Chapter 5: Home Sweet Home

This past Saturday was one week since we have been in VA. And to tell the truth, it feels like we never left. We have such great friends, and oh how we missed it those two years in P'cola.
Our house is small... a little to small you might say. I think it would be a great house for a family of small children. But a family of five adults... it's a tight. So it's a good thing we are a close family. We call it the cottage, cuz that's exactly what it feels like. A plus side is, it's easy to clean!
If you know my family well, you know we like to make jokes about a lot of things. So it wasn't long before we had jokes about the house. Such as our crazy mailman. Everyday he drives back and forth at least 3 times, as if he forgot something. So we say he is on crack.
The cats across the street are HUGE! We thought they were dogs at first... so they are the cats on steroids.
You may think my family is weird... but I love it! Would not ask for another family.

Chapter 4: On Our Way

Bright and early (well for me bright and early, 7:30) we woke up to say our goodbyes. When the many hugs and tears were done, we headed our way to VA at 9am central. With 4 adults, 2 dogs, and 1 cat in one van, it was a rather long day. And thanks to Mr. Hagen for coming down to help dad with driving the 26 foot moving truck!
After many hours on the road, we arrived in VA at 2am central, 3am eastern. What a relief to finally be here... home!

Happy 2011!

Happy 2011! My family had a wonderful Christmas! We made the long trip to VA on Christmas Eve, and we all vote it was one of our top Christmases. Yes, we got a lot of great stuff, like a Wii. And I got an espresso maker (finally!), NFL Cookbook, Madden 11 for the Wii, Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble cds, a Starbucks cup and coffee to go with my espresso maker, $25 of Starbucks gift cards, Yankee Candles, and so much more. But it was the time spent with family. With my grandfather falling off his deer stand and being in the hospital a few days, God really showed me I need to be greatful for the things I have at this moment. He has been showing me that a lot lately. You don't relize what you have till it's gone. So the best part of my Christmas was spending time with my grandparents, aunt and cousins! I love you all!!!

My Way Up

Well, as most of you know, I'm in Virginia for a week. I flew up by myself for the first time ever... and it was quite an adventure.

I woke up at 3am to finish packing anything I needed to get ready before I had to leave, such as tooth brush, hair things, etc. And around 4:15, my wonderful father was so kind to take me to the airport. I was shocked at how many people were on the road at 4 in the morning.
Well, when I got to the airport, I checked in, said my goodbyes to my dad, and got in line for the security check. Once again, there were a lot more people than I expected to see that early in the morning.
When I got up to be checked, they stopped me and took me to the side to be checked even further. They also took my bag to look thru, and asked if I had any weapons. I said no, and they took my bag back thru the scan. Do I really look that suspicious?
Every thing after that was smooth, I even was able to put my bag in the over head with no help. Yay me. The ride was a little bumpy tho, and at one point I thought the flight attendants were going to fall over with the cart.
Arriving in Atlanta, we entered a storm, lightning and crazy wind. And as we were landing, I saw one building of Airtran planes, and another with Deltacom with 3 Airtran planes at the very end. I was hoping none of those were my plane, but guess what? It was. When I entered concourse c (in Brian Regan's voice), 15 minutes early than I was suppose to, I asked the lady where I was taking off. She told me in the building next door, concourse d. I looked at my ticket and my plane was leaving at 8:45 and it was 8:10. So I pretty much ran, flollowing the signs leading me to concourse d. I thought about taking the sub, but it wasn't there yet. So I took off. When I got to concourse d, one way was gate 1-16, the other 17-what ever it was... and it started at D16, and I needed to get to D1a (and if you have never been to the Atlanta airport, I couldn't see more than 5 gate signs at a time. That's how big it was.) Once I got to D1, it said departing for Indianapolis at 8:45. Part of me freaked, the other part of me was thinking, "ok, I packed 2 of my Colts shirts, I could just go there and stay till next Monday, and see the Colts play." I then saw the D1a gate at the very end that said departing to Richmond. And right when I got there they were boarding zone 1. I was able to call my mom and GG before boarding myself. As I was standing there, the two men behind me were talking about Auburn, and I was sooooo tempted to turn around and say "war eagle", but the way they were talking, they didn't seem like fans. They were talking about how well they are playing tho... but I didn't say anything.
My second flight was not much better than the first. I was able to sleep for about 15 mintues, but it was more bumpy than the last. The captain kept turning the seatbelts sign on and off. Both flights I had a window seat, and on the second you could totally tell you were headed up north, beacuse all the trees went from green, to red, orange, and yellow. It was so pretty from above, and I was reminded God made all that.
Coming in at 10:30, landing was a little rough, and when I got outside, it was freeeeezing. I was so glad to have my Under Armour hoodie. GG pulled up and it was so good to see her.
It's been refreshing to be here with my family. Monday I spent the day with GG and Don, and also saw the Kury's. And Tuesday I spent it with the Bishops till last night. Today I'm going shopping with the White girls and Jone will be sleeping over tonight. I'm so thankful for my friends and family.

