My name is Brittani, and I'm a bargainista

So, I've done a little bit of bargain shopping a week or two ago, and these were my finds. I desperately need a little "umph" to my room (or a "wow factor" if you will). IKEA was the perfect place (and what do you know...I went on the morning they were giving everyone free breakfasts. haha). Anyway, and Old Navy is just down the street so I somehow ended up there (really a mystery as to how that happened). Anyway, here are some pictures. Old Navy just feeds into my obsession of birds that I'm having right now. :) Hope you enjoy! XOXO

News and (not so) random thoughts

I must say, I am very excited about the team I am on going to India. It's a group of people who are trying to live out their faith, be flexible, understanding, as well as match their faith with action! We had a great meeting this weekend. And I am so excited about the concert this week and how the team is stepping up there as well! I had a great time at lunch with my dad's side of the family yesterday (where the women definitely outnumber the men... haha). In other family news, my grandma on my mom's side went home Friday and is doing better...they released her because the medication seemed to have finally got out of her system. And praise the Lord that the whole time she was able to get up and work on her knee when she needed to and her knee is doing remarkably, because that could have been bad as well. I also got news this weekend that another friend of mine is engaged! Congrats Jen & Cody!!! My first thought is that I am really so excited and my second is "bring it on weddings!" because now two good friends of mine are engaged and I have the feeling that this is a trend that will be continuing for a while. It's exciting for me...I feel all grown up to have friends making such adult decisions and find such great spouses to spend the rest of their lives with. It's also fun to talk wedding stuff (which I got to do with Lauren last night...can't believe her wedding is slightly less than 5 months away). Something else I'm looking forward to is having my sisters visit this week. They're visiting from Sacramento & Chico. Haven't seen then in a while now, which is definitely weird for my family. Well, goodnight and much love!!! XOXOXO

Where's Brittani????

If you haven't noticed...I've been absent for the last 2 weeks. I didn't even realize that it's been that long since I've written a blog post, because things have been that busy. I've been babysitting like a crazy woman. And as if my life wasn't already busy enough, things for the India trip are in full swing. This includes a concert at Rockharbor Church with Molly Jenson & The Pawnshop Kings!!! I'm spearheading it and it's next Thursday, October 22nd. It's so awesome and I can't believe it's actually happening! What a new experience for me to be leading this trip and planning a church-wide concert! I pray that my agenda does not get in the way of having an amazing concert that helps support our trip and Harvest India. Because I know that with the flooding happening right now in India, a God size task is needed. I am also amazed that I am able to go right after this flooding has happened and the whole team can go and help in so many needed ways. If you could be praying for all of that it would be so greatly appreciated. Also, my mom drove to Arizona 2 days ago to be with my grandma (who had knee surgery) becauseof complications with surgery and the medications administered to my grandma. She's slowly getting better but to me it's kind of weird because a lot of details and answers haven't been given to my mom & grandpa about what exactly happened. They do know she was basically given too much medication and say it happens and depending on the type of person they can go kind of "in and out of it" so to speak...meaning my grandma has had a couple weird hallucinations. But they plan on discharging her either today or tomorrow. Well, I am truly tired but if you could make it out to the MOLLY JENSON & PAWNSHOP KINGS concert on OCTOBER 22ND that would be great!!!! Much love to you all! :) Oh, and here is this poster/flyer that I created for the concert...isn't it just so artsy and lovely and vibrant (and an absolutely stunning picture of Molly --and the Pawnshop Kings)??? I love it. Of course they aren't pictures I took, but I can't believe I was able to do something like that... I really am not the creative, remember? I'm the science nerd in my family (with the glasses & all...haha)

Family Time

So, this week has already been really busy (what week isn't busy for me usually????) On top of working a lot, I've been spending time with the family because we've been video chatting with my 'lil sis in Chico, CA. This was my brilliant idea that she "poo-pooed" when she left for college about 5 weeks ago...however, homesickness has set in and now she thinks it's the most awesome thing in the world (which it is totally up there). It's been awesome to see her beautiful face and see her feel better to see us and talk with us here in Orange County. :) Other things that have been occupying my time is something of the type that would create a lot of change in my life. It's not drastic and it's something that is not even in the stages of happening. I'm entertaining the idea of moving into a place with my own room...this is because rent has increased at the place I'm living and I feel I'm paying too much to share a room. I've been looking and have found some places that are just about the amount that I'm paying for rent but it'd be my own room. Anyway, I'll leave y'all with a video of my dad & brother playing ping-pong with their new ping-pong table. Sorry that the quality is really bad...I had my camera but the battery was dead so this is with my phone. Notice the part where my brother says "I own dad". Much love! ~B

