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Friday, December 27, 2013

this mom is moving... again!

Merry Christmas! It's the 3rd day of Christmas, and I hope you are still basking in the glow. We are in Maryland visiting family and getting ready to celebrate my brother's wedding! It has been a wonderful and busy week visiting family mostly and a few friends.

And when we return to Miami, we will be preparing for our next part of our journey, moving to the West coast of Florida. I am too tired at the moment to sound excited, even though I am. This will be a slower city, and we will have a different life. But I carry each place and the people I love there with me. Each move has molded us in different ways. My kids swing their hips latin-style when they dance, they understand Spanish pretty well, I've formed friendships with people all over the world that I admire. I look forward to seeing what this next move will bring.

Friday, November 29, 2013

squeeze them closed!


Hi friends! I hope those of you in the states had a marvelous Thanksgiving Feast yesterday. We were welcomed to share it with a friend's family since we couldn't make it back to DC. :)

All week long, I've been getting emails about sales SALES SALES!! It's in my face everywhere and disturbs my peace momentarily until I close out of my account. Instead, my husband and I have been fielding all sorts of mini fires with the kids pulling beds apart and the puppy AND deciding what traditions we want to really start living as a family, starting with this weekend.

What do we want our Christmas to be like? How do we begin the season of Advent ( a season of penance and waiting symbolized by the color purple on the Advent wreath with a little rose candle thrown in on the 15th to celebrate that Jesus is really coming soon, both at Christmas and at the end times.. a cause of joy. Sorry for the details, but it is a big part of my life that some of you may not celebrate so I can't throw the word out there without explaining it a little!)? With a big bang jumping right into decorating everything? Or quietly with no decorations at all until we get a little closer?

We've tried various approaches in the past. And with the firm belief that what we are surrounded by affects our internalization of life's events, we have come up with a bit of a mixed bag. We are going shopping for the kids whose parents' are in prison that our parish supports today. Our tree is up and lit, but not decorated. We'll have the nativity up without baby Jesus so the kids can "play/pray," a very montessori approach. I need to get a new Advent wreath so that we count down to Christmas each Sunday. And of course we have our Calendar count down made by Grandma. :) We'll do our full-fledged decorating on the 15th (rose candle Sunday).

Enjoy the season and I hope it gets you ready for the coming of Jesus- in our world, homes, and most especially, in our hearts.
image:allposters.com












Friday, November 22, 2013

welcome


I don't like to pick up around the house. It shows. Don't judge ;). And I've given myself plenty of reasons not to lately! But as I look at my kids' rooms, I see that they are indeed learning from me. It's just not what I want them to be learning. :) As I think about my weekend and wanting friends to stop by, I cringe looking around the house after a week of projects coming and going and a very full life and schedule. So I set to work.

And I was inspired to write.

One of the things I want is for people to walk into my house and know they are welcome in tangible and intangible ways. Some people have that way about them and you can just feel it. It takes a good measure of work to keep things up, graciousness in serving, and ease about the things you own (which can be hard when we have little kids who can break anything at any minute). It's not probable to have all of these talents naturally combined into one person unless one grows up in this kind of culture. But it can be done as I've been so fortunate to have experienced. So as I thought again about my home, I thought about my kids and husband who will come home and who might come over. This (above) tells anyone walking in that I'm ready for you. I can't think of a better thing to have on my table on a daily basis. If that alone inspires me to pick up, it is enough!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

babyface

How is the mission seeking, my friends? I have gone missing! Not really, but we are expecting #4 sometime next summer! And I haven't been feeling good.

But how do I feel about it? GREAT, of course. Because we all know that in this age and culture, you don't go for four unless you want to. I see this child as nothing less than a blessing, making our home even more full of life, love and laughter. With the characters we have around here, this picture I found seemed appropriate!
(image: baby-connect.com)

So more to add to my blog topics: baby fun! Have a wonderful Sunday.


