It sure has been a while since I’ve updated this thing. A couple of new things going on, I suppose..

Chris got a promotion at his work to a busier store. He is still a night assistant manager, he just gets paid more. He really likes it, and he just finished up two summer classes, so now he has more time to spend on himself. He is still working really hard, so that hopefully around December we can get a house of our own!

We’re still living with my parents. It actually has not been that bad. My parents are the kind of people that give us space, which is nice. Currently they are touring the mid-west for 10 days, so it’s nice and quiet around the house.

Not much has been going on this summer. I’m taking one summer class, which ends in about 2 weeks. I’m currently not working, but I am still employed. I should start working again in mid-August (hopefully), and then I can start bringing in some money as well. I still have feelings of guilt for how hard Chris works for our family. I try to do whatever he needs, though, to kind of make up for all his hard work. Besides, I actually like cleaning/cooking/doing laundry, etc.. So really, it’s nothing. Sometimes I still can’t believe how lucky I am so have such an amazing guy. I don’t know what I’d do without him.

Anyway, sorry about the mushy stuff. Nothing else really to report. I will try to make more of an effort to write in this journal.

Unfortunately, next semester I’m going to switch back to the Tempe campus. I want to change my major to Conservation Biology & Ecological Sustainability, which is based on the Tempe campus. There really are zero classes that I could take at Poly.. So, back to the huge campus. I’m kinda sad, but excited to change majors.

Chris and I are doing good. We have almost been married for 6 months. I honestly can’t believe that. It feels like yesterday that we were walking down the aisle, and now we’re half way through our first year together? Insane, I tell you. Our relationship has really strengthened in those past 6 months, though. I love being married to him, and I love having that profound connection with him. He’s my husband, no one else’s, and I love that feeling I get when I think about that. I think we’re already planning for our 1 year anniversary. We’re thinking of spending a weekend at the Butte’s, which is the resort we stayed at on our Wedding night. They have a spa, and pools, shopping.. All kinds of awesome stuff there, that we really didn’t get to experience when we were there. It will be nice to look forward to that!

Anyway, that’s about it right now. Oh, I decided that I’m going to focus on school this summer, and take a couple of classes at the local community college. Hopefully, that will keep me focused on school!

I could find another job, and work..

I could take some summer classes, and maybe fit some work in there..

Or I could apply for an internship at the Zoo, and do that.

How are you suppose to know what to do? I guess we’ll just see what happens.

I applied to an aquarium job tonight, which would really be a lot of fun, and is great as far as experience goes. I also think I’m going to apply for the unpaid internship at the Conservation center at the zoo. Also good experience, and Tara the Conservation center Manager has been bugging me to do it. I guess that’s a good sign. It really would be nice to take some summer classes, though.. Sigh. So much to think about, and no clue what to do. Hmm.

We could continue to live on our own, and we would do just fine.. But we’re tired of living in an apartment. It’s not fair to our animals that they don’t have space, and that our dogs don’t have the room to run. So, we’re moving in with my parents. It’s going to be very weird, I think. But, I do think it’s the right thing to do at this point. We want to save up as much money as we can, so that when Chris graduates, we can immediately try and find a house.

Also, we’re trying to pay off our credit cards. We have made huge leaps and bounds with all our credit card debt. I’m embarrassed to say that when we first got married, we had a total of 7 (yes, seven) credit cards. In the 4 months we have been married, however, we have managed to pay off 5 of them. I’m really proud of us for doing that. It was hard, but I am so sick of being weighed down and controlled by all that debt. We made it a priority to pay them off. 2 more to go.

So, the plan for the next 8-9 months (ouch) is to live with my parents, pay off those last 2 credit cards, and save up as much money as possible so we can buy a house come December. I think God is going to use this experience to really open up our eyes, and trust Him. I think he’s going to continue to make me humble.

No word on the house. Probably won’t know for a while.

I’m still hopeful, just getting tired.

