tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7527366025752505322024-03-05T05:52:21.145-06:00The Hartfield FilesThe many adventures of a Texas family living life and loving every moment of it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.comBlogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-71485561479867956942016-02-25T23:19:00.000-06:002016-02-25T23:19:16.035-06:00Over a Year Later...Wow.<br />
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Over a year later and I find myself sitting here looking at my sweet little blog and can't help but feel like I failed.<br />
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I never set out to make this blog into a big spectacle. Far from it in fact. For me, this blog was a sweet way to capture our family as a digital journal that family and friends could see as well. However, along the way it became something more combative than my original purpose. Suddenly, it lost it's focus and I would spend more time figuring out if my thoughts even mattered in print or not. Were my pictures good enough? Was the post worth reading?<br />
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It stopped being fun.<br />
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Then life got busy with two kiddos and other adventures and it got easier to just skip a post.<br />
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Then tonight I randomly remembered my login and started looking over the YEARS of memories and suddenly.....I felt sadness. I felt like I've let go of so many sweet memories, trips, photos, etc. that I could have written out and captured for the girls to forever see someday.<br />
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So here I am again, trying to come up with a clever post title, of the most recent events to share and for now.....this is it.<br />
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I've missed this sweet blog. I've missed reading some amazing friends posts. I've missed my small space on the world wide web where for the briefest of clicks and scrolls, my words mean something. Even if they are just to have safely tucked away for my girls to read as teenagers.<br />
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Hello sweet blog, I'm back.<br />
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-BrittnyeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-91889799915652522592014-11-30T21:08:00.003-06:002014-11-30T21:08:58.405-06:00Hang on to your butts...Goodbye November, thanks for all the continued blessings.<br />
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December, I'm ready for you and all your crazy scheduled events.<br />
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Let's. Do. This.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-66205609906320133422014-10-15T13:31:00.000-05:002014-10-31T13:35:16.515-05:00Life and such....I'm perfectly aware of how much I need to get it together in the blogger world. I swear, I have all these posts in my head and I sit back and think "Oh yeah! someone will read that." "That would be an awesome topic." but then I sit here and it becomes more "Here's my family and I doing mundane things."<br />
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So annoying. I miss when I seemed more relevant and posted more than once a month! Such is life, it's been wonderfully busy and I guess posting about my family is just the only focus I can give to the blog.<br />
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As I said, it's been busy for my sweet little family.<br />
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Avery left her old school after more than 1 incident that left Evan and I ready to go to war with the administrators. I feel like all these things that happened the first 5wks of school had to happen in order for us to find her new school because it is such a BLESSING. We are so happy with the entire campus and she was welcomed instantly and LOVES it there so much.<br />
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Alyssa is growing like a weed and is loving MDO. She is starting to be more vocal and you can understand her a lot better. She's so stinking cute with her sing song voice and manners. They had a Donuts with Dad a few weeks ago but daddy couldn't be there due to work, so Pawpa came instead and she had such a fun time with him!</div>
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As for Evan and I? Just work work and more work. Oh to be a kid again, right?!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-72992914462871013722014-09-19T14:04:00.003-05:002014-09-19T14:04:45.394-05:00Labor Day TraditionGrowing up was different for me than most. I was raised by my grandparents who later adopted myself and my brother Jonathon. Our youngest brother, Josh, was adopted by our aunt. Our other sister, Desi was adopted to distant family and the youngest of the 5 of us was raised by our birth parents. Holidays were always full of family but mainly spent in the car going to and from a few relatives. We never saw Desi, Jackye entered our lives when she was 5 and that was randomly until she was 9. <br />
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My brothers and I saw each other on the weekends and holidays and other than living 30min apart it didn't seem so odd or different until we were older and understood more of why we were where we were and why our last names were different after the adoptions went through. You dig?<br />
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All that to say that once I married Evan, my life was changed beyond measure. Evan has a HUGE family. Even better? They embraced me and loved me from the get go! Their traditions are now our traditions and I've been so happy to share with the girls a few special traditions that my grandfather instilled in me every year. My upbringing was hard and sad but that man did everything in his power to bring some normalcy to it and joy in times of the year that I resented most.<br />
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Now that I'm a mommy and have my own family, traditions are MAJORLY important to both Evan and I. Little things to big things, we are all about making memories and keeping family traditions going.<br />
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Labor Day is a tradition.<br />
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What do we do? We go on a minor road trip. The past 4yrs now, we have picked a direction, picked a time limit (or mile limit) and then planned a random trip over the weekend for wherever we ended up. It's been fun! One year we went to Austin, another it was Wichita Falls and this year we landed in Abilene. It's just a way we celebrate the end of summer and now with Avery officially in School it was also a way to celebrate her starting school and surviving the first week. Evans parents come with us too I must add. It's the best.<br />
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So much fun and yet we didn't do much. Lounged at the hotel pool, watched movies and played Wii. Went to some local places recommended and visited a church. Overall, just being together as a family and enjoying being out of our bubble.<br />
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My cuties and the Giant Armadillo in Buffalo Gap, TX<br />
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Do you have any traditions you look forward to every year?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-82086625507336406362014-09-14T01:31:00.001-05:002014-09-14T01:31:33.387-05:00You Guys...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxK3wtxhZF7qgiMeikqyRUntsZCVfNHA93_pLGGQH8cvCosPLzFzt5YgftYY3x86iYxXc2Xxa2_GJUdSvAU0zJ2wV8hTr6qqM4Wb_YwcBJ0bm4Ckp55A4xthMqwDU_4gVNm9vin6D7U6r/s640/blogger-image--1915910663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxK3wtxhZF7qgiMeikqyRUntsZCVfNHA93_pLGGQH8cvCosPLzFzt5YgftYY3x86iYxXc2Xxa2_GJUdSvAU0zJ2wV8hTr6qqM4Wb_YwcBJ0bm4Ckp55A4xthMqwDU_4gVNm9vin6D7U6r/s640/blogger-image--1915910663.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today, it was 68*.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fall is finally making it's way here and I couldn't be more excited. It's my FAVORITE season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">*happy dance*</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-13206086215504460182014-08-20T20:58:00.000-05:002014-08-20T20:58:35.547-05:00Parenting<span style="font-family: Georgia;">This week has been such an emotional roller coaster for me. To think I was laughing at friends over the summer as they got weepy-eyed and vented about how they were not ready for their babies to go to kindergarten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Now I'm one of them. I know, I know. Spare your eye rolls and cynical comments, I'm not proud of these sniffles and misty eyed moments that I will admit, have evolved into the ugly cry (twice). Nobody said being a mother was easy and bless it, it's not! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I thought the newborn stage was hard enough. Seeing this tiny human you helped nurture and grow inside you, now being held in your arms and depending on you for EVERYTHING. Add that to your emotions all while your experiencing true love at first sight and what it feels like to have your heart living outside of your body. It's intense.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">So now the last 5 years are coming ahead. On Monday, I will let Avery go out into the real world without me holding her hand or helping her make those tough decisions. It's all on her now, and that is unsettling. Did I teach her enough? Will she be okay? Is she as smart as the other kids? Will she remember her manners? The obnoxious uncertainties are ridiculous, I'm more than aware. However, it's where my head is at late at night.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I can't be the only mother doing this to themselves, in fact, I know I'm not!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm sure the carpet by my bed is going to be worn pretty thin the next 5 days, Lord knows I've shed more tears and prayed harder than before Avery was born. I know she's covered, I know she will be fine and is going to make so many friends and learn so much. But for those moments in which she isn't...I just want to handle it for her and protect her from it. Selfishly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm sure a month from now I'll be sitting with my morning coffee and scoffing at myself and how pathetic I am being while my kindergartner is busy being a rock star in both school and life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Yeah.....Nobody said being a mother was easy and bless it, it's not.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-53835452322656418662014-08-13T15:20:00.001-05:002014-08-13T15:20:28.961-05:00StrugglesAnyone else still struggling with the news of Robin Williams death?<br />
