Directions for Santa

It has always been tricky for Santa... Novali has two homes, and he has an annual dilemma of where to leave all of her presents. Being the great Claus that he is he always manages to leave presents for her in the right spots.

This year we threw Santa a curve ball... We decided not to have our 9 foot tall Christmas tree out because of Cruz. He tends to tear into everything in sight, and a tall indoor tree might be too much for him to bear not being able to touch. So we went treeless, but did end up getting a small 3 foot tree that Novali and I put on the writing desk in our foyer.
Novali helped hang the stockings, and pick out and light the little tree with me. She loves Christmas and helping Heather decorate the house.

Well then Novali thought what if Santa can't find the tree? What if he doesn't know where to put presents? I told her that he knows, but she brainstormed and thought she should love him directions. So she got a memo pad, some scotch tape and made signs from our fireplace into the foyer.... just in case.The final post pointed to where presents would go. Then on Christmas Eve, her Christmas Elf Noah (Elf on the Shelf) came to the foyer and sat by the tree, taking note to tell Santa that evening where her presents would go...

And it worked! Merry Christmas!

Man Cave Christmas

The never ending saga of where to put kids toys is something I am sure alll parents struggle with at home. As soon as we clear out a space, he has it filled with more toys (grandparents love spoiling). A couple weeks ago Heather cleared out when of our built in cabinets below our TV. We stored a bunch of his boxes of toys and bigger items that fit in there.

Well true to form... Cruz went over, pulled everything out of it, and sat in side of it. He also liked closing the doors and sitting inside the cabinet in the dark. Heather called it his man cave... and then Novali had the idea that we needed to make it "more comfortable" for him. Well that turned into her Christmas present for her brother, she wanted to pimp out his man cave.

So Novali and made it our task to find things for his cave. We discussed wall paper, new flooring, installing lights in there... you know all the essentials that a man cave would need.

First thing we did was to prevent finger pinching we installed some handles on the inside of the cabinet doors. We re-used some old handles from our old windows I luckily saved this summer. We polished them and Novali used the power drill to install them (she is getting very handy).

So we cleaned the room up and did some upgrades. Novali wanted to tuck the cable line up in there so we hammered some clips in and then we fixed the cabinet hardware. Once it was all fixed up, we went shopping...

Novali is very creative... and thought of doing a stripe in his room and using duct tape (she loves duct tape). She picked a fun tie-dye duct tape and then picked fun colors items to go in his man cave. She picked a shaggy purple rug and a fun orange/red pillow for him. We added a little LED light in the ceiling and VOILA... New Man Cave for Christmas.

For more pictures please check out her website at: Novali

Merry Christmas Cruz!

Buelos and Thanksgiving

I am way behind on my blog, yes I realize that all my blogs start with an apology about being late... well I guess this isn't an apology... ha.

Anyhow my parents arrived back in the states and came up to South Bend to visit for Thanksgiving. It was great to have them visit, and it was great timing because Novali had a week off school so I had her for the long break.

We had a lot of fun... its might not sound like fun, but she loves working with me around the house. Novali helped me build my new closet organizer in my room (Sorting Blog) and then helped me put the snow tires on the Jetta.Novali and I spent time at my office, doing some shopping and errands and had a great time. Once my parents arrived even more fun kicked off. They brought Christmas presents since we might not get to see them before the holidays. So not only was it turkey time, Novali off school, but also presents... so needless to say the house was busy!

My parents are always excited to do fun stuff with their grandkids. Novali had just gotten her report card, so they went out to lunch to celebrate her straight As! They had fun keeping Cruz from daycare and spending all day with him at the house. Novali is a great help with Cruz as well and its fun having our house full of family.

We took the time to get some nice pictures with my parents and the grandkids. We got some nice shots and we will post more later.Of course it was Thanksgiving... so Cruz had his first thanksgiving! He enjoyed a nice turkey leg (he at least held it so I could take a pic) and Novali enjoyed cooking (even though she doesn't like eating her green bean casserole). Glad my parents were able to enjoy that first holiday with Cruz and our family. I have posted more pictures from the visit on Cruz's site: November 2011

Sorting and Organizing

Lately life has been hectic... Work has been busy, fraternity board is hectic, volunteer work, and this little guy called Cruz takes up a lot of time. Well finally this week I got to relax a little. I had Novali all week, my parents came to visit and I took some time off work (plus the holiday time off).

One project that has been eluding me is organizing my closet and clothes. Luckily Novali likes helping me do work around the house so on our day home together we worked on building my new organizer. She was a great help and even used the power drill a little (later she helped me changed snow tires on Weather's car and used an impact wrench!). My dad helped wrap up the project when they arrived but I am glad I have more space for my stuff on my side of bedroom now. It also means I am clearing stuff from the closet in Novell's room and giving her more space... As she gets older she will need more and more room...The project also helped me get through some organizing I have been needing to do. This year I have been trying to purge more clothes that don't fit and donate other things that I just don't need. Heather and I both have kept the local second hand stores stocked. I think this winter we will finally donate all the items we have been planning to sell in a garage sale... Which we now realize might never happen.So my side of the room is a whole new place... Hopefully I can keep it that way!

Midnight Snack

This weekend was a lot of fun, but also a time that Mr. Cruz showed us more of his personality. He showed me a whole lot of Centellas this weekend so I thought I would recap.

