30 Days of Thanks #20

I am thankful for a clean house. Does that mean I have a clean house? Not in the least. I have been slacking on my house cleaning lately. I've been busy with homeschool, crafting, ebay, booths, family and food that I just haven't made the time to clean like I should. There's nothing like a call from the bug man to get myself in gear. I have spent most the day putting the smack down on this house. It looks a lot better, but it still needs a lot of work. I have been avoiding Paxton's room and the bathroom/homeschool/craft storage room for a while because of the sheer amount of work it's going to take to get them organized. Luckily my sister helped with Paxton's room today, but I've barely touched the bathroom. I'm hoping to have enough time in the morning to at least make a path through it. I ran out of energy and time tonight. Hopefully once I get this place straightened up, we will be better about keeping up with the chores. A mom can dream anyway...

30 Days of Thanks #19

Today I am thankful for wood. Wood keeps us warm at night. I love the camp fire smell that tells me the seasons are changing, and the cold is on it's way. We have a Hardy wood furnace that we have to fill with wood a couple of times a day. The kids help us haul wood so we can heat our home. I love that it teaches them the value of work, and it also serves as a great workout for me.

30 Days of Thanks #18

I am thankful for power tools. You guys, I used a power saw for the first time, and I still have all my fingers! Over the last few months I've learned to use a chop saw, drill and power saw all by myself. I've been busy making Christmas crafts for my booth. Having the knowledge to use these tools by myself makes my crafting much more independent. Here are some of my inspired by Pinterest projects that are available in my booth:

30 Days of Thanks #17

I am thankful for my business. It allows me a creative outlet and at the same time helps me provide for my family. I love making new things. I love it when people want to buy the things I make. My only regret these days is not having enough time and energy to get everything done I would like.

30 Days of Thanks #16

I am thankful for food. I never take it for granted the bounty of food that we have. I am thankful I was born in a country where we have an over abundance of food to eat. I have been working to get our food storage built up so we can be more self-reliant. Hopefully soon I can document some of my adventures on this blog.

30 Days of Thanks #15

When I was a little girl, I would cry if my sister wouldn't let me sleep with her even though we had a bunk bed and she was only a few feet away. I love having someone to sleep next to. I co-slept with two of my kids, and I loved having them curled up next to me. Now they are bigger and they don't fit in our full size bed so well. And they don't like it when I smother them in kisses like a used to do. On the rare occasion that there is bad weather or someone has a bad dream, one of them will climb in bed with me and I remember how it used to be.

30 Days of Thanks #14

I am thankful for date night. It's not very often that Jody and I go out without kids for an evening together. We got to go to a church dance with a live band tonight. It was so much fun! The only thing that would make it better was if Jody would actually dance with me. Maybe some day. Ha ha. Probably not.

30 Days of Thanks #13

I am thankful for babies. I love everything about them- the way they smell, the way they look, the way they move, their little noises. Tonight I got to carry my 2 week old niece while we went to Girl's Night Out. It was so fun cuddling with her. I remember carrying Olivia around when she was a newborn, and people would tell me "they grow up too fast". It's so true!

30 Days of Thanks #12

I am thankful for Pinterest. Best invention ever (besides air conditioning, of course). I love crafts and I love copying other people's ideas because I stink at coming up with my own. Whoever thought up this website was genius. You can follow me here.

30 Days of Thanks #11

I am thankful for chocolate. And not the cheap chocolate. The good stuff. Because it is delicious. And can make sadness go away (at least momentarily).

Truth

If there is one thing I could teach young girls, it is this:

30 Days of Thanks #10

Today I am thankful for answered prayers. My little sister is going to be ok. Thank you for all that prayers on her behalf. God is good.

30 Days of Thanks #9

I have all these thoughts and emotions swirling in my head. If you could pray for my little sister I would appreciate it. I'll explain more later, but not tonight. I'm tired and emotional and the thought of typing it all out just seems too daunting right now. Suffice it to say that sometimes things in life just stink. And for some reason my sister has the crappy end of everything 90% of the time. I'm sure there's some great lesson or wisdom that comes from having such crappy things happen all the time, but right now it's hard to see that far away.

