My Amazing Man

There are some days I look at my life and I am just overwhelmed with how wonderful it has turned out to be. It is in no way perfect, but in a lot of ways it couldn't get any better. My Bradley is mostly to thank for those days. He has been especially attentive and amazing lately and I don't know what I would do without him.  Just to name a few examples of things I love:

-When he talks to sweet baby girl.
-When he comes up behind me to hold me and baby girl.  Or any time he rubs my tummy and gives me that look of pure bliss and excitement. 
-He is always on top of the garbage... Sounds silly, but it's so nice to have one thing that I never have to worry about, and trust me, I'm great at worry!
-With how crappy I've felt (this whole pregnancy) he has picked up SO MUCH of my slack over the last 4 months. He is ready and eager to help with any household chore. 
-He remains patient with me. I wasn't an easy wife to put up with before Nugget was created, but I'm turning out to be a tyrant of a pregnant woman and he has been so great about staying calm when I'm being a beast. 
-The way he looks at me.  I always read about it in fairy tales or saw it in movies, but Brad truly has a look and smile that he gives only to me and it still makes me melt after over 6 years of being together.
-How much he makes me laugh.  It's usually the dumbest little things, but we can just giggle for huge amounts of time and it does amazing things for my stress level!
-The many back rubs I've gotten lately.  This little chica does not do anything good for my lower back and I'm constantly whining or cringing about it. Thanks heavens Brad is right there to rub it out and try to alleviate some of the pain, most of the time without me even asking!

I could go on and on, but those are just a few of the things that I'm especially grateful for lately.  It would take me days to write all of them! Love you, sweetie.  You are my world and the best future daddy out there!

Thanksgiving Week 2014.

After the most terrifying night of my life and almost losing our sweet baby (yes, everything is ok now) I was put on bedrest for the whole week of Thanksgiving.  (Did I mention he brought me flowers the day after the craziness?  My own prince charming!)  There was so much do to and so many places to be and it made it very difficult for me to keep up good spirits while laying on the couch - especially with so much family around and so many fun things to do.

The thing that made everything ok...the thing that usually makes everything ok...was the constant and outstanding support of my amazing husband!  There was cleaning and cooking to do leading up to Thanksgiving and Brad took care of all of it.  While we were at family festivities he always made sure I had food and beverage whenever I needed it, did extra chores at my parents' house to make up for my lack, and spent time with me when everyone else was around the table socializing and I couldn't participate.  He made the holiday so much more bearable and I literally could not have handled it without him.

Not only that, but after all the cooking and cleaning was done on Thanksgiving, he voluntarily and with a smile on his face pushed me around Temple Square Friday night in my embarrassing wheelchair, and didn't complain once!  We got left several times, separated from the group, I got crabby, and the whole time he just grinned and bore all of it!  I'm positive there is no one as patient as my man.

Then, on Saturday, after a crazy morning of family pictures, Brad and my siblings proceeded to decorate my whole house, including the tree, for Christmas, per my request.  Even though he was exhausted from the crazy week and his really only time off this whole year, he trudged up and down the stairs, carrying boxes, unloading red after green after sparkly decoration, and proceeded to help "deck our halls" AND did it all while letting me watch "White Christmas" from my spot on the couch, for the first time this year (yes, I said first...I'm a little obsessed and he's wonderful about putting up with it playing over and over again in December).

He made it the perfect holiday week.  What could have been an excruciating week filled with worry and more trauma, ended up being a wonderful holiday with my family and zero concern about things getting done.  I love how dependable my Bradley is and it's so nice that I can count on him always.

To top it all off, while I still haven't been feeling 100% this week and trying to get back to normal life while he goes back to work, he's taken the days in between shifts to put up Christmas lights, and clean up the house.  Could he be any more wonderful, and could I be any more ungrateful?  I've been a pretty terrible pregnant partner and he has been a champ through this whole thing, just asking how he can help me while I vent and complain to him every day.

In a nutshell, I'm just so grateful for a man who takes such good care of me, even when I don't deserve it.  He loves me unconditionally and is constantly serving me, and I need to be better about being grateful and acknowledging the many, many things he does on a daily basis.

I love you, honey.  You truly are the best!

Taking Care Of Me... August 2014

I didn't realize how traumatic a week in the hospital could be.  I have always considered myself a fairly tough girl, and even though I have a lot of medical problems, I feel like I tend to bounce back quickly most of the time.  Well, this time has been different.  I'm hormonal, crazy emotional, clingy beyond reason, super sore, having hot flashes like I'm 60, not healing like I think I should be, and all around kind of impossible to please.

