Finally

It has been a LONG year and today was a great day. I dropped Troy at school and Teague and I came home and he had a play date with McKinley while Becca and I drank coffee and talked. Then it was lunch and naps and off to cleaning the house and changing sheets and baking a little. As I was doing the house work I thought 'I am so content.' Just having that thought took me off guard because it has been a long time since I have been able to truly say that.

Finally.

I always knew the storm would pass and things would settle down and life would return to some sort of normalcy, and for the first time I can say today feels like that for me. Although I am not a full time stay at home mom, God has blessed me with a job where the hours are flexible. Although Troy is now gone 5 days a week instead of just 2, God has blessed Teague and I with great one on one time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. And although I now have to support my household as a working, single mom on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, God has blessed me in feeling so rewarded in helping families less fortunate than mine.

Finally.

It's amazing what the last year involved and looking back I have no idea how I survived. That's not true... of course, it was only through God's help, but it just amazes me. There were so many nights where I laid awake wondering what a year down the road would look like and I knew I would be in a better place. And today I feel like I am there...

Finally!!

MBR

My Boyfriend Rocks...

because he has such a giving spirit.

Isaiah 58:6-8
I'll tell you what it really means to worship the Lord. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused. Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relatives. Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance and the glory of the Lord will defend you from behind.


I have seen him live out this verse in a number of different ways just in the short time that we have been dating. I have never met someone who is so willing to help others in whatever way he can.

First day

Troy's cubby























Troy's first day went pretty well I think. Of course, he slept until 7:45am that morning and I had to actually wake him to get him out the door on time, but overall it was a smooth morning. When we got there everyone was washing their hands and getting ready for breakfast. Ms. Paula and Ms. Susan were great about showing him what to do and where things were. As Troy was washing his hands, I took a few pictures around the classroom. It's so neat to see his name on everything. When I picked him up they were all eating their snacks and he seemed to feel right at home. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get much out of him on how the day went except that he played outside and took a nap with his shoes on. This morning he was anxious to get there, so that is always a good sign!




He doesn't look too happy here.

Sweet and Twisted

Since this weekend I was without the boys in tow I had registered to do another triathlon. It was an all female race called the Sweet and Twisted!! It was alot of fun and there were quite a few of us from church participating and that always makes it more enjoyable. Chris was a real trooper and went with me, leaving at 5am and standing in the heat til almost noon! He is great with a camera and got some great action shots!! The swim was a little further than last time, but overall pretty easy. The bike was hilly but scenic and I did not get a flat, so that was wonderful!! The run was just HOT!!! They had water stations and ice sponges along the way, but I was tired and the heat made it worse. At the end of the race they served cupcakes and mimosas, keeping in theme with sweet and twisted. It was cute! It was exciting to show Chris a huge part of who I am and have him there cheering for me!

MBR

My Boyfriend Rocks...

because he is so huggable. There is nothing like being wrapped up in his strong arms.

The beach with my boys

Me and Tanna and the kids spent the week at the beach and had a blast, as always!!














Here is a pic from last year - 2009



















and then this year...what a difference a year can make, in so many ways!!























The kids were at a great age to occupy themselves most of the time at the beach and it was fun to watch them play in the sand and the water. It was a great time relaxing and spending some time with Tanna once we got all the kids in bed for the evening. I am already looking forward to our 2011 trip!!

Another step

Last weekend Chris took me to Dallas. I was able to meet his mom, grandmother, college friends and professional friends. We did so much in a short amount of time but the highlight of the weekend was going to Chris' favorite Italian restaurant. His family knows the family that owns Bugatti's so I knew he would probably receive special treatment, but I had no idea just how amazing the service would be. When we arrived, the first thing we heard was "Mr. Clark. Brittany. So glad to see you, right this way." To be greeted by name was beyond words. Everything about the service was made to make you feel special and it did. We enjoyed an amazing appetizer followed by a great salad. After the salad they brought out a lemon ice to cleanse our palet. Then it was on to the entree. Chris got the veal stuffed tortellini and I got the gnocchi, and both were delicious. Even though we were both so full, we had to get dessert. we had the chocolate mousse and it just melted in your mouth. Every time the waiter came to the table to check on us he always called us by name and at the end of the night he brought over complimentary port and chocolate covered strawberries along with roses for me. I have never received such amazing service from anywhere, and to share it with Chris was very special. I have really been enjoying each step of our relationship and this weekend is just another confirmation that he is in my life for a reason.