Saturday we went to the mall... at the mall while in the kids play area he wanted to 1.) sit in the blue race car and 2.) chase girls all over. In the rest of the mall he enjoyed people watching and starred at everyone walking by us.
Later on that evening I cooked rice, not as good as my moms of course, but not too bad. It went along with some nice steaks that Heather got us. Yum... well Cruz showed his Centellas roots and smashed almost two bowls of rice! Which took a while with his tiny spoon, but he loved it.

Sunday Cruz enjoyed some yard work with me... well he was in his intellitainer... but he loved being outside and "helping" me do yard work. By helping I mean jumping up and down excited every time something made a loud noise. He wasn't happy that he didn't get to eat all the leaves though... maybe next year he can actually help me. I can teach him how zen doing yard work can be...

Sunday night he pulled out all the stops... he woke up at 11:30PM... hungry. He wouldn't go back to sleep so I took him downstairs and fed him. He destroyed two bowls of cereal, and then knocked out for the night. He needed a midnight snack...

For those who know my house growing up... an important family time was the midnight snack... and if you got there late... no left over ribs for you. During the day at the house we plan, oh save that for tonight...

So hopefully Cruz keeps that up, I will for sure be looking forward to midnight talks when he grows up over a plate of left over ribs, with a side of rice.

Fall Back

Well fall is getting away from me... quickly. So what are the new updates and what is going on in my life?

A TON.

Luckily it is all great stuff! So lets get a quick fall 2011 recap:

Cruz - well he is 10 months old. Walks like a toddler, almost talking... and gets into everything. Really couldn't ask for more, well might be nice if he was potty trained...

Novali - she is doing well in school. Is running more and did a 5k at her school. That means she has done four of them this year! Awesome.

Heather - just had a birthday... one year older, a mom, enjoying work and balancing a crazy life schedule.

Me - where to start. Work is hectic, but good and lots of new things going on. In fraternity life my board is rolling on some major projects, doing some traveling and trying to enjoy my last year on my board. In consulting work, OutSight had a solid fall semester with four gigs which is about all my schedule could fit, and I am working with some folks on some exciting new opportunities. In my local involvements I have been appointed by the mayor of South Bend to a city committee. I am very excited about that, and have my first official meeting tomorrow!

Whew... so lots going on! Glad I got that fall back hour to help a little. This weekend I need to put snow tires on the Jetta and rake some leaves... wish me and my back, luck!

How Do You Get Frosty Off the Couch?

This weekend it was just Novali and I together. Heather and Cruz went to Michigan for a family event, I couldn't go because I had some work events and so it was a good chance for a fun daughter daddy weekend (working).

Novali constantly reminds me that I have the coolest job, which I must say is fairly accurate. She likes coming to work and so its not a bother when I need to bring her along. She has gotten to know so many people that I work with and knows our campus better than most students I know!

Friday night was the second annual LSU Night at the SAC. Novali was excited for the Day of the Dead dance, some Zumba, pizza and of course Señora Cynthia and the LSU crew. We got there around 10PM (yes I know past her bedtime), I got some work done for my events the next day and she hung out, shot pool, danced, and had a great time. The LSU event was from 9PM to 9AM... we couldn't stay all night, but we managed to survive until a little past midnight (yes I know, WAY past her bedtime).

Saturday we got up mega early to make it for the 7AM Zumba class taught by none other than Novali's favorite student Sineyda! She ran down to do Zumba while I set up for Make a Difference Day. This was the first time we did it at IU South Bend, and we combined with another first time event "Scholars Give Back Day" as well. We had over 70 students signed up and nearly 10 staff to do service!

Novali has been wanting to do service for the Center for the Homeless ever since we donated clothes at CFH. Since I had lots of coordinating to do, she tagged along with that group and luckily as always my great students helped keep an eye on her. She enjoyed the experience and to my surprise later we had a reflection time about what she did and what she learned... yep, me the Service Learning guy... who'da figured?

I shuttled vans, got people places, made sure people didn't get lost, and then because we were short volunteers I ended up at Southfield Village, a retirement community. We were scheduled for a "Pamper Day" and I was knee deep in chatting up the old ladies and even did some back rubs. I was not however asked to help with nail painting, probably better off anyways....

We wrapped up volunteering, lunch and then Novali and I went home around 3pm... to only take some short naps and turn around and come back at 5pm to help set up for the Hallopalooza at housing that evening. Novali brought her Dorothy costume from last year and required me to dig up something... short on time I just grabbed some of my racing stuff (helmet, jacket) and some patches that Novali stuck on my Nissan Zippy.Novali enjoyed helping to wire up the lights. Her and Sara one of my staffers worked well together and maybe Novali has a future in stage production? She learned all about the light controller, how to flash and chase the lights, etc. She was a pro by the end of the night...

We left around 9PM (yes past her bedtime), we got some Wendy's Frosty's and went home to watch ND on TV. Well we were tired... so we didn't last the whole game before we both passed out. Unfortunately she hadn't finished her Frosty yet...

So today she is working on homework, I am doing some chores and trying to figure out the best way to get Frosty out of the couch...

Home Sick (with my Boyo)

Today was the first time I called in "sick" to work... I had to stay home with a little sick boyo named Cruz. He was weazy all night, threw up in the morning and was a little hot. So I did the 7am email to my staff to be the stay at home parent. Luckily Heather and I could split the day and she came home at lunch and we swapped.

Aside from the extremely modest FMLA time I took (none of which IU offered as paid) this is the first time I have had to call in "sick" to work. It was kinda cool in a weird way. I was glad I have good support staff that I could trust to cover work, and that technology kept me connected enough to monitor work, but be able to focus on taking care of my little man.

