Fall Art Project

Last week, I made the attempt to teach Brinley about the 4 seasons. It's hard to teach about a season when we really only experience 3 seasons throughout the year, spring, HOT summer, and LESS hot summer. Brinley coorelates winter with snow because of the few times it has snowed in Charlotte while we've been there. She hates that it will never snow where we live. Me, I don't need snow. Only if I'm in a nice warm cabin, sipping on salted caramel hot chocolate, and watching Little Women, or reading a good book like Anne of Green Gables. 

I went to my trusty website that has changed my pre-k teaching direction and found the best printables. (seriously, if you're not a member now, you need to join asap. I used this code to save $10 off my year membership for unlimited printables and so I only paid $37! For everything unlimited!! I'm not a spokesperson for education.com but seriously...join now. It will change your life). 

It didn't matter the amount of times I repeated the spring, summer, fall, winter Brinley just had a really hard time remembering them. Maybe I already did too much and she was out of her remembering juice, I have no idea. But seriously I would say "This is Spring. The Easter bunny brings you your basket during Spring." and then 1 second after "and what season is this?" pointing to Spring, and Brinley could not say it back! It just didn't stick. So for the rest of the week, we focused on the seasons.

The next day, we went for an adventure walk (and scootered around) to find some leaves that had fallen down on the ground. She liked that part. 

Then, I drew an L on a piece of construction paper and had her paste the leaves along the L. So it was a triple learning session. Letters, writing, and crafting.

Kids are so funny. The idea of doing school is so fun and Brinley loves to pretend playing school, but when it comes down to it, it is SO MUCH WORK just to keep her focused and entertained. Education.com has really helped me stay one step ahead of Brinley. I have printables coming out my ears and the resources are amazing. I'm currently saving toilet paper rolls for a future project!

and one down on our list!

Our October Festivities List

- decorate for Halloween

- make a Fall craft with leaves from outside

- buy a new fall scented candle

- bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

- bake and decorate Halloween sugar cookies

- go to a pumpkin patch (hayrides, corn maze, pick out pumpkins)

- carve pumpkins

- send Halloween cards and stickers to cousins

- Ellie's birthday (cupcakes and decorations)

- Brinley's birthday (cake and decorations)

- Trick or Treating

The Week Ryan Passed The Bar

The Bar results were supposed to come in sometime on September 23rd (Monday), but we had no idea what time of day. My brother got his results at midnight. A previous FSU grad got her results at 9:15am. and one of the partners from work got his results at 11am! So basically--we were very very anxious.

Of course we stayed up until midnight on Sunday juuuust to be sure they didn't come in. Somehow, we all slept ok that night. I thought for sure we would both be tossing and turning all night. I woke up that morning remembering THIS IS THE DAY. The day we've been waiting soooo long for. The day that tells our future. 

Ryan and I texted back and forth that morning about how sick our stomachs were. I was so anxious. I put on a movie for Brinley and just anxiously cleaned the house to try and keep my mind off of it.

At 9:25am, Ryan called. My stomach dropped.

M: hello?

R: I passed.

I haven't screamed that loud in a long time and I just couldn't stop smiling. We were laughing and saying lots of oh my gosh I can't believe it! It was a short phone call because he needed to compose himself before telling the managing partners and other partners and associates the good news.

I got of the phone and started running around in circles saying Daddy Passed the BAR!!!!!!!! 

and Brinley, who is always so focused on her movies, jumped right up and yelled daddy pass-ed the Bar!? So then we can go fishing!!???

We hugged on the floor and I just lost it. My sweet baby girl who has been here since day 1 of law school can finally have her daddy back. She was jumping and dancing and singing for the next few minutes. After daddy passes the Bar, they are going fishing. That was their deal. That sweet girl has been so patient and my heart was just so overwhelmed with love and appreciation for her.

Ryan came home from work during his lunch time and we just hugged and laughed and talked about the whole finding out. I made sure that he double checked his file number and his results 100 times juuuuust to be sure.

