Mommy

Happy Birthday, Mom!

And here's a copule random things about my mother that you might find interesting;

• has written countless songs
• played pretty much every competitive sport in highschool/college
• was an award winning diver
• is a Physical Therapist (and although she doesn't currently practice it...we keep her on her toes)
• plays guitar
• insanely competitive

Happy Birthday, mom! I love you so much!

"Look to the LORD and His strength; 

seek His face always. 

Remember the wonders He has done, 

His miracles, and the judgments He pronounced." 

1 Chronicles 16:11-12

Dan and Bethany

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

If any couple has been fun to watch--it's this one!! And I can't wait to watch them be a Mommy and Daddy for their first little BABY this spring!

Love you, three!!

[and due to having the adorable couple home with us this post is a little late]

Merry Christmas

”He was poor, that he might make us rich.
He was born of a virgin that we might be born of God.
He took our flesh, that he might give us His Spirit.
He lay in the manger, that we may lie in paradise.
He came down from heaven, that he might bring us to heaven….

That the ancient of Days should be born.
that he who thunders in the heavens should cry in the cradle….
that he who rules the stars should suck the breast;
that a virgin should conceive;
that Christ should be made of a woman, and of that woman which himself made,
that the branch should bear the vine,
that the mother should be younger than the child she bare,
and the child in the womb bigger than the mother;
that the human nature should not be God, yet one with God

Christ taking flesh is a mystery we shall never fully understand till we come to heaven
If our hearts be not rocks, this love of Christ should affect us .

Behold love that passeth knowledge!”

~Thomas Watson

Edmund Nathaneal

Happy 1st Birthday Edmund!!

This is my 'lil man! An adorable bundle of chub that loves to smile and explore. He is doted on by his sisters and Uncles (and of course his Aunts too *smile*)!

Edmund, this is my prayer for you;

"...be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go..." 1 Kings 2:2-3

I love you!

Isaiah 54:10

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you."

Think about those words.

Revel in the love of God. 

It is too wonderful for words...

God. The creator of the universe. The King of everything. He loves you. 

Forever.

Thanksgiving

"So gratitude should be an every-moment, every-hour, every-day, lifetime event. Will we ever run out of things to be thankful for? Not a chance..."

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I am so thankful for everything. My God; for giving me a purpose to live, being able to trust Him completely, in and through everything. And knowing that He can fulfill every desire of my heart.

As far as little things go...here are a couple things I am thankful for;

• the color Fuchsia Pink
• knowing that warmth will come
• the laughter of my family around the table
• being able to sing
• my Bernina
• babies
• my journal
• simply the joy of living life

I quickly asked my family a couple things they're thankful for (the ones that are home right now that is)

Dad-- "Do I have to narrow it to one thing?" My wife, my family and God's word which "is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

Mom -- For my children--and all being together again

Josh -- "Many things..."  Freedom

Me -- (above)

Esther -- God that is good all the time. My wonderful family. My best friends

Phillip -- Nebraska football/basketball

John --  Sisters

Stephen -- Sports

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Worship the LORD with gladness;

 come before Him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; 

give thanks to Him and praise His name. 

For the LORD is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100

Nebraska and Basketball

Things have been good here in there wonderful state of Nebraska! I love it!

I often think about the ocean and the amazingness of it. The waves, the sun, the sand, the beauty. Then my thoughts will wander to the mountains--the splendor, the invigorating hikes, the completely-take-your-breath-away view from the top. (I really can't decide which I like better) And then I think about where I live--the flat, the gorgeous sunrises, the big open sky, the corn fields, the family and friends who live all around me. It seems boring so "the same" compared to other places...but it's home and though I don't know if it always will be, I do know that it will hold a special place in my thoughts!

Where do you live?!? Yes, this requires a little action on your part--it's not hard, just click comment and tell me about the amazing place you call home.

Yep, we're in a gym! And believe it or not this begins our 11th year of watching basketball. I guess that's what comes when you have 7 very athletic brothers. All of them that live at home--5 of them--are in basketball this fall. And I'm excited to cheer for them.

There has been many a game when I've cheered myself hoarse. Buzzer-beaters are. the. best. If you have never experienced one you truly don't know what it means to watch basketball. Granted they are few and far between, but when they come...ahh!! Good times!

I do enjoy sports. And watching them is fun, especially when I know someone who's competing! Now watching random guys on a TV screen doesn't really do much for me--except HUSKER football--oh, yeah!