Heather came home and I was able to run to campus to teach and cover my other work duties for the day. While at work plugged away on a few project to-do-lists and cleared up my plate so I could focus on him once I got back home.

So technology and my staff came through for me today, and that feels good. That I can balance work life and being a father is important and glad it worked today. Now let me get back home to my little boyo.

Baby Grows. Time Flies.

So needless to say for those who check out the website I made for little baby Cruzo have noticed... no updates. None. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nada...

I know, I know... each month I promised this would be the month that I post photos, but since July 5th the website has looked the samo. Well I fixed that finally and put up pictures from July and August. September will be coming, well, at the end of September (or early October, give me some flex room).

On the flip side it isn't like I don't Tweet or Facebook updates of the little champ. So I hope everyone doesn't feel too neglected over updates on the progress of our little snuzo baby. So here are a few things going on with him in September that aren't in his new pics...

He is nearly walking! I am guessing my next blog will be about baby steps. For about a month now he has been doing the baby surf board, where he stands all by himself swaying from side to side. So for the past two weeks I try once a night to stand him up and get him to take a step towards me. So far I can get one, sometimes two... before he just dives at me. But we are nearly there and soon will have some video evidence of the guy.

Other important update was that he got baptized. He put on a good show at church, trying to grab the pastors papers, and got all excited when he saw the water. Cute pics of that also coming soon... in that already fabled September Album.

Well here are links to his two new months of pictures... it was a long time coming, and we didn't have pics of everything he did, but pretty dang close. Enjoy!

July 2011 - Summer!
August 2011 - Trips. Trips.

Enjoy and be back soon!

One Year Older? Wiser? Just a Birthday...

For me birthdays have always been fairly anticlimactic. First day of school in the USA (1st grade) was my birthday, and I barely spoke English but luckily did understand when they sung to me in class (I think everyone in the world can sing it in English).

First day of Junior High, first day of High School, and first day of College... yep... all on my birthday. So needless to say generally my birthday was full of busy prep time buying notebooks, planning outfits or re-arranging furniture in my first apartment.

This year my birthday was my first day out of 13 days in a row that I did't have to work... so as in previous years the days leading up to my birthday have been filled with thoughts of everything besides the fact that today I become one year older.

So the moral of the story is that I am not a big birthday person. Not because I worry about getting older, or I don't like parties (ha!) but just out of habit of keeping them low key. Plus the only thing I know getting older has brought me is buying bigger bottles of Ibuprofen and IcyHot.

This year I mixed up it up a little... Its a big fun weekend here for my birthday! Novali and I watched the Fighting Irish take on South Florida (see previous post). Hermen, Erin and little Pippa stopped for a short visit. Plus the DeCourvals were here for the weekend and we are enjoying some nice family time. Not to mention that Heather took me out for an awesome steak dinner!

I extended my birthday into Tuesday and treated myself to Karting with my car club (www.sbrscca.org) at MRP Motorsports Park. It was a fun night and I did well! After two rounds of qualifying I was put into the "faster" race group. Nice! I was worried as it was only my second time karting, but I ended 9th of 14. No too shabby! Good way to end my extended birthday celebration.

Hopefully I won't be a photo slacker and get pics up soon!

Epic ND Game

I had promised Novali last year that once she was ten she could go to an ND Football Game. I told her that the games are long, and we go to watch the game... not spend it taking 15 minute trips to the bathroom, wanting to walking around or leave early cause she is bored. So I said once she is ten she should have the patience for a long football game.

Well for my birthday her and I went to the Notre Dame vs University of South Florida game... it was set to be a hot day. We prepared for the heat with sun screen, shades and she wore a cap. There was potential for some rain and we figured a nice rain would help cool the game off.

We walked up to the stadium just as the AirForce Flyby happened... she said... "Man that was loud, but it was awesome!"

We got some pop and headed into the stadium! Found our seats and settled in... Go Irish!

The game started off rough... actually rough might be an understatement. Two turnovers in the red zone, fumbled punt return... the game was a complete mess for the Irish. Then the real mess started at half time... weather delay just as the band started to take the field. Then they evacuated the stadium! We stayed in the concourse area for what we hoped would be a 15 minute delay...

Two hours later, and several refills into our "All You Can Drink Souvenir Cup" we were still in the concourse. Novali was resolved to stay, she didn't want to leave, but she did want a hot pretzel. The only happy people were the concession stand staff... they were raking in the money!

We finally got in for the second half and the Irish started with a FURY! It was exciting, we were getting yards, the new QB was getting it done and Novali was finally understanding some of the rules on downs.

Then as the game was looking grim... another rain delay! She still wanted to stay, we topped off our pop and waited it out.The Irish rewarded the faithful with a great touchdown to bring the game within 3 points with only seconds left on the clock... excitement filled the air as the onside kick looked good... but was grabbed at the last minute by a USF Bull. Game over.

We had a great time! We got two games for the price of one basically... a hot day game... and a cool night game under the lights. We broke a record for a 6 hour football game, we made some friends, and Novali got her wish of watching the Irish play. Hopefully next time we go, they win...

Daddy Daughter Road Trip!

For our summer trip Novali and I had a fun trip to visit my older brother Miguel's family in Oxford, MS. It is an 11 hour drive, so we planned an overnight on each leg of the drive. Mostly to split up the drive, but also to get to see some fun new things. Here is a recap of the trip we made.

