oh my,oh my! how fast you went oh nine!

i'm not sure i've ever been so ready for a year to go! this year has been slightly overwhelming and very fast! as i ponder back, i think of things that happened and am like, "that was this year?" or "really, april was just a few months back!" only to realize, that april was 8 months ago, and today is the very last day of 2009. the last "oh" year number wise. i remember when the clock struck 2000,and so many people thought the world was going to end. i remember very well that my brother was so mad to be at some church family's home that night instead of out with his friends. that really doesn't seem that long ago. it's been a decade ago! wow! that's crazy! so, as i like to think back to this year, here's a review. i'm also going to add in a huge THANK YOU KEL! she fixed my computer (or rather my 'rents' computer)! i'm going to try to add some photos of this year too. only deal is, there's like zero of my nephews on my camera! my mom got a much better point-and-shoot than i have, and i guess i use hers every photo op with them! sorry! i'll do better this next year! on to the quick review. .... . .... . (let me insert this is more for me to review and move on than for you, but hope you enjoy nonetheless).....

• jan - started wedding planning for my sis' big day
• feb - found out i was going to be an aunt! had 4 baby showers!
• march - found out it was twins, had revival at church, planned sis' showers and went to the one their church gave the, and a few babies born : )
• april - sis' wedding and all the festivities that brought, Easter and with that my church's conotada. a few weddings and baby shower/births
• may - my birthday month! started the month off with a bang and a "new kind of normal" at the Women of Joy conference in pigeon forge,tn with the ladies from my church. mothers day, baby showers at church and for friends, memorial day, "sunshine" left our salon and in turn we started changes at my salon. all for the better. worked stepped up more and more. this month my friend amy and i started teaching a class for the young lady adults. A Lady in Waiting. wow! at what i learned!
• june - found out the twins were boys, baby shower for my best,misty, work kept picking up, a few bridal teas here too. also, we had a mens banquet at church. very awesome "it's a juingle out there"!
• july - busy busy busy at work! busy busy busy at church! we had 2 a day vacation Bible schools. i taught 5-6 graders. loved it! i worked both sessions, worked inbtween, and at the end of the week house/dog sitted for a cousin who's step-daughter got married at the beach. started planning sisnlaw's shower (not much on my part though). on the 18th i had 3, yes i said 3, weddings in one afternoon! my good guy friend, dg, got married at 4, sung at it. then his reception was at 6, amd i had to serve there. there was a wedding at 5 and another at 6. i'm only one person, and i chose to go to dustin and amber's,and i guess that was a good thing since i had some duties there. there was a bridal shower at church, and misty was getting ready to have levi! a few baby/wedding showers for friends, and we're good!
• aug - misty had levi. sisnlaw had baby shower, had to go on bed rest, and started planning a surprise for the widows of my church for sept. i also found out some terrible news that brought up a lot from my past from some friends at church. ive mentioned it on here before. the night of aug 10, may not be a night i forget for quiet some time. and throw in a few weddings and we're good here!
• sept - was a month of planning,planning,planning! we had the twins a shower at church, getting ready for them, the widows dinner and the start of the secret sisters for them at church. also, the choir started getting ready for fall concert. this may not look like a busy month, but it was! there was also the conclusion of church showers at the end of the month. this is the month that church starts it's "new year". so we were super busy!
• oct - the twins were born! getting ready for fall concert, hair show in b'ham, homecoming at church, founders day in new hope, birthdays galore, and before i knew it, it was over!
• nov - fall concert, my run away weekend to see the Crimson Tide rolllllll over those yucky LSU tigers. the only purple and gold tigers i don't like : ), the start of the holiday rush, thanksgiving, more baby showers (the conclusion of them) and the annual Ladies Christmas Celebration at church. my table was beautiful i thought this year. i love that night with the ladies at my church!
• dec - chirstmas time! church gatherings, work,work,work. things with family and friends. shopping, decorating, having flat tires, and closing out 2009! Thank GOD!

there have been some amazing times, so times i'v faked being happy. there have been some not good times,for various reasons. i'm very glad to see this year go, and am trying to sike myself up for 2010. i don't have time for pictures tonight,maybe tomorrow.

2009 brought 22 baby showers/births and 14 bridal showers or teas/weddings. glad i didn't drink the water those folks did!

i pray that you and your family have had a wonderful year, and that this next year be a year of health,happiness, and laughter!

happy new year!

It's Christmas...

Yes! Its Christmas! Merry,merry,merry Christmas!

Sorry I've not posted much lately. I have posted mentally a LOT! Haha! Oh well,maybe soon! My computer at home has been fixed,all but one small thing,by my fabulous best,kel! So be looking for pictures and such in the future!

I don't have much time to post,I still have a Christmas gift to,ummmmm,wrap and all that!

Happy birthday Jesus! You are the only reason for the season! As the Grinch said,"itsz not about the packages,gifts,ribbons and bows...". Its about my Savior's birthday!

"where are you Christmas, and why can't I find you?"

my title is one the name of one of my favorite Christmas songs ever! i fell in love with that song the night i went to see "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" in theaters with my sister. and, for the last few years, it totally describes how i feel about Christmas! i'm by no means a Scrooge, Grinch, or "happy holidays instead of merry Christmas" kind of gal. it's just that Christmas has changed. life has changed. family has changed. people are trying to change the meaning of this time of year even more so it seems. i hear parents say, "i'm not letting some imaginary man take credit for what i do!" or it's all about the gift and the amount of the gift. i LOVE buying gifts! for birthdays, i have resorted to giving money to my siblings and their spouses. i LOVE LOVE LOVE giving gifts! especially at Christmas! i love the fast pace, crowds, sales, the sunshine on a shopping day, doing it all last minute in one day, and the traffic doesn't even bother me! this is usually because i'm with my best,kel.

yes, you read it right that i wait last minute to shop and do it all in one day! that day is next week! woohoo! here's the deal this time. it really doesn't seem like Christmas. 90% of my Christmas gatherings are not even on Christmas eve or day. i have two this weekend. the first one is a girls night out dirty santa ornament night. sounds like fun! it usually is when we get together! saturday is work, work, work and then the young adults gathering. instead of doing dirty santa there, we are collecting toys for the C.A.R.E. center's store in new hope. i'm excited about that! i love helping those who need it!

so here's to Christmas ... where ever you are .... i need to get back to work .... please Christmas come soon .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSMjgNMdzEI hope you enjoy!

Until later .... B

giving thanks

giving thanks comes as natural to me as breathing. my parents taught me years ago to be thankful and give thanks. Jesus taught us in the "Lord's Supper" to start prayers with thanksgiving. i strive to do that. this year has been a blur! it's been such a busy,happy, sad, trying, lonely, full,exciting,boring,new year. and this year is almost gone. i am literally crying, which i hate doing!, as i type this post. i was just browsing through some other blogs, and one that caught my attention was praying for kensley. this family is friends with my family. ive never met this little girl,and i'll add an apology here that i don't know and don't have the time to link that site. ive prayed for this family. i couldn't imagine going through what theyve went through. she's home, doing great, and they are all so thankful. even thankful for her wiping her nose. how many parents take that for granted i wonder? i think back to this time last year. a childhood friend of mine had her son at 23 1/2 weeks. she requested prayers for her son to poop. every time i get the chance to change one of my nephews diapers i think about her. her then, at his funeral, when i got the news she was expecting again, that it was another boy, and when her on her 1st borns bday. her and her husband had a blood drive and her students and family had a balloon release for him. what a birthday party! she will have son #2 on new years eve.

on facebook a few weeks ago, some of my friends challenged us to say something we were thankful for each day, something new each day, up through thanksgiving. i'm finding it hard to only put one thing.

today, as i reflect back on this year, i'm most thankful for God's faithfulness and His plan.

five years ago, i was a student in beauty school who had completed 1250 of her 1500 hours and could go to work in the real world. starting her career! wow! i was 19 and about to start my career! that was the beginning of some scary,trying times. God has been there drying my tears and answering my prayers. today, i'm at a much happier place. self employed and i finally LOVE my job. i'm so thankful i listened and followed God's plan five years ago this week.

sorry this has been such a rambling post! if i don't post before thursday .......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!! I hope you and your family have a fabulous day!

