taking one for the team... a trip to florida that is.

Today, and for the rest of the week, hubby's in Florida.

Rough life of a Sports Information Director... following the baseball and softball teams to Ft. Meyers, FL for spring training. In all seriousness though, Jared SO needed this mini-getaway. It has been so crazy these past few weeks for him with the crossover of winter sports and spring sports. We've been quoting the American Airlines "wanna get away?" voice for days in anticipation of this.

He's been doing daily blogs of the games, and all the usual writing, etc. The bonus, though, as he and his brother like to call it is "constituent relations." Meeting and rubbing elbows with the other schools, sports information directors, etc. Networking and media relations is a huge part of this job, so it makes sense. I just wish my job gave me all expense paid trips to 85 degrees and sunshine for "constituent relations." Now, if only we can get him to wear sunscreen... yowza.

This happened Saturday - first full day. I think he's hurting enough to not let it happen again. He will be sunscreening. (I hope.) Altough he and the other administration down there have been keeping plenty busy, they have been able to sqeeze in some R & R from the sound (or see) of it.

What I would do for that and this... it's bittersweet that he keeps photo-filling me in.

I'm so thankful he has been able to rest a little bit, and is enjoying the team. He totally deserves it! I do wish that I could have ventured on down there for a little bit, but I wasn't able to take off work just quite yet. There will be a time. :) I am already SO excited to have him back late thursday night! 7 days is the longest we have gone thus far without seeing each other... so one notch off the belt I guess! It has definitely helped that it's high 70s and even 80 degrees here with sun. I'm not experiencing quite as much jealousy over missing a Florida getaway.... *quite that is....

We're here!

Short and sweet - a one picture blog. There is still quite a bit going on here, and I PROMISE you that there will be more to come on Monday. It's Jared's first day on the job (monday), so I'm starting my alone time on a good foot I decided. :)

Touring Marshall was awesome. Seeing Jared's office, the historical buildings, and experiencing life on the other side of the country. So far so good. Until Monday!!!

Take me home... country roads

So this might be old news to most of you.... but I will share the details none the less of Jared and I taking a leap of faith, stepping out and moving to West Virginia! Huntington, to be exact, home of Marshall University and the "thundering herd." After a few long years of waiting, it is finally the right time for us to move.

Jared will be going to work for Marshall Unviersity in their athletic department as a Graduate Assistant. This means that he will be a full time staff doing everything media related for 1 or 2 sports a season. Media guides, website design and updating, press releases, game day program design, etc. The difference however, is that he will also be getting his masters through the university in sports administration. This is his form of salary. It's a pretty ingenious set up, actually. In the collegiate sports world, having your masters as well as having experience at a credible location is vital. So this is a really great step for us!

God's fingerprints were all over this move. As some of you know, prior to Marshall (and by prior I mean like all of this happened in a span of 3 weeks) we had accepted a position in Georgia. Through a long stream of events, we went down there to look at apartments, God moved in our hearts and we decided it wasn't the place for us. Happening at the same time, Marshall U called Jared. One door closed, another opened. That's the short version. ;)

Once we accepted this position at Marshall, we still ran into some hiccups, but as ALWAYS, God's faithfullness abounded. Because we were doing all of this online, and choosing not to visit, our apartment search was interesting. We found 3 wonderful, nice, apartments from the staff at Marshall's recommendations. About a week ago, we found out one didn't have avaliability (our fave), one had given us mis-information and really didn't have an apartment for us (our backup), and one we realistically couldn't swing price wise. Talk about taking the wind out of us. So we prayed, and we trusted.

We had decided we were going to have to take a 3 bedroom at our favorite place and just bite the money until we could move down to a 1 bedroom... it was the ONLY apartment we could even find avaliable! The Lord worked. He got us a 2 bedroom there. Great! Even cheaper! But of course, us in our unbelieving/stressed ways, were worried about moving twice, changing our address twice, etc. Oh, us of little faith.

Sunday, as in 2 days ago, our apartment called. They have a 1 bedroom for us. :) Why do we ever doubt that the Lord will take care of us? He has NEVER failed us yet! And although the road might not always fall perfectly before us as we are ready to step, I believe he is present and attentive, and always has our best interest in mind. Even if that best interest doesn't make itself clear until farther down that road.

So, long story, but I can't keep quiet God's faithfullness. We are very excited about this move, and strongly feel that this is the place he is leading us. Oh, and it is only a 2 year comittment. :) Our desire is to come back to the Twin Cities, but where He leads us, we will follow.

There are a few things we would SO appreciate your prayers  on as we move cross country:

- we are still trying to find the most affordable way to move down. Rental trucks are so expensive. We are looking for a truck and trailer.
- A job for myself (Skyler) as it will be my income we rely on while Jared gets his degree
- Jared will be traveling quite a bit with his team(s): SAFETY for him as well as lonliness not to set in while I am home in a brand new state.
- That we would find a great church family and some great friends!
- That our hearts would remain open to Huntington - not just waiting for the end of 2 years.

