Got My Ear Shortened!

I have been needing to cut my hair, it was too long-thin because of how long, had not been cut in over a year 1/2 & UCK it just needed to get done! SO, I FiNaLlY did something about it!

Before......EWWWWWW.......

After....AHHHHHHHH!

I LOVE IT =)

So FrEsH & So cLeAn, cLeAn!!

 Please excuse the crappy straightening job, I just wanted to get a pic. up! I am so glad to have it taken care, it is healthy feeling, back to feeling thick and strong and I love it! Just a plain straight across cut with a few layers around my face, and again, I LOVE IT! =) Merry Christmas to myself!

Life Is Good

What a great week last week and weekend I had! Austen came home on our Anniversary & we had a nice romantic night at home with homemade meatballs, corn, homemade garlic bread & salad. For dessert we had brownie pudding, and I have to say, HATS OFF TO ME! HAH! But it turned out so good and definitely going to be on our menu from now on! It was a really special night & one I am so grateful to have had.

This past weekend was the start of the chaotic baking that goes on in our family. It is always a time I look forward too, I cherish the memories, I cherish the family recipes and the time I get to spend with the ones I love. Everyone get's in on the action and NONE get to be eaten until Christmas. Our cookies are made with TONS & TONS of love!

Homemade meatballs, YUM!

Brownie pudding!

Dad even came into town to help with the insane baking.

Showing off our hard work, they turned out great!

I think we are really starting to look more alike.

The baby is really starting to grow!

My & Erica's favorite Christmas cookies, Coconut Cherry Chews!

This is the week of Christmas, let us be joyful, grateful and ever blessed. Hoping everyone has a fun-filled Christmas week!

One down, forever to go

Lord, give us Thy Joy, that Joy that no man, no poverty, no circumstances, no conditions can take from us.

You shall have My Joy. But Life just now for you both is a march-a toilsome march. . . . The Joy will come, but for the moment do not think of that, think simply of the march. Joy is the reward. . . .


That was an excerpt from, God Calling. It is a daily devotion book from my mom and I read it every day. This was part of today's reading. I am sitting here a year later after reading that for the first time. A year ago wondering if I made the right decision by saying yes to Austen for fear of my previous decision's in men. A year ago of anticipated excitement, fear, anxiety, hope, JOY. I remember reading that passage and realizing I was finally not trying to control my life, but to let God, control it and I was going to trust what was being given to me, a chance at real love.


No, Austen and I are not "perfect," nor are we anywhere NEAR close to it. We fight, we get nasty, we each have personal battles we are dealing with on our own AND as a couple. Some have felt like they may tear us apart. But, in the end we both realize what we have IS special & worth working on. As the time goes by, the arguments become less frequent, the personal battles are becoming easier to deal with & we recognize when we are crossing lines. We talk more, we both get less guarded and we take huge steps in securing this relationship. This is THE healthiest relationship either one of us has ever been in & it is really amazing. For the first time, my dad said he believes someone was my soul mate & I his. For the first time, my mom said she wants me to marry someone I am with. For the first time, his mother told him she wants him to marry whom he is with. I have TRULY, TRULY found the man I am suppose to be with. 

THE EXACT shirt from my dream......

We are by FAR opposite people, but we bring out different qualities in each other that make us as individuals better and as a couple stronger. I am so blessed and I thank God for giving me Austen. He brought us together, I mean you don't go to bed talking to God about please showing you a sign that Mr. Right is coming, have a dream about your husband, who is wearing a plaid red collared shirt, curly brown hair, brown eyes, tall, skinny, wears glasses, his name begins with an A and ends in EN, BUT is spelled wrong and then after you wake up and tell your mom and sister what you dream and can't stop thinking about it, just to get an email 3 days letter from the guy that matches my dream. I can't begin to tell you how crazy it was when he wore the red plaid, short sleeved collared shirt 3 days after he asked me out. I thank God for giving me such a vivid and clear dream. Whenever times are getting hard, it is just a nice reminder that we are meant for one another and to remember, The Joy will come, but for the moment do not think of that, think simply of the march. I will always march by your side, hand in hand and we WILL forever be joyful.

I will hold you forever, Happy Anniversary, Austen.

Sense & Sensibility

Well, here it is! I have to admit, it does fit me. God, knows how I am with men! This was fun & now has me in the mood to watch Sense & Sensibility! LOVE that movie! What Character are you?

Take the Quiz here!

Corn Dogs!

The other night I "attempted" to make home made corn dogs. It was really simply, just make a box of corn bread mix, coat the dogs in flour (so the corn bread mix sticks),  dip in the mixture and fry. Not the healthiest, I know, but we really wanted to try them. The oil was a little too hot, so they were a little more cooked then I liked, but overall a great success! I took the left over corn bread mix and just dropped spoonfuls into the oil and made almost hush puppies out of them, again, pretty good! Austen was pretty proud of me and gobbled them right up! Definitely a must do again-but with the oil not as hot!

