Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to school we go!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho,

It's off to school we go!

We had some fun, but it's just begun,

Hi ho, hi ho, hi ho, hi ho!

After our crazy summer of being away from home and then returning to the chaos of moving into a rental, it was kind of nice for all of us to start the routine of school to bring some stability and normalcy back to our family.  Our 3 oldest boys were eager to see their friends again and begin the adventure of conquering a new grade level.  For Joseph it is 8th grade, which is exciting because he is in the high school wing of the school building now, for Michael it is 7th grade, and for Dominic it is 3rd grade.

Nathanael was so excited to be in the "Big School Kid" category this year as he embarked upon his first year of Pre-Kindergarten four afternoons each week.  Next year he will be at St. Andrew School with his big brothers, which is hard for me to wrap my head around.

Here is Nathanael on his first day of preschool.

This photo reminds me that he is covered by the grace of the cross--

so I know he will be fine (but I'm not sure I will be without his smile all day long!)

The years seem to be sweeping by faster each year as I watch them grow and move from grade to grade.  Bittersweet indeed.  But I love that they love their school, their friends, and that they are getting a Christ-centered Catholic education.  Every year I beat myself up a bit about not homeschooling the boys, because that was my dream when I started having children.  But so far God seems to be telling me that homeschooling is not His will for our family right now for various reasons.  One of which being that there is such an exceptional Catholic School available for the boys.   St. Andrew School puts faith first, which can be seen in countless ways, like praying the Morning Offering, the Angelus, and the Act of Contrition daily as a student body.  Their school motto is:  "Vitam Impedere Vero," which translates "Hang Your Life on Truth," and I see the teachers instilling that motto and other Catholic virtues constantly, which confirms that my kids are where they are supposed to be right now.  If God calls me to homeschooling again someday, I will answer that call and do the best that I can, but for now I am so grateful for a school like St. Andrew's.

Here is Nathanael catching bugs for a few minutes before it was time to go to school :)

I take it for granted that my kids will love school, choose holy friends, grow in their faith, and excel in their studies.  I forget that that is not the case for all kids at school.  I was reminded of that fact this year when one of my best friends shared the struggles her kids were having in school---tears every morning and every night because of how much they disliked school.  She and her husband agonized and prayed over what to do, and finally decided that homeschooling was the best option.  I have two other friends whose kids were being bullied and had to switch schools.  And yet another friend has a daughter who has been battling anxiety attacks and severe depression, making school a very difficult challenge.  Stories like these remind me to pray more for other families who are struggling with the transition of school right now and to be grateful that our kids love school so far and continue to grow in their learning and in their faith.

May this school year be filled with exciting adventures for my kids and yours!

God bless and keep all of our children

and draw them ever nearer to Jesus' Sacred Heart 

to experience the wide expanse of His love and mercy!

Happy Belated Birthdays

Dominic celebrated his 9th birthday in July while we were in South Dakota.  It was a rare treat to be able to celebrate with grandma, grandpa, Uncle Mike, Aunt Shawna, and cousin Elizabeth.  Dominic was going through a LEGO-craze at the time (still is), so nearly every single present was LEGO related.  I think he built 15 LEGO sets in a matter of 2 days!

Happy Birthday my beautiful Dominic!

You truly are a master builder--so talented and so creative!

What I love most about you is your super-sized, sensitive heart.

I also love your freckles, your hugs, and your non-stop stories :)

Your kind heart and your huge smile make others feel so loved.

I am so proud of the big brother that you are--

you always take time to play with your little siblings even though you are such a big kid now.

Your deep love of the Eucharist consoles my heart and Jesus' heart,
and I pray your love and enthusiasm for receiving Jesus just keeps on growing!

I know you will set the world on fire with your love of the Lord:

there is no greater gift you could give your mother.

I thank you and I love you more than all the LEGOs ever made in the world!

Make a wish!

LEGOs you say?

