That didn't last long......

Well, I'm back--sooner than I had planned but I missed writing on my little blog even if only two people are reading it--thanks Shelly and Jenna!
The reason that I wanted to quit for a while is that I was feeling like the internet was taking up way too much of my time. However, I realized that it isn't writing on my own blog that was the problem. It was reading too many other scrapbookish type blogs and message boards that is robbing my time. So.....I am staying away from those and concentrating on my own blog.
This was homecoming week at Mt. Zion so we went to the parade and game today. One of the things that i love about being from a small town is that homecoming is a big deal for the whole community. We have some friends who live on the parade route and they invited everyone over for cinnamon rolls and breakfast before watching the parade. It was such a beautiful day for a parade and game.

I'm OUT--for now anyway

Not that anyone will really miss this blog, but I am not planning on posting anything for a while. No particular reason, I just need to focus on some other things right now. Thanks for looking and I'm sure I will be back eventually.

a SUPER trip

The boys and I went to Nashville for a few days and had a wonderful trip. I am so sad that I didn't do it a long time ago! Everyone there is doing great. It was so nice to catch up with Heather, Michelle and Carmin and see their kids. I can't wait to go back--and neither can Parker and Jack. They had a blast with all those boys and one very pretty little girl--Jenna. Parker has a new crush! We stopped in Metropolis on the way there AND back. Parker and Jack loved Superman--well, they loved the store even more. Jack walked around going, "there's Superman, there's Superman." EVERYTHING was Superman!

A few more layouts

Jack sits still--for once!

If you know Jack, you know that he NEVER slows down. I love these pictures of him with Buddy. I don't think it lasted long, but it sure was sweet while it lasted.

Homeward Bound

I posted this layout on my favorite scrapbook website http://acherryontop.com and several of the responses I got said that they really liked the star with wings. Isn't it cool!? Well, I didn't come up with it. It's printed on the paper and I just cut parts of it with a craft knife and tucked the picture behind it. I had to go back and put a message with the layout that clarified that I'm not THAT creative. I love these pictures of Parker and Jack. I swear they were more happy to be heading home from vacation than they were when we were heading to our destination!

Here we go Again

This is the layout I did about Parker's first day of school. I really like how it turned out--the end result is almost always a surprise for me.

9/11

What a sad day to remember. In a way, I wish I could forget everything about it, but on the other hand, I want those images to feel fresh so that I never forget to be grateful for the many blessings we have. Parker was not even a month old that day and I just cried and cried the whole day. I remember thinking that he would never have some of the opportunities and priviledges that I have had because our country would forever be changed. How sad for everyone. I avoid anything to do with that day now. I never watch or read anything about it because I get too emotional. Then I feel guilty because I have the luxury of just changing the channel but those people who lost someone that day can't just turn the channel or put down the newspaper. Sad. My tribute today will just be praying for anyone who still struggles with the aftermath of that awful day--that they find strength in God and that they will eventually be able to move without forgetting.

Back to School

This was Parker's first full week of school. Each day he jumped out of the van and ran into school. That was definitely a nice change from the past 2 years. (The first year he cried, the second year he was reluctant.) I'm hoping that he participated in class more than he has the past years. It drives me crazy that he knows answers but doesn't raise his hand. He is sooooo stubborn and reserved sometimes. I tend to be that way too, so I guess I should be more understanding of this particular personality trait. Nothing much to report here. It's a fairly boring life I lead--but I'm not complaining!!!

Vacation Layouts

Two Foremans and a Fleming

Well, I cleared off a little bit of mess so I could make a scrapbook page with some of the new papers I got in Champaign. To me, Parker, Jack and Macie don't look anything alike. They look like three random children that I decided to take photos of and call them cousins. I just LOVE Macie's sparkly blue eyes and those curls. I could play with her curls all day--if she would let me that is. Uncle Craig is going to babysit Jack tonight for a little while until Amy gets home from basketball practice. Parker and Travis are going to a Cardinal game tonight and I am having dinner with some friends. I hope Craig is feeling brave--two 2 year-olds can be a challenge--especially these two!

