Happy Birthday

So it has been a great Christmas so far at the Bradham house. I miss my family in Texas and Tennessee and Utah, but I am LOVING my family here. We are having an absolute blast with brothers and rents. We feel enormously blessed and happy. Despite all the happiness, I have had a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit. Its been really crazy trying to get the apt packed in storage and cleaned and Garrett's(NOT a fun time at our house) finals and wrapping up loose ends to move to Italy. This past Sunday I woke up irritable and sickly. I told Garrett that I really did NOT feel like going to church, but alas, I went anyway and I am SO glad I did. I struggled the first 2 hours, and as Relief Society began I nearly fell asleep. But as the lesson went on, we heard the most heart warming story about an orphan boy. Sorry this post is SO long, but like most things, if you endure you will be blessed. :) so please, read this story and bare with me...

"It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word.

Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel (cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia ), were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib.

He made up his own ending to the story as he said,

"And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give Him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift." So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave Me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could stay with Him -- for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him -- for always.

And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come there to teach -- that it is not what you have in your life, but Who you have in your life that really counts. We all should give thanks for the people that "keep us"- in life - and for all of God's many blessings to us: freedom from want, life, love, togetherness, and for the enduring love of Jesus Christ, the one person who keeps us warm and safe for always"

As soon as I heard this story the spirit of Christ filled my soul and I had Christmas again. I am so very grateful for the birth of my savior and all that he has given me. What a beautiful gift we
have all been given. I love Jesus Christ with all my heart. So happy birthday Jesus! I hope you like my gift this year...I worked really hard to overcome that for you.

I sincerly hope everyone has a fabulous Christmas this year filled with love and peace. As you open your gifts remember the greatest of all was a small baby boy who was heavens perfect lamb. Merry Christmas!!

BAM baby

Well I did it. I got all caught up. Yay me. So its finally here..time to pack up our entire apartment and move it all into storage. Our house is almost completely naked. The last thing to go will be the Christmas tree. I am getting way excited for all the wonderful upcoming events. Its been a really stressful two weeks for Garrett with all his finals, papers, and working out all our final arrangements for Italy. The school was surprisingly disorganized with knowing about visas, sending out visas, where we will LIVE, contract with the partner Milano language school, basically they knew nothing until last week. But thank heavens it's worked out and is almost over. (wow run on sentence) 3 more days and it will be Christmas in GA, visit with the fam in TN, and ROMA! I can not believe we will be living in Italy in 2 weeks. Oh ps, I GOT APPROVED FOR A VISA. My very skilled hubs swung a deal to get me into the Accadamia di Italiano with him for half price. So I will get to take classes with him while I am there and earn credit..AWESOME!

I can't help but feel overwhelmingly blessed during this time of year. Christmas has been a little different this year since we have been so darn busy. However, we have had blessing after blessing pour over us. I am honestly not sure we deserve it, but hey, I'll take it. I am currently trying to decide if I should add our travels to this blog or start a separate travel blog. I eventually would like to make a book of our blog, but I also want a book strictly from our time living abroad so I am not sure if I want to hassle with trying to divide them or not. I dunno but everyone will be kept posted. Anyway, I am excited to spend the first week in Italy touring. We are starting in Rome

then heading down to the Amalfi Coast

And I believe heading to Florence ...(of course I am bad with facts so I could be mistaken on this one)

Before ending in Milan

The best part is that with Garrett's hotel discount its actually cheaper to stay in deluxe hotels than in hostels. SCORE baby. Well I better get back to the grin, still have a TON to do.

Rounding Out!

And I am officially all caught after this post...so here it is....

So as soon as I got back from Utah I found out that my great grandmother passed away. She had been suffering for a few years from dementia and was unable to take care of herself so it was time. So I stayed in GA another week to attend the funeral with my family who would be driving up from Texas. It was a good time for my family (as heartless as that sounds) because we got to meet her other son and daughter as well as their children. It was a really good bonding experience for everyone. It was especially unique for me because I was actually able to help dress her for her coffin. After the initial shock of sitting up close and personal with Grama Lee's dead body it was actually extremely spiritual. I kept envisioning her returning to our Father in Heaven and the significance of our temple clothes. It made me realize that even though it's sad, it's beautiful too. Anyway, my sisters and I of course had fun together as we always do. We also felt like amazon women because everyone else in the family is short. Yea we completely stuck out, we of course did not mind.




