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.

Christmas Recap

This Christmas was a delight...here are the highlights:

Paul's Mom came for a few days to spoil us with her great cooking and her grandma hugs!

We all got dressed up to attend a beautiful Mass at the Cathedral. The church was so packed that we had to go downstairs and watch the service on a big screen TV! At first I was annoyed by this, but then I realized how happy I should be that so many people came to "Christ's Mass" on Christmas. Deep down I think that all people know what is truly important when Christmas comes: faith in Christ. I hope some of those "once-a-year-Catholics" were touched so deeply by Christ that they start attending Mass every Sunday. Wouldn't it be awesome if the church had standing room only every week!?

Dominic had his preschool Christmas program while Grandma Jean was here, so he was delighted to show off his singing and dancing skills for her. He is our most out-going child and loves to perform...I wonder what God wants him to be when he grows up.

This year we started a new tradition of having a Christmas recital at our house with our closest friends. Joseph, Michael, and Dominic each played a few piano songs. Michael even sang while he played his Christmas songs...he loves to sing!

And even I was brave enough to play one song on the piano during the recital! I asked our friend Glen to accompany me on the violin to cover up any mistakes I made :) Glen is a very gifted musician...he can't read music, but he can play anything by ear on the piano, fiddle or guitar! His lovely wife Lisa is also musically gifted and she played a few songs on the piano while the rest of us sang along.

Another new tradition this year was to go Christmas-light-sight-seeing. Our favorite house was Dominic's preschool teacher's. Her house was programmed to music, so different lights flashed on and off to the beat of a few different Christmas songs. None of us had ever seen anything like that before, so it was really impressive. We brought along hot cocoa and cookies to snack on while we watched, and we hope to do this every Christmas in the future!

Of course, opening presents was one of the highlights of Christmas... And this year's favorite gift was from Grandma Jean. She took the boys on a shopping date for new bikes...bikes with breaks and gears on the handle bars! Grandma even took the boys out for lunch at a fancy restaurant afterwards...so it was double-special date and a memory I don't think the boys will forget. Thanks, Grandma Jean!

The favorite gift for the whole family was the new Wii video game, compliments of the money my parents sent us for Christmas. We really struggled with whether or not to buy a video game for the kids, but after talking with other friends who have the Wii, we decided it would be a good choice. So far we have not been sorry at all for the purchase. The whole family is loving it! Even Paul and I sneak downstairs to challenge each other to a few games once the kids are tucked it! It really has been promoting family togetherness as we all play it together. The only games we have so far are the Sports games that came with the Wii and a Major League Baseball game, all of which will keep us moving on our feet during the long winter months in Montana. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!

Nathanael's favorite Christmas present was the chocolate candy from his stocking. Well, actually it was chewing on the soft plastic lid of the candy container. He was easy to please this year :)

Nathanael was also thrilled with the new book he received. He loved all the excitement of present-opening-time, even though he was clueless what was going on :)

Dominic's favorite gift was the new blue whale stuffed animal he received...can you tell he's smitten with it? :)

Paul's favorite gift was the special picture frame that Joseph wood-burned for him at at school. Paul took it to work to put on his desk and show off the detailed F4-Phantoms that Joseph wood-burned with such skill.

My favorite gift this Christmas was learning how to ski! Paul bought me 3 lessons at our nearby ski hill, and we were able to go up to the hill with the older boys while Grandma Jean babysit the two younger boys. It was a lot of fun! I'm still a beginner compared to our fearless little boys and my hot snowboarding husband, but hopefully I'll be able to keep up with them soon!

One tradition that remained the same this Christmas was our cat Arwen's past-time of stalking and killing our Christmas ornaments :) Unfortunately, her favorite prey are the homemade ornaments the boys made with their cute school pictures in them. Next year, will someone please remind me to put those ornaments way at the top of the tree?

Christmas Letter 2011

For those of you who are not on our Christmas mailing list, I wanted to post our annual Christmas letter to wish you a blessed holiday season and to share a summary of our year...

May God’s graces be showered upon each of you this holy season as you strive to make more room for Jesus in your hearts! Here is the annual update on our family:

Joseph, age 10, is excelling as a 4th grader at St. Andrew Catholic School. He enjoys art, history, reading, airplanes, baseball, being an altar server at Mass, playing piano, chess club, skiing, Swiss army knives, and anything Nerf. He is eager to start hunting with his dad in a couple of years.