Anyways, basketball is the one sport that I actually understand fully--I think. I will hopefully be doing a couple posts on basketball, but don't hold your breath:)  But I am anticipating some good games this year, and of course every game is better when you've have the bleacher-buddy that I've got!! She. is. the bomb. She knows basketball better then...well, any other girl I know, and she makes a great personal wikipedia in that regard!!

"I have set the LORD always before me. 

Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices...

You have made known to me the path of life; 

You will fill me with joy in Your presence, 

with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." 

Psalm 16:8-11

Abby

Happy Birthday, Abby!

For all of you out there who don't have Abby for a sister--you're really missing out! She was the very first addition to our family, and she set the bar high:)

I remember Betsy and I (Abby's younger sister) scheming for hours on end, attempting to 'match' Caleb and Abby together. Thankfully God was able to work in spite of our efforts, and I am forever grateful!

Abby really had to put up with a lot, as far as Betsy and I were concerned. We spent lots of time together and somehow we were always asking favors of Abby...would she do our hair, read us a story, let us use her sock doll furniture, borrow her books, wear her earrings. Her clothes were always cuter than ours and, more often then not, I would wear Abby's in order to match Betsy.

Did she complain? Never.

She encouraged creativity and bent over backwards for us. She adopted me as a sister and I've loved her ever since! :)

Abby, your children are blessed to call you mother, and I'm blessed to not only call you sister--but my friend!

Love you, Abby!

"For it is God who works in you

 to will and to act according to His good purpose." 

Phil 2:13

Yelena Joy

 Happy 2nd Birthday, Yelena

I remember when you were born. You melted my heart, and continue to do so every time you smile.

Baby, I pray for you. I ask that God would be everything to you. Your life, your smile, your joy, your world. Your big blue eyes are so precious--would they be filled with the light of Jesus.

I love you, my lil' niner bug!

"And this is my prayer: 

that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

 so that you may be able to discern what is best 

and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—

to the glory and praise of God." 

Philippians 1:9-11

Joe

 Happy 22nd Birthday, Joe!!

And here are 22 random facts for ya;

insanely competitive 

holds the record in our family for the kid with the most sets of stitches (8 sets)

is in the middle of his senior year at Grace University 

owns a motorcycle

doesn't like chocolate

plays basketball for GU

the 4th boy in the lineup of Beasley guys

hard worker

pretty much good at anything he sets his mind to do

took the most trips to the emergency room

has a love/hate relationship with barb-wire fences

went to Bolivia on a missions trip

scored 32 points in a single basketball game

owned a cherished gerbil..that is until it met it's untimely, tragic, death (ask him the story sometime..lol)

owns an iPhone

can sleep through anything

spends time making his girl, Rachel, feel very special

loves God

flew out to VA, with Esther to visit while I was out there--resulting in one of the best times. ever

my "partner-in-crime" when we were little

quite creative when he wants to be;)

another awesome brother

Love ya, bro!

"...be strong, show yourself a man, 

and observe what the LORD your God requires: 

Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, 

His laws and requirements..." 1 Kings 2:2-3

Better late than never, right?

Stephen's actual birthday was August 10th. We finally celebrated it in September, and I'm finally blogging about it in October. Whew, does time ever fly these days!

I can't really remember the name of this place. But I do know that Mom got the tickets for really cheap and we finally had a date that worked with the whole family's schedule.

This place included; Go-carts, mini golf, lazer-tag, pizza and basketball trampoline things. 

Go-carts were the biggest hit I'd say.

Next came the mini golf...

Phillip and I were on the same team for the first game. We were neck and neck the whole game, and I wanted to beat him. so. stinkin'. bad. But no. He won the first game by one measly point. So the second round we had to be on the same team again so I could beat him. Again, very close.

I lost. By ONE point. My little brother beat me. Again. Ugh.

My foot never came off the gas pedal and the carts still didn't go very fast...but it was still quite fun as we made the best of it!

Spending time together is priceless. Live it and love it!

Who wouldn't smile?

...if you drove past this on your way home from work?

It has been a month or so since the little boys put on their lemonade stand. But it was too cute not to share with you!

 All 3 of my younger brothers are playing basketball this year and so raising money for their player fees has been at the forefront of their minds. What better idea than a lemonade stand to earn some cash? Well, I could think of several, but they were excited and that goes a long way with little boys:) They were all gung-ho while they loaded up the stuff, hopes high...and they were elated when they returned! Their hopes were not disappointed, apparently our neighbors tip well... *smile*

Daddy

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

My father is amazing. I know everyone always says that, but it's REALLY true this time. And if you know him, you'd agree!

