The Bradley Family

Mud and Bruises

2010-07-24T18:24:00.000-05:00

Carson and Brad went out riding 4 wheelers after a good hard rain last weekend. As I'm bathing Selah, I "smell" something behind me. As I turn around I here Brad holler thru the house, "hey Jenn--Carson needs a bath." And now that I'm fully turned around, Carson's standing in the doorway of the bathroom. Keep in mind that "our mud" isn't just mud--it's a delicate mixture of cow dung and no telling what other assortment of obscurities. SOOO, being the flexible, illogical mother I am, I calmly told him to not move as I went to grab the camera. I then proceeded to finish up Selah in the tub, got her out, put Carson in her dirty water--fully clothed (I mean, what was my other logical option?), and proceeded to get him clean, thankful that I didn't take the time to clean the bathroom just a few days earlier.

Selah's incident occurred today as we're getting ready to walk out the door to join some friends for a swim date. I told the kids to go get any toys from our pool that they wanted to take with them. As I'm picking up the beach bag and my purse to walk out the door, I hear hellacious screaming coming from outside. I literally say out loud (for the devil to hear me), "you've GOT to be kidding me" as I see Brad rushing to the front door with Selah in his arms. I immediately begin to think, "where's the Nintendo DS and the insurance card." Brad begins to tell me about how Selah went to swing on her belly on the swing, and as many times as we've warned her against it, stubbornness finally met its match against the hard ground--face first. Wonder if she has a dress the right shade of red for Sunday church?

Carson 6th Bday

2010-07-08T23:44:00.000-05:00

Carson had a GREAT turn out for his 6th Birthday "Bakugan" Bash. Here's a few of the photos. The kids had a great time "gearin' up" aka: dress up and swimming in the pool. Thanks to everyone who came out and thank God for the rain earlier that day to cool off the afternoon!

Carson Lost his Teeth!

2010-06-23T15:47:00.000-05:00

June 8th and 10th, 2010 will go down in infamy for the remainder of this child's life. He pulled his 1st tooth out! Whoo hooo! He was so excited, and the tooth fairy was so proud that she left him $2! I guess this price point motivated him to get the other one out--2 days later, he pulled the other out. NOW he's working on the bottom ones. He lost the 2 top ones 1st because when he was 4 yrs old, he decided it was a good idea to practice his standing long jump over a pair of shoes; yet his form was off, landing him open-mouth style into the piano bench, chipping the bench and also jackin' his top teeth up.

Glory Lens Photography!

2009-12-16T09:33:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone (if anyone still checks our blog)....

Just wanted to let you know I've now got my photography blog set up so everyone can view pics/make appointments if they're unable to use/view Facebook!

So, make sure to check it out and spread the word!!!!!!

www.glorylensphotography.blogspot.com

Thanks for the support!

Murph

2008-07-31T00:02:00.000-05:00

Family photos

2008-07-30T23:53:00.001-05:00

Anybody still there?

2008-07-30T00:20:00.003-05:00

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know, we have TOTALLY fallen off the face of the blog earth! Things have been beyond C-R-A-Z-Y around here and I just now feel as though I can stop treading water...here's some fav pics from the 4th for y'all to oooohhh and aaaahhhh over--IF anyone still checks our blog...lol. This was Selah's 1st beach trip, and we rented the same house with the same folks...good times! Granted, there's no such thing as vacation when you have 2 kids. Carson wasn't too crazy about the beach, and Selah did a lot of good napping. Thank God MeMom and Pop Steve (Brad's parents) went with us to help out--that's the ONLY way I got any peace. I will do my best to get back into the swing of doing the blog and all, but believe me when I say, I do not run my own life, but am at the mercy of these 2 blessings and how they decide my day should go. ;)

2008-02-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

Here's the "Peanut Gallery" of the farm. From left: "Nate Dog", "Pop Steve", Carson and Brad.

2008-02-08T21:28:00.000-06:00

2008-02-08T21:23:00.000-06:00

2008-01-20T14:42:00.000-06:00

Who ever thought some nasty "kuntri-bunkin" feet could be so precious and priceless?

2008-01-19T18:19:00.000-06:00

Here's more of Selah's 3 month shots...our lil' "tub 'o butta" (ie--tub of butter)...that red spot above her belly button is her birthmark...

2008-01-19T18:15:00.000-06:00

Selah 3 month favs

2008-01-19T18:13:00.000-06:00

Family Portraits

2008-01-19T18:10:00.000-06:00

Here's some of my fav's from our portrait sitting with Kim Sharit...she's GREAT (and patient) with kids!!! Enjoy!

Out of the mouth of Babes!!!