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I find it so interesting how one person can effect so many people, a stranger no less. Sure, he was a high profile celebrity with a resume a mile long, but hardly any of us personally knew him, and yet here we are mourning with those who actually did know him personally.<br />
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He had a way with humor. He brought joy, laughter and so many times outside of the movies, a sense of grace and humbleness most of those in Hollywood fail to possess. His charity causes and USO appearances were hugely under noted in his career but ask those who know of it and they can tell you that he was a man who took pride in the military and never hesitated to help children with cancer or rare diseases.<br />
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Then of course were his dark periods. It should be no surprise about his battles with addiction and alcohol. He was open and candid about them and was never one to boast about defeating his demons when he went through the public process of handling them and succeeding it would seem. But apparently, he couldn't defeat the biggest one he had.</div>
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Depression is a very real issue in the world. It effects more people than any other known disease (And yes, that IS what it is, not a state of mind or an emotion).People struggle daily with it and in many ways, both mentally and physically. You can't just stop being depressed, there is no switch to turn it off and on. Oddly enough statistics show that most outwardly happy people suffer from it. The humor is a facade, a decoy so to speak to keep the denial at bay and make people not notice.</div>
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This year I have had to personally deal with a death that was a result of depression. Yes, it was a suicide. However, I don't believe suicide to be the cause of death in that situation. Just as I refuse to say that Robin Williams died of suicide. He didn't. Nor did my friend of 11yrs whom I spoke with just a day before he passed away. Depression is what they died of.</div>
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Depression is a complicated Mental illness. It affects at least 35 million people in the USA alone. Chances are, you know someone struggling with it. Chances are, they've reached out to you once or twice. Chances are, you said the same thing they get told by the ones closest to them.</div>
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I hope he found peace at last.<br />
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-BrittnyeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-13011765905162587892014-08-09T02:31:00.001-05:002014-08-09T10:07:03.219-05:00TransitionsSo now with summer winding down and coming to an end, reality is hitting me full force. <div><br></div><div> THINGS. ARE. CHANGING.</div><div><br></div><div> So many new things are starting in a matter of two weeks and whereas I felt prepared and in total control a mere 8 weeks ago, I feel like I'm running in circles with my head cut off now.</div><div><br></div><div> Avery starts KINDERGARTEN on the 25th. </div><div> Alyssa Starts PRESCHOOL on September 2nd.</div><div> I start a new JOB on the 26th at the PRESCHOOL.</div><div><br></div><div> Yep. You read that right, I'm working again! Mind you, it's a small thing that more or less will allow me to stay distracted about my babies not being babies anymore and going crazy with boredom. Then again, I have to say it's such a God-Send. </div><div><br></div><div> I had just started talking to Evan about wanting to finally take some steps of taking myself more seriously and finally making an effort to put myself first. Small conversations late at night mind you, when my brain is going a million miles an hour rather than turning off so I can sleep. As usual he was super supportive and agreed with me which freaked me out, so I decided to seriously think and Pray over it. </div><div><br></div><div> What in the world would I do with two days a week kid free?! What is something I'd want to do after a 4yr working hiatus? Should I try for some night classes at NCTC? I could always step up my volunteering at the shelter more. Just lots to think and pray over... </div><div><br></div><div>Well, withing a week of me half jokingly telling Evan I was thinking of working again or finding something to occupy my new found free time... I get approached by three people, about three separate job openings, at three places I love and frequently go to.</div><div><br></div><div> How in the world does THAT happen?! </div><div><br></div><div> It was a pretty surreal week to say the least. My quiet times were full of things to surrender and seriously consider. All those pesky fears and doubts tried their best to make me turn down all the offers but in the end, God made it very clear where I needed to be planted. Where my heart would be happiest and where I could do more good and feel amazing at the end of the day. Then add this gem spoken to me from our Pastor.
"God is sovereign in all of life's transitions. He gives you grace, he gives you direction and meets you in the middle." "Without a clear purpose you will tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures and your mood at the moment." (In response to Romans 7:15-25 which was thrown at me repeatedly in a 2wk span)</div><div><br></div><div> How can you ignore that?! </div><div><br></div><div> As soon as I accepted the offer my heart felt a little overwhelmed. So many people were happy and excited for and with me and I felt so much peace and reassurance about all these big changes happening to our little family. </div><div><br></div><div> So sure, I may be running around frantic trying to sort out what exactly needs to get done in the next 2wks before all these transitions start to take place, but at least my direction and path are clearly given and protected. Its reassuring on a number of levels. Doesn't mean I'm not going to cry a lot over my babies growing up so ridiculously fast, or have some trepidations for Avery as she enters a whole new normal. Or even Alyssa as she hits another crazy milestone and is put in the care of someone non family for the first time ever. (let it be known, both her teachers are friends and AMAZING woman and I trust them completely). </div><div><br></div><div> So many changes and I'm ready for each one. </div><div>-Brittnye</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-78812174145772084242014-07-28T00:25:00.001-05:002014-07-28T00:29:35.933-05:00Life is so much more than black and white<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNbU2aZKmbr9HwXPNyT8e62cQ5FdPQGMOCre7_3DI3ob5fv6dlbb6Yamy7QMRJq2DiI9X4S-8bBe175Oo6q5HIVaY_z3sYJCqUIVqzfZkr0GOamFKKKi87i9V3R3Ls95gJu78Xq6r0Air/s640/blogger-image-872694085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNbU2aZKmbr9HwXPNyT8e62cQ5FdPQGMOCre7_3DI3ob5fv6dlbb6Yamy7QMRJq2DiI9X4S-8bBe175Oo6q5HIVaY_z3sYJCqUIVqzfZkr0GOamFKKKi87i9V3R3Ls95gJu78Xq6r0Air/s640/blogger-image-872694085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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I must say the first two weeks were rough as I woke up and packed Avery's lunch then woke her up only to remember that schools over! She wasn't happy about that either as she dearly loves her school as well as her friends, so adjusting to no longer seeing them as much and not having school was hard to handle. I think we're over that hardship though as now she continues to write and draw me pictures and stories about her new friends at her new school. 9 weeks to go....</div><div><br></div><div>We've grilled a lot, slept in a lot, had a few play dates <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3yM-joJEU3KHWp9mcg8XRh9hXLavW1vzidrR9phQ0v8ODs28bUaQ_bdvgliuiz6VyVOFeP0aE6w5ZYPoFHPSmib-6y7GeuptbeXWdynHLLbuPo-AeA4MJpNk94X3bq0ruokYgkJCDIzQ/s640/blogger-image-705195248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3yM-joJEU3KHWp9mcg8XRh9hXLavW1vzidrR9phQ0v8ODs28bUaQ_bdvgliuiz6VyVOFeP0aE6w5ZYPoFHPSmib-6y7GeuptbeXWdynHLLbuPo-AeA4MJpNk94X3bq0ruokYgkJCDIzQ/s640/blogger-image-705195248.