End of an Era

Well, I grew up a little tonight. I got rid of something that I've had almost 10 years. Deep breath - I no longer have a belly button ring. Exhale.

The ring, after I removed it

You're probably thinking - I didn't even know she had one. Exactly. Why did I still have one? I'm so rarely in a bathing suit that no one sees it, anyway. I doubt the hubs even realized I had one. I think my cheerleaders are some of the only people in on this secret, only because I have a bad habit of rolling up the bottom of my shirt when I'm thinking out loud (read: fidgeting). So, why did I have my belly button pierced? Read on.

April, 2002
Tried out for HBU cheerleader and made the squad (the only freshman among the scary upperclassmen!)! Had a deal with Mom that if I made it, we'd go get my belly button pierced. I was pretty against a piercing, it was more of a joke between me and mom. Almost all of the cheerleaders on my high school squad had theirs pierced, and I wasn't about to follow suit. Plus, I'm petrified of needles. But, it just sort of happened. After I made it, we were on our way home and mom said, "I guess we are going to get your belly button pierced, then." Cool mom, huh? Several hours later (but several hours before the intoxicated folks frequent the piercing parlor) me, mom, my high school boyfriend, best friend and my Aunt Dana (and Uncle Rick, too, I think) piled into mom's car, cameras and all, and went to the piercing parlor, Sacred Heart. Yes, they thought we were crazy! Getting my belly button pierced actually hurt less than when I got my ears done! I got a blue and orange belly button ring (had to show my HBU spirit, after all). Here I am with Aunt Dana showing off our rings (she already had hers done....my inspiration)! Side note: Aunt Dana is not my actual aunt, she's mom's BFF that I've known since I was 8 years old and therefore gets the loving title of "Aunt".

Wardrobe sponsored by Abercrombie & Fitch

Early, 2006
Took the belly button ring out, felt like I'd gotten to chubby for it. How's that for transparency?

June, 2008
BFF takes me to Vegas before I get married, and I am a sucker for famous sayings, such as "When in Vegas..." so I got my belly button re-piereced. Again, it didn't hurt. It was a fun thing to do while in Vegas! No regrets!

TODAY
Took belly button ring out. I'm 26 years old after all. Probably don't need any jewelry shoved through my body unnaturally any more. And, besides, I'll have to take it out when I get preggo one day. And, no, that day is not today.

So, there you go. Way more than you ever wanted to know about my belly button. I'll kindly spare you the picture of it, sans ring. You're welcome!

B

Half Marathon - Check!

Two weeks ago I ran my very first half marathon! That's 13.1 miles and I did it in 2 hours and 31 minutes. My family and friends stood on the sidelines and cheered me on at various points of the run, which was amazing (especially since it was cold and raining). I am quite proud of myself, and would love to run another one again someday. It was a lot of fun and such an accomplishment to know that I'm capable of running for that length of time. Honestly, I still can't believe I did it!

If you would have asked me a year ago if I could run 13 .1 miles, I would have said something to the tune of "Do you KNOW me?! The only athletic bones in my body were likely injured during my 14 years of cheerleading." When I began this journey nine months ago, I didn't even like running. I could hardly run one mile without being extremely exhausted. What a difference a great training regimen makes.

I ran a 5K yesterday, and it was my first time running again since the half, and it felt great! I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to get back on the track and do more long distance runs!

A visitor in our Sunday School class last week heard that I ran the half and asked if I was a runner. Having never been asked that question in my entire life, I paused, thought for a moment and said...."Well, I guess I am."

Thanks for your support, friends!
B

The Race is (Almost) On

These are the shoes that will take me across the finish line of my very first Half Marathon. I'm feeling a mix of emotions about the big day, but above all I'm ready for it to get here (Memorial Park: I will NOT miss seeing you at 5 A.M.) I have no doubts that I'll be able to finish the 13.1 miles, and I'm praying for no injuries or illness over the next two weeks. This has been such a challenging and rewarding experience so far, and I've learned that you can truly do ANYTHING you put your mind and body to! No task is too big for me and God to tackle together!

I'm looking forward to crossing that finish line in 14 days!
Brittney

The Art of Racing in the Rain

My book club just finished reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. And while I honestly haven't loved every book that the Chapter Chicks has read, I can honestly say I LOVED this one! I also loved the rich discussion about the book!

