The First of Many....

Well, well, well...  Here goes nothing!!!  Like most new mom's, you get reminded on (almost) a daily basis how much family misses you, wants to see pictures, wants an update on life, yada, yada, yada... So, like so many of my friends, I have decided the best way to keep everyone in the loop is to start a blog...  My hope is to document whats been going on in our lives and share pictures of our family. 
With that said, I want to start this "adventure" off by updating everyone on the changes that have taken place in our household over the last year...  (in a nutshell)

So... here... we... go...
Luke returned home from his second deployment October 3, 2010...  I feel like that day was the beginning of an entirly new life for the two of us. 

Shortly after Luke returned to Minnesota, he had a couple job offers in the works.  In the end, he accepted a job with Target.  He truly LOVES his job and Target.  Our biggest and most exciting change was finding out we were expecting!  I will never forget that evening and seeing the "two pink lines" right before my eyes!  Our original due date was August 7th, 2011, but that was quickly changed to July 27th, 2011.  The winter/spring of 2010/2011 consisted of "nesting", a trip to Florida with my family, and trying to stay calm getting ready for baby. 

We kept the sex of the baby a surprise and "Dash" (the nickname we gave baby while I was pregnant) joined our family on July 25th, 2011 at 5:47pm.  Jameson - Luke liked the name Jaime, but thought he needed something more powerful when he's in trouble!  (haha).  Kenneth - Jameson's middle name comes from my Grandpa Marson.  He was truly an AMAZING man and I can't wait to tell Jameson all the wonderful stories about his Great-Grandpa.  It was an emotional start, but after a short stay in the NICU, we were able to bring our bundle of joy home!  

Not only did we have the excitement of a new baby, but within a month of Jameson being born, Luke was offered a promotion within Target!  Great news, but HUGE changes ahead.  The promotion meant a move for our family...  We put our house up for sale the second week in September and by September 15th, we were calling Sioux Falls, SD home.  CRAZY!!!!  The great news in all of this was our house actually sold in 4 DAYS!!!  I was SO sad to leave our house, our neighbors and our friends, but we could not pass up the promotion.  The other huge change in all of this...  I am now a Stay-at-home-mom!  Yes, all of you that know me, I have always been very career oriented.  I have to say, the change has been a challenge, and at times I question what we are really doing, but in the end, I know it was the best choice and I am enjoying every single minute I get with our little man. 

Well, most of this post is a repeat for some of you, but I wanted to make sure everyone that is reading this is on the same page. 

My goal is to post an update at least once a week.

I hope everyone is doing well, and we miss you all!  We send our love and hope to see you soon.  Please know, you always have a place to stay when passing through SD!

All my love,

Abby