Giving Happy Thanks

This Thanksgiving I am most grateful for my grandmother Georgia Lang.

    She has been suffering from dementia/Alzheimers for the last 7 years. Growing up my grandmother was my angel. I had the great privilege of living with her from the time I was 2 until my mother remarried when I was about 10...(I think). Even then I came and had sleep overs with her and my grandfather until well after I graduated high school.  My Grandmother was the first person to make me feel special. I always felt like more than her grandchild and she has always felt like more than just my grandmother. She gave me my love of classic movies from the 50's and 60's. I remember many a nights falling asleep with her laying beside me watching Gigdet, or just venting about my frustrations  She always listened to me and no matter what silly thing I was upset about, she always had my back, every. single. time. She is a sassy/strong willed woman who taught me me how to survive. I have to chuckle at my self because ever since I have been married to GB my father in law always asks me where on earth I get my sassy-ness from, I have never really had an answer for him, but now I do. Both of my parents are calm peacemakers, which I tend to be too, but I am also not shy about standing up for myself or others. This last visit I took, I figured it out...it was from her.It warmed my heart to see that even though she is unable to hold a conversation or even her own fork, she can still throw a sassy remark.It's a little piece of her that has survived. I will be forever grateful for this sweet gift. She is a hardworking woman who survived more than a person should ever have to, and I have a deep gratitude that the burning fire she posses was passed down to me so that I could survive all that I have had to endure as well.   Watching the independence and life  being slowly taken away from my very independent and vivacious grandmother is a pain I can even begin to describe. A few weeks ago I called my mother and she told me Grandma had been seeing "people" with her, one from her description we concluded to be her mother. I know the veil is so thin and it worries me to not have her around/fills me with joy to know she is close to be being whole and restored. that her time may be near. So GB and I packed up and headed to TN to visit for the weekend. I am so glad that I did. It was a short trip filled with so much love. I witnessed my devoted grandfather care for his sweet-heart will a heart full of love and compassion. I know caring for her 24/7 is not an easy job, but he does it so selflessly and  with such fondness. There is no greater love than that I am sure. Of all the love stories, theirs is my favorite. I had always thought I had married a man just like my dad, which I am grateful for, but I realized that visit, that I also married someone like my grandfather, as I watched Grandpa dote on her, I saw a little bit of GB as he cares for me when I am sick. I was overcome with gratitude for the strength and blessings I witnessed. I also got to spend time with my brother, sister, and aunt/uncle and cousins(one of which leaves for a mission in the next few weeks). I was so happy I got to see my Aunt Shelia and all her boys, I have always been close to them, so much so that they are more like my sweet little brothers. I am thankful for that weekend, the memories made, and the love strengthened. I so love my mothers side of the family, I always feel so loved and special when I am with them. Come to think of it, we are more like one huge African tribe, where everyone just takes care of each other and the lines of mother/father, sister/brother is more grey, there is so much love we are more like one huge clump and less defined. I hope that I can raise my children to all have the same bond and relationships that I do with my grandparents, aunts and cousins. It is a blessing I treasure so deep within my heart. Happy Thanksgiving, I hope that everyone's day is filled with as much joy and love as mine is. Love you Grama, I give many happy thanks to you,  I am so thankful I got to be your grand-daughter.

oh and I think I will close with this adorable picture of Cade...just because...who wouldn't want to see this face. I hear a rumor he is going to propose to me, again this New Years...I love it :)

 

Whoa I can not believe it is already the middle of November. I am so behind in my posting it's ridonkulous. The time has just gotten away from me I guess. Okay so .....where are the Bradham's now?

*WARNING* this is a long post, if you can't handle it, click out of my blog  now...otherwise, grab a snack and get comfy. ...cause here. we. go.

We are in Atlanta. We made it. Sadly I have no documentation of the move, which seemed to drag on forever. You never realize how much crap you have until you are packing it all. Garrett was so tired of it by the last day he was ready to chuck whatever was left....I believe his exact words were "fork it, we will buy new stuff later". However being the awesome stubborn woman that I am, I saved it....most of it anyway.  We were so blessed to have some wonderful friends that showed up to help us pack the truck. It only took GB and the boys about 3 hours to get it all in. I was heartbroken to leave because I really really LOVE Columbia. It is in the best location with the most loving people. Not to mention my sweet sweet friends and the other great ladies at church I had to leave. But, when the lord tells you to do something, you do it. So without hesitation but with a heavy heart....we came to Atlanta.

I can't even begin to tell you how crazy happy Chauncey and Charlie are. I say crazy because that is how they are acting...absolutely crazy! My lazy, depressed, chunky Chauncey is like a little pup again, he is fit and spruce and I am loving it. It is nice to be so close to family...both Garrett's and mine. I can now pop over to visit my mom and company pretty much whenever I want...which I have already (post to come)

I guess I completely missed all of October, which was really fun. GB, Spencer, Trevor, and I all went to a corn maze...the original plan was to go to the haunted one but the line to get in was horrendous...so we settled for the regular maze (the unlawful manor in which we entered shall remain unknown) It was in here that GB and the boys started a new tradition of tossing corn kernels across the maze lines and scaring people. I went with Trevor to Netherworlds, which supposedly is the scariest haunted house in the country...not sure how true that is. GB refused to come because, well ...he is a wussy. Sorry love, you just are...love you anyway. Trevor and I had a lot of fun. The place has the most amazing decorations, but I realized 15 minutes into it that it wasn't actually that scary. Poor Trevor had to suffer those first 15 minutes while I tugged at him and held onto his arm like a red stripe on a candy cane. Of course, I may also may have been faking it ...Sucker, I snuck in some quality sister affection.  Either way, he was a good sport. Also, our dear friend Jason Klomp came into town for the BYU football game and we went to another corn maze. This time, we did both the haunt and the regular. Klomp was more terrified than any girl I have ever seen, ever. It was hilarious. He and GB then proceeded to annoy every single person in the corn maze tossing kernels. It was a great night.

