We have an announ... or news... or something to say...

Whenever the word "announcement" or "news" is said in regards to a young married couple.... usually a kid is somewhere in the making.
Well, we're not expecting... but we do have other news.

We're moving!

For a while, we felt the pull to be back where we came from and be closer to family.
We also knew that this summer we would move closer to Ben's work. And we thought that if we're going to move to a different city anyways.... then let's think about moving somewhere close to family and where we already know we like to live.

We've loved these past two years. We loved contributing to our church and getting to know this city. Ben was thankful for the manufacturing experience he got and being a part of several different management teams has taught him a lot.  The company may be sad to see him go. He excited to pursue different options with family business and no doubt use the skills he's learned these past two years.

As with any move, there some bitter mixed in with the sweet.  This is were we raised our first child for (nearly) the first year of his life.  We'll miss Which Wich and a Panda Express drive-thru.  I loved my doctor, pediatrician, delivery hospital, etc. I even liked the dentist I found here.  I LOVED being able to walk to Panera, Von Maur, consignment shops and grocery stores. I love the pedmall downtown and the library. I feel like I'm leaving one of the best places to raise a toddler.  I live an 8 minutes walk away from an outdoor park splash pad!  I also feel like we're leaving this city during a time when it's best to live here!  Oh spring is so glorious... and summer in a college town is awesome.  And our house, I love our house and it's been so perfect for us.
I also noticed that the minute something is about to leave or change- I realize how much I love it.

But, I've also learned that moving is not the end of the world, but actually can be quite the opposite. Moving happens a lot here.

Another cool confirmation was the ease of selling our house. Our neighbors were one the first people to know we were putting our house up for sale.  I figured maybe they know someone who wants to be their neighbor!  And they did. They connected me that night to their brother's family. That family saw the house a few days later. The next day we accepted their offer.  Boom. Done. (almost...)  How BLESSED to not even have to stick a "for sale" sign in our yard or finish the sub-par website that I started about our home.

So my days have been filled with soaking in the local things/people I'll miss and packing a box or two.
We're so excited to start something new and know that wherever we are, our God is the same.

thirteen thousand "words"

If a picture is worth a thousand words.... then here's thirteen thousand words!  Titled "Florida, January 2013"  Better late than never, right??

The first of many play place stops in our future! 

Those are manatees... at least that's what I was let to believe.