Exciting news from Orange City...

No we are not having a baby, but the news is equally as exciting (at least to me at this point)...

I just thought I would update the family as to our future plans. As most of you know (or maybe you don't), last fall I applied to five graduate schools (all in the Midwest). In February, I went on three interview visits to Iowa State, University of South Dakota, and University of North Dakota. Throughout the process, my first choice has been Univ. of North Dakota, and Jess was excited about living in Grand Forks, ND as well. So after my interviews, the waiting began. About two weeks ago, I got an offer of admission to UND!! Needless to say we were both very (VERY) exicted! I still wanted to wait a little while to see what the other schools offered me (mostly out of curiousity). However, I did not hear anything from Iowa State officially (and they are also facing some financial issues... which is not a promising situation in graduate school) and the news from USD was not good, so I officially accepted UND's offer today! This means that at the beginning of August (or end of July), we will be moving to Grand Forks, ND! Then you can all come visit us in the north country...

Just thought I would update you all on this exciting news in our lives. At the same time, I am beginning to come to terms with the fact that I only have about 7 weeks left at Northwestern--a fact which is both sad and exciting at the same time. I have truly enjoyed my four years at NW, and it is going to be sad not coming back next fall. But I am SO EXCITED to be going to UND! We are also excited to be living in the Chandler/Edgerton area this summer so that Jess can help his dad with some remodeling projects on the farm. So we will hopefully be seeing most of you more often during the summer.

It looks like Grandpa had a fantastic birthday celebration! Grandpa, we wish we could have been there for part of the celebration, but we were wishing you a wonderful day and many more years of health and happiness from Iowa! We love you and thank God for your example of what it means to be a hard-working, loving, Christian man.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and we will hopefully see you soon!

Darci