Sunday, November 7, 2010

So Much to Do...So Little Time

Dear Friends and Family,
I am finding a rare moment today, a day in which I am in front of the computer without a long list of to-do's. OK, let's rephrase that...because last month I didn't even have time to make a to-do list...just a moment. A moment without work commitments, home responsibilities, children yelling my name...a moment to reflect. Time to fill you in...

October was a busy month with lots of extra work commitments and trainings for both Drew and I in the midst of juggling our children's lives and major construction project. With the help of our friends we were able to finish the roof of the garage. We celebrated for a day or two then Drew headed straight into electrical work. He is still in the process of wiring the garage and hopes to be completed before Thanksgiving.

As the wife and home manager, my duties have increased with his time in the garage and time away at vocal rehearsals for the Dickens Carolers. I'd love to say the kids and I have been doing exciting things in his absence, but it always seems to be something exciting like completing a few more loads of laundry, digging through the piles of completed school work, bills, and working on homework. When it all gets a bit crazy we spend some time in the gardens or make a spin over the Goodwill just to look and explore.

Fiona has lost her two bottom teeth which will give new meaning to "Wishing for her 2 Front Teeth for Christmas" and surpassed the four foot mark. She also acquired reading glasses which she uses to practice her new found reading skills and math formulas. Her "baby" brother is also growing and I was shocked he gained 5 pounds in a month and I don't know how many inches. Keegan is our soccer star and finished his last game a couple weeks ago with of course several goals under his belt. Both Keegan and Fiona participated in the Y's Fall Classic Fun Run. Keegan completed in the Kid's Dash and Fiona bumped up and tackled the 1.6 mile run. She was excited to run with her Dad and more thrilled when she realized her picture made the local paper. I was, of course, behind the scenes helping all the racers complete their registrations for the YMCA. My work, though busy, continues to be enjoyable and rewarding.

Drew and I are trying to push forward on the garage project as we can't safely "wrap" the garage until the framing is inspected. Ironically, the framing can't be inspected until the electrical is inspected. SO...as you can guess it is critical Drew completes the electrical. We are dreaming of matching "His and Her" Garage Doors for Christmas. Now...isn't that romantic? Not your typical gift, but you wouldn't expect anything less from the Britten's.

Well, I must end. I need to rally the troops for a work commitment at the Y. Maybe if I have enough energy we'll head over to the Goodwill for a "look see".

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean
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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Chutes and Ladders


If you've been a regular reader of the Little Blue Bungalow in the past you've probably wondered why the blog has been quiet. You've probably been dying for a sneak peek at the building of the garage or wondered what our produce looked like this summer. Atlas, The Little Blue Bungalow (I) was silent.

I'd love to say I went on some glamorous vacation for months on end, sailed the ocean, or even "unplugged" the computer for awhile, but I didn't do any of these. No, simply life got in the way.

Honestly, this summer I've spent a lot of time looking at ladders (literally) and riding the "chutes" of life. I've climbed a few ladders over the past few months too and carried my share of wood up to our new garage, but those darn chutes.

"Chutes" including the diagnosis of my mother-in-law, Bonnie, with stage 3 breast cancer. Life "chutes" of possible job lay-offs and job stresses. Waiting patiently to find out Drew made the "cut" only to find out weeks later there are even more job cuts to come due to budget constraints. Finding ourselves juggling life, construction, and work among an already packed schedule.

For every rise of the "ladder" I climb, I find myself shocked at the possible fall below, but have no where else to go but up after a ride down another "chute". It is ironic that as I child I loved playing "Chutes and Ladders", but now as an adult I expect it as a daily part of life...the "ups and downs".

I don't find happiness in these "chutes and ladders", but face it with determination, one foot on reaching up for the next wrung of the ladder. We all face our own "chutes and ladders", sometimes we just have a few more falls to take and need to find the strength to climb onward.

I'm choosing to keep climbing ladders among the "chutes".

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean
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Thursday, July 29, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

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Monday, July 19, 2010

A Sea of Red


Growing up as a "redhead" definitely had it's ups and downs. Oddly, I knew I was distinctively different from my other friends as I was the "only" redhead...which unfortunately came with its share of teasing. (Whoever thought "carrot top" was appropriate for a red head...come on...my hair is not green?) However, I also knew I was unique, one of a kind...easy to spot in the crowd.

Today my family consists of all redheads. (Yes, the odds of redheaded children is very good when your husband has red hair.) We are the talk in the grocery aisles. The family easily remembered at church..."you know the family with red hair". Complete strangers aw over the kids' red locks, grown women whisper to me 'What dye number do you use?' Ah...to have red hair. The attention is interesting and just part of being the Britten family.

Saturday our family joined ranks with 900+ other "gingers" in taking a picture of the largest gathering of natural redheads in one setting for the Guinness Book of World Records. Honestly, it was a bit freaky to literally see every shade of red as we looked out across the football field in Sammanish, WA. Ironically, you'd think that it felt comforting to be among so many other "reds", maybe even average, but even in this sea of red...I felt distinctively different.