Lately In My Life....

Lately in my life there has been either a lot going on, or big changes!!!
My family made the trip over to Jacksonville, to my aunts house, on Wednesday the 14th. Where GG and Popa Don, along with Kristy and the girls came down too. It was great seeing everyone and enjoying great times with cousins about my age! Played lots of pool... swam at their neighborhood waterpark, and went off the big slide like little kids about 20 times each time we were there... drove the golfcart everywhere, inculuding Walmart... played our own game of tennis... watched movies in the theater room.... And we did so much more in the 5 days we were there!
Tuesday the 20th, Popa Don, GG, Kel, Josh and myself all piled up in their car to head to VA! I must say that was the fastest trip I have ever taken!!! And I have taken a lot of roadtrips... from VA to Pcola a few times each year... and many more trips!
We had a great time while we were there! Did lots of shopping and saw many good friends! We had a great time spending time at GG and Popa Don's! They even gave us a beach party Sunday night so we could get together with close friends! Played Mafia most of the time... and I must say I have a new strategy. Mwahahaha!
On Tuesday the 27th, we were heading back home. But the night before GG called Kelly, and all the flights from Richmond to Atlanta were full. I was pretty upset, because I was ready to see my parents and Mark the next day. Mark kept telling me I had to come home. Well, we still got up at 4am, and headed to the airport. There were 2 seats left, and we decided to send Kel and Josh on. As I was saying my goodbyes, I was thinking that I might not be able to come home till next week. Because this was the best day of this week to leave Richmond to Atlanta. As GG was writing down the numbers to give Kel and Josh, she felt God was saying no. Well, the gate dude was sooooooo sweet and nice!!! He told us he could get us from Richmond to Orlando... then from Orlando to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Pcola. That is just what we did! On the plane to Orlando we were in business class (aka first class). That was really cool! The other two we were in coach. They were all relaxing to me, but the landing in Atlanta was a lil rough.
When we arrived at Pensacola, we saw our peeps!!! Mom was there with Diego, Lili and Sabrina... Mark and Sean... and Stacy and the girls were also there! It was great seeing everyone... lots of hugs!!! haha Mark and I got a great picture!!! (my profile picture! haha)
When we got home... Mark and I went to Starbucks where I thought we would be talking about our trips. After a while, he asked me if I would want to be in a relationship with him. I was speachless!!! I must say, I was hoping it would happen, but I was not expecting for few months. So when he asked me the day I got back from VA, I was so surprised!!!! I now have a boyfriend!!!! =D These are exciting times!!! I now know why he said I had to be home! =)
He is everything I ever wanted... and God has really blessed me!!!
God has been so kind to me this summer. Blessing me left and right. From opening my eyes to things I had never seen before to Mark. Even my relationship with my parents has grown! He is a great God!!! And I am very thankful for the gifts He has given me!!! My prayer is, I will glorify Him in all I do!

