Be My Valentine- Marriage Challenge

Week 3! It's all in the lips. ;)

Oh how excited I was about this week's challenge! I always loved kissing. Over time the kissing becomes less and less. But it doesn't have to be that way! It was pretty awkward trying to kiss my husband in a passionate way. Really, I must've forgotten when is an appropriate time to kiss him. By the way, trying to kiss him passionately after a 14 hour day when he's almost half asleep is NOT a good idea. You'll get rejected, and it'll cause you to be upset. I learned that the hard way- almost. I still kiss him while he's sleeping sometimes. ;)

Don't forget to surprise that special man with some lip-lovin'!

Oh, how time flies!

Today was the last day that I could say I have a one year old! She will be two tomorrow!!

I still remember exactly where I was when I found out I was pregnant. Wow.. It feels like ages ago! I've changed so much these past few years and it's only because I've let my God and Savior take over my life. This is something I don't normally tell people, but I've felt more and more compelled to let others know what I've been through..

I was 19. I was crazy, rebellious, in college- not a care in the world. I had just gotten a boyfriend but didn't think much of our relationship. He was perfect! He loved me, drove far for me, cared about me, went to church with me, had a car, had a respectable job- the whole package. I knew he was in love with me. I could see it in his eyes, but I couldn't bring myself to be crazy about him. (It makes me so sad to write this.) If I knew then what I know now..

Anyway, he wanted to get married. Since I was a crazy, wild teen I said yes. We had only been dating for like 2 months! What was I thinking?! A week later we found out I was pregnant. "Okay. Either way I'm going to be around this man for the rest of my life, might as well make it into a good experience."

So we got married.. Just the two of us with a judge in a courthouse. Two young, clueless people ready to embark on a lifelong journey that never gets easier.

After we got married, we were smart enough to set down some basic ground rules:
1. No going out to clubs or bars
2. No girls night out or guys night out
3. No alcohol in our house
4. No cursing in our house
5. Everyone under our roof WILL go to church every weekend

Looking back.. I was only 19! I know 19 year olds (and even older) that would NEVER agree to these rules. I knew this was an important commitment and I was not going to allow the devil into my relationship that easily! I knew I was doing things that were unpleasing to God, thinking thoughts I shouldn't, planning stuff that would only lead to self-ruin...

So I prayed. (and changed my ways, thoughts, and plans- but that's another story)

Oh, I prayed. I prayed and prayed and prayed. My husband had agreed to the rules but had a hard time with his language and getting up every weekend to go to church. (I wish I could find the drive to pray as much as I did then- now. I'm trying.) Sometimes I'd pray and weep to God. I wanted to have a happy marriage, but things were very difficult at the time. My new husband was unemployed for three months and I was a student at an art school. (Art school drains your pockets.) I was pregnant and extremely hormonal. All I could do was pray. I didn't know anything else. All I knew was that God was powerful, that faith could move mountains, and that nothing was impossible by His side.

And.. It worked!

Within three (very tough) months my husband decided to give his life to Christ and he got baptized. Oh, what a happy day that was for me! I've been in the church ever since I was a young girl, and I'd seen so many people try to bring others into the church without much success. But we were different! I allowed God to do all the work.. All I did was pray- and constantly.

Today, I thank God for allowing me to get pregnant before marriage. You might be saying, "What?!" If I wouldn't've been pregnant, I honestly would not have gotten married. I would've kept going on the path that I was going, and I would've destroyed my life.

God used my husband and my baby to save me from myself.

I can never thank Him enough for what He's done for me, what He keeps doing for me, and what He will do for me in the future!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4)

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36) 

If you're going through a hard time, don't try to control the situation. Just have faith that God is taking care of you. He will always be right by your side. He loves you so much! All you have to do is seek Him and believe in Him. Easier said than done. Trust me, I know. Practice makes perfect! Keep praying, keep believing, and He will reward you.

A little late..

Hi all! This week I was sick and unable to blog, but I'm feeling a tad better today. (Yay!) Anyway, this week was the second week of the Marriage Challenge. Even though my husband was the one showing most of the love, I was able to show him my appreciation too. When we first got married, we used to leave each other sticky notes everywhere. So, in honor of our newlywed love, I did this:

These sticky notes are a great and flexible way to show each other love. You can get as creative as you want! I love them!! Anyway, it has now been 4 days and the sticky notes are still there. He loves them! Since I was sick he made me tea, gave me a massage, cooked dinner, bought me flowers, and a huge balloon. (I totally love balloons!) 