"Give thanks to the Lord"

until later ..... B

so,i ran away ...

Yes,I ran away. Not to far,not away because of something terrible or because I was trying to hide from something/one. I simply ran away to get away and take a break. It was lovely!

I went to T-town to visit with my best,kel, and go to the University of AL vs LSU game. I had never been to a S E C or Bama game,and wow! There's nothing quite like it! When I was in high school,I LOVED football!and I still do,I just don't enjoy it as much on tv or when it consumes lives.

Of course,we ate at some great restaurants! Shopped some,went to church,and my personal favorite -people watched while tailgating.

I've never been one much to travel,nor one to love to ride in a car. With that being said,I'll add I've never drove longer than an hour away from home. Well,this was a pleasant experience. I loved riding alone on the way there. I took my time,wasn't rushed,didn't talk on the phone or text, sang and listened and enjoyed the radio. I found a great christian radio station and I'm sure passersby thought I was crazy! Haha! I didn't care. And finally got to kel's after a few miscommunications in directions. The ride home,was much quicker and much lonelier! I've had several friends that have gone to UA and that are there now. Wow! I don't know how you wanted to make the drive by yourself!

I'm not use to being alone. Maybe that's why I found it so boring and lonely. I'm the youngest of three,and my next door neighbor,Liz,was always around too. Well,for that matter,the neighborhood kids were always around. When we went to church,I was always surrounded by kids my age,older or younger. Our house was always filled with company. You get the picture. . . I like to be around people,well when I want to : )

Road trips by myself not one of those times!However, I had an awesome hostess! Her mother sent us half dozen Gigi cupcakes! Oh.my.goodness! The.best.ever.cupcakes! I highly recommend midnight madness! Chocolate cake with cream cheese icing with dark chocolate chips. And my fabulous mother sent homemade teacake cookies! Oh my,what yummy,yummy snacks we had! She gave me her bed,meanwhile her air mattress deflated both nights.

To top off the fast-paced,fun filled,wonderful weekend,when I came home I got to spend some great time with my precious nephews! I had not seen them in over a week! I missed them! I had been sick,and I know its rsv season,so I stayed away. My parents brought us supper at my brothers and when we left,my car messed up. So I ended up driving another 20 miles to my mechanics house. I had to have a wheel barron replaced. Apparently it was in pieces. I'm very thankful that happened after I got home,and it wasn't expensive to fix. So,that's what's kept me busy this last week. I hope everyone had a lovely weekend,and is having a great new week!


Until later, B

reason behind the name

in my last post, pay it forward, i mentioned i was "in charge" of pastor appreciation this year for my church. it was an amazing,fast,busy,blessed month! wow! really, it's November?! i think calendars are lying because it feels like it should just be summer to me! thus, the meaning of this post's title and my site! geez! i really can't believe it's already November! i'm in shock! really?! can you tell?

we had a finger food fellowship church wide the last sunday night of october to honor our pastors and their families. me of little faith, set 72 seats and we ran out! we had over 100 people there! woohoo! the church presented each of them a gift certificate for Ruth's Chris Steak House. nice,huh?

that sunday was also my mom's bday! happy birthday momma! we celebrated her bday at our house watching the TN UA football game and eating pizza! baby d came home the day before and him,his twin brother and parents were able to join us. as well as my sis and her family. this is the first time since the very first of august that my family was altogether. this isn't rare to most families, but it is to mine. i'm so thankful for my family!

i had a very busy week last week, with church and work. for some reason my blackberry wasn't letting me log on to here, and im not happy with that!

here's this past weekend in a wrap to give you a hint:friday - work, dress rehearsal for fall concert,home,supper,bed. saturday - work, grocery store, visit with the nephews(the cutest giraffe and tiger ever!) trunk ot treat at church. sunday - sunday school, church,lunch,home, back at church early, fall concert, dinner, home, bed. sunday i woke up with cold like junk going on. today i have little voice (miracles still happen) and have a cold! ugh! nyquil is calling my name tonight! oh, and i'm super busy at work today and wont get home til about 8. but that's really ok! i'm thankful for my job,my clients, and if i'm there that late that means one thing - i'm working which in turns means i'm making a living! i've got to get to feeling better before the weekend! i'm running away on a little trip : ) ahhhhhhhhh - that's my sighing can you hear it?!

so here's to monday! work, long lunch to get my car serviced, back to work (which i just found out i'll be working with my guy friend dg and possibly his wife ugh) for a long evening without daylight savings time, and home hopefully to chill out and get over this stupid cold!

until later ...B

Pay it Forward

No, i'm not talking about the movie. reason #1 - i've never seen the movie and #2 i'm talking about something much better than what hollywood does!

in a previous post, just when i think ... it all changes, i mentioned i was giving the honor to plan something at my church. well the time has come to announce what little thing it was! Pastor Appreciation! i'm southern baptist, and october is pastor appreciation month! it's been so much fun! i haven't planned anything huge,but i think they've enjoyed it!

first of, we decided to do what we did last year. people signed up to send them (there's 4 pastors) a card every day of the month. we had a calendar filled up in a few days! and then on the last sunday night we would have a finger food fellowship meal for them. we're baptist, we love to eat!

so with those things going on, the deacons always get up and share something about each pastor - senior, assistant, youth and music. what i had the joy of planning was for the Women's Ministry group. after much thinking and praying, we given them supper every wednesday night. my senior pastor has health problems and eats at this one local restaurant, so people signed up to take him out to eat. sweet,huh? our assistant and music ministers live like 40 minutes away, so this has kept them from eating out all month; our youth minister is single and is a workaholic who is never home to cook (and he can cook!). so this has helped them greatly! plus, it's fun for the families to eat and fellowship more one on one with each other. last night was my family's night. my mom made chicken stew and peach cobbler. it was more delicious than delicious! luckily, the peach cobbler was sent home with someone other than us!

why is this simple act a paying it forward measure you may ask? it's simple. i'm a PK! a preacher's kid! my dad has been a baptist minister my whole life, and for over 15 of my 24 years, he's been a pastor. 11 and a half years at one church. i'll never forget how honored my dad was every october. i remember him and mom getting onto me when i was younger because i expected the church,a very small,not wealthy church to do something for us. they did, but i also got a lesson on humbleness!

so thanks, to all the pastors and their families! you have an amazing,rewarding,tiring,trying,fun,sad,busy job!

Until later ....B

so called weekends and sunshine

I'm always wondering what's so special about Saturdays? I'm the south in the fall its ALL about football! Which I nearly resent,let me add. I work on Saturdays,that's just part of my life and that's great with me,actually more like fabulous with me. When I am off on a Saturday I'm usually much busier than I would've been at work,so why not work and have more money? I'm not on a pity party,please don't take it that way,I'm just wondering. Especially after the "weekend" I had this last week! As I last posted I had to be at work early last week,and not just once but twice in a row. Thursday I was at work 8-6 and then to a jewelry party at a friends house,home at 9,bed by 11. Friday at work at 830 a.m. And got off at 8 p.m. I was having more fun than usual the last 3 hours of that day. Topped my night off with mexican and a catch up session with my best month,then back to my house and back at it again Saturday morning! I didn't have a full day at work,just a few younger guys cuts and a bridal do for Em. Left work,went to the store,came home,lunch,got re-ready,went to Ems beautiful and sweet wedding,supper with my sister,her husband and friends,home and in bed at 10. Why so early on a Saturday night for a S-W-F in her early 20s? The Premier show (hair show)! Yes,that's right! I was up WAY before the sun and was at my salon before 630! I got home that night after 9. I was SLEEPY! We had to make a slight detour home,which put our road trip on "back roads" in beautiful small towns all the way home. I was so happy to see my bed!

