Silly girl

My girls are quite hilarious. Most people, sadly, never get to hear their silliness because they are also quite shy. But I'm here to tell you people, they are a riot. Here's one of the latest things to crack me up...

"Hey mom, did you know a (insert certain animal that I forget and should have written down. It was probably a horse or something like that.) can weigh 400 pounds? That's as heavy as the world's fattest priest!".

What?! Who knows how much the world's fattest priest weighs? Apparently Caylee does. And she wasn't trying to be funny. She was dead serious. Hilarious.

:)

Reservation for 4!

During a recent production of "Heaven's Gate's and Hell's Flames" at our church, there was a scene where an entire family is killed in a car crash. They wake up in heaven and see the angel with the Book of Life. The teenage daughter says, "Angel? Are our names in the book? We're the Smith family. We have a reservation for four." The angel finds their names and they run into the arms of Jesus. An entire family, together for all eternity.

Well, my friends, I am so happy to say that, as of August 16, 2010, the Beaver family now has a reservation for four. Caylee asked Jesus into her heart and made our eternal family complete.

I was tucking the girls into bed that night and Caylee broke down in tears. I thought she was nervous of the upcoming school year, but that wasn't it. She was consumed with fear. She, at nine years old, was so scared about dying. I assured her that once someone becomes a Christian there is no need to fear. I went about our nightly routine and before I left her room she said she was ready.

I could see in her eyes she was completely serious and knew exactly what she was doing. (And since Baylee took hours to work through everything, I was prepared for a long night.) We headed to my bedroom, climbed on my bed, and I let her just talk. Through her tears told me she felt dirty, like a piece of trash. Isn't that SAD?! Within a couple of minutes she began praying. She knew exactly what to do and didn't wast any time. She prayed the sweetest prayer and in a matter of moments our family became a complete Christian family. (I love it that the girls' experience was so different. Baylee wanted to talk and talk and talk before she prayed. Caylee knew exactly what she needed to do and got right to it. Haha!!)

My parents were in for that week, and after Caylee and I finished talking about some things, she ran into the living room and told Brandon, mom, and dad that she was now a Christian. You could see the joy inside of her. She was so proud. But the sweetest thing was when we rejoined Baylee in their room. She told her sister what she had done and then they embraced and Baylee told her she was proud of her. So sweet!!

It's now been a couple of months since that night, and it still fills my heart with joy when I remember all the details. There's nothing like knowing our family will be together for all eternity. Nothing will separate us. Praise the Lord!

Precious Memories

Ever since we moved four hours away from all of our family, the girls have looked forward to summertime. Yes, they have adjusted well and have friends and we're happy here, but to them Oklahoma is still home. They often talk about moving back and being closer to family. They're Sooners, what can I say?! ;) Anyway, when school breaks for the summer, they always retreat back to Oklahoma and we rarely see them.

Some people can't even begin to imagine what that's like. They're either flabbergasted we could survive that long without our girls, or they're overwhelmed with the mere thought of some "freedom". It's quite hilarious to see people's reaction. To me, though, it's a time of reconnecting. Brandon and I get a lot of quality time. And since we had three month old babies when we got married, we always look at this as our newlywed phase, if you will. Want a midnight run to Sonic? Sure! Why? Because we CAN! :) But even as Bran and I are reconnecting, the girls are strengthening their relationships too. They have the opportunities to make memories they probably would've still made if we lived closer, but they aren't as quick to take them for granted. It's a win-win situation for everyone.

While the girls love their Oklahoma time, they are required to come back to The Natural State for certain events. The first being Vacation Bible School. I have very vivid memories of VBS growing up and remember a lot of the songs. Brandon and I thought it was very important for them to come home and attend our church's VBS this year. The theme was Saddle Ridge Ranch and we knew the girls would absolutely love it! I mean, horses? Come on! That's right up their alley. What we didn't know was how significant this VBS would be.

After four the fourth night we were all a little exhausted. We had been swimming every afternoon, coming home and getting cleaned up and fed, and then heading out for Bible school. On Thursday night, though, the girls were unusually restless. Caylee began telling me all about some fears and insecurities she has. While it was painful to hear, I am so thankful she feels she can talk to me. I tried reassuring her through my own words, but it wasn't until we began talking about Jesus did things begin to take a sudden turn in a different direction.

