month of birthdays!

so, at the beginning of the month, i was reflecting on this past year - the first year of being an aunt and the twin nephews turning one - i had this great idea to have a special post for my granny, grandaddy, and mom who all have birthdays this month too. let me add here, there are over 20 people in my family that have october bdays. the month has went WAY to fast! and the twins are the only ones that got the special posts.

so here's to my mom: thank you for your unconditional love, guidance, letting us try things and if we liked them you supported us and if we didn't you supported us with that too, for teaching us about our Savior, loving our father, showing us what a wife, mom, christian lady should be like, act like, dress like, have fun like, and cook like : ) oh the wonderful meals you prepared for us when there was no grocery money! Thank you for always teaching us to be thankful to the One who had provided. You are the most selfless person i know! i wonder how much bday, christmas, mother's day money and other monetary gifts you've been given that you spent on groceries and bills rather than yourself. i'll never forget one night during a revival. you had a pew full of some of the rowdiest kids from that town. all kids respond to you so well, and respect you! amazing! and these kids were no exception. the preacher called for an offering to be took. everyone was caught off guard and started searching for money. you emptied your change purse to all the kids on the pew so they wouldn't be left out. you had no cash in your purse and we were going through a tough money time. i forget the message that was preached that night, but i know you remember it. i'll never forget the look on your face when that preacher handed you the offering plates and the offering was for you. the amazing, forgotten, looked over, loving, caring, teaching, praying, sweet, stern, humble preacher's wife. i can't imagine how much you miss your mom. i can't imagine my life without you, and yet you lost yours at such a young age and survived. thank you for all that you have done. for the times you taught us, "along with privilege comes responsibility"; "always cover public toilet seats and never flush them with your hands"; "i brought you into this world i can take you out"; "apologize when you do something wrong or hurtful. we know you're sorry, now apologize"; and "love your brother and sister. be thankful they're still here."

i know i've been a challenge. thank you for the countless hours of prayers on my behalf, the rides from tap.ballet, tee ball, softball, voice, piano, band, SGA (middle and high school) meetings, church and those activities, all the school meetings/activities, shopping trips, doctor visits, and etc. i don't know how you kept up! yes, i do. you had a 2 year planner in your hands at all times! i'll never forget the "brittany" back to school shopping day. lunch,shopping and an activity of my choice with just you. sweet times. all the amazing christmases - food,decorations, gifts and their assemblies and set ups before we woke up on christmas day. thank you for always helping through the trials my weight has caused me through the years. thank you for your sense of humor and "julia sugarbaker" way of getting things said.

thank you doesn't do it justice, but thank you.
i love you,mom! happy birthday! (even though now this is belated)

Busy B

isn't it ironic

Don't ya think?

Life that is ....

Well, lately that's been the best way to sum up my life - ironic!

3 years ago,at an annual event in the town I work in,my heart was crushed and broken. This year,at the same event, I laughed,talked,and enjoyed spending time (even sent a text to see if they were coming) with my friend dg and his wife. Yes! That's right! Same person who helped break my heart,I stood there happily talking to not only him,but his wife. Funny how life changes.

Then the following weekend,the three of us at our salon went to a hair show a few hours away. We had a wonderful time. I got to be a model for Deva Curl (the life saving products for my crazy curls) and an hour and half later,I have a new hair cut and lots of new products to try. But before I made it to the deva stage,I heard someone call my name. I thought I had just seen someone I knew,but wasn't sure.

You see,this person has the same name as me,only spells it differently,and is part two of my heart break. The night I met her was terribly awkward,and only something you think happens in movies or tv,not real life. You know the scene where this guy makes an introduction like this: "Britt meet Britt.Britt meet Britt." Stranger Britt says,"hey! I've heard SO much about you!". Me,"really?! Because I've heard nothing about you!" In a breathless,smiling,nervous,devastated way.

Well,the voice that said,"I've heard so much about you" was the same one calling my name at the hair show 2 hours away from where we both live. Apparently she now is a hair stylist too (her place of work makes this more ironic,but I don't think I need to post that info),and recently married.

She was there with a friend from work and this is how she introduced me to her,I kid you not! "This is the other Britt.His (a lil exaggerated here) other Britt." Really?!?!? Seriously?!?! The friend said,"Ooooohhhh. Nice to finally meet you."

