Christmas Season

Its right around November 15^th every year that we start seeing the “Countdown to Christmas” messages everywhere. The stores have already pulled out all the Christmas stuff and by the time we get to Thanksgiving, we’re hearing the music everywhere. I don’t think it’s a huge secret that I’m not a big fan of Christmas, I don’t like the pressure to make my house look a certain way and spend a bunch of money on stuff we don’t need. But. Mostly I try to keep my sentiments to myself. Last year, the five of us all finally officially gave up on celebrating with Santa. The youngest kid knows. We (the parents) can stop trying so hard to hide everything (we were never very good at that) and we can just be up front about the packages that keep arriving at our doorstep leading up to the big day. So that was a step towards making Christmas all around better this year.

David and the kids worked SO HARD to get everything ready. Many dozens of cookies made (thanks Eli, Shelly, David). Dishes and more dishes (thank  you Faithful Dishwasher for all your hard work!). Vacuum the living room, again and again (thanks Archer J). All the windows washed (Wow! David!!!). Laundry, more dishes, more vacuuming, dusting.

Now on to the real joy of Christmas, what we all know we’re supposed to be enjoying, but it gets lost in the stress… Family Time. Time Together.

It happened this year – we really had a chance to ENJOY each other. Nana came on Christmas Eve, along with Bampa and Grandma Shell and we had a wonderful evening together. The stories, the silliness, so many hugs for everyone. Archer snuggled up next to Nana for an hour or two while we watched a show, then everyone headed off to bed.

Then on Christmas Day, it was the Fortiers’ turn to take over the house – little by little they trickled in and the house warmed up. We were missing only 2 of the entire clan and with a group that large, I’d say that was an amazing accomplishment. To have just about everyone there was amazing. Christmas has changed so much over the years that I’ve been a part of this family. All of the grandchildren are growing up, there’s not so much screaming (with joy) and crying. Not so much of all the kids mobbing Christopher’s legs and wrestling him to the ground to pile on top of the oldest cousin. There’s more talk of dating (bleh!! I don’t wanna know!!), jobs, travelling and the BIG topic this year is who is newly driving, or about to be driving, or could be driving by now but isn’t… 

After food and presents, the kids found a game to play together and this is where I have to say, I could not have pictured this 15 years ago. I probably would not have said, “It’s great that they’re all playing video games!” We always hear about kids and “too much screen time.” But Christopher told his cousins that he wanted to spend some time with them and they ALL (that’s 9 kids aged 9 through 25) piled into the boys’ bedroom for a game on their phones/tablets/computers. They found a game that all of them could play together. Screen time, yes. FUN TIME with cousins, DEFINITELY. We had such a great time, I was sorry to kick everyone out at 9:00 because some of us had to work the next day.

I would say it was definitely one of the best Christmases yet – so much wonderful family time connecting with everyone. Thanks to all who came over, brought stuff and just hung out. And most of all, thank you to Elijah, Shelly, Archer and David for ALL of your hard work keeping the house clean and ready to entertain. My wonderful children never complained even once. Not when I  interrupted their playtime to do more chores, not when we asked Shelly to give up her room while Nana stays with us, not when I asked someone to come to the grocery store with me AGAIN. I have the most wonderful family.

Sunday Morning Tea and Waffles

Archer and I enjoy tea. Eli makes waffles. And we all enjoy a documentary about the Beatles. Bliss. That's all.

Holiday Season!

Quick List of December So Far

12/17/17 Gruenberg Christmas in HC

We got to see most of the kids, missing only one. Shelly made a comment to me expressing some sympathy for her older cousins on the other side of the family - "Now I know how they felt around all of us." Yep, on the Gruenberg side, my kids are the oldest and suffer through all the trials of dealing with little ones. And on the other side, my kids are in the younger half. 

Once all the Littles had vacated the house, the Fortier kids pulled out the chess boards and took their turns challenging Bampa to a game. There was some trash talking, some close calls and finally two of the three kids had taken shots against Bampa. Grandma kept the crew supplied with snacks as they battled late into the night. Final tally...

