Violin Across the Generations

The violin was invented in Italy in the 16^th century. One of the most famous composers is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was born on January 27, 1756 and died at the age of 35 on December 5, 1791.

Ludwig Von Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770 and died on March 26, 1827. In 1801 Beethoven lost his hearing. The cause of his deafness is unknown. In 1802 he became depressed and considered committing suicide. These were two great composers for the violin.

My great great grandpa was born without an arm but still played the violin professionally. I’m not sure how he played it but now my dad has it. He plays with me when I practice sometimes.

~ Archer Fortier

Room Cleaning Treasures

Shelly and I were cleaning her room and I came across these things...

The first one I thought might be an invitation, until I got to the last line. (She writes Ester meaning Easter, in case you were confused.)

Dear Mom,
For your birthday Ester, I've made arrangements for a fun-filled cruise in the Caribbean.
Can you water my plants while I'm away?

Happy Ester,
Love Shelly

See how I got confused, that it might have been an invitation? Also, she knows how to spell "arrangements"???? She's so smart!!!

This next one appears to be a remnant from a recent road trip to the farm. I can't read it without tears coming to my eyes.

County: lafetty
town: shullspurg
place: willow valley
I am tired
place new Horizons
It isn't the same without you grat gradpa.
We ♥ you.

She's right, it isn't the same.

Christmas Vacation

Its a little overdue, but here's Shelly's report on her time off from school. When she was writing it, she actually came up with a list of about twenty things we'd done. It was a hard job to narrow it down to just this.


Sorry, I really tried to get this to go the right direction but it just wouldn't cooperate. You'll have to hurt your neck to read it. Enjoy!

 

To: family Form: Shelly

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.

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.

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!

Documenting

Shelly's gotten into the habit of documenting where we're going as we drive around. From the back seat I hear a little voice... "Mom, how do you spell PTA?" And here is the result, little pages of notes on our latest happenings.

Five Minute Friday: Jump

When we're at a pool and I'm holding my hands up, coaxing and calling out, "just jump!" Why won't they let go of fear or whatever it is and just jump to me?

I guess maybe, just maybe, I get it. I really want them to be a bit more fearless. But I understand the fear. When was the last time in my life that I just jumped in? I'm so cautious, carefully seeking out information and asking a thousand questions before I'll wade in ankle deep to some new opportunity. I would hate to get stuck in some circumstance that makes me uncomfortable, stretches me in any way... I don't just jump. I wade in with trepidation and I'm ready to turn around and jump back OUT at the slightest hint of "not what I expected."

I could do with a little more jumping of my own, and then, perhaps, they'll jump in too. Although, I have to say, when it comes to things they're passionate about, the kids will dive in head first and if I don't follow, I'll just be left in the dust. (Scouts, anyone?) Perhaps we can each learn a little more about the whole idea. From each other. And THAT is one of the best parts of a family. Each and every one of us learning from each other, jumping in and then holding our hands up and waiting... waiting for the next one in line to join.

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker

Five Minute Friday: Home

I want my home to be a peaceful safe place, and so often it doesn't feel, or look, the way I wish it would. This isn't just about paintings on the wall, the right curtains, toys picked up and a sparkling clean kitchen. I've lowered my expectations about that stuff. The thing about home is that its messy. Not just the physical stuff you see when you walk in the door. The stuff that happens within these walls. Family life is so messy. Peaceful sometimes, but more often its noisy with laughter and loud playing. Noisy with strong emotions and people who each have their own ideas about what should happen next. Homework or playtime? Shower or supper? This game or that one? Speaking of supper, what are we having? When we don't all want the exact same thing, things get messy. And that's not some magazine picture or self help book. That's real life, messy family life, all within the walls of this place we call home. Sometimes chaotic, noisy, too messy to bear. Sometimes peaceful. Always filled with love.

Linking up with Lisa Jo Baker & Five Minute Friday

Five Minute Friday: Ordinary

Sometimes I think we try to hard to stand out, make sure our kids are THE best at something, and where does that lead? All the kids I remember from high school that were really good at swimming, taking tests, highest grades, fastest times, best scores for the team... we all end up mostly in the same place. Ordinary families, jobs, lives. And what does that mean for what I want for my kids? Is ordinary ok? I think so. They don't have to have the highest grades, the most friends, the best whatever. We're all just ordinary. Except, we're not actually, because God loves each and every one of us in such and EXTRAordinary way that there's just no way we can settle. God loves us so individually and uniquely. And if we remember that as we go through our ordinary days, we'll become more of what He wants for us. Not ordinary. Maybe not extraordinary in the way the world recognizes, but searching for Him moment by moment. And that's the journey I'm on, and that I hope my kids are on, searching for Him, letting His light and love shine through us. We probably won't ever be famous (its probably better that way, anyway). But He has something for each of us. Let's keep looking for Him and see where He takes us on this ordinary journey.

Linking up with Five Minute Friday

I Will Have a Great Day

Shelly's Character

Shelly's Character
  by Archer

Forgiving
gentle
kind
friendly
a loveing sister
helpful
shy
pretty
generous
happy
nice
funny
cheerful
caring
a six year old sister

(Nice work Arch, all so true of our beloved Shelly!)

Five Minute Friday: Focus

"FOCUS!" I'm always telling the kids. And yet, its something I can almost NEVER do. Always there's someone tugging at me for attention, food, help with whatever, hugs and kisses and more attention. Almost always it seems like I'm trying to shut out the noise. Why did God design us to be able to close our eyes and shut out the light, but not be able to close our ears and shut out the sounds?