2008-01-19T15:55:00.000-06:00

Ok, so let me welcome you in to a glimpse of a day in my life...

Last Wed. night I was on Praise Team at church. Selah stays at Dad and Mimi's and Carson goes to church (he refuses to stay with Dad and Mimi anymore, which we don't understand, but we think it has to do with the "new dog" in town). Typically he's fine going to his class, but wasn't having any part of it tonite. I told him he'd have to sit very still and not talk (unless spoken to) until I got done singing. He said, "ok, mom I'll be still." I attempted to convince him to sit towards the side of the sanctuary, but he wanted to sit on the front row, directly in front of me (one pew over from Buddy Gray, our pastor).

So, he wiggled and squirmed, which was expected, but was being good. We sang a couple of songs, prayed, sang another song...I looked down at Carson flipping through the hymnal, content and quiet. I was relieved that things were going well.........

Buddy gets up to do the welcome and starts to talk. Suddenly, Carson (still looking down at the hymnal) decides this is the part in the service that his solo debut should be and burst into "A, b, c, d, e, f, g..." in his best singing voice! Oh laudy! (Now remember, I'm on stage in front of everyone, and they can see my every movement and facial expression...)

As I'm beaming death rays through my precious 3 yr old's body, he gets to "l,m,n,o,p..." and Buddy stops talking, turns and looks at Carson with this puzzled look as if he's thinking, "why in the world is this child singing and why is he in church by himself?" I've now switched from sending death rays to Carson to praying to God that Buddy doesn't say anything to Carson because he's sooooo tenderhearted I knew he'd burst into tears. Buddy didn't say anything (Thank God) and Carson finished his song! I guess he finally felt the burn of the death rays, looks up at me and realizes he's done "wrong," hangs his head and mummers, "sorry, mom."

So, we finish singing and I walk off the stage explaining to Carson he better be glad I didn't jump off that stage and bust his butt...later on, I saw the "humor" of it all.

Anyways, the next day I talked to him about it (because I was too angry and tired to talk to him that night) and asked him what made him start singing when he did, even though no one else was singing. He said, "you did, mom." My heart started to melt and ache from thinking back on the pure innocence of his triumpiant singing. I said, "what do you mean, Carson?" He then began to explain to me that I was singing my song and he didn't know my song, so he was singing the song he knows...(and he also noted that he knows all the songs, "Abc's, Bingo was his name, itsy bitsy spider...)

It was in this moment God revealed something truly simple to me...we ALL have different songs of praise we sing to God. They all sound different. Some are more musical than others or may even be unpleasant for human ears. All that has no weight to the idea of praising God in our own unique way! God's ears are pure and holy and hear only the shouts of praise coming from us in a moment of worship. He doesn't get caught up in how we sound, how we look, or what's socially acceptable. His only concern is how the worship sounds to Him and that we are worshipping Him and Him alone!

Carson was simply praising God in the best way he knew how at that moment...even though it was against the norm and socially unacceptable, he felt led to sing out anyways. Sure, he probably doesn't realize any of this "deep thought" stuff, but God used the simple ways of a child, my own blessing of a child, to speak to me in a magnificant and simple manner.

I hope you'll realize what it really means to praise God by this anecdote and instead of seeking out the "bad" in things, to stretch and yearn to see God's blessing in any and all things. Who is God using to try to get through your thick skull today? Are you hearing them and caught up in the things of this world, or are you seeing the chance for an encounter with God and His glory? In the great words of Buddy Gray, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever...in EVERY circumstance and challenge.

Are you striving to be who you want to be, what the world wants you to be, or who God needs you to be?

Amazing Devotion!

2008-01-19T15:45:00.000-06:00

...taken from Oswald Chambers book, My Utmost for His Highest

The Voice of the Nature of God--January 16th

"I head the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'" ~Isaiah 6:8

"When we talk abou tthe call of God, we often forget the most important thing, namely the nature of Him who calls. There are many things claling each of us today. Some of these calls will be answered, and other s will not even be heard. The call is the expression of the nature of the One who calls, and we can only recognize the call if that same nature is in us. The call of God is the expression of God's nature, not ours. God povidentially weaves the threads of His call through our lives, and only we can distinguish them. It is the threading of God's voice directly to us over a certain concern, and it is useless to seek another person's opinion of it. Our dealings over the call of God should be kept exclusively between ourselves and Him.

