Merry (That Means Happy) Christmas

Today it occurred to me that our kids probably don't even know what "merry" means, and here we are, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. Definition discussion followed. And a family self portrait.

Happy, Merry, Joyful Christmas everyone, we're celebrating Jesus' birthday and we're SOOO excited!!

P.S. Wanna see our Christmas concert? Here's our video...
                   http://youtu.be/WSmM67ZXPkQ

He Said, I Said

E has developed a fear of monsters. It may be due to the game that is often played in our house, involving hiding behind corners or doors and jumping out and roaring at poor unsuspecting little E. I have forbid this game, but it still finds its way in sometimes. And then bedtime comes, and E asks me if there are any monsters in his room. And he says, "Can you save me?" Sometimes he asks for Big Puppy, that's his puppy that's almost as big as him. He tells me that Big Puppy will save him. And then I say, "Yes, I can save you, E. But Jesus already saved you, and that's even better." Last night I told him that Jesus saved him, and then I was about to say, Jesus is with you all the time, or Jesus is everywhere, but suddenly I didn't know how to say it without Jesus sounding like a scary monster hiding in the closet. So I said, Jesus is here in your heart. E responded with, "Yeah, and up in the sky." I agreed with him, and then he added, "But Jesus doesn't have a car." And there in the dark, kneeling next to his bed, I had to hide my face to not let him see me laughing about what he had said, the sweet words that had come out of his mouth, because, really, Elijah seems to have it all figured out. I'm the one who doesn't quite know what to say. I never even though about whether or not Jesus would have a car.

He's sitting next to me taking to himself, or some invisible friend, "You go to work? I can't go to work by myself." I just glanced over and now he's said to me, defensively, "What?! I just pretending! I need a driver now. We just waiting. Now we going home, we just turning. We got to go home now. Bye Mom!"

I told him a few days ago that Grandpa and Grandma were coming for a visit. "Yeah I know!" (He says he knows to EVERYTHING now.) "Bampa and Mamaw and COOKIES!!" Again I could hardly control my laughing, he's got it all figured out. I told him he's so smart, and of course... "Yeah, I know!"

Who Makes the Cut?

I was trying to clean out Shelly's backpack and I found this scrap of paper. I was going to just toss it out, but I sort of wondered... What made the list? Why did Archer and Lulu make the cut but no one else? There are some things that look like practice (because, become, for, from). Some things that have to do with current events (Chomp is the title of a book Archer was reading, PTA and home are places we're always going).

Anyway, I thought it was worth checking out and sharing, enjoy. Now I'm tossing it out, with the rest of the wrappers and other miscellaneous stuff I've collected out of her backpack. Archer's backpack is next!

Nighttime

How long have I been a mom? Seems like I should have learned some things by now. Like, bedtime is not "goodnight, sleep tight" and then I don't see them till a reasonable hour the next day. Bedtime is an hour long process... Read some stories, sing songs, brush your teeth (why do I have to say it 100 times?), goodnight.... Why are you still in your jeans? I really shouldn't have to tell you to change into your jammies, you're old enough to just decide to do it...

Ok, so every night, there is a parade into our bedroom. I'm scared. I need a drink, the monsters will get me, I had a bad dream, I can't sleep.

Pitter patter, little feet approaching our door, someone standing right outside but not coming in or knocking, just waiting for us to invite them in to share the latest reason why they're not in bed.

Shelly came in, dropped this on my desk and said, "You can write back if you want. But you don't have to." Ok, I love you, goodnight, go to bed.

Dear Mom - I had a wonderful week off for Thanksgiving - I hoop you did to! - Love Shelly - 12/2/13

I debated about writing her back a note. I didn't have to wait too long to hear her footsteps again, and another note dropped on my desk.

Dear Mom did you get the last noet well I love you by - Love Shelly

She did eventually go to sleep. I wrote her a note, folded it all up into a tiny triangle and gave it to her the next day. She was happy :)

A Little Ray of Sunshine

I found this in between some work papers on my desk today.
A nice little ray of sunshine on a cool fall day.

Today

Today I put E in the bathtub so I would have some time to clean the bathroom. He played happily, we listened to kid music, I cleaned the bathroom, then I cleaned him. Next, he watched kid shows on TV while I cleaned the kitchen. He played games on the computer while I baked bread, cleaned, moved some laundry around. Then lunch. I made myself a gourmet turkey sandwich with sprouts and spinach and turkey on homemade bread. He ate bread and butter. Next comes the good part. The part where I made a fort. A blanket draped on the back of the couch, the two of us lying inside with the blanket over us. The part where there wasn't much room and he cuddled up close to me and for about 2.5 seconds I had his body snuggled up against mine. That was the best part. And I thought, thank you Lord, for this moment. And by the time I was done thinking it, the moment was over, he was out of the fort to find some way to improve on it.