Ryan picked where he wanted to eat that night to celebrate. Benihana's. What a fun place! I've been to a few other Hibachi restuarants, but this was our first time going to Benihana's. Our chef was amazing with the girls. He really included Brinley in every step of the way. He made a mommy chicken and a baby chicken out of EGG. It was ridiculous. 

We talked to family that night and really just kept looking at each other like, did this just happen?? We are still on cloud 9 and feel like we are going through the motions. I'm not sure when it will really hit us that Ryan is officially an attorney and our life as students is forever over. We are just so so happy. 

On Wednesday, the firm set up Ryan's induction into the Florida Bar. What a neat experience. We met Ryan at the Courthouse in the afternoon and I couldn't believe the amount of Partners and Associates that came for Ryan's induction. People just kept coming into our courtroom. Such an impressive group of people. I don't know if the Firm has ever hired someone right out of school and have been apart of a new associates induction ceremony, so it was honestly so special for everyone present. Brinley and Ellie did really well and loved being apart of it. 

The Judge first had Ryan sit in a specific seat because she wanted to talk to him directly about the importance of the phrase "passing the Bar." (see here under Terminology). Yes, passing the Bar is the test. But it is also meaningful in a courtroom. For everyday pedestrians like you and me who aren't attorney's, we have to be invited to pass the "bar" (the waist high wall that separates the civilians and the prosecutors/rest of the courtroom where the Judge sits). We have to be invited to cross over that partition. But once Ryan takes that oath, he will never have to be invited to cross the bar again. He is welcome to freely pass over anytime he wants while inside the courtroom. I don't know if that makes sense, but it was so spiritual and moving. I did not expect that from the Judge and it took me back. I couldn't help but get emotional. This journey has been so emotionally and physically draining. And what a way to end. A physical journey and an emotional journey too while inside that courtroom. It really meant a lot to me that the Judge took the time to really talk to us before Ryan gave the Oath.

The Oath took a minute or so for him to read, and once it was over, it was over! They shook hands and that was that. We took pictures and hugged and away we went.

Judge blacked out due to respect on her behalf and privacy reasons. 

WE DID IT.

pinch me.

We got Ryan's official letter from the Supreme Court of Florida, and we are waiting for his license to come. Next to come, framing his diploma's and license for his office!

I know I've said this a hundred times, and I'm going to keep saying it until the end of time, we could not have made it to this day if it wasn't for all of you. Family, friends, blog readers, complete strangers. You have supported us, encouraged us, and inspired us since the beginning of law school. I am so blessed. WE are so blessed. God is good. and we are a living testament that miracles are all around us and we just need to humble ourselves and realize the good in our lives. There is so much good. Ryan and I keep talking about the many little miracles along the way and it is so humbling. The Lord really was with us the entire way and He made all this possible. This journey has been painful and beautiful at the same time. One of these days, it is going to hit me, and I won't be able to stop smiling and crying at the same time. It has been extremely hard. BUT so worth it. We are incredibly blessed and I haven't stopped thanking my Heavenly Father for sustaining us to make it to the end. It was worth it. Every bit of it. So thank you again. We love you all and we appreciate every one of you!

The October Checklist

here

There is one thing I haven't been able to get over while living in Florida: the smell of Fall. 

I have been able to get over the constant sunshine and every day 90+ degree days that makes my make-up melt right off my face, and the intense, thick humidity that forces my hair do wild and crazy things. That is just every day life down here in South Florida.

But Fall.

I miss fall. the bite in the air. the smell of leaves. 

While we were living in Tallahassee, it would drop in temps by late December-mid February, but when it came time for Halloween, we were in tee shirts Trick or Treating! So even thought we felt "cold" (such a relative term here in Florida), wearing tee shirts and shorts basically into December just feels wrong!!!! 

And now that we live even farther south, I don't even know if the temps drop past 70 degrees. (insert seriously sad face).

How can a Pacific Northwest girl at heart deal with this!!!? I have had to stay off Pinterest because of all the fall outfit posts. and the beautiful changing color leaves. Making soups and pumpkin everything just doesn't feel right because when it's 85+ degrees outside all. the. time., soup and warm things are the last things you crave! and don't even get me started about not wearing boots, scarves, sweaters, jackets, and JEANS for that matter. 