Saturday, October 26, 2013

your mission

You know, the one that you feel compelled to do. The one that you and you alone can accomplish.
Do you know what it is? Because you have one.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I ( hesitatingly on my part, I'll admit) went to hear Alexandre Havard on what he has coined Virtuous Leadership and is in fact, the title of his book. I've seen him at a cocktail party thrown in his honor and very much enjoyed what he had to say. But I thought I had the jist and didn't need to hear more. ;)

We left that evening with some profound hope and questions. And here is what he had to impart which lead us to these:
Magnanimity is the virtue of a big heart, a great heart. It is the one great men and women have. It requires the other human virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance ( see Pieper's The Four Cardinal Virtues ), but in a sense, it is bigger than these. Because it is what drives a person in their life to be prudent, just, fortuitous (brave and enduring) and temperate with joy. It requires that one know their God-given talents which are personal and seeing the needs of our time. These of course take time, reflection, practice and feedback. When these collide, a mission is born that drives one the rest of your life in bringing your contribution to humanity. One is in a sense, doing what one was born to do.
Happy Mission, my friends!
image- dcbarroco.wordpress.com






Saturday, October 19, 2013

hero

Her husband drops her off early in the morning. She has full make-up on, and a ready smile if she sees me. We meet each other throughout our day here and there; at the park, on the sidewalks, in the elevators, me with my kids, she with the kids she cares for. She always smiles, finds what you are doing interesting, has watchful eyes and takes loving care of the kids she watches. She leaves in the evening, a bit worn, but the freshly lipsticked smile hides it well to the undiscerning eye. I wish she wouldn't call me "Senora."

I have no doubt that this woman doesn't go straight to bed when she gets home. She has something funny to share with her family, she takes joy in the "rest" that the evening brings. And yet she has her own work to do in her own home, and her own family to feed.

She is my hero. I just hope that my Spanish gets good enough one day to convey the depths of my gratitude to one who lives her life so simply well, and very much under the radar unless you care to notice.
(image:cpga.com)

Friday, October 18, 2013

you're trusted

It's so easy to get discouraged. There are so many things each of us is responsible for. Even children have many obligations on them, and not just from school. They are a sibling to someone, either big or little. Part of their character is formed by mere fact of where they are placed within the family. But it is all meant to be that way. And it is good.

We are where we are because God knows we can do it. He trusts each of us to be the parents our specific children need us to be. And he trusts our children in their roles and responsibilities. Isn't it a breath of fresh air to see life as a trusted opportunity rather than a rat race?

And we can count on His help... have a great day...





Tuesday, September 24, 2013

breakfast dates

I used to love hotel breakfasts. There is something so charming about them, even if they don't have the best food in town. It is so much nicer than a diner breakfast, although I go for those on occasion as well. There is something about starting your day off right with the one you love.

This morning, my husband surprised me while I was dropping of the last of our children at school and said, lets get some coffee. No babysitter needed. No puppy needing to go out. I was hungry and most importantly, I wasn't exhausted from the day ( key!).

I love breakfast dates. They are more romantic than evening ones because they are more real. And isn't that what made you love that guy so much in the first place? No more pretending.

I hope you get one soon!
(image: balita.com)

Sunday, September 15, 2013

celebrate!

I love to celebrate things in life, like birthdays, babies, marriage, or a milestone. I love it even more since moving, because I'm living amongst celebratory people. People who like to hug, teachers who say they love me ( what? in the USA? haha) and love my kids, people who meet with their friends and their families on the beach to toast their birthday.

When I was in DC over the summer, we celebrated my brother and sis-in-law's third baby. There is so much attention to the first baby as their ought to be, but why not celebrate each? It can be as simple as a few friends for coffee and pastries. My sis-in-law is one of eight kids, so to do it right and with a time limitation on my part, we went to a local coffee shop/restaurant and celebrated one evening. They never find out the baby's sex so after finding some styrofoam carrots after Easter on sale, the wheels in my head started turning toward Peter Rabbit. And it all came together so nicely.





I don't like spending money when I can be creative, so we used these blue and white checkered napkins with a few "carrots" strewn on the little tables along with one of the collection of Beatrix Potter books my mom saved from my childhood. As we were walking out of the door of my parents' house, I grabbed a rake, some boots, a gardening pot, and my mom even found this scarecrow that I put a blue "jacket" on. I won't walk you through the story, but I went a little nuts. ;) Even if everyone didn't know the story as well as I did, it's what made me have fun with it besides the joy it gave to my sis-in-law! If our attitude is bent toward putting on personal touches rather than on impressing people, it is more relaxed and people can really enjoy themselves, and isn't that what it is really all about?

Have a great Sunday, and start planning the next celebration whether it is little or big with your spouse, your kids, your family or friends!!!

Saturday, September 7, 2013

stress!