We kicked off the trip with a late night drive into Springfield, IL. We spent a short morning visiting the State Capital and then the Lincoln Museum. There was a lot more to see in the area, so I am sure we will visit again some day. Novali said her school takes the 8th graders so she got a little head start. We saw all of that, got lunch and hit the road to Oxford.Novali enjoyed the drive and is a great roadtrip partner. She loves reading an Atlas and tracking where we are on the map. Listing cities with funny names, enjoying the new landscape and taking videos of us crossing the Mississippi River and state lines. We arrived in Oxford around dinner time.

Miguel and Kate are faculty at Ole Miss and we got a late night tour of campus and of course got to play with Javi and Zoe before their bedtime.

Saturday was out full day in Oxford. We kicked it off at BottleTree Bakery. Novali loved it because she wants to be a baker, loves pastries AND the place is on Oprah's List of favorite things...We spent part of the day enjoying time at a park with the kids, some time at home playing with toys (and trains), Novali and Miguel made ice cream and time just catching up. For dinner we want to Ajax Diner a place in downtown Oxford on their square. Downtown Oxford is called the Square and is very well maintained and has a great Southern classic look and feel. We ran into an impromptu parade with kilts and bagpipes, and the kids got to run around.

Sunday morning we had a delicious brunch at Big Bad Breakfast. Luckily we arrived in time to beat the crazy lined that formed after we arrived. It was an amazing combo of grits, locally produced meats, and other southern items. After breakfast we rolled over to the home of William Faulkner. Miguel and Kate were great hosts and we hope to visit them and the kids again soon!

Then we hit the road... on Miguel's recommendation we planned a dinner stop in Sikestons, MO for "Throwed Rolls" at Lamberts Cafe. Novali didn't believe me that they would actually throw rolls... I wasn't sure either, but man they did! It was a fun family style dinner where they brought around all you can eat sides, and of course threw rolls at you (to catch and eat). Novali refused to catch any at first... but finally before we left she caught half of a roll (the rolls were huge) thrown by our guy.

We spent the last night in St. Louis at a Double Tree... we munched on some cookies and got some sleep. We woke early to a big breakfast and trip into St. Louis to see the Gateway Arch. We saw some of the park, walked along the Mississippi and then packed back into the car...It was a fun roadtrip. We proved that sometimes an Atlas is better than a GPS. We proved that stretching out in a rest area parking lot will get you a lot of stares. We proved that a large Dominos pizza can be eaten while you drive (and makes a good in car table, and also a second meal...). We proved that you can have fun on a budget and short on time.

Full pictures at Novali's site: Novali

Dos Años Already?

Really wow... two years already? That seems like time has flown, but really we have been up to a whole lot of stuff in two years.

We have gotten settled into our home. Not sure settled is the term, cause for the most part we have been unsettled here... we have done three major projects in the house (boiler, windows, roof). There has been the cycle of painting rooms (3 done so far) and putting more and more stuff in storage in the basement.

The DeCourval/Centellas Bed and Breakfast (our home) has hosted a record breaking 13 people as overnight guests in one night, several Centellas family holidays and in two years maybe 100 room nights rented (for free mostly). We hosted friends and family from Indy, Chicago, Saginaw, Mississippi, Detroit, and of course Bad Axe, MI and other places around the country.

We got a new car... well new to us. So far the Element has done two road trips for us and done us proud. One to Chicago for our first Black Tie fundraising Gala, and one to my old stomping grounds in Gladwin, MI to see Pratt lake. Our new "family" vehicle can tow bikes, fit toys, stroller and our little family and get nearly 25 MPG. Take that OPEC!

Our little family has been traveling... just this spring we went to Iowa City, Bad Axe, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, and this past weekend Gladwin, MI. Hopefully soon we will take our honeymoon trip to South America and complete our planned trip which was interrupted by the best part of this update...

When I say our little family it is already bigger. Novali is ten now and while her sassiness can be at an all time high she is a ton of fun. She is swimming now and very independent (making her own breakfast as I type this) and is most importantly a great big sister.... yep, we have a baby. What? The best part of our anniversary is that we have a growing little family.

Yeah instead of a honeymoon that we postponed when life would be less busy (not sure when that will happen) we spent it shopping for strollers and cribs. Instead of painting and decorating our room we painted a beautiful little baby room (I hate when people call it a nursery, likes it is a baby factory or something).

In our short Dos Años we welcomed little Cruz Centellas into our house and it has been great. Mornings are a little more hectic, nights are a little less sleep filled, and meals are always a little more rushed... but man has bath time been more fun, the camera never been so busy, and our house just a constant stream of something new and potential youtube videos.

Happy Anniversary Babe. If all this happened in two years... think what the next dos might bring us!

Daddy Daughter Decorating Part 2

Well we have been at it again... work on the house and this time a fun Novali project. For her 10th Birthday Heather and I got her the paint she had been wanting (Talkative Turquoise) and bedding for her to redo her room. She was excited as she likes to help work on the house and learn how to do new things.

We spent the last few months getting parts together... curtains, closet organizers and picking a color for the other walls since we only agreed to a turquoise accent wall... not sure we could handle a turquoise room! Other people got into the room decor and my brother Andres got her peel and stick flowers for her walls and Anita and Dave got a little window AC unit for her room.

The work kicked off the weekend that the DeCourvals came to visit. Dave helped me prep the walls, patch holes and cracks and repair all the bad past paint jobs. Novali was evicted and was sleeping in our room... plus with no AC she enjoyed staying in our much cooler room anyways.

It was a lot of work... and as usual turned in a If You Give A Mouse A Cookie situation... then we need new closet shelves, then some curtain rods, then new posters, etc. We still re-purposed and used all of her old furniture.