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Avery and her BFFS (Anna & Sophia)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>A fun day at the Dallas world Aquarium <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheBVscLaZqCIdHHBRrvPQOEzkgnjUKcC7sA-Ul-4Kiv5HyyHupzhIUImFOn-m0u5vCVBB8GGJ-oJv_pqmiBo52ulSDiWSv-A7D3O0_skeC8p1_LqONbnUse0Qb1isNI6cq5lvxDavMXyd/s640/blogger-image-1685846537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheBVscLaZqCIdHHBRrvPQOEzkgnjUKcC7sA-Ul-4Kiv5HyyHupzhIUImFOn-m0u5vCVBB8GGJ-oJv_pqmiBo52ulSDiWSv-A7D3O0_skeC8p1_LqONbnUse0Qb1isNI6cq5lvxDavMXyd/s640/blogger-image-1685846537.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>We went to the movies and yesterday finally busted out the swimsuits on a low key Fathers Day.</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPh6Lriy5KVDOasJR6J-N2EOkbl70FhP43w-E6kJzgZ7KQbZk-j7TNuVUDjj3AQ-ejLcqIqQvMwEwPq-wTqVf8KFXTnbnIS3fDumXt-B_9EVduIVikuTVJVpvBUnTY0Sw-_rONI8GLPYR/s640/blogger-image--1062302741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPh6Lriy5KVDOasJR6J-N2EOkbl70FhP43w-E6kJzgZ7KQbZk-j7TNuVUDjj3AQ-ejLcqIqQvMwEwPq-wTqVf8KFXTnbnIS3fDumXt-B_9EVduIVikuTVJVpvBUnTY0Sw-_rONI8GLPYR/s640/blogger-image--1062302741.jpg"></a></div></div><div> It's officially summer. Nothing big planned like last year (thankfully). We have VBS in 3wks, then a girls road trip to Georgia the week after that and possibly a trip to Galveston for a fun weekend but we may bypass that for a stay-cation.</div><div><br></div><div>Otherwise I don't have much to update on, which is weird. </div><div><br></div><div>What are fun things you do in the summer time?</div><div><br></div><div>-Britt</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-51480155773113182192014-05-16T00:51:00.001-05:002014-05-16T00:51:10.370-05:00How Do You Measure A Year?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's official.</span></div><div><br></div><div>I have a KINDERGARTNER.</div><div><br></div><div>I should be asleep with the rest of the house but the entirety of today's events have caught up to me. My feet are killing me, my back aches and I've been weepy and crying off and on since 9pm. Oh the joys of being a mom. We won't even discuss the sink full of dirty dishes or the three loads of laundry awaiting me...</div><div><br></div><div>Tonight, we celebrated Avery's graduation from Pre-K. Yep, she graduated. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiuYES36QtHcaP_aRncxSpcBHyeamy_UiiCM57qayXEZpxXdTrVhCVZbKgWXqpCglo1XEJ_jh2qJm7yFtH4ezz3-FMUO0_MBTFejv0yqKTLRPGV9DH1deRWkbHl6_ZHj0Y6ZiuHwgcrO0/s640/blogger-image-116026918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiuYES36QtHcaP_aRncxSpcBHyeamy_UiiCM57qayXEZpxXdTrVhCVZbKgWXqpCglo1XEJ_jh2qJm7yFtH4ezz3-FMUO0_MBTFejv0yqKTLRPGV9DH1deRWkbHl6_ZHj0Y6ZiuHwgcrO0/s640/blogger-image-116026918.jpg"></a></div>The whole day was devoted to making her feel special and celebrating this milestone. For me, keeping busy was a much needed distraction.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy4gR5iKDzHjmw776tTG1He_Umg_uH2SrNMc31Iu6h4Ii7e2uq2-u6rHmGkr4Z4UJ8sMavZOXXaNUcYnU-Obl2GEZFnOmMHsdJzyBtT8skoliJ3B-SJ6P3xdVas-ujCxGHv5TWu2wu565/s640/blogger-image-1417417496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy4gR5iKDzHjmw776tTG1He_Umg_uH2SrNMc31Iu6h4Ii7e2uq2-u6rHmGkr4Z4UJ8sMavZOXXaNUcYnU-Obl2GEZFnOmMHsdJzyBtT8skoliJ3B-SJ6P3xdVas-ujCxGHv5TWu2wu565/s640/blogger-image-1417417496.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjDivv_ZdCRGGC0KhNMvxoPYaj6LGWxm_kvZoGpLUEEe7ZiwUSqWdI5GFyi8VXlRpwtEilbW0l8HVjhooHkeV5WNBrC_qjCEOpd77ipd_FWUvWOfRzze9hAjjWZQV3yNlMiXoolJx-xS4/s640/blogger-image-1466126925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjDivv_ZdCRGGC0KhNMvxoPYaj6LGWxm_kvZoGpLUEEe7ZiwUSqWdI5GFyi8VXlRpwtEilbW0l8HVjhooHkeV5WNBrC_qjCEOpd77ipd_FWUvWOfRzze9hAjjWZQV3yNlMiXoolJx-xS4/s640/blogger-image-1466126925.jpg"></a></div></div> "Besties"</div><div><br></div><div> Is it weird to be so hung up over her heading to kindergarten? I feel justified as the other moms in her PreK class have expressed similar joy and sorrow but for some reason I didn't really cry about it until tonight, after all was said and done. Something about seeing pictures and video of her make her way across the stage struck me but the ultimate ruination of my emotions was a simple video clip of her sitting on stage and a huge smile beaming across her face as she looks towards the crowd, spots me and shouts "Hi Mommy!" And waves this adorable bashful and proud wave...</div><div><br></div><div>My. Total. Undoing.</div><div><br></div><div>Evan literally sat up and asked "Are you really crying?! Over that?!" I couldn't help it. It was such a sweet moment captured of both her independence of graduating PreK and heading to kindergarten yet her innocence of still needing me.</div><div><br></div><div>As she walked across the stage to accept her diploma they also bestowed her spirit gift to which she was awarded the gift of Joy. I wish I could remember word for word how they described her and how she fit that so perfectly because everything they spoke of her, was her spot on. You could totally see it in her presence on stage! From the way she half skipped across stage, how she sat in her seat, the way she clapped for each and every friend, how she smiled brightly and waved to people in the crowd...all of it...joyful. Avery.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvE8X9UPADy283c13s9avXZl_oFzkMPetUdUYAz1WKB-XtPw68PFGqnsXkp71829iDLWF4odn1-LaPpUwib7_w2org1E8cmh6CNVvlu_A6Cla4ponxAhjmi4xan1wu2W6-vzOieYsNHAw/s640/blogger-image-823172293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvE8X9UPADy283c13s9avXZl_oFzkMPetUdUYAz1WKB-XtPw68PFGqnsXkp71829iDLWF4odn1-LaPpUwib7_w2org1E8cmh6CNVvlu_A6Cla4ponxAhjmi4xan1wu2W6-vzOieYsNHAw/s640/blogger-image-823172293.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are so proud of her. It's been an amazing two years at Kidzone Academy and two years before that as MSBC All Stars Learning Center. She has been going to this place since before she was even born! I think that's the most bittersweet part of this chapter closing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've been so blessed for so long by our church and the school. The teachers and staff are also friends and family! They've supported us, prayed with us, hugged and cried with us and have loved Avery as there own since day one. To go there 4 days a week to now just 2 will be a huge change in our routine but thankfully we have Sunday school and Awana. Not only that, but Alyssa will start at Kidzone in September and a new chapter with a different star will begin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For now though, we are relishing our final week at Kidzone and preparing for August where new adventures and new beginnings await....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNwpbFVqZXQGVPeoM9SVkZqJxnkHNDlxaZDgCYUf-g0YprcTftPPbewTCpqzxqpBc2c8ekzAkk_1BugfoIQ7f5w9O0eckgLc2NhLHX0BMLhSGa5MxILSJJVkMlVe5yBvVkdhkQ7h7hkxd/s640/blogger-image--149063152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNwpbFVqZXQGVPeoM9SVkZqJxnkHNDlxaZDgCYUf-g0YprcTftPPbewTCpqzxqpBc2c8ekzAkk_1BugfoIQ7f5w9O0eckgLc2NhLHX0BMLhSGa5MxILSJJVkMlVe5yBvVkdhkQ7h7hkxd/s640/blogger-image--149063152.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Time Flies....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brittnye</div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-60796022040687984242014-04-23T23:47:00.001-05:002014-04-23T23:47:52.682-05:00Get Happy!Www.100happydays.com<div><br></div><div>I signed up today. I wanna see what makes YOU happy too.</div><div><br></div><div>-Brittnye</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-1831785545713932162014-04-12T22:36:00.001-05:002014-04-12T22:36:28.232-05:00The City Harmonic - Here and There<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This song. Is where I'm at lately.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">-Brittnye<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Heart beat, little heart
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">There You are, there You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">I came kicking, I came screaming:
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">I was so used to the dark
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You whispered “light” and lit a spark
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">And there You are, there You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">I’ve been living, I’ve been dying
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">And Your heart beats ever on
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You were
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">To come
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">If I’m barely hanging on:
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Here You are, here You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">I come crawling, I come running:
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Here You are with open arms
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">No, my heart’s not giving up
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Here You are, here You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You’ve been living in my dying
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Now I’m dying for Your heart
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You were
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You are
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">To come <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">My heart is like Pandora’s Box
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">With just a crack it’s opened up
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">To beat anew when all is lost
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">To run, crawl, come home.