Wish granted:

Joseph turned 14 on September 10th.  Literally, he was born the day before 9/11, which was bizarre to watch such horrible news from my hospital bed while holding a bundle of pure joy in my arms.  It astounds me that I have a 14 year old.  My first baby is now a teenager taller than me; how can this be?  We took him out to his favorite restaurant for his birthday--Chili's--and he is so proud to order off of the adult menu now :)  For gifts, he received a "Lord of the Rings" violin book, "The Philosophy of Tolkien" by Peter Kreeft, "Tolkein's Sacramental Vision" by Craig Bernthal, and some hunting clothes so that he can help fill our freezer with elk or deer meat.  With his own birthday money he bought a new fishing pole and a very nice baseball glove.  He didn't want a big party for his birthday; rather, he simply wanted to go mountain biking with a few buddies.  They had a blast conquering the trails, and then biked into town to have ice cream at the Big Dipper.  

Happy Birthday, Joseph!

I watch you grow in wisdom and stature before my eyes,

and yet I still love you like a sweet newborn in my arms.

I couldn't be more proud of the young man you are becoming:

calm, confident (yet humble), kind, introspective, intelligent, musical, and holy.

It is pure joy to watch you play baseball, to hear you play violin or piano, 

and to see you having fun fishing, biking, and other "guy" stuff with your awesome friends.

God has gifted you with so many talents that I'm not sure how you will choose which ones to use,

but I know you will use them to glorify God---and that's what matters.

Thank you for being such a great help and example to your younger siblings.

Being the eldest child is a tough position to fill, but you fill it so very well.

I love you more than the number of pitches you will ever throw,
or the number of fish you will ever catch!

Baseball Bliss

This Spring and Summer was baseball bliss for our boys...

First came the Spring season of baseball in Helena for Joseph and Michael.  This year, Joseph was the lead pitcher for his team; he also played catcher and 2nd base.  He was number 2 in the batting line-up.   This was his first year moving up to the teenage bracket (13-16 year olds), so he was a bit concerned how he would compare to the older kids in his division, but he was quickly able to prove his talents to his team.  His pitching skills took on a whole new level this year---more speed, greater accuracy, and more types of pitches added to his repertoire (the curve ball, fastball, change-up, and knuckle ball).  What made this even more impressive is this older league he played on larger fields with the pitching mound at MLB distance to home-plate (60 feet!)---that is a crazy long way to throw an accurate pitch!  Last year his team won the championship, but this year was less climactic because he did not have a heavy-hitting team.  His team got eliminated from the championship bracket early on in the city tournament, but he still had a great time at every game and grew in his skills and in the love of the game!

Michael played pitcher and short-stop for his team, and he was number 1 in the hitting line-up.  His favorite position was short-stop and he played it well---nothing got by that boy.  He is scrappy and competitive, which is the perfect combination for a short-stop :)  He was also one of the his team's best pitchers.  He couldn't throw with as much speed as some of the other pitchers, but he made up for that with his accuracy and his wicked "slurve ball" (a cross between a slider and curve).  It was so fun to watch him pitch 2 fast balls in a row and then the slurve ball---it tricked the batter every time!  The curve was so significant that the batter would think the ball was going to hit him, and then it would slide into the strike zone at the last second while the batter was jumping out of the batting box! :)  Michael's team had a very exciting season.  They were ranked #3 going into the city tournament, and then they beat the #1 team twice to win the championship!  Michael was the  closing pitcher and won the MVP, so he and his parents were quite proud to say the least.  So far all of our boys appear to be very talented at whatever they do, so I worry a bit that they will get cocky.  We try to talk a lot about giving the glory to God and thanking Him for their talents, as well as saying the following prayer every day after the meal prayer: "Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours." I truly want my boys to succeed, but more importantly, I want them to be humble and holy.  I think they are off to a good start!  :)

The day after their Helena baseball season ended, we jumped in the car to head to South Dakota for the summer...and the SD baseball season was just beginning, so the boys got to play another entire season!!!  They were elated.  I was especially thankful that Dominic was able to play, otherwise he would have missed a whole season of baseball.  His age group was non-competitive and didn't even keep score, but he still had a blast.  He was quite the slugger and often hit the ball way over the out-fielders and into the adjacent baseball field!  I think he had an advantage over the other kids because of how often he plays ball with his older brothers.  He was a joy to watch, mainly because he is always joyful.  This boy has the biggest heart and the biggest smile of our family!  :)

