The Dinan Family

We were blessed to spend some time with our friends, The Dinans, in early July. Here are some pictures of our time with them. It went by so quickly and they were all simply a joy to work with. The children are just beautiful and there were so many great shots! What a blessing it is to have such great friends who can set such a holy example for us as spouses and parents. God bless you, Dinan Family!














"Happy are all who fear the LORD, who walk in the ways of God. What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper: Like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, Like olive plants your children around your table. Just so will they be blessed who fear the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion, all the days of your life That you may share Jerusalem's joy and live to see your children's children."

Psalm 128:2-6

Psalm 100:5

"Good indeed is the LORD, Whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness lasts through every age."

Please pray

for the repose of the soul of Alex Klucik, 18, who died tragically in a car accident on August 2nd, 2010.




Alex was a recent graduate of the school where I taught. You can read more about the life of this wonderful young man here. Please pray for his soul, for his family, including his six siblings, his classmates and for the entire Ave Maria community who mourns this loss.



Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Happy Annviversary, Mom and Dad!

Thirty-seven years ago, two beautiful people said, "Yes" to God's perfect plan as He called them to Holy Matrimony. Thank you, Mom and Dad for all the love and support you have always given. Your example is one of humility and strength. We love you! May God bless your marriage always.




"Two are better than one...a three-ply cord is not easily broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9,12

"...being confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6

A New Chapter...Proverbs 31

Today I continue the journey to becoming a more virtuous wife with a very important step... I resigned my full-time teaching position to make more time for my Vocation as a new wife. I am immensely thankful for the opportunities to grow in grace, humility, love and faith that I received while teaching there. I will miss the children tremendously, but I know now that God is calling me to a new quiet. Praise the Lord that He has fulfilled my heart's desires. I look forward to having more time to rest, study, prepare meals, take care of our home, and work on the many projects I've become interested in. This change will certainly allow for our marriage to blossom. And I pray I can become more like the Proverbs 31 woman:




"When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls. Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize. She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands. Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar. She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household. She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms. She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle. She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy. She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed. She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing. Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land. She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel. She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness. Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
"Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all." Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates."

Proverbs 31:10-31

Engagement Anniversary!

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel!

One year ago, our prayers were answered as Gary asked me to be his wife and I said, "Yes!" He romantically waited until her Feast Day as this had been our intention during the novena. What a day that was...He wanted to surprise me, and boy did he ever!



I love you, Sweetheart!

And now one year later, our intentions for the novena were quite different, but beautiful to receive answers on this special day! We received more clarity about how God is leading us and received great news about those we've been offering this novena for as well. And finally our dear friends Tyler and Dene' Rosser are NOW MARRIED! We've been praying for a beautiful wedding and marriage for them full of peace and joy.

As for our celebrations today, we're off to noon Mass (during Gary's lunch hour) and then a quick visit to Tropical Smoothie for a bite to eat, where we ate a year ago before he proposed. Of course a visit to the chapel to top off the night, to thank Our Lord for His choicest blessings.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us!

Domestic Church

"Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church."- Pope John Paul II