<br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">You are to come <br style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br></span><div><a href="http://youtu.be/6LTz4oQuNKs">http://youtu.be/6LTz4oQuNKs</a></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-66203486318283602682014-03-28T00:48:00.001-05:002014-03-28T00:49:23.469-05:0029 Things I've Learned At 29.1. Moisturizer is your friend.<div><br></div><div>2. Age is only a number.</div><div><br></div><div>3. As long as you continue to achieve your goals and dreams, it truly doesn't matter how many times you failed. Just that you never gave up.</div><div><br></div><div>4. We are our own worst critic.</div><div><br></div><div>5. Find something to be passionate about.</div><div><br></div><div>6. Laughing at yourself is totally acceptable and quite refreshing.</div><div><br></div><div>7. Eating alone at a restaurant is actually not the end of the world, try it.</div><div><br></div><div>8. You can not do it all and be everywhere at once, accept that.</div><div><br></div><div>9. Gray hair happens.</div><div><br></div><div>10. Some friendships are worth letting go of, it's okay if you grow apart or have nothing in common. Just let it go.</div><div><br></div><div>11. If you've never tried something before, don't say you don't like it or would never do it before giving it a try. You may surprise yourself.</div><div><br></div><div>12. You don't actually have to make your bed everyday.</div><div><br></div><div>13. Read a book.</div><div><br></div><div>14. Every once in awhile write someone a little note and actually mail it to them. (You know as in through the post office...using envelopes and a stamp)</div><div><br></div><div>15. Do what makes you happy and never regret it!</div><div><br></div><div>16. Change is inevitable, how you handle and react to it is key.</div><div><br></div><div>17. We all have flaws, don't hide them.</div><div><br></div><div>18. A smile can change everything.</div><div><br></div><div>19. Paying it forward feels better than receiving something. Practice random acts of kindness weekly.</div><div><br></div><div>20. Stand by your choices.</div><div><br></div><div>21. Save more money.</div><div><br></div><div>22. Stop comparing yourself to others. It's such a waste of time.</div><div><br></div><div>23. When the feeling hits you, dance.</div><div><br></div><div>24. Dessert before a meal is totally acceptable.</div><div><br></div><div>25. Conquer a fear and feel empowered.</div><div><br></div><div>26. Everyone has bad days, stuff happens. Just remember there's always a tomorrow.</div><div><br></div><div>27. Get outside more.</div><div><br></div><div>28. Naps are good for the soul.</div><div><br></div><div>29. There's still so much I have yet to learn. If you don't know about something, don't pretend to. Ask questions and seek facts.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-60380060567448725052014-03-18T03:17:00.001-05:002014-03-18T03:17:50.547-05:0029 and feeling fine!I Turned 29 on the 1st. <div><br></div><div>Yes, yes, I've finally arrived at the last year in my 20's and I'm totally embracing it with acceptance, grace and love. I honestly do not see the big deal. So many of my friends (husband included) are freaking out about turning 30 and I can assure you I won't be that way.</div><div><br></div><div>I say own it. Embrace it, because EVERYONE ages and gets older. It's part of your journey and you can't tell your story if you don't accept and live in EVERY moment and capacity in which it's given.</div><div><br></div><div>It was a fun birthday. The high was 80*, the sky was clear and sun was shining. I got my hair cut and colored after a year of waiting, did some clothes shopping for myself (gasp!) and came home to a childhood tradition and two of the sweetest cards a wife and mommy could get!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARr_18aJI0H5iT8s9zrviZayt9Du1cGOBplrCwOJmAGzFQJ6MovLNIrALsCwb1FpvOqaA94ZJleJ7DzE0h7I3NIdPW5dagMmXJXpC17tqvJkK3-U0MzmNa1vcoYfRPKc4VgP1lF4DZADz/s640/blogger-image-541494170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARr_18aJI0H5iT8s9zrviZayt9Du1cGOBplrCwOJmAGzFQJ6MovLNIrALsCwb1FpvOqaA94ZJleJ7DzE0h7I3NIdPW5dagMmXJXpC17tqvJkK3-U0MzmNa1vcoYfRPKc4VgP1lF4DZADz/s640/blogger-image-541494170.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Getting pampered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8alWeGUDQEnWEiRHw2dyh_HGc0cw9CcPFYo_8mnImLlaIoGbemoeHNN4N0EutUPKa9w0I6ScJiXznORZ3V0h1ona1mukM8pMnwR22bxtBKw04wcrPCPn38QL9YVlAnrszCtB3X146CRgD/s640/blogger-image-1152870140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8alWeGUDQEnWEiRHw2dyh_HGc0cw9CcPFYo_8mnImLlaIoGbemoeHNN4N0EutUPKa9w0I6ScJiXznORZ3V0h1ona1mukM8pMnwR22bxtBKw04wcrPCPn38QL9YVlAnrszCtB3X146CRgD/s640/blogger-image-1152870140.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My childhood birthday tradition still going strong.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Evan and I decided to keep it low key with just a date night out but it turned into a fun overnight trip. We decided to do/try two things we've never done before. Go against our typical fave local food spots and a movie and just try something different and new.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The results were trying a new restaurant outside of town and driving 30min north to experience our first ever casino. We had so much fun! We had dinner at Horny Toad Cafe www.hornytoadcafe.com</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It recently opened at the old Good Eats which was our go to place when we were dating, we even got engaged in the parking lot in front of it!! So we were excited to see the building being used again and even more happy now as we will definitely be going back repeatedly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After dinner, we drove up to winstar world casino (along with half of North Texas it seemed) and spent 4hrs playing slots, people watching, drinking free sodas and witnessing a man win $35,000 (I kid you not). It was fun and interesting but it was also sad and somewhat depressing watching so many people. I came out +34$ and Evan came out +22$ so not losing money was nice. We drove back to Denton after midnight and checked into a hotel to enjoy a child free night (I.E- a solid night of sleep! Best gift ever mom and dad!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As ever with Texas weather my beautiful 80* and sunny Saturday turned into 28* and sleet and snow by Sunday morning. We were so glad we didn't get a hotel in Oklahoma or away from Denton as the roads turned bad as we headed to church and were even worse after service. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Such a nice and mellow ending to my birthday celebration though as we capped off the weekend with hot chocolate, a fire and movies in Pjs with the girls.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bring on 30, I'm ready!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSVW1cpz5pO0-vLibSWUni1awHkKMUuGU1sTFwP9MsdnIULKy3kzmdMzZyiBwXqprSg_b8_bL3kcZGmwLp_gADNldigBO8ukDaMzUDzu-ihL86MVgWy1xkaKlDA-7N9-RmOqwxl1Ge39p/s640/blogger-image--41592939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinSVW1cpz5pO0-vLibSWUni1awHkKMUuGU1sTFwP9MsdnIULKy3kzmdMzZyiBwXqprSg_b8_bL3kcZGmwLp_gADNldigBO8ukDaMzUDzu-ihL86MVgWy1xkaKlDA-7N9-RmOqwxl1Ge39p/s640/blogger-image--41592939.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Accidental Twinsies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Xoxo,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Britt</div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-4926143500391097742014-03-18T02:46:00.001-05:002014-03-18T02:48:21.842-05:00Monthly update time!So much for blogging more.<div><br></div><div>March has been such a busy and fun month! Between birthdays (both mine and Evans), a weekend trip for me and a guys weekend for him, add spring break for Avery and your caught up.