best month ever

Happy one month of marriage, Matt! We survived!!! It was actually yesterday but I remembered today. Lol. Now that I've gained my sanity back... what a crazy year it has been but a joyous one at that. Looking back, I'm thankful to be DONE with wedding planning- all the sleepless nights of stressful wedding talks, budget planning, menu& guest finalizing, venue visits, etc- but I'm also thankful for all the things I've learned throughout engagement and hopefully can apply those lessons in marriage. Planning a wedding is thought to be every young girl's dream... but it's also been your mother's. And your sisters. Your friends. And your aunties. Lol. Point being: This season of life is exciting and crazy with all the people that come up to you with questions, comments, and concerns. But it really is learning to embrace every moment and being thankful for all the people God blessed you with who love you, care for you and only want the best for you. Mad props to all our friends especially our family and bridal party who have been a huge help and support to us. Couldn't be more grateful.

best, most fun b-party group !

GAH! HUGS!!!

Just a few weeks ago, we had our honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii for five days and then traveled over to Seattle for the latter half of the week. Definitely got more than enough R&R in Hawaii and sight-seeing done in Seattle. Despite the drastic climate change and catching the flu post-honeymoon, we had a great time and I already miss it so much. Happy to have been able to spent the whole month with Matt before he starts school again.

thank you Andaz resort for free rental go-pros & sunblock & Macadamia nuts.

Thankful that our lives have now returned to some semblance of normalcy. With Matt back in school, vacation has officially ended and the realities of marriage have begun! My new reality consists of: loads of laundry on a weekly basis, meal prepping, packing lunches, endless cleaning, budgeting and planning. #Housewifelife at its finest. Haha. None of these are difficult things; in fact, so far I am really enjoying these tasks. I never thought it'd bring me so much joy to see Matt happily eat a hot meal I've prepared for him after school. As nice as it is now, I'm aware that it won't always be this easy. It has actually been mentioned to me many maaany times that it won't be this easy but that it'll only get harder and then multiply by 10000x once I have kids. Haha.

Something that God has been teaching me recently: to have courage and confidence that comes through Christ.
For some odd reason, I've had multiple car issues this week that have been difficult to handle by myself. The other day, I left the hazard lights on which drained the car batteries and I didn't have jump cables nor did I know how to use them anyways, so I couldn't pick Matt up from school. Last weekend, to avoid hitting a huge truck at the gas station, I ran into the portal instead...which left paint marks and a huge dent on the side of my car. And just yesterday while I was driving, I noticed the air pressure sign for my tires went on and found out one of the tires had a leak. Although these are all minor issues, at the moment I was worried about money and how we shouldn't spend so much on my stupid accidents. I thought about how I should apply for TripleA insurance but how that would cost more money and wondered who I could ask around me that would have jump cables. Reflecting on the past week, I realized I have little courage and little faith. Something as insignificant as a flat tire can cause me to worry about our future, produce so much fear and hinder my trust in God.

I was challenged this week to have courage, for having courage means having faith and confidence in Him. Through prayer and Scripture, we can find this courage that God commands us to have. And with God's protection, guidance and undeserving provisions in our lives, we should be able to conquer fears and live boldly for Christ.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9-11

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

On another random note, Matt and I might get a little chinchilla for our home. We were thinking of getting a puppy but who knew living expenses for a dog were so expensive?? Thankfully this isn't the case for a chinchilla.
Random convo with dad when I told him of the possibility of getting a chinchilla:

Sigh. Always speakin' truth. lol.

Anyways, I should probably stop chinchillin'... and get back to work! Good day ya'll.

Now faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see.