Ashes to ashes

Today is Ash Wednesday. Our foreheads were marked with ashes as the words "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" were whispered. Our Lenten journey has begun as we attempt to follow in Christ's footsteps. Christ's cross becomes our own and vice versa. We prepare our hearts and minds for Jesus' crucifixion and eventual resurrection from the dead. Ashes serve as a beautiful reminder of our humility. The palms that we received during last years Palm Sunday were burned and are used as the sacramental ashes that grace our foreheads on this day. I pray that this Lent will bring our family and others closer to Christ. Alms giving, fasting, prayer and spiritual renewal are all ways to help bring us closer to God's kingdom here on Earth. Are you ready to begin walking on this Lenten journey one step at a time? I hope that I am. God's peace to you all.

Winter randomness

We've been staying pretty close to home these days. It's been cold, we've been sick off and on and frankly being home is just cozier!! Jay and Jacob did enjoy an afternoon at the WNED Kid Fest last Saturday. Jacob loves all the PBS characters especially Super Why and Big Bird (as you can see by his face in the picture below). Pure joy!

Curious George and Jacob.Playing with Thomas the train at Kid Fest! Mr. Ham and Mommy! Fighting the winter blues by finger painting.
Our little sweet. Raphael has been crawling EVERYWHERE. Do you like our new rug? It was drastically on sale at a liquidation sale. I love it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2+4+6

=12 the number of years we'll have been in Buffalo after Jay's oral surgery program is completed. We first came to Buffalo after we were married in the summer of 2004. Jay was accepted into UB's natural sciences masters program which he completed two years later (with a concentration in cancer pathology). Meanwhile I worked full-time (first at Autistic Services Inc. and later at Summit Educational Resources) and completed a masters in library and information studies. While Jay was finishing up his masters he applied to D.D.S. programs and was accepted into many. Once again we decided to stay in Buffalo due to its close proximity to family, cheap tuition and because we found that we liked it here (honestly). Almost six years later Jay has been accepted into the University at Buffalo's oral and maxillofacial surgery program. Buffalo, Buffalo and more Buffalo!

When MATCH day came I really did not have any clue as to where we would end up. For some reason Kentucky kept sticking in my head (I'm sure it would have been wonderful there). I prayed every night that God would lead us to where we were meant to be and he did. We found out that we have six more years in Buffalo! My one sister is convinced that this means we will stay in Buffalo indefinitely. Who knows maybe she's right.

Honestly, I am tired of all the negativity that surrounds the Queen city. When I tell people I live in Buffalo so often they just say "oh you must hate all that snow." Sigh! So we get some snow and our winters are long and cold (this is true in other places on our beautiful Earth as well). I think this makes many of the people around here stronger and gives them a little bit of a tougher skin.

When Jay and I were first married and before we had kids, we were able to explore the beautiful city and all it has to offer. We ate out at many of the restaurants on Hertel, Elmwood and Delaware, we walked around Delaware Park , went on local tours, visited museums, saw some shows, explored the many Catholic Churches and grew to love this city! We love how Catholic Buffalo is (what a wonderful diocese we are living in) and how proud people are of the Buffalo Bills, even if they are on a ten year losing streak. We love Buffalo chicken wings, the summer time festivals, its close proximity to Niagara Falls, the history and the beautiful parks and trails.

It may not be a warm and sunny tropical island, but Jay and I are proud to call Buffalo, NY our home!

p.s. We put in an offer on a house...more details to follow.