Messy, messy, messy

I know I've been a bad blogger, but we haven't been home much so I haven't really had much to report. This picture is of Parker at the Lake--he had so much fun in that pool. However, my heart skipped a beat every time he leaned over that waterfall.

I went to Champaign yesterday by myself and visited Paper Dreams and Pixie Dust. It is just the cutest scrapbook store. They have such great stuff and I just love the atmosphere there. I made some other stops too, to all the stores we don't have in Decatur (World Market, Michaels, Prairie Gardens, Famous Barr, Shoe Carnival....) It's amazing how many more stores I can go to without kids! I am just itching to scrapbook, but I have got to clean up my house before I do anything creative. It is just awful--the mess is taking over our lives. I am almost paralyzed by all the clutter. I just don't even know how to begin. How embarrassing. I live in fear of an unexpected visit by a friend. So, if anyone is actually reading this, please don't drop by unannounced--I won't be able to let you into my house. Really!

We're Back!

I have decided that we just aren't very good vacationers. We came back a little early because we ran out of stuff to do. Tracy and Ryan had to be back on Monday, so we spent Monday night at a hotel. They were doing repairs on their indoor pool so that eliminated virtually all of our Monday plans. Also, most waterparks aren't open this late in the summer, so we couldn't do that. Oh well. We all had a really nice time at the lake and enjoyed boating and swimming. I will post more photos later.

Boating Fun

This is Parker and Jack enjoying a movie below deck while we boated at Lake of the Ozarks. They couldn't decide which was more fun--being on deck or below. Either way, they had a lot of fun--we all did! Check out Stella looking out at the water. You can't see it, but my hand is inches away from her so there was no danger. She is sooooo cute. I love those rolls (on her they are cute--on me, not so cute!)

Our Vacation--Borrowing Luxury

We are headed to Lake of the Ozarks tomorrow afternoon for our little vacation. We are very fortunate to be able to stay with Ryan and Tracy at Bob and Sandy's lake house. Pictures cannot do this home justice. It is so beautiful and grand. Parker calls it "Tracy's new big house." He is looking forward to swimming and boating (for him boating means laying in the bed and watching movies--yes, the boat has a living room, kitchen, eating area, bathroom and bedroom.) Now that Jack is slightly more managable, I think we will have a nice time. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Parker at 4

I saw this great idea online about using an old board book to make a mini scrapbook. I loved the idea because we definitely have plenty of unloved books and I love to make mini-albums. I saw the idea of doing a book about your child at a certain age online too. I don't come up with these great ideas myself!!!! I can't wait to start one about Jack at 2.

where have the last 5 years gone?????

In only 3 more days Parker will turn 5. How is that possible? I can remember his birth like it was yesterday--at least I remember the euphoria of it all. August 14, 2001 was truly the best day of my life because it was the day I became a mother. That might actually be the only real "goal" I have ever had. I hated being single so much and it was all about the fear of never being a mother. I wasn't really worried about not having a life mate, it was about never having children. Luckily, Travis came along and now I am blessed to have a good husband and wonderful boys.
I am pretty melancholy about this birthday. 5 seems like a milestone to me. It is school age for most kids. He really isn't a preschooler anymore. Things are expected of 5 year olds. He is actually capable of learning to read and do math. (Capable but unwilling!!!) He is definitely not a baby anymore. With every year that passes, I hope I am still able to remember that absolute joy, the complete awe and amazement I felt the day Parker was born. So I am going to treasure these last few days of 4. I'm going to soak in my little boy and try to prepare myself for the big 5! Happy Birthday sweet baby boy--you will always, always be my baby!

