30 Days of Gratitude - Day 12

I am thankful for my beautiful new niece, Quinn Johanna and her sweet family.

I can't wait to meet her and spoil her rotten.  It is so exciting to have another little girl in the family.

The Baby

On July 29th, Fred and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.  However, that is also the day that I realized how very much I loved my little brother.  I always knew that I loved Jeff.  Don't get me wrong.  But, let's face it, he was a pest.  He knew how to push my buttons.

May 25, 1977, I remember my Granny Bill and Papa Jack telling me that I had a baby brother.  The way I remember it is that I smiled like I was excited.  Neither one of them is here to tell a different story, so we'll just go with that.  However, I remember thinking that I really, really wanted a little sister.

Jeff was (and still is) a pretty big pest.  He knew that he could pick and pick at me until I would break.  And, then I would be the one to get in trouble.  I would say something like, "But, Mom!  Jeff, started it!"  She would look at me with such disappointment and say, "Donna, he's the baby!"  One time, he was driving me crazy.  You have no idea how crazy he was driving me.  He was mad at me about something and he was running towards me at full force.  And, I thought to myself, "If I hit him, I will get in trouble."  Folks, I'm not normally a quick thinker, but I quickly developed a plan that would take care of the situation AND keep me out of trouble, or so I thought.  I doubled up my fist and held my arm straight out in front of me.  My brother was so mad that he charged straight in to my fist.  I hit him without really hitting him.  The perfect plan.  I am here to tell you that "he ran into my fist" is not an acceptable excuse.  I still got in trouble!

When I got married, Jeff was getting ready to start his senior year of high school.  He was a short, skinny boy with a mullet and something that he called a mustache.  I loved my pesky brother a lot.  When we started taking pictures, Jeff and I posed for one and I started bawling.  I loved him so much my heart hurt.  I was excited to start my new life with Fred, but I didn't want to leave my brother.  I was so proud of his accomplishments and his heartbreaks were my heartbreaks.  I laughed when he laughed and I cried when he cried.

When he grew up and had his own family, my heart was breaking and he stepped up and helped me.  He probably didn't even realize how much he helped.  I am so glad that God gave me a little brother on May 25, 1977.

Father's Day Tribute

Happy Father's Day to all the sweet men in our lives!  How blessed we are to have strong, amazing men around us that love us so much.

We love our Scoutmaster Fred.  He is the best husband and dad around. He spent Wednesday through Saturday of last week in Galveston with our young men (14-18) from church helping them to have a fun fishing adventure.  He came home excited with lots of tales about the boys.  He had a day and a half to recuperate and then he leaves at 3:45 a.m. tomorrow morning for Scout Camp with our 12 and 13 year old boys.  We'll say goodbye to him tonight and then we'll see him on Saturday. The boys just loaded up their gear and they are excited about camp.  Fred enjoys working with those boys so much!  I am so thankful that Jonathan has been able to share his Scout experiences with Fred.  I also love that Fred continues to love the boys and love Scouts even though Jonathan has moved on up to the next group. 

I love my dad and the kids love their Grady.  When I was growing up, I remember thinking that I had the smartest dad in the whole wide world.  I would get him to help me with math, because lets face it, I am math deficient.  He would walk me through the problems and then I would go to school where I would see my teacher working them a completely different way.  Thinking that my dad must surely be smarter, I would raise my hand in class and declare, "But, that's not the way MY dad showed me how to do it."  I think my very favorite teacher, Mrs. Hannon had a talk with my mom and told her that it would be best if Dad no longer help me with my homework.  I also thought that Dad could fix or build anything.  He built us a multi-level playhouse, for Pete's sake, complete with a sand box and a slide. He fixed my car often.  I also knew that he would help me out of any scrapes.  In college, he drove to Denton when my Ford Tempo died (and, I mean died) on Eagle Dr., and some sweet, greasy men towed me to a gas station and kept my car overnight.  I don't think people really do that anymore. Lastly, he is the king of silly sayings or Dadisms, as I call them.  They don't make sense to anyone, but him.  For instance, I have migraines and I often say, my head hurts.  His reply is always, "A head like that ought to hurt."  Why does he say that to his sick daughter?  (I mean, he has been saying that since I was a little girl.)  I have no idea, but I wouldn't trade him for the world.   

I love my brother and I am so proud of the father that he has become.  He has the cutest 5 year old little girl, Lainey.  They are pregnant with their 2nd daughter.  He is such a fun uncle.  My kids adore him and he is an amazing father.  He tells bad jokes that are in no way funny.  So much of who he is, he inherited from my dad.  His upstanding character and his dumb jokes.

