While the plans for our move to Minnesota was in the works for the last few months, this is something that Jon and I feel has been over 10 years in the making. 10 years ago, two people from Minnesota fell in love in Wisconsin. We finished school, got married, and embarked on our life as a married couple, deciding we could spread our wings and venture away from home while we were still "young". While it was maybe not as glamorous of an adventure as we both had first envisioned when we began the search for our next move, Iowa and its "fields of opportunity" provided just that for our new little family. 
Obviously planned by God, after months of searching, Jon and I landed jobs in Cedar Rapids, and closed on our first home in just two short months...no one could question that it was meant to be. When we departed for Iowa, the plan was to stay there for three years; the length of Jon's tv contract. Well, we all know what happens when WE make plans! ;-) Just over one year into our Iowa adventure we were both in new jobs, ones that took us down completely new and exciting paths. Before we knew it, three years had passed, Jon was no longer under the contract we were waiting out, we both were happy in our jobs, and not only did we decided to stay, we decided to move...out of the town house and into our home. With the home, came the growth of our family. Vinnie joined us just shy of 5 years after we had moved to Iowa. As we added to our family, it became very evident just how much we missed our family, and the support they could provide to our young family. Professionally, we both began to feel as though it was time to consider what our next steps would be. It became evident very quickly, that those steps would take us home to Minnesota. And so, it began, the long process to get us home. Tests were taken, my teaching license was obtained. And then an incredible opportunity, one that we just knew we couldn't pass up landed in our laps. It was a risk, and was going to challenge each of us, but wasn't that what our entire Iowa experience had been...risks and lessons, all forming us into the people and the family we are today.
Now, on the other side of our Iowa experience, I look back on it and see nothing but growth. Was it difficult to be 5 hours away from our closest family and friends for 7 years? ABSOLUTELY! Did we face times of struggle and moments that stretched our faith? MOST DEFINITELY! But, we also created a solid foundation for our marriage, ourselves as professionals, our faith and our family, and for that we wouldn't change a moment of the Iowa experience. The people we worked with, the friends we made, all became our new family and supported us through some of the most exciting and challenging moments of our lives.
Now, the next chapter begins, and as I sit here, just weeks into our life in Minnesota, I hear Vinnie contently playing with his cousins and I know without a doubt that the last few months of struggle were all worth it to make this possible. This is when we can slow down, breathe easy, and just enjoy. I am sure our road here in Minnesota will not be free of bumps, curves, and hurdles...but this time we will have the love and support of family less than a phone call away. Our time in Iowa was all about learning and hard work, putting our heads down and pushing forward. I see this time that we are embarking on as a time to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor, to focus on our family and to really just enjoy life!
As we begin to settle into this life, we are once again faced with what I like to call "God-winks," little signs and cues that this is the path that God had planned. Jon has been here for almost 9 months, diligently working to put the little pieces of life in place...a great job, insurance, stability. Our family opened their arms and pulled us in, giving us a place to land and live until we could sort out the details of our new home. Less than a week of moving back we found a home that is perfect for our family in Blaine, and as an extra blessing, we were able to close a whole 2 weeks earlier than we had hoped. In my visions of our move I desperately hoped to be moved by August 1st, and PRAISE GOD, we get to close July 11th! In my wildest dreams I couldn't have planned it better. While I may have my moments, adjusting to all this change, desperately searching for our place and that routine of life that I always long for, at the end of each day I just feel so blessed. Blessed to have been supported by friends and co-workers as Vinnie and I endured the challenges of the last 9 months, blessed by family near and far who continuously keep us in their prayers. Your prayers have been answered, we have come out stronger than ever and with a new found appreciation for the love of family.
Minnesota, we are here and we are loving it!
