Officially today I signed up for and paid for ($945) my LSAT prep course that hopefully will make the difference and getting me to the promised land (not literally but you get the point). January has proved to be absolutely insane in not only changing career directions but completely changing my family's lives forever. After spending hours today at a law conference I could not but help to realize the magnitude of the decision I have made to embark on a doctorate of law degree. However, with that said I never felt more confident and excited for anything in my life. I feel strongly that this will provide opportunities to me and my family to reach many of the goals that we have collectively and that I have individually.
I feel bad for Kim, as her husband (who she already sees little of) will be shifting his schedule to an even more demanding one for the whole family. However, I find strength in her confidence in me, as we both look forward to the next 4 year adventure.
On a completely unrelated topic, I would like to extend an invitation for all the blog stalkers to our blog to make themselves known. We often feel like no one is following the blog, so why do we continue to post? As such this question has led us to consider moving our blog to a private password protected blog. Is this wrong? Is anyone really reading? My invitation is simple. . . please let us know that these updates serve you some sort of purpose as otherwise we will be closing down shop. Cheers!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A few random things about the Bradshaws.
Not a lot is going on around here and I don't have much to post about so I thought I'd would write a few random facts about Matt, Karlee, and I. I saw this on my friends blog and thought it might be fun to do. I had fun reading about her so I hope you all have fun reading about us. Feel free to do it too.
25 random facts about Kim
1. I love being a stay at home mom
2. One of the things that makes me the happiest is getting Karlee up from a nap. She is always so thrilled to see me and smiles so big. I know this probably won't last so I'll cherish it while it does.
3. I hate grocery shopping by myself. I like when Matt comes with me although I know that's going to be happening less often.
4. Me and my sisters and parents all met our spouses at BYU-Idaho (or Ricks)
5. I like to cook when I have all of the ingredients and an idea of what to make.
6. I love to hang out with my mom during the week while Matt is busy at school and work.
7. I love to sleep and am grateful that Karlee is a good sleeper.
8. I like to stay up late but hate waking up early.
9. I have the best in-laws. Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law are all great!
10. Me and my sisters all started college at BYU-Idaho/Ricks but we all got our Bachelor degree from different schools. Jodie-ISU, Lisa-UofU, Erin-BYU-Idaho, Kim-BYU
11. I only dated Matt for a month and a half before we were engaged. Then we got married three months later.
12. When I was pregnant I craved hot tamales, and pumpkin seeds.
13. Before I got married I had more guy friends than girl friends. But my girl friends are still some of my best friends ever.
14. I love to be around people. It's hard for me to be alone for long periods of time.
15. I'm excited that Matt has finally decided what he wants to do and know it's going to be hard but I'm excited to see where life takes us.
16. For some reason I really like reality shows like the Bachelor, American Idol, Survivor, So you think you can dance, etc. As well as pretty much all the shows on TLC.
17. I hate scary movies and refuse to watch them. Matt always tries to get me to watch them but I will not!
18. I want to be snowbirds some day. I'm not a big fan of the cold.
19. It's a dream of Matt and I to travel to as many different temples in the world and hopefully see most of them if not all.
20. I would love to be on What Not to Wear just to get a new ward robe.
21. I can lick my elbow. Somewhere I read it was impossible and so I tried and I could do it.
22. I love to play games...except for monopoly and risk (two of the games that are Matt's favorites). Although the last time I played both of those I won and I was trying to get out of the game.
23. I'd much rather do something else than watch a movie unless I'm tired and just want to fall asleep. Unless it's a movie that I really want to see.
24. I hate folding clothes. I don't mind doing laundry but I really don't like to fold clothes.
25. Whenever my family is all together we always end up staying up way too late talking and laughing. I love it. My family is very important to me.
25 Random facts about Matt
1. Matt's a deep thinker...If you couldn't tell by his posts.
2. One of his favorite meals is tacos. He can eat tons of tacos at a time.
3. He loves to play basketball, and would do it every day if he had the time.
4. He loves to watch movies but doesn't do it often because I don't like to as much.
5. He's going to be a lawyer someday.
6. He has really good fashion sense. I trust him picking out any outfit for me.
7. He blogs more than I do. He is a lot better of a writer than I am.
8. He's a spiritual giant.
9. He is a good student and loves to learn new things.
10. Being a dad came natural to him.
11. He had given up on dating when he met me, and swore that he would date a girl for a long time before he ever married her.
12. He's afraid that I won't want very many kids because of my last pregnancy and often tries to get me to commit to at least 6 kids.