What has everyone been doing for their husbands? I need ideas for next week!

Day 2 of the Marriage Challenge!

What did you do for your husband today? I had to get creative today! Usually I don't make my husband anything to take for lunch. That's something he does for himself and sometimes (okay, a lot of the time) he forgets his lunch and eats fast food. Today, he was working around our house and I was still home, so I made him a quick lunch and snuck a little surprise in there to help him with his stress. (He owns a concrete business)

I had to leave for work before he could pick it up, but he called me later to say thank you and that he loved the drink I surprised him with. It's a Neuro Bliss. (If you haven't tried their drinks, you should!)

Be My Valentine- Marriage Challenge Week One

Valentine's Day is right around the corner! What are you planning to do with your spouse?

My husband and I have never really made a big deal about it, but this year I am doing the Marriage Challenge by Courtney at womenlivingwell.org! I have to say I was a little hesitant at first as my husband and I aren't at our best right now. But it's only four weeks, and what will it hurt, right?

This week is about praising your husband, taking the initiative, and being consistent. I am always thanking him for working so hard and being a good dad, but this week I have to step out of my comfort zone. I am determined to tell him these things and let other people know how I feel about him. Even though we have our differences, he really is an amazing husband and father.

This is how I praised my husband today:

It's hard to dig for the right words sometimes, but I encourage you to take some time to think about how your spouse has made you and your life better, and give thanks for it.

A little about me!

Hi my name is Jacky. I'm happily married to an awesome man that I've known pretty much my whole life. Don't get me wrong we are not always happy and we have lots of problems, but we are strong and willing to work on it together...

Liz and I have been doing a bible study for the past two months on Proverbs 31 "the Proverbs Wife".
These two months have been a learning experience on how God wants me to be as a wife- especially since I am so.... head strong. LOL. Especially in this time and age were they tell us, women, wives to be our own person and that we don't have to do a thing for our husbands if we don't want to. "They (guys) can make their own food, wash their own dishes, clean up after themselves". Now, don't get me wrong that is not necessarily bad and guys can do all that by themselves. Actually, the other day my husband made me a surprise breakfast and I didn't even know he could cook!

I've learned that us, as wives, should do the things that are expected of us to do: cook, clean, and other wifely duties. We will be happier doing those things for our husbands. I know when I clean or do other things at home and I see my husband smile cause I did it makes me soooo happy. Then they will be happy and I 100% believe that then they will start doing things for us to make us happy.

Trust me, what I just wrote I would have never believed it, and I never did or wanted to. This was before I started studying Proverbs 31. I would just sit at home watching TV and I wouldn't do anything at home. I'd clean whenever my husband offered to help clean and I was super depressed, but I chose to do nothing about it. Cleaning is not only a wife duty but honestly it makes you feel better living in a clean environment.

New year, new me.

Haven't we all said this at least once in our lifetime? And, every time we say it we think we actually mean it, but by the time March comes along, that resolution has been long gone. What happened to that extra weight we wanted to rid ourselves of? What happened to those boxes that needed sorting out? What happened to the clothes we said we'd donate?

I know I've let myself down many times before. Maybe it was because I was trying to do too much at one time. It gets overwhelming trying to change every aspect of your life at one time- especially if you're a working mom and wife. (Oh, please. Don't get me started!) So why is it so difficult to stay focused? I've wondered this many times myself, and I've realized it's not so much about focusing but more about being motivated. I am terrible at motivating myself.

I never realized how bad I am at keeping my own head up until this holiday season. I had two weeks off from work for Christmas and the New Year holiday. I could NOT get myself off that sofa! Pitiful if you ask me. I thought I was going to clean out my closet, cook every day, start my workout regime, take my daughter outside to the snow, etc. Don't get me wrong, I cooked, cleaned, took my daughter places, worked out- once or twice, but it wasn't what I was hoping for.

And that's where our troubles begin. Expectations- of ourselves, our spouse, our family, society, organizations, the government, our finances, etc. It is so hard to live a life where our results never meet our expectations. The sad part is most of us live this life. I know I do. It is extremely frustrating. 

God is the only one who can go above and beyond our expectations, and we must learn to accept that. We've gotten so used to waking up every morning, breathing, and having all our needs met that we forget He's doing this because He loves us. He has NO obligation to do anything for us, but His great love doesn't let Him stay away from blessing us every day of our lives.

Is something bothering you today? Did someone do less than expected? Are people treating you as less than you deserve? Don't forget The One who is always by your side, who loves you unconditionally, and who was willing to give His only son to die- for you.

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:15)