The Balance of Wearing Many Hats

There is no hiding it....When you are a momma and you work a full time job - its inevitable...You become the hat juggler. The trick is how to do it. And I am not certain I know anyone who can tell you how that is done.  So really this post is just another momma venting about how to juggle it all.

First and foremost, its no secret, those who are closest to us see the ugliest side of us. Right!?

My sweet man, how do I make sure he is taken care of on a daily basis?  I remember the days I could actually cook a great meal. But now with more demands in our home, it seems as though little things like cooking a good meal gets pushed to the side. Second grade homework, feeding all the animals, working out, etc, trumps a home cooked meal..Unless you call chicken finger salad home cooked.

How can we be all we can out places of employment? 
I love my job! That's where I give back to my community. Where I feel I make a difference for my county.

And a great mom? Making sure that homework is done the best way possible and we are actually teaching our babes something in midst.. To make sure I am not just sending my sweet littles to schools, but I am an active parent. That I attend their school parties and field trips.

How do we make sure that we aren't just living day in and day out barking orders at our kiddos about cleaning their rooms and picking up their toys, but we are actually teaching them life lessons about being responsible?

And the most important thing in my life is my quiet time..my study time...and truly I have learned to just fit it in all through my day.  There have been seasons in my life where I can stay on track and set aside time in the morning and start my day with studying and prayer. But I always always end with my devotions and prayer, no matter what.

So really the mix of life right now is just me, a momma, a wife, a worker, a lover of God, a wanna be farmer, runner, daughter, sister,  aunt, friend, and whatever else is leftover...

2nd Grader

We have Second Grader Super Star!
WHAT!
How did this happen?
When?


Her sweet teacher requested the parents write a letter about their 2nd Grade Scholar! And oh how I love a writing project!

All about our Sunshine Baby....

Dear Ms. Whitten,

Josie Ellen-Marie Forman was born on July 10, 2007.  That day was a very special day for many reasons. The first reason being that it rained that day! Seems normal, but not that year. In 2007 the United States was experiencing a record setting drought. That day we called Josie our rain-maker. Josie was also born on her Aunt Amanda’s (Nana) birthday. What a way to begin life! So from then on, Josie has definitely lived up to her “big personality”.

I think naming her Josie, like the cowboy Josey Wales and nicknaming her the Rain-maker, like an Indian, must have had something to do with the pretend meaning of her name “big personality”.  We have always liked Cowboys and Indians anyway.  Josie thinks that everyone’s name means something like it did in Bible times.

The actual story behind her name is nothing significant. We just liked the name. And after she learned about the names in the Bible meaning something she simply asked her Gigi one day what she thought Josie meant. So off the cuff, Gigi replied with a chuckle her first thoughts, BIG PERSONALITY!  Her middle name(s) comes from our grandmothers. After all, family heritage is important.

As my grandmother (who is actually adopted Chota Cherokee, haha) observed of Josie at a very early age, she has always been very spunky, full of life, and well rounded. Not a typical girly-girl. Josie has never been interested in a baby-doll, but rather fills her bed to capacity with stuffed animals and names them all. Born with a love for animals, it has grown into a passion for horses and any other four-legged creature. We joke that she will be the lady campaigning to save the abused animals and make a shelter for them in her home.

Sister is a very deep thinker, tender hearted and compassionate. But also very strong willed and determined. A bit of a know it all and a hard head.  I love her independence and how she is not easily swayed. I love that she is very passionate about learning more about the Bible and studying God’s word. She loves to watch the Bible and read it. I know she feels God in her heart and His nudges. We as parents just pray for  
 
her to be a light to her peers and share Jesus.

Josie is also learning to not be such a picky eater (speaking it! And working on it).  So if you see her just eating bread or bread and ketchup, etc. don’t be alarmed. It’s a work in progress. 

Ask Josie what she wants to be when she grows up, and she will most likely say a barrel racer, cowgirl and a Veterinarian. Big dreams! Oh and she has also put on the list a wife and mom. 

She loves to hunt and fish with her daddy. She gets upset if her daddy takes the deer to the processors. She wants him to bring them to field dress them and gut them. Then she is ready to get her finger nails painted and pick out her sassy outfits.

This little girl keeps us moving and on our toes! That’s our Josie-Girl!

 

 

 

 

#1 in the books

I am so proud of my girl! She killed her first deer over Christmas.  So many things about her make me proud.  She is her own person that's for sure.  She doesn't let other people dictate who she is... I was told just recently that she IS NOT a princess! She is a cowgirl! YES MA'AM!

She has been helping her daddy track and field dress deer since she could walk.  She gets very upset if he doesn't take her with him to track the deer or is he takes the deer to the processor.  She likes to help him do all the yucky stuff! And no he didn't brainwash her..It's just something she was born with. 

Love my little sassy frassy country girl..

Super "Engine" Turtles

Job well done Gigi! The Superman capes and Ninja Turtles masks and swords were a hit!

The sparing never injured anyone!! Jackson and Tripp circled each other for I promise 10 minutes! making chopping sounds and karate moves! We could not stop rolling! Great times!!

What do Formans do?

Most mornings before I drop Josie off to her big girl school, as Tripp calls it, I run the spill. And she gets tired of it...

But I don't care.

There is power in the tongue. I want her to get that from an early start.  And even though we may have rough mornings, I still have to leave her with happy words.

Years ago, a mentor of mine asked me if my family had a mission statement?!? What? huh?  I am just trying at that point to figure out life and what being a mom is all about... So the obvious answer was no. But I loved the concept.  I pondered, tried to come up with something, googled, read blogs, and nothing!

And then like a light switch...FORMAN! My sorta-mission statement was our name.  At the time Josie was a baby and Tripp was not even born.  So was not really even able to use it much at that point....But I loved it!!

I love that it represents our home and it is something that we have to strive for everyday. And no we don't always live up to this....  So as we pull into school, I ask Josie, "What do Forman's do?"  Now I have had to put these on 1st grader terms and as she gets older they will change a bit...

The F is interchangeable at this point as well...She tells me, Friendly(Forgiving, Faithful), Obedient, Respectful, Mannerly, Affirming (nice on Josie's level), Neighborbly (we help our friends)....

And then I proceed to tell her that Jesus lives in her heart and we are Christians so we have to act like Christians.  I love you Josie, have a good/great fun day!!

You think by the time she is a senior she will be tired of this speech?

He's a trip...

Literally. He is a TRIPP!! Joseph Tripp to be exact.

From birth, he has been very feisty and independent. You can't make him do anything that he isn't ready to do. Ask him if he wants a spanking and he will say yes. Everyone always told me that boys love their momma and he would be a mommas boy. But I am wondering when that will take place. He is a boy of his own time and space. This little fella cracks me up! And he knows it. He comes to entertain. Smart little guy. I know he loves his momma. I am thankful for his little self and his own personality.

Things that have horns get shot, only this time sister did it.