Walking

Ever since we got back from the beach Bradford has been walking, A LOT!  Thank you Benson for inspiring your cousin to get around by the upright position!

My Question

God do you know that I am fearful?  I heard a message on this today and it really opened my eyes to how I need to handle when these times are to come!  Things will happen.  When these questions invade our hearts, we often try to control our surroundings.  We are trusting ourselves no in the Lord.  We do whatever it takes to try and keep our fears from becoming real!

When I get fearful I find I am in the room of "What If's".  Dark shadows are hiding in the corners but I have to remember not many of my fears are real.  I have to tell them God is in control, He is already where I am going to be and where I am and where I have been.  Jeremiah 17:5-6 says "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.  He is like a shrub in the desert and shall not see any good come.  He shall dwell in the parched place of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.  When we put our trust in things they will NOT sustain us!

Isaiah 43:16 says the Lord will clothe us in garments of salvation and righteousness.  When I feel fearful I have to ask myself am I wearing my cloak of control and fear or am I covering myself in God's cloak that will sustain and protect me?  I must choose to trust in the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 Blessed is he whose trust is the Lord.  He is like a stream planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes for its leaves remain green and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.  When a storm in life comes am I planted deep like the tree by the river or am I more like a potted plant whose roots do not go very deep and is easily ripped up.  It is just as important that I am deeply rooted not only in life's storms but also in the daily things like what I am getting accomplished for the day, or finding the right Halloween costume, or having enough money for things I think I need.  I am learning to trust in all things!

Psalm 91:4 is a beautiful verse of how "He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings will you find refuge."  I must choose to remember like in Psalm 77:11  "...the deeds of the Lord , yes I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will ponder all your mighty work and meditate on your mighty deeds."  It so easy to forget and to take all of it for granted!

I am trying to learn to say God what are you trying to teach me through this trial, because if I am controlling than how can I trust?

P.S. I can not take credit for all of this post.  Notes and things the speaker said and my reaction to that...

Changes

Ever since we moved in I have wanted to get rid of the built in entertainment center, so yesterday Andrew and Frank demolished it!  I put my other entertainment center there and we moved around the living room furniture and it looks so much better, also on the home improvement list: Patch and paint walls in living room, new blinds for living room and bedroom, and  a storm door on the front door!  I am very excited about this because it will let light and sun in especially with the winter coming soon it will be so nice!

Before

After...much better!!!!!!

Also we are done with nursing!  I went one year, and a week and a half!  I am glad to be done but it was all well worth it!

Enjoying a new angle of the living room

Tired but good day!

1st Haircut

Before shot with Kathleen

Super Brady ready to go with his cape!

What is going on here Daddy?

Ms. Dianne makes the first cut

Looking like a big boy

Trying to sit still

Someone was ready for his first experience with scissors to be over!

Almost done

Big boy haircut

Antics

The day after his birthday Andrew got home right when he woke up from his nap and we had some good quality time with his hair before it was cut off

Dishwasher duty

Let's Celebrate

On Bradford's birthday it was off to the barn to give Sydney a lesson.  While we did that Wendy (her mom) took him around the farm in his new wagon. Sydney calls Brady her godson, she is entitled I guess since I babysat her starting at age 3.  I am sure she will babysitting my son in a few years.  They grow up so fast!

Sydney at my wedding 5 years ago!

 We had a late night birthday party for him!

Teeny tiny cupcake

Blue lips

Happy First Birthday Bradford

One year ago this little person entered our life and we have never been the same ~

Happy First Birthday Sweet Bradford!  Mommy and Daddy Love you so much!!!

Bradford's Birthday Party

Bradford's 1st Birthday Party went off with full success, minus that I ran out of time to dust the house and put up streamers;).  Everyone arrived and grill master Andrew got straight to grilling hamburgers and hot dogs.  We also had fruit salad, Gary Bradford deviled eggs, chips and birthday cake of course.  Everyone at their fill and then we opened presents. I was excited to see how he would react, whether he would be into opening the gifts or not.

Ready to party!

Gramps, Pop is so silly

Pop you are really silly!

Great Grandma Kinzie and Great Grandma Marilyn

Amy, Sandra and Beth waiting for the festivities to begin.

All of Bradford's colorful presents waiting for him to open

Everyone with video and cameras ready awaiting to see Bradford's antics!

In the beginning he was totally into helping open the presents, but of course he quickly lost interest...

Until he opened what was his favorite gift and now it is his favorite toy a roll and pop, I call it the Pop-pop!

So Mommy opened the rest of Brady's presents while he continued to fall in love!

O something caught his attention

Taking a break from his Pop-pop to check out his new wagon!

I got him to crawl through the tunnel to get his Pop-pop

After present opening we got straight around to singing Happy Birthday to B.  Then he dove into that cake like he had never eaten before!  He loved it and it was so much fun watching him enjoy it.

Happy Birthday dear Bradford....Happy Birthday to you!

What a balancing act!

More cake please?

Don't even think about taking my crumbs Daaa!

We have a ham on our hands!

Bradford with Grandpa Art and Grandma

Us with Nana and Grandpa

After a long afternoon nap we took Bradford for a ride in his new wagon around the neighborhood!

I really appreciate everyone making the effort to come celebrate with us.  We truly appreciate all the love and support you have shown us and B over the last year!  Thank you for all the thoughtful gifts!  He has plenty of new toys and books to keep him occupied for awhile!:)  What a blessed little boy!!!

Bye-bye!