Awkward! But really?!?! Seriously?!?! That's how she introduced me??? I thought maybe my mind was playing tricks on me,but bev and SA heard it too. They were laughing,and I was in shock!

So now, dg and his wife seem to be popping up everywhere around me. I even got a last minute invitation to his family birthday dinner this weekend. "My family would love to hang out with you again.us too of course." Yeah.ok. How bout I don't and say I didn't! Then on a fb post of mine he actually asked what I was going to be doing the next night - ummm,yeah you don't get to know that info.

There's another friendship post I'm needing to vent about,and try to work through.For now,I need my life to not be so awkward or ironic. I've always like that song,but never thought my life could reflect it so much.

Isn't it ironic,don't ya think?

Hoping yours isn't ironic,
Britt

who knew

that your parents were really smart people? who knew that the saying, "time flies", really seems true. who knew what it was going to be like as an adult when you were 18-21? or 25 for that matter.

who knew friendships could be so hard, change so much, matter more than anything, or matter not so much.

i have a good many friends. i have very few best friends. there's a difference!

three years ago this past summer i would have told you i had 8 best friends - sis, kel, 5 other gals (i won't listed names for several reasons) and my guy friend, dg.

i'm amazed at how life changes.

3 years ago my heart was broken,and at a time that it just sucked to be broken! not that i think there is ever a good time for a heart break, but in my mind i could've thought of a different time.  there's been an "anniversary" of such heart break, and it's almost ironic this year. this is a true answer to prayer. i had forgotten. I HAD FORGOTTEN! my true, best friends (the 3 of you there really are), well tell you i have a crazy, good memory! i can remember outfits from years ago, and the boring list of non important memories will end there. i could hardly believe i had forgotten! i'm thankful for the forgetfulness. it really is an answer to prayers!

i've said it before, and i'll say it again. when you pray for something, you have to have the faith and believe that God will answer - the way you think it should be or not - He will answer. and, on His time, not yours or mine. that's the part that always gets me!

dg is now happily married for over a year. they have recently moved to the town i work in,and our paths are crossing more. it's funny,odd, yet comfortable.our whole friendship changed because God needed it too. i needed it too. once i was told that girls and boys, of any age, could never really be "just friends". i think "they" were right, in a sense. there's a fine line that has to be drawn. there's so much i still have bottled up about it all. good news is, it's not the heart break of loosing a wonderful friend. it's what i learned from my experience.

i think that's one of the most important life lessons - know who you are, why you are, what you believe in and stand for it, and learn from everything! the good,bad and/or ugly! learn from it! move on! and grow!

over the last few years, my life has changed. my family has changed. God has given me a new church home, place of work, gave me and taken away friendships, and added and taken away from my family.

work is going great! the nephews are all so amazing and words can not describe the joy they bring me daily!!!

but friendships? lately that front has been ridiculous! one day one of them was there,like they had been for the last seven years, then gone! poof! gone! yet, now they're maybe back.

then there's one that has been there for over twenty years (wow! i thought i would be in my 30s before i said that sentence!) who seems to be gone too. i just realized a few weeks ago how long it's been since i've even heard her voice.

there once was an insurance company who's slogan was, "life comes at you fast." their advertising folks were so honest!


life is different. life is good. life is crazy. life is busy. life is fast. life is slow. life is changing everyday.
 
Reflecting on life and the lessons it gives/tries me with,
Britt

life....

has been seeming like a broken record lately. is that something that happens when you become an adult?

this pretty much sums up my life - work (mon-tues,thurs-sat), church (wed nights sunday am and pm), and the rest of the time its the added extras of being my own boss, other church work, and family things. the last time i went out was a month ago. i was so exhausted! here's a quick glance at what that one day held for me (not that you really care; i just need to vent) :


woke up, got ready, go to a church(luckily close to my house), started "wedding hair" for a friend/client's wedding at 630 am, did 7 more do's fixed 3 others, and left at noon, drove to the town i work in, cut the twin nephews hair, went home (30 min drive), got ready for the wedding quickly, remembered to grab half a sandwich, went to the wedding, ate a piece of cake as i was leaving (seriously, ate while walking out), home, craft show and dinner with sisnlaw and kel, home again.

that what i did that last time i actually "went out". yep! i think i need a night out! maybe that will fix somethings. i had lots of fun that day, please don't get me wrong! and i slept great that night!

it's just like my life has NO normalcy anymore! i haven't had the want-to for a lot of things. had the "had - to's", so i did those.

i do struggle with saying the word "no", and managing my time. i had really gotten good at it, or so i thought.

good news? i am going to dinner and a movie tomorrow night with liz. that's got me excited! just a night to have fun, laugh, maybe shop for something for me to wear at the hair show im going to sunday ..... oh crap! what to wear?! - sorry for the blurp there - and maybe a venting session if i need one!

and as much as i love my family, i'm kinda hoping there won't be any conversation of them. just what's been going on with us, and have some fun!