How do you deal with it? Work out? Pray? Shop;)? I do all of these. I wish I didn't stress at all, but, it's a part of each of our lives as long as we are human! Another thing that I go to is music. For those of you that have tuned in only recently, I have a musical background in that I studied and practiced Classical piano for 12 years, my entire childhood. So hearing and listening to good music has become part of me and a way for me to enter into art and get outside of myself. As my ballerina friend put it, it's a major part of my life that I have to nurture. So today, I was in the car by myself for about 30 minutes and put a song on a few times that literally became a massage to my ears and thus, my soul! There is something about Natasha Bedingfield's voice and the way she hits the higher notes that really realize beauty in a pure form. She is the girl of the hour for me. Check out Neon Lights as well. Great stuff! Also, I don't listen to the song around the kids because she uses the b***h word twice.

Happy Listening!

Monday, September 2, 2013

getting down with our homemaker selves

Being a homemaker is not exactly prestigious. There, I said it. But I find it so hilarious that some of the most popular magazines out there are for homemaking, for example, Real Simple and Martha Stewart Living, and all of those food magazines, including the one for foodies, Food and Wine. Other magazines focus on women being beautiful and coveted in an age where we are supposed to deny that we need men at all.. for anything! It's all so confusing, is it not? And hilarious.

So, let's stop pretending; we care about it all. We want our homes beautiful and organized ( even when it is logically impossible;), we want to cook and bake delicious food for ourselves and others, we want to look our best, and yes, we want our husband's attention. 

A few decades ago women went into the workforce to show they could do it all. Let's get back into our homes, even if we have work that takes us out of it, and be proud of every part of our lives as women.
(huffingtonpost.com)

Saturday, August 31, 2013

surrounded with elegance

There are certain things I have learned living in the "capital of Latin America" ( aka Miami). There are certain outfits people get away with as normal here that would be tacky ( to put it politely) pretty much anywhere else in the world. There is also a level of elegance here I have never seen on such a large scale, and this has nothing to do with individual style. I have learned that there is a big difference between throwing on a t-shirt and shorts, my usual uniform, and this:
(image:chicisimo.com)
And that if there is time for nothing else, lipstick and earrings are the least one can do. I love the natural look, but I like being polished even more!
(image: glamour.com)

Friday, August 23, 2013

animalia


So we took the leap this week and adopted our first dog! :) I can't tell you how great it has been for the kids, including the early and late walks. They love her, she's clearly grateful for a loving home, and so here we are! Before taking the plunge I called my parents and asked them how they committed all of those years to having a dog(s). I knew it was going to be a lot of work, and I didn't want to regret it. Its funny how as you grow older, you see the value of commitment and what it really takes. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for the good example ( on so many levels)! ;)

Monday, August 12, 2013


I know it may be redundant in the blogosphere to repeat a theme, and I have more I want to write about, but for some reason, the beauty of nature is fitting my mood. And so this is what gets put out there! 



Growing up we had a tree with leaves similar to this one. Today I was at the park with the kids when I looked up and wished I could capture the breathy, whisper-like bliss above me. It's a reminder of nature's ability to speak wonders. All of our feelings and moods, longings and hopes are reflected in nature. Just this week, we caught an almost entire rainbow arc across the ocean. It had just rained on us, and something about Miami to know is that the weather patterns are very diverse. The sky is so huge that you can see a storm miles away and sunny skies right next door.

Rainbow over the ocean
( source: flickriver.com)

Tornado-national-geographic-6968506-1280-1024
(image: cfni.org)




I hope you are having the last sort of day! 

Saturday, August 3, 2013

mother nature


(image:soapandrestless.blogspot.com)

Today we went biking through a part that has many a peacock. I've seen them frequently since moving down here, but it was only today when my daughter found a feather that I took a closer look. Every single feather has many colors to it in an ombre pattern, and these colors "happen" to coincide with the larger pattern going around it at exactly the right moment. It is as if someone did this on a loom with painstaking effort. 

And I immediately thought of God as Father. If He gives such attention to the details of a bird's feather that it happens to grow this way automatically, how much more to each of us? 

There are a lot of changes at this time of year. Summer is ending and children are getting restless, school will be starting with new teachers and classmates and tests of virtue and intellect. I will add that I find school much more difficult on this side of the line as far as my role goes than when I went through it myself or taught! As mothers we teach patience, perseverance, planning, order, diligence in the proper measure according to each child.. to name a few! And that is just dealing with the relationship between each child and their work, let alone their relationships with teachers and classmates! You get me. 

But I will put my trust where it belongs. If this feather can be so carefully made, we are lucky to have such a Creator.

Have a wonderful weekend!











Wednesday, July 24, 2013

who knew?