I love these special men in my family!  I hope they have had a wonderful day.  These are just a few of the special men in our lives -- the ones that I happen to share a last name with (or my maiden name).  We hope all of our family and friends had a wonderful Father's Day today.

30 Days of Gratitude - Day 11

Today is Veterans Day and I am grateful for the service that my brother and sister-in-law give each and every day.  Jeff and Emma, we love you!  

We are thankful to all those that have served our country!

The Purse

My sweet Fred recently surprised me with a purse.  He ordered it online.  I didn't know how to tell him that it just wasn't me.  So, I carried it to the mall one night.  My friends were tickled, because they also didn't think it was me.  So, I went home and told Fred how very sweet it was of him to give me the purse, but that it just wasn't my style.  I asked him if it would hurt his feelings if I didn't carry the purse.  He was really nice and assured me that we could give it as a Christmas gift.  We used it as a game prize at Christmas, so that is where the purse landed.  My brother is the one that "won" the purse.  I don't think it was his style, either!  In the end, it was given to my Grandma.  So, Fred's purse went to a good home.

Merry Christmas from Lavon

We spent Christmas Eve in Lavon with my parents, my brother's family and my Auntie Jan and Uncle Joe.  We had great food, fun games and had a wonderful time as a family.  We lost track of time and ended up getting home very late.  I still had a lot to do to get ready for my own family Christmas!  I think I ended up going to bed around 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.  It was well worth it.  

We played a game called Mad Gabs (I think). It was very fun.  The words are kind of phonetically spelled and you have to look at them and figure out what they are meant to say.  They guys had William Shakespeare.  The girls couldn't see what they had, but we could hear them sounding it out and could tell what they had.  However, they just new they had William Shatner!  They just kept yelling it over and over.  "I said, Shatner, Shatner, William Shatner."  We laughed so hard.  I thought we were going to cry!

One of Lainey's favorite gifts was a dress up trunk.  Hmmm.... my daughter got an entire armoire (which she still uses) when she was that age.  I guess MaMaw was afraid Jeff would kill her if she got Lainey an armoire.  He must be more intimidating than I am!

Jessie loved her Doctor Who shoes.  She is very careful with them and checks the weather each time she wears them. 

Jonathan received a shirt made of money!  He's like Grandma.  Green is his favorite color.  He loved it.

What a great Christmas and what a great night!  I love my family and I am so thankful for them.

Scrumptious S'Mores

The Fortenberry Summer bucket list included a fire in the fire pit and s'mores.  We hadn't completed the item, because Fred said that it was too hot outside.  Jeff, Emma and Lainey were in town over Labor Day weekend, so MaMaw and Grady helped us check that item off of our bucket list.

 

 

We had really big marshmallows to work with and short skewers.  Jonathan, the Boy Scout, seemed concerned about this prospect.  He wasn't interested in roasting a marshmallow if the skewer was too short.  

 

 

Somehow I didn't get a picture of Jess.  I must have put the camera up by the time she started working on her marshmallow.  She did a fine job - making sure hers was sufficiently burnt.

 

 

When we first stared gathering supplies and getting the fire ready, Lainey was very excited. Instead of requesting that we roast marshmallows, she yelled, "Let's marsh mallows!"

 

 

Thanks, MaMaw and Grady, for a fun evening!

Forthman Fun

I am so far behind that I guess I will just start with last weekend....

We had fun hanging out at MaMaw and Grady's and visiting while Jeff, Emma and Lainey were in town.

Lainey found that Jonathan was an easy "target" and would play with her almost as much as she wanted.  He
tried to fake a nap once or twice, but she wouldn't have any of that.

My camera battery died before I got any pictures of Jessie and Lainey together.  Jess helped her play dress-up.  MaMaw still has all of Jessie's old dress-up clothes.  Thankfully, my battery didn't die before getting a super-cute picture of MaMaw and Jeff - I think Jeff was going for super-cheesy, but it turned out cute.

Season of Joy: Day 28

My Brother, Jeff

 

I love my brother, Jeff.  He is annoying... still holds me down and tickles my feet.  Still teases me and makes fun of me.  But, he is a great brother and I love him.  He has a beautiful family that I am so glad that he shares with us.  Thank you for being so special, Jeff (and you can read any kind of meaning you want into that word, special).

Snow Day

While we were enjoying Christmas with Mom, Dad and Jeff's family, we started hearing reports that it was snowing in Frisco.  We looked out the window, but no snow in Lavon.  We were super bummed, but after about an hour Jeff came in reporting that it was snowing!

