tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75840471403247383682024-03-05T16:41:16.196-08:00Because Britt say's so...Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-59621214376062545812009-08-05T21:14:00.000-07:002009-08-05T21:59:52.657-07:00Summer= Almost Over :(<div>I can't believe summer has come and gone so quickly! I only have about 2 1/2 weeks left before school starts again! Although I am not ready for it to start, I am excited (and nervous) that I will be student teaching 3rd grade all day M-F. And, I am also excited that I will be graduating in December! Wow! I can't believe it has already been 4 years! </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I haven't posted much lately so I thought I would follow my friend <a href="http://operation-get-knocked-up.blogspot.com/">Brandi's</a> lead and post a little about what has been going on these past few months, Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div>Got out of school the first week of May and my summer began :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I watched one of my cohort friends get married to the love of her life!</div><div><br /></div><div>Turned 28 at the end of May. Still can't believe it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Joey & I joined a gym and really started working out. I have already gone down one size! We definitely need to work harder at it though.</div><div><br /></div><div>We also started <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/">Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University</a> which I highly recommend!</div><div><br /></div><div>I went to a seminar on teaching literacy with my cohort coordinator and a couple of girls from my cohort and watched uncomfortably as an argument grew in intensity between one of the teachers and the man giving the seminar. It was crazy!</div><div><br /></div><div>Went to the hospital to see/hold one of my good friend's precious new baby boy!</div><div><br /></div><div>Babysat a couple of times.</div><div><br /></div><div>Went to lunch or dinner, and several movies with my best friends on multiple occasions :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Went shopping with my mom & my sister which is always fun!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Took Miss L out for fun around Austin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had SO much fun with my nieces, Miss L & Miss J, when Miss J came to visit. She moved to Maryland last Oct. and we hadn't seen her since!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Burned my arm on a hot casserole dish right when it came out of the oven :(</div><div><br /></div><div>Helped out w/ a garage sale at my mom's house in the heat & humidity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Survived 40-something days of 100+ degree days.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cried when our pastors lost their son. Mourned with them at the memorial, viewing, and funeral. </div><div><br /></div><div>Spent time with my family and time with Joey's family. Felt good to love on everyone!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sat around playing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mattel-M1009-Electronic-Pictionary-Game/dp/B001446E4W">Pictionary Man</a> with my family---a total riot! You NEED to play this game!</div><div><br /></div><div>Joey & I helped out at my mom's house ripping up carpet & padding, and installing hardwood. So.Much.Fun.Let.Me.Tell.You. ......... HA!</div><div><br /></div><div>Created a baking/cooking blog! </div><div><br /></div><div>Shared some special moments with friends & family---cried together, laughed together, prayed together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Slept late...alot! </div><div>Ate...too much. </div><div>Swam...not enough. </div><div>Read...lots of books :)</div><div>Relaxed...as much as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here are just a few pics from my awesome summer that I wish was not coming to an end...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Miss L and I waiting to ride the train @ the park</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIuFGAeDGo5FJfvpkljOTuUsGulvhleMHb0Eflv8dcK2kF7TQyRv7MYu3jeKo2_NjK3CNVQdcZHs4Gamb-iz3mvDTtKiT-Tc6x6JwIeHW8NNbp3uH885WBRohfQnV7RG4poxGQ42p1Un3/s1600-h/5087_590301414325_25416874_35852941_7779061_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIuFGAeDGo5FJfvpkljOTuUsGulvhleMHb0Eflv8dcK2kF7TQyRv7MYu3jeKo2_NjK3CNVQdcZHs4Gamb-iz3mvDTtKiT-Tc6x6JwIeHW8NNbp3uH885WBRohfQnV7RG4poxGQ42p1Un3/s400/5087_590301414325_25416874_35852941_7779061_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366701265720770498" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Mmmm, cupcakes!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OLgnceCeTvLqRY86Y7S-M1NvH-M6c6X0nVG42H85N-Oy_dVGqs11fGW9EB8N5dv9YffWHCpbcCNGsJGLgOKxwc1g5coUN7xgM6RbITpGsvdavAIEhbRzLLatz9jHc-_BRLBQbbMONTjc/s1600-h/5087_590301494165_25416874_35852957_7738944_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OLgnceCeTvLqRY86Y7S-M1NvH-M6c6X0nVG42H85N-Oy_dVGqs11fGW9EB8N5dv9YffWHCpbcCNGsJGLgOKxwc1g5coUN7xgM6RbITpGsvdavAIEhbRzLLatz9jHc-_BRLBQbbMONTjc/s400/5087_590301494165_25416874_35852957_7738944_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366701180555757890" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Yum!</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WHKHJnxDdEdCm5z5xiFMxwkH6Jyghqi8TS-Yhv_dMNoqqCr1yrSzBddiY6tffCdTy54UIWjpCECfeCWSAfyNNh8pZmoTTNjJ-kmdHFK2Z4Z1qWC4enLZjpoLK6cVcHtnIwPRX_JDd5jO/s1600-h/5087_590301509135_25416874_35852960_7572672_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WHKHJnxDdEdCm5z5xiFMxwkH6Jyghqi8TS-Yhv_dMNoqqCr1yrSzBddiY6tffCdTy54UIWjpCECfeCWSAfyNNh8pZmoTTNjJ-kmdHFK2Z4Z1qWC4enLZjpoLK6cVcHtnIwPRX_JDd5jO/s400/5087_590301509135_25416874_35852960_7572672_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366701089699902210" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204); font-weight: bold;">Miss L & Miss J--- i LOVE my girls :)</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWS8w8UPOiqc3HQDaeSt1DN-WWtU_tVgXb7WgjH65Ch1KlolVPqZuW9dstUMadZgftyafNIiRFeWzd2AP_8grRejjWZs85VEZQd0CJ7zAxYlqTRkqnDEa6rB4d3bYk7FaKnI-5Mjs6wxv/s1600-h/5813_594787055065_25416874_36066764_6180579_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWS8w8UPOiqc3HQDaeSt1DN-WWtU_tVgXb7WgjH65Ch1KlolVPqZuW9dstUMadZgftyafNIiRFeWzd2AP_8grRejjWZs85VEZQd0CJ7zAxYlqTRkqnDEa6rB4d3bYk7FaKnI-5Mjs6wxv/s400/5813_594787055065_25416874_36066764_6180579_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366700983045689154" /></a><br /></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-65588746600657120952009-07-30T13:33:00.000-07:002009-07-30T13:35:55.099-07:00New Recipe BlogHi!<div><br /></div><div>Just wanted to let you all know I decided to start a recipe blog just for fun! I LOVE to bake (and cook) and thought it would be fun to share recipes and ideas!</div><div><br /></div><div>I will try to update it as often as possible, but it will just depend on how much I bake, and how much time I have!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for checking it out! Love y'all!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em; "><br /></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em; "><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://brittsbaking.blogspot.com/" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em; text-decoration: none; "><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1248986083_0" style="outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; line-height: 1.2em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">http://brittsbaking.blogspot.com/</span></span></span></span></a></div></span></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-12944068345184748822009-07-24T08:37:00.000-07:002009-07-24T09:46:37.438-07:00Show Us Your Life--Wedding Dress<div>I absolutely love <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly's Korner</a> blog! Have you ever read it? She is so funny and SO sweet, and a wonderful example of a Christian as well. I read her blog everyday and love to see pictures of her adorable baby girl Harper!<div><br /></div><div>Well, she did a tour of homes for awhile where you would share pictures of the different rooms in your house but I never posted, just looked :) However, since she has finished with the homes she has decided to keep the blog-link party going! So, this time she has decided to call it "Show Us Your Life" and today we are sharing our wedding dresses! I just couldn't miss out on this one because I LOVE looking at wedding dresses. I know I have been married for over 4 years now, but I can't help it. They are just so gorgeous!