   Shelly 1 win

   Eli       1 loss

   Bampa  1-1

Look out Bampa, this crew will be back for more!

12/22/17 First Day of Vacation!

I took the day off so we could enjoy some quality time together. Three kids, 3 cleanings at the dentist, 2 haircuts, 2 hot chocolates and 2 chai tea lattes, 1 optometrist appointment, quick stop at the craft store, did we do anything else?

12/24/17 Christmas Eve with the Fortiers

Party starts at 5:00. Or 4:00, or 3:00. At about 2:40 I had a giant mess on my hands with muffin batter. Literally. Batter was all over my hands with people possibly showing up in 20 or 140 minutes and I had a little meltdown and dumped everything in the garbage. So much for ginger spice muffins. Things could only get better from there. And they did! What a great evening. The kids enjoyed each other's company and the grown ups did too. A great evening with great family.

12/25/17 Christmas Day for Fortier 5

Big surprise... How did Santa know the kids have been working on their chess skills lately? He delivered a beautiful chess board and some infuriating logic puzzles that have us all stumped. We enjoyed some quiet down time and a few games. And I almost forgot - this was the day that we reveled the big gift to the kids. It took them about five seconds to figure it out, but their silent looks at each other told me they couldn't quite believe it. Disney World. For real? It took a couple of hours but their excitement built until finally they started binging Everything You Need to Know about Disney World videos online. We're going to Disney!!

12/??/17 A Few Days Later

We're on a roll with math assignments, an hour every day and then let the fun begin. Last night we went to see the latest Star Wars thing but the only seats left were for the 9:35 p.m. show. I enjoyed an appetizer and a book while David took the clan to the movie. Late night, but we're on vacation! We're sleeping in later every day.

Today, HC. Bampa lured us with a promise of lefse and chess lessons. We showed up after lunch and immediately started in on chess. The kids offered their chess stragedies (that's not a typo) to help Bampa keep up. The games drew on through philosophical discussions and crawling around pretending to be a cat and harassing siblings. Grandma joined us for catching up on news and kept the snacks flowing. All the way till supper. Grandma fed us some more and the whole afternoon and evening were gold. Treasure, priceless.

   Shelly   Draw
   Archer   1 loss
   Eli         1 loss
   F5 Group Effort   1 loss
   Bampa   3-0-1

P.S. Next time that Bampa concedes the game, take it. Don't insist on actually playing the rest of the game, no matter what you think the odds are, you won't be on the winning side of the transaction. Lesson learned, Bampa, we won't make that mistake again!

Thanksgiving Road Trip

Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, we were able to enjoy a two day trip to Monroe to visit as much of the family as we could round up. It's been too long, I'm so glad we had the chance to catch up with everyone. And there's nothing like a road trip for some very special bonding time. Can't wait to do it again sometime :)

Nutcracker + Christmas + Family

We've had a whirlwind couple of weeks and I've taken about a million pictures...

Start waayyyyy back with Nutcracker Rehearsal at the Theater on Thursday night. Grandma and Grandpa were very kind to get Shelly picked up from school and to the theater on time since I was at work. Friday I took the day off so I could get her to the theater on time (again) for dress rehearsal. Grandma and Grandpa weren't left out of the fun, though, they took Eli for the weekend. Let's not forget Archer - he packed himself up and took off with the scouts for a weekend of camping. And. A beautiful dress rehearsal kicked off the weekend of performances.



Saturday and Sunday. Three performances, so many compliments to the dancers and of course the best dancer of all was Shelly. She had a new role this year, as a Sheep. She was the cutest one.

Archer made it home Sunday morning after a weekend with an entire Scout camp for their small group of five people. Did I mention that the Blizzard of the Century blew through on Friday night? The Scout camp was covered in 40 feet of snow so the boys spent the weekend sledding and snowball fighting and whatever else Scouts do when camping in the snow.

We had a little Christmas gathering with Grandma and Grandpa after the final performance on Sunday. We all breathed a sigh of relief that another Nutcracker season was closed. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for assisting with the taxi duties, and for hanging onto E for the whole weekend so he didn't have to see the Nutcracker four times. You two always come through for us!