</div><div><br></div><div>I love the bustle of life these days. There's been so much time spent with family and friends, so many memorable moments captured as small reflections forever held in my heart. It's funny and rare to catch your breath when life is so full and yet oftentimes, people complain the most during these seasons of life. I was just telling Evan last night how it felt weird (in a good way) to be home on a Sunday night with nothing to do for once and yet just the weekend before I had walked in from a weekend in Austin and wished for just 5min to unpack and catch my breath! It's a no win struggle I suppose. </div><div><br></div><div>Our family is getting into a new routine finally. Evan went to day shift 3wks ago and now is home at night! The first week was rough, as I was alone all day with both girls and quickly realized how good I had it with Evan willing and able to let me run errands or grocery shop solo. Yeah, lesson learned on having both with me when it's close to a meal time or nap time. The girls seemed confused on why daddy was putting them in the bath and doing bedtime when usually mommy does it all, add Avery's not understanding why there were no more daddy bedtime calls since he was with her (seriously, she had an emotional meltdown the first 3 nights. Bless her heart.) and it was a bit chaotic.</div><div><br></div><div>I love it.</div><div><br></div><div>Now around 4, both girls (Mitsu too) sit at the window with the blinds up and eagerly await his red truck pulling in the drive. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowsAGuOcT-qc7_vk4Qi5lfE6oyjjapbhDuHbQLQ6axN2D516WDosCEuoJXs8Z-EEwIm4WBikfXIQ_6ogf5uibvUJi7DB251-AwiL37RST-SrBisyCujMVUk6wqFTNAO16xD6vJUMED1Gw/s640/blogger-image-313999666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowsAGuOcT-qc7_vk4Qi5lfE6oyjjapbhDuHbQLQ6axN2D516WDosCEuoJXs8Z-EEwIm4WBikfXIQ_6ogf5uibvUJi7DB251-AwiL37RST-SrBisyCujMVUk6wqFTNAO16xD6vJUMED1Gw/s640/blogger-image-313999666.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm loving being able to cook actual dinners now and all of us eating whole meals together, it truly is the simplistic things that melt my heart. Also, HELLO social life and date nights, it's been so long!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I tease. Kinda.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">-Brittnye</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-72934907771871707582014-02-04T22:46:00.001-06:002014-02-04T22:46:15.749-06:00Alyssa Jane 1yr PicsFirst and foremost. Huge love and appreciation to Emily Davis over at www.emilydavisphoto.com<div><br></div><div>She knows the easiest way to my heart, and how to make me cry happy tears all by taking a picture that will forever be a treasured memory in this mommas heart.</div><div><br></div><div>We enjoyed our time playing and smiling and clapping nonstop. Alyssa's favorite thing to do these days. You know, besides WALKING.</div><div><br></div><div>Slow down precious one, slow down.</div><div><br></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div>Britt & Alyssa</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm69byBDsZ59VtX2MRlNRjJeWtlitQ2aObr1SCReG_hDEhV7fn6s0Wrn6mKcSrTX9TGB2MAjeDHg8rLFzLa9k9-Qf9tltCrd-VwDr2o4DsYpoLC4Dbc07SZDB8HzDjvbI9xEJGfOfp6rzV/s640/blogger-image--534985807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm69byBDsZ59VtX2MRlNRjJeWtlitQ2aObr1SCReG_hDEhV7fn6s0Wrn6mKcSrTX9TGB2MAjeDHg8rLFzLa9k9-Qf9tltCrd-VwDr2o4DsYpoLC4Dbc07SZDB8HzDjvbI9xEJGfOfp6rzV/s640/blogger-image--534985807.jpg"></a></div> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI43zubGEbmmnHyMJlm-NRiG7zAVGIJ3XO3wixnS0PNY2q_R-TRiGrkRVBZ0D4e_TpkPKQ1HiTIyROBX8BfzVaFkwjFZ8qol3v9F2MwE0clELjXNhZ-sNWIY_YtvSGdXVkwFzaqRG3qKoB/s640/blogger-image-1016263031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI43zubGEbmmnHyMJlm-NRiG7zAVGIJ3XO3wixnS0PNY2q_R-TRiGrkRVBZ0D4e_TpkPKQ1HiTIyROBX8BfzVaFkwjFZ8qol3v9F2MwE0clELjXNhZ-sNWIY_YtvSGdXVkwFzaqRG3qKoB/s640/blogger-image-1016263031.jpg"></a></div> What a difference a year makes!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bO2ubvE9C9HNzIOCWoMGdMvm21_sa2EsQrLZsQsG04mLoiK9YV5UZoiu0bETUEri52ejPyhyphenhyphenmxLAmPlxDPYlzzx11WKKtuh2IeADr5XaFb8FpGWOqvWoMKkDTlDf0sxvk6EO8ICvs3hw/s640/blogger-image-168130944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bO2ubvE9C9HNzIOCWoMGdMvm21_sa2EsQrLZsQsG04mLoiK9YV5UZoiu0bETUEri52ejPyhyphenhyphenmxLAmPlxDPYlzzx11WKKtuh2IeADr5XaFb8FpGWOqvWoMKkDTlDf0sxvk6EO8ICvs3hw/s640/blogger-image-168130944.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINUWi7FtPVnnTmyUKHRHYZBTAcCPBXXyNVFCD6QFbFllZzh2m2SfLJ-XIUS9QHT5LTLr9bARJ2Ldz-wSSZe66cvCWnRvZ-vCuFKodl7JuqvKRQWBvq7F3K3x7xXTjopJA-7KaBMZsFbCa/s640/blogger-image-2018949579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgINUWi7FtPVnnTmyUKHRHYZBTAcCPBXXyNVFCD6QFbFllZzh2m2SfLJ-XIUS9QHT5LTLr9bARJ2Ldz-wSSZe66cvCWnRvZ-vCuFKodl7JuqvKRQWBvq7F3K3x7xXTjopJA-7KaBMZsFbCa/s640/blogger-image-2018949579.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Such a little lady.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF3CyTRTNpZmZpA6Qi61y_Lw8sQujtVSg8kAOtHXR4trS0HdHK4d71vOjhSwnzcaj4XvMa-5txeroL1rkhByO1boT5kKZATYpqks-mN-G71zuwOALeIoYcNdKJzEbeIPnSECCTmeXjYfy/s640/blogger-image--994750542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfF3CyTRTNpZmZpA6Qi61y_Lw8sQujtVSg8kAOtHXR4trS0HdHK4d71vOjhSwnzcaj4XvMa-5txeroL1rkhByO1boT5kKZATYpqks-mN-G71zuwOALeIoYcNdKJzEbeIPnSECCTmeXjYfy/s640/blogger-image--994750542.jpg"></a></div> "Clap, clap, clap your hands"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLE7j43e14o2xZhiEiLlrHXJwwV5Wi8zYfCsEKtIQoPuaw7AubylArHN0x9Um7hXn9juY1D7YRK3fOj2P4oEG_0cHPX1QMQyLjmRw3Zt7o91XdKTkJRKSwKajljghGWViTWBQTuDdU6q1/s640/blogger-image-1653397151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLE7j43e14o2xZhiEiLlrHXJwwV5Wi8zYfCsEKtIQoPuaw7AubylArHN0x9Um7hXn9juY1D7YRK3fOj2P4oEG_0cHPX1QMQyLjmRw3Zt7o91XdKTkJRKSwKajljghGWViTWBQTuDdU6q1/s640/blogger-image-1653397151.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ_ffEcKFl12jecAuT7phgSwNYSjHaDaYs7b4HTdRwoYRVNtb03PIuD4V53QUg4lnAhtzmlmyA5UP24CwB3X4AkR1vT8NH63vgX60bLgJ4uQ7CV_cNh5vEvznzUqQTIUT2his73b6Oe8m/s640/blogger-image--196492660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZ_ffEcKFl12jecAuT7phgSwNYSjHaDaYs7b4HTdRwoYRVNtb03PIuD4V53QUg4lnAhtzmlmyA5UP24CwB3X4AkR1vT8NH63vgX60bLgJ4uQ7CV_cNh5vEvznzUqQTIUT2his73b6Oe8m/s640/blogger-image--196492660.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3D6kCCKNJE-hm8aETVwSG9rUtg1dVT-USAfPvv46DJ92nxh2PW8oPc0ci1uUzy8yKQa_EKcUmrVqqH_n-1gLDpxElEchd5TfIY02LNOqlNcX3uSrTe3yIsnfgsB9tr4fFckDl9krZFHO/s640/blogger-image-251169631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_3D6kCCKNJE-hm8aETVwSG9rUtg1dVT-USAfPvv46DJ92nxh2PW8oPc0ci1uUzy8yKQa_EKcUmrVqqH_n-1gLDpxElEchd5TfIY02LNOqlNcX3uSrTe3yIsnfgsB9tr4fFckDl9krZFHO/s640/blogger-image-251169631.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> "You mean I have to keep this on!?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieqBxfwa_SMOmb2Sr_hmvRm2cRniM0WfW_cYG6vC9ATLvvEFewv3IWjvB9wWwEW8PZis6i8hgA4Ad-K5k6mPzg2K9UNvRJ66E6nB419sruDDZsmNGkb1EY5AvflQ8SdH2v7udOnNi4ID-/s640/blogger-image-688762046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieqBxfwa_SMOmb2Sr_hmvRm2cRniM0WfW_cYG6vC9ATLvvEFewv3IWjvB9wWwEW8PZis6i8hgA4Ad-K5k6mPzg2K9UNvRJ66E6nB419sruDDZsmNGkb1EY5AvflQ8SdH2v7udOnNi4ID-/s640/blogger-image-688762046.jpg"></a></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnHw0c4h5ljX-n9ogXJnsujI2WlR9ZjGd3WiMeH_Kl9rnYGK627RVC8xDtlxuRaTc038ydgJc21yyrl3uZ4IFw9YhGTf3jv3Fz9h0obfHXYTNQbGYsxXiJYN3NyfdMdFYV5s2Pi6NVlt2/s640/blogger-image--317862873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnHw0c4h5ljX-n9ogXJnsujI2WlR9ZjGd3WiMeH_Kl9rnYGK627RVC8xDtlxuRaTc038ydgJc21yyrl3uZ4IFw9YhGTf3jv3Fz9h0obfHXYTNQbGYsxXiJYN3NyfdMdFYV5s2Pi6NVlt2/s640/blogger-image--317862873.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-84013659197628848322014-01-25T00:59:00.001-06:002014-01-25T00:59:56.066-06:00Sometimes you stop long enough to look around you .