DONE AND DONE

Spencer and I spoke in church today. I am so jealous of Spencer, because he is always so cool and calm and never gets nervous. Me.....pshaw. I threw up once before an English presentation in college, so my teacher gave me a C and said I didn't need to do it. It's not so much standing in front of people and speaking that I'm nervous about. I love to entertain. It's what's going to accidentally slip out of my mouth that has me sweating. When I was a youth speaker (no idea how old I was) I was giving a talk and I got Easter and Christmas mixed up and said Jesus was Resurrected on Christmas. As I said it I remember I was looking at my dad and I saw him giggling to himself, and I thought...wow, Im funny on accident. NOT THE CASE. People made it very clear to me afterward the blunder I had made. So, now, I am just worried I am going to start spouting out false doctrine or suddenly come down with a terrible case of turret's syndrome and then get a bag of Cheerios chucked at me from some mother I just offended.
Anyway, no such thing happened this morning. It went well. I love talking about my parents, and since we got to discuss the 4th of July, I told my dad's story of Vietnam. good stuff. Im so blessed to have been born into the family I was born into. And Spencer's talk was AMAZING as usual.
And my best friend Michelle made a surprise appearance too. She goes to a different ward NOT CLOSE TO MINE, and she knew how nervous I was so she surprised me. I love that lady!


It was Chase Merrill's 1st birthday party yesterday. Her birthday isn't until Thursday, but Michelle threw a GREAT party yesterday. She rented out the bouncy temple thingy (the technical term), a helium balloon blower, and even rented a Cotton Candy machine (didn't work though). She knows how to throw a party. I'll see what she can do for me in September! Anyway, I got to know her neighbors really well, and they are so fun and hilarious. We've got some great plans for the 4th of July over there...much anticipating.

Alright...so 4th of JULY! Next to Christmas...FAVORITE HOLIDAY!! I might be going crazy this week with blogging. I love this country..I love military service men and women....and I get giddy excited this time of year. HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYBODY!!!


Here is a picture of Spence in front of one of the many GREAT memorials at our nation's capital...the Vietnam Memorial.

Who's in Charge?

This may be a strange post, but I needed to do it, because I want to remember this. So just look at the pictures and move on to my ode for Spencer's birthday.
A few months ago I posted pictures of when these geese were babies. Well, a few weeks ago, this HUGE duck started hanging around our neighborhood. (He is bigger in real life!!!) He was all alone walking around aimlessly while quacking for his family. It was really sad. Then we noticed that the geese adopted him and they are inseparable now. So, I sent these pictures to my parents and the response I got from my dad is why I am posting this. I am not going to post his response because it may seriously offend some people. But I will never forget it as long as I can post these pictures.

31...Spence is the man!

I am married to a guy who is 31. wow. we're getting old.
Where else would we go other than a Mexican restaurant? We eat Mexican food about 3 times a week. Spencer possibly eats it more than that, cause if he has any business dinners or lunch.....yep La Unica. But for his B-Day we splurged and went to Don Pedros. I say splurged cause their sombrero is bigger.

The reason I don't sound too excited right now is because about 10 minutes ago I found out that I am speaking in Church next Sunday. I'm really excited about it being right before 4th of July and my subject is really awesome..I just hate standing in front of everyone. I'd definitely rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy.

Anyway, last Sunday was his birthday and we had our dear friends all meet us for dinner, on Saturday, at Don Pedros and then off to see the movie "The Incredible Hulk". Which was a good movie, but honestly after seeing "Ironman", which was the greatest movie so far this year, Hulk didn't quite do it for me. Im excited to see "The Dark Knight" and "Hancock", but as for super hero movies, I can't see it getting any better than "Ironman". And what is weird about that is all the other movies have all my favorite actors in them...minus Russell Crowe. I've never been a Downey fan, but Christian Bale, Will Smith, and Edward Norton have ALWAYS been in my top 4. I think that Robert Downey Jr. is to "Ironman" as Kiefer Sutherland is to Jack Bauer.