We start driving on August 1st! Both of our wonderful parents will be moving us down. Thank you so much for all your prayers, and there will be much more to come!!

ps. just in case you care this much....  if you want to remember more about Marshall's story Click here for info on the plane crash, or click here to view MU's official athletic website (Jared's territory).

B + H

B + H. This was their name for everything organizationally related. B + H centerpiece ideas, B + H wedding day timeline, B + H cupcake ideas. My computer was flooded with B + H documents. So quite fitting I believe, that my final interaction with their wedding should hold this title. When Bryant and Hannah asked me to be their wedding planner, it was a job I didn't even have to think about! I mean, how much fun did I have planning my own wedding!? A lot, in case you didn't know. And planning a wedding for our dear friends? Done. Months later, well, their day finally rolled around. 5.28.11 And it was blissful.

I have to admit, being a wedding planner for someone else's wedding is totally different than planning your own. But I have to say, at the end of it all, it was an experience I will never ever forget. I learned so much through this whole process! Half the time I was flying by the seat of my pants (thankfully no one could see inside my brain that day...) but I'm grateful the Lord helped me pull all the details together to pull off a seamless wedding day. I told Him, "Lord, you know I only have ONE pair of hands right now and I need help." He sent Shelley. Dear, dear Shelley. I said, "Lord, unless there is a REALLY important reason it needs to rain right now... like someone's house is burning down with 12 kids inside.... please hold off the rain." He did. I truly believe I was an instrument this day. Not only for Bryant and Hannah, but for myself. To show me that in times of difficulty where I don't know if I have it in me... He's there. And he cares about what's important to me! Even if it is just making someone's wedding happen. ;)
So here are some pictures from the day. Props to the florist Stephanie Armstrong (also who we used at our wedding!) for the gorgeous arrangements, as well as the pics of them. I was kinda busy....but when the first rays of sun peeked through the pathway to the ceremony site, and I was the only one at the orchard.... I had to.

The location was the gorgeous Minnetonka Orchards... what a stunning venue! And for a bride like Hannah, with the vintage-modern flair of their wedding, an orchard fit perfectly.

Everything on the tables, from the hand-frayed fabric, to the thrift store/antique shop vases and bird cages, was all hand done by Hannah & co. Talk about a busy bride. Totally worth it!

Hand made clay cake toppers, and a cupcake/candy table I spent a good chunk of the morning on withOUT eating a single one. :) After the dance was underway, and I had a moment to breathe, I snuck away for a bit just to get some scenery shots.

Dad said they had this exact same tractor growing up on the farm... I had to think about that one for a second. He dosn't seem that old. ;)

The rest of the evening was spent enjoying our friends. Ones that live close, and ones that live far. Cullen & Meghan, it was a joy to see you!!

 And plenty of steam was blown off in the photobooth that Bryant and Hannah had...

 Bryant and Hannah, it was truly a joy to be apart of your day. Bryant, I know Jared was so honored to stand up as your best man. He respects you, values your friendship and your brotherhood in Christ. Hannah, I am so so glad that we have a bond. :) It was fun from the beginning, but it turned into a love gift - for a true sister in the Lord. Blessings, newleyweds! We love you!

And then there were two

Two diplomas, that is! Now when people ask me what I do, I don't stutter into a long sentance about finishing college, starting a second degree in massage therapy (but working at the same time). I'M A REHABILITATIVE MASSAGE THERAPIST. Aah, that's so much easier to say! I did decide to go through the graduation ceremony, and was very blessed to have my whole family there! Dave & Chris, Greg and Lori, Mom & Dad, and my amazing husband! Cheers and thankfullness to you guys for all your support through this process.

I learned so much through this degree.... sometimes I just start talking anatomy to Jared and I end up with my voice two octaves higher, eyes wide, and somehow trying to "win" a point of explaining to him all the concepts and reasons of WHY certain body mechanics hurt him and what he needs to be doing differently to fix it and prevent needing my desperate assistance to fix him. He's so great. He just smiles, waiting for me to be done and realize that he didn't even ask a question.

Aside from all the science, function, and technique I gained, I think that a more important and noteworthy principle I took away from this was even MORE reverence, awe, and thankfullness for how God so intricately wove our physical bodies. My class in 3D anatomy and kinesiology really drove this home to me... remember my clay maniken? I really should have taken an after picture before I pawned it off to mom and dad to store for us. :S  I continue to marvel and apply what I learned about my body into my worship. I am SO THANKFUL for a functioning body and the knowledge I have gained to be grateful for it!

So back to the night. We couldn't celebrate without Cheesecake Factory. Mmmm. I think it's just "the place to be" for celebrating in this family. It's where my parents, Jared and I went the very first time he met them (and hey, that WAS a celebration), it's been known to host our birthdays, anniversaries, and not to forget Greg + Lori's engagement after party! And the cheesy (hehe) picture is a must!

So here's to the end of yet another chapter of life! I definitely am thankful for the accomplishment, the enjoyment, and the lessons I learned about perseverence. Not to mention how much I learned to LOVE anatomy. On to the next! :)