When I joined a new gym, I was given a questionnaire from the personal training department. Was I joining the gym to: lose weight, gain fitness, increase endurance for a specific sport, make friends, rehab an injury, manage stress? The statement underneath this question said “Participants who know their goals are more likely to stick with an exercise program.” I thought that this was great advice, and I have taken to applying it to other activities that I choose for... Read more
Hello everyone! I am shouting out from Baby Land here, and since my Pia has a special baby honing beacon on whatever I’m doing, I’m almost positive she’ll wake up early one paragraph into this post! I was thinking and praying about what to write about first over the past few days – first impressions and all that! – but really and truly all I kept coming back to is how much change has happened in my new little family... Read more
1. So I thought this was really interesting — More or less every week, a stranger informs me that I’m a “hero” for taking care of my kids while their mother, my wife, is at work making the money that we require to continue living in the manner to which we are accustomed. Never in my life has anyone put the word “hero” anywhere near my name, and at first I was delighted that all these people were so impressed... Read more
Big news here at Building Cathedrals! We are adding not one, but two new Builders! Today, I will introduce the first of those newbies — J! J is a new wife, a new mom, an excellent cook, a ballet dancer, a world traveler, and also one of the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful and calming people I know. She will begin posting next week. We can’t wait! Did you go to Princeton with the builders? I did! We have a few... Read more
Here is the current sign outside the United Methodist Church in our neighborhood: Make no mistake, this Methodist church is filled with activity during the weekdays. It houses our town’s Senior Center, food bank, and an impressive community theater (currently presenting: “Nunsense”), and it serves as the local headquarters for the Boy Scouts of America. In short, it’s a community center with a charming stone exterior. And now, the icing on the cake, it’s open on Sundays so you can... Read more
When it comes to laundry, I don’t let perfection become the enemy of the good, I just get it done. This means that I wash almost everything in cold water and I don’t separate or pretreat. I buy my boys plenty of cheap polo shirts, often at consignment, and gym shorts, and they look decent all summer with easy wash and wear clothes. I have them change out of nicer church clothes right after mass to avoid grass stains on... Read more
On nights when Dad is going to be out for dinner, the kids and I sometimes eat a “silly dinner,” aka breakfast foods at dinnertime. Our favorite combination is waffles, sausage, and fruit, and I have posted my go-to waffle recipe below. It serves up just enough waffles for one mom and three kids, and no syrup is required because the waffles are sweet enough on their own. Enjoy! Waffles 1 c. all-purpose flour 1/2 c. whole wheat flour 2... Read more
It has been a while since I have posted and well, we have been very busy. Mornings at the pool and theatre camp, evenings on the baseball field or soccer field, and afternoons full of reading and backyard play in our brand new backyard batting cage! (see below) I love the summer. My extroverted side loves the hot weather and days at the town pool socializing with neighbors. I love bare feet, the beach, frozen fancy drinks, and my vegetable... Read more
Draw always from Christ, the inexhaustible wellspring; strengthen your faith by attending to your spiritual formation, to personal and communitarian prayer, and to the liturgy. […] Advance with determination along the path of holiness; do not rest content with a mediocre Christian life, but let your affiliation serve as a stimulus, above all for you yourselves, to an ever greater love of Jesus Christ. -Pope Francis, Homily on May 5, 2013, at Mass on the Occasion of the Day of... Read more
I swore when I had kids, I wouldn’t push them into any sports or activities. I wanted them to follow their hearts and discover their passions on their own. Eight years into parenting, I’m realizing my approach, though well-intentioned, was a little off, at least concerning certain children of mine. My oldest, for example, is like a little birdie who would never learn to fly if it wasn’t for a gentle (or sometimes harder) push from mama. As a result of... Read more
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