I am so overwhelmed by all your loving comments on the last post, facebook and instagram. Koda is my first dog so the last week has been incredibly difficult as I’m feeling the depth of my love for my sweet furry friend. It’s so comforting knowing that so many of you understand what a family member they are and your prayers and positive thoughts are not going unnoticed.
I still have a little pit of worry in my stomach and my thoughts sometimes wander to the negative what-ifs. I’ll dwell there for a little while before I realize what an unproductive and negative place it is, so I do something my dad taught me years ago and force myself to ‘change the channel’ in my mind. I refuse to mourn Koda while she is here and happy so I am intentionally choosing sunshine. And afternoon naps with my girl.
Despite everything, the weekend was a good one. Friday night David, Koda and I cuddled on the couch with pizza and decompressed from the exhausting week. Hailey had swim lessons Saturday and I love that she is loving them, slowly getting braver and being pushed outside her comfort zone. Saturday afternoon Mema and Grandpa showed up to play with the girls and give David and I a night out at the AHA Heart Ball. We weren’t sure if we were going to make it, but when the night arrived, along with my dress from Rent the Runway, we were both ready for a light-hearted night out on the town.
Plus, who doesn’t love a chance to dress up a little bit?
Our friends Kelly and John came with us and my goodness, Kelly looked like she was headed straight for the Grammys. Absolutely stunning.
The evening was such a nice release of good food, drinks and mingling. To see the good that The American Heart Association is doing is incredible. An uplifting night indeed, made only better by the day that followed. Sunday was absolutely gorgeous. It was 64 degrees and sunny and I’m not sure we spent more than a minute inside the entire day.
Hailey hogged Mema and the two of them played all over the yard, from chalk drawings on the driveway to throwing rocks into the lake. Koda joyfully followed along, finding big sticks to chew on along the way. When the girls napped we sat out and chatted, then brought out baskets of toys when they woke back up.
Rejuvenation at its best.
In the early evening, I finally forced myself into the car and to the store, for the sole reason that we would have nothing to eat for dinner otherwise.
We ended the night grilling out
and cuddled on the couch.
As this new week begins, I’m playing catch up, focusing on the positive and spreading the sunshine to one of you who entered the Baby-Led Weaning giveaway! The winner is… SHANNON D! I will be emailing you this morning to mail you your prizes!
Thank you ALL so much for your support of my new book.
What is one thing that made you smile this weekend?
kaitlyn @ Keeping up with Kaitlyn says
Both you and your friend look STUNNING! Red is a gorgeous color on you :)) Wasn’t the weather yesterday awesome?! Wish it would stick around.
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
Your dress is gorgeous!
Thing that made me smile this weekend; coming home after being away for 3 weeks to my favorite Papa Johns pizza and two boxes of thin mint cookies 🙂
John J. says
Great post by the lovely “lady in red” (I’d sing the song for you but I can’t sing!). Glad you are using the “change the channel” technique and focusing on the “sunshine” that you live in, bring brightly, and share with others. Great pics of the family which bring “sunshine” to me as I head to the office amidst the clouds overhead. Have a good one!
Brynn says
First, you look gorgeous for the night out! Everyone looks great, how fun! I have a similar approach as your dad but I call it shifting the car gear. Same thing and such a powerful way to regain control or at times lose it. Sending lots of love.
Christy @themuddyapron says
You look gorgeous in red! Good luck with your book. I’ve already stolen some of your ideas from your blog. 😉
Happy news from this weekend was my daughter’s birthday celebration. We all had a blast.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
You look stunning! I am glad you guys got a night out. I don’t even remember the last time I put on a dress like that and got all dolled up for a night out.
I missed the Koda update…heading over to read what’s up now. Love and prayers! They truly are members of the family.
Taca @ A Side Of Dessert says
WOW! You guys looked stunning! I absolutely loved your dress!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
You look GORGEOUS!!!! How fun!!! Everyone needs a glamorous night out now and then 🙂
Laura @FitMamaLove says
I love your red dress! How fun to dress up for a night! I also like the imagery of changing the channel in your mind. That’s a good way to put it.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
I love that picture of you and Koda! And you look stunning in your dress! What a fun night!
Julia @ LordStillLovesMe says
I constantly admire your positive outlook on life. I cannot even imagine what you are going through right now in regards to Koda’s health problems, yet you still choose to look on the bright side. That is such an incredible characteristic to have and something I strive for with each new day.
On another note, you and David look radiant in that AHA picture. My goodness, you are a stunner!
Rachel says
I missed your Friday post and just read it, and I teared up. I’m definitely keeping you in my prayers. My dog is my baby, I can’t even imagine. I’m so happy that you get to have some more time with her and that you’ll be able to give her the treatment she needs. Sending you LOTS of hugs right now.
ANYWAY, happier things.. you look absolutely stunning in your dress. The thing that made me happy this weekend was that after (literally) months of looking, I found my wedding dress. I couldn’t be happier with it, I’ve been smiling all morning at work 🙂
Julie says
You looked FABULOUS in that red dress!!!
Lauren @ Oh Hey I Like That! says
I’m sending hugs for you and Koda! Most of my weekend was spent recovering from a barre class, but it did make me smile when Boyfriend and I were at his parents’ house and a chicken decided to cross the yard (to get to the other side of course!)
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
You looked SO gorgeous for your night out, Brittany!! I think red is your color!
Courtney says
I have a two year old vizsla who is my first dog ever. I never fully understood how people loved their pets so much until I became a pet mom. Now my dog is such a huge part of my life and brings me so much joy every single day. Your Friday post had me in tears, and I’ve been thinking of your family and Koda since I read it. I’m thinking of your whole family and sending lots of positive thoughts your way.
jen says
Hey Girl–I read your post about Koda via Facebook while I was in the car, so I didn’t get to comment, but I’m so sorry to hear the news. Pets are such a huge part of a family, and having them get sick and eventually head to the big dog park (or ball of yarn) in the sky is one of the toughest parts of life, in my opinion. So glad that today you’re choosing sunshine, and love your dad’s outlook on “changing the channel” in your mind. I’ve never heard it expressed that way, and I love it.
Hugs.
Kristen@Change of Pace says
Hey Brittany… I’ve been reading your posts on here and instagram about Koda. I haven’t said anything because I don’t know what to say. I know that what you are going through is heart wrenching and honestly anything I say won’t make it any better. Just know that I’ve been thinking about you and your family. Good, positive, hopeful thoughts are headed your way 🙂