Christmas waves a magic wand....

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ”

I LOVE this quote. Isn't it so true? Christmas time is TRULY  the most wonderful time of the year. I love it for many reasons. 

1. Jesus is the Reason for the season. 

"For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Brodie is 4. We've always told him it was Jesus birthday, but this year he is really grasping that Christmas is about celebrating His birthday. We've watched the story of Jesus birth 100 x on Youtube .( Link to Video ) He has it pretty much memorized by now and I LOVE that he loves to hear the story. His little heart is so pure. His faith is immeasurable. There is no doubt. This is our opportunity to teach our children the truth. Teach them what is right. Teach them about faith, belief, loving, doing unto others, giving, cherishing family/friends....Teach them the TRUE magic of Christmas. 

2. Traditions.

I LOVE traditions. Traditions are tiny promises that we keep each year. I am serious about traditions. I make them happen every year. Cheyanne is the same way. She loves them just like I do. I love sharing that love with her. I love adding to our list every year and some we always don't get to but we work hard to make sure our Christmas is as magical as possible.

Just a few of our traditions:

-Christmas music: it comes on after Thanksgiving and it stays on. We love it!

-Christmas movies: Cheyanne and I have watched EVERY hallmark/lifetime movie there is over and over. We love to curl up under a blanket preferably with a snack and watch our favorite movies. Brodie has his own favorites that we watch over and over.....especially at night before bed...The Grinch, Mickeys Christmas movie, Curious George Christmas, Santa Paws, Elf on the Shelf.....just to name a few.

-Christmas Lights: We love to go look at lights and we do this a few times each year. We all load up and ride to Rocky Ford or local neighborhoods. This is one of my favorites. 

-Christmas Tree: Must be REAL. Must smell like Christmas. MUST have colored lights. Must all go get it together. 

-Christmas Parades: The Rincon Parade, downtown parades...we love them all and go to as many as we find out about!

-Gingerbread houses: We make one every year. We usually do one at home just us and then we do one with my side of the family. 

-Santa Clause: We visit him at the mall as much as possible. We don't sit with him every time but we love to go wave at him.

-The Christmas Train: We ride it with Gamma every year and many times as possible. Brodie could ride it over and over and Paisley loved it this year!

-Elf on the Shelf: Yep. we fell into the "creepy" tradition. Yep. We LIE to Brodie. We tell him that the elf comes from the North Pole..sent by Santa...just for him. He creeps around our house at night and does funny things.  HAHA. But seriously, our elf...Charles is loved.  My mom bought him for Brodie 2 years ago. The first 2 years Brodie held him. This year we do it the "right" way. He's not touched and he moves each night. Thankfully, Cheyanne takes care of elf every night. Brodie wakes up every morning so excited to see what Charles has done. It's just a fun tradition that our family enjoys. I hope one day I can give Charles to Brodie as a father and he can either set him out on his mantle or he can let the tradition continue with his children. It's just all about the memories.

-Christmas Eve. Every Christmas eve the elf brings everyone matching pjs to wear. 

-& many more!

4. Family

All of my brothers and sisters come home!! We soak up as much time as we can with our families. We spend Christmas Eve and G & Pa Beasley's and Christmas day with my family. 

Happiness & Memories

We went to Magic Kingdom over the holidays and it was truly magical. Besides the crowds, it was the happiest place on earth. I love seeing my kids eyes light up. They were amazed all day and they had the best time. When we got home, I immediately regretted my decision to enjoy the moment instead of trying to capture it! I didn't take many pictures.  I started wondering if Brodie would even remember this trip and my absent photos made me sad. I know Pay won't remember and I know it will be a vague memory to Brodie. This thought led me to think about my life and what I can remember as a child. I can't remember too much before the age of 5. Isn't that sad? I can vaguely remember moments  before then. I can remember the birth of my sister but not my brother. I can remember kindergarten.

I can remember Dustin's 1st birthday. I can remember a few vacations.

I can remember that my life was happy. 

Today, I listened to a message by Steven Furtick. He said "Happy people don't have the best of everything, they make the best of everything." 

It made me think about my mama. During my childhood my mom was a stay at home mother to four children. She sacrificed her life to raise us. She didn't have much. We didn't have a beautiful house or a fancy car. But we were happy. My mama was always happy. She made the best out of everything. We had everything we needed and mostly everything we wanted. I can't remember her ever being sad or stressed.

