Wow! Long time no see... well more like update

Hey friends,

Sorry I have not been updating like I said I would! It's been a while. Life is so crazy!!!

Hello 2010!

Let's see... what has happened?

Well starting off... on January 8th, Michael Phelps died. When I went to flush him... and when I dropped him in, it sounded like a rock dropped in a pool. IT WAS SO FUNNY!!! haha And on January 20th, Peyton Manning was bought. I love his colors... he is a aqua blue with red.

In January, I went with my aunt Andrea to her first ultrasound... and it's a GIRL!!! I screamed in the doctors office. I was so happy! =) This is her 8th month... so one more month left!!! Hoping May comes fast! =)

Also in January I applied for a few Home Depots, Target (again), CVS and Publix in Orange Beach. I was not offered any. I must say... I was glad Home Depot never called... because a friend of mine and my brother kept making fun of me... saying that because I was so short, people would not see me and run me over with their carts. Haha James and Josh! ;)

But the beginning of February I started to nanny a friend of ours baby 3 days a week. I am loving it!!! And I am almost at the point where I can quote all of Green Eggs and Ham!!! haha

As some of you might know... my Colts went to the Super Bowl... but lost. =( I was not happy! Plus, it was not good being at my grandparents house (they are from Louisiana... and BIG LSU and Saint fans). Mom was rooting for the Saints as well, since she is from there. And by the end of the game... my own father was rooting for the Saints. All I have to say now... COLTS WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR! ;)

Liliana had her 3rd birthday in February... and my mom and dad had their 20th wedding anniversary! Kel and I also house-sat for my aunt and uncle in February. First time we have ever stayed somewhere over night by ourselves. I had so much fun with my lil sis! We also were able to use their car... and went to go see Dear John with some friends! That was a great week!

First day of March rolled around and my grandmother took me to get my hair cut. Well... I finally did the style I have wanted to do for sometime! Kate Gosselin's! In my opinion... I look a lot older, a little bit more my age!!! =) Some people still think I look younger. haha

March 15th, my cat Snuggs, turned the big 10! =( Izzie also ran away. Kel was not that upset... since she was at the point already of finding him a home. Since Snuggs is the only cat now, he thinks he is king! (And we have not had one cat since we first got Sassy in 1998.) So, now we are down to two dogs, 1 cat and 1 fish. And to think, a year and a half ago... we had over 20 chickens, 3 cats, 2 dogs and 1 fish! Crazyness!

Also in March, we started to meet with a neat group of people about a church plant... and they are hoping to be adopted by Sovereign Grace Ministries. It was so neat... the first night we went (March 7th), I knew this was where God wanted us to be! Isn't He good?! =) Weeks later, we made the decision to join their group. And how neat... for years, I have had it on my heart to be apart of a church plant... and here I am!

God has really been working in my life! It's been amazing! The past few months I have had a hard time with a few things... and He was right there! Not having my friends hear to talk too... I have had to turn to my mom. She has really been helpful!!! Within the past few months, God has brought it to my attention that I don't praise Him when life gets hard... I fall away. But there are 3 songs that I just put on repeat on my iPod... and listened to them over, and over, and over again!

- "Blessed Be Your Name" by Matt Redman

- "As Long As You Are Glorified" by Sovereign Grace Music

- "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns

They are all worth checking out!

He does give... but He also takes away. Like when He took basketball away from me... I wasn't able to play in college. Or when we moved here... He took Virginia from me. And a few other things... I wasn't putting all my trust in Him! But really at the start of the year, I have been learning... when He does give... and when He does take away (which He does!) we need to choose to say, "Lord blessed be Your name"! Because, isn't our heavenly Father wonderful?! He does these things for my good! That is such a comforting thought!!! ~Jeremiah 29:11~

April came... and on April 4th... Easter... we had our church service on the beach. And wow! That was so cool! A really neat experience! And 2am on the 4th, was one year since we pulled into the Keene's driveway from VA. =( Man, do I miss you guys up there!!! And I am not just saying that!!! I really do miss yall. That week we also had Matt Jones with us. That was really good for Josh! It had been one year and a day since Josh last saw Matt. But the whole time he was here... they were in J-bo's room. So it felt like he wasn't here! haha

Well, that is all I can think for an update... sorry it's long! Hope you enjoyed it!!!

