From Holy Matrimony to Holy, Matrimony?!

Our lovely bridal party; couldn't have had a better crew by our sides (':

Today marks one month since Joe went from being #1SHINner to #2SHINners. In the last month, Joe and I spent about half of it unpacking and organizing, making sure that things were placed where they ought to be (where the towels go, where to find the spatula, and do we have space for our new rice cooker?!). The latter half has been more relaxing at home, but busier with all the other festivities (birthdays, weddings, and holidays).

During dinner last night, Joe and I reflected on the past month. After a short silence, both of us agreed that it has been like playing a long game of house. I don't think it has really hit us that we are in fact married, and I'm not quite sure when it is supposed to hit. Is it when we have our first big fight? Is it when suddenly everything he does is infuriating? Is it when the details of our wedding are almost faded and gone? Or is it when I find myself daydreaming of days like today? Maybe it won't take a special moment; maybe it will be like playing house forever, and maybe with kids it will be like playing house 2.0? Speaking of kids...

Currently referred to as "our children" aka our lettuce...

Not gonna lie though, aren't they pretty cute?!

 Learning to live with each other has revealed a lot of habits and tendencies that were unbeknownst to us (especially unaware that they were "bothersome"). Blending our time and plans as one has really helped us see the necessity to compromise and prioritize. Putting our home together has allowed us to really consider how to use our home in a way that is inviting and edifying in doing God's work. Dividing and devoting our time to each of our families have reminded us just how blessed we are to have the support and love from our families.

So really, I guess the best word to describe our marriage thus far is blessed. We are blessed to have each other to learn from, lean on, and grow with. These opportunities from simply becoming one household have been teaching us so much each step of the way. Not only that, but we saw it most clearly on our wedding day -- we are incredibly blessed to have the people in our lives. 

We have our parents and siblings who were our #1 cheerleaders through the whole process, praying for us, planning with us, and keeping our sanity in check. We have our church family by our side who also prayed for us, kept us accountable, and made sure we were taking care of ourselves. We have our close friends (both near and far) who offered up their prayers, their time to help, and their time to make sure we were still having fun through it all. Above all, we have our good, good God who watched over us and truly blessed us on our wedding day, and continues to remind us each day just how much we need Him and His daily grace. 

To commemorate this sweet day of remembrance, here are a few things I've learned in the last month:

• Marriage has brought us to a new place of communication and relevance with our parents. We are now husband and wife, which has opened doors for more in-depth advice and sweet encouragement!
• Joe will do everything he can to avoid being lazy. Like fixing a clock between the 3rd and 4th quarter of game 7, all the while gathering the laundry. Like doing loads of said laundry once there is a break during the game. Like doing the dishes right after he eats, even if I'm still eating. Like fetching the mail in the minute between me putting on my shoes and leaving the house. 
• Spending random bits of time sharing nonsensical jokes and laughing hysterically at them reminds us of how God has perfectly stitched us together. 
• I've always known that Joe has a child-like innocence in his heart, but there's nothing like watching an excited 30 year old skipping to our backyard to "water our children" aka our growing farm. I'm pretty sure he prays for their salvation (literally, from this heat).
• I'm pretty spoiled. I have yet to take out the trash and do the dishes, because Joe has everything done before I get to them. I come home to a freshly vacuumed home and the smell of clean laundry. His excuse is that he's on summer vacation and that I am currently bringing home the bacon.

Exhibit A: what I came home to yesterday.

• We don't have a water filter, so I have been drinking out of water bottles. Apparently I like to leave them lying around half-empty. Woops.
• I've always enjoyed the thought of being a good cook, but never put it into practice. Oddly enough, as soon as our life together began, I started researching recipes and cooking. The thought of a full fridge with food that Joe can eat throughout the day brought me so much joy! Is this what it feels like to be a housewife?

Quiche I made without a recipe. Not bad, but I should really use a recipe...

• Sometimes I look at Joe and he just seems so dreamy... In the sense that he's not real. So I poke him, pinch him, punch him... Just to make sure he is indeed real (:

Guys, I can't believe that it's already been a month since our beautiful wedding day, and I hope to stay diligent in the upkeep of our new home so as to update more frequently!

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Please continue praying for us, and we look forward to inviting you over very soon!!

Soli Deo Gloria.