Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Sniffles, Snores and Giggles Oh My!
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These little bugs have the dreaded summer into fall cold; Trevor and I have it off and on depending on the day!! I mean it makes sense that we'd all have it given the season and the amount of playing we do outdoors. At least Trevor can take some Theraflu or Alkaseltzer...you haven't seen pitiful until you've been around a pregnant girl and her two children who can't breathe through their nose and there isn't anything we can take for it! Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration of how sick we actually are, but nontheless Carter Bug did end up with a croup diagnosis Monday morning. So humidifiers it is!
The past few nights (since Saturday) they boys have been transitioning into sleeping in the same room. There have cerntainly been ups and downs to this transition, mostly Carter wanting to play instead of lay down and sleep! But what better time to transition than when we all have sniffley noses (or croup), right before the holidays and in the midst of all the other craziness we have going on in the Bradshaw Nook! We are in full focus here!
I can honestly say it only took two really bad nights of playing and destroying Ethan's tidy room before Carter actually just wanted to lay down and go to sleep for the night. I am not one to keep score on these types of things, kids share rooms all the time without issue but I would say this is a win! Trevor and I thought we'd never get peace after the 500 trips down the hall to scold and lay the two year old back down! Not that we minded it but it gets exhausting hearing the five year old whine and complain that his brother was playing with the lamp yet again!!
I do get to giggling a little everytime I hear them giggling and playing together. It makes me so happy that in spite of the normal sibling angst my kids seem to actually prefer to sleep in the same room and enjoy each others' company.
xoxo -
The Bradshaws
**ps. I'm not sure why this picture won't flip, so enjoy it upside down**
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Little Bugs
These two little bugs and the little peanut on the way are my life!!! There is just something about their little dimples and michieveous light in their eyes that makes my heart melt!! This has been a little catch-up day for me with the blog because I would love more than anything to get into blogging. Anyway, I digressed...I can't belive Ethan is 5 and TODAY Carter is 2!!!
In only 3 more short months we will be blessed with yet another little bug!! I'm fairly certain it wasn't in my cards to have a girl but that's ok, I love my boys!! They make our lives infinitely better!
The One I Call Mom
When I was engaged I had several friends and/or aquaintences that were getting married as well. It amazed me how many of them had distant relationships with their moms. Whether it be they didn't speak or just didn't feel that their mom was the fussy wedding planning type. All I could think of was "well my mom isn't the fussy wedding planning type either, but she will still be the one telling me how beautiful I look on that day." And she did.
On my wedding day my mom fussed with my veil and my train, she hit the dance floor with all of our friends and relatives, and even chased Ethan around when it was necessary. She dragged me over to her friends' table to show off her grown-up daughter, popped the champagne at midnight (or maybe sooner) to celebrate the New Year, and she didn't for one second make my day anything but better. And I didn't think twice about it because that's what she does, that's what she's always done. She's been making my days better since I have had days.
My mom is beautiful and smart and extremely accomplished. She is happy to get down on the floor and wrestle with my boys, and she even makes us dinner almost every Sunday! I really believe she knows how much we love her and how thankful we are for her. But everyone should hear how loved and amazing we think they are, so for her birthday (which was yesterday)I made a little list of things I may have never told her:
Dear Mom,
Thank you for making me stick out cheerleading in high school, even though I threw multiple temper tantrums and came home from practice everyday complaining how much I hated it. It really did help shape the person I've become today.
Thank you for never passing judgment on my friendships and/or relationships, even when they were all wrong for me. I eventually figured it out, but I guess you knew I would.
Thank you for taking my daily calls and listening to me speak incesently for the last 27 years.
Thank you for always telling me I should follow my dreams, even when - no especially when I'm doing anything but that.
Thank you for always being such a strong independent woman because it forced me to do the same.
Thank you for letting me do my own thing, even when it was so different from anything you would have done...theater, cheerleading, sewing.
Thank you for standing by your beliefs. The older I get, the more this one thing about you teaches me not to make assumptions or cavalier judgments.
Thank you for always making your home the place that we can come to.
Thank you for being the first person I knew to have email, and for buying me a laptop back when they were so much more expensive than the desktops. You have always known your way around a computer, and that is impressive.
Thank you for loving my husband and being an awesome Nonna to my kids.
Thank you for being a working mom in a way that worked. I know of no other mom whose clients fly them on private planes and occupies the corner office. I’m so proud of you, and I’m not sure I’ve ever made that clear.
