Thankful Thursday: Lenten Edition

This year I gave up spending time on the computer for Lent, except for a brief glance at my email before bed and some therapeutic blogging on Sundays, and it has proved to be the perfect sacrifice for me. I didn't realize how much time I spend surfing the net, checking and rechecking my email, and just plain wasting time. I am trying to use all that extra time tidying my house, as well as my soul. Lent is the perfect time for deep-cleaning those areas in my house that I tend to avoid like the plague. It is also the perfect time to do some soul searching for areas within that need to be scrubbed, reorganized or thrown-out altogether. God has gently been revealing those areas to me, giving me a whole new litany of thanks...

• learning I need to focus less on me, more on Him, and seek ways to be "little" like St. Therese


• Natey's wild, red, spiky hair after naptime


• the tangible graces in the Sacrament of Reconciliation; the gift of a holy priest giving Spirit-filled advice and God-given absolution


• the smell of white chili cooking in my kitchen


• the feel of needle and thread through fabric--the final stitches on a Mary quilt (finally made for our own wall this time)


• our one-year-old's terrifying T-rex sound that melts my heart


• the boys and I giving Mary a bouquet of roses each morning as we drive to school


• a blanket of snow, and warm blankets covering me in my bed


• the smell of Mop and Glow and knowing my floors are clean (if only for an instant)


• the Burger King play area (the place for the boys to get exercise in the winter)


• Paul training the boys to do dishes every night after dinner


• making a home-cooked meal everyone likes (french toast casserole...mmm!)


• morning stillness as I spend time with Paul and then with Jesus for prayertime


• our Christmas gift to each other finally arrived---a custom framed portrait of Jesus to grace our dining room, a reminder that He is with us always


• phone calls with friends (you know who you are!): my supply-line for joy each week


• Jenny's baby BOY growing beautifully, stretching her womb, her faith, her heart


• sleeping in a few extra minutes and listening to the sound of little people chattering with their daddy


• Michael reminding us to pray on the way to school


• pizza night with friends


• remembering the lost art of letter-writing and hoping it brings joy to the receiver (my grandma)


• nighttime prayer-picnic as a family


• Nathanael fully transitioned into one nap, giving mommy quiet time to pray and get things done in the afternoon


• Paul looking so fine in his leather flight-jacket


• fields of last year's golden wheat embraced by smokey blue, snow-capped mountains


• Bob Ward's end of the season ski sale: my first pair of new skis and boots!!!


• night skiing with my boys


• sun shining through stained glass


• Natey dancing circles in my kitchen


• setting up the tent in our living room for the boys' first sleep-over with a friend


• the simple joy of bowling


• praying the Stations of the Cross as a family


• little boys sticking to the their Lenten sacrifices (out-disciplining their mommy!)


• Paul and I consecrating ourselves to Jesus through Mary this Lent, using St. Louis de Montford's beautiful guide: "Total Consecration"

May your walk through the desert this Lent be filled with unexpected graces and deep cleaning too!

Big Smiles at Big Sky

Prior to Paul's snowboarding accident, we had already planned a trip to the Big Sky Resort to go skiing with some dear friends from South Dakota. After he broke his wrist we debated whether or not to cancel the trip, but we finally decided to go and not let his accident spoil our fun. I am SO GLAD we went! Paul was the best one-handed babysitter in the world, while the older boys and I skied on some of the best slopes in the world! It gently snowed the entire time we were there, which means: FRESH POWDER! Although all the fluffy snow was a bit intimidating to novice skiers like Jody and myself, it was still mounds of fun. But in total honesty, the best part for Jody and me was riding the lifts so that we could chat! :) Jody and I both love to talk...especially about theology, but also lighter issues too. I wish everyone in the world could meet Jody. Her journey towards Jesus is so inspiring, her red-headed feisty-ness is so engaging, and her candid wittiness is so hilarious you'll laugh until you cry. As fellow red-heads and wanna-be theologians, we were destined to be kindred spirits and I love every minute I get to spend with her, which unfortunately is far fewer than I wish. But alas, I'll be happy with what I get! :)