The hair show was hilarious! It almost scares me to see some of the people who are hair stylists out there! You had girls literally wearing binkis to get spray on tans. And yes,they were prancing around the booth and "showing off". There was one poor girl who shouldn't have chose to be a model! Bless her! And I'm being nice here,not judgmental! I PROMISE! I wanted to rescue her! Also,unless you like badly teased bird's nests as a hair do,I'm not sure I can help you! HA!HA! Oh and the colors! I wanted to say to the platform artists,"Honey we need color trends and techniques for our awesome,normal,and beautiful clients! We don't do runways every day!" Seriously,if one up-do model walked outside during the day,I bet birds would've thought "HOME!". No joke! Its so funny to watch the men artist! They do pelvic thrusts and dance in womens faces and cut their hair while looking at the crowd! Luckily for those ladies,they were using texturizing shears! You know you're in for a crazy day when there's a line at the "adult beverages" booth longer than the lines anywhere else as soon as it started! Really,we had a good time. I'm not sure there's much I could or could not do to make myself or my clients look any worse than what I saw down there. : )

We have fun no matter where we are anyways,and more fun when we're sleepy! On our way there,we stopped and found a breakfast buffet (insert severe dislike for buffets here) and I was told I was so attractive! Only problem was it was a lady,and a lady old enough to be my grandma! She said,"oh gurl! You so attractive to me!" Me,"thanks". Her" oh and you so southern sounding! You look like one of 'em stars off one of 'em family tv shows! You a star on tv? Ooo you so attractive.". Me-"thanks. Have a nice day!" And I went and got in the car! LoL! It wasn't all that flattering,if you get my drift!

I have got some great rest! Maybe too much;I've been told there's a such thing. I'm so excited! My nephew,baby D,should get to come Thursday! He didn't pass his car seat test Saturday,which made him stay 5 more days. Poor little fellow hasn't seen his Aunt Britt as of tomorrow in 2 weeks! I miss him more than I ever thought possible! I miss baby L too! I haven't seen him in a week! I'm off tomorrow so the new parents and boys may want to be on the look out!ha!

I'm so thankful to be an aunt to two healthy boys,and sister to a wonderful older brother and sister and a daughter to my parents! I'm not sure where I'd be without them! I'm also very thankful we all live close! The sun is,and has been,shining bright the past few days and it s been wonderful having it here instead of rain! My hair is even straight today! I love that I can manage it so well in the fall when the rain is gone!

I know this has been a long,and rambling post,but I can't help myself! I'm alone at work and have missed being able to sit down and post like I was. I'm off tomorrow,and tonight eating dinner with Meg! Yay for Tuesdays and Wednesdays! My kind of weekends!

Until later,B

go away!

Ok,so maybe that's not the nicest title! But so true! What is up with all the rain this month? And last month?! At my salon,the older clients and even those around my parents age are acting like its suppose to be this way. I have a really good memory (as previously posted) and I never remember it raining SOOOOO much in the early fall! Now November here is a crazy month! We usually have tornado watches for a few weeks. We also remember a horrible tornado that ripped through surrounding towns and communities in November in 1989. I was 4,but I remember that evening very well!

I had to get to work earlier than usual this morning. Let me say,I respect those of you who have to get up and be at work before 8 A.M.! I'm a hair stylist - we usually work late evenings and come in later in the mornings. I love that about my job! On saturdays I'm usually here before 8,and somehow that never bothers me,but wow! Today has! I made a mistake with my choice of breakfast this morning too,and I'm thinking it didn't help my matter any! I had 2 strawberry pop tarts with my oj. Can we say sugar high? Then sugar crash? Ughhh, I really should've stuck with my regular breakfast choice - 2 red berry waffles with no syrup (I eat in the car. I know bad me!).

I just want to see some sunshine is that so horrible of me? I know I've said this before,but I have not had a vacation this year. This has been an extraordinary busy year! I can't believe there are only 77 days left in this year! I'm really hoping this rain pattern isn't going to stay around! Its not good for my business,or my fathers,and I'm positive we're not the only ones with that worry when it rains. And,with these curls I have,I haven't had to many good hair days! It gets more curly(which I'm always surprised that that's possible) and frizzy! Yuck-o!

I'm thinking this weekend will have me more upbeat. I have a friend,em,wedding. I get to do her hair,and I know she's going to be a beautiful bride. She's getting married in a really old,white church with a center aisle. Every girls dream at one time or other! She's been a very care free and thrifty bride. I'm very proud of her! And excited for her!congrats em and j and little miss H!

Also this weekend,I'll be missing church (which I despise doing!) and going to a hair show! Its a few hours away,so road trip! We went 2 years ago,and we had a great time. I was exhausted when we went due to a kid/house/pet sitting gig I had going on. Also,my guy friend from my previous post, was in tow with us. Sunshine,the lady who use to work with us,was there too. She's a very negative person,thus the reason behind her nickname. One day we said together as she left for the day,"well wasn't she just a freaking ray of sunshine?!" So if you could only imagine how that day went. I'm thinking this year will be much better!much much better! I'm also hoping the artists will show us more,new and better techniques. Last time it was all about the blonde on top and dark underneath and the famous a-line/stacked bob.

I know this has been a long post,but its been very therapeutic. I'm sitting at work,alone in the rain,so this has been a great release! Yay for blackberries! lol! However,the rain hasn't killed my excitement over my precious nephews! Looks like baby D maybe home soon! He's been moved to the progressive unit and is doing awesome! I thank God for growing his little lungs and the stuff he needed to keep them from sticking together! And for baby L! He's perfect! I'm so amazed every day at the love God gives us for His creation!

Have a great day! Even if its raining!

Until later ....B

best friends and memories

i have an odd memory. i remember what i wore, when things happen - dates,time and places. today is a cross roads of mine,and i thank God for two of my best friends - mo and kel! they were there step by step (literally).

it's a single girl's worst nightmare. you walk up, wearing a super cute new outfit and killer new shoes, to the guy you think you love and can't live without. he's more than that. he's also your best friend also. and a friend you've been giving all your time to too. after the texts and phone calls of "where are you?", "i'm standing here;i'm waiting on you!" "i was thinking we could grab a bite to eat afterwards" ... i get to where we were meeting, a small town event outside on a cool fall night. i find him in the big crowd, kel and mo in hand, and go up to him. "hey! i'm finally here! whew!" him -"Britt meet Britt. Britt meet Britt". this girl who has her hands all wrapped up in my best friend's hands says,"OMG! i'm so happy to finally meet you!" Me, "Really?! i haven't a clue who you are. who are you?" stunned looks on everyone's faces.

that's right. my heart was broken. i stayed there,with them, until the event ended. i nearly ran back to my car, kel and mo slightly behind.i think secretly they were glad i wasn't going to be around him much more, but they were hurting for me (like the awesome bests they are!). so what was a broken hearted girl and her two bests going to do? hot fudge sundaes! and a venting session like never before!

this heart break didn't mend real quick. finally, i gave it up and gave it to God. please don't think me self righteous. i didn't know what else to do, and knew that was just what i needed to do all along (as the advice of the bests and my family).

that was two years ago tonight. wow! now, i would go back in time and be like,"oh yay! take him!" i would have gotten to know her more too. she's actually a very sweet girl, and we favored. well, more so after he colored her hair my color lol. she's a little insecure and he helped her with that. apparently a lot of helping her! on thanksgiving this past year, she called and broke up with him. he then called guess who? yep. me. yes, i let him back in my life. he's my best guy friend. we hung out for about two months. every time our outings were over, i wondered to myself what did i ever see in him other than a friend. i killed myself with those questions. and guess who would always answer me with the best answer - that's right my two bests!

they've been there through both of my siblings weddings. and after everything with my sister's, they took me to eat at my most favorite place for dinner at 9 pm!. they were there when my family went through the most devasting,yet wonderful trial. they have been there through deaths. mo came straight to me when my mamaw passed away - we hadn't even left the nursing home,and she was there. they've even let me be just quiet. they've entertained me. they've become so much to me! they were the first people i told i was going to be an aunt, an aunt to twins, an aunt to twin boys, and the first people i told monday. kel was there late for me to scream and cry about baby d being in the nicu, and about my first visit with him.

so this is to mo and kel! thanks for always being there. thanks for always listening. thanks for always tagging along on crazy,fast shopping trips that aren't just for pleasure. thanks for the chocolate. thanks for the texts. thanks for the shoulders for me to cry on. thanks for the ears that listened,and still does, to my endless rambling. thanks for being part of "the stick removal team". thanks for being the supporative team through my weight battle. thanks for your love. thanks for your prayers. thanks for being just who you are - even if now,when we're all living apart (more so than ever). thanks best! all my love to my bests... B

this is kel,me,and mo at my house on my birthday this year.

