pausing for air

Lofton and I have had lots of long conversations lately about our "life" goals.  Jobs, houses, families, money-- deep topics have been discussed, ideas have been thrown around, plans have been put into action.  Being an adult is hard.

Obviously Lofton made a career change; part out of anger and frustration, but also partly because he wanted something different for himself than BFS wanted for him.  Then we decided to go ahead and put our house on the market just to see. We've batted around some ideas for what we'd like to do, but it was all hypothetical. And truthfully, the Beasley family is in a bit of an economic recession right now so our choices are limited.

All this to say, Lofton started his new job yesterday.  I was more than ready to get him out from under my feet, and although he was nervous, he had a wonderful day.  I think Russell is the perfect fit for him AND for us.

In the midst of the job excitement, we also accepted an offer on our house.  It is a bit of a shock to us, as well.  I mean, really, six days on the market??? BUT, we always said to each other it would take a special kind of buyer to love this house.  Evidently the woman who is buying it REALLY loves it.  She has been looking for a house like ours for a long time.  I'm sad to leave this house behind because it holds so many memories for us, but happy to be selling to someone who I know will love and appreciate it too.

Look how far we've come:

Summer 07

And now:

Summer 11

If all goes according to plan, we'll be out by the end of July.  Cassie has volunteered to help me pack.  She the best friend a girl could ask for :) I'm sure she'd like some help, though, so if you have a burning desire to assist, shoot me a message.

permanent wedgie

We've got the potty thing down pat.

But this whole pulling up our undies?

Man it's hard....

i'm back

Hi strangers.

No worries.  We were not kidnapped by the giant mississippi mosquitoes. Reese was distraught when he had to leave my grandfather, but we made it home DRY {yippee-- we are rocking the potty training} and all in one piece.

We are however overwhelmed by starting new jobs, mountains of laundry, open houses, and an impending family fourth of july spectacular. Whew!

To help ease back in to reality I made PW's delicious coffee concentrate last night by following these easy directions:

• In a large container, mix ground coffee with water. Cover and allow to sit at room temperature eight hours or overnight.
• Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and set over a pitcher or other container. Pour coffee/water mixture through the strainer, allowing all liquid to run through. Discard grounds.
• Place coffee liquid in the fridge and allow to cool. Use as needed.

I didn't actually have a mesh strainer or cheesecloth.  My ghetto method involved a good ole fashioned plastic colander and some Target paper towels.  Success was had, though, and this morning I enjoyed a cool, delicious iced coffee.  

My preference is-- ice, coffee concentrate, splash of fat free half and half, splash of sugar free vanilla syrup.  Stir, then drink.

New obsession?  I think so.

potty time and a dentist trip

As I type this Reese is running around the house in his undies and cape.  He thinks he is the "potty man."  Truthfully, he kind of is.  We have made it many, many days accident free and I am so thankful to have turned this not-fun corner.  Reese actually initiated going potty twice on the way home to Pensacola, and again on the way back.  Yes, we actually made it 221 miles {twice!} accident free.  Hip, hip hooray!

model face

He still occasionally has to be reminded, and sometimes he fights going if he's in the middle of playing, but usually once on the potty he produces.  So proud! Next we will tackle night time training...

And this morning we had another first: the dentist.  I debated back and forth about whether to take him to our dentist {who we really like} or to a pediatric dentist.  I surveyed my friends with kids and the results were pretty mixed.  The final decision was to take him to see Dr. Thompson and if things went bad {like he flipped out and was scared} then we'd go to the pediatric dentist.

No need to have wasted energy being worried, though.  Doodle was a champ.  He sat in the chair like a big boy, held his mouth wide open, and didn't even complain when Ashley brushed his teeth.  If only she could come to our house every morning!  The only time he looked remotely nervous was when she broke out the floss, but he quickly recovered. Dr. Thompson did point out that Reese is cutting his 2 year molars.  Does that explain his toddler tantrums?

Lofton was overjoyed when out of all the fun treats Reese picked two beaded bracelets, one orange and one yellow.  Whatever!

marvelous monday

It's no secret that I love summertime Mondays.  The start of what is usually a work week, but instead a fun filled home day?  Yes please.  AND our Daddy-O is home to boot.... amazeballs!

We spent a glorious few days at home: soaking up the sun, eating yummy food, and even hanging out with the elusive teenager.

So.Much.Fun.

Dinner at one of our favorite places, plus some duck watching.

My view at the beach...

beach bum

crazy dancing...

crazy faces at the museum

my loves...

