This is all so new

Besides the obvious addition of joining the "blog" world we have also added to our household. Little Zoe Volbeda joined our home on November 4th. At 14 weeks old she currently weighs 2 pounds and although small in size she's managed to create a great deal of laughter and entertainment in our home.

November 4th was also our 1 year anniversary - and we are still celebrating what a wonderful year it has been. Some say the first year is the hardest and we say, "If this was the hardest year then we're on a good road!" Don't get us wrong, we know that great marriages don't happen by default. We know it requires a great deal of time and energy - but we are both overwhelmed with what a natural transition married life has been. God has been very gracious to us and we are ever thankful for His faithfulness displayed in our lives.

The DTS semester is wrapping up very quickly and we're both busy working on papers, semester projects and exams. At this point only one paper stands between Michael and his diploma!!! In just a few days he will have that behind him and begin the no-homework stage of life for the first time in ... well, too long! He still has plans of pursuing a Ph.D. one day but hopes to take a little well-deserved time off. I'm still taking classes at DTS and at this time do not have a projected completion date! :) Luckily I am married to the world's biggest motivator (and soon to be DTS-grad) who is convinced that I can "finish strong." Time will tell how DTS life unfolds for me.

Michael has been at his new job (Director of Operations for BEST Relationships, Inc. - the non-profit organization where I work as well) for over a month. It's nice for me to have an extra person at the office - espeically my husband! Our office move was quite an experience in and of itself but now (two months later) it is finally regaining a sense of normalcy. For those who don't know, we provide Counseling, Consulting, Coaching and Conferences to the business, education and church communities - focusing on the BEST Disciplines (Balance, Excellence, Service, and Truth). It looks like 2007 is going to be a big year at the office and I'm thirlled that Michael is here to be a part of it. (More details to follow as the year progresses).

Thanksgiving was wonderful! We spent it in California with the Volbeda family (here's a pic of them at Family Camp this past summer). Spending time with them is always precious but never long enough. We've been attempting to recruit them to Dallas for the past few years and were actually hoping to close the deal in the next few years ... but Michael's dad, John, was offered a wonderful new job in Corona and so they'll stay there for now. :(