</div><div><br /></div><div>So, without further ado, here are a couple of pics of me on my wedding day :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I love this picture! My photographer was with me from the moment I started getting ready so she caught me staring at myself in the mirror! I have such a pensive look on my face, I remember thinking that I still just couldn't believe that this day had finally come! (sorry it's so grainy--I scanned it onto the computer several years ago and it didn't come out very well)</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ47Te2IuQoAPXVn8HEGblXPy2nRA1d9Bpcugd2zWtEi-IhQp7kvHSm5Imceq4z914wiXOwhJDHQYwQXA1F-VOtk-IApXBxSPASnOuGmd-OyOehE2726sLJdE_tcd62wJjY_T7gdI39GQ_/s1600-h/707187085_l.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ47Te2IuQoAPXVn8HEGblXPy2nRA1d9Bpcugd2zWtEi-IhQp7kvHSm5Imceq4z914wiXOwhJDHQYwQXA1F-VOtk-IApXBxSPASnOuGmd-OyOehE2726sLJdE_tcd62wJjY_T7gdI39GQ_/s400/707187085_l.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362053336730986306" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>(Sorry about the pic again!) Here is my mom walking me down the aisle. I LOVE this picture because I am wearing my mom's veil from when she married my dad :) (My dad died when I was 4, so this was very very special to me)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0P3Lmi6WZ1nd4a0j9GXcQelg9yMiJtsuefm94ebbhJdlbVaUUlsNouxhe0iOYuRqs86POi4X_fPs5yPCz70vqEVDAVfUIbTzgnKLN1WcuU4ZDQNbCuuhB5rQK_XhjLHaEH2Qf2Y9vy3/s1600-h/ry=400_2.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizt0P3Lmi6WZ1nd4a0j9GXcQelg9yMiJtsuefm94ebbhJdlbVaUUlsNouxhe0iOYuRqs86POi4X_fPs5yPCz70vqEVDAVfUIbTzgnKLN1WcuU4ZDQNbCuuhB5rQK_XhjLHaEH2Qf2Y9vy3/s400/ry=400_2.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362053178534672130" /></a><br /><div>Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at my wedding dress! Have fun looking at all of the others!!</div></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-13366919467690179192009-07-15T08:02:00.000-07:002009-07-15T08:23:41.626-07:00Gone Too SoonIt is with a very heavy heart that I come to you and ask for your prayers.<div><br /></div><div>A little over a week ago our pastors were on vacation with their three teenage children when they got the news that our pastor's father had passed away. He went out on his sailboat in Florida and slipped overboard and drowned. They rushed from their Alaskan cruise down to FL to be with the rest of their family. They came back to Austin last Saturday and we all grieved with them on Sunday when our pastor courageously preached after just having lost his father.</div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, tragedy struck again yesterday. Their middle son, Caleb, who was only 17 died in a car accident. </div><div><br /></div><div>Can you imagine what this family is going through? My heart is completely broken for them. It was sad enough that pastor's father died, but then his son? Not even two weeks later? </div><div><br /></div><div>I am not saying that losing anyone older is not still painful, because it is. However, losing a child is completely different. I personally have never experienced this type of loss, but I have dear friends that have and I know that it changes you forever. No parent is ever supposed to out-live their children. It's just not right.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our church family is devastated. We are struggling to understand why, but there are no answers. Only God knows. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday at church they had the chapel open for people to come pray for the family. Joey & I went when he got off work and met a friend of ours that works at the church when we got there. We walked to the chapel and as soon as we entered the tears came easily. We wrote a note to the family and then went over to some chairs to pray. As we sat there, tears flowing down our cheeks, I turned around and saw that the oldest of the three children was there. The tears came faster and harder. I can't imagine how he is feeling having just lost his brother. We went over and hugged him. I didn't know what to say, and having been through a tragic loss before I know that no words really help. So, I just hugged him tight and said "I'm SO sorry." </div><div><br /></div><div>We normally have a service every Wednesday night at church, but tonight will be tough. Tonight will be a special service dedicated to Caleb. I don't know if our pastors will be there or not, I don't know if they are ready to face everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do know however that they have a church family that absolutely adores them and are lifting them up in prayer. And so I ask that you please join me in praying for this precious family. The Koke family of Shoreline Christian Center. <a href="http://www.shoreline.net">www.shoreline.net</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>I couldn't stop crying yesterday, and just thinking about what this family is going through brought back so many memories of times I have lost someone in my life. I feel so incredibly helpless, but I know that God can and will provide them with comfort and peace that surpasses all understanding. I believe that we will see a testimony right in front of our eyes as this family heals and continues to praise Him in the storm. </div><div><br /></div><div>Please pray for the Kokes and our church family. We desperately need to see God in this.</div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-52121297193451597452009-07-03T12:04:00.000-07:002009-07-08T21:37:32.148-07:00Please Pray for Kate<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Here is her CaringBridge page:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate">http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate</a></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ese3zYZ-NA4&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ese3zYZ-NA4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></span>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-67590860322811832812009-06-21T14:54:00.000-07:002009-06-21T15:22:01.179-07:00Happy Father's Day<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO56v7PLxYmkqpj37obzwKZKBsXnTxgCzddDyZT9egKD1pgT83hHxN47qjJhBPILgKqrNAAxE7qJY8qSA5xSZo-Cn1O2ml4zwES1cPQQMEL6VVjCDFMJLJsE9oT_O63MiqiT1qY_HJRtJp/s1600-h/img052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349903494386610178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO56v7PLxYmkqpj37obzwKZKBsXnTxgCzddDyZT9egKD1pgT83hHxN47qjJhBPILgKqrNAAxE7qJY8qSA5xSZo-Cn1O2ml4zwES1cPQQMEL6VVjCDFMJLJsE9oT_O63MiqiT1qY_HJRtJp/s400/img052.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Happy Father's Day Dad!</span></strong></div><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000000;">Dear Dad,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm not even sure where to start. I sit here looking at that picture of us on my 3rd birthday and am filled with so many emotions.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish I could sit here with you today, on Father's Day, laughing about silly things from the past.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish the memory of mom trying to brush my long curly hair and me screaming out for you, only to have you run and wrap me in your arms, didn't seem so far away.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish things had been different that day and that someone else would have told you to put your seatbelt on, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could have been there the day I had my two bottom front teeth pulled in 1st grade. I'm sure you would have taken me for ice cream afterwards, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you were there when I had chicken pox during Spring Break in 2nd grade. I'm sure you would have put calamine lotion all over my itchy spots, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could have been there when my beloved dog Muffy died in 4th grade to hug me and tell me it was ok, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you had been there when that stupid boy teased me and tormented me in 7th grade to tell me not to pay attention to him because I was absolutely beautiful and intellgent, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could have driven me to my first day of high school and told me everything would be ok even though I was SO nervous, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you would have been there when I made drill team and I screamed out in excitement and took me to celebrate afterwards, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could have been there when I walked across that stage after making it over some major hurdles and cried with me, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you had been there when I decided not to go to college after high school and told me that it was ok because I would succeed at whatever I decided, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you would have been there when I went looking for love in all the wrong places to hold me and dry my tears, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you had been there when Joey got on one knee and asked me to marry him and give your permission, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could have seen me on my wedding day, wearing the same veil mom wore at your wedding, and walked me down the aisle, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could have been there when Nikki had her baby girl, and talked her through it letting her know how much she was loved, just like mom did.