Thanks For The Help???

The time has come for Seth to begin that odyssey that all young children must make. He has officially begun his potty training! Age and the fact that a new and younger sibling is on the way had nothing to do with this breakthrough, the little guy brought it all on himself. I was resting on the couch the other day and he decided that he would change himself instead of disturbing me. He did an amazing job if you leave out that I had to change the sheets on my bed and he needed a bath. The business parts that had previously been messy, were spic and span! It was the cleaning parts that were now soiled. As I gave him a bath, I told him that I was proud of him but that any little boy who could change his own diaper was a little boy who was ready for underwear. So far, we are doing ok!!!

Cash On The Barrel

You would have to be born in at least the 70's or a big fan of "The Little House on the Prairie" to know what the title of this post means. For those of you who are neither, here goes... Laura refused to accept credit at the local store for some badly needed school supplies. The owner told her it would be alright, her pa could pay him later. She politely declined and said that they could not accept anything they could not afford to pay for on the spot. We had a little lesson in this concept in the Beam family lately. The boys found a restaurant they all wanted to try. The entree they were interested in would cost about $17 each. For a family of 6, that can get quite expensive. We spend $30 for a quick trip to McDonalds! Matt told the boys that we were willing to take them on one condition, they had to save the money in the family budget for the trip. This meant that we would not go out to eat for at least 2 weeks while we saved the cash it would take to eat there. The boys asked if we could go and then save, but we stuck to it. They did such a good job! They offered to help me in the kitchen, they didn't ask to go early or anything. To top it off, we stopped at a local grocery where steaks were on sale and told the boys that we would have steak that night. Josh immediately asked us to remember "the deal" and said he would make something at home if we would just get back in the car! In a "buy now pay later" society I think we are affecting a change in at least 4 men of tomorrow. On a side note, we went to the longed-for restaurant and the boys ate their fill.

McDonalds Coke

I think the government should start checking the fountain cokes at McDonalds for crack. I really think there is something addictive about them. I can't stop drinking the things. A favorite daydream of mine lately involves me lying under a running fountain machine with my mouth open. I craved a fountain Sun-drop when I was pregnant with Seth. The boys and I would go get a 32oz. every day. I have a hard time getting Sun-drop down here, not to even mention the fountain kind. I am pleased to report that tonight will be night 8 with no nausea!!! I was beginning to think that I needed to just be put out of all of our misery. I still don't have much of an appetite, but keep the coca cola coming!

Bathtub Battle Smackdown

Sunday night at the Beam home is something of a mini vacation. The big boys and Daddy are at youth group, and dinner is a free for all. What this means is that whatever you see that appeals to you, you can have it for dinner. Which, in the case of David, means cake if it is present. We also get a break from the ritual of nightly baths(unless there has been a mud war). Joey and Seth usually ask for a play bath anyway. That means that they want to soak and play in a tub full of warm water, the longer the better. You know that toys are involved, I mean hey, what fun are bubbles if there isn't anyone to swim in them? Tonight was a Star Wars epic battle. The clone troopers went in along with some transformers and I think a dinosaur got in there too. I stepped out of the room for a few minutes and ran back when I heard what sounded like the death knell going off. Joey just looked at me and said calmly, "War is loud Mom." I did ask what all the noise was about. Ask a silly question and all that. Everyone made it out safely and there were no battle wounds to be found.

Sweet Sweet Day

I have been craving a certain type of candy. I can't find it in the store, so Matt told me to look it up on the internet. I found what I was looking for but had to purchase it in bulk. My wonderful, miserly husband told me to get the minimum amount and he would be okay with that. Today the UPS man brought 144 lollipops to our house! I think that from the eyes of a 2 year-old it seemed like Christmas. He actually told my mom on the phone a little later that it was his "birfday". I think that I would really like to look at life with the same kind of joy Seth sees. Just imagine, he was having a pretty good day already, I had provided beef jerky (which he calls meat jerky) there were cookies in the cookie jar, the milk was flowing, and he had just had an awesomely long nap. The doorbell rings, and there on his doorstep was a carton of candy. I think I need to be thankful for the blessings of everyday life that I sometimes take for granted. I woke up today, safe in the knowledge that I belong to Him. I have an amazing husband and am blessed with these 4 terrific boys. I have another baby on the way to add to the happy mix. I have friends and family who love me even thought they know I'm a nut. To top it all off, I have 144 lollipops!!!!! Life is great!!!!

SHH It Is Our Little Secret

Matt took Josh to the movies tonight. David went with Bill and Susan Brown. Matt tried to be gracious and let me go out with Josh, but I opted to stay at home. The guys think that poor old Mom is at home sacrificing for them, I may even get a Starbucks out of it. The secret to the whole thing is this... When all of the big boys are gone, the little boys snuggle with me the entire time. I just put them to bed to end our love fest. Matt plays hard and rough with them when I'm gone and he thinks that is what happens for me. I am Mom, therefore, too soft and cuddly to wrestle. I think it is great that the guys go out for a good time, I am really glad that I get to stay in for mine.