Moving day!

Moving day is tomorrow! This past week has been exhausting. Scrubbing tile, cleaning windows, cleaning brush, shining floors, cleaning a stove, dusting (and still feeding the kids, cleaning up messes and wiping dripping noses...yes we've all had a spring cold)!! We're super exited to finally be settled instead of driving back and forth between the house and apartment. Keep us in your prayers!!

A true blessing

Happy Easter. Jay and I were privileged to attend the Easter Vigil mass where our friend Daniel Soto was accepted into the Roman Catholic Church. Daniel is such an example of peace, humility and hard work. We met him and his wife Elisa, a few years ago, when they were in the diocesan iServe program along with us. Daniel was not yet Catholic, but felt drawn to the church. He asked many questions and was constantly seeking the truth.

After years of discernment he joined the church this Easter, after going through the year long RCIA. Daniel and Elisa also have a beautiful baby boy named Rosario, who is 16 months old. We attend the vigil mass at St. Anthonys parish in Lackwanna. It was an interesting mass infused with Spanish and Hispanic traditions.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."-- John 11:25-26

Raphael

Scrapbooking Photo Tinks by WiddlyTinks.com

Boys are made of dirt and play dough?

The other day Raphael knocked over one of my many plants. It was my fault since I wasn't paying attention and I'm sure the dirt looked enticing and edible. I am still finding dirt in his nose and ears...poor little guy!

I decided to be adventurous and make Jacob some homemade play dough. It did not turn out very good since it was extremely sticky and wet. In fact I think the homemade play dough is over rated. It also made a huge mess, but I guess this is what creative art time is all about right?!
I'm already starting to fret about finding the RIGHT preschool, even though I know I have lots of time. Part of the problem is that there are way too many choices here, private, public, Catholic, Montessouri, Waldorf, cooperative, etc. I'm already starting to research and read up on the different philosophies. Jacob is a boy who loves to learn and already I'm finding that he picks up on concepts rather quickly. He's also extremely social and thrives amidst groups since he loves being the center of attention.

p.s. We went to the Buffalo Botanical Gardens this past Saturday. They are truly a Buffalo treasure! I promise to post pictures soon. Here's a sneak preview.

Our new home

34 Hyledge Drive in Amherst, NY will soon be our new home. The closing is April 1st (hopefully we're not fools!)and we're planning to move the third weekend in April. We want to give ourselves some time to paint, clean the carpets and do some minor repairs before we move in.

We love so many attributes of this house. We love its brick exterior, the awning over the front porch, the fenced in backyard, the large windows in the front, the glass doorknobs, the hardwood floors and the basesment with lots of promise. I'm excited to have walls I can paint, rooms I can decorate and a little more room for us to sprawl out in.

Let us know if you'd like to lend us a hand when we move on Saturday April 17th!

Thinking spring thoughts

Getting ready to move.

Not much new has been going on around here lately. I've started to pack and get rid of clothes, books, toys etc. which feels good. On the moving front, we're hoping to move in April.

To ward away the winter blahs we've been trying to go on walks, when it isn't too cold and we've been inventive with creating new ways of playing (using boxes, bags, dress-up, etc.). Next week is Jay's spring break so we're going to spend some time in Ithaca and Skaneateles. It'll be good to get out of our apartment (lately the walls seem to be caving in and the rooms look smaller...maybe it's only me going crazy).

Jay, when he was feeling under the weather, with a happy Jacob (sorry Jay for posting this picture!)

Playing with hats!

Jacob holding up his Valentine's Day card from Daddy.

Raphael loved being carried in the green Tango bag.

Jacob had to try the bag out too of course.

Raphael, our handsome little man.

Look at that smile! His two bottom teeth are now showing and another one on top (not an incisor, however, which is a little strange).

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.