A visit long overdue!

It seems like I've seen this picture before...same terra-cotta silk, familiar Bernina sewing machine, same color thread...my shirt just keeps changing color *smile*  

But this time I wasn't in the same place!! (I was far away from my little sewing room at home.) This picture was taken in Virginia in the warm, cozy home of my brother and sister!  Bethany was a bridesmaid and let me say that it is practically impossible to make a dress for your sister without having her in the same room. (well, maybe not, but it worked as a pretty good excuse this time)

 I was going to be there for the whole weekend but we decided to get out 'work' done first. So Friday morning we used every bit of 2 hours for our 'work' and then...DONE! What relief, God was so good and everything went perfectly...I should do a whole post on these dresses! God proved Himself over and over again!!! He is SO faithful!
Note: When designing dresses it helps to have gorgeous (or snazzy *wink*) models to work with. They make your work look good!

Our reward; it was so worth it!

So with our work behind us we set out for some fun and adventure! 

First stop was RiteAid where Bethany worked some of her magic and we walked out of the store with 2 bags of Oreo's -- FREE! YUM! I am convinced that all she has to do is walk up, set her stuff on the counter, smile at the cashier, and then take her stuff away (oh, and she hands them a bunch of coupons; minor detail)

Our next stop was the thrift store in which we found all sorts of fun books and she got the. cutest. pair of shoes. ever.

I can't remember the name of this little shop...but it was so fun! We spent quite a while going through and admiring all the fun things. These scarves just had me captivated! I came around the corner and there was a hallway with two bars just full of bright scarves, no two alike, it was so pretty (Betsy, I totally thought of you)

The day passed by way to fast!  But it was so much fun to just talk, shop, laugh, smile, giggle, share stories and just be together! 

Bethany, thank you! Love you way too much! :)

And this post is proof again how wonderful it is when your brother marries an amazing girl! *smile*

What an incredible trip!

My trip out east was amazing! But what else could you expect when you are with such amazing people? I spent nearly a week with Dan & Bethany, and then another week traveling home with the Wissmann's!

My time with D&B went so fast! But it was jam-packed with fun.

Dan had been hearing about a PHC production called "Wait Until Dark" that the student drama club was putting on. The title made for some interesting dicussion, but we decided to give it a try! It was extremely well done, the actors were phenomenal, and the set was amazing! I am very glad I went, but it was like nothing I have ever seen before! I screamed three times, and jumped at least double that.

The main character was a lady that was blind, and the actress did a stunning job! I was very impressed!

When Dan heard that I had never been to Red Robin he put in on the calendar for Sunday afternoon! And it was excellent! It also had "bottomless fries", so I could have all the french fries I wanted...(dangerous I tell you *smile*)

Me and my burger:)

I have such an amazing brother! (Just ask Bethany, she'll back me up)

After our delicious lunch we debated on whether to go to DC right away or wait a couple days. It was very windy and slightly chilly...not exactly a perfect day for outdoor touristy stuff, but after a relatively quick discussion (none of us are very decisive) we decided to make a day of it! I had never been to DC and I am so glad that we went! To visit the Washington Monument, see the White House (in real life), and just be in our Nations Capital caused a lot of reflection. We were able to visit the Smithsonian museum as well. And walking through the "America at war" section was very sobering! It made me so very proud of our troops, those who laid down their lives, and the families that endure so much! I am so proud to be an American!

Dan and Bethany, how can I ever thank you? Love you both!!

A month ago today...

...or yesterday...but I at least I am only a day late:)

On December 19th my wonderful brother, Dan, was united as one with, my wonderful sis' Bethany Wissmann. It was beautiful! God had been the center of their relationship, and was the center of their wedding. Truly remarkable!

The couple!!

Bethany, and the Wissmann's have done wedding posts...so I tried to choose some different pics! I LOVE their wedding pictures, ALL of them so it was hard to pick:) Christopher Maxwell did an amazing job!

Getting Ready

Hmm....which earrings should I wear?

God was so good in regards to all the sewing that had to be done. I was a little nervous about the flower girl dress...but I loved how it turned out, Alyathia made it look perfect:)

The Maid of Honor

(I just loved this picture...)

::Making the most of every opportunity::

While I was giving someone a hug at the wedding they remarked "you smell good...what perfume are you wearing?" And I had to laugh...and reply "that I wasn't wearing perfume, but I had spent the morning getting ready with over half-a-dozen different hairsprays."