And soon we're off again... I'm giving you notice though, my grandparents are not a wi-fi hot spot!

free

Don't mind our absence over the next few days.  This mama and her little toddler friend are going to be soaking up time and a half with this guy:

Our Daddy-o.

What can I say?  This guy doesn't start his new job until a week from next Monday so we are forcing him to spend lots of extra time hanging out with us.  Also, it doesn't hurt that he has no truck and no phone!

I always feel blessed to be married to such a great man, but the past few days have shown me just how amazing the hubs really is.  He has held his head tall, taken the high road, and come out on top.  So proud of my boyfriend, y'all.  So, so proud.

And so we celebrate.  And we enjoy this time with him now-- while we have it.  He's going to the library with us, tumbling, the beach and to Mississippi next week.  How lucky are we?

Be back soon...

thing one

Sweet baby Jake.

After three visits to the vet and multiple courses of antibiotics, Thing One has been diagnosed with pyotraumtaic dermatitis.  Basically it means he has allergies {probably food or environmental, i.e. hard to isolate/treat} that cause raw, red "hot" spots all over his body.  He looks like he has mange, has lost weights, and scratches non-stop.

It is breaking our hearts.

We took a family trip to the vet today to pick up more antibiotics and consult with our doctor again. We left the office with additional antibiotics, steroids, two types of shampoo, and homework.  Yes, homework. We went to pet co and compared the ingredient lists of a zillion types of dog food to see if we could isolate what food he may or may not be allergic to.  Sheesh.

In light of our recent change in finances, spending zillions of dollars on our first born is painful.  Uber painful.  But, we do what we have to do!

I actually broke into hysterical laughter when we were headed to the pet food store.  I mean who would have thought that a dog Lofton got for FREE would be the most expensive dog ever.  Seriously.

Umm... let's flashback to 12 days post-wedding when Lofton and I returned home from my birthday dinner to Jake, bleeding profusely his paw.  He stuck his paw through a screen door that Raleigh { a puppy} scratched.  Imagine us driving 400 miles per hour to Columbus because no vet in town {including the university} was open.  I'm in the back seat applying pressure to the wound, Lofton is driving like a mad man.  One overnight stay, stitches, and a cone apparatus later we headed home.  Six hundred dollars poorer.

And then, a short year later, our neighbor secretly poisoned Jake.  I can't really "prove" that per say.  But I'm almost positive that's what happened.  She didn't really like him because he barks.  A lot.  She would leave us notes on the front door and harass us in the drive way.  Anyhoo, Jake started vomiting blood so we had to make an emergency trip to the AU Vet Hospital.  Lucky for us {insert eye rolling} it costs a cool five hundred dollars just to walk in the door.  And had he needed surgery?  Three grand. IV's, medicine, and a few days later-- only eight hundred dollars! Fabulous.

There are lots more tales I could share, but you get the point.  He's a pricey pooch.

But as I said before, we love him.  So much.  So we do what we have to do... We just hope he gets to feeling better soon!

lake weekend and an announcement

Reese wore himself out at the lake this weekend.  We enjoyed lots of swimming {he did SO good in his life jacket}, boat riding, and playing with cousins.

Terrible picture quality, but the adorableness shines through.  Love watching these three together.  Especially the two deviants on the left-- they are a hot mess.

And now, drum roll please.....

Lofton quit his job yesterday.  Yep.  After eight years of working for Builder's First Source we are bidding adieu.  Saying goodbye to the big corporation that has literally ruled our life since November of 2006 {if you think my math is funny--- let me explain that lofton worked for Waid before BFS bought it}.

We have jumped when they said jump, worked hours upon hours for no reward, and missed time with family  {i.e. Lofton basically not getting to come on vacation with his family last year}.  We thought that after all the energy invested there would be a payoff in the end, but alas we were wrong.

Without going into the gory details of the last month--- Oh hell, how bout a few deats???? It is my blog after all!

Back in the day, circa 2009, Lofton's manager at BFS in Auburn was let go.  Lofton worked, and slaved, and put in 14 hours days to turn the store around-- because he was led to believe the payoff would be the manager's position.  Nope.  He was told he didn't have enough sales experience.  And so, hence why he made to the move to Columbus.  Sales was a new arena for him but he busted his tale to learn the market, make connections, and be successful.  He is the top salesman in Columbus and we were beginning to see the benefits of that success.  Then the manager job came open in Columbus and he was again looked over.  Until the call came for us to go to Bristol.  Which, as I wrote previously, we would have done IF we could have afforded it.  But we couldn't.  And so that job went... until a week ago Wednesday.  Lofton was called into a meeting and {long story short}his pay was cut.  In half.  Ouch.