In South Dakota, Joseph and Michael miraculously got to be on the same time for the first time ever, so it was super fun to watch them play at the same time and not have to run back and forth from one field to the next.  Joseph was one of the team's best hitters, even hitting a few home runs!  Michael didn't hit quite as far as Joseph, but had one of the best batting averages for the team, which is certainly something to be proud of, and I would say he was the best in-fielder by far (but I'm a bit biased).  :}  They were on a great team this year and were ranked #2 going into the final tournament.  They made it to the championship round and Joseph was chosen to pitch for the championship game.  It was a nail biter...  I was so nervous that I couldn't watch the last inning, so I walked away to pray Hail Mary's.  Perhaps the Blessed Mother had pity on my anxious mother's heart, because Joseph and Michael's team WON!!!  Joseph pitched great and handled the stress with such calmness and confidence (he definitely gets that from his father!).  Michael helped his team clinch the win with his amazing in-fielding, making some impressive diving catches. What made this season the most special, however, was that Grandpa Pat was able to watch every single game, and there is no doubt that he was their biggest fan!  :)   The boys think we should spend every summer in Aberdeen just so that they can play 2 seasons of baseball!  :)  I kinda like their logic for my own selfish reasons :)

After the championship game the boys had to turn in their jerseys,

and their mother forgot to bring extra shirts---oops!

It made for a fun photo opportunity though!  :)

Happy Birthday Blessed Mother!!!

Today, September 8th, the Catholic Church celebrates the birthday of the Blessed Mother, which is exactly 9 months after the celebration of Mary's Immaculate Conception.  What a joyous day!  Personally, I wish it was celebrated by the whole world with as much joy as Christmas; after all, Mary had (and continues to have) such an important role in the history of salvation, but there I go being a crazy Catholic again! :}    It is on feast days like today that I just love being Catholic because I am reminded of the blessings God continues to give us through the saints---especially His Blessed Mother who intercedes for us constantly, loves us unconditionally, and longs to guide us closer to her Son so that all will be saved.  How I wish the whole world knew how much she loves us!  I am reminded of one of Mary's messages in Medjugorje when she said:  "If you knew how much I, your mother, love you, you would cry for joy."  And this message was confirmed in my heart when I was able to watch the visionary Mirijana have her apparition in Medjugorje in July...  As soon as the Blessed Mother appeared, Mirajana's whole countenance changed.  She was completely overcome with pure joy and tears silently slipped down her cheeks as she gazed at Our Lady and conversed with her.  Just seeing Mirijana's joy made me start to cry for joy!  How blessed we are to be loved so much by God our Father and Mary our heavenly Mother!  I pray for the grace to be able to love them back as much as my little heart is capable of!

Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother!  

Thank you for loving us so much, for constantly praying for us, for protecting us under your mantle, and for giving us the graces we need to grow closer to God.  I love you so much!  You are my hope in this valley of tears, and I long to see your loving face someday in Heaven.  I hope your heart is filled with joy today at all the people who are celebrating your Birthday!

*As a side note, some Catholics celebrate Mary's birthday on August 5th because Mary revealed that to be her real birthday during one of her apparitions in Medjugorje.  I think it's fun to celebrate her birthday twice!  :)  The picture above is the first sneek-peek of our Medjugoje pictures.  This is Paul and I standing in front of the visionary Jakov's house, where we were blessed to stay for part of our pilgrimage.