The call of God is not a refletion of my nature; my personal desires and temperament are of no consideration. As long as I dwell on my own qualities and traits and think about what I am suited for, I will never hear the call of God. But when God brings me into the right relationship with Himself, I will be in the same condition Isaiah was. Isaiah was so attuned to God, because of the great crisis he had just endured, that the call of God penetrated his soul. The majority of us cannot hear anything but ourselves. And we cannot hear anything God says. But to be brought to the place where we can hear the call of God is to be profoundly changed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope this enlightens you to a newness of God's work in your life as much as it did me...read it a couple of times until it truly sinks in with you and then act on what God's telling you!!! Fear is NOT of God, and sometimes the scariest things in my life are when God's telling me to move. He will catch you if you'll leap in His faith and NOT your own!

Ella and Carson

2008-01-05T21:17:00.000-06:00

My great friend, Beth, and her 2 kids, Ella (2 1/2) and John (3 months) were in town from Boston for the month of December. We really enjoyed getting to see them and visit, and these pics are from one night when they came over to hang out. Beth and I were pregnant "together" this time around and were due a week apart! John and Selah are 9 days apart (I think). I don't know WHY we didn't get a pic of them together, but John has the biggest prettiest eyes! We miss them and hope one day they'll get to move back "home" to Alabama!!!

Yes, Carson has on a racoon mask and earrings, but when you're dealing with a strong-willed child, you pick your battles! :) In case you didn't know, that's not really a racoon mask (in Carson's mind)...it's actually a batman mask (and I guess the earrings are radars to hear the bat phone when it rings?).

Santa!

2008-01-05T21:02:00.000-06:00

Here's the Santa pic for the season. We didn't attempt the mall Santa this year, but this one worked out well at Patton Creek.

I think this is where he told Santa he wanted a gas-powered 4-wheeler!

Out by the Fire Pit

2008-01-05T17:57:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I'm TOTALLY behind on posting these pics, but I figured better late than never! This was back in Oct/early Nov. We decided to "eat out" and grilled sausages, hot dogs and lit marshmallows on fire...fun stuff! :)

Carson makes "scarey" look cute with his "firefighter axe"...

Boys will be boys! Like father like son...It was pretty cold outside, so I put Selah in her carrier and zipped her up in my jacket.

Bradley Elves!

2007-12-11T16:12:00.000-06:00

Check out the link: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1311004640

"Yea, though I walk throught the valley of barfness..."

2007-11-27T15:48:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I'm sure y'all think I've fallen off the face of the Earth, right? Well almost! It all started at the last Ya-Ya meeting (about 3 wks ago) when my eye starting hurting as if I was getting a stye..."no big deal"...well, 2 days later my eye was so swollen that it was 50% closed, I had bruising almost mid-way to my nose and my vision was blurry! Oh yeah, not to mention the left side of my face was numb. So, we loaded up and headed to the doc. Turns out is was a BAD stye (it was like 3 small ones clustered together) and had to put "goop" in my eye to clear it up.

Just as I started to "re-gain" my sight, Carson decided to bring home the "Gatlinburg Plague"...! Chasing Rabbit: For those who don't know, that's what we named the stomach bug b/c in 2001 we took a trip to Gatlinburg with 13 people and 7 of them ended up with it--I do believe Matt Willis started off with it...

Anyways, so Carson began this lovely sickness on a Friday night. Brad and I thought it was "something he ate" until I went to check on him before going to bed and he was asleep (in his Lighting McQueen tent--he gets on these kicks where he likes to "camp") and he was covered in vomit. So, I bathed him, dried his hair and started my night of trials and tribulation! Between catching vomit and feeding Selah, I didn't get to bed until 7:30am. Carson woke up feeling like a champ and went about his merry lil' day.

So, I just KNEW I was going to get it, but didn't...or so I thought. Well, Sunday evening, Selah took her usual nap from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, woke up, ate, and went back to sleep--UNTIL 6AM!!!!! Ok, so again, I didn't really sleep because I was totally confused about Selah suddenly sleeping through the night. Little did I know, she was resting up for the Vomit Fest on Monday...I called in "support troops", aka-Austin, to get Carson out of the house so I could tend to Selah (I had to give her pedialyte every 10-15 minutes for 8 hours, but I couldn't hardly keep her awake). At one point, Austin calls me to tell me Carson about 4 foot off the slide (face first) at the park and wanted to know what I wanted her to do...I'm the type of mom that if there's no blood/bones protruding then there's no major concern. So, they stayed at the park (he had a good strawberry on his cheek and still has a small bruise from it...it won't be his last).

So, Selah seems to be doing better by Monday afternoon. Austin called me Tuesday morning to let me know she'd been throwing up all night and Todd has now forbid her to be my "support troop" when it comes to sickness, and I'm sure Austin wasn't thinking pleasant thoughts of me either...