I'm in LOVE!!!!

Yes, me the SWF in is love with not one, but two boys!!! or maybe i should say baby boys!!! That's right! i'm an AUNT!!!! the twins are here! woohoo! they were born on 10/5. i know, i'm sorry - i'm a week late on this post. forgive me; i've had lots of busy days! and no time to sit down at a computer to post. i'm thinking surely there is a way to post from my BB,right?

DC weighed 6lbs 8 oz and was 19". he's been in the NICU, but he's now breathing on his own, his mommy finally got to hold him, and now he just needs to put it altogether. like breathing when he eats and sleeps! he has a good bit of dark hair. he really looks like my bro's baby pictures. and he is so full of surprises!

LJ weighed 5lbs 10oz and was 18". he's such a precious baby! head FULL of hair!! he's so good,too! i'm hoping he will stay that way for them!

i've never known a love like this. i know that's a line from a song, and every time i think of them i think of that line because it's so true. i've always been told from friends of mine, "just wait until you're an aunt. it's the best job there is." and,they were right!

it's so amazing to see my brother as a daddy,too! i've always been amazed at the kind of husband he is too. sometimes he's all wonderful and helpful and other times, well maybe not so much. my poor SIL was very sick the day she had them. brother was very torn! sick wife, precious new baby needing to be taken care of, and one 2 floors below not breathing on his own and brother didn't really know just what was going on with him. on top of that, they were flooded for 3 days with so much company. brother enjoyed it though,and he has done a fantastic job! he's a wonderful daddy already!

i've got to get back to work, even though all i want to do is sleep! i'll update on other things later ...

Until later ....B

Last one ....

last one for the series of messages my pastor had shared with us. this one is about marriage. i hope you have enjoyed, and hopefully been blessed by these. these messages have really changed my mind set!

Family: An Endangered Species Part 5 - Marriage

"Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?" "Haven't you read,"he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become on flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together let man not separate." "Why then", they asked,"did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard, But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, expect for marital unfaithfulness,and marries another woman commits adultery." The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better to not marry."Matthew 19:3-10 NIV

• How can a man get out of marriage? there are no loop holes with God. instead of asking "how to get out of the marriage?" why not ask " what can God do to help us stay together permanently?
• Marriage in the eyes of God is not a contract, but a covenant! God doesn't break HIS promises to us, nor HIS covenants. we will not be blessed if we do so to HIM. contracts have a way out,usually. the only way out with God is a place of no peace and love, but forever torture and fire. my pastor asked this, "don't you want to be as close to HIM as you can be and have HIM in the center of your everything?"
• Only God can separate what HE has put together! i have mentioned in a few posts lately about friends of mine on both sides of adultery. the one who is married is holding on to everything possible to be back with her husband. she knows God, and knows that what her husband is doing is not God's will. she told me a few weeks ago,"I know this isn't God's will but HIS plan for us to be stronger." her faith isn't always this strong. she has her bad days; we all do. but i think of her everyday, and pray that God won't have to separate her and her husband.

i had to quickly summarize this one. i need to get back to work, but feeling the fresh air and cool breeze makes it so hard. i kind of wish i could do hair right here in the quite,fresh,calmness ...

UPDATE on life:

tuesday night, i worked late and ended up seeing crazy! aghhhhh! see post "past to present". everything went fine, or at least once i caught my breathe : )

tonight is family night at my house! i love my family, and tonight our extended family -T and her kids- are coming!

and we may find out today when the twins will be here! : )

also, maybe soon i'll have more info on the possibility of the tv show

until later, B

changes .....

wow! fall has arrived! i love to see the trees change,and my house! i got home yesterday from work, and my mom had started putting out all her beautiful fall decorations along with some candy corn and the pumpkins!

in my post "ive lost three things" i mentioned there was something coming up i sure wanted to loose more pounds for. well, im not sure if its really ok for me to tell you or not, but im thinking i dont have that many readers sooooo .......

i maybe on a reality tv show.

im not big on reality tv. i LOVE the biggest loser, split ends (my cousin,S, that i work with was on there 2 years ago), and shear genius. sometimes i watch dancing with the stars, but im over that now. i dont watch much tv,especially in the summer, but the fall and winter i add in some time for it.

as i said above, my cousin,S, was on the show Split Ends. he went to petaluma,california and joe hamer,platform artist, came to styles by beverly in new hope,al! im glad i wasnt there for filming then. im an outgoing person, but not as much as most think.

today we are possibly having a client film us working for a little while and take some pictures of us all in the shop doing what we do. S maybe the only one of the show, we dont know for sure yet. we dont even know the name of the show yet, just the entertainment company that called us up.

so, to all of my awesome clients out there, i maybe needing your help! ive been very inspired by meg on the weight loss, and i know prayers are going to need to be sent up! my prayer is that if we are chosen for another show, for God to use it for HIS glory, honor and praise! i dont want anything less. if God is not in it, then i pray it doesnt happen.

"HE said HE can move mountains, move my mountains, move your mountains too" were just words of a song im listening too. the song is "i have to believe" by rita springer. its an amazing song, and its giving me peace on this.

i'll try to keep you updated on the progress of the changes...

until later, B

p.s. the twins maybe here soon! please keep d&l and the babies in your prayers!

i'm slightly overwhelmed ...

yes, very much so, but not in a bad way. sometimes when i think im overwhelmed, i really mean im stressed out. today is different.

fall seems to be in the air! finally! it's the end of september, but i'm in sweet home alabama so i consider october fall. im currently at our family friends home typing this. and ive raised the window in the study, and wow! the breeze, fresh air,sunshine, blue sky, and the trees slightly turning colors has me in a mood to go dig out my precious, cute sweaters! well, maybe not that extreme yet. but seriously! we have had some serious rain this month. i almost thought we were back in april!

the month of september is a month of new on my calendar. i started in the salon where i currently am in september two years ago. our church year starts now too. also, something i thought i couldnt live without ended two years ago in this month.the ending didnt last long, the second week in october it came to a screeching stop though! lately ive been amazed,intoxicated even over God's plan for me. two years ago, i thought i had it all figured out. i didnt,thankfully.i had given sin the lead on my life. it may not have seemed that way to my family and friends, but that was all part of the devil's plan - deception. lies were told and believed. lies were revealed and relationships could have suffered more. please dont misunderstand me - i sin every day. in some way,somehow we all do. it makes me sick to know that about myself. what has me overwhelmed today about this trial i went through, is that God did prevail! i still am friends with the person who i hurt,and who hurt me. they always say they hurt me worse and more than my one time to them. a part of me knows thats true,but a part still wonders. i see now God had and still has something far greater than what i thought i had then. im overwhelmed today knowing HE loves me that much after i kept driving the nails in HIS cross deeper. (thats from an amazing song ive been hearing a lot).

im overwhelmed today also to know that the baby showers, births, wedding showers and weddings are almost over with! woohoo! i have two more weddings, no more wedding showers, one more baby shower, and am waiting the birth of my TWIN nephews and a few more babies this year. but this year is almost over with! we only have 94 days left this year! wow! that has me overwhelmed also!!! someone asked me last night at church after yet another shower, when the next one was. i nearly fainted,shouted for joy, and seconded guess myself when i said,"Probably March. We don't have anyone getting married before October next year so far, and we have some babies that will be here in April and May." the lady almost didnt believe me, and why would she when i couldnt believe it myself! this whole year has been a blur! im hoping with the change of fall, things will some what slow down. well, slightly,maybe ... i wouldnt want to get bored ... hahahaha!