My India Support Letter

As you may recall, I have been talking about my India missions trip for a little while now but I have (finally) finished my support letter and wish to share it. I put it out there because heck, you never know who might be looking at my blog and might want to help in my fundraising. If you are interested in me sending you this letter my mail, please let me know! Drum roll please:



Hi friends and family,

I have the exciting opportunity to share with you about my returning to India on another mission’s trip with ROCKHARBOR church! As you may remember, I went to India in March; and I have the chance to help lead a team of 33 ROCKHARBOR members going to Andhra Pradesh, India this December. The first trip to India was truly memorable and we were able to accomplish great things. It was such a blessing to be able to interact with the people on staff at Harvest India as well as help build relationships with people in remote villagesl we were able to supply them with food, clean water and share our faith with them and that we want to give because we have been given so much. It was also eye opening because I saw first hand the cast system as well as the poverty and great need in the country, which Harvest India is trying to make strives to improve. Now I have the unique privilege of helping lead a trip.
Our team will be traveling from December 26th to January 9th. During our trip we will be: helping provide villages with wells for pure drinking water, giving food and medical aid to the poor and those considered untouchable, aiding the pastors in evangelist events to reach many villages with the hope of the Gospel and also giving support and hope for a better life to a local orphanage Rockharbor sponsors.

Our first and most important support needed is prayer. We are asking for prayer:
• For our team safety while traveling, and during our time in India
• That we are spiritually prepared for any spiritual battles that may be encountered
• That we may share the Gospel boldly & with the love that Our Savior Jesus has shown us
• For unity, support, flexibility and compassion within our team
• That people we meet will have hearts prepared to receive Jesus as their Lord & Savior, and One True God
• That all the team members will be able to raise the financial support necessary to go
• That the pastors, church planters and people of India will be encouraged and strengthened as followers of Christ.

Secondly, there is a need for financial support if you feel called to also participate financially. I have committed to raise $3,500. If you would like to make a donation to my trip or know of others who would, please make donations payable to ROCKHARBOR Church. Please do not write my name or the country anywhere on the check. You may use the included return envelope, which is already addressed and indicates that the donation is for my trip. If you use your own envelope, please mail it to:
ROCKHARBOR Church
Attn: India/Brittani Ehrhorn
3080 Airway Ave. Suite A
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Please note that donations are tax deductible and are non refundable. All donations will go towards the overall cost of the trip, and any excess funds will first help to cover the team’s costs and secondly will be gifted to the ministry we are going to serve.
Thank you all very much for your support of this ministry; I am so blessed for you to be apart of it alongside me.

Brittani

HAPPY (Beleated) Birthday (post) MOM!!!

It was my mom's birthday this week. I definitely am not late in saying happy birthday to her...I know this because I got up early on her birthday so that we could have a family birthday breakfast (of cinnamon rolls) before my brother went to school; and then we also went to dinner as a family that night. Since I spend time with her on her actually birthday that is my excuse for this birthday post being late....But I love you very much mom! Your endless amount of love and caring is what makes you a great mom! And another great thing about you is you like to have fun. I love you mom! May this year be filled with even more blessings than the last.


(I know this picture isn't the best quality; but it's one of me & my mom so I wanted to show it)

A week full of good things

This week has been really awesome. I have done my share of babysitting, but I have also had one or two nights free. I seized opportunity & was able to spend time with my very good & dear friend Lauren (as well as her fiance). I love spending time with them. It was also my mom's birthday so I was able to spend time with family. I have also been trying to get into a class at OCC but it's been full. I am also trying to get in contact with another teacher from another class to see if I could get into a class at a different time. We also had an India leadership meeting that went really well. I am getting more excited about the trip & excited for how it's making me keep my faith strong, and call on God and be prayerful and seeking Him more and more. Well, I'll leave you with some funny kid stories.

• A little 3 year old girl I watch had to "go potty" and I let her go but went in a couple seconds later after her see if she need help buttoning pants or anything; I asked her if she wiped and she said "No" and I ask why not. Her reply..."I'll wipe tomorrow"
• Babysat over the weekend for 2 boys...when I said they couldn't play with water and get muddy and dirty the oldest said "You're no fun". I made up a modified game with water that wouldn't get them really wet (but they found ways to get dirty still). And after I read to them in bed, the littlest boy said "Brittani, I like you" (in a "you're really cool" kind of way). And he prayed that I'd have a safe drive home.
  
