My week in a List...

Happy Friday everyone! I enjoyed this week because I had Monday off. Too bad we can't always have just a four day week of work. Well here is what's been new with the Brinkmans.

1. We will be officially debt free in ONE week. I still can't believe we will pay off our last school loan in 7 days. Eric and I are super excited and we plan on celebrating with a nice dinner.

2. Our sweet baby girl has been moving non-stop lately. I love just laying around and feeling her go crazy in my belly. Eric is still waiting her to have bigger movements so he can feel her more.

3. I am one of those crazy people who woke up at 4:30am to see the royal wedding. I am so glad I did it because I can say that I watched the wedding live. When I got to work at 7am it hit me hard that I woke up early. I am so glad I get off at 1pm on Fridays. I enjoyed a fabulous nap.

4. Eric and I have been hooked on a miniseries called Harper's Island. It aired on CBS in 2009 and we have 6 more episodes left. We hope to finish it this weekend.

5. We participated in a Messianic Passover meal on Wednesday. We did it a week late, but it was still so much fun to celebrate it with our small group from church.

6. This weekend I plan on relaxing, finishing a book, making Mother's day cards, and enjoying some hang out time with my best friends, Eric.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Ten on Tuesday

Provided by Molly at Considering the Campbells. She is one of my favorite girls and her blog rocks. This past weekend my dad actually told me he reads her blog daily and loves it! Check her out, you won't regret it.

1. How many blogs do you read every day and what are they? (I’m talking the ones you NEVER miss)

I enjoy reading all of the blogs on my blogroll, but I read the blogs that are updated daily the most. Funny I write that because I am horrible at updating my own blog.

2. How many “best friends” do you have? Do you have different “besties” for different areas of your life?

Wow, tough question. Eric always tells me I have way too many best friends, but hey a girl needs her ladies. Here is a list of some of them...

Eric: He knows me the best. I LOVE hanging out with him and I am so blessed he is my lifelong bestie and roomie!

Leslee, Kat, & Jack (my sis and cousins): I love these ladies. I can't imagine my life without them. They love me no matter what and I laugh the hardest with them. I love the fact that we have grown up with each other and through the years we have all drawn closer to the Lord and we encourage each other in our faith.

Puffin aka Bridget: Best friend from the awkward years of middle school till now. This girl has seen be through the thick and thin and she has still loved me just the same. I love the fact we can always start back where we left off. We were roommates and it was glorious. People warned us not to room together because we were best friends but it was the absolute best! I love the fact that whenever we hang out something really strange happens, which bonds us that much closer.

Chelle: College bestie. This is no joke, I prayed to find a best friend my freshman year of college. My first semester was pretty tough which included knowing no one at school, roommates teasing me because of my Christian morals, and missing my family a lot. God answered my prayers with an amazing girl, Michelle. We have experienced so many different seasons God has placed in our lives. I love the fact we always plan on doing something when we hang out, but we always end up talking for a few hours. She is a gem and I so happy she lives so close to me now!

*I have a few more but then I will never finish answering the question. But I wanted to give out a shout out to my lawyer bestie who I admire so much, Molly. You will always be in my heart and I love you dearly!

3. What’s your daily make up routine?

Foundation, blush/bronzer, three different eye shadows (you gotta get the blending going on), eye liner, mascara, lip liner (when you have big lips like me you embrace it and showcase them), and gloss.

4. What is your ideal girl’s night?

Is there a budget involved? I would love to hang out with my girls getting our nails done, eating at a fab restaurant which we would talk for hours, and then head to the beach for a few day. That would be ideal.

5. Do you keep up with your nails/toenails or are they au natural?

If you knew me well you would know I have a large makeup tote filled with 20+ polishes, removers, cotton balls & swabs, nail filers, and clippers. I do my fingernails once a week and my toes twice a week. I strongly believe you should always have your toes well manicured.

6. What’s your best roommate story (assuming you had a roommate at some point in your life)?

Going back to my freshman year and how my roommates didn't understand my morals and how they would tease me. I remember going to my room (we had a suite style dorm. one common area, 4 individual rooms, and two bathrooms.) and I was on the phone with someone and I reached for the door handle. One of my dear roommates placed a "rubber" on the handle causing me to unknowingly touch it when entering my room. I am so glad I moved out of the suite the next semester.

7. What’s your “go to” outfit that you wear more than anything else?

Maternity jeans from Old Navy, cute tank, and not too high heels.

8. Do you have a beauty secret?

Continue to always remember, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm139:14 God designed you just the way you are and there is no trick or secret that can make you look better than what God sees in you.

9. Did you read Seventeen magazine growing up?

Yes! The stories shocked and scared me. I blame it on my lack of knowledge and innocence.

10. How did you learn to put on makeup?

My awesome sister has always been amazing at applying makeup. I thank her for making my eyebrows less manly and more girly. It hurt, but beauty is pain! I still ask her to do my makeup when she is around.

Good Friday

When I got up this morning and began to think about today being good Friday, I remembered hearing a song a long time ago reflecting on the day Jesus died on the cross.
It's called Why by Nichole Nordeman. I hope you watch it and it helps you reflect on today.

Ten on Tuesday

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation? I drive to work which takes me about 30 minutes to get there. I leave my garage hopefully by 6:30am to get into school at 7am.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time? I used to drive to San Antonio to get my haircut from my stylist who I have been with for a few years. I would span out my haircuts to about every 6 months so I didn't have to make the trip too often. Now, with the gas prices so high I forced myself to find a new stylist in Austin. I have found a great salon and stylist really close to my house. I hope to get my haircut once every 3-4 months now.

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version? I do not read the newspaper. I get the headlines from twitter and facebook...is that sad?

4. What is the best book you have read this year? I haven't read too many books this year but I did finish a good one on Sunday. It was pretty delightful. It's called, "The Mailbox" by Marybeth Whalen. It was a quick and fun read.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year? Do miniseries count? If so, then I LOVED watching Downton Abbey. It was phenomenal! 7 wonderful BBC episodes that leave you hanging for the next season. I think they are releasing the 2nd season in September, which is perfect because I will be on maternity leave. If you have netflix it's on your instant play, check it out!

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods? Salty all the way! I rather have seconds or thirds of my dinner then dig into dessert.

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have? I do eat breakfast everyday. Lately I have been having a smoothie with a bagel or toast.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to? I do celebrate Easter and I love it! Remembering Jesus conquering death and rising from the dead is awesome!! An Easter treat I enjoy would be my grandma's potato salad, but since I won't be in San Antonio that Sunday I will resort to starburst jellybeans.

9. How late is “sleeping in” to you? Anything that is past my normal 5:15am wake up time. On the weekends I usually will sleep in till 9:30-10.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation? I am counting down the days till our babymoon to VEGAS!!! Some other places we hope to visit soon is Galveston and St. Louis.