A special day

Today I got to spend the afternoon with the girls. There are really no words to express what these girls mean to me or the intimacy we experienced with each on this special day. It is rare that all four of us can get together without the kids but this afternoon we made it happen. We enjoyed pedicures, lunch, yogurt, and a time of talking and praying. It was amazing!

Here we are getting our toes done!!



Lunch at Chuy's


Our prayer table

It was so nice to share the good, the bad, and the stuff you think you would tell NO ONE because they would never understand. We shared it all, and I am so blessed to have women in my life who support me no matter what and are always there to remind me of God's promises, no matter what subject we are talking about. During our prayer time we lifted each other up, quoted the Word, and asked God to heal, bless, rejuvenate, strengthen, revive, protect, and love. The power of prayer is amazing in many ways, but the Word says, "where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there also" and I truly felt Jesus was with us today, listening as we poured out our hearts to Him.

Thank you girls for making today more than memorable! I love you three!

Disney on Ice

Last night Becca and I took Aby and Troy to see Disney on Ice. The featured performances were Tinkerbell, Little Mermaid, Lion King, and Cars, with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald as the hosts. Troy had a BLAST!! He was on the edge of his seat and his eyes were so big trying to take it all in.

Here they are before the show, Troy had to bring his Lightning McQueen.



Once inside there were a million things to buy!! Troy choose a flag and Aby choose a crown!


Of course, Cars was his favorite. Mater and Sally and a few other cars came out first, but then Lightning McQueen came out with two fire shoots on either side!! The kids went crazy!!

Troy was waving his flag and yelling "Go Lightning McQueen!"

Tinkerbell
Lion King
The Little Mermaid

Mickey and Minnie ended the show. It was such a special night, and I don't know who had more fun me or Troy!!

He promises to do something

I know I have written before about how when God wants you to know something it's EVERYWHERE!! I do a morning devotional and also read alot while the boys nap in the afternoon. Today someone posted Psalm 9:9 on Facebook so that is where I started. I ended up in Psalm 12 and it went right along with what my morning devotional had said but that was out of Deuteronomy. I feel like others out there need these devotionals as much as I needed to read them on this particular day, so let me share...

Psalm 12:5
But you, Lord, tell them, "I will do something! The poor are mistreated and helpless people moan. I'll rescue all who suffer."

Ever heard anyone say, "We're just waiting on God to do something"? Well, they are waiting on the right person, because God promises to do something. Does your future look bleak? Is the outlook grim? Feeling helpless or mistreated? Do you need to be rescued? Do you need God to do something?
Well, you're at the right place, because through this psalm God promises to rescue the suffering and do something for the helpless and mistreated. The assurance is that when we are at the absolute end of all we can do, God can do more. When you are tired, he will take over. When you begin to stumble, God will pick you up. When you can't possibly see a way through, God breaks in and rescues you. So be encouraged, everyone who's already given up. This is one of God's best things - He can always do something when you can do nothing.

Here is the next one.

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.

My Brave Bride,
My courageous Princess, allow Me to fight any and all battles this life brings you. I don't want My Bride to exhaust herself fighting in her own strength. The battle you face, My love is already won! Now step behind Me and let your powerful Prince shield you from the attacks of the enemy of your soul. Yes, I am your warrior and protector. As long as you stand behind Me and let Me fight for you, there is nothing that can or will overtake you. It is My pleasure to go to war for My beloved Bride.
Love,
Your Prince and Protector

It couldn't be anymore clear! Thank you, Lord!

Bluebonnets

One thing I love about Texas is all the bluebonnets and with all the rain the wild flowers are gorgeous this year. We had fun taking pictures in them out at the lake.






They were captivated by a boat racing across the lake.