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you were here to hold me everytime a pregnancy test comes back negative and I break down in tears.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you could see me walk across the stage in December, the first to graduate college in our family.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish I could spend just one day with you, as an adult, and hear you say you love me and are proud of me.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I wish you were here.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I love you daddy and I miss you more than words can say.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Love,</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Britt</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong> </p><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-77016776518789146822009-05-08T12:30:00.000-07:002009-05-08T12:46:56.226-07:00A Mommy in Waiting<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">To all of my fellow mommies-in-waiting, I know this is a tough weekend. All of the commercials on tv, all of the store displays... everything is a reminder of what we do not yet have. However, when our time comes, we will be amazing moms and cherish every single moment because of what we have endured. Know that even when you feel that you could not possibly be anymore alone in this journey, you are not. We are all in this together, and none of our tears go unnoticed. Even though it is hard, please do not give up. Hold onto your faith and hope, and remember this:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Charis SIL'; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">"But you—you serve your <span style="font-variant: small-caps; ">God</span> and he'll bless your food and your water. I'll get rid of the sickness among you; there won't be any miscarriages nor barren women in your land. I'll make sure you live full and complete lives." Exodus 23:26 (The Message)</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Charis SIL'; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Charis SIL'; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD." Psalm 113:9 (NIV)</span></div></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px; ">Here is a poem that <a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/">Kelly</a> posted on her <a href="http://prayingforgodsblessings.blogspot.com/">prayer blog</a> that could not be more true:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px; "><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have longed and waited.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have cried and prayed.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have endured and planned over and over again.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">Like most things in life, the people who truly have appreciation are those who have struggled to attain their dreams.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I will notice everything about my child.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I will take time to watch my child sleep,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">explore,</span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">and discover.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I will marvel at this miracle every day for the rest of my life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I will be happy when I wake in the middle of the night to the sound of my child, knowing that I can comfort, hold, and feed him and that I am not waking to take another temperature, pop another pill, take another shot or cry tears of a broken dream. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">My dream will be crying for me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I count myself lucky in this sense; that God has given me this insight, this special vision with which I will look upon my child.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">Whether I parent a child I actually give birth to or a child that God leads me to, I will not be careless with my love.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I will be a better mother for all that I have endured. I am a better wife, a better aunt, a better daughter, neighbor, friend, and sister because I have known pain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I know disillusionment, as I have been betrayed by my own body. I have been tried by fire and hell that many never face, yet given time, I stood tall.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have prevailed.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have succeeded.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have won.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">So now, when others hurt around me, I do not run from their pain in order to save myself discomfort. I see it, mourn it, and join them in theirs.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I listen.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">And even though I cannot make it better, I can make it less lonely.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have learned the immense power of another hand holding tight to mine, of other eyes that moisten as they learn to accept the harsh truth when life is beyond hard.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">I have learned a compassion that only comes by walking in those shoes. I have learned to appreciate life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 153, 0); ">Yes, I will be a wonderful mother.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-weight: bold; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px; ">I love all of you ladies and if I could give each and every one of you a hug, I would. May God bless you all.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px;">With love,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204); font-family: Verdana; line-height: 17px;">Britt</span></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-11538942069706891272009-04-16T14:04:00.000-07:002009-04-16T14:05:56.991-07:00Don't judge a book by its cover!Just a reminder never to judge a book by its cover!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; white-space: pre; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY</a></span><br /></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-33906133886613622112009-03-13T09:07:00.001-07:002009-03-13T09:36:31.759-07:00GOD IS GOODGOD IS GOOD...ALL the time<br /><br />Every time we are at church our pastor says "God is good" and the congregation then says "ALL the time!" I love it :)<br /><br />Thank you all SO SO much for your prayers during this incredibly stressful and worrisome time. I can't even express in words how thankful Joey & I are to have such amazing, supportive friends. You all ROCK!!! :)<br /><br />Here's what has happened over the past week or so:<br /><br />The new management company came in and hired Joey, so he gets to keep his job, and he will be getting free insurance (he didn't have ins. before)!! PTL!<br /><br />His old company went to court in California on Monday. They were supposed to talk about paying all of the employees their backpay, but they ended up having to postpone the hearing until Thursday because a disagreement erupted in court. The lenders (or the banks that now own the properties) said they should be paid first. WHAT?!! I'm sorry but that is just down right selfish and greedy as far as I'm concerned. I know they deserve their money too, but theirs will just sit in some account adding to the millions they already have. The employees on the other hand haven't had a drop of income in over a month and can't even put food on their table for their families. Many of these employees have children that they haven't been able to provide for. It breaks my heart.