Welcome to PlaSHINtia!

Happy New Year! Can't believe it's already 2016... The end of the year is always a busy season, but between moving and wedding planning, I didn't realize how quickly time flew by!

When I moved out of Northwood Place and moved into the Su's place (so kind of them to adopt me for a few months), I knew that I would have to look for a place soon. But I had no idea I would get engaged a few weeks after moving in, which changed the timeline a bit. Once our wedding date was set, Joe and I decided that we would start looking for a place for us to live, and I would move in first.

Honestly, everything happened so seamlessly. The timing of moving couldn't have been better, since Susanna was looking for a place in OC too! You should ask her about how God's timing has been impeccable, too. God is seriously so good!

First meal at home o_o

It's been a very surreal adventure, finding a place. Joe and I spent a few weeks looking for a place to rent, along with the furniture. And Placentia it is! It's actually literally on the border of Fullerton, but I suppose it's PlaSHINtia to be technical.

1st selfie on 1st selfie stick, on our new sofa!! 

I've never had to purchase furniture with anyone else except for my parents, let alone myself! So the whole experience was just very surreal. It was like playing house. Though the process was stressful having to deal with finances and making big purchases, we are so relieved and thankful to finally be done. It really taught me what it means to share... My idea and visions of what my home would look like couldn't exclude Joe, but it also couldn't happen without him. The reason why our place now looks homey and familiar, is because it looks close to what my mom would like! (It might also have to do with the fact that I was texting her pictures during the whole furniture buying process. Lol!)

We love our furniture!!! Even if they were chair-less!!!

One of the things Joe and I prayed about when we were preparing our future abode (so weird and so gross!) together, was how we would use our home. Even in the time that Susanna and I would be living together, I wanted to make sure that our home would be used purposefully. Now that I have a place I could call my home, I started making a mental list of people to have over and all the possibilities it had.

The good thing about where I live is the location. It is quite the central point for a lot of friends and families, and it's right next to the freeway! We started with hosting a Christmas dinner for both of our parents.

Smiles all around (:

Crockpot is the BEST.

 I had a few people come over over the winter break, including this energy-filled cutie. I still can't get rid of the image of her standing at my front door with 4 tubs of ice cream in her hands, crying gibberish because she "couldn't believe I was getting married."

This is the real reason I wanted her to come over.

 I've been cooking a lot more (or trying to). I think this is the most I've cooked in the past 1.5 years combined. Crazy! I have to practice so much! Haha...

Placemats. Powdered sugar. Priscilla.

 Susanna turned 25 on the 7th, so we decided to host a birthday warming event with our friends. We catered some Hawaiian food, and Chris was gracious enough to bring sushi from his parents' place.

"It's like guyukyaebae!!" - Kevin

Settlers. Before we became enemies.

Happy birthday ya old fart! So happy for you and all the things that are coming your way!

Flip phones are still the best selfie-takers, in my opinion.

Hungry hungry humans

I have been having so much fun just putting things around the house, and just simply enjoying the place. I had to stay home on Thursday because of pink eye, but it was such a relaxing time (don't worry, I haven't been contagious since Friday)! I was able to cook, organize my closet, and my crafts!

Susanna and I can't believe that we only have 4 more months left together! Six months seemed so much longer than we remembered... Hopefully, and prayerfully, we will be able to minister to our friends and families through this space that God has graciously provided for us. And once Joe and I get married, I can't wait to be able to spend each day enjoying each other, doing simple, otherwise mundane tasks together.

Please continue to pray for Joe and I as we prepare for our wedding and marriage in May! And please pray that Susanna and I will be productive and welcoming in the time that we have left together in this place we call home.

Happy Tuesday!

Soli Deo Gloria.