Brittany's 23rd Birthday

Every year, I say that that years birthday was the best!
But this year, it really was :)

First, Joe took me out to dinner, to one of my favorite restaurants.
After dinner, Joe was acting very strange.

We came back home, because he said "he had to let the dogs out."
I thought that was pretty weird, but didn't really think much about it.

As we were opening our door, I heard noises! I thought someone had broken into our house! Then, out pops our friends Betsy and Jeff, and their two little girls!
They had snuck into our house, and decorated it while we were gone!
And they did a really good job!Then Joe surprised me with my gift. A sewing machine!
After opening my gift, and eating the very yummy cake my friend had brought, Addie (our friends oldest daughter) came in from outside, and told me she had a birthday surprise for me!
So I closed my eyes, and went out back. She had tied some of the balloons to the fence.
How sweet is she!



It was an awesome birthday, filled with surprises!

:Deliciously Healthy

Do you remember the "Deliciously Healthy" blog I started a while ago?
Well, unfortunately, over the past year I've been on and off my diet. But, I'm back on it, and I'm sticking to it this time!

So, I wiped off the dust on my blog, gave it a little makeover, and started blogging again! This time, it's not just about sharing the deliciously healthy recipes I'm trying, but I'm also going to be taking you on my weight loss journey with me! The good, the bad, the funny moments, the milestones, and the victory!

If you're up for the ride, you can join me at :Deliciously Healthy.

See you there!

A New Year, and a New Me!

Until a couple of months ago, I never used to believe in new year resolutions. Then it dawned on me that a new year resolution, is really just setting new goals for yourself. It sounds simple, but I didn't get it for the longest time!

Goals are good. Goals are healthy, and fun! Suddenly, it all made sense. At the beginning of each new year, you try to better yourself by giving yourself new goals. What could be wrong with that? I guess the whole thing just seemed cliche to me. Although now I look at new year resolutions, as a spring cleaning of your life, mind, body and soul. A time to refocus, and de-clutter. A time to get out with the old, and in with the new!

So, with my new understanding of a new year resolution, I thought long and hard this year as to what mine would be. I laid in bed at night thinking about it, months before the year actually came. Then I discovered something kind of scary.
It had been a long time since I really reflected on myself and thought about who I really am.
Let me explain...

When Joe and I got married at the age of 18 and 19, we faced obstacles that I don't think normal newlyweds face. We had to prove to the world that IT was wrong, and that we were going to make it. We had to prove that we didn't think marriage was like "playing house"; that we could be just as responsible and mature as the rest of the newlyweds (who were years older then us). I didn't realize it, but I kind of became obsessed with it. Building a strong foundation, and making our way into the world, was literally all I thought about. I mapped out everything from Joe's career, to when we would buy a house. All the milestones I felt we had to make, to prove statistics wrong. I feel like the scene in "Forrest Gump" where he's running to make a touch down. He doesn't realize he has done what he was supposed to do, and can stop running now (If you remember, he ran from the football field, to all the way to his house)! I feel like we already made the touch down a long time ago, but I just kept running! It wasn't until I thought about my new year resolution, that I realized we've done pretty darn good, and I can stop obsessing (running) over it.

I've been so focused on my marriage, and on the milestones we make as a couple, that I completely neglected myself! I realize now that I can relax. We made it! I can stop obsessing over planning, and mapping, and keeping up with everyone else. While I'll never stop completely, as it's definitely good to have goals for your future together and to chart out your plans, I'm going to work on having more of a balance. I can work on our marriage, our future, and make sure I'm growing and maturing as a person. I need to concentrate on building up myself. I'm not the woman I want to be, and I realized I need a lot of work!

