Today marks the day that my deliciously handsome husband asked this little woman to be his girl. Who would have thought the crazy boy i met freshman year of college would end up being the one who holds my heart!

Oh how precious are my memories with that man.

This picture was taken the day we talked about the 'potential' of dating :) I remember I wanted to go to the art gallery and no one else wanted to go, so you went with me. We walked around and talked, afterward we went to the pier and you asked me if i could ever picture us dating. That conversation, just how you approached it and everything showed me what an awesome man you are. I'm so glad we started dating.

 

during our first month of dating i remember we were sitting in the car and decided to take some pictures. When i came back into my dorm room and looked at them, i was so surprised. I kept thinking. Look at my face! I think i had a sneaking suspicion that this man would most definitely be my husband. I felt so inlove (oh i still do....)

 

 That summer i stayed with my dear friend Aubrey. My mom got sick and i needed to come home during sonshine. You drove all the way from the cities to come, pay to get in (to see the relient K concert) and drive me back. I loved you for that.

Relient K

In august we got engaged. And tried to take some engagement pictures. Here was our first set. it was super dark out when we started taking pictures and they all turned out grainy...but you let me do them all the same.

We went to see your parents that Christmas. And i felt at home.

Then spring came, and I wanted to take pictures again. And this time you had all sorts of ideas. I think this was the first time i realized that you and i make a really good team. you gave me the courage to start taking pictures even with people staring at us. You make me feel brave.

and then we planned and fell deeper in love and planned some more. 

and then we got married.

 Our Dating and engagement were lovely. Our wedding, honeymoon and adventures ever since have been even more beautiful.


Here is the story in words, rather than pictures.


Mr. Ben, being married to you has been the greatest adventure of my life. I'm so excited to get to spend the next 50 summers, winters, falls and springs by your side. Come what may you're my forever love.

The best 20 minutes ever spent.

 

I found this lovely site called little things and then i kept reading and reading and reading. and ben started reading and we walked away wth all sorts of good feelings. I hope you do too.

 

 

 

 

 

you know that thing i was saying about my future musical children???

Well...here's a little idea of what i'm talking about:

Yeah...pretty awesome!

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Let the craziness begin...

We're beginning the move tonight.

We sign our lease, we've got our whole life in boxes. And last night, Bruce, our little fish-child took a turn for the worst. He's not dead, but...he's really sick.

So then, what is a girl? Pray a lot, clean like a crazy person and order Chinese take-out. That's what.

Pray our fish gets better and that the move is awesome. I'll be sure to post pictures of awesomeness once we're all moved in!

Over and out!

11 monhts of awesome union

Ben,

I wrote you a poem.

You are my hopes realized, my greatest dreams come true,
it is the greatest reality i have ever tasted, that life will be with you.

Oh! to go away with you, to destination unknown,
Wherever your sweet breath breaths, that is now my home,

The sunshine rises to see your face, and sets to give you sleep,
but just as surely as it will rise again, so my love you'll keep.

an answered prayer and so much more, you're the great awakening
my heart has breathed in the sweetness of you, and it will forever sing.

Let my days be countless, the years slowly stroll,
oh give me more  hours that i may know you more.

your laugh, your eyes, your heart your taste- i know it all so well
in your grasps my heart will be, with you and for you i dwell


Happy 11 months. You're the best 'yes' i ever said.

By Golly, you're swell.

 

Dear Hott thang,

This week was long, but you made it better with trips to Chinese food, chocolate and giggling and dancing down hallways. Staying up to watch ridiculous you-tube videos, eating too much candy and talking about wee-babies. this weekend was  pretty awesome. Thanks for letting this messy house be ''part of moving'' oh and for saying " You look awesome" this morning when i walked into the bathroom. You make a girl feel swell.

P.S. Taking me to Canes makes you the best friend I could ever ask for. You look pretty happy about it too.

 

P.SS. Congrats to all the CLA graduates. Your ceremony was very long...but we were proud.

 

P.S.S.S Who said scarves were only for fall? Okay, no one did. But, I'm Pretty sure these are my new favorite things. 

 

Over and Out! 

Pretty music.

I find these songs. And they make me want to make out with my husband. What does this mean? it means it gets a thumbs up.

