Just wanted to Share...

I found this thru a friends blog and the title of it caught my eye - "A Letter for Tiffany on her Anniversary" No, not me Tiffany but another... its a letter from her mother-in-law. I thought it was just beautiful and so rare... it really touched me and I wanted to share...

Dearest Tiffany,
I just want the world to know how very blessed I am by the very being of you. It has been 2 years today since you became a part of our family and words just cannot express the love I have for you. What you do for my son lives in my heart and brings a smile daily. He has grown into such a wonderful Christian man because of the love and support you give him so freely. Watching his eyes light up when you walk into a room makes my heart leap in ways I never thought it could. You bring peace and such contentment to his life and his heart feels at home because you live there. I have told him so many times what a beautiful wife he has, and he always quickly says, "I sure do!". He is so proud of you and the home you two are building together. He loves your cooking and brags to all about your many talents and what Tiffany can do. It is an honor to be your mother-n-law. Since Joey was a little boy I have asked God to let him find a wife that loves God more than she does Joey and my prayer was answered by you. I thank God for answered prayers, you are truly the beat of my son's life. The last thing my daddy told you was if you thought he was worth taking a chance on, to take that chance. I am so glad you did. Pappy adored you too! It did bring tears to my eyes the day you two got married that Joey's grandfathers were not there to see your beautiful self walk down the aisle to their grandson and become his wife. Always know how much you are loved and wanted. I thank you for loving him and us with so much unconditional and amazing love. I am so glad you are a "Hunt" woman! May the two of you always put God first and each other second and here is to many, many more years of happiness for you and my son. I love you sweet girl, you are truly the daughter of my heart and how it swells with pride over you. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of my son and for making his way easier and brighter. Only you can fill his heart with the love he now knows and I thank you for showing him Christ's love.
Always, Me

Thankful

Ten things I am thankful for.... *in no particular order*

1. My Job. MANY of your can understand with the times that we are in the importance of a job, having a job, and being able to keep a job. That I can pay my bills, provide for my family, and provide insurance.
2. My Sugardoodles ((aka Kev)) Although this past year or so has been a bit of a bumpy one, I love him all the more for it...
3. My Son. Although raising a child comes with challenges, it also comes with many rewards. I am learning that each and every day. Athen is such a joy to be around... he really is a great kid and can put a smile on anyone face...
4. My Mom. I have said it before and I will say it again... If I can become 1/2 the woman she is, I can concur the world... She's just amazing. I am pretty confident in saying that anyone that knows her would agree...
5. My Family. With out them Kevin and I would have not made it through the last couple of years financially...
6. My Friends. With out them I would have not made it through the last couple of years mentally =)
7. My Home. Although its small and "not much" its ours and I love it and I am proud of it.
8. The power of prayer... wow, what else can I say about it... it just makes you feel good... Sadly, I have not been much of a prayer... but here lately I am reevaluating my relationship with God and trying to make it what it should be.
9. Health insurance... although it may not be "great" its pretty good and I'm gratefully to have it.
10. This blog and the people that read it. It gives me an outlet and also the encouraging words from others are uplifting... I do so enjoy the comments left by others and also others blogs as well....

I am going to try and post other things I am thankful for as they come to me. I think its important to remind ourselves that we have LOTS, TONS even to be thankful for. Again, in this world today its EASY to get down and out. Trust me, I have been there MANY MANY times and thanks to God ((and a little help from some medication - yes I am putting it out there, I have to be on medication, started out for being for post-pardon and then helped me tremendously with my anxiety and depression that I stayed on it. I use to be ashamed of being on it, and to some point I still am, but I would NEVER EVER want ANY mother to go through what I went through and if helps someone else knowing that I had to take it... well then I will shout it from the rood tops!)) I am more positive and hope to be more positive for others....

Prayers Please...

Please say an extra prayer for Kevin tonight.... Thanks!!

Open to the Public....

The blog is off of private... I found out the information I was looking for... enjoy the blog! =)

Proud....

*update* Athen is doing very well with learing his lower case letters... those are a bit tricky you know... of course we are having the issue with "b" and "d" and "p" and "q".... but he's getting the others pretty well... =)

2years,or 28months,or 121weeks, or 851days...

....that's how many days Athen has been.... well, Athen.