Everything's getting better, right? HA! Wednesday we 3 woke up--Carson his normal question-asking self, Selah--happy to have someone hold her, and me--exhausted and tired, but alive...or so I thought. The funny thing about newborns is you never know what to expect with them when they're sick--I think I'd rather be in a field of cows wearing all red, tooting a loud horn, and have 20 loaves of bread around my neck (yes, our cows are hand-fed, sometimes) than have a vomit-throwing 8 wk old! She continued to throw up and SCREAM uncontrollably so we went to the doc to make sure everything was ok. Everything was...except for Mom!

I started to feel worse and worse as the day went on, so I stayed home from choir practice, and THANK GOD I did because my vomit party began about 6pm. Yet again, I called in "support troop", MeMom (Brad's mom) to rescue Carson and Selah AND to protect me from CSF being called for "child abandonment" (of course, I'm being dramatic by saying that b/c I couldn't hold my head up much less take care of 2 kids). Julie called me Thursday to let me know she was now in the "loop" of toilet-talking...oh laud!

All in all, we survived, my eye is better and I prayed against Brad getting the Gburg Plague, and Thank God, he didn't! So, needless to say, I haven't had the "free" time to post any updated stuff, but DO plan on getting Halloween pics done before Christmas!

Tis the season for sharing, right? :)

Pumpkin Carving

2007-10-27T11:35:00.000-05:00

Carson carved his pumpkin the other night (10/24)--wait, I mean BRAD AND I carved a pumpkin...lol. Carson "directed" us. Brad got all the goop out because we all know MY child doesn't like goopy stuff on his hands (need I remind you of the "trauma" of his 1st birthday and the cake on his hands?). Don't let him fool you though...anything dry (ie-sand, dirt, rocks) he's ok with, but sticky goop is a no-go. Hi-Power (Brad's grandmother) picked up a stencil kit and pumpkin light that changes colors. Carson decided he wanted the cat stencil. He mainly just wanted to play with the carving stuff. Selah did was she does best during the day--sleep.

Check out this pic of Carson and I--normal, right? Look again--is Selah swinging at WARP speed or what! Hmmmm...maybe THIS is why she spits up so much?

C.A.O.S. Fall for All

2007-10-25T17:33:00.000-05:00

Brad, Carson and I went to the CAOS (Central Alabama Offroad Society) Fall for All Oct 20-21st up at Gray Rock in Gardendale. We had a great time ridin', but Carson slept through most of that. What can I say, he is my child. (when Brad and I were dating and just started "jeepin," I could literally sleep while we rock-crawled) Brad and I camped out Saturday night while Carson stayed at Nanny and Pops--it was WAAAAYYYY too cold for him to be in a tent. It was BEYOND dusty and you couldn't avoid it, but we still had a great time.

Brad was in the Driver's Competition on Sunday and I picked Carson up from Nanny and Pops so he could see all the crazy driving. It was a zig-zag course and pretty tough! Brad had great run times, and finished out in 2nd place for the 2nd year in a row--he loves consistency in his life...this was the only pic that I got where you could see him good enough...

Brad and Carson showing off the "flex" on a trail called "Bump and Grind". These pics really don't do the incline justice because these boulders are bigger than you think!

Carson's "Dirt Goggles"

100% ALL BOY in the dirt!

Brad's 32nd Birthday

2007-10-25T16:38:00.000-05:00

So, the "geezer" has another one to put under his belt! LOL...at least I'll always be younger than him. But, doesn't that saying go, "age before beauty"?

Proud grandparents, "Poppy and Mimi" (my father and stepmother)

This is Grandmother Grace (Brad's maternal grandmother) and Hi-Power (Brad's paternal grandmother)

I think the only reason Carson likes Hi-Power is because she "sneaks" him powdered donuts (she's the one that lives in the other side of our "two home duplex").

I wish Mary Grace (Brad's sister) was in this pic--that would've made it 4 generations....

I love the fact Selah's "smiling" with her MeMom, Julie (Brad's mom)--but it may have just been some gas...;)

Playdate at Graham, Isabelle, and Owen's (GIO) Home

2007-10-25T16:20:00.000-05:00

* From left to right: Isabelle, 2 yrs (holding Selah, 6 wks); Owen, 6 months; Graham and Carson (both 3 yrs old)*

We had a great time at Jenn Willis' home with ALL 5 kids there! Girl, you GOT to get some rugs on those hardwoods to absorb all that NOISE! lol...

Graham is 5 weeks younger than Carson (we just died laughing looking at the size difference b/tw the boys...Carson better play football--for Auburn, that is)

*Yes, Brad has pictures just like this and he actually makes a pretty girl!*

Car For Sale!!!

2007-10-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

'04 Gold Honda Accord

Great condition

One owner/Garage kept

less than 60,000 miles

Yes, "Pimp Momma" wheels included!