Michael, age 8, is a tremendously bright 3rd grader at St. Andrew Catholic School. He enjoys math, computer games, airplanes, baseball, chess club, playing piano, skiing, and helping me entertain Nathanael. He is eager to start singing in the Cathedral’s children’s choir in January.

Dominic, age 5, loves his pre-K class at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran school. He enjoys playing board games, putting together intricate train tracks, playing baseball, pretending to be various ocean animals, and copying everything his older brothers do. He is eager to start Kindergarten at St. Andrew School in the fall so that he will be “big” like his big brothers.

Nathanael, age 1, brings so much joy to each one of us! He enjoys making animal or machine sounds, reading books, snuggling with his teddy at naptime, playing with trains, and making mommy chase him all over the house. He is our first redhead (although we’re still not sure if the color will stay) and has such a sweet, happy disposition that we almost feel ready for another baby. :) We will trust in God’s will and timing.

Paul, who wishes not to disclose his age :), continues to enjoy working for the FAA as a safety inspector, but his real passion is taking advantage of all the Great Outdoor opportunities in Montana. He spent many happy hours hiking and hunting, and we went on many family camping adventures this summer. He is eager to fill our freezer with elk meat in the coming year, as well as do some more fly-fishing.

As for me, I can’t wait to look my age instead of being carded every time I buy wine at the grocery store. :) I still enjoy participating in my rosary group and Bible study group, helping with our local 40 Days for Life pro-life campaigns, as well as sewing and writing when I can find the time. I especially enjoy writing on our family blog that chronicles all our important family events, as well as random things that I ponder, so if you’d like to read more about us, visit: www.atotustuusfamily.blogspot.com.

I would like to leave you with a powerful story to carry with you throughout the New Year…The portrait of Jesus pictured below has become very special to Paul and me. It is called “Prince of Peace,” and it was painted by an 8 year old child prodigy named Akiane Kramarik. Despite being raised by an atheist mother, she started having visions of Jesus and heaven at age 4 and began bringing them to life with her brush. Akiane says, “I want my art to draw people’s attention to God.” Her own mother’s conversion to Christianity is confirmation that her wish is coming true. The other amazing story behind this portrait is its connection to a young boy named Colton Burpo, who also claims to have met Jesus when he nearly died of a ruptured appendix at age 3 (Colton’s story is beautifully told in the best-selling book, “Heaven is for Real”). When Colton’s father showed this painting of Jesus to his son, it was the ONLY picture of Jesus that Colton said looked just like the Jesus he visited with in Heaven! Wow! Now every time I look at this picture I can really picture my precious Savior looking at me with those loving eyes, and it makes me desire to love and serve Him more so that I can spend eternity with Him someday… I pray that you grow to love the Prince of Peace more this year than ever before too!

Thankful Thursday: the Advent Edition

Advent is sincerely my favorite time of the year, so my heart is simply glowing with thanks...

• a new nephew being born--Evan Andrew--and sending homemade gifts to the happy family



• listening to Christmas music while I cook in the kitchen



• playing Anne Murray's Christmas album while decorating the tree with my little helpers, just like I used to do with my mom



• the grace-filled sacrament of Confession---a snow-white soul (at least for a moment) :}



• hunting for the perfect Christmas tree in the snowy woods with friends...finding more than a tree: family togetherness, the warmth of friendship, feeling alive in the brisk mountain air



• our freshly cut Christmas tree twinkling with lights in the morning, helping me start my day with a twinkling spirit



• boys being trained by their daddy to do dishes



• Nerf darts shot into our newly decorated tree, making mommy shoot angry words and later seek her son's forgiveness



• Taco Tuesday for supper...LOVE IT!



• Amazon.com Christmas shopping = easy + earns money for our school + pays for a portion of our tuition through the Scrip program...TRIPLE BONUS!



• having a holy, candle-lit dinner each night using the Advent wreath that my mom made years ago, the same wreath we lit growing up



• hanging the homemade stocking my mother-in-law made for each of us

The nursing apron, teddy blanket, and burping rags I made for Jon, Debbie, and baby Evan

The beautiful Advent wreath my mom made, giving us a candlelight dinner each night and preparing our hearts for Christmas

The Christmas stocking's lovingly made by Grandma Jean

Dominic, one of mommy's tree decorators. He especially loved the photo ornaments...they are mommy's favorites too!

Joseph: another big helper who also put together the train tracks under the tree

Michael: another brave helper who wanted to hang the highest ornaments of all!

Our freshly cut and decorated tree with our traditional train making laps at the base

Look beyond the lights and busy-ness of the season to find the real reason we celebrate: Jesus