Update! / Short Pump weekend!

Hey yall,
So we are planning on leaving Friday........ but that may change to Saturday. Please pray for us! My dad is rapping up on jobs, we need to switch my dad's tools out and put in storage, then put what is in storage that we are taking down to Florida, and put in the trailer! CRAZINESS! haha

Josh is doing fine! His numbers are still all over the board...... up and down..... down and up...... But he has had no other problems! THANK YOU, LORD! Please continue to pray for him!

Fun Times;
So, Kelsey and I had a big weekend!!!!! GREAT FUN! Friday night we went to the Kruger's for the night to hang out with Jone. We enjoyed the 2 for $20 deal at Applebees, and that was very filling! Then we walked over to Short Pump (and which felt like a very long walk, probably because it was so cold! lol). We walked around, and that was a lot of fun! While we wated for Mr. Kruger to pick us up, we went over to Dick's Sporting Goods, and "played" mini golf (on that practice thingy they have). That was alot of fun! haha We had a blast just hanging out, and watching Madagascar 2. LOVE YA, JONE!

Then Saturday, Nikki and Kelsey set up at time for us and a few close friends to go shopping at Short Pump. That was alot of fun as well! Corrin Brewer, Hannah Hopper, Kim Shaffer, and Lydia Brackett joined us! It was a great group of girls! We just walked around, and took pictures! LOVE YOU ALL!


Thank you so much for your prayers!
I will let you know if anything comes up!
Love yall!
=)BrittanyLove ALL of yall so much!

News about JOSH!

Hey everyone!
I bet most of you are wondering what happened yesterday (3/19/2009)!
*(It might make since if I tell you that my brother, Josh, has type 1 diabetes. If you did not know that already!)
Well...... yesterday morning Josh and Matt Jones were going to have a Bible study at 7 am. So my dad went in there, told Josh to wake up...... and left the room. And if you know Josh, it takes a little more than just to say "Josh get up" to really wake him up! At 9, my dad went back in there to wake him up again, and Josh would not answer! Kelsey and I could just hear my dad keep saying, "Josh! Get up son! Josh! Josh! JOSH!" My first thought was that he had died! (Terrible thought, I know!) But Kelsey ran into the other room, as dad is running down the stairs to get mom. From what I am told.... (I stayed in my bed, to scared to go in there!!!!!) They tried to give him Coke, but he would not drink it..... since he was unconscious, he could not swallow! Then, they tried giving him some cake, and when they would get it in his mouth, he would just spit it out all over the Hagen's floor. So he started fighting my parents, like kicking, swinging his arms and keeping his mouth shut...... making it impossible to put something in his mouth. So my dad then held his nose, and as a reflex, Josh opened his mouth. My dad got something in it, but Josh would just spit it back out! Mrs. Hagen called 911...... while my mom, dad and kelsey held him down to take a blood test (keep in mind, that this 14 year old teenager is almost 6 feet!). When the ambulance finally got here, the paramedics came up to bring him down, and they had to call a firetruck to come, just in case they needed more help to bring him down! BIG BOY! When they got him down the stairs, and into the ambulance, Josh's # was 33.... very low! (FYI! Norm your # should be 80 to about 120.) They had to hook him up to an iv, and put glucose in him! When he woke up, he said he thought it was a dream! Until they told mom, who was in the front seat, that she could come see him. They did go to the hospital, but only for like an hour, just so they could watch him if anything else would happen. When they got home about 11 am, Josh was fine. But he did act a little "drunk" like around noon, that was all!

Today dad had mentioned that, Josh WAS dying! Which makes you realize how serious Diabetes really is!!!!!!!!! SCARY!!!!

Also, this week is Josh's 6th anniversary for having Diabetes! And this is the first time he has had to go back to the hospital since that first time, on that rainy March night!

