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