Another Graduate!

Michael graduated from Jefferson High School this week and we are SO PROUD of him!  This young man is both smart and resilient.  He finished his high school career at a new school, which is no small feat.  He finished with great grades and a few new friends...and now he's ready to fish and play ball the rest of the summer until heading to NSU (where he will do more fishing and playing ball)! :)

A week before graduation, Grandma Jean came for a visit to congratulate Michael and spend time with the family as she was driving from Arizona to Minnesota.  We had a wonderful time with her, and here are some of the highlights:

Grandma Jean and her handsome grandsons

Our family so blessed to be living in beautiful Montana,

and blessed to have another son graduating and ready to shine the light of Christ in the world!

The boys playing badminton on Joseph's first day back from college.

Grandma Jean hugging Joseph and saying goodbye because she was going to leave early the next morning before the kids would be awake.  Joseph came home from college a day or two after Grandma Jean arrived, so she was very happy to be able to see him on this trip.

Grandma Jean saying goodbye Michael.

Grandma Jean giving Dominic a big hug.

Two days after Grandma Jean left, my parents came to attend Michael's graduation and help me get ready for the post-graduation party.  My oldest brother Mike and his family also came for the big event.  It was SOOO wonderful to have a few extra helping hands!  I can't thank them enough, and it really meant the world to Michael to have them here for his special day---especially considering they had to drive through a snow storm to get here!  Yes, you read that right...a snow storm!  The weather for the graduation took everyone by surprise.  It snowed for three days straight!  How crazy for the month of MAY!  We were hoping for an outdoor graduation ceremony and post-graduation party, but we had 12 inches of snow around our house, so we definitely had to go with plan B.  But it all turned out fine.  JHS had the graduation inside the school building, and our party was also indoors.  About 50 people showed up, and there was plenty of space in the house for everyone to visit.  I think Michael felt very loved!  Our family is so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family to support us.

I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't get very many pictures of all the graduation events.  In fact, I didn't get any pictures of Michael with my brother Mike's family, which I'm totally bummed about.  I guess I was too busy and stressed out about getting ready for the party and entertaining guests that I forgot to pull out my camera.  But, I'm grateful that I at least got a few pictures to help us remember this very special day:

Diploma in hand...he's officially graduated!

Michael looks good in purple :)

We had to take our pictures indoors this year because it was raining and snowing outside.

We are so proud of this kid!

(Even though he drove us crazy sometimes!) :)

Grandpa Pat and Grandma Theresa giving their last hugs before driving back to South Dakota.

May God bless and keep our latest graduate always close to His Sacred Heart.

Totus Tuus,

~Maria

Joseph Patrick---2020 Graduate!

It's hard to believe, but our first child has graduated!!!  And what a crazy year to graduate!  Not only did the Covid-19 pandemic strike the world, but our kids' small, Catholic school went through a major crisis as well, causing us to lose our principal, 5 teachers, and many students.  We weren't sure if the school would survive the year, but by the grace of God it did, so you can imagine how relieved and grateful we were to make it to graduation day!

We are SO PROUD of Joseph's outstanding achievements during his high school years...  He graduated with a 4.0, he was one of 3 valedictorians of his class, he surrounded himself with great, holy friends, he made wise choices (except for those 2 times at the ski hill) :}, and he is about to embark upon his college career at a Spirit-filled Catholic school called Franciscan University of Steubenville.  He will even be able to play baseball for the school, which is a dream come true for him.  He will be a long way from home, but my heart is at peace knowing that he will be surrounded by holy professors and students (I hope)! :)

Joseph's class was able to have a small, but BEAUTIFUL graduation ceremony and Mass at the gorgeous Cathedral of St. Helena.  The church was even able to live-stream it for family members and friends who could not come.  All of it was such a beautiful gift from God!!!

Here are some photos from the graduation, followed by some fun photos of Joseph taken throughout the years... :)

Joseph chatting with his buddies prior to the graduation

Joseph receiving his diploma from Mrs. Grotbo, the new principal this year

In the foreground you can see a hat with the word: "YOPP!"

I love that reference...it is from the Dr. Seuss book called Horton Hears a Who,

and at the end  of the book it is the one little tiny boy who yells "Yopp" 

who helped save all the Whos in Whoville.

A neat reminder that each of these graduates can make a difference in the world

with each of their "yopps" :)

Here are some other fun hats :)

Joseph went with the classic "black" motif :)

This young lady's hat says:

"Wherever God plants you, bloom with grace."

Joseph reading the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass

The beautiful Cathedral of St. Helena.

How wonderful that the Real Presence of Jesus was a real part of the graduation!

Joseph and his fellow graduates leaving the church with happy hearts :)

The St. Andrew Class of 2020!!!

Our family trying to keep from squinting for the picture :)

It was crazy bright that day, and surprisingly cold too.

We were so thankful that Grandma Jean was able to come celebrate with us!

Here is our family again posing in our backyard.

It was much easier to smile for the photo at home because the sun wasn't in our eyes. :)

It's hard to imagine what next year will be like without Joseph with us.

I can tell he is making a point to spend extra time with his brothers this summer

because I think he is starting to realize he won't be with them much longer.

How bittersweet it is to see our children grow and fly away...

Dearest Joseph, 

Your daddy and I are proud of you beyond words!

We are most proud of you for your deep faith and love for God.

God has given you an abundance of gifts and talents...

I'm honestly not sure how he fit so many talents in one single soul!

We are so eager to see what you choose to do with those talents in your adult life.

You are incredibly smart---you truly could pick any career under the sun.

But I hope you choose one that gives you joy and gives God glory!

We entrust you to Our Lady's care all the days of your life.

May she help you to stay close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

and to do God's holy will always.

Love, 

Mommy

And now the oldies but goodies :)

Joseph always loved hiking and being with his daddy!

Teddy was one of Joseph's best buddies back in the day :)

HOLY AFRO!

Could this photo be a foreshadowing of the afro that awaited Joseph in high school???

Michael and Joseph...always together.

Next year will be so strange for these boys to be separated.

On the water fishing continues to be Joseph's happy place!

The first day of school, way back when :)

Legendary Lodge hooligans :)

Joseph with his St. Andrew buddies :)

Joseph's team won the Roman Catholic Challenge competition many times :)

Joseph always had a love and talent for music...

First he played piano, then the violin, and now it's the electric guitar!

What a cool picture of this "Mountain Dude" out shooting with his dad.

Fishing with Grandpa was the highlight of every summer.

Goof-balls mini-golfing :)

Crazy hair after jet-skiing at Richmond Lake.

Joseph will miss being able to mountain bike while he's in college,

but hopefully he'll come back in the summers to do some biking.

I pray that Joseph has as much fun playing baseball in college

as he did playing in Helena through the years.

Joseph will always remember catching this northern pike with grandpa.

Michael and Joseph were blessed to be able to ski on our own property.

Handsome then, still handsome now :)

Kinda crazy how he didn't have curly hair until junior high.

Finding the best bunk beds at Legendary Lodge :)

Getting ready to play games at Legendary Lodge.

Fishing fools :)

The 5 brothers...my how they have all grown!

Joseph with his first real mountain bike.

Hopefully he always remembers the good times with the Hulbert side of the family...

...and the Russell side of the family.

And both sides of the family will certainly be covering him in prayer on his journey ahead!

Totus Tuus,

~Maria