We'll read stories, he'll take a nap and our day will go on its normal, boring, everyday routine. But that one moment, for 2.5 seconds, was enough to make the whole entire day a good one. Thank you Lord, for each and every little moment like that, sprinkled in throughout our days, those are the moments that keep us going through the rest of the hard, boring, mundane moments. Thank you.

Great Grandpa

Denise and I gathered up our kids and made our trip to the hospital to visit Grandpa. I had thought about writing a letter to him, something I could read to him or someone else could read for him... or when he was better, he could read himself. I wanted to tell him all the things I hadn't said. But I didn't write it, and then we got there and I couldn't say it. He was resting... The time just didn't seem right.

Dear Grandpa...
How can I say the thousand ways you've affected me? How can I list or tell all the big and small ways your presence has been around me, my entire life?

Grandpa rested, we talked around him. People came and went, he woke up and we held his hands, we talked and shared our stories with each other. The little unimportant stuff, how's the weather. The bigger stuff, memories from long ago, the hopes for what's to come. He woke up and shared some thought and we held his hands...

Dear Grandpa,
I've known you my whole life but feel like I hardly really know you. You've been there since the moment my parents found out I was on my way, all the way through everything. Your stories stick in my mind, about many years ago and then about just last week. I always felt like you know everything about everything. We could bring up any topic and you already knew.

Dear Grandpa, you raised a family of six kids, they stick together to this day still. You raised kids who work hard, play hard, love hard. Who share, who sacrifice, who laugh and cry together.

Your home has always felt like home to me. I grew up there, visiting and sleeping upstairs, helping myself to your never-ending candy and whatever was in the fridge. Your home was my great outdoors, my adventure with endless places to explore. There is the upstairs where the bedrooms are still named after my aunt and uncle who haven't lived there for decades. There's the basement and the infamous "snake in the shower" story. There's the yard and trees with swings and pastures and barn and all of it just waiting for us to discover.

Your work ethic was so fully instilled in my mom that I see it in her today, her influence inspiring me to work harder and do better. I see it in my aunts and uncles and cousins, people who work hard to make a living, taking care of their families, people who respect those around them and treat each other well.

You are the glue in this tribe, the one we all came home to. Sometimes often, sometimes not, but we were always coming home to you, coming home to another story, another warm chat around the kitchen table.

Somehow I'm still having a hard time believing you're gone, my whole life you've been here. It doesn't quite make sense to me, but perhaps its because I don't want to accept it, believe that you could have left us behind.

We said goodbye on Sunday, you told us to come again. I promised I would, and turned to walk away. I wish I had said to you, thank you for loving us so generously. Thank you for being the gathering place where we could all come together to cry, and to laugh, and to share our memories and make new ones. Thank you for being you. We love you.

Company Newsletter

We're all supposed to submit something interesting/educational/business-related to our company newsletter once a month. I don't really feel like I have much to contribute to the cause so I sort of ignore it... (Shhh don't tell my boss!)

Anyway, this month I got inspired and wrote this, I wonder if they'll accept it?

The Minions continue to work diligently at their assigned tasks, with only occasional grumbling. A is doing well with acquiring new proficiency as his lessons and coaching by his mentor continue uninterrupted. S works hard to achieve success in her assignment at the new location. To date, she has achieved 100% on every assessment she has been given. E continues to be defiant with the expectations placed upon him to move from his current role to a more advanced position within the organization. Management tirelessly works with each Minion to encourage, support, and motivate continued accomplishments. Management remains steadfast in denying repeated requests for raises, more breaks, and better snacks.

** Disclaimer ** Minions' initials may or may not have any relevance to real-life characters. This account may be purely or only partially fictitious. You be the judge.

A Day in the Life...

Yesterday I heard shouts, "Come quick!! There are HORSES in our backyard!"
I really didn't believe them. We've had deer, we get excited over rabbits and squirrels and even a cat now and then. Horses? No way. I went running back there, and sure enough, horses. Not really right in our back yard, they were on the street behind our house, about a block away. But people riding horses through a suburban neighborhood? Definitely unusual.

Last night was Trick or Treating, E was in charge of handing out candy. Archer and Shelly took turns supervising. David baked cookies, I baked a frozen pizza.