Though our family represented red hair, we represented our family. A redhead family who happens to be my family.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean
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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Wet Cement

There is nothing more tempting than a slab of fresh cement. Even the most tame, curiously wonder what would happen if they put a "paw" or bike tire in the setting cement. And you can not expect anything less from our family. As we arrived home to fresh cement tonight, even the Britten's were feeling a bit mischievous.

As Drew attempted to put the first hand print in the corner of the garage floor to leave our "mark", his plan was stopped short. We were too late, the cement was already set further along then we had anticipated. What a disappointment.

However with Drew's determination, we still had the kids scribble their names as a reminder of this monumental project. Though the kids will change, grow up and move on someday...this garage will tell a tale. A day when time stood still...etched to remember a time when hugs and kisses were welcomed after a nightmare, screams of "Daddy" echoed the house after a long day, and Mom still fixed everything with a band-aid. We will remember that day. A day when the wet cement pressed out time, even if it was for a moment.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean
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Make Way...Progress


Our house has been a flurry of activity with our very own construction site. The kids have been in "seventh heaven" exploring and discovering each new piece of the construction that has been completed while we were away for the day. Mostly they've loved the mud and amazing amounts of large equipment at our home. (I think it is every kid's dream!)

I, too, am amazed. In just shy of 2 weeks, Bill has taken our yard and flipped it literally upside down. Today when I arrived home I was shocked to find most of my "garage" roped off with caution tape. What lay before me was a beautiful smooth slab of cement...utter bliss.

Though I was excited about the progress, I couldn't help but think about the project that still lay ahead. We've got lots on our plates, but we are confident knowing family and friends make the load light. (Smile.)

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

*Please note: I think these pictures were taken on the on the only sunny day in June. Seriously? 50's in June...come on now.


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Thursday, June 3, 2010

Forget about Mowing...

The garage project has officially broke ground! It was exciting to come home from a soggy zoo field trip to find our yard like this. The crew did have to reroute our sewer line which set them back about a 1/2 day, but all in all there weren't any other surprises. Just another exciting day at the little blue bungalow...
From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean


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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wordless Wednesday


Please enjoy a glimpse into Fiona and I's day with her teacher at a "Fancy Nancy" Tea Party...
From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

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Thursday, May 6, 2010

Garage Update: Day 7


Do you notice anything different? (See the 2 pictures below for help.) Progress, my friends... It will be interesting to see what happens in the next 7 days.
From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Garage Project...Day 1


After a lengthy process securing the garage permit with the city...let the Britten Garage Project Begin! We hope soon the Little Blue Bungalow will be Bungalow plus a 2 Car Garage. Let the adventure of DIY begin!
From inside the Little Blue Bungalow,
Katie Jean
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Friday, April 23, 2010

God's Plan for Me

I've tried for weeks now to sit down and write on my blog. But atlas, no posts. I miss it dearly, but something inside of me just couldn't form the words.

I've tried half a dozen times to upload a picture and write, but nothing. Don't get me wrong...it isn't that the kids aren't doing the cutest things or we aren't enjoying family adventures, I've just dealt with a lot of change. I think often change is considered bad, but in my case it has good and part of God's plan for me.

I was a exclusive stay-at-home mom for four and half years. At times, I think "Really that long?" and other times I wish it was more. Being a full-time stay-at-home mom has its perks and disadvantages. I remember thinking how lucky I was to sit outside as my kids danced in the sprinkler on the nicest day of the year instead of in a office. I also remember play groups, library hour, and mini field trips of exploration in the middle of a Wednesday afternoon. On the flip side, I also remember thinking "Now what?" at 9 a.m. on a Tuesday or the blank look from a new acquaintance when I explained I was a stay-at-home mom.

I did love being with my kids and helping them get a strong rooted foundation in life, but I knew it was time for me. I think that is the hardest part of being a wife and mother. You constantly want to give, give, give to your husband and children. But at the end of the day you forget another important person...you. It is a tricky balance and one I still am mastering.

By design, I am a busy person. I love communicating with others and having multiple projects to oversee. I began my career in the corporate world for Target and never imagined a world in which I would willingly stay home with kids, let alone have kids. So often I think we determine our life paths, but it is really God who is the master puppeteer. When we moved to Washington nearly five years ago, my plan was to get settled in and look for work in 6 months. As part of God's plan I stayed home full-time for 4 and half years and part-time for another year after that.

Working full-time again has been a blessing. We are less stressed about finances, my kids have grown confidence being away from me, and I really am able to soar again. But there has also been a transition. I'm learning how to keep the house picked up, when to do laundry, revamping my recipes for easier prep or conversion to croc pot, and most of all time management.

There is a new rhythm in our house, but I couldn't be happier. I can effectively be the person God designed me for at work and am a better mother since I'm not with my kids 100% of the time. I'm right where God planted me.

From inside the little blue bungalow,
Katie Jean
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