Miss ya guys in VA! Hope to see ya guys this summer!!! <3

=)Brittany

Michael Phelps... MY FISH! Not the swimmer!!!

Hello everyone!
Hope all is well! So this is good, last post was a week ago!!! =)

Ok, well nothing is really going on in the Fernandez household... but one thing. I think Michael Phelps is dying. That is my fish... not the swimmer. HAHA. Well, it all started yesterday... really I noticed it yesterday. But he is not swimming at all or eating, instead just floating on the surface. And he is still alive, because his fins are still moving back and forth.
Today I cleaned out his bowl, because normally he does that, and I clean it out... and he just swims... without stopping... for hours (happy fish =) ). Today... another story, as you read above. Someone told me, he might be cold... but I'm not sure.

Short story... concerning the "HAHA" after I said "my fish... not the swimmer". So my Betta fish, (as you know... is named Michael Phelps) is acting really weird (as you know). Told my mom... and when I told my dad, I said... NOT THINKING, "Dad, Michael Phlelps might be dying... He is not eating, and he is just lying on the surface of the water." And he replied, "Why doesn't he just get out of the water!!!" He thought I was talking about the REAL Michael Phelps!!! HAHA. It was great! I still cannot stop laughing ever time I think about it!!!

But if I do have to end up getting another Betta... I am naming him Peyton Manning. =) I'm already planning ahead!

I will post when something changes!

Thanks for reading!

Love you all... and miss you very much!

=)Brittany

Sports News

This past weekend was filled with mixed feelings. Sad, on Saturday... and very happy on Sunday.

Florida Gators played Alabama for the SEC Championship. Going in with a 12-0 record, they lost... 13-32. What a sad game! Both Offense and defense did not come to play, and did not play as the Florida Gators. During the 3rd quarter, Tebow (QB - Sr.)... and if you don't know who he is, Tim Tebow was homeschooled and is a very strong Christian! <3...>

The hardest part of it all, was when Tebow started to cry at the end. For one, he tried his best to get is team to play... but they just did not do it, as well as being his last game with Florida, or even forever. =( sniff sniff... But what a leader!!! But I personally know what that feeling is like... being so wrapped up in basketball. It's very hard!

Now on Sunday was a different story!!! =) The Colts.... well...

WON ONCE AGAIN!!!!!

They played the Tennessee Titans, and the score was 27 - 17. Titans scoring with just a few seconds left on the clock... and like the Gators... it was to late. Giving my wonderful Colts a 12-0 record. =) So I am still wearing those earing every day!!!!

Talk is going around that my Indianapolis Colts (12-0) will be going to the Super Bowl in 2010 (man that is weird to say!) against the New Orleans Saints (12-0). What do you think? Would love to see what your vote is... so vote on the poll I have posted on the side of my blog... Colts? or Saints?

=)Brittany

DECEMBER!

Dude!!! Can you believe it's December already? My little bro will be 15 in 8 days! Crazy!

Sorry (once again), that I have not updated my blog.

So what has happened since the last post...

We finally got a van, after weeks of trying to get our money from the insurance company, we got a 2005 Town and Country, with Stow and Go seating ... and we love it! It's a very pretty navy blue. =) My favorite color!

Andrea's due date is May 23rd. Gwyneth's birthday. She is hoping to find out what it is this month... so I will keep you updated.

No job for me... I'm working on it though! People are just not hiring young adults like me at the moment.

On November 24th, my great grandpa passed away. So we went to Louisiana (were most of my mom's family lives) for the week of Thanksgiving. It was sad, but also good to see everyone who I have not seen in years. We got back home on Thursday night.

