Friday's List of Seven Random Things

1. Today Eric and I hope to be callers on the Dave Ramsey show. I have been dying to scream "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!" at the top of my lungs for the past 16 months.

2. Our good friend is getting hitched tomorrow. I am so excited to see our close friends and be able to catch up on what's been going on in their lives. I am also looking forward to dancing, wedding cake, and seeing our dear friends enter into an amazing covenant with the Lord.

3. It is awesome being a pregnant pre-k teacher. I have had three families offer me a lot of baby stuff: Swing, high chair, pack n play, and a bounce seat. Eric also has a coworker who is being so generous and giving us some great stuff too. I loving saving money so I am one happy mommy-to-be!

4. We are getting pretty close to our vacation and I am counting down the days! I am so ready for a few days of relaxing and enjoying one and one time with Eric.

5. I love the little things in life. For example, today my school cafeteria is preparing crunchy chicken legs, potato salad, and fruit. I didn't bring my lunch today so I could enjoy a wonderful hot meal. Let's be honest, between a turkey sandwhich and crunchy chicken legs...the chicken wins.

6. I shopped at Nordstrom Rack yesterday and bought a new dress. I'll be honest, I was hesitant to purchase the dress because it wasn't in my normal price range...but I did it. I will be wearing it to the wedding and hopefully show you some pics of it next week.

7. Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies and mommies-to-be!

Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken

It's 9:30pm and I would love to hop into bed and read my book. But I am pushing myself to blog so I won't get back on the train of only updating the blog once a month.
So blog readers you get a yummy recipe. I got this recipe from my mother-in-law and it's one of my favorites. It is featured on the Brinkman menu at least once a month. It's simple and the outcome is fantastic!

Crock Pot Chicken

3 cans of condensed soup (cream of chicken, mushroom, or celery)
2-3 frozen Chicken breasts
1 8oz container of sour cream
salt, pepper and garlic salt to taste.

1. Combine all three cans of soup and sour cream together. Add salt, pepper and garlic salt.

2. Place frozen chicken in crock pot.

3. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. If you have it on high, stir the mixture a few times.

4. When cooked place chicken and soup mix onto of rice or noodles.


I hope you try it out and let me know what you think.

What will she look like?

If you read back on my post on Monday I wrote some thoughts I sometimes ponder about the little girl growing in my belly. One of the thoughts I often think about is what will she look like.
These are some baby pictures of Eric and I. Maybe the photos will help me better visualize what some of her features might be?



We were pretty adorable kids, so I know she will not be lacking in the cuteness department.
I guess we will just have to wait till September to see what traits she gets from the both of us.

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is the weather like in your city today?
Chilly. It's in the low 50's and we are in the month of May...ridiculous. I am writing this on Monday night and I am in a hoodie and pj pants. I still felt cold so I made some hot chocolate. I'm pretty sure it's Spring, right?

2. Do you like the zoo?
I love going to the zoo. This past Valentine's day Eric surprised me and took me to the San Antonio zoo. I loved it! I would love to visit the San Diego zoo in the future.

3. Do you eat coconut?
I am not a fan of coconut or even the flavor of coconut.

4. Have you ever hammered a nail? Are you good at it?
I have hammered a nail and I am ok at it. I like Eric helping me because he is much better at leveling and making sure I don't put too many holes in the wall.

5. Does your family have a vacation destination that you visit often?
Evey year growing up we would go to South Padre Island and stay for a week. I can still remember the smell of the lobby to the condominium we stayed at. I would look forward to the trip every year. I have great memories there and hope one day I can take my kiddos there.

6. How many pillows do you sleep with?
Two, standard pillow and body pillow. My body pillow gets me through the night. I am tempted to get another one and put one on each side.

7. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Use the John. I probably use the John 3 times a night...not fun.

8. Will you send your kids to summer camp?
I would love to send my kiddos to summer camp. I worked at a Christian summer camp for two summers in a row. I learned and grew so much in my faith through serving as a girl's counselor.
I know my kids will benefit from it and let's be honest...mommy and daddy get a week off!

9. What do you put in your baked potatoes?
butter, cheese, and sour cream.

10. Did you take swimming lessons as a kid?
No, but I remember learning at South Padre Island on one of my family vacations.

It's a Girl!

We have known our little bundle of joy is a sweet baby girl for the past month. We are so excited to meet her in September and get to know her little personality. So far I know she is a wiggle worm and is pretty modest (it took the Doc 15 minutes to get her to show us she was a "she"). I am thrilled to have a girl and look forward to teaching her so many things.
Here are a few things I daydream when I think about my baby girl...

- What color eyes will she have?
- Will she look more like Eric or Me?
- I can't wait to french braid her hair and buy bows for her.
- Will she be a righty or lefty?
- I hope she likes wearing dresses and enjoys the girly things.
- I can't wait to see Eric with her. I know it is going to melt my heart.
- I pray she will know and love Jesus at a young age.
- Will we scrapbook together?
- Will she think my random outbursts of dances is weird or fun? Will she join in?
- Will she be into baby dolls or stuffed animals?
- If she has to wear glasses at a young age, I promise not to get her ones that cover half of her face.
-I desire for her to feel and see Jesus' love through Eric and I.
-I pray her husband is an awesome Man of God and yearns to lead her to Christ daily.
- Will she like vanilla or chocolate cake?
- I pray she is close to Eric, like I am close to my dad.
- Will she be shy or outgoing?
- Will she like cheese itz or cheese nips?
- I will not let her see E.T. till she is out of elementary school. That movie is freaky!
- I can't wait to take her to the grocery store in a princess outfit with cowboy boots.
- I hope when she sees Eric and I's relationship it will be a great example of what she views the covenant of marriage is.
- I can't wait to see her for the very first time!

These are just a few things I ponder throughout the day about my little girl.

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.