BB & Pay Pay

"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Cor. 11:1

When I look at this picture, my heart melts. First off, I love these two little ones more than words can describe. Second, I love the bond that they share. But even more than all that, I personally know the love that they share and I'm so thankful that I was able to give them the greatest gift: each other. I think about my brothers and my sister and the bond that we all share. I don't know if it's the life experiences we lived together or the parents we have, but we were taught to love each other. And we do. We are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders. We support and encourage and we're honest. I pray that Brodie, Paisley, & River will have the same bond I share with my siblings. I know it's special and I'll never take it for granted.  This picture reminded me of how blessed I am. I believe that character is taught by example and I think my Brodie B has caught on quite nicely. He loves his "Pay Pay."

Easter-He is Risen.

Easter 2016

Go big or go home, right? Haha. That is a motto that me, my mom, & my sister accidentally live by. We try to "do it simple" but it just doesn't fit us.  I feel like Easter this year for us has been just that though, simple yet big. We've had too much fun and got in all of our yearly traditions and added a few too.

Phillip and I helped plan a Easter Egg Hunt at IWC.  The rain threw us a few last minute changes and set backs but it turned out pretty good. I let the perfectionist in me remain calm and did the best we could with what we had. The Easter bunny showed up, we had a nice inflatable slide, face painting, free food, and a ton of eggs to hunt. I looked around and saw all the kids having fun and that's what mattered the most. 

Brodie had his school party. We went and helped him hunt his eggs. The bunny was there, too.

Speaking of the bunny, Paisley is not a fan. She puts her pointer out and says "NO NO!"

We went to the mall and rode the train and saw the bunny with good friends.

We went to other egg hunts, we dyed eggs, but most importantly we talked about our resurrected King. 

Easter morning, my babies were excited to see that the bunny had hopped to our house. I collect over time and so does my mother in law so when we pulled everything out, we just laughed. It looked more like Santa stopped by...but oh well!

http://youtu.be/7ZRIc5fUImY

We went to the City Church to hear my brother preach and to be with our family. It was much needed and it felt so nice to sit back and "enjoy the show" as Brodie told me I needed to do. 

After service, we had lunch and hunted eggs with friends and family. 

We ended Easter having a dance party in the living room and passing out from exhaustion of all our Easter festivities. 

http://youtu.be/vlkSZa1zaJw

Life is so much fun with my little crew.

Where I stand.

"If I have to question where I stand with you, I'd rather not have you standing with me."

I got on this good streak of blogging and then BAM. NOTHING. Nothing with me usually means (A) I'm way busier than usual or (B) I have too much to say & worried I may say it out of emotion and offend a few in the process.

My silence is an extreme case of both.

And I'm still feeling silent, today. BUT I was reading a few of my favorite bloggers ideas on kids ministry this morning trying to get some inspiration for Easter and I clicked on my posts. There it was....March 7th at 12:15 am.... I posted.

I have no memory of posting this. I even asked Phillip if he posted on my blog. I don't think he would  even know where to start BUT it was the only other possibility.  I've never heard this quote...don't know where it came from.

But, there it was. Saying all that I need to say.

God has really been working on me these past few weeks. He's showing me that actions always speak louder than words. He's convicted me of not being the best I can be with my own relationships.  He's restoring relationships. He's literally slapping me in my face with answers to my prayers. I've never felt closer to Him. I feel like he's removing everything that has to be removed and adding what is supposed to be added in my life. I have more clarity than I've ever had  I'm beyond thankful to be standing right in his will trusting that He has my life in His hands. And I'm so thankful for all the people in my life that I "stand" with.

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Do you have a routine?

Routines.

Morning time at the Beasley house is my one of my favorite times of the day. Lately, I've learned that my "me time" is in the mornings. I don't do anything extravagant. I get ready for the day in quiet, I talk to God, and I prepare. This usually is only a fifteen minute process but it gets me going. I feel on track. Usually as soon as I've loaded my car, I hear "Mama." This mama comes from the sweetest little voice...Miss Paisley. At this time, she is usually in my bed. I walk in the room and the biggest smile appears on her face. She wakes up happy, like her mama. We "talk" for a minute, cuddle, and then I get her ready. She likes mornings, too. I think it's because she has alone time with my iphone. I let her play on it while I get the King up, Brodie B.

Brodie is not as excited to wake up. Neither is Cheyanne. When I flip her bedroom light on, they usually both grumble. Cheyanne is good about getting right up and getting ready. I dress Brodie while he is usually still rolled over on his stomach. When he's dressed, I tell him to meet me in the bathroom. He loves routine, too. Get dressed, wash his face, brush his teeth, fix his hair, spray cologne, go pee of the back porch...in that exact order.  I still don't know why it is so exciting to pee outside? Thank God we live in the middle of nowhere!

We all get in the car and head to Brodie's school. He gets out, we tell him bye, and Paisley cries.

This is our everyday between 7:30 and 8:45.

I was thinking about our routine today because it was a little different this morning. Phillip didn't go to work because of the rain so I left Cheyanne and Paisley with him. 

Brodie and I followed in the same routine but it felt so "off" to leave them behind. 

We were in the car, pulling up to the drop off line and Brodie screams "WAIT!"

I looked back shocked at his tone and said "What's wrong??"

My first thought is "great, I left his book bag, AGAIN!"

He crossed his little arms, put his head down with eyebrows raised and said...

"YOU haven't prayed for me this morning, mama!"

I didn't know that he valued my prayer. I didn't realize that it had become part of his morning. I didn't even think he noticed it most of the time. 

Who knew that it brought him comfort and peace?

I messed up his little routine.

We were a few minutes early so the school wasn't accepting students. I put my car in park and asked him to grab my hand. Then, I prayed our simple prayer that we pray each morning.

"Jesus, thank you for giving us another day.

Be with Brodie today.

Let peace follow him wherever he goes.

Protect him from evil.

Let him feel your presence throughout the day.

We love you.

Amen."

He said "Thanks, Mama."

I've thought it about it all morning since I left him.

Some days our prayer is longer and some days it is as simple as "Jesus, be with Brodie today. Amen." But, we pray every morning. 

My routine will always change. My morning time description will change with seasons, events, and the daily changes of life. BUT, I will make it a point to pray with my children each morning. It gives me so much comfort and now I know it does them, too.

Does your child hear you pray? Do they know the importance of prayer and talking to God?

Teach them. Train them. Make it apart of your daily routine. 

If we don't, who will? 

What will the world teach them?

"If we don't teach our children who God is, someone else will teach them everything that He's not."