I'm sure there were plenty of times that she was these things. She hid them from us well. My childhood was happiness.

That's what I remember. I remember waking up and my mom was always there. I remember a clean house and good food at every meal. I remember riding my bike with my brother and laughing until we cried at Dustin. I remember when Amanda had her tonsils removed and I wouldn't leave her side. Happiness. I remember driving up to my grandma Holcombes house everyday. I remember wondering if my Mincey cousins were there yet. I remember parking by the side door and checking to see if the rooster was waiting to peck me.

I remember opening up that door to the smell of food and clean linens. I can remember the cold, quietness of the kitchen. I remember running through the foyer and glancing at all of my cousins framed faces hanging on the walls,

I remember running into the living room and turning right to that long(it would probably appear so short to me now) hallway that led to grandmas room. I can hear my feet hitting that floor like it was yesterday. I remember opening the door to the sound of southern gospel music and the smell of dove soap, jergens lotion, & VO5.

I can remember seeing my grandma moving around her room in her dress saying "hey, there!" I can remember sitting on the chest in front of her bed scanning her dresser for candy. Not too much later, her house would fill with little

Footsteps and we would play all day. Happiness. I can only remember happiness as a child. I can only pray that my children grow up to feel this way. I try my best to always be happy. I'm just like anyone else and life is tough. But creating a happy environment for my family is far more precious than anything else. I'm so thankful for a happy mama and a happy life. 

"Happy people don't have the best of everything, they make the best of everything." -Steven Furtick

Hey baby #3

Yep! Baby #3 will be arriving in May 2016. 

I was dieting. The kind of dieting where you are super motivated and the feeling of hunger only confirms that you are cutting back. Well, I had been doing this for about 2 weeks. Usually, when I diet, I lose weight really quick especially the first few weeks. Well, we were getting ready to go to a graduation party and all of my pants felt so tight. I knew I should be a little bit bloated because it was time for my period. I sat in my room and just felt like crying. I was in one of those moods, too. One of those that you feel like hiding under a blanket and going to sleep. So, I pulled myself together and put on a pair of comfy black pants and complained to Phillip the whole way there that something had to be wrong with me! I was sitting in Carey Hilliards and it hit me that I was 8 days late. I was very bloated. I was very moody. Oh dear Lord.  Am I pregnant? My thoughts quickly left as my 11 month old screamed at Brodie demanding his cup. 

The next day was a Saturday, Sept. 19th.  Me and the kids were at Walmart picking up a prescription for Brodie and we were about to meet my mom for lunch.  I was at the check out line at the pharmacy and as I turned around the pregnancy test was glaring at me. I told Cheyanne, "I'm 9 days late, I'm going to get one just to make sure." I couldn't be pregnant. Paisley was 11 months old. It took me 2 years to get pregnant with her. I was done having children. Two was perfect. I check out and tell Cheyanne to watch the kids while I go to restroom. Miss priss says "take your test since you're going!" So, I listen to the 15 year old and take it with me. I take and there it is, 2 lines. I don't remember much next. I somehow made it to my car and loaded the kids. Well, Cheyanne probably loaded them because she knew I was shocked. I called Phillip...he was shocked too. 

This was WAY different than finding out with the first 2. I was anxious and desiring with my whole heart with Brodie and Paisley. This pregnancy was unexpected and not planned...not desired. I felt happy, then sad, and then scared all at once. Poor Paisley...she didn't have her time as the baby. Poor Brodie...two babies in the house. Poor me.....I wanted to lose Paisley's baby weight first and I wanted to get in shape and I wanted to have two babies! Then, I felt this wave of guilt hit me. How dare me??? This is so unfair to this baby. He/She deserves the same excitement as the other two. So, I had my 10 minute melt down and then I became excited.  I called Amanda first....she was shocked and happy. She is so much like me. Silence and laughter filled my ears. Then I called Dustin and told him. His words were my strength and I'll never forget them. He said automatically "You are building the best life for your children." I thought to myself "Yes, I am!" My brothers and sister are my best friends, the only people in this world that fully understand me, and my life shared with them has been the best. I'm giving my children siblings to do life with...what a gift. I told Brodie and he laughed. He said "No you dont mama." 

We met mama at Chili's. We had our usual greeting and she talked to the kids. Brodie said "Gamma, Gamma! Mama has another baby in her tummy!!" Mama looked at me and I handed her the pregnancy test. She sat it down and said "What? Are you serious?" She was shocked and then busted out laughing. It was such a funny moment. I think she could tell I was just as shocked. I called David and Megan and my daddy too and told them. Everyone was so excited to grow our family.

