Babies are priceless!

It's been 2 1/2 weeks since you have had the privilege of viewing my darling little man!

He brings such joy!  I love it when my errands take me close to my brothers house. (and close can be a very flexible word:) *smile*

You have to admit it...you just want to squeeze him don't you?!?

And of course I just have to show-off one of my other lil' sweeties!  Yelena never fails to make me laugh!  Her expressions are just so...adorable!  *smile*

Set Apart Girl

A couple months ago a friend of mine told me to go and check out this online Magazine put on by Leslie Ludy.  I have really enjoyed reading some of her books and so I went to check it out--I was challenged, inspired and encouraged in the Lord through it!

So I encourage you to go and read it for yourself!

Set Apart Girl Magazine

Mommy

 Happy Birthday, Mom!!

For those of you who don't know my mother you are really missing out!  And if you do know her, why not drop and note and let her know?

If you have ever wondered where my brothers get their competitive nature...wonder no longer:)

Mom, I love how you do everything with your whole heart.  Whether it's serving the Lord, playing Scrabble, spending time in prayer or playing knock-out, you never hold anything back:)

Thank you for your godly example of a wife and mother.  Thank you for being a living example of one who seeks the pleasure of God more then the pleasure of man.

I love you!

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Col 3:16-17

Branson!

You will have to excuse the lateness of this post.  A month as already passed since I've been to Branson, but there have been lots of things going on, like...sewing Christmas orders, delivering babies...stuff like that:) *smile*

And once again I didn't take any pictures.  At all.  In fact when my family left for home I *accidentally* left my camera in the van, so it was hundreds of miles away--that's my excuse this time:)  So instead of lots of pictures I'm gonna give you lots of special hints just in case you manage to find yourself in Branson--and these are especially good if you find yourself staying with a large family that puts on their very own show!

So...here goes it;

-Never, never and I mean never underestimate how much work goes into producing a show!  I got to watch what happens behind the scenes...it takes lots of work, and we will just leave it at that! *smile*

-Make sure the family you are staying with has a good sense of humor...it comes in handy!

-And the flip side of that...if you intend to put some of your wonderful humor to use...remember the quote "you dish it, you take it."

-Early morning runs are a great way to start the day--especially if it's a little chilly:)

-Flexibility is a must--whatever situation you find yourself in, make the best of it!

-The balcony is the best place to watch a show...especially if you have a friend with you;)

-Dixie Stampede is AMAZING

-Dixie Stampedes food is even more AMAZING

-The Nativity at Dixie Stampede is the best.  Ever.

-Go to Dixie Stampede:)

-Swimming in an outdoor pool while 'back home' their shoveling snow makes a really great Facebook status. lol

(swimming *smile*)

- If the group you are with happens to sing at restaurants every morning to advertise their show, and you just happen to find yourself waiting in the van, immediately begin to search for a sign like this one!

Because if it is all lit up and pretty like this one is that means you will get to enjoy one of these...

And yes, they are YUM!  And they make the waiting all the more worth it!  Oh, and an extra 'hint' to save yourself some searching...the Krispy Kreme in Branson is located right next to a Denny's...it's a very easy walk--as long as you don't go around the back way.

-And if you ever go to Branson be sure to go and see the Wissmann Family Christmas!!  It's the BEST show in town...granted I only saw one other show...but who cares:)

My lil' man!

Babies are one of God's most precious creations.  Especially this one! 

From his big hands, his soft light brown hair, to the most kissable cheeks you ever saw...he is pure perfection:)  I know that, being his Aunt and all, you might think I am little biased.  But come and see for yourself.  You won't be disappointed:)

Thank you, Lord for such a precious little boy!  As he grows up, shape him, and make him, into the man you long for.  May he truly be a "man after God's own heart",  Desiring the pleasure of God more the applause of men!

I pray"...that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..." Col 1:10

Welcoming to the world....

Edmund Nathanael Beasley

born to Caleb and Abby Beasley

Born December 9th at 3:35pm

Weight: 8lbs 13oz.