So, Mexicans don't put chicken in their quesadillas. They put ham with the cheese. Who knew!?! Certainly not I. In fact, when I went to a friend's house who is Mexican and she served ham and cheese quesadillas, I thought, " well this is interesting! This musn't be Mexican." ;) HAHAHA!

Ham and Cheese Quesadillas

(image: www.realsimple.com)

But it is delicious, (especially with corn tortillas, but that is my preference. I don't know how Mexican it is. I know they use the tostadas which are made from corn. ) and they actually eat them a lot. It is an amazing breakfast option for kids! Who also knew that Mexico City has amazing pastries that rival those of France? It makes me want to go. That, and every Mexican I know I like. It must be a wonderful place when such wonderful, warm people come from there.

Another interesting food combination: chicken salad made with potatoes and hard boiled eggs and olives, garnished with avocado rather than a green salad. But, that is Peruvian.

There is a mom and pop "restaurant" around the corner that makes fried plantains that I crave as well as some amazing guava and cheese pastries.

I love living in a place that has representatives from various latin countries. They are all so unique. My kids have started using "pero" and "hay!" as a part of their regular vocabulary. Some of my youngest's friends only speak in Spanish to him. Life sure has some amazing twists!

Have a great day!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

jane does it again





(image: amazon.com)

I thought I knew Jane's life, but picking up Persuasion last night, I read her little biography again and discovered a treasure; she published her first book, Sense and Sensibility, at her own expense! This little nugget proved to sink deeply.

I had a book I thought ready for publishing, and the publisher disagreed. I balked and sought advice from friends, and waited for the "winds to change" ( sorry for the Mary Poppins allusion! We watched some of it last night;). And this morning, I found new inspiration once again. Could it be I have someone praying for me named Jane? 

Thanks again, Jane!









Saturday, July 13, 2013

my maryland

Visiting friends and family and my home state was wonderful, if short. Maryland has gotten so built up that the towns have become absorbed into one large suburb. The drive from my in-laws in Ellicott City ( a beautiful little historic town) to my parents house in Montgomery County has remained untouched and oh so gorgeous in a lush, hushed sort of way.






Quite something. And we squeezed in a visit to a farm to pick some warm and plump blueberries!


When two worlds collide, it is quite an enriching experience!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

movie reviews










I most recently saw man of steel and totally recommend it for its many qualities and yes, depth! 

But there is a more worthy movie my husband and I recently watched. The retake on the 3:10 to Yuma blew me away. Not only was the acting by Christian Bale and Russel Crow impeccable, it explores the age old question of power and lasting influence. It also explores true friendship and example and the power it has to shape and even change man. I have a great love for this movie, as much as I would for a novel by Tolstoy. It enriches long after the credits run. 

( there is one scene I fast-forwarded)

The kids and I recently saw cloudy with a chance of meatballs. It, too, was terrrific! 

Happy movie watching!

(image: funhug.com)

Monday, July 8, 2013

i wish i was a little bit taller..

I couldn't resist the throwback to a song of my youth. A silly song.

So, I thought I would share with you some of my daydreams, my "wishes!"

If I was having the perfect day, I would be wearing this:



My office would look like this, complete with lots of light and that inspiration board for home decorating and party throwing:



If I wanted to be Ms. Sophistication, I would wear this:

I would drink coffee from one of these:



If I was staying at the perfect hotel, my room would look like this:

And my breakfast nook would be a mini library like this:


Have a wonderful day! Sorry for the sideways action. I am so ignorant. ;)

Saturday, July 6, 2013

happiness is

finding the right balance!

























I've posted pics of my house before, and this is tiny but it gives you the right feel. It doesn't include the plethora of green outside the window right next to the table that is totally wild and tropical. BUT, I finally found a happy place with these colors and this style. Less you think I ran out and bought a bunch of new things ( which sometimes needs to be done and I'm not judging that), most of it was put together and that mirror? MARSHALLS! Its my favorite down here!

I know many of us struggle with our homes when we have little ones running about like Braveheart. We want it liveable, but we want it beautiful, and it can and should be both! It's our haven, the place we feel most ourselves and bring others to take part in our lives. It doesn't look like this for long, but it CAN. :)

Have a terrific day!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

happy fourth in the USA





(image: www.tripadvisor.com)

Today we are doing very simple things: going to a parade, getting food from food vendors, swimming and eating with friends, and then later, walking to the beach to watch the fireworks set off over the ocean. It is one of our favorite days of the year in Florida.

