20 Things a mother should tell her son...

1.  Play a sport.  It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble.  And maybe even throw or catch.

2.  You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back.

3.  Use careful aim when you pee... somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4.  Save money when you're young because you're going to need it someday.

5.  Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop, and broom.  Now please go use them.

6.  Pray and be a spiritual leader.

7.  Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself.

8.  Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.

9.  Treat women kindly.  Forever is a long time to live alone and it's even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts.

10.  Take pride in your appearance.

11.  Be strong and tender at the same time.

12.  A woman can do everything you can do.  This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 a.m.  Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13.  "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way.

14.  The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private."  Please do not scratch them in public.

15.  Peer pressure is a scary thing.  Be a good leader and others will follow.

16.  Bringing her flowers (or chocolate) for no reason is always a good idea.

17.  Be patriotic.

18.  Potty humor isn't the only thing that's humorous.

19.  Please choose your spouse wisely.  My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20.  Remember to call your mother because I might be missing you.

Reflections

My sweet little Kadee Jo decided to submit another reflections entry this year.  Last year she wrote a story and placed at the school and at the regional level, so she decided to try it again.  This year she went the Visual Arts route.  The theme was, "The Magic of a Moment."  So she took my camera and took pictures of "things that make everyday magical."  She took about a gazillion pictures, but we finally narrowed it down to her favorites.  She did everything herself.  She cut letters out on the Cricut, put the pictures on scrapbook paper, and Modge Podged them to the poster board.  She submitted her entry and placed 2nd at Wellington Elementary. After the judging at our school the entries were sent to the region director.  I got an email that said she and several others from our school had placed at the regional level and that there would be an award's ceremony for them on Jan. 30.  I am so proud of the kids at our school.  We had 16 entries and out of those 9 placed at regions.  Last night was the regional awards ceremony and Kadence placed 3rd in her category.  The Sun Advocate was there to take pictures and they said that all the winners will have their picture in the paper within the next couple of weeks.  I am so super proud of Kadence and all her accomplishments.

Dad and Matty

Nana and Kadee before the awards ceremony

Kadee's 3rd Place Ribbon

Ninee in her monkey hat

All the winners in the Visual Arts Category Grades K-6

Pinewood Derby

Last night Connor participated in his first Pinewood Derby.  I had my annual water user's meeting so I had to miss it, but Rory and grandpa Derk took him and they had a blast.  He had to race his cousin Zac's car, because they only told us about the derby a few days prior, so we didn't have time to make a car.  They had several races and Connor ended up taking 4th place overall.  He got a cool little trophy stand for his car and got a Twinkie (seriously, where did they find Twinkies??)  that looks like a race car.  He also FINALLY got his bobcat badge (he has been done with his bobcat since September) and a cute little bead counter to track his progress as a wolf.

Basketball 2013

Basketball season has begun in the Bradley home and that means we are busy, busy, busy.  Rory is over Wellington Rec, so we had to put teams together and try to come up with a schedule that makes everyone happy.  I've realized no matter what you do, people are going to complain and you will never make everyone happy, but we did the best we could.

Our little Kadee Jo decided she wanted to play this year so we put her on a team in Wellington and also signed her up for the instructional basketball through Carbon Rec.  She has really enjoyed it and has done really well.  She has made a few shots and loves practicing with Connor and her dad.  I'm impressed with how quickly she has caught on and have to smile every time she runs down the court, because she runs with her tongue out.  She is concentrating so hard, she doesn't even realize she's doing it, but it is so darn cute.

Connor is still a basketball stud.  His first game he was getting so mad at the ref (grandpa Derk) for not calling fouls.  We had to remind him that he is playing with second graders, not in the NBA.  His best friend Chet is on the team, so they have a hard time sharing the ball.  Rory is the coach and is constantly reminding them to pass the ball to their other teammates.  He LOVES basketball and works really hard.  He has made several shots and rebounds and continues to excel.      