Love you Mom and Happy Birthday!!!
Meet My Super Husband
We met at the Imperial Bar & Lounge.
I was a starry-eyed 21 year old fresh out of a relationship, and had been staring at him from the back of our Education Ethics class for half a semester. He was older, and hot and completely not interested in me!
I didn't really think I fit it with his friends, even though a mutual friend introduced us. I had told a friend that I was going to marry him. He didn't seem to pay the least bit attention to me, somewhere along the way it all changed.
Despite what I thought was his disinterest in dating me, we became really great friends. I crushed on him like a giddy school girl, even though I didn't think I was his type. I was short and outgoing and blonde, I am fairly certain he prefers the leggier model types. One day all the carefully constructed walls came crumbling down and we professed our undying love...it only took us a year to get there!
His version of events might differ...a little!!
He is my Super Husband! He is kind and funny and loves me inspite of everything that tells him he should have run in the other direction! I am just mad about him, he is the reason 2 (soon to be 3) little bugs call me mommy!! He is the reason I get to be Super Mommy every day!
Yes I Work...But My Number 1 Job Is Being Mommy!
This isn't the life that I dreamt for myself. I could never have come up with a scenario as amazing and wonderful as the events that have unfoldded the past five years!!
I was born and raised here in Reno. The summer after I graduated I couldn't have been more excited to venture out into the real world sight unseen...that didn't happen. The semester I graduated from UNR I was about to embark on the greatest journey I've ever taken, and it was the most important decision I ever made.
The first year was hard and scary and wonderful all the same time. I fell in love with being a mommy! I never knew that kind of love and I would have given anything to stay at home and try out being a fulltime mom.
But let's just back up for a second...prior to that first year of motherhood I met a really cute guy who was one day to become my husband. It was no easy task getting that guy to share his last name. But I knew this was the person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with and I told my cousin and sister that was my life's work.
Mom always said I had a flair for the dramatic.
After we got married and had another sweet little bug I made the decision that I wanted to work outside the home. Some days it seems almost impossible to make our crazy schedules work. But somehow we do, I will never miss out on any of my kids' successes or Trevor's for that matter!
I do struggle at times that being out of the home changes the way my children are being raised, but then I look at how I was raised. I was raised by a very strong working mother that taught me the importance of being able to stand on my own two feet. I don't lose sleep over it anymore, at least I try not to. I won't apologize for the choices I've made, I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing, and even though it wasn't what I expected or even planned for my life it's exactly what I want to be doing.
So maybe I have a job (or two) outside the home, but my life's work is my marriage, my sweet little bugs and my daily attempt to bring a little sanity into this crazy world we live in!
I was born and raised here in Reno. The summer after I graduated I couldn't have been more excited to venture out into the real world sight unseen...that didn't happen. The semester I graduated from UNR I was about to embark on the greatest journey I've ever taken, and it was the most important decision I ever made.
The first year was hard and scary and wonderful all the same time. I fell in love with being a mommy! I never knew that kind of love and I would have given anything to stay at home and try out being a fulltime mom.
But let's just back up for a second...prior to that first year of motherhood I met a really cute guy who was one day to become my husband. It was no easy task getting that guy to share his last name. But I knew this was the person I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with and I told my cousin and sister that was my life's work.
Mom always said I had a flair for the dramatic.
After we got married and had another sweet little bug I made the decision that I wanted to work outside the home. Some days it seems almost impossible to make our crazy schedules work. But somehow we do, I will never miss out on any of my kids' successes or Trevor's for that matter!
I do struggle at times that being out of the home changes the way my children are being raised, but then I look at how I was raised. I was raised by a very strong working mother that taught me the importance of being able to stand on my own two feet. I don't lose sleep over it anymore, at least I try not to. I won't apologize for the choices I've made, I'm doing exactly what I want to be doing, and even though it wasn't what I expected or even planned for my life it's exactly what I want to be doing.
So maybe I have a job (or two) outside the home, but my life's work is my marriage, my sweet little bugs and my daily attempt to bring a little sanity into this crazy world we live in!
Monday, May 27, 2013
Backstage with Reed High School Cheerleading
I had such a great time at cheerleading tryouts last week. Together with my assistant coaches, Alex and Kelly and our good friends, Stephanie and Tara we picked an amazing team for the 2013-2014 season!! It amazed me how it felt like yesterday that I was waiting patiently for that list to be posted. I could feel the nerves in the hall even though I was in the gym!
