Catholic Tea Party Hippie: My Family

God has blessed me with wonderful boys, a fantastic daughter-in-law and a beautiful grandson. After 24 years of marriage, my husband left to be with his paramour. It's been almost 2 years since he left and life is finally looking up. Thanks be to God! He filed for divorce and I started the annulment process. As a faithful, practicing Catholic, I am still honoring my vows.

In the last few years, my life has been turned upside down and and I haven't had time for blogging. Not sure what direction to go since my husband left!

Matthew with Bolt, the Dash mascot

I am very proud of my oldest son, Matthew. My youngest son summed it up when he told our priest during his confirmation interview, "I chose Matthew to be my sponsor because he inspires me in my Catholic faith and the pro-life movement." Matthew is not only an inspiration to me, but to many others -- people all around him, including people he doesn't even know. Over three and a half years ago, he started a local teen pro-life group, Triad Students for Life. This group has taken off! In January 2010, they raised enough money to attend the Raleigh March for Life and Prayer Breakfast. In 2011, they raised enough money to rent a bus to take 50 people to the March for Life in Washington, DC. Several members of the group went to Washington, DC for the 2012 March for Life, too. Matthew won the Hero for Life Award in 2010. The award comes with a 2K college scholarship and is given in recognition of outstanding leadership and service to promote and defend the sanctity of human life. His passion is the pro-life movement, as you can see. His group plans monthly life chains, meetings and fun activities for local teens. They also host speakers and Mathew even planned a teen pro-life retreat this past year. He is currently serving on the board of directors of Room at the Inn of the Carolinas (a volunteer position). Room at the Inn of the Carolinas gives single pregnant moms shelter and helps them with college during their pregnancy and after the birth of their children. It is a great charity. He was chosen to be the Students for Life of North Carolina High School Outreach Coordinator, too.

Matthew also represented our parish on the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council (DYAC) in the 2010-2011 session. The DYAC plans the yearly Diocesan youth retreat. Did I mention that he also played varsity football? OH..... and he worked as a bat boy for our local minor league baseball team, the Winston-Salem Dash. He graduated college in 3 years and got married within months of graduation. He and his wife have blessed me with a sweet grandson!

Matthew about to make a tackle in football.

Sean with Fr. Paul and Bishop Jugis

Sean is our quiet one! I am very proud of Sean, just as I am proud of all my boys. Sean excels in his academic studies and his piano competitions. The last several years, Sean has competed at the UNCG district piano competition and received a superior rating, which enabled him to advance to the NCMTA State competition. He has even received a superior at the state level, enabling him to perform at the State Superiors Honors Recital, as well. Sean was confirmed in 2010. Sean enjoys playing baseball and football. He saves up his money to buy lessons at the NC Baseball Academy, too.Sean LOVES to go to the firing range with me. He is an excellent shot. He played on the FHE Hawks high school team. He's pitched and playing first base. He enjoyed attending the Homeschool World Series many years ago and spent three years competing with his robotics team. He's a rising Junior in College studying engineering and continues to make the Dean's List.

Sean playing first base

Fr. Paul, Joseph, Bishop Curlin and Matthew on Joseph's confirmation day.

Joseph loved tackle football and had an excellent season with the Greensboro Panthers his last few years. He loves to write short stories and loves serving at church. Joseph was confirmed in 2011. I am so proud of him! He is studying Physics and doing really well in school.

Joseph

We try to center our lives around Jesus Christ and our Catholic faith. We are not perfect by any sense of the imagination, but we are hopefully well grounded in Christ. It is through our faith that we approach the world around us and cope with the struggles of daily life. It is my sincere hope that those who visit this website and read the articles I write can find encouragement and hope. The last few years have been difficult for me and my boys. Life is different, but we cling to the cross and our Catholic faith.