The season has just begun, but we have really enjoyed it and for Rory and I, there is nothing better than watching your kids develop their talents.  

Matthew Max...

Today we went to court and Matthew's mom relinquished her rights as a parent, that means we have full custodial rights.  The situation broke my heart.  It's not that I wasn't excited to welcome him to our family, but I couldn't believe how detached she was.  She showed no emotion as the judge asked her questions and seemed relieved that she didn't have to deal with things anymore.  It is so sad what drugs and alcohol can do to a person.  I do thing she truly loves Matty and just wants what is best for him, she just can't give him what he needs.  It is so crazy how this whole situation worked out, it happened so fast, but after many hours on my knees, I know it's right.  I feel that the Lord wanted this little boy in our family and this is part of his divine plan.  We won't be able to officially adopt him or be sealed to him until he has been in our home for 6 months, but when we can he will receive a blessing and be sealed to us for eternity.  Here are some pictures of our special little boy:

Watching a 3D movie with Dad

Playing with Connor and Kadee

Hyrum and Paola bought him a cake to celebrate

Enjoying his cake

Matty got this car for Christmas and is obsessed, he loves it!

So Insightful...

Top 5 of 2012

1-Kadence celebrated her 6th birthday!  We went to CEU Cosmetology and got our fingers and toes painted and had cake and ice cream.  She danced until May and even received a 1st place prize for her dance duo with Haylee Warner.  Kadee also won 1st place in Reflections and was able to go to an awards dinner.  She also played soccer and loved it.  Her coach was really good but it was so cold and the wind blew the entire time!   During summer she went to swim lessons, learned to ride her bike with no training wheels, and played with friends.  In the fall she started 1st grade, gymnastics, musical minors, and girl scouts.  

2- Rory turned the BIG 3-0!!  We went to a couple Jazz games and  in May we went on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera.  Rory is still a drug court officer for Carbon County and does security a few days a month at the hospital.  Rory got to do a lot of hunting this year, just recently him and his dad shot a HUGE mountain lion.  Hopefully he won't do as much hunting in 2013!!  One of his favorite things to do is coach sports.  He was able to coach Connor's soccer team, baseball team, and basketball team.  He also got elected in as a Wellington City Council member and is over Wellington Rec.

3-Sarah turned the BIG 3-0.  Just kidding, I will be 29 for several more years :)  I had so much fun going out with friends, playing with the kids, and going on dates with Rory.  One of my favorite things we did was stay at the Little America and go to City Creek, but I LOVED our cruise.  I am already planning our next one.  I taught preschool until May, then retired from that, am have been working at Price River Water Users ever since.  I only work 12 hours a week, but I love it.  I took on the enormous task of PTA president and also became a member of our schools community council.  I love being busy and LOVE being a wife and mom.  Rory and I celebrated our 10th anniversary with a quick trip to Vegas.  I can't believe it's been 10 years, time flies when you are having fun!

4-Connor turned 8!  He was baptized a member of the LDS church and had a water/football birthday party. Connor played soccer, basketball, baseball, and football.  He wasn't a huge fan of soccer but loved all the others.  I think the highlight of the baseball season was when he got the MVP ball from his teammates.  He also got to go to a basketball camp in Lehi and meet Jimmer Ferdette.  Connor started 2nd grade and is currently working on multiplication and is one of the top readers in his class.  He started scouts this summer and went to his first day camp with the Miller family.  He loves scouts and has already earned his bobcat badge.

5.  Kinlee turned 2!  She had a water party/bbq.  She loves Minnie Mouse and sleeps with the giant Minnie Mouse grandma Bet got her for Christmas every night.  Whenever she gets mad at one of us she says she's going to go live with nana!  She has grown so much this year, we are in the process of potty training and it's not going well.  Hopefully before 2013 is over we will be out of diapers for good! This year Kinlee moved to a big girl bed,  has finally sprouted several teeth, and  loves Matthew, the little boy that is staying with us right now.  She always tells us what a good big sister she is and forces him to give her kisses.