Everyone was asking if I had a good group of girls, and honestly I knew it was going to be a tough decision once Friday arrived. Each girl brought such diversity and promise to the floor. I could tell these girls were going to be loyal to the bone!!! They all had amazing rythm, they made the dance look so easy!!! Ultimately the chemistry and seeing them perform live was even more fun!! I think Reed High School is in for an amazing cheerleading squad this year!! And I commend all the girls for making the team!!
It was a fast week, I had a lot of fun lacing up those cheer shoes and being out there with the girls! My children are going to get so much out of my coaching experience. Although they will be giving up a lot of mommy time, I know Ethan is going to fall in love with the high school sports atmosphere. They will both witness what it takes to commit to something, work SUPER hard and not give up. The pay off is a valuable less for all and an example of the rewards that dedication can bring. Trevor also steps up in a beautiful way with the kids. He is an amazing father, and he suppots me every step of the way. I know I will never work harder at anything in my life. For me, thre opportunity to be a role model for these girls is both thrilling and terrifying.
Everyone asks me how I am planning to manage juggling it all, two kids and the demanding schedule. I have to admit on some days, I don't know where I will find the strenth, but on others I know it will be a true testimony as mothers WE CAN DO ANYTHING!!! I have accommplished more as a mom that ever before. It is so easy to get into a rut and be hindered by fear that you may not succeed. I say go for everything you are contemplating, especially the things that scare you. I have learned so much about myself from facing ALL my fears with 38 sets of eyes on me.
It is humbling having that many people counting on you, and I'm so honored to get to pass on my knowledge and love of the sport. I realize the importance of exposing our children to as much as our mean allow over the season. How else could we know what talents may be hidden? I know I will do this with my own children.
Over the past year I have learned how precious the moments we take for granted with our children are. The most difficult part of coaching is the time it kept me away from children. I missed the simple moments at home and I began to cherish the time we did have together. I made sure that our time was quality time spent with undivided attention - - something I know many of us are guilty of. We all want what we can't have. Enjoy all the moments that you can share with your kids, because time sure flies by!!
Congrats 2013-2014 Reed Cheerleaders...I look forward to spending every minute with you girls over the next school year!!!!
Everyone was asking if I had a good group of girls, and honestly I knew it was going to be a tough decision once Friday arrived. Each girl brought such diversity and promise to the floor. I could tell these girls were going to be loyal to the bone!!! They all had amazing rythm, they made the dance look so easy!!! Ultimately the chemistry and seeing them perform live was even more fun!! I think Reed High School is in for an amazing cheerleading squad this year!! And I commend all the girls for making the team!!
It was a fast week, I had a lot of fun lacing up those cheer shoes and being out there with the girls! My children are going to get so much out of my coaching experience. Although they will be giving up a lot of mommy time, I know Ethan is going to fall in love with the high school sports atmosphere. They will both witness what it takes to commit to something, work SUPER hard and not give up. The pay off is a valuable less for all and an example of the rewards that dedication can bring. Trevor also steps up in a beautiful way with the kids. He is an amazing father, and he suppots me every step of the way. I know I will never work harder at anything in my life. For me, thre opportunity to be a role model for these girls is both thrilling and terrifying.
Everyone asks me how I am planning to manage juggling it all, two kids and the demanding schedule. I have to admit on some days, I don't know where I will find the strenth, but on others I know it will be a true testimony as mothers WE CAN DO ANYTHING!!! I have accommplished more as a mom that ever before. It is so easy to get into a rut and be hindered by fear that you may not succeed. I say go for everything you are contemplating, especially the things that scare you. I have learned so much about myself from facing ALL my fears with 38 sets of eyes on me.
It is humbling having that many people counting on you, and I'm so honored to get to pass on my knowledge and love of the sport. I realize the importance of exposing our children to as much as our mean allow over the season. How else could we know what talents may be hidden? I know I will do this with my own children.
Over the past year I have learned how precious the moments we take for granted with our children are. The most difficult part of coaching is the time it kept me away from children. I missed the simple moments at home and I began to cherish the time we did have together. I made sure that our time was quality time spent with undivided attention - - something I know many of us are guilty of. We all want what we can't have. Enjoy all the moments that you can share with your kids, because time sure flies by!!
