Bradley Look-alike Meter

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Sweet, I win!

I've been tagged

What is your spouse's name? John Gabriel Bradley, he practically walks on water.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Marshall's Halloween Party

How long have you been married? 5 years and 1 month

Fifth Anniversary Date

December 17, 2008

How long did you date? From April to December 2002, you do the math

How did you meet? His sister Kate was my BF in high school and I was up at their house hanging out a lot. John told her to have me call him or something. She told me it was his birthday that week so I made him cookies. He called and asked me out shortly after.

Describe your first date: It was a group date with his friends. We ate at Guru's, where he was working at the time and got free dinner. Then, his friend Nate had free tickets to Swan Lake at Ballet West. His arm was around me and he couldn't clap, so we did this cute clap where he did one of his hands and I did one of mine, we were way out of rhythm and laughed hysterically. Afterwards we went to Nate's parents and watched "Shakespeare in Love" where we cuddled on the love sack. Then, when John dropped me off he tried to kiss me and I said, "Not on the first date!" (Kate had said she would kill me!) He had the audacity to ask me, "Please?" I said "No!" (That was a first!) But he asked me out again, obviously, and kissed me on the second date, which was golfing and bagels.

How old is he? almost 28

Who eats more? John at meals, me throughout the day, he's not a big snacker

Who said "I Love You" first? John, he was more convinced than I was early on that it was love

Who is smarter? For sure John!

Whose temper is worse? I'd say mine

Substitute "Sophie" for "Nikki"

Who does the laundry? Me, but John used to before we had our own W/D

Who does the dishes? Mostly John, fair trade off, right?

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're looking at it, John

Who pays the bills? Most of them are automatically withdrawn from our checking, but there are three I mail in

Who cooks dinner? Both of us, John has class three nights, so I cook, but when he's home I allow him a turn

Who drives when you are together? John, and he still opens my door!

John driving in Mass.

Who is more stubborn? Probably me

Whose parents do you see the most? I see my mom a lot because she likes to spend lots of time with Marshall, but we also see John's parents nearly every Sunday. Luckily they both live close

Who proposed? John

Who has more friends? Probably me, but I don't know

Who has more siblings? Uh, John! He has 1 sister and 5 brothers. I have two brothers and one sister (we don't say the "half" part)

Who wears the pants in the family? John says I do

Yes, I'm a model for Seven jeans!

Yeah, right

My friend Melissa added this:

**This survey needs some more interesting questions, so I'm going to add some- but they're about me, not my hubby, because he's already told you all there is to know**

What's your most embarrassing moment? Do I dare tell? Okay, I will since I know most of yours! Let me set the scene: It was moving day for my brother and sister in law. All the brothers and friends had teamed up to help them move. We were loaning them our love seat to make more room in our living room, so at some point during the day they'd be here to pick it up. John left to go help and I was getting ready for a hair appointment. I usually get ready in the bathroom in the buff because who wants to sweat in clean clothes? See where this is going? I was finished in the bathroom and was about to head to my room to get dressed. I didn't hear anyone come in the apartment, so I opened the door of the bathroom and my bro-in-law's friend is standing 10 feet away in the front door getting a full frontal!!! I was mortified! All I can say is at least it wasn't one of my brother in laws, because I'm pretty sure I would not be able to show my face at the Bradley's ever, ever again!


Have you ever been skinny dipping? Where? I don't think so. But John and I did sneak into Evergreen when we were dating and let's just say...
Note to Melissa: I can't believe you asked this of yourself on your own blog! I was laughing hysterically!

Where do you see yourself in 20 years? Hopefully in a house! Running my own preschool with two great kids of my own!

Have you ever snuck out? Hello! I was the queen of sneaking out! Except the time I got the flat tire at 2 am! But, my mom didn't know until a couple years ago when I came clean, so I was pretty good at it for her not to know. Once I was sneaking through my window at 5 am while she was next door in the bathroom blow drying her hair.

Who is your hero / role model? I don't know, I've always thought this was a cheesy question. But, I do love my Aunt Robin on my dad's side for her parenting! She has the most amazing four kids I've ever met.

Aunt Robin and hubby, Greg, Mitt look alike
(it's his nephew, we're related!)

What's Your Favorite Book? Too many. I love anything by Jane Austen. The Twilight Series. Walk Two Moons. Rich Dad, Poor Dad. The Magic of Thinking Big. The Time Traveler's Wife. I love any book that makes me cry.