This is what I feel like, after neglecting my own personal growth for the past 4 1/2 years:2010, is a big year for us. It's the year we are going to start a family. I don't want to be a mother, who feels like a broken down car on the inside. I want to be the mother I envision myself being in my mind, but I can't feeling like the above picture. So, I'm rolling into the shop, and I'm getting a major makeover! I've put together quite a long list of goals for myself. They all include things to help me feel more confident, assertive, uplifted, beautiful, educated, content, healthy, spiritual, organized, outgoing, courageous, and empowered. It's time to work on me. This will help me to be a better, wife, sister, daughter, friend and mother. I hope to, slowly but surely, check one goal after the other, off my list. With each new goal I reach, I hope to feel more like this:Now that's what I'm talking about!
My husband will drool, people will notice, and my kids will be proud rolling around with this!

Wish me luck!

Course 3 Of My Cake Decorating Class

I finished course 3!
It always go's by so fast!

This course was very fun, and definitely the harder one of the 3 courses!

Lesson 1, we learned cornelli lace (a continual squiggly line), bead border, brush embroidery on fondant flowers, single drop strings, multiple drop strings, overlapping drop strings, ruffle border, and ruffle garland.

Lesson 2, we learned how to work with fondant, the fondant rose, and how to make a fondant ribbon and bow tie.
(it's supposed to look like a present, but there wasn't enough time in class, and I didn't have enough fondant. So, it's a cake with a bow:)

Lesson3, we learned how to make the following flowers in royal icing: Easter lilly, poinsettia, petunia, and morning glory.
Lesson 4, we made a 2 teird cake!!
We had to bring two, 2 layered cakes covered in fondant, and our roses that we made at home, to class.
Our teacher told us we could switch out the fondant roses, with either royal icing, or butter cream icing roses. I didn't like the roses we learned in class, so I looked up videos on-line, and taught myself how to mold them by hand.I liked the way they came out, but it was time consuming, and I had to make 30 roses! So, I decided to make them out of royal icing instead.
In class, we assembled our cake, and decorated it with the roses we brought from home.(my friend Julie and I with our final cakes. Julie did a really cool Halloween cake!)
I was in a rush to get home that night, so I waited until I got home to put on the leaves, and I also removed some roses, because it looked cluttered to me.
The final product...
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I got so much more out of this then just learning how to decorate cakes!

During this course, I also learned:

~Not to give up. The day of our final class, I was up sick the night before and didn't get much sleep, and I still had an upset stomach. I was not physically or emotionally up for the challenge of making 30 roses, and getting my cakes ready for class. I really wanted to throw in the towel that morning, but managed to move forward. Then when it came time to put the fondant on my cake, it was completely not working, and it kept ripping. At that point, I decided I was giving up, and I wasn't going to finish the course. I sat down on the couch, completely frustrated. I stared at my unfinished cake on the counter and a voice in my head kept telling me not to give up. I wasn't on the couch for more then 3min, when I got up, and gave it another try. I got everything done, and I couldn't believe I did it! I felt really proud, and happy I didn't give up.

~I grew a deeper appreciation for my husband. He helped me out a lot the last day, and I would not have been able to finish without him.

~To believe in myself. I really didn't think I could get the last class completed, but I kept telling myself "You can do this Brittany. You can totally do this!"

~I learned that through our struggles, come lessons and rewards, IF we allow it to. The last day of class was a huge struggle for me. It was filled with many emotions, and lots of tears. By persevering, I made it to the end, with lessons learned, and a beautiful cake to show for it! Although it would have been a completely different outcome, if I let my struggles bring me down.
Yes, I took that valuable life lesson from a cake decorating class!

Course 4 starts in January...Can't wait!

Course 2 of My Cake Decorating Class

Well, I've completed course 2.
It was so much fun, and I learned lots of neat things (mostly flowers)
This time we didn't have to make a cake, and bring it to class to decorate. We just had to bring all the frosting we would need to practice what we were learning in class. It was kinda nice to not have to make a cake every week, but it also meant we didn't get to decorate anything, showing what we had just learned. That part was kinda a bummer.

Week 1 we learned how to make rosettes, a reversed shell, rose buds and chrysanthemums (chrysanthemum)

Week 2 I was wasn't there because I was sick, but they covered the apple blossom, violet, and the violet leaf.