Our girls have been in church since they were nine days old. They have been covered in prayer since before they were born. They know the stories and they know the motions. But on that Thursday night, June 17, 2010, things began to click for them in a way it hadn't before. I was telling Caylee all about Jesus being with us always (Deuteronomy 31:6) and when we become a Christian He comes and lives inside of us (Romans 8:10-12). Friends, it was as if the lightbulb of faith had been turned on. Everything they had been learning was all of the sudden beginning to make sense.

Baylee joined us on Cay's bed and we had the sweetest talk about heaven (Psalm 103:19) and hell (Luke 12:5), salvation (Acts 4:12), the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, Romans 5:5) and what it means to be a Christian. I had this overhwelming feeling that something eternal was about to happen. And Praise the Lord, it did.

After and hour and a half talk, and her heart poured out, my dear sweet Baylee admitted she was a sinner (Romans 3:23), believed in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 5:8), and confessed her need for Him to come into her heart (Romans 10:9) at 11:47 p.m. It was the most sincere and precious prayer I have ever heard. And the smile she had afterwards is one I will never forget. She walked into my room, tapped her daddy on the shoulder (he had been asleep and had no clue what was going on in the other room. Ha!) and said "Daddy, I'm a Christian". Oh, it just feels my heart with joy to relive that moment when he embraced not only his daughter, but his sister in Christ. Amazing.

Caylee doesn't think she is quite ready yet, and that's okay. I know there will be a day when the angels will rejoice over her salvation. We are praying that she is sensitive to the Spirit's call and will trust Him with her heart. What a precious day will be when our family is complete and will spend eternity together!!!

And so this summer will hold not only the memories of fishing and swimming and late nights with Grammy and Grampy, but it will also be the summer Baylee can always look back on as the time when she became a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Praise the Lord!

Friends, if there is even one of you reading this now, and you don't know Christ as your personal Savior, please know you have been prayed for and that He longs for a relationship with you.

Dreaming

I want to learn how to sew. And I want to make cute things to sell at our local Farmer's Market. Every time I go to the Hob Lob I peruse the fabric aisles. I see so many beautiful fabrics and my brain goes in to overdrive, but I don't know a thing about needles and thread. I need to learn. And then I could make fun pretties!

Haha, who am I kidding?! I can't even sew a button on a pair of pants!! But I can dream, right?! ;)

Recap!

I know, I know.... I say this all of the time, but I really do miss blogging about my every day life. I don't know why I don't take the 15 minutes or so it would take to blog about every day happenings. I'm going to try and get caught up and (hopefully) do better.

1.) I went on my first mission trip. I teach the 11th grade girls Sunday school class and this was a youth mission trip so I jumped on board. It was actually only 20 minutes from where I grew up and it was WONDERFUL!! I love getting more and more involved in our church here in Arkansas and making new memories. We happened to stay at the campground I grew up going to and it was the perfect balance of old memories and creating new ones.

2.) While watching The Amazing Race a few weeks ago Baylee notice two ladies with the description "dating" under their names. It opened up all kinds of conversation. This was the first talk we have ever had about homosexuality.

3.) We had the period talk. My, oh my, what a moment that was! Without going into too much detail, we managed to have a wonderful conversation. We were outside and it's time for our dog, Abby, to get fixed. Since my girls are animal lovers it was a very easy way to talk about dogs and then transition it to humans. Baylee was all ears and wanted to know anything and everything. Caylee had a very nervous chatter (that she gets from me) and wasn't quite sure how to process things so she just made jokes (which she also gets from me). I asked them if they knew what a period was and Baylee said a friend had mentioned it to her just the day before! Caylee, however, said "Yeah, a period goes at the end of the sentence!". Well, bless her innocent little heart. Toward the end of "the talk" I could see Caylee's brain just a swirling. I was laughing and said "Caylee, I don't think you were quite ready for this talk, were you?". To which she replied, "Uhh, no, Mom, I wasn't". So honest, that girl. :)

4.) My dearest friend here in Arkansas is moving in less that two weeks. Her husband is in the Air Force and they are being transfered back home - Texas. It's horrible and sad and that's all I want to say right now. I will blog about our friendship another time because if I talked about it now I'd be a blubbering idiot!

5.) Easter! Our church held three services at our towns Fine Arts building. Wow! It was awesome! I sing in the choir and had the wonderful opportunity to worship in each service. I can't get over how amazing God is. And oh, how He loves US!! Incredible! Easter is one of the only holidays we stay here at home as a family of four. Originally it drove me crazy, but we've made some wonderful memories and created new traditions that I just LOVE!

6.) I've started a weight loss journey and, to be honest, it's driving me crazy. I know it's something I have to do, but it's so hard. Go here to follow my journey.

