:: And so it starts ::

Dun Dun-Dun-Dunnnnnn!!  Here it is - my first blog post on our Family Blog.  Okay - so our family consists of two at this point, but our (new!) marriage and home has enough love to grow into more... Someday :)  

Let's get caught up:
My husband Brian and I dated off an on for FIVE YEARS, and we were recently married in August 2012.  It was a beautiful wedding and reception.  I worked my tush off to make it diverse, spiritual, and inclusive - and I can hold my head up high and say it was surely a success - a beautiful day, surrounded by friends and family and lots of love and special moments.  We honeymooned in Florida and had many adventures including but not limited to: snorkeling in the Atlantic, NASA, cockroach infestations, Disney World, wild peacocks, jumping 150 lb fish, and some of the best food and quality time we have had.

In October 2012 we moved to Alabama, where Brian is going through flight school for the Iowa National Guard, to become a Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot.  Coming into town with no idea where we would live or what to expect - 45 minutes and 3 house tours later we were signing a lease to rent the PERFECT spot.  The first two homes we looked at were {lacking} to say the least.  We got in our car and Brian closed his eyes and said "Lord - help us out here.  Whatever you're will is, make it evident - we need your help and guidance on this one."  The next house we looked at - before we opened the car doors we knew it was our new Home - we love it and feel so blessed every time we walk through the doors. 

 Who says God doesn't answer prayers?!

We've had many adventures the last 5 months in Alabama.  Our location is within driving distance of some amazing places - and we've traveled to the Gulf of Mexico numerous times, New Orleans for a weekend get-away, and all around our new Home Town taking in the sites, the culture, and the people of the South.  We Love it here!  

Brian breezed through BOLC, Survived SERE, and is now Neck Deep in Flight School.  He is learning how to hover the aircraft, and loving every moment of it.  He is in classes and on the flight line bright and early, home for dinner, and then studying each night away right up until bed time (and typically still dreaming about procedures, he informed me) Saturdays are break days - and I always try to plan some vegging out time - as well as a fun get away every once and awhile.  I keep busy with freelance graphic design jobs for a company in Iowa, my new Mary Kay Beauty Consultant business, cleaning - cooking - and re organizing our space!, and keeping the home fires burning with fun packages and letters to friends and family back home.

We recently celebrated our 6 month anniversary - it's amazing how fast time flies.  We put a "Love Lock" on the Love Gate at the Botanical Gardens in Dothan - it's fun to leave our mark on Alabama, and think about coming back to see it when we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary (and beyond!) We're excited to see where life takes us, and we're open to whatever God has in mind.