$15,500

*Come on, y'all! Someone's GOT to know someone who needs a car! I've got to have a SUV with all these "chillrenz" and their "luggage" (not to mention Wal-Mart stock just went up 300 points because of our formula and diaper-buyer power and I can no longer fit my bi-monthly Wal-Mart run in this car!).

Call 901-2108 for more info!

His Father's Child

2007-10-25T16:11:00.000-05:00

Carson "jacked up" his 4-wheeler to work on it...can you guess what Dad does in his "spare" time? ;)

Just pure "Suga"!

2007-10-25T15:39:00.001-05:00

So, the "new Queen" tried to pull the wool over my eyes with her 2 hour incremental sleeping pattern (granted, during the day she holds strong two 3 hr nap sessions). Since I haven't slept in 6 weeks (oh, you THINK I'm kidding....), I finally got enough wits about me to where I started to process WHY she's constantly screaming and making more noises than "a truckstop on Chili Night." Sure, I knew she would most likely be "colicy" like Carson, but I didn't expect it to be this bad--or is it that God blessed me with the ability to block out the 1st 6 wks of Carson's life? Hmmmm...After spending 6 hours at Children's Hospital's lovely ER facility (about 3 wks ago), I took her off breastmilk because I was taking an anti-inflammatory for my ear (my ENT AND OB told me it was fine to breastfeed on this medicine). She had projectile vomited about 4 times in 24 hours (odd talent for a 3 wks old), and the nurse told me to take her to Children's. The Peds ER doc referenced the medicine I was on, and "sho 'nuff," I'm NOT supposed to breastfeed on it.

Well, I continued to pump to keep my milk supply up, and she started on formula. Lo and behold, the cow went dry (I breastfed Carson for 4 wks and I wonder if my body "remembered" and just quit producing???) so we stayed on the formula. She was still extemely gassy, inconsolable and just not a happy baby. We began the process of "formula hopping" and I thought she was doing ok on the Enfamil Gentlease (for gassiness and spit-up). Then I noticed the "baby acne" on her face got worse and was around her ears and neck. UREAKA--it all started making sense: the Gentlease is a milk-based formula; Carson had a dairy allergy. Needless to say, I changed her to the "Golden Powder" (perfect code name because of price) Nutrimegin, called Dr. Smith and got a Zantac script and VOILA! New baby! (If any of you REALLY care about us, you'll buy as much Arbonne as you can so I can feed my child...lol.) Literally, within 2 days she was sleeping soundly (at least 1-4hr stretch and then every 2 hours at night) and doesn't seem to be in any "pain" after she eats. Too bad she hasn't pooped any GOLD to reimburse us for feeding her...I'm sure my dad finds that funny considering how much I ate when I was at home for 21 years...lol. I think I paid him well with 2 grandkids! ;) Althought when we found out it was a girl this time, he just smiled and said, "you haven't paid for you raisin' YET (referring to Carson being the 'angel')." Hey, I worked HARD to make that man bald AND grey-headed...!

A Boy and his Toys

2007-10-25T15:31:00.000-05:00

...if you ever wondered why I don't pick up after Carson every day...I really think he thinks it's a game for me to pick up his toys (SOMETIMES he helps) and he pulls them ALL back out again--as if it's Christmas morning...lol...oh, the things we do for love, or rather, out of love :)!

1st Bath

2007-10-06T20:37:00.000-05:00

So, we had a family "moment" and all 4 of us were in our TINY "master bath" for Selah's 1st bath. She seemed to really enjoy it! Brad videoed while I bathed her and Carson tried in every way to take attention away from her...lol. He even announced (on tape, thank God) that, "we need to put her back in my belly and get rid of her..." Brad and I just died! It was soooo funny! I simply responded that there are no refunds on babies and she's too big now to go back in my belly. Oh, out of the mouth of babes! :)

*Yes, I am in the tub fully clothed...No, there is no water in it...and just in case you felt like "chasing another rabbit," ALL of us would be in here if a tornado came thru! LOL...*

*Sweet Daddy and his gal...she can be in the middle of pitching a fit and all it takes is Daddy picking her up to console her...nothing better than a "bonifide Brad Bradley hug" to soothe ya! ;) Hmmmm, now if I could just convince him to get up with her through the night...? When Brad comes into the room talking, Selah gets really still and will do everything in her power to turn in his direction. In my opinion, he's always had that effect on women--I'm just the one that fell for it or should I say caught him first!*

"Tub 'o Lard" Bradley

2007-10-06T20:13:00.000-05:00

*2 weeks old in this pic doing what she does best*

So, this child is going to have her momma's build! :) We went to the doc for her 3 wk check up--10 lbs and 20 1/4". This puts her in the 95% for weight and 50% for height. I told her that we'd have to get her on a good exercise program b/c she's going to be "short and stocky". For now she's just "plump and precious..."
She's still getting up every 2 hours at night. She'll sleep from around 10:30pm to 1:30am or 2am and then it's about every 2 hours...so, delirium has set in for me at this point and I wonder if I'll ever be normal again...wait--is ANYONE normal after kids?