This morning I was eating my breakfast (or was it lunch? 10:00 means maybe it was brunch) and E was running around, he came back to me at the table and as he ran up he stopped short. "OH! Mom, POOP fell out my DIAPER!" Sure enough. I won't go into great detail about what I had to clean up, you can imagine the path things had to take to get from his diaper, down his leg... Anyway, just as we were finishing up bath time and getting a new batch of laundry started, guess who showed up? Bampa Bampa! (That's Grandma and Grandpa to you and me.)

After a flurry of activity, they were gone again. And so was E. I sent this email to David...

Hi, my parents showed up and gave us a new bike, a plate of cookies and a bag of muffins.

They took with them the riding mower, a bowl of potato soup, and E.
Please pick up Elijah from my parents before you come home tonight, thanks!

Tonight we'll have friends over. Tomorrow another day, school, a meeting in the evening, the next day school, drawing and Awana, next Cub Scouts... Time just keeps flying by. Every day there's some fun little detail, and every day there's the same mundane boring stuff, over and over and over. Brush your teeth, don't forget your lunch, do your homework, brush your teeth, go to bed. And life goes on.

Big Weekend

Friday Night. Movie Night at Jefferson, we sat on the gym floor for two hours in the dark, while no one stopped talking once the movie started, the air smelled of sweaty socks and spilled popcorn.
An event where I exist as a piece of furniture and a vending machine. Lean against me, sit on my lap, ask for treats... We had fun!!

 

Saturday. What did we do? Its already lost in my memory, sandwiched between the other two days and their big events.
The kids made art.

Sunday. The Game. I went, for the first time ever, to a Packers game at Lambeau Field. Rain, cold, crowded together first in the car then on the bleachers then in the car again. We didn't get home till after midnight, awfully late for a school night. The kids had fun with Grandma Sue, David and I had fun with another couple, spending the day driving to Green Bay and back. I knit a scarf with all my time in the car. So it was productive. Also, a really great time with great people. :)

I Am

I am a fourth grader, carrying a backpack and lunch box, a violin and some Cub Scout paperwork. My backpack is full of books and homework, pencils with broken tips, a sweatshirt that I wore to school this morning.

I am a first grader, carrying a backpack and lunch box, drawings and pencils and crayons. I have a permission slip for our next field trip, a teacher's weekly newsletter and packet of homework due next week. I'm wearing my sweatshirt around my waist, its too hot to put it on now.

I am a two year old, riding my bike, stopping frequently to point out the squirrels, birds, dogs along the way. I can't keep up with Mom but she stops and I sail past her on my bike, only to stop again and admire some other thing along the road. I get tired of riding and decide to walk instead.

I am the mom. I carry the bike, the sweatshirts, the backpacks and lunchboxes, the violin. We walk home from school together, the four of us, I carry their things, their discarded burdens, they're weighed down by all of it but I gladly pick it up. They race on ahead, eager for play time, free time, freedom.

This is a snapshot in our day, a fifteen minute look at a tiny little piece of our lives. Happy to see each other, too busy looking for the next thing to slow down and talk to each other. They race off, I follow up, the last in line, encouraging the stragglers to keep going until we reach home.

My Favorite Animals

by Amy Fortier
illustrated by Shelly Fortier

Shelly and I wrote this book, I wrote with some direction from Shelly, and then she illustrated, in great detail, every page.

Enjoy!

This Is Our Family

Behind us is our house on a hill.

This is a pirate, between his ship and a treasure yet to be found.

This is the handiwork of our always-drawing daughter. Next time I'll share the book that she's creating... More to come!

The Great Big Catch Up

We've been too busy living life to stop and write about it, so here's a catch up with pictures, enjoy!

Archer took David camping with the Scouts, there were supposed to be tents, but... there were no tents. Fortunately, some skeptical/prepared parents brought tents "just in case." David slept in the car, Archer was crammed into a tent with the rest of the boys. Of course this just added to the fun and they had a great time. After camping, they went to Cave of the Mounds for a cave tour and lesson on geology.

While the men were camping, we built a fire of our own and watched a movie... (I'm having deja vu, did I already write about this?)

We took a quick visit to a little beach but it was kinda scary... a little too secluded for my taste, bad graffiti, a dead stinky fish... We'll call that Scary Beach and probably not go there again.

E was eager to change out my license plates for me when some new ones came in the mail.

E took this picture of a flower at Bampa's house, I'm impressed with his skill! Of course, there were a hundred OTHER pictures that I won't show you because they just didn't quite turn out. He hasn't learned to aim the camera at people's faces and instead takes pictures of whatever's right in front of his own face. Imagine what that looks like when he's taking pictures of people...

