All Grown Up.

Since I posted about Avery turning 4 last month I wanted to share a few of her 4 year old pictures we had done through the amazingly talented Emily Davis of Emily Davis Photography. If your in the North Texas area and know anyone engaged or about to get married check her out www.emilydavisphoto.com

Emily is a friend from church that Evan has known since she was like...10. She's amazing at what she does and she captured Avery perfectly!! Hard to believe Avery looks so grown up. :)

7 Years.

Another crazy thing that happened this past month, Evan and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary!

It's almost the same with Avery's birthday year after year but honestly, it's just crazy to me to think it's been 7 years! Let alone that we've been in each others lives for 13yrs and together for almost 10! Yikes. Makes me feel old, when obviously, we're not.

So December 30th was our 7th anniversary, Evan had to work so we celebrated the week after with a fun date of Greek food and a trip to the grocery store together...yeah, so romantic right? I must say it's all on me though, I was miserably pregnant, didn't want to see a movie or go to a nice place for dinner I just wanted to have alone time with him while being productive because we didn't know when Alyssa was coming and since the grandparents had Avery for the night, we decided to just be productive and then crash early. Exactly what I wanted. (again, I know...I'm lame sometimes and bless Evans heart he so wanted to take me out and do something nice but I refused)

 Happy 7 years Beloved, we have truly been on an adventure and I wouldn't trade any of it (good and bad) for the world. You make me so happy and when I look back at where we came from to where we are now (We have 2 kids together! What?!) I just can't deny how truly Blessed you have made me. I love you!!!

Happy Birthday Avery Claire!!!

I hate that I didn't get to post this on Avery's birthday as I have the last 3 years but truly, life is always hectic around the holidays and her birthday seems to be the kick-off to the hectic-ness.

So yes. Hard to believe but...Avery turned 4 on December 19th!!! I seriously can not keep up with her sometimes and she just needs to stop growing up on us. She's no longer a toddler anymore and that was hard enough to handle when she left the chubby baby phase. This year we celebrated with a small party at Chuck E. Cheese, or as Evan and I code named it "Charles E. Queso". She had a blast and it was so sweet to see her surrounded by such fun friends.

She was a happy girl and got ridiculously spoiled with what seems like a million My little ponies. (Her new fave addiction)

Sweet Avery Claire,
 I doubt there will ever be a birthday that comes for you that I don't get emotional or feel overwhelmed by. You are still and continue to be the biggest and brightest light in your daddy and I's lives. You make us so proud and when we think of how it seems like just yesterday when you were brought into this world, way ahead of schedule, on a ridiculously hot December day....time truly has seemed to have flown by. You are 4yrs old now and going on 6! You are still one of the most polite kids we know, you never meet a stranger and your sweet spirit enraptures everyone you meet. Your smile is always on and your goofy laugh is infectious. Your love of the Lord makes me feel in awe. How you soak up everything and love to pray daily or recite your memory verses and get excited when you get it right. You are such a Blessing to us and our prayer for you this year is that you continue to grow in the Lords love and light, that you stay true to yourself and what you believe in and continue to grow in all ways. That your smile never fades, your laughter never dies and that you cherish each new thing this year brings you as you approach so many changes with becoming a Big Sister and soon.....Pre-School. I'll never stop kissing you and hugging you no matter how many times you wipe them away and beg me to stop, I love you so sweet girl and can't believe you are 4 now.

XOXO,
Mom

Catching up is hard to do.....

I know, I know...I have done it again on my lack of blogging and that's not something I intended to do so early in the new year. However, my reasons are valid and you all like really huge update posts more than my random ramblings anyhow....all my awaiting comments say so... *insert sarcasm here*

I'll do my best to finish catching up on December through this week in the next 3 entries. How is everyone doing so far into 2013? Everyone good and healthy?

XOXO,
Brittnye

2012 in review....

I had thought I had posted about all the rest of December's crazy busy-ness but apparently I dreamed it. I'll remedy that soon.


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Yes, 2012 has come and gone and we are all still here to enjoy the life given to us. For those of you who were worried about the end of days, there's a book called the Bible. Read the end of it, it should reassure you on a number of fronts.

No crazy partying for the Hartfields, what with baby Alyssa soon arriving we stayed in with Evans parents and kept it mellow and full of food and laughter and one adventure when the fireplace flute shut and the entire house filled with smoke.....never a dull moment.

Today was no different, more mellowness, more food and more family time. LOVE IT. Back to reality though for Evan and his folks as they go back to work. As for Avery and I, it's taking down Christmas decor and cleaning the house as we prepare for baby sister to make up her mind when in the next 2wks she will decide to come. :)
2012 in Review:

January:

-Started Potty training Avery
-I got glasses for the first time in 9yrs.
-We got genetic testing to start the process of having another baby.

Feb:
- Continued my nanny gig with the girls.
- Lots of baby showers since so many people had spring babies. :)
- I cut my hair.

March:
-I turned 27 & Evan turned 28.
-We adopted a Dog.
- I let go of some people in my life and haven't regretted a moment of it since.

April:
- Volunteering took over for me at the Shelter.
- Started getting more involved in our new Church Home.
-Went to Portland/Seattle to visit Jarrod & Sarah!

May:
- Re-homed Janie to a wonderful family after some issues.
- Found out we were expecting baby #2!!!
- Ended my Nanny job.

June:
- Announced our pregnancy. :)
- Spent more time outside as a family.
- Did several home projects.

July:
- Went camping in the heat of Summer.
- Celebrated Dads Birthday. Enjoyed less crazy weekends.
- Fostered several litters of kittens.

August:
- Continued fostering and re homing kittens.
- Enjoyed pregnancy.
- Evan dealt with work layoffs and productions days and was home more.

September:
- Went on a mini-vacay to Wichita Falls.
- Avery started her 4th year at MDO
- Gender revealed: ANOTHER GIRL!!

October:
- Enjoyed all things Fall.
- Started getting ready for baby.
- Stayed home more.

November:
- Successfully blogged for each day about what I'm Thankful for.
- Evans grandmother fell ill.
- Enjoyed Thanksgiving local and low key.

December:
- Evans Grandmother passed away.
- Avery turned 4!
- Spent a lot of time with tons of family old and new!

Reflecting on 2012 I must say, it was by far the BEST year for our family. Life has come full circle from the scariness of 2010 and I honestly haven't been this happy in a long time. Work is good, family is close, friends are plentiful, our church is amazing, Avery is thriving and soon we'll have another sweet girl to care and love to bring our family to completeness.




XOXO, Brittnye