I didn't a chance to see Mrs. Tina because she worked late and Sunday we went to church and got home later and she wasn't home. So, I finally see her on Monday. She was cooking dinner and I said "I have to tell you something." She said, "I already know, your pregnant." I said "How do you know???" She said "I could tell when you were upset Friday night at Carey Hilliards." I thought that was so funny. Pa teared up, of course, and they were both happy about another grandbaby.  

I told a few close friends and family members. I went to my first appointment on October 9th. I was only 7 weeks and the baby looked healthy. Heartbeat was 157.

Amanda took photos of Brodie and Paisley for their birthdays so we did a few announcements. We announced baby #3 with this photo.

Isn't it perfect? I was in love. 

I am 13 weeks now and I couldn't be happier. A few months ago, Brodie told me that when he was in heaven there were 3 of them. I guess he was right. God has blessed me with the gift of children and I am so grateful. I love being a mother. 

This pregnancy has been so different. I am showing so fast, I haven't been nearly as sick as I was with the first two, and I'm exhausted. I am ready for some energy back. :)

Christmas time!

Christmas is my favorite time of the year. I love creating traditions with my little family. Yesterday, was one of those days that I cherish. We went to church, ate lunch, and went to the mall. We rode the train, saw Santa, looked at the fish at Bass Pro, & did a little bit of shopping. Brodie loved Santa, but Paisley was not a fan. 

Fall Fun

Trunk or Treats & Fall Festivals.

Our weekend was full of running, laughing, bouncing, swinging, petting, eating, playing, sliding...you name it. 

I have read numerous Facebook debates over the past couple of days about Halloween. Peoples opinions, thoughts, convictions, etc. 

I began thinking about why I choose to participate in events such as trunk or treats, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, etc.

1. Brodie B was born on Halloween and he thinks it's the coolest thing that he can dress up and get candy.

2. Brodie B. LOVES to dress up. And he loves to see the other kids dressed up too. I did not see one gory or scary costume this weekend. 

3. Brodie B. LOVES candy. 

4. We all love festivals and events. 

Brodie has NO IDEA where Halloween originates from. He has no idea about anything demonic. He only knows that he's having fun. We step out in a cruel world everywhere we go. As simply as having Verizon cell service supports planned parenthood. Should I boycott everything as a Christian? Every supporter of sin, Disney, Christmas, Easter, Halloween? I just don't think I have to. I'm so thankful for churches and schools that promote a positive approach to Halloween. They have turned something evil into something good for children like mine to enjoy. How awesome. I love life. I really do. I do everything all the way and all out, but that's just me. I get everyone's debate and see all sides. But I don't think anyone should make anyone else feel guilty for having fun. So if you participate or not, it's your choice. Just please don't TRY to make the ones who do feel like they are doing something wrong.

With love,

The Beasley crew.

Night time prayers & tears.

I pray before I go to bed every night, do you? If not, I encourage you to try it. It's the most peaceful way to end your night, I promise you. I pray out loud, too. I think it's the most important thing I can teach my children. I ALWAYS thank God for my family, but I spend a little bit more time on Brodie. He's the one I always hold tight while I pray. I make sure that he hears me thank God for him. I love to build him up in faith.  Well, last night Brodie was on my phone putting together a puzzle. I knew making him put it down to pause for our prayers would be a battle so I just began to pray. I went through our list....thank you for daddy, and paisley, and Cheyanne, and Gamma, and Granny, and Pa, and Granddaddy....we names all our uncles and aunts and future cousins and friends and whoever we think of. At the end of the list, I thanked God for the new baby. And then I began to pray for him/her starting from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet...declaring health and wholeness. I looked up and Brodie had his eyes closed and his head down with tears flowing down his cheeks. He noticed that I stopped and he caught my eye. He looked up and said "God said our baby will be fearfully and wonderfully made just like me and Pays." My heart could of exploded with pride, joy, confirmation...you name it. My almost four year old little boy not only hearing the voice of God but declaring his word. There are so many times that I question myself as a mom. Do I let him get away with too much? Why is he acting that way? Why is he so stubborn? But, I know one thing. I'm doing something right and I think it's the most important. I'm so thankful for that. My kids will always know Gods love for them & they will also always hear me praise Him for that.

"Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips."