Amanda Renee' Elbert

         It's day 2 of my journey. Today i'd like to tell you a little bit about my sister, Amanda Renee'.

Amanda Renee' Elbert.


       You know, having an older sister sometimes means they want nothing to do with a younger sibling like you, and I am sure we've had our times like that, but for the most part Amanda and I have always had a good relationship. She has had to kick me in the butt more than a few times, but im thankful that I have her to do that for me :).She has always been there whenever I needed her. She most likely has more embarassing stories to tell about me than anyone else in the world, but she still loves me. It was her who woke me up when I thought the rollie pollies were eating me in my sleep. It was her who tought me not to care what other people think, it only matters that you are happy and God is happy. She probably doesn't even realize the impact she has had on my life. When I was younger Briana and I would pretend to be the girls who were older than us and I would always be her. It's lame I know, but hey, we were like seven! I know as much as she wants to kill me sometimes she has my best interest in mind. I am so thankful God gave me a sister like her.


Amanda,
I want you to know how thankful I am to have you as a sister. You know, I have always looked up to you and I always will. You are a beautiful person inside and out. Thank you for always being there when I need you. I love you more than you will ever know.
XOXO,
Brittany

Briana Shanaye Murphy

      Okay, so here is the deal. I have decided to take a couple of days and dedicate them to certain people who inspire me or make my life better just by being who they are. So, today starts my journey.




    Briana Shanaye Murphy.

       Okay, so I was thinking of all of these fancy words and sayings I could use, but that doesn't describe us at all. Briana and I are 9mos and 1day apart. Needless to say we have been friends since day one. Like all good relationships we've had our good times and bad, but I can't really remember a time where we actually stayed mad at eachother for more than a day. I remember all of the friday nights she spent at my house (almost every one!). We slept in a tent in the back yard and wrote in our diaries about cute boys. We sang at the top of our lungs to our favorite songs, and danced without shame in the middle of the road. There was never a dull moment! I can hardly believe how fast the time has flown. It seems like just yesterday we were complaining about a nasty boy, who didnt brush his teeth, chaising us around in 3rd grade (Bri knows who im talking about :)). Now we are grown ups and have to face the real world. The world of jobs, and bills, and inistead of a nasty boy, she is dating a guy who loves her and God more than anything else. It makes me so happy to see her happy and to know that God has her in His hands and is guiding her through these next steps in her life. I am not sure what else to say, tho there is so much more that could be said.

Briana,

I am honored to have you as a friend. You inspire me to be a better person. I am so excited to be able to stand next to you and be there for you through these next steps in your life. I know the day is coming soon where I wont be able to see you whenever I please, but no one can take the memories away. I will always have those :). I want you to know that you are special and loved always. I can hardly wait for Saturday!   

Love,

Brittany.

Wanting A Vacation!

My feet are itching for some new soil! Last year, well I guess you can say year before last because it was Dec of 2010, but anyway... My family took a vaction to SanFransisco California. That was one of the best vacations ever!

We visited Alcatraz,

and that was so interesting!

Here are a few more pictures of our trip. Enjoy!

This was one of my favorite pictures! I laughed so hard!

Yes, he was a crab! LOL jk :)

I love you Amanda Renee`!

Well, thats all for now!

XOXO

~Brittany~

January 21, 2012

          This is an old picture, but it's one with some good memories. ~Love you guys~

    Okay, so today started off with Amanda waking me up to tell me that the water wasn't draining in the shower(AGAIN!). I guess mom was brushing her teeth and the toilet started to make noise... Needless to say, Amanda and I washed our hair in the kitchen sink today. The plumber came out and what do you know... The toilet fixed itself! Go figure, right? Oh well, I guess it all worked out for good :).

We had an awesome move of God in church tonight. I am so thankful for what He is doing!

This song seems fitting. LOL!!!
Thats all for now. XOXO
~Brittany~

Dr. Seuss

I am so thankful for the people who show an interest in my life and take the time to help me decide which road is best for me. I love you all!

