911 2012

I think about you frequently - you are missed dearly and NEVER forgotten. I make sure to tell my kids about you and show them pictures - they would have loved you and you them! It's hard to be in Georgia away from the family, especially on this day, I feel disconnected from it all. Sadly being in NJ or NY where there are SO many who understand what you are going through all too well was always comforting. This year I was fortunate enough to find a beautiful flag display at a nearby high school that I took Dylan with me to go and visit. It made me feel a little better to be able to go and honor/remember you in some way. I posted to Facebook the pic of you and I from Steve's wedding and Michele and I laughed about the crazy fun day we all had! You spirit lives on in my happy memories and in your beautiful children. RIP and continue to shine down and watch over us all, until we meet again.

Let's GO MOUNTAINEERS!

As you can see all 4 Matrale's are ready for the season - bring on the Mountaineers! We are very excited to be the newest addition to the Big 12 and to get the opportunity to play some great teams! After beating Marshall today 60-34 (in the last Friends of Coal game)we are excited to show some Big 12 teams what we've got! The kids were so much fun to watch the game with and got super into it, Alex and I had such a great day with them! Let's GOOOOOO Mountaineers!

Our First Day of Preschool!!

Today both Dylan and I started preschool, he as a student and me as an assistant teacher! I am very excited to be going back to work in the profession that I studied for in school and even better it's in the same age group that Dylan is in and his classroom is right next door to mine. Being that I have Friday off and he's there I still get one day a week all to myself! We both had great first days and I can't wait to see what the year brings us! Here are a few pics of my big boy ready for his big day! Hope his teachers know what they are in for! LOL! Lucky he is SO darn cute! :)

And the Oscar Goes To...

AJ MATRALE!!!! In school each week AJ's class has opportunities to win "warm fuzzies" for doing nice things, following directions and doing correct work and whoever has the most at the end of the week gets to go home with the Oscar! SO SO very proud of my AJ for getting it the very first week! Love you baby!

AJ's 1st Day of Kindergarten!

What a amazing emotion filled day August 9th was! AJ was so ready and so excited and couldn't wait to ride the bus alone like a big girl. We were up at 6:45 AM, dressed and ready for breakfast by 7:00 AM and out the door to wait at the bus stop by 7:20 AM! The bus was a little late but I really didn't mind - it was nice to take it all in! When it did finally come, she got on without any hesitation and happily waved by as she pulled away from us. Alex, Dylan and I were all there to see her go on her first day! I of course cried like a baby and a week later I still get a little emotional seeing her ride away without me! Of course I couldn't resist going to visit her at lunch to make sure she was ok and she was doing great! He teacher said she was asking tons of questions and seemed very excited to be there! I gave her a quick hug and left her to socialize with her new friend! After school I was anxious for her to finally get home - we waited for forever since the busses were late due to the rain. When she got off the bus she was just as I left her - happy and smiling! She had lots to tell me about her first day. She has two teachers that she really likes, her main teacher Miss Bergey is even gifted certified! They have 3 class pets - 2 guinea pigs and a bunny! She went to art class and drew a picture of our family! They read a book and then had to cut and paste different pics from the book in order, She had to draw the correct amount of stripes on the raccoon based on the number written next to it and they were learning two songs, one about their left and right and one about the town, state, country and plant they live on! She said they played outside on the playground and she loved eating in the cafeteria for lunch! I am so proud of my baby girl who just isn't a baby anymore - she is growing up into such a confident, secure, happy and eager girl! She amazes me! I am so proud to be her mother!

Love this pic of Dylan anxiously awaiting her getting off the bus-

Happy to have her home and safe in my arms-

Kindergarten Round Up

Today AJ and I were excited to attend her Kindergarten Round Up. The bus came to pick us up and we were off to school with the other Kindergartners to meet teachers and check out the school. AJ's teacher is Mrs. Bergey - she seems great! We were happy to find out that AJ will have two class pets in her classroom, a bunny and guinea pig! AJ was a little nervous about how she would find the classroom all alone on Thursday but I reassured her there would be lots of teachers to help her! Heres to a successful year of school for my AJ - we are so proud of her and know she will do great as a Dolphin!

Patch

AJ has been begging and we finally caved! Today we adopted a little 4 month old kitten! We named him patch because he is mostly black besides one little patch of white on his foot and one under a front leg. He is such a sweetie and loves both kids. AJ & Dylan both carry him around like a rag doll and he just lets them. He likes to be right out in the middle of everything and seems to be used to all the crazy loudness in our house! Welcome to the family Patch!