<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylSOr2Kw8ENrOTeR8hcLxfv5p1TEPM6d0Ht68OQmL_wmZLZ3hINEwbieN3-WlHaogejJfXEO_QGzC_1qDwY7oNK9XsWhReHbMbAGW5NPElH0vhRG42rTj-aGiBw1tceeemVsTo2lVx_jV/s640/blogger-image--2002513049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylSOr2Kw8ENrOTeR8hcLxfv5p1TEPM6d0Ht68OQmL_wmZLZ3hINEwbieN3-WlHaogejJfXEO_QGzC_1qDwY7oNK9XsWhReHbMbAGW5NPElH0vhRG42rTj-aGiBw1tceeemVsTo2lVx_jV/s640/blogger-image--2002513049.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Reflecting tonight after my quiet time.<p></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"> I have the Best in-loves and "Nina & Pawpa" on the planet, so Blessed with them as my parents. A little overwhelmed with how much they love on me sometimes. Makes it hard to understand my birth parents and things in my childhood.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">My girls will never go through what I did and that's all that matters.</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"> Watching them with these two reassures me that they are safe and they are truly loved. I've come a long way in the 10yrs since God put them in my life. I'm able to forgive, able to heal and finally live my life the way God intended me too without hiding.</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-27787359665279950892014-01-21T23:25:00.001-06:002014-01-21T23:25:16.640-06:00O-N-E<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-7TtORgUNssWHxfvglNPDYnT0CYJjFAJuzd8y-CQkYtFIkKVa81jjLpWhHxzJS4JPVnPNc96M1eOMiA5j6pckgWasN05H9HGmn5ieMjZKoSC2JdxK158cM9S3EGMZ6Ffz673vdwbhyiN/s640/blogger-image-206751307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-7TtORgUNssWHxfvglNPDYnT0CYJjFAJuzd8y-CQkYtFIkKVa81jjLpWhHxzJS4JPVnPNc96M1eOMiA5j6pckgWasN05H9HGmn5ieMjZKoSC2JdxK158cM9S3EGMZ6Ffz673vdwbhyiN/s640/blogger-image-206751307.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Alyssa Jane turned 1 on Sunday. Hard to believe it's been a year already! I've dealt with my denial, I had a good cry, I boxed up tiny baby mementos and looked over her baby pictures all while whining to Evan about how time needs to slow down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Alyssa facts:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She's 21lbs, is 31inches tall (99 percentile). She has 4 teeth and is almost walking solo. She likes to read books, clap to music, sing songs and watch Bubble Guppies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Her Faves: Blueberries, bananas, French fries, yogurt bites, waffles and green beans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Not so faves: Pasta, peas, strawberries, beef anything and oatmeal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Aly,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My sweet, joyful, giggly girl. How I adore your smile and love your laugh. You make our family complete. You are such a blessing to your daddy and I and I know you make your big sister awfully proud with all your milestones and achievements. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are truly thankful God chose you for us. How I miss your kicks and bizarre cravings during my pregnancy, how we laughed at how you would react to Avery's voice versus your daddy's. The day you were born, I was so calm and happy. I was never afraid or nervous, I wasn't even anxious. You came on your due date all on your own in what was an easy delivery. You were bright eyed and curious of everything around you and you slept! I knew then you were going to be amazing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The past 365 days you have stirred things in my heart, you've helped me slow down and reminded me to stop and take in what's happening around us. You've created new bonds with your sister and family and even friendships we owe to you and your "cuteness". You are a very loved girl. I hope you always know this first and foremost. That you are loved, you are cherished and you are priceless my sweet girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Your personality shines like the sun. You are so spunky and happy ALL the time. You hardly cry unless your impatient about food or ready for bed. You love music and bubble guppies. You sing anytime your can and are a hoarder or binkies and books. I hope these things never change, well, the binkies of course but everything else is so you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Birthday, Darling BaBoo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister Avery </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz0cfvEX2zmDKAHn2o4T_ZiiuShjHYHPux_lE152_SmSbpEc284PceuqB5bBdufeH_2zO13sdVjtSerWZoAT2QHgVZlhHT9nm8XYddP36N-r1dWSb0bCL49QU8sOcL8C15DW20ezArHmY/s640/blogger-image-1039113020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz0cfvEX2zmDKAHn2o4T_ZiiuShjHYHPux_lE152_SmSbpEc284PceuqB5bBdufeH_2zO13sdVjtSerWZoAT2QHgVZlhHT9nm8XYddP36N-r1dWSb0bCL49QU8sOcL8C15DW20ezArHmY/s640/blogger-image-1039113020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyzYMYpLNct1-ArRr3061Y0ZSB_pyD2nhSYVs51-B2KShnwGcO88kqHiaYrOdIOP5f1FfG04XcidCxUYqZg5-a-96EwXvnerkCwVzsk4xUL-Pdp2bQtEigl4ek170eWx7Ozx-wgs0YAwq/s640/blogger-image--683148161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyzYMYpLNct1-ArRr3061Y0ZSB_pyD2nhSYVs51-B2KShnwGcO88kqHiaYrOdIOP5f1FfG04XcidCxUYqZg5-a-96EwXvnerkCwVzsk4xUL-Pdp2bQtEigl4ek170eWx7Ozx-wgs0YAwq/s640/blogger-image--683148161.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PjcyL3_8W-77qIEVSHMcEgUzQ8E1FFHa-e3nMYSXb7SSoOATut4NvJivzKCOGgITIyjjJTgYCC6hOK4zFAh5I9T5_PSe71FhHcuDTX1MQIqAZoeNNxZa_y4Ml5gXd8d87Iej71C1pPnF/s640/blogger-image-1991958492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PjcyL3_8W-77qIEVSHMcEgUzQ8E1FFHa-e3nMYSXb7SSoOATut4NvJivzKCOGgITIyjjJTgYCC6hOK4zFAh5I9T5_PSe71FhHcuDTX1MQIqAZoeNNxZa_y4Ml5gXd8d87Iej71C1pPnF/s640/blogger-image-1991958492.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZGjOdVPeRqc3AU7p3a_9QM7kRy597kx4YhCWEEJyN8jz8uCr3lMB_LJrBqcuMLWYevxh1759j1fPHe8OwODoLqKbqaK3LEOXEOWBzeuomS2YOC0MFKC3hBm0OphgrqmygB0ZhyEJYHOJ/s640/blogger-image--847960580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZGjOdVPeRqc3AU7p3a_9QM7kRy597kx4YhCWEEJyN8jz8uCr3lMB_LJrBqcuMLWYevxh1759j1fPHe8OwODoLqKbqaK3LEOXEOWBzeuomS2YOC0MFKC3hBm0OphgrqmygB0ZhyEJYHOJ/s640/blogger-image--847960580.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1iZvo5NAJqy_KZTFjzbfBhOHYY981Qms2N0GafqhDwi5AaAhCxBfu_s72GfETmYHEBWs31l0LLxTp1XujIT5HmzvtBiyTdCrgKA-UrN-gi8ezOfqk-Bp3wmU_hDc0q_TZwl1OVMzO6p/s640/blogger-image-1719169688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1iZvo5NAJqy_KZTFjzbfBhOHYY981Qms2N0GafqhDwi5AaAhCxBfu_s72GfETmYHEBWs31l0LLxTp1XujIT5HmzvtBiyTdCrgKA-UrN-gi8ezOfqk-Bp3wmU_hDc0q_TZwl1OVMzO6p/s640/blogger-image-1719169688.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stay tuned for pictures from her 1yr photo shoot. Coming soon! </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-14580182018320853952014-01-17T00:43:00.001-06:002014-01-17T00:43:21.108-06:00Daily thought bubbles of a SAHM Why do I bother to vacuum when 5-10min later there's food/ and toys everywhere?<div><br></div><div>How can little people poop so much?</div><div><br></div><div>Why do the carts at the grocery store not accommodate small kids? Do they make the baskets so narrow and not deep enough to hold them and your groceries in on purpose?</div><div><br></div><div>Why can't there be a mom channel with decent TV on during nap times? And I mean not soap operas and talk shows but like a prime time show on for the moms at home to enjoy without DVRing it to watch sneakily in the middle of the night.</div><div><br></div><div>When in doubt, do what works for YOU.</div><div><br></div><div>If you were to record my actions for one day and then replay it in fast forward you may think you hit the rewind button instead because of how repetitive I am in cleaning up and picking up things.</div><div><br></div><div>Sometimes playing princesses and tea party can be annoying, just like watching the same cartoon for the millionth time a day. But I'll do it every time I'm asked because it won't last as long as I'd wish for it too.