also, im overwhelmed by a friend who i see hurting. something terrible has happened in their life,yet they arent letting go, which is only leading to more destruction. i just want to shake them, yell at them, and reassure them of the promises they shared with me two years ago. only, my situation wasnt nearly what their's is. in sunday school yesterday ( i helped teach 3-6 graders at my church), we studied the 10 commandments. the kids were so caught off guard that no one sin is worse than another. one girl said,"So if i tell a lie thats as bad as mr n(another teacher) killing miss britt?" yes, sweetie! only, lets not hope for that! haha! what my friend is going through is a road ive been on the other side of. this is a friendship that has been a part of my whole life. seriously. since i was a week and half old. we shared a playpen in sunday school. our parents have always been friends, and so forth and so on. im thinking this is something that is in for a huge change. im ready, or preparing, for it. not sure about them. i refuse to be lied to continuously and deceived.my God is bigger than that, and thats not something i want in my life.

my God is so big,loving,forgiving,and merciful that it simply makes me feel one way. Overwhelmed.

until later, B

a new kind of normal

back at the first of may, i attended a "women of joy conference" with about 40 something ladies from my church. it was a fun, spirit filled weekend. and the perfect getaway, because it was the weekend after my sisters wedding. my mom went too. i loved sharing that with her. before, i would have wanted to be run over the bus because my mom was there. i think that has to do with i'm the baby of the family, and you never feel like you have anything of your own, or privacy. i remember sis always wanting her precious privacy, and me always having to leave her alone (we shared a room). years later, she had moved back home, in my room, and i wanted privacy. did i get it? not so much ... so, anyways, back to the story ..... i had somewhat forgotten some of the things God showed me that weekend. one was something from a lady who had a terribly sad, yet uplifting testimony. her name is carol kent. please check her out ... she has a book titled "A New Kind of Normal". she talked about changes we have in life, and how as John 10:10 says, "we have life more abundantly".

when i first got back, my FB statues were always about loving my new kind of normal. it was hard for some people to grasp, but maybe that's why it was my blessing and not their's. so here's a few reasons that have given me a "new kind of normal" ...

• bro and his wife are having TWIN BOYS! i'm now going to be an aunt, for the very first time
• sister got married and moved out
• a co-worker left and opened her own shop
• changes at church
• God gave me some new areas to work in at church
• friends marrying (15 weddings in one year,so far!)
• friends having babies (21 babies in one year!)
• my parents are back at church with me!
• my best,kel, came back home for the summer
• my best, kel, moved back to college (3 1/2 hours away)
• my other best, mo, moved an hour away
• work has grown! woohoo!
• friendships have grown and some dissolved, or turned into something completely different
• and most importantly, God has given me so much peace, contentment, and happiness being single, and has shown me how to use my singleness for HIM, and HIM alone.

please, dont think of me as self-righteous. im simply thankful for what my Savior has done, and is doing. so for those of you who have ever asked,or wondered about "a new kind of normal" theres a glimpse.

when i have time to post again, i have something very interesting ..... stay tuned .... im not sure yet what details i can release, but i maybe needing you awesome clients of mine that God has so richly blessed me with to help me out!

until then .... B

ive lost 3 things ...

yes, that's right. i've lost three things, well maybe. yesterday yes, today just two. have you figured it out yet? it's nothing much, but its three pounds! i couldn't believe my eyes yesterday and this morning! it's not much, but for me that's not just a negative sign, it's a positive one. i don't know how really. i'm thinking it may something to do with i'm not eating out for lunch at one of these precious small town grease pits. i feel better too! today has just been a very exciting happy day. i've worked and now am on lunch. life is such a blessing! and i'm about to get to see my nephews! my sisnlaw went to the doctor yesterday, and it's very close to time! it's a little early, but it's twins. she's been awesome through it all! she's going to be a wonderful mommy! and my brother, oh wow! he's so excited! i can't wait to see him become the amazing father i know he's going to be! the three pounds aren't the only reason i'm so happy today; i'm usually a very happy person, and i love that about myself. i hope everyone else is having a great day and week! until later .... B

Family:an endangered species - part 4

i have promised to post about the series of messages my pastor has been preaching called "Family:An endangered species". My computer at home is still on the blitz, but I'm very thankful for some awesome family friends! They live about 2 miles from my beauty shop, and never had kids so they "adopted" my siblings and myself. I've had a key to their house for years,literally! So, I'm back to coming to their house and eating a lunch that's much healthier than what's around town to eat. and since i'm getting to do that, they love me so much they even upgraded their internet connection, so i'm using their computer or my crack, i'm sorry blackberry : ) but seriously, they love knowing i come and enjoy myself and my break from the shop. and i love them as if they were my aunt and uncle! i can't imagine my life without them! i mentioned in my post on "family:part 3" about a "deal" my family went through four years ago. i thought then i might loose these precious people, but my God is so much bigger than that! so here's to momma M and daddy S! thanks for always being there! teaching me how to drive even though i nearly flipped your car!, and for just being yall! and opening up your home to my family and me all these 16 years!

as promised .... PART 4 ....

"time .... your time matters to your family"
Psalm 1:1-12 **note; i'm not a very good typist, and need to get back to work so im sorry i don't have the time to type it. please, read it for yourselves.

TIME

• is precious! - the most precious thing you can give your family is your time! you can make more money,but you cant make more time! think of ways you misuse your time, when all along you could be using to spend quality time with your family. years from now, it wont matter because you chose to do this or that instead of being with your family, what matters more is the time spent and memories made.
• is purposeful - we live in a "time saver" world. instead of waiting until we get home to talk on the phone, we use our cell phones to talk, text, or email our family and friends. but where's the time youve "saved"? i love to shop, and i love to shop sales! i love to save money! but in the end, i never see the fruits of saving the money like my receipt says i did. ive never once been able to use my "saved" time. that's all because there's no such thing! you get 24 hours in one day, and that's all. have you ever found and been able to use "time saved"??
• must be a prioritized -my pastor used this simple demonstration. if you put water in a vase then add sand, some of the water is going to leave the vase. then if you add rocks to it, the water will come pouring out. we treat our lives like the water in the vase. the heavy stuff, the things that matter most like our families, when added to us, there's not much room. we should add the heavy things, like family, first then gone on to add the smaller things in life - the sand. if theres room left, then add the water. the water will then fill around whats already in place. how many times have our families been left out in our lives because we were too selfish?
• ought to be pleasurable - my whole life ive heard "God has a plan". HE does, yes! the awesome, yet sometimes hard part to grasp, is that HE is not going to reveal HIS plan beginning to end for us. HE alone knows, what life would we live if we knew the trials,pains,suffering,happiness,joys,and even deaths that our lives were going to bring? God wants us to use our time for HIM, our families,and then so forth. in the book of John, HE tells us that Christ came so that we may have life, and life more abundantly. i dont know how people can enjoy life and go through trials and tests without the love of Christ.
• eternity - have you ever made the choice where you want to spend the rest of your life? i dont mean here on earth either, but in a place where you will never sleep again. never work again. hell or heaven? if you have chosen heaven - i'll see you there!!!! if youve never chose, please email me! i would love to share with you how you will never be alone here on earth and will have a mansion bought and paid for on a road that's pure gold!