So here are a few pictures of the finished project. More before, after and project pictures on the link below.
Here is a link to our past projects to track what she has helped do around the house!

Daddy Daughter Decorating Part 2 (July 2011) - Pictures
Daddy Daughter Construction (Feb 2011)
Daddy Daughter Decorating (Dec 2010)

Thanks to everyone who pitched in on the project with gifts or time. She is a happy camper and lets home she doesn't watch some crazier color next time!

Yard: Before and After

I spent a large part of the Fourth of July weekend in the yard... I had Sunday home alone and that helped me focus and work on projects. So I figured some nice before and after photos were in order as well as some details on the work we did.

We bought our house in November of 2008. The yard (on top of other things) had not been well cared for over the years so we had a lot of projects. Yard works is something I have always enjoyed and it also provided me an outlet for some creative juices. The yard was practically a clean slate, but some remnants made for interesting ideas to re-purpose items.

Here are two "Before" Pics:


As you can see everything was overgrown... first order of business was a 100 foot tall Oak tree in the backyard that was rotting and mostly dead. We then cut (with help from Dave) lots of trees and bushes down around the yard. Chasing the vines that had grown all over was also a big and not-fun job but we cleared those out.

Two things we kept and re-purposed: the patio (and extra blocks) and the swing set.

The patio was all over grown and very small. So when we replaced the side walkways I took those bricks and used them to extend the patio. Eventually we need to replace the entire area as it is unlevel and falling apart, but for now with the new tiles and weeds removed it works.

The swing set was an old solid wood set. It was heavy, but we moved it to the other side of the yard when we cut the big tree down. Then with some elbow grease and helped from Menards I cleaned it, stained it, and replaced some of the hardware. Two new swings and a baby swing from our friend Kari and she was good as new! Throw down some mulch and we have a home playground!

The biggest project was the South side of the house. The clay ground wouldn't grow grass, and the lack of any type of landscaping meant it really need some serious work. In 2010 I did the side mulch, removed an old antenna base, and put in step-stones, flowers and a bench. In 2011 I finished the corner off with some stairs to the lower yard, more flowers and a mulch path to the concrete apron on the back of the house.

Here are a couple "After" pics:

Here are more pictures: Yardwork 2011

There is a lot more to do... we need to landscape the hill from our upper yard to lower yard, we need a new patio (maybe a deck?), I would like a storage shed (that looks like a little house), and then we need a nice complete fence around the yard with gates on both sides of the house. Then maybe Heather can get the dog she has been wanting...

Old vs New(er)

Shopping for a car drives me totally crazy. I spend all hours of the day shopping... on Craigslist, looking at dealer websites, stalking car lots... then when I find a potential car I read all the reviews, cost of ownership, KBB, Carfax...

I remember January of 2007 when I found a used 2005 Altima and fell in love despite it being Coral Sand color (gold). This one had sat for a while because of the color and being stick (no one in Michigan drives stick). Got a killer deal, they took my Sentra (weirdly also gold and stick) and off I went.

I did a few upgrades to her: tinted windows, Momo knob and the first Redline Goods shift boots ever made for an 05-06 Altima (I made templates and they now reproduce). Look at the site... its my car on there! Some Infiniti G35 Coupe 18in. wheels, Mobil1 synthetic, K&N Airfilter and with only the best she was loved... but... there is always a but in a good love story.

Heather never picked up driving stick, and with a baby the "I can't drive your car shuffle" is hard... (why I wanted her to learn) I lost that battle along with all the rest of them I guess... On the practical side though, as a home owner I need something bigger for getting landscaping materials or 2x4s and a new storm door. Doesn't fit in the Altima...

The Altima had to go... I wanted something interessting, with some style and fun! I started shopping around... and looking for a place to trade in my baby.
I found the vehicle... I remember the 2001 Detroit Autoshow when I saw the "Model X". It was supposed to be all the functionality of a truck, but the drive of an SUV and the gas mileage of a car. It was a cool copper color, not sure why I remember that but I do (can't find online pics of car at show).

I was shopping for a Pathfinder, Vue or something boring like that... after some test drives and frustration one day on my way to work on a lot I saw a nice fully loaded Alabaster Gray Honda Element... research time! Websites, showing friends, talking to other owners for feedback... I drove the car... worked on the deal... got financing (rates are good right now!) and made a deal on my new(er) toy...

Surprisingly the car is almost 20 inches shorter than the Altima and barely an inch wider. So she will take LESS space in the drive, haul MORE stuff and get the same mileage or BETTER than the Altima. WIN. WIN. WIN. So welcome Honda back into my life... its been a long time since my CRX and Acura days... cheers to the Element!

New Traditions

The smell of Easter Ham fills our house... Novali is still sleeping, Cruz is eating like always and Heather and I are enjoying our morning coffee. In a few minutes cinnamon rolls will be done and I am sure the smell will lure Novali down for her breakfast and to search for her Easter basket. Of course as a good big sister she wil help Cruz hunt for his basket.

Last night Novali mentioned this is her first time in years not being in a hotel for Easter. It was a tradition for us for years that we went to downtown Chicago, stayed in a hotel right downtown, went swimming, shopping, and visited the famous churches of Chicago. It was a tradition started because her birthday is near Easter so we did Easter/Birthday outings and sometimes family would visit.

Over the years she has stayed in the Allerton, Drake, Palmer House, Embassy Suites and Double Tree downtown... we visited the chapel in the sky (church on top of a skyscraper) and many other cool Chicago landmark churches.

