Our New Family Tradition

This year, we decided to start a new family tradition here at the Britten house.

For the week before Christmas, we would do something extra special together.

Last night, we cuddled up to The Polar Express.

But, tonight, we made....CANDY!

White Chocolate covered Pretzels to be exact!



Here's to New Family Traditions!

Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time,

 TOODLES!

                                                 the dramaqueen

Bad Blogger

I am a bad blogger. 

I believe it has been waaay too long since I have done a blog about my precious Emmaelynn.

I just think she is pretty much the best thing ever. 

Isn't this outfit one of the cutest things you've ever seen?

Love it!

She still doesn't like to look at the camera and smile...

But if she wasn't the way she is,

I wouldn't have gotten these two adorable pictures....

And this last one.....is definately going up on my living room wall!

Gosh, I love her.

Until next time,

TOODLES!

                                                                        ~ the dramaqueen

The Hug....

First of all, this week was pay day!  YAYNESS!

But this small anecdote means so much more to me than a dollar amount.

School has been going for about 6 six weeks now. 

In fact, I do believe the first 6 weeks is over next week.

I love my job.

Part of my job is watching students that go to daycare.

(Until the daycare workers come to pick them up.)

I met a boy in there the first week of school.

No eye contact and no emotion but anger came from this boy's vibe.

Now, I believe that in everyone there is good.  No matter how bad they may act.

Somewhere inside them there is a good person.

Call me niave.  I don't care.  It's just what I think.

Anyway.

2 weeks into the school year, this boy got very angry and decided not to leave school.

He just sat there in my room refusing to get up and leave.

It took us 30 mins to get him out of the school and on the daycare van.

Something was wrong.  There had to be a reason why he was so upset.

A week later he shut down on me again, refusing to leave the school.

The next day, I learned his mom was battling cancer.

And my heart just ached for this little boy.

Last week, he started to shut down again.

I went and sat by him.

I didn't really speak; I just sat there.

The next day, I could tell he was happier.

This week, he has started to smile huge smiles when he comes into my room.

And today, he have me the biggest hug and said, "Thank you."

And made it all worth it.

                            ~ the dramaqueen

A Lesson Learned

Several weeks ago I wrote a blog about being patient and having faith.

Apparently, I still need to learn a little more patience.

This story is to amuse and you might even have an out right burst of laughter.

I employ to do so; it is funny.

This week, I talked to a bestie (who is my hair stylist) and it was decided I was

in desperate need for a new do and/or dead end removal.

No big deal.  We set up a time to meet Thursday.

Thursday came, sweet baby boy

 (whom Emma loves and I swear they are like two peas in a pod.)

got sick with a fever.

I got the news and was sad; I really needed to get my hair cut and my weekend

was full.  There was no other day to get it done.

So what do I do?

Go to another lady, which I did not know, and let her cut my hair.

I walk into the salon holding a picture of a haircut I have had many times.

I know the cut and what it is supposed to look like.

I show the lady the picture.

I am assured she can cut it with no trouble.

She looks at the picture, sets it down, and begins to cut.

With a razor.

First of all, when using a razor to cut hair:

1. You never twist the hair, it will cause you to cut the hair unevenly.

and

2.  You never use the razor in an upward motion.  Just at a downward angle.

There was no "getting a base line to begin with".  Just a razor and going.

Me, sitting in the chair, I think; "Eh, what is happening?....bad feeling....."

But she has already started so I have to let her finish.

I watch the mirror for a total of 15 mins.

She tells me she is done, drys my hair, I pay her, and leave.

I see the damage; Worst Haircut Hall of Fame is sitting on my head!

9 times out of 10, I can take any hair cut good or bad and turn it into something awesome.

But, looking into the mirror and feeling the cut tells me a different story.

One side of my hair is by my ear....the other side is below...AND IT IS OBVIOUS!

Still I think, ok, no biggie, it has to be the way it dried.

Next morning......uh, yeah, it wasn't the way it was dried. 

It was very much two different lengths.

So, I call around and find someone to fix the problem.

(all day I walk around with a slightly tilted head to avoid the questions from coworkers.)

Needless to say, I went and got my hair fixed.

I need to remind you.

9 times out of 10 I can work with any hair cut.  I used to be paid to style hair.

