13 months and WALKING!

Hurray! Augustine has taken his first steps as many as 3 at a time. Now, that may not be walking fully but its well on its way and I'm pumped! It happened at a rather uneventful time in the first week of May. Jeremy and I were sitting at the bar table working on our laptops when out of the corner of my eye I saw Augustine step away from the coffee table where he had been contentedly popping peas. I said to Jeremy, 'look he's walking!' as he took a second and a third step before plopping down to the ground bewildered at our apparent surprise and excitement. He really seemed rather confused and not even aware of what he had just done. Even now, no coaxing required, just some great distraction and he forgets he is not holding on and - walla!

In other news he is also beginning to more naturally use my favorite words --- "Mommy, Mamma, Maaa, Mommm!" It's been kind of long and slow in coming and it makes me appreciate it even more! He also really enjoys saying "ba - ba- ba- ba-..." as an animal sound.

...And after a long hiatus from teething he has started it up again and it is rough. Really really rough. I would like to know how painful it is for him because he seems just miserable and we are too! He has four teeth coming in on top. The first of his top teeth. Teething just doesn't seem fair. Thank goodness growing skin, hair and nails doesn't hurt like growing teeth. Can you imagine??

His best and most effective pain killer can not be found at your local drug store. It is not a frozen treat or orajel. It is -- the park. If only we lived at the park and I could have a desk and laptop with me while Augustine sat peacefully staring at other kids and playing with small stones, sticks, and bits of grass all the while day dreaming his pain away. Wow, how my fantasies have changed.

So that's the update on the precious toddling cutie pie!

Sarah

When God closes a door He OPENS a WINDOW

Yes God has certainly Opened a Window for us!

Jeremy and I have been praying for a couple years about whether God would want us (Epiphany) to get our own local space. The dream was big, the shot was long. Can we really use the arts locally as a huge positive force in our local culture? Everyone wants our culture to change... what are we all doing about it? Could this be our next step in transforming our culture in a positive way? This space would provide us to produce high quality, positive, family friendly shows. We would have a home to host original and classic works that all fit within our mission. To educate, entertain and inspire! Besides all that I would now have a home for my own Dance Studio ECHO DANCE!

I have been a Ballroom dance instructor for years but without a home to host my classes. Not only could my Ballroom Dancing Classes and Dances mesh with the mission of Open Window but it would provide an additional source of revenue for this work helping to provide more financial stability.

Could Epiphany afford to take such a big leap of faith? Did we really have the local support it appeared we had? If we jump would we fall? Would we fail?? I guess that's where the whole 'leap of faith' thing comes in. Despite our concerns it seemed that God continued to open the door (or window in this case) towards Epiphany getting its own space.

And so despite many fervent prayers for God to close the door, if it was His will, He saw fit to give us this new space, birthed right out of Divine Mercy Sunday and our Patron Pope John Paul II's Beatification day as well as our 2 year anniversary! The lease was signed on a 24 hr deadline notice (someone else almost snatched the space right from under our noses) at 3pm (the hour of mercy) Monday May 2nd. There were so many beautiful signs from God that this is what he was providing for us. And although it was still a leap of faith for us both we felt strongly that this was God knocking on our hearts to sacrifice more and to continue this work.

And so with all that said I'm including a link for you to check out THE OPEN WINDOW THEATRE and its mission as well as details on the upcoming performances of  our Catholic Youth Theatre production of THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE featuring Jeremy Stanbary, my dear and talented husband, as Aslan the Lion! May 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th  at 7:00pm and May 29th at 2:00pm

Also, I have to throw in a pitch for my Ballroom Dance Classes and Dances! The first Ballroom Dance Social will be on May 20th at 7pm. It WILL include a a free Ballroom Dance lesson for those who are interested and will be a fun social atmosphere to gather with friends, dance and chat! I hope you can come and make this your home to Social Ballroom Dancing in the Twin Cities. Also, I will be hosting two sessions of Ballroom Dance classes this summer... Let me know if you would like me to send you the registration form and more details. Dates below...