Sorry for the rant.

Enjoying the fall colors,
Britt

bitter sweet day

yesterday was my precious granny's 73rd bday! she's my dad's mom. my mom's mom passed away in 1974. she was very young, and i miss her every day.

yesterday also would've been my mom's dad, my granddaddy's, 84th bday. so, thus the bitter sweetness of the day.

i'm very close to my granny and papa. i often wonder would i be closer to my grandmother and grandaddy had i been given the chance?

but, that's a whole other post in its self!

so here's to my granny!

the sweet, gossiping, praying, cleaning, cooking, practical, helpful, laughing lady who i love beyond words!
the wife who has spoiled my papa the last 55 years. it's so cute to hear you two call each other "baby", "honey", and such. thanks for setting such an example on faith, family, marriage, and life! i hope to never settle; just like you've asked ; )
hope you enjoyed your dinner with the family and the yummy cake : )

thanks for everything you've always done, do, and will do!

i love you, Granny!

Love,
Britt

happy 1st bday LJ!

the day is finally here. the twin nephews are one! oh! how time flies when you're having fun! i decided to write them both a "letter" to half way express my love for them and wish them a very happy first birthday! so here's LJ's

Nephew LJ,

you're my oldest nephew! i loved you the minute i heard your dad's voice say: "now, you can't tell anybody, and i do mean you can't tell a soul! but we're pregnant!" i was at a baby shower at church! i wanted to run and tell everyone! i actually went into the sanctuary right quick and prayed for you. and then God laid on my heart that there might be more than just one. and only He could have known that for sure then. He formed you about 4 weeks prior to the call. so, i didn't tell anyone until it was "safe" to tell. and i laugh when i think of that day, because i had just been part of a conversation about babies - seeing as i was at a baby shower and surrounded by other moms-to-be or those wanting to be a mom-to-be, and they were all asking how your parents journey was going. oh! how after the phone call with your dad i wanted to tell them God had blessed and your mom was expecting!

Then, a week or two later, we got a real good picture of your little bean looking self, and the other one!

the months between then and when you debut went by fast! it was so much fun planning for you two to get here!

then you came.

you were short, pink, head full of dark hair, and screaming to the top of your lungs! you were amazing! my heart has never known love like this. seriously. the first time i got to "meet" you, your wonderful mommy was holding you, and she got sick, so grandma got to hold you quickly while i helped your mom. different ones past you around, and then it was my turn. as the words of one of my favs says,"and oh, the joy that floods my soul! something wonderful happened and now I'm whole". grant it, that song is about God's salvation, but something wonderful happened when i held you first,and then the million plus times since then!

No one could ever complete your younger, not little, brother than you! it's amazing to see the bond you two have! i love hearing you two squeal and jabber at each other. its really funny to see you two see the gates are down here at grandma's. you two jabber something at each other and then off you go in two separate ways! i love seeing y'all eat and talk like two little old men : )

there have been so many "firsts" with you and your twin for me as an aunt. i have loved each one of them. even the poopy diapers : )

so here's a glimpse of some firsts of millions : )

if you and i had a dollar for every time i've kissed those sweet chubby cheeks of your's, well, your college would be paid for already! hahaha!

your smile, eyes, cheeks, hands and feet and everything else about you i love.

i loved the first time you reached for me, and for all the times since then. it make my heart skip a beat when you whine and crawl to me so i'll pick you up.

i love hearing you say,"hey".

i love when you bring my face to your slobbering little mouth and you give me "kisses".

i don't really love that you pull my hair, but i love those little hands : )

i think it's funny that no one wears jewelry around you and your brother but me. so a few pieces have been broken. no biggie : ) it usually has been able to be fixed.

