I’m reporting in again on my 2025 goals I shared back in January. If you’ve been reading this blog for a bit you may recall that I promised to check in with you quarterly to give an update On how I’ve been doing. I have three main goals for the year, and spoiler alert - I’m doing great on one, meh on the next, and a complete fail on the last. You can stop reading now if you want! But if you like all the details, the scoop and whatnot, then keep reading.

It feels like I've been incredibly lucky lately, having many amazing opportunities come my way. Sometimes it almost seems unfair, and definitely more than I deserve! But these experiences have also been a powerful reminder: whenever it feels like there isn't enough room for everyone, or not enough good things to go around, that's simply not true.

Have you ever wondered why people act the way they do? Sometimes folks do things that seem totally unnecessary, or incredibly kind, or even flat-out baffling. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and while I certainly don't have all the answers, I do know one thing: people give what they have to give.

Ever notice how some things just are? Like a cat's uncanny ability to know the exact moment you're trying to make the bed, only to immediately claim it as their own fluffy throne? Or how a toddler, seemingly engrossed in independent play, suddenly develops an urgent, life-or-death need the second you answer a phone call? These aren't just quirky coincidences; they hint at a deeper truth about knowing their human or parent from hours of observation and study.

It seems like lately, I’ve been getting messages about disagreements and tense conversations!

Recently, I was reminded that the Netflix movie The Two Popes is a masterclass in respectful disagreement, so I watched it again that night. Then, I came across another mention in David Novak's book, How Leaders Learn. Novak points out that silence can often signal disagreement, especially when someone doesn't feel comfortable voicing their opinion.

Imagine this: billions of us, walking around, living our lives, yet we're almost all identical twins. Genetically speaking, that's not far from the truth. A staggering 99.9% of human DNA is the same across our entire species. It's that tiny, remarkable 0.1% that makes each of us uniquely "us."

This concept, beautifully explored by geneticist James F. Crow, highlights a profound truth: what unites us as humans far outweighs what divides us.

It often strikes me how the human spirit can rise to such extraordinary heights, often in the midst of the most ordinary of lives. We see glimpses of this in our everyday interactions, in quiet acts of kindness and unwavering devotion. But then there are stories that shine like beacons, illuminating the profound capacity for love and sacrifice that resides within us. The story of St. Gianna Beretta Molla, whose feast day we celebrate on April 28th, is undoubtedly one of those beacons, and one that I was honored to explore in my book, Important Catholic Women of the 20th Century.

Funny how each season of life brings its amazing, beautiful moments right alongside the exhausting, seemingly never-ending ones. Why is that? You find yourself simultaneously excited and present, yet also longing for some phases to pass, feeling nostalgic for the past, and eagerly anticipating the future – all swirling together. Perhaps nothing embodies this "now, past, and future" blend quite like being a parent.

Back in January I gave myself some goals for the year and promised to check in with you quarterly to give an update. I set out 3 things I hoped to accomplish this year, and am pushing myself waaaaayyyyy out of my comfort zone to tell you all about them publicly. Darn accountability!

This Sunday, March 30, we celebrate the feast day of a remarkable woman. Sister Thea Bowman, a name that resonates with joy, strength, and unwavering faith, left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and beyond. Born Bertha Elizabeth Bowman in 1937, her journey from Yazoo City, Mississippi, to becoming a powerful voice for intercultural understanding is a testament to her extraordinary spirit.

I’ve spent a lot of time lately reflecting on what love is, so much so that I’ve got not one but TWO books in development on the topic! Both are founded on the conviction that love is a verb, an action, a decision we make when we choose the good of our loved one over our own.

As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, it's a reminder to reflect on the incredible contributions of women throughout history. This month is a time to honor the achievements, struggles, and resilience of women who have shaped our world. As a Catholic woman, I find it particularly inspiring to look at the lives of Catholic women who have made significant impacts in various fields.

I’ve been experiencing some“teachable moments” lately - and not me with my kids, God with me as the kid who needed to learn. It culminated this weekend in church when we read this excerpt from Luke’s Gospel …

I planned to write this blog on Saturday. I wanted to write this on Saturday. But Saturday it was pouring down rain, the sky was so grey and so dark, and when I sat in front of my computer ALL I wanted to do was take a nap.