Category: MAD FOR 2019

“God is love, and whoever abides in love lives in God and God in him.  In this way, love is brought to perfection among us.”  (1 John 4:16)

Editor’s note: I’m posting this at nearly 11pm on May 16 because we lost our power for several hours here in Carmel. The “Mad for” streak lives for another day!!

As the month of May begins to draw to a close in the coming days, I find myself a little wistful.  Our time at St. Louis de Montfort School is drawing to a rapid end, and there are many folks who have been alongside us on that long and blessing filled journey as a family.  One such person is Megan Helmen.

Megan is an incredible wife and mother who is filled with the light of Christ.  She’s the mom to 5 really terrific young people who each strike me as sunny, productive and faithful souls just like their mama!  Her husband, Matt, is an equally terrific human. I first met Megan because of her oldest son, Jake, who by now would be a junior at Ball State.  He’s pictured above with his Mom, celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Jake went through SLDM with my son, Nick, and since both of us have been milling about the same parish campus the better part of the last two decades, it was hard to miss her bright smile and warm temperament.  She’s positive, forthright and full of integrity.

My memory is fuzzy about when Megan started working as a nurse at SLDM.  I do know that in her role she is BEYOND patient and compassionate.  She communicates well with parents in the case where her expertise is needed, but more than that she loves each of the students as if they were one of her own children.

School nurses are often overlooked or taken for granted.  Though their role is vital to the entire community, we can often simply forget to share our gratitude.  Megan is a woman who would waive off my concern about not properly thanking her for her efforts over the years, but the truth is that I have definitely blown it on this one.  This is a miss I truly regret because Megan is a woman with a heart like Our Blessed Mother.  She’s virtuous, faithful and kind…and she loves Jesus!  She’s a wonderful model of motherhood and an utter blessing to all in the St. Louis de Montfort school and parish community!

Megan, you are the REAL DEAL!  Your time, expertise, kindness and sunny smile have been such a delight over the past 16 years.  We are beyond grateful for the simple emails about bee stings, headaches, and playground bumps and bruises over the years. We see you following out that child with the stomach flu at mass. We know your work isn’t easy, nor is it glamorous.  More than that, though, I want you to know that your light-filled presence has been a Jesus sighting many times for me.  I so admire the positive energy and enthusiasm you have for life and it inspires desire for the same response in me…and many others!! THANK YOU, MEGAN FOR ALL YOU DO EACH DAY!!

Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come. (Henri Nouwen)

I’d like to introduce you to my godson, Alex Fritton. He’s pictured above with my husband, Tom (hereafter known as “the godfather”, ha?) in a photo from last summer in South Haven, Michigan. Alex is a Cathedral 2018 graduate and he’ll be a sophomore at Purdue next fall. He’s the middle son of Mike and Ann Fritton, and the sunny and handsome brother of Jack and Matthew.

Alex is one of the most genuine and outgoing young men around. He’s always wearing that winsome grin! He has a truly glorious smile that he shares with everyone in his path. He’s engaging, charming and very charismatic!

A former St. Luke Ram from the north side of Indianapolis, Alex was what I call an “All-Star Altar Server” during his years there. He’s a conscientious and faith-filled young man. As I recall, he made a trip to Italy with a group from the parish a couple years back, and I remember his thoughtful gift of lovely wooden rosaries from the adventure, which he gleefully shared with our entire family. His stories of engaging with the much older folks with whom he shared the trip were delightful and they only made him more lovable in my eyes. He told us he toted more than a few bags, but that Monseigneur warned the young guys on the trip “to not let themselves be bullied by those old people.” Alex just laughed as he shared the story.

He’s gifted with the little ones because he’s just a big kid himself and his nature is warm and thoughtful when interacting with others of all ages. He’s just plain fun to have around, a fact which has been the case since he was a tiny little guy hanging out with my boys. I haven’t had the chance to ask him how his first year of school went in Boilermaker country, but this kid bleeds black and gold, so I suspect it was a success.

Tomorrow, Alex turns 19 and this is the first time that I am actually A DAY AHEAD on birthday greetings! Let the festival begin! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX! I think you are a truly fantastic human who makes the world a sunnier place every single day, and I am so proud of the character filled young man I know you to be. You are my godson, and I want you to know that your name is permanently on my prayer list. Thank you for always making me smile! Boiler Up, kid!