• Those same two boys could not believe it when I told them I have two sisters, and growing up we never played Legos.
• I picked up the 4 year old boy I watch from Pre-K this week. My car was kind of hot from the mid-day heat so I rolled the windows down. Next thing I know the little boy has his arm up in the air in the wind and yells "armpit" and started laughing. I guess his armpits needed cooling down.
  

A little mushy mush, and an update

Phew...It's been a little while since I wrote a new post...again. Sorry y'all. It's definitely been busy for me. Lots of babysitting and such...which means that even though I'm crazy busy, things are not how they were a few months ago where I had little work. Anyway, I'm also hoping to get into a class at OCC this semester. Don't know how that's gonna go though because the class is full. So, I wanted to share a little insight that I've gotten this week. There have been multiple instances this where my family has contacted me this week. And it's made me realize two things...1)I really love my family...they are funny, awesome, loving and caring 2) I'm really bad at contacting the people I love (for example, my grandpa's b-day was on the 2nd and I did not call to tell him happy b-day!!! I felt like such a horrible granddaughter! But I called him the next day and apologized and he was understanding and was still thankful for the call.) So, I am going to try to make it a point to be more intentional with keeping in touch with those I love. (And this is going to be made a heck of a lot easier thanks to my new handy dandy Bluetooth...I haven't had one for a few months and it's definitely made my calling a heck of a lot less frequent. Because, yes, I obey the law and don't talk on the phone without a hands-free device.) Anyway, hope you all can learn from my poor ability to keep in touch and remember to keep relationships you care about going :)

Kids say the funniest things - Part 2

Here are some more funny things that kids have said while babysitting the last couple days:

• The same four year old who told me thanks for cleaning up his sisters mess told his mom this week when she arrived back at home that before I left I needed to teach her how to take the crust off his sandwiches because I do it "really good".  He was really excited about my crustless turkey sandwiches.
• I was playing outside with the same four year old boy and his sister.  I guess he sneezed on her goldfish and the little sister said "Brittani, he blessed you on my goldfish!".  
• A four year old little girl I babysit tonight was adamant about wearing two t-shirts together today in the sweltering heat.  And then later on in the evening she made the comment "you are wearing two shirts"...as I was wearing a camisole and light v-neck tee.  Too cute.  Made me think of her as even more cute :)

Kids say the funniest things

So, I've decided to do a quick post with some funny phrases I've witnessed lately by the kids I babysit for...they're quite entertaining! (At least I think so)

• a 4 year old boy I babysit is playing with his neighbor (who is a three year old girl...and she has a major crush on him and I am pretty sure he kind of likes her)...they're playing in her play house and the little boy walks out the door and says "Okay, I'm gonna leave and come back.  And you're gonna be bad at me because I was late for work"
• a 2 year old girl referencing things as "it's the best in the parade"
• same little two year old girl introducing me to her mom as "this is my friend, mom" (this is after I've babysat her a few times by the way)
• I was watching another little 4 year old boy & his 3 year old sister.  I was feeding them dinner & the little girl spilt apple sauce on the floor.  She started to cry a little because she was tired already.  I tell her "It's ok Em, I can clean it up and get you more applesauce".  I clean it up & then her 4 year old brother then follows me into the kitchen and says "Burney, thanks for picking up my sisters mess".   He pronounce my name "Burney"  like "burr" and "knee" since he 1 or 2 and it's stuck ever since.

Good night :)

A Smorgosborg of things!!!

What a crazy and long couple of weeks it's been! Sorry that I haven't posted in a while...there has been a lot going on for sure! I have been working at the temp job for almost a month now (am in the middle of week 3) and I'm so grateful for it! It's entirely scanning documents and then saving them on an electronic database. Thousands of files! There's loads of work to be done. Also, babysitting on the side has picked up quite a lot, which is good for when the job does end. Anyway, the exciting event that has just happened was the Molly Jenson concert to benefit my trip to India! I felt like it went well! Molly was awesome, a good number of people showed up and everyone had a blast! It help out a lot! And, it was a good send off for my little sister Kori (because she left for college at Chico State the next day---so bittersweet). I am still planning on babysitting right now and hoping for a part time job too to supplement but it's hard to find, and it's definitely not easy working 40 hours a week and then going to babysit or tutor (or both in one day sometimes!!!!) and try and job search. I am also contemplating staying in my current living situation because the lease is up October 1st...it would be nice to be in a place where I can save money is all I'll say about that for now (because there are so many things I can go into detail about in terms of my living situation as well as me saving money right now, believe me). So, I think that's about it folks...I'll leave you with some pictures from the Molly Jenson concert thanks to the lovely and talented photographer Kristi Clark :) Peace & much love!!!