Here's a recap of all the things he knows and does these days...

-Knows all his ABC's

-Knows all his numbers

-Can count to 9

-Knows his colors

-Knows some shapes

-Started calling Kevin "Daddy" and not "Dada"

-Can say "Sherry" pretty well

-Still calls Nikki "Ninnie"

-Can find letters on a key board

-Says he "needs" a computer

-Likes to go to store for "andy" aka candy

-Knows who all the kids at day cares parents are... "EB's daddy" ((EB= Elizabeth)) "Uke's momma" ((Luke)) he also knows them by their cars...

-Has been very good with Diezel while he's "sick"

-Oddest thing, Mouse ((his big Mickey Mouse)) is "sick" too... =)

-He recently learned what "you are in trouble!" means.... Just ask Allie from church ((again, sorry Allie for Athen hitting you!))

-"Athen Do It" is one of his newest sayings

-Don't think that potty training is any where in our near future...

-Still sleeps with a "pie" aka pacie

-Can find Jesus in his bible story book.

-"reads" his new testament bible that Mrs Strange gave him... well ok "read" is a strong word he more or less "finds" numbers... "Athen find 3.... umm.... lets see.... OH OH OH there it is! There 3" that would be the conversation that he has with himself....

He's so much fun and so entertaining!!!

a whole new meaning...

With in the last week this verse had taken on so much more meaning....

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'[a] 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] and the two will become one flesh.'[c] So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."Mark 10:6-9 6

I don't so much talk about Kevin and I on here, after all it is Athen's blog... but I just want to say how proud and happy I am of the person Kevin has become. If you know Kevin, you know he's come a ALL way. He is a wonderful father and husband, even though at times I do not give him credit for it. I love him more today than yesterday and will love him even more tomorrow....

Waterloo, Iowa

If you are visiting Athen's blog and you live in or near Waterloo, Iowa.... please email me and let me know who you are.

tiffanyandkevinbradford@yahoo.com

Thanks,
Tiffany

Update on Diezel

Diezel had is doctor visit today... Vets says he's doing well, gave him some pain medicine and some more antibiotics. He is to back on the 1st to get his stitches out....
I believe he is feel much better, Kevin said he tried to got see his "girl friend" today... =)

verse for today... a bit late, I know... ((more below this post...))
Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Let it Go...

I have never been one to believe in "signs" or what not... however, I do think that everything happens for a reason....
That being said, I want to share with you something that I REALLY needed. Something I have been struggling terribly with for a long time...
It just so happen today when I dropped Athen off at day care Mrs Carolyn handed me a paper that she had gotten over the weekend.... she wanted me to copy it for her...
This is what it says...

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better.... let it go
If you're stuck in the past and Gods is trying to take you to the new level in him....let it go
If you are struggling with the healing of a broke relationship....let it go ((That's a big one for me personally))
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...let it go
If you're feeling depressed and stressed....let it go
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it" then you need to..... let it go
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things...let it go
If you are holding on to the past hurts and pains you...let it go
If someone has angered you...let it go ((that's a biggie too))
If someone can't treat your right, love you back, and see your worth...let it go ((another HUGE one for me))
If you are holding on to some thought of evil and revenge... let it go ((HUGE))
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction...let it go
If you have a bad attitude... let it go.

I often tell people "Let go, and Let God..." I surely need to take my owe advice...
I can't do it, I need to give it over to him...

I hope the above has help you as much as me...

Update on the sick

Diezel is going back to the vet today. He really can't move his neck all that well. He's bite wounds seems to be healing up tho so that's a plus.

Kevin's back is getting better every day... He's down to going to treatment to three days a week rather than four. Praise the Lord!

Please keep praying for my boys...
Take Care!

Love...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away1 Corinthians 13:4-8

its a bird, no its a plane, no...

...its Jett the Spy!

This Saturday was Jett's SURPRISE spy party! If you have been around Jett for the past six months or so you know that being a SPY is all he talks about... Some of the family members even have spy names... He has such a great imagination!

This year Jett's birthday theme was "Spy Party" it was also a surprise, sort of... Jett being the oh so smart child that he is saw Ivey's (ok really her mom's) car and said "What's Ivey doing here? Is this some kind of surprise for me??" Smart, I know.