For me to say, "This hair cut is not good and I have no idea of how to fix it."

You know it was just that bad.

Now, my hair is oh so very short.

I have deemed it the "Not So Extreme Rhianna Faux Hawk".

I will have to put a pic of it on here for reference tomorrow.

And as a reminder to have patience and wait for your bestie to cut your hair.

AND as a referral of hair cuts to NEVER get again.

Yes, God, I have learned my lesson.

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                                     the dramaqueen

Brooke's Homecoming

Emma and I went to Childress yesterday for an extremely short trip to watch Brooke's Homecoming pep rally and such.  I made her mum this year, which I enjoyed doing, and before heading off to her game; she let me take some quick pics of her and her mum.

Here is one with just her mum and megaphone.

I saw the best peprally in several years yesterday!  The girls did amazingly!  

 I am so proud of you, Brooke!

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                         ~ the dramaqueen

Feather Party!

Last night, my friend Miranda had a hair feather party at her house!

It was tons of fun and I met lots of really awesome people!

Here are a few shots from the night!

Below:

Miranda, Myself, and Jessica (Miranda's sister-in-law)

And here we are putting fun feathers in hair!

Of course, I am behind the camera...but, I assure you, I was putting feathers in!

And lastly, shots of our party-goers!

Miranda,

I can't wait to do this again!

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                                                 ~ the dramaqueen

Be Careful What You Ask For

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Mark 11:24 ESV

"“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7 ESV

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him."

1 John 5:14-15 ESV

I truly believe each and every one of these words.  I asked for God to send me a loving man who would love me for just being me; and He sent me Brad.

Before our wedding, I prayed that God would bless our marriage and grant us beautiful, loving children; and He sent us Emmaelynn.

But sometimes, I don't really think before I ask God for something; whether it be guidance, wisdom, or patience.

Because if you ask God for things like those, He allows for us to go through things in our lives to get us to the point of where we want to be. 

Before Emma was born, late one night close to the end of my pregnancy, I was getting nervous about becoming a mom.  I prayed that God would give me peace and patience.

Since then, I realize that God has granted me a strong-willed child and through her I am gaining the patience that I so wanted in the beginning of motherhood. 

And the peace?  Well, after a long day of learning the patience that God wants me to recieve; the peace and quiet of the night with her sleeping soundly in her bed; it's all the peace I need.

I say these things because for the last year, I have wanted to return to work. 

There have been many nights that I have prayed for God to send me into a job that would magnify the numerous skills that I possess.  But one where I can still be a constant in Emma's life.  Plus, one that would let me be at home at night while Brad is working extended hours.

 (Which sounds like these types of hours are going to last for awhile longer.)

After we left the panhandle for C-Stat, door after door of possible jobs were thrown shut in my face.  I had really began to give up and become defeated in my search for a job.
I kept forgetting that I had previously asked God to grant me patience in my day to day walk.

But now, I feel that God wanted me here, in the Big Country, for the perfect job for me to fill.
Two weeks ago, I just happened along a school website that was looking for 3 positions to fill,
all of which I qualified for.  So I applied. 
This past Monday, I interviewed at on of the two campuses that had positions. 
I left feeling that I had really done an exceptional job and would be getting a call the next day offering me the position.
I got a call a few hours later telling me they had offered it to a former substitute.
And right then, I felt absolutely devestated.  I just didn't know how many more doors had to be shut before I had hit my breaking point; which I was coming dangerously close.
Then, on the other end of the phone I heard an apology from the principal and immediately afterwards he tells me that he, himself, had called the other campus principal and told her to really look at me, that I would be a wonderful employee to work with.   He warned that it didn't guarentee me a position with her campus, but, that he was sending my application/resume to her the next morning.  I waited the next day, with no phone call.
The following day was my birthday, and by this point, I felt I was going to have to look somewhere else for a job or just become a substitute for several campuses and work my way into a full-time position from there.  I literally was on the phone with my Mimi explaining how devestated and defeated I felt, and I knew the other principal was just not going to call.
5 mintues after getting off the phone with my grandmother; I got the call I thought I wouldn't get, and went to interview 2 hours later.
(Emma was with me....and went to the interview with me....) 
This morning, approximately 30 mins. ago, I re-entered the workforce.
I am an elementary school Librarian. 
And I could not be filled with more joy in my heart.

