Believe me, he wasn't smiling two seconds ago...

in fact, he was having a major meltdown. It was early in the evening, he was tired, he was hungry, and dinner was still fifteen minutes from being ready.

So, he planted himself at the table to wait...he was that hungry.

And the meltdown continued.

When I took out the camera to take a picture of all that five-year-old-end-of-the-day drama, he started laughing and couldn't stop.

Crying, laughing, crying, laughing, crying...tonight, early to bed.

Definitely.

Embracing Something New

Last year at this time I started a new tradition: instead of making a list of resolutions, I would pick one word to live by for the coming year. Last year's word was embrace.

I selected that word because I wanted to teach myself to embrace moments...to love a moment in the present without borrowing from the past or looking to the future. For me, it meant savoring a moment in real time.

After living with the word for a year, I learned that embracing a moment leaves no room for anxiety, or regret, or even stress.

This year, after a few days of soul searching, I finally selected a phrase that (and this is a little embarrassing) I heard in the Twilight sequel, New Moon: "Learn to love what's good for you."

Removed from the context of the movie, I realized that I could apply this to my life on so many different levels.

Physically, this means that every time I choose to walk, run, lift weights, or eat a healthy meal then I am loving what is good for me.

Emotionally, when I love, forgive, or show compassion, then I am loving what is good for me.

Spiritually, when I choose to find the time to pray, read something inspiring, or see the good in others then I am loving what is good for me.

Intellectually, when I appreciate a good book, listen to good music, or create something artistic then I am loving what is good for me.

So this year my goal is this: not simply learn to do what is good for me, but learn to love what is good for me.

It's an idea I think I'll embrace.

The year in review and a sneak peek ahead

January: I meet Nicholas Cage during a girls' weekend in Las Vegas.



February: Off with their heads



March: Five families celebrating the Feast of St. Joseph



April: the post that drew the most sympathetic comments.



May: something new that got old fast.



June: the most interesting visitor



July: confessions of an altar server.



August: the Mad Hatter Dinner Party



September: My baby goes to Kindergarten.



October: Nicholas receives the Sacrament of Confirmation.



November: food, food, and spaghetti in your face!



December: the Christmas miracle that brought Sister here for the holidays.



...and coming up in June 2010: A FAMILY TRIP TO ITALY!!

Don't you think I should get a free pair, or something?

So, I've been noticing a lot of traffic lately from people researching Dansko clogs . . . now I know why:

go here.

P.S. My Dansko shoe size is 39 (European size).

Finally...a compliment!

It began with a surprise email from my nephew, Christopher . . .

is this christopher...my nephew? are you emailing from your own computer, or something? or is this your own email account?

Yes it is your nephew. It is my own email account. I am emailing from my new iPod touch that I got for Christmas. I'll show it to you later when we get there. I might have to use your computer to charge it. May I?
From Christopher

well, well, well. a new iPod touch. i got an iPod, too. but it's just a regular one...not a touch and i can't send emails with it. BUT it is a pretty, bright orange. so, you may be able to email with yours...but i bet it isn't orange like mine.

and yes, if you're very, very, very nice to your favorite auntie...AND if you tell her that her new orange ipod is smashing...AND if you tell her that she looks very, very, very skinny...THEN i might let you charge your ipod on my computer.

I'm sure your iPod is charming! It is very very very very skinny!

not the ipod skinny...ME, ME....YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SAY I'M SKINNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok the iPod is skinny AND you are too.
Christopher

Me, shamelessly enjoying Christopher's compliment...and the fact that I asked for it doesn't matter whatsoever. I'll take a compliment any way I can get one.
:)

An Italian Christmas Carol

Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!

Blessings (and a Christmas carol) from our house to yours!

Tu Scendi dalle Stelle



Tu scendi dalle stelle
O Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo
E vieni in una grotta
Al freddo al gelo.

O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato!
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.
Ah, quanto ti costò
L’avermi amato.

A te che sei del mondo,
Il creatore,
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco,
O mio Signore.

Perfect for the Holidays: Food Fight!

Sometimes you come across something so inherently dumb. Something so silly that you do something truly ridiculous and buy the thing.

Case in point: Meet Alfredo.

Alfredo spins around on top of a plate of spaghetti. His tray, hat and apron are made of velcro.

Then, four pretend chefs vent their frustrations by using fork catapults to launch spaghetti and meatballs at the revolving Alfredo.

You get so many points if your meatball sticks to his tray, hat, or apron; but you get a gazillion points if you manage to land a meatball on his mustache.

Of course, some over-zealous launchers manage to catapult their meatballs right over Alfredo and into the face of the person (i.e. a brother) sitting opposite.

Spaghetti in your face . . . ahhhh. That's amore.