Gone Fishin'

This weekend we went fishing at Lake Springfield. It was Tanner's very first time and he was pretty excited to have his very own fishing pole. He even told Daddy that he needed a matching Spiderman Tackle box.

We told him that fishing was a quiet activity and that he would have to sit still for a long time to catch any fish. This, as you might expect, didn't go over as well as it could have.

Tanner did the very best he could do. He didn't stay in one place very long. And even though we didn't catch any fish he still thinks it's the best thing he's ever done. I think next time, we are going to drive to Wayne and Erma's house. Wayne just stocked his pond this spring and it would really be the ideal setting to teach Tanner the basics. I might even get a fishing pole and join in on the fun!

This is just a random picture I took Friday night. I went in to check on Tanner before going to bed only to discover that at some point, he had gotten into his dresser and put on his hat and scarf (which you can't see in this picture because it is wrapped around his legs.) and his winter pajamas. I had to laugh and take a picture since it was 85 degrees outside. He is so funny.

This was taken Saturday while Tanner and I were playing outside. He has decided that he likes to have the goal lower now...so he can show off his slam dunk skills. He's such a ham. I suspect he will be quite the little athlete.

Neglected

So I haven't posted in a couple of weeks. Our poor blog has been neglected, as have you the reader. We have been so busy the last couple of weeks that it seems there is hardly time to breathe, let alone sit down at the computer. So let me give you a quick update and then tomorrow I will sit down and post some pictures.

Last week, as some of you already know, I was rear ended. Again. For the fourth time in a little over a year and a half. I am not counting the time Jeremy was rear ended. This idiot in a big white kidnapper van came up behind me and just decided that he didn't need to stop at the stop sign at which I, as a responsible driver, felt obligated to stop. He PLOWED into Tanner and I whilst (I like the word whilst) we were in the PT cruiser. Um, it didn't hold up as well as the Envoy. Needless to say, it will need to be repaired. But what I am MOST concerned with (beside my still aching back) is the fact that I am having serious difficulties wanting to be in a car at all right now. Yesterday, I left work and almost had a panic attack a block away from the building. I had to come home and let Jeremy go get Tanner. My nerves are shot.

Our house has brick finally!!! Jeremy and I were taking bets that it wouldn't get done, but it is finally finished and it looks lovely. It should be completely finished three weeks from today. I am really excited about moving out to the country. I am NOT excited that the last two major tornadoes that came through the area went right through the subdivision I am building in. Oy vay, I know how to pick em.

In work related news, today was my last official day of new hire training for United Healthcare. Monday, I begin my certification and then shortly thereafter (the official date is to be determined), I will go to accounting training. I wanted to go to accounting next, I just didn't think it would be happening so quickly. Our class had a barbecue tonight at one of the parks here in town. Tanner had a blast playing with all of my co-workers kids...and there's a good chance he may have found his future wife. He stated very seriously when we got in the car, "Mom, I love McKenzie." She's a few years older than him, so I'm not sure how it will work out :)

Tonight, I have plans to relax with my husband. We rented Hannibal rising and have a date to watch it as soon as he gets home...which should be any minute. So for now, I will bid you goodnight. Come back tomorrow for some pictures of 414 Cherokee Path and of course some of your favorite Bradshaw.

The Simple Things

I am a very happy camper right now. And for two good reasons.

1. The Jello Pudding Pop is back, people! Someone told me that they had been back for a few years now...I'm not saying I don't believe them, but I just saw them today. And I bought them... I just finished a chocolate-vanilla swirl pop. It was just as delectable as I remember them being.

2. The second thing that has put a smile on my face today is that I found out that you can now get JEM on DVD. Oh come now, you remember Jem. She was soooo cool. I am pretty sure I wanted to be her. I actually remember standing in front of my second grade class in Ava, MO and singing a Jem song called "First Love". It's true...even in the second grade I was pretty hip.

So there you go, proof that it really is the simple things in life that make you smile :)

Better late than never!