Week 3 we learned how to make the Victorian rose (same technique as the the regular rose, you just use a different tip), Daisy, daffodil, primrose, and pansy.
Week 3 I learned that I really like primroses, and daffodils, but I can't do a daisy to save my life! (daffodil)(Victorian rose)(primrose)

For week 4, we had to make all the flowers we've learned, at home, as well as make a 2 layered oval cake to bring to class.
In class we learned how to do a basket weave, and a rope border. Then we decorated our cakes, with the new techniques we had just learned, and with the flowers we had made at home.
I had planned to skip the basket weave on my cake, because I knew there was no way my hands would be able withstand it, because of my arthritis. My sweet teacher told me to do as much as my hands could take, and she would finish the rest. I only made it to 1/4 of the way through, and then she finished the basket weave. Isn't she sweet?!(my friend Julie, and her fabulous cake!)

(the side of my cake)

Once again, I'm a proud mama of my cake, and I'm really happy to be taking these courses!It's been fun learning to do lots of new things, and meeting up with a friend each week, to do something fun together!!

Next week we start course 3!

Course 1 Of My Cake Decorating Class

Over the past 4 weeks, I have been taking a cake decorating class with two of my friends, Julie and Nikki. It has been so much fun! We even went a little crazy, and got cute aprons, towels and wash cloths to match! Hey, if you're going to take a cake decorating class, you may as well go all out, right?

Our first class, we didn't do much, other then listening to the teacher go over how to properly make a cake, how to make frosting, and how to properly frost a cake.

Our 2nd week, we learned how to make a star, different lines (zigzag, squiggly, etc), and writing. In class we had the option to make a teddy bear cake COVERED in stars, or a rainbow cake. I decided to try the rainbow cake....It didn't come out to well. I was so annoyed when I was frosting my cake for the first time (each week we have to bring a 2 layered, frosted cake to class). It was so horrible, and I kept thinking to myself "She made this look a heck of a lot easier in class!" Then when I got to class, things just weren't quite working out for me. It was pretty hard on my hands. I was almost ready to give up, but I'm SO glad I didn't!

Week 2 rainbow cake:
Our 3rd week we learned how to make drop flowers, faces, bears, and clowns! We had the option to bring cupcakes or a cake. I decided to bring cupcakes, because I'm a cupcake kinda girl.

Week 3 cupcakes:(they fell over in the car, and got a little squashed. So these aren't the best pictures, but you get the idea)

Our 4th class was the grand finale! We learned how to make roses, leaves, vines, and bows!
I was all emotional in class (although I managed to keep it in:), because with each rose I made, I felt So proud of myself! My mind kept going back to the first class, when my cake looked horrid and it just seemed hopeless. I was amazed at how much I had grown!

Week 4 rose cake:
(I took a TON of pics of this cake because I'm a proud mama)
This was so much more then a simple cake decorating class to me. I learned a lot about decorating cakes, but I also learned SO much more!

I learned not to give up. If I would have given up the first time I felt frustrated, look how much I would have missed out on! I would have never had the opportunity to gain all that I did.

I learned to believe in myself. There were times when I would tell myself I just wasn't creative, or skilled enough to do this. Now I know that I TOTALLY am!! :)

I learned to not back away from something that intimidates me, or takes me out of my comfort zone. I learned to just jump right into it, and not let fear keep me from doing something that I really want to do.

I learned how to be more organized, and not procrastinate so much. Each week I had to have a cake all ready to go, along with all the frosting that I would need in class. Sometimes, it was a lot of frosting! I became better at doing everything I needed to, in order to meet a deadline.

I'm really happy I took this class. Like I said, I got so much more out of it than just learning how to make cakes.I got a Wilton Method of Cake Decorating Course One Certificate of Completion. I'm totally proud of that little piece of paper...even though it really doesn't mean anything :) To me, it does...

I'm super excited for the next three courses! I've learned all this in just one course, and I can't wait to see what I will learn over the next three!!

I Have A Lot To Think About...

