2008 In Retrospect

Thought that we would share some of the things that we have done or experienced over the last year.

January: Seems a little blurry...all we can remember is shoveling lots and lots of snow.

Feburary: 1st anniversary, Found out we were going to have a BABY!

March: Matt started with SDI Properties

April: Kim Graduates from college (FREEDOM! no pictures because Kim didn't want to walk and was way too sick so it's a good thing she didn't go to graduation or she would have been puking during the whole ceremony). Kim went to Placerville for cousin Becky's wedding

All of the girl cousins at Becky's wedding

May: Bradshaw Family reunion at Silverado in Park City

Here we are on Main Street in Park City

Some silly looking moose on main street in Park City.

June: Matt began his two month break from school, a much needed and deserved break. Kim's B-Day

July: Belcher Family Vacation to Southern California. Matt's first vacation that lasted more then 3 days since he was 8 years old. Kim throwing up on the plane ride home. (Matt was more embarrased then Kim was)

DISNEYLAND! Was great for the whole family (except Kim because she couldn't ride anything much more adventurous then Peter Pan)

Here we are at Laguna Beach for family pictures (which turned out, ah. . . fantastic!)

August: Matt's Birthday (Sadly as we all know, August just isn't very exciting of a month, between no national holidays, hot summer weather, there is much to be desired for August)

Matt on his birthday with his birthday present

September: Preperation for Karlee, including Prenatal classes (which has proven less effective in advice and structure), arranging the baby's room (which she still hasn't slept in and required much filtering of old stuff (a.ka. Matt's Junk)

October: Karlee was born and Kim stopped throwing up for the 1st time in 9 months (Matt still hasn't decided which is better, to have Kim back or have Karlee here, so he will take both)

November: Karlee's blessing day. Kalree started to melt our hearts by smiling.

December: Karlee's 1st Christmas. Time with family. Karlee's first full night's sleep (and thus Mom and Dad's first in months (fingers are crossed on the longevity of that one)

These are pictures from our holiday with some of our family.

It has been a very memorable year. We can't wait to see what 2009 has to bring! Happy New Year!

Karlee's 1st Christmas

Karlee opening her pajamas on Christmas Eve

Pictures of Karlee on Christmas Morning

Karlee with all her Christmas presents ( we forgot the gifts from Aunt Kayla and Uncle Adam).. so everyone imagine Kung Fu Panda and a new toy added to the mix.

All and all we made out on Christmas morning like bandits. It was a very wonderful morning opening all the gifts at G & G Bradshaw's house. Karlee was all smiles, as were the rest of us. Oh the joy in watching others open gifts. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

As a byproduct of the season, we have felt an increase of love from those all around us. Why the Christmas Spirit can't be the everyday spirit I will never understand. But oh how I love everything that goes along with Christmas, the opportunity to help others, to give gifts to those closest to you to express your love and appreciation for them. . . . just all of it. Let us all remember how blessed we are both materially and spiritually carrying a knowledge of the life and mission of the Savior of the world.

This Christmas season is extra special for us as there is nothing better that I could ask for then my dear family. Each time I look into Karlee's eyes I am reminded of the love of Heavenly Father for His children. I am also reminded of those things that I must do in order to assure my family's place throughout all eternity. To think that I was not so long ago possessed with fear to be a father, and now would not trade it for anything is crazy for me to ponder about. I love my dear wife and sweet daughter ("Dot") as we have nicknamed her.

We wish a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our many loved ones, both family and friend, and although we can't be with all of you this Christmas holiday, our love can. Thanks to all the great friends and examples to us. We cherish our association with you and wish you all the best!

The Parable of the Cracked Windshield

Ok stick with me here. I know that posts without pictures= no readers, but for those of you want a parallel real life experience to use in your next Sunday School lesson. . . well let me share with you something I have been thinking about lately.

This summer we(I) got a few chips in my windshield, and ignorantly I believed that nothing would come of the tiny chips. However summer became winter and I had a need to use my defroster. Last week as I drove the commute to school I watched as one of these chips became a foot long crack through my windshield. The next day realizing that it was only going to get worse I watched as the windshield expanded ever further, finally completing its full trip across the windshield yesterday as I drove home. So for some reason I tend to think about things on a much deeper level then sometimes I even want. Something little (as those who know me best) are never something little.