Extravagant Love

Have you ever given the perfect gift to someone? It was thoughtful and what they really wanted, but it was practical too because they really needed it. You wrap it and you wait til the day comes when they can open it, but you can barely keep quiet about what you've selected for them because you are so excited for them to open it. And then the day comes and they open it, and the reaction on their face is priceless and, in turn it creates a reaction within you. You almost get more joy out of giving it then they do out of receiving it. I guess that is where the saying comes from "it's better to give than to receive." It's a great moment, and I can only say I have had a handful of gifts that I have given that were that special, but last weekend I was on the receiving end. I imagine the above scenario is exactly how God felt as He saw me walking to the mailbox and opening my mail.

As I thumb through all the bills and flyers an envelope catches my eye. I have one boy on his bike and the other in the wagon, but I figure I will just open that one piece quickly and we will walk back to the house to go through the rest. As my eyes quickly scan the letter I first think it is a joke, so I read it again, and can not finish the letter without the tears spilling over.

"Dear Brittany,
This past Easter weekend you were chosen, along with a number of others, to receive a $500 blessing from our church in the name and to the glory of Jesus Christ. Someone who cares for you and knows of your need entered your name in a drawing. Please receive the enclosed blessing and use as you see fit according to your needs. We hope this will be a testimony to you of God's presence and provision in your life, as well as a living reminder that our God meets all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Grace and Peace to you,
Chris Seidman
Farmer's Branch Church of Christ"

I did not have any words in the moment, just a reaction at the mailbox.

After I let it all sink in and thanked God a million times, I thought I would do some research to see if I could figure out who entered my name. I sent an email to my cousin and sure enough it was her family. Here is a bit of her email. She says it better then I ever could.

"At the end of the service he wanted us to turn our papers into the offering basket and they would draw four names that would actually be sent the money. When I wrote about you, I felt so strongly that God was going to bless you with the gift. At the end of our service, I put my hand on that paper and prayed over it and over you. Then as I waited for the offering basket, a "random" thought popped into my head. I laughed to myself because I thought of how your granddad and grandma use to always enter various contests and they always won. Morris used to tell me that it was all about folding the corner of the paper just enough that the edge would stick up just a bit. So in honor of your granddad, I thought, you know what, I am going to fold that corner just the way he always teased me about. Brittany, you need to know that there were probably 400-500 people in that service and they only drew four names that night. Ours was the first one announced! I was so overcome with emotion. Our whole family was doing the happy dance in our pews. It was awesome."

The obedience to God of all those involved not only furthers His kingdom, but it also takes care of the Body of Christ. I envision the Gift Giver with a huge smile on His face as He watched me walk to the mailbox, and I bet Granddaddy was right there with him.

As my Husband and Provider, why do I still doubt?? He has never failed me and you all have been witness to that time and time again!! Please know that my God is your God and He can be just as personal to each of you as He is with me. I am not special, we are all special in His eyes!

My passion

I have always had a passion for running. I enjoyed running hurdles in middle school and distance running in high school. Through college I got hooked on teaching aerobics, but then when Daniel and I met we realized we both had a love of running. We started with small races around town and ventured all the way up to a marathon, then switched sports a little and tried triathlons and loved those as well. When Troy came along I never raced again and let Daniel do all the training and racing. I figured I would get back into it eventually. Looking back I am not sure why I let so many years go by without racing and after this weekend, I realize how much I really miss it.

I participated in the Capital 10K in Austin with some friends and it was just like I had never missed the last 3 years. I set a pretty lofty goal for myself and was so surprised to look at my watch and see the finish line and realize that I can meet my goal if I sprint, so I did! The best part was running down the final stretch and hearing the kids yell Go Mommy Go!! My place was 2370 out of 7598 finishers and I was 633 out of 3806 women, so I was faster than 3172 women!! Hey, I'll take what I can get in a race this big!! Here are a few pics!




Troy and Piper standing at the fence cheering on all the runners!!