Length: 22"

This is just to whet your appetite...there will be LOTS more pictures and info to come!!  But until then just trust me...he is absolutely a heart throb!  *smile*  I have the cutest nephew EVER!  :)

"I will praise You, O LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all Your wonders."

Psalm 9:1

Psalm 9:10

"Those who know Your name will trust in You, 

for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You."

Grommets...*smile*

This may seem like a strange post.  And it is:)  But this post isn't necessarily to share this memory with you as it is to record it to be remembered!  But, before you come to any conclusion, let me explain myself!

I have grown up with a certain friend.   And this certain friend and I have made quite a few interesting memories together.  We were no ordinary children--at all.   And when we get together, which isn't too terribly often anymore due to certain studying habits, we love to rehash all our fun/amazing stories.  And most of them carry a common theme which is; why spend more money/time to do something the "right/safe/easier" way when you could accomplish the same thing in a more, shall we say, creative/fun/inexpensive way?  Most of the projects ended up taking way more time...etc.  But the memories are half the fun right?  Yes.  At least that's what we have decided:)

Now you still might be confused, so let me give you an example.  The only thing is...that this is a more recent example.  Like last week recent.  The project that I needed to do was, set 4 grommets into 2 bags.   

The proper tools to use?  A grommet setter--which would have cost us $22.50 (we did try to use the one picture below, but it was too small)

When I decided to use grommets I thought to myself "I know my friend has a grommet setter, and it will only take a couple minutes to set them...perfect way to save some money."  If I would have thought back to the dozens of times I had thought that same thing...I might have just bought the specific setter...

The tools we ended up using

I went down the stairs thinking it would only take about 10 min.  I had with me 8 grommets...

I emerged an hour later with the 4 grommets set and 4 grommets that were used as 'testers'.  It involved the use of 13 different tools...don't ask for an explanation...and it ended with another fun memory!  

You have a job that needs done?

You might want to think twice before asking us to do it for you:)  lol

Joy

I don't know about you but, when I have a ton to do, I like to make lists! And recently I have gotten some good practice at that. Now the main reason for my love of lists is; I get to cross things off my list...it makes me feel like I'm getting something done--and normally that's the case. But do you ever have those days where the to-do list is super long and then something else comes up that you have to do but isn't on the original list and then it takes the rest of the day to finish? So when you finally look at your list at the end of the day it seems like nothing as been accomplished!

Now maybe you're smarter then me, and add that specific responsibility to your list, that way you can cross it off and feel like you're getting something done. Or maybe you're the type of person that doesn't do lists at all and are thinking "why in the world is she doing a whole blog post about lists? She must be crazy!" (And you're not going to tell me that the last statement hasn't ever crossed your mind:)

But the point of this post is not to ramble on about lists, or to make an excuse for not blogging.

This is a busy season of life. Now maybe you have lots of free time and don't ever feel overwhelmed, and if that's the case you can stop reading. But the majority of people I have talked to are busy. Life is full. And it's full of good things. Things that God has given us to do. Yet in the midst of these responsibilities and long lists I tend to find myself feeling discouraged, overwhelmed, bogged down...etc.

One morning last week I was feeling particularly overwhelmed and God gave me this verse;

"You turned my wailing into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give You thanks forever." Psalm 30:11-12

It is God who gives joy! We don't get it from sleeping in, spending time with friends or crossing things off our lists, we get our joy from the Lord. Let me rephrase that. We get true, lasting and satisfying joy from our Lord. Joy that will allow us to sing in the midst of stressful day. Joy that puts a smile on our on face when things don't go as planned.

So if you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, discouraged, tired..whatever it might, stop a minute come before the Lord. Allow Him to clothe you with joy that you may sing unto Him. Don't let busyness disrupt a heart of worship to your King. Don't let your circumstances rob you of the joy the Lord has for you.

The Lord also encouraged me with this verse from a friend;

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!