The Unexpected

Today I am linking up with nine other June brides sharing with you different topics and discussions of our first year of marriage. I encourage you to join in on the fun and let us hear your stories whether you have just hit the year one mile marker as we have or you've been married for twenty years, it's all about learning through love with us! Today's topic is this: What have you learned from the unexpected and how have you grown as a couple? Want to share yours as well? Details at the very end of this post!

When I sit and ponder of things that could be noted "unexpected" throughout our first year of marriage I almost immediately think of our different ways and do's of this lifestyle we own now as a married couple. As I've said before, you find out so much more about your significant other once you start sharing a home together. It gets comfortable after a while and you soon notice little things like how you fold bath towels differently or what each others version of making the bed is. I like my bath towels to be folded "hot dog style" as I call it and Garrett folds his "hamburger style" big and bulky like. I never correct him on it because it isn't that big of an issue to me as it may be to others, I just let it go and giggle and soon refold it later if it  soon gets to me.

 But also with these unexpected things I have found they go hand in hand with my flaws of being the wife and I've learned so much from just this first year of marriage. I am nowhere near being the perfect wife, I can be  both selfish and selfless and I am doing my very best to be the wife God wants of me. Through our differences we challenge and strengthen each other on a daily basis and we really do our best. I've found God has a way of molding you during a marriage if you really grasp each concept He tries to stamp on your heart. Marriage has done a great deal to my heart I can tell you, I am so much closer to Him now because of the His presence He blesses us with and the fact that I have drawn nearer to Him because I want what is best for our marriage, being His will. These are just a few of the little things we have learned about each other and how we have grown from them.

1. Garrett isn't a breakfast at supper eater. I am. Growing up while living at home with my parents, it was almost like a treat when we ate breakfast for supper instead of the usual ideal foods like casserole dishes and such. So when I found He wasn't into it as I was, it was a big let down for me. While we both agree eating breakfast at breakfast time is a no go, I on the other hand have always found breakfast is meant to be for supper. I'm not sure that we'll actually grow from this but maybe I can slowly convince him it is a good idea throughout the coming years eh?

2. I am a crappy vehicle owner. I am, I will be completely honest on this one and Garrett will attest to it. It is childlike of me and i'm embarrassed of the fact that I am so messy when it comes to keeping a clean vehicle. Garrett on the other hand is very much a clean freak when it comes to his vehicles, he takes such good care of them and I admire that about him, even though he gives me fits about how many fast food bags are lying in the floor board of my ride. I as his wife, want to be more like him and I can I just have to get this rotten cork out of my butt.

3. Routine. The work week is the hardest for me, once I get home all I want to do is snatch a comfy shirt and a pair of boxers from Husbys drawer and crawl on the couch with my kitty and cheetah slippers because I am on my feet all day. And for that sometimes things don't get done like they should. Things like laundry, and dishes that need to be washed after cooking supper. I am also bad about falling asleep fairly early especially during a movie, so by the time Garrett comes in for the night from doing his end of the day activities, I'm sometimes unconcious and lack cuddleness. I'm doing my best to rid these routines that don't encourage our marriage because at the end of the day, he is my happy place and I want him to know it by the way I show it. And I will do these things all while still wearing my cheetah slippers. 

4. Needs and Wants. Being married without kids it gives us a little wiggle room to play. And it's nice but sometimes we let our wants outweigh our actual needs. We tend to spend most our money on fast food honestly, which can really eat your pocketbook up. So in an effort to save, I have started bringing sandwiches from home for lunch and whenever I can, I try to pack Garrett a lunch from last nights supper but he usually forgets it in the refridgerator. I am also constantly changing things around in the house, I love decorating our home but sometimes I go overboard and buy things I don't necessarily need. Our home doesn't have to be completely furnished, it's just our first year. Things will come and go during time so I shouldn't dwell on material things so much. 

So these aren't many, and I'm sure I could think of many more but these are the ones that come at first thought. I love this thing called marriage and I'm so thankful for the lessons and knowledge that it brings to us on a daily basis. Link up ladies you still have time!!

Calling all engaged and newlywed gals! 

What would you say if I told you 10 newlywed bloggers are linking up to bring you an entire year's worth of marital advice for a one time only June series!? Whelp, get excited! 

Meet the forever newly wedded Brides!

Ashley @ It Is What You Make It // Kalyn @ Love.Laughter.HappilyEverAfter  // Mallory @ From California to Kansas // Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded // Maggie @ A Weaving of Grace 

Samantha @ Designer in Teal // Veronica @ Passion.Pink.Pearls // Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals // Emily @ Newlywed Moments // Callie @ My Something New With You

Each of the 10 Brides shown above have been married exactly one year as of June 2013. We will be posting each Wednesday during the month of June on 4 topics of marriage, while including our trials, triumphs, and all that fell in-between. The goal of this link-up series is to encourage the pursuit of love, joy, and hardships within a sacred marriage, all of which are completely worth each minute the Lord provides with our better half. 

If you are engaged, or married, we invite you to write on the topics with us and link up your posts. It doesn't matter if you are engaged and planning your big day, are a newlywed, or if you have been married 25 years... All the marital advice contributed, all the better for everyone involved! 

Visit our blogs today to meet our spouses and learn about our weddings! 

The Topics: 

June 5- Funny Moments From The First Year

June 12- Hardest Moments From The First Year

June 19- What Have You Learned From The Unexpected and How Have You Grown as a Couple During The First Year

June 26- Anniversary Celebration Recap 

We look forward to reading about your engaged, newlywed, and marriage journeys! If you have any questions feel free to email Kalyn here.