Yesterday was my first real day off in about 3 weeks. We rolled right from moving into the new building, into preparation for dedication, then right into VBS setup for a week and then a week of actual VBS. Because I had no.reason.to.go.into.work. (my new mantra….maybe one day I’ll believe it) we headed to the beach with our friends Jenn and her son Chase. The boys had a great time swimming and playing in the sand.
As I have been buzzing, on here and over on Facebook, last night we had the dedication of our newly renovated and expanded space at Sacred Heart. The Bishop came down to bless the new “Sacred Heart Pastoral Center,” and the parish community gathered to celebrate. In his remarks, the Bishop commented how the new building reminded him of the before and after shows you see on HGTV. The building is gorgeous, and we are going to be able to do so much more with the new space. Here are some pictures of the evening:
This window, featuring the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, is the original window that was over the altar of the first Sacred Heart Chapel in Downtown Norfolk when Sacred Heart was still a chapel of St. Mary’s Basilica. It dates back to at least 1894. Once completed, the window will once again be over the altar, but in the new daily mass chapel.
Looking from Commons entrance into 520 Graydon.
Library
Nursery
Remember that tile wall fundraiser I did my first year at Sacred Heart? Here are the tiles that were painted by parishioners at that event. The contractors actually built the wall up so it appears that the tiles are a part of the wall.
This is the new entrance to the Pastoral Center.
Staff of Sacred Heart Church—missing Jim
From original 520 Graydon entrance.
The office that Amy and I used to share. Now it is just Amy’s office.
Fr. Dan’s office
My Beautiful Office
Adult Formation Room (Just ONE of the many new classrooms we gained in the renovation!)
Me in my “Big Girl” office….
I usually don’t get all “preachy” on here, but after last night, I feel that it is only appropriate: Thank you Father, for your blessings upon the new Sacred Heart Pastoral Center. Bless the work that will be done there in Your name, as well as those who do it. Thank you for the generosity of those who made its construction possible, and for the hard work and dedication of the hands that built it. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
We had a pretty low-key 4th of July celebration this year…the weather was iffy too, so we definitley scaled back from years past. Our friends came over for swimming and a cookout and once the rain came to wash away any chance of going to see the fireworks we all went our separate ways. We did have a blast though, especially Trevor with his friend Avery.
We didn’t get pictures of anything else during the day—but these two on the swings were priceless!
The day after we returned from the wedding, Shane drove back home to get back to work and Trevor, my mom and I headed up to Connecticut.
Trevor had a blast playing with some of his cousins in the backyard at Great-Grammy’s house.
Aunt Sally helping him to dunk on both hoops!
On Wednesday, we took a day trip to Mystic, CT to meet up with my friend Sam at the aquarium. (She is much more on top of her blogging, so this is probably old-news to most) We had a great time catching up and watching the kids check out the fish together. 
Connor checking out the fish.
I think Ava was telling Trevor not to try to climb in with the fish…..
After Vinny’s wedding in WV, we stayed the night with Ben and Heather and visited with their new baby girl Ava. The next morning, we headed back to my parents’ house and spent the afternoon at the pool my brother works at.
Baby Ava
Swimming with Uncle Christopher
I will get back to blogging about my Connecticut trip tomorrow.
Tonight though, calls for a celebration.
Why, you ask?
Because tomorrow, I will no longer have to share one very small office with two people and my toddler (for a while there—thank God for amazing babysitters).
Tomorrow is moving day!!!!
After 14 months of temporary office space and unconventional classrooms, we are moving into our new building!!!
HOORAY!!!
stay tuned for blog posts about our travels, with cute Trevor pictures that you might actually be interested in. this was purely for my personal benefit.