God bless! ~b~ "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

dare i ask, how much more ???

have you ever just thought, " i can't take much more!"? i try not to be a negative thinker or believer. i worked with a very negative person, and it would drain me of positivity. here lately though, i've began thinking, "really,Lord? something else? hmmmm ... ok ... hang on Lord ... i'm trying to prepare." i'm pretty sure God just laughs at me, but that's ok. because the one thing i forget when trials come, is HE knows how it's going to end. HE alone, knows the when,what, why, how,where, and fears that i'm about to have, going through, or have just come through.

last thursday (9/10) my uncle s, my dad's brother, fell and crushed his ankle. he had to have surgery and is on a "scooter" for the minimum of 6 weeks. i couldn't imagine! his wife said, "i really need time to prepare for this at the house." well, thats the funny thing about accidents. we don't plan them! thus why i hate accidents! well then, as if thats not that stressful. my unc, 72 year old precious,diabetic unc, fell off the second step of his ladder on my dad's job. he has 5 staples in head, concussion, severely bruised back,hips,arm,elbow,and shoulder -which they also found a tear in his rotator cuff. its been a week today. last night we found out he has some swelling on his brain. apparently its the good kind to have if you're going to have to have it. he and my aunt, their kids and grandkids and my dad (who is beating himself up over this) really stand in need of prayers! as many as possible would be awesome!

last night, i got a text message that said one of my mom's first cousin's husband, had been burned and med flighted to hunts hosp. thankfully, he is ok. in a lot of pain yes. but ok. he threw away an aerosol can and something in the trash caused it to explode. from HH they transported him to birmingham for treatment. they sent him home this morning. he has 1st and 2nd degree burn on his face, chest,and arms.

i have some dear church friends who have been going through something my family went through 4 years ago. this has me so worried. i know God has a plan, and a plan for good - see Jeremiah 29:11 -but its so hard to not loose hope. i know that if we do loose hope, that's when things will get worse! and on the other side of my pew,literally, i have a best friend that i've been feeling some separation between us. i started praying God would reveal to me what it was,and a solution. or maybe, a conclusion to our friendship of our whole lives. well, i'll be completely honest. i was not prepared for the answer i got from God! HE blew me away. it wasnt good news, but we're still friends. ive been studying in the book of Matthew,and the verse that says,"love your enemies" now stands out in a new way. God has really convicted me on how i need to pray to get through, and not just me but everyone involved, these trials. no, she's not my enemy. but satan and his ways are, and it almost cost me one of my bests, and its cost her too.

on top of that, i had to have my car in the shop. i have an old car, but i love her! i call her lola. love my lola! she's not much, but shes debt free! woohoo! really it was just routine stuff really. brake pads, rotors, oil change, then we had to get a bracket and sliding blots for a caliper -btw, that's something that helps your rotors work correctly!

so this week, has been some what better .. still wondering where God is heading with all these trials. i know in HIS time, i'll know. patience is a funny thing. it's something i lack, but yet had to teach about last night at church. patience. ugh. but ok, if it'll help, i'll give it a try ; )

i'm super excited about this weekend! ive been planning a surprise for the widows of my church since june. and guess what?! it worked! we're honoring them with a dinner: "A Night of Gold". i can't wait! i know God has something big in store for us all!

i hope everyone has a great weekend!

"The Lord your God is with you, HE is mighty to save. HE will take great delight in you, HE will quiet you with HIS love, He will rejoice over you with singing."Zephaniah 3:17

Family:An Endangered Species part 3

My computer is very sick, and old. sad news for it, is it's owner has given up on it. . . or just as soon as all the important stuff gets off of it, like my 1000 pictures!



anyways, here's PART 3! it has 10 points, but they are worthy, and no, my pastor's message was not long! if for some reason, you're new to britt's busy days, welcome first off! and secondly, this post is a continuation of my pastor's series of messages about family. as promised ... part 3 ....



"Whom will you and your family serve?"

"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

• 10 - Children are disciplined with love and consistency - "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him." Proverbs 22:15 now this doesn't mean go beating your kids. it means when you see them acting up, doing whats wrong - let them know! correct them! God, our Heavenly Father does that for us everyday! HE alone paid our debt for every little thing we do wrong. HE corrects us, loves us, and is consistent. HE doesn't just do it today, not tomorrow, and then picks back up next week. My parents did great on this ; )


• 9 - Money is managed wisely and discussed openly- i can remember asking for something near Christmas time once, and my precious mother said, "i'm sorry sweetie, i don't have the money. just wait til Christmas." my childlike faith replied,"but you have checks mommy". i remember my mother telling me all about checks and what they cost that day. lol! my precious mother is so patient. i'm so not like her lol! money is the root of all evil - GOD's word tells us that too. so don't talk to your family in a bragging way about what you have. make sure your treasures are stored up in Heaven - Matthew 6:19-21


• 8 - Everyone shares household tasks - "I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down." 2 Kings 21:13 yes! that's right ladies! GOD gives the men instructions,well and the women, how to wash dishes! i know some of my church family has been using this on their spouses and kids ; ) i know i'm single, and who am i to give marriage advice .. but im all about having a cleaned and an organized home. i do my part! i think it's very important for not just one person of a family to solely take care of the home. a home is made up of more than one person.


• 7 - The family has to learn to cope with adversity - adversity is something my parents despise of my siblings and me. oops! it happens, it shouldn't, but it does. it makes us humans. it should also make us closer to each other and GOD. a family that fights and uses angry words is not living according to GOD's plan.


• 6 - Family members laugh together - "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 - if your family cant' laugh with/at each other, there needs to be some searching. laughter, a smile even, can change a person's whole day! laugh, enjoy your family. you only have them for a little while ....


• 5 - Each person is treated with respect and kindness - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as CHRIST GOD forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 - this is something my parents have preached at us kiddos, because, if we're all honest, it's fun to argue with your siblings. ok, maybe not fun, but it happens. it shouldn't but it does. it does mainly because your family are the people who are going to love you no matter what! they know exactly how, when, why and what will push your "buttons". unconditional love is the love families should have for each other. and we should let them know it. not just by telling them, but by showing them.


• 4 - Time for family activities is a priority - ive had friends tell me i wouldn't understand having a difficult family life because i have the perfect one. that's a lie! no one is perfect! my family is not, your's is not! i remember my dad forgot "doughnuts for dads" when i was in the 5th grade. when my mother reminded him, you would've thought he had been beaten!i got a cat, ellie mae, out of the deal. and no, getting a cat -who both my dad and i were highly allergic too - didn't make me feel loved by my dad. it was the only thing i can think of he missed in my life. i don't know what it's like to have the ride the school bus, or go to practice without one of my parents taking me. my family still makes time for each other every thursday night for family night. it's a night i highly cherish! it's truly a God given gift! my family is NOT perfect! maybe later i will share some things, and the "thing" that still hangs over us to get us to where we are today. but know this. we are who we are because of WHOs we are! (ok, so that part wasn't exactly part of the message but it applies)
• 3 - The Family eats and talks together - ok, so i kind of included 4 & 3. but it's so amazing,especially now since we got a huge! dining room table, to sit at the TABLE! yes, that big,thick, heavy piece of wood with four legs on it - and talk with your family over dinner. it's something my family has always tried to do. we were a very busy family, and it didn't always happen. it's always been a big deal to mom, super cooker ; D, so when she realized how crazy we were all becoming - my sisters senior year of high school, we started having breakfast together every single morning! sometimes it would be just cereal. but we prayed together, talked, ate, laughed, argued, sometimes even cried. mornings i will never forget ...
• 2 - Love is expressed everyday - it is so very important to daily tell those you love, that you love them. i fail at this daily. i take it for granted that my parents know this. every morning when i leave for work, i holler to my mom, "bye mom." she always replies, "bye sweetie, have a good day, be careful!" now, after this message we're adding "i love you". i love that my parents love me unconditionally, just as our Heavenly Father does. "Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:8
• 1 - Jesus Christ is the glue of the family! - if CHRIST is not the center of your family, i pray you will allow HIM to be! without HIM, we are nothing. my family would have been destroyed years ago without HIM. HIS mercy,grace, forgiveness, and love is much more than amazing!

hope you enjoy! God bless

"God , who has called you into fellowship with HIS Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthian 1:9

FAMILY

ok ... so my computer is on the total blitz ... kel or t won't be surprised by that : ) i think that's a great christmas present idea for either my parents or myself : ) i had this blog all typed out last wednesday and it didn't post! i just realized that! yikes! so, as i posted in a previous blog - past to the future - my pastor has been preaching an awesome series of messages entitled:FAMILY:an endangered species. in the previous post i summed up part 1 - how to build a 3-d marriage. todays' post will be part 2 and 3 if this computer will allow

FAMILY:An endangered species PART 2 "Do you read me? .... Over"

"My dear brothers, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19

*Listen Intently - there are steps of listening. you may hear all day long, but to listen is different.
process the information, give your feeback (only if needed) and then continue.
"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4:23

it's so hard for me to just listen sometimes. if you know me, as i'm sure 99% of my readers do, you know i love to talk and have good conversation. listening is part of conversation,and it's the part of conversations with my Savior i fail most. i'm working on that ...