Jeremy took last Saturday off. This, as many of you know, is very rare, and we wanted to make sure that we made the most of our day. We got up early, and ran out to Clever to see if any headway was made on the house. The siding AND the drywall were up...but we were still without brick. Jeremy and I are taking bets that the brick may not be done when we move in (5 weeks, people, that's it!) We had some shopping to do and so, under a dark and cloudy sky, we pulled in to the Supercenter in Republic. Just as we were parking, they announced the first tornado warning of the day over the radio for Christian County (mostly Ozark and Nixa). Here's why.

I obviously did not take these pictures. But this was the view of the storm from different locations in Ozark. The tornado didn't touch down in the city limits, but did do some slight damage to a field east of town. There were also reports of a tornado on the ground near Bolivar, which is North of us, and it was said that they might cancel Firefall.

Thankfully, the weather cleared and they deemed it safe enough, although rather muddy, to continue with the events. This was the first year that we had decided to do one of the big shows. Typically, we just buy some small stuff and let Tanner have fun with that. But he wanted to see some real fireworks this year, and since he gets pretty much whatever he wants...

Tanner had a great time, I wasn't completely impressed. It was very crowded and VERY muddy. But even so we will probably go back next year.

The day of the fourth we had a barbecue with one of my friends from work and her family, and Sara and Barron, who were staying with us for a few days. It was the perfect day. Tanner and Jill's son Bryan hit it off and are now the best of buddies. Jill and I are planning our first sleepover with the two. After that we drove out to the waffle house parking lot at Kearny and 65 and settled in for James River Assembly's "I love America" Celebration. They do an all day event in the Springfield underground, and you can see the show clearly from the highway. I didn't take a camera since I didn't know what to expect. I am totally regretting that decision. It was by far the best fireworks show I have ever seen and lasted almost a full hour. Really, it was stunning. Next year, there will be pictures for sure!

Even though I had a short work week, I was desperately needing the weekend to recuperate. Tanner and I have done nothing but play today. It's been lovely. I thought that if I didn't sit down and update you all on what's been going on that I might get lynched. Better late than never. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday, and thanks for checking in on ours. Lots of love to you all.

30

My husband told me that, even though he turns thirty today, because of the time he has spent with me, he doesn't feel thirty. This flattered me and warmed my heart until he told me that, instead, he feels forty. And in spite of that, I still want to wish him the Happiest of Birthdays. Hey, he may be a dork, but he's MY dork! Love you honey, Happy Birthday!

Our Wonderful, Fabulous, Splendiforous Day

The Bradshaws had NOTHING to do today. No shopping after church. No cleaning that we had put off until the last minute. No yard work that was screaming to be finished. Nothing, Nada, Zip, Zilch, Zero. In celebration of this, I decided that Tanner and I would go to the EARLY service this morning so that we would have all day to spend together. So we made it home from church around ten thirty rolled Jeremy out of bed and planned our day of RELAXATION. We decided on a cookout at the park.




My most favorite-est place in all of Springfield is Nathaniel Greene Park. It is by far the largest park here. There are never very many people there and it is simply breathtaking. Mom, I think we went once while you were visiting. This park is also the home of Gray-Campbell homestead (the oldest standing home in town) and the Japanese Stroll Gardens. There are also acres of rolling green hills, a serene lake, beautiful flower gardens, gazebos, and statues galore. What amazes me most is that it is in the middle of town, and you would never know.







We grilled some hot dogs, played at the play ground, roamed the gardens and just had good quality family time. We had to leave earlier than I had planned because a summer storm popped up out of no where. BUT on the way home, I decided that a little rain was not going to spoil our perfect afternoon.

So when we got home Tanner and I played in the rain. Jeremy was a wimp and stayed on the porch. After a while, the sun came back out to grace us with its presence. We soaked it in. Today was a wonderful day of peace, and quiet, and playfulness, and enjoying being able to sink my bare feet into lush green grass. It was a wonderful, fabulous, splendiforous day.

Bits and Pieces

Bring on the hot weather, swimming pools and sunscreen, summer is here!!!! Ok, I don't really love summer, I don't hate it, but I don't love it. I am just trying to pump myself up about it. Those of you who know me best know that I am a fall kind of girl. The BEST thing about summer is that fall is just around the corner!