13. He and his family love to play long board games.
14. He grew up on a farm and one day wants to have a hobby farm.
15. He loves to ride horses and really misses being able to do that very often.
16. He would save the world if he could.
17. When people tell him he's not good at something or wouldn't be good at something he likes to prove them wrong.
18. He is very competitive and loves to win.
19. He is a very hard worker and learned that from living on a farm.
20. Hardly anything scares him or makes him nervous.
21. He wants to write a book some day.
22. He says that he had to win a two on two basketball game to get my dad's permission to marry me. It was me and him against my mom and dad. Good thing we barely won.
23. He served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spanish speaking.
24. Between May and December of last year he spoke 6 times in church. (I haven't spoke since we've been married)
25. Grew up in Idaho and hated potatoes until he went on his mission.
25 random facts about Karlee
1. She is such a happy baby until about 6 or 7 in the evening then she's had it for the day.
2. She has slept through the night since she was 8 weeks old. Thanks to Baby Wise.
3. She doesn't like to cuddle. She likes to be able to see everything.
4. She loves baths and hates when I take her out.
5. She has rolled over twice but I don't think either time she was trying to...she was just mad that she was on her tummy and was kicking and kicking and somehow would end up on her back.
6. She loves to sit in her bumbo...I think it makes her feel like she's big.
7. She loves to talk and when people talk to her.
8. She slept in her car seat for the first 2 1/2 months of her life.
9. She really likes to look at her mommy and her daddy hates it when he wants her to look at him.
10. She drools a ton.
11. She loves to suck on her hands. She would much rather suck on her hands then her binky.
12. Every morning when I go in a get her she has some how managed to get her arms unpinned from being swaddled. Half of the time her blanket is completely off of her.
13. She loves to get her diaper changed. She's always so happy while she's getting changed. But she doesn't mind having a dirty diaper either.
14. She is the 8th grandchild on my side and Matt's side.
15. She almost always falls right to sleep as soon as we get in the car.
16. Tummy time is not her favorite time of the day.
17. She doesn't like to sleep at church. For some reason it's really hard to put her to sleep at church, I guess there are just too many people and things to look at.
18. She doesn't like loud noises.
19. When she is in her vibrator chair she gets so excited when she see you and then so disappointed if you don't pick her up and just walk by.
20. She's got big beautiful eyes.
21. She likes to study with her daddy. (hopefully she'll be a good student and like school if we teach her while she's young)
22. She's got her daddy wrapped around her finger. She can get him to do anything for her if she just flashes him a smile.
23. She refuses to take a bottle. Hopefully that will change sometime soon.
24. She likes to stick her tongue out and will copy you if you stick yours out.
25. She's pretty darn cute and very kissable.
25 random facts about Kim
1. I love being a stay at home mom
2. One of the things that makes me the happiest is getting Karlee up from a nap. She is always so thrilled to see me and smiles so big. I know this probably won't last so I'll cherish it while it does.
3. I hate grocery shopping by myself. I like when Matt comes with me although I know that's going to be happening less often.
4. Me and my sisters and parents all met our spouses at BYU-Idaho (or Ricks)
5. I like to cook when I have all of the ingredients and an idea of what to make.
6. I love to hang out with my mom during the week while Matt is busy at school and work.
7. I love to sleep and am grateful that Karlee is a good sleeper.
8. I like to stay up late but hate waking up early.
9. I have the best in-laws. Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, Brothers-in-law and Sisters-in-law are all great!
10. Me and my sisters all started college at BYU-Idaho/Ricks but we all got our Bachelor degree from different schools. Jodie-ISU, Lisa-UofU, Erin-BYU-Idaho, Kim-BYU
11. I only dated Matt for a month and a half before we were engaged. Then we got married three months later.
12. When I was pregnant I craved hot tamales, and pumpkin seeds.
13. Before I got married I had more guy friends than girl friends. But my girl friends are still some of my best friends ever.
14. I love to be around people. It's hard for me to be alone for long periods of time.
15. I'm excited that Matt has finally decided what he wants to do and know it's going to be hard but I'm excited to see where life takes us.
16. For some reason I really like reality shows like the Bachelor, American Idol, Survivor, So you think you can dance, etc. As well as pretty much all the shows on TLC.
17. I hate scary movies and refuse to watch them. Matt always tries to get me to watch them but I will not!
18. I want to be snowbirds some day. I'm not a big fan of the cold.
19. It's a dream of Matt and I to travel to as many different temples in the world and hopefully see most of them if not all.
20. I would love to be on What Not to Wear just to get a new ward robe.
21. I can lick my elbow. Somewhere I read it was impossible and so I tried and I could do it.
22. I love to play games...except for monopoly and risk (two of the games that are Matt's favorites). Although the last time I played both of those I won and I was trying to get out of the game.