So the parallels, I believe there are many but here are a few thoughts:
1) So often we let the little chips in our lives became an uncontrollable disease that spreads and eventually takes over our lives. For example, consider the addict (not just to alcohol or illicit drugs, but also sports, entertainment, ourselves,etc.) it all starts with something little then expands, and as it expands it becomes harder and harder to change and return to the initial position. I have seen people get so consumed with themselves that they become addicted to words like me, myself, and I that the focus of their lives becomes a transactional question of what can I get in return for performing any action. When life/service/compassion becomes a trading of goods we not only loose our footing but if we aren't careful, our souls.

2) Now imagine that the chip in the windshield is something that was done to you. (Maybe an offensive comment or discouraging action towards you) If we are not careful (notice a theme) that little thing can grow and expand until it eventually takes over our every thought and our focus shifts from that which is virtuous and optimistic to that which is dark and filled with anger/grief/sorrow. As we let the little offenses and feelings consume us, we add nothing to ourselves or to society. Rather we become someone who others try to avoid as they know that our bad attitude does not serve them on their quest of life.

Nothing more, just hope I got the wheels turning. Let us all enjoy this time of year, and concentrate on that which is truly important.

Two Months

Yesterday Karlee turned two months old. It's hard to imagine life without her now. She is growing like a weed. This month she started smiling and talking. It is so fun to sit and watch her. She is still sleeping through the night and it is very nice. She is such a good baby. We couldn't ask for anything better. I take her to the doctor in a couple of days for her two month check up and shots.

Study Buddies

Matt and Karlee have been spending a lot of time together studying lately. She seems to be a good study buddy that sits still and listens to everything that you have to say. Although it doesn't take her long to get bored of it and fall asleep. I've even caught Matt sleeping with her while he's supposed to be studying. I'm glad she's still small enough to sit still on his lap for long periods of time while he studies.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Karlee has been a pretty good sleeper since she's been born but hasn't quite made it the whole night through without waking up, until....last night. Thats right she slept through the whole night. I know this may be a lame thing to blog about but I was so excited. It was so nice to not wake up until 7:30 instead of 4:30 or 5. What a big difference those few hours make. She went to bed at 11 and didn't wake up until 7:30. I actually did wake up one time during the night to make sure she was still alive because I wasn't expecting her to sleep through the night yet (given this may not be a normal occurance I've already come to grips with that). Anyway, I thought that this was a big accomplishment for us all. I hope I didn't just jinx us.

Bradshaw Ho ho ho Down

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Test Results

Well after the roller coaster which has been the last month with me internally, today I came to a few conclusions. 1) The more I think about it, the more my stomach hurts, so I am just going to move on with my life not thinking about it, and 2) Nothing is going to be a cure all, so after making some lifestyle adjustments and taking medication, hopefully I can live a normal life.
Yesterday I realized how horrible things in life could be as I spent all day with the white throne in the room next to me getting acquainted. Lets just say a stomach ache everyday is much better than what I have endured over the last 36 hours. So keeping a perspective of how bad things could be, I think I was given a little understanding that this isn't soo bad.

All tests have come back negative. No Celiacs Disease, no ulcerated colitis, no inflammatory irregularities, no pathogens causing problems, no parasites (heck if they didn't know any better they would say that I am perfectly normal. . . sadly I know better)

So after all the tests (which I believed neared 25 total) it has been determined that I have IBS and we are going to move forward with treatment for that. I was given a prescription which I was told could if it works turn into a long-term treatment where I take a pill a day and hope that it makes me feel better. Although it was mentioned that at some point they would try to wean me off the medication. However the fine print was also discussed that if it didn't seem to have the desired effect then. . . . you guessed it. . . . More Tests. I am also going to continue taking heartburn medication (which I started taking last week), and hope that the combination of the two allow me to function without having too much discomfort.

So there it is, for those of you who have been wondering. We all will move forward with life and as in Elder Worthlin's last conference address, we will say "Come What may, and Love It".

Thanksgiving Weekend

Our Thanksgiving week was really good.
On Thursday we spent the day with my parents, Lisa and Seneca and their family, and my cousin Becky and her husband James. We had a very yummy dinner, watched football and played lots of card games. That night at midnight Lisa, Becky and I went to the Park City Outlets to do our Black Friday shopping. It was crazy! We ended up only shopping for like 2 hours and left with very little because there were so many people and the lines were so long.

Karlee's first Thanksgiving
Getting ready to eat. On Friday we went to Mapleton to have Thanksgiving dinner with Matt's family. It was fun to have everyone together. We had a lot of fun playing basketball and other games.Eating our second Thanksgiving dinner.

Karlee with Grandpa Bradshaw and her cousin Ellie
Karlee and Ellie
On Sunday we blessed Karlee in Heber in my dad's ward. It was a very special day and we are so grateful for all of the support of our families and friends. Thank you so much for everything.