I got our whole life planned....

Life Plan:

2011 This summer: get our home  in a fun shape where Ben and I  really dig it. try out skirt/dress making, random diy craftiness. Offer to take a few photo shoots with friends. maybe fam. free.
Fall-Winter-Spring LDI: Really get to know that Jesus..you know the one I'm living my whole life for and spend time with people who love Jesus like I do. Grow in that.
2012 Summer-Move to far distant lands with awesome husband on awesome adventures into the unknown.
2013 Fall-Winter-Spring-Provided LDI/Jesus hasn't put a change on career path-Push towards School Counseling. Have some babies. Offer to take pictures of people for cheap. Just to fund  my clothing fund.  (i.e 50 bucks and I'll give you a cd full of you looking awesome.)  No weddings. Leave to those other people that require lots o cash. Just fun stuff, of those people crazy in love or having babies. Or  mostly just because.
2014 Fall-Winter-Spring-Keep doing it.  Graduate. Get a jorb.
2015- Keep working job, and growing babies, and taking pictures. Ben teaches math, I advise those sweet youngin's
2020-- Probably start a band.
2021- Probably recruit our growing army of children to be part of the band. Become the Jackson 5, but with pasty white skin. All wearing sweaters I sewed them. Mine will have jewels spelling "domestic goddess." Ben will not wear a sweater. He refuses. Ben wears band t's.
2021.5 Children see dad without sweater, and refuse sweaters forever more. Brittany gets into new hobby.
2022.  Spraguelet fam become a world renowned band of awesome that will be known throughout the world. We will tell them our secrets: rock band. And then there will be a family trend to start bands.
2023. Ben and I get our own t.v. show for our awesomeness. We will then Run the American/European/Asian bandstand of 20's . And travel the world. and tell people what it takes to make amazing music and have a kickin family. But we will always have family dinners and fun family game nights.
2030. Retire. yeah, that's right. In our 40's
2031 Return to Ireland and Ben will write awesome novels and I will write marriage books on how to have an awesome marriage. And people will read them. Then we'll send our kids to college and the legacy will continue.
2040. Ben and I will be declared the Christian fashion icons of the 40's. Band Tee's and pretty dresses will be all the rage.
2041. Oldest Spraguelet finds cure for most major diseases
2043 Youngest Spraguelet works with African countries to help them feed all their children and build thriving nations. All Probono.
2043. We become Grandparents!
2053 -So much awesome It cannot be written.
2060-2070 Live the rest of our live in a perpetual state of awesome
TBD-Finally go the party and hang out with Jesus.

P.S. Ben looked over and declared "Awesome."
Which basically means "Done."

P.S.S. Future Spraguelets, if by chance you ever read this. Know that while the whole saving the world would be cool, This is the real thing we want most: That you would Serve the Lord with all your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind. If you do that we'd be prouder than any words in the dictionary can describe. In fact our proudness will be known as the proudest moment ever in all history.
Over and Out.

I gotta tell you guys...

These past two weeks have been a whirlwind. After getting back from Texas we've been hit with sickness,  busy-ness (like every night) packing, exhaustion and thus we've been a little grouchy. To top of the plethora of a very rough two week period, I got a nice golden ticket, and by golden I mean expensive. My very first one from my very first encounter with a police officer.... (sad panda indeed) I cried and called ben and cried some more. I know. Rough.

We get to pack all weekend, and soon, just after one week it will all be over and we'll be moved into our nice new place. Since this week has royally sucked. I decided this would be an awesome time to write all the things that rock in our life (since, Philipians says to think about the true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable stuff) I figured I'd give it a go..