Enjoy the pics!

*about 5 days old*

*This is Grammy and Grumps (great grandparents)*

*A day at Nanny and Pops (2 wks old)*

*"Trouble #1 (Cody) and Trouble #2*

They're "2nd cousins" and 5 months apart! Cody's older. Steph (Cody's mom) and I are 5 months apart, and I'm the older one. I'll never forget when Steph was coming in town for her baby shower and I called her to see how she knew she was pregnant. She didn't catch on as to why I was asking, and after I spelled it out to her, she graciously came in town early and "held me up" while I went to the doc for blood test (this all coincides with Carson, not Selah). Then she even got a pic of Brad's reaction when I told him why I had been sooooo tired! :) **Did you chase that rabbit ok? Random FYI moment**

*These precious feet "pained" me up until she got out!*

We're Home

2007-09-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

We've been home from the hospital since Monday (or was it Tuesday) the 11th, and the adjustments have begun! Selah's not sleeping much at night, but great during the day. She's up about every 2 hours, which means Mom gets sleep in 45 minute increments...so, that's why I haven't posted lately! THANK GOD FOR BRAD BRADLEY!!! Wow. He's been VERY supportive and helpful with EVERYTHING going on with this huge transition. It's TOTALLY different with 2 kids now (of course), but I definetely didn't and couldn't anticipate how tough it would be. At least I have the BEST husband in the world! He's off for 2 weeks and has been entertaining his "new best friend", Carson while Selah and I are still in "survival mode." I'll definetely post a pic of him doing housework because that doesn't ever happen! The 1st time I saw him folding laundry, I thought I was going to fall out! Miracles DO happen every day! :)

Carson, on the other hand, is a different story! He was all excited about being a big brother in the hospital, but I don't think he realized what we meant by "we are coming home." The 1st few days were the worst when he would cover her face with the blanket, squish beside her and lay on her, and fun "brotherly love" like that. Then he broke my heart--he told me one night that he liked my clothes, but didn't like or love me anymore. I know it seems silly, but I was so hurt. Yes, I know he's 3 and he doesn't know how to totally express his feelings yet, but it still stung. I tried not to take it personally, but with all these HORMONES, the wind can blow the wrong way and I cry! :)

Carson will start Mom's Day Out 3 days a week next week when Brad goes back to work and I think that will help him. That'll give me a chance to get some sleep and get into some type of "normalcy."

Feel free to call and visit us! Selah is just precious and it's nice to have visitors every once in a while. Just try to give us a days notice and we'd love to have ya! The house is still not finished (still waiting on the nursery furniture to be completed), but shame on anyone who comes to see how clean my house is! I'd hope you'd learned by now that our home isn't dirty--it's lived in! :)

*One Proud Pops!*

*Karate chop--Ya!*

Selah Hart Bradley

2007-09-20T16:40:00.000-05:00

Well, imagine that! I FINALLY gave birth! Selah was born on September 8th at 8:43 am. She was 8 lbs and 20" long! She definetely had her momma's thighs and fat cheeks. We jokingly said that because of her "thick jowels," she couldn't open her eyes for 3 days! :) She has a head full of blonde hair, but it looks to have a little bit of red in it--to match her firery personality! It all started about 1:15am on Saturday morning with contractions and we got to the hospital about 3:30am. I was already 3-4cm and was doing ok, but went ahead and got some "Nuvein" to take the edge off. We got to 5cm and I was game for the epidural. *Ladies who are expecting: not that I'm telling you how your labor should/will go, but if your water hasn't broken on its own and doc has to do it, I recommend the epidural before that takes place! I didn't do this with Carson and I DO remember the pain intensifying at that point! Just a friendly word of advice...anyways, so Dr. Freeman broke my water after the epidural and about an hour 1/2 later I was ready for the finale! 10 minutes of pushing and TA DA--she's here! At one point the doc told me I was pushing too hard, which I found ironic because I couldn't tell how hard I was pushing--I couldn't feel a thing (thank God!). The comedy of all this hard pushing is that I didn't eat a "heavy" breakfast because I got sick with Carson and I didn't want to be sick this time around...well, my Nutrigrain bar wore off QUICK, and needless to say, there's nothing grouchier than a woman in labor AND hungry! So, no matter what I said to the nurses, they wouldn't let me eat (Ladies who are expecting--take note!!!). Brad lost his mind at one point and came in with food for himself...so I "lovingly" asked him to eat it in the hallway, which he graciously did. Needless to say, since I am passionate about my food/meals, I was bound and determined to hurry up and get that baby out of me so I could EAT! :)

*This is the shape that "Nuvein" will put you in!*

*Check out those cheeks!!!*

The Baby's Here!