cute

MMMMM lovely lovely corn maze frizz hair

                                                          GB and Le Klomp

Us at the BYU/GA Tech game

                                 So yea, we are here and for the first month searched for a home. After not too terribly much searching we found a house we really loved and felt like this was were we were supposed to be. However as much as we liked the house some things were just not quite right....so since it is in a developing neighborhood, we decided to build! After some stressful back and forth negotiations, we settled on a lot and a design that we adore. We were able to snag a lot on a hill in a cul de sack a quarter of a mile from Lake Lanier. The lord really had his hand in this because it is everything we were looking for.  Funny story with this house, GB and I had both received confirmation that this is the house we were supposed to have. When they first countered our offer..it was less that appealing. After looking over finances we decided our limit and gave back our final offer. If they didn't take it we were going to walk away. I was sure that they were not going to bend after the insult that had sent back in response to us. I said a prayer and said, "Lord if this is the house we are supposed to have you have got to change their hearts because GB is not going to bend. They came back and took it! I was in shock, shame on me. With all my life has taught me I should have known that when the lord says something is right he will provide a way. ...shameful girl. We really got a screaming deal, I mean we are basically stealing this jewel.  It has been fun overwhelming (fun for me overwhelming for GB)  picking out all of the little details. Getting to design my house from scratch is an absolute dream. Here we are on our little lot! 75 days to go!!

    In other news we are still adjusting. Atlanta is cool but still doesn't feel like "home" yet, we still feel like we are here for a really long Christmas break or something and haven't really made any friends. That being said I did just get called into Primary to teach the Valiant 11 girls...I am pretty pumped about it. GB has a calling as well, but since he was in Africa last week and conference was this week, we have no idea what it is yet. I also joined a gym with my Mamsi (mother in law) so I have really really enjoyed that! Oh and I even made it back to my goal weight!! I know its lame to post junk like that but I am proud! I worked hard to get all that weight off! Oh yea...almost forgot, I got a job the day we moved here. I nanny for a 10 year old boy and an 8 year old girl. I really love it. The kids are just great and the parents are so sweet. The hours are fantastic and the pay is even better. 

We have been  enormously blessed since we came here. I know it was the right thing to do. Even with  all the fun and excitement, it has been really really hard. I miss my friends and Columbia in general and we are trying to wiggle our way into this new/old ward that GB and kind of me too, grew up in. I am excited for all that is too come. Despite the hard, we are so so so so so so happy...yea we are really happy. So that about catches us up. GB and I made a trip to TN and I just got back from one to Columbia, so those are soon to come. ...Now get up and wake up your leg.

Somebody's Famous!

Le GB was put on the news in Capetown...Pretty sweet if you ask me. You can skip to 1:45 to see him :)




Super Handsome...oh and smart right???!!

Gone Baby Gone

So my dear sweet love is here....

For a whole week for a work conference and a little bit of fun ...I am thrilled for him to be going and I want him to have a blast! ..oh this is Capetown South Africa by the way. Anyway, while I am over joyed for him, I will miss him....umm...A whole LOOOOTTTT!! In fact, my face right now looks something like this...

Only maybe not as ...adorable. 

Point being I already miss him something awful and its only been oh...2 ish hours. 

Pathetic.

Oh well, don't care. I really did marry the most wonderful person possible. I can't even begin to describe just how good he is to me. GB is so patient and doting, I am thoroughly spoiled :) I am so blessed to have someone who doesn't just stay with me through the bad and the ugly but clings to me. I hate it when he is gone, its like my legs are gone...a little limbless...I am limbless without him. Its weird and awesome and I am rambling because I just love him and he is just the best thing ever. I am so glad I picked him, even more..I am Oh so very thrilled he picked me :) 

The Charles

Charlie's little personality has really come out the past few months. I know he is a dog, not a baby...but these pups are the closest I got, so indulge me here.

He is Mr. nuggles. He constantly has to be by our side at all times. His favorite place to sleep in around your head on your pillow...yes our dogs sleep in our bed and yes he sleeps curled up to my head with his face on mine. It makes it hard to turn over, but makes you feel so loved.  He is always up to play and is a really great "little brother" to Chauncey. Everyday he does something more adorable than the day before. He loves everyone and everything. He is great with little kids and is incredibly intelligent. So intelligent that when he does something he knows is naughty he will automatically put him self in his kennel. Its adorable and I have the hardest time punishing him. He is always so happy, even when he is sick. A few months ago he was having some issues going to the bathroom so I took him in and found out he had worms. I was in shock, he acted so happy all the time I just couldn't believe it. I could learn a thing or two from him, always be happy about life no matter what. He is also a little mess of trouble..

.but with that has also been a HUGE support to me lately. He has been trying really hard to get involved in the lets "get mommy pregnant" project. He is always right there encouraging me creepily spying  as I test for ovulation. He gets so into it that he double checks the tester goes to town gnawing on them just to be sure mommy read it correctly. He even gets really upset when I start my period too. He acts out in fits of rage and rips through the trash to annihilate all used tampons quietly digs through the trash to do unseemly things to them when he thinks I am not looking.  to show them where they can go. He really is just the most supportive,sweet , caring creepy perverted puppy ever.

Charlie has enriched our lives. He even took grumpy little Chaunce and made him happy and playful again. We love you little Charlie, even if you can't read and have a slight addiction to anything below mommy's belt line.

*yesh I did in fact misspell ovulation...