Celebration Explanation

Well, last night I typed up a really good blog about why I love Decatur Celebration and how I don't honestly know how anyone can complain about it. But somehow it got lost in the publishing process. So now I will offer a condensed version of why I love Decatur Celebration:
1. FREE
2. Seeing friends
3. Music
4. Carnival
5. Kid's Block
6. People watching
7. Parade
8. Arts and crafts
9. Availability to everyone
10. FOOD
In my original blog I explained each of these things in detail, but suffice to say that people are always quick to slam Decatur but this is one thing that I think Decatur does extremely well--can you imagine the volunteer manpower it takes to run this thing!?
Once again this year we enjoyed 3 enjoyable days of Celebration. The Foreman family sends out a big THANK YOU to Decatur for a great weekend. Keep up the good work!

Grow

Back in February or March, Parker's school went to Walmart for a really great field trip. They planted sunflower seeds in the garden department. He took it home and somehow Mamaw and Buddy ended up with it which is why it grew like it did. I would have forgotten about it and it would have died a sad, lonely death. I'm not really sure that Parker really grasped the idea that this enormous sunflower was the same thing he planted so many months ago.

through Jack's eyes

This turned out exactly like I had envisioned it. That is very rare for me. I am never going to look at ADM and Staley the same again. Love that kid!

The journaling reads:
As we were driving by ADM one day, Jack said, "Look...they're making clouds!" To me the factories in Decatur have always represented our blue-collar, industrial roots. I've always thought they were eyesores--dirty and ugly. But to Jack, they were wondeful because they were making clouds. Perfect! Good for you Jack!

A Big Step

To people who do not scrapbook, this won't seem like much of a big deal, but it is to me. I submitted a page to Creating Keepsakes magazine. For years and years I have wanted to do it, but I feared the rejection. I finally took the plunge. I know it will be rejected, but I'm still proud of myself for doing it. Plus, I just love this photo and I love how the page turned out too.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Graduation

I did a layout today and I love it. It didn't turn out at all like I had originally planned and I'm glad. I was picturing something more "schoolish" with abc's and chalkboards. This is soooo much more Parker. In fact, I layed out 3 paper selections and he picked this one. He has an artistic eye I guess. You sure wouldn't know it from his interest in art. He NEVER wants to color or draw. This is a big disappointment for me because I love to do those things. Oh well. Maybe Jack will like to. (VERY DOUBTFUL!!!)

Boston Baked Beans

I read about these little $1 lunch boxes at Target so I had to check them out. It is just a little bit bigger than a deck of cards. I bought a few with the intention of "altering" them scrapbook style. Then I made a little accordian album to put inside. It has pictures of Parker, Jack, Macie and Dylan. This is my first one and I think it turned out really well. I gave it to Cathy so she could put it on her desk at work.

Trying something new--for a little while anyway

I have been coloring my hair on some level for about 20 years. It started out with some "Sun In" (you know--that stuff that you spray on your hair and then sit in the sun and it bleaches it) and progressed from there. When I was in college, it was pretty much white and it has been every shade of blonde, yellow and orange ever since. Including a shade that my friends lovingly call "butter". One thing has always remained the same though--the black strip running down the middle of my head because I am always fighting my roots. So, I have decided to have a trial run of something closer to my natural shade. I feel like I am wearing a wig but I am willing to try this out. I will probably get some blonde highlights soon, but I think this might be the direction I should be going. At least until I start turning gray then I will have to lighten it back up! Anyone want to bet how long I will last with dark hair? I haven't decided if I like it or not! Parker keeps saying, "Your hair sure is different." I don't think he means it as a compliment!

Swimming Lessons

The lessons are over. According to his teacher, Parker needs to gain confidence. No surprise for a kid who just doesn't get to the pool very often. I feel strongly that he will be more confident as he get's older. He's just like me--he overthinks things and then talks himself out of trying new things. We both need to work on that!

