Our Spring Break

Are you totally loving this blogging maybe once a week thing from me?? LOL! Our life isn't too exciting right now and I have been so lazy pulling out the camera to document. Ryan is knee deep in school work and it is pretty overwhelming. My Grandpa always joked with Ryan that the 'ol law school saying goes:

First year the scare you to death.

Second year they work you to death.

Third year they bore you to death.

So far, it is completely ringing true. Ryan is so busy right now it is pretty out of control!

BUT, it is great to be busy in law school because that means you're doing something right. 

The best news we've gotten in awhile? Ryan got a new job! Let me explain:

The day my Mom got here a couple weeks ago, Ryan had a job interview. We didn't get all hype about it because he has interviewed for different jobs quite a few times before and getting the job right now is challenging. We even bought him a new white shirt and tie in preparation. 

He called me on the way home and this is what he said:

He offered me the job on the spot.

I seriously couldn't believe it. I know my husband is completely capable of being apart of a great private firm, but proving it in midst of law student clones is hard to do. Everyone looks the same on paper, so I just knew it was the new tie that got him the job :-)

When he got home, he shared more details of the interview:

He told me, "I have 5 other people to interview, but I don't need to if you say yes, so go home, talk to your wife and let me know your answer tomorrow." Confused, Ry asked, "Soo is this a job offer??" He said, "Ya, I guess it is!" Ryan immediately answered back, "I've talked with my wife and if this worked out, she was all for it."

So there you have it! I couldn't believe my ears! What a dream come true. We had a solid back up plan if Ry wasn't able to find a more suitable job over the summer, but the fact that he gets a pay raise, a promise of full-time or more hours in the summer, AND it carries over into the school year? We are beyond thrilled. His first day is tomorrow! We bought him a few new shirts and pants because he is in a  shirt and tie everyday. That's the legit attorney attire!

This past week, Brinley and I had a great spring break. It was the school districts spring break so the little girl I watch was out for the entire week. Basically, I was in heaven. I got a taste of what our everyday will be like come June 1st. I am so excited. We went to Target, and Joann's, and we went out for lunch just the two of us, we slept in, we lounged, we took naps together, we painted fingers and toenails, and we played outside in the sprinkler almost everyday. 

(I love this picture, Brinley discovered refried beans and salsa. She pooped 4 times the next day lol)

I have really missed life with just my home-girl Brinley. Not being able to leave the house has been definitely hard. I miss interacting with other mom's and I definitely hate Brinley not being able to get to the park and library and other play groups like most 2 year olds get to do. This has been a great gig for me but the time is almost here to say adios! (hallelujah!)

I also discovered Draw Something on the iPad and lets just say, it has become a problem. I have many games going on at one time and it is SOO funny seeing what my friends draw. Oh my gosh, it has been amazing. Add me. Lets get this party started, yo.

Back to the grind tomorrow :-(

**On a weird Hand Foot and Mouth Disease side note, Brinley's fingernails are now pealing off! I noticed a few days and google searched it and I guess it is very common after having a virus. So, I'm not concerned. It just is a bit weird to see! The new nail is already growing in so it is pushing the old nail off. Yikes. This disease is awful! 

My almost 2 and a half year old

This girl I tell ya. She is so hilarious. Not only is her curiosity still blooming, the conversations we have are absolutely hilarious. I feel like I'm talking to a much older person sometimes.

Like the other day. We were taking the trash out and she walked over to the sewer grate which is big and kind of dangerous for little toddler feet. I said, be careful! You don't want to walk or fall on that grate! Her response, oh ok Mom, I remember that.

Like, who says that!?

On Wednesday night, Ryan came home from his 12+ hour day which means he comes home after Brinley goes to bed. She was still making noises so I said ya, go up and see her, she misses you. Ry walked in and she goes, My favorite daddy! You were at school? Ry said, ya, I just got home from school. She then said, and you go to class and see your teacher? Totally bewildered, Ryan said, ya I did see my teachers. He had a box of animal crackers for her to snack on just in case she was hungy too. She said, those are my favorite animal crackers, oh thank you thank you daddy!

Hahahahaha I love this girl so much. We tell her daddy is at school, but I don't think I've ever talked about classes or teachers with her. Hilarious!

Okay, one more story. Brinley loves to play on the iPad and the other day, she grabbed it and just started typing in the Notes App. I asked her, What are you doing sweetie? She goes, Ohhh just sending some emails. HAHAHAHA. I am NOT even exaggerating. I love to boast about my child, but I do not make up what she says. Oooo just sending some emails. Like, you're kidding me!

At almost 2 and a half, Brinley still loves to play with her play food. And this past week, Grandma Steele surprised her with a Cupcake Kitchen. My mom wanted to get Brinley an Easter present, but didn't want to get candy and have to pay for shipping, so instead she found this amazing deal on Amazon! When Brinley saw the box, she seriously said, Oooo it's beautiful! It is beautiful mama! She loves going over to her kitchen and fixing something for someone. Ry and I were planning on getting Brinley a kitchen for Christmas, so I think this buys us a little more time! 