  I know this sounds like it's a lot about me, but I had to give some background as to what my sweet husband has had to put up with for the past few weeks.  Not only did he spend every minute that he wasn't working for 8 whole days in the hospital at my bedside/my beck and call, but since we've been home he has done anything and everything to make me as happy and comfortable as possible.  He's been picking up any and all of my slack, doing laundry, dishes, cleaning, cooking, taking care of the dog, you name it.  Not only has he taken care of the things that I can't do for myself yet, but he has gone above and beyond to take care of my personal needs: making sure I take my meds on time, getting me food and water... Like I said, I've been overly clingy and needy and he has done more than his best to be with me and hold me and comfort me... Back massages, arm scratches, I could go on and on about all the things he has done for me, let alone working a full time firefighting job, and all the while keeping that smokin' hot smile of his plastered on his face.  I really don't know what I did to deserve such a loving, caring, and patient man, but I am so grateful and humbled to have him by my side thru thick and thin... And lately it definitely seems like we excel in the thick department.  Thank you so so much for everything you do for me honey 😊 I don't know what I would do without you! Really though, no idea.  I love you!

11.18.14

I had an especially hormonal day yesterday.  Crazy grumpy. Extremely outraged over dumb little things. Just ridiculous really.

Needless to say, I was no fun to be around...especially for the husband who gets the brunt of everything... But when I came home from work I found the following:
-Main floor cleaned up
-Clean towels hanging up
-New over-the-stove fan installed and ready to use
-Bed made
-Laundry put away
-Dog walked and fed

I'm sure I'm missing something, but you get the picture. My man is amazing. On top of that we had planned to make and take dinner to some friends so as soon as I got home he went right to work helping me get that done after he had already gotten meat out to thaw and rolls out to rise.

We had a fun night with friends and he did so much for me so of course I came home and just loved on him, right? Yeah, no... After all of those wonderful things he did during the day, we got home and I went right back to being pregnant and crazy 😵 I proceeded to chew him out for nothing and be a lameface and he just took it. And then in the middle of the night when I finally came back to rationality and woke him up to apologize and kiss away my sorrows, he just forgave me right away and followed it up with a completely unnecessary apology.

I just don't deserve him, but am so grateful he is mine. I don't know how he always has so much patience and continues to love me, but I know it means the world to me. I love you Bradley Withers! You're the best man I know... By a long shot!

I'm lazy.

I've had these sitting in my Wunderlist forever, so I just figure I'd put them where they belong :)

-Made the bed as close to how I like it as he could - 3.2.14
-He makes sure to "take care of me"
-He is always concerned with my well being
-For putting up with me throwing game night and parties on the fly
-He makes me laugh

• 10/29/13 "They're in the first drawer with the rest of the stuff"...where the streamers are...while he's half asleep

-He takes out the garbage every week he's home
-He mows the lawn every week he's home

I am just so lucky.  I can't believe I ever even forget that for a second!

Comes In Waves...

My posts come in waves that is, not my husbands work ethic. Brad finally had some days off this week between fire shifts and what did he do? He did all of the paperwork for us to get a truck, not to mention staying on the internet all day to find us one, he did the laundry, did 2 loads of dishes, went and ran errands and shopping for me, played with our dog, brought me lunch at work, and I know I'm missing some, but basically he worked his booty off while he was supposed to not be working. I really am the luckiest girl ever :-) thanks for all you do honey! You are wonderful.

Day Off? What is that!

Last Friday Brad had his only day off, by himself, in the last several years and probably for the many years to come...so he very well could've taken the day to sleep, or play video games, or just play in general, but instead he made the bed, ran errands for me and for himself, and he did all the loads of laundry AND folded them - even after I had been a jerk and mean to him.  What I do to deserve that man of mine, I just don't know!  Love you honey :)

Self Discipline.

I am not a morning person at all...like aaaaaat all.  Bradley says that he isn't a morning person either...but today he got up at 5:40 a.m. (on a Saturday!) to get donuts for his new crew and be early to work in Ogden for his first actual ride along.  SELF DISCIPLINE my friends!  He's definitely got it :)  So proud of that man of mine.

My Amazing Husband.

I have such a great man who works so hard to support his family...especially when his family is just me and Pokie.  And he does it when I'm not always the most helpful or supportive either.  I get grumpy and complainy and whiny, and he still continues to carry on and do what it takes to take care of us.  I am so grateful for his drive and work ethic, and on top of all of that how much he still loves me.  I am one lucky girl :)

My Fireman!

