Blah

I've not been doing that great of job lately with the blog. I feel like nothing really new is going on, but at the same time a bunch is going on. Our days are pretty much the same and not too exciting. I'm looking forward to warmer weather for a change of scenery. Halle loves playing with her friends as you can see in the pictures, Anna and Susanna live on both sides of us, and we see them almost daily. Tomorrow Brian heads to South Korea. I am so wishing he was staying here with all that seems to be going on in North Korea right now. But I guess I need to rely more on God and just pray, pray, pray. We are in the midst of trying to figure out where our future may lead us. We've got some big decisions to make and we're trying to walk through every open door at this point. We're truly trying to figure out what God wants us to do and right now, it's just not clear. So, a lot of praying is happening in our hearts and minds, and we'd love it if you'd join us in that. It's so hard when you don't have a clear answer sometimes, but that's what I keep praying for.

My loves

We woke up this morning and Halle started working on her Valentine for her daddy. Really she scribbled over her name. Then it was time to make breakfast- heart shaped pancakes and blueberries. We waited for Brian to get up and come down. Then, we all exchanged cards. It was a wonderful morning.




Brian and I agreed we wouldn't spend money on cards, flowers, or gifts for V day.- I hand wrote him a letter. But, Wednesday he came home with these! He said he didn't spend the money on Valentine's day- so he cheated! They were beautiful. He said, it's not Valentine's day without roses. I said, ok!



And here's to my Valentines...

For Halle:

I love...

-your laugh
-the way you can repeat any word I say
-when you count- sometimes to 11, sometimes, 1,2,11
-when you dance to any beat you here
-how you call music- "oggie"
-how you love your daddy
-how you know almost all of your letters
-watching you run outside
-when you pout with your lower lip
-hearing your diaper crinkle when you walk around in your jammies
-watching you play by yourself
-how much you love to read
-that you are always excited to see me
-that you are almost never without your teddy
-how easily you go to bed
-when you shout, "A-men" after every prayer
-how independent you are becoming and saying, "Halle do it!"
-how smart you are
-how you like to sing songs
-that you've given me a glimpse of the way that God loves me!

For Brian:

I love...

-how you swept me off my feet
-how smart you are
-how you love people
-you can talk to anyone anywhere
-how goofy you are with me
-how you love Halle
-how you show me love in so many ways
-your eyes
-watching you with Halle
-how you lead our family
-how you date me
-having conversations with you
-your accent
-how you dress- even though it's mostly bought by me :)
-the way you reach out to people
-how everyone that meets you, loves you
-that you are not a worrier
-how you care so much about providing for our family
-that you love sports
-that you are pro-active
-that you are my perfect partner and best friend!

How could you not love her?

I still love her even when...

She pulls on my legs when I'm making dinner screaming "hold you!"
She poops right after I just changed her
She wakes me up before 7:00
She opens the shower curtain during my entire shower, letting all the cold air in
She spits out her dinner after chewing it all up
She won't eat her veggies
We have to read the same book 765 times a day
I play the same games with her over and over again
She gets cranky in public
She pulls all of the books off her bookshelf and puts them on the floor
She won't drink any milk
She eats my breakfast and her own
She gets me up during the night and wants juice


Even though all of this may annoy me, I'm such a proud mom, and she really is a great little girl- so smart and fun. I love every minute with her. Thank you God for such a healthy, strong little girl.

A few weeks ago, Brian and I went to the UK basketball game with some friends. Kentucky was playing Auburn (where our friends went) so it was fun to be there with them. Kentucky basketball is a big deal here and it was a neat experience. Of course my favorite part was watching the cheerleaders and dance team.

A few moments of a typical night for us in the Bradford household...

What a tease!

The other day, this Kentucky weather blessed us with temps in the 50's. So we jumped at the opportunity to get outside and play. As you can see Halle was thoroughly enjoyed to have a change of scenery(as was I!). Do you just love her piggy tails!? (Her father made me take them out when he got home, because he thought it was hurting her head. My words to him, "Beauty is pain." :))







And this is the last time I will give Halle yogurt and leave the room.





A self taken photo, since I'm always the photographer.

The gift of time

I like to run my life based on a schedule. I keep an organized calendar, I do laundry on Mondays, and cleaning on Thursdays. Halle naps at the same time each day, we eat lunch at noon, and dinner at 5:30. I run things on a pretty precise schedule. I'm not anal, however if these times fluctuate, I'm just a planner. A planner likes to think ahead, to be prepared for what is coming up next. Here's my dilemma. In approximately 4 1/2 months, we will be moving away from Kentucky. And where are we going, do you ask? Check out the map- we don't know! We could be anywhere!! This is a reality we were aware of when we moved here. And that date of June 1 seemed oh so far away. Now, it looks awfully close and we have no plan. So as a planner, how do I handle all of this uncertainty? Well to be honest, I'm doing a pretty job of not panicking- well not yet! My prayers have been the same since we got here and my little list will continue to be prayed each day for where God wants us to go next. Faith gets a little hard when reality gets in the way, doesn't it? My mind is thinking of all of the tiny details that will have to fall perfectly into place for us to move from here in 4 1/2 months. It seems nearly impossible. BUT, I know that all things are possible with GOD. So, in the meantime, I pray, I pray, and I pray some more. Please join with us in praying for clear direction for where God is calling us and the perfect place for Brian to lead in ministry.

