Fall!

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.

Time is passing so quickly and life is full of tasks to complete. I can't believe fall is upon us. Of course where we live, we haven't yet "felt" a difference, because it is still quite hot, but we do have occasional breezes. I know the seasons will change soon and with it many more wonderful memories.

Lately, we have completed several "around-the-house projects." Our new vertical blinds should be arriving soon, we've begun the process for building a back porch and in anticipation of a cool breeze, we had a front door screen installed...we can't wait to use it when the weather gets cooler. Fresh air is so cozy!




I love "last year at this time..." reflections. They give me a chance to renew, revive and be thankful. (Especially thankful that we can go in a store and enjoy a fall wreath instead of searching for some wedding detail! I feel like fall completely passed us by last year since we were so busy planning our wedding!) We had a blast going to Joann's to find some fall decorations (instead of wedding favors, invitations, tulle, you name it :)

Last year we were looking at these:



This year, we found these:



And here is the heart of our home, where we come to be nourished by God's gifts of delicious food and drink, warm conversation and lots of laughter!



Our first fall together brings a chance to prepare our home for another season. Gary and I did some deep cleaning and got rid of many things which we weren't using or didn't need. (This is a process we've completed several times now since we've been married.) It felt great to reduce and to give to charity! There's a "spiritual cleaning" too that occurs in this process...a chance to relfect on God's blessings, serve the poor by sharing what He's given to us, create great memories, dream about the future, and with all this...the quiet of peace. Having things in order brings much peace. And with the new season...decorations of course! A time to notice a change, ponder the season of harvests, giving thanks, All Hallows Eve :), prayers for our beloved dead, a time of preparation too-as we prepare to meet our Lord at Christmastime...warm apple cider and apple crisp, and a time for me to be even more grateful for all of that delicious fruit I will miss (canteloupe, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries...)

It's great to consider God's beautiful design in the 4 seasons. A chance to see, smell, taste, hear and touch things that aren't available all of the time. Which brings me back to gratitude. Lord, help me to be gracious, to be thankful for the season of each day-and for the many gifts you shower upon your children. Amen.

New Life

Welcome to the Church, Olivia Katherine!



"Holy Baptism holds the first place among the sacraments, because it is the door of the spiritual life; for by it we are made members of Christ and incorporated with the Church. And since through the first man death entered into all, unless we be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, we can not enter into the kingdom of Heaven, as Truth Himself has told us."

- "The Decree for the Armenians," Pope Eugene IV





Our Precious Olivia,

May you walk always with Christ. Let Him guide your feet and control your heart. Trust in the Lord always, and look to Our Blessed Mother, Mary, for perfect examples of holiness, love, trust and beauty. We will pray for you daily and love you more than you could know. God bless you always!

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