<br /><br />So, all of that said, they went back to court yesterday. The good news is that Joey will get all of his backpay. The bad news is that the judge ordered them to break it up over four paychecks. What is going on? I don't understand! Don't get me wrong, I am INCREDIBLY thankful that Joey is going to be receiving the money he worked so hard for, but that money was owed to him a month ago. We were counting on all of it to pay our bills, so splitting it up over four paychecks really screws things up because ALL of that money is needed now! It would have already been used to pay bills with. We're talking an entire month's worth of pay, so it's not just a couple hundred dollars. I wish I could have been there to tell the judge, imagine not having any money come in for an entire month...how then are you going to pay your bills for the next month? <br /><br />Grrrrrrrr it all makes me so mad. We will be playing catch-up for the next several months. We've been making a ton of phone calls trying to work out payment arrangements for our bills. You would think that in this horrible economy people would be more understanding and willing to work with you. You know what I've found? No one cares! They tell you they can't help you. It frustrates me so much because I am trying to do the responsible thing by calling them to work something out instead of just not paying the bill without telling them. They still don't care.<br /><br />Anyway, I've pouted, cried, and felt sorry for myself enough. It's time to move on. It's time to woman-up and deal with it! The only thing that really matters is that God worked a miracle! He worked it out, He provided, He made everything ok. He WILL get us through this season in our lives. The end of this mess is in sight, thanks to Him. I am forever grateful for everything He has blessed me with, I know I do not deserve it.<br /><br />Thank you from the bottom of my heart God. I love you!<br /><br />GOD IS GOOD...ALL THE TIME!Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-31714897502941839632009-03-07T15:27:00.001-08:002009-03-07T15:37:42.630-08:00Update--please keep praying :)Hi everyone!<div><br /></div><div>I want to thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. Joey & I appreciate it more than you know!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is what we know about the situation right now...the company filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday this past week. On Friday, one of the local VP's called Joey's property and said that all of the company's money is with the court right now. On Monday, the company is supposed to go to court where the judge will tell them who & what they need to pay, and in what order. From what we have heard, the employees are supposed to be paid first so hopefully that will happen this coming week. We desperately need it since he is owed 2 paychecks. Going an entire month without a paycheck is NOT fun, let me tell you!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, Joey's boss called him last night and said that a new management company is coming on Monday morning and that he should be ready for an interview (to keep his job). </div><div><br /></div><div>We are choosing to believe that all of this is good news. At least we will not be at a standstill anymore. It feels like we will finally get some answers and hopefully be able to move on with our lives. If you would like specifics of what to pray for, here is what we are praying for:</div><div><br /></div><div>-- That Joey will get paid this coming week</div><div>-- That the new management company will have compassion towards all of the employees that have been going through hell these past few months</div><div>-- That God would be present in Joey's interview and that he will not only be able to keep his job, but maybe even get a raise (He should have been up for a raise this past week since it was the 2 yr. anniversary of when he started)</div><div><br /></div><div>I thank you all SO much, from the bottom of my heart. I will keep you posted & update as soon as I know something.</div><div><br /></div><div>Love you! Love, Britt</div><div><br /></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-38762573743379460862009-03-01T13:59:00.000-08:002009-03-01T14:28:12.984-08:00Prayers would be much appreciated!Once again, it has been quite awhile since the last time I blogged. :( I just can't seem to find the time. I really should make the time though because it is very therapeutic for me.<br /><br />Anyway, I wish I was posting something exciting and uplifting, but I'm not. I'm posting because I am completely and totally stressed out, worried, scared, sad, you name it. I'm trying not to be because I know God is going to take care of it all, but it's so hard NOT to worry. I've always been a worrier.<br /><br />Here's what is going on...Joey is the maintenance manager at an apartment community. The company that owns his property also owns three other properties here, and a bunch of others in Texas as well as other states. Ever since last summer the company started telling all of the employees that they had an investor that was going to come in, become a partner, and give a bunch of money to the company for them to invest in all of the properties (improving/ adding on, etc.). Well, about four months ago they began missing paydates. Joey would be expecting a paycheck on a Friday, and it wouldn't be there. In the beginning the company was very apologetic and made sure everyone was paid the following Wed. Then, as time went on the paychecks started coming later and later, until eventually they were getting paid two weeks late which meant they were due for another paycheck on that date and they were right back at square one of being behind in the payroll.<br /><br />I knew something was not right, I could feel it inside (it was that woman's intuition, you know what I'm talking about ladies!). I told Joey that I had a feeling the company was not telling the truth and they were probably about to go bankrupt. Joey didn't want to believe me at first. I can't say that I blame him, afterall he had put lots of hard work and dedication into this company. He also wanted to believe the best of the owner and wanted to think he was telling the truth that they were just waiting on the investor. However, as time went on and the paychecks continued being late, Joey began to see what I was talking about. The e-mails from the owner of the company became a joke. Everyone knew he was lying. Other employees of the company began making up anonymous e-mail accounts and sending e-mails out to the entire company talking about how badly they were being treated, and how much of a liar the owner was. Eventually the owner's e-mails quit coming, he quit updating everyone on where their money was, and he quit apologizing. We also found out the company owes other businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars for work they performed, and were not paid for.<br /><br />About a month ago Joey began faxing his resume to other places, hoping he would find something else before everything came to an end. Unfortunately we had no such luck. He was supposed to have been paid two weeks ago, and we still haven't seen a dime. I can't tell you how stressed I've been not knowing when the money is coming and if we are going to be able to pay our bills.<br /><br />This past Friday, late afternoon, Joey got the call that the company is voluntarily giving up all of their properties for foreclosure. The company no longer exists. They have abandoned all of their employees, and the owner did it all without saying a word to his employees that have stood by him for MONTHS now. They all continued coming to work and doing their job, even when they weren't getting paid. They remained loyal to this company, and now it was all for nothing.<br /><br />All this said, we really don't know what is going to happen. We have been told that the bank will become the new owners of the properties. They will supposedly come in this week and interview Joey to see if he can keep his job. I can't tell you how upsetting it is to watch your husband go through all of this and then to see the look on his face when he found out he has to re-interview for the job he has worked so hard at for the past two years. Utterly devastating is all I can say.<br /><br />Some of you know this, but we also live at one of the properties owned by the company, rent-free because Joey works for the company. This has been a HUGE blessing to us because we only have one income since I am in school full-time. So, we have no idea what is going to happen to that situation either. If the bank sells the properties, we may have to move, and there is no telling if the new owners will let us live rent-free. We have no money for rent, so I have no idea what we will do.<br /><br />Wow, I wrote alot. If you have read this far, BLESS YOU! I just needed to get it all out. I've been holding alot of that stuff in for quite awhile. So, basically I would like to ask you to PLEASE please please keep us in your prayers. Please pray that when (if) the bank comes this week that they first of all pay Joey all of his back-pay. Please pray that God would be in the room when they interview him, and that he would be able to keep his job (and maybe even get a raise since he is due for one this month, how amazing would that be!). Please pray that we would be able to continue living here rent-free. Please pray for our sanity. This situation has been more stressful than words can say, and I'm having to deal with it all on top of the stress I'm already under with school.