Well this year we broke that tradition, as our family grows things change. Maybe in a few years we can start the Chicago hotel tradition again and Novali can be our Chicago tour guide. Or maybe we start a completely new tradition? Who knows... but we are together this morning, she has new tights for church and will be down in a second all excited to look for her basket... speaking of, I better run...

Happy Easter Everyone.

So Today It Hit Me

On April 10th, 2001 in a big hospital in Chicago, IL I became a father. I made the commute in time to Chicago to be there for the big day, and I like to think that despite distance have been a good father. We have made trips, gone places, learned things, played games, and had lots of fun daddy daughter moments.

Well on April 10th, 2011 my little Novali Alexys Centellas turned ten years old. It was a whirlwind for me, the week leading up to her party I was in four different states, consulting and presenting for two universities and at one national conference. I made it back into Chicago late the night before her party...

So needless to say leading up to her party I didn't have much time to reflect. Then right after her party that Sunday I worked a ten hour day preparing for our campus concert, and Monday I worked... 16 hours! (yes straight in one day). So the entire week I was trying to catch up on work, life and of course some sleep.

This weekend, well on Saturday specifically I was the chair of a teen driving school. I have been involved with the Tire Rack Street Survival program for several years now. So today when we were doing introductions to the student several coaches mentioned their kids doing the school and without thinking I said during my introduction and that in a few short years... my daughter would be driving...

So it hit me... what? In five years she can get a drivers permit? In 6 years she will have a license? Will she get a car? Will she crash my Z? Will she want to autocross? Will she be a good driver? Oh man... I am the parent of a ten year old!

I am still a little bit in shock... will she in one of my classrooms in five years? Learning how to overcome a rear slide on wet pavement at the Tire Rack test track...

Luckily I have a long time before I worry about that with Cruz... but man my little girl is growing up so fast and now I am really feeling old!

Edit: Party Pictures

So I Was Thinking... I like Modern Family, not just cause of Vergara... well kinda.

Sofia Vergara, don't worry this blog is PG... well maybe PG13 at times. Well the show Modern Family features her as a sexy younger Latin bride to the man I grew up with as Al Bundy.

The show took off and I get it, the family roles it shows are progressive and more representative of the current American family. I mean, the fact that my parents are still married is rare and people are shocked when I tell them... weird huh? So modern family takes odd American relationships, highlights and magnifies the stereotypical areas for mass appeal.

So this blog isn't about the show... so is it about Sofia Vergara? Is it about her role as a saucy Latina trophy wife and my thoughts on that role. My first thing is that here is a big "I told you so" to everyone... I loved her since Univision on Fuera De Serie when she on that show they did a trip to Bolivia. So I caught the show and was a fan since. I was in high school then... so for those of you playing along at home you can do the math and figure out how long she has been on TV before hitting it mainstream.

What does this have to do with anything? Well Al Bundy is dating Sofia Vergara... and what does that mean for America? I think it is good... I mean you have a 40 year old woman seen as an sex icon, you have an traditional American white guy in a relationship with a Latina... and no one talks about her age, or more related to my upbringing; their bi-racial relationship. Call me a sap, but thats pretty cool I think, that what people focus on in his young trophy wife, not their cultural backgrounds (even though it does make for some funny side stories).

So thanks Modern Family, thanks for bringing Sofia into Prime Time Network Television and making a little bit of me more acceptable. And yes, can't go without saying, "I told you so", she is HOT.

So I Was Thinking... New Blog Theme?

Lately on my Facebook page I have been posting starting with the title phrase of this post today.... So I Was Thinking...

A couple of my posts got a lot of feedback, comments and dialog. So I kept it going and doing it more. I was thinking should I track them all? Or maybe the posts should be the title part of a blog so I expand more on my thoughts? Or do people even care what I have to say? Or do I want to write for me? A way to get things off my mind? Or maybe I enjoy writing even though I am not very good at it?

Well here goes one. Let me know what you think... I might have to get another blog to rarely use...

Here I Go Again

Well for those who might remember I started doing Alternative Spring Break trips while at Albion College. I was never the big "Community Service Guy" in college, but I was raised to give back and my fraternity at Western Michigan always did more community service than the rest of the groups. While at GVSU my fraternity had many top volunteers and I helped with events like Make a Difference Day and others.

I have raised my daughter to give and show compassion. We started a Black Friday tradition that she buys a toy for the children's hospital in Chicago and she is always wanting to help people. She raises money for different causes and once again this year is the highest fundraiser at her school for Jump Rope for Heart. She raised $550!

Well while at Albion I started helping our Organization for Latino Awareness (OLA) with their fundraising and planning for their annual Honduras Service Trip. I attended the trip twice and it was a phenomenal experience. So when I started at IU South Bend and people said we no longer had a community service office and I had ZERO Student Organizations with a service focus... I knew I had to help change that.

We have since started a handful of service based organizations, did some local Alternative Spring Break programs and now this year... I am taking 15 students to Kentucky to work with Appalachia Service Project. I have worked now for two years with Indiana Campus Compact who funds a portion of our trips and I am also the campus Community Service Director. Its not a new office, just one more title and more work to do but I have really enjoyed it.

Leaving at 6AM today (the day of spring forward) might not of been one of my greatest ideas... but I am up and ready to go. I am up early because two of my students heeded my warning of the time change so well they called me an hour early wondering where everyone was...

