Tim's New Job!

After finishing our 2 year commitment on staff with campus outreach, Tim got a job with a building construction company. He LOVED it, we moved out of Athens into Holly Springs, built a house here, closer to family, yay. Even though he loved this job, with the real estate market, the company started not doing well. New construction slowed down tremendously. He had to make a quick move and started doing sales for a company out of Norcross. A few months later the building construction job filed bankruptcy. The Lord really saved us there and we were glad Tim got out quick. Ever since then he has loved doing sales, but wanted to find something closer back over this way and a heavier commission base. He has been doing sales for 3 years and now feels confident that he can do it well and close a lot of sales! So, he accepted a job Friday and started today! His old employer was so awesome and told him to go ahead and they would still pay him out for 2 weeks. It is 15 miles from our house and he is so excited! He will be doing sales for an internet payroll company called Paycom. They sell payroll, accounting, and human resources services. We are so excited that the Lord provided this job for him! It worked out perfect with insurance and his training before the baby comes! God continues to provide for me to stay home, and with 2 babies, daycare would never be affordable!

David's Big Weekend!

Turns out little Dave is the party animal! Friday I took him to Wills Park in Alpharetta for the afternoon. All of his playgroup friends came and we ate pizza and enjoyed the amazing weather! Saturday, we had a big bash for him at Tim's parents with both our families. And then, Sunday we went to the circus with some friends that invited us!! He loved every minute of his birthday "weekend"! He is worn out from all the fun and sleeping longer this week! I am thankful for that so I can catch my breath!

My brother in law, Cancer Free!

Above is my sister Brandi, her husband Paul, and their two boys, Jonathan and Michael. Paul was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago and they went through a lot. Today has been 5 years and he is cancer free. Here is an encouraging letter from him to all our family and friends. We love you Paul!

September 11, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

We never thought this day would come. Today marks five years ago that I was diagnosed with cancer when a lump was found in one of my salivary glands during a routine physical. God led us to a wonderful surgeon who removed it and broke the news to us that it was cancerous. God also led us to a wonderful oncologist where I under went 8 weeks of daily radiation. The doctor and her staff were so incredibly warm and kind during this scary time. We know that God led us to these wonderful doctors. While it was not easy during this time dealing with all the emotions, weight loss, voice loss, and being out of work; God sent many angels to take care of us—all of you guys. You guys were amazing during this time with all your cards, meals, visits, and most of all prayers. I received so many cards Brandi made a scrapbook with all of them. You all were there for me when I was asked to carry the survivor torch at the Relay for Life walk a few months after completing treatment. You all have been here for us so much during these past five years and you do not know how much we appreciate it. You all have prayed for us every 6 months as I have had my continuous scans these past five years and when I had surgery again 2 years ago due to a suspicious spot that thankfully came back benign.

We are so grateful to God for what he has done in our lives. Our lives could have been completely different if it had not been for God’s mighty healing hand. We are forever grateful to Him for healing me and keeping me cancer free. We consider our 2 precious boys true gifts from Him because without God’s grace we could have possibly never had the opportunity to have kids. This trial in our life has forever changed so many things in both of our lives.

We thank God for you all. You have no idea what you all have meant to us during this time. The chances of my cancer coming back have considerably dropped, but I am sure Brandi will continue to have me routinely go for scans!!!

We love you all!!!

In Christ,

Paul, Brandi, Jonathan, and Michael Bradley

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold I am the Lord the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for me?

Isaiah 41:13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not, I will help thee.

Birthday Boy

Well, David is turning 2 on Friday!!! And boy, has he entered the twos.....the tantrums and personality are in full force. He is quite the dancer, hides car keys and cell phones, cannot be left unattended with crayons due to graffiti, tells everyone he is 2, and has learned what moles are and points them out on people.
His birthday party is going to be the Disney Cars movie. He is a total boy and in love with cars, trucks, and anything with big wheels. We are throwing him a little friend party on Friday and Tim's dad, who is a chef, is throwing a huge family bash Saturday for him. Us and the grandparents all went in and got him a bedroom suite for his birthday so that will lessen the appearance of our house looking like Toys R Us. It's amazing how such a small person can be so much fun, but also exhaust everything in you!

Two and ambitious

Well, as much as I try and have a plan for parenthood... it always throws me a surprise!! A couple of months ago, David jumped out of his crib. I found him halfway down the stairwell and he had a huge smile on his face. After recovering from the shock that he was okay and didn't land on his head, I went back to his room with him to see him climb back inside the crib. It had now become a toy. So, within a few hours I moved him into the other room upstairs in a full size bed and we made a big boy room. Much to my surprise he loved in and transitioned immediately to sleeping there now. It was perfect timing because with the baby here in a few months it opened up the nursury! I wasn't going to try and put him in a big bed yet, but he decided he was ready.
Along the same note, two days ago, he told me "pee pee, potty".....so I put him on it and he went!!! This was also another task I was going to accomplish later, not while I am almost 7 months pregnant. But, his interest and ability to do it has come now. So, thus begins potty training for me. I have been peed on and been cleaning up pee ever since. He will sit on the potty and then go in the floor. We are having to work on the timing of it all. My sweet friend Tanya told me last night that its the hardest on the mom....to hold it together and keep patience. I just have to consistently practice everyday until he catches on.....which could unfortunately take a long time. So, here we go!
With all of this going on, I have a much needed moms night out tonight. Tim wanted this neighborhood for us because of the community and families that live here. I am so thankful because I have six other moms that stay at home that we are all in the same boat (age, age of kids, ect) We have playgroups, story times, tumble tots (gymnastics), the pool, and parks we take the kids to all the time. Every month we go out on friday night (no husbands or kids :). For a few hours I eat a meal without cleaning up a mess, wiping a face, and actually have a conversation. It is so fun to have close girlfriends in my same lifestage. I have to still have a social life, friends, and interests to keep my sanity. My decision to stay at home mostly came from my mom doing that with me. Tim also has always wanted me to stay at home with our kids. I count it a blessing we are on the same page and he is so supportive of what I do. I read a quote this week that describes the emotions of it all....
Motherhood...nothing else ever will make you as happy or as sad, as proud or as tired, for nothing is quite as hard as helping a person develop his own individuality, especially while you struggle to keep your own." – Marguerite Kelly and Elia Parsons.

An Attempt to Remember...

I am so excited to start a blog so I can keep an ongoing collection of memories, pictures, and stories that happen in our life!!! It is true for me in my life that the days are long, but the years go by fast! Our lives seem to be so eventful that I cannot even keep track of what is going on. After 9 years of being together we have seen God do so much in our lives and marriage. Our years of raising a family has been one of the biggest blessings. We have also had hard times of moving, jobs, family, miscarriage, and sickness. So, I want this blog to keep track of the better and the worst of our lives. Here goes figuring out how to do a blog!!