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.