So.
Things that rock about our life:
1. Ben and I, despite arguments, have always walked away knowing each other better and growing from it. conflict is inevitable. Its how you deal with it that matters. And Ben is awesome regarding all this.
2. We get to move to a very sweet place that meets all our hopes and dreams (walk through closet, washer and dryer, square kitchen (rather than just two walls of kitchen, a garage attached to the place (SWEET) and a separate area for an office/craft room. and for an affordable price!)
3. Ben takes me to hold puppies on a bi-weekly basis. We name them and talk about them all the way home. This makes me happy.
5. I only have 4 maybe 5 weeks left of work and then I'm free!
6. I have really good friends that I really love and that make my heart swell
7. God is real and answers some really hard questions in my life.
8. I've never felt God more active in my life than the past two weeks. Which is awesome
9. Ben and I have been going on walks, which are my favorite part of my days
10. We started saving for Italy. and this makes me happy. Even if our current savings is less than 10 dollars. It still is 10 dollars towards the dream.
11.We're on the upswing of the whole health sucking. We now feel fairly good. Apart from the weird rash that appeared on Ben's hands...yeah weird He's getting better though too..
12. We play a game of finding comic book heroes to name our children after. This makes me happy about all the little yet to be micro-babies that will someday be full grown babies. (In a very long time)
13. We will have our car paid off next month which is awesome.
14. Ben bought me a pretty dress. and I love it.
15. Thor movie was cool. So was the whole bag of reeses that I consumed.

16. We've almost been married a whole year. Which makes my heart swell 130 times larger that I get to be known as Ben's Wife. fo life.

17. Water. I have an ample supply of it. Other people don't. (here)

18. I serve a God who's got a crazy awesome imagination.

 And it makes me excited to go dancing in that every night when the Lord calls me home. (googled: Hubble images)

19. Lord willing I'll get a few years more. and if i'm lucky, I'll grow some gray hairs. If this proves to be the case, then these two weeks are less then a percent of my whole life.

20. I got Jesus.


Happy Weekend!

Uh... This is awesome!

Ha. Love.

So I got up to get an apple....

and I thought to myself: " Brittany, you're awesome for eating an apple."  Then for some reason i opened the freezer. and saw cookie dough.

Thats what I ate instead.

Job well done.

Daily-Life Hero: My Mom

I think it goes without saying that my mom is definitely my hero.
I've gotten to experience my mom somewhat more than other kids get to experience theirs. For that I am grateful and have an ever deeper meaning of who she is and what she's about. Even as I write I have to pause as I think of the countless times our conversations and her acts of kindness, dignity and integrity have moved me to a deeper understanding of life, who God is, sacrifice, and being a wife, mother and a friend. My mom is....remarkable, breathtaking. Blessed.

I remember when I went to college, that was the first time I felt it. A deep pit in my stomach. For weeks I wondered what it was that I was feeling, and then I realized that when I had those conversations with my mom, I didn't feel it anymore. I was safe.  I was who I was supposed to be.  My mom had me convinced that I would be a world changer, that I was one of the most important things the world needed and there was never anything that could change that. It is a remarkable thing, the power mothers have over a child's perceptions of themselves. While my mom didn't give me impossible dreams, or this false sense of perfection, she did ingrain in me that I was precious and made for a purpose. That I was of enormous value and worth. I don't think I noticed this truth until I had the world telling me otherwise. Those daily conversations with my mom were what kept me alive during many if not most days of my college career.

I remember, when my sister was with her kids one day, I thought to myself  "These boys have no idea the remarkable woman their mom is..." I know Breana in such a different way than these boys do or ever will. I don't think they'll ever see the awesome wit, the incredible fashion, the sisterly love and the ridiculously awesome woman that she is...(but that's for another day.)  It was then I realized that I, like those boys...might not actually know my mom. I remember becoming quite curious just to observe my mom for who she was, not for her contributions to my life and my sister's. It was then I encountered an ever deeper understanding of this incredible woman.





My mom is someone who has risen from her circumstances. Against most odds she has created an identity that eludes grace, humor, and a peaceful elegance. She photographs, she creates, she grows and she invests in so many. There's such a sacrificial attitude to my mom. She assumes a servanthood and is gracious with her service. She takes care. She listens. She pours herself into others, not for the hopes that they'll notice what she has to offer, but in the hopes that her struggles, trials and life are things that can benefit the other. She's profound.

There has been countless times when her wisdom has saved me heartache and has replaced it with joy. Once I actually started asking her questions.... like "what was your childhood like?", what did she love to do before kids, "what was marriage like when you were young?", "what do you want to do now?" I started seeing this very delicate, yet very capable woman. My mom is a legacy in herself, and I get to be part of it. 


