Are You Ready for Some Football?

• Another September Saturday in South Bend.
• A visit from Purdue University - the Boilermakers vs the Irish.
• The grills are being readied for tailgating.
• The ND flags are flying high.
• Tonight's Pep Rally will be a BIGGIE.
• Here come the IRISH of NOTRE DAME.

29 Years Ago Today...

...I became the mother of two. Robert Allan Knight Jr. was born at 7:04 a.m. on this date 29 years ago - my first born son - weighing in at 8 pounds 13 ounces - a bald headed, blue eyed baby boy. My memory is of a very rough labor and delivery - nothing like Carrie. He had the umbilical cord around his neck several times and I remember the doctor telling me he looked like an African Tribal Dancer. Just before delivery, they could find no heartbeat and when he was delivered - he was blue. I prayed to hear him cry - and after a few hard swats, he did just that. I remember lying in bed a week later with Bobby snuggled between Bob and I and in the dark, I heard Bob say, "God must have something very special in mind for him, because He really wanted him to live." You've led a special life Bobby and we're thankful for you every day. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I'm a Compulsive Reader....

I've always loved to read. As a child and a teenager, I always had a book in hand. Then motherhood and a busy life came along and my reading slowed down. Seemed like it took me FOREVER to finish a book. Kelli has taken after her mother when it comes to reading and this summer we both went and got library cards. Well, that's all it took to get me back in the groove. I'm proud to say since early June, I've read over 20 books!!! I read at the ballpark (between innings of course), I read on my lunch hour (down by the river), I read every night before dropping off to sleep. I have the next book planned and ready to go as soon as I finish one. Right now (thanks to my sister-in-law Arlette), I'm hooked on the "In Death" series by J. D. Robb.

So....if you've got a good one - send it my way!

Nadjek/Berta Wedding - September 23, 2006

More Wedding Photos to Share...

It all started two years ago when Saturday's bride and groom met at the wedding of these two...

Beautiful Wedding...

Chanda Nadjek and Mark Berta were married on Saturday at St. Stanislaus Church in South Bend. Katie and Colleen were bridesmaids and our son-in-law Jimmy was a groomsman. Katie, Colleen and Chanda met during their freshman year at LaSalle and have been the best of friends ever since. Mark and Jimmy were friends from their days at Riley and it was at Jimmy and Colleen's wedding (two years ago) where Mark and Chanda first met - as a bridesmaid and groomsman.

Prison Break Junkie

My daughters have turned me into a Prison Break "junkie". All last season, Carrie and Colleen and Katie kept telling me that I needed to watch this new show on Fox. I had missed the first few installments and didn't want to jump in not knowing what was going on. So, over the summer they "schooled" me on the ins and outs of Prison Break. A few weeks ago when the new season started, they sat with me and watched the latest episode - answering my questions and guiding me into the new season.

...and what did they do this week? They convinced me to buy Season 1 on DVD! Now, every night I'm journeying through Fox River State Penitentary with Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield. It won't be long until I'm caught up and just as addicted as my offspring. I mean, come on - these two are not especially hard to look at week after week...

Fall is Upon Us...

September is almost over!! Where the heck did this month go?? The leaves are starting to fall, the evenings and the mornings are chilly and the apple orchards are full.

Kevin's off to college and it seems the only time we see him is when he decides to pop in for a hot meal. Besides classes, he has baseball practice 6 days a week and the season doesn't start for six months!

Kelli's enjoying high school and her classes. She's such a social butterfly - with a long list of new friends. I think Colleen and Carrie are frustrated with their "babysitter" and her weekend social life.

As for Bob and I - he bought a new car last week and is getting excited about his upcoming "guys" week in Florida. He'll be heading back to Ft. Meyers in late October to play in the Roy Hobbs World Series again. That's "ok" with me, because 5 weeks later I'll be going on a little trip of my own. I can hear the Caribbean calling my name as I type.

God's Smiling Down on Us...

This was quite a sight during this morning's commute. Kind of a nice way to start the day!!

Another Day of Tailgating...

It must be tough when best friends cheer for opposing teams. Somehow Kevin and Mike manage to maintain their friendship while cheering on the Irish and the Wolverines.

Another Busy Weekend....

Our nephew from St. Louis is coming to town today to join his cousins in routing on the Irish this weekend. Should be another beautiful Saturday in South Bend to cheer on Notre Dame against the Wolverines of Michigan. Yep....a BIG ONE!!!

Bob's band plays tomorrow night at a local club, so Alex will get to see Uncle Bob in action. And then Sunday, I get to scrapbook with other members of the Design Team.

