My Prayer to Find A Husband (And How It Came True!)

When I was in college, I used to write my prayer intentions in a journal everyday.  So in March 2005 when I was a junior, I decided my next prayer was going to be for my future spouse.

And I was going to be specific!  Because why not?!  This man will only be the most important person in my life!  So I asked God for the best, and I wrote down every.little.thing that I wanted in my future husband.

Now, I was saying this as a part of a novena to St. Joseph.  A novena is a prayer said for 9 days for a specific intention.  And as St. Joseph is the spouse of Mary and the foster father of Jesus, I thought it would be perfect to ask him to pray to God for me for my future spouse.

And that's where the sweet little miracles began...

So I started my novena in the middle of March.  But I forgot one day - on March 19th to be exact - so I decided to start the prayer over.  At the time, I didn't realize it, but March 19th is St. Joseph's feast day (the day that the Catholic Church celebrates him!).

So I started the novena prayer again.  And on the new 9th day of my prayer for my future spouse, I had a very special patient sitting in my dental chair that day at school - Jim.

The man I prayed for (Christmas 2006)

This was the first time that Jim and I had ever had a conversation one-on-one.  We first met in a college youth group a few months prior (it was love at first sight for me!), but we were just friends and had only hung out in groups.  But I seriously loved him from day 1 - he just didn't know it!

I remember that dental appointment very well...

He came LATE.

When I was taking his blood pressure, my heart was beating out of my chest because I had to hold his wrist, so in my mind I was technically very close holding his hand!  (I was really hoping he couldn't tell how nervous I was or feel my heart wildly beating through my fingertips!)

I chatted at him for 4 hours while I worked on him.  (Yes, students need that much extra time!)  Of course, he got to speak too when I took my instruments out of his mouth.  (I'm not that hygienist!)

I thought it went well, so I was very happy after that appointment!

The dating years!  (Advent 2006)

Throughout all of this though, I didn't realize that his appointment landed on the last day of my prayer.  I wrote my prayer intentions weeks in advance.  I had last looked at it on the 19th when I crossed out the days I messed up.  So a couple of days after his appointment with me, I opened my journal to write out my next several prayer intentions.

And then I saw it.

The 9th day was that day.  The day that Jim and I first talked one-on-one.  And it only landed on the day of his appointment because of my "mistake".  My "mistake" with the St. Joseph's novena prayer on St. Joseph's feast day.

Continued below :)

I don't believe in coincidences.  I already "knew" Jim was the one in my heart.  But this just solidified it!

So that summer, I made him think he snatched me through reading a book together (you can read that story here!) and the rest is history.  After 11 years together, 9 years of marriage, and 3 beautiful little ones, he's still every little thing I prayed for!

God never ceases to amaze me in how he answers my prayers!  I am so grateful for St. Joseph's prayers for us and to God for bringing Jim into my life and that we get to share this life together!

So did you have a specific prayer to find a husband?  What was on your "list"?  Happy (early) Valentine's Day!

I'm not the only one sharing my love story today! 

Check out all of these incredible love stories by these wonderful ladies:

Beth at Our Pretty Little Girls  //  Becky at BYBMG

Jessica at Sweet Little Ones  //  Emily at Raising Barnes

Stephanie at Wife Mommy Me  //  Stasia at Our Life on a Budget

Sarah at Abiding In Grace  //  Ruthie at Rear. Release. Regroup.

Laura at Life Is Beautiful  //  Christina at Waltzing In Beauty

Michelle at Grammie Time  //  Tina at Go Big or Go Home

Whitney at Polka Dotty Place

Would you like to share your love story? 
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(Or feel free to share your story in the comments below too!)

I'm linking up with these awesome parties! 

Valentine's Day Craft Ideas

I always loved the holidays growing up. My mom would decorate every inch of our house with all of our craft projects from school or ones we did at home together. She still uses ones from when I was in elementary school and I love seeing them up when I go home. :) I have been stealing my mom's ideas and making a lot of the same crafts with my kids now.

I really like making hand/foot print crafts, mainly because they grow up so fast I have a hard time remembering them being so little!! One of my favorites is from Abby's first Valentine's day:

When Jess used to babysit Abby, she did some really cute crafts with the kids. This one was from last year before we knew Tim's identity ;)

Basically, have the kids scribble away and cut it up to make a cute design. :)

We have been stuck inside, so we've been making tons and tons and TONS of hearts...every door in our house looks like this right now:

And last week, I posted about how I made a lovely Valentine's Day wreath for our front door.

It might not be the most classy decor, but it's us. And it makes our house feel like home :)

Do you do any fun crafts for Valentine's Day?

Linking up for Ladies Collective with Iulia, Stephanie, and Sarah

DIY Valentine's Day Wreath

When I was pregnant with Abby, I was in a very crafty mood towards the end. One of my favorite projects I completed was a heart argyle wreath for Valentine's Day that I found on Pinterest. I absolutely love how it turned out, and even after three years, it still looks pretty good! :)

I used a pool noodle for my wreath form - if they aren't available (I stock up after summer for craft projects :), a foam one from a craft store works great!  If you're using a pool noodle, use duct tape to keep the ends together ... clear tape hasn't held up as good in my experience.

For this project you will need:

Wreath form

Hot glue gun

Yarn (I used gray)

Two colors of felt (I used hot pink and light pink)

Scissors

1.  Take wreath form, and hot glue end of yarn on form. Start wrapping your yarn around it. This takes a long time, so relax and watch a movie while doing it :)

2.  Secure end of yarn on form with hot glue.

3.  Trace heart template onto felt. I don't have a template since all forms are different sizes - just use whatever size heart will fit best :)  Cut out hearts.

4.  Hot glue the hearts onto wreath, alternating colors as you go.

5. Take yarn and start criss-crossing in front of hearts. This is time consuming too if you are a perfectionist like me :)  Hot glue on back of wreath to keep in place.

Up close...love this wreath! :)

And that's it! Now hang it on your door and enjoy! :)

I love this one, and I'm thinking this year I'm going to make a similar one for St. Patrick's Day, but with shamrocks...then I can use for Notre Dame football season too, right?! ;)

Now, onto the party! We love connecting with you all, so please visit all the hosts on their blogs and social media :)

Meet the Tuesday Talk Hosts:

Jessica & Katie (us!) - Sweet Little Ones   //   Becky - BYBMG 
Elizabeth - All Kinds of Things   //   Sarah - Abiding in Grace 
Lauren - Simply Free   //   Teressa - Teressa Jane 

Mandy - Almond Place   //   Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims 
Andrea - Mitchael Journey   //   Chelsea - The Contented Wife

Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls   //   Keri - Living In This Season

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up for the Every Girl Link Up with Astleigh and Rachel, and with Katie, Abby, Shelly, and Ariean for Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Susan, Kelly, Jenny, Jenn, and Ashley for Whimsy Wednesday, Megin for Brag About It, and Allie for Worthwhile Wednesdays