I would like to thank you all who I talked to (or did not talk to, but some one else did talked to you) and you were praying for Josh! It really meant a lot!!!!! THANK YOU!

Love you all!

=)Brittany

This is a picture of the ambulance he was in..........

St. Patrick's Day - March 17th, 2009

Sup, everyone?
Hope you had a great St. Patty's Day! I did!!!!!
So...... our day started out by going to the Frisbee restaurant in Powhatan...... Dad took Kel, Josh, Matt (Josh's best friend) and me out to breakfast before we had to work. We ordered our drinks, and when she brought them to us and left again. I put my lemon from my sweet ice tea in Josh's chocolate milk. The 4 of us were laughing our heads off, and Josh just kept saying "WHAT?" He had no clue! He even took a sip, and did not notice! GREAT FUN!

When we got to our house, we started to put all the trash and the things that need to go to the dump in the trailer.
Around 11, a lady called my dad's phone asking what kind of car my dad owns. So....... my dad being the goofball he is, said he had a Mercedes Benz. She goes on to say that his warranty was going to expire on 3/16/09. So my dad starts saying..... "Today is the 17th, so you are telling me that my warranty has expire?!?!?! So what is going to happen to my CD player and my radio if it breaks?!?!?!?! O! And you know that button thing that will set the seat for how my wife likes it, and then when I get in to drive, it will set my settings...... what will happen if that breaks!" She goes on to say "Sir, you need to calm down!!!!!!" and then she says that she is sending my dad to another person, so he just hung up. A few minutes later a dude called, and he said "hello sir, I am calling about your Mercury....." Then my dad said "I like Mercuries"..... "Oh, I am sorry sir! Its a Mercedes...." "I like Mercedes"........ "Its about the warranty" "I like Warranties" And then my dad said "Sir...... you have just been spoofed!" and hung up.

Two hours later.........., they call again. So he said, "Hi, this is Neddly Schneebly, but you can call me Ned" (a character from the movie, School of Rock) As he says it in a very nerdy voice..... She says "Ok, Mr. Ned.... how do you spell your last name?" "Schnee......... bly" "O.....k. I am calling about your warranty on your car. What kind of car do you have?" ""I....i....its a Yugo." "How do you spell that?" "Yu............ go" "O......k. Who makes the car?" "Yugo." "No sir, like does Ford make it, Chevrolet, Crysler........" "I...i...its a Yugoslavia." "I have never heard of that car before sir. We do not cover that kind of car." "Well, I have a company, Schbeebly's Fur Coat Company. I really need coverage! We are a envirment friendly company. We package our coats in polestar and styrofoam. Making them envirmently friendly!......" The lady says, "sir, I am going to put you on the 'do not call' list." And my dad says, "but I would like to tell you about our envirment friendly coats!"..... and she hung up.

Later on that day, after dad went to the powhatan dump, he took us to go get drinks. Well, dad, Josh, Matt and I knew what drinks we wanted. But........ Kelsey, knew she wanted a Sobe drink, but did not know what flavor. So dad and I get our drinks, along with Josh and Matt's and got up to stand in line for the cashier. Dad started calling Kelsey, telling her we had to go........... I should tell you that there was only like 6 differant flavors to chose from. But Kelsey could not decide. She was picking every single one up, and putting them down. CLING...... CLANG..... CLINGING AND CLANGING........ (It was a reather small gas station I might add.) My dad kept calling her, "Kelsey, KELSEY!" and the dude behinde us said, "she is over there stocking the shelves isn't she?" And right after he said that. she shut the door and got in line with us. When we were checked out and walked out the door, dad and I could not hold it anymore....... we burst out in laughter! So we told Kelsey in the car what it sounded like and what that dude had said! We had a good hard laugh! And I should say this! She never finished the drink! She did not like it! I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT THAT SHE WENT THROUGH ALL THAT TROUBLE FOR NOTHING!!!! lol

HAPPY *LATE* ST. PATRICKS DAY!