While at the Big Sky area we were able to pack in a lot of activities to make the vacation so memorable. On our way there, we stopped by the Museum of the Rockies to let the kids play and learn about all the prehistoric treasures in our state, one being the notorious T-Rex named "Big Mike" who stands guard at the entrance. Nathanael and Dominic loved the "Lewis and Clark Playroom," where they could pretend to fish, or set off geysers, or go make-believe camping. Joseph and Michael were old enough to read all the historical facts about the fossils and appreciate the less hands-on exhibits at the museum. It was very nice to have the opportunity to stretch our legs out before driving the rest of the way up the mountain to Big Sky.

At Big Sky, we were very blessed to stay at a condo belonging to some of our friends from church. It was gorgeous, and thankfully it was spacious enough to keep Nathanael and Dominic entertained while the older two boys and I went skiing at Big Sky with my friend Jody's family the next day. As I mentioned above, we had a blast at the ski hill. Compared to our tiny ski hill that we have near our town, Big Sky is really impressive. The lifts are amazing, with fancy bars that come down over your head to act as seat belts, and then on your lap is a beautiful fiberglass map of the ski hill so that you can pick which runs your are going to take while you sit on the lift---so cool! The only downer for the boys was that they were stuck with Jody and I, who are total chickens and only like staying on the well-groomed green runs. The boys would have been more than capable of going on the the black diamond runs due to their experience in the All-Mountain Ski Club this winter, but I was too protective to let them out of my sight until later in the day when they could go with Jody's oldest son. All in all, the day was a once in a lifetime experience that I will always treasure.

The following day, Jody's family was occupied with another guest who came to visit them at Big Sky, so the 3 older boys and I went to the other side of the mountain to try out the ski hill called Moonlight Basin. It, too, was way fancier and bigger than our local ski hill, but not quite as fancy (or expensive) as Big Sky. I think if we make it a tradition to go back to the Big Sky area every winter for skiing, we will choose Moonlight Basin because of the cheaper cost and the more rustic atmosphere compared to the more resorty feel of Big Sky. Dominic came skiing with us on this day, and I was so proud of myself for being confident enough on my skis to try teaching Dominic how to ski. Normally, I would make Paul do all the teaching because he is a way more experienced skier, but I didn't have a choice this time. Dominic did splendid! In less than a half an hour, he graduated from the bunny hill and started going on the green runs with me and the older boys. The highlight for him was going on the "Six Shooter" lift which can hold six skiers. He felt very brave and grown-up that day :) Joseph also displayed extreme bravery that day as he got totally plowed over by a 250 lb man on the slopes. We nicknamed the man, "Mr. Bumblebee," because he was wearing yellow and black and gave Joseph quite a sting. I truly thought I'd have to take him to the emergency room when I saw both pairs of skis and both sets of poles go flying. Thankfully, Joseph's helmet and his fast guardian angel protected him, and he bravely skied the rest of the day with no complaint except a slight headache.

The little vacation to Big Sky was truly a big blessing! I hope we can go again next year so that Paul can enjoy the slopes with us! Maybe he'll choose a pair of skies instead of the snowboard...but I doubt it. :}


Michael, Joseph, and Dominic standing in front of "Big Mike," a juvenile T-Rex





Dominic catching some trout at the Museum of the Rockies





Our boys posing near a momma triceratops and her sleeping baby





Nathanael's favorite part of the trip was having mac and cheese for nearly every meal!





Fresh powder...what a beautiful sight!





My beautiful friend Jody and I ready to hit the slopes and spend time catching up on each other's busy lives





Michael, Mr. Speedy on the slopes!





Joseph, Mr. Cool and Confident on the slopes!