On Thursday, I had a doctors appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. I have been having a lot of problems with my knee, and I thought my meniscus was getting caught again.

I told him about the problems I had been having, and he sent me to get an x-ray. A few minutes later, I returned back to his office. He put my x-ray up on the computer screen, and up pooped a image of both my knees side by side. He put his hand over his mouth, and gasped.
He sat in his chair, and wheeled up close to me. He leaned over and looked down at the floor as he whispered, "I wish I could tell you that I have a miracle treatment I could give you, but I can't." He then looked up at me, with a look on his face like he was about to tell me my whole family just died in a horrible accident. I thought to my self "You're about to tell me I need another scope...not that big of a deal. You're kinda over reacting here Doc." Then he said in a very soft voice, "I'm sorry, but you need knee replacements. You just can't put it off any longer." I giggled, trying to mask the fact that it was taking all I had not to start crying uncontrollably in his office. I replied back by saying, "I thought I just needed a scope."
I asked him what had changed from 3 months ago when he told me I needed replacements in a year or two? He answered by explaining that my knees have gotten worse since then. He went back to the x-ray image, and pointed out to me that in my left knee I have a tiny bit of cartilage left, but in my right knee, it's pretty much completely bone on bone. Looking at the image, I was horrified. there was no space at all, it was truly bone on bone.
I felt angry. Here I am on very powerful medicine in the hopes that things will get better! I've been going to the doctors every 2 months getting Remicade infusions for 2 hours, in the hopes that it will keep things from progressing, and it hasn't done a thing?!! I have been feeling miserable because of all the medicine I'm on, and it's all been for nothing?!! How can my knees go from bad to worse in just 3 months, when I've been trying like a mad women to keep them from getting to this point?!
He continued to talk to me, in a very compassionate voice. He said that it would take him 3 months to make the model for my knees, and then I will have the surgery.

I walked out of his office, repeating to myself "Just make it to the car Brittany. just make it to the car!" Just as I was about to get in the elevator, I realized I couldn't make it, and I rushed to the bathroom. As soon as the door was shut, I cried, and cried, and cried. I pulled my self together enough to walk out to the car. Once that door was nice and shut, I sobbed.
In the middle of my sobbing, I realized I needed my rock.
I called Joe on the phone, and he explained that everything was going to be OK, and that he would be by my side no matter what. He told me everything I needed to hear to make me calm down.
I'm so lucky to have him.

Getting knee replacements in it's self isn't bad. It would completely take away the pain in my knees, and I would be able to do things I haven't been able to do in years. Things like, walking for long periods of time without pain, running, riding a bike, getting down on the floor, and so many wonderful things that I dream about doing. The knee replacement would help me to be the mother that I want to be. I'd be able to run and play with my children. Every time my doctor gives me any kind of news, my children are one of the first things to come to my mind. I don't know them yet, but I love them with all my heart.
I want to be a good mother to them.
I want to be a healthy mother for them.

The bad part to getting knee replacements, is that they don't last forever. They usually last 10 years, before they start to break down. When they do, something from the replacement gets released into your body. When that happens, your body will start to attack the replacement. When your body attacks it, the bone that's attached to the replacement starts to melt away. Once that happens, it's time for another replacement. After the 2nd one, your bone is usually too damaged to be able to attach a 3rd knee replacement.
I will probably have 20 years of good knee replacements, and then they will have to take them out. When they do that, they simply fuse the two bones together (the femur and the tibia), and you're pegged legged.

If I get the knee replacement now, I will be pegged legged in my early 40's.
4o is so young. Not to mention, I would loose a good 3 inches off my height when they take them out.

I need to decide if I'm going to get knee replacements in 3 months, or if I should go against my doctors advice, and hold off as long as I possibly can. I feel like I can take more. Yes, I'm in a lot of pain, but I can take more. This is too serious for me to wimp out. I need to hold off until I can absolutely no longer walk.
On the other hand, I want it now. I don't want to be in pain. I don't want to sit around and wait to be in more pain. I want to be able to enjoy this time in my life. I will never be 22 again. I'm in my prime, and I want to embrace it.
I want it for Joe. He deserves to have a wife, that can do things, and who isn't held back by pain. Even if it is only for 20 years.
We should be able to be young together.
I have a lot to think about.