COLTS! Colts are doing GREAT!!!! 11-0 so far! I am a very happy fan! Plus, my dad might be taking our fam to the Colts / Jags game on December 17th. It's going to be our Christmas present... WHAT A PRESENT! I'll get to see Peyton Manning! haha... Far away... but I will see him in real life with my two eyes, and not on a TV screen.

The weather.... Oh, the weather. Very different than VA weather! Taking some time to get use too. But it's good. It's been round 70 degrees during the day, and around the 40's at night. Not wearing the coats I would have been wearing up there. But it's good!

Nothing else is really going on.... We are doing great! God is at work here in P'cola! But I will have to do another post about that soon! Isn't He good?!

So sorry, once again! I really need to be on top of this... with all the free time I have.

Hope all is well. And I hope your all having a great start to December!

Love you all,

=)Brittany

What's New...

Hey Friends,

Happy October! My birthday is in 14 days.... Just thought I would let you know =)

Well, Some bad and good news. I will give you the bad news first, then top it off with some good!

So the bad news... On Friday around 6pm, Mom, Kel, Josh and myself were all heading over to our friends house (the Kincaid's). And when my mom came up to a stop light, we were rear-ended. Hit by one dude first, and the guy behind hit him, making the first dude hit us once again. No one was hurt!!!! Praise God! But it was pretty bad! The dude behind us was going pretty fast when he hit us. After awhile of being on the side of the road, my dad came to be with us. It was a really hard time! I was feeling really dizzy/faint like... so I stayed in the car most of the time. I was checked by the firemen and then again by the paramedics. And since I am 18, I had to sign a form saying I did not want to go to the hospital. (Oh, by-the-way, not sure who my little brother told, but I do not have a crush on the fireman, I just said he was cute! Big difference! haha)
After my grandpa was doing working, he meet up with us as well. We finally left around 8:30 0r so. My grandpa (with Josh) driving my dad's work van, my dad (with Kelsey) driving the Expedition, and me driving my grandpa's SUV. So mom rode with me... making me a little nerves... having her teach me how to drive all over again, even though I have my license. haha During the weekend, Mom, Kel and I all were sore, and I had whip-lash for a few days. Josh was fine! Lucky!
And the latest is, the Expedition was checked out yesterday (Wednesday), and it is totaled. Which we knew already.

Now time for the good news, which is a few things. First, my aunt Andrea (my mom's youngest sister) is going to have another baby!!! We are all very excited! This will be her and my uncle Hugo's (oo'go) third (Diego 4, Lili 2). She is expecting it to be dude in May. So when the baby is born, my grandparents will have 8 grand-kids all living in Pensacola.
{Oldest to youngest - the age we will be when the baby is born - DOB - Dad and Mom. }
*Just for fun... and for you to get to know my cousins =)*
Me - 19 - Oct 15, '90 - Shane & Vanessa
Kelsey - 17 - Aug 5, '92 - Shane & Vanessa
Josh - 15 - Dec 12, '94 - Shane & Vanessa
Olivia - 7 - Jul 3, '02 - Ross & Stacy
Diego - 5 - Apr 26, '05 - Hugo & Andrea
Gwen - 4 - May 23, '05 - Ross & Stacy
Liliana - 3 - Feb 20, '07 - Hugo & Andra
? - May 2010 - Hugo & Andrea
{My mom is the oldest of the 4 Brown girls - Mom, Stacy, Jessica, and Andrea}

The second good news, is that my dad and a friend of his might be going up to VA this weekend to get our stuff. We are trying not to get our hopes up, but we are praying! =)

Here are somethings prayer request... feel free to pray for only one thing! But please keep us in your prayers!

• Since the car accident, we don't have a car anymore, that was our only one. Please pray that God will provide us with a mini van or another Expedition.
• I am still searching for a job. Nothing around here is working out. I did apply for Target again, got an email saying they are not hiring right now. Gave a vet my resume, called a few days later like they said, and told me that they had not spoken to the Doctor yet, but would set up an interview is something was opened. Have not heard from them yet. And I also handed out a few more resumes to other places.
  