In the meantime here is my thankful post:

9- I'm thankful for church. I'm thankful for the knowledge that brings me peace, the knowledge that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and the knowledge that His Son died for me that I might live eternally someday.

30 Days of Thanks #7 and 8

I am thankful for medicine. Cramps, headaches, toothaches, colds, allergies- I'm thankful we have a way to treat them.

I am thankful for our animals. As of right now we have goats, pigs, chickens, quail, guineas, rabbits, a duck, a turkey and a dog. They bring a ridiculous amount of happiness to my life. I love that we can be more self-sufficient with them. And I love that my children are learning how to care for something that is dependent on them for survival. I am always looking for ways to expand our collection. I am hoping to add some new broiler chicks to the mix soon.

30 Days of Thanks # 4,5,6

Apparently I need to come up with a new plan for posting. I like to write in the evening, but Olivia has been taking my laptop so she can watch a dvd series before bed. I don't know how I got behind 3 days, but such is my life. It's been a crazy couple of days. Between homeschool, crafting, booths, packing the estate, church and chores- it seems like there is never enough time to get everything done.

Today I am thankful for a comfy bed, soft pillows and a full tummy. I am so blessed. Sometimes when I am feeling frustrated or envious, I look at all the wonderful things that surround me. I know I will be warm at night. I know that I have a soft place to lay my head. And I know that I have enough food to sustain me. What a wonderful feeling!

30 Days of Thanks #3

Today I am thankful for a hard working family. Jody bought a large estate today- the largest he's ever bought. We spent the afternoon packing boxes and loading trailers. It's so fun going through an estate looking for hidden treasures. The entire family gets involved. Today my dad, mom and sisters came to help too. We had four vehicles, two trailers and a lot of little workers helping out. We were able to move three trailer loads today. It will probably take a week to get everything moved. There is so much there that I get overwhelmed! It is a good opportunity to work as a family and teach the kids a good strong work ethic. And it is a fun way to make a living.

The first three loads ready to go:

30 Days of Thanks #2

Today I am thankful for heat and air conditioning. I love them. I couldn't live without them. Seriously, I think if I had been born before they were invented, I would have died young. I love studying church history, and I think about the pioneers daily. On really hot days or really cold days I try to imagine what it would have been like for them. I'm so thankful I live in a time with these modern conveniences.

30 Days of Thanks

Today begins November. Can you believe that? It's November people! I have no idea where this year has gone. Since November 1st marks the beginning of the holiday season in my mind, I decided to, or at least attempt to, do a thankful post everyday.

I am thankful for my family: my husband, my kids, my sisters and brothers, and my parents. I believe the family is central to God's plan for us. It is with them that I find a my happiness, my joy and my purpose. It was always my dream to be a mom. My kids are my world, and I'm thankful to husband who supports us. I am thankful for my siblings and that we are all still close. I'm thankful for my parents. The fact that they live just down the road still blows my mind sometimes. It is wonderful. To all my family. I love you! You are good people.

A big day

Today my baby turned 7. I can't believe how the time flies. Sawyer is Jody reincarnated, and I can't imagine my world without him. Happy Birthday little dude!!

And to top off our day I became a tia again!! Sofia Katelynn came flying into the world tonight. We missed the birth by about 2 minutes. I can't wait for Sawyer to wake up so I can tell him he got a new cousin for his birthday.

Birthday and Baptism

I'm so proud of Paxton. After lots of practice he was able to get baptized on Thursday, October 2nd- his 10th birthday. He has sensory processing disorder so going under the water was a huge hurtle for him. Paxton has worked for years to get his whole head under the water. Jody worked with him in my parent's hot tub for several weeks to get him ready. Jody was able to participate in his first priesthood ordinance and baptize Paxton. I don't know who was more nervous- Jody or Paxton. I have to admit I cried. It was a really special day for our family. 

Here Paxton is pictured with the sister missionaries that taught him.

Country Boy

Sawyer's first kill by himself with his .410 shotgun. This boy is country!