The kids bundled up and went outside to enjoy the snow for a few minutes.  We didn't stay outside long, because we didn't bring snow gear.  Jess didn't have the right shoes, pants or gloves.  Jonathan was bundled up but forgot gloves.  I didn't want to wear my good coat outside, so I was wearing Dad's rain jacket that didn't cut any of the cold.  I also had mittens on that converted to half gloves.  In order to take pictures I had my trigger finger exposed.  Boy, did it get cold.  Jeff wasn't properly clothed either, but Lainey sure looked cute!

Jess borrowed Fred's coat to bundle her and Lainey up for a picture and got photo bombed by Jonathan.  He truly thinks that he must be everywhere that Lainey is!

It was very hard to get a picture of Lainey.  She really didn't want Jess to help her and she didn't want to pose for a picture.  She was moving fast.  It was probably the first time she had ever seen snow.  I got plenty of pictures of the back and side of her head.  This was the best I could get.  Her mother came out with her tablet and tried to video her and just ended up walking backwards in front of her, so that she could capture the moment.  When you are two, you cannot slow down for pictures and videos.  Who knows when you will ever see snow on Christmas again?

Season of Joy: Day 27

Not-so-sugary-goodness!

Every year mom puts this marshmallow yuckiness in Jeff and Fred's stockings.  And, every year Jeff eats his right before dinner - making himself sick.  It's like he thinks we are daring him to eat it, but the dare is in his own mind!  Fred joined in this year and ate his, too!

Gratitude: Day 6

I am grateful for my brother and his sweet wife.  I am proud of their service in the Army and I am proud of how they are raising my precious niece, Lainey.  I am thankful for their love and support during hard times.  We love you, Jeff and Emma.

Flashback Friday: Learning From The Master

Back in June of 2006, Jessie wanted to learn how to do a handstand.  Her Uncle Jeffrey was most excellent at handstands when he was a little boy.  So, she asked the master, feeling certain he still had the magic touch.

It seems that getting his feet above his head didn't come as easily as it once did, but he was a trooper.  It wasn't pretty, but he did it.

Baby Lainey

In early August, the kids were excited that their baby cousin, Lainey was coming for a visit.  (They were also excited to see Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Emma.)  The couldn't get enough of little Miss Lainey.  We all enjoyed loving on her. 

We learned that Jonathan is great with kids.  He was so sweet with Lainey, and wanted to help her do everything. 

Jessica also had a great time with Lainey.  She is a natural with little ones, and they always love her. 

We were so glad that Jeff and his family were finally able to come for a visit.  We scored big, because we were able to see them about a week later when we were in Austin visiting Auntie Jan and Uncle Joe.  Jeff, Emma and Lainey came for dinner one night, and we were able to spend a couple of hours with them.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures from that visit.  I was fighting a migraine, and didn't think to record the night.  Hopefully, we will see them more often if/when they move to Oklahoma. 

Sweet Little Lainey

Just before we left for Arkansas, we got to see this precious little girl (and her parents).  She is so sweet and wonderful, and is growing so fast.  She is already demonstrating that she is going to have a cute personality.

Baby Lainey

We finally got to meet Baby Lainey.  This is my brother's first child, and it seems like we have been waiting forever to have another baby in the family!  We traveled to San Antonio this weekend.  It was a whirlwind trip that only allowed us one day with Lainey (and her parents).

  Jessie really enjoyed holding her baby cousin.  I'm sure that she will have even more fun with her when she gets older.

And, then there was Jonathan.  He was absolutely head over heels in love with Lainey.   When she cried, he would lightly rub her back.  He especially liked to pet her head... like she was a little puppy.  He would coo, "Hi Lainey" over and over. 

Jonathan tried his hand at holding her.  He was sitting on the floor, and I don't think she found his scrawny arms very comfy.  We should have had him on the couch with a pillow, and he would have been more successful. We will remember that for next time.

Thank you , Jeff and Emma, for a delicious lunch and for sharing Lainey with us.

My Hero

I am very proud of my brother.  He plays the trumpet in United States Army. There have been a couple of people (not many) that have questioned me when I've told them that.  They say, "Oh, really?"  Judging by the tone in their voice, they are really saying "He must not be a real soldier."  I want to say that I am very proud of my brother, and he is indeed a real soldier.  He has one of the hardest jobs in the Army. 

Today, I read his Facebook post and cried.  No one should have to go through what he does day in and day out.

I've put 300-400 soldiers in the ground. Really I lost count after 200. You would think it would get easier after a while but in fact gets harder and harder and harder. Every time I walk into BAMC with my trumpet under my arm, people look at me and tear up, cover their face or just turn and walk away. They know why I'm there, they know we just lost another soldier at the burn center.

Can you imagine having his job?  Can you imagine playing Taps at countless funerals?  I am thankful for the service that he provides our country.  I love you Jeff.  You make me proud to be an American.