Everything comes in only God's own time, not our own, it is His divine plan and not my own.

I have to continue to tell myself to let go and let God.

A concept that my family has had lots of practice with, but, I still have yet to master.
Be careful what you ask from God, because sometimes, you get exactly what you are asking for; you just may have to jump through a few hoops to learn other things before you reach your final destination.
Thank you, God, for granting me a job that is absolutely perfect.
You amaze me everyday.
                                                       ~Your humbled follower

p.s.:  On Tuesday, I started calling around to find a place to send Emma full-time.  The lady here that everyone praises and is accredited was supposed to be full, with no full-time spots available.
But I called her anyway to just see if it was true.
She immediately told me, she had been holding a spot open for Emma this summer.
God is SO GOOD!



Emma, Kick-Back Day, & The Cowgirl Boots

This weekend was the White Deer Rodeo...

it's an annual thing that we Brittens love to attend.

There is family, food, horses, and cows.

Emma really loves going!

So on Friday, we waited for Brad to come home and Emma played fairy...

After Daddy showed up, it was off to Childress to spend the night and

to get up early to head to White Deer for the day's festivities.

But before we left, we took Emma to take a few pictures

in her cowgirl outfit...

The day was full of so many fun things! 

Emma's favorite thing was juming in a blow-up castle...

And we put Emma in the Cutest Kid Contest, after she had

spilt water all over her pretty green dress.

So, zebra print it was!

Her poor little cheeks, they always get soooo red...

During the parade, the heat was pretty manageable.

But, by the end, it was getting super steamy!

So, as soon as the contest results were over and a fun dance with Sponge Bob

we headed to Amarillo for...

BARNEY!

(p.s.: Emma placed second in the contest....and we are so proud!)

We can't wait until next year!

Until Next Time...

TOODLES!

                                         ~the dramaqueen







Our House Room #1

I know, this has been a VERY long wait to see our first house and the rooms inside.

I am just a perfectionist.  And every room must be perfect before I show the

wonderful World Wide Web!

Ok, so the first room I am debuting here on The DramaQueen is Emma's.

The walls are grey and it looks like Pepto Bismol threw up all over her room.

But she is a girl.

And pink is her signiture color.

So, here is her door.

And view one of her bedroom....

And here is her other wall...

So there you go, my blog followers and stopper-bys, Emma's room.

I think it's just her, but of course, I'm partial.

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                                     ~the dramaqueen



An Emma blog....

A week before Father's Day,

 my brother and sister in law helped me take some
photos of Emma, a la Pirtle Photo.

You see, Emma being two and all,

refuses to look at the camera.

I must say, Tif, you were excellent at

somersaults (wink, wink)

and Chris,

best peek-a-booer around!

Yes, it took all three of us to get her to look at the camera.

But what was the most excellent of all was how hard Tif worked on the pictures for Brad.

You see, they were his Father's Day present.

And they did an excellent blog about their fav of her pics, too.

But now it is my turn.

There are more I really, really like.  But, my computer doesn't want to load them

.

This next picture, I really loved. 

But, I wanted something to hang in Emma's room that was her and art, too.

And this is what I came up with...

 I think it will look amazing in her room.

Thank you, Tiffany and Chris for taking these pictures and all the other ones!

You both are truly talented and we love her portraits!

So,

Until Next Time...

TOODLES!

                          ~the dramaqueen

The Rocket Pop!

 

This is a really great kids patriotic snack/dessert!  And so great to let them help make!

To top it all off, there is a super dooper easy way to make them too!

All it takes is:

*red packet of Kool Aid or Jello packet

*blue packet of Kool Aid or Jello packet

* vanilla yogurt

*popcicle molds or popcicle stick with Dixie cups

Make the red packet and pour a layer in your molds or cups.

Wait an hour to hour and a half.

 Spoon in vanilla yogurt.

Wait another hour to hour and a half.

Make the blue packet and pour the final layer in your molds or cups.

When you have poured the blue in, place your popcicle sticks in to set. 

Once they have completely frozen, enjoy your tasty treat!

I know it isn't July 4th anymore, but they were just too good to not share!

