With six guys in and out of our apartment just before the wedding celebration, taking the only space not claimed by boxes, the space that belonged to a few out-of-town guests, we, um, didn’t get the slideshows quite as “neat” as we wanted. We’ll post ‘em as soon as we get to that point on the to-do list. : )

In the meantime, here are some engagement pics and wedding photos.

So why were there six guys in our apartment? Well it all started on our honeymoon, when Chris mentioned a wet spot on the ceiling…

if it looks like a wet spot…

One day later: One person, one ladder. Climbs ladder, pokes at ceiling. “Yep, that’s a water leak alright. I’ll be back sometime tomorrow.” Looks at Astara, who’s sitting in her crate. “Does she bite?”

Day 3: Two people, one ladder. Debate whether it’s the sprinkler system or regular plumbing. Promise not to get the piano dirty. Make two holes in the ceiling. Realize don’t have flashlight. Crystal gives them a flashlight. Call in third maintenance man. “I think we’re going to have to call a plumber.”

Day 5: Three maintenance men, three plumbers, two ladders, two flashlights, two holes in the ceiling, one tarp. Cut extra hole in the ceiling. (The dust didn’t quite cover the kitchen, living room, and piano.) Smile at tenant and four out-of-town guests standing in the 3′ x 3′ foyer. Use smelly pipe sealant. Promise to patch and paint the holes.

Today: Three ceiling patches, still a little residual dust, and no complaints about the lack of paint because it means no maintenance men! : )

Note: We like the maintenance men fine; we just don’t like the showing up whenever part! ; )

our take on the Mouse

It was surreal standing on that beach going, “Five minutes, and I’ll be married — that’s crazy. The most serious commitment of my life, and all it takes is five minutes!” And Chris had to wait in the car getting nervous because none of the rest of us realized he didn’t have phone signal!

Chris and I are loving being married, and we’ve been so encouraged by everyone who celebrated with us and sent us congratulations — and ack, there are so many of you that we need to visit and really catch up with! Until then, I’m slowly but steadily writing notes to each of you, but thoughts of what I want to say run through my head a lot more often than I can write them to you.

We both came back to changes at our workplaces, plus a honeymoon’s worth of stuff to catch up on =) Chris has been sick a couple of times, and I had my fall chest cold. (My doctor’s going to check into asthma once I get rid of my cough completely, and both of us have ongoing health issues we’re trying to figure out and fix, if you think to pray about it.) Chris started his final college semester, and I’ve been working on my last entry for the Marshall Scholarship, as well as a Fulbright application. And we’ve had enough annoying little things happening for me to wonder who’s praying for our patience… and whether they’re friend or foe ; )

We’re looking forward to things settling down to a “daily grind” level! Until then, we’re trying to balance work and school and God and thank-yous and cleaning and to-dos and unpacking and time with each other — but we promise we haven’t forgotten you!

After all, you’re why we put a blog up: We hope it’ll help us keep in touch, especially since I’ve been burning through cell minutes with work and scholarships…