i remember the first time i got to hold you and DC together! oh, the sweetness! it was grandma's 51st bday get together - bama beat tennessee in a close game! and bama had the most amazing moment to win it - they block a field goal. it was a precious day!
you were one of the cutest little tigers i've ever seen on halloween!

i'll never forget that your parents trusted me to keep you the first time your mom went back to work. she had decided to tough it out and stay all day until she got the phone call i had made your bottles wrong. i made you two boys a little sickly, but no one was made as sick or hurt and upset as i was!

i love how you melt my big brother's heart.

i love to see you walk and crawl.

and that little face you and your brother do - funniest thing ever!

i love that you love to be loved on and snuggle some too.

i love that you lost all your hair, and that when it grew back it was blond and you have a double crown. which for a long time, your hair stuck up everywhere, more than any one place.

i love that you and your brother love to be read, Oh the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do.

i think i know it by heart. it was the first book i ever bought you two, and wow! it's been put to good use!

i love how mischevious you are now. you seem so carefree about life. oh the lessons to be learned by you!


i love and enjoy getting to give you a bath! you're one of the funniest babes i know,LJ!

i loved getting to cut your first hair cut. you were perfect! you didn't cry, but i was holding back tears!


i loved your first bday party! you were ready to party! the mess you made in your cake was precious. if you only knew what a good cake you wasted ; )
i love you!

LJ, you have changed my whole life. thank you. you are a sweet, crazy, wild, fun, wonderful little boy. if you grow up to love me half as much as i love you, i hope you have one really big healthy heart!

Happy first birthday LJ!
Thanks for changing my life!

Love,

Aunt Britt

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY LJ!!!!!!!

happy 1st bday DC!

the day is finally here. the twin nephews are one! oh! how time flies when you're having fun! i decided to write them both a "letter" to half way express my love for them and wish them a very happy first birthday! so here's DC's





Nephew DC,

you're my second born nephew! i loved you the minute i heard your dad's voice say: "now, you can't tell anybody, and i do mean you can't tell a soul! but we're pregnant!" i was at a baby shower at church! i wanted to run and tell everyone! i actually went into the sanctuary right quick and prayed for you. and then God laid on my heart that there might be more than just one. and only He could have known that for sure then. He formed you about 4 weeks prior to the call. so, i didn't tell anyone until it was "safe" to tell. and i laugh when i think of that day, because i had just been part of a conversation about babies - seeing as i was at a baby shower and surrounded by other moms-to-be or those wanting to be a mom-to-be, and they were all asking how your parents journey was going. oh! how after the phone call with your dad i wanted to tell them God had blessed and your mom was expecting!



Then, a week or two later, we got a real good picture of your little bean looking self, and the other one!


And I knew then, we were in for a treat! a special God given treat!
the months between then and when you debut went by fast! it was so much fun planning for you two to get here!


then you came.




you were bigger than your older brother, not a lot of hair and weren't a happy baby! you were amazing! you were also having problems breathing. the doctors had prepared your parents that you and your brother would probably have to go to the NICU. you did, and LJ didn't. we all had hurting hearts. ask kel if you don't believe that my heart didn't break. we don't like to talk about it, or think about it. we're not ashamed of it,or you - it's just not who you are now. you were there 18 days. that's a very short time compared to most babies in there. you were so much bigger than the preemies in there; it didn't seem fair. but God had a plan! no matter what life may hand you, remember this: God has a plan. and a plan to prosper you not to harm you. it doesn't mean life will always be fair, happy and fun. it means, God is in control and there will be a rainbow at the end of the storm.


the first time i got to see you up close was at the end of the day you were born. it had been a long, exhausting, yet one of the happiest days of my life! your daddy was trying not to cry and wanted me to not. he didn't want to break down either. my heart hurt worse after that. he's the best big brother! you're already a LOT like your daddy! i couldn't really see your face. well, not at all. you had the biggest hands and feet. so sweet and chubby. i couldn't wait to see you the day you came home.

then you came home. precious,precious! you completed my big brother and your mother and brother that day! you were precious, and probably sore from being held so much by your parents and grandparents!






