Husband in happiness

I'm back! Back from the honeymoon, back to work, back to regular life (although regular life includes a wife now) and I'm loving it. Being married is so cool. I know that "it's gonna be tough" and "I've got a lot to learn" and every other bit of advice that I've been given by married couples young and old. The truth is, I don't like it when people tell me stuff like that. It makes me feel like they regret their marriage, like they want out. As if I've made some huge mistake (which unfortunately some would argue). I never want to see my marriage or my wife in any form of negative light. I know this will take a lot of work and, most of all, Jesus, but I think it's worth it...

Don't you?

So for everyone who has given me their advice, I'd like to give some in return:

Love your spouse like you just got married two weeks ago.

It's a place where differences don't matter, fights are rare, and smiles are constant. Find that place and live there.

Us dressed up all fancy on our honeymoon

Day 390

Meghan and I have been engaged now for 390 days, which means there are only 18 days left until the wedding!
There is so much to do, but life has never been better. I can't describe how it feels to be in this place, but it's a mixture of wonderful, exciting, anxious, and hopeful.

Boom! Manifested.

Just a few days ago I posted a selfish blog about things I really want. Well lucky for me, one of them has already found a place in my home.

I made a trip to Treasures&Junk on Friday with my sister and stumbled upon some amazing finds, one of which was a steel caged fan.

I've seen these for $65 + online and I was able to score this for $30!

(I love that it's GE. Makes me think of Jack Donaghy)

Not only did I find the fan, but I also found a typerwriter

(Only $15!!! and it works)

And this ruler that I'm using as a picture frame/holder

I love all three of these and they are really helping us achieve the style and feeling Meghan and I want our home to have.

Wants

Even though moving out has caused me to be more broke than ever before, my list of wants continues to grow. Here are the latest:

Red Wing 9016

Steel Cage Vintage Desk Fan

Mossberg 500 Blackwater Shotgun

DIY Coffee Table

Moving out meant I needed a lot of furniture I had never needed before: a couch, a kitchen table, a book case, and (of course) a coffee table. I've always wanted a cool coffee table and I fell in love with this one from World Market.

Unfortunately, this table is $280.

So, as much as I liked this, I knew there was a cheaper solution.

A month of thinking and a lot of hard work later, this was made:

This table started off as a palette(1) that I then cut down(2). I used some of the spare pieces of wood to create a shelf underneath the table(4). I bought some legs (welding steel) and attached them to the table(3).

Total cost for this table:

$25

And I think it looks great in my living room

Week of Firsts

I'll be doing things for the first time a lot this week.

- Living solo

- Signing up for gas/electric/internet service (I recommend doing this before you move in somewhere)

- Buying groceries

- Taking cold showers (due to my lack of urgency on setting up the gas)

- And lots more.

It's kind of scary, but it's really fun. I'm excited for these few months I'll have to be out on my own before I get married, and I think it's going to be nothing short of an adventure.

(before)

(after...for now)

Coming Soon: lots and lots of projects. Can't wait to share.

Sundays How they Should Be

My parents always taught me that Sundays are for resting,

spending time with family, and enjoying life.

Now life often gets in the way of, well, life, but I'm glad to say that

today I'm spending a Sunday the way I feel it was intended to be spent

With the one I love the most

Christ & Culture Revisited

I've got a lot of time on my hands now that I've finished school. Even while planning a wedding, my constant multi-tasking has turned to just a few tasks and errands. I now get to enjoy all the things I used to, simply because I want to. This is one of those things.

I'm getting back into the swing of my casual reading and Carson's Christ & Culture Revisited was exactly what I needed. Carson goes into a deep analysis of culture and what Christ means to our culture today. It's been relaxing to be able to sit with a cup of coffee and read Carson's thoughts.

Next on my casual read list:

Big God by Britt Merrick & Bossypants by Tina Fey

P.S. The picture above was taken on our (Meghan and I) new Canon SD1400 that my dad got us as an early wedding gift! Thank you Dad!