<br /><br />We are believing God for a miracle and I can't wait to come back here and tell you all about it! :)<br />Love you all!Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-45228875636098836872009-01-23T11:58:00.000-08:002009-01-23T12:30:15.645-08:00Rough dayI decided to grab a quick lunch with Joey today just so I could get out of the apartment and away from all of my homework. We went to this little sandwich place not too far from our apt. and decided to eat outside. I sat down while Joey went inside to order for us. About 2 minutes later this lady and her mom sit about two tables away with a precious little baby boy in his carrier. I just stared at him as I sat there, he was so sweet and peaceful as he slept.<br /><br />We got our food and sat talking while we were eating. About 15 min. later a man came and sat at the table next to us. Then a few minutes later his wife drove up in their suburban and he went over and took out their baby in her carrier while she went to park the car. Joey jokingly looked at me and said "Wow, give us a little break God!" I then said, "Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for making my day God." If you know us, you know that we don't truly mean this from the bottom of our hearts, it's just hard when you have gone through infertility for as long as we have.<br /><br />Anyway, a few min. later the lady at the other table and the man sitting next to us begin talking about their babies. He asked the lady how old her little boy was to which she said he was 6 months. She told him his name and about her other little boy. The man told her his little daughter was 4 weeks old, and that he had another little girl about to get out of the car with his wife. He then said, "Yep! Two little girls!" to which the lady replied, "Yeah, I tried but I got two boys so I said forget it." Umm, ok.<br /><br />The lady left, and the man's wife and other little girl were walking over to the table. I felt the tears welling up and tried with everything in me to hold them back. I didn't want to cry in public, I didn't want anyone to see me. I couldn't stop them though, the tears began pouring from my eyes. Thankfully the family next to us decided to go inside so there wasn't anyone directly in front of me to see my tears.<br /><br />I sat at the table unable to stop crying, covering my eyes with a napkin as the wind blew. Joey grabbed my hand and we sat in silence. A couple of minutes later Joey said "Don't believe the lies that are being told to you right now. It's just not our time." Through my tears I said, "It's never our time. I can't go anywhere without seeing happy families and their babies, I can't even check my e-mail without hearing about it." Joey tried to comfort me as I attempted to stop crying and dry my tears. I haven't cried about my infertility in quite awhile. I usually push it down as deep as I can because then I don't have to deal with it. I have to focus on school and other things right now so I try as hard as I can to not think about it so that I can go on with my day. I know it's always there though, it never leaves. Today was proof of that. I was due for a good cry.<br /><br />Please know, even though it doesn't sound like it, that I am always thrilled when a friend gets pregnant. Especially my cysters and other friends who have had trouble conceiving for whatever reason. I don't want any of you to think you can not share your news with me for fear of hurting me. It's not like that. It actually hurts more when someone doesn't say anything and then you end up finding out through the grapevine. I love being included & I want to share in the joy and happiness!<br /><br />Just know that this battle I am fighting has been going on for what feels like forever. And I have my days just like anyone else. Most days I am fine and am able to cope like nothing is wrong. But there are other days where I look around and feel the aching pain more than ever. People tell me all the time "But you're still so young. You have plenty of time." You know what, it really doesn't matter if I am young or not. It doesn't matter if I have plenty of time. What matters is that I want to be a mom now (and have wanted for the past 8 years) and that pain will never go away until I am. So, yes while I may still be young, the pain is very real and I honestly don't know how I will cope with it if I have to wait another ten years. Only God knows, and I can only pray that is not His plan for me.Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-28395294928793022862009-01-21T19:41:00.001-08:002009-01-21T19:54:07.783-08:00Wow, its been awhile!So, as usual, I have not blogged in forever! I think I am going to quit promising to post more because it just doesn't happen. Maybe if I don't say anything I will actually end up posting more. Kind of a reverse logic thing, HA! <div><br /></div><div>I had a wonderful break from school. A nice long 2 months off! It was VERY hard to go back yesterday. I was so used to sleeping late and making my own schedule. Now it's back to getting up early, fighting the traffic, papers, projects, and classes that feel like they will never end. One thing I don't like about this semester is that I will be student teaching on Mondays & Thursdays, so that means that I am taking 12 hours on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Yep, that means two 3 hour classes back-to-back on Tuesdays and then the same on Wed.--meaning all my classes are back-to-back. UGH! </div><div><br /></div><div>This past weekend was very scary. My precious niece had to be taken in an ambulance to the children's hospital Sunday evening because she was having a horrible asthma attack. My mom called to tell me and I immediately freaked. Joey & I jumped in the car, praying all the way over there that God would watch over her. I was able to go back into her room with my sister. It broke my heart to see her hooked up to all the monitors. She was so scared and she kept telling me "I'm so scared. I just want to go home. I thought I was going to die!" After about four hours at the hospital, four breathing treatments, steroids, and some tylenol they decided to send her home. </div><div><br /></div><div>My sister noticed that her cough sounded worse today so she took her back to the doctor. Guess what...she has walking pneumonia on top of her asthma! Why they didn't do x-rays at the hospital I don't know, but I'm so sad for my poor baby! I know what it's like to have pneumonia, and it is absolutely miserable!</div><div><br /></div><div>As you can imagine, I've been a little busy! I am strapping on my seat belt though and getting ready for the ride, I have a feeling this semester is going to be something else! Stay tuned :)</div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-50782674837987096762008-12-26T07:17:00.000-08:002008-12-26T07:33:18.873-08:00Time to recoupAll of the hustle and bustle is finally over, and now it is time to rest! Joey bought me something for Christmas that I have wanted for a very long time--the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Woman-Greatest-Essential-Collection/dp/B001EI5CIM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1230304764&sr=1-2">Celtic Woman</a> dvd! If you have never heard them, then you need to immediately! Their voices are like angels and they have the amazing power to put me to sleep in a matter of only about 5 minutes!<div><br /></div><div>After we got home from an awesome day with our family we were exhausted and I knew just what we needed!! We put the dvd on and I kid you not, I was out before the first song was over. Ahh, sweet bliss!! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I also want to brag just a little bit because I made all A's this semester. Yes, I got a 4.0!!! I've done this before, but it meant alot more to me this semester because it was so challenging. Now, if I can get a 4.0 my last two semesters I will be ecstatic! </div><div><br /></div><div>One thing I am even more excited about though is my GPA. When I went back to school I told myself that I wanted to graduate with honors. I have been working hard at this, and when I transferred from UTSA to UT, I did not realize that my GPA did not come with me. So, I left my amazing GPA at UTSA and had to start over from scratch at UT. Now we all know that your end-of-semester GPA is not as important as your cumulative GPA. The cumulative is the one that really counts! Last semester my cumulative GPA was a 3.66. It was ok, but not quite where I wanted it to be since it was much higher at UTSA. Well, when I checked my grades the other day I was <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">thrilled</span> to see my cumulative GPA had been updated to a........................... 3.75!!!!! Now, that's more like it!!! Thank you God! One step closer to graduating with honors! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope you & your families had a wonderful Christmas! Now I'm off to rest.......yeah right! haha</div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-32871195906412611732008-12-24T14:32:00.001-08:002008-12-24T14:34:44.385-08:00Merry Christmas!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLcPTfSXv_ybGVmG_v_N1yvASIy1BDUVQx7U47qtvcgcKLaVXT_Qlijdvbrj0r61gUfVByi1J0UOSBCYi35YoXzkJrDMQnNPcglTi9C-U0Oev8LKHlUJU8_eSZU8VCGZAiSchdXrkI0eb/s1600-h/jbcard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283488192834730898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLcPTfSXv_ybGVmG_v_N1yvASIy1BDUVQx7U47qtvcgcKLaVXT_Qlijdvbrj0r61gUfVByi1J0UOSBCYi35YoXzkJrDMQnNPcglTi9C-U0Oev8LKHlUJU8_eSZU8VCGZAiSchdXrkI0eb/s400/jbcard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">"And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." --Dr. Seuss</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Hoping your Christmas is merry, bright, & full of meaning and love :)</span></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-70099197388664801272008-12-23T21:50:00.001-08:002008-12-23T21:56:15.716-08:00An ewok for Christmas!!!<span style="font-family:verdana;color:#cc0000;"><strong> For the past year my niece has been asking for a puppy. Well, we finally gave in and here he is! An early Christmas present--she named him Cuddles! Isn't he the cutest thing ever?!! The breeder we got him from said he looked like an "ewok" LOL. He is 1/2 Yorkie & 1/2 Pomeranian, and only weighs 2 lbs! He is king of the house already :)</strong></span><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283230522510584050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFZRv1dO3VCk0wwqlTO2MxZbvQrjj4vzt-A2c670G2R2IK-iuUPd-Yccfd6NzRlgOx2zy1J0Pjeg9bmgGUnQIdt-i6GahGpZzYshQ8jqUo3Kyd0ZnGpC5DGLf48RR48Edrs4QHNapzxNB/s320/cuddleschristmas1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebpILL3wKm4LfL2TBIbO6_zacf0QVpdU_wCsx8ZQf8ODIQptPk1c8Wxcn7kLrX0Bpavi4JDnvm3Zu0x8mkhCUfglSkhcIzmnfj_w-eJAn4ntenbhW6Y_BwWF9NjbbUryh4PYo4F5T7TSf/s1600-h/cuddleschristmas2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283230412895780338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebpILL3wKm4LfL2TBIbO6_zacf0QVpdU_wCsx8ZQf8ODIQptPk1c8Wxcn7kLrX0Bpavi4JDnvm3Zu0x8mkhCUfglSkhcIzmnfj_w-eJAn4ntenbhW6Y_BwWF9NjbbUryh4PYo4F5T7TSf/s320/cuddleschristmas2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WovoJ5F5IKkYiOe_tqZPLg12tYouul9RjZlqcRJpCk8TXV_FQ342W_KWejn0Zf2c5jJIOD9DtDsm0vMjRA65gKfgt5kwT-PWT4GcM5XU-Ans3rwvqhyphenhyphenAQIf8oH68g5uptSqUaxjDZGE8/s1600-h/c5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283230097518275954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WovoJ5F5IKkYiOe_tqZPLg12tYouul9RjZlqcRJpCk8TXV_FQ342W_KWejn0Zf2c5jJIOD9DtDsm0vMjRA65gKfgt5kwT-PWT4GcM5XU-Ans3rwvqhyphenhyphenAQIf8oH68g5uptSqUaxjDZGE8/s320/c5.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-25449406768739970322008-12-09T22:48:00.000-08:002008-12-09T23:06:23.181-08:00Is this what I think it is?<span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#ff0000;"><strong>It's almost 1 AM and I'm still awake! Why you ask? Well, I am way too excited to go to sleep!! I was sitting on the couch earlier when my sister called me and told me it was snowing! So, I looked outside but didn't see anything :( About 30 min. later I decided to check again and to my surprise it really was snowing! In Austin!! That hardly ever happens! And I don't mean just a little bit of snow either, it was really coming down! So of course I am sharing pics b/c this is too exciting NOT to share!!!!! Enjoy! (Oh and it was almost 80 degrees this morning, go figure!)</strong></span><br /><br /><div align="center"> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051960320245074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPs6AWf_MmKbxM_N0vRizPKL3A6JaFqY_nupeyXoq0jbW_oc2oI6E5rRy-sz5J_OLcFXaLmihnunCGXON_ZKw2md76eVHLZLPTuqZGMOPH3pTtMrbNUJJ3-RILjmoIjO0pmi1kkbyfTYi/s320/snow7.JPG" border="0" /> <div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#009900;"><strong>I was calling one of my best friends to tell her to go outside!</strong></span> </div><div align="right"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051897996714114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutM7TX7X1AQsKhAvVOyjbx4rAcegC4oHHi0UfJKJhLYTHCfm6azgBbA-PhDjIcuDZeVp1gGsvbwmsUni5mw5Gdi-me7bu85KxIoA8wSINkCtDIWrFSOKWeFJ1-UbCaGb26zReeQ6Ccyzy/s320/snow5.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz24GQnMfWG52jLJr5hNKNDXiAAr1Egr35IqN5oB_vj9LK1U7naqij0EIh1KsUt3jd5kN-FZV5KpIpKsTwZGneZ2SyVA1IMq5dS3o8nLQhBEpjNkTbqwT75xJZDwujwpQVqL84mkIGgEy/s1600-h/snow6.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051832726141954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz24GQnMfWG52jLJr5hNKNDXiAAr1Egr35IqN5oB_vj9LK1U7naqij0EIh1KsUt3jd5kN-FZV5KpIpKsTwZGneZ2SyVA1IMq5dS3o8nLQhBEpjNkTbqwT75xJZDwujwpQVqL84mkIGgEy/s320/snow6.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>On our balcony floor</strong></span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G7REGRLKjew-uqFqCn4ponek_kou6sFhfe1xliDqWqmvGdCgJ3IqlkhU8_2p0C4ZzrmOtZWruCALyGGs3wHg35rqDhYH1B5DFhX0R5hgy7oR0X-Xq1yBZ1QaLRIA7U9Sj6O82X3OdD-7/s1600-h/snow4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051751229965810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-G7REGRLKjew-uqFqCn4ponek_kou6sFhfe1xliDqWqmvGdCgJ3IqlkhU8_2p0C4ZzrmOtZWruCALyGGs3wHg35rqDhYH1B5DFhX0R5hgy7oR0X-Xq1yBZ1QaLRIA7U9Sj6O82X3OdD-7/s320/snow4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20LhyphenhyphenCpZlpOMTri8W1cQtWMMjq0qg40nXekDSlrogeQJLw6H3OXD6ICpUTLbgQqxQfCG8eMKH0OxYccCsHafUWDxFuGclzuMK-PlaOybdmEXY5A67jAP_yD5PocwSK_aG7-gvHyqeX4Aq/s1600-h/snow3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051679827328482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20LhyphenhyphenCpZlpOMTri8W1cQtWMMjq0qg40nXekDSlrogeQJLw6H3OXD6ICpUTLbgQqxQfCG8eMKH0OxYccCsHafUWDxFuGclzuMK-PlaOybdmEXY5A67jAP_yD5PocwSK_aG7-gvHyqeX4Aq/s320/snow3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSKG3MPaI_tSUvNDJ7jTUuQwnMGKvuW5SZEtrMPnKkIfZzf6S8Zz7zuBDYB70HQXeh4oeJCj45kQIvs7ESoZn9bbw0uBut6ChqXNenXRgJ22mYFSk8vs5yIXwmfGRkHlt1sAVTiZtuznq/s1600-h/snow2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051464551813138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSKG3MPaI_tSUvNDJ7jTUuQwnMGKvuW5SZEtrMPnKkIfZzf6S8Zz7zuBDYB70HQXeh4oeJCj45kQIvs7ESoZn9bbw0uBut6ChqXNenXRgJ22mYFSk8vs5yIXwmfGRkHlt1sAVTiZtuznq/s320/snow2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4zstHBWn3reIjKj7pJVnMpcA8D5nGOG0Ke7K3tCKS4It2z8iSH4yXsY1Siahx1Mb-lb6mpW69JYe6hXhx1oLeWKZQ5w6DOx7a6D-PbYot38cxwAi7QyjJwdh2iGHYpu0jLmyctvuBCw7/s1600-h/snow1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051347744849490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4zstHBWn3reIjKj7pJVnMpcA8D5nGOG0Ke7K3tCKS4It2z8iSH4yXsY1Siahx1Mb-lb6mpW69JYe6hXhx1oLeWKZQ5w6DOx7a6D-PbYot38cxwAi7QyjJwdh2iGHYpu0jLmyctvuBCw7/s320/snow1.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="color:#009900;"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;">It was cold but so much fun!</span><br /></span></strong></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6shBZuGF7-Ci73sZBAN_OXo5ngMlRoVcZ1FgkR2cksqIQc-8DpHFBj5PEl4VnxDBL9acAimGaTr8Xj2_WfsylEhV7P1JlPCtFN3wSPuE9fXrha5da3U2Y1UNNMMmi1risNuunOfyk6br/s1600-h/S5031341.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051081643521186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6shBZuGF7-Ci73sZBAN_OXo5ngMlRoVcZ1FgkR2cksqIQc-8DpHFBj5PEl4VnxDBL9acAimGaTr8Xj2_WfsylEhV7P1JlPCtFN3wSPuE9fXrha5da3U2Y1UNNMMmi1risNuunOfyk6br/s320/S5031341.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#ff0000;"><strong>Our balcony!</strong></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TEuJdZDIj89AXqwXOTOi2H__JGCqreiRDiSmWR00IhAdRd8POOVtvsnQgtsii5CE0s-g8S_hJqgDXsyJ3QUTkrTXEVTJzgSZytUB_0W_hyF254CAUZGpvaWRwMthJtNwjS8PDfskW37o/s1600-h/S5031339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278051010673321826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TEuJdZDIj89AXqwXOTOi2H__JGCqreiRDiSmWR00IhAdRd8POOVtvsnQgtsii5CE0s-g8S_hJqgDXsyJ3QUTkrTXEVTJzgSZytUB_0W_hyF254CAUZGpvaWRwMthJtNwjS8PDfskW37o/s320/S5031339.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBN_HKBL9FiZUyolWte3geZ5tEnR_hAf2lQI0TRPjSDAHISsJU4o4bqAwjdKl1zPZbeERR_JdV_9RDca758YnEbw3bIDmyivAJmt7BnL4gFe416hQwKeqxwCeXh0O0TiR5qwMXlUlXawt/s1600-h/S5031338.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278050938588850386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBN_HKBL9FiZUyolWte3geZ5tEnR_hAf2lQI0TRPjSDAHISsJU4o4bqAwjdKl1zPZbeERR_JdV_9RDca758YnEbw3bIDmyivAJmt7BnL4gFe416hQwKeqxwCeXh0O0TiR5qwMXlUlXawt/s320/S5031338.