23. I'd much rather do something else than watch a movie unless I'm tired and just want to fall asleep. Unless it's a movie that I really want to see.
24. I hate folding clothes. I don't mind doing laundry but I really don't like to fold clothes.
25. Whenever my family is all together we always end up staying up way too late talking and laughing. I love it. My family is very important to me.
25 Random facts about Matt
1. Matt's a deep thinker...If you couldn't tell by his posts.
2. One of his favorite meals is tacos. He can eat tons of tacos at a time.
3. He loves to play basketball, and would do it every day if he had the time.
4. He loves to watch movies but doesn't do it often because I don't like to as much.
5. He's going to be a lawyer someday.
6. He has really good fashion sense. I trust him picking out any outfit for me.
7. He blogs more than I do. He is a lot better of a writer than I am.
8. He's a spiritual giant.
9. He is a good student and loves to learn new things.
10. Being a dad came natural to him.
11. He had given up on dating when he met me, and swore that he would date a girl for a long time before he ever married her.
12. He's afraid that I won't want very many kids because of my last pregnancy and often tries to get me to commit to at least 6 kids.
13. He and his family love to play long board games.
14. He grew up on a farm and one day wants to have a hobby farm.
15. He loves to ride horses and really misses being able to do that very often.
16. He would save the world if he could.
17. When people tell him he's not good at something or wouldn't be good at something he likes to prove them wrong.
18. He is very competitive and loves to win.
19. He is a very hard worker and learned that from living on a farm.
20. Hardly anything scares him or makes him nervous.
21. He wants to write a book some day.
22. He says that he had to win a two on two basketball game to get my dad's permission to marry me. It was me and him against my mom and dad. Good thing we barely won.
23. He served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spanish speaking.
24. Between May and December of last year he spoke 6 times in church. (I haven't spoke since we've been married)
25. Grew up in Idaho and hated potatoes until he went on his mission.
25 random facts about Karlee
1. She is such a happy baby until about 6 or 7 in the evening then she's had it for the day.
2. She has slept through the night since she was 8 weeks old. Thanks to Baby Wise.
3. She doesn't like to cuddle. She likes to be able to see everything.
4. She loves baths and hates when I take her out.
5. She has rolled over twice but I don't think either time she was trying to...she was just mad that she was on her tummy and was kicking and kicking and somehow would end up on her back.
6. She loves to sit in her bumbo...I think it makes her feel like she's big.
7. She loves to talk and when people talk to her.
8. She slept in her car seat for the first 2 1/2 months of her life.
9. She really likes to look at her mommy and her daddy hates it when he wants her to look at him.
10. She drools a ton.
11. She loves to suck on her hands. She would much rather suck on her hands then her binky.
12. Every morning when I go in a get her she has some how managed to get her arms unpinned from being swaddled. Half of the time her blanket is completely off of her.
13. She loves to get her diaper changed. She's always so happy while she's getting changed. But she doesn't mind having a dirty diaper either.
14. She is the 8th grandchild on my side and Matt's side.
15. She almost always falls right to sleep as soon as we get in the car.
16. Tummy time is not her favorite time of the day.
17. She doesn't like to sleep at church. For some reason it's really hard to put her to sleep at church, I guess there are just too many people and things to look at.
18. She doesn't like loud noises.
19. When she is in her vibrator chair she gets so excited when she see you and then so disappointed if you don't pick her up and just walk by.
20. She's got big beautiful eyes.
21. She likes to study with her daddy. (hopefully she'll be a good student and like school if we teach her while she's young)
22. She's got her daddy wrapped around her finger. She can get him to do anything for her if she just flashes him a smile.
23. She refuses to take a bottle. Hopefully that will change sometime soon.
24. She likes to stick her tongue out and will copy you if you stick yours out.
25. She's pretty darn cute and very kissable.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Everything Update
Well I figured that I better put an update up of the events that have transpired of late. This last week has been a continuation of the madness that we placed on ourselves. Karlee is becoming more fun by the day, as she is a social light always liking to be the mix of everything and has officially decided that being held isn't that fun, life is all about sitting up and being a part of the action. Kim on the other hand is beginning to deal with the reality that she is going to become a LSAT prep widow as I am going to begin putting 10-15 hours a week in starting this coming week. With only more and more time to be dedicated to the cause as June nears closer.
Today I took my first real practice test under real LSAT test conditions. The test was informative in the way that it taught me that I need to get quicker at everything. Realistically I felt like I did quite well as a section that most people struggle on (Logic Games) I did really well on (just didn't finish so still missed a bunch). Either way thus far the emotions have been mixed as I look at the long journey that lies ahead. All things considered, life is wonderful, we feel lucky to be in a position where opportunity knocks at the door.