I'm in serious mourning. Let me have a moment.

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So--Brinley and I have decided to create a MUST DO list for this fall season. Last year, we welcomed a chubbster cherub into our family by the name of Ellie, and she took the place of Fall activities (even though I did make it out a few times here and here). We are determined to hit it big time!

Our October Festivities List
- decorate for Halloween
- make a Fall craft with leaves from outside
- buy a new fall scented candle
- bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
- bake and decorate Halloween sugar cookies
- go to a pumpkin patch (hayrides, corn maze, pick out pumpkins)
- carve pumpkins
- send Halloween cards and stickers to cousins
- Ellie's birthday (cupcakes and decorations)
- Brinley's birthday (cake and decorations)
- Trick or Treating

We can't wait to get started!! 

My Girls And Their Hair

Let's start with Brinley.

She gets her thickness from me. and she got hit hard with cowlicks from both Ryan and I, so just like her momma, no bangs. But the curls, we're still wondering where those came from. I usually try to straighten her hair on Sunday's to tame it a bit, but most days, it is extra wild and crazy. Humidity is rough on curly hair! 

Most days, she looks like this:

I try to pull it up in braided pig-tails or in buns as often as possible. It is the easiest to do and to keep her hair out of her face and off her neck.

Michelle from Sunshine Remnants sent us some adorable Halloween bows for Brinley. She even included a necklace just for her. To say she is obsessed is an understatement. Hello Kitty and Halloween? Yes please! 

Michelle's bows are high quality and so unique. I'm already looking forward to what she is scheming for Christmas! Her little girl necklaces are so adorable I think every little girl needs one! It really is the perfect birthday or Christmas present. Or stocking stuffer?

Ellie isn't quite as excited for hair bows and necklaces, but her hair is taming down a bit. She yanks every headband down now and I'm a bit depressed. She even reaches for clips and bows. And the other day, I found her pulling on her whale spout pony! That little sneak. But seriously, I can't believe her hair once looked like this. 

Her red top has stayed just as red, but her locks are growing longer and tamer. She still gets plenty of hair attention and unwanted hair grazes.

These girls and their hair...between Brinley's constant tangles from twirling, and Ellie smashing avocado chunks, we go through a LOT of shampoo. I try to give Ryan some hair lessons every now and then, but he does a pretty good job when he has to! That's my top rule if I can't be there to do their hair, PLEASE, put Brinley's hair in a pony with a bow, and clip Ellie's bangs to the side. They could still be in their pj's, I don't care, but please do their hair! 

Canada Trip 6: Windermere

We left for the cabin in Mountain View after lunch on Monday and arrived at my grandparents cabin in Lake Windermere, British Columbia a few hours later. Over the years, my grandparents have renovated their cabin and it now has a basement and another full bathroom. All their hard work really paid off! It is so beautiful. Ryan still has yet to make it to the cabin and I hope we get to do that in the next couple of years! I have so many childhood memories from there it is outrageous but then again, taking Brinley to these places was pretty surreal. I couldn't believe that she was swimming in the same lake I swam in as a child. We had so much fun here! I wish we lived closer to the cabin. It's hard being so far away from family, but these quick trips help it be a little bit more bearable! 

the view from their back deck.

My Dad, brother David, and Grandpa took the 3 older kids to play miniature golf. Apparently, the 3 kids repeated some holes like 10 times. I'm very glad I wasn't there because my anxiety would have shot through the sky. When they got home, we laughed so hard hearing the stories about these kids and their golf clubs and balls.  They sure looked cute out there!

 Lots and lots of lake time!

Adventure walk with Grandma and Grandpa

Girls lunch and shopping in town

My favorite candy from Canada. Soap Candy. and yes, they do taste like soap.

Lunch at A&W with our frosty root beer mugs

my gorgeous cousins stopped by the cabin before we left. They had to squeeze Ellie before we flew back home. 

Last picture in front of cabin 16!