Hope you have had a marvelous week!

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

 ~the dramaqueen

July 4th FUN!!

For the first time in 16 years, my family has been at home. 

And with all the fire bans around, we spent most of the time twiddling our thumbs

and listening to firework sound effects.

The day started out pretty early to go and take some 4th pics of Sweet Emma...here are just a couple...

Isn't her little shirt just the sweetest?  

Weazer did a very good job on her 4th of July outfit.

So good on it, she won a Cutest Kid Contest....

we are so proud.

I see more fabric in our future for cute fall clothes with Emma's winnings!

Well, I'm off!  Have a lot of sewing to do for tomorrow!  

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                                   ~the dramaqueen

A 2 year old + Potty Training

Ok, so I will be the first to admit it; since Emma turned 2 I have been trying to get her potty trained.
She had been showing all the signs of ready for potty training since she was 18 months.
But, I held off until 2 years came around and the move to the Big Country was complete.

I have tried:

*M&Ms

*Prize shopping at Dollar General

*Bribery

*Begging

*Explaining

*Using the Timer every 25 mins.

*A very catchy potty song....(Thank you, Weazer, from your twirl sponsor days.)

*A book that tells the story of how a little girl goes potty to become a big girl,

with flushing sound effects

AND

*An Elmo movie about how to use the potty and why

And guess what?

NONE OF THESE THINGS WORKED!

It was very aggravating to say the least.

I had almost given up.

I kind of felt like I was talking to a brick wall that just wouldn't pay attention.

The brick wall being Emma, of course.

I could talk about it until I was blue in the face

and nothing but a blank, 'I don't really care' face stared back.

Until tonight.

Without hesitation, prompting, or begging/barginning.

(And me pretending to not be paying attention.)

Emma, on her own, took her diaper off and sat down on her 'froggy potty'.

She has done this numerous times before with no result.

I had began to think that she just wanted to sit there for fun.

But this time, after she got up,

TEE TEE

was in the 'froggy potty'.

So to all you moms out there that are trying potty training, or about to start, or have done it in the past.

If you also have a strong-willed child too.

In my experience, after you have talked yourself blue, bribed as much as you possibly can,

used the timer over and over and over,

and you still are getting no results.

Sometimes, just sometimes...

they just have to happen upon success themselves.

Now, if only she can keep this up....

HMMMM.....

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                                          the dramaqueen

Mother's Day with the Kiddos!

Well, this is going to be a quick post.  We are in White Deer celebrating Mother's Day.  Eli and Emma have gotten to play all weekend!  It has been super fun!  Memawmaw has been awesome with the two kiddos!  Anyway, this morning I took both of the kids out to take some pics.  Emma, of course, wouldn't take any by herself.  (She is too good for the camera alone.  Or so she thinks.)  But here is what I got!  Enjoy!

I thought this one looked like they were telling secrets.



I just thought this one was funny and sweet.

 Isn't he just handsome?!?

Oh and we have a new addition to our family.

His name is Rusty.

And Emma sure does love him.

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                                                                     the dramaqueen

For the Love of Football

My brother, Big O, plays football for Hardin Simmmons in Abilene.  Tonight, I had the chance to watch a scrimmage on the Cowboy campus.  Of course, I took my camera and here are some of the shots I got. 

That's Big O, you know, the one with white stocking on his head.

You can just see the hustle in this one!

Ok, so this last action shot needs some prep story.  The ball has been thrown to a reciever Big O is covering.....DEFLECTED!  But what I captured is the position Big O got this guy's head in. 

And of course, I had to get pics of Emma and Kinsey!

                                             And lastly, one of the sweet Emma herself!

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!!

                                                    the dramaqueen

Easter Sacrifice

I have never really done Lent.  It was not something that was even talked about much in my home. (That I can remember.)  That is, until I met and married into Brad's family.  I still haven't really done it, though.  I kind of have that feeling of, if my heart isn't in the right place to really understand what it is, then I shouldn't do it.  It is the same thing with New Year's Resolutions.  I find them stupid.  (No offense to anyone who does them.)  I like to do, what I call, life changes.  My life changes have been so wonderful this year.  Although, they are very discrete....they are still there.  So back to lent.  Lent.  I really don't like that word either.  It is so casual.  I find that the importance of giving up something for 40 days needs something more tangable.  Powerful.  So I say, Sacrifice. 