“But the saints are never the kind of killjoy spinster aunts who go in for faultfinding and lack all sense of humor. For humor is a mysterious but unmistakable charism inseparable from Catholic faith…” (Hans Urs Von Balthasar)

Cold and gray while spitting rain was our reality today. That’s what mother nature provided us on this Monday after Mother’s Day. Still, it’s the month of Mary, and it’s springtime here in Indiana, and I’m just not quite done honoring moms. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Loub.

Like me, Carolyn is a mom of boys. Unless my memory is failing, I think she has four sons. I’ve known her for several years, but we’re not close friends. While she is a Guerin Catholic mom, that’s not how I met her. We met playing tennis. I’ve not had a racquet in my hand for many years, and it’s a little known fact…but I was in fact a tennis player at one time. I played in high school and then after I had the boys, I played for a few years in a women’s league. I feel like Carolyn once told me she hailed from the east coast, perhaps New Jersey? I could definitely be wrong because I might not be all the way there yet, but I definitely have “half-zeimers”.

I swiped this old photo of Carolyn (she’s on the right) with her mother and grandmother, from her Facebook page. She’s an incredibly beautiful woman, huh? My recollections of Carolyn from our tennis time together is that she was always incredibly kind and she was rarely seen without a smile. I’ve run into her a few times at GCHS and she always goes out of her way to be friendly, often filling me in on what is happening with the kids. She’s personable, sunny and bright!

Today, Carolyn added a little flavor to my gray day with her sense of humor. She posted this on social media.

“I just want everyone to know that although my husband and kids didn’t declare it on Facebook yesterday, I am the best mother in the world.”

I could not stop laughing. As the mom of boys and the wife of a really awesome man of few words myself, she touched my funny bone. She went on to explain, in jest, that she just thought she should set everyone straight because there were so many people saying that their wife or mother was the best!

When the sun seems to be hiding, and it’s soggy outside, and I’m digging for my warmest sweatshirt again, a gal just really appreciates a good giggle! It was a superb reminder to me that a sense of humor, a little smile, a tiny note…all those things can be a glimpse of Jesus for others on a gray day. Wherever we go, whatever we do, I propose we follow Carolyn’s lead. I think the Lord loves when we season the world with a dash of silly.

So, my kind, funny, character-filled friend….I thank you for the day brightener!! You are clearly an amazing mother, and a terrific, stunningly gorgeous human being. Thank you for the positivity you sprinkle around wherever you go! The world could use a lot more people like you!

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

It’s a little known fact by current SLDM families, but when Rhonda Irving first taught at our beloved school in Fishers, she began her time instructing much smaller children. Each of my three sons had her as a teacher during their time at SLDM, and the first was my oldest son, Nick– as a third grader! Rhonda had a job share with Shannon Hall and that’s when I got to know her. He’s a junior in college now, so I’ll let you figure out the math on how long that means she’s been at SLDM. She was a blessing to all three Thieme boys, and we are grateful.

Rhonda is a stunningly beautiful and always fashion forward woman. A mom of 3, she and her husband, Doug, have two sons and a daughter. Because her sons are the same ages as mine, I had the pleasure of watching her parent Andrew and Bret while they were students in the building at SLDM. Morgan tagged along and was always just as shiny as her mom. It seems fitting on this Mother’s Day weekend to honor a woman who loves with her whole heart. Her smile really can light up an area!

I have lots of memories of Mrs. Irving as a teacher over the years. Many of us with children in the SLDM Class of 2012 lovingly referred to her as “Dharma” after the old sitcom called “Dharma and Greg”. The character on the show was the child of parents who were hippies and it showed in her sunny, giggly and easy-going disposition as well as her fun attire and propensity to go barefoot and take life not so seriously. Rhonda always kept things fairly loose and did a great job of loving up all our kids– and she reminded us of the best qualities of that character with her “boho” style and sunniness I suppose.

In more recent years, I found myself smiling at many SLDM Honor Roll ceremonies as she wanted to celebrate every child’s accomplishments with a hug. For my german-stoic youngest kiddo, that hug from Mrs. Irving was always kind of a moment of silly awkwardness. She knew he wasn’t super comfortable hugging, and he knew she was going to do it anyway…and secretly he wanted that love and affirmation. I saved a few photos of those moments just so I wouldn’t forget how she makes me grin. The fact is, she knows her students and their little quirks. Teachers like that who care about each individual kiddo are truly a gift.