WOW - Monday will be here before we know it!

Next weekend - a big wedding!!!!!

Rough Week....

Bob's dad suffered a heart attack on Monday night. Thankfully he's doing much better and after having a stint inserted in his 99% blocked artery, is scheduled to go home this afternoon. Yesterday afternoon, we received word that Kevin's former JV Baseball Coach at Clay High School had committed suicide. He leaves behind two teenage children - a senior and a sophomore at Clay. A very sad day for the school and the entire Clay Baseball "Family".

A Treat for my Feet!

Just ordered these fun flip flops from Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. Thought they'd be perfect for my cruise.

82 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Fun From Saturday....

A few more photos from our beautiful Saturday on campus to cheer on the Irish. Final score - ND 41 - Penn State 17.

Celebrating a Big Win!!!

Bobby and Angela are all smiles after a Notre Dame victory over Penn State!!!

Cheering On the Irish

Is there any better way to spend a warm and sunny day in September? Not if you live in South Bend, Indiana and are a fan of the Fighting Irish. We were on campus early - 8:30 a.m. - setting up our tailgate in the parking lot of The Linebacker. Bob's baseball team definately knows how to throw a tailgate - two deep fried turkeys and some fresh bluegill - along with meatballs, brats and plenty of hotdogs. Kelli and I took off early to walk the campus. She'd never been inside the Golden Dome or Sacred Heart Cathedral. We visited the Grotto and of course, we had to visit the bookstore and pick her up one of the new "shirts" - along with one for my little brother in Florida. We made it back to the tailgate in time to feast on the turkey and meet up with Bobby, Chrissie and Brock. It wan't long before Katie and Colleen found us - or should I say, found the coolers and the food. Football Saturdays consist of eating and drinking your way around the campus to numerous tailgates. Kelli couldn't get enough of the people with their bodies painted green and wearing little leprechaun hats. She really got a laugh out of seeing little old men with leprechauns on their pants. Everyone's "Irish" in South Bend on Notre Dame Saturdays.

Happy Birthday Nolan!!!!

Today, my first born grandchild turns 5 years old. He's celebrating with his mom and dad and brother and sister at DisneyWorld. They're spending their day at the Magic Kingdom and tonight, they have reservations for dinner at Chef Mickey's. What a great way for a little boy to spend his birthday!!!

We love you Nolan!

Labor Day - Blueberry Festival

This was probably every man's worst nightmare - a weekend of 14 year old girl's softball - held at the Blueberry Festival - one of the state's largest arts and crafts (and food) festivals.

But...to give my husband the credit he deserves, he did go with Kelli on Friday night so I could scrapbook with friends. As the weekend progressed, we quickly realized that he should have remained with her - because the Friday night game was the only game we won.

By the time Sunday rolled around - it was Mother/Daughter Day and we arrived at 7:30 a.m. for her first game of the day. After getting "dimed" by a team from Indianapolis, Kelli and I headed to the friendly confines of the Blueberry Festival. We picked up a couple of Christmas presents and shared a lemon shake-up. We enjoyed visiting the craft booths and each of us managed to find some things we just couldn't live without. It's always funny too - with hundreds of thousands of people there - how it never fails that you run into friends and neighbors.

By noon, it was back to the ballpark for the afternoon game - which even though it was a much better game, still ended in a loss for us. By 3:30 we were done and decided to make one more walk through the festival. I had my eye on the chocolate covered frozen banana and Kelli waited in line for the ever popular deep fried Snicker bar. You would not BELIEVE the line of people waiting to sink their teeth into these things!!!

By 5:00, we'd seen enough of the Blueberry Festival for another year and headed back to South Bend for a cookout at Colleen and Jimmy's house. Here we met up with Bob and Chrissie and Brock and Katie and before the evening was over - Bobby and Kevin made it back from Atlanta. They were exhausted, but full of tales of the game between Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.

Here Come the Irish....

Bobby and Kevin are on their way to Atlanta. I got a little lump in my throat when I saw the two of them leave last night - two brothers sharing their love and passion for Notre Dame Football. Their suitcases are packed with nothing but ND apparel. This morning they're driving to Chicago and this afternoon, they fly to Atlanta. I love this song "Here Come the Irish" - a beautiful, haunting melody. I searched for it this morning to listen to, and came across this music video. I'm sure I'll have this tune stuck in my head for the weekend - while I'm thinking about my sons.

http://www.nd.edu/aboutnd/about/sights/asx/nd/irish_lan.asx