Summer Session 1: Monday nights: June 6^th, 13^th, 20^th, and 27^th

Summer Session 2: Monday nights: July 25^th, Aug. 1^st, 8^th, & 15^th

Sessions Available:

·         5:30-6:20pm….Youth Ballroom (ages 12yrs-17yrs)

·         6:30-7:20pm….Ballroom-1 (All ages)

·         7:30-8:20pm….Ballroom-2 (Must have some previous Ballroom Dance experience)

·         8:20-9:00pm….Ballroom-3 (Must have a moderate knowledge/skill of Ballroom Dance)

More info to come but I just want to thank God for making this a reality and for providing for us and blessing us beyond what we deserve!

Sarah

We celebrate 2 years of Marriage!

"I, Sarah, take you, Jeremy, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to honor; from this day forward until death do us part." - Feast of St. Joseph the Worker May 1st, 2009

Jeremy and I have been blessed to have now been married 2 full years. These two years we have been blessed with love, a home, a child, and hope and joy for the future!

I am no expert on marriage but I have to say it doesn't take long to realize what marriage is REALLY about. Sacrifice. Yep, sacrifice, its often not pretty and although it sounds romantic it rarely is. With that said I LOVE being married and I love Jeremy far more and far deeper than I could have imagined. True love is selfless and although being selfless is often very very hard it is very very rewarding in the end.

"The best things in life are worth working for." It's true.

I could go on and on about the things I love about Jeremy but I'll stick with a few that blessed me on our Anniversary Day specifically.

Jeremy and I love our faith and the role it has in our lives and we enjoyed the day as we did our wedding day. Spending time in confession, prayer, mass, and joy to share this special day with Blessed Pope John Paul the Great...

 ...and Divine Mercy Sunday

Jeremy is also tremendously good at planning surprises for me and this day was no different! After having a delicious breakfast of a fruit tart he had bought for us...

...he mentioned a leak he had noticed in our basement. Oh, dear, a leak. Not good. I was only a few steps into our basement when I noticed a huge chest freezer he had bought me!!!! I have been wanting a chest freezer for at least a year and I often mentioned how much I would love one. He secretly researched it, bought it, carried it to the basement himself, and pulled off the surprise with ease. He is good and I jumped for joy at this surprise! Yipppeee!

To finish the wonderful day we enjoyed an amazing candle light steak dinner cooked by my dear sweet husband.

Then we watched 007 Casino Royal in our very own homemade movie theatre drinking wine to the glow of candles and blazing guns. A perfect day. It was so anointed and grace filled.

I love you Jeremy my best friend, my life partner, and my hearts love and laughter!

Sarah

Easter Joy!

Christ is Risen and let us celebrate!

First what's Easter without a little snow - 8in of snow for that matter!

Jeremy and Aidan built snowmen, a fort, and a very cool chair.

 Augustine bundled up for a stroller ride.

 Brothers.
Augustine loves his big brother Aidan!

 A little play area at the local coffee shop in WI that we love to frequent.

Doesn't he look cute in his little chair and table?

 All dressed up for the Easter Vigil.

Augustine enjoyed a small part of it from inside the church and most of it

 from the front entrance wearing out the knees of his suit pants, while Jeremy and I played tag team.

I bought Augustine a plastic Easter basket and eggs for a fun little Easter egg hunt with Augustine. I filled the bright colorful eggs with a raisin each and watched him squeal with delight as I hid them and he followed. He loved plucking the raisin out and I loved that he was eating a healthy snack and thoroughly enjoying the hunt! I tried it with bread instead of raisins the next day and he enjoyed it just as much!

 Aidan reading books to the two cousins - Mark and Augustine.

 and then the loooooong ride to drop Aidan off in Chicago and get us back to the Twin Cities...

"Get me out of here!!! I'm just a baby!" 

 Finally asleep...as Jeremy and I longingly wish we were babies sleeping sweetly.

It was a great trip with lots of great family time in WI!

Happy Easter everyone!
Sarah

Holy Week A Birthing Experience

Jeremy drew this picture of the new born baby Jesus.

It is one of my favorites.

Can you see the symbols in the picture? 