2007-09-06T02:46:00.000-05:00

Donkey, that is! :) We've had this donkey for about 3 years now and she was supposedly pregnant when we got her...well, she finally had a baby! No, she wasn't pregnant for 3 years, but at least something around here is having babies because Selah isn't coming any time soon!

This is Carson and Charlie (mini donkey that we board). Charlie acts more like a dog than a donkey demanding attention and such.

It looks like Brad caught this rooster in mid-air, but he didn't...Carson loves it when he catches them! They look greasy, but their not--unless their deep-fried! Actually, you don't EAT roosters...just simple kuntri-style FYI for ya.

This is "Carson's motorcycle." It's actually a pit bike that Brad "got for Carson," but come on, does he REALLY think I believe that? Brad was impressing Carson and I on Nathan's dirt bike. He said I need to learn to ride on this one because it's an automatic and only a 2 stroke, but the seat's almost up to my shoulders! I'll definetely learn to ride when Carson does so that I can keep up with him AND to spend time with him doing what I know is in his blood naturally--racin'! Who knows! When Selah turns 4 (IF she ever gets out of my belly!), she might take up dirt bikes too! :)

Pregnancy Update

2007-08-31T17:46:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I went to the doc today and he told me that I haven't even dialeted YET! Oh my goodness! All I do is contract all day long, and I've still got the greenest cervix in town! Well, it looks like Selah's in it for the long haul! Her promised due date is Sept. 19th, and Dr. Robinette re-assured me that he wouldn't let me go past my due date. I'm measuring right on schedule and everything and the heart rate is good, so we just have to wait and see. Brad did agree to go to Lovoy's in Homewood for the lasagna this Sunday...I know the owner's sister and she swears up and down that it causes labor! I think it's even been written up in the paper and such! Here's to early delivery! :)

Makin' Smoke

2007-08-31T17:36:00.000-05:00

This is Carson's favorite thing to do--"make smoke" off his 4-wheeler! He came up with this idea on his own. He takes dirt and piles it up on the back of his 4-wheeler and then takes off and it creates a cloud of smoke...it's hilarious!

King of the Hill

2007-08-31T17:21:00.000-05:00

Brad was in a JEEP rock crawlin' competition last weekend called "King of the Hill" up in Harstelle, AL and won for his division the 2nd year in a row! I have a "love/hate" relationship with the Red Chariot, but was so excited and proud of him when he came home with the trophy and braggin' rights. He works so hard on it and I know he really enjoys riding, and soon enough we'll all be able to go again. He just finished the full roll cage so it's more family-friendly if we were to ever topple over...and, yes, for those who are wondering, Carson rides with us (in a car seat) in the back and LOVES IT! :) Granted, if Momma doesn't feel comfortable ridin' up a certain section, then Carson and I get out and watch.

Beatin' the Heat!

2007-08-30T15:32:00.000-05:00

So, last Sunday after church and naps, we loaded up and headed off to the creek to beat the heat! Of course, I was on my own 4-wheeler (Carson wanted me to ride on the back of his, but he still doesn't understand that his isn't made for that kind of weight/travel...lol) and hit every bump I could to maybe coherce Selah to get a move on her debut, but she just hung on to my bladder like she was on a roller coaster! I knew she'd be a tough girl! :)

Anyways, here's the shots we got! We attempted to cross the creek at one spot, and Brad and Carson got majorily stuck on a log so that made for a good photo op! Yes, Brad does have his shorts tight-rolled, but for wading purposes only! :) Hank always enjoys going to the creek with us and cooling off too. It was a GREAT afternoon for it and we cherish our time together as a family because it doesn't get to happen that much this time of year. The creek was really up from this little bit of rain, which suprised us.

I couldn't ask for a more handsome set of guys! They're sooo precious and Carson just loves and adores his daddy! I do too, of course! :) We're truly blessed to live where we do and do the things we get to do!

We're Getting Closer!

2007-08-17T15:34:00.000-05:00

*These pics are from 7/4/07, so I'm MUCH bigger now, but they're the most recent ones (we didn't prompt Carson to touch "Sissy"...he just did it...isn't it precious?????).