As an early riser, he's the first one out of bed in the morning, and he pulls us out too for early family devotions before he leaves for work. He has shown by his example that a relationship with God is a daily walk.

You should hear him teach on the Old Testament. It comes alive and suddenly very applicable and practical to our lives.

Dad, I'm so thankful and grateful to and for you. Your steady leadership in our family, your sweet tender love for Mom, your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, your daily interaction in us kids' lives. You. are. the. best.

And I hope this year is better then the last!!! I love you!

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness', 

made is light shine in our hearts to give us the light 

of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 

But we have this treasure in jars of clay 

to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 

1 Corinthians 4:6-7

(and as a side note; he stayed up late last night finishing the remodeling of our bathroom...stay tuned for pictures)

Caleb and Abby

Happy Anniversary!

 Wow, has it really been four years since that beautiful day? The way you honored God in your relationship, and the way you continue to let Him guide you in your marriage, is such a testimony to me and countless others!

Your home is a haven and a wonderful place to be.

God is the center of your relationship.

Thank you for loving Him first.

Some of you have been asking for an update of my family...and what better place to start then with my oldest brother, Caleb.

Caleb is 26 now and married to that gorgeous lady in the picture above. He just finished getting his masters degree and works locally providing for his growing family!

Abby, his wife, has a small flower arranging business. She does beautiful work! I love it. I also love how she has decorated her cozy home, keeps my brother well fed all while raising the most well-behaved children. Amazing mom.

Elise Ana is the oldest in the young Beasley family. She is an adorable, talkative 3 year-old that never fails to make me laugh and smile!

Yelena Joy is the next little blessing to come along. She will turn 2 here in a month and what a wonder and blessing she is. Her little smile will melt even the stoniest heart!

Edmund Nathaneal is the first nephew/grandson to come flying into this world (quite literally). And you should just see the pride that flashes across my brother face when he show this little handsome dude off. Turning 1 in a couple of months is sure to bring lots more "firsts" for this little man.

And last but not least...in February I'll be an Aunt again, and a new little bundle will enter this world.

Family. One of life's wonderful blessings!

"The LORD is God, 

and He has made His light shine upon us...

You are my God, 

and I will give you thanks..."

Psalm 118:27-28

Monday Musings

I'm just sitting here, thinking. Do you ever do that? Just sit and think about whatever comes to mind, and that thought leads to a different thought and so on...it is rather engaging.

Have you ever noticed that your attitude makes a difference on what you think about? If you tend to come at things with a positive angle the result is much more pleasant. For instance, if I'm thinking about my family it's easy to think of all the things I wish were true, or that I wish we could be, or the things I want to change. How much more rewarding is it if instead I think about the little things that my family does that make me smile, the fun memories we have, the strong points, how God is going to work in the future...etc. How happy life is if we'll only take the time to notice!

Monkey's are the highlight of a zoo trip.

I just said goodbye to a nice "slower-paced" week...but I've got a feeling that I'm saying hello to a busy one. We've got lots lined up for this week. Last week was good. But this week...it's gonna' be better! I just know it! My goals?

Music. Family. Prayer.

(not necessarily in that order) But the choir-director-person-lady just gave me a load of stuff to work on for piano. My guitar has been pathetically forgotten lately. And my violin...what is a violin? Oh yeah, it's an amazing stringed instrument that sounds incredible...if you practice. If you don't, it sounds like the music to your worst nightmare...kinda.

Sometimes things make me wonder... 

...Like why in the world people find it necessary to write choir pieces that change keys. Perpetuately. And they're not content to use nice keys like D or Eb, but they feel compelled to write half the music with 5 flats, and the other half with 3 sharps...ah well, such is life.

...Like how in the world a certain brother of mine can make me laugh, right when I feel liking punching him. It is highly inconvenient. Actually, I should be grateful...

...Like how a dog always knows when you're having a bad day, or that you're sad, or that you just got hurt. And they think that coming up to you and laying their head in your lap is going to make it all better.

"For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well."

Psalm 139:13-14

Caleb

Happy 27th Birthday, Caleb!

