Lessons Learned in Seven Years of Marriage

February 14, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment

My husband and I dated for a jaw-dropping five years before we married in our late twenties/early thirties. You'd think we knew each other well enough that we'd easily transition to married life--but there were still plenty of surprises from the start. In honor of this Valentine's Day weekend, here are some of the lessons I've learned so far in our marriage:

Don't fear his faults. Pray and forgive. Know that your own shortcomings require more attention.

The Red Balloon: The Classic Film for Children & Children at Heart

February 09, 2014 by Michele Cherie in French Resources, Reflections on Parenting, Teaching French, Education

Mes amis, do you vaguely remember the film Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) from your childhood? I recently watched it again with my children and was reminded how heartwarming it is. Honestly, it's the perfect little film for February, especially if you love Paris, childhood nostalgia, and stories with magical realism.

Living Without Advertising: How to Escape the Messages

February 07, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Home Management, Contentment

"I think maybe the key to eating healthy is not eating any food that has a TV commercial." --Chris Rock (parody Twitter account)

It's hard to imagine modern life without the constant exposure to advertising. How many phone books appear on our doorstep each year? How much of our daily mail consists of catalogs, credit offers, and coupons? We're used to the constant chatter, but it's more than a pesky annoyance. Advertising undermines our joy by suggesting that who we are and what we have is not enough. The more we're exposed to commercials, the more we're left with a nagging sense of dissatisfaction. If we have to be convinced that we need a product, we really don't.

Here are three simple steps to stop the flow of advertising into your home:

Coming Soon: Bilingual Family Profiles

February 06, 2014 by Michele Cherie in French Language Learning, French Resources, Reflections on Parenting

Don't you find bilingual families fascinating? I plan to feature a bilingual or multilingual family once per month here at Intentional Mama because we have so much to learn from their experience. Families with French as their minority language will be the focus, but Spanish and other languages will find a place here too.

Here's where you come in, dear readers: First, if you or anyone you know might be willing to be featured, please leave a message for me below or email me at michele@intentionalmama.com. I know people can be leery of sharing information online, so I can definitely leave out names and locations if that's a concern.

Second, what questions would you like to ask parents who are raising bilingual children? What are your doubts and concerns? What resources or information would you love to find?

10 Things I Learned from Tsh Oxenreider's New Book

February 04, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Cultural Reflections, Contentment, Learning Resources

One of my favorite non-fiction writers, Tsh Oxenreider, released a new book today: Notes From A Blue Bike: The Art of Living Intentionally in a Chaotic World. A few weeks ago I received an advance copy to review, and the book was a fascinating read. (I responded by sharing my path to an intentional life here.) Here are ten points I gleaned from Tsh in her latest book:

Making Crêpes on La Chandeleur or Valentine's Day

February 03, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Cultural Reflections, Teaching French, Home Management

In America, yesterday was Super Bowl Sunday and Groundhog Day; In France, Belgium, and Switzerland, yesterday was La Chandeleur and people there ate crêpes for dinner and dessert. (In Mexico, they ate tamales.) La Chandeleur is a holiday that celebrates light and the dedication of the infant Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2 in the Bible) and it takes place forty days after Christmas--February 2nd. Crêpes' round shape and golden color are a reminder that spring sunshine is near.

If you've never made a crêpe, I'll show you how. We enjoy crêpes for breakfast at least once every two weeks! And they would be a lovely way to celebrate Valentine's Day.

Living Intentionally in an Indulgent Culture: Notes From A Blue Bike

January 30, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment, Cultural Reflections, Home Management, Learning Resources, Reflections on Parenting

Have you ever returned from a trip with a desire to live differently? International travel in particular is a catalyst for life change. It provides a view of life rearranged, of priorities and resources altogether different from those at home.

I was blessed to be able to study and travel abroad frequently in my twenties. In Sri Lanka, I observed women sewing shirts priced higher than their annual salary. In Jordan, a family prepared me a meal so savory and generous that my stomach will never be so full again. In France, I grew accustomed to a life in balance, where Sundays for most families consisted of a noontime meal, a nap, leisure time outdoors, and a quality movie on national television.