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJzBYdGe91HPmH3unL3UFOLjwK0b0yM6TNQ_dMOkAWac_XEvHhx-0U-lofa9I-Ce53AAvFlGo9vPx_AmghsNM5pn-pcDZnvOpsuZl7W28fF28WKwCaERGCreRiywvHpPcd-U6_y2lvfCr/s1600-h/S5031337.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278050875431778770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJzBYdGe91HPmH3unL3UFOLjwK0b0yM6TNQ_dMOkAWac_XEvHhx-0U-lofa9I-Ce53AAvFlGo9vPx_AmghsNM5pn-pcDZnvOpsuZl7W28fF28WKwCaERGCreRiywvHpPcd-U6_y2lvfCr/s320/S5031337.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchmXUChlfvDzWlWR2IuzujD2YlZk0K-BpoeWXr4eiuFzPYWGo6Sqmo8zzki2z46OV-dJhzPSk_3-RNApoAiQuIqcybL7Ma_awWZZq-9u2b9BVwqtaQFB_HTgogn8IkYpVee7UpKpak5GY/s1600-h/S5031336.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278050771705449922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchmXUChlfvDzWlWR2IuzujD2YlZk0K-BpoeWXr4eiuFzPYWGo6Sqmo8zzki2z46OV-dJhzPSk_3-RNApoAiQuIqcybL7Ma_awWZZq-9u2b9BVwqtaQFB_HTgogn8IkYpVee7UpKpak5GY/s320/S5031336.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-85103449629113081202008-12-08T20:28:00.000-08:002008-12-08T20:52:04.351-08:00Fabulous!<p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><img src="webkit-fake-url://17E2ABEC-994A-4BED-9823-372DF66A1631/Award3.jpg" alt="Award3.jpg" /></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">One of my best friends, <a href="http://tstapes.blogspot.com/">Taylor</a>, passed this award along to me! Thanks Taylor!!! (my list will not be nearly as meaningful as yours!) :) The rules are you must list 5 addictions and pass it along to 5 people.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">Here goes (in no particular order):</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">1. Chocolate! I love it in almost any size, shape, or form! I can be kind of a chocolate-snob though, I tend to prefer Ghirardelli, Godiva, and anything swiss!</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">2. My church. I absolutely love it & can not wait for Wednesdays, Sundays, and special events! This past weekend I was at church Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...it was awesome!</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">3. Facebook. It's sad, I know.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">4. Blogs!! (I'm stealing this one from you Taylor!) I LOVE writing and reading blogs. I have met some amazing women through blogs and have been inspired by their heartfelt words.</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">5. Shopping! Unfortunately I am not able to do this as much as I would like to, but I love a good day out shopping with the girls. It's actually more about spending time just laughing and having fun together than it is the shopping ;)</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; ">I am now passing this along to <a href="http://projectdomesticbliss.blogspot.com/">Nikki</a>, <a href="http://afuzzylop1.blogspot.com/">Julia</a>, <a href="http://hedz34.wordpress.com/">Heather</a>, <a href="http://ruth-wilsonfamily.blogspot.com/">Ruth</a>, and <a href="http://rockedbyfaith.blogspot.com/">Pam</a>. Have fun ladies!!!</p><p style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-62338518731503118282008-12-07T16:14:00.000-08:002008-12-07T16:19:57.833-08:00Masquerade!<strong><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;">We had an amazing event at our church on Friday night called "Masquerade." We got to dress up & they gave us these beautiful masks! We heard a wonderful speaker who really challenged us to take off our masks and not hide who we truly are, to not be paralyzed by our fears, and to be the women God has called us to be! It was an amazing night & I thought it would be fun to share a few pics!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;">Me :)</span></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lxbzrsF1jOHW1IZVmTwIg1MPCaDawnS4XHNR1_rQn5oNfOA38Rg58QLld1UnmMqdXaHl3yOtd8vknBWArp_Kf60Cg-cfHXsCZOWe3Jz6Ii-oZCo530OCLUnh-EORokcMD0CxIX9RWI-L/s1600-h/PICT0016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277206538458348242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7lxbzrsF1jOHW1IZVmTwIg1MPCaDawnS4XHNR1_rQn5oNfOA38Rg58QLld1UnmMqdXaHl3yOtd8vknBWArp_Kf60Cg-cfHXsCZOWe3Jz6Ii-oZCo530OCLUnh-EORokcMD0CxIX9RWI-L/s320/PICT0016.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#ff0000;">Me, my mom, my sister</span></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2fxfIiOsc9zI1C3rEAzVMzs2PHWv4U7U8ICHl8aRMb4hdvp-Y_5J70b6-tmlAGkZ47FelQVHE09f4A6aiwgasr1ZfInEjnaYZ2bzfuK6bhOisq9TrJg6c460MIonDdGlh770cwCML1DU/s1600-h/PICT0011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277206451680883458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2fxfIiOsc9zI1C3rEAzVMzs2PHWv4U7U8ICHl8aRMb4hdvp-Y_5J70b6-tmlAGkZ47FelQVHE09f4A6aiwgasr1ZfInEjnaYZ2bzfuK6bhOisq9TrJg6c460MIonDdGlh770cwCML1DU/s320/PICT0011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Me, again</span></strong><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MzOjcAcVKavQ1EM0lt_gzN-96N3OqWlqbkoTLRiBNcclllgaSXHEbxzVqaff4_lL4funkr_QzgfE5i5nmh1CwODAf9PxG9kbwefjKgoItsRK0tu_vIzBeLqf_FuzD-Q5qlsPojeSJa8H/s1600-h/PICT0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277206370509373250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6MzOjcAcVKavQ1EM0lt_gzN-96N3OqWlqbkoTLRiBNcclllgaSXHEbxzVqaff4_lL4funkr_QzgfE5i5nmh1CwODAf9PxG9kbwefjKgoItsRK0tu_vIzBeLqf_FuzD-Q5qlsPojeSJa8H/s320/PICT0017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">My sis in her beautiful mask!</span></strong><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy95BbiUfiwfnS8EHtD-RPsP9EQjU2UL1Z6f_bz3O6KdZgrls4QykqTSgkIcPCsZjHaBi1bUvbtJWtfFwvusfp8YMJw7ND4k1QKFMeAApvS3Qj-qyfGF86H_IP1Ewfj_pgc5orT6aDM2R/s1600-h/PICT0019.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277206270243910370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsy95BbiUfiwfnS8EHtD-RPsP9EQjU2UL1Z6f_bz3O6KdZgrls4QykqTSgkIcPCsZjHaBi1bUvbtJWtfFwvusfp8YMJw7ND4k1QKFMeAApvS3Qj-qyfGF86H_IP1Ewfj_pgc5orT6aDM2R/s320/PICT0019.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-23416330517147269212008-11-27T16:06:00.000-08:002008-11-27T16:07:05.897-08:00Hook 'Em!Just wanted to say...<br /><br />GO HORNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Hook 'Em!!!!<br /><br />:)<br /><br />Happy Turkey Day!Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-54138970048675672008-11-26T12:34:00.000-08:002008-11-26T13:00:39.521-08:00ThankfulIt is almost Thanksgiving and while I am thankful every single day, I do like to take advantage of this one day to think about everything that is a blessing to me. Of course there is no way to list every single thing that I am thankful for, but here are just a few (in no particular order).<div><br /></div><div>I am thankful for...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>-- God's grace, forgiveness, blessings, sovereignty, miracles, love, peace, faithfulness</div><div><br /></div><div>-- My family, I love them with all of my heart!</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_VZ0p-vMngu9TR6dVKB0e08kQbcsT06tyS3gMW4u6e90nNy7pbi4ahNQwIwoMNpa-A_XvPIBciJ1SnmU9n9cGVWKQH3gI1G9wmnj1h2wiHzxrR0Iuq7I50ch_gCrHNHxaDwaAdCvQWQb/s320/laybday13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273073624782480130" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(This is me & my niece being silly on her 7th b-day last week)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>-- my hardworking husband who would do anything for me & has made it possible for me to go to school full-time without having to work</div><div><br /></div><div>-- My amazing friends...you know who you are & I love you all to pieces!</div><div><br /></div><div>-- living in a blessed & free country </div><div><br /></div><div>-- my cat Pumpkin who knows when I am down and jumps in my lap at the perfect times</div><div><br /></div><div>-- the freedom to worship my God</div><div><br /></div><div>-- my church</div><div><br /></div><div>-- my Connect group...you are all amazing!</div><div><br /></div><div>-- the roof over my head which happens to be pretty nice :)</div><div><br /></div><div>-- peppermint hot chocolate & cinnamon apple hot tea</div><div><br /></div><div>-- my incredible professors who have taught me so many invaluable lessons</div><div><br /></div><div>-- every. single. child.</div><div><br /></div><div>-- the fact that I will be graduating next year from an amazing university!</div><div><br /></div><div>-- my infertility...it has allowed me to meet so many incredible women & has brought me closer to God</div><div><br /></div><div>-- atomic learning tutorials!