27 random facts

the oldest in our family

the first to get married

graduated sum com laude

play(ed)s the clarinet

just complete his masters degree

has 3 adorable children...with one soon to come in February :)

tutored math at UNO

learned to read by the age of 3

has a funny, quirky sense of humor...that makes me laugh

only boy to play t-ball as a kid

had a severe concussion while bike riding (when I came home I hardly recognized him)

only kid to actually break his wrist

second only to Dad as first up in the morning

views running as his hobby

very diligent

it was love at first sight with his wife (practically)

has been married almost 4 years

quite competitive

juggled full time school and work very well

mapped out Omaha in his notebook at an insanely young age

has a love for music

traveled to Ukraine on a missions trip

plays on a softball team

does a very good job assuming the "oldest child" responsibilities

is very adorable to watch with his kids

seeks to honor God

is altogether an amazing brother

I love you, Caleb!

"So do not throw away your confidence; 

it will be richly rewarded. 

You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, 

you will receive what He has promised." 

Hebrews 10:35-36

A quote, a picture and a verse

Have you ever stopped to think about color? Isn't it wonderful?!? It brings such life to things. Now there is something silently stunning about a black and white photograph, the contrast, the simplicity. But then again there is just something about the vibrancy of color! The joy it can bring to life.

I'm so thankful that God chose to brighten our days in such a way!

And here's a quote that I read today in Streams in the Desert;

"And someday you too will see the glory of God in things you do not understand."

And that goes right along with a verse that stuck out to me this morning as well;

"So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God." Gen 45:8

The story of Joseph (where this verse was taken) is one of constant encouragement, to me, that I can and must trust God, in and through everything.

It practically called my name...

...I had never seen anything like it. It caught my attention immediately. I stood there in the store. I didn't know what to do, I couldn't just leave that beautiful thing sitting there. Yet I really couldn't justify spending the amount given, especially since Bethany and I had already been shopping that morning for a little while. The texture, the color...it was so...amazing! I didn't know I could love a single hair flower so much. And you're probably thinking I'm crazy. Maybe I was, but I couldn't help myself. So I mustered all the self-control that I ever had (and will have) and walked out of the store...without my flower.

And guess what the conversation was about when I got back in the car? haha...

Then I did what I normally do when I'm super excited about something...I text my friend:) And, being the wonderful friend that she is, she quickly caught on to how adorable this flower was, even though I didn't send her a picture. Now she's probably used to the slightly dramatic texts that I send her whenever I get excited and so this could have been one of those times. But again, being the amazing friend that she is, she was able to discern that this flower...it was something special. It was beyond exciting:) 

And a couple minutes later I received a text that went something like this "You're birthday is coming up and I've been wondering what to get you. Would this be something that you would like?"

I squealed.

Bethany turned the car around.

Haha...and I couldn't text back my reply fast enough. 

Perfection.

And I got to be the lucky girl carrying this bag out of the store. 

Now you don't have to agree that it's the cutest...but even if you aren't a girl you still have to admit that it's pretty cool!!! And if you don't...you're the one thats missing out, because everyone knows that;

"Happiness is found in the little things of life"-- like sensational hair flowers that make you smile!

Mud puddles

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

This is pretty much my favorite quote. Because it is so, so true.

But what about when the rain is gone? The initial trial is past, the hard decision has been made, and your left in confusion as to what's next. It's stopped storming, but what's left behind isn't exactly a beautiful rainbow. Sometimes it can be, but this time it's not. Instead a murky, sloppy mud puddle is whats left. And you seem to be standing right in the middle of it.

What now? How can you possibly find beauty in mud? Good question, and I'm asking that myself.

The rain has been good. You'd admit that. Hard, yes, but oh so good. You saw a part of God that you'd never realized was there. You have gazed on His mercy and grace. He has shown Himself true to every promise. But now your life is in transition. Since the rain has stopped it's easy to look around at yourself, your situation and view it as one big puddle. At least it's easy for me...

But that's just it. During the storm we learned to lift our face to Jesus for everything. Who says that has to stop? Just because life is getting easier, in a sense, doesn't mean that we forget everything we learned and revert back to the old ways. No it's time where we start to obey.

It's time to keep our focus on God. It's where we start to apply what we learned. What if I used it as an opportunity to show love? To impact another life. To get outside of myself.

Life doesn't turn happy all at once. It may remain cloudy. But if we remain in Him we will see the sunshine behind the clouds. And we'll play in the puddles because they are the result of a refreshing rain and proof that God was at work. And the murkiness won't get us down, because it's evidence that God is cleansing our life of all the "mud".

And as we meditate on our Saviors face we won't see the puddles as a problem, but we'll pray for rain so God can continue to purify us and make the puddles a clear reflection of Him in our lives.

So keep dancing in the rain, and when it's gone, play in the puddles...