It was so fun to chat and bond with Joseph and Michael on the ski lift. I love how skiing is a family sport!



Me and my big smile at Big Sky! :) I hope I get to ski a few more times this year before the snow melts!!!

Meet My Valentine...

This is my husband with his snowboard. He's my hot valentine.



He looks awesome on the ski hill zipping past the teenage boarders. Little do they know that he has salt and pepper hair under his helmet. Paul has been snowboarding since college, and I finally learned how to ski this year. Rarely do the two of us get to ski/snowboard together because one of us has to take care of the little tikes. But this weekend we had a rare treat. We hired a babysitter (shocking, I know!). So for one lovely hour we were able to be on the hill together, chatting on the chair lift, soaking in the sun and the snow-covered view, and then finishing our date with cheesy fries inside the lodge (that was my favorite part...the food inside the warm lodge is the real reason I ski). Anyway, it was grand. After our date, I went to pick up the little boys at the babysitter's, while Paul stayed with the big boys at the hill showing off his skills.

6 hours later...

This is my husband with his broken wrist, keeping it elevated to reduce the pain and swelling...ouch! He's still my hot valentine--even in a cast. He says he still wants to stick with snowboarding, but he probably won't attempt any more jumps at the ski hill's terrain park. I guess we'll have to wait until next season for another hot date at the hill.

He's so worth the wait...

But I hope he doesn't mind if I still have some cheesy fries at the lodge in the meantime. After all, my ski season isn't over yet! :)

The Rosary...a delight for all ages

Catholic mothers always hope and pray that their children grow up to love Jesus and his mother (because she will help them love Jesus more). So the other day when I caught Nathanael totally enamored with all the rosaries in our rosary basket, my heart beamed with joy and my feet ran for my camera. That sweet little boy played with those rosaries for over 30 minutes...pulling them out of the basket, putting them back in, wearing them, carrying them, simply delighted by them. It delighted me and reminded me why I love being a mother...why I love being Catholic.


"So many to choose...which one should I use?"


"I'll try this one...Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you..."


"Now you try it! If I can do it, you can do it!"


"Seriously, the rosary really comes in handy when you're in a pinch!"


"But don't be a closet Catholic...be proud of the rosary and pray it every day!"

Thankful Thursday: My Notebook Overflows

I found myself constantly reaching for my "thankful notebook" these past few weeks to keep track of my litany of thanks... Perhaps a habit of thankfulness is finally taking root in my soul!? I hope it is so.

• sun-glitter on mountain snow


• broken things getting fixed


• boys practicing piano, filling our home with Christmas music


• Wii family tournaments


• my boys choosing to love one another rather than self


• lost items found ("thank you St. Anthony!")


• Nathanael "dancing" (bobbing) to the hymns at church


• an 8 year old who still loves to snuggle and say "I love you"


• conquering my fear of the ski lift


• boys beating their pilot dad at dogfighting on the Wii


• the way Nathanael says "uh-oh" and "hello" and just loves to jabber


• homemade guacamole


• Wii dates with Paul once the boys are in bed


• Michael scribbling sins in his confession notebook nightly


• being asked to sponsor sweet Nadine for the sacrament of Confirmation


• watching Dominic's heart grow as he chooses to share


• ski boots that fit---ahhh, what a difference!


• Joseph being "cool" with his growing mop of hair


• Paul's salt and pepper hair---sexier than Richard Gear :)


• Dominic's 5-year-old fascination with the world, expressed in non-stop talking


• ski bum boys who could stay at the hill from morning til night


• cheesy fries and Pepsi at the ski hill


• Christmas lights wrapping our log bed with a warm glow


• getting my fingertips calloused to play praise and worship songs on the guitar with dear friends


• listening to Paul read the "Little House" series aloud to the boys before bed, all of them loving it


• a son learning the weight of a lie, the freedom of bringing it to light


• the gift of humiliation--the shortest road to humility
  
  