</div><div><br></div><div>Parks are gross.</div><div><br></div><div>God Bless netflix.</div><div><br></div><div>No matter how long you wait or how distracted you get them to be, as soon as you drop your pants to pee the door will open. Every. Time.</div><div><br></div><div>It's ridiculous how easy it is to forget to eat even when you spend a ton of time in the kitchen cooking and preparing everyone else's three square meals.</div><div><br></div><div>Yoga/sweatpants/pajama pants are like sexy lingerie.</div><div><br></div><div>Eating out is no longer as relaxing or appealing as it once was.</div><div><br></div><div>I admire working moms.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-1136514769355356322014-01-14T22:40:00.001-06:002014-01-14T22:40:26.934-06:00A little bit of this, a little bit of that..This month is flying by! <div><br></div><div>After my last post about rocking the Flu for NYE, my germs decided to share themselves on my entire family! 2 weeks of each of us taking turns was horrendous. Poor Avery, she had it the worse with having H1N1 while not suffering ALL the symptoms like I did. Evan and Alyssa had milder versions of the flu and Alyssa seemed to take the longest to get rid of it. Needless to say, I was full on mama bear mode and fretting like crazy and hardly sleeping. My energy is still not fully back yet, I tire very easily and my appetite is still not fully back. Avery went back to school today and was more thrilled than Evan and I.</div><div><br></div><div>Lesson learned. If the Dr.'s office cancels your flu shot appointment, seek alternative places to get it! I still can't get the shot but I'll get the pneumonia shot to help my body battle anything the winter brings with it.</div><div><br></div><div>Speaking of winter, where is it?! The US is in this huge freeze while it's in the 60's here. Don't get me wrong, it's on the cool side but after our crazy ice storm in the beginning of December, nothing else has happened. Maybe February will show us a last hurrah? </div><div><br></div><div>Otherwise, life has been all about getting healthy and getting everyone else healthy this month. Alyssa turns ONE on Sunday but due to this mean flu season and so many people with little ones having it, we decided not to have a party. (Does that make me a bad mom?) she'll get a smash cake with family and next week is getting pictures done with our favorite photographer. I'm very excited about that.</div><div><br></div><div>Hard to believe she's already a year old. Then again, don't I say that about Avery too? </div><div><br></div><div>Looking forward to our routine and schedules to come back, lots of stuff, exciting stuff is about to take place for us and I'm ready for every bit of it. </div><div><br></div><div>That's all for now,</div><div>Brittnye</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-32104894499734860992014-01-01T22:17:00.001-06:002014-01-01T22:23:52.801-06:002014The first day of the new year is almost at its end. I've been in bed for two days with the flu (fun,right?!) and must say that despite the yucky ending of 2013 and the miserable beginning of 2014, I'm eager to see what this year holds for me and my family.<div><br></div><div>I didn't blog nearly as much as I have in the past, and that will be something I work on more this year. I have so much to look forward to and as I'm sure everyone else is doing lately, my reflections of 2013 truly remind me how blessed I am.</div><div><br></div><div>-The birth of our youngest.</div><div>-A wonderful Church Family.</div><div>-My health scare and Surgery in June.</div><div>-Several trips and the memories that will forever go with them. (Galveston, Oregon, California)</div><div>-Avery starting Pre-K.</div><div>-Evans job having a successful year.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm not into making resolutions but I do have a few goals in mind for this new year. Trips are being planned that make me excited as well.</div><div><br></div><div>I'll close for now. Stay healthy my friends and blessings for your year!</div><div>-Brittnye</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-16001030652579715402013-12-19T01:10:00.001-06:002013-12-19T01:10:02.212-06:00Happy 5th Birthday!Friends.......<div><br></div><div>I'm a bit in denial right now, I feel almost overwhelmed that it's already a week before Christmas. No, not because of Christmas itself. I've finished 80% of all that needs to be done. I think it's more that this year is almost over.</div><div><br></div><div>The past week has been pretty emotional for me, shocking news, 2 deaths, family drama and an epic ice storm can do that though. Add that in the middle of the peak emotional-ness I was in, we fostered a sweet cat who was recovering from having her leg amputated and my plate broke in half.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm doing better, I'm healing. Thanks to our new addition and Avery and Alyssa keeping me blissfully distracted it's easier to let the things I cannot and will not control just....go! <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Just in time for a new emotional round to hit me though.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today, our sweet Alyssa Jane is 11 months old! 11, as in almost 12. In 4 very short weeks our baby will be ONE. My uterus can't handle that.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Even worse? This amazing not so little human being is 5 today!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMkN9eqbN2oL3NbS8g79wdYflyx4yh0Q8yL1f8tz9N4mPHCi8C0OqM_VaYYCjY12KV0cousYNHocY6NefNGjxd25WZl5wPHTWecKTBLhHDGHLsj_RC3rK2rjSXJ4vEeZSU0dYeJqEnBSC/s640/blogger-image-1474888042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMkN9eqbN2oL3NbS8g79wdYflyx4yh0Q8yL1f8tz9N4mPHCi8C0OqM_VaYYCjY12KV0cousYNHocY6NefNGjxd25WZl5wPHTWecKTBLhHDGHLsj_RC3rK2rjSXJ4vEeZSU0dYeJqEnBSC/s640/blogger-image-1474888042.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know, I know, process that for a few...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">FIVE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Half a decade. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I recently wrote this in my prayer journal.."A year is no longer viewed as a long time to me. Measures of time are now seen with different memories as time stamps. Blinks, days, quiet moments, happy tears, small achievements and somber tones to go with the sometimes overwhelming feeling of just being ridiculously blessed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> How I wish I could capture so many moments and bottle them up for the girls to watch/witness when they are older."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So in keeping with my blog tradition:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Avery Claire-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Today you are 5. Seems like yesterday your Aunt Desi was painting my toes and sharing in my joy and fear of heading to the hospital to have you. I love thinking back and reminiscing about all the struggles your pregnancy had. How truly insignificant they all seem now when at the time we were so fearful of the unknown and afraid to think we could lose you. As it was then, and continues to be now, God has great things planned for you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> You are my joy. A bright light in our family that shines brighter everyday. You will never understand until you become a mother, just what you did to your daddy and I. We are eternally grateful for your birth because it brought with it such powerful revelations of what marriage is about. It showed us what love can create, just exactly who we are and how what we need to strive to be can easily be achieved when we put aside our personal needs and focus on others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> You make me a better person. You make me laugh daily, cry from happiness and sometimes