How Do You Measure A Year?

It's official.

I have a KINDERGARTNER.

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...

Tonight, we celebrated Avery's graduation from Pre-K. Yep, she graduated. 

The whole day was devoted to making her feel special and celebrating this milestone. For me, keeping busy was a much needed distraction.

                            "Besties"

 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...

My. Total. Undoing.

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.

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.

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. 

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!

For now though, we are relishing our final week at Kidzone and preparing for August where new adventures and new beginnings await....

Time Flies....

Brittnye

Get Happy!

Www.100happydays.com

I signed up today. I wanna see what makes YOU happy too.

-Brittnye

The City Harmonic - Here and There

This song. Is where I'm at lately.

-Brittnye

Heart beat, little heart
There You are, there You are
I came kicking, I came screaming:
I was so used to the dark

You whispered “light” and lit a spark
And there You are, there You are
I’ve been living, I’ve been dying
And Your heart beats ever on

You were
You are
You are
To come

If I’m barely hanging on:
Here You are, here You are
I come crawling, I come running:
Here You are with open arms

No, my heart’s not giving up
Here You are, here You are
You’ve been living in my dying
Now I’m dying for Your heart

You were
You are
You are
To come 

My heart is like Pandora’s Box
With just a crack it’s opened up
To beat anew when all is lost
To run, crawl, come home.

You are to come 

http://youtu.be/6LTz4oQuNKs

29 Things I've Learned At 29.

1. Moisturizer is your friend.

2. Age is only a number.

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.

4. We are our own worst critic.

5. Find something to be passionate about.

6. Laughing at yourself is totally acceptable and quite refreshing.

7. Eating alone at a restaurant is actually not the end of the world, try it.

8. You can not do it all and be everywhere at once, accept that.

9. Gray hair happens.

10.  Some friendships are worth letting go of, it's okay if you grow apart or have nothing in common. Just let it go.

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.

12. You don't actually have to make your bed everyday.

13. Read a book.

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)

15. Do what makes you happy and never regret it!

16. Change is inevitable, how you handle and react to it is key.

17. We all have flaws, don't hide them.

18. A smile can change everything.

19.  Paying it forward feels better than receiving something. Practice random acts of kindness weekly.

20.  Stand by your choices.

21. Save more money.

22.  Stop comparing yourself to others. It's such a waste of time.

23. When the feeling hits you, dance.

24. Dessert before a meal is totally acceptable.

25. Conquer a fear and feel empowered.

26. Everyone has bad days, stuff happens. Just remember there's always a tomorrow.

27.  Get outside more.

28. Naps are good for the soul.

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.

29 and feeling fine!

I Turned 29 on the 1st. 

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.

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.

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!

                    Getting pampered.

My childhood birthday tradition still going strong.

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.

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

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!

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!)

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. 

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.

Bring on 30, I'm ready!

               Accidental Twinsies

Xoxo,

Britt