Our family is an interesting mixture. I am 100% Viking. My father's family is from Trondheim Norway. My grandfather came to this country around 1908. We have records tracing the Langlo family back to the year 1180 A.D. There is a town in Norway named after my family. The family farm was one of the largest and most well known farms in the area. My cousin Anders still owns a small portion of the original farm land. My mother's family were city folk and they came here in the late 1800's from Oslo (Nieman/Matheson).

My husband Jeffery is Irish by way of Bohemia through his grandfather's family. While tracing his Killian ancestors we discovered that they all came from what is now known as the Czech Republic. In doing our reseach we discovered that many Celt tribes migrated to that area hundreds of years ago. His grandmother was a Brit (Stupple)and had an ancestor named Ann that was married to Henry VIII (not for very long!!!). His mother's family (Hoida) is Bohemian as well.

This is a picture of me and my husband Jeffery. We were married on June 16, 1990. My son, Brian, who was eleven at the time, gave me away and my daughter, Alissa, who was nine, was my lovely maid-of-honor. The last picture in this section was taken in February at Holy Name Cathedral during the Rite of Election. This is a ceremony where those seeking to be received into the fullness of the Catholic faith are officially recognized and welcomed by the Church. My daughter is the one shaking the hand of Cardinal Francis George and my husband is the guy at the end of the line.

My Shining stars...

Below is a picture of my twenty year old son, Brian. He is attending college to receive a degree in computer information systems. He grew up being mom's back yard astronomy buddy. Together we have observed Halley's Comet, the Orion Nebula, a multitude of galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, planetary conjunctions and total and partial lunar and solar eclipses. He also inherited my passion for Sci-Fi. I am of the Star Trek generation... he is of the Star Wars generation. We both enjoy books written by Larry Niven, Ray Bradbury and Herbert Heinlein.

Below is a picture of my eighteen year old daughter, Alissa. She graduates from high school in June. We are VERY proud of her... she is a state scholar and her biography was chosen to be included in the 1999 edition of "Who's Who of American High School Seniors". She will be attending college in the fall and is planning on majoring in secondary education. It is through her insistance to become a Christian that my journey home to Rome began. Alissa and I share a passion for sipping expresso, visiting small, ecclectic gift shops, discussing anything related to philosophy, religion, or social justice... and of course ANYTHING chocolate!

The Lord has blessed me richly through these children. They are good, moral, kind-hearted and responsible young adults. As a mother I asked only that my children would grow up to be healthy, happy, good and decent human beings. My prayer has been answered. Praise be to our Lord, Jesus!

Furry family members

Below are some photos of our four-legged "kids". Kuma ("bear" in Japanese)is our three-year-old Rottweiler. He has to be one of the best dogs we have ever owned. It is really a shame these dogs get such a bad rap because when they are well trained and well loved they make incredible pets. Rotties are extremely intelligent, love to "work" and firecely loyal to their "family". Our dog has played with toddlers, grandmas, and other dogs and we have NEVER had a problem.... what a sweetheart!

This next picture is of three of our four cats. From left to right they are Stormy, Rocky, and Jasmine. The fourth cat, not pictured, is Tanzy. She is our brown tabby "barn" cat. Stormy, Tanzy and Jasmine are shelter adoptees. Rocky is a pure bred seal point, mitted Ragdoll. Ragdolls are known for their size, males weigh up to 25 pounds, and their laid-back people oriented personalities.

Our home is also the local hangout for squirrels, possums, racoons, chipmunks, rabbits and an occasional deer. My bird feeders attract cardinals, bluejays, woodpeckers, orioles, finches, chickadees and just about every other species common to northern Illinois! We even have a hawk that visits our yard from time to time. Last summer we even had a family of bats!

My interests....

I am married to the most wonderful man on earth. Nine years ago he jumped right into his role as step-dad and has been a wonderful influence in my kid's life. Never once has he referred to them as "your kids" from the first day he has treated them as "our kids". Along with my children he is the greatest blessing in my life.

My husband and I own a plumbing company and this past January I gave up my full-time job as a registered nurse to work for our company part-time managing the office... Whew! What a change!!! After being a nurse for 25 years this is a BIG change. The good part is that I can work from home, since the office is on our property. This gives me the opportunity to devote more time to my vegetable, herb and flower gardens as well as becoming much more active in my parish.

I am involved in scripture and bible study groups and I love learning and growing as a Catholic apologist and evangelist. I also enjoy ethnic cooking, counted cross stitch, and making rosaries.

My two favorite saints are St. Francis of Asissi and St. Teresa of Avila. And below is my personal hero.... Mother Teresa.

"Often we Christians constitute the worst obstacle for those who try to become closer to Christ; we often preach a gospel we do not live. This is the principle reason why people of the world don't believe."