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.

Happy National Craft Month

I mentioned on Monday that I am really trying to use my craft room before Baby B arrives. On Saturday I did just that and made a spring wreath for our front door. I think it makes our house look more inviting and it reminds me that Easter is coming soon.
My Dad really liked it and wants to "order" one from me. I feel like this is the beginning stages of an Etsy shop! I had so much fun making it and it was pretty inexpensive. Maybe a few more doors around Texas will be showcasing my spring wreaths. If you're interested let me know!

I have a big goal for this month, which is to stock up on cards for various occasions. I know when I have the baby I will have little time to make cards for friends and family. I plan to have them all made so all I have to do is remember to send them. Right now it sounds like a lot of fun, but I have yet to make a single one. I will definitely show you my creations and I hope to complete my goal my the end of national craft month.

Ten on Tuesday

Today’s questions were brought to you by: sinner following Jesus

1. How did your parents decide on your name?
When my dad was in elementary school he knew a sweet little girl named Christine who was really nice to him. My parents also wanted to have strong names for their kids.

2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
Nope. Maiden: CCG Married: CCB

3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
I kept my middle name. Truthfully I liked my middle name too much to get rid of it.

4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
Probably not. Eric and I are still having a tough time coming up with names we both like, so limiting the list to fit a theme...not for the Brinkmans.
I do however enjoy trying to remember all the Duggar's names. Joshua, Janna, John David, Jill, Jinger, Josiah, Jedidiah, Jeremiah, Johanna, Jason... that's all I got. (I am a fan of the Duggars!)

5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
When I was younger I thought Kelly was the coolest name ever, thanks to Save By the Bell. I really believed that if your name was Kelly you were destined to be beautiful, popular, and be the prom queen. I have since changed my mind and will not be naming any of my girls Kelly.

6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations? Robert and Christopher

7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
I look at both because I think its pretty neat to know the meaning of your name. Looking through names for our baby I have been googling a lot to find the meanings just in case I might be selecting a name that means fig, goose egg or something evil.

8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
Sadly Eric and I are both allergic to cats and dogs. There was a time where I was really serious about getting a maltise and I wanted to name him/her Brinkley. There are two reasons I love the name, 1) It's part of our last name and 2) That's the name of Tom Hanks' dog in You've Got Mail, one of my favorites!

9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
I do have a name that I really dislike...Christina/Cristina/Kristina...you get the point.
Reasons:
1. So many people mistakenly call me Christina and because I am a people pleaser I never correct them.
2. Every girl I knew during my childhood whose name was Christina was really mean to me.
3. When my mom would get upset with me she would call me Christina...I have no idea why.

10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
I have a few but I will keep them under wraps until we announce we are having a boy or girl. You'll have to wait 6 more weeks.

Crafting Inspiration

Eric and I finally let the facebook world know about Baby B. We are elated and are excited to meet our sweet baby in September.

September is 6 months away and even though it might seem like it is a long way away I know/ I have heard that it will fly by. Because of that, Eric and I are trying to cherish every moment we have together before the Brinkmans become a family of 3. One thing I am definitely taking advantage of before Baby B gets here is my lovely craft room, which will turn into the nursery. But before diapers, onesies and burp clothes invade the room I have a few months to craft my heart out.

I'll be honest I am not the neatest crafter but even though there might be a mess on the floor I know exactly where everything is. But this mess was just bad!

After a few weeks of avoiding my room due to the mess, I finally organized and cleaned up.


I am so happy I took the time to work on the room because it has given me a new desire to make several projects before I will have to move my desk and replace it with a crib. I will be posting some of my projects to keep you up to date and hey maybe one of these days I'll be brave enough to start an Etsy shop...maybe.