it's been quite the year, people

i knew this day would come.

the day when i'd glance back at this year and just sigh with a 'wow'.

so far, in 2013 we: 

were engaged

completed another full semester of college

finished my thesis

completed an internship

both graduated with our bachelor's degrees

applied to the credential program

travelled to europe

attended several weddings

planned our own wedding

moved out

moved in to our new apartment

spent almost a month in china

vacationed in hawaii

spent several weekends/weeks up north

quit a job

changed jobs

GOT MARRIED

honeymooned

moved in together

and we have consumed probably 413 cups of coffee, shed many tears, laughed our hearts out, adventured together, and learned more about life, each other, and our Jesus than ever before.

and there are still four months left in 2013. it has been and will be without a doubt one of the most transformational, challenging, rewarding, and unforgettable years of our life.

this week has been the first week of our 'new routine' and we love it, absolutely love it. when we were engaged, people would often ask what we were most looking forward to about marriage (besides the obvious!) and we would always tell them that we were so excited to just do life together - to wake up next to each other every day and start the day as a team, to merge everything we had as individuals into our new together life, and to end every day side by side. and that has been, without a doubt, the best part. last night was the first time we were out with a group of people and then got to drive home together, without having to say goodnight - i was ridiculously excited about it. 

but a new routine also means lots of change - good change, but lots of it. it's things like figuring out a house-cleaning routine, tackling projects together, being together but not really being together, discussing everything with each other - plans, time, finances, purchases, our home - finding time to rest but still finding time to be intentional with each other and those around us. i know that it will take a while to settle in to everything, and there is no one i'd rather navigate this new chapter with. 

above all, God has been good, so good to us. He provides when we seem to have run out of resources, He unexpectedly showers us with blessings, He has surrounded us with a strong community, and He loves us. that in itself is all we could ever need. even if He took everything away, we would still have love - for each other, and for Him. 

so here we are, married, head over heels in love, and so ready to embrace the days, months, and years that still lie ahead of us.

and to all of you that have carried us up to this point, all of you who have filled us with encouragement, wisdom, guidance, and support, those of you who made our wedding day more magical than we could have ever hoped, and all of you who are behind us, praying for us, and believing in us - thank you. 

a new home

it has been the craziest week i've had in a long time. a displaced, all-over-the-place, emotionally heavy, transitional week. i have packed boxes, stored boxes, moved boxes, unpacked boxes, built furniture, been to IKEA three times, scoured craig's list, almost hugged the gas and internet representatives, cried til there were no more tears, yelled at God, broken down before God, snapped at my fiance, laughed, not slept very well, sweat, and missed work. it all sounds so very dramatic, i know, but it has been rough and exciting all at the same time. i'm sitting at our new dining table though with my first cup of coffee in our new home sitting next to me, and things are finally feeling a little more put together. 

i want to take a minute to apologize if i've let anyone down in the last week, and i know that i definitely have. i've tried my best to keep it all together, but i'm human, not superwoman, and this last week reminded me of that. and i need Jesus, so very much. 

i had a Job-night on wednesday - that's what those nights always remind me of. those nights where you're fighting and things keep getting more difficult and you finally reach the end of your rope - and you get very real with God. He better come through on all His promises i said to Travis, in between all the tears. and in the last few weeks, we've kept reminding each other He has brought us this far. He won't set us up to fail. and that is the Truth. 

though our new apartment is by no means close to being finished, and won't be until after we're married and moved in together, the big things are here - a vase of flowers here and a little decor there make it seem a little less empty and a little more homey. the big homemade dinner i plan on making Travis tonight will definitely seal the deal - and let me tell you, he deserves it. i don't know what i'd do without him. don't remind me that he's leaving in less than a month for most of July, and won't be back until 13 days before our wedding. that's going to be an adventure, another trial and joy i pray the Lord carries us through. 

i, of course, busted out my camera for a few first peeks of our new place - and i can't wait to keep making these four walls into our cozy newlywed haven!

happy friday!