Revelation

No it is nothing like a vision on the isle of Patmos but startling in its own right. I have gotten used to being in the minority around here. The only female in a house with 5 males is definitely lop-sided. The only notable upside is that I get to use the bathroom alone (usually). I realized today that two females in this house full of gentlemen will actually even things out quite nicely. Anyone who knows anything about women, knows that 2 like-minded, estrogen filled females is enough to turn the tide on any number of affable, loving, and adoring men. I have overcome!!! I can hear Helen Readdy singing in the background, "I am woman hear me roar we are too big to ignore"!!!! A new era is about to dawn.....

School Daze

Today is the official first day of the 2008-2009 school year for the Beam Christian Academy. We have a 1st grader, a 7th grader and a 10th grader. I am NOT old enough to have a child that old. He will be 15 in a few short weeks. I still remember waiting for my 15th birthday. I have high hopes and big plans for this school year, I can only pray that it all goes well. Seth is still in the preschool stage but I think we may be able to have him reading within the year. Joe has made improvements by leaps and bounds already. He has been reading the "Spiderwick Chronicles" today. He is almost finished with book 1 and it is at least a 3rd or 4th grade level book. On to more ridiculous topics, I am still the beached whale. Josh heard about the baby whale in Sydney that has lost its mother and was trying to bond with a sailboat and told me I should go and get it, it misses me. Humor in a teenager leaves something to be desired. I'll remember this if he ever needs a babysitter when he has children.

Mama Slug

I have hit the wall, gatorade and energy drinks are useless. The first time I was pregnant, I was a cute young thang of 19. I worked 2 jobs, I went out on the town and I never needed a break. I am now the mother of 4, my husband is the only person who could call me cute with a straight face and I am almost 35. I have reached the point in my pregnancy that I feel as though I have accomplished something if I get a shower before noon. My son told me the other day that he would now refer to me as Mama Slug. To be honest, I couldn't even get upset. The upside is that in a few weeks I will no longer be confused with Jabba the Hut.

Slow Down And Breathe

Whew! What a week we are having! Matt took the week off for our family vacation. We gave the boys the option of Pennsylvania and Hershey World or Florida and Disney. We took a family vote and had a write in vote for staying in Charleston and doing stuff around here that we usually don't get to. It was unanimous with the kids and that is exactly what we have been doing. Monday started slowly because of groceries and a Dr. appointment. We did go to see Journey To The Center Of The Earth. That turned out to be really good. Tuesday we went to Charlestowne Landing (The sight of the original settlement) We did the whole thing and even had a picnic in the shade. Wednesday we spent time at a beach that we don't usually go to, Beachwalker Park out on Kiawah. Thursday we went to Myrtle Beach and had dinner at Captain George's (our favorite seafood buffet). Today we went to the Charleston Museum, they had an exhibit on shoes!!!!! The boys really loved it. I'm not sure what the rest of the weekend has in store but we are really having a blast. Side note, the Dr. says that all is well and the baby is doing fine. We have a name but we are waiting to tell until she is here. We are still working on getting all the stuff she needs.

Wow What A Week

It is Sunday evening and I am finally getting a chance to get online. We have had VBS all week long. The whole Beam Family was involved. Matt and I each taught a class, Josh and David helped out with the kids and Joe and Seth attended. I am so thrilled that this year was sooooooo great! We had so many kids and we had an abundance of helpers. I am so proud of Janet Rollins and the job she did as VBS director, it just all came off without a hitch. I had the younger elementary age group and I had a great group of kids. I usually had between 9-12 kids each night. They were awesome! We did have the usual problem of getting Seth to participate, but I showed him the "naughty seat" and that was all it took. By the way, the church does not have a naughty seat, I just let him think that! Whatever works right?

Just A Day In The Life

Life is just moving on from day to day here. The time just flies. I remember when I was expecting Josh, time seemed to drag by. I felt that I would be pregnant forever an he would never come. I am a lot older and have the four boys and I can't seem to stop long enough to catch my breath. I only have a little over 12 weeks to go and it seems like I just took the test a week ago. The boys are amazing, Josh is the biggest help and comfort to me. He seems to understand all that I am feeling and going through, and will do anything to help me. David is really growing up. I was talking to him the other day and looking at him very closely. I could see glimpses of the man he is growing into. His activity level shames me, I think he exercises in his sleep. Joey is soooo excited about the new baby. He asks everyday how she is and if she is awake. He will reach out and touch my belly, he talks to her and kisses her. I think this baby already has a knight in shining armor to protect her from the world. Seth is the cutest thing. He says the funniest things and makes the funniest faces. He is alternating between having a red baby and a green baby. He insists that my baby is pink now and does not change colors. I do think he will have the hardest time adjusting but I'm sure he'll be fine. I tease Matt about his time in the Carribean but really, he is the rock of this family. He leads us and guides us emotionally and spiritually, he takes care of our needs and a lot of our wants. He is more than I could have ever hoped for in a husband. Yep, life in the Beam family flows right along just like all the rivers around here. I am certainly thankful for the ride!

Free Time???

I confess that I am in bondage to baseball and cannot free myself. I am only exaggerating by a teeny bit. David won the Sub-District championship and is moving on to the District. We are looking at another 2 weeks of baseball at least. If his team keeps winning, we may be finished sometime in August. I am very proud of him, he is taking this all in stride, not letting it go to his head or anything. I think he realizes this is an opportunity to be appreciated. We had another ultrasound on Tuesday. The baby is 2 pounds now and very lovely if that fuzzy black and white photo can be trusted. I am so astounded every time I look at my family. I have been blessed beyond anything I could have ever imagined for myself. God is so good.