And finally, what we had all been waiting for...it wasn't a dream anymore

This is one of my favorites...

My sister-in-law Abby did the flowers...they were breathtaking!

The Groom

Dan, what can I say? You have been the big brother that everyone dreams about. The very best. Thank you for all the time you have invested in my life. Thanks for letting me tag along with you out to Virginia the first time...it was truly a memorable experience! And when Bethany came along...you still found little ways to show that you did still love me too. You wisdom sound advice mean more to me then you will ever know. thanks for always being open to talk about anything, be it happy, sad, hard or easy. Your open spirit and constant referral to Scripture has encouraged me so much. I look forward to coming and having more long talks in you new apartment. Love you, Dan!

Best Buddies

~The Bride~

Bethany, again I am not sure I can get words to express my thoughts. I always thought that you would be perfect for Dan...but then you came along and swept him off his feet...and I wasn't quite so sure anymore *smile* But I see now that I didn't have to worry too much:) Having you as a sister totally outweighs anything else! How an I properly thank you for how much you have helped me this last year? From writing me e-mails, to talking, listening, hugs, listening, prayer, thoughts...and more. They meant so much to me. May God reward you in a way that only He can. I can't wait to come and visit your little home...and catch up on everything:) Love ya, your Anna-girl:)

It was truly a blessing to be in the wedding! We had so much fun together:)

~Precious

The ceremony...just a couple pics:)

The "twins"

The wonderful cello player...and my AMAZING piano teacher!!!!

The photographer did an incredible job of capturing the special little moments of the day...and not just of Dan and Bethany:)

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Beasley!!!

XOXO

"For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Psalm 100:5

Pictures by Christopher Maxwell

Branson and Thanksgiving

Our trip to Branson this year was scheduled over Thanksgiving. It was so special to be able to share it with the Wissmann's and Dan! We were having SO much fun that I totally forgot to take pictures of some of the things that we did. But just know that we had a wonderful time!

It has been a tradition for our family to play a big Thanksgiving game of football on Thanksgiving day with our extended family. This year being away from our "regular teamates" we decided to invite our soon-to-be extended(ish) family to join us for a family game of football in Branson. It started off with kicking field goals...and I can't remember how far they kicked..but I was impressed:)

And of course since I actually played in the game I was not able to take pictures...

After the game we quickly drove back to our Condo and ate a delicious Thanksgiving meal!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And of course our absolute highlight of the trip was spending time with the Wissmann's and going to their show!!

Thank you Wissmann's for letting us steal you away for the weekend (sort of). We had a wonderful time!!

Quick Quiz

One morning, mom got out the maps and told us that we were going to mark out where Dan was, where Alicia was, where Andrew W. was going to be...etc.  So we immediately focused out attention on Virginia and where our brother lived.  And while we were looking for the very small town where Dan lives mom asked us how we spelled it, no one knew so....papers were got out and the game begun...

All of us tried in vain to remember the way that little town was spelled.  

(I had sent him a couple of packages but just couldn't remember how to spell it!!!)  Finally mom had to just give in and tell us what it was.  But she thought that I should put it on my blog, just for fun and see how many people could guess it right.
Here are a couple options that you can decide which one is correct!

What is the correct spelling where Dan lives in _________  Virgina

1.Perseville

2.Purcavile

3.Puercellville

4.Purcellville

5.Pursiville

6.Perceville

7.Purselville

Hopefully one of those is spelled correctly!

But there are a couple of rules...

1. - If you are part of our family you may not answer (unless you really have no clue)

2. - If you are Dan's girlfriend or Dan himself you may not answer (or if you have sent him numerous packages)

3. - Please do not look on Dan's blog, or the map to find the answer (you get what I mean?)

Have fun!!

The Answer will be posted on Thursday!!!!

The smiles just got bigger!!!

Would you look at those smiles!!!! 

We are very excited for Dan and Bethany as they begin their 

new relationship with each other!

Bethany Wissmann has always stood out to me as a girl who loved God, and tried to glorify Him in everything that she does!  Spending time with her has only reinforced those first thoughts!  The past few years, especially when he moved out to Virginia, I have always teased

 Dan that the girl he picked I would have to approve of.  Well...once again, he has exceeded my expectations *smile*  Love you Dan!!

Looking forward to spending lots of fun times with you Bethany!  Love you girl!!!