--without these I would have never been able to complete several iMovie projects this semester :-P</div><div><br /></div><div>-- what my family went through this past summer...it has opened doors and brought restoration while reminding me never to take anything for granted</div><div><br /></div><div>-- ALL of my blog readers </div><div><br /></div><div>-- all of the blessings yet to come :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What are you thankful for?</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy Thanksgiving!</div><div> </div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-64055578797279378152008-11-20T14:42:00.000-08:002008-11-20T14:50:32.249-08:002 more weeks!I'm taking a quick break from writing an essay & just wanted to say I only have 2 more weeks left until the end of this semester!!! (Well, technically I have a little more than that since a couple of projects aren't due until the next week, but I'm done with all classes & interning in 2 weeks!!) <div><br /></div><div>I desperately need a break & can't wait for it to be here! Don't get me wrong, this semester has been wonderful. It has been full of lots of new experiences & loads of new knowledge...but, it has also been full of reading, papers, reading, writing, reading, projects, and reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>Let the countdown begin!</div><div><br /></div><div>...and now back to my essay... :(</div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-57216916754033193852008-11-09T13:31:00.001-08:002008-11-09T13:50:31.782-08:00LifeI'm so sorry. This once a month blog thing has to end. To be truthfully honest, I have been so caught up in school (which is my life right now) that I just haven't had a moment to sit down and write. I really miss it though because writing is incredibly therapeutic for me.<br /><br />My last day for this semester is Dec. 3 & it is rapidly approaching! While I am excited because I will have a month and a half off before the next semester, I also don't want it to come too quickly because I still have about a gazillion projects and papers left to finish. I do not know what grade I will be student teaching in next semester yet, but I can't wait to find out!<br /><br />It is very exciting/a little scary to think that at this time next year I will be preparing to graduate!!! After what will be four and a half years, I will have finally reached one of the biggest goals I have ever had. Of course, I am completely in awe of God. He has been by my side and without Him, I would not be where I am today. I am a little scared just because I have been in school for so long that the thought of going back out into the workforce is a little nerve-wrecking. Then again, I know that God will provide the perfect job for me & I will finally be teaching precious children which is what I have always wanted!<br /><br />I am excited about what the future holds for Joey & me. When I am out of school our lives will be different. We will both be working full-time jobs (although school might as well be a FT job right now minus the pay!) which means we will have a second income for the first time in years! This also means new opportunities.<br /><br />Over the next year we will be faithfully praying & asking God what steps we should take. I guess I should say that I am specifically talking about children. When I first went back to school we had just started fertility treatments. That time was an incredible learning experience for us, but was also full of sadness. I ended up having to undergo surgery and then had problems with huge cysts, and eventually I couldn't handle going to the DR every other day and trying to focus on school at the same time. It was emotionally draining and so we decided to stop treatment. However, as my graduation approaches I find myself thinking about the one and only thing that I have ever wanted in this life more & more, and that is to be a mom. So, please join Joey & me in prayer asking God to guide us in the direction we need to take to become parents once and for all.<br /><br />I hope to post again soon. I love you all!!<br /><br />Love,<br />BrittBritthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-43212358341073673142008-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:002008-10-02T16:37:36.156-07:00Craziness!Hi Everyone! :)<div><br /></div><div>I am SO sorry I haven't blogged in so long. I have a good reason though! haha My reason?--Life! I have been so incredibly busy I just haven't had the time. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of August I started my senior year at UT, YAY! I am in what they call a "cohort." Basically it is a group of about 23 girls. We are all elementary education majors. We take all of our classes together too. No one outside of the cohort is allowed in the classes, they are just for us. It is nice because you make some wonderful friendships and you have a built-in support system of other people who are experiencing exactly what you are. We should all get to know each other pretty well since we will be together for the next three semesters until we graduate! </div><div><br /></div><div>I started my student teaching about a month ago. I am in a Pre-K class at a Blue Ribbon school so it has been a great experience so far. The Pre-K program at this particular school is a little different from other programs. The students have to be assessed before they are accepted into it. They must be ESL, low SES, a child of a military parent, or in the foster system. Currently my class is made up of 13 ESL and low SES students. I love the diversity though, it really creates an amazing learning environment not just for the students but for myself too! We have children who speak Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Greek as their first languages just to name a few.</div><div><br /></div><div>I already taught my first lesson last week! I know, I'm sure you are thinking "Oh yeah, that must have been hard, it's Pre-K!" But...let me tell you, it's not as easy as you might think! Getting 13 four-year olds to sit still and engaged for a lesson at the same time is a challenge. I was incredibly nervous because not only were all of their little eyes staring at me, but my CT (cooperating teacher--the teacher who's class I am interning in) and my cohort coordinator were observing me too! However, I have taught pre-school before awhile back so I tried to just remind myself that this is not the first time I've done this and to relax. Afterwards my coordinator (who is amazing by the way) went outside with me to talk about how I did. I will never forget when she said "You are a natural, this is what you were meant to do." Wow. I can't even express to you how much those words mean to me. She also said she was very impressed with my Spanish which I laughed at. (There is one little girl in my class who only speaks Spanish so I had asked her a question during the lesson in Spanish)</div><div><br /></div><div>On top of interning in the elementary school twice a week I also have four classes to attend and a whole-lotta homework! (yes, I know that's not really a word LOL) This semester is really different for me in regards to this because there are no tests in any of my classes. Instead, each class has about a million papers and projects. You might think this sounds great, but projects take a lot longer to complete than a test does. Oh well, it's part of the learning process. Did I mention how I can't WAIT to graduate next December?!!! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Alright, sorry for going on so long about school but I told you I had a good reason for not posting here in awhile! As you can see, school keeps me incredibly busy and eternally stressed. I'm still trying to find a balance between school, family, friends, and church activities. Not sure that will ever happen but I'm trying! </div><div><br /></div><div>There is plenty more I could occupy your time with but you have probably already stopped reading. haha I will try to post more often but I can't promise anything. I have been tagged by a couple of friends recently and I will try to post that too as soon as I can. Please don't think I am ignoring you! </div><div><br /></div><div>Until later....I love you all! </div><div><br /></div><div>Adios!</div>Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7584047140324738368.post-6130352809454432722008-09-12T09:29:00.001-07:002008-09-12T09:33:34.823-07:00GO AWAY Ike!!!In case you haven't watched tv or listened to the radio in a few days, Hurricane Ike is on his way with a vengeance!<br /><br />I am very sad that it is heading straight for our state :( I also find it sad that we just spent a week in Galveston soaking up its beauty, and in a matter of hours it might all be gone :(<br /><br />I have many friends with family in Houston and I am worried with them about their houses & families.<br /><br />Please pray!<br /><br />and a word to Ike-- GO AWAY! We don't want you here, you are NOT welcome!Britthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07538809663236702698noreply@blogger.com3