Wish us luck... we won't have internet, and maybe not even cell coverage for a few days. I know it will be good for us, I know we will learn a lot, and hopefully we don't just change the lives of those we serve, but change ours lives as well.


God Bless.

8 weeks already...

Well our Mr. Cruz has now passed the 8 week mark... WOW. The time has really flown by, and I can't believe how much he has changed. I finally got more pictures posted and we compared his newbord pics and you can already see such a difference.

Here is a link to his pictures: Second Month (top bar has navigation to check entire album)

This week we started looking at local daycare providers... it is an interesting process. I mean we can't make cost an issue, cause this is about getting good care for Cruz that will help him develop and grow... BUT we are on a budget. I nearly made if the kids at a place are cute an issue, cause this one kid scared me when he (she/it) turned around and looked at me... all I could say was, wow, "he likes to eat doesn't he?" I realize that was a little rude, but the parents weren't there, and I am sure they already know its a problem.

Anyhow... no matter who you ask they tell you, "Don't go there, go here." But each person lists the place someone else mentioned as a no on their yes pile, and vice versa. So who do we listen to? Do I just judge it based on cute kids? Cause that seems easily something I can measure according to my own standards.

So to all four people who read this blog... suggestions? Ideas? Scholarship options? Maybe a grant? He has a couple of weeks of being home with mom before off he goes... all growns up... all growns up...

Daddy Daughter Construction

Our basement when we bought the house was partially finished... I say partial very loosely because because basically all they did was paint the concrete walls and lay down some cheap stick on vinyl tiles (that are all peeling already). One wall was framed up down there, and in true previous owner fashion they only finished one side of the wall. I have been meaning to get to it since we bought the house...

So last week I bought some paneling Heather and I picked out. I was going to finish that wall off and this summer we would paint and finish that storage room a little more. So one room in the basement would be "done" and actually "finished".

Well I got lucky and Novali had a four day weekend she got to spend with us... and guess who likes doing projects? Yep... thats my girl! We got the circular saw out (and safety glasses), hammers, nails, tape measure, power drill.... and we even ended up needing my reciprocating saw...
First we got a claw out and pulled nails, Novali unscrewed the shelf brackets and we removed everything from the wall. That weird wood bracket that was built in we had to cut out! The previous owners had nailed it on with huge nails and then bent the backs of the nails so I could not remove it... but we got it out.

Novali helped me cut the top of the paneling to fit under the ceiling, we measured and used the circular saw. Yes she wore glasses, and no I didn't actually let her use that saw. She did all on her own assemble the large storage closest (wardrobe) on all her own. She followed in the instructions and I only had to help her snap in some of the hard pieces and pull the cover over the frame.
There is our finished product... we still need to put one more piece of paneling up. I need some 2x4s to frame up where to mount the last piece and we will be done... well at least with that one wall.

More pics of the project: Novali's Site

What is funny is that during that afternoon we went and looked at a house in our neighborhood for sale. It is one block over and I like snooping to see what other homes look like and their value. It was listed at more than 2.5 times what we paid for ours... and had everything done I want to do to our house... and that includes finishing the basement. When Novali saw the basement there she said, "This could be a cool place for me to hangout"... hopefully that will keep her motivated to keep helping me out and get that basement done.

Ice and more Ice

Well we broke snow records this fall... so that means once it warmed up that we would be breaking records for the amount of ice. On Sunday Heather and I were driving back from the store and we saw lots of houses with broken eaves troughs and roof damage and I thought... man that sucks.

Well Sunday we went to bed, and a little before midnight... Heather and I were actually sleeping (yeah!) and we got woken up by a huge CRASH! It sounded like a car crashed into the house... so I ran downstairs and looked around... wasn't sure what happened. I thought the noise was by our bedroom and so I went to that part of the house on the lower level...

Our house is a two story house, with a one floor addition on the back of the house. The addition to the house is only one story and has a flat roof that buts up to the original brick house. The guestroom, first floor bath, and family room are the addition to the house.

I started by looking in the guestroom... at first I looked at the ceiling as I walked in... didn't see anything... but then I turned to my left looking towards the bathroom and saw all the cracks. The ceiling had cracks, the wall had cracks down it and even a split in the wall. Whew... then I walked into the bathroom and the walls were cracked all over, the door frame was cracked really bad and paint flakes and chips all over the floor.

What happened is that our eaves trough gave out on the back side of the house. So a HUGE stretch of ice fell onto the flat roof. It was about 10 inches in diameter, like a tree trunk... no wonder it made so much noise when it fell.

Luckily our roof isn't leaking so we aren't under an emergency. Our insurance is going to cover the repairs. The decision for us right now, is do we follow through and do an insurance claim or maybe repair it all ourselves and save ourselves doing a claim (which raises our rates, we have a deductible, etc.).

I have tons of pics, but for insurance reasons I am not going to post them here until we decide what we are going to do. Luckily like I said the damage isn't critical like leaks or something not usable in the house. So we are safe, the house is warm and we are enjoying Mr. Cruz... and the warm weather got us a chance to take him outside in the stroller!

Valentines Day

Ah the day the single hate, old married couples remember the "good old days" and young couples fret over doing just the right thing for the holiday. So where does that leave a couple like us? Married less than two years, with a 7 week old at home, and with a roof that just nearly caved in (more on that in a later post).

Well I remembered this morning that Novali had hidden a card for us last time she was here. So I pulled that out from her top secret spot she told me about and gave it to Heather. Always fun getting her cards. She works so hard on her crafty items and I have a little box where I save every last one.

We love you to Novali and we will call you tonight!