It's official, and here are some pictures for proof! I can't believe this day is finally here. I can't thank our friends, family, and Heavenly Father enough for helping us hold out and keep the faith that Brad would really be a fulltime firefighter someday. I am so proud to call him mine and even more proud of all the time and effort he has put in to make this happen. He is so stalwart and never gave up. I love you honey. No one deserves to be happy more than you do :)

So Blessed.

I swear no other couple is as perfect for each other or as in love with each other as Brad and me.  I know there probably are, but sometimes it just doesn't seem like that could be possible.  Yes, we have our moments that we argue and disagree, etc, but sometimes it's those moments that prove to me even more that we were meant to be together.  Brad is my perfect compliment and everything I'm not.  He seriously (cheesily) completes me and does everything that I can't do.  I just need to remember that when I get sad and depressed that I don't have other people that love me like he does, and even if I don't have any other friends, I have my sweet husband.  My sweet, perfect husband.

FIREFIGHTER!!!

St. Patrick's Day 2014 - a day that will forever live in infamy in the Withers household as the day that my sweet husband got a full time firefighting job!!! Brad woke up yesterday morning and met with the chief of the Ogden Fire Dept who, after about a half hour of just chit chatting, was so impressed with Brad that he extended a job offer to him to start April 7! "Well it looks like you've got all of the certifications you need and you've dome everything you can, you just need someone to offer you a full time position and we would like to do that for you..." ABSOLUTELY!!!  We could not be more excited and I could not be more proud of my husband for holding fast to this dream for four years knowing he was meant to do this and that it would all work out in the end. Yes, it's a long commute, but we love where we live and we want him to be a firefighter so we will make it work :) I know God listens to and answers our prayers and have learned that he makes things happen when they are supposed to, we just have to hold out hope and trust in Him. Hallelujah! April 7, you can't come fast enough!

3.9.14

Oh Sundays, I look forward to you a lot these days. Yesterday was an especially chill, good Sunday.  We got to sleep in a little bit together (after staying up until like 3:30 a.m. thanks to daylight savings), went to church and heard some good talks, spent the afternoon at the Moreau's after choir practice, came home for a bit to chill, went to dinner at Kyle and Krista Heaton's, and played our favorite game (Aggravation) at the Alexander's last night.

Even though it was kind of a long day, Brad walked the dogs like 3-4 times so I didn't have to, he was super supportive and sweet about the curtains I've been trying to sew and finish up, and let me make lots of noise while he was trying to relax and watch his favorite movie (Ironman 3). Then after all the fun and games, I came home with a terrible migraine, and Brad got me all doctored up with medication and took care of the dogs so I could get right in bed, only to follow it all up with an awesome back scratch to kick he migraine in the pants and help me get to sleep.

It is amazing what a world of difference this blog makes in our marriage when o use it. Our life isn't perfect and there are always going to be things we will argue about and need to improve on, but things are 100 fold better when I focus on all of the great things that Brad does, because there are plenty! Definitely more than I realize and I just get to be reminded so much more when I actually pay attention and write them down. Ah, life is beautiful!!

Woman's Day

Apparently March 8 is international Woman's Day and Brad spoiled me with these gorgeous flowers, a suuuuper sweet and touching email first thing this morning, and help at home after a long Saturday of overtime and frisbee practice.  He didn't get home until after 10:00 and he still came with me to the store and even hung a curtain rod in our kitchen for me so I could put up one of the 7 panels I'd been sewing all day AND took a late night run to Walmart with me to get more supplies to finish up on Sunday.  Could I seriously get more lucky!? I sure don't know how.

3.6.14

Last night after working overtime, Brad came come and showered just in time to help me finally finish putting away our Christmas decorations that I've been dragging my feet about, then came to an hour and a half long exrutiating HOA meeting that I needed to go to, and after all of that came home and watched some of The Voice with me instead of Agents of Shield like he wanted to. Man, I'm a selfish woman and he's such a wonderful man. So lucky and grateful for all of the things he does for me DAILY. 

3.5.14

My sweet husband came home after work and mutual, and despite him feeling sick all day, as soon as he was showered he went right to folding and changing out the laundry, then he cut ribbon for me to help with some baby shower invitations, and then he helped me put all the clean sheets back on our bed and make it up all nice at 11:10 p.m. so we could sleep in it :) I sure love this sweet and hardworking, helpful man of mine!

Twice in One Week

Brad was home for a little bit this morning before he had to head off to an interview and he again made the bed...well for the most part, but still. And he walked the dogs so I didn't have to, and helped clean up our bedroom so Andrew and Melissa could come over for their blind date tonight :) love my helpful man!

