Life's Little Adventures

  There's something therapeutic about mowing the lawn. I remember asking my dad why in the world he would spend so much time mowing. I couldn't imagine a more boring and tedious job. The constant back and forth over grass that would inevitably grow back and require a new cut in a few weeks. The attention to detail...making sure to miss plants and other yard decor, the SUN (I hate being hot)...so many negatives. My dad's response to my question was "It gives me time to think."   Time to think? I think all day long! Now that I'm 41, I get it.  I have four kids. I have a full-time job.  I have a husband. I have a lot of responsibilities.   I really don't have a lot of time to think.  I always feel so close to my dad when I mow. After losing him two years ago, I try to busy myself so that I don't think about losing him. I know that sounds terrible. If I think too much about how much I miss him, I would never get anything accomplished. I have a tendenc...

Time is a thief. You always think you have it.  "Oh, let me do this because I can do that later. I have time". "I don't have the time right now." Try to fit in work, family, sleep, activities, personal time....it's all impossible. Right now I'm sitting at a computer wishing I had more time. Time to do the things that I wanted to do instead of the things I needed to do. Focusing on the important stuff. I look at my kids and can't imagine how they got to be 12, 10, 8, and 6.  Wasn't I here every day? Changing diapers, making bottles, applying bandaids, watching cartoons, hugging, kissing, potty training, laughing, loving...all the loving. I think about my own parents. I just turned 40 - nope, I'm not one of those women that say they're 29. (Remember, I'm having a different battle with time) I'm proud of each and every year I have earned. Each and every day. Time is a thief so I am thankful for being about to even see 40 - not everyo...

Worst blogger ever! ....not that I don't have 3 kids or anything.  That's right! If anyone is still keeping up with this blog, the Foreman 4 became the Foreman 5 recently.  Life is busy, busy, busy!!! I thought 2 was a handful...boy was I wrong.  I wouldn't trade a single minute for anything in the world, though.  Well, except for when I change poop diapers.  But that's another topic completely. So little princess Hilly made her appearance late last summer.  She is obsessed with her brother and sister and is definitely a handful.  I looked it up and one advice website said that they're called "high needs children".  They also grow into "high needs adults".  Things are always going to be fun around here.  Hilly is taking this whole "high needs" thing a little too seriously.  My husband is in the oilfield and times are getting really scary out there.  With the current oil market, guys are losing their jobs left and right...

Me: "Daniel, turn off the lamp!" Daniel: (Quietly to himself) "She's always mean to the people". *Who are these "people"????

The Summer of ......Illness??? Looking back, I can define some of the summers of my life by a title.  The Summer of Dating Stephen, The Summer of Being Pregnant with Daniel, The Summer of Being Pregnant with Natalie, etc.  If I had to title this summer, it would be The Summer of Meningitis...and other illnesses.  Who knew our medical bills would be so expensive when we were just starting to pay our deductible! In case you don't know, I developed spinal meningitis earlier this summer. I am thankful that it wasn't bacterial, but it's still been a rough ride.  We've also had ear infections, colds, and various viral infections.  I think our insurance company hates us at this point.  Pass the tissues, please :)

Taking pics of the kids is always a fun adventure. Today's funny comes from the JCPenney portrait studio. Daniel told the photographer "I have my sister, my MawMaw, and my Gena". Not only am I last, I am now an equal.

I'm an oilfield wife. This basically means that my husband leaves our family for weeks at a time to provide for us so I can stay home with the kids. Is it hard? Yes. I always look so forward to the days that he comes home. Sometimes during the time he's away, I get so lonely that I don't think I'm going to make it. It makes me appreciate single mothers and their struggles much more. Being the only parent for two weeks is enough for me. I'm always proud of my husband and his sacrifices, though. I always try to send pics, funny stories, videos. I pray that the kids' milestones happen during the time he's home. I can't imagine not seeing my little ones for weeks at a time. Which leads me to the reason for this whole blog. I  am so thankful that I get to be here for all the sweet moments. Natalie loves mornings and once she has had her breakfast, she is the sweetest little girl. She crawls in my lap and gives me the sweetest two-tooth smile. She still has...

Before I had kids, I was the queen of "keeping up".  I networked and talked on the phone all of the time.  I'd call this friend to check on their weekend. I'd call another friend to ask about her dog/cat/fish/car/house. I'd even call to share the latest gossip. Spring forward a couple of years, and I'm lucky to talk to my friends once a month. Just a quick call to catch up on how the kids are doing, the issues we're having with life, and we always end with promises to get together soon.  Those get togethers don't really happen like they once did, but that's ok.  I still love my friends dearly, and one day we'll talk on the phone.  Until then, a quick text message will have to do. 