Congrats 2013-2014 Reed Cheerleaders...I look forward to spending every minute with you girls over the next school year!!!!
Monday, December 31, 2012
As 2012 Comes to a Close...
2012 has been a year of ups and downs, happy moments and sad times, a year of gain and a year of loss. In reflection a lot has been learned from the trials and tribulations our little family has endured.
Normally I would make a 10-page list of resolutions that I would only keep for a week tops, but instead of doing that this year I only want to look at the things that I have learned over the last year and improve.
I think everything in life is an art, your choice of words; what you wear; how you smile and put others at ease; the way you pack your kids' lunches; or how you gift wrap a present. Even the stuff you put in your purse says somthing about you. I never stop to reflect on how my actions, no matter how small, effect those around me. My hope is that I will take a moment and put thought into everyday actions that make me and those around me feel great, nothing is more touching than using a little creativity to show those we care about how much we love them. I mean everyone who knows me knows that I love to be creative with everything I do, from wrapping a gift to planning a party...it's just who I am!! Afterall, the details of daily life add up to who we are - so why not strive to be the one who inspires others?!
Originally the idea for this blog came from my desire to share my ideas and inspirations for elevating everyday life. However, after having my sister move across an ocean and reflecting on how important my family is to me, however near or far, I decided that while I still want to share the creative juices that flow in the Bradshaw Nook, I really want to make our Crazy 4 a part of everyone we care abouts' lives. I want our family everywhere to be able to watch our kids grow up and our family expand. I want to make sure that even if we don't get see them everyday, they still feel like they saw us yesterday.
There are so many aspects of our lives that I hope to improve on and share over the next year. I am constantly working on being healthier, and trying new things to see what works and what is realistic for a working mom! Let's be honest - we all get stressed from time to time and often that manifests physically. I just need to step back and take a reality check on what is important and what can wait. We all need to just remember to stay in tune with ourselves; body, spirit and mind...and all the little voices we have screaming at us 24/7...am I the only one who has those??
My kids are the most important thing to me, they are my whole world. If only we could all be stay-at-home moms with amazing careers and perpetually perfect hair!! Wouldn't that be ideal?? I have switched jobs this year and even took a month off to stay home with Carter Bug. I find myself struggling because I think I work too many hours and don't get enough time with my kids. I know they are only going to be this age once, so hopefully I can find the perfect balance in 2013!!
Since being a 24/7 mom, wife, housekeeper, cook; a full-time Legal Assistant, part-time cheer coach and All-Star cheerleader isn't enough, an entrepruenerial empire is also on my list of must-haves. I have been dreaming since i was probably 7 of having my own Event Planning Busines...which I fully intend on launching early into 2013. Planning a party is as much fun as attending one in my book. For me entertaining is a passion, it's just part of who I am. Stay-tuned for more updates on the launch of JBradshaw Events!!
For over a year now Trevor and I have debating whether or not it's time to move into a bigger house. I will keep you all in suspense as to what we decide. But I will say this, whether we stay in the home we're in now or find a new one I plan on using the next year to build an elegant home that transcends the ever-changing trends that will be a comfort and retreat for all our friends and family!!
The second to last thing that I have realized I love, but need drastic improvement on is cooking!!! I love cooking and the creativity that I can put into preparing a meal. From preparing party food to snacks for the Bradshaw Pipsqueaks, to even having the energy to prepare Monday Night meals...I think Trevor, Ethan and Carter will appreciate Mama spending a little more time in the kitchen and less time in the drive-through line at McDonald's!!!
Finally, today is mine and Trevor's 2nd wedding anniverary! It is crazy to me that we have been married for 2 years and that we have almost been together for 5!! I love that man so much, we have so many great memories already, and we have so much fun together. He definitely puts up with all my crazy ideas and my craft projects! He even told me on Saturday that the burnt crust on my pumpkin pie was his favorite part! What a man!! We have been trying to have Date Nights once a week so we can focus on just each other and not the kids or work or the other 500 things that are part of our lives. I think in a healthy relationship the honeymoon is a cozy place that you can always return to, if as much effort is put into cultivating the relationship as is put into raising the kids!
I know this is a long post, and I promis I will try over the next year to not only keep this updated but to not be so wordy!! I just wanted to take a minute (or 10) to share the aspects of our lives that we have been reflecting on and want to improve for 2013!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
xoxo -
The Bradshaws
Normally I would make a 10-page list of resolutions that I would only keep for a week tops, but instead of doing that this year I only want to look at the things that I have learned over the last year and improve.