Okay, so let's talk about how awesome Spence is. Or how awesome I am. Cause I picked the most amazing man. His dreams and goals and spirit and motivation and sensitivity and mindfulness are unparalleled. Him and I rarely argue or fight and if we do it is usually my fault cause well, I'm a Bradford. But exponentially more mellow now that I've been with Spencer for the past 6 years. His knowledge and love for the Gospel reminds me of my dad and is so fun to discuss. He is so caring, and his drive and determination to achieve goals and succeed and make life what he wants it to be is so amazing. If you know his background and where he came from and what he has been through, you would know what I am talking about. I love him so much. Oh and not to mention those Italian good looks....he's 31 and looks about 24. Thick hair. nice. His dad is in his upper 50's and looks about 18.
And I laugh so hard. yeah, i know...I laugh at everything. But seriously folks...hilarious. I get a good ab workout at least once a day. Boy, especially at church. I don't know what it is...but he thinks of the funniest things to say there. Not making fun of anyone, just ...something. Like if he can't see the words in the Hymn book he'll just sing whatever... or even if he can see them. or..."So basically, what I can conclude from this conversation, is that our existence depends on your hygiene". (inside joke...not going into detail)
And he is so thoughtful. Like right as I was typing this he walked up to me and handed me some brand new Mary Kay face wash that I have been out of and forgot to order some, so he picked some up for me while visiting a lady today..coupled with a huge warm hug. I don't know what I did to deserve him because I was a rotten teenager but I am so glad that Heavenly Father knew I needed a guy just like him. He has helped me get through the hardest times in my life that I know I couldn't have survived without him. Because he always points me back to the Savior. Whenever I am upset or depressed or missing Daniel or whatever, he always suggests that we go to the temple. Those are always the first words out of his mouth. I am so grateful for him and I never want to be without him. And thankfully, I never will be.

Man, I love him.

Happy Father's Day

I have a father named Craig
He's getting up there in age
But he still does things that no one else can
I'll always be convinced that he is Superman

He's flown high in the sky
Fighting for freedom for the next guy
Even captured the enemy's flag
And trained Egyptian militia to fight in Baghdad

Scripting Reagan's Stars Wars Theory??
If I said yes, I may have to kill you ....no, really.
Bringing economic balance to Crescent City
And the list just gets longer....ideally.

Taking bullets in his head
Flying missions in his friends' stead
Nothing was to his own gain and glory
But for our nation's enduring story

Of freedom and equality for mankind
I love this great dad of mine
But his greatest mission ever tried
Was raising 3 awesome kids with a lovely woman by his side.

LOVE YOU DADDY!

We're Keeping Count

We have 3 choices:

The Muhammed

The Godfather



or the Count of Monte Cristo


Go Count

Stickin' it to the Man

I don't know what it is about men and feeling the need to either be naked or grow as much facial hair as possible, when there is no need to step out of the house to fulfill some sort of a subordinate responsibility at a place of employment. I don't know what it is ....by I find it highly entertaining.
Growing up in a military home my dad and brothers were always clean shaven. UNLESS they were on leave for vacation. Actually, I never remember my dad not being clean shaven, but the clothes thing is a whole other blog entry that I would rather never venture into. But my brothers...the first chance they would get...HAIR. And when Daniel was retired from the Air Force due to his brain tumor....he lived out the rest of his days with a full grown beard. Which I might add, he did pull off very nicely.
And now we have the man I married. He definitely married into the right family. No longer being employed, but now the employer we have this...
I do like the looks of it, however, I have now formed rashes around my lips. So as much as he may be "stickin it to the man"....he's just sticking me in the face.

Im not without vice either. For the past 2 months it has rained every single Saturday I had off from work. Im not exaggerating...I LOVE laying out at my pool. And I have been pissed for the past 2 months that I haven't been able to get there. So I decided that my own way of "stickin it to the man" would be to make up for all those Saturdays this last Saturday.

'Stick' this.