Testimony

This Sunday my testiomony will be shared at church. Below is the video clip. Thanks for all the prayers that were said for me on the day when I shot this. I feel it came out perfect and from my heart. If you are in the area and want to see the whole sermon, please join us at NewChurch Georgetown at 9:30am or 11am or you can always check it out online at www.newchurchgtown.org

One year stats

Teague is now 22.5 lbs and 29.5 inches long. Both of these put him in the 45th percentile. He is right on track with all his accomplishments and here is his latest!!! I love how he is hesitant at first and then how Troy just lets him fall. Rough and tumble boys I guess!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Wordless Wednesday

Easter 2010

Just likes Teague's birthday, we had many Easter celebrations this year. We enjoyed an Easter Communion at church earlier in the week and then, of course, all the festivities that little children enjoy on Easter day. Troy likes the running and looking for eggs more than what is actually in them, so I filled alot of the eggs with money just for the jingle sound. Teague enjoyed getting into his Easter basket too. I look forward to next year and watching them both run and hunt!!

Troy and his school friends



Easter hunt with family


Teague and his basket

We know the end

I read a friend's blog the other day and I thought he made a great point. If you want to click and read the whole thing you can, otherwise, here is the overview. He stated that the reason Easter is a time of joy for us is that we know the ending; Jesus lives!! However, the disciples did not know the ending and they felt quite different. Probably scared and sad and alone and confused. And think about how they felt when they saw Jesus alive again, in the flesh!! I can not imagine the joy and love that overflowed from them!

So as I thought about this fact and related it back to my life, I find myself acting like the disciples...scared, sad, alone, and confused over my current circumstances. I have told God 100 times, just tell me what happens. I will be happy with Daniel's return, and I can also be happy if I am going to move on and find someone else in the future, if that is His will...just tell me the ending. Somehow I feel if I know the ending then the "right now" things won't matter so much. But after reading my friend's blog it occured to me I DO KNOW THE ENDING!!!

Romans 8:28
God is always at work for the good of everyone that loves Him

Proverbs 3:6
Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow.

Psalm 16:5-6
You, Lord, are all I want! You are my choice, and you keep me safe. You make my life pleasant and my future bright.

Jeremiah 29:11
I will bless you with a future filled with hope, a future of success and not suffering.

John 10:10
A thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. I have come so that you may have life, and have it abundantly!

No, I don't know the whens or wheres and I don't know the names and faces yet, but the ending has already been written. And just as today was a day of celebration, my life should reflect the fact that God has already won this battle for me.

Finding God

It's Good Friday and I am flooded with so many emotions. How could God become man? How did He walk through this world and experience the same emotions as us and still not sin? How did He know His purpose was to face the cross and still have a compassionate attitude towards us day in and day out?

I think about my own life and, obviously, things are less than par right now and I have to deliberately make an effort to keep my eyes on Jesus to keep my attitude straight. Somedays it is easy, other days it is hard and I find myself mad at the world all because of my circumstances. Jesus could have easily done the same thing. He had all the reason in the world to simply say, "Please leave me alone today, I am going to die on a cross soon and I am just not in a good mood." But no, instead He sat down at the table with His best friends, and a traitor, and told them how much He had looked forward to eating this meal with them. So, I will follow His example, even when I don't feel like it.


Here is a picture of my front flower bed (weed bed, really) When I moved in, the yard crew had it mowed down to the ground. As it is starting to warm up, there is a little growth starting to come back.




This morning as I walked outside I saw something that caught my eye and heart. You can't tell in this picture, but this single flower is purple. It made me smile; God made me smile, even through it all His still brings joy to my life.





I hope on this Good Friday, you can find God in the midst of your world, too! Your life will never be the same!

Lots of Birthday Pictures

The prince enjoying his birthday at the park!






Teague has had so many birthday celebrations over the last two weeks. At each stop he was loved on and spoiled and I don't think he even knew what was going on. Here are some of the pictures.




I had so much fun making Teague's birthday cake!

Caleb, Brylee, and Teague




The whole gang

WAY too many presents for a 1 year old!!





A new toy he is playing with


The progression of cake pictures!!


And when we had to take it away!! I think he might be scarred for life by the look of his face!!

Enjoying his big boy car seat!! He had a great birthday with ALL the families and I really appreciate how each of you make it special for him in your own way!