So a lot has happened since I last blogged. I think that's going to be a pattern.  Let me catch up: At the first of October, we welcomed the most fabulous little girl into the world. Natalie Jolene was born at 12:31 pm and she's had us wrapped around her little finger ever since. Daniel loves his "Sissy", but he doesn't really know what to do with her yet.  Daniel the day his sister was born Mommy and her Nat Bug Trying to adjust to life with two kids under the age of 2 has been really interesting.  Wait, let me rephrase that....life with two kids under the age of 2 has been really HARD.  They're either both crying, both needing a diaper change, both fussy, or both needs attention. Bath time is the absolute worst.  I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, though. I love being a mommy more than I love anything else in this world.  I never imagined I could love anyone else as much as I love my kids. From the moment I saw both of their little ...

Almost five months since my last blog post?? No way!!  Ok, I'm a super slacker, but I have a big reason...well, two reasons.  Reason one: a very active 1 1/2 year old.  Man that kid can get around! I barely have time to breathe!!  He is so much fun and I'm amazed everyday at what he has learned.  How do kids get so smart?  Reason two:  Baby Foreman 2 will be here in October!  This pregnancy has been completely different from my pregnancy with Daniel. I have been sick since day one and I definitely haven't felt like blogging.  We are finding out tomorrow if it's a boy or a girl.  Everyone is asking what we prefer - our honest answer is "either". If it's a boy, Daniel will have a little brother and a built in best friend.  I do, however, worry about our grocery bill when they're 14 or 15 years old.  Sheesh!!  If it's a girl, we will have one of each - I will get to experience bows and dresses and I won't know anything ab...

So my dad is a man of few words. He usually takes everything in and doesn't say a lot.  This makes bonding hard to do with Big Wayne. Last weekend when he asked if I wanted to go to an auction with him, I jumped at the chance.  A little father-daughter bonding time never hurts.  My mom agreed to babysit so off we went on a Saturday morning. Riding in a truck with my dad is exciting -  I talk about everything and he usually just agrees or disagrees. We I talked about land, trailers, his upcoming business venture, Daniel, the weather, dogs, and food.  I ran out of topics so we just rode in silence for awhile.  I was worried what I had gotten myself into. When we got there, I saw a different side to my dad. Gone was the solemn, quiet man.  His eyes lit up. He talked about everything. He told me how the auctions worked, we compared notes on items up for bid, prices, people at the auction, and food served. He opened up to me about work, family, his dogs,...

My title is a little dramatic, but since today is Daniel's first birthday, it's my theme. I found out I was pregnant on March 20, 2010.  I remember wondering if I would even make it through the pregnancy and deliver a healthy son or daughter.  After a few scares along the way, I delivered a bouncing baby boy on December 1, 2010.   Of course he had to make a dramatic entrance with low heart rate in a room full of strangers because Mommy was under anesthesia and they wouldn't let Daddy in the operating room. (We never do anything in a normal way, lol) The first night of his life, as Stephen slept, I sat awake and wondered how I would raise him for 18 years.  I couldn't even imagine one moment without him, but I was scared to death of what to do with him.  What if he got sick? What if he cried uncontrollably?  What if I didn't know what he wanted or how to take care of him?  Steve and I encountered each of these and guess what? We made it. We survived...

When people told me time would fly, I never thought it would go by this fast! My little man is already 10 months old and growing so big.  He took his first steps, concentrates on things to figure out how they work, and can "converse" with me. When I ask him a question, he makes noises in response.  I think he's figured out that "ba-ba" is "bottle" and I'm "ma-ma" and his daddy is "da-da".  He loves to see his dad on the computer while Steve's at work and I think Skype is one of the coolest things ever invented. Time is flying by for me, too.  Somedays I realize that 29 is not really "young" anymore.  Last weekend we had a Girls Night to see Miranda Lambert in concert in Baton Rouge.  I dropped Daniel off and kissed him goodbye and hopped in with my friends to get on the road.  By the time we got to Baton Rouge, I had to say goodbye to the Spanx (too much constriction), pop some headache medicine, and was wishing ...