I've had a busy and wonderful week. I got a phone call Wednesday on my way home from work from Chyna begging me to meet them after work the next day and hang out, so Thursday after work I met up with them and we had a blast. Chyna and myself and "the boys" (Chris, Trulane, and Todd) spent a few hours at Big Whiskey's catching up and just having a good time in general. I totally BLEW my no caffeine rule and had three diet cokes while we were there, so I am now again forced to go through the dreaded caffeine withdrawal. What that REALLY means is that Juli will be meaner than a rattle snake Monday and Tuesday.

Tanner is wonderful. Daddy let him stay up late on Thursday night so that I could put him to bed, well that and so he could watch the result show of So You Think You Can Dance. But I came in and he ran up to me and said, "I missed you mommy, you look beautiful." AWWWWW. Today he made a bit of a mess with some lucky charms and as he and I were sitting in the floor picking up magically delicious marshmallows he told me that I was the best Mommy in the whole wide world. DOUBLE AWWWWW. I wish I could keep him this age forever. I think he wouldn't mind. He told me yesterday as we were driving home that he was going to buy a motorcycle. I'm not a fan of them and told him that when he was all grown up and didn't live with Mommy and Daddy anymore, that he could buy one. He thought about that for awhile and said, "No, I'm just gonna stay here and be your son forever." I love him.

A Butterfly Kiss for You, Dad

Proverbs 20:7 says, "The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

Dad from you, I can always expect some pearl of wisdom. Growing up I thought you had to be the smartest man alive. I looked up to you then as much as I do now. But as smart as you are, I have to say that I got the most, not from what you said, but from your actions. What you did gave me my sense of values, by the way you acted and the things you believed in. There have been times in my life when I forgot to put God first. I know that you prayed for me everyday. Because of those prayers and your unfailing beliefs I was able to find God again. And I thank him everyday for blessing my life with you. I love you Daddy, Happy Father's Day.

We had a wonderful Father's Day here. After church we drove out to Clever to check on the house. The didn't get a whole lot finished this week because of all the rain, but it is definitely starting to look more like a house than it did. I would imagine that the insulation and drywall will go in next week, and I'm hoping they will get the exterior done. After we got home, Jeremy's Dad and Grandma stopped by. We were glad to see them and spent the afternoon chatting and watching Tanner run through the sprinkler. He had a blast!! Although, he got a little cold.

Where's Noah when you need him???

I would like to order one Ark to go please!! I shouldn't complain, according to the latest weather report Greene County has only gotten about 3 inches of rain in the last two days. That's NOTHING compared to Jasper County's 12.93 inches of rain!! My friend Marianne sent me the following pictures. I used to live just up the road from this location in college. To all my Joplin buddies....Stay dry!!!

7th and Illinois in Joplin

Connecticut at Campbell Parkway (Flooding in the GHETTO)

BORED!!!

I am sooooo bored!! Incredibly, utterly, insanely bored. This is night two of "the boredom". I don't want to watch television. I have read every book I own, MULTIPLE times. Jeremy isn't home, Tanner is in bed. I already shaved my legs and painted my toenails. WHAT'S A GIRL TO DO??????

When I worked for Matt, I would come home utterly drained with energy enough to cook supper spend some time with Tanner and then crash (while stressing about something that needed to be done). I don't HAVE that anymore...which is wonderful, but I have excess energy now, and nothing to do with it.

This weekend, I mentioned to Jeremy that I would like to learn how to DO something. Like maybe sew or crochet. Then I had a flashback to junior high home economics class and Mrs. Pitts telling me that I would NEVER be an interior decorator because I COULD NOT sew. Of course, I also recall not learning HOW to sew because I was too busy staring at a cute guy in my class. But that's not the point. The point is that I have time to fill and nada to fill it with. So , I ask you, the family and friends that I adore so much...any suggestions??

Tanner and the Burning Bush

Tanner is enthralled with his Bible Story Book. Every night we read one of the stories from it, we look at the pictures and talk about God, and then we tuck Tanner into bed (storybook in hand). Last night Tanner was "reading" the book to me. He told me about the "pretty garden and the Bad snake", and he told me about "peoples putting a baby in the water and the queen finding him". When he got to the part about Moses and the burning bush he studied the picture for a while and looked and me inquisitively.

Tanner: Mommy, who fired this tree??