PS~NO! That's NOT a real tattoo on my arm! We all get fake ones at the beach...:) I also hope this 2-piece inspires you prego gals to be PROUD of your belly! It's the ONE time in your life your belly is SUPPOSED to stick out! Besides, if we can't laugh at ourselves, then there's something wrong with us! :)

Ok, NOW I'm totally convinced that my body can't get any BIGGER! Wow. My belly stays tight, and I can guarantee that my abs have NEVER been this tight in my life...lol. Dr. Robinett still says Sept 19th as the actual due date, but I asked him what he had going Labor Day weekend, and THANK GOD he's on call for that weekend! I'm just not all about having some doc I don't know delivering my child, you know? I told him I was glad he wasn't going out of town and I'd see him that weekend! :)

I also have a very special request that I hope everyone will understand and respect--please wait to visit us at HOME! I don't mind intermediate family coming to see us in the hospital, but please, if you're not family, PLEASE wait until we settle in at home. I had a rough time with Post Partum Depression with Carson (I prefer to call it Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...lol), and we had SOOOOOOO many visitors in the hospital that it was really hard for us to rest and adjust, and I think that made the "adjustment time" harder for me. I'm not anticipating having the PPD this time, but if y'all REALLY love us, PLEASE wait until we're settled at home. Besides, the hospital rooms are really 8 x 8 holding cells...lol. I hope everyone hears my heart on this and doesn't get their feelings hurt--I just want this transition of my life to go as smoothly as possible.

Helping Dad Out

2007-08-13T22:19:00.000-05:00

Well, so as it turns out, in the midst of all this remodeling and all, EVERY piece of farm equipment breaks! So, Brad has to spend a LOT of time getting it all in working order...it was "cool" enough one evening (about 90 degrees) that Carson and I went outside to see if he needed Carson's expertise on tractors! And, NO, I didn't intentionally dress them to match...please note, these cowboy boots (which are a couple of sizes too big) rarely come off Carson's feet!

Also, as you can tell, I'm still trying to figure out all this posting and such, so if anyone can give me hints on how to get this all to work out, PLEASE DO!

Homemade Diaper Wipes!

2007-08-13T13:08:00.000-05:00

Ok, so y'all all know I'm ALL ABOUT saving $$$, and I've started making my own baby wipes! It's sooo easy and with the ingredients being all-natural, I think it's much better for baby's skin!

Kleenex Select A Size Paper Towels (Bounty is too rough)

Air Tight container

2 T Arbonne Baby Bath

2 C boiled water, cooled

2 t Olive Oil

2 Capfuls Tea Tree Oil (found in first aid)

Boil water. Cut roll of paper towels in half. Take out center cardboard roll and throw away. Put half of paper towel roll in air tight container. (Set other 1/2 of roll aside for your next batch) After water has cooled, add in Arbonne baby bath, olive oil and tea tree oil. Mix well. Pour evenly over paper towels. (The mixture will settle down into the paper towels)

TA DA! Homemade wipes! Enjoy saving money! :)

2007-08-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

Check out these fine gals! From left to right: Leslie, Barkley, Me, Felicia and Austin.

Selah's Baby Shower

2007-08-07T22:34:00.000-05:00

The shower was a great time! It was small, which was perfect because I got to visit with everyone. Everything was wonderful, and needless to say, Selah will be dressed to the nines! We got TONS of clothes and we're very thankful for all the wonderful gifts! Steph made the cake, which was precious! She also did the diaper cake for the "centerpiece" on the gift table...nothing better than a decoration that gives back! :)

I Stand Corrected!

2007-08-07T22:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, so we've been back and forth on the name for our "newbie" and we agreed on the name, Selah (found in the book of Psalms, it means to be at rest; to be still; a type of reflection), but Brad didn't want to spell it like it is because I thought it was pronounced like "Saila" (think of Sailor). So, I FINALLY got clear on that, via Buddy Gray (pastor) and he said that it's pronounced like it looks, "Seelah." Needless to say, we're keeping it spelled the way it is in the Bible and pronouncing it correctly! Her middle name is Hart, which is a family name from about 3 generations back on his father's side. I'm still convinced she's coming at the end of August (I mean, how BIG can I REALLY get?), but the doc is still saying Sept. 19th. Now, keep in mind that Carson was 3 weeks early, and still a healthy 7 lbs, so let's all PRAY for another early one!

Welcome to High-Speed, Murph-style!

2007-07-25T19:33:00.001-05:00

Ta Da! We're in the REAL WORLD now! We FINALLY got high-speed internet out here in the "middle of nowhere" (as some people think we live 3000 hours from civilization). So, I'm proud to say that we'll be able to keep everyone updated on pics and happenings, especially with #2 on the way!