haha! 

Here are a million (because I just can't help myself and they make me so happy) a few pictures from our day.

Thoughts on Our Completing Him Challenge - Warm Fuzzies

So, I have been thinking about our challenge this week.  Below is our purpose this week -

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!

On the way home from work last night, after 8:30 (yes, I had another one of those 13 hour days...yuck!), I popped in an old CD that hubby made me while we were dating 6 years ago.  Isn't it amazing how songs can take you back to a certain time and place, happy or sad?  Well, this CD was the first one he ever made me, and it was full of Texas Country songs that we loved. 

You see, when we first started seriously dating, all of his friends were single.  Every last one.  They are such a great group of guys, and they embraced me with open arms and took me everywhere they went.  I always felt welcome, and they were so nice to me (still are of course).  It was so much fun.  We would ride in the back seat of Brandon's truck (he always drove, I have no idea why) and I would sit in hubby's lap because we would all be squished in.  Brandon and Greg would play Randy Rogers Cd's, and those silly boys would just sing and sing.  And hubby would hold me tight.  Those were the days.  Our usual destination was Red River - the trashiest, dirtiest bar I have EVER been to.  EVER.  But, I really grew to love it.  They had .50 beers, and shots were so cheap.  We would spend the whole night there rating the other girls (trust me, there are not very many 10s at Red River), 2 stepping, and just having the best time ever.  Then, we would usually go eat something (Taco C comes to mind the most), and we would go back to hubby's car.  He would kill me for sharing this - but he would sing the songs on that CD to me the whole way home, and then kiss me goodnight.  Ah, I miss those days.

When I got home last night, hubby was tired and cranky.  Since I was home so late, he ate cereal for dinner (and a whole bag of rice cakes - haha!) and had a really long day.  When I told him about the CD and how I missed all those fun times, he said, "Babe, we had to grow up.  We have many more responsibilities and commitments now.  We can't just go out drinking and dancing every weekend.".  And I thought, "Well, why not?"  I know the answer.  We only have a few free weekends until the end of the year.  And I'm sure those will fill up very quickly.  And, we do not have the luxury of sleeping for half a day on Saturday or Sunday, because we have chores, commitments, and church.  And, we are out of town as many (if not more) weekends as we are home.

Do you and your husband still do the things that you did years ago when you were newly dating?  How do you keep all those fun, warm and fuzzy memories alive?  Thinking of them last night really made me miss them.  Don't get me wrong, I love our life, and I love being married so much - and I'm sure someday I'll look back and say, "Remember when we first got married, I want to feel like that again" - haha!  But, I sure do miss all those fun, carefree times : )  I guess hubby is right, it's just part of growing up!

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!