It's Official!

If you have been reading my blog for a long time, you know most of this story so for your sake I'll keep it short and to the point. 

Ben and I moved to Birmingham last May so I could complete an externship.  The externship is the last step in completing my doctorate.  I finish up my externship next week and graduate a short 2 weeks later.  When we moved here, we knew it was a possibility that it could only be for one year.  We had no clue what and where the job opportunities would be when it came time for me to graduate. My, how fast this year has flown and now it's that time!  I started searching for jobs in February after I learned that I had passed national boards.  We primarily focused on Birmingham and Memphis.  We wanted Birmingham because we really love this city, Ben has a great job, and its the halfway point between both sets of parents.  We wanted Memphis because that is where I'm from, Ben has a sister and her family there, we have lots & lots of friends there, and it's only an hour's drive from our favorite place, Oxford.  

We have been praying for guidance since I submitted my first application. We weren't praying for a job specifically, we knew God would provide no matter what, but we were praying that God would be our guide in making a very difficult decision as to where we needed to be.  Well after numerous interviews, disappointment, and some frustration we got our guidance.  There was an opportunity for me to stay where I am finishing up my externship and I have really loved all the experience I have gained here.  But, I would only be working with children, which is what I really want to do, however, I really felt that with my first job out of school I really  needed to be somewhere where I could gain experience testing all ages since I am still developing skills and experience.   That opportunity came while I was away in Chicago.  I got a job offer from an ENT practice in east Memphis and after more prayers and discussions with Ben we decided to accept.  It's OFFICIAL!  We're trading in the Magic city for the Bluff city!  We are very excited and nervous all at the same time. We are going up there this weekend to find a place to live.  I swear it feels like we just did this and boy was it stressful.  Honestly, we'll probably sign the dotted line at the first place we visit that will allow Layla to live there, hah.

Thanks to all my followers that kept us in your prayers :)

We're trading....



Steel Mills

for



FedEx



Downtown Birmingham

for



Beale Street



Saw's BBQ

for



Neely's



And the list could go on & on...

There are so many things and places about Birmingham that we will surely miss but we are looking forward to the next step in our lives.