One Month and Counting...

So Yesterday (Sunday, July 19th) marked the one month mark since Ralph and I had been married. Let's just say a lot has happened in one month. Firstly, since the second or third day since we have been married I have been chronically nauseous and tired. Don't worry though, we are NOT expecting a little one any time soon. I went to the doctor and he told me to ignore it unless it became extremely bothersome. Yesterday it was bothersome though because I woke up with a migraine and was so sick I wished that someone would have come and put me out of my misery! I survived but it was not a pleasant morning. What a way to spend your first landmark of marriage together!

Yesterday night we had a "family" dinner. That pretty much consisted of Ralph's brother Louie and Ralph's best friend Daniel who is like Ralph's brother and one of their friends, Sasa coming over. I attempted to make pizza for the first time. Let's just say I learned a valuable lesson: NEVER cook two pizzas at once! I had one pizza where the top was definitely done and the bottom was doughy and the other pizza had a burnt bottom and a not so done top. It's ok though. Those boys will devour anything. They were sweet and told me that it was good. I thought it tasted alright but that's just my opinion. I also made a dessert and they had watermelon too. They were happy and they left the house full. That's all I can ask for. It made my husband happy too because he got to spend some much needed time with the boys. I, unfortunately, had to endure time alone with nothing to do because they insisted on speaking in Pidgin which is what Ralph speaks. That's alright though. Maybe it will force me to learn it!

Ralph and I are settling into being married. We are in no way experts however. In fact, we are pretty much clueless about this whole marriage thing. No big deal though because we keep trying. We are like any newlyweds. We have our good moments and our bad moments. I am fortunate, however, because Ralph is an amazing husband. He does the dishes, takes out the trash and occaisionaly does the laundry when I am unable to get to it because of my work schedule. He even cooks sometimes which is a blessing when I am dead tired. He even cooked the other day and dropped it off at work for me on his way to work! How cute is that?!

We are also settling into our apartment. It is interesting living with a male. The male species is fascinating to me. I will never understand how you can get clothes CLOSE to the laundry basket but not IN the laundry basket. Also, how do you not see the mess you have left in the bathroom sink? These things are slowy changing though. I was fortunate enough to grow up having a father who was kind enough to pee sitting down and who hated having dirty sinks. So, needless to say, it is taking some time to get used to being around a real male. Also, it is a mystery to me as to how a male can eat SO much food. I mean, where does it all go? I am finally figuring out the grocery shopping though. It basically goes like this: Whatever amount of something I think I need, I need to double that amount cause it will be gone in a day otherwise. Other than those things, it has been smooth sailing.

Anyways, I know I'm rambling. I'm going to wrap up now. I hope all of my family and friends are doing well. We miss you all. I just want to give a shout out to my favorite family, the McIntosh family. Ralph misses the kids like crazy! He was SO jealous when I told him I got to talk to Sarah on the phone the other day. I just laughed and told him he'll get his chance someday. I hope you and the kids are doing well and you are all in our thoughts and prayers. As are all the rest of you reading this. As always, mahalo for reading!

Wedding Bells Were Ringing

Us on our wedding day. This photo is courtesy of my sister's photograpy business.

Us at the zoo.

He's as tall an an American Black Bear!

Feeding the birds.

So I'm finally married! It was quite the journey to make it to this point. If only everyone knew the problems we kept running into! But, I'm grateful that it is over and Ralph and I can move on with life.

Ralph's parents were able to come to the U.S. for a month so they could be a part of the wedding. It was/is such a blessing that they were able to come. I am grateful that I got to meet them and got to spend time with them before I married their son. It gave me some major insight about Ralph and where he came from. We did a lot of fun things including going to the Oregon coast and going on a mini train trip. A week after Ralph's parents arrived in Oregon, Ralph came.

I was so happy to see him! He makes me happy all the time and life was miserable without him. I am so blessed that I met a person as wonderful and caring and understanding as him. The sealing in the temple was a very special time. Now I'm stuck with him forever and I could not be happier! I put the only picture that I have gotten back from the photographer (who also happens to be my sister) up on here. If you want my sister to photograph your next event, need family photos, or just want a portrait shot to give out as a gift let me know and I'll put you in contact with her. She is new in the business but learning extremely fast. I love her work and am excited to see what esle she has.

I just want to take a moment to thank my mom for all the wonderful help she gave me. Things would have been a disaster if she wouldn't have spent so much time, money, and effort on this wonderful event. I love her and she will forever be my rock and support, even if I have a husband. I will miss being around her as much as I was before but I know she'll always be there for me. I LOVE YOU MOM!

Anyways, that's it for now. Mahalo for reading!