Fast forward six days, Hello Christmas!

Remember when Archer was the same height as these Nutcrackers?

We enjoyed our traditional visit to the campground for the light show, a visit from Santa, and Christmas with the cousins. This was the year of Nerf and RC toys. I tried to tally it up. The addition to the F5 Arsenal is something like 120 Nerf darts, 4 Nerf guns, 4 quadcopters, 2 cars, 1 helicopter and a whole lot of Cracker Jack. There might also be somewhere around 1,000 new Lego? And who gave Elijah Graham 110 marbles?

This is what I know - the rule of "no small parts" is 100% broken because for the last three days I've barely been able to walk without stepping on a weapon or some kind of ammo. I also know this. There has been a lot of running around, screaming with delight, laughing as the kids and quadcopters chase each other around corners. All around, a happy Christmas season for all.

Bedtime Stories, Bedtime Songs

We read a story, tuck them all up and demand they stay in bed. Then. Eli looks up at me with his big eyes and scoots over to the very inside edge of his bed. He peers at me and pats the empty space in his bed. This happens every night. He doesn't talk, and I ask him what he wants. He pats the space again. I come back to him, tell him only for a minute, and lay down next to him.

He asks me for a song, I ask HIM for a song, and finally we sing. This night, we got a little silly, we had a couple extra people join us, it was a delight. Goodnight!

 

Layers of Love

Every night when I tuck the kids into bed, I pull their blankets up to their chins and answer their last questions for the day. Tell them I love them. Say goodnight. And I bundle them up under layers and layers of memories and layers of love.

Shelly sleeps under a blanket that Nana made for me when I was 13, a quilt designed to look like me, a portrait of a girl with her legs crossed, sitting with a book in her lap. Next is a fleece blanket, one that I tied together, hoping it would keep me nice and warm through our long winters. On the very top is a purple bedspread from a friend, handed down to us when her own daughter grew up and moved away.

Elijah sleeps under a blanket made by Grandma Sue, just the perfect size for him. On top of that is a quilt that originally belonged to Archer, one we bought when we were carefully considering the finished look of a boy's room, a boy no longer a baby and now in his big-boy bed.

Archer sleeps under a quilt that belonged to his Grandpa Lou. Occasionally, on extra cold nights, he adds the red fleece blanket that has polka dots in white and green, the blanket given to us for Christmas a few years ago by Denise and Dan, with a note that the blanket would keep us warm after sledding outings.

David and I sleep under a beautiful quilt sewn by Aunt Penny for our wedding. It reminds me of that day when so many friends and family came together to help us create the perfect day. And so many people that have continued to support and love us through all the years of our family growing.

Everywhere I look in our home, in our lives, I see all these layers of love that surround and enfold us. They're there for us to share in the joys and share in the trials. What countless blessings we have!

Shelly's Seven!

We did something this year that we’ve never attempted before. Its surprising, considering we’ve been parents for almost ten years, and this is an American cultural standard that our kids have been exposed to beginning way back at four and five years old. The Birthday Party with Friends. We’ve avoided it, passed it up, and this year we’ve finally succumbed.

 We held a birthday party for Shelly’s big Seven. Two cousins, ten friends, and lots of screeching girls… One dad said to me, “I feel sorry for you” as he closed the door behind him. I just smiled and let him know we were going to have lots of fun. And secretly inside I was completely intimidated by the mob of little girls circling around me. Are we going to have fun? Will they tell their parents it was a good time? Grandma Sue and Aunt Niecy came to help and I kept asking Denise, is it going ok? I guess it went ok.

We were inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder and came up with crafts and games in the spirit of Laura in her Little House. The girls made rag dolls, lavender sachets, button necklaces, wooden tops, butter, and shopped at the General Store. The boys were in charge of the store, taking pennies from the girls and dishing out giant pickles, marbles, paper dolls and countless pounds of candy.

In the end, when it was all over, I felt like I had planned a wedding, all timed out and choreographed. I knew that David and I couldn’t have done it without all the help we got from Grandma and Aunt Niecy. There were no major injuries, no home-wrecking catastrophes (only bits of rock candy everywhere that we had to pick up for days afterwards), and the girls left with their goodies and smiles on their faces. Best of all, Shelly said she had a good time. She thanked us a thousand times. And hopefully she’ll remember the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER for a few years to come.

