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!

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!