Anyway, Nikki planned out all kinds of things...first the kids had to become secrete spy's by getting their name badges and finger prints done and then the kids went on a secrete spy mission with clues written in invisible ink - you had to use the special spy pen to read... So creative that Nikki is!

Spy's on a Mission!

Found it!!!

The Spy Mo-ville ((yes that's how he says it))

And cause I love him so good.... Here's a picture of my Boo.... ((its not a "great" one cause I took it with my phone))

Pick-Me-Up...

In an effort to live a more positive life, I am going to try and post a inspirational bible verse every day, mainly for myself... but I hope that is uplifts anyone else who may read it as well...

Luke 6:27-31

27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Update...

Diezel seems to be feeling a little better today... He's been up and moving around and even ate a little something.... He's not walking very well but it could just be from he stitches and or the bite wounds... at any rate, he seems as though he will be just find in a week or so...

Also, Kevin's back is getting much better, Praise the Lord! But please keep praying for him... he has a LOT on his plate right now, there are many things going on and WE sure could use the prayers... Thanks again for all the love and support...

Its a sad day...

...in the Bradford house....
Athen's bff, Diezel was MIA last night. We later found out today that it was because another dog had attacked him. We just got back from the doggie ER... Vet said that he's lucky to be alive. Diezel SHOULD make it, we are going to have to watch him thru the night and tomorrow and take him back to Vet on Monday.

Then I posed this question, does God answer prayers for animals as he does for humans? Since and animal has no soul ((some would disagree, but no - they don't.)) does he "heal" them? On the other hand, animals are his creature, so..... Dunno. I believe I am going to submit it to the question and answer box at church, stay tuned for the answer...
However, it can't hurt to say a prayer tonight for Diezel.((Just say one for my family in general...)) He's in a good bit of pain. Plus we are going to have to keep Athen and him apart... Athen is going to be crushed, Diezel - no so much...

Thank You

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for all your encouraging comments to Kevin. I have passed them along. He and I are SO very proud for this life changing decision. Its so encouraging to have friends and family as we have. Please continue to pray for our family.

Happy BIRTHday!

Not only is today my Jettie-Man's SIXTH birthday Day - HAPPY BIRTHDAY JETT!
It was also Kevin's "Birth"day... Tonight Kevin was baptized!!
Soooo many prayers were answered tonight. I couldn't be more proud of Kevin, he has come SUCH a L-O-N-G way in the last six years, I do good work =)

Thank you to all the family and friends that have supported Kevin and prayed for him, don't stop...

((Guess I should have saved my "**BREAKING NEWS**" post for tonight huh???))

I love you Kevin, and I am PROUD to be your wife!

**Breaking News**

**Breaking News**

Athen can spell his name!!! At bath time we spell out his name with his foam letters… I tell him “A-T-H-E-N” and he gets them and sticks them to the wall… Well last night I said “spell your name” and be proceeded to pick up and stick “A-T-H-N” ok, so he “forgot” the E… but really, it was just an over sight cause he was so excited… as am I!!! My baby is so smart, I am VERY PROUD of him!!!
I am such a proud momma!
It occurred to me that maybe I should add to the “to do” list that whole potty training thing…?
I will try and get a picture up tonight of his name that HE spelled... =)

A-L-L boy....

my oh my... that's about all I can say.... {note the placement of his left hand...}

A Trip to the ER...

as "they" say.... Want the good news or the bad news first?
Lets start with "bad" and follow up with GOOD....

Last night/this morning, I learned that you do not go to SGMC's ER and say that anything NEAR your "Chest" hurts unless you are prepared to stay for oh, about 12 hours. That was shorter than what it could have been.... (helps to know folks)

