Week One in Minneapolis = Crazy

So we have been here a total of 9 days and so much has happened, here's an update from my post last week....

House Hunting:
As you know we saw many houses last weekend, like 20! So this week we went back to our favorites to try and narrow down the field. We finally decided on one and put in an offer on Thursday about 3:00 pm. About 3:45pm I get a call from Bryan who tells me that the owners have countered our offer with 2 things, they wanted to keep some curtains and they wanted $3,000 more than we had offered on the house....So clearly we accepted! The acceptance was official on Friday! The current owners are actually moving in 2 weeks and so we close in just 3 weeks, if all goes well we will be in the house before Thanksgiving! We have the inspection tomorrow so hopefully there are no major issues with the house. If everything goes well, we will have a house here! YAY! Below you will find a link to the house so you can see the listing pictures :)

http://www.cbburnet.com/property/details/1912667/MLS-4188096/3228-Hampshire-Avenue-S-St-Louis-Park-MN-55426.aspx?SearchID=4192291&RowNum=6&StateID=29&RegionID=0&IsRegularPS=True&IsSold=False

Work:
I started work this week and everything went really well! I think that I will like the office and everyone I am working with. I also think that I can bring a lot to the office and hopefully help everyone be successful. I'm still getting to know everyone (obviously) but I think that we will get along well. The thing that I really like about the physical location of the office is that there is a gym right in my building! I can go down at lunch and walk or do yoga and then go right downstairs and run after work! It's so convenient and then I don't hit much of rush hour either, wins on both sides!

Saphira:
Saphira has actually been doing really well. She goes from sleeping

To getting into something she shouldn't....

But overall she has been doing really well for being in an apartment. I know it will be a lot easier once we are in a house, which is part of the reason why we are so excited to move into a house so quickly!

 

Half Marathon!

So I had been training for a half in Columbus, but in interfered with the move so I found another half to run here in Minneapolis! I actually got to run through St. Paul so that was neat to see the other of the twin cities and I got to check a half marathon off my list! WOOHOO! It was definitely hard and my legs are really achy today, but I am pretty pleased with myself for finishing. Here are a few pics of the race!

 

We also found a spot to get GF pizza! So that was exciting as well. Tonight we are meeting up with Marshall to try a new restaurant so we will have to let you know how that is. So far we've been pleased with the food scene here! In the coming weeks we will be focusing on getting Bryan a job, finding a vet for Saphira, finding me a chiropractor, and, most importantly, finding a church. Now that we know where we will be living (or we're pretty sure as long as the house isn't falling apart or something) it should be a little easier to get the rest of these things in place. Keep praying for Bryan's job and getting into nursing school. Bryan is thinking that he will wait until summer/fall semester to start classes since he wants to establish himself in a job before asking for a specific schedule around school. So hopefully he can find a job soon!

So far so good Minneapolis - can't wait to see what's in store next!





Made it To MN

So WE ARE HERE! It seems crazy that just last week we were preparing for tests, packing frantically, and trying to decide what to do with the dog while the movers were at the house. Now we are in our temporary housing (which is awesome by the way) and finding our way around the new city. We are in a really fun part of town, called Uptown. There are shops, parks, and restaurants all within walking distance, so we may find it hard to leave and move into an actual house. Speaking of houses, we looked at about 20 this weekend and have narrowed it down to 3 possibilities. House hunting is exhausting and stressful so I am looking forward to decided on a house and getting settled. Thankfully, we like our temp housing so it's no so bad. Saphira has done really well overall. She was great on the ride (not that I would know first hand, but Bryan said she did well in his car) and is doing pretty well in the apartment. She did wake up the first morning at 4am central time and then she wouldn't sleep in her crate last night, but maybe tonight will be better. Saphira and I went on a long run/walk this morning around Lake Calhoun (pictured below...all stock photos btw). It was great! We are really close to the green way which is about 80 some miles of biking/walking trails that connect Minneapolis. So I am enjoying that. Tomorrow starts work for me and learning a new office and new reps and managers. I am nervous but excited. Mostly, I am really thankful that we have had time to settle into the apartment and find a grocery store and get unpacked before I started work. On top of that we've found some potential houses! So overall, a good start to Minneapolis. Overall we have a great impression of the city and we are really excited to keep exploring. Now it's time for me to sign off because I need to eat dinner before Marshall Segal arrives! YES! We have A FRIEND in the city already and he promises to introduce us to more :) I am trusting that the Lord has good things planned for us here and just moving forward on that idea. I know he will provide!! Keep praying for the perfect house for us and pray that we are wise about how much we spend. Also, be praying for Bryan as he begins to search for a job and a school to transfer to in order to continue with his nursing program. More updates to come!!

Lake Calhoun - just minutes from our apartment!