It is also one that is easy to enjoy superficially, like any major holiday. What am I thinking of today? I am grateful for all of the blessings and freedom we have in the USA when I look at the world and see the lack of stability either social or economic, corruption where there should be leadership. I am not blind to the problems existing in my own country and pray for it.

So today, lets do our part to change our countries in time for the better.

"All laws and rules of conduct may ( should) be reduced to a single one: to truth." - Goethe ( should is added by me)

And what is truth? St. Thomas Aquinas understands "truth" as the "unveiling and revelation of reality." (Joseph Pieper, emphasis added by me)
And what is reality? That takes a whole lot of thinking about the "objective reality of being." (Pieper)

Have a wonderful day, friends!


Friday, June 21, 2013

country road, take me home!










I actually grew up on the road that inspired this song! We are headed back to DC for a bit, and all of us are very excited for all of those small things that make the grandparents houses so magical and the reunions of old friends and family. There are a few spots I am dying to hit:

Fancy Cakes by Leslie in Bethesda for some eye candy ( her cakes are impossible!), a chocolate
ganache cake pop AND a cupcake- they are so good they are worth the splurge!

A real bagel shop

Kae Robin to window shop

An espresso at Dolcezza in Bethesda Row

I have another post I need my husband to help me with because I can't get the pictures right, so you'll hear from me while away!

Bon voyage!


(image:sweetandweak.com)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

what is love?




Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more.. I'm sorry! It is a deep topic and one that can use a little lightening up a bit. 

So back to our questions now that we had a little discussion to put us on the same page. 

I am currently reading blessed JPII's  on the original unity of man and woman. If you haven't done so, I highly recommend it! There are so many poetic ideas that are entirely practical, a beautiful union!( Hehe pun unintended. ) Stretching our minds back to the beginning, the creation of man and woman as not only complimentary in every way, but as necessary to obviate that loneliness and therefore, lack of good that was present when only one existed. There are so many parts to this beautiful notion that he takes many months to expound on them. But one key idea is that idea of companionship, a true seeing with the heart, which is trickier now because we each carry our own tendencies and prejudices including a bias toward our own view, whether or not it is the best one, or in other words, pride. It just kills communication. sigh

Does this marital companionship mean anything? Of course it does. It means the world to an individual, and that is a very great good. But supported and challenged people are able to do the same, for their children, co-workers, and friends. This impacts a small corner of the world, making it a little brighter. 

But it won't if the essence of marriage isn't understood or the goal of a marriage only reaches to having fun together. 

We are given the opportunity, and it is possible, however lumpy and lopsided the road travelled appears, to not only "till the earth" together in marriage,  but improve ourselves in the meantime by helping each other to grow. And need I mention there is much to be done!?

Have a wonderful day!

Friday, June 14, 2013

what is marriage?




Is it anything at all? Does it mean anything or produce anything in particular? Is it better for you as a person? Does it benefit society as a whole? Do we care?

Lets back the truck up to Descartes. I am no trained philosopher, I am married to one. But I did some basic studying which I think I mentioned significantly changed my life. The point is I tinker, or rather, my thoughts wander into this realm of understanding now and again. 

I realize I am treading tricky ground. Because now I mention understanding, as if there are things that are what they are, and not as I wish them to be. It's called essence in philosophy. I am not making this all up. 

So why digress into philosophy when I throw so many questions onto the table? Ah ha! You are following me! Our understanding of marriage goes hand in hand with our trained view of the world. Some may resist and say they have their own thoughts, but it simply isn't true, my friend. You see, if one thinks that way, that there are no essences, that nothing is anything except what you want it to be, it is because of our friend I mentioned in the beginning, Descartes. His most remembered idea that influenced all of western culture, trickling down until it filled the entire ocean, is cogito ergo sum, that is, I think, therefore I am. Meaning, I only know I exist because I am thinking, not because of anything else. This forever changed the way modern man grasped his world. We no longer grow up thinking we are a part of something that already has its rhymes and rhythms, but are completely separated from it and exist independently from it.

I am sorry, I had to go here to get to where we are going in this little conversation today, and so early in the morning! Ha ha!

To be continued....

Thursday, June 13, 2013

summer schedule

hello my friends!

Summer is officially here as far as school being out. We had a wonderful visit from my friend Michelle from DC!