Chris and I found a house that we absolutely fell in love with. Perfect location, perfect size, perfect for us. So, we saw this as an opportunity, and we made an offer on the house! We’re super excited about it! It’s about 1,400 sq. feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a nice-sized backyard.. It needs no work done on it at all. Maybe some fresh paint. So, for now it’s a waiting game. Unfortunately, the only downside of this house is that it’s a short sale, which means it could take up to 4-5 months to close on it. Hopefully, it was not take that long, and we will find out if they accepted our offer or not sooner than later.

As for other news, I didn’t get the full time job at the zoo. Which is okay. I trust God, and know that he is in control of our lives. Whatever happens, happens. But, I have faith and I know that God will do what He knows is right in our lives. I trust Him.

Before we even went into the realtor’s office, Chris and I prayed together. We prayed that God would show us His will for us, and show us the opportunity if there was one. I believe whole-heartedly that God answers prayers. And I think our answer is to wait.

We found a house that we really liked, and just as a pre-caution, our realtor had us fill out the contract. Both Chris and I were scared to death. After signing paper after paper, we knew this just wasn’t right. I had the most uncomfortable feeling inside my gut and my heart. I knew that God was using this as a sign. We’re not ready yet. We have to wait.

So, for now we’re in our little apartment, which to me, is fine. Although it’s crowded, it’s ours, for the time being. Maybe once Chris graduates in December, we can take the next step. But for right now, we are mortgage free, and going to stay that way.

Winter Break was great! Chris and I went on our Honeymoon the day after finals were over. We went to Disneyland for 3 days, and it was a ton of fun! The only downside was the lines. Who knew that Disneyland would be insanely busy 3 days before Christmas. It was tons of great fun, though.. and it was a good way to kick off the Winter Break.

Christmas came and went like a flash. I can’t believe it’s already been a month since it was here! My sister was in town for that week, and it was nice seeing her and spending time with her. I wish we could do that more often. New Years was pointless. I had to work on both New Year’s Even (until 10pm) and then work all day New Years Day. I think I went to bed around 11:30. Ah, the life of a married couple, right?

My 21st birthday was just about a week ago! It was so much fun. My parents took Chris and I out to the Cheesecake Factory, (where they had amazing drinks!), and then Chris and I spent the rest of the night at Dave and Buster’s, playing arcade games. I felt it the next morning.

And now here we are. Chris and I are back into school. I’m going to Polytechnic campus instead of the Tempe campus this semester, and so far, I absolutely love it! It is such a change from the chaos of Tempe. Along with school, we’re both working at our jobs, pretty much full time. Well, Chris is working full time, and I’m maxed at 32 hours a week. Among everything though, we’re extremely happy. Life as a married couple is amazing!

We just started the process of buying our very own house! We met with a Home Mortgage Officer (is that the term?) yesterday, and we pre-qualify for a good amount that could easily get us a nice house! So, we’re taking the next step and meeting with a Realtor on Wednesday morning! We already found a house we like.. Perfect location, perfect house. So hopefully this week we can go look at it, and go from there!

Nothing else to update about.. Life is pretty good, even though time flies by!

After finals, Chris and I are going to take off for our Honeymoon to Disneyland. 3 whole days at the best place in the entire world! It will be a nice and welcomed break.

Other than school, everything is going great. Work is great.. Tiring, but great. Chris and I are enjoying our “honeymoon” phase, and even though we don’t get to see each other all the time, it’s a nice balance we have going on. I’m thankful that I have a job I can go to, when I need a break, though.

Yes, life is still good.

I honestly can’t believe that Thanksgiving is this week. Where has time gone? Chris and I have already been married a month, come tomorrow. It seems like it was yesterday that I was walking down the aisle. Why does time have to go by so fast?

Anyway, this week is going to be nice and relaxing. I don’t even work long hours this week at work. Well, they have me maxed out at 32 hours, but it’s a nice schedule. I even only work a half day on Saturday. I love my job, though!

Oh, which reminds me.. I went to see New Moon with my friend Ivy whom I work with. I LOVED IT! I thought it was way better than Twilight! I think Chris and I are going to go see it Wednesday night. (He’s kinda into them, too). Anyway, a nice relaxing week! I can’t wait!