In my opinion, heroes are individuals whom, not only that I admire, but someone whoI regularly work to use their example in my life. They've presented themselves to have astounding character and have a willingness to pour into others and lead by example. My mom is the epitome of this.

Right before I was married, she sent me a letter and at the end of it she wrote about her love for me: "Always know that this love only grows deeper throughout the course of time."


I feel the same way.


  
Here's to you, mom.

And then I hit Repeat....

Because this music moves me...


ed


Happy Friday Lovely Ladies and nice Gentleman.

Hey Cupcake, lets get some cupcakes!

  

My Sweet Emily and I met to grab some cupcakes and talk just a few days ago. Emily, you rock. I am continually amazed at what a friend I have in  you.

I am so blessed to have Emily. I always wanted a friend that was with me since 'forever.' I had other friends who had grown up with their friends since they were wee babes and were inseperable. I longed for that. In college, I realized to my excitement, that Emily is mine.

We met in 6th grade...but we've been friends through highschool, college and through so much more. She's my longest friend and I treasure her for that alone.  Someone once was talking to me about faithfulness and the importance of just sticking with it. He talked about a tree in the appalacians that people will come to see from all over the world because its been there for 500 plus years. it was a very ordinary tree and yet simply because it had lasted so long it was held as something of importance. Emily is like that. While, she is by no means ordinary, she is in every sense faithful and thus has to me the utmost importance.. I am blessed that she chose to keep me as her friend and I love her for it. You mean more to me than I can express.


P.S. Another reason i like her? of all the cupcakes in that store, she picks the one titled 'Carol Brady" Such an odd duck.

then he took me to a fancy dinner with the best soup i've ever eaten ever....

So, Ben is awesome. and his job is pretty neat too. We got to Texas and stay at a fancy place and eat great food and go on water slides in beautiful San Antonio. 


Best Part of the Trip:  Water Slides and sunshine


Most cherished moment: Sitting on the golf course at night time talking together about our whole lives and all our dreams.


Most Delicious Moment of the Trip: This amazing soup at our fancy dinner..... that I have since been craving ever since.....mmmm So delicious..


Funniest Moment of the trip:
{}Getting Ready for the formal dinner}
Ben: You've Got to be serious...."
me: What? What happened?
Ben: Look.....
And as I look, I realized what Ben was talking about. He brought Two Right Dress shoes. And that is it. He had no backups, and the only other shoes he brought were sandals...and so, we walked to the formal dinner with a a fancy dress, a tux and two right shoes.  The whole evening no one noticed..... and Ben looked hott.
 The end.

Yippeee!

things that make my life awesome:

1. Ben and i are going to Texas, the motherland.

2. I get to wear a dress that's prettier than my prom dress to a fancy banquet with my stud of a husband

3. Sunshine, new, beautiful swimsuit and freckles coming out to play

4. We're starting to pack for our special new home.

5. In just 6 weeks I'll be done with work and 6 weeks after that i'll be starting LDI

6. 5K. Twice.

7. My husband is growing in awesome

8. Summer is coming


The End.

The Most Wonderful Girls in The World: My thoughts on these pretty ladies

One of my favorite things in the galaxy is soaking up beautiful 'girl time' I love love love getting to spend time with the awesome ladies I have had the pleasure of knowing for the past few years. I wanted to do my own little tribute and share with you all just what I find so wonderful about each of these girls I have the opportunity to call my friends. So without further adieu, I'd like to do a little shout out to my favorite Navigator Girls.

First off is the Beautiful Sarah Sweetman

This lovely lady has blessed me beyond words these past 4 years of knowing her. She was such an encouragement during college, and lifted my spirits regularly. She was an especially meaningful individual in my life when Ben and I started dating. She gave me insight that really shaped the way I viewed and currently view Ben, my role as a wife, and more. Things I love best about her? When you talk to her, you know she's listening, her laughter is beautifully contagious. She's got mad style, both fashion and home decor and (my personal favorite) she is one of the first women I have ever met to fully embrace whatever place God has her. Whether she was single, married, and now with a baby she is one lady that rejoices in her circumstances and that alone makes me love being near her. Shout out to you Sarah Sweetman, you amaze me. Thank you for all the love and genuine conversations you've had with me. They've changed and shaped the woman I am.