Have you ever really thought of the word, Sacrifice?  As a mother, sacrifice comes as second nature to me with my little one and family.  But to make a spiritual sacrifice.  Now that is something else.  So this year is the first year I have done an Easter Sacrifice.  Some may give up T.V., Facebook, or caffiene for this time of year.  But to me, it means something entirely different.  Yes, I can give up all those things but I kind of think that He may want more.  Like sacrificing your time to be with Him.  Sacrificing your time to help someone put groceries in their car or opening a door.  So I, I am giving up my time for someone else (other than family).  I also have this book that is about having a closer walk with God in 40 days.  So, again, I am going to sacrifice my time to do that book and work on my relationship with Him. 

And now, I am off of my soap box.  Amen.
Until Next Time,
TOODLES!

               the dramaqueen

My Emmaelynn is 2!

God made the world with its towering trees,
majestic mountains and restless seas,

then paused and said, "It needs one more thing."

Someone to laugh and dance and sing,

to walk in the woods and gather flowers,

to commune with nature in quiet hours.

So God made little girls

with laughing eyes and bouncing curls,

with joyful hearts, and beautiful smiles,

enchanting ways and feminine wiles.

And when He'd completed the task He'd begun,

he was pleased and proud of the job He'd done.

For the world when seen through a little girl's eyes

greatly resembles paradise.

...Author Unknown

I pray that in your life, Sweet Girl, you find the happiness you have brought me.
That you learn to love God first in your heart.
That you become a strong young woman, who never gives up.
I pray that you fight for what you believe and never waiver.
I pray that you will always know my arms will always be open to you;
no matter how badly you think you have screwed up.
And I pray that you dream dreams for yourself that I cannot even begin to imagine.
I also pray that you will someday find your Prince.
I have wanted a wonderful girl like you for such a long time.
You have made my heart so happy.

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY!

I Love You,
Emmaelynn Don.

Love,
           Mommy

Our Family Grew 4 Feet!

I would like you all to meet the newest member of our family...

This is Koda.

(My other spelling was confusing people.)

We love her!  She is a birthday present from us and our friends down in Port Lavaca; Bobby, Sally, Drew, and Taylor Hunt.

Our house just feels a little more complete with her.

Glad you could meet her!

Until Next Time!

TOODLES!!!

                                     the dramaqueen

Tiffany's Shower and Gifts!

Wait, WHAT?!? Two blogs in one day!  Somebody check my temperature!  So, now I get to brag...this Thursday, I become an Auntie Ali again!  Tiffany and Chris will be having their baby girl...EEEK!  Anyway, this last time we went to the panhandle was for Eli's birthday party and a surprise shower for Tiffany.  I started months ago trying to pick the right colors, the perfect fabrics, and the perfect ideas for mine and Brad's gift to Miss Sweet P!  Miss Sweet P's room is going to be an owl theme.  Very cute!  But not pastel owl things, BRIGHT COLORS!  My definition:  hot pinks, lime greens, a little black, some torquoise, and some bright yellows.  And then a couple of weeks before we went home for these parties, Tif blogged about making a few shirts for both Eli and Miss Sweet P.  The shirts for Sweet P were an owl theme and according to her blog, she only got one of them done.  So here is what I decided to make...

Tiffany is holding the blanket (which the fabric was very tricky: Thank you Teresa and JoJo for the help) and then on the right is the freehand owl I drew and hand-stitched to the onsie. 

(I love making the shirt!  Super easy!)

The next thing Tiffany wanted to do in the room was have stuffed owls everywhere!  I knew stuffed owls would be hard to pull off, especially if she was wanting numerous ones.  So, I hand drew patterns again and fixed three stuffed owls and a small tutu to go with the owl shirt. 



Tiffany's shower was such a success!  She got some super cute clothes and little socks and bows for Miss Sweet P!  I can not wait to meet her!



I know Chris and Tiffany are going to love having this sweet girl in their lives!  And Mr. E?  He is going to be such a wonderful big brother!  Good Luck, Four P's in a Pod!

Until Next Time,

TOODLES!

                 the dramaqueen

Psalms 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.