Love yall! =)Brittany

SNOW!

So yesterday, 3/01/2009, it started to snow! WHAT A BLESSING! Right before we leave for Florida, the state that never gets snow! lol
It snowed about 4 inches, and after the White family left our house, after a day of hanging out and fun, Becca and I went out and had a snowball fight! (video on facebook.) We ended the day with 6 inches in Powhatan.
Then today, when we arose from our beds,........ i sprang to the window to see what was the matter, and i saw a little red sleigh pulled by 8 tiny reindeer! HEEHEE! Just kidding! When we woke up, there was a foot of snow! So cool! It came right below my knee! We did not have power, so my dad had a fire going. And we were also out of water, so my dad got snow from outside and boiled it and then filtered it...... So we had hot coco with snow water! lol AND!!!!!!!!!! On top of that, Becca was off of work!!!!!!! :D So, we had a fun morning! Then, about 11:30 or so, dad and I went to Walmarts....... That was intresting! Its only 20 minutes away, but it took about 45.
After that, I don't think we want to get out for a few more days! lol....... But it was fun!
When we got back from the store, the power came back! This was about 3:00. Then we lost it again around 4:45. And about 5:30 or so, Josh and I took Charlie and Claire out for a little fun! (video of that on facebook aswell!)

Now, here are a few pictures of our day! ENJOY! (and if you have a facebook, there are more photos on that.)

Memories of VA

Hey friends,
Thanks for visiting my blog!
As you know, (or you would not be at this site) my family made the hard decision to move back to Pensacola, Florida. We are in the process or picking a date of when we will be leaving this wonderful place that I have grown up in for 12 years. Here is a lil flashback of our lives in VA.

In 1997 we moved up here from Florida, and lived with my grandmother in Hanover, till we could get a place of our own. Well, once we found a place, it was a very small apartment, with 2 bedrooms! That was really hard with a 6 year old, 4 year old, and a 2 year old!
We lived there for about a year, then moved to Ashland, where we lived in the amazing house on Ashcake Road, that will always hold the name.... "The Farm House". There we would get lost in the woods and find creeks, go to see the cows that were across the field (they were not ours!). We had our first chickens, making a total of 50 all at the same time! Had mud wars, made a tree house, would catch lightning bugs in the alfalfa fields and put them in the jar, and shot my first gun :D. My cousin, Kaitlin and I found, and hid over 500 bullet shells under my parents bathroom sink, because our dad's told us not to keep them. And the blizzard we had (in beginning of 2000), and we got a foot of snow!....... I could go on for hours about that house! any ways!
We moved from that house in 2001, and moved to Midlothian. That house was small, but we had lots of good times there and sad times! January of 2006, Cally, Kelsey's dalmatian, ran away and got hit by a car...... Then in April, we picked Charlie out!
The Easter of 2006, we moved to Powhatan, and moved into the blue house we are in now........ in June, my black lab/basset hound died of a lot of heath issues, though he was only 7 years old. :( In 2007, we did get 30 more chickens (not as many as last time!) and we had the coolest rooster ever..... King Julian...... (got his name from the lemur on the Madagascar movie). That summer after we got the chickens, we had a skunk or a fox kill 12 chickens, in 1 night. That was upsetting, because all our Silkies (but 1) were killed.
Kelsey and I played sports with CVHAA, most of you might have known that..... we played basketball for 5 years. Finishing out big (in the season of 2007-2008)! Kelsey as a starting forward and scoring over 300 points! And I as team captain and starting point guard, with 83 points! We played soccer as well. Our first year, Kelsey as goalie and me as forward...... and last year, I played forward again.... This year hoping to play 1 more season before I graduate!

Thanks for reading some of our memories in Virginia! WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU ALL!!!!!
=)Brittany