The Genuine Emily Lear

She's been the most loyal (i'm pretty sure I say this every time i talk about her) most genuine, friend I know. She's one of my closest woman friends. Oh how I LOVE this girl! I swear we're with each other a mere six seconds and I'm pouring out my heart and soul to this woman. Over coffee we battle with our insecurities, how to witness about Jesus, and what God is doing in our life, all mixed with ridiculous humor (thanks to Emily's insatiable wit!) This girl is such a beauty! What I love best about her? Her creativity and her passion. Whatever she puts effort in, she's in it 100% she doesn't just do things, she does things with her entire being. She inspires me every time I meet with her to actually pursue my passions and dreams and to recognize my talents. She's an artist, a missionary, and a lover of all. She's one of the most beautiful people I have ever met, and I bet ever will meet in my entire life. I will always cherish you Emily Lear, you've given me such a powerful example of what God is and what friends are.  P.S. I'm serious, no photo shoot is anything unless your in it.

The sincere Miss Jessica

Look at how beautiful this girl is!? I don't think she knows this, but when I very first started going to college, I thought every Nav boy  had a crush on her. ( I still kinda do...) because she's SO BEAUTIFUL! I think she is such an awesome girl and am so stunned by how sweet  she is.  When I first met her she talked so sincerely and interested that I knew that she was a treasure. Knowing her and seeing her in the lives of the other navigator girls proves to me all the more that this girl really is something precious. I have admired her spirit and generosity every since I've met her. Things i love best about her? The way she strikes up conversation and intentionally draws people out. Her selflessness and eagerness to invite people into her home, her group and into her life is something that has both shocked me and made me love being around her all the more. She's sincere and genuine and so lovey. I love your sweet heart, Jessica! You are such a unique find for a friend.  I am so blessed every time we're together!

The joy-filled Miss Annie

 

This Girl! I wish i could just show you all the pictures of her pure awesomeness. She's Beautiful.  I love the sweet, goofy, real personality of Miss Annie. I'm pretty sure its impossible not to smile/burst out laughing when being with her. I love her. She listens and cares for people in such a way that she makes you feel like you're the coolest gal in the world. Being in her presence makes you feel like you have something awesome to offer.. I love being with her in that she, in her confidence, makes me feel confident. What do I love best about her? Her laugh-ability. I love the way she looks at life and brings light into it. In awkwardness she brings humor, in tough situations she brings optimism, in awesome situations she laughs....It just is smart to be around her-your guaranteed to enjoy this life. Here's to you Miss Annie. You Rock. And I love being near you.

 The no-middle-name Miss Mary-Kelly

 

 I remember that was one of the first things I was told about  Mary-Kelly. That her name is Mary-Kelly, yes that's her first name and no she has no middle. That same uniqueness is intertwined in all that Mary-Kelly is and does.  I swear every time I talk to her I am amazed at the smarts and the confidence this girl has. Me and Mary-Kelly pretty much every time we get near each other find ourselves talking about our Irish heritage. Ha. I love it. This girl is sassy in all the right ways, confident in who she is and has this presence...that just makes you feel calm. She's Lovely. What do I love best about her? Apart from those dang-good looking legs, I love the way she values the things she is and the people she's with. She's one of those girls who knows who she is, where's she's from, and whats she's about and is able to express it not in a land-blasting way, but in this awesome, gentle confidence that makes anyone knowing her feel lucky to know her and yet feel like they have a little bit stronger identity just being with her.. i admire that about you Mary-Kelly. Its a skill, and you got it. 

The thought provoking Caroline

 I talked to Caroline first, before I ever met her sister and I automatically thought she was awesome. Like I remember having a conversation with someone after Navs telling them " Caroline is awesome." I was not even close to understanding her awesomeness. I love that ever since I've known Caroline, we can break into these discussions, sometimes ridiculous, sometimes normal and hash out the logic or the probability. Its a rare thing to meet someone with so much beauty, and brains and yet while being in their presence not feel intimidated but encouraged and have so much fun all the while! She finds a way to make people feel validated for who they are, all while not quieting her personality or beauty and I. love. that. Caroline, with her strong sense of self uses it to build others up. What do I love best about her? Her willingness to be available to talk and her genuine attention. I loved that if I was in one of those weird "who do I talk to/everyone looks busy" moments, I could look over and know without a doubt even if she was talking to a gazillion people (which happens, people flock) that she would include me in the conversation. That's a skill. Caroline, you're a beautiful woman, and I'm proud to know you. And you are capable of the most crazy conversations, which makes me stands in awe of your dynamic awesomeness. P.S. Holy Cow, you look good in pictures.

