Here comes Santa Claus...

Jake loves Santa. He calls him "Ho-Ho." We went to Northpark today to take pictures with Santa (the greatest Santa I've ever seen) and most of the little girls cried the moment they sat down in Santa's lap. Jake was ready! Santa said he'd bring Jake a surprise at Christmas and Jake immediately said, "What is it?" At Mother's Day Out Jake told Santa he wanted a transformer for Christmas. Not sure he knows what a transformer is, but being the great parents we are he'll get one for Christmas! I love this time of year! Having kids definitely alters your focus - you are way more consumed with toys and presents. It's always good to be reminded to keep your thoughts on what is most important...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

And speaking of baby boys....we are having another boy! Pray for me. I'm officially outnumbered in the Bradford household.

Hello Hawaii!

Greg and I had a dream vacation this last week in Maui!! I have been begging for a beach vacation since we married (almost 8 years ago) and boy was this a good one! We relaxed on the beach, ate great food and got a pretty good tan. The hotel was wonderful and the beaches were spectacular. It was truly an incredible week! Yes, I did go 14 weeks pregnant, but trust me, I looked way better in a bathing suit pregnant than 85% of the rest of the people there. It's amazing what people feel comfortable wearing on the beach!! We did miss Jake (who wouldn't when your kid is as cute as mine?) but you always need to time away to reconnect with your husband. And what better place than Hawaii?

Way Cute Firefighter

So all my son talks about is firefighters. We read books, see them on the highway and LOVE firefighters. I was desperate to find a costume for Fall Festival but alas, the toddler world is slightly limited on options. I tried bidding on Ebay and with the Lord's provision lost the bid (I was bidding WAY too much). We had settled for a quarterback but my heart ached. I want to be THAT mom, the one who always meets her kids' dreams no matter what! Just kidding! I just wanted to find a firefighter costume!! I had one last chance at Party City and there, shining with light from heaven, was the firefighter costume I had been searching for. So, I have officially attained Super Mom and have the CUTEST firefighter ever!!

I love October!

I've finally decided...I love October! Cool weather, changing leaves, and pumpkins. We took a family trip to the Arboretum this past weekend to visit the pumpkins. Jake was like a kid in a candy store. He ran and played non-stop. We snapped some pics along the way and I have to say (in the most neutral of terms) that my kid is definitely the cutest!

Jake loves school but does school love him?

Jake loves school (Mother's Day Out). He talks constantly about his lunchbox and backpack. Everytime we go to church he wants to take his lunchbox, even for Sunday morning. He is super friendly and takes a nap like a pro. But...time-out is becoming a habit. I think the combination of energy, a mischievous smile and advanced verbal skills make him a challenge. He knows he did wrong but still does it! And then looks so cute afterwards that it's hard to be upset. We're searching for the right technique to teach our charmer how to obey!

I'm Pregnant!

It's a miracle baby! Last Tuesday Greg and I went in for my pre-op appointment for a surgery I was supposed to have today, August 25. I have endometriosis and we were going to do another surgery to clean it out so we could try for baby #2. The nurse did a pregnancy test and announced to us that "We would be canceling my surgery!" Praise God! It's truly a miracle in so many ways. We are so thankful that God would bless us in this way. I don't know an exact due date but it should be the end of April!!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1:17

He says the cutest things.

Jake says the cutest things. Something new almost every day!! Yesterday he said, "I cheer for you mommy." I have no idea where he heard that or how he knows what "cheering" is. It was precious!! Now he cheers for me often. I love this sweet little boy, even when he's in full swing of testing every boundary known to man and moms!

Let's Get Together...Yah, Yah, Yah

My old high school friends joined me for lunch on Saturday down in Austin. We hadn't seen each other in over 10 years! It was so fun catching up on life and reliving old times. Everybody is beautiful (just like they were in high school). We shared struggles and talked, talked, talked. It's so great to see how God continues to use friends from long ago to impact your life today. I am so honored to have shared life with these sweet friends and look forward to praying for our futures!

Don't they look cute?

Jake and Savannah loved playing at the beach together at High School Camp. They will forever be camp sweethearts!

A Water Baby

Jake is such a water baby! He loves to swim. This summer we went to High School Camp in Panama City, FL and went to the pool or beach everyday. He loved the sand (and the fact he got to use his bulldozer to scoop the sand up.) We took a short family vacation to Marble Falls before Middle School camp and stayed in the hotel pool all day. It looks like he's working on his career as a swimsuit model! I love the fact that my child loves the water, but not so much the fact that it means mommy has to wear a bathing suit often!