Last weekend Shelly and I drove to Madison to pick up Aunt Laurie and then all go together to Black River Falls for a Ladies' Weekend. Look at our comfy cozy accomodations! The retreat was so comfortable, we all felt right at home and after we picked out our rooms we settled in.

On Saturday morning we got up bright and early to get to Cranfest. Shelly met a new friend and the girls enjoyed browsing around for the best doll clothes they could find. 

Shelly carefully considered all the options and finally found an outfit and a pair of shoes that fit within her budget, she couldn't wait to show them to her new friend, Carly!

After a long day of shopping, we were ready for something a little more relaxing, but first - the horse show!

Shelly met up with her old friend Pete when we went to see Uncle Mike at the horse show. We chatted with Lisa, then went out for soup (it was POURING rain by then, we were soaked and needed some warming up!).

That evening we were feeling adventerous and I goaded Shelly into climbing the ladder in the library at our cottage. She wouldn't go any higher than this, and when I tried it myself, I understood. It was SCARY. Aunt Laurie tried it too, but the other ladies were smart enough to stay off and not risk a concussion or broken bones for a little thrill.

When we started falling asleep on the couches, we realized it was time for bed. This time, no rush to wake up early and we all looked forward to some extra rest.

On Sunday we were woken just a little bit too early by a knocking noise... We all ignored it except for Shelly, she went downstairs to find out what was going on. She didn't figure it out, but then I heard Laurie whispering to Shelly, "Come here! Look, down there!" It was too early, I knew we had a long day ahead, but my curiosity overcame my sleepiness and I came out of the bedroom to see for myself. Down in the fireplace room, at the windows (which reached down to the ground outside), was a pair of turkeys! They were tapping on the glass, very persistently investigating whatever they saw. They continued for a little while longer but then slowly wandered off as we watched them. 

It didn't take long before the rest of the ladies were up and we were packing, eating breakfast, and sadly saying goodbye to each other. Shelly swiped the hat I'd bought the day before, I don't think I'll get to wear it much this winter!

We drove Aunt Laurie back home, then set our sights on our next destination - the Great Grandparents. 

We first visited Great Grandpa, arriving there around 2:00. It was so good to see him, he's such a blessing in our life and I love the time we have together. He has a story for everything!

Then we went on our way and called Nana. "Can we come and visit? In about half an hour..." The surprie and joy in her voice was so precious, and then we were there! We got to visit with her, share stories and laughter. It was a time of encouragement for all of us!

Shelly and I stopped at Culver's (see her cute hat? yeah, that's mine) for chicken before finally turning towards home. We drove 550 miles in 48 hours, made it home by 9:30 on Sunday night and went straight to bed.

On Tuesday Archer let me join his Field Trip to a nature preserve. I can't believe I didn't know about this place! It was beautiful. SO SO beautiful, peaceful, God's glory on full display all around us. We spent all morning walking around the ponds, prairie, woods, and riverbank. 

I look forward to taking our family there soon, to explore God's breathtaking creation.

This has become our new normal, our busy routine of after-school activities. Archer practicing his violin, Shelly practicing her math and reading, E roaming around distracting everyone at every chance he gets.

Don't let these peaceful-looking pictures decieve you, most of the time it feels like chaos barely contained. A hundred reminders to finish the to-do list, leave your brother alone, don't hit your sister, I know you're hungry I'm trying to make supper, just count on your fingers try to sound it out how is it spelled you still have to practice for 10 more minutes...

Today (we're almost caught up here on the blog!!) we sold popcorn for the Scouts. After lots of sales instructions, reminders to smile and some strategy discussions, we went at it. Popcorn, more popcorn, more and more... Four hours felt like eight. E and Shelly did really well hanging around and helping the boys. Good job everyone!

It seems as if the days fly by in a stream of busy little tasks, are we going to remember any of it, is it worth it. The laundry's never done, kitchen floor is sticky, windows always covered in fingerprints. And yet this is where God has us.

I read something encouraging last night. 1 Timothy 5:9-10. At first this seems to only apply to widows, or those caring for them, but the encouraging part to me was "bringing up chldren." This is listed with "all kinds of good deeds." When I read these verses, I was encouraged. The daily, minute by minute endeavor of bringing up children is highly valued in God's economy. And these tasks that go on the list to keep the household running and the children growing - they're important, each little and big moment, it counts in their lives, and it counts to God.

So, even though it seems to just be busywork, it counts in their lives, it counts with God, and I need to give it all my very best. Thank you Lord, for putting that reminder in front of me, at a moment I needed it most!!

No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

~ 1 Timothy 5:9-10