Where do I start?

It has been so long since I last wrote, apologies. I am sincerely sorry to have left any of you hanging, though I doubt too many people actually follow this blog. :) Since our last post, we've been all over...New Mexico, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, etc. We've spent our first Christmas together as newlyweds, we've bought our first car together, we've joined a couple's group at the church, we've made new friends, and we've dealt with tough news. All the while, our hearts were together in agreement: despite the trials and despite the pain, our marriage is making it. Its strong, its not a "honeymoon" phase- we disagree too much to still be there (I think that phase ended about a day into the honeymoon...). Instead, its become a real marriage, one that is never perfect, never fully flawed. Its fueled with persistence, love, and hard work. Its the backbone of all decisions; whether its what we're having for dinner or where we are going to move, or whether I should stay as a teacher. I am so blessed to have reached this point of cognition where I realized that Levi really isn't going anywhere, I am just as hard to handle when married to, and where I really am not perfect...(darn it, I thought I had that one nailed down already!)

This perspective has gotten us through a LOT of hard times recently...hence our prayer list:

1) Pray for Granny Q who is needing additional medical assistance to
recover from a recent blow to her health.
2) Pray for Jillian...struggling with "staying engaged" with school since I
found out my school had to post my job as a vacancy for next year (I'll have to
reapply for my job). And they tell me this after they encouraged
me to begin to co-lead a committee on discipline on campus.
3) Levi's job is difficult in the sense that he's discouraged by trials at
work.
4) Finances: We're fine, but saving up for a house in the near future
is difficult when dealing with a potential one-income household this
summer.
5) Know of any great jobs Jillian could have over the summer?
:)

Please pray, but be encouraged that our marriage is something that has grown and developed as of late. We argue, we agree, but we always love eachother. And when we get out of a nasty argument, and when the smoke all clears, we'll always come back with the appreciation for what the other has to offer.

It isn't always perfect, but its never fully flawed.