*Speak Carefully, but honestly!
Proverbs 13:3 - "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly wil come to ruin.
this part was not from my pastor, but from my mom. she has always "preached" to me to "think before you speak". she would always remind me that i didn't like to have my feelings hurt, and so i shouldn't want to hurt anyone else's feelings. so thinking before i speak should solve that problem, right? well, this is something I've dealt with a very long time. the above verse, literally made me speechless ... and people say miracles don't happen : )

Proverbs 24:26 "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips"
my pastor had fun with this one LOL! if you only could know him! he's precious! a jolly, grandfather, retired police captain. he's so in love with his wife and he told the joy of kissing his wife on the lips ; ) it was sweet but hilarious!

but as mom and pastor have preached - think before you speak. just think of the problems that could be solved in any relationship if we just did that simple task?!

*Avoid Angry words - "angry words have wrecked more homes than tornadoes and termites" bro richard

that statement is funny, but so true! he talked about how married people will say, "well next time around i'm marrying someone who makes more money,cooks more, does this, does that, and so on and so forth. the problem is, divorce is a sin. saying things like that to your spouse, a friend, co worker and etc will nearly ruin any relationship

Proverbs 15:18 "A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel."
Proverbs 16:32 "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper that one who takes a city." - how bout WOW to that last verse! patience is something i struggle with. my mom says i'm like my dad, a bull in a china shop. sometimes i just need things to get done,and if something gets broke that i don't need at the moment, ok. then when i need it, uh oh!

I never got to know my mother's mom. ive heard wonderful stories about her, and frankly i wonder if i would be a different person if i had grown up around her. i don't think i would be. where i work now, is my mom's home town. people still remember her. the thing about her death is she's been gone since my mom was 15! that was 35 years ago the end of july! how crazy is that?! she was 41 when she passed away, so she's nearly been gone as long as she was alive. my mom's cousins say mom is a lot like her. quiet, kind, compassionate, a true woman of God. and i'll add an excellent cook, especially the mac and cheese right girls?! ;) One saying my mom has passed form her mom to her kids is this:"If you squeeze all the toothpaste out of the tube, can you put it back? no. that's just like words out of your mouth. once they're out. they're out!"

so, i challenge you, and myself, to listen intently; speak carefully, but honestly, and avoid angry words to those you have any kind of relationship with. show them love and compassion. and if you really are leaning on Christ, patience.

i'll post part 3 later ... just as Mary, the mother of Jesus, ponder the thoughts of HIS birth in her heart ... hopefully this has given you something to ponder

getting better ...

i appear to be getting better at this blogging business! for some reason, i'm sure it's a pure operator error, i can't get blogger to work on my black -aka crack- berry. if so, man what the blog would have on it! lol! small town and daily "trials". which everyone has, even if they don't admit it.

sister used to blog everyday. most days were about her random dramas. i always have said two things -#1:"God looks out for stupid people!" and yes, i'll admit i'm one of those. i'm not excluded! and #2:"if you allow drama to be a part of your life and follow you, it will." i HATE drama! i'm over high school, and for that matter pretty much hated high school. SBA -my cosmetology school - had it's own drama too. everywhere does. i just strive to stay away unless it's going to harm me. in my last post - past to the future - (meg, i need to know how to link this kind of stuff please :] ) i informed everyone of some small town drama where i work. nothing bad has happened, but i still have my guard up. the new is bound to wear off and the crazy that's been dormant will appear. i pray i'm not around when it does. so that's an little update.

i had the great idea to keep sharing on what my pastor has been preaching a series of messages on: " Family: an endangered species." i started with week one in my post - "just when you think ... it all changes". in that post is where he preached about "how to build a 3-d marriage." well, he's had 2 messages on the subject since. i'm hoping for 2 posts with that ... check back tomorrow b/c i'm off! woohoo! sorry had to plug in my off day : )

well, as earlier stated, sister sometimes would post her "soap box" ... this is going to be one of those posts starting now ....

when i finally got up this morning, i turned on my tv. usually i listen/watch music videos. i got an amazing book by the most fabulous christian fiction author ever! Karen Kingsbury,sunday. i was so sad to put my book down at about 1130 last night, and was so excited to read it this morning while listening to the music. well, i'm a HUGE music lover, so the music was diverting my thoughts away from the book. i then decided to turn it to "the today show". bad mistake! now, if you're a facebook fan of mine, you've probably seen somewhat of this "soapbox" today on my status! the dugger family was on for the brief, and i do mean brief, time i watched/listened. meredith vierra said." so you have an announcement for us huh? let me guess ... you're getting a puppy?" lettme insert here .... you could tell by the expression on MV's face (who i loved and was an easily read and always up for good arguments on the view) that mrs dugger was pregnant. now for those of you who have been hiding under a rock; the dugger family has 18 kids and counting - literally all her and her one and only husbands. they have a tv show on tlc. which i'm sure is helping pay for the huge house, the several washing machines/dryers etc etc etc. not only do they have 18! kids, but the oldest one is married, and she's expecting a girl in oct. welp, the duggers are indeed pregnant with baby #19.

As i have previously posted, i've had lots of invites to baby showers, weddings and bridal teas this year. more so than ever. i love children! i even went out to eat sunday with 2 couples that are friends of mine from church with their 4 kids. i loved it! and so did the parents and kids! i think i was the one with the lack of adult conversation, but that was great with me! i'm against abortion. i'm not sure if ive ever posted this or not, and i'm sure to most readers, this is something you already know. i'm a PK - aka preacher's kid. i love every minute of it! i love my God, His son Jesus, more than i love myself or anyone else for that matter! life is a gift from God. i'm also a very honest, blunt, outspoken kinda gal too. plain talk is easily understood. i don't believe in abortion for any reason. i'm also, no one's judge. if you want to have 19 kids. ok with me. even if i don't know you, but know this about you, i'm going to pray for you. and your child. my bff that just had a baby was very concerned about birth defects and shes only 24. this lady is in her 40s. she's about to be a grandmother! i've never really watched the show, but i do know the older kids take care of the younger kids. i pray this baby is healthy,and mom is too. after all, she has 18 other kids to take care of. i cant wait to have a family of my own one day. i say now, that i would love to have anywhere from 2-4 kids, but probably just 3. 3 is a great number of kids to have. i want mine fairly close in age too. i just think after 18 kids, a grand baby on the way, your inching closer to 50 every day, when are you going to stop having kids? maybe i'm just talking crazy. anyways, thanks for reading my soap box.

past to the future

This summer has nearly been a blur! at the beginning of the year i had your typical "new year" post, "Time", i said i was going to list goals. well, this year has been so crazy with sister's wedding,;14 other weddings/showers; best friend,SIL and 14 other friends having babies/showers; church - which included 2-a-day vacation Bible school where i taught 5-6th graders both sessions; dentist appointments galore!; and oh yeah! there was work! the goal thing slipped my mind! there really is a lot i would like to vent about, feelings and such, on certain matters/events, but i'm hearing my dad's voice in my head:"everyone posting all their business on the WORLD WIDE WEB is ridiculous, and it's causing all sorts of problems." so, as we so often have to do, i'll admit he's right. on this at least ...

i love my job! it never feels like work, i wish i was busier (especially in august) every day i was there. i love my schedule most weeks. i'm off on sunday and wednesdays. however, some mondays i'm so exhausted that i want to scream,cry and hide in my bed. but then i think that's everyone's view on monday. right?! well, earlier in the summer, all sorts of drama broke out at work. and not within the salon; literally outside the salon. i HATE drama! Sister's blog is usually about random drama, and she says it follows her. i always say, "it's because you allow it." anyhow this is going to sound like one of her posts. love you sister! so .....

here's the story all about how my life got twisted and turned upside down. i'd like to take a minute sitting right down telling you about how a streaker,pyro maniac got bailed out!

