Lions and Tigers and Bears... Well maybe just Tigers.

Yep that's right, no Lions or Bears. The Tigers were cool though. Yesterday was the PERFECT day to go to the zoo! Overcast, a little sprinkle of rain, not a ton of people which was surprising but it turned out to be so awesome! Brynlee loved it and we all had so much fun! Ty couldn't remember the last time he'd been and the last time I was there was definitely more than a decade ago. This is definitely the excursion where we bought our Christmas ornament for the year. A glass blown elephant that will help us remember Brynlee's first trip to the Zoo! 

After the Zoo we had a weenee (spelling) roast with Ty's fam and watched some pretty awesome fireworks! Brynlee hid under the blankets for the aerials. 

Let me in!

Yum!

The Thomas 3

Surprisingly enough, she didn't like the elephants. Baby Zuri was playing in the water which I thought was fun.

This picture was originally of Britt and Brynlee. I caught Ty in the background with the happiest look on his face. I would NEVER get him to smile like this on cue (or with bribery).  My mom also got caught in the background and looks like she's having fun! If I remember correctly, Brynlee was talking to the monkeys at this point and we were all laughing.

If you look close at her eyes they are really focused and really big!

To say Brynlee was terrified of the Dinosaurs would be an understatement!

So majestic and so dangerous!

Love this pic! 

As for a general update. Ty has a new job within American Express. He had training all last week and is now flying solo. I can tell he's excited, the time for a change was definitely overdue. He works hard for us and I like to see him happy. He is half way through his outdoor soccer season and he's one of the best players on the team. After not playing outdoor soccer for almost a decade, he's a natural! (Almost to the point of extreme irritation on my part, why can't I be that good without exercising and practicing! Ugh!) Needless to say, he's doing very well. He is taking a lot of pride in his yard. He's been trimming trees, mowing, edging, weeding, planting, etc. It's still a long ways away from being nearly satisfactory (since you can never truly finish yard work, it's endless) but he is doing a good job and I'm grateful that if I don't ever want to mow the lawn, as long as he's around, I won't have to. Yeah, he won't let me is more like it but still. He took me golfing last Friday. Wow is all I can say. Ty is really good (yet again that irritation comes up because he's a natural at everything!). I got a golf lesson from Grandpa Thomas and it was amazing how every time I did what he told me to, I would hit the ball really well. Interesting huh? Anyways, I believe we will at least be going golfing on a monthly basis if not more. Anyone is welcome to join us.

One of his favorite things to do. 'Play' in his yard.

Up on the roof of our shed cutting down branches from our next door neighbors trees.
He has been itching to do this for weeks and finally got to do it! 

I got Ty a grill for Father's Day and we had some friends over the next Friday. Ty has been friends with Michael since they were kids. Having them over was super fun and it was technically the first time we've had anyone besides family come hang out at the house. They were fun and we had an awesome dinner! Grilled corn on the cob for the first time and made some amazing steaks! 

Brynlee is great. There's so much about this little girl that I couldn't possibly say it all. She's a champ. Finally getting good at walking on the grass in bare feet, taking her first swim of the season a little while back, going to the zoo, learning ABC's and to count, she says 'go away' if she doesn't want you around or if you're holding her she points her finger and says 'that way' to direct you to where the princess wants to go, her favorite thing to eat right now are go-gurts and as I put her in the bath today she was trying to put her turtle in time-out and trying to make it say sorry (what have I done to my child? :) ) She slept in our bed for the first time ever on Friday night because the fireworks were scaring her so bad. She was good though, she fell right asleep on my pillow as long as my hand was covering her ear. Every time I tried to move my hand she would wake up and try to sit up. Sometime last week she had a melt down because she saw an earwig on the floor. This girl is definitely a girlie girl who likes Mama's shoes and pretties (pretties are anything from jewelry to make-up to shoes, etc.) and she doesn't like being dirty. Don't ask me where she gets it, I was a Tomboy and Daddy gets dirty all the time out in the yard.

We've been in our home for almost 5 months and it feels like we've been here longer at times. It's truly our 'home' not just a house anymore. We un-boxed and settled in pretty quickly I think. Even though we know this won't be where we are going to stay forever, it's a good place for us to transition and learn everything. 

As for me, I'm doing well also. I am no longer working at 4 Corners Chiropractic in Saratoga Springs. Situations changed and it was no longer the place I need to be so if any of you know of any Chiropractors hiring LMT's or places for rent, hook me up. I'm looking into a couple of places right now and nothing is seeming to really fit. Even with fasting a prayer nothing has really come up so I would appreciate everyone keeping an eye out for me! It's not that there isn't anywhere I could go, I just need to find something that suits me and what I want from my business. I love being a Massage Therapist and helping people. I truly found what I love in life and am one of the 'lucky' ones to truly enjoy working. I love being a Mommy. Brynlee is at such a fun age, trying at times but still so fun most of the time that it's hard to leave her to go to work. Still sometimes I feel like my life isn't my own. Moments hit me and I think, "How did I get here? Who is this child and this man that I live with?" Not in a bad way, don't get me wrong but it's like, what did I ever do to deserve such a good little girl and a husband who loves me unconditionally no matter what, even if I have to pry to get that reassurance out of him. I am truly blessed with great family, good health, education, we live comfortably and I have the gospel in my life. It's an eye opener for me to take a look at all that I have and it helps me keep perspective. 

People have asked recently how the 'more children' situation is going. I'll just conclude with where we're at. I'm baby hungry all the time but it doesn't feel right to even start looking into adoption/surrogacy yet. I remember saying almost that same thing before we even thought about having kids. I would say to people that asked us when we were having kids, " I'm baby hungry but it's not the right time." Now I say that same exact thing and it takes on a whole new meaning. Same exact words, entirely different meaning. Maybe by the end of the year or sometime beginning of next year we will start to think about it. Thanks to everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers. It's still really difficult at times but I just have to remind myself that I gave it to God a long time ago and I don't need to take back the suffering Satan would have me go through! 

Love you all!

Peace out!