No one could ever complete your older, not bigger, brother than you! it's amazing to see the bond you two have! i love hearing you two squeal and jabber at each other. its really funny to see you two see the gates are down here at grandma's. you two jabber something at each other and then off you go in two separate ways! i love seeing y'all eat and talk like two little old men : )







oh the miles you two have traveled and you can't even walk yet!



there have been so many "firsts" with you and your twin for me as an aunt. i have loved each one of them. even the times you tried to pee on me : )



so here's a glimpse of some firsts of millions : )



if you and i had a dollar for every time i've kissed those sweet chubby cheeks of your's, well, your college would be paid for already! hahaha!



your smile, eyes, eye lashes, cheeks, hands and feet and everything else about you i love.




i loved the first time you reached for me, and for all the times since then. it make my heart skip a beat when you whine and crawl to me so i'll pick you up.




i love hearing you say,"hey".


i love that you already have a deep voice. i wonder if you'll be the next "G" bass singer of the family like your great-gpa (papa), grandpa and your dad?


i love when you bring my face to your slobbering little mouth and you give me "kisses".





i don't really love that you pull my hair, but i love those little hands : ) it actually seems like you are taken by my curls. it's ok. i still am and they're mine





i think it's funny that no one wears jewelry around you and your brother but me. so a few pieces have been broken. no biggie : ) it usually has been able to be fixed. i think between me and you we test premier's fix-it policy : )





i remember the first time i got to hold you and LJ together! oh, the sweetness! it was grandma's 51st bday get together - bama beat tennessee in a close game! and bama





you were one of the cutest little giraffes i've ever seen on halloween!




i'll never forget that your parents trusted me to keep you the first time your mom went back to work. she had decided to tough it out and stay all day until she got the phone call i had made your bottles wrong. i made you two boys a little sickly, but no one was made as sick or hurt and upset as i was! you were more sick than LJ, but i was a mess. i just about cried while typing that because i never want to hurt you.

i love how you melt my big brother's heart.

i love to see you  crawl. you crawl kind of slow. you're so much like your daddy : )

i love that you look so much like my daddy's baby pictures. i know grandpa loves that too.


and that little face you and your brother do - funniest thing ever!






i love that you love to be loved on and you already mean it when you love on me.



i love that you got lots of hair. it was so cute long! even if i did give your parents a hard time over it. you weren't a fan of it in your eyes. but who would ever want to hide those beautiful blue eyes and eye lashes?!



i love that you and your brother love to be read, Oh the wonderful sounds Mr. Brown can do. i think its amazing how i can say,"DC, bring me a book and i'll read to you." and you do. and i do. you love to be read to.

i love that you want to figure everything out. you are so observant. i should learn from you. you take it all in, see if you can figure it all out, and then act.

i love how rough and tough you are.

i love how sweet and calm you are.

i love and enjoy getting to give you a bath! it's like the tub gets turned into a wave pool! haha


i loved getting to cut your first hair cut. you were perfect! you didn't cry, but i was holding back tears!


i loved your first bday party! you were sleepy, but got woke up quick! once again, you took it all in and just smiled that gorgeous smile at everyone. you're the sweetest thing! you weren't sure about the cake at first. then your mom put it in your face. much better after that! you had it everywhere! you crack me up!

i love you!

Thanks for the best year of my life!

Love,

Aunt Britt

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY,DC!!!!!!

a year ago

..today i was trying to be patient, but it wasn't working out for me. my sisnlaw had a doctors appt in less than 24 hours, and we were all pretty sure the twin nephews would arrive shortly there after.

we were right. on tuesday of this week, the twin nephews - DC and LJ - or whatever combo i might have for them this week, will be one year old little boys! not babies!

my life has changed so much since the moment i found out their parents were expecting them! even when we weren't sure if it was just one,two or however many God wanted them to be. i have been blessed immeasurably more through these two little people.

i'm sure i bore my friends and clients with stories of them, but i can't help it!

kel gets lots of picture messages. she doesn't have any siblings, and i've always offered to share mine for various reasons hahaha, and she's a college student who needs a stress relief : ) 

so this week, is a birthday celebration for them and my granny : )

i'll start with a few pics (seeing as my camera was starting to die about the time they were born, then died and hasn't been replaced - forgive the time lapse please):

thanks for changing for life one year ago boys! i can't wait to see God's plans for you two unfold! i love you no matter what, and with a love i can't even put into words!

thank you God for letting me be an aunt!

Love you twins!
Aunt Britt