Lettin' Go

The title has a double meaning for me right now. But all that matters is today.  So, I'm lettin' go, lovin' Him and living' it up with my favorite boys and family:)

Rejoice in Him always!

Phil 4:4

Graduation of the Littlest Bro

It's May!  And along with tons of birthdays, Mother's Day, wedding showers....we also celebrated a special graduate....

Bryson graduated high school!



Are you confused?

Let me explain.

Blake and I both have two little brothers.  Bryson, is the youngest of them all.

Don and Joy were blessed with two beautiful boys in Blake and Ross.  Yet, they wanted to grow their family with a third child.  For nine years, the Lord did not answer that prayer.  They thought that it wasn't in His plan, they accepted.

Except He did answer, nine years later.  At the tender age of 39, Joy gave birth to a 9 pound baby boy that completed their family and filled their hearts.  So, is the story of Jacob Bryson.  Fourteen years separating these brothers.  It's been my privilege to watch him grow from a 5 year old energetic little boy to a 19 year old amazing young man.

*Don't do the math, because if you do you'll realize I was just 19 when I started dating Blake! 


Class of 2012

As we watched 320 + Seniors march the field, everyone became excited.  Expect, everyone was also HOT! Who knew it was going to be 95 degrees in mid-May!? I felt really bad for the kids that had to be there.  It was special to us, but it was torture for them.

Good thing we had goldfish, and umbrella and water!

At one point during the ceremony, Bryson played a piano accompaniment to a classmate who sang.  

He did great!

 And then the BIG moment CAME! 

Walking across the stage to receive his diploma....

AND, an added special bonus.  His dad was able to hand him his diploma since he was on stage was a member of the Board of Education.  It made us all teary eyed:)

After the ceremony, we all went back to Blake's mom and dad's for a celebration dinner!

How cute are these cupcakes?!?
Little diplomas on top - I about died:)

And pictures with the graduate!

And the brothers.....

Congrats, Bryson!

Can't wait to see what lies ahead in your future.....

I just know it is going to be amazing to watch.  

We love you:)

Three Things

I celebrated my birthday this week and it was so good to be surrounded by Blake and the boys, friends and many wishes of others through text, messages, and phone calls.

However, one special conversation stands out above all the rest.  It happened as my father -in-law called to wish me a happy birthday early Monday morning.

He says in a cheerful voice, "Brittany Ann, Happy Birthday!"

I smiled, and we continued to talk about my day and what I have planned.  And then he said something that I will never forget.

"Before I go, I want you to know...there are three things that I love about you."

I was curious, anticipating a joke of some sort; ready for a laugh to end our time on the phone.  And then he says, "No, I'm serious.  The first thing I love about you is that you are the wife of my son.  The second thing I love about you is that you are the mother of my grandchildren. And the third, but most important is...you are a daughter of the King."

Um, absolutely that made my day and many days to come.  What a special gift in those words that I will forever treasure in my heart.

There is no doubt

this boy makes my heart flip flop! 

Nothing as Beautiful

I heard it once said, "You will see many beautiful things in your lifetime, 

but nothing as beautiful as your mother."

I couldn't agree more.  

And to now experience the gift of motherhood, twice. 

My cup runneth over.  

What a sweet day to honor the ones we cherish the most.  

Derby & Dress Up

Baseball & A Bike (with 2 boys!)

"Go Lay Lay!"

That's what Luke said as we watched big brother step up to the batters box...

Layton did so good in his game, he was 3 for 3.  We were all excited to yell from the stands.  He didn't feel well this week, so it was great to see him being back to his old self!

Still seems unreal that I am cheering on my baby boy:)

Luke needed a little more excitement and so the dirt became his playground.

 He was dirty from head to toe, literally!  But come on, isn't that the cutest thing you have ever seen?!

Pep Talk to the Padres!

and my (pretty) boy!

Nothing like watching your little boy hit a baseball 

and then hold his daddy's & his little brothers' hand as he leaves the game.

Be.Still.My.Heart

****************************************************************************

Today, since it was so beautiful outside - we played and played!
At one point, the boys decided to get creative;)
 

 2 boys, 1 bike...super cute:)

Coffee Group

I got an email from one of our pastors asking if my “coffee group” could help out with a local ministry.  I laughed out loud as I read it.....and if you know him, as many of you do, he is a jokester (ahem, Jeff!) But then, I thought about it......

Let me tell you, these girls are so much more than a “coffee group”….

The idea began as a need for a weekly accountability in my life as a woman, wife and mother.  I was missing that constant, ongoing interaction that my husband was receiving from his weekly Men's Bible study.  So, the idea was tossed out to see if anyone would be interested.....almost one year later, our group as quadrupled in size.

We have truly "done life" together for almost a year now.  We are learning from one other and diving in head first into each others lives.  Hand and hand through deaths in families, celebrations of joyous occasions, adoptions of baby girls and boys, illnesses of family members and we have also sent off five girls on mission trips just in the past six months!  There have been tears, laughs, dinners, and hundreds of cups of coffee.  (At 6 am, caffeine is needed.)  But through it all, we keep going; even though most think it is crazy to get up that early, every week just to study God's Word. 

 
I am so proud of my “coffee group”, my girls, my sisters.

I love them so. 

Thankful for my Starbucks Sisters.

*And one of the ways that we pray for each other.......is we truly love on each girl, individually.....in their time of celebration or need.

We presented Dwan with a gift as they journey through their adoption to sweet Caleb from China.

 

In a recent video, Caleb said his favorite animal was a frog.  So, Cindy had a great idea to pass the frog around, pray with it (for the Grahams and for Caleb) and then write a sweet note of encouragement.  

 

She obviously did not realize what was happening, as her face speaks for itself.  She was very, very thankful.  Blessed by friends that care, pray and love on them during their long journey to their son. 

We love you, Dwan.  Thanks for being an encouragement to all of us and inspiring us to reach out to the fatherless.  Love you and your heart!  Can't wait for sweet Caleb to come home!