Bath Time Fun

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He's still involved

Over the last few months things have settled into a routine; raising the boys, work, teaching aerobics, church and the youth group, seeing Chris. It seems that now that things are quieter around here I don't notice God's hand in every detail of my life as much. For almost a year I had become accustomed, more like addicted, to seeing God move daily, if not multiple times per day. I guess that's why the Bible says "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) In those long days and months of complete misery and question there was no doubt He was there with me and seeing His presence energized me, but now I wonder. I mean, I know that He never leaves me, but it's been awhile since I have seen Him and I miss it.

This morning, however, I saw Him move clearly. Cammy, a fellow aerobics instructor and member of my church, had subbed my aerobics classes all last week while I was on vacation. When I taught this week I saw the sign in sheet for last week and noticed my name was on the classes that she subbed. I crossed my name out and wrote in Cammy's so she would get paid for helping me out. I taught again last night and again, my name was written in and Cammy's was crossed out. I was puzzled, so when I got home I emailed Cammy to see if she knew what was going on and her reply was God's reminder that He is still involved.

"I did it- my way of thanking you for all you do with the youth at Church- please accept it!
Cammy"

I am so blessed to have those around me so in tune to God that they just respond to His leading with no questions asked and in turn, bless those within the community of followers that are needing help. God is so faithful!

Does it have to end??

We are headed home and I hate this part of vacations, but here are my favorites from this trip:

Favorite meal: At Oceana - Queen Snapper with spinach-asparagus risotto followed by creme brulee for dessert - it all just melted in your mouth.

Favorite drink: Pomegranate martini

Favorite purchase: a new sundress and necklace that my mom found.


Favorite activity: making pizzas with my uncle. He lives on Water Island so he came over and picked us up on his boat and we went over there to see his house and deli/bar. Once we got to his island we parked the boat and got into a golf cart to drive to their house. It was quite an ordeal to just get to their house, but a great adventure.
me driving the golf cart...and they drive on the opposite side of the road so that was interesting!!




Favorite place: in the lounge chair, reading a book, listening to the waves. I think I was doing this 95% of the time!!!

Favorite outfit: Provided by Chris...THANK YOU!!!




Favorite memory: Seeing a rainbow streak across the sky one morning during my morning devotional.

Favorite animal: Although there were iguanas, lizards, cats, birds and chickens on the hotel grounds, my favorite two things were the crabs on the beach and the cute little clear and yellow fish I saw while snorkeling.



Favorite "take-home" thought: "Say what you need to say" I heard this song alot while we were here and it really made me think. So, whether positive or negative, I will try to follow that saying. I know who I am, what God is asking of me, what areas to strive to improve and that I am the only person that knows all of those things, so I will stand firm in that. It's great how a vacation can completely clear your head. I needed this more than I realized.

Virgin Islands

Everyone keeps asking why am I on Facebook or texting or blogging while on vacation, and the answer is because with two kids I don't really get to do all those things WHENEVER I want and for this whole week I can!! I can text ALL day, take 2 hours to create a blog and check/update facebook without ever being interrupted. It is so nice. Here are a few pics from the last few days. My aunt and uncle, Becky and Mark, have been able to take us around the island and eat dinner with us both nights so far, so that has been alot of fun. Other than that, I have spent alot of time on the beach just relaxing!! More pics to come later in the week.


dinner at Greenhouse



Happy Hour at the hotel!!

Dinner at Wikked

Mystery Man

Ok, so I wanted to share more about my mystery man. To be honest I wasn't sure how I felt about dating at this point, as I shared earlier, but after several weeks and alot of prayer and advice, I am more comfortable with the idea. So...

this is Chris.

We have spent alot of time together over the last few weeks and I have really enjoyed getting to know him. He is the kind of guy that you can get dressed up and go dancing with or grab take out and curl up on the couch and watch a movie with. He knows Austin well and always has a new, original place for me to experience. I really enjoy his company and humor and great conversation. I guess I assumed I would date alot of "frogs" before I found someone worth spending time with, lucky for me that wasn't the case.