About two weeks ago, I got a little surprise.  I woke up when I could hear Daniel chattering on the baby monitor from his bedroom.  I went to his bedroom to find him standing up in his baby bed checking out everything in his room. When I turned on the light, he looked at me and said "Ma-ma!" with a big ole' smile.  My heart was so full!  He looked at me, recognized that it was me, and called for me! I phoned Steve immediately and told him that I'm sorry that I had won the "first word" category and it would be ok...he would say "Da-da" eventually.  I was very smug with this assumption.  I told everyone. Grandparents, friends, aunts, and uncles would all hear the story.  One proud "Ma-Ma" was me.  The very next day I was in the living room with D and Lucy (the cat) ran into the room.  He looked at her, smiled, reached out his hand to pet her, and said "Ma-Ma!"  I guess I was wrong.

It's been a really long time since I had a cold.  Usually when I have one, it turns into a sinus infection, and I'm really sick.  This past weekend, we decided to visit Stephen on the rig so he could see Daniel (and so Daniel could see him).  My throat started to get a weird feeling Friday night, but I just wrote it off as an allergy to some of the chemicals in the "riggy" air.  Saturday I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a bus.  I became a foul human to be around. I was grumpy. I complained. I wanted to sleep and be left alone.  When we got back home, Daniel started to get sick. Oh no.  A sick baby is so sad.  After my doctor's visit complete with an awesome shot (to treat the sinus infection from my cold), Daniel started to get worse.  Off we go to the ER to find out he had a cold and "the croup".  I've never had first hand dealings with "the croup" before, but it is a horrible cough.  My baby was miserable and th...

I'm having camera malfunctions, but I had to show the new and improved scary closet. I am so proud of it now I want to show it to everyone that comes to our house.  Before: That is some kinda scary! And after working on it for a few days (pardon the not-so-great pic quality): Sweet, sweet organization :) So if you come to our house and need toilet paper?  Top shelf in the middle - I've got you covered in less than 5 seconds ;)

As I put Daniel to bed for the night, my heart was heavy for another mother. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers - " EB"ing a Mommy ".  They also have a Facebook group, " Prayers for Tripp " that you should join.  Tripp is definitely an angel that needs our prayers. Tripp reminds me of the important things in life -  trusting in our Lord, loving those close to you, and living each day to it's fullest.  I think I'm going to go kiss my little guy goodnight again.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. - Ecclesiastes 3:1 Endings are always tough for me.  I have a hard time saying good-bye, and I find that it only gets harder and harder as I get older. As of yesterday, I'm now a stay-at-home mom.  I'm really excited about beginning this journey with Daniel. I will get to see all of his exciting milestones and I'll be the one in charge of raising him.  I will be the one who knows his routine and feeds him his lunch. I'll put him down for naps and plays with him during the day. I feel it's very empowering as a mother and I realize how blessed I am to have this opportunity.  As excited as I am, I'm also really nervous.  I've been part of the working world for 11 years now - it's part of who I am and my identity. What do people do during normal working hours?  Will I become a morning Wal-Mart shopper?  I'm ready for daytime trips to the library, park, and outside pl...

A site I often check out is The Frisky and they recently had an article entitled " A Lazy Girl's Guide To Housework ".  I'm not admitting to being lazy (even though I have my moments) but I think I have too much stuff to do to worry about organizing.  Anyone who knows me knows that this is so Anti-Gena, in fact I'm a little OCD. In college, I always lined the napkins, salt and pepper shakers, and sugar containers up on the table at perfect 90 degree angles.  Nothing excited me more.  Having a baby in the household has definitely changed that for me. As I'm reading, Number 5 of the 8 things listed made me cringe..."Maintain a concealed and inaccessible corner." Oh no, that's definitely me. I am the queen of shoving something in my closets. "Quick, someone's here...put this in the hall closet so no one can see it!"  Over time, it's gotten worse. So I am going to do something that is so liberating.  I'm going to let you see...

As a mother, I've found myself doing things I would have never thought I would do.  I'm regularly getting a boogie out of a nose, digging in an ear, smelling the booty area for a dirty diaper, etc.  The last one comes in handy sometimes.  The other morning I went to Daniel's bedroom at 7 am because I heard him on the monitor talking and singing to his mobile.  He is usually such a sweet baby in the morning and it's one of my favorite times with him.  We were playing with his toys and I decided to change his wet diaper while I had him distracted.  New diaper? Check.  Wipe? Check.  Cooperating son? Check.  This was going to be easy.  I decided to make a game of it with him.  I pulled off one diaper tab - he laughed.  I pulled off the second diaper tab - he laughed even harder.  With one swift move, I quickly pulled the diaper off of him completely.  It turns out that Daniel had a surprise that he obviously knew about wh...