Things are about to change...in a big way!

No, we aren't having a baby. Sorry, but not yet!

So, for those of you who know, 2 weekends ago, we flew to the Big Apple for the weekend. We stayed with some friends, ate good food and toured around the city.

What you may not have known, is that we were actually there to scope out places to live.
Scott was offered a job as a Director of Human Resources at Columbia University!

Yup, that's right,

WE ARE MOVING TO MANHATTAN!!!

A few weeks back, Scott was called up by his former boss, who is now an Associate Dean at Columbia University and offered Scott the position.. Can you believe it?! This really came out of nowhere. We've been in shock basically the entire time. It has been a crazy few weeks and it has been so incredibly hard to keep this a secret. After a lot of prayer and discussion, we decided to take it further and we flew to NYC for Scott to meet some of the faculty and staff. Scott's boss was very generous to have us stay with him for two nights as they showed us around the city. We really got the feel of what life would be like. They were so kind to host us,  show us around and take us to some amazing restaurants. Scott had never been to New York, so it was quite a lot to take in. We never really expected that his first experience would be an interview and vetting the neighborhoods for where to live!

We told our employers this week. It was really tough. We thought we at least had 2 more years in Cincinnati and now, all of the sudden, we are being taken away. Although we are extremely excited, we are going to miss this place, our friends, our church, it really has become our home.

Anyway, We are working for a few more weeks then packing up and heading out right before Thanksgiving, and Scott will start on December 2nd!

For those of you wondering 'What about his law degree?' Well, he's taking  a semester off to get adjusted to the new job, city and new way of life, but he is already in the process of applying to a few part-time law programs in Manhattan. :)

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While Scott was in meetings all Friday, I spent the afternoon lounging about Columbia's Campus. After a lunch in a fantastic French restaurant with Brian and Scott, I took photos around the university, meandered to Riverside Park and looked over the Hudson River, and eventually made my way back to campus found a perfect spot and just slept for almost an hour. :) 

My handsome man about to go into meetings

The Cafe from Seinfeld!

Beautiful Grass + Orangina + Beautiful Day = Nap on Campus

We walked ALL around the city, it was great! We explored the Upper West Side, SoHo, Greenwich Village, It was a day full of tons of walking! I loved it. :)

Washington Square Park!

We started and ended our trip in Columbus, where we flew out. We had the honor of staying the night with Lydia and Brad, in their new apartment. It was great having some time to hang out with them. They took us to Raising Cane's Chicken, which was awesome. When we arrived back in Ohio, my parents and Liberty met us in Columbus and we all (minus Lydia, she had to work :( ) went to Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream! What a wonderful cap to a crazy weekend!

Well, there it is! I literally can't believe this is happening. I never thought in a million years we would be living in the biggest city in the the US. I have been in awe of how God has orchestrated this, he has truly been there each step of the way.  This experience has been an incredible journey in trusting in Him. Thank you for praying for us in this journey we are about to embark on.

This country girl is going Big City! :)

Lauren Marie