about

I've had many people ask me if Pastina is my last name. The answer is no. "Lena pastina" was my nickname as a child. Apparently I was quite a picky eater. Mom says I only ate pastina for every meal. 

I grew up in Huntington Beach, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. I attended Utah Valley State College, BYU, and then graduated from the University of Utah in history and political science. 

I am an Italian-American. My mom's side is from Montecassino Sant'elia Fiumerapido and my dad's side is from Sannicandro di Bari. My family dispersed in the late 1950's. I have relatives all over Europe, but the majority still live in Italy. My dearest aunt & uncle live just outside Florence, Italy. I studied abroad in Florence in 2002. My flat was in the center of town, steps away from Il Duomo. I lived on Via dei Servi for just under a year. It was life changing. I thought I'd always known where I came from. My family had ingrained in me the traditions of Italy. It wasn't until I was walking the cobblestone streets and taking in the sights and smells around me that I realized how majestic Italy really was. I woke up early and went to bed late discovering life around me. I would sit on the steps of gli Uffizi and close my eyes and imagine life in the 15th century. Oh and the food… I cannot put into words the variety of delectable cuisine in Florence, and all over Italy for that matter. After I returned home, I knew my life would never be the same. I was lucky enough to return to Italy later that year for a church mission for 18 months. I lived in Florence, Rome, and on the island of Sardegna, in a tiny town called Quartu Sant’elena. Italy will always be at the center of who I am.

Paul and I met in August 2004 and were married in July 2005 in the Las Vegas Temple. We lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for 8 years, where I was a high school history teacher. Recently we've moved to the Washington DC area for law school.

Mia Famiglia

My name is Paul. I am a husband, father, son, student, veteran, superhero, renaissance man, philosopher king, and retired super model. I like to spend time with my family, read good books, watch good movies, & eat good food.

Name: Joey

Favorite color: red 

Favorite toy: green bird

Favorite book: Pajama Time! by Sandra Boynton

Favorite movie: Toy Story 1,2,&3

Favorite hobby: making swords out of duplos and saying prayers

Favorite food: hot dogs and pasta

Favorite place: Disneyland

Favorite song: twinkle twinkle little star

Name: Luca (in the blue)

Favorite toy: dumbo

Favorite food: sweet potatoes

First word: mamma

Favorite hobby: screeching like a bird

Favorite place: anywhere he can crawl really fast

Favorite song: We are a happy family

Name: Matteo (in the orange)

Favorite toy: pooh bear

Favorite food: peas

First word: dada

Favorite hobby: pointing at things he finds interesting

Favorite place: relief society

Favorite song: I am a Child of God

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I often get asked, What do mormons believe?

You can ask me any question you have, or click on Mormon 101.