Kim and Karlee at the movies with Grandma Belcher. She tried to cover Karlee's ears with socks and a hat so it wouldn't be too loud for Karlee. But then the power went out right after the previews ended.
I think she was suprised on this one
More Kim and Karlee
This is Kim's fault, she thought it would be funny to see what Karlee looked like with my glasses on. . . yep just as we thought ridiculous
Karlee Talking
Today I took my first real practice test under real LSAT test conditions. The test was informative in the way that it taught me that I need to get quicker at everything. Realistically I felt like I did quite well as a section that most people struggle on (Logic Games) I did really well on (just didn't finish so still missed a bunch). Either way thus far the emotions have been mixed as I look at the long journey that lies ahead. All things considered, life is wonderful, we feel lucky to be in a position where opportunity knocks at the door.
Kim and Karlee at the movies with Grandma Belcher. She tried to cover Karlee's ears with socks and a hat so it wouldn't be too loud for Karlee. But then the power went out right after the previews ended.
I think she was suprised on this one
More Kim and Karlee
This is Kim's fault, she thought it would be funny to see what Karlee looked like with my glasses on. . . yep just as we thought ridiculous
Karlee Talking
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Pictures
I just wanted to add some pictures of Karlee. Not a lot has been going on lately, besides the big decision of Law School. Karlee is still just as sweet as ever. She is still growing like crazy and it is so fun to watch her learn new things every day.
This picture makes me laugh.
This picture makes me laugh.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Contemplating Law School
For those of you who have been wondering why there has been little commentary from our home of late, I have an answer. . . DECISIONS.
Of late I have felt strongly about a change in direction. With that said, I have never been so excited/scared/etc in my life. I am sure that this change is the right one, but at the same time I wonder what it means for our growing family. This will require some immediate schedule changes in order to allow me to prepare for the LSAT, along with probably 10 years of living outside the comfortable bubble of Utah/Idaho. Thus the excited, scared, and anxiousness of the decision. There is still a chance that I would attend the U of U or BYU, but plan to attend the best school I can get into.
So as some of you may have noticed there is a poll question on the right. Be honest, I would like those closest to me to consider my personality then vote. Interestingly enough many of you are probably wondering why I would poll the audience so to speak, trust me when I say it has nothing to do with gaining a cheering section, but rather has everything to do with one of my philosophies of life.
I strongly believe that a major driver of my personal motivation is from others telling me I would fail or stumble. Henry Ford once said, "If you think you can or you think you can't, your eventually right either way." I believe that, I believe our lives are largely a product of our thoughts. Nelson Mandela explained this well when he said, "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." I believe that we all are born with potential to become and we either decide to be or not to be. Our quest in this life is to grow, to progress, to become and with that knowledge I would add to decide. We decide today who we will be tomorrow. As a man thinketh, so is he. And I my friends, believe I will be a darn good lawyer.
Of late I have felt strongly about a change in direction. With that said, I have never been so excited/scared/etc in my life. I am sure that this change is the right one, but at the same time I wonder what it means for our growing family. This will require some immediate schedule changes in order to allow me to prepare for the LSAT, along with probably 10 years of living outside the comfortable bubble of Utah/Idaho. Thus the excited, scared, and anxiousness of the decision. There is still a chance that I would attend the U of U or BYU, but plan to attend the best school I can get into.
So as some of you may have noticed there is a poll question on the right. Be honest, I would like those closest to me to consider my personality then vote. Interestingly enough many of you are probably wondering why I would poll the audience so to speak, trust me when I say it has nothing to do with gaining a cheering section, but rather has everything to do with one of my philosophies of life.
I strongly believe that a major driver of my personal motivation is from others telling me I would fail or stumble. Henry Ford once said, "If you think you can or you think you can't, your eventually right either way." I believe that, I believe our lives are largely a product of our thoughts. Nelson Mandela explained this well when he said, "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." I believe that we all are born with potential to become and we either decide to be or not to be. Our quest in this life is to grow, to progress, to become and with that knowledge I would add to decide. We decide today who we will be tomorrow. As a man thinketh, so is he. And I my friends, believe I will be a darn good lawyer.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Karlee Laughs
Karlee has made some advancements worth speaking of; 1) She learned where and how to use her vocal cords (this has proven helpful to scream, cry, and show us just how tired she is). 2) She is growing putting the pounds into her cheeks, and 3) She has learned how to sit up with just a little bit of help. All in all she is just as amazing as always. Enjoy this video of Kim making her laugh.
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