Baby Lainey

My brother and his wife welcomed a baby girl on May 21 at 11:59 p.m.  Lainey Eryn Forthman weighed 8 lbs 12 oz, and was 21 inches long.  I hear reports that she is beautiful, and I can't wait to meet her. 

Jonathan asked when we were going to visit.  I told him that we would give Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Emma some time to adjust before we headed to San Antonio.  Jonathan was confused by this.  He really didn't understand why they needed an adjustment period.  He said, "They're only dealing with one baby.  Why do they need to adjust?  Can't we go visit them now?" 

Welcome Baby Lainey, and congratulations to Jeff and Emma.  We love all three of you!


Photo courtesy of MaMaw and Grady.

Christmas with the Forthman Fam

We celebrated Christmas with my family on Saturday.  Mom made a delicious meal.  The decorations were beautiful like always, and there were too many gifts.  We celebrated quickly, so that Mom could go take her shift at the hospital.  We appreciate Auntie Jan staying extra long at the hospital, so that we could have our time together.  Jeff was in Atlanta last year, so we weren't able to have our big celebration.  I think everyone agrees that having him home was the best gift of all.

The Forthmans

back row:  Fred, Dad, Jonathan and Jeff

front row:  Me, Mom, Emma and Jessie

Mom gave Fred a Dallas Cowboys Santa hat.

Uncle Jeffrey

Aunt Emma

MaMaw

Jessie is really excited about the books that Uncle Jeffrey and Aunt Emma got for her.

Jonathan and the car that Grady got him for Christmas

Hmmm.... I guess Dad and I didn't make the cut.  I'm not sure why there weren't any pictures of Dad.  He is going to hold this against me for sure.  Since I was the one with the camera, there is no evidence of me either.

Reindeer Games

We went to Greenville on Christmas Eve to celebrate with my Mom's side of the family.  My Grandma was in the hospital again, so we had to adjust our plans.  We had a small crew this year due to weather, work schedules and other family celebrations.

My Dad was kind enough to stay with Grandma while the rest of us got to play our annual games.  It wasn't the same without everyone, but we made it work.  We were happy that my "little" brother and his wife made it in this year.  They are both in the Army, and we are so glad to have them in Texas.  They transferred in October to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio.  Yay for us!

Jonathan and cute little Josie.  Since Fred and I had to work, Mom and Dad took Jonathan on Christmas Eve.  Mom and Auntie Jan were taking turns staying with Grandma at the hospital, so Jonathan spent much of his day with Auntie Jan, Uncle Joe and Josie.  Thank you all for taking care of Jonathan during this crazy time!

I really don't know... I think he was getting bundled up to go stay with Grandma.  Nice look, Dad.

Fred looking kicked back and comfy on Grandma's couch.  It felt awfully strange to be at Grandma's without her there.

Jeff and Emma.  It is so great to have them home!  They are just a short five hour drive away.  We can just pop in on them whenever we want.  He He!

Auntie Jan.  Do you see her face?  There is some serious plotting going on.  My cousin, Tammy, had another Christmas celebration to attend.  So, she gave Auntie Jan proxy to play for her.  That means that Auntie Jan was playing for herself and Tammy.  At one point, "Tammy" decided to trade her nice clock with Auntie Jan.  That Auntie Jan can be very tricky!

Here is Miss Jessica.

Aunt Judy and Mom.  Something was darn funny! Those ladies have their Christmas spirit going!

My two boys!  Jonathan brought this hot chocolate set, and he made sure that he went home with it, too.

Here is the big winner of the night!  Uncle Joe won/got stuck with this silver sequined bag.  We were all so jealous!

We had a great time.  We wished that Tammy, Randy, Cheyanne, Corey, Lucy, Sue and Jackie could have been with us.  We especially wish that Grandma could have been there.  Grandma's apartment is very close to the hospital, so we ended up celebrating at her home.  Her presence could be felt everywhere.  It was felt when Auntie Jan creatively traded with Tammy.  It was most definitely felt when Aunt Judy didn't pass the bags right during the Right/Left game.  I wouldn't say Grandma was a cheater when we played games.  She just wanted to make sure that she brought home the good prizes!  When you are the Grandma, you can get away with this type of behavior. 

This Christmas we celebrated the upcoming expansion to our family.  Don't worry, I'm not contributing to the expansion.  Jeff and Emma are having a baby at the end of May!  My cousin Corey and his wife Lucy are due in August.  I can't wait to love on these little babies, and then give them back to their parents. Now that my kids are older, I have decided that being an aunt to the 6 and under crowd is an awesome job!