(sorry fresh prince of bel air's song always gets stuck in my head when telling a drama filled story)

Friday, June 5 was a beautiful,sunny, summer day. i had a full day at work, and needed to get leave early. a couple from my church was in the process of moving to another state for his residency,and we were having a " going away" dinner for them that evening. also, on my oh-so-busy calendar, was doing the fruit for my BFF's baby shower. the baby shower wasn't until the next day, but i'm a hairstylist - thus i work nearly every saturday - i had to work, run home grab the fruit, change clothes, and drive to her house. that left no time for preparing it all on saturday. so my plan on friday was work,walmart,home,dinner,back home to prepare the fruit. i was thinking that i would have a few hours home before time to leave for the dinner. how wrong was i?!

at work, as i'm finishing up 2 new clients, i look out my window (which is huge) and see our landlord's "girlfriend" (who i will refer to as crazy S) in the parking lot and noticed she was barefoot. it's early summer in alabama, don't walk on pavement barefooted! i also was thinking to myself, what is she wearing? brown capris and a brown top? as i was finishing styling my client's hair,B, the owner of the shop comes running in. she's not a drama queen. she's a matter of fact kind of gal. she yells! "i need your keys and now!!!!!" so i go running to our room and get her my keys so she can lock us in the shop. while i'm on my way to do that she says,"Crazy S is mad, nude, and headed for us!" as soon as the door was locked here comes crazy S! sure enough! the only thing she had on was an ankle bracelet! the brown outfit i thought she was wearing was just her skin! she could have been a great model for her tanning salon.hahaha. after she nearly breaks down our glass doors, cusses out B,me and my clients (who i had never even met until that day) she goes running out to the main street in front of our salon. during "rush hour" all nude and trying to get run over. finally, she goes back to her home. which, shock shock! is only across the street from our salon. she ended up being arrested, but was out after 24 hours. so the next week, we were working with our guards up. thursday evening crazy s gets drunk. no real harm done then. apparently all weekend she continued getting drunk. her daughter told landlord she passed out monday morning. and her poor daughter was trying to protect us, so her mom beat the crap out of her. well, monday night crazy S woke up. she had been given a yellow mustang by landlord the 1st time they were together. after their break up he took it back, and had it parked under an awning of his barn, where b's show horses are. well crazy s lit the car on fire. she was arrested. broke the window out of the police car,escaped,arrested again. luckily for b and her horses. the local FD was coming back off a call and saw the smoke before getting the call, and had the fire out oh so quickly. she goes to jail, and was there from early in the morning on june 16 until yesterday! and landlord,who is beyond stupid apparently, bailed her crazy tail out. she now resides behind the salon. in her statement about the fire she threatened our salon, the barn and horses, and landlord. lets just say this is one thing that doesn't have me happy!

this should be interesting. i'm hoping the interesting part will be that she has changed,and we will be in no danger. guess time will tell ................

now on to getting some things on my long to-do list off!

just when you think ... it all changes

Last week was crazy! there were bright spots - baby LJ was born tuesday morning!mom,dad, and baby are doing great! he's precious! i'm in love! had a great dinner and time with meg. had a shoe shopping trip thrown in after some yummy dinner. can't argue with that!!! the devil had really been throwing alot at me,not just me but my church family,my family and friends - and frankly i had had enough. thus why i wasn't much on blogging about it.

God has a plan. He always has,He always will.thats the awesome part abot God. nothing is ever to little,big,complicated,simple,or inconvient for HIM. i'm so thankful i'm His child!

don't get me wrong. i have been blessed with amazing parents and have been loved up with their unconditional love my whole life! but there's just something aobut HIM!

sunday,my pastor preached the most awesome message! and buddy! it was needed for many reasons and for many people,me included. his message was "How to build a 3-D Marriage". His points were simple,and even though i'm single (and buddy, did the devil remind me all message long of this) i think it applies for any relationship. for husbands and wives, parents and children, friend to friend, and God and HIS children. here's the points ...
#1 - Dialogue daily. - i have this down pat,but not like i should with the One i need to .. ouch!
#2 - Date regulary. - take time out and devote time away from text meassages,facebook,blogger,tv,so on and so forth ....
#3 -Devote ourselves. - God revealed to me last year,about this time last year actually, that singleness is a gift from HIM. it's not a curse, but a blessing. and what a blessing it is!

tonight, i was sitting in a lady's meeting at church, and got a great text message --- some friends from church found out today they are pregnant! funny thing is, God laid it on my heart several weeks ago. i shared that with her, and she said i shouldve shared that before tonight :) it's baby #3 for them. and a huge surprise! i was a huge surprise for my parents too! i started thinking after that message,just what an awesome God He is! and i think i feel in love with my church family even more. i didn't think i could love them more, but it's happening.

i've also been given the opportunity to "pay it forward" as one of the ladies put it. i can't wait! it's for something extra special in october! as soon as i got home from the meeting, i told my dad what it was,and we had a very special moment of rememberance from when we were on the other side of this ministry. i'm praying now for what HE wants done ....

sorry if i rambled. but my heart is so much happier tonight than it was last week. i'm so thankful!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

a wedding,a baby shower and a birth

ok .... so i'm getting a little better keeping this updated! yay me!

so i finally had a "real" weekend. you know ... a saturday and sunday off together? woohoo! i was so excited, until i barely slept friday night. although saturday was interesting. it was crazy really. i went that morning to my church and cleaned,reorgainzed,and set up for my SIL's baby shower. i love babies! which is a good thing considerin i'm about to be an aunt to twins. not sure if i've mentioned that lately ;) haha! when i finished up there, i literally flew home, showered and got ready of so quickly and went to a friends wedding. poor couple, the a/c broke that morning. my mom's and my seat was a nice one,and wasn't to hot. thank God! he is one of the first boy friends - like a friend thats a boy kind of friendship - i had. i called him d-dot b/c he used to spell his name "k-y-l-e- d-dot". welp, he's a happily married man,and it was a beautiful wedding. mom and i didn't get to go to the reception b/c i had things to get done at home for the shower.

so sunday came in and took us all on a ride! i got up early,got ready, went to church, finished up preparing the fruit for the shower, and then we had an amazing,wonderful,glorious, spirit filled service! so awesome! we were dismissed,and then it kind of got crazy trying to figure out what needed to be done,when, and by who. then i think ..."hmmmm .... i wonder if any of the hostesses/family has needed me and my phone's been on silent?" i check my phone ..... my poor sister! long story short ... she missed the shower,although she cooked her part of the food, and spent the entire day into the night in the ER! she's ok; they found out what was wrong and sent her home. my poor dad sat in the waiting room forever. he maybe sick after waiting there! ugh the germs in an er! meanwhile, SIL and my bro were literally "showered" with gifts! the twins are nearly set! woohoo! we went over there tonight. their room is so sweet! and man at the laundry that has to be done, and they're not even here yet!

and then there's today. i shouldve just taken off work. i have felt worse than crap today to be frank. but the plus side, i guess you could say, i got to work with my best guy friend,dg, that recently got married also. his poor wife got sick the last night on their moon. the docs thought she had swine flu. thankfully, she didn't. working with him happens every 6 weeks or so. he only does his family's hair at our shop. which can and can not be so nice. i love his family, but today his booking got off and it was crazy! or maybe it seemed that way to me b/c i felt so bad. anyways, i took my dad lunch. that made me feel some better, then ended up just leaving. i love my job. tomorrow i will be making up for it though. but that's ok! b/c i get to have dinner at my fav place - pf changs - with one of my fav friends! meg! yay!

of then theres tonight - my bff since kgrade should have been induced into labor tonight! so baby LJ should be here soon! oh how i can't wait! poor BFF has been preggers since like Nov it seems!

i'm glad i have lots going on this week to keep my mind off of 2 of my bests going back to college. one doesn't live that far away,just not convient enough, and the other one, kf, is 3 1/2 hours away: ( she's on vacay this week, and i'm missing her already! i needed her this weekend. shes an awesome friend, but then again, i have so many awesome friends i couldn't pick just one favorite! thank you,Lord, for your blessings on me