Applesauce Muffins~

I just made these AMAZING muffins and I thought I would share the recipe with you.
========================================================
~APPLESAUCE MUFFINS~

Ingredients list:

2 medium eggs.
4 cups of flour.
2 cups of unsweetened applesauce.
2 cups of sugar.
1 cup of chopped nuts.
1 cup of butter.3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
2 teaspoons of ground allspice.
2 teaspoons of baking soda.
1 teaspoon of ground cloves.
1 teaspoon of salt.
Powdered sugar.

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cream the butter and sugar.
Add the eggs, one at a time.

Mix in the applesauce, cinnamon, allspice and cloves.

Sift the salt, baking soda and flour together, then add to applesauce mixture and mix thoroughly.

Stir in the chopped nuts.

Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for about 15 minutes.

   

While still warm, sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar.
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http://www.muffinrecipes.net/applesauce-muffins.html

Thats all for now!
XOXO
~Brittany~

~Friday the 13th~

    
      Today was a fabulous day! I had the weirdest dream last night. Its way too much to blog, but ill gove you the short version. Okay, so, it started out in a Sunday night service at church and there was a guy on the platform that I didn't recognize so I asked Amanda who he was. She went on to tell me that his name was Snowball and she was going to marry him! Yeah.... talk about weird! She ended up marrying him after church that night... So odd!  So yeah after I woke up I talked Brandon into buying pizza for lunch (yum!!) and then went shopping for salad ingredients for our family potluck/birthday party for my cousin Shyanne.

   My Grandpa made fortune walnuts (he takes the walnut shell and fills it with candy and a hand written family saying or something silly). My quote was "Live the life you dream." Amanda got "There is more to life than romance." That is what my great Grandfather use to say to all the kids.... Something good to remember.  My dad got "place half the walnut shell on each ear for better hearing." LOL I think his was the funniest!

                               I LOVE this song! Give me Jesus!!!!

Well, thats all for now.
XOXO
~Brittany~

       Okay, I know I havnt blogged in a few days so there is a lot to tell! I finally got my perscription (after running all around town and trying to restrain from telling walmart off!) and am feeling a little better everyday. So, on Tuesday after babysitting I threw my yarn bag on the front seat of my car and drove home. When I got home I didnt pay much attention, just grabbed my bag, slammed the door and started walking to the house ( a good 20ft.). As I got close to the front door I noticed my yarn was pulling on something. I thougt maybe my hook had cought on the pocket of my sweatshirt, so I gave it a tug. Nope, that wasn't it. I turned around and there was a string of yarn stretching from the inside of my car all the way up the front porch of the house!! I laughed so hard!!! Thankfully, my hook had cought on the last stitch I had worked and held it secure so I didn't lose any of my work. This is the finished blanket I made for Stephanie as a belated birthday present (SHHHHH she doesn't know yet!)

    On Wednesday I babysat Jackson and Cameron. We had a FUN day! Cameron and I made Peanutbutter cookies :) so yummy! Jackson was too busy playing his Xbox to help lol! Boys and their toys....

Cameron and I also had a tea party! Girls are so fun!

    Today I hung out at home and crocheted! Such a good day :) I finidhed Stephanie's blanket (see above picture) and got a good chunck of Shakota's done (pictures to come :))! Well, I think that about sums up the last couple of days. More soon!

XOXO

~Brittany~





Sniffle Sniffle & A Dog in Church



       Ok, so lets start with Sunday. While we were at Sunday School I looked toward the back and on the very last pew was a lady and her dog! It startled me! I leaned over to Amanda and said "There is a dog in here!" She said "Oh, what a stuffed one?" Me: "Nope, a real live one! Haha look on the back pew!". Needless to say it was the first time we have had a dog sit on a pew through church with us. :) Some days are just interesting!

    Today I didn'd do much of anything. I have been coming back down with a cold/sinus infection, so I took the oportunity to just relax and get some crochet done. I am working on 3 Birthday presents and 1 just for fun present! I have my work cut out for me!!! I called the Doc and she called in a prescription for me, but when I went to pick it up they were out of the medicine. So I am waiting to hear from the doc to see if I can get it changed. That is pretty much all that happens in the random life of me. :)

XOXO
~Brittany~

Beer Battered Fish N' Chips!