My work here is done

It seems that Halle needs me no more- she's on her own, reading all by herself!! :)

Southern Travels

We have arrived back from all of our holiday travels. We had a great time celebrating Christmas in Louisiana with Brian's family. We were able to spend some quality time there and enjoy the holiday. We were busy visiting with different friends and family members. It seemed like we all caught a bit of the sinus cold while we were there and had a little downtime. But mostly, we felt good. Halle was so much fun this year on Christmas. She loved opening presents, especially ripping the paper off gifts- no matter whose gifts they were! Here are a few pics of all her holiday fashions!







And a few other pics of our trip...






Brian and I went to Houston with his doctorate class to visit different churches in the area. One of our highlights was visiting Joel Osteen's church and meeting him. He was so different than my perception of him. He had a rocking worship service and was so nice in person. It was pretty neat.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BRADFORDS

This year is a year that I've decided to nix the sending out of Christmas cards and save a little money, and to post our Holiday greetings here!

2008...

Merry Christmas from Halle




We had a great time celebrating Halle's 1st birthday back in May where both of our families joined in Chicago for the festivities. It was great to have all of our family in one place to celebrate the very special occasion.




Halle is almost 19 months and is quite a character! She's most often found with her "teddy" at her side. She dances to any beat she hears and mostly prefers, "Take on Me," by A-ha- an 80's tune that her dad got her hooked on. She adores reading and repeats anything and everything you tell her. She can confidently count to 5 and is great at identifying her name, and the letters H and W. She is a load of fun, full of personality, looks just like Brian, with a little edge from her mom! We are so blessed to have her in our lives and are anxious to see her continue to grow.





And Merry Christmas from Us!!




As most of you know, we left our lives in Indiana this past June. It was with sad hearts we left-leaving a great ministry and many friends behind, but with great joy we arrived here. Brian began his doctorate in July. We had a great transition into life here in Wilmore, Kentucky. We've been really blessed in our time here. Brian and I were able to take a cruise in June, and celebrated our 3rd Anniversary in Cincinnati on December 17. A lot has happened in our 3 years of marriage, and we're excited to see where God leads us next!

Brian is doing a great job at being a student and most of his time is spent in class, or doing work for classes. He is sure to find time to spend with his favorite playmate- and look alike, Halle. Brian's traveled to Houston, Chicago, and Tanzania, Africa with his doctorate program and looks forward to Korea this winter. He's decided to write his dissertation on relational leadership and has his writing underway. In June, we'll be headed out of Kentucky to wherever God may lead us in Brian finding a job. There are many unknowns for this next year, but we're anxious and excited to see what doors God opens.

I've really enjoyed our time here in Kentucky and have loved the area in which we live. We have a great community around us, and have found this to be home for now! I've been able to volunteer once-a-week at the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Lexington and have really enjoyed my time there. I've also gotten involved with 2 Bible Studies at church and with the wives here, which has been great for me. Mostly my days are spent keeping things running around the house and teaching Halle new things. I love every minute of being a mom and am so thankful that Halle is ours to keep!

So, Merry Christmas from our home to yours! It's humbling to think of the Savior of the World coming so naturally into this world as a tiny baby. We wish you health and joy in this wonderful Christmas season!

Love,

Brian, Shannon, and Halle Anne

-

3 years, 2 moves, and a Halle later

Yesterday marked our 3 year Anniversary. Brian and I have decided to take turns planning how we celebrate. This year, it was Brian's turn. He's in the midst of a huge paper and I didn't expect much. But at 1:30 we set out on our journey towards Cincinnati. Our first stop was...



This is a huge warehouse with Gap, Banana, and Old Navy clothes. I mean it can't get much better than this outlet. We spent some time here and found a ton of bargains. I think the cheapest thing was $.99 and most expensive, $6.99- you can't beat that! Then we drove to our hotel, which was the Radisson, on the Ohio River that overlooked the whole city of Cincinnati. It was so beautiful- you can see the view from out 15th floor room. We enjoyed a fancy dinner at the Celestial Steakhouse. It was also along the river and had a great view of the city. We each had a wonderful steak that was such a treat! Brian totally out-did himself, and planned a great night. It was nice to take the time to spend together. And thanks to my brother, who stayed with Halle overnight, it was possible! 3 great years, 2 big moves, and our Halle Anne later, we've still got it!

Halle's backpack

Our visit

Well our time at my parents is coming to a close. It's been a great 2 weeks being her with family and friends. Brian is safely back home, feeling great, but tired. He developed some sort of rash that he was able to get checked out and it seems to be nothing major. So, praise God!

Halle and I have spent lots of time at home with my parents, visiting relatives, and with friends. The 2 weeks have really flown by. We'll fly back tomorrow to be reunited with Brian! Here are a few pics of what we've been up to: playing in the snow, playing with Halle's cousins, and just being around the house!