A friend shared this powerful quote with me from my new patron saint this year:

"Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him...He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, He may shorten it; He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me to strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me; still He knows what He is about."
--St. John Neumann"

Saints and Themes of the New Year

Our family continued the tradition of each of us choosing a saint to learn more about and be our special intercessor for the New Year. Apparently, this is an ancient Church tradition that was especially popular in convents and monasteries throughout the ages. St. Faustina talks about this custom in her diary, insisting that God’s hand is at work in giving the saint you need to help you that particular year of your life. She believed, “It is the saint who chooses you, not you who choose your saint.” This year, these are the saints who chose each member of our family:

Paul: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Maria: St. John Neumann and Sts. Cosmos and Damien
Joseph: St. Isaac Jogues
Michael: Blessed Jordan
Dominic: St. Dominic
Nathanael: St. Michael

You may have noticed that I have three saints who chose me and this is why: First, I drew St. Neumann out of a hat when we chose names as a family. Then, I also asked my friend Jamie (a FOCUS missionary who first shared this neat tradition with me) to draw a saint for me as well (because she offers to do that for people every year), and she drew saints Cosmos and Damien (these two saints share the same feast day and martyrdom, so they are always named together). Hense...I have 3 saints this year... apparently the good Lord knew I needed all the spiritual assistance I could get! No kidding!

On a more serious note, I have to admit that this first week of the New Year has been very pensive for me. I have been feeling anxious and somewhat depressed as I look ahead to another year, worrying already about to-do lists that never get done, unknown variables beyond my control, and failure to fulfill my vocation as wife and mother perfectly---or even above average! My New Year's resolution was to recommit myself to praying in the mornings, which is helping to alleviate my fears as I strain to listen to God’s gentle voice over my noisy, anxious thoughts. And during those moments of quiet this week, the word “acceptance” kept floating to the surface of my soul. On Ann Voskamp's blog, she speaks of adopting a God-inspired theme or word to embrace every year, something God is calling her to strive for and to keep on the forefront of her mind and soul throughout the year. I feel as if God desires “acceptance” to be my theme, and I picture myself embracing it like Christ literally embraced his cross; he had to cling to it to keep his balance, sometimes falling under its weight but trusting that the labor would produce peace and a glorious crown in the end.

Here is what has been coming into my mind and heart as I’ve meditated on the word “ACCEPTANCE”:

Acceptance of this fairytale life I’ve been given, a fairytale I often try to rewrite, basically throwing the script back in the Author’s face.

Acceptance that my prince charming won’t always be charming.

Acceptance that our young little squires are still in training.

Acceptance that my castle need not always be clean, but hopefully warm and welcoming.

Acceptance that there will be dragons to slay, not just once, but over and over again, and sometimes I'll get charred.

Acceptance that I don’t deserve to be treated like a princess, I simply need to accept the love of the King which is more than enough.

Acceptance that happily ever after is not based on happy circumstances, but rather a choice to be thankful in every chapter of the story (even the ones that are too long, too sad, or contain too many typos).

Acceptance that I might not know what the next chapter will bring, but I can still rest in the Truth that this story will have a happy ending because I believe in the Author’s goodness and saving grace.
I pray that each of you may grow closer to Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith in the New Year, because that’s all that really matters. Perhaps this will be my last year of life on earth, perhaps yours? Some are even predicting that this year will be the end of the world due to the Mayan calendar ending. Although I believe the Mayan calander end-time theory is nonsense, it does remind me to check the status of my soul. Am I ready? I believe I am, but I must keep running the race, like St. Paul said, lest I become disqualified (1 Cor. 9:24-27). I am so thankful to those who are running this race with me, constantly giving me the encouragement I need to train my spirit and not lose hope. God bless each of you and have a happy, holy New Year!

Oh, and if any of you would like me to draw a saint for you, I’d be happy to do so…just post a comment or email me at: pmhurlbert@gmail.com.