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!