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:1

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers...Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.." 1 John 3:16

A new week

Ok, so I'm getting tired of coming up with titles for my weekly goal...so if they seem redundant and as if I don't have any more creative juices in that area...it's true. :) Just puttin' that out there.

And yes, I realize that I missed this last week. And that's what happened, I just plain missed it. I thought about it several times, but this past week was crazy and so my ONE goal would have been; 

Smile and Survive.

And I accomplished that. Well the survive part that is, you'd have to ask my family and friends about the first one. (ok, so that was two, but just think of them as one) And I survived quite well, because here I am about to assign myself a couple more goals for this week. Why am I doing this again? Oh, yeah, discipline. Why can't I just write those words on a note, stick that note under my pillow at night and, wah-lah, a very disciplined Anna wakes up in the morning? Because things don't happen that way, and I'm glad they don't. Think about all the amazing lessons that I would have missed out on if I could teach myself with the note-under-the-pillow-method. 

ANYWAY, if I wouldn't keep getting sidetracked we could get something done around here. Ya know that kind of the story of my life. Getting side-tracked that is. Whenever I start to do something a thousand other little things come storming in...and I get distracted. So maybe my goal for this week should be to stay focused...but how boring would that be:) And I want to make goals that I will be able to actually accomplish. :)

Yes, random picture. But I came across it and wow...what part of that picture is not fun?!? I think this should be my goal for this week. How amazing would that be, to fly through mud on a dirt bike. *sighs a wishful sigh*

Someone once said recently that you turn your dreams into reality by making goals...haha...I like that. But in order to accomplish all my dreams I'm gonna' need a substantial amount of money...and that requires discipline...and that is what this whole goal thing is about right? So maybe I should stick to that...and someday, someday...*basks in happy thoughts of someday*

Now your probably getting really annoyed because I have just drug this post on for quite a while longer than it necessary...in fact no one is probably reading this...they've probably given up. So since I've already lost my audience why not rattle on even longer...but I won't.

My Goals for this week;

• Workout 3 times (haha, and I've already done it once)
• Write a Thank You note everyday
• Memorize a verse a day from the Psalm our family is doing together
• Come up with a name for my new website (yes, I'm super excited about this...)

There ya have it. I got it done. And I'm not sure what mood I'm in this morning that prompted such a long and verbose post. But if you have read the whole thing, pat yourself on the back. You deserve a prize. But since I'm saving all my money for my cool dreams...I can't afford to supply prizes for my blog readers. Sorry. 

Have a wonderful, happy day!

Oh, and here's a verse that should change your perspective on life. 

"How great is the love 

the Father has lavished upon us, 

that we should be called children of God." 

1 John 3:1

Pictures

Instead of boring you with 10 more posts intricately describing for you the amazing, stupendous time that we had, I just decided to combine it to one big post. Hope you enjoy!

As I said before, Kristina got along great with my little brothers. They just loved her!

 Friday morning landed us at the all-famous Henry Doorly Zoo

I hadn't been to the zoo since I was "knee high to a june bug" and so things were a lot "different" then I remembered. The walks not quite so long, hills not so steep and the animals, though large weren't quite so monstrous and intimidating.

These little boys climbed on anything and everything that appeared to have some elevation to it. 

I loved the giraffes. There is just something utterly cool about them.

Bamboo.

Our family used to live at the zoo when I was little. Our grandmother would give us a pass every year and we took advantage of it. In fact I wonder if I could rustle up some "before" pictures to show you...

Anyway, each exhibit held a handful of memories that brought a smile to my face. This bridge was one of them. My brothers used to wait till I was in the middle and then run up and down and shake that rope bridge till I'm sure the zoo staff was afraid that it was going to splash in the water. And to be honest, sometimes I thought I was going to add to that splash.

I love him!

We swung by the airport on our way home and picked up Katy, Kristina's sister, and then headed out to Seward, NE--to give them both a taste of small-town America!

And we had a little fun shopping;)

And jumping...

And a trip to Omaha has to include an afternoon at the Old Market...and the slides!!!

The Upstream enjoying a couple appetizers.

And we  discovered this really cool store...that had frightening hippos hanging on the wall!

My gorgeous friend!

50's diner--this place was so cool!

Every kind of Jelly Belly you could imagine...did I mention that I loved this place?

The "new" pedestrian bridge

Two places at once

I love Omaha!

I love my home! You should come visit...I'll show ya around!

So there you have it. An exciting week packed full of stories and memories to last us till...well, till they decide to come again!

Thank you both for coming--it made my year! Love ya both!