{Something New}

Today we woke up, took in a deep breath, peeked out to see the beautiful sun which made it even better and were excited for the start of something new! We have now become parish members of Dylan's Parish School church. We have been members of St. Pius since before we were married and now decided that we would also join All Saints. The parish community from what we have experienced is nothing short of fantastic. Everyone is so nice, the priest is hilarious, very genuine, great with the kids, easy to understand and not overbearing at all and everyone treats you as you are family, which in a sense we are.
Today was the start of Catholic Schools week. It is a celebratory awareness week made of catholic schools and parishes around. How they were found, how they maintain their values and expand their horizons for our youth today.. hence our little children. This week at All Saints there will be lots of fun activities for Dylan throughout his day. For instance each day is a theme, for clothing, food, activities etc. Tomorrow being 'mis-match day', something each day fun for the kids to look forward to. The kids all got to choose the menu for the week and their favorites will be ate every day.

We began our day at the morning church service. It was quite the surprise when we walked in and the regular priest was away at a retreat, so the priest filling in was Fr. Schatz, the very priest that married Brad and I at St. Pius nearly 10 years ago. I couldn't help but smile, it was like we were meant to be there today. The kids were very good. Danielle loved looking around as this was a new place for her. She really enjoyed the music and got lots of attention from other parish members as well. We tried to encourage Dylan to attend the children's liturgy but he was content with Mom and Dad which was totally fine. He participated in prayer with us, and as we say prayers each night before bed, this was the first time, in church that he said prayer with us.

After mass the school held a Pancake Breakfast ahead of their Open House/Registration. We headed into the Social Hall and had a fantastic breakfast... pancakes, eggs, sausage...mm mm good! Dylan was probably one of the only kids at breakfast that put Salsa on his eggs AND pancakes! Yes, the kid is a salsa fanatic, it was hilarious and we went along with it. By golly he polished off the whole plate! It was nice to see some of Dylan's classmates and their families as those are the kiddo's that will be heading into Kindergarten with him!

After breakfast we headed over to the school. We got a second tour of the Kindergarten rooms and also a tour of the entire school. We are very familiar with the first floor but it was fun to visit the 2nd and 3rd floors and meet the Art teacher, Music teacher, Librarian, Reading teachers etc. We had student guides and the girls did great. Dylan followed closely behind him and you could tell he was right at home. Each new teacher we met would shake his hand and ask his name, 'Dylan Holub' he would say! Too cute, not just his first name but his first and last name and he said it with confidence! Moments like that do bring tears to my eyes. Brad and I were smiling ear to ear, he can be a little pistol at home sometimes, but today at school and church he was such a gentleman. Little bit of reassurance that maybe we are, after all, doing something right?!

We had a very nice visit and as a last stop we visited the book fair before rounding out our day. It was a very nice event as a family. Lots of time for reflection at mass and even after we left, Brad and I chatted that we feel that this is all so right. So Dylan is all registered for Kindergarten next year. We could not be more excited to watch him on this journey of something new!~

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to Twenty Twelve! While Twenty Eleven was a decent year for our family, we always pray & ask that the next year be even better! We rang in the New Year at home with our munchkins, watched football, ate a yummy Outback dinner & even drank a few glasses of wine. The kiddo's fell asleep early, Dylan on the couch was out at 5:45! Wowza! I think he is still trying to play catch up from a busy Christmas week! Our little twinkling eyed little girl stayed up with us for a bit & later after the kiddo's were in bed the hubby and I had a little time to reflect. Reflect on the previous year, lessons learned, choices we made some which were good and some which have room for improvement....but all in all we have a fantastic year to look forward to!

 Sunshine, not a cloud in the sky and nearly 50 degree's on New Years Eve 2011! Had to mark this day with pictures, we may not be as lucky the next several years! It was a beautiful day!!!

     Definitely the biggest news of our year to come came the last week of 2011 when we found out that Danielle was accepted into the Linn Mar School District under open enrollment. This is HUGE for Danielle & it was by far the very best news we could have received!!! We are no longer in a huge hurry to sell our home, we can do a few more improvements and think long and hard about where in the district we would like our future home to be. In 2012 our little girl will start pre-school, 5 days a week!!! *tears* It is hard to believe that she is growing so fast, but we are so excited for what her future holds as a little Lion!
      Dylan will start Kindergarten in the Fall, and until that time I will try and keep him little as long as I possibly can. Yet each new day with Dylan brings something new, and the reminder that he is growing up oh so fast, right before our eyes. We have no choice but to hold on for the ride! He is such a kind and gentle sole. The past few weeks he has wanted his sister to sit and play with him many times thru each day. 'Danielle wants to play with me' he will say. We will put her in her chair, they will make pretend donuts or cook brownies or even color a picture together. These are moments we have longed for and seeing Dylan take it upon himself in the big brother role is something that I cannot even explain, it is awesome!
    This coming August Brad and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage! No way! We hope to celebrate together on a fantastic warm weather destination vacation. Being together 16 years and now we will be married for 10, wow, time has gone by fast, and the journey has been so grand! I am so lucky to have such a fantastic husband and loving father for our children. Brad and I each have a lot going on in our day to day jobs, as parents, as husband and wife and in our careers too. We have been blessed and we hope things continue to go as well in this coming year. As we sat and chatted about how we can make each other better, there are things we will try and make better for our family too. One thing that just happens is what we feel in our hearts, the love of our family, together, each and every day in our home. Those feelings are in our hearts and will never fade away. Family is everything, and those words we live by each and every day. And our friendships are just as important too. Where there is the love of family, there is the love of close friends, we have friends that are our family to us and we cannot wait for a fantastic year spent with them as well!

     We wish you and yours the very best in Twenty Twelve. May your Life be filled with lots of Love and Laughter in your heart as well!~

*Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.*