I feel like my heart is going to burst from joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> You have the sweetest spirit, you are kind and joyful. Your sense of humor is ridiculous at times. You are a protective big sister who loves to make her sister laugh and encourages her daily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I could brag about you forever my sweet girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> Our prayer for you this year is that you continue to let your love of The Lord shine through. Stay joyful. Follow your heart and stay true to what it says to you. Play more, get a little dirty, wear more dresses (for your mom!). Sing no matter who may be listening. Make silly faces to express how you feel and most importantly... Know how much you are loved daily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every year will be a flood of emotions as we celebrate you. No matter how old you are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Birthday Bayboo,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We love you! (Mommy & Daddy)</div></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-73101319434729294462013-11-30T12:05:00.001-06:002013-11-30T12:05:40.114-06:00Thankful: Days 19-30Thanksgiving is done and December is upon us. I know I'm behind but I really want to finish my "Thankful" list. December will be busy enough.<div><br></div><div>Day 19: I'm Thankful for volunteering. I find it to be uplifting knowing that the time I donate at the shelter is benefiting the animals. Whether it's helping get them new forever homes or just loving on them to ease the stress of a scary environment. It calms me as well. Love my days at the shelter.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 20: I'm Thankful for Evans Job. I won't go into details but starting in January, Evan will be on day shift. Something we've patiently waited and prayed about for a year! We love his job and the company so having him go to days is going to be a added bonus on a number of levels.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 21: I'm Thankful for young cousins coming in and visiting from Georgia. The girls loved it too.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 22: I'm Thankful for Alyssa's naps. Those two precious quiet times during the day allow me to get stuff done and spend one on one time with Avery. My girls are growing up too fast and I'm finding my sweet moments with them are getting shorter. Replaced by new ones of course but the days of snuggles and cuddles and rocking little bodies to sleep is slowly fading. :(</div><div><br></div><div>Day 23: I'm Thankful for books. I know in this day and age people rely on nooks, kindles, iPhones and tablets. For me though,Going to a book store and buying an actual book with pages to flip through in a quiet place is bliss. There's that book smell too that goes along with the escape of a story. I just love it, call me old school.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 24: I'm Thankful for our home. I love this place and even though it's no longer fitting our needs and we won't be here but for another year or two, it's my favorite home so far. All the memories here and blessings we've been given since I took that wrong turn and found the dinky "for rent" sign are priceless. I hope we can just find a bigger house still in this neighborhood.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 25: I'm Thankful for comfy pajamas and a cup of hot tea on a cold day.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 26: I'm Thankful for the last 13 years with this man. <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyDpE4Vz2iHIG7cN2kktrsGRQ_EvxhMIVxwb89Pfa8AnTzkylze5tgsZtJ6_pLIQc4Rm6ERxKRwkqxFLjjuRHvLmM7ydPNV4wvU1zPYubRsqdJP1SzOeUL10JPlWdmY_sDp37b0C-zUg6/s640/blogger-image-512012248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyDpE4Vz2iHIG7cN2kktrsGRQ_EvxhMIVxwb89Pfa8AnTzkylze5tgsZtJ6_pLIQc4Rm6ERxKRwkqxFLjjuRHvLmM7ydPNV4wvU1zPYubRsqdJP1SzOeUL10JPlWdmY_sDp37b0C-zUg6/s640/blogger-image-512012248.jpg"></a></div>Yep, 13. Years. From friends in high school to soul mates. 3 years as friends, 2 as a couple and 8 in marriage. Plenty of Good times and bad. Good health, bad health, the births of our two girls and the sad loss of a baby now in heaven. 2 tiny apartments, a house in a ghetto and now back where it all began for us. Road trips and family vacations, a million inside jokes, countless movie marathons and a few jobs in between. I am beyond Thankful for all of it.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 27: After that last topic, I'm Thankful for all the memories.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 28: Happy Thanksgiving! I'm Thankful for this holiday; to cook great food and spend a day eating it with family and friends and unwinding from the busy-ness of day to day life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 29: I'm Thankful that my family agrees with me that "Black Friday" is the stupidest thing America has invented.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 30: I'm Thankful for Christmas music and sharing the true reason of the season with Avery and Alyssa. Putting up decorations and spending more quality time with them as we make new memories to remember for the next years to come.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-752736602575250532.post-47235270499939886362013-11-18T10:40:00.001-06:002013-11-18T10:51:39.061-06:00Thankful: Day 13-18This month is zooming by! Less than 40 days before Christmas!!<div><br></div><div>Day 13: I'm extremely Thankful for my church and church family. When you honestly say daily "I love my church" and get excited about how busy your Sundays are because you are so deeply involved and surrounded by so many amazing people. It's the best. Pastor Dave is remarkable and his sermons are always eye opening and a bit scary how close they touch base with things I've dealt with during the week. The pastoral staff (Jay, Jeff, Guy and Dave) are a great group of guys and I love how involved they are with the kids, you just</div><div>Don't see that often at churches. I could go on for an hour about all the reasons why I am thankful to be a part of Gracepoint Church.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 14: I'm Thankful for quiet mornings with a cup of coffee and a real book in my lap to help me escape for a small amount of time in contented bliss before my day starts with the girls.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 15: Hard to believe it's almost 5 years since my world changed completely. I'm so beyond Thankful that God blessed me with such an amazing gift that is Avery Claire Hartfield. I love you to the moon, stars and back again baby girl. You are such a blessing to me and your daddy.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 16: I'm Thankful for beautiful days out in nature. Whether it's sitting in my backyard or walking 6 miles on a nature trail. Gods limitless skill in his creativity is amazing to see when you look close enough. Even if it's cloudy and raining or a clear day with sunshine it's amazing what you can see when you look with both eyes open.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 17: I'm Thankful for those super rare but oh so coveted mornings where Evan gets up with the girls and I'm allowed to sleep in. Sleep is precious.</div><div><br></div><div>Day 18: Tomorrow my sweet baby will be 10m old! How is it she is almost 1?! I doubt we ever thought it would be this complete or amazing having a second girl in our family but our sweet Alyssa Jane is by far what we were missing. Watching her and Avery play together and laugh is truly the best thing to my heart. I love my girls so much and being their mother is so awesome. I'm so Thankful for her opposite personality and characteristics from Avery, they both keep me laughing and on my toes.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09531305686581492812noreply@blogger.com0