I leave you, for now, with one more Caylee-ism. Brandon and the girls were heading home from church last week and Caylee was still processing all of the period talk.

Caylee: Dad, Abby's growing up.

Bran: Oh, she is?

Caylee: Yeah, you know. She's growing up.

Bran: Oh, ok. (He knew exactly where she was going with this.)

Caylee: You know, Dad, that period thing.

;)

Honest Scrap

The "Honest Scrap Award" comes with a caveat or two. First, you have to tell your readers ten things about you they may not know, but that are true. Second, you have to tag 10 people with the award. Third, let all the people you've given the award to know they've gotten in (comment on their blogs or something). And, finally, make sure you link back to the person who awarded you. (Thanks, Erin!)


1. In high school I collected business cards. I wanted to be in the Guinness Book of World Records. I had them from all over the world, even. But when mom and dad kicked me out of their storage building (oh you know, YEARS after I was married) I threw them away. And threw the dream right out with them.

2. Steve Buscemi scares the living daylights out of me. It all goes back to a vivid dream that involved the Holiday Inn in LG, the Maebee Center, The Village People, and Steve. Oh, it was FRIGHTENING!!!

3. I could do a round off back-handspring back in the day. Hard to believe, but true.

4. I always dreamed of being a ball girl @ Wimbledon. And if I could've worked a match w/ Pete Samprass I would've died a happy girl right then & there.

5. I am slowly becoming obsessed with gardening. I have all the dreams and ambitions of having this glorious flower bed in front of my house and one of these days I will have it. I'm learning new things each year. Dahlias and peonies are in my near future!

6. I've never seen Star Wars. And I never want to.

7. I can't wear earphones. You know that pointy part of ones ear? Right below the temple? Yeah, I CRINGE if it's touched. It doesn't matter if it's me or someone else, I can't handle it being touched. Oh, that and my Achilles' tendon. Keep your hands off!

8. I didn't like bbq until we moved here. And I'm still very picky about it and have to have the sauce on the side so I have control. I need it to be vinegary and spicy. The sweet stuff makes me gag.

9. I can't fall asleep until I see the time on my clock. It's the last thing I do every single night. I kind of panic if I can't see the time. And if I wake up in the middle of he night I need to know what time it is. Even if that means I have to roll over from my comfortable position to see it.

10. I have a slight obsession with looking out my bedroom window. Our window is on the front of the house. The blinds are never open in there because I don't want random passerby-ers peering in. Multiple times a day I peek out my blinds and check on the neighborhood. I always think it will come in handy one day if there's ever a crime. And if I get up in the night to tinkle, I peer out then too. And then I check the time. I'm gonna crack a case one day, I just know it.

So there you have it. Ten very random things about me.

I don't have 10 people to tag, but I shall tag...

1. Audra
2. Lori
3. Heather
4. Becca

V-day Getaway

Brandon sure outdid himself this year.

The girls were out of school last Monday-Thursday because of a major deep south snow storm. And I'm serious here. It was an 8 inch or better snow storm. See?

So fun!

So Thursday morning, when the main roads were clear enough, I headed on the 2.5 hour drive to meet mom and dad. Baylee had requested a Valentine's Day date with my dad to Cheesecake Factory and he was not about to disappoint! They were going to be in Oklahoma from Thursday-Monday and boy was Brandon glad!

You see, my sweet man had been a sneaky snake for awhile. He had been secretly planning a getaway with our friends. I thought we were going to have a quiet Valentine's Day weekend home alone, but he had other plans in mind.

Saturday morning I woke up and was instructed not to go into the living room until he gave the all clear. I fell asleep for a bit and when I woke up I heard some rustling around. I tried to imagine what was going on, but I wasn't expecting what I saw.

A suitcase, toiletries, and snacks only means one thing in our house....ROADTRIP!!!

We were headed out of town, out of state for that matter. I asked a million questions, but he gave no answers. It was all his little secret. Before we left town we managed to swing by our friend's house and pick them up. They were going with us! Woo-hoo!! There was so much behind the scenes planning going on I don't know how my "I can't keep secrets" husband pulled it off. But he did and we had a weekend to remember.

Gus's Fried Chicken.... Two movies at the theater.... Paulette's Restaurant.... shopping.... shopping... shopping... introducing our friends to Carrabba's... laughter... and sweet memories made.

I hate to admit it, but my man did a lot better than the bag of peanut M&Ms I had for him! ;)