I lost my cell phone and found it where I had left it, plugged in to re-charge. I'm always loosing my shoes. I lost my expectation for a spotless house long ago, and instead just plead with the kids, "Focus!" and do what I told you to do! Daily, now, Archer attempts to focus on homework with a little brother climbing on him and a little sister who never stops singing. Daily. We try to focus on what's supposed to be done, but there are SO MANY distractions. Each other. Toys. Work emails that never cease flowing into my in-box, and can't be answered until after the kids are in bed.

Stealing this five minutes to write this seems almost like a miracle. That I had five minutes to focus on one thing. Always, though, underneath everything else, there is just one focus. Raise up these kids to love Jesus. Keep the household going and raise up these kids to love and care about each other, and others. And if we can just remember that part, everything else should fall into place.

Linking up with Five Minute Fridays

Five Minute Friday: Story

What's your story?
Today we read from Psalm 119, and this one line caught my attention:
     May my lips overflow with praise...

I picture a cup just spilling over as water is poured into it, more and more water, oh our garden is so thirsty and the air is so humid you could choke on it. And then there's the water, overflowing, out of the pool, the lake, our faucets...

I think my story doesn't usually overflow with praise, the way it should. It definitely overflows with blessings, but too often we're too busy rushing around to remember.

When Eli cries and I'm tempted to let him "cry it out" in his crib, this moment flashes back to me, I watched a short video of children in an orphanage, children abandoned and left to cry. And I know that's not Eli's story, I know he'll cry sometimes. But I don't want any part of his story to resemble theirs - abandoned because sometimes chilren are sooo hard to take care of. He's not so hard. My children are sooo loved. I want their stories to be of parents that love them and take them seriously and act silly and just plain spend time with them every chance they get.

I want them to remember this part of our story, the part where they're growing up and every time they make a craft project it revolves around writing "I love God, I love Jesus, I love Mom and Dad." I love that their love is overflowing. I need to work on my lips overflowing with praise. God is so good to us. My heart overflows. Do I let my lips share that too? Our small story, our little family, overflowing and abounding and so thankfully happy to God for his blessings on us.

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker & Five Minute Friday

Five Minute Friday: Dance

 

Once I stepped on a cricket in our kitchen and was surprised that I didn't completely smash it, it was still alive when I picked my foot back up to see what was down there. I was stepping lightly. Its a step you learn when you don't want to smash the cheerios you step on, because its so much easier to pick them up when they're still whole.

I turned around, the other day, and started heading in a new direction, in a big hurry for something, crahsed into E and knocked him down. I'm still learning the dance. The one where you slow down enough not to clobber the little ones in your path. The one where I learn to follow instead of always trying to lead. The one where all five people in the family can, for some unexplained reason, end up in a four foot square area all at once and every single one of us has a good reason to be in that exact spot. And then we each turn and go our own direction, back to opposite ends of the house, only to repeat the dance, the step aside, the step into a hug and kiss, the daily dance of life together.

Linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker

Five Minute Friday: Path

I didn't think this would be my path, its not what I had laid out in my mind way back when. When I laid around with friends at slumber parties, talking about what our lives would look like when we were grown up. I didn't think I'd want to be a stay-at-home mama. I didn't even figure out that I loved it until I was thrown into it and realized it was exactly where I was supposed to be. Even then, I didn't think I'd ever enjoy cooking for my family. I do now. I didn't picture myself in the place I'm at now but its SO MUCH BETTER. God is so great to give us blessings more than we can ever imagine.

I've been walking around in the woods a lot lately with the kids and they always run ahead and I'm just following. They choose the path. Sometimes its a dead end. Then we turn and go back. Sometimes they pick the barely-there path instead of the finely manicured obviously the-right-way-to-go path. And I follow along. I pick up little people when they fall, brush their hands off, pat their bottoms and send them forward again. I call out, "Don't leave us behind!" and hope that the one with the longest legs will wait for the one with the smallest legs to catch up.

I think a lot about what my future picture will look like. I tell myself that it can't look better than it looks now. And then I remind myself that I have no idea what God has in store. I don't know where the path is going. But I'm sure happy to find out, and enjoy the walk along the way!

Linking up with TheGypsyMama

Five Minute Friday: Expectation

Yeah, there are a lot of these in my life, expectations. Like don't lie to me. How many times do we have to have the same lesson? Or how about, you've learned it's wrong to draw on furniture walls floors the lawnmower but every chance you get you're putting graffiti on my stuff. I love that you love to draw but quit it. I hate that you lie to me about whether you washed your hair in the shower, I can tell you didn't so just tell the truth already.

Are my expectations for them too high? Tell the truth? Don't draw on anything other than paper? Too much to ask? I'm weary of it, sometimes, I don't even know what to do when they don't learn the lessons. Yes keep going forward. And what's my expectation? That you'll learn it someday, soon, I hope. And what do you expect of me? To ignore your behavior? You know I can't.

What pops into my head is "Do justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with your God." That's what You expect of me. I don't understand how justice and mercy fit together that way, or how consequences for bad behavior fit with mercy. Mercy seems like giving in, letting go of teaching the lesson, or teaching that you can break the rules and sometimes Mercy steps in and there are no consequence.

Show me, Lord, what you expect of me. Show me what Justice and Mercy look like together. I've got no clue. I've got so far to go. Please show me the way, Your way, Your expectations for me.

Linking up with GypsyMama