Thanksgiving 2012

 I can't even believe that tomorrow is December 1st! November flew by for us...with work, school, Max's birthday and party, Thanksgiving with our extended families, decorating for the holidays, ballgames, etc. It was a great month, but just went by so fast! I'm lovin' my house all Christmasy though:)!

Here is Maxwell enjoying the fake mustaches that his cousin Nick got him for his birthday:) Is this a glance into the future?

We had a "date night" one evening and went to watch Uncle Clay coach the JV Cougars. This little guy will always be my main man:)

Then it was time for some Mama and Callie time - so we went shopping, of course! 

This is how I found Callie one day...digging through my books. I wonder if she will love to read as much as Max and I do...

We have gotten into the habit of eating Oreos and milk every night before bed...hence the extra pounds I've gained recently!! Ha ha....

Here we are on Thanksgiving - enjoying every moment together! It is always fun to get all the Beasley babies together and try to get one good photo of them...do you know how hard it is to get 4 little girls looking at the camera, sitting still, and not crying! Here are a few photos we managed to snap!

This is Gracie, my cousin Chasity's little girl...could she get any cuter??? Oh my goodness, I could just squeeze her:)

I was filling out my December calendar earlier and had to take a deep breathe...it is insane and I'm excited for our Christmas season to unfold:) 

Happy 7th Birthday, Max!

I feel like I haven't had much time to update the blog...the last few weekends have been filled with weddings, parties, and birthdays. 

First things first, my little man turned 7! I just love him so much - he wanted to have a few friends over to play. He didn't want me to plan anything for them to do...he just wanted to hang out with them:) We had a small party on Friday night with a St. Louis Cardinals theme...have I mentioned that Max is completely and totally obsessed with sports right now? For the last few months he has really gotten into playing sports, watching sports on TV, and reading about sports. 
The boys ended up playing outside (it was a really nice night), coming in to eat pizza, cake, & watch Max open gifts, play basketball on a tiny goal we have in the house, and finally take a few swings at the pinata before heading home. I think they all had a great time and Max was one happy little dude! Here are a few photos from that night: 

My cousin Chelsey got married...and my cousin Jessica and I took the photos. We had so much fun the entire day and I really hope Chelsey and Zack liked the photos we captured - it was a beautiful fall day for a wedding!

I also took photos of my aunt Gina and her family - they are such a precious family that mean so very much to me:) 

One day while we were at Gabe's mom and dad's house, we threw Callie & AunaRay in a pile of leaves and just let them play...while I snapped some photos of course. These two girls are just best buddies and I'm so excited to watch them grow up together. 

And I almost forgot...I took off work on Monday to go to Max's Veteren's Day program at North Daviess. They really go all out and put on an awesome, emotional ceremony. My Grandpa Beasley was honored and I felt so very proud and excited for him. Max did an excellent job...when he saw me, he smiled from ear to ear, sang his heart out, and waved his little American flag. I was so glad I decided to go - it was an important ceremony and I got to see my sweet little man!!

Max lost his first front tooth...now the other one is hanging by a thread! I think he looks adorable! ( These are phone photos, so they are a bit blurry...sorry!)

 These are a couple of Instagram photos from Chelsey and Zack's wedding...Me and the hubs, then me and my girl!

Next up for this week...THANKSGIVING:) Hope everyone has a great week!

Tantrum

Sometimes being a parent is so darn hard.
I finally got Max to settle in and fall asleep...after lots of sobbing and wailing. His breathing has finally slowed and become deep and heavy, reassuring me it will be ok. 
HE WILL BE OK. 

It started out with a simple question - I asked him when the Vetren's Day program was taking place at his school. He says "the 12th," which is Monday...in just a few days. I knew the first grade was singing 1 or 2 songs during the program, but never really thought twice about it. 
Next he asks "You're coming, right, Mom?" I could tell by the look on his face that my answer was very important to him. There isn't a mom on this earth who wants to disappoint their child. But I had to quietly answer "I have to go to work, Bub." Before I knew what hit me, the sobbing started. I honestly didn't know it would hurt him so much...be so very important. 
Thoughts and explanations were running through my head. 
...I'm already taking off Wednesday morning to take both kiddos to the Dr.
....There are children at school counting on me to be there. 
....My boss won't understand.
....I can't use another one of my limited days off. 
....
....
....
Max looked at me and sobbed - "But what has all my hard work been for, Mom?" My heart broke in two. 
I immediately thought about how I could relate. I have thrown this tantrum many times. I have sobbed and cried and wailed before my Heavenly Father. I have thrown up my hands and asked Him - "What good is all this hard work?" There are times that I fall to my knees and beg for answers, question Him, want to quit. 
He patiently listens...just as I try to do to Max. He soothes me while I begin to calm down, and tries to ease my anxiety and fears. He stays with me until I fall asleep and dream sweet dreams. 
And just like Max will never know how much I love him, how much I want to be there for every moment, every second of his life...so my Heavenly Father feels even more for me. And just as I am willing to sacrifice anything and everything for Max's well-being...my Father offered the ultimate sacrifice in order to save me. 

As I kiss Max's cheek and smooth the covers tight around him, I whisper softly in his ear "I will be at your program, baby." He doesn't hear; he is already fast asleep. But I believe that he already knows...I hope he knows he can count on his Mama.
And most importantly, we can put ALL our trust in Jesus.