Silly Little IMPORTANT Things

Silly Things I love About Bradley:

.His adorable elf ears

.Closet nerd: love of star wars

.The way he gets giddy about certain things: puppies, google, Avengers, etc.

.His pig impersonations.

.How much he loves our dog

.Love of Frisbee AND RACQUETBALL

.How into his games he gets…funny random “crap” or “shoot” remarks.

.How much he loves to cuddle

.How concerned he is about Pokie’s knots.

.He is the most patient person that I know

.How hard he is willing to work to become a firefighter

.The way he looks at me at different times…his :I love you so much: face, the :you are a goober: face, the :how did I get so lucky: face, the :really?: face…so many more!

.The way he scratches his nose with his two middle fingers

.How animated he gets when he’s telling a story about something he’s passionate about

.how self-conscious he still is about the blood nose/make out story :)

.The way he laughs when he’s with his brother

.How serious he gets about funny things like Frisbee and games

.When we have serious conversations about silly things

.How willing he is to do anything for the people he loves

.His convictions about the things he knows are right

.Noises he makes when he’s frustrated

.The hug he’s always ready with when I get home from …anywhere really

.When he plays with my hair when I have a headache

.When he gets really close to my face and touches his nose to mine

.That bottom lip :)

.The peacock sound he and his brothers make

.how much like a little kid he can be when we are playing outside

.The way he acts around his niece and nephew

.how much he idolizes his dad

.his fat tongue

.His girly fingers

.How soft his wimpy feet are

.how good he is at making mac and cheese, kool-aid, and grilled cheese sandwiches

.how much he loves swimming, water parks, diving boards

.the noises he makes when he down on the ground playing with the puppy

.how much he loves the church, even though he sometimes doesn’t love the responsibilities-how faithful he is at his calling

.how much he helps around the house, both ours and the parents’

.the relationship he has with my siblings…and everyone he knows, actually

.when he tries to be stern with the dog

.The way he holds me when we are praying

.How much he loves his ties

.How unafraid he is to wear pink

.Our complete opposite taste in shoes haha

.How ocd he is about having his nails (fingers and toes) clipped

.How often he lets me drive

.How much he loves IKEA cinnamon rolls

.When he eats two pieces of toast: one with cinnamon sugar, one with jam

.He will poop anywhere without any shame

.When he nuzzles me with his head haha

.his distaste for female singers

.He’s not ashamed to watch chick flicks

.He clears his throat a lot when he is nervous

.The way he stands with his feet apart when he’s teaching a lesson

3.2.14

Yesterday, before church and after I got out of the shower, I opened my bedroom door to a freshly made bed by the hubs :)  This is especially impressive because he tried to make it to my exact liking and did pretty darn good :)  He is such a good man, and it's the little things like this where he tries to keep me happy at all times that make our life so great!

Waaaaay Too Long!

This blog sure makes it seem like Brad is not as awesome as he really is...the truth is that I am not so awesome and need to be better about keeping up with it. Here are just a few seemingly small things that go leaps and bounds in making my life happier and sweeter from my Bradley:
He started tapping his toothbrush on the side of the sink instead of shaking it, so that the toothbrush holder doesn't get all gucky.
He thanked me the other day when I actually made the bed and told me how great it looked, even though he doesn't really care about the bed being made.
He works so many hours so that I can have the new floors and home renovations and fertility treatments that I want.
He kicked major butt on our floors in the loft and hallways upstairs and they are beautiful!
He is diligently taking his vitamins to take better care of his body, and he's drinking less soda and working out like a pro, all to help possibly up his quality sperm count...not to mention he was willing to have surgery to fix things and didn't even bat an eye when it was brought up, he just asked when and where.
He is so humble and so sweet.
He always makes sure I get public displays of flowers on Valentine's Day :)
He calls me every night before bed when he is away.
He has gotten really great about cleaning up after himself and not making me do it very often. I feel like these days he cleans up after me almost more ;)
Even though he has gotten more discouraged and had more bad news in the past few months than ever before in his life, he still keeps such a positive attitude.
He is just all around a great guy who never ever lets me doubt that he is head over heels in love with me and wants me to be happy.

I am so blessed to call him my own :)

He Passed!

Brad passed the UFA fire test again :)  This time they only took 120 people instead of 220 and almost no one else he knows has passed.  We have a really good feeling about this testing round, but we will see what happens.  I am just proud of the man he is and the patience he has...after all, he's married to me, he has to have that ;)  He's just wonderful and deserves so much and I want this for him more than I want most things in life.  Way to be, you can do this, honey!