What's Your Favorite Quote: I really like something my Grandpa used to tell me:
"Don't take the Greyhound when you can take an airplane." There was a whole lecture and something about a rocket ship to go with it that escapes me now, but I got the gist of it: don't settle for less. I think that's what it's about.

Grandpa Marshall with baby Marshall

I tag everyone who hasn't done this survey to do the whole thing and everyone who has already done it should answer the new ones if you want to. Anybody have any more good questions to ask?

Here's the questions I'm asking: (And Melissa, you should add these to yours!)

What is a little known fact about yourself? The Calculator tool is on my Start menu as a permanent fixture because I use it so much

Do you have any OCD behaviors, what are they? I HAVE to put lotion on my hands every time I wash them!

My favorite lotion ever!

If you could change one thing in your life what would it be? Deep down, my parents divorce, but then I wouldn't have Sarah, so...

Sarah, Riley, and Marshall (1)

On a happier note: What makes you "tick"? Marshall and my dreams and goals

What is your biggest dream? Opening and directing my own preschool, or creating "The Toy Snob Award" or "Seal of Approval"

Do you have an order you do things in when you get ready in the morning? Yes! In the shower I wash my body, then hair, and while the conditioner is soaking I shave my legs and wash my face, then I rinse everything off, turn the shower back to faucet, and rinse my feet. Then, I put lotion on, then deodorant, perfume, wash my hands since I lotioned my feet, put on face lotion and foundation, make-up, then hair. Finally I brush my teeth then I HAVE to use Listerine mouthwash before I gag on the toothpaste taste!

Which of your friend's blogs is your favorite to read? There's this lady that calls herself "The Toy Snob" and I really enjoy getting great toy ideas from her. Seriously though, Ali's is the best written, most funniest blog ever! She makes everyday things turn into chapters in a book you just can't put down! She just has a way with words, plus she's an amazing wife and mother, I wish I could be more like her.

What's the stupidest thing(s) you've ever said? Oh, too many, here's the list!
Me: "Oh, you're from Phoenix?"
Friend's husband: "Yeah"
Me: "Like Mesa?"

Sign that reads "Lots for Sale"
Me to John: "Lot's of what for sale?"

In High School, my friend was on debate:
Rachael: "I have to read about Euthanasia for debate next period"
Me: "Why, what's wrong with the youth in Asia?"

If I had thought about these BEFORE saying them out loud, I would have realized my errors! I promise!

Who is more of a baby when you're sick? I'll let you decide. This is me right after having a baby, and John right after nose surgery. (Enlarge it to get the full effect) If you say me, I'm coming after you with a very large, sharp object!

Marshall's First New Year's Eve

Okay, I officially have too much time on my hands!

FHE: Our freakish looking Child of God

The "freakish" refers to the pictures below, not the actual child.





We've been having family home evenings with Marshall lately. He's getting really good at saying prayers all by himself and he no longer skips to the "Amen" part, but says the whole ending. My mom bought us some FHE books for young kids and we printed one out and colored them last week while we talked about being a Child of God. The pictures are really funny looking, Marshall's even more so. He had fun talking about Heavenly Father and Jesus and spending time doing a craft with us. Last night Marshall needed one on one time and John was at school, so we played Candyland. I bought the games last May when Smith's had a buy one get one free sale. He is just finally getting how to play and it is so much fun! He'll walk his person along the trail and pass mine saying, "Hi, friend" and "do do, do do, do" noises for walking. He patiently waits for his turn and loves helping me find the right spot for my player. It is so fun and I'm glad he is getting more into games. I think games are a great way to spend time as a family and build fun memories. I hope to have a huge game collection one day. If you know any more games that are great for his age (3) but not too hard, I'd love to try them out!

Oh No!!!

In an effort to make our blog cuter, I've ruined it! It lost all my setting like "Books I am Reading/Have Read" and "Friend and Family Bloggers." Does anyone know how to get these back? Better yet, how do you add cute templates without messing everything up?!? Help me, please!!! I also lost all of our contacts, so if you're not listed, please leave a comment so I can add you back on. Thanks!

Our little house ghost...

