Very Blessed

Lately it seems like things have just fallen into place. All I keep thinking is how very blessed we are.

First, if you haven't heard already, Chad accepted a job with Target at their headquarters in Minneapolis. He will be working on their pricing team, on the track to become a buyer. I wish I could express to you how proud I am of him. He worked so hard in school to prepare himself for this, then he worked incredibly hard in recruiting to secure a phenomenal job with an amazing company. Many people during the recruiting process, including myself, kept saying to him, "You are so lucky to have so many interviews and offers." Which was only a natural thing to say, considering he had to start turning down fly-out, final interviews with some really great companies at a time when most college graduates are lucky to find ANY job.  It finally dawned on me though that it wasn't his luck getting him these opportunities. It was the many years of preparation in school, internships, and jobs, plus countless hours of networking and recruiting. He worked SO hard for this and I'm so grateful. I also know that our loving Heavenly Father had his hand in this process, because I felt Him guiding our decisions. Many prayers were answered in leading us to this point.

One special blessing we received throughout this process was the possibility that my job could be transferred to Minneapolis. Earlier this year, Certiport (the company I work for), was purchased by Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE is headquartered in Bloomington, a city just south of Minneapolis. When I knew we were headed to Minneapolis, I requested to be transferred there and work out of their office. It got approved! I'll keep my same job, just work in a different place. It's such a blessing because I love my job. It amazes me that things fell into place months ago for everything to align for us and this move.

So, a few weeks ago we took a weekend trip out to Minneapolis to look for an apartment. It was so good for me to see the city and start to fall in love with it. We spent most of Saturday driving around because I wanted to feel familiar with the city before choosing a place to live. I'm pretty sure Chad thought he was sitting next to a broken tape on repeat for the amount of times I said, "It's so beautiful." I also wanted to check out where I'll be working (See picture above).  We had the special opportunity that night to experience the "Holidazzle." A lighted parade they do throughout the month of December. It was splendid!

Please enjoy the couple behind us. They spent most of the parade like that...

Sunday we were able to go to church at the ward we were pretty sure we'd end up in. It was great! We met some phenomenal people and the bishop seemed rather excited to put us to work. Well bishop, we're excited to go to work. The possibility of member missionary work has us so excited!

Monday was our day with the relocation agent that Target provided. We knew that by about 4 o'clock we would have to make a choice and get all of the paperwork completed before we caught a plane home at 7 o'clock. Crazy, but it worked out great! We had an amazing relocation agent who showed us the city and our options. It made our decision really easy.

We will be living downtown, just blocks from Target. My commute to work will be about the same it is currently and trust me, I don't mind the time to just think. So here are some pictures of our apartment:

Our windows overlook my favorite building in the city, the Basilica of Saint Mary. It reminds me so much of Europe and I LOVE it! Anyway, it all worked out perfectly and I'm incredibly grateful.

Last, but not least, we bought our first car together! We've looked and looked for what felt like forever, because we both love a good deal. We finally found the one. Our first buying experience was an amazing one and I highly recommend Nate Wade Subaru if you're looking for a car. Plus, I got the most important things for my commute in Minneapolis--all wheel drive and heated seats. Necessities for my survival. Let's just call this one an "early Christmas present to ourselves."

Anyway, I'm feeling incredibly grateful that everything's working out, even though sometimes it doesn't seem like it will. Trust God.

Stay tuned for some upcoming, fun adventures!