This year, our family has grown so much. We have been blessed with 2 new babies and a future son-in-law. The kids are still 10-15 minutes away, thanks be to God, except for Kolbe, who is at John Paul 2 seminary in Washington, DC.
Bernie and I celebrated 35 years of marriage in October. He's still working for an IT company for the past 15 years. We spend our weekends working on house projects, hanging out with the kids and going to local wineries.
Adrianna, 34, is doing well. She and her 3 little ones are living in our basement apartment. CJ is 11 and in middle school, Brooke is 9 and Amber is 8. They both go to our local elementary school. They are all thriving in school.
Marygrace, 30 is still working full time as an insurance adjustor. She just celebrated a year and a half of being sober and being nicotine free. We are so proud of her! She has a beautiful little house 10 minutes away. Her daughter, Ariana, is 5 years old. I'm homeschooling her this year.
Cecilia, 27, gave birth to Lucien in October. She has 3 little boys now. Raphael is 7 year old. He's going to the local elementary school with his 2 cousins. Elijah is 3 and is loving being a big brother. They are currently living at home with us, Since she's not able to work or drive due to her epilepsy.
Joseph, 25, is still working at the restaurant. He's been there for 6 1/2 years. He's doing very well. He lives with our daughter, Marygrace, just 10 minutes away. He has the most beautiful girlfriend. She comes over once a weekend makes dinner for the whole family and makes me a special keto meal. We love her!
Kolbe, 23, just left for his final semester at CUA and John Paul II seminary. He spent the summer at The Basilica of St. Mary in Old Town Alexandria. He really loved that assignment. He had a lovely room at the rectory, right next to the chapel. Right now, he's at an 8 day silent retreat and then, he'll begin his Spring semester. He will graduate in May and God willing, will go on to major seminary in the fall. In June, he will attend the Institute of Priestly Formation in Omaha for 8 weeks. He's doing very well and loves his studies and life at seminary. Please pray for him, his formators and all his brother seminarians.
Angela, 21, got engaged to Jacob in September. They welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Octavia Jade, in March. She has been making some really beautiful pottery and has already sold one of her mugs.
Our youngest child, Maria, turned 16 in November. I can't believe how quickly she grew up. She's the most beautiful young lady with a huge heart. We're still homeschooling and she'll be getting her license sometime next year.