Sooooo....

THIS happened today!!

Yes, Andrew signed an offer with his top firm in NYC!!  It was seriously nail biting down to the very last hour.  He had to accept or reject another offer with a different firm by close of business today and we were just hoping and praying that THIS offer would come today.  And it was a great offer.  It still doesn't feel real, to be honest.  Can this be it?  Can we really be done with the back and forth of are we moving, etc.  YES.  We are done.  We are staying in CT and will even be able to afford to buy something in the Spring.  We miiiight even be able to stay in our town.  yippee!!  I'll have to be able to handle a decent amount of travel, but I'm confident we can do it.

I'd be lying if I didn't think this was going to work out all along.  You see, just over a month ago, I asked God for a "very specific" sign as to what Andrew is supposed to be doing and where we are supposed to be living.  That day, Andrew had the first interview with his now firm.  Out of ALL of the offices in Manhattan, what do you think the name of the building was?  Just guess....ummm it was "Grace".  ummm "specific sign" eh? After that interview went well and the subsequent ones did as well, I knew deep down this was going to be it.

But it's been a tough road filled with some doubt - and a really rough last 2 weeks for us all.  The pressure of the job search and hiring process, my works stress, and my dad's surgery to remove his cancer....it was a lot.  I couldn't do much but pray.  Thankfully, Dad's surgery was a success and all of the cancer was removed.  The recovery was tougher than expected, so he spent over a week in the hospital.

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But he is home now and doing well.  Just needs to take it a bit easer.  Reading this, Dad?  ahem.

I managed to have only 1 major breakdown through it all and realized that, besides prayer, running is my saving grace.  It centers me the way taking 15 minutes to read the bible centers me.  I committed myself to a running schedule (sans baby jogger) and managed to even puff out 5 miles last Sunday before church.  I'll be doing another half marathon in the Fall, which will hopefully keep me motivated and on track.  These girls...these girls...they are just like me and do not sit still for more than 5 minutes!

Well, that's not entirely true.  Morning screen time involves Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood and they are obsessed.

I figure that TV time in the morning can't be the worst thing for them this summer, especially given all of the outdoor time they have.  After some pool time and then Costco, I CAN get them to pass out together.

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 This summer, Andrew and I reinstated a Sunday ritual from our dating days.  It's called Sunday Sundaes.  mmm mmm.

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 And this little gem right here is after a petting zoo farm birthday party we went too.  I could not pass up the chance to put the girls in overalls.  And Andrew couldn't pass up the chance to carry them like this.

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Ahhh Summer.  How I LOVE you and all that you bring to life.

  We are off on our annual trip to Michigan on Wednesday.  I can't believe how much the girls have grown since last year.  It will be such a blessing to take a vacation without all the stress we have felt for the past several months.  Amen and goodnight!