And the wheels keep turning...

My To-Do List for the next 2 months is absolutely insane. I am definitely taking each day at a time because pregnancy is getting to me. I get a bit mental when I think that I still may have 8 more weeks of this (....BGB I wouldn't mind it being less...but not toooo less). Every morning I wake up with a new ache and pain. Not to mention the randomness of the Braxton-Hicks contractions that hit me hard and send me straight to bed. Ryan has really taking charge of my needs and I will be forever grateful for him! (like yesterday..."Babe, I could really go for a burrito right now..." and 2 minutes later, a hot, rolled up tortilla sat in front of me). He is such a champ.

News in the Briggs home. Ryan received a new calling today as Elders Quorum President. He has been serving as the 1st counselor in the EQ for a few months now, but our Bishopric was reorganizing, sending the old EQP into the new Bishopric. We received the call from the Stake last Sunday setting up an interview this past Tuesday. What amazes me about Ryan, and about how the Spirit works, he knew almost immediately after hearing about the reorganizing at Church that he would be the EQP. The call was not a surprise to him. But for his 7+ month prego wife....it was a surprise. So today we sustained him and I couldn't have been more proud. Except I remembered what the Stake President said that Tuesday night..."Now Brother Briggs, Elders Quorum President is like having a second Bishop in the ward." (*Great* I thought...). We have been sooooo blessed lately and I know that we will be continually blessed as Ryan serves in the ward. (Now if they could only release me as the Enrichment Leader...)

In less than a month, Ryan is taking the LSAT for law school.
Need I say more? The other night, when both of us were sweating profusely because we don't have AC and it's still scorching hot in Idaho, we were discussing our options if he didn't get the score we needed to get into school for Fall 2010. What would we do? Where would we go? SIMPLE: Move in with Mom and Dad....Briggs or Steele! Easy!! I guess the difficulty of growing up is never really knowing what comes next. It's exciting and scary all at the same time. I may be asking you ladies for reassurance in the coming months.

BUT, I am happy that school is starting next week and we'll finally get back into a routine. This is Ryan's last semester!! HOORAY! I'm taking 2 on-line classes....we'll see if I complete them!!

We are awaiting the arrival of these beauties!!! Thanks Mom and Dad Briggs!!!

Our Powers Combined

My two favorite things in one commercial.

Top Chef

and

Diet Coke.

Burritos....Briggs Style

We absolutely love chips and salsa. We could definitely eat it everyday. I'm guessing the avocado season is ending soon, so we made some homemade guac, too! Yum!

My cute taco/burrito/guac man.

The lay out.

Since I'll be 31 weeks soon....I thought I'd treat ya to a belly shot!

New Apartment

Ryan and I are officially into our new 2 bedroom apartment. We decided to stay in the same complex because our ward is so great. We looked at many different 2 bedroom apartments around Rexburg, and they were all dumpy. We love living at The Village. Besides a semi-anal manager, we have honestly loved every minute living in our place. Whoa, let me take that back. The second we walked into our new apartment, I looked at Ryan and said, "I am SO glad we are out of that apartment! Our neighbors sucked! We don't have to listen to their 150 stereo surround sound system!! And No more drum set! Or hearing the wife sneeze. Or hearing other things...." So there you have it. We loved our apartment, but could have definitely done without our very inconsiderate/annoying/loud/awkward neighbors.

BGB is doing very good. I've had such a great pregnancy. I am just over 30 weeks. Oh my goodness. The more I think about what we have to get done before her arrival, the more a F-R-E-A-K...just a bit. I mean seriously, in less than 10 weeks, we'll have a legit baby in our apartment. Last night, we were our taking a walk outside and ran into our neighbors. They have the sweetest 6 month old girl. She is the most relaxed baby! I got to hold her for a bit and she didn't even squirm or cry....until she looked around saw her Mom, Dad, and Sister standing in front of her and probably thought to herself..."Who is holding me....my Mom is right there..." and then she started crying. It was pretty cute. I got so excited after holding her that soon, we'll have a little baby to hold!

We are ordering our crib this week and then I'll definitely post some pictures once we get everything set up. No recent belly pics though. I'm not feeling that big, YET. I mean, I'm freaking huge compared to my original weight/size, but as for being 7 months prego....I'm looking pretty average. When I don't have to go outside, I'm usually found in my maternity yoga capri's and my old Large soccer camp shirts from like 1999. Oh well. When you get closer and closer to your due date, not even Maternity clothes fit or are comfortable.

Laser Tag in Rexburg!!!!!!!!!!

There is a new fun place here in Rexburg called "THE CRAZE" (so original I know...) but while we were at the Madison State Fair (stories for another day), we got free laser tag tickets for that night! It was such a fun place! They had 9 hole Black light Mini-golf, laser tag, arcade games, and fun/cheap food.

I made sure I could get the laser tag equipment over my huge belly. Thankfully, running wasn't allowed and Ryan wouldn't leave my side, so it was great! I had a blast but boy with that heavy equipment on PLUS my baby weight, running up the ramps to the top floor was killer on my body. I was exhausted!

Ryan and I went with our dear friends, Christina and Josh and Ashley and Scott. I've mentioned them before, but Christina, Ashley, and I were roommates here at BYU-Idaho. Pretty hilarious that we are all back together, married, and living the dream in Rexburg!