Already, the mayhem of my house has been felt. Which leads me to the idea of a summer schedule. Do you have one? Well, I have been anti-summer scheduling for a long time, but the willy nilly approach just isn't healthy for my kids. So, after some trial and error, the kids are going to go through their workbook pages they didn't do during the school year for review and write ( those that can) about the day, weekend, or a book they read. Then, off to burn off some energy!

The morning is the most important part of the day because it sets the tone, don't you agree? It seems like building up these habits will make for happier kids and mommy through the summer's end!

Have a wonderful day!

Saturday, June 1, 2013

unusual encounters





"Don't say that person bothers me, say, that person sanctifies me." paraphrase of St. Josemaria

I understood this only in part the first few years I encountered it.
Yes, years. Because it comes to mind quite frequently, almost daily.
Some people come into our lives and we are baffled by them.
We don't operate in the same way, we don't play by the same
rules. They can't be bent and what is worse, don't want to be.
It can seem as if swords are drawn and any moment can bring
a mighty clash full of the all-too human elements of pride,
anger, and resentment.
And yet, Human interactions are what save us. The good ones come
as pure beauty into our lives and shed a light that make us reach higher
 and breathe deeper. But what we call the bad ones may even be more
 beneficial and give us cause to be grateful if we let them. These
interactions make us work a little harder. We have to examine our intentions
 behind our actions and thoughts. Are they just or are they mere pride? We
have to moderate our impulses and perhaps go against the grain. Jesus said,
"love your enemies." When we try to do this rather than simply "wishing them
well" which is justice but not love, or charity if you prefer, these enemies can
become the friend who made us into our better selves.
Have a great weekend! I wish I had more time to write and edit, but I know
you are generous with me! If I had more time, I wouldn't have anything to say.

(image: allthingswriting.blogspot.com)

Saturday, May 25, 2013

silence is golden



(image: countryliving.com)
Through silence, the ideas we assimilate and the words
we hear, read, and speak gain meaning. They gain in
weight, accuracy, and truth. It is only in silence that one
is able to know what one thinks and so believe to be true.

There are so many different ideas presented to us in life,
even on a daily basis. How do we sift through these
impressions without silence?  Do we even make an effort
to maintain it? Do we foster this practice in our children,
one of the greatest gifts we can give them? Habitual
periods of silence does nothing short of help one
understand life, choose a course, and stay on it. There is
nothing wrong with a little quiet time.

Silence.. Thoughts... Words....Understanding..... Growth.

Silence is golden. 
Have a great day!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

barometer

It's funny. We know how to tell when we are sick, or when our kids are sick. Something is off in our bodies, either our temperature, our heads, our muscles, our joints, our energy...

But there are so many things for which we do not know the norm. For example, what is the normal level of stress under certain circumstances? Should we only measure against ourselves or should we measure it against others in similar circumstances? And then, what do we do about it?

Similarly, we are often not good judges of behavior. Sometimes we look at others and judge their actions based on our own upbringing. But perhaps they have not have anywhere near the upbringing we have had, so they don't even have what we have as a frame of reference. And besides, who is to say what is the right frame of reference?

Here we are getting somewhere, at least in the behavioral sphere. (By the way, all of this is prompted by the gatherings after my daughter's First Communion, which was, by the way, very special!! :) So many times conversations can turn toward evaluating another's behavior. And it makes me think of what is the standard and how do we determine it? I think about growing up and it is funny because in America, we do not like the word "formation," as if we are "forming" our children or that we ourselves have been "formed." There is no common usage of the term and I have the strong suspicion that if I used it commonly, it would cause a sort of repulsion in others. We are more comfortable with "upbringing," but it only suggests manners and not the deeper parts of humanity that touch the heart, the things that are most important. What a poverty this is! And truth be told, I don't believe that most people are raising kids with the idea of "forming" them through and through. It's not a concept commonly understood which seems ludicrous, but I believe it is the case.

So if we want to be "forming" our children, what is our frame of reference? Virtue. It all goes back to this. And why is forming so much more important than upbringing? Upbringing only takes us so far and leads us to be judgemental of others without  this so-called upbringing. Whereas a more thorough understanding of human nature, both our own in particular and more generally speaking, will help us to transcend mere externals and read the heart and see people for who they are as well as to have more compassion.

Have a terrific Sunday! Please pray for my son and his team of doctors tomorrow morning as he gets his tonsils and adenoids removed!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013













What I would be wearing in DC this time of year:











(image: fabyoubliss.com)

What I sport in Miami in the summer:


(images: ahaisshopping.com, salesalertshopping.com)

































And what would work in either? 
(image: onepartgypsyblog.com)