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

I wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!  You are such a great dad!  I love you very much.  Thank you for taking good care of your family, and for being such a strong foundation.  You're like the white version of Rev. Run with your Provers you send to me and everyone on your phone's contact list...and that's too cool :)   In the words of Nacho Libre " Little hug, little kiss, big hug....XOXOXO"  Today, you can put on your stretchy pants, "just for fun".

India, concerts, jobs and keeping up with life :)

Okay...so I realize that I have been not so in touch to the blogging world.  Sorry about that.  I have noticed recently that lately I have been getting really preoccupied with work and tutoring and life that I have gotten behind with things like texting people back!  It's definitely not like me...I'm very punctual and like to respond quickly to people.  Anyway, that's a little digression.  So, the Molly Jenson concert is August 15th!  I'd love it if you could be there; and here's the promised link to the e-vite and eventbrite.com ticket information: http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=CHNIPNAEZABOSAYZMCQI .  So, this week has been quite crazy...I found out that the physical therapist office had already picked the person they wanted (and yet the neglected to call the other people whom they interviewed as well to inform them of their decision).  But, the good news is that babysitting has been happening a little bit this week, and today I started a temp job at pretty large video game and entertainment company.  And it's for a whole MONTH!  Praise the Lord!  I must admit that I feel that it's hard but when you lean on the Lord he is good and he answers.  (Because this month long job is nothing I could have gotten on my own).  Another thing keeping me really busy is interviewing people for the India trip.  I am officially a team leader and get to interview the applicants and help decide on the team.  It's going to be an exciting and great trip and lots of amazing people who are applying!  YAY!  Well folks, it's definitely late.  And you know, I'm a 9-5 kind of girl so I must get to bed :)  Love & peace to you all! 

Exciting announcement!!!!

So, I have an announcement!  It's been in the makings for a little while now but it's been quite the busy few weeks for me...dogsitting, temp jobs, tutoring and babysitting, and car stuff!  Anyway, I am going to be going back to India in Decemeber!   And, I am also going to be having a house concert to help benefit the trip with none other than Molly Jenson!  I'm very excited!  So, tomorrow I pinky promise to get an e-vite out and set up ticket info...but until then please mark your calendars for August 15th!!!  I would love for you all to be there!!!  And to be honest I feel like I am going out on a limb here to do the concert and I want it to be beneficial and really helpful for the trip.  So please plan on coming!  More details to follow very soon!  Oh, and if you could all be keeping me in prayer...I've got a 2nd interview coming up for a job at a physical therapists office. :)  Thanks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRISTINA!!!

Happy Birthday sis!  Here's to 24 years of living! Geez we're getting old...remember the days when it was just me and you, and when mom would dress us alike?  And remember the times we shared a room together?  With the Little Mermaid Poster?  And me and you hanging out with Mark, Ryan, Robbie and Marcy?  Wow!  Or us driving down PCH in the BMW in high school?  And Shirley's Bagels before school?  Well, now we have awesome new chapters in our lives and  I am so proud of you and the beautiful woman you are!  You are a great sister!  Love you mucho!
(I know you don't like the picture of us in Sedona, but it's one of the only one's I have of us...and it's not that bad  :) ) 

Whole lot a shaking going on

That is kind of the phrase I can think of that describes how I feel and what's been happening lately. Some good and some bad "shaking" to be honest. Babysitting is picking up and I'm tutoring four kids during the week. And I also have a temp job set up for a few days next week (for the job where two employees kindly made a great impression on my first day of work.) I am also working on a few other job opportunities. I am so very thankful for all of these especially because I am getting my car fixed and it's a lot of money (and considering the circumstances it's rocked me). I can honestly say that in the later part of last week these jobs were not even in place and I was definitely stressing about it; but I made the decision to really lean on the Lord and call on Him and say "this may be tough but I choose to have faith and cast my burden and cares unto Him in ways I never have before". It is definitely a testimony of His power, grace, love and care in a very personal way for me. I am also very excited because it looks like I am going to be able to go back to India in December and an extremely awesome part about it is I have a concert at my house lined up with Molly Jenson that will help go towards the trip! (She is really awesome!) I am so excited! Anyway, I will leave y'all with an awesome picture of me and my little bro at a recent family beach trip (picture thanks to aunt Cathy, or Caca as we've called her lovingly for many many years). I love my bro (I call him my Bubba). And let me know if any of you would like to come to the concert (you can do so by posting a comment-- seriously, the more the merrier)! (BTW, can you say twins in this picture...and we're 11 years apart! Hello!)