Stories

After our trip to Old World Wisconsin, we spent the night in Madison, and then went to visit Nana. Our schedule was a little different than hers, and when we arrived we were ready for lunch, but she'd already eaten. We took her out for lunch anyway, and she ordered apple pie while the rest of us had pizza. (And maybe shared her pie.) We visited, the kids played with Nana's toys, and we shared lots of stories.

After that, on to Grandpa Shorty's farm, where the kids roamed the yard, investigating the heifers and taking turns on the swings. More stories shared - did you know that the farm house where Grandpa raised his family had no running water when he bought the farm? Did you know that Grandpa dug out the basement of that house, to make room for a furnace? (Reminds me of when Nana told me about her dad digging a basement in the house she lived in as a girl.) So, while Grandpa shared stories with David and me, our kids were out and about, making new stories of their own. At one point, Archer ran into the kitchen and asked for a plastic container. To catch fireflies. Who is this kid? He's afraid of bugs!

Something about the country air changes a person, my kids began the quick transformation from city to country kids and as they ran in and out of the house, showing off their prizes (captured fireflies), I was so happy to be in this place of stories. Stories from our past, creating stories for my kids to tell their kids someday, stories for their future.

The next day the story-making continued, Dad took us to Hidden Valley for a little fishing trip. Archer caught about a hundred (or maybe just fifteen) little bluegills and sunfish, David caught a nice sized large mouth bass, and I caught a lot of seaweed. A lot. When I got tired of cleaning the weeds off the lures, I announced that we were done and we went back to Grandpa's to see what E and Shell had been up to with Grandma. Of course, E had no clothes (too HOT!) and the kids faces were red from running around outside. More snacks, more visiting, and then David and I came home. The kids stayed behind for a few more days of fun. And story making.

Back in Time

Today we celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary by taking a trip back in time. As we packed up the car and drove away, I started reminiscing about ten years ago today. "Right now (10:00 in the morning) I was sitting in my Dad's truck in my wedding dress, waiting to walk down to you." David said, "In the air conditioning." Yes, nice and cool in the truck, while David waited outside in the garden. It was SO hot that day, but I don't remember the heat. I remember finally, the time came and I got out of the truck, walked with my parents and bridesmaids through the gardens in my big white dress. Then, down the little path, my sister and friends ahead of me. My parents by my side. We rounded the corner and there, in front of me, my love. More friends and family were there, but my eyes were locked on David. There he was, so calm and handsome, our brothers beside him, and he stood waiting, smiling at me. I walked towards him, took his hands, and we sealed the deal. We vowed in front of everyone to stick together forever, and now, ten years later, I can't believe its been ten years!

 

Today we visited Old World Wisconsin. We had such a great time visiting the different houses and barns, the store, wagon maker's shop, blacksmith shop, the weaver's house and the farm animals. We learned so much, and even got to try a few chores. The kids tried washing clothes, making cedar shingles, cleaning out flax to make line (thread), watching fiber being spun into thread, watching the loom in action, grinding rye for flour, mowing grass... I may have left out a thing or two. All along the way we kept talking about Laura Ingalls stories. Remember when Almanzo's father made shingles? Remember when Laura's mom made straw hats? See those hats?

Almost all the little girls we saw were walking around in sun bonnets and I couldn't resist, we picked one out for Shelly and she wore it proudly for the rest of the day. Archer got a water canteen and E got a little wooden toy. 

As we were leaving, there was a couple getting married in front of one of the big barns. The women in their beautiful dresses, the men in tuxedos, and their family and friends all seated, watching them promise to spend the rest of their lives together.

Today, as we celebrate our tenth anniversary, I can't believe all of the amazing things that have happened in our lives since we made our own promises ten short years ago. Here we are, older and wiser (haha!), three beautiful kids have joined our journey, and we're still going strong. Praise God, from whom ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. He has give us SO MUCH, blessed us beyond measure, and no words can say how thankful I am to be in this exact place where we are today.

