21 weeks - halfway there!!

16 weeks and feelin' like a million bucks

Baby Madelyn Frances was born April 5, 2011!
Make a pregnancy ticker

I'm excited to say that I FINALLY landed myself a teaching job!  I've substitute taught for several years and even had the opportunity to teach Spanish for a teacher on her maternity leave - but I've never had a classroom to call my own... until now!  It's something I've worked really hard for, for a really long time, and I'm glad it's finally my turn. After waiting tables for six years at Outback, I'm thrilled to be able to spend my nights and weekends with Mike and Simon.  That's what I'm REALLY looking forward to.  We have been very blessed this past year and I am so thankful for everything.  We have the best support group made up of our wonderful family, both near and far, and all of our incredible friends.  We're both so in love with each other and so in love with life and we can't take all the credit - you all know who you are.  Thank you - love you!

Uprooting

Some of you might not have known, but Mike was offered a General Manager position at a hotel in East Lansing.  Somewhere between the "I do" and the tequila in Mexico on our honeymoon, we found time to really think about what this job would do for us.  The biggest perk would be that it would move us back to Michigan where we could be closer to friends and family.  Unfortunately, that was really the only perk.  It weighed heavily on both of us but in the end we decided to let it pass us by.  The day after we returned from our honeymoon, Mike had to make the phone call and turn down the offer.  It wasn't easy for him beause it was a blessing to even have the opportunity - he'd been applying for new jobs all fall, winter, and spring and this was the first real bite.  But it didn't feel right for us as a new family.  We were sure that bigger and better offers would find us again - and that they did.  The day after Mike turned down the East Lansing job offer, he received a call from his boss saying that he really wanted Mike to consider a job opportunity in Kenner, Louisiana - just outside New Orleans.  It didn't take us long to decide that this is the reason why we turned down the East Lansing job.  Not only will it open a lot of doors for him, but the teaching opportunites seem to be more abundant for me.  Mike will move in as little as two weeks and likely live in the hotel that he'll be taking over until we find a home.  I'll stay in Jackson with Simon and make the three-hour commute as often as I can.  We are both very excited about this move - we've always wanted to live in a lot different places before we settle down in one spot to raise a family.  It is our hope that all of our friends feel welcome to come visit whenever they want.. I promise we're good hosts.. :)

Something Old, Something New...

My first blog post. How's that for something new? I've been busy busy busy planning our July 3rd wedding. We are both so excited! It's a lot of work to put together a wedding but we are certain it will be the greatest day of our life as of yet. Stay tuned for further details!