The Two Month Rollercoaster

If someone would have sat me down two months ago and explained to me the things that would transpire in my life over the course of the last two months I would have called them a liar. It all began with the biggest blessing anyone could have asked for, Karlee was born and there could be nothing more precious or beautiful in our lives.
The fallout however began that night in the hospital, after two nights of little sleep I found myself with some returning effects of mono that I had but a few years ago, awkward kidney pains (so I thought), night fevers, and a cold. This lasted a few weeks then right as I thought I was pulling out of it, the unthinkable took place in the brother's family, most of you know the story but I can't imagine a deeper low in the roller coaster of life. Although I believe we have all begun to take a step forward on that front, my personally health has been in question of late.

All my life I would iterate to others the truth that if I could but become half the man that my father is, then I would be happy. . . . The forgotten part to that phrase would have added, that I would prefer to have the mental and spiritual half and spare myself the physical ailments that have tortured him through the years. Since returning from my mission, I have noticed that besides a weaksauce immune system I seem to have a maintained stomach ache that until recently was not profound enough pain to worry about. However over the course of the last month or so I have found myself curled up in a ball in pain on the floor or trying to figure out why I often feel like I am being stabbed in the abdomen. Some of these pains are completely random, while others have been constant over the past month.

So Monday I decided that I better put my stubborn self in a doctor's chair. Monday I had various tests done and X-rays taken in hopes that they could shed some light on the situation. At the end of those tests, they could tell me that for the most part I am normal in every way, no infection, no weird blood count or inflammatory problems, just more questions. So Tuesday I met with an internal medicine specialist under the pretense that I may have more serious problems. After another round of tests yesterday and this morning there is still only nonexistent answers to my many questions. I have pending tests to determine if I have Cilia cs Disease, which if positive would require a major lifestyle change. What has been determined is that I most likely suffer from Acid Reflux Disease along with Signoid Pain and Hepatic Flexure Syndromes (which are both subsymptoms of IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

This morning one of my ex-mission presidents (a Gastroentrologist) called and has started me on some acid reducing medication to go along with the side noted antibiotics and steroids to cure my current sinus infection. More to come on both fronts, but I will not know test results till next Tuesday, so till then I plan to eat and act as normally as I know how.

Despite all of that, this season brings with a special time of gratitude for the countless blessings we all enjoy. Despite the pain and unknowns in my life, I am so very grateful for a wonderful family on both sides, great friends, and the foundation of truth that gives me hope for the future no matter the bumps in the road of this life. For whatever doesn't kill us, makes us stronger, and I believe we often learn so much more in the trial then when the we finally see the end result. Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!! Let it be a time to reflect how blessed we all truly are.

Pretty Dress

My friend Autumn made Karlee this dress. I think it's so cute. I had to take her picture in it before she grows out of it. I cannot believe how fast she is growing. It makes me kind of sad but it will be fun when she starts smiling and interacting with us. Anyway, thanks Autumn for the cute dress. You are quite the seamstress.

Now and Again

Just some thoughts:
Every now and again we are reminded of the struggles we face in this life. We find ourselves asking questions like why me? why now? However, the answers to those questions go unanswered for as we look deep into our souls the answer often is the whisper in the heart that says "wait and see." One such situation currently faces my brother and his young family, as they face the death of a son and the unknown future of his brother who spends his days in the NICU. I have been reminded of the cruelty of this life and the blessings that await the righteous through all eternity. Although I never met Dex in this life, I know him and of his goodness. Now as I pray for his brother to have the Lord's will revealed in his life I am reminded that now and again no matter how much we desire something we must pray for a back to bear the burden and a heart filled with faith and understanding. Now and again the Lord shows forth an increased portion of love that provides us the comfort we seek. Now and again we realize just how much we are loved. Now and again our true character shines through our eyes as we look into the dark unknown that lies in front of us and take a step forward. Now and again we step into that darkness without fear of the future and find that the way to walk is lighted before us. Now and again we stumble, however we only see the obstacles of this life when we focus on those obstacles.

Sunday Pics

Karlee is now officially a church goer. This Sunday marked her second week not only making the whole block of meetings, where she has become a fan favorite. This morning I came home from PEC to find Karlee decked out in the cutest outfit yet.





Karlee waiting for Mom to get ready so we could go to church.

Just hanging out.

We caught her during a sneeze. Perfect picture.

Last night she wouldn't fall asleep till she was laid on dad's chest.