Shout for joy to The Lord, all the earth. 

Worship The Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that The Lord is God.

It is he how made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

~Psalm 100:1-3

 

Happy Independence Day!

We were out the door by 6:45 to get to HC in time for the big event... The Firecracker Four. Again. Last year was nearly a disaster, when it was 90 in the shade at 8:00 in the morning, and I hadn't been training at all... well, I finished, but just barely.

 

This year, my family came to support me (thank you SO MUCH David!!) and it was only 75, and I've been doing a little running... I cut 7 minutes off my time and finished much more comfortably. I even offered to run back to Grandma and Grandpa's with the kids. They walked, so I did too. I'm so thankful to my family for their support, Mom was kind enough to slow down for me so I wouldn't be running alone. 

We had some pool time and then lunch in HC before coming home for a nap. Then, off to the fireworks with Aunt Kim and the cousins.

 

We got a great spot and fully enjoyed the lights and crashing booms, the kids were awed and excited and finally.... finally we are HOME. Whew. And the whirlwind of weekend activities is just beginning!

 

 

 

35 Years

And still goin' strong!!

Mom and Dad celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary last week and we surprised Mom by showing up on Tuesday (the day after the anniversary) for a little party. Dad likes to remind us that they dated for seven years before they got married. So they've been together for 42 years... gosh that's a long time! But its not hard to see why their marriage has lasted this long, they are so full of love and respect for each other, they sacrifice in the big and small things and they just plain have fun together.

Thanks for the great example, you two!!



Photos courtesy of Denise

 

Dear children, let us not love one another with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
~ 1 John 3:18

Today

Today is FINALLY the day when we could leave the house on a whim without winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, boots. Today is the day when I said, "want to go on an adventure?" And they followed me out the door and we went to the woods and explored God's great gift of nature. There was plenty of green among all the dead looking leaves, little sprouts here and there to show that spring has definitely arrived. And we even spotted a couple of turtles and countless frogs in the pond. When the kids were quiet we could hear them calling, the frogs were singing of spring too, I think. But we couldn't hear them for long, the kids started back up with shouting their discoveries, and Shelly with her songs of warm weather and sunshine.

First we consulted the maps, determined where we were and where we wanted to go (Archer was the leader but E made his opinion pretty clear too).

I happily took my place at the back of the pack and followed our leaders across the boardwalk (there were bees... they made the kids a bit nervous but we didn't have much choice, forge ahead!).

There were a few stops for "Mom take a picture of me here!"

Shelly is a blossoming photographer with her new film camera.

The first time we passed the pond we didn't see much, bu the second time around we slowed down. Watched the ripples in the water and carefully, slowly, we were able to spot frogs! E entertained himself with throwing sticks into the water.

And finally, a kind hiker paused to take a picture of us as we crossed paths, he on his way to the pond and river, us on our way home.

I love these times, spontaneous and not rushed by any schedule, just letting the kids decide which path to take next and when to go home. What a GREAT way to start our weekend!!

Hey Sweet Six!

We celebrated Shelly's sixth birthday a day early because we had some other plans for tomorrow and didn't want her to get lost in the shuffle.

First, the traditional streamers in front of the bedroom door...

Some day the kids will just think the streamers are cheesy. But for now, it makes them feel special. At least, that's what I tell myself as we're putting them up in the middle of the night!

I couldn't find the "Happy Birthday" banner so just put up more crepe paper streamers in the dining room. Swimming lessons in the morning. (Shelly seemed especially miserable but later said she had fun. We try to put a positive spin on it so hopefully she'll only remember the "fun" part and not the "I'm hating this" part.)

I've been promising the kids FOREVER that they can get their own library cards, so we went today.

(See how Shelly is wearing her princess hat? She wore it all day. Because she's the Birthday Princess, of course!)

Then a laid back afternoon, a traditional birthday supper, gifts and cake. (We always tell the kids they can pick whatever they want for supper on their birthdays. They always pick Chinese. Always.)