First Day of School - Homeschool Style!

We started school today. The kids were excited. My sister Emma is doing school with us until mom retires and moves here. Dad is going to bring her over at 8, and she will stay until we are finished for the day. She is around the same grade level as Olivia so she will be an easy addition to our group. I hope we have a successful, inspiring homeschool year.

First Harvest

The first big tomato harvest from the garden at mom and dad's house. And yes, picture taking is painful for Jody.

Happy Birthday, Olivia!

12 years ago this little girl changed our lives forever. She is a caring, smart, hard-working, girl that is becoming a young woman right before our eyes. To me she will always be my baby girl! Happy 12th Birthday, Olivia!

14 Years!

14 years!! Happy Anniversary to the love of my life. I can't wait to get home so we can celebrate!

Tornado

We got to go with our ward to help clean up storm damage from the tornado that hit in Center Hill. I have to admit I spent most of the time wandering around overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction. Imagine if your house was tossed into the air and then exploded into millions of little pieces. It's just hard to comprehend even when you are standing in the middle of it. My heart goes out to everyone trying to rebuild their lives right now.

Lunch and Dinner

Introducing the newest members of Bradford farm: Lunch and Dinner

Got Beard?

Feeling Blessed

I wanted to get a picture of the kids for Mamaw and Papaw. Why do they have to grow up so fast?!

Conversations

Paxton: Did you know Abe Lincoln's wife had a baby when she was like 90?
Me: I don't think so...
Paxton: It's true. My teacher at church told us about it.
Me: Oh you mean Abraham from the Bible.
Paxton: Yes, I think his last name was Lincoln too.

This little piggy stayed home

Mama pig isn't doing well so the kids have a new pet. I never thought I would have a baby pig in the house. I've read they are hard to keep alive so we will see what happens.

New Year, New Ramblings

The kids are staying the night at my sister's house and Jody is passed out on the couch thanks to a long work week. I thought this would be a great opportunity to slip into my freshly laundered sheets and update my blog. I love climbing into freshly laundered sheets. Usually Jody beats me to bed, and I don't get to enjoy these few moments of crisp sheets heaven.

It's 2014. Can you believe that?! Can someone please slow down time just a little bit! My days are filled with homeschool, sewing, cleaning, laundry, errands, cooking. Sometimes at the end of the day, I wonder where the time went. This time of year is usually slower for us. When it warms up things will get busy with yard sales, auctions and more trips back and forth to the booth. Right now I'm having trouble imagining it all crammed into our already busy days.

With the start of the new year, I always feel the obligation to come up with a list of New Years Resolutions. Every year I think of the same things: have family prayer, read scriptures together as a family, get in better shape. It seems like those three things have spilled over from this year and the next year and the next year. This year I decided enough is enough. I'm done with these blasted resolutions. Instead of coming up with a list of resolutions I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing. I'm going to try to be a good wife, mother, sister, friend. That shouldn't be too hard to do.

On Monday, my parents are closing on a house just down the road from us. Since Jody and I got married 13+ years ago, I've dreamed of when my parents would move back here. It seemed like every year, the date got pushed back further. Then there was talk of them not moving back at all. That was until I took my mom to look at the house. It's perfect for them. Nice size house, storm cellar, just enough acreage, a huge shop, handicap accessibility, lots of storage. My mom and I looked at while she was down for a week crafting with me in November. It took another month to convince my dad to come look at it. He signed a contract the next day. *insert me doing the happy dance* I can't wait to have my parents closer. Not only will we be close enough to help them out, my mom and I will have so much fun crafting and homemaking together and my dad will be near with his jack-of-all-trades skills. They can help teach me how to actually grow a garden, and canning, and how to fix things. And my two little sisters will be closer than 10 hour away. I have to admit I'm a little nervous too. It will change the dynamics of Jody's and my relationship having my family so close and interacting with them on a daily basis. I'm so excited for this new chapter in our lives.

Well it's past 10 now. I have a busy day tomorrow. It my turn to teach Sharing Time in Primary, and I still have things to do to get my lesson ready. Morning will be here before I know it. Night!