Baby Shower in NC

The week we were home in NC, my Mom and her gal pals threw me a baby shower. I couldn't believe some of the stuff I got. I am SO excited to play dress up. Next summer she has a dress for everyday of the week. AND a swimsuit....So cute. It was so fun to have my sister Jill and my sister-in-law Tiffany there too. Who doesn't want a girls night of complete ooooing and ahhhhhing over the cutest girl clothes, EVER! We had fun! So, thanks Mom. You are the best!!

and for you, BGB, you are one lucky girl!

{I Heart You, bag}

The new Diaper bag.

This is my everyday bag...I've already decided that getting a more complex Diaper bag would be smart for road trips and traveling. But, I couldn't pass this beauty up. My wonderful sister gave me a gift card to Anthro for my birthday and I fell in love with this bag when I saw it.

So, Thank You Jillian! I love you! Thank you for making me a hip new Mommy!

Celebrating our 1st Anniversary!

August 9th was our anniversary! I cannot believe it has already been a year. Ryan and I often laugh about how fun and easy this past year has been. We have definitely had our moments of working out a few problems and ironing out some kinks, but all in all--we have completed year one Successfully!!

Ryan makes me laugh everyday and I am so grateful for him. I am so excited for year 2! This next year will be So busy. By next August, we will have accomplished:

- 2 Bachelor's degrees

- 1 baby .... haha

- LSAT test

- Law School applications

- Law School acceptances...

- and Law School deposits...with a future home for the next 3 years.

Hooray for good times!

It was also great to be at my parents house because our cake was there! It was delish!

My Birthday!

Eating Ice Cream at Bruster's!

Lots and Lots of Boating...

Ryan and I are safely back in Rexburg. We just spent 10 glorious days with my family in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was so great to be back. I just love that area of the country. Ryan and I are excited to hopefully go back next year for Law School...but only time will tell. My parents kept saying "Hotel Steele is open next year for a low rate for those who have babies..." So apparently, we are invited to come live with them next summer! Yay!
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Here are some fun pics from the week. Basically, all we did was go out on my parents boat. They live about 3 house lots back from the water front and they just got a boat in March. They absolutely love it. My Dad is a great driver and really had fun pulling everyone in the tube and skiing. Ryan has spent a lot of time driving boats from his high school days so he was able to help out when my Dad wanted to water ski or tube. We all had such a fun time just hanging out and telling fun stories. It'll be awhile until we are all back together as a family which will probably be December 2010 when my brother Jared gets back from his mission!
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Saturday Night dinner at Firebirds

(Left: Benjamin and Jill, Top: Dad, Jill and Mom, Bottom: Tiffany, Benjamin and David)

Tube Time! Benjamin did NOT like the tube. For his first time out on the lake, we probably should have started out on something a little more low key for him!

(Top left: Benjamin, David and Tiffany, Top right: Sophie, Bottom left: boat crew! Bottom Right: Mom and Jill)

My Dad thought I needed to ride on the tube (bad idea because my back killed that night!) But I rode with my bro David and Sophie...we went realllllllllllly slow but it was fun! Next summer will be better!

(Top left: Benjamin and me, Top right: Me, David and Sophie, Bottom left: David and me, Bottom right: Jill and me)

More boat fun! As you can see, Sophie loves the boat!

(Top left: Mom, David and Sophie, Top right: Ryan and David, Bottom left: Me and Sophie, Bottom right: Dad, Ryan and me floating with Sophie)

NC fun!!

Just so you know, Ryan and I are having a blast in North Carolina. We have spent the last two days on the boat. I spent about 10 seconds on the tube going ZERO miles per hour. My back started hurting so I ditched that idea. But, it has been so much fun watching Ryan out on the wake board and tearing it up! He is so good! The weather hasn't been Toooooo bad. Humidity has been down a bit but it's still in the upper 90's during the peak hours.
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My Birthday was on Monday, and we had so much fun! I didn't want to make my birthday a big deal because #1 I'm prego and I'd rather save money for the baby #2 it's a birthday present enough to be in NC. But, I got my hair done in the morning (so cute PS), boat time until about 4PM, dinner (bratwurst and shrimp), and then ice cream at Bruster's!
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:Ryan is such a sweetheart. I told him that the only thing I wanted were new Rainbow's and a massage. And that's what I got!!! I had the best foot massage of my life. He is so amazing. Trust me, when you're pregnant, the only thing you want is someone rubbing your feet allllllll day.
:My sister got me a $50 gift card to Anthropologie....LOVE HER....and I got a diaper bag! Well, it's not an official diaper bag, but it'll do the job. Pictures will be soon, I promise.
:My bro and sis-in-law got me a Bath and Body Works set of lotions and shower gels for my first shower after the baby is born. Tiffany said that will be the best shower of my life. I'm way excited!
:My Mom and Dad got me some $$$ for my hair appointment and some great books for the Baby's first year. Oh, and she got me an adorable Gap Maternity dress for the fall when I'm still prego.
:My wonderful In-Laws got me a Visa gift card which I am so excited to spend. I think I'm going to get some shoes. And they included the most adorable baby girl dresses for next summer!!! So excited!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. 23 is going to be a big year, but I am So excited.

We still have a busy week ahead of us! I'll update with pics when I get back!