The story is told through the perspective of the family dog, Enzo, as he reflects on his life with his human family. Enzo lives with Denny, who is single for awhile, then marries and has a daughter. Enzo's perspective is insightful, and it truly makes you wonder, "Hmmm...does my dog think this way, too?" If you have a dog, had a dog, or just love dogs, its a must read! Prepare to laugh, cry, fume, and smile - you won't be able to put this one down!

Happy Reading!

How about a resolution?

I always feel compelled to make a few resolutions, you know, get into the New Year's Spirit. Heck, I even kept a few of the ones I made last year, and broke a few as well. There's a lot to be said for ambition, right?

This year, I hope to run a half marathon (which I'll cross off on January 30), have more date nights with J, and take more time for myself. And, ok, I'll throw in the "lose 10 pounds" one, too.

Happy New Year, everyone!

B

Pictures from December Festivities

Sorry for the picture overload....these are some of the pictures from our Christmas festivities this year! As you can see, I was one busy girl!

Me and Hannah at the Chapter Chicks Book Club Christmas Tea!

Our first annual girls Christmas Party! The theme was scarves! We did a "white elephant" style exchange and then learned new ways to tie our scarves!!

Jeremy and I hosted our first big Christmas Party - here I am with the "Fab 4" - Kim, Carl & Josh

Some of my work BFF's - Kim, Leah and Hannah

My BFF's - Jenna and Jessica! We were reunited for the party!

I had a blast performing in the Really, Really Big Christmas Show at Second Baptist Church! I was a towns-person (dancer) and it was so much fun! Especially loved meeting new friends and spending lots of time with one of my favorite friends - Joy (front row, far right)!

Me and Leah! So glad we did the show together!

J and I's attempt at a family photo! Eh...not so much.

The same weekend of the show, we hosted my Louisiana side of the family for Adams Family Christmas. Here I am with my dad, and brothers, Jack and Hall!

The couples posed by the tree! Meet my beautiful sister-in-laws, Katherine and Misti (Katherine is due with the first baby for the Adams family in April - and it's a GIRL)!
I set the table all fancy for our Adams Christmas Dinner! So much fun!
A close-up of the place settings
Ahhh.....let's all take a moment and drool over my Christmas present from J! He totally outdid himself this year and completely surprised me with this Tory Burch purse! I wanted it, but never in a million years did I think he would get it for me... I teared up when I opened it. I'm in love...Me and my FIL at the Ford Family Christmas Eve Party!
Jeremy and his brother Kevin (they got matching paintings from Collin & Melanie for Christmas...we later found out it was a "joke" gift from their wine and painting night...whew!)

Me and Brayden (our nephew and godchild) hanging out with Pops :)

Brayden loves for you to read to him! And he loves his Uncle Jeremy!

And, I'll leave you with pictures of our house all decorated for Christmas! J did a great job with the lights outside!

Love our Christmas tree!

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas!
B

Well, hello there....

I know you don't want to hear any lame excuses about my lack of blogging lately, so I won't bore you with them. I will give you a run down, however, of what I've been up to lately, and just some of my random thoughts! Then, I'll follow up with some pics over the next few days!

- Christmas with the Adams' family (hosted here at our house) last weekend; lots of cooking, catching up and laughs!
- Christmas with J's family in Baton Rouge this week; lots of fun, gifts, parties, people and great memories! A little exhausting....
- Performed in the Really, Really Big Christmas Show at Second Baptist Church and had a blast! I'll post pictures of it, it was such a moving experience and I got to hangout with/meet really great people!
- Hosted our first Christmas Party at the house and it was SO fun! Lots of fun stories from that night, and got to show off our new casa to our friends and family!
- Training for the 1/2 marathon still (absolutely NO pictures will be posted of it) - farthest run so far is 8 miles....less than 40 days to go! Boy, is it a lot of work and time!
- Obsessed with reading on my new Kindle (I think I'll actually have my book club book read before our meeting this month!)
- Studying to get my CDL....don't laugh! Someone has to drive my cheerleaders to away games, people. I'll be spending the better part of my week, unfortunately, at the DPS.
- Also obsessed with scarves....my answer to the daily dilemma of "what necklace should I wear"
- Also majorly obsessed with the Tory Burch purse J surprised me with for Christmas! L-O-V-E it! He got lots of brownie points for that one!
- Loving the color gray this season - it just seems to go with everything!

....more to come, later.

Continued to be blessed beyond measure.
B