When I was growing up, my Dad used to tell me "If you're going to say something bad about someone, say 3 good things about them first." I've always remembered that, and I usually remember to apply it :)
A little while ago, I decided to switch it up a bit.
Whenever something bad happens, or something you're not happy with happens in your life, think of at least 3 things you're grateful for.
So...here I go.
*I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father. I know that he gives us trials because he loves us and wants us to grow. I'm grateful that he has given me this trial. I can already see all the ways it's helping me to grow, and become more like him. My faith has gotten stronger, and has been tested. My compassion for others has grown. My love and appreciation for my husband has grown. I've pondered, and understood the atonement more then I ever have.

*I'm grateful for my family. Yesterday (A very tough day for me), we had family home evening with Joe's family (Every Monday we have family home evening just the two of us, and every Thursday, we have it on skype with his family). They made me laugh, which was the perfect medicine for me. I love that they're always making me laugh. They showed me their support and compassion, which was very comforting to me. Joe's Mom had also sent me a b-day package that I got on Thursday. In it she put little pick me ups to look at when I was having a bad day.
It came just in time.
I'm grateful to all my family. I love them all so much, and it's nice to know I have people who love me.

*I'm so very grateful for my husband. I really don't know where I'd be if I didn't have him. He is always there for me, and he is always by my side. Through the good times, and the challenging times. He doesn't have to be. He's handsome and successful, and I'm sure he wouldn't have a hard time finding a beautiful healthy girl to marry. But he doesn't want that.
He wants ME! He loves ME!
He gives me so much love and support. He is always there to help when I need him, even though he just had a long day at work. He makes me a better person. He is always there to give me a big hug when I need a hug. He is always there to listen to my cry. He's always there to calm my fears, and tell me everything is going to be alright.
He's my rock.
I love him.
And I'm SO grateful for him!

*I'm grateful that I'm not dying of cancer, or something more serious then just needing knee replacements.
Things could be a lot worse, and I'm grateful they're not.

My 22nd Birthday!

My birthday was on Friday, but we didn't have enough time to squeeze all of Joe's plans into that one day, since he didn't get home until 6pm. So, my b-day celebration was a 2 day affair!!

On Friday morning, I woke up to the house all decorated b-day style for me! Decorating the house each year for each other's birthdays, has tuned into a little tradition. You may even say, it's turned into a competition!When Joe got home from work, we went to dinner at BRIO Tuscan GrillWhen we got home, I opened my gifts. I got a cake decorating kit, for my cake decorating class coming up in August, and I got an Asus Netbook in pink!! I guess Joe got tired of me being on his MacBook all the time, since I'm too lazy to go upstairs and use the computer in the office :0) He only has to put up with me for 2 more days, because it's scheduled to arrive on Wednesday....I'm so excited to get it!
Saturday, we did the rest of my birthday activities.First, Joe took me to my dream house! I've seriously been looking at this house on-line for the past 2 1/2 years!! It was nice to be able to actually walk inside! (I'm silly, I know.)
Someday...The sales lady was so nice! She just thought it was the cutest thing that Joe took me to see my dream house for my birthday. She even took us to her house, and showed Joe her husband's Dodge Viper. While Joe was drooling over the car, she told our whole life story to her husband! They were both amazed at our little love story. They kept telling us we should write a book about our it. We get that a lot. Which is weird, because to us, it's simply our lives, past and present. But who knows, maybe we will someday. Hopefully the story ends with me buying my dream house! ;)

When we got home, Joe made me a cake!Isn't that the most beautiful cake you've ever seen?! He's come a long way from last year's cake :0)
After he was done with his masterpiece, he sang Happy Birthday to me, and we ate the very delicious cake that he made for me!My birthday video...

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I had a wonderful birthday!
THANK YOU HONEY!