Rhonda is a woman who chooses to love others. Sometimes it’s easy, and sometimes it is a stretch…but she honors others in her path with kindness and her gorgeous smile and I have always, always respected that about her.

Thank you, Rhonda, for all you have done for the Thieme family over the years. We wish you and your beautiful family health and every happiness. We’ll miss you as we exit SLDM! Happy Mother’s Day to you! You’re a great teacher and a fantastic mom we’ve been so blessed to encounter over these many years!

Your eyes saw me unformed; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be. (Psalm 139: 16)

Wise, courageous, and dignified, my friend Shannon Wenninger is the mother to two grown children, Lily and Emma. She’s also the wife of a pretty solid guy named Lee as well as a Northwestern grad. She’s a big smarty-pants and a cherished friend.

Shannon’s got an amazing story. Her life is a very full and sometimes even chaotic one. Juggling her job responsibilities, her Fishers-based business, motherhood and marriage cannot be an easy task. However, she’s faithful, wicked smart, and the owner of a delicious, self-deprecating sense of humor… and with those tricks in her bag, she marches on! There’s much to admire about Shannon, but as we make our way through the month of May, I’d be remiss if I didn’t let her know that it’s her fierce and unconditional love of her daughters that shines brightest for me. It’s a love so beautiful that in her sharing about the qualities and characteristics of each of her children that makes them truly shine in her heart and mind, I hear the kind of grace and joyfulness that only a woman filled with Christ can contain.

She’s talented, positive, and the owner of a remarkable work ethic. Her emotional intelligence is off the charts and her success isn’t about luck at all. Shannon’s just flat out a badass. If you’re fortunate enough to have her in your life, consider yourself the lucky one. I know I do. She’s an affirming, authentic woman and a genuine friend I utterly treasure.

I like the little scripture quote above because the implication there is that the Lord is in charge of our lives, from the very beginning to the utter end. I’m grateful to Shannon who’s witness of perseverance and goodness have taught me that when we trust our story to the One who wrote it, then wherever we might be right now, the Author who is Love itself will provide the happy ending.

Thank you, Shannon, for sharing with me a little piece of your beautiful heart. I love you, my friend.

There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. –St. Thomas Aquinas.

There is no substitute for hard work. –Thomas A. Edison

Typically, I don’t write about folks from the same family in such close proximity to one another, but the family I have focused on this week seems to celebrate just a plethora of birthdays in the month of May! The above photo I featured just a couple of days ago, on the occasion of Alli Andriole’s “Sweet 16”. Today, I want to honor her older brother, Nick, who is pictured at left, because today is his 21st birthday! Happy Birthday, Nick Pat!!

Nicholas Patrick Andriole, who I affectionately call “Nick Pat” is older brother to Jake and Alli and the son of Rich and Janet. When he was in grade school, he and my son, who is also named Nick, became the best of friends. They spent countless hours together…and his mom declared fairly early on that she refused to call her own son by his last name. So, to differentiate between the two, she informed us all that they would be henceforth referred to as “Nick Pat” and Nick Fred”. It stuck. To this day, that’s how I usually refer to both of them!

Nick Pat is a amazing young man who is filled with compassion for others. The good Lord also graced him with an extra large helping of integrity. HOWEVER, this handsome young man has one quality which defines him for me. He is THE HARDEST WORKER EVER. This kid’s work ethic puts the rest of us to shame. He’s humble, unassuming and with not a shred of the scourge of entitlement with which many young people seem to be afflicted.

Despite the adversity of learning challenges stemming from his dyslexia diagnosis in grade school, this kid continued to achieve both academically and athletically. He’s a talented baseball player who attends the University of Dayton. I don’t know exactly what he plans to do with his degree when he finishes it up next year, but he would make an incredible teacher and coach to young people. I read a great quote this week, which was attributed to Rick Warren who said, “Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.” I absolutely adore the uplifting message and believe with all my heart that Nick Pat will spend his life in service to the Lord by witnessing to young people in some capacity and reaching many who need to see the loveliness of his example. His strength of character, as well as his own experiences in the classroom and on the ball field will be a beacon of light for others. That’s how it’s going to go down, I’m not even a little unsure.

This young man is strong, loyal and he is a gentleman. He’s faithful, integrity-filled and unflinchingly honest. As he continues to mature, his positive “can-do” attitude and stunning work ethic will take him far. Young man, I am speaking for the entire Thieme clan when I say that we wish you nothing but success and happiness. Your enthusiasm and sunshine have long been a blessing to me personally and to my entire family. We love you, Nick Pat! Happy 21st Birthday, kid. Stop in for a hug when you get home, okay? The drinks are on the house!!