The ever Persevering, ever-true Nardine

 It is a rarity, dear friends to at first meet someone very quiet, but later to find that they are the most honest, most persevering individuals. After I met Nardine the few times, she began calling to hang out. I was so struck by her initiative and was so impressed by her. I'm pretty sure I decided the first time she surprised called me to grab dinner together that she was definitely a keeper. Forever. She is one of those girls who once she builds a friendship, she keeps it. She has demonstrated to me time and time and time again just how awesome of a friend she is to me. She's stuck by my side during pretty rough times in my college days, even when others weren't willing. Listened and asked me tough questions, laughed with me over silliness, and called me out when things i'm doing aren't 'logical.' She's...pretty much the exact friend every girl has ever needed. And I get to call her mine.  i am SO impressed by her example of what a friend is and if I had to describe it, I'm pretty sure I'd look to her to be the poster child of what a friend should be. What do I love best? Her willingness to laugh and be there, her questions (she asks even better ones than me-ones that make me think!) her initiative-even in her CRAZY schedule she finds time to spend with me, , the way she'll explain all sorts of science (and things i have no clue about, because the girl has a brain the size of Texas) and keeps explaining them till I understand, just so I can be apart of her joy, the way she maintains and pours into the lives of others AND that beautiful smile and hair of hers. I love you Nardine. You're Beautiful in the most profound way.

P.S. I stared at your pictures and said out-loud at work "She is so pretty.." For Real.

You girls have been some of the biggest forms of inspiration, example and some of the most incredible ways God has shown me his love and awesomeness. Thank you, Thank you Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives and a part of your special day. You truly are women I am proud to call my friends.

P.S. Congrats on Graduation!!!!

So... I'm in softball...

And I am most definately not the best player. But every Monday Night, when I get with those girls I get excited. Ben is our only fan and the fact that I bring such a good looking man to cheer us on every night definately gets me some points from the team. But I wanted to prove myself to them tonight, prove that I'm worthy of the Hope Community Softball Shirt! I made it to second and I said:

"Jesus, I need you to get me to home plate."

And thats what He did. I got so excited that Jesus answered my prayers that I SLID in to home(whether I actually needed to or not has yet to be determined) and got the last point of the game...When I got up and walked over to Ben, he looked at me and told me "that was hott."

Then, 20 minutes later, we're in the walgreens parking lot and he's pouring antibacterial spray and putting bandaids the size of my head on my very scrapped up arse and knee and wrist.

So, Lesson learned, Sliding in yoga pants=stupid, but getting to see a man who doesn't like blood, take care of me like I'm a wounded soldier returning from battle=SO WORTH IT.

Ben, you putting aside your squeamish tendencies to rescue your wive? Now, that was hott.

P.S. Buying me french fries and a coke for my effort and telling me I'm a hard worker made me like you just a wee bit more. by wee bit i mean, you rock my socks off.

P.S.S. Jesus, you really are great at making skies pretty and making girls feel neat.

Over and Out.

Sneak Peak at my beautiful girls: Photoshoot

I was asked by the beautiful Sarah Sweetman to come and do a photo shoot with a few of my lovely friends from college. I got to graduate early so its super sweet to see the girls that were in my class accomplish so much! Here's a little taste of what awesome adventures we had:

  

We first started out with a day with tea party. Lots of laughter, and sweet tea and delicious cake. I loved being surrounded by these girl's laughter. They're gorgeous girls!

 

 

  

We meandered all over the U of M over to the stone arch bridge and back. We walked a good while, but the girls were such good sports. They are so photogenic!

Emily, Mary-Kelly, Annie, Jessica, Nardine and Caroline, You girls are so beautiful! Thanks to all of you lovely girls for letting me be apart of your fun! I love you girls.

Happy Monday! Brittany