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

Time For An Update

I suppose I could get better at this but I just never seemed to have the time. Now that I'm currently a stay-at-home mommy with my little bug Carter maybe I will have more time!!

Here are my sweet sweet boys!! I can't believe that Ethan is almost 4 and Carter is 9 months!! Next week Ethan starts a new school year...pre-K...also unreal to me!!!

Our little family has had some ups and downs this summer but the sign in Carter's hand says it all...LIFE IS GOOD!!! I'm loving staying home, Trevor is working like crazy (as usual) for both the State and The Aces. Sometimes he makes it seem like it's a hardship and I know it's tiring for him...but I know that he loves the job with the Ace's and it's something he wouldn't change for the world!!! And I love him for every minute of it. I couldn't ask for a better husband!!

I know this wasn't much of an update...but this picture is us in a nutshell!!! Sometimes crazy but always fun!!!

All My Bags Are Packed

36.5 weeks pregnant and I'm all set to jet out of the door at a moments notice! I know it's probably a little premature and wishful thinking on my part but I decided to pack my hospital bag yesterday...just in case!

Trevor thinks I'm crazy though because I decided that I was going to pack a different "wear home" outfit for me everyday! You never know what you're going to feel like wearing home from the hospital and I know I'm going to look AWFUL after giving birth and spending the night in the hospital so I want my outfit to at least be fabulous!! Is that too much to ask?!!

I got the baby's "wear home" outfit all picked out. I've decide for all of my kids, no matter girls or boys, they are going to wear little baseball outfits home. Ethan's was so cute and tiny (I found it when we were washing clothes) so I got this little guy one too. I will definitely post pictures later.

Just had to get these random thoughts out! Please don't tell me you think I'm crazy too for being all set to go or that I keep changing my mind on what to wear home!! Just love me for me!

Ethan's Room Decor, Button Hair Ties and Weekend Update

Happy Saturday!! I am so excited about the start of our bedroom makeovers! Trevor had the perfect posters for Ethan's sports room







Is everyone as excited as I am?! I haven't found frames for them yet, or decided exactly where they will live on the walls in his room, but I think they go perfect!

Wasn't it just yesterday Ethan was in a crib? Yes! Oh good, I thought so!! Well...he's about to be 3 so I guess it was time to graduate from a toddler bed to a real big boy twin size bed! We found a great bed today at RC Willey, we'll be picking it up on Monday and I can't wait!! I can't find a picture of the bed on their website so unfortunately everyone will have to wait until Monday!

The room is pretty tiny and we have some pretty big furniture so I do know the new dresser will be living in the closet! I will make sure to post progress pictures as well as before and after photos!

In my last post I said that I was bitten by the sewing bug...I need to amend that to be bitten by the crafting bug! I saw really cute button embellished hair ties, so I decided to make my own.





I just took small hair ties and slip knotted them through the button holes. The one pictured is a big red button. I also made a giant orange ball looking one and a small white pearly one. I guess I should have taken pictures of them, lol!!

Tomorrow we are going to be busy so I better be off to bed!! Good night and until tomorrow!

Bradshaw Baby Farm Project Goals for August

We have about 12.5 weeks left until our due date! We have so much to get done around here before this baby can make his appearance!! Here are some inspirations I've been collecting for the baby's room and Ethan's new big brother room!





We got this same bedding only red and white from Pottery Barn on sale for less than $100...I was so stoked! Our nursery won't look exactly like this PB inspiration, but hopefully it will look somewhat similar!! Oh and our accents aren't going to be "transportation" they will be trains!

Now for my inspiration for Ethan's big brother room (inspiration also from Pottery Barn):





I thought this idea for the top of the dresser is SOOOO cute!! Did I mention I LOVE POTTERY BARN!! I wish I could make my whole house look like a Pottery Barn catalog...well I'm going to try anyway on a budget ;)

I've got some more decorating projects up my sleeve but these are the major inspiration pictures. As we get things turned around here at the Bradshaw house I will make sure to keep before and after updates!!

IN OTHER NEWS:

I have also been on this cleaning craze. I found this fun website called Flylady.net that is all about cleaning and keeping your house company ready! I'm slowly getting my house up to par, and I have been having a great time doing it in the process!! I have discovered that doing a load of laundry a day really cuts down on my weekend cleaning...because laundry is a never ending project!!

Lastly, I have been bit by the sewing bug. I am thinking/finding every project I can for homemade things for Baby #2 and Ethan. Plus I really really want to make myself work clothes! So any ideas/projects you have send them my way!!

I suppose I should do an August Update on the rest of the Bradshaws!!! Trevor is loving his job for the State...YAY!!! The Ace's are in 1st place, so Trevor has been working lots and lots of baseball!! We miss him on those nights but it is so much fun for him!

Ethan is now (I can say proudly) 99.9% potty trained!!!!!! We are still having small accidents here and there but I guess the 2nd try was the charm. He will no longer wear diapers or pull-ups...it is big boy underpants for my little man!!! So far this week we have had 0, yep ZERO, accidents!!!!

Sunrise Breakfast

A few weeks ago Trevor had to go to Elko for work and then this past weekend he had his annual boys Winnemucca softball trip. Nonetheless Ethan has been craving some serious "daddy time." If only my original plan of having a sunrise pancake breakfast with my boys had worked out the way I had wanted...

First, Ethan was up off and on throughout the night starting at 1:00 a.m. So...when Trevor had to get up at 5 to leave for Carson City by 6 I knew there was no way I was getting Ethan up that early.

Next disaster...I have NO pancake mix!!!! What do I do??? Pull out my Betty Crocker cookbook and make them from scratch!!! They were the BEST pancakes EVER!! If you have never made pancakes from scratch you now have a Saturday morning project. Seriously they are phenomenal!!!

Anyway, Ethan got up at his normal time (6:45) and I surprised him with Mickey Mouse!



He's not perfect, but it was something fun for a Tuesday morning!!!

National Park

Some days I really wish I had the luxury of just hopping in the car and driving until we end up in a remote location. I wish tonight I could have just said, "c'mon Ethan we're going on a Mommy-Ethan road trip to Zion National Park or Yellowstone." Then I remember 1) he's only 2, he is NOT going to have fun at a "park" where there isn't a slide or swings and 2) it's Monday and I have to work!!!

So we settled for the best thing available to us...Rancho San Rafael Park!!! It was my favorite park growing up, so i hope it will be Ethan's favorite place too!!

We picked up chicken nuggets and french fries for our picnic which didn't last longer than 5 minutes because Ethan was mesmerized by all the jungle gyms!

Here are some shots from our Mommy-Ethan park date

Ethan eating our picnic

Humoring Mommy the Paparazzi in the tunnel

We spent the majority of time on this slide

I wouldn't have changed tonight for anything! Who needs a National Park with fun hiking trails when we've got slides and tunnels at Rancho!!!