This was all followed by Wii games, with Shelly picking the games and playing every round, the rest of us taking turns. We're also all sick. Sniffling, coughing and sneezing.Tissues are scattered all over the floor. The kids are using their sleeves and the furniture because they don't like tissues for their runny noses. And the constant reminder, "cover your face when you cough!"

Shelly told us it was the best birthday ever. And that's the best a parent can hope for. That, and the kids getting along well together and going to bed early. Because I've got a pounding headache, and really, the happy birthday celebration is wearing me down...

Hey Sweet Six Shelly - Happy Birthday!! We love you beyond words. We're so blessed, beyond measure, beyond words, we love you. We can't wait to see where the next year or two or six takes us all!!

Guess Who

Just Turned Two??

This little guy has certainly changed our family and brought us many many smiles and laughs through the last two years.

Have I ever mentioned that I truly believe he is the SMARTEST two year old on the PLANET?? Today he said "paper." Seriously, isn't he so smart? I love how he shouts "BUS!!!" every time a bus passes through our neighborhood, except he doesn't put an "s" on the end of the word, he puts a "t." He says "BUT" and Archer and Shelly really get a kick out of it. He can say plane, more, eat and most importantly MINE! He recites the Declaration of Independence (just kidding) and follows around the older kids. Ocasionally (a LOT) he bosses them around, steals their toys, throws things at their faces and screams for no aparant reason. But he's so cute that none of us can ever get annoyed for even a second (well... maybe just one second).

This morning I caught Archer teaching E his colors. "This is orange. Which one is the orange one? Good job!" Tonight Archer was being a bad influence and making noises with his hand in his armpit. This morning Shelly told E to be nice, in her best grown-up mom voice. And tonight she wrapped his birthday presents and made him a birthday card. She also helped him unwrap his presents, whether or not he wanted the help.

Those two kids have learned so much and grown so much by learning to get along with the littlest member of our family. These two parents have learned so much too. I have to admit, I thought two kids had gotten us well on our way of learning how to be parents. But the third one brings challenges and blessings and love all his own. And we're so very thankful for God's blessing on our family, and for Elijah Graham's place in our family.

Oh Blessings!

Tonight I experienced something truly amazing, and I was so blessed to experience it with family and friends by my side.

Tonight we went to the airport and waited for endless hours until finally, after fidgeting and telling the kids the rules and snack runs and restroom runs and trying to count heads to make sure everyone was still all there...

Finally...

The flags rounded the corner. The crowd rose to their feet. Cheers rose. Chanting, "U.S.A.!" filled the air.

The color guard neared and applause filled our ears. Mobs of people, so divided everywhere else in our lives, so different, strangers, we all lined the way with our flags and signs.

The flags passed and the first Hero appeared. And then another. Another. They kept coming.

For over an hour, we stood, we cheered, we shouted "Thank you!" and "God Bless You!" over and over. We reached out our hands to shake the hands of the men and women who fought for our freedom.

 

 

Each time one of these veterans came close enough to us we reached out. They saw the kids lining the path and slowed down to grasp each little hand. Occasionally they took mine. I looked into their eyes, I was so filled with thanks for their service, for what they had done for us, their country. They left their own families. They risked death. They saw friends dying around them. They pushed on. They came home, and now today I held these people's hands, and looked into their eyes, and cried as I thanked them.

After the veterans passed, we had the honor of also welcoming those currently serving. And when the parade slowed down and these men and women stood in front of me, I thanked them again, I told them how proud we are, how much we appreciate what they're doing, and I wondered what's ahead for them.

I don't know what's ahead for them, perhaps they'll travel to some unknown place and spend day after day in harm's way. Perhaps they'll end up sitting behind a desk somewhere. Maybe they'll love their assignment or maybe hate every day of it. But this I do know. Each of these people signed up for an adventure that I was never willing to consider. Each one of them was willing to put their own plans aside and serve our nation. And for that they deserve our thanks. I thank the Lord for them, those service men and women. And I prayed over and over tonight that each of those that passed us would know how much we appreciate what they're doing for us, and that they would find confidence in Jesus tonight to take them forward, wherever their paths may lead. What a great nation this is that we call home, and what great people we can thank for the privilege of living here.