This post is a little late, but that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about writing it. I've actually been a little nervous about how you'll respond. I hope you're ready for it. I trust you've all matured in a week. I think it is finally time. Time to tell you about the birds and the bees.
But first, Meet Mallory...
(and her giant corsage)
I've known Mallory for a very long time. We used to go to church together, and we've been through many-a children's musicals, youth group mission trips, and these days... wedding showers. When we found out Mallory was getting married, my mother and I quickly signed up to host her lingerie shower. You see, Joy (my mom) and I are getting pretty good at this. After throwing three of these in the past, we've become a well-oiled machine in the art of panty parties.
Partner in crime
We were a little surprised that my fourteen-year-old sister came up with the best idea for a lingerie shower theme. But thanks to her brilliant idea, we decided to host go with a "birds and the bees" motif. Good job, Hope. I don't even want to know when you learned about this.
We took the theme pretty literally. I've always been a bit confused about the "birds and the bees."
No, not that.
The actual saying. Here's a link if you're a sheltered nerd like me.
I can't take credit for the beautiful calligraphy on these cake balls. That would be my friend Alison.
She said she only licked one.
Adorable cookies courtesy of Lindsey, sister-of-the-bride.
If you told me I had to make one more tissue-paper ball, I think I would cry.
Real tears.
Lindsey led us all in some great games and entertainment
(which sadly, did not include an interpretive dance to a Marvin Gaye song).
Sisters + some of the loot
I'm so glad we were able to be a part of this exciting time in Mallory's life. And I'm also glad I don't have to make another tissue-paper ball for a while.
Do you have any questions about this post? Wait, nevermind. Better go ask your mom.
There are a few things I have been missing this past week. Among them: my family, Milo's, saying "y'all" without fear of judgement, and my friends. Who threw the best "American-Pride-Themed Going-Away (For Three Months) Party" I've ever attended. Please sit back and enjoy their creative talents...
Cake balls. Fruit dip. Gavel. America.
Those colors don't run.
I've never seen so many unflattering pictures in one slideshow.
Things have been a bit overwhelming since landing in the Baltimore airport last Saturday morning. Between playing basketball with Barack, helping Michelle pick out a new china pattern, and chatting about The View with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I've been in a little over my head.
I'm kidding, of course. I would never talk about The View with Ruth. We would talk about Stephen Colbert.
The truth is, I've been pretty overwhelmed emotionally, mentally and spiritually this past week. I've been stretched, challenged and broken in ways I never thought possible. There have been a few breakdowns, and even a couple of "Wait... Where am I, and what have I done?" moments. I've kind of felt like this:
Bizarre? Yes. Fitting? Uh huh.
But for every one of these moments, there has been a divinely placed conversation/new friend/stream-in-the-desert that lets me know I am right where I need to be. The past week has been very uncomfortable at times, but also strangely refreshing. Writing a blog entry has been the last thing on my mind, and it seems like a pretty daunting task right now. There is simply so much to share. So I'm going to jump right in...
I had a great time with my parents this past weekend. Saturday we went to eat at Old Ebbitt Grill, one of the most historic restaurants on the Hill. Then we walked to the White House and saw President Obama's motorcade. No seriously, we did.
I took a picture of every single SUV. I just know he's in one of them.
Coolest dad award goes to William H. Todd, Jr.
We spent the rest of the weekend getting re-aquainted with DC, running errands, trying to keep my dad quiet in the hotel room during the Alabama and Auburn games, and spending as much time together before my parents dropped me off at my new home for the next three months.
Love my Mama.
View of the kitchen from the stairs. Skylight= the payoff of living on the fourth floor.
Kitchen and part of my bedroom. Yep, I sleep on the (very comfortable) couch. By choice.
Let's just say I'm not a fan of top bunks.
View from our balcony
Other side of street
I have two wonderful roommates. One is from California and goes to Dartmouth. She is working in the White House. The other is from Scotland and just graduated from St. Andrews. She is working in the Senate. And then there's Brittany. From Alabama. What's up, y'all?! We all come from completely different backgrounds, but we also have a lot in common. They have been extremely welcoming, and I've loved time spent with them.
Work has been great. I only live four blocks from the office, which is located in the shadows of the Supreme Court and the Senate building. I also get a pretty sweet view of the Capitol in my morning stroll. I love the people I work with, and it has been fascinating to see the legislative process in action. I now enjoy trying to work the term "amicus brief" into every conversation.
My first week in DC has flown by. I kept telling my parents before we came that I just wanted to get through the first two weeks, because I knew they would be the hardest. Well... It seems that I was right on target.
This passage in Deuteronomy has been coming to mind lately:
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. (8:2-4)
Last week feels like forty years ago. I have been humbled, I have been tested, and I have been hungry. But He has sustained. My clothes have not worn out, and my feet have not swelled. His manna has come in many forms this week, and His promises have definitely satisfied.
One form of manna: seeing this on a short afternoon walk.
I'll be back soon with more updates on happenings before I left.
