Brittney Gulley has been a Motherlode reader for many years and we always love seeing her name in comments or on email! She’s one of those helpful people who lets us know if she sees a new “kids eat free” restaurant and she’s won several giveaways over the years!
Right now we’re praying for Brittney’s family as they had some shocking news last week (about a week after she answered the questions below for us). Her 3-year-old, Cham, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a life-threatening autoimmune disease. Please join us in praying for Brittney’s family as they adjust to finger pricks and insulin shots multiple times a day. We ♥ you, Brittney!
{Click here to read about the early symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, which include excessive thirst and urination as well as increased hunger coupled with unexpected weight loss.}
Read more about Brittney and her family here:
Where do you live in NWA?
Fayetteville
What brought you to the area?
Born and raised here. Thought I was getting as far away from here as possible once I graduated college, but ended up staying and I’m glad I did. Wonderful place to raise kids and nice being close to family for support!
Children’s names and ages:
Dixon Harper Gulley 8; Chamberlain Chaise Gulley 3
Where did you grow up?
Elkins, Fayetteville and Berryville
How would you describe your family’s “personality”?
Pretty easy going…whatever mom says we will try/do! We like to be on the go–away from home a lot. We will just pick up and go with a moments notice. I’m glad they trust in my decisions/ideas.
Tell us about a day in your mom life:
Starts off with me getting up to get ready for work. Then I must wake the kids and get them ready. My husband takes Dixon to school and I take Chamberlain to my grandparents. (I’m so fortunate to have them to care for my kids!) I work at WelcomeHealth (which I love) everyday and since I’m so close to his school, I can pick Dixon up everyday.
Usually my husband goes to pick up Chamberlain while I go home to start dinner. I’m not gonna lie, Dixon is involved in many sports (this season it’s soccer, flag football and baseball), so we are often running to get to practices or games. When we get home it’s baths, story time, teeth brushing and tucks in bed. I think have to clean up from dinner, make lunches, lay out clothes or pack bags for the next day, start some laundry and get to bed myself. Makes for a busy day, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.
Our weekends look even different, but are usually filled with sports, family time, grocery shopping, etc. I love being on the go and keeping others entertained–it’s what I was designed to do!
Favorite all-time movie?
I have so many, but my absolute favorite is Dirty Dancing
What’s something you’d like to learn?
I would like to learn to take it easy, but there’s time for that when I’m dead. No seriously, there aren’t any current hobbies I would like to take on. Eventually I want to take in some history lessons. I hated history in school, but the older I get, the more I have a longing for past events and knowledge of wars, leaders and famous figures that have shaped our world.
Where does your family love to play in NWA?
When we are home, we are either playing in our yard or at a local park. With little ones you can do little things to keep them entertained. We often get a hotel and just play in the pool or go to Chuck-E-Cheese, Lokomotion or Fast Lane. We have a big family, so we also enjoy visiting family or friends and just being together.
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
Massages and pedicures.
What’s the best thing about being a mother?
EVERYTHING. I waited to have kids and wish I hadn’t. I didn’t think I wanted to be a mom and told my husband he might not want to marry me. I knew he would be a wonderful dad (which he is) and I didn’t want to hold him back from the opportunity. Once I decided my clock was ticking and if I wanted to do it, I better press go, I wish I had never waited. I seriously would’ve had 10 kids. I have baby fever so bad right now! I just love having someone depend on me; I love the idea of molding a little human. When I come home from a busy day and I get a hug and warm greeting, it’s the best feeling in the world.
And the hardest thing?
Knowing that you have little people depending on you and feeling like you always have to be on–no room for mess up’s because someone is always watching and expecting you to be perfect.
What are your favorite mama moments?
If my kids are home when I get home from work, my 3-year-old comes running out the door yelling “Mommy you’re home!” My 8-year-old and I have always had this saying…I tell him he is my favorite 8-year-old (I’ve done this every year and changed his age as he’s grown) and he tells me I’m his favorite mom.
Where do you like to go when you need some “me” time?
I like to go to the movies, casino, hang with my best friend, out to dinner or to get a massage or pedicure.
Where did you meet your husband?
Our good mutual friends introduced us.
Was it love at first sight?
Oh no, not for me anyway. He wasn’t my type at all and I fought it for a couple years. We laugh because if I had just listened to the friends that introduced us and said yes the first time, then maybe I would have 10 kids (wouldn’t have had to wait so long).
One word to sum me up … Control-freak
