About Me

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I am Brittany...a believer, wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt,friend and *Kindergarten teacher. My husband and I have been married for 3 years year now and have a precious baby boy who is almost 1! Life is always surprising, interesting, and so much fun. God has blessed me with such a wonderful life and I am forever grateful.
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Monday, July 1, 2013

ONE!!!!

I can't believe my sweet baby boy is ONE! It's almost been a month since his actual birthday but it still doesn't seem right.

On June 6th, 2012, Josh and I went I to to the hospital to be induced at 39 weeks (which ended up not happening). I was given Cytotec at 1:30 am. They divide one dose into 4 so they can space it out. I should have gotten the next part at 5:30 but woke up with contractions. At 6:30 the doctor came in and broke my water. I got an epidural soon after and at 11:37 (after 3 pushes) Easton was here. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice, which was never picked up on the sonograms. He didn't breathe right away so I couldn't hold him. They took him over to the side to clean out his lungs. What was probably 30 seconds seemed like 5 minutes but when he took his first breath and started screaming my heart just exploded. It was the most wonderful moment of my life. The pregnancy and delivery were just so easy I was just so thankful to have a healthy baby boy! I lost a lot of blood though and it took the doctor forever to finish her job. My mom was in the delivery room and was so worried about me while I was so worried about my baby. It's crazy that I know the kind of worry she has known for so long. Finally the time came when I got to hold to my baby. The joy I felt in that moment was incomparable to anything that has ever happened to me. Marrying Josh was incredible and a huge blessing...but knowing that we had created this perfect little person was so humbling, so rewarding, so emotional, and a million other emotions. 


For his first birthday we woke him up with a cinnamon roll. This boy LOVES food so we knew he would enjoy some sweet breakfast! Then we packed and headed out to visit my in-laws in Nacogdoches. We celebrated his 1st birthday and my niece, Audrey's, 2nd birthday. We had such a wonderful time with them. I can't wait til he is able to really enjoy their place. They live on about 30 acres, part of which is a Christmas tree farm. It's so gorgeous out there and I know he will have a great time exploring with his cousins.
Josh and my brother-in-law, Ryan, made this cake! Pretty awesome for 2 guys that don't bake! :)

The following weekend we had his 1st birthday party. We did a pool party and had a great time. Easton LOVES the water. He will sit in the pool, splash around, and squeal in pure joy. It is so fun to watch. We had friends and family come celebrate with us...he is a blessed little boy to be surrounded by so much love. 

Happy Birthday to the sweetest, happiest, silliest, and cutest baby ever. I love you, Booger Bear!




Saturday, May 18, 2013

Kindergarten....Here I Come!

The time has come for me to go back to work. It has been a fabulous year at home with my sweet boy. Next year I will be teaching Kindergarten again at Eagle Ridge Elementary in Keller. It is bitter-sweet that I go back. I am so heart broken to leave my baby every.single.day. However, I am so excited to get back into the classroom at a new school. There are SO many people on my team too. 9 or 10 I think. The most I have ever worked with is 4! I think its going be so fun!


I won a give away from Kinder-Craze...my favorite new blog. You can read about that here. So...I have some free decorations to go buy, an awesome teacher planner to use next year, and I get to go shopping at Target for some goodies! :)


I also found out that Easton's sitter will be able to watch him full time next year and we are SOOOO thrilled about that. We adore her and love that she loves our boy so much. You can't ask for anything more. That makes going back even easier.

On another note...we put our house on the market. We've had TONS of showings! We got a really good offer on Friday. Had to add in a minor change so we are waiting to hear back from the buyer. Hopefully we will hear something on Monday. We are looking for a rent house for the next school year while we try to find some land in Decatur. Lots of new adventures for The Allreds! :)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Wedding Bells are Ringing

On April 27th  my BIG brother is *finally* getting married. ;) Ashley will be my new sister-in-law and I am so thrilled. They are perfect for each other and truly compliment one another.
Brent and Ashley at their wedding shower.

Growing up, my brother was known as "Bubba" to me (and lots of other people). Even as I got older I couldn't bring myself to call him Brent...just seemed too weird. I remember one time in 2nd grade I saw him at school and was so excited I yelled, "Hi Bubba!!!!" He was in 4th grade...too cool for a little sister...got embarassed and said, "Hi Sissy." Mind you it was not in a sweet voice, or even an annoyed voice. It was his sarcasticly excited voice. :-P I have always looked up to "Bubba". He was such a calm brother in the middle of two stubborn, loud, and crazy sisters. He was always so patient with us. He is now such an incredible man. He loves the Lord, loves Ashley, his friends, and his family. He has such a big heart and is really just a great guy. I am so excited for my big brother and his tiny wife-to-be. ;)

Ashley and him fit together so perfectly. They are both laid back, easy going, quiet (well, Brent isn't that quiet anymore), affectionate, both sing, and have big hearts. Now, Ashley works for Fossil and is incredibly fashionable. If you know my brother...he is not. However, with the help of his future bride he has shoes OTHER than Converse, more than just jeans, and wears polos & button ups now! Haha. Thank you Ashley!!!!