Don't you love the old plate?

They turned out very good!

Oh ChRiStMaS TrEe, Oh ChRiStMaS TrEe!

 That's right, our tree is decorated! I had the lovely help of my sister, Erica and amazing nephew, Julian! Julian was so excited and could hardly contain himself! The more I pulled out, the more I had vision's of shattered ornaments dancing in my head! He did a great job & was the most awesome lil' helper.

Look at that cute cheese eatin' grin! He was so proud =)

So, the tree is now complete, our decoration's inside and out are all out for display, almost all shopping is done & stockings are hung, anxiously waiting to be filled. The tree has been up for a week with no ornaments, hoping the cats would be used to it by the time they WERE on, so far, SO GOOD! The kitties have been very nosy about the decorations but have let them be-for the most part! I can't keep them off of the breakfast table!

Wreath? What wreath?

Mom, this is MY spot!

Holiday Madness-Family Style!

Oh what a fun past couple of months it has been! Holiday season is in full swing and boy has it been fun! Last year we didn't have our annual Bradshaw Halloween Party due to dad's neck. So, we were more then anxious for this year's party! It was by far one of the best parties we have had and man I already can't wait for next year's! We all took Julian trick-or-treating Halloween Night & he made out like a little bandit! He was a trooper and walked up and down 5 streets & we aren't talking short streets! Unfortunately I forgot my camera, HOWEVER, Dad grabbed his so I just need to snag them off of him. It was a great Halloween weekend & a great way to get us all excited for the Holidays.

Zombie Slayer & Pocahontas

Dad with his future son in law's! This is how he introduces them now =)

SOMEONE was a grumpy guy! He refused to put on his costume and that was just fine, he was a champ for Halloween!

The first weekend of November, Austen's mom invited us to her time-share for a nice weekend get-away and boy were we excited! We hadn't been out of town since May & were really looking forward to the weekend. 

Well, fate had other plans for us! On the way to Flag, Austen interrupts the conversation abruptly to ask us to be quiet and listen to the car. First, his mom & I don't here anything, & then BAM! There it was, this horrific, loud, grinding-clacking, scary noise! We pulled off & called the tow company & spent the next hour 1/2 waiting for them to come save us. 

I am very proud of us, we all kept a chipper attitude, the weather was nice and we were just so grateful to be safe! After we returned, we found out she had blown a rod & the mechanic said we were very lucky to have not gotten in a horrible car accident, again, so grateful we were all safe. We ended up spending the weekend at her house & had a really nice time. It was a really special weekend for me and really bonded she and I. We decided to take some pics to show our "adventure!"

He was so great! Pushed us a good 300 feet so the tow truck could have easy access to the car! He's my champ =)

Thank goodness for timers! Our first family photo on Austen's side of the family =)

 And FINALY! ThAnKsGiViNg!!! Oh I just love it so much! This was our first Turkey Day as a couple as well as Erica & Jeremy's and it was amazing! I am so blessed with the family I have been given. My family has been through many, many trials and tribulations but always hold on tight to one another and grow closer and stronger through the years. As a little girl I was so angry, I find myself more and more grateful. I was really given a blessing to know them and be a part of something really special. This year was just so full of love and laughter. We spent the holiday at my dad's house-my great-grandparents old farm. It was a very cold day, the fire was blazing, the game was on, tons of yummy food, lots of chatting and laughs, and to end the night, a big bon fire in the pit all bundled up sharing stories. Austen has really opened up and found a special place in my families heart.*** I just heard Joey say on Friends, "It's like a fairytale come true!" Oh how fitting that was! I am so grateful for the love I am shown every day from Austen, my family and my friends. This has been a great Holiday season thus far! We didn't take any pictures this Thanksgiving so Erica, Jeremy, Austen and I took a couple of pics at the end of the night at our house, it was a great day. =)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Too much of a good thing can be wonderful. - Mae Wes

 Hello all! 

  Only two months have gone by & I am actually updating! Maybe, I will update in a month next time! =)  Things just seem to be on the up-and-up for the Waldrep/Bradshaw residence! 2010 has been a great year for us & we seem to be blessed left and right. We have a beautiful apartment, love in our home, wonderful fur-babies, whom we can't seem to get enough of! We have great friends, family and an awesome support system. But most of all, we have each other. I can't believe the strides we make together. I would fantasize about the success & future of myself and partner, & to sit back & realize those fantasies are becoming realities just blows me away. I have never had someone show me the love he does, to challenge me, accept me & my flaws, to EMBRACE those "flaws" & see them as character. Mr. Waldrep, you are my best friend & I love you more and more everyday! You are my BEST friend & the only soul who knows ALL of my secrets. I never have to hold back and you love it.

Well, enough mushy! My sister, Sabrina came into town for a 4 day weekend and it was some much needed time together! We hadn't spent anytime together for nearly 3 years & I can't begin to express how wonderful it was to see her, laugh with her, girl talk and catch up with her. I missed her so much and am so grateful she is back in my life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sabrina & Erica as she was getting ready to go back home =(

  



  

 SO, I am going to be an Auntie again! Austen hates when I say that, his response, you're already an Auntie, you can't be one again. LOL Ms. Erica is pregnant & is about 7 weeks along. She & Jeremy were very surprised & are pretty nervous, but are getting excited. Julian can't stop talking about the baby in mommies tummy & keeps telling Erica, "there are two in there!" So far, only one lil goober is being seen! We looked up images of what the baby looks like this far along & goober already has arms, legs, feet, & is developing so quickly! It amazes me something soooooo tiny can be developed so much already! This is going to be a fun pregnancy for her, I think. The family is ready for another little one, and we seem to make some cuties! =) Erica has already had a couple of scares. She went to the hospital for sever cramping and all they could see was that she may have a UTI. Well, a couple of days later she started spotting pretty heavily & rushed to the ER. Come to find out, she does not have a UTI but a sever vaginal infection & was caught just in the nick of time. She is now on med.'s, the babies heart beat is strong and so far, the ultrasounds are showing a healthy baby. She is feeling a little less anxious and is starting to feel the weight in her tummy. Not showing yet, but her tummy is definitely getting hard!

This is an image of a fetus that is 7 weeks along. Keep on growing strong and big baby!

  OH MOVING! Our friends Jarrid & Julie moved across the country, back home to, Michigan. I have known them for 3 years & have made friends for life. Austen, Erica, Jeremy, & I rented a U-haul and drove to Queen Creek & helped them load their Penske truck and finish packing and cleaning. It was a LONG but fun night & a great way to say our, "See Ya Later's!" We stayed up till early in the morning and woke up a few hours later to drive 45 minutes home. I am so excited for the two of them, this move is bringing a great blessing to them & they get to be close to their families again. I am selfish though and want them here, suffering in the heat with me! LOL

I can't believe how much I miss these two already! =(

  My dad just celebrated the big 50 in August! We had 2 different parties for him & had a blast at both. My dad is not perfect, far from, but he has always busted his ass for Erica & I. He messed up big, owned to it & made a life for himself & always was there for Erica & I. He has always taught me to learn from my past, accept when I am wrong & to be humble. He is a hard worker and my friend. I am glad to have him in my life & will forever be changed by him.

Happy Birthday, Daddy, I love you!

  The Halloween Decorating is on the countdown! I CAN'T WAIT!! I am forcing myself to NOT open the decoration boxes until Friday, Sept. 30th, and it is killin' me! The weather is starting to change, the morning's and evening's are cooling down, not the if the rest of the day could catch up, that would b e great! I love Arizona, but man, I am ready to leave this state and start an adventure with Austen somewhere else. Who know's what the future holds! All I can say, I a lucky lady and am excited for the way things are turning out. TILL THEN! xoxo

UPDATES!

Hello! Here it is, 6 months later and figured maybe I should update this.


So many changes have taken place in my life and it has been an exciting ride! I have found such happiness and look with excitment to the future.


On December 16th, Austen asked me to be his lady and I have been so greatful to have said yes since! He and I met a year 1/2 prior and surprisingly, we met thru our exes! Who would have thought when we met our paths would cross again and take us into an exciting, loving, fun, trusting and beautiful relationship! I still laugh about our story and just love how it is unfolding, by FAR the best story!

New Year's Eve 2009/2010 xoxo
Easter fun!

In addition to Calie, Austen & I have taken in my sister's cat, Nelli. Nelli is just so sweet and we are so excited to have her in our family!

She is just the best addition!

In May, Austen's mom invited us to her timeshare cabin up in Flag just outside of Sedona. It was a great weekend and it was really special to spend some great time with his mom!

OErica has a new boyfriend, Jeremy, and I couldn't be more happy for her! He is one of our best friends and is one hell of a good guy. Julian and he are already bonding and it's so fun to see. He and Erica are moving into our complex and we can't wait to have the 3 of them as our neighbors! I have recently lost a lot of weight, not where I want to be yet, but hey, it's a start!Being vain lol

Family time has been pushed aside a bit while Erica and I have taken some new journeys in our personal lives and we set aside some time and spent the past weekend with nothing but family. It was a fun and LONG over due weekend. It started on Friday with a women of the family girls night-with Jules and then Saturday we went to Organ Stop Pizza with the rest of the fam, it was a blast**those pics I will post later!**Pool Fun! Julian loved swimming @ night, he thought it was so fun!
Erica, our cousin Heather & I.

xoxo Vicki, Erica and mom xoxo

It's now 1/2 thru July, wich means I start to get the holiday itch. Believe me, it's bad! I swear Austen's gunna walk out if I mention decorating, family events. party's, costumes, and food again! hahah JK but I have to admitt, it's pretty bad! I so can NOT wait for it to come, this is going to be a great year!

Well, hopefully I will update this a little more often, it's kind of fun to look back! Till then!