TEXAS...

Yes Thanksgiving was spent in Texas this year due to my parents move. So I finally got to see the new mansion, oops I mean home my family had been living in for the past 5 months. Let me tell you driving to the new house from the airport was trippy. It felt so mega weird. Texas is definitely different from Georgia. I really liked the new house though and it didn't take long for me to adjust and for it to feel like home. I took over Sarah's room located in the west wing haha just kidding. I really couldn't get over how nice it was...I felt like the Jeffersons (movin' on up and all) Just kidding the house really isn't huge, just really nice and open.
I have to throw major props to my pops, our home theater room was PIMP! He built all the wall shelves along the the risers for the recliners AND the projector screen.

Skillz faja, skills. I had a blast with my siblings while the rents were in Maui. I flew out 9 days before Garrett so that I could help out with the Mitchel and Lindsey's school schedules since Miss Sarah is a full time workin' woman now. Yea my LITTLE sister has more money than me...shameful. Its funny how much alike AND different we all are at the same time. Love being home, its great to be with people who are just like you.

Of course the real party started when the rents got back, Garrett arrived, and the grandparents drove in. We had fun shopping on black Friday, watching movies, laughing..a LOT, eating till we busted
(traditional peeling of the deviled eggs)

and visiting San Antonio. I was surprised at how pretty the Alamo looked for being so old. I also really enjoyed the River Walk.

**Side note: isn't my sister just gorgeous?**


Unfortunately GB had to leave Sunday because of school but I stayed until Tuesday, so I got to help put up the Christmas Tree...which was nice since I won't be there to experience our first Christmas together in the new house. So my sisters and I had fun taking photos in my wedding dress. I wanted to see if I could still fit in it and Sarah wanted to try out photography.

So yes I was sad to leave Tuesday...oh wait my plane was canceled. Surprise, I am back lol. Yea my flight was canceled because of tornadoes in GA so I got an extra night. I spent it wisely going to see Tangled with the sibs. It was ADORABLE! even little Mitchey liked it.

Okay that catches me up to now! yay me. I am fully aware that these last few posts have been bland and lacking in my ...personality shall we say? I just have been swamped trying to get the apartment packed up and ready for Italy. So I vow this will be the last unanimated post :)

Home is where the heart is

October brought fall break at the Bradhams,and yet, another last minute trip. Yes, yes I am aware of my poor poor lonely husband. Its been a hard semester for him. I know I am a horrid wife, but since we are about to move out of the country for an unknown amount of time, it was really important to me to spend as much time as possible with those I love most, my family. Now that is NOT to say I do not love my beloved the most, because I do, I love him MOST MOST. I just knew that I would very soon get him all to my yiddle self for several months and vise versa, so I wanted to squeeze in others. After a visit with one aunt, it was important to make a visit to another :)

I had been watching flights to Utah for a few months hoping to see a good deal and after viewing too many 300 dollar tickets, I found a 200 dollar one. So after viewing our tiny account I realized that I would have to make this a Christmas gift. Aunt Trina offered to pay half so I called my faja, yes my daddy. So this year for Christmas from them was the gift of UTAH! so off I went..for 2 fabulous weeks of heaven. I have to way too much to update to go into great detail of the whole time so I will just skim through.