• Please pray for my dad who will prob/most likely will be making a trip up to Virginia, pray for safety/and a speedy return/ and that the truck will not break down or anything like it did the last time we moved from FL to VA 12 years ago!

Love you guys! And hope yall are all doing well!!!
=)Brittany

The New House!

Hey Friends,
Thought I would share with you pictures of our new house. We really enjoy it, but really wish we had our own stuff (which is still in VA). We are borrowing what ever we need from family... but it does not quite feel like home... does not have my mom's touch, which is amazing. :(
When we get our stuff, I will post new pictures... but I just wanted to show you what we are living like at this moment.
Not sure if I mentioned this in the last post, but we call this house our "dream" house. Every thing any of us have ever wanted in a house... this ones got! For instants, my mom has always wanted a bar in the kitchen... this one has it. We always have wanted a paved drive way... this ones got it. Kel and me always wanted our own rooms... this one has 4 bedrooms. I always like a fireplace with "seating"... this one has it. I could name lots more... but I won't waste your time. =)

The front of our "Dream House"

Now, just click on this link and view the other photos... or go onto my Facebook, and go to my albums. Enjoy!

Hope yall had a great weekend!
Love,
=)Brittany

OH WAIT!

And did I mention we live 5... yes I said 5... minutes from the BEACH! BOOYA!
Yall come and see us!
<3

SUP?

Hey Yall!
So sorry I have not been updating my blog! Life is crazy!!!! Totally a new life!!!

Well... I will give you an update of my life in a nut shell.....

Traveled 15 hours in a Ford Expedition with 5 grow people, 2 golden retrievers, 2 cats, and a Betta fish. When we got here, 3 in the morning on April 4th, we lived with my aunt Stacy and uncle Ross. Started babysitting the girls (Olivia & Gweneth) while they were at work. Dad got licensed as a Pastor. Saw 17 Again. Celebrated Diego's 4th birthday. My grandpa had a heart attack, that was followed by surgery. Babysat both sets of cousins tons during that time. Played soccer on the co-ed team at our church. Not sure our record. Loved and hated it. Celebrated Gweneth's 4th birthday. Missed graduation because of everything that went on with my grandpa. Watched basketball..... rooted for the Lakers, and they won! One month after my grandpa had his heart attack, my grandma had to go in for heart surgery. Babysat tons during then as well. Swam in the pool....... a LOT. Babysat some more. Saw Terminator Salvation with my dad. Moved out of my aunt and uncle's house at the end of June with nothing much to live with in our new house. Got my own room once again! WOO HOO! Celebrated Olivia's 7th birthday. My aunt Andrea took her kids out of day care, and we babysit them now during the week while she and my uncle Hugo (pronounced oo-go, not hu-go) work. Celebrated 3 more birthdays. Saw childhood friends that we have not seen for 6 years. Celebrated Kel's 17th birthday. Went to the beach. Applied for Target, had an interview, and did not get the job. Got my Florida license! Got my hair highlighted the "fake" way. Looks great! Thanks Nana!

Now, we have been in our house for 2 months, and our stuff is still up in VA. We are borrowing stuff from fam that we are in need of, and God has provided stuff like a washer and dryer. Please pray that we will be able to get our stuff soon!!!! Really soon!
As for a job, Target and the Law office did not go through. But the church is considering hiring me full time. I have been volunteering there some... and its gone well. Please keep me in your prayers! That if this does not work... something else will come up! God has a plan for me, I know it!!!!!
FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE!!!!! The Colts have started their pre-season... and have not really done all that great! Hoping the regular season starts out better!!!!! Fingers crossed!

Sorry it has taken so long to post something! I am going to try to stay on top of it now that life is slowing down! And, I hope to post pictures of the new house... aka our Dream House.... really soon! My camera broke, and mom's is not all that great... but I sent mine in for repair since I still had warranty... and it should be here, in my hands on Thursday!

Hope yall are doing good! Comment if ya want! :)
Love and miss you all... and I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry it took so long for me to post!
=)Brittany

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..........