***Guest Blog from Beth ***

I knew I coulnd't do the "meeting Brady Quinn" story justice by myself, so I asked Beth to tell the story from her perspective...

"The greatest day ever" (all times are approximate)

6:53 Nicole and I are driving to "BASS New Members Night" at Corby's and we are listening to the radio.

7:00 At the corner of Ironwood and 23 the U93 Coach's show comes on. Nicole asks "what is this?" I explain that every week at JT's Charlie and a couple of players do interviews. Nicole asks who is there, and like magic we hear "Heisman hopeful Brady Quinn has entered the building" Nicole freaks out a little bit... "Can we go? Where is this place? Do you care? Can we go?!" I tell Nicole "Sure we can go if you want just tell me if you want to go." We debate for a couple more minutes and turn around at Linebacker.

7:05 Nicole also asks if we can run home real quick and get the camera and her jersey. I am getting worried...

7:20 With Jersey, camera and marker in hand we arrive at JTs.

7:22 We get inside. There are a few people there but most are not even paying attention to what is going on. There are no tables left so we sit at the bar.

7:23 Scary drunk guy talks to me (Nicole is focused on the show)

7:40 Nicole goes to inquire about autograph line, scary drunk guy grabs my belt

7:42 Scary drunk guy hugs me and Nicole says "Boy you make friends easily"

7:45 Show is over time to get autographs....

7:46 We walk right past the other ND players (who are they?!) and let the small child ahead of us in line. Everybody else, get behind us :)

7:48 Nicole makes a friend in line, and we practice taking pictures with her camera. Instructions are very specific.

7:50 Our turn with Brady here is how it goes....

Nicole: Hi Brady (hand extended) I'm Nicole, would you mind signing my jersey?
Brady: Sure
Nicole: I have really been studying football this year, blah blah blah slant pass to Carlson teach my friends blah blah
Brady: Oh really? (thinking she means well)
Nicole: Would you mind if we take a quick picture?
Brady: Real quick

Cue camera buddy. We take picture and are gone after we both shake his hand again... We walk away calmly and Nicole refrains from screaming until we get into the car, overall very well done :) and the rest is history!

I never would have had the guts to do it myself, Thanks Nicole love ya!!

"Proverbs 3:5-6"

My friend Beth and I went to the weekly ND football show tonight, which featured O-linemen Ryan Harris & Dan Santucci, and QB Brady Quinn.


We got to meet Brady afterwards, and he was really nice. (I think I embarrassed myself a little though by trying to talk about some of my new football knowledge. I said something about how I like when he picks up the blitz and audibles for a slant route to John Carlson across the middle, to which I'm pretty sure he said, "Oh really?") Beth said he was probably amused, but I'm not so sure! Anyway, he was sweet enough to take this picuture with us and also to sign my jersey, and I was thrilled.


I especially loved how he signed the jersey. I had heard that he has a strong faith, and the Bible verse he wrote has always been one of my favorites...


Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your paths."

A huge thanks to Beth for telling me about the show, and to Brady for being so nice to us. You both made my day!!

I was driving past Notre Dame about an hour ago, and luckily had my camera with me because the sky was beautiful. I took a few pictures from inside my car while I was waiting at the light at Angela & Notre Dame. Thankfully my windshield wasn't too dirty!

Last night a good friend of mine told me about some of the ND football team's pregame rituals. I knew that they went to mass together, but he told me that they also pray a litany to Mary that one of the captains leads. (I think this year he said it's always Brady Quinn who leads it.) He gave me a copy of the prayer, and I thought I'd share it in case anyone wants to pray it on gamedays too. (I especially thought Ryan O' might like this!)

God the Father of Heaven (R. Have mercy on us)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world
God the Holy Spirit

Holy Mary (R. Pray for us)
Mother of Christ
Mother most pure
Mother most friendly
Mother of good counsel
Mother of our Savior
Virgin most prudent
Virgin most powerful
Virgin more merciful
Virgin most faithful
Seat of Wisdom
Cause of our Joy
Health of the sick
Refuge of sinners
Help of Christians
Queen of angels
Queen of apostles
Queen of martyrs
Queen of all saints
Queen of Peace

Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world (Have mercy on us)

Let us Pray:
Grant, we beseech You, O Lord God, that we may enjoy continual health of mind and body; and by the glorious intercession of Mary, Our Lady, may we accept the joys and trials of this life, and someday enter into Eternal happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Chris Tomlin concert with Melissa~





I was able to take my friend's daughter Melissa to Chris Tomlin's concert this weekend, and it was amazing. (As Melissa said, it's not so much a concert as it is a chance to worship God.) Chris just released a new CD, and Melissa and I both loved the song "How Can I Keep from Singing?' It's a re-write of an old hymn, and an awesome song of hope and trust. I remember the lines from church~ "What though the tempest 'round me roar, I hear the music ringing. It sounds and echoes in my soul... how can I keep from singing?" I have always loved that song (especially the ND folk choir version), so it was awesome to hear him make it new. I am so thankful that I was able to be there, and I hope you'll all get to hear his music sometime soon. Thank you Chris Tomlin for sharing your music, and most of all your faith. (And for stopping to take a picture with us!) We are so grateful!

PS. It was so much fun spending time with Melissa. I've known her since Mary (her mom) and I worked together at ND four years ago, and Melissa was in 7th grade. Now she's a junior in high school! We had a lot of time in the car to chat, and I couldn't help but think how much alike we are. She wants to go to med school, and has a very real passion to become a pediatric oncologist. Melissa has the heart for it, and I know that she can do it. Mary, you must be so proud of her!

A few highlight pictures from last weekend...



The team takes the field...



One last chance--



The rest is history!

Bebo!!

Last night a group of us girls went to see Bebo Norman in concert. Wow. He is so talented, and such an amazing person. I highly recommend checking out his music if you can. Amy, Maureen and I got to talk to him for a few minutes after the concert, and he was so nice to take this picture with us. Hope you all can see him in concert sometime. He's amazing!

This past weekend was awesome! Ryan came in from Chicago, and we had a true 'Notre Dame' weekend... Rocco's for dinner on Friday, then the blue/gold baseball game, taligating, the game, and then CJ's for dinner on Saturday. It doesn't get much better than a day like that!!

Here are two of my favorite pics from the game. The catch by John Carlson was right in front of us. It was awesome--