Kissing Cousins

We got back yesterday from St. Louis. We were there for six days which appears to be about the maximum that any of us can stand. I think the boys just get a little out-of-sorts after a while and I know it's stressful for Tracy and Ryan to have their normally orderly and quiet home disrupted by us--at least for that length of time. We did manage to hit all the stores I wanted to and Parker had a great time swimming. I always say that I don't want a pool, but I just love that he could put on his trunks and swim for a half hour and it was no big deal. Maybe someday we'll do it, but I highly doubt it. The week definitely didn't turn out to be the "baseball" trip I had planned. We only went to one game because Travis had to keep coming home to work. Since we really only go to the games to be with him, it didn't seem worth it to drive all the way there if we weren't even going to see him. And now that we are back home, Travis headed back to St. Louis. How's that for irony?
Parker is just wild about Stella. He is so sweet with her. It's like he feels some kind of responsibility for her. Even Jack is very quiet and gentle when he plays with her. It's funny to see how rowdy and rough they are and then they sit down with her and their voices get that high-pitched baby tone and they touch her gently. I love it. Parker made Tracy and I get teary-eyed when we were leaving because he was sobbing and told me to tell Tracy to give Stella hugs and kisses from us. It was so heartfelt and sweet. He is such a gentle soul. I'm always worried that he is going to get his feelings hurt because he's so sensitive. I guess he will have to learn to deal with it. I wouldn't want him to be an uncaring child so I guess I should be happy that he shows great concern for other people's feelings.
My parent's are watching the boys for a little while today while I try to recover from so much time with them. Moms need a little break too!

Little Miss Firecracker

Tracy e-mailed a few pictures of Stella from the 4th of July and this title immediately popped into my mind. I love it when that happens. Anyway, I couldn't wait to scrapbook it. Not my best work, but not terrible either. I should have been packing and preparing for our St. Louis trip but sometimes creativity wins over everything else!

World Series Worries

You know, I get really annoyed when the blogs I visit don't have new entries for days at a time and here I am going weeks without blogging. Talk about a hypocryte. My parents and I have been working so hard on painting our house that I have had little time for anything else. I even went almost 2 weeks without stepping foot in Walmart. That is just unheard of! The highlight of my week so far has been that Hobby Lobby had it's 6 for $1 paper sale which is just an unbelievably good deal if you are a scrapbooker. Of course, I am a paper hoarder so I can never have too much. We are going to St. Louis for the better part of next week for the World Series for the 13U team Travis is coaching. I'm a little bit excited and a little bit concerned about expecting Parker and Jack to cooperate for that long. Luckily we have a really nice and helpful group of parents that lend a hand when I need one, which, if you know Jack, is often--VERY often. So far this year parents have prevented him from inserting a stick in an outlet, bandaged a bloody knee, prevented falls off bleachers, made stops from running into busy parking lots, etc. Where was I during all these death-defying incidents? Looking away for 2 seconds which is how long it takes him to get into trouble. People who have toddlers think that their child is active, but out of the 12 boys on Travis' team, all of the parents say they have never seen anything like Jack. They just shake their heads. Me too. Like we always say, thank God he's so cute because he sure is rotten! We also LOVE him like crazy (and his big brother too!)

Paper Obsessed

I just absolutely love patterned paper. My problem is that I never want to use it all up. It's just so silly to just hang onto it and not use it. Why do I buy it if I don't use it!? I guess part of it is that I never feel like a can really do the paper justice in a scrapbook layout. However, I have been trying to find ways to feature the paper prominently but show off my photos too. It's harder than you might think! I have got to get organized so that I can use my time and my scrapbook space more efficiently. I get so overwhelmed by the chaos that it is difficult to focus on creating. I need one of those professional organizers that they have on T.V. Not the ones that make people throw out everything they love, but the ones that make a system that works! HELP ME!

Back to the Scrap

I hadn't scrapbooked in about a month and I was getting grouchy, so I made time to make a few pages.