January: I started my 3rd semester of graduate school where I went to class twice a week for four hours. Days into the new year Wes and I decided to meet with a realtor to discuss the steps we needed to take to buy a new home and rent out our home. I remember during our meeting I was saying that we would have extra money every month since Bailey would be starting Kindergarten and we wouldn't have her daycare expense. We were also looking for a 3 bedroom so each girl could have their own room. A four bedroom would be nice, but they were a bit harder to find in our price range. After our meeting, we went out to Sushi to celebrate my birthday. I remember the sushi tasting funny while Wes said it tasted fine, I instantly thought something was up. When we got home I decided to take a pregnancy test to see if that could be what it was. After minutes of waiting on the result to show up, I walked out to Wes in disbelief and showed him. It was now time to look for a house with 4 bedrooms instead of 3.
February & March: We were in the house hunting process and it was difficult with both of our schedules. The housing market in the area we were looking was a bit challenging. Houses were either not in our price range for what we needed, or the ones that were, were getting bought before we could even take a look at them. Wes and I decided to broaden our search to an area we swore we would never live in since it isn't considered "Reno". We needed to keep options open since it was crunch time and we were determined to be out of our house before baby #3 arrived. We talked to our realtor and he took us to three houses out in the new area, there was only one we could actually see ourselves living in since it had many things we were looking for. We decided to put it an offer and see what would happen. After our offer being accepted, we realized we needed to find renters quickly. By the last day of March, we were signing papers to close.
During the house hunt process, I decided to apply for a teaching position at a new school. Days before signing the for the house, I also accepted a new position co-teaching with the teacher who I taught with for about 5 years a couple years prior.
April: With me being on spring break for two weeks, that was our only chance to make the big move! We moved the first few days of April, just in time to celebrate Easter in our new home. Before going back to work, we also had to work hard to get our first home together ready for renters. It was a bittersweet experience to be leaving our old house. We moved in as renters when we were engaged and I was graduating college. Once we got married in 2007 we decided to buy it thinking we would be selling in a few short years, then the housing market crashed. Here we are in 2015 and the house is still ours.
May & June: We were busy settling in to the house and working on my masters program. During this time, a close family friend of mine passed away. I took an 8 hour road trip while 6 months pregnant with a 4 (almost 5 year old) and an 18 month old toddler all myself. It was a quick trip to LA, but the girls got to spend time with my siblings and their cousin. After coming back from LA it was time to get ready to pack up my classroom at a school I was at for about 7 years. I needed to be moved out the last day of school since I had to start my summer school class for my masters on the following Monday. To say that this whole moving experience (moving homes and classrooms) was crazy would be an understatement. With the help of wonderful coworkers and friends, I got things moved.
July: My summer was dedicated to my two summer school classes as well as getting ready for baby #3 who would arrive in September. Our main project was painting all three of the girls bedrooms, Wes did a fantastic job getting that done. We also spent time together as a family, going to Pyramid Lake, relaxing at home and in the yard, going to the park, etc.
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August: I went back to work at my new school for a few weeks and started my Fall semester with two courses. Bailey started Kindergarten at the same school I work at. We wanted her to go to school with me for Kindergarten, but she will be going to her zoned school starting in 1st. We were also in our final weeks of preparation for our final baby girl! Clothes, blankets, and baby accessories were out of the garage and washed up. We also finally decided on a name as a family! We were looking through baby names one day during the summer and we couldn't agree on any names I said. I read "Briella" and Bailey had said she liked that name. Ever since we found out we were pregnant, I wanted Bailey to take part in naming her baby sister. Wes and I agreed it was pretty cute as well. As days went on, I wasn't completely sold on Briella, but liked Brielle better. Bailey and Wes said they liked it too! Her middle name, Parker, is my maiden name. If we had a boy, I wanted to name him Parker, but since we are DONE having children, I was sad I wouldn't get to use it. So we decided to use it as her middle name.
September: We were on baby watch 3.0 while working and going to class. We figured she would come on her due date, but Brielle surprised us and came 2 days early! (Birth story to follow in a different post). The girls welcomed their new baby sister. Bailey was a very proud big sister who adored her sister. Brooklyn wasn't really sure what to think and just stayed away from her. Wes' parents came to visit a week after Brielle was born. It was great having family here during that time. I am glad they got to see Brielle so soon after her being born.
October: Although I was on maternity leave, I feel like it wasn't the same as it was when I was on leave with Bailey and Brooklyn. This time around we were driving Bailey to and from school everyday (30 minutes each way). We also ended up joining the mini van club. The car we had was big enough for the three girls, but it was a pain getting them in and out with the car seats. Wes went to the dealership one day to get the oil changed and decided to go check out the mini vans for fun. After negotiating with the dealership and many calls/texts to me, I was informed he was driving home in a mini van. As much as I feel the rest of my youth died, the mini van is pretty convenient!
November: I went back to work in November leaving Brielle with the daycare where Brooklyn goes. It is a long drive from our house, but it is worth it to us since we trust them. It has been hard having an hour commute some days when I have to take the two younger girls to daycare and get Bailey and I to work/school. The juggle with work, graduate school, a newborn, and keeping up with the other two girls was difficult and continues to be, but I am learning to adjust a bit more.
December: While still juggling everything and wrapping up the semester with work and graduate school, I was just trying to survive. The light at the end of the tunnel was going on winter break for three weeks, which was desperately needed.
We celebrated Brielle's first Christmas, but unfortunately Bailey and I were sick and weren't really able to enjoy it. Since it was Brooklyn's birthday that day also, we decided to celebrate it the next night when we were feeling better. Uncle Spidey and Aunt Heidi came over to celebrate her 2nd birthday Minnie Mouse style.
We are hours away from a new year and I am looking forward to what it will bring. In 2016 I will be graduating with my Masters in Elementary (with a focus in STEM education), we are planning on taking trips to California and Colorado, Bailey will be moving on to first grade, and our lives will be a bit less crazy than this year....hopefully. 2016 feels like a whole new chapter in our lives and I am excited to see what that next adventure will be!
