oh happy day!

Woo Woo!!  Dan is now Mr. Merk, 4th grade teacher, at Federico Garcia Lorca Elementary School in Chicago.  The school is part of a campaign called "Modern Schools Across Chicago" and it is a brand spanking new LEED Gold certified building with a massive green roof.  The school is at Milwaukee & Belmont, in the Avondale/Irving Park neighborhood.

I am so incredibly proud of my husband...

The school is so new it hasn't even been unveiled to the public yet.  This is all we prayed for and we are feeling more blessed than ever.  We can't thank our friends and family enough for the immense support they've given us during the low times.

The crafty girl in me can't wait for Dan to decorate his classroom! Die cuts! Bulletin Boards! WAHOO!

We are so very blessed.

Now let the baby making commence..... :)

congratulations to the new mr & mrs richard mason!!!

This weekend, Ricky & Danielle were married in Champaign, Illinois.  We had SO much fun at their wedding!  Danielle was a stunningly gorgeous bride and Ricky was a handsome dapper fellow.  We are so happy for them and it was so nice to see so many people we love all in the same place.  The wedding was wonderful, with many thoughtful details that made it such a beautiful event!

Here's some fun pictures from our weekend:

Nancy & her handsome son!

You may now kiss your bride!

Hubs & me!

My beautiful mom!

I love my family!

And now for the fun pictures....

Always go to a wedding prepared....

don't forget the fake poop....

or your trusty reading glasses...

future Teacher of the Year...

Handsome fellows!

What a lovely couple! I hope she wears those with her wedding dress this winter!

What a good sport.

Such a lovely bride.  

welcome to the world, reese adrienne!

Congratulations, Stephanie and Billy, on the birth of your precious daughter.  The lovely Reese Adrienne Burns made her big debut today and she is quite the stunner!  I am so happy for Steph and Billy!  This is something I have always dreamed of for my oldest dearest friend.  From playing house to dreaming about our weddings and our families, Steph's dream has come true with the arrival of this sweet baby girl.  It is such a blessing to watch my friends become mothers & fathers!


Dear Baby Reese,

You are one beautiful girl!  One look at you and my heart melted into a puddle on the floor  (or maybe that was just me peeing myself in excitement at meeting you...)  You are a very lucky baby, as your mother is the BEST mom in the world for you.  She is beautiful, trusting, kind and the best friend you could ever ask for.  She makes really cooky faces for the camera and will teach you to laugh and be silly, one of her very best qualities.  Your mom and dad are amazing parents and I cannot wait to watch you grow.  I can already tell you are wrapped around your Daddy's little finger.  Your Auntie Dana loves you so much already.  Welcome to the world, sweet girl!  I love you!  Can't wait to see your first smile, hear your first laugh and witness the amazing little person you'll become.

Auntie Dana & Uncle Dan

  What a sweet angel girl!

Somebody is VERY excited to meet Reese!

Reese and her beautiful Auntie Stacey

(What a great early birthday gift for Stacey!)

Uncle Eric, Uncle Gary and Auntie Stacey!

What a beautiful family!

tweet tweet

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark"-  Rabindranath Tagore

Hiya there, Patience and Faith, come on over anytime...I'd love you for:

-Aubrey to come home safely

-health and happiness of all those we love

-Dan to find a wonderful job

-Brad to win the lottery, kidding, to find a wonderful job too :0)

-the perseverance to make it through residency with my sanity intact

-our dreams for a family to go from inside our hearts and blossom into a beautiful dream come true

-the dreams and hopes of all those we love to reach fruition

We are very blessed.  We recognize that now, especially, as it is a very trying time with Dan's job search and all.  We know all we need is each other and our loved ones.  We'd just like to put food on the table and start a family.  Please and thank you in advance.  :)  

Welcome to the World, Whitney Arnold Gierke!

Dear sweet Whitney,

You are one precious little beauty and Auntie Dana is madly in love with you already.  Your mom and her strength were more than I could put into words.  Who would have thought 10 years ago at our first day of college, your mom and I would be sharing this amazing life changing experience together.  I'll write up a full birth story later, because you made one hell of an entrance...but just know you are SO loved.  You have the best parents in the world and your big sister is going to love you so much.  It was an honor to watch you come into this big world.  I cannot wait to watch you grow up, love!

Love,
Auntie Dana

   Whitney Arnold Gierke

Welcomed into the world on July 3, 2010 at 11:51pm

8lbs 11oz 21 inches long

Fundraiser event to bring Aubrey home! Please read!!!

Dear Friends,

Our family friend is searching for their beautiful, talented daughter, Aubrey.  If you can attend this event, that'd be amazing.  If not, any sort of raffle or silent auction item would be a blessing for the Sacco Family.  Please find "Aubrey Sacco Missing in Nepal" and join the group on Facebook.  The more minds thinking about her, and meditating on her safe return, the better.

Every little bit helps.  Thank you in advance for your help.

Dana and Dan

a couple happy birthdays!!!

Happy 88th Birthday to our dear little Lucy!!!  I cannot believe Grams is 88.  I often wonder about all she has seen in her life, being a 1st generation in this country, wars, the great depression, many kids, grandkids, etc.  She makes us laugh, makes us smile and we are so blessed to have her in our lives.

And a very happy birthday to Danielle!  We love you so much and we wish you the happiest of birthdays, sis!