We prayed, we planned, and we struggled to come to terms with what seemed like an impossible situation.

And then a solution presented itself.  A job that would allow Lofton to be in town, for a company that understands family and appreciates hard work.  And so, yesterday Lofton turned in his notice.  Yippee!  It was not well received.  Oh to be a fly on the wall!  They are shocked.  But we are free and it feels so, so good!

He starts his new job on June 27th! Time to embrace change...

favorite things about summer

A Friday list for you--

1.  Clothing is optional for the toddler.  If we are home, he is more than likely pants-less and most of the time also shirtless.  He thinks running around in his undies is perfectly normal and I'm fine with that. It's hot AND he's potty training.  Enough said.

2.  If it isn't a school day {and we don't play outside} then baths are optional.  A quick wipe with a washcloth does the job!

3.  As long as grapes or strawberries are included on the plate practically anything is a meal.  Oh and yogurt!  This morning's breakfast was lemon pound cake with yogurt on the side. And speaking of food... the oven is turned on as infrequently as possible here.  I'm very thankful for a ceiling fan in my kitchen.  And also for a husband who likes eating out.

4.  Popsicles are a mandatory snack.  At least two a day. And they must be different colors.  And they must be eaten on the front porch.

5.  Naps are non-negotiable.

We are headed to the lake for the weekend to play with the cousins and celebrate Mimi's birthday!

zero for two

Reese has gone to school a wee bit this week.  He attended for a grand total of three hours yesterday and again today.  This brief dalliance allows a weary Mama to exercise, run some quick errands, and enjoy the peace and quiet of no one jabbering in the car.

Unfortunately, Reese decided to stir up some mischief at school this week and Lofton and I are a bit perplexed about what to do.

Yesterday, Doodle sat in time out because he scratched a little girl's face for no reason.  And y'all, he REALLY scratched it.  His teacher and I both asked him why, and of course he had no reason.  He actually told me, "Cause I just want to."

Today, after dropping him off and spending extra time discussing good and expected school behaviors, he decided to throw his shoes and socks over the playground fence.  Then once Reva retrieved them he wouldn't put them back on.  Obviously he had to sit out from playing because it isn't safe to be on the playground without shoes.  I asked him if he enjoyed sitting in time out again and he said, "I not care."

At least he has stayed dry both days at school.  That's success, right?

perspective

I love the perspective summer brings.  I tell Lofton often:  Life isn't about work.  It's about family-- building memories, enjoying moments, living in the now.  Summer helps reaffirm that belief for me.

I saw this quote from Condoleezza Rice and I think its very appropriate to our current life:

As I traveled the world representing the United States as our nation's 66th Secretary of State, I was often asked how I came to this post. I would reply, 'I started as a failed piano major.' The point is that life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure — do it well, enjoy it — and then, not now, think about what comes next.

This stay at home mama has spent a trying day running errands in big boy undies.  Yep, that's right.  I braved public sans diaper.  We went to the doctor for a check-up {tubes look great BTW}, the library for story time, and we went grocery shopping.

Reese did great! So to celebrate we had chik-fil-a for lunch.

Then we took an extra long nap.  Asking Reese if he needs to potty every five minutes wears me out.

For real.

tgif

Woot-woot for Friday!  Even during the summer Friday's are exciting.  Two days of time with Lofton at home?  Yes, please.

Reese and I are starting our morning with our new routine: coffee & milkshake, cartoons & news, and yogurt for breakfast-- all in bed.  Then after a slow, relaxed start we proceed with our day.

This week that has included Pure Barre {my body is hating me by the way for skipping last week}, errand running, closet cleaning out, lots of laughing, and Popsicles.

And to send you off into the weekend with a laugh--  Tuesday I fixed Reese his lunch of easy mac and grapes/strawberries.  I, being the thoughtful mother I am, put his grapes and strawberries in bowl.  Evidently, this was unacceptable because Reese began yelling at me: "You no put my berries in a bowl mama.  Day go on the plate.  YOU HEAR ME? YOU HEAR ME, MAMA?"

I didn't know whether to beat him or apologize profusely.  So I did neither.  Sassy Toddler: One, Mama: Zero.

Happy weekending!

day one

Oh summer.  I do love you so.

Although spending my first day with this sassy, potty training toddler made for some trying times.

Good thing he's cute!

And also, did anybody else spend their summers downing these delicious treats?

I about died when I saw my favorite blast from the past at Target.  Otter Pops!  Where have you been for the past ten years?  Just in case they decide to disappear again, I bought six boxes.

Does this mean pudding pops will be making a resurgence soon?