Summer in Minnesota

Although most of our summer was spent in South Dakota with my parents, we did take two quick trips to Minnesota to see Paul's side of the family.  Paul had a work convention in Minneapolis for a week in July, so the littlest boys and I took a quick trip there to see him and his family who lives there.  The 2 older boys couldn't come because they were in the middle of the city baseball tournament, but grandpa took them fishing so they didn't mind missing Minneapolis a bit. :) We stayed with Paul's mom and spent lots of time with Paul's brother Dann and his wife Rachel and their kids.  It was so much fun!  We love Dann and Rachel so much and wish we lived closer to them.  They are such fun-loving, God-loving people--the kind you just want to be around.  I love to hear my husband laugh when he's with his goofy brother, and I love to hang out with Rachel who feels like the sister I always wished I had.  If only we could get them to move to Montana!  :)  While we were there, we went to the Mall of America to see the aquarium and ride a few rollercoasters; we also went to the Minnesota Zoo, but I think the most fun was had at Dann and Rachel's house playing with all their cool outdoor toys!  :)  Paul's family was so generous and let Paul and I steal away for 2 date nights (overnight!) while they took care of our kids.  It was an unexpected treat and so good for our marriage.

My little ones with their MN cousins at the MN Zoo.

A beautiful butterfly at the MN Zoo's butterfly sanctuary.  

I would have loved to spend all day inside the sanctuary---it was so peaceful.

Nathanael at the Mall of America's LEGO-Land

Rowan, Kennedy, Isaiah, and Dominic at LEGO-Land

Dominic loved spending time with his cousin Rowan.

They were like two peas in a pod,

or should I say 2 farmers in a John Deer?

Precious pictures of Nathanael with his cousin Kennedy.

Kennedy was such a sweet helper with my little ones the entire trip.

A heart of sunshine and gold that little girl has!

Paul and his brother Dann chillin' and grillin'...

How I wish the two of them could spend more time together.

The final big trip of the summer was a trip to Paul's family reunion in Minnesota at a large, lovely cabin on an island in Lake Vermillion (near the Boundary Waters).  Again, it was so great to watch all of the cousins play.  They all got along so well and were instant friends even though they hardly ever see each other.  The days were spent fishing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, catching crawdads, capturing snakes, playing beanbag toss and a giant Jenga game on the deck, picking wild raspberries, eating amazing food, and just reconnecting with everyone.  Grandma Jean and Grandpa Dick spoiled all of us with their generous hospitality!!!  As silly as it sounds, the highlight for me was praying the rosary in a canoe with our family of 7! :)  The family reunion was a great grand-finale to our summer and then we drove 18 hours back to Helena to start our adventure of moving into the rental and looking for a new home!

Now that's one huge happy family!

(except for one unhappy camper in the bunch) :}

Grandma Jean was so happy to have all 15 grandkids together!

She was also thrilled to be surrounded by her sons :)

Joseph with his cousin Gabriel: fast friends

Dominic and Rowan spent tons of time together tubing, fishing, and catching crayfish

Paul having fun playing a giant Jenga game

Dominic loved catching snakes all week long!

He says he wants to be a zoologist when he grows up;

perhaps he'll be the next Crocodile Hunter :)

Michael and Isaiah had fun with the snakes too

Michael was constantly catching something.

Here he is with a crawdad.

A sweet baby bear cub at a nearby bear sanctuary.

He was super high up in this tree, and even though it looked like he was barely hanging on and might fall any second, he looked so peaceful and relaxed.  

I wish I had his same trusting and peaceful spirit!

This canoe ride was the highlight for me in Minnesota.

I was pleasantly surprised that our semi-large family still fits in a single canoe together.

It was special to be able to steal away from the busy-ness of the reunion to pray a rosary surrounded by God's gorgeous creation.  

This summer was filled with so many graces, and I know my near-sighted vision only saw a small number of the blessings God was sending my way every day.  To be totally honest, I have really been battling this past year with anxiety, depression, spiritual warfare, and various insecurities, and this summer was just what my soul needed:  lots of R-and-R, quality time with family and friends, a religious pilgrimage with my spouse, and time spent in God's great outdoors.  I pray that this year my spiritual vision will improve so that I can see more graces, feel more gratitude, and give back more blessings to all those around me in order to glorify and thank God!  

Thank you, God, for all your gifts that you bestowed on my family this summer.  Thank you for filling us up with graces to help us get through this upcoming school year and drawing us ever nearer to Your Sacred Heart and Your Mother's Immaculate Heart.  I know that if we stay near those Two Hearts we can get through anything this year has in store with peace and joy!