So upon arrival Aunt Trina picked me up and much to my surprise had BOTH the babes. Can I just say that it absolutely MELTED my soul when I opened the door and Hallie immediately lit up and reached for me. My sweet girl remembered me. Glory BE! I was home. mmmm Nothing beats being home. I can NOT believe I just said being in UTAH I was back at home, but it was more the people and the Mountains. Anyway, I got to surprise Kourt and Drake at his flag football game. He is such a good ball player. It was a great reunion. 10 full days of baby talk, baby walk (yes I got to see Rhett take a few steps to me), laughing, loving, eating,girl talk with my aunt, baking and stalking the Sister Wives. It was FABULOUS! We carved pumpkins together and I got to go to Drake's school to watch him in the Halloween walk. My final night there Trina, Luke, Kourt, and I went to Corn Belly's were I proceeded to have (hands DOWN) the best experience in a haunted corn maize. I actually kept my eyes open through the WHOLE thing! it was so much fun. I have to say its actually much more terrifying when you keep your eyes closed the whole time. I had a great time and I was sad to leave but SO SO very grateful that I got that extra time with my people. I unfortunately did not get too many pics this time because I was too busy just enjoying being there and also the yiddle bubbies broked my camera, its okay they are adorable enough to get a way with it. I also got to spend a little time with my dear friends Beonj, Jess, and Walker. It was really good to see them again as well, but unfortunately,....no pics. Lame of me

However I took tons of Video! So this one is the only one short enough to upload plus its friggin adorable. Its nakie Hallie. She is always super good when you change her (unlike Mr. Personality)except this one time. She would NOT let me put a diaper back on and I didn't feel like fighting her. and no I am not a perv its just funny


So anyway here are some of the few shots from the "glory" days :) Love love love my family!
D-Money at his Halloween walk (he was a pirate)


Life does NOT get any better than this!



Rhett and Hallie made a cereal mess while Trina and I watched Sister Wives...ooops. Oh well Rhett thought it was hilarious


Heyo! My name is Hayee. I is da sweetest yiddle durl. I yub to giggle, eat, and sit in yous yap. I smile all a time and I is neber naughty and I dib da bestest hugs


Hi, I is Whett. I am Mr. personawity and I mata messes a yot. I fink you is funny when you cean afer me a cause you tan neber det mad tause I just smile and flirt. I yub hats but I only wear a dem side ways tause its the gansta fing to do. I am so handsome and I dib da best tisses eber. Watch out Zac Efron, Rhetty is dettin bidder!


He attacked me to kiss me...I of course didn't mind :)


And...carving the pumps


My lovie


piano man

My Florida Rays

Hello blog, its been awhile. I am sorry for neglecting you, I have been so very busy traveling to see the people I love. So since its been...Oh, monthS...I'll start from about where I left off last.

Oh my Florida Rays of sunshine! The end of September my aunt Angel got me a last minute ticket to Florida to go visit her. I was really excited because the last time I saw her and my cousins was Christmas. I arrived Thursday and I was absolutely spoiled until Monday when I left. My aunt sent me and my cousin Taylor horseback riding since its my absolute FAVORITE thing in the whole wide world to do. I also got treated out to eat several times. I got to attend my cousin Trey's high school play..which to be honest I was shocked that they allowed the drama club to do Cabaret but it was really good and fun to see Trey almost all grown up and in high school. Us girls had a blast going out together and watching it. I was also able to go to little Lincolns T-ball game. STINKING ADORABLE! Man it just melted my heart watching that adorable little guy hit the ball and run bases while all his brothers and sisters cheered him on. After the game Angel, Bailey and I ate at this yummy Mexican restaurant where I proceeded to have the most SCRUMPTIOUS desert I have EVER eaten. cookie dough in a fried tortilla with melted chocolate for dipping. Sounds odd but soo divine. After that my aunt treated me to a pedicure. Yea told you I was spoiled :) We spent my last night hanging out and enjoying each others company. PS these people are OBSESSED with the Florida Rays baseball team haha I love it! It was so cute to watch 5 yr old Lincoln get all into the game and give us a constant play by play. Sunday we went to the beach and took pictures before my plane flew out. I also got stung by a hornet...yea I am pretty sure I am allergic because my foot blew up and broke out in a rash for the next two weeks ..and I now have a lovely scar lol. Oh well, worth it. I was so grateful to be able to spend those few wonderful days with my family. I really miss them and I rarely get to see them. They are all such great kids and so special and different and beautiful in their own way. I am really blessed to have such fabulous cousins. Not to mention my aunt who is an incredible example to me. I will treasure that time always