Let me back up a bit, last Thursday Kevin told me that it felt like something was stuck in this throat... by Sunday night he couldn't breathe very well or swallow his own spit. Off to the ER we go, I wasn't about to go all night with him not being able to breathe well and run the risk of him stop breathing all together while he slept.... ((note to self: just invest in one of those things you put on your finger to know what you are getting enough oxygen to your brain - its HAS to cost less than a 12hr vacation at SGCM)) So at SGMC they as Kevin what is wrong he tells him "I can't breathe well and my "chest" hurts thus started our LONG trip thru tests in the Chest Pain center. I kept telling them it wasn't his heart and wasn't his "chest" that's just the best way he could describe it. At one point the nurse asked "And who are you? What relation to him?" Guess how well that went over with me?!?!?!
So 12 hours later, we know it wasn't his heart... HELLO!!! I am pretty sure at hour ONE I had all ready clued them in to that little bit of information...
They think ((which I already knew)) that its something to do with his GI track. I think more accurate its Esophageal Ulcer. And if you are wondering, his back is doing a bit better, he is undergoing treatment at Dr. Pridgens and seems to be helping. this will be his second full week. Pray for my little Kevin....


Now on to Good New - ATHEN
He knows all his ABC's by sight
He knows all his numbers by sight
He can count to 9
He knows most all of his colors
He knows most all his common shapes
He knows LOTS of animals, not just barn yard animals but elephant, tiger, lion, alligator....
He knows the characters names on Dora/Diego, MMCH (of course) and Handy Manny
He knows in which order the letters of his name goes in... I have to tell him "A-T-H-E-N" but he knows that the A goes first and then the T goes BEHIND the A, if he puts in front he looks at it and goes "Nope" and corrects himself...
He's VERY smart.
Last night his Papa said "Do you know this two year old knows how to count to ten?" I said "Did you know more importantly that he knows his numbers by sight?"
I think its more important that he knows his numbers and letters by sign than by being able to sing some song or just be able count in order...
We are currently working on learning the sounds letters make and the lower case abc's...

And for your viewing pleasure...Athen got some new clothes... =)

.....now I know my ABC's......

Yeppers! Athen knows 95% of his ABC's. All with OUT learning the song. He knows them by their letters. He also knows his number 1-9 "O" and "zero" are the same to him.. =)
We are still working on colors and shapes... then we are on to what sounds the letters make and also learning to spell his name... he says "A for Athen"
Athen is really talking up a storm theses days.... he says all kids of things... he's newest is "no, quit" and "Aw, man!" and "um, lets see...." and "lets find ____" lol, I could go on and on...

Maw

Another mom’s blog reminded me of this…

The other night “maw” aka my grandma called and Athen was sitting in the floor doing his puzzles and says “Oh! Pone (phone)” and climes up on the couch to reach the cordless phone. Which he did, and started talking “ello?” only to be talking to no one cause he didn’t turn the phone ON. So the answering machine picks up and “Maw” starts talking… “Hey Tiffany, its Grandma….” and Athen goes “HEY! MAW, HEY!” but not on the phone, nope – he’s talking into the answering machine. And when she doesn’t talk back he squinches (sp?) his little eye brows… ((If you know him, you can just picture him doing this cause he does it all the time… ))
So I get the phone and answer it, he NEEDS to talk to Maw…

Athen: Hey Maw!
Grandma: Hey
Athen: What you do’n?
Grandma: ____? (don’t know, couldn’t hear her)
Athen: You wanna play? Puzzles?
Grandma: ____ ( I am guess she didn’t know what he said and that she asked where diesel was)
Athen: There, deizel there (Athen pointing)
Grandma: ____ (she must have asked about Kevin, thus Athen’s response)
Athen: Dada in chair, back broke, hurt.

He’s so funny! I have gotten some video of him doing his ABC’s… they are kinda long but I will try and post some soon.

He’s new thing is at dinner (or whenever he’s eating) he closes his eyes, rubs his tummy and says “hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, da’s good!” “good cooker momma”
I am going to try and get that on video as well…

Got to love him!

Gifted, I know...

At christmas, Papa (aka Pawpaw as Athen calls him) gave Jett and Athen these shirts with the Flash Foods logo on there (that would be the company that Daddy works for, thus the shirts) Anyway, Athen calls it his "PawPaw shirt" well, the other day Kevin get a letter from Flash Foods (he also does some work for them) and of course it had the Flash Foods logo on it... Athen was looking for paper to write on and he got the letter that Kevin had gotten in the mail. I told him "No, that's Dada's paper" and he in turn told me "NO Momma! Da's PawPaws paper!"
Now isn't that some good reasoning skills? He gets that ALL from me! I take FULL credit for that... I just think that is to smart! So gifted my child...