Out of all the people on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession. (Deut. 14:2)

When Connor and Zach were getting close to school age, I had a rather heated conversation with his mom, Shannon. You see, Con is only three weeks older than my youngest son. Shan was super annoyed that I decided to wait a year and send Zach the fall AFTER Con. She wanted to “force” them to be friends so we could sit beside each other at all their school and sporting events. I told her I felt pretty darn confident she was going to have NO PROBLEM making love connections with all kinds of SLDM parents and that any son of hers would not struggle in the friend department. She looked at me with that twinkle in her eye and said, “Sweet talk works with me, but I am still super bugged, Shelly Thieme!!”

From the first time I met him, there was one thing about Connor that stood out. Good golly that kid was fast! He could run up and down the hallway at school, or around “Mom Mom” and “Pop Pop’s” pool deck like a speed demon and it definitely transferred to the ball field! Con and Z ended up playing several seasons of summer baseball together and it didn’t take long for anyone to figure out that if the kid made it on base, he was going to score a run. If the 3rd base coach didn’t tell him to steal, there was always still a better than even chance he was going to do it anyway. It gave me great joy to watch him frustrate every opposing coach with his quickness.

Con is a caring brother to 4 younger siblings, with whom he is pictured above. He’s a hard worker and a good and loyal friend to many. When he gives away a smile, it’s a treasure, and he means it. He is cherished by many, a thing which can be hard to remember when you are a high school freshman…because it’s a low man on the totem pole kind of year. I hope you know, Con, that even if your computer dies or your day was completely crummy, or the seniors are being putzes to the underclassmen…there are just endless numbers of people who love you and care about you so very much with no strings attached.

I admire the way you scoop up “the littles” and how much you care about them and your entire family. I don’t really understand the Auburn thing, but I think it’s super cool that you are passionate about your team and you feel confident enough to just do you and love on those Tigers and that you don’t seem to need anyone to give you permission or join in. You are just an incredibly gifted, unique and special baseball loving young man. Your strength of character and authenticity make you shine.

I’m two days late on your birthday, but like I told Alli, I believe in the “festival” approach to birthdays and I always try to make them last a little longer than maybe other people. So, HAPPY 15TH BIRTHDAY Connor Hall from all the Thieme family! We think you are the real deal!

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. (Psalm 26:2)

Sassy and utterly beautiful, Alli is a free spirit who is celebrating her 16th birthday this week! She’s the only daughter and youngest child of Rich and Janet Andriole– and little sister to Nick and Jacob. She’s pictured with them, above. I’ve known her for most of her life, and I have always considered her presence a blessing to me and to our entire family.

Allison has a smart, sarcastic sense of humor that makes me cackle. She’s direct and utterly forthright. She’s outspoken and filled with strength and passion. I always admire the work of the Lord when I think of Alli because the Master Gardener certainly created something truly special in this young lady. She’s at that age where she’s really on the verge of blooming into a woman that will, I predict, be fierce, loyal and an amazing ray of sunshine. She’s already a huge blessing in the lives of her parents, siblings and her many young cousins.

I’ll be honest, Alli reminds me of her mother. She has the same sunny face and eyes that twinkle. Determination is the name of her game. She’s the kind of person, even when she makes a mistake, who knows it’s not time to give up or give in….it’s time to let her character be seen, to dig in. I admire that perseverance and have often thought I could use another dose of the same in my own life.

During a large part of their formative years, Alli and my youngest son Zach spent a lot of time being “forced friends”. Her older brothers are a perfect match for my older two and when the families spent time hanging out, the two youngest had each other or no one. Alli never complained about being saddled with a little boy two years her junior. She was compassionate and cheerful, always concerned for Z’s well-being and making sure he was taken care of properly. To this day, they really do have a special bond, even though their visits are much more infrequent.

Silly grins that beam light into the room are a specialty of this young lady. I simply love the way she smiles, and whenever I encounter Allison, I always leave feeling that Jesus paid a visit to my day. I know your birthday was yesterday, sweet girl, but I believe in the “birthday festival” approach to celebration….so we are not quite done yet…hate your luck! I think you are the cat’s meow, Allison Andriole! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND SO MUCH LOVE, ALLI-CAT. (See what I did there….ha?!!) I hope your “SWEET 16” is the best year yet!