In just a few short weeks there will be a NEW Mr. & Mrs. Burke and I am so excited to have Ashley be a part of my wonderful family. I love you both!

Brandy (my big sis), me, Ashley, and Hannah (Ashley's younger sister)


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Another New Adventure Begins

Last year when I found out I was pregnant, Josh and I decided it would be best for me to work part time so I could stay at home with our baby most of the time. I couldn't imagine leaving him with a sitter all day, every day. It broke my heart to think that someone else would get to watch him grow up. As a teacher, I know that kids only see their parents for a few hours after they get home from school...and with his bedtime being 7 pm I'd only have at MOST 3 hours a day with him. That was not okay with me. So, I resigned from my position. I was so excited about it too. It meant I would get to spend all that time with this sweet boy.


Then the time came for me to get a part time job. I took a job teaching 2nd Grade at a part-time private school. The students come to school 3 days a week and then homeschool the other 2 days. I love being in a Christian environment every day...but it's not the same. I NEVER thought I would say this...I miss teaching. There is a part of me that misses it...and a part of me that doesn't. However, after this year, Josh and I realized how much I need to go back full time. Financially it makes so much sense. We want to have financial freedom (yes...we did Dave Ramsey), buy some land in Decatur, and pay our kids way through college. Those things aren't possible on one income. So...it is bitter sweet that I will be returning to work full time next year.

While making this decision, I was so torn. I had never felt so conflicted. I wanted to stay with Easton but knew I needed to help with our finances. I kept praying that God would open my heart to hear him. There was a part-time job at my church that became available. I interviewed hoping that it would give me some clarity. I was told since I would be employed by the church that I could miss no more than 4 Sundays a year. That wouldn't be a problem if my family lived locally. But we visit my in-laws about every other month. I couldn't ask my husband to only visit them a couple of times year. That night after talking about everything I won a giveaway on this INCREDIBLE teacher's blog (Kinder-Craze)! I won a gift card to School Girl Style, an awesome teacher planner from A Modern Teacher, and a gift card. We were like, "OK God...we hear you. This part time job won't work for us..and I guess it's teaching you want me to do." So, I know that if this is true...a job will become available.

I am applying in the district we plan on moving to....but the whole job process sucks. I have to "sell myself" to the schools and principals, go through interviews, and just pray that there is an opening in one of the schools. I know that God will open this door if it's His plan. I also know the He will provide some amazing childcare. Easton's current sitter is fabulous...but when we're in Dectaur I will not be driving him into Keller. :( I love her and we will miss her tons...so I need to find someone equally as great!

I'd appreciate any prayers concerning finding the right job AND leaving my baby full time. Come August I'm going to be having a very difficult time. With that being said, I am excited to move to Decatur. I have always loved the town since my childhood friend moved there and I would go visit her. I'm excited that my kids will grow up in a "small" town with lots of school spirit! :)

Monday, March 18, 2013

A new start to a new life

Welcome to my new blog! I use to blog about a year ago, got lazy with it, and stopped. I am so excited to start blogging again to keep in touch with family, friends, and acquaintences. I love sharing the great things in my life and am excited to see where this takes me.
So...let me tell you about myself through pictures...
My sweetest miracle...growing inside me.

Most incredible moment of my life thus far.
Easton Ryan born June 7th weighing 8 lbs 1 oz.

Sweetest baby boy

I fell inlove all over again when he became a daddy.
My husband, Josh.





Promised to raise him in a Godly home and love him as God loves us.
Dedication Service January 27th

My brother is engaged! Ashley and Brent will get married on April 27th!



A recent shot of my handsome smiley boy.

My parents (Gigi and PawPaw) with their handsome grandson.

My sister, Brandy (a 1st Grade teacher), and her beautiful family.
Chris, Jackson, Brandy, Ella

My sister-in-law with her amazingly sweet family.
Dalene, Hannah, Rhett, Audrey, Ryan

Paw Paw and Mimi (my in-laws) with their first 3 grandkids. :)

My sister-in-law, Amanda, and her boyfriend, Matt.
I am a former Kindergarten Teacher. I took last year off to stay at home with my sweet boy. The time has come for me to get back into the classroom. I will miss spending my days with my little nugget but am excited to share those days with 20+ other nuggets! :)

Please continue to follow my blog to see what God has in store for this next phase of my life as a wife, mom, teacher, daughter, sister, friend, and so much more!

"Do not be afraid or be discouraged for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you may go." Joshua 1:9