Hurst Family News

We go together like..... ...Peanut Butter and Jelly. ...Fries and a Frosty. ...Bert and Ernie. ...Airplanes and tutus. Did that last one throw you off? Sorry.  Life of an almost 4 year old deems that airplanes and tutus do in fact belong together.  So much so that he freaks out if is airplane is missing its tutu.  It all began rather innocently. We're trying to teach the kids about money by giving them an allowance.  They pay a %10 tithe and then the rest they can spend how they choose (though Mommy tries to talk them out of buying goodies with them because Mommy already buys/makes too many goodies as it is). So what do they set their hearts on? Toys of course.  Because they don't have too many of those yet.... We were at our "local" (local being the next town over) secondhand store a few weeks ago and the boys were insistent that they NEEDED to spend their allowance.  So I let them.  They fought over who got the train.  Ian did b...

Small town life. Con: Stores close at 8 or 9 or 6pm. Shop early.  Pro: This means you're forced to get everything done and then can have actual FAMILY time.  Con: Middle of "no-where". Pro: Within a couple hours of Arches, Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and other NATURAL wonders. Con: Less People.  Pro: You find a few good friends and ya stick with 'em.  Also traffic? What's that?  Con: One stop light. Pro: Out of town-ers mistake it for an actual stoplight instead of a blinking red.  Nobody knows when to go. Thus providing a good laugh.  Unless you're from here- in which case you grumble about "tourists" and "it's a 4-way stop buddy".  But I still think of myself as a transplant and thus smile when they're stuck waiting for a green light that will never come.   While coming home from taking Ian to school this morning I was thinking about how much of living in a more populous ar...

 "Stop eating my DEODORANT!" I cried for the billionth time as I wondered if I should feed my kids more often.  Which of course led to a lovely round of mommyguilt. (Note: My kids get 3 square meals a day and snacks inbetween that do NOT include deodorant.) Then I found this blog .  And I feel much better.   Laughed so hard I cried.  My kids looked at me like I'd lost it.  Maybe I had.  Just a little.  If you're a mom- please take a minute.  Your sanity is worth it.   You're welcome. 

Dan, a blogger, wrote a post a while back "The Disease Called Perfection" .  It's worth a gander.  We get so caught up in appearances that we forget to be real and forget those we idolize are real too.  So here's a glimpse at my real life (mostly so *I* remember to give myself a break).  Currently: -We are trying to get out of debt.  Which means we drive cars that are 20, and 17 years old. Which means they break down occasionally.  Like this week. (Wheel bearing) So I don't have a vehicle and will be walking to help at Ian's class today.  Not a big deal and better for my health for sure.  But it's COLD outside.  My ears hurt when we got home from walking Ian to school. Blessed to live close enough to do that but still kinda bummed my easy option is gone.    -We also live in an unfinished house because we're being frugal.  Now, we do happen to have shelter from the storm and for that I am intensely grateful....

In light of a trying week I'd like to share with you a few things I know that bring hope and comfort in my life. My sister in law and her husband lost their nephew this week to an accident.  A baby left in a draining tub for a few minutes.  He was 3 months younger than Charlie. My sweet little Charlie.  Their sweet little Kayj (pronounced Cage).  So much hurt. Pain. Longing. Loss. Hope.  Hope to see him again. To hug him again.  To see his smile light up a room. I know there is life after death. That we go on.  That our spirits commune with others.  That we are not alone.  I have always known this.  It speaks truth deep down to my soul.  And that gives me hope.  Purpose. Direction.  I believe God puts us on Earth to learn a few things.  Mostly love.  And sometimes with that love comes pain.  Sometimes unbelievable pain.  When we are swallowed up in sorrow we are surrounded by love.  W...