Tonight Chef Elbert (AKA Dad) made some awesome fish n' chips! They were suppose to be beer battered but, Amanda got ahold of the beer!!!

Just kidding about the beer ;) It really did go into the batter (well, most of it anyway hehe).  Dad (or ahem "Chef Elbert") cut his own "chips". They were so cool!

After dinner Amanda, mom and I went to work off our food at the gym. I think I may be dead in the morning!! :(

Matthew 7:9-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

This passage just reassured me that God has our best interest at hand and knows what we need before we even ask. I am so thankful I know Him!
Thats all for now!
XOXO
~Brittany~

TheBest Things in Life Aren't Things.

Today started off on the slow side. Amanda and were reading our Bible passages for the day and I couldnt believe how (In Genesis 12) Abram told his wife Sarai to tell Pharaoh that she was his sister, and Pharaoh took Sarai to be his wife. Now, I understand he was scared for his life, but to watch as another man takes your wife? Seems weird to me lol. Anyway, after that Amanda and I went into town to have lunch with Briana and Shaikell. Mucho Gusto is AMAZING!!!!! We also did a little shopping (It's what we do best!).

I have been looking for a saying to post on my bedroom mirror and I finally found one I like. It says "The best things in life aren't things.". This is so true! I know in every post that I have made on here I have said something about how thankful I am for the people around me, but i just cant say it enough. I hope having this saying posted somewhere I will see it everyday will help remind me not to just be thankful for all of the material things, but for the people who make my life worth living. They inspire me to be the best that I can be! Thats all for now.
Sweetdreams,
~Brittany~

The Bible in A Year~

       At church on New Year's day Pastor Murphy gave us this program he wanted us to start. It was a daily program to help us read through the Bible in a year. I had tried before to read the Bible and  I always got discouraged, but I decided to try again. I switched from reading the KJV to reading the NIV. This is a huge difference, and for me it is much easier. I knew I wanted to try this program and be diligent at it, so Amanda and I decided to do it together.  Being the procrastinators that we are we started it today :(! So needless to say, today we have read the first 10 chapters of Genesis, the first 5 chapters of Matthew, and are working on the first 3 of Psalms! For some reason I feel like I could sit down and read the whole Bible through in one night! For the first time it is intriguing and interesting to me. I am excited to see what is in store as we take on this program! Well, thats all for tonight.
XOXO!
Brittany~

A Day Full of Babies!

Yesterday was such an awesome day, but by the time I got home I was too exhausted to blog. My day started early. I got up at 5am and went to the gym with my mom. At 7:15am I was starting my "fill in nanny" job. This is the best job in the world :). Sam and I had so much fun together!

After nannying all day, Amanda and I went over to our friend Carol's house. She has a 4mo. old little boy named Liam. He is adorable! We ate yummy pizza and played a game called Snortz. I dont think i have laughed that hard in ages!

Little Liam loves Amanda. She could just look at him and say "Hi!" and he would start laughing! 

Yet again I think of how blessed I am to have the friends I have. My life wouldn't be the same without them!
 XOXO! Brittany~

So Thankful!

Wow, I have so much to be thankful for, and I think it's always a good idea to start something out with being thankful. A new year is here and as I look back on what 2011 had to offer I am ovewhelmed by how blessed I am. In March I was able to buythe car I have wanted for years, but of course you cant have good without a little bit of bad on the way. :) In September I backed the car that I love right into my dad's truck! Never the less the good out weighs the bad. I have the best family in the whole world. A sister who has been through poop with me and still loves me, (litteraly poop, mouse poop!).  And some awesome friends. Briana, who is always there when I need her. Money cant buy that! Of course I couldnt forget my baby!!! Lucky Lou :) She makes my days worth living and snores my nights away lol! Well I am off to the gym so thats all for now!