Drum roll please...here are the Switchfoot pics!

Without further ado, here are the Switchfoot pics! They put a smile on my face :)

"This is home"

So, yesterday was the big, anticipated Switchfoot concert!!! It was definitely something that I felt was getting difficult to manage because at first I planned to go to the concert in San Diego and stay there with a friend (Jen) for the weekend. We were going to go to the Switchfoot all day surf competition (which benefits the local organization "Stand Up for Kids") and then after they had a concert with Fiction Family, Molly Jenson, Tim Curran and much much more. A really amazing weekend! Then, silly me got asked to babysit and didn't realize it was the same weekend. Problem. So, I was going to stay until the latest possible time in San Diego to be able to take part in as much of the festivities that I could and then come back home. I compromise I accepted. Then, about 3 days ago I'm driving my car and it starts to make a not-so-good grinding type of noise and it felt like it drove kind of weird. Problem. Take my car to two different mechanics because it turns out it required a transmission specialist. The transmission guy says I need a new transmission that's a minimum of $1200! What! Oh, and I shouldn't drive the car or it will cause more damage which will cost more money. So, needless to say I didn't have a car to get me to do all the fun things in San Diego. However, my very very good friend Stephanie was going to the concert with me and generously picked me up to go to the concert and drove me back home late in the evening. (Because she wasn't able to stay overnight in San Diego or go to the Bro-AM surf contest).
However, the concert itself was amazing!!! Before the concert Steph & I met up with Jen. It was a blast. Jen is just awesome! (And if you all could keep her in your prayers. She and her boyfriend are going on a missions trip to the Congo in 2 weeks and are having trouble raising money.) And at the concert we had stinking amazing seats! Right level with the stage (because the general admission area that was standing only was actually below us. Nice!) And we met wonderful people at our same table at the concert who flew in from Florida for the weeks Switchfoot festivities. They are even sending me a DVD of the concert that they recorded! And we also sat next to Tim & Jon Foreman's grandparents (who, at the last song, stood up and clapped). Then I had passes to the meet and greet and got to meet with the guys!!! So exciting! They're so cool! There are going to be pictures to follow once I get the transferred. Just thought I'd share. After a pretty long and challenging couple of weeks, it's been nice to feel like blood is flowing through my veins again...like "my heart's still beating" (in the words of Switchfoot). Rock on!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

I have a pretty awesome dad (or fasha as I call him...this Austin Powers for that one). Anyway, I am so thankful to have a great dad, on top of a great Heavenly Father! Love you!!!!!! (basically, I don't think I have any pics of just me and my dad, so I'm just posting a couple pictures of my dad in action as a father instead--one of the pictures is with his own dad too, so that's fitting :) ...will have to change the fact that we don't have any pictures on my computer of the two of us).

June-tastic (June crazyness, that's all I got for a title..boring I know)

Lots has been going on around here...I've had quite a week. I've worked this whole week at the temp job and had my last day Friday. I worked a total of 56 hours simply alphabetizing, filing and making labels. But I am so thankful to have had the work. Everything continued to be fine after that first day. lol. On top of that, I've been babysitting a few days after work; I also took my brother to California Advenuture after work to utilize his birthday ticket! And, I've also been blessed to have time to drive Suresh (the pastor who I stayed with in India) and his wife around a little bit. They are quite an amazing couple, as well as individuals. My dad also had lunch with us and has been able to help Suresh get plugged in to several men prayer group to speak and spread the word about Harvest India. They are becoming sweet friends. Needless to say it's been a crazy week. I'm having difficulties dealing with managing that schedule and being in between taking in as much babysitting as well as managing temp jobs. However, this upcoming week has no temp job thus far, but a few extra babysitting gigs and hopes of a permanent part time job (which would be quite nice). The big news is that my baby sister has now graduated high school!!! I am so proud of her!!! Next stop, Chico State!!! It was great to be with family to celebrate with her! Kori, I pray that the next four years are full of focus, protection and blessings and that you would have a safe and great college experience in an environment where you excel to the fullest!!! Other big news is that my older sis is moving to Sacramento on Monday!!! It's crazy!!! I'm going to miss her being so close but I know that she will visit and I'm determined to make trips to visit her as often as possible. We are all growing up! (here's' me and my mama, Kori and Chantelle, Kori & Grammie & Susie, Kori with the cake I made her; yeah, I also somehow had time to make her a cake!)