A Big Sigh of Relief

Although this day was full of liberation, I don’t think anything can compare to the relief that came the day Robert found out that it was all officially over. He did it, he passed the BAR! 

 The call from Robert came earlier than I had expected on, the highly anticipated day for all law students who previously took the Bar, Tuesday, September 18. When I picked up, I was so nervous for him. He checked the results online with me on the phone. I was so relieved to hear when he read those beautiful words “Pass, Pass, Pass!” Yay, for no more studying! I think he checked it at least 15 times to make sure his number matched up. Once we got the letter in the mail a few days later, we knew it was definitely true. He will be sworn in sometime soon, we are still deciding on the date and location.

Congratulations Robert! We’re all so proud of the hard work and effort you put into studying for this exam. You deserve it! 

Ready to take on the world. J

September Has Been Busy

Sorry to overload on the posts, but so much has happened in so little time and I was getting way behind on blogging that I thought I better get this all out before I get even more delinquent. 

As you can tell, September has been very busy, but we are having a lot fun! Earlier this month Robert and I took a golf outing together and drove to Orlando to play Champions Gate Golf Course, which was a very hard and beautiful course. Robert found a great deal online and we thought we should do it! It was the longest round of golf we have ever played. Good thing we didn't make any other plans that day. We were also fortunate that no one was really out on the course, so we were able to take our time. We barely finished before the sun set. Afterwards, we ventured out and tried this delicious French restaurant. It brought back fond memories of Paris and the food.

 Robert also won free tickets from work to the USF football game against Rutgers, so we didn't pass that up either.

 Game Highlights:

"Rutgers left Tampa Thursday night with a win over South Florida in the Big East opener for both teams. The score was 6-3 in favor of the Bulls at halftime. Rutgers took control in the third quarter by scoring 10 points off two South Florida turnovers in the first five minutes of the half to put the Knights up 13-6. Another Daniels interception stopped a South Florida drive into Rutgers territory at the end of the third. Then USF scored a touchdown with 9:48 left to play. After an exchange of punts, Rutgers drove to the South Florida 3-yard line, where they settled for another field goal to go up 16-13. Jawan Jamison finished off the Bulls with a 41-yard touchdown run with 2:13 to go. The Scarlet Knights tailback made a nifty move to spring himself for his only score on a night." That nifty move was one of my favorite highlights from the game.

 

It was our first opportunity to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Stadium. USF does not have a football stadium, so they play in the Buc's NFL stadium.

 This was my who do I cheer for look. Go Bulls?

That weekend, we headed up to Jacksonville so I could go spend some time with this lovely lady for her bachelorette weekend while Robert hung out with his family.

 It was a much needed "vacation" for me. I loved soaking up the sun on the beach (a little too much for some of us, let's just say that I was fried). We stayed at a condo right on the beach in Amelia Island. It was heavenly.

We had fun going out and doing what girls do best:

 dancing and eating.

 So happy for Amanda and her upcoming wedding! 

 I think it was a successful weekend capped off with a pink limo. Shortly after, I headed back to Robert's parents and spent the remainder of the weekend visiting with them.

Speaking of Baby Girls

We were blessed to welcome the newest addition to the Tolsma family. (Below: my brother Jeff, his wife, Laura and baby)

It's my pleasure to introduce Miss Brielle Lori Tolsma born on Friday, September 14 in Washington. Our second girl niece! Poor Kayla only waited 14 years for a girl cousin. Speaking of waiting, we waited a few days for a name, but I think they settled on a perfect one. 

Mamma and baby did well and the family is home enjoying their time all together and embracing this new addition. I can't wait to meet her personally, it's a bummer being so far away. I hope I look that good when I deliver. All our best!

In Case You Haven't Heard...

By now everyone knows, but I probably should make it blog official, we're having a baby girl! We found out officially on September 10.

Baby girl is doing well and I'm starting to feel her move a lot more now. I guess she likes kicking those little feet.

Mamma update:

I'm feeling great! I've been very fortunate so far with this pregnancy and I'm crossing my fingers my luck continues. Here are a few bump pics for my family and friends taken between 16-20 weeks. 

We're enjoying the journey and are starting to begin the prep work. As my belly grows, I realize more and more this is really happening. Ha!

Called To Serve

As you know from earlier posts, Robert has been very involved in helping Thaddeus, a young man from our church, prepare for his mission. Robert prepped all his papers, did all the shopping, and helped run him to his doctor's appointments. 

"All prospective missionaries [for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] turn in applications to Church headquarters and they receive a call to a specific mission around the world. They spend a few weeks in a training center where some of them learn a new language and all of them rigorously study and practice teaching the gospel. Then they set off to their assigned locations and begin their service." For more information on missionary work, details can be found here. 

Well, the day came for all the prep work to end and we packed Thaddeus up 

and sent him on his way. 

 Robert escorted him to Utah to make sure he arrived alright and that he got a good tour of Utah before he checked in at the Missionary Training Center. Thaddeus had never been on a plane before or out of the South, so this was quite the experience for him.

 Utah!

 First hike. He was a little afraid of the heights. 

They stayed with our friends Devin and Kaydee (& baby Carson), who showed Thaddeus a real good time and were such great hosts!

Second hike: 

 They tried hiking the Y, but didn't make it to the top. I think it was a little much for our little Florida friend. :) 

On Sunday, Robert took Thaddeus on a tour of Temple Square. He loved it! 

Church Conference Center

Other trip highlights:

- Eating an all-you-can-eat french toast breakfast at Kneaders with an old college roommate (Dave)

- Visiting a Utah ward for the first time

- Going to the Nickelcade and playing old-school video games

- Eating dinner and playing games with the Kelly family, including all 5 kids

- Touring the BYU campus

And then it was time to say goodbye, we wish Elder Alls all the best in the MTC and in L.A., CA. 

We have received emails from him that say he is having a good time and enjoying his experience so far.

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" ( Mark 16:15 ).

Life After the Bar

 Robert has found a new passion for eating crab legs. Luckily, Outback's promotional menu item is within our price range because he often craves them. I think he believes he's eating for two.

We have been getting outside again! 

 The beach is our favorite place to go for a ride.

Our first official date out after the Bar was to the Tampa FL Aquarium to utilize our gift certificates we received at Christmas (thanks to his mom and dad).

 Robert has been looking forward to this day because he finally got to play with penguins, one of his favorite animals.

Meet the crew:

 These little guys were a lot of fun and surprisingly silky smooth. I had to capture one photo in black and white, it felt only fitting.

Thanks again Teri and Chris, I think you can tell by Robert's smile he enjoyed the encounter!

We love having time together again. Bring on the adventures!

 

Quick Update

Hi friends! Just wanted to write a quick update since my last post. The biggest news this past month has been that Robert completed taking the Bar! We do not know the results yet, and will not know until around September. It's been wonderful having my husband back. I no longer have to be quiet around the house and entertain myself. It was so nice going on our first post Bar date (more to come on that later). 

In other news, my pregnancy is going well. I hardly experienced any morning sickness symptoms (thanking my lucky stars) in the beginning! I'm currently 15 weeks along and feeling good. My next appointment will be on Friday, August 10. While Robert was busy taking the Bar, I was busy keeping myself occupied by crafting. A few friends and I get together on Mondays and work on crafts we find off Pinterest. Here's my newest front door addition.  

Well that about sums things up. I'm heading to Utah for another work trip tomorrow and will post again when I get back.