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It has rained all week thanks to Tropical Storm Andrea. Although the weather did threaten to send me into a complete and total funk yesterday, it has made for nice running weather (when it's not completely pouring).
Zuzu and Blackacre helping with laundry (Photo a la Jen)
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This is the first full week I've thrown myself into Bar studies and I have to say how impressed I have been with my ability to think when not pregnant and my husband's ability to hang with the baby and keep the house clean. Actually, I'm far more impressed by the latter than the former. He's making me look like something of a slouch, really...
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For the sake of TMI, my babe had a yeast diaper rash that I cleared up with Nystatin and then...came back as soon as I put her back in her cloth diapers (we used disposables while using the cream so that our CD wouldn't be ruined). I was perplexed and worried! Is cloth really inherently unsanitary? Is it bad for her? Uh, no. The yeast infection affected the diapers. So now I have to treat all of them too. Which involves things like turning up your hot water heater, using tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract or craziness like that.
Sigh.
great cloth diaper change (jen)
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Yesterday while nursing the babe, I discovered that there are large groups of people who hate on specific professional bloggers because they see them as disingenuous. Apparently, these people want to dismantle the image that some professional bloggers project - images of perfection, harmony in the home life, beautiful food, smiling children - and show that they are people just like everyone else. OR show that they aren't disclosing everything to the public; they're leaving some of the nasty bits out, or photoshopping out blemishes.
Which makes me wonder - do any of us really think that when reading some of the 'bigger' blogs, that we're seeing a completely realistic portrait of their life? Is there anyone that thinks that blogging, as much as it is voyeuristic fun, is completely realistic?
I can't speak for others, but I do not feel comfortable putting the real nitty-gritty out there. Arguments with my husband? Only if they're light-hearted. Issues with my family or friends? Heck no, that's disrespectful of their privacy. To say nothing of being unable to write truly about anyone's work, because those things have consequences.
Blogging under your real name means you have to make decisions about how much to let people see. I'm not sure why there are groups who take issue with that.
Photo by Jen...Zuzu loves her Boba
Photo by Jen...Zuzu loves her Boba
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Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart, which began with a vision to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in the town of Paray-le-Monial, in France. It has special meaning for me (and I'm sure Jen as well), because I visited it after my college graduation in 2007. We were doing a pilgrimage throughout all of France, but this town. I would move to this town if I ever had the chance to live abroad. As soon as we got off the bus, I could feel the town was different. Everything about it was pure and powerful; the chapels, the old Cluniac monastery that is still there - for anyone who thinks the faith in France is dead, this place is a vibrant example to the contrary. We participated in a beautiful Eucharistic procession there and were able to witness charismatic prayer in French, not to mention hundreds of outdoor confessions!
It was a blessed experience and I have no doubt that the devotion to the Sacred Heart could change the world.
Piknik'd picture of Ally, Jen, and I at the Eucharistic Procession in Paray-le-Monial
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If you have not yet heard, and you have a moment, please please pray for Dwija and her sweet child.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
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I am really interested in what traditions you and your family may have in terms of prayer, etc. I always read about various devotions/traditions Catholic families have, and I think "that's great! we should do that! we should do ALL OF THAT!" and then get overwhelmed and do nothing. So tell me - family altars, daily rosary, Bible reading at lunch? I'm all ears...er, eyes!
this is as far as we've gotten...we work on a skill and a virtue every week. But to be fair, we've stayed on the same skill for like a month....cause we are not so great at it.
We do nightly prayers (right now we are in the midst of a few novenas) and grace before meals. The kids have Bible and catechism learning as part of their school. That's pretty much it, other than talking about various feast days as they come up. I always would like to do more, so I'll be stalking your blog for more comments. :)
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