The hay in the formation of the cross and markings on His small hands and feet, a

 sign pointing towards His suffering and death on the cross

So each Holy Week we travel to be with my family in Wisconsin and to pick up Jeremy's son Aidan in Chicago. Holy Week is my favorite week of the year and it has been for years. Its as if there is something different in the air during that time and I love going to all the Holy Week masses.

This year was especially meaningful for me as I vividly remembered last years Holy Week of preparation for baby Augustine.

Last year my more painful contractions started at Holy Thursday mass and Jeremy and I stayed up all night in waiting with Christ. I awaited the painful yet exciting thoughts of what was to come with the labor and delivery as Jeremy supported me and washed my feet (as is our tradition on Holy Thursday). I could not have had a more perfect time to reflect on Christ as I did those next long hours. I think my experience that Holy Thursday was much like the feelings Christ would have had, except on a MUCH smaller scale. Then Good Friday came... I remembered the continued pain and suffering waiting and waiting for my relief. For the trial to end and the joy and hope of new life to begin. On Good Friday last year when I felt the pain of the long tedious labor could no longer be endured I asked for an epidural. I recall that moment like it was yesterday warm relief calming my body. I laid back and was able to rest looking at the clock as a reference point rather than my torture tool. As the pain diminished from my body the clock struck 3:00pm. The hour of mercy. The hour when my Lord was relieved of His sufferings, so was I. The whole experience was completely of God's design. The journey was not over, but the pain was. How awesome for God to have given me this perfect timing in remembrance of Him. So, this year, although much less dramatic, was still an extremely meaningful time for me as I reflected on last year. What a great gift I have been given. I will never forget that experience and how the suffering and pain brought to me the most wonderful life changing day of my entire life.

Praised be to the Risen Lord and King!
Sarah



Augustine Joseph Paul turns 1 year old!

What a blessed year this has been for my little family. Augustine has been the most wonderful gift Jeremy and I could ever be given. His joyful spirit lifts us up out of even the most depressing days and his hugs, cuddles and giggles make up for those sleepless nights.

And now this month Augustine turned ONE YEAR OLD!

"huh...?? One year??"

"Awe shucks."

"Uh, man I'm getting old."

Yes, it's true my baby has turned one and we celebrated

the day with some yummy cake and the Preissner Family. Here are some memories from the day...

"Happy Birthday to you..."

First taste of sweets - EVER!

He was not so sure about the cake...

Me and my little rolly polly polly in a post cake and bath picture!

I pray for you everyday Augustine.

I pray that you will grow up to be a great strong man of God.

I love you with all of my heart

until I am left bursting with love and joy for you.

You are such a "good boy", as we so often say,

and a pure drop of heaven in our lives.

So handsome with your winning smile and dimples

and golden locks of shiny blond hair.

You love to dance to music and you squeal with glee

when we play with you or read you books.

You take after your Daddy in good looks and detail.

You pay careful attention to detail and carefully point

and trace with your little pointer finger.

I love you so much Augustine and to think God loves you even more!

Happy Birthday!

April 2nd, 2010

~Mommy

Running Update

First of all I have to give a huge thank you to Sprinting Sarah my running partner, without her I would not have made it this far!

Our lucky leaves on our 7 mile run.

I have now run up to 7 MILES at one time and I it feels GREAT! Running is giving me the chance to not only get in great physical shape but it has also blessed me with opportunities. Opportunities to build a friendship and have hour (or more) long conversations about life and faith with Sarah a holy woman of God. Chances to see new parks, lakes and trails. Spring boards to pray and offer up some of those difficult runs. Ideas for fun family outings including the 2 mile family run Jeremy, Augustine and I took on Sunday.

 A little after running disc golf. Despite Augustine's face and thumbs down, he quite enjoyed the entire outing!

"My turn to throw?"



It has done what I had hoped and more! The discipline has caused me to be really motivated this Lent. I'm sick of saying I wish I this and I wish I did that more. I've even gotten my prayer life on track and started a once per week holy hour in adoration of my awesome Lord. I can't help but thinking... If I can focus and run 5, 6, or 7 miles why can't I stick to committing to an hour a week in adoration or cleaning the kitchen when I don't feel like it?

Now tonight... 8 miles here I come!

Sprinting Sarah