I joked on my Facebook that I had seen that ChikFilA was doing a candelight dinner tonight from 5pm to 8pm... or that I had gotten a $5 VDay Coupon from our local chinese buffet... Hum, what would Heather and I do? I am actually still not sure, because when I asked Heather what she wanted to do tonight and when we exchange gifts she said...

"I already gave you a gift, your son to pass along your name." I told her, but that was 7 weeks ago. She replied she is going to use this gift for many many years. She has a good point, it was a pretty sweet gift.

I am glad I have a wife that I don't have to worry about if I bought a big enough diamond, spent enough money, reservation at the best place in town, or if the purse is a real designer one or not.

We can be laid back, enjoy each others company and maybe I can get a big steak. I did however buy her a little something that Novali helped me pick out... so I will have to see what she thinks...

Buela!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday (yes I called her) and today we scheduled to video skype with them and Cruzo. It was great having my mom here while we were learning to be parents and listen to the stories my mom (and dad) told of when I was young. It is really is interesting how being a parent helps you connect in a different way with your parents... now we understand how hard it was for them raising us. Whew...

Well thank you mom for the help and tips, happy birthday, and we will try to get Cruzo to smile for you later on today!

Cheese!

Just the three of us and the plumber...

So this week was our first week with just the three of us... well and the plumber but I will explain that later.

It was great that our parents helped for the first couple weeks... but now it was fun to be on our own, figuring out our schedules and handling our new lives as parents. This week Cruz got a lot of fun tummy time, learned how to hang out in the Moby wrap, and finally started sleeping (for 2 hours who hoo!) in his bassinet. We also did a trip to the famous Sears photo studio for his baby pictures. He was a riot there and we are still sorting through photos and will post some soon.

I posted a page of photos from his fourth week as our little man. Enjoy: Cruzo!

So this plumber situation... well it was a fun one. There was some water in our basement... at first my dad noticed it on their last day here... threw some towels down thinking it was just the 40 inches of snow we got melting and some was backing into the house. Well day after day it got worse... so I went downstairs to see if I could figure something out.

Well I figured it out it was coming from a pipe... so I traced it back to a valve and turned it off hoping to stop the leak... leak didn't stop... so then I turned off the water to the entire house... didn't stop the leak... MAN! So we called our home warranty company and I set up a water collection system to buy us time until the water stops...

The plumber tried to shut off the water to our house from the main outside supply and guess what... didn't stop the water! ARGH! So we had to call the city... finally after another day of waiting the water to the house was shut off and the leak stopped. So the plumber came in and had to replace a ton of valves and pipes in the basement... ah this old house...

So anyhow, we enjoyed our week with Cruz, we also are enjoying our new pipes and this week gave us a good excuse to finally buy extra shelves and organize the basement (and finally put away Christmas stuff...).

Now just us...

On December 27th our lives changed... we had Mr. Cruz join our lives. When he was born Heather's parents were here and it led a string of visitors. Hermen and Erin visited us in the hospital. Greg (Heather's youngest brother) and my older Brother Miguel and his family came to visit during our first week home. Once the DeCourval's left my parents came and joined us to help out. During their time here we also had my younger brother Andres visit. Novali has also visited twice, so its been busy, hectic, but lots of help holding the baby (and lots of pics).

Well yesterday I took my parents to Chicago and they are now down in Oxford, MS with my older Brother Miguel. I only get to see my parents twice a year when they visit the states, but the visits are always long and since they are retired we get to spend a lot of time together when they are here.

So now... it is just Heather and I and the new baby. We luckily have a lot of support near and far. Here in town Heather's staff is bringing us meals and my office is mega flexible with my work so I can get some work done, but be home all that I need. Far away we have friends all over who keep sending little presents and even more importantly the moral support that we need during this stressful first couple weeks.

I am trying to keep up on posting pictures. I am update to date with my most recent post, enjoy: Third Week

Thank you to everyone for the support and keep checking his website for updates on his growth.

Cruz Time

Yeah the blog kinda died... but that is because I am honestly been busier than ever during the past month!

Well first off... getting the house ready for junior to come into the world was busy. Cleaning rooms, organizing our stuff, putting up smoke detectors, organizing our crap again, finishing up and the baby room and of course preparing for the holidays.

It was all fun and games though until the baby came... Mr. Cruz Daniel David Centellas was born into our lives a few days early on December 27th! So then the real busy started! We had assumed he was coming late... so we were ready, but not ready ready.

Luckily we had Heather's parents here for the birth and to help us transition to having a baby in the house. It was a lot of work... but we made it... and we survived hosting guests... So far we had visits from Greg (Heather's youngest brother), from my brother Miguel (oldest) and his family (Kate and kids Javi and Amelia). Novali was here for a weekend, and then now my parents have been here for a little over a week.

So it has been hectic... but we did manage to get a website up for Cruz. For Christmas I got Heather everything she needs to be a hot high tech mom. So far its working out for her, got her a webcam for showing off the boy-o, an AppleTV for showing people pics on the big screen, got her a Mac Mini and new software and set up a website for Mr. Cruz. Enjoy and follow his progress at:

Cruz Centellas

This weekend my brother Andres will be here as well as having Novali for the weekend. So we will have a full house, and hope people can sleep through a crying baby... cause he likes to keep us up at night... so it might spread to the other upstairs bedrooms.

We are enjoying our Mr. Cruz... you can call him Boy-O, Cruz, Cruzo, Cruzer, or Mr. Cruz... but you can't call him Cruzie...