I am so grateful that Brinley is in the age now where she tells me when she is ready for lunch or a snack. She rotates between having a PB and honey sandwich, ramen noodles and some type of vegetable, macaroni and cheese, a grilled cheese, and a quesadilla. We rarely have juice in the fridge, so when we do, Brinley asks for her "special" drink, Mama, can I have that special juice? I apparently give almost every food an elaborate verb just to help her get excited about it. She is a near perfect eater. I have zero complaints about that department. She loves brocoli, green beans, peas, strawberries, apples, sometimes peaches, and bananas. Do NOT ever give her a blueberry. Yuck. She does nooot like them even the slightest bit. She is okay with them in a muffin, but even then she examines it. Possibly the texture? Regardless, she got that blueberry hatred from her daddy so I just have stopped trying.

Brinley is my little pal and I just love her so much. She is growing up so fast and changing everyday. She is such a little sponge and soaks up everything I say. Well, not everything because she does get sassy and rebel against me sometimes. She sings the whole ABC's song and knows her numbers up to #20. She skips 14 and 17 every now and then but for the most part, she has them down! I am looking forward to this summer and doing fun things and hopefully teaching her how to swim a bit.

"Where my Grandma go?"

Every time my Mom comes for a visit, we never skip a beat and have a total blast every minute of the day. The first day she was here, she cranked up the music and Zumba danced with Brinley for 20 minutes. It was a total riot. They were dancing and jumping the entire time. At first, I thought my Mom was kidding and playing around, but then she kept going and saying, "Oh! I know this dance!" Sooo funny :-) hence the video down below.

This time, we planned a special Temple trip with our great friends Chris and Kendal. Finally, Ryan and I could leave Brinley with someone for 12+ hours and not worry. They had so fun together and when we finally got home my Mom said that Brinley never asked about us or where we were. Oh well :-) Glad she had a fun time! They went on an adventure to the park and just had fun bonding. Brinley called my Mom "my Grandma" almost every time. "Where my Grandma go?" "I go play with my Grandma." Come on, adddddooooore. After our loooooooooong Temple trip to Orlando and back, we just had fun hanging around the house the rest of the weekend. We did however sneak in a trip to Ikea and The Cheesecake Factory. We came home with a summer duvet and we are soooo excited about that. Still wondering where those stupid wood spice racks live in Ikea...ummmm still wondering.... 

I miss my Mom already and I can't wait for our SUPER fun beach trip in 7 weeks. Another family reunion to look forward to and we are all so excited to be all together again.

Brinley's favorite outdoor toy-the hose.

those curls!?

chatting with Grandma.

trying to get her to sit still for a picture!

cheeeese :-)

group shot

Temple picture-Ryan! Open your eyes!

Chris and Kendal

YES! Checking out at Ikea and Kendal managed to get Ry bending over :-)

BACHELOR FINALE:

Are we at ALL surprised????

Downton Abbey

To say that I am obsessed is probably an understatement.

It started Thursday night when Ryan was working away on his journal assignment. I showered and hopped into bed right after Brinley went to bed. I had heard of Downton Abbey a couple weeks prior, but I thought it was a cheese ball Hallmark movie. BUT, it was a series! So I gave it a try.

After the first episode, I was hooked.

I watched 4 episodes in one night. I was up way too late. And then on Friday, I kept watching. I admit, I neglected my child. I had Diego and Dora on for way too long. But I had to finish!! I finished Season one on Friday and then got going on Season two on Saturday.

Thankfully, we were stuck indoors all day with tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms. I was thankful to have a chill day! But having to be woken up Saturday morning to rush into the bathroom was not fun. That is our safe room in the house if there ever is a tornado in our region. Ryan said that when the emergency alert system on the tv says to get into a secure room immediately, they aren't joking.

Thankfully, the storm moved northwest and missed us. We definitely were hit with plenty of rain, but rain doesn't bother me one bit. The northwest Seattle girl in me craves the rain. We haven't had consistent rain, like ever, so I enjoy a day or two of constant rain every once in awhile! The pictures and stories about the tornados that hit in the midwest make me so sad and heartbroken for those people. It reminds me of this time last year when Ryan went to South Georgia to help with the recovery of the awful tornados that wiped through.

OKAY back to Downton!

It was great. and I want to cry thinking that I have to wait almost a year to watch Season 3!! I want to talk about the plot and characters, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't watched it but wants to! Basically, the fashion is impeccable. The men aren't very attractive. The women are very proper. The scenery is breathtaking. The story line is sooo dramatic and full of scandals and emotional and heartbreaking. Ryan wasn't into watching it with me, but you know what? I didn't want to have him drag his feet through it just for "quality time." He watched his movies and I watched my show. Everyone is happy.