Mommy: God made the bush burn for Moses

Tanner: Why?

Mommy: God was trying to get Moses' attention so he could talk to him, and sometimes God has to do drastic things so people will notice. Moses saw the burning bush and knew God was there.

Tanner: (Eyes wide) Is God going to fire OUR tree???

I love my four year old!!!!

It's going to be a beautiful day here in the Ozarks. Tanner and I are going to go play. I hope you all play a little too!

Seriously??

I do two things every night when I get home. I get Tanner a snack, and I sit down at the computer to check my e-mail and get caught up with all the news that's fit to report. Usually the news is pretty straight forward. Weather reports, traffic reports, the occasional interesting headline. Sometimes....SOMETIMES I get a story that really makes me want to cry with the simplicity of it. I had a winner today.

Conservation official urges residents near Battlefield to avoid contact with black bear

I am not sure what bothers me the most about this report, the fact that The News-Leader printed an article that should just be a "DUH" thing, or the fact that if the News-Leader DIDN'T print the article then some stupid redneck would be mauled by a bear cause he thought his deer rifle would do the trick. SIGH.

I. AM. SURROUNDED. BY. REDNECK. MORONS

Happy Monday Everyone! Despite the fact that my "news" was lacking in substance, I had a phenomenal day. Tanner and I are getting ready to go for a walk and enjoy some fresh air. And then R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N.

Holy Time Warp, Batman!

It's June 1st!!! I was shocked and amazed when I looked at the calendar this morning. Where in heavens name did the time go??? Before we know it 2007 will be over...I hope you are all having as much fun as I am.

I really am having fun. For the first time in a long time, I love my job, I love the people I am around, I love myself. I have been processing claims for two weeks now with seven weeks of training left to go, and every day is a blast...we laugh, we learn, we get frustrated together, and then we take a deep breath and figure out. My co-workers are quickly becoming my friends...and a wonderful support system. Although, we don't always communicate as effectively as we should.

(Scene opens on Juli and co-workers chatting before work this morning. It is Friday, everyone is in good spirits and Juli, as always, is incredibly smart (and beautiful, but that's not really the point right now)).

Angela: Do you work on tax???

Juli: (blinking rapidly several times in confusion) Huh?

Angela: (Patiently) Do you work on tax??

Juli's Inner Monologue: What on earth is she talking about?? I don't know what it means to work on tax! I am obviously stupid or I would understand what she is talking about---well I should fess up that I don't know what that is.

Juli: I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean by "work on tax".

Angela: (obviously stunned into speaking very slowly) Dooooooo. Yoooooou. Wear. Contacts.

A voice from two chairs down: Of course I know how to relax!

(cue the hysterical laughing at Juli's stupidity...close curtain)

The weekend is here. I am hanging out with Tanner. We are having a wonderful gourmet dinner of bologna sandwiches and Cheetos (Tanner's choice). I have given you ample time to laugh at me. So I will bid you all adieu and go spend some much needed quality time with my favorite little man. XOXOXOXO

Entry No. 120

We've been back to reality for a few days now after a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. It's always wonderful to spend some time with family and just relax. How surprised and blessed I was to see friends and family that I wasn't even expecting!! My only regret is that it didn't last as long as I would have liked. I wanted to just sit down tonight and share some pictures that my Dad took of our time together--his camera is WAY cooler than mine! I am MUCHO jealous. On a brighter note, he did say that if he gets the camera that he REALLY wants for his birthday, then I can have his. Please send donations to me by August.

Tanner is a ham with a microphone in his hand. I cannot imagine where he gets THAT from. Ok, actually, this is the only way that I can see that he takes after his Mommy. It was hysterical listening to him making up his own words to the music that was playing. According to my mother, I used to do the same thing when I was his age. According to my husband, I STILL do this...but what the heck does he know, I mean, Really???

A break in the rain meant we were outside with Tanner and his bubble blower, purchased by Nana and Papa. I have to say, it is very cool and I wouldn't mind having one for myself. Perhaps, if I am a very good girl this year, Santa will leave me one in my stocking. "Santa Baby, slip some bubbles under the tree for me." Yeah, I made that up...perhaps my husband knows more than I give him credit for. Oh, that hurts to admit.