Until then, I'm going to be working on a couple of amicus briefs.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I am moving to Washington, DC, in a week for an internship. Let me give you a little rundown of the events leading up to this decision:
May 2010Baptist Joint Committee visits Samford and speaks to my Media of Religion class. I'm fascinated. They mention an internship in DC. I like DC. I apply for said internship. "Why not?" I think.
May- mid August 2010 Summer goes by. Think nothing of internship. Babysit a lot. Begin working for my dad.
Mid-August 2010 Mother reminds me of DC internship and if I've heard from them. I tell her "no," but I might as well shoot them an e-mail. Total shot in the dark. Expect nothing from it.
September 7, 2010, 10:30 am. Get a call from Executive Director of BJC. I think he's about to interview me. But instead he offers me the fall internship, effective immediately.
September 7, 2010, 10:34 am."I'm sorry, WHAT?!!!"
September 7, 2010, 12:15ish pm. Accept internship offer.
September 8, 2010, I don't remember the time. Housing details worked out. Living on Constitution Avenue. Housing paid for. Monthly stipend. God is good.
I love the organization I'm going to be interning for. You should check them out. The BJC is an advocacy group for all religious organizations, and it works to protect and defend the First Amendment and the separation of church and state. Awesome. Please ask me about it... I think I'm already growing passionate about the cause.
My head is still reeling over all that has transpired in the last few weeks. I really don't know what I signed up for. This is way out of Brittany's comfort zone. Brittany doesn't do this kind of thing. Brittany likes to talk in the third person.
I've been in a lot of denial lately, and I haven't thought much about actually leaving. I've got a lot to distract me during the next week, so I plan to deal with reality as soon as I arrive in DC. I wish I could tell you all that the Lord has done through this, but I'm afraid I would develop arthritis from typing too much. But I will tell you this: He is faithful. I am not. And He knows what I desire much more than I do.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm afraid I need to go brush up on my 10th grade Government notes. And perhaps watch some School House Rock (the one about the bill sitting on Capitol Hill). And pack.
I'm guilty of making multiple batches a week. Sue me. No, don't.
5) I just found out two days ago that I'm moving to Washington, D.C., for three months.
6) I'm leaving in two weeks.
Honestly, I think each one of these excuses could use an entire post on their own. Would you throw rocks at me if I decided to back-track and write about some of these things over the next few days? I can't hear your answer, so I'm just going to assume you're okay with it.
I know what you're wondering. "What on earth has Brittany been up to lately? Surely she hasn't just been baking this whole time."
To that I say, "So what if I was baking this whole time?"
But that's not all I've been doing. I've actually been working on a big project that I'll tell you about soon. The rest of my time has been spent babysitting. Yep, babysitting.
Yes, I did get a haircut. Thanks for noticing! I also got glasses. And I've aged a bit.
Since graduating college, I've had the opportunity to keep/nanny children from several families. It's actually been a blast. Besides making some great tax-free money, I've also learned some valuable life lessons from keeping children.
I've compiled a list of lessons I've learned, as well as some good advice if you're considering following in my footsteps and pursuing a career in professional babysitting.
1) Little boys love to expose themselves. The more you tell them to stop, the more they find it hilarious. Also, they can get creative with the word "poop." Did you know the word can be used as an adverb? Neither did I!
2) Never give children red snow cones on a hot day after waking them up from their nap in the car. Literal meltdown will ensue.
3) Learn which families have good babysitter food, and plan accordingly. It's always a good idea to bring along some pop-tarts just in case. Better safe than sorry...
4) Bible songs are awesome.
5) Children never forget. Anything. Remember when you were all at the park and you told the kids that if they were good, you would take them to Magic Muffins? Well, the children remember. And they will remind you every 25 seconds until you hand them their frosting-laced cookies.
6) Children's television isn't what it used to be. The creators of Baby Einstein and Yo Gabba Gabba are laughing all the way to the bank.
7) If you can't (effectively) apply sunscreen in less than 15 seconds, you're doomed. Game over.
8) Repeat after me: "Do you need to go potty?" Now say it again. And again. And again...
Not only have I learned practical lessons, but I've also discovered a lot about myself. I've come to the conclusion that I am a six-month-old child.
Let me explain.
One night I was trying desperately to get a sweet baby girl to sleep. She was squirming around, flailing her arms, and bending backwards while screaming at decibels I didn't know existed. She was pretty ticked. Of course I went through the checklist in my head to try and uncover the source of her distress. Dirty diaper? Nope. Hungry? Surely not... she just finished a bottle. There was really no reason for her to be so upset. She was safe in my arms, and there was no reason to worry. But I knew she was tired. If she would have just given up the fight and laid down on my shoulder, everything would be ok (and much easier for the both of us).
And that's when it hit me. I am a six-month-old. I squirm about, worrying about this and that, uncomfortable with where I am and anxious about the future. But while I'm wasting energy, the Lord is saying, "Kid. Chill out. Do you really think I'm going to ever leave you or forsake you? How about you just rest and I'll handle it. You may not hear me, but I can hear your cries. The baby monitor's on, and I'm getting a clear signal."
Hopefully I'll get back to consistently blogging soon (and by that I mean twice a month). But I'm not making any promises. And if Baby Einstein is on, you can forget seeing any new posts from me. That stuff is mesmerizing.