I think everything in life is an art, your choice of words; what you wear; how you smile and put others at ease; the way you pack your kids' lunches; or how you gift wrap a present. Even the stuff you put in your purse says somthing about you. I never stop to reflect on how my actions, no matter how small, effect those around me. My hope is that I will take a moment and put thought into everyday actions that make me and those around me feel great, nothing is more touching than using a little creativity to show those we care about how much we love them. I mean everyone who knows me knows that I love to be creative with everything I do, from wrapping a gift to planning a party...it's just who I am!! Afterall, the details of daily life add up to who we are - so why not strive to be the one who inspires others?!
Originally the idea for this blog came from my desire to share my ideas and inspirations for elevating everyday life. However, after having my sister move across an ocean and reflecting on how important my family is to me, however near or far, I decided that while I still want to share the creative juices that flow in the Bradshaw Nook, I really want to make our Crazy 4 a part of everyone we care abouts' lives. I want our family everywhere to be able to watch our kids grow up and our family expand. I want to make sure that even if we don't get see them everyday, they still feel like they saw us yesterday.
There are so many aspects of our lives that I hope to improve on and share over the next year. I am constantly working on being healthier, and trying new things to see what works and what is realistic for a working mom! Let's be honest - we all get stressed from time to time and often that manifests physically. I just need to step back and take a reality check on what is important and what can wait. We all need to just remember to stay in tune with ourselves; body, spirit and mind...and all the little voices we have screaming at us 24/7...am I the only one who has those??
My kids are the most important thing to me, they are my whole world. If only we could all be stay-at-home moms with amazing careers and perpetually perfect hair!! Wouldn't that be ideal?? I have switched jobs this year and even took a month off to stay home with Carter Bug. I find myself struggling because I think I work too many hours and don't get enough time with my kids. I know they are only going to be this age once, so hopefully I can find the perfect balance in 2013!!
Since being a 24/7 mom, wife, housekeeper, cook; a full-time Legal Assistant, part-time cheer coach and All-Star cheerleader isn't enough, an entrepruenerial empire is also on my list of must-haves. I have been dreaming since i was probably 7 of having my own Event Planning Busines...which I fully intend on launching early into 2013. Planning a party is as much fun as attending one in my book. For me entertaining is a passion, it's just part of who I am. Stay-tuned for more updates on the launch of JBradshaw Events!!
For over a year now Trevor and I have debating whether or not it's time to move into a bigger house. I will keep you all in suspense as to what we decide. But I will say this, whether we stay in the home we're in now or find a new one I plan on using the next year to build an elegant home that transcends the ever-changing trends that will be a comfort and retreat for all our friends and family!!
The second to last thing that I have realized I love, but need drastic improvement on is cooking!!! I love cooking and the creativity that I can put into preparing a meal. From preparing party food to snacks for the Bradshaw Pipsqueaks, to even having the energy to prepare Monday Night meals...I think Trevor, Ethan and Carter will appreciate Mama spending a little more time in the kitchen and less time in the drive-through line at McDonald's!!!
Finally, today is mine and Trevor's 2nd wedding anniverary! It is crazy to me that we have been married for 2 years and that we have almost been together for 5!! I love that man so much, we have so many great memories already, and we have so much fun together. He definitely puts up with all my crazy ideas and my craft projects! He even told me on Saturday that the burnt crust on my pumpkin pie was his favorite part! What a man!! We have been trying to have Date Nights once a week so we can focus on just each other and not the kids or work or the other 500 things that are part of our lives. I think in a healthy relationship the honeymoon is a cozy place that you can always return to, if as much effort is put into cultivating the relationship as is put into raising the kids!
I know this is a long post, and I promis I will try over the next year to not only keep this updated but to not be so wordy!! I just wanted to take a minute (or 10) to share the aspects of our lives that we have been reflecting on and want to improve for 2013!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
xoxo -
The Bradshaws
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Silly Bio
- The Bradshaw Nook
- I am a full time mom and wife, who also happens to have a full time job outside of the home. I love coming up with creative family time and date night ideas, i love baking, shopping, crafting and transforming our house into our own special nook. I have 3 amazing boys and a wonderful husband who completely balances me out and puts up with all my crazy ideas!