My parents have the PERFECT hill at the side of their house. Had the ground not been wet, I might have found it the right time to show Tanner how to roll down it. Remember doing that as a child?? Remember doing that in high school, with your friends, during rehearsal for Oklahoma? Perhaps I have said too much? Even though the ground was wet, Tanner and Grandpa still had a blast running up the hill and down the hill, up the hill and down the hill, up the hill and down...well you get the picture.

Monday, we went to the Sedgwick County Zoo. According to their website they are the 18th largest zoo in the country. I love zoos and I particularly loved this one. The animals were very well cared for, and I felt like I was actually in their natural environment. I have a bazillion pictures that I could post from the day, but I picked a couple of my favorites for your viewing pleasure.

I adore the shot of the gorillas, Dad. AND I am kinda fond of the one with my boys in it as well. Thanks you guys for an awesome weekend and for helping us make memories that we will never forget. Tanner misses you...I miss you (Rocky misses April), and we can't wait to do it again soon.

Happy Anniversary

Jeremy, today we celebrate our anniversary. It has been five amazing years of love and laughter and sharing. What an adventure! Every year has just gotten better, and I am looking forward to the next five years, knowing they will be filled with just as much fun as the last have been. I love you.

Now enough of that mushy stuff! (Hey, he's not a mushy kinda guy!) So, we're super excited about our trip this weekend. It will be so nice to spend some time together...and we'll have plenty of car time! We are also really excited about our new house. Some of you may already know, but we signed the contract last week and our closing is the 8th of August. We've picked out all of our Interior and Exterior selections, we bought some new things for our bedroom, and let Tanner pick out new bathroom accessories. When we were out there last weekend I took some "before" pictures for you all to see what will be the new Bradshaw home, come this fall. Here it is for your viewing pleasure...414 Cherokee Path.

Here is a view from the street. It's on a corner lot...the largest on the street.

And this is a view of part of the living room. The large opening in the middle is where the fireplace is going to go. And now, we just need volunteers to come and move furniture with us...any takers???

T-Shock

Today I am twenty seven and a HALF years old. Tee hee. This is something my brother and I used to make a HUGE deal of. We thought it was VERY cool that my half birthday is a day before his birthday and that his half birthday is a day after my birthday. I was thinking about the best time to call him tomorrow and the memory just popped into my head. I will accept love in lieu of presents...gracious aren't I.

So seriously, my baby brother will be twenty six tomorrow. I love him lots. This is the boy that I have protected vehemently since I was a very little girl. You mess with Hondo, you're messing with me! I really, truly once beat the snot out of a kid with a jump rope in my brother's honor. I would do it again.

My brother is cooler than I am. He goes by T-Shock, or The Shock and actually gets away with it, he still calls me "p". He is funny and sweet and he likes the color orange. Wish him well on his birthday, for he deserves the best!

A Wonderful Mother

God made a wonderful mother.

A Mother who never grows old;

He made her smile of the sunshine,

And he molded her heart of pure gold;

In her eyes he placed bright shining stars,

In her cheeks, fair roses you see;

God made a wonderful mother,

And he gave that dear mother to me.

Pat O'Reilly

A very Happy Mother's day wish goes out to all the wonderful mothers I know. To my own beautiful mother...I love you, I admire you, I thank God everyday that you are who you are. You are my inspiration and my best friend. I see so much of you in me, and I couldn't be more proud. I only hope that I can be half the woman you are and that I can raise my children the way you and Dad raised Hondo and me. I wish that I could be with you this weekend as planned, but I will see you very soon.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Wanna Be a Balla

Tanner and I played some basketball in the backyard last week. He's WAY better than I am. I decided to just showcase his skills in this video...no one wants to see Mommy missing baskets, right??

Buenos Thursday

The following is an actual letter written by an actual person to an actual editor. I hope this woman isn't raising one of our country's future leaders. Heaven help us if she is.

I am currently uploading a video on you tube that I hope to post later...if it doesn't take until tomorrow!! Our computer is soooo slow. For now I will leave you with a picture of my boys (ALL of them) lounging on the couch and taking in some Basketball (I can't WAIT until it's OVER for the season).