For two weeks now I have been without my cell phone. It died sometime around New Year's Eve and for a few days, I forgot to charge it. When I finally needed it, my charger had disappeared! For days I searched for it everywhere it could 'possibly' be. Key word being possibly. A few days later, Marshall's pillow went missing! How do you lose a pillow, you ask? I have no clue! I guess we never thought to ask the owner of the pillow. But tonight as I was getting Marshall ready for bed I posed what I thought would be a theoretical question. "Where in the world did your pillow go?" Turns out the kid new where it was all along! His matter-of-fact response, "It's at the top of my bed." Translation: He slid it in-between the headboard and wall one morning before we were up! As for my cell phone charger, I discovered that when I cleaned the lint filter yesterday! Yes, he had taken it from it's resting spot on top of the dryer, removed the lint filter which happens to be in the door, cut the lint with his scissors all over the kitchen floor, slid my charger in the just-right opening, and replaced the lint filter, concealing my charger below and me being none the wiser. I fished it out with an un-bent wire hanger, lucky for me it still works! What a little stinker! It doesn't really surprise me, kids this age love fitting small things (or pillows) into even smaller holes. I just wonder what will "go missing" next. At least now I know I can ask him and he'll tell me. My goodness!

See that black wire? That's my charger,
a good ten inches down the lint trap!

Things I Learned:
1. Marshall knows WAY more than he lets on.
2. Change the lint filter more often.
3. No nook or cranny is too small for a determined boy.

Oh, and, for those of you who used to call or text me via cell phone, it's up and running again, and NO, I wasn't ignoring you!

JOHN GOT THE JOB!!!

We have the greatest news to start our new year!!! John got the much anticipated call today from 1-800-CONTACTS! Here's the story: About 2 or 3 months ago he applied for a job at Contacts as a Service Level Manager. The hiring manager, Dave, called John for his first interview the first week of Decmeber, which went really well. John was super impressed with the company and the work atmosphere. They have a cafeteria with subsidized meals, free soda (a big perk and money saver for John), and even a gym. The second interview was the second week in December. After the interview Dave gave him some wonderful compliments like, "we never thought we'd find anyone as qualified as you." Needless to say John left feeling pretty confident that he'd get the job. The second was quickly followed by the third (and what we thought was the final) interview with the VP on December 13th. He left that one not feeling as sure as he had with the previous two because afterwards Dave told him it would be a tough decision to make. That was on a Thursday, and Dave said he'd let John know at the latest following Wednesday (Dec. 19th) about the job. All weekend and week our stomachs were in knots in anticipation. I think I even set a personal record of most prayers said in a week!!! We waited by the phone all day Wednesday! By six o'clock when John hadn't heard from Dave, he braved a call to his cell (the number Dave had left for John to contact him). Dave told him they would make a decision tomorrow (Thurs). Well, on Thursday I threw up from all this stress and nerves (something I'd surely never had happen before, not joking). So, five o'clock rolled around and John and I had just about given up hope when Dave called. He told John they still hadn't made the decision and would let him know for sure tomorrow! OH, let me tell you how nerve wracking the wait has been and to wait one more day was sheer torture! So, finally Dave called at about 6 0'clock....finally! Dave explained to John that the company's philosophy was to promote from within and that they'd only ever hired one other "outside" employee-him. So, they had not hired John for the position. Disappointment began to seep in when...Dave offered him one last interview with the financial head on January 2 for a position that didn't even exist... except for John!!! We were so ecstatic! If they were willing to open a position just because they wanted him to work there, then he was sure to get the job! So, for another week and a half we waited and prayed some more. Luckily we had Christmas and New Year's to take our minds off it, otherwise we would have gone crazy with nerves! So, Dave and the finance dude got him the cafeteria lunch (John could barely eat, but what he did was good, he said) and had their interview. At the end the finance guy asked Dave when he starts, another good sign! So, we didn't want to get our hopes up, but we pretty much knew he had nailed it! They said they'd let him know by Friday, today. So Dave called today, offered John the position as a data analyst in the finance department, and offered a starting salary 40% more than he was making at Convergys for the same position! Go Johnny! After he hung up the phone we cheered and cheered, giggling with glee! P.S. Did I mention that they usually only hire MBAs for this position? Yup! And here is my brilliant, talented, husband impressing them enough to hire an undergrad who is still plugging away!

We are so proud of you Honey!!!
Congratulations!

New Year's Resolution

I have had a break from childcare since the little girl's mom is a teacher's assistant and had a school break. My goal over the break was to steam-vac my carpets since she is crawling around and I have two new kids coming on Fridays now. One is just younger than Marshall, they're in nursery together, and his little brother is six months old. So, I thought it would be a good excuse to finally do the carpets. Since I slacked the first week, and since we still had our tree up, I decided to make it my New Year's Resolution. Pretty easy, and greatly satisfying!!! Best of all, I made a realistic resolution that wouldn't take ALL year! I've never finished one yet. Now I can say I have and it's only New Year's Day! Ha! I'm done already! Are you?!Don't my carpets look great?

Now if only I could get Marshall to pick up those colorful puzzle pieces!