Eighteen Months and Still So Cute

Our big girl running through the leaves.

I am writing you from the Holiday Inn in Asheville while Abby and Steve take their afternoon naps. The job is going well. We have secured an apartment that is close to where we need to be and are starting to get acclimated to the area. However, we still miss home greatly and the people even more. We will keep you posted on how we are doing.

Now, more importantly. . . Abby is officially 18 months old today. We celebrated with a visit from Aunt TeeTee and Ben. What a treat! Abby was so excited to see them here when she woke from her nap that she shook and about leaped off the bed. We have had a rough week/month/summer; however, Abby is doing wonderfully well! I have stopped putting words on her list on the side because I can't keep up. At last count, she is saying over 35 words that we can understand. We are very proud of how she says "please" and "thank you" although it sounds like "peees" and "dinku." Her new nickname is "Miss Independent" because she is so anxious to do things on her own. It is bittersweet for us, as many of you know. She is turning into a child rather than a baby. (Don't worry, she still loves to snuggle while falling asleep so all is not gone from the "baby days.")

I do not have my camera cord to upload pictures, so I thought you would like pictures from last Saturday's leaf raking efforts. Please continue to remember us in your prayers as we are going to be trying to get our "stuff" over the mountain over the next few weeks. Thank you for your prayers thus far, they have definitely been felt.

Abby loved getting to help Daddy. Her
favorite part was running out of the pile of leaves.


"Daddy! I found grass! It's still there."

Ben even gave her a hand at supervising the clean up.


"Oh, Mommy! Put the camera down and
let me work, will ya?!?"

Hello from Asheville

Just thought we would update everyone on how things are going. We are in Asheville, well, Fletcher, NC. Steve is in orientation, and Abby and I are hanging out at the hotel. She has a bit of a tummy ache we think. She is really not herself and wants to sleep all the time. We called her doctor who said just let her sleep it off and try Popsicles. However, if any of you out there have a trick for getting liquids and food in a sick toddler, I would LOVE to hear them. She's not running a temp, so that is good. Please pray that she feels better soon and that we know what to do for her until then.

Otherwise, our house hunt is going well. We have looked at some condos and a duplex. We are scheduled to go by an apartment complex later today. I don't know that I've ever felt this much pressure/ stress before. However, we are trying to stay positive. It is a beautiful area and the people are really nice. (Did I mention we are 10 minutes from Biltmore Estates and the Blue Ridge Parkway... SCORE!)

Happy Birthday, Ben!

What a big boy!

We want to wish Benjamin a very happy 1st birthday today. It has been an honor to watch you grow the past year. We have had so much fun! We can't wait for Ben-a-polooza on Sunday! We love you, Buddy!!!

Abby has always loved her Ben.


This is one of my favorite pics of Ben!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Daddy and Abby hanging out during one of our recent trips.

Abby and I want to wish Steve a very happy birthday today. He makes our days so much fun. It has been a blast having him around so much lately. We will miss that when he goes back to work. We love you, honey. You are the reason our hearts beat. Thank you for all that you do for us.

Fuzzy picture, funny moment

Happy Birthday, Tabetha Rhea!

Beautiful & perfect Tabetha says Hello to the world.

James, Aimee, and Talmadge welcomed Tabetha Rhea Bradley today at 1:20. She weighed 7 lbs 1 oz and was 20 inches long. The whole Bradley clan is doing great. We were honored to meet her soon after her arrival. She is so precious and easy going. We can't wait to see her again! We love you, Bradleys!!!

The Bradleys hanging out!

Abby even got to hold her for a minute. They were
instant friends. (Abby wanted to help her every
time she whimpered or cried.)

Decision '08

And you thought the race for the White House was heating up? The race for where our White house will be has been on fire lately. After 2000+ miles, 7 companies, and 5 states, we were rewarded with a few offers last week. After much prayer and comparing of offers, we have chosen to accept the offer from Continental Automotive in Fletcher, NC (just outside of Asheville). We will need to be in Asheville in a couple of weeks to start work. I will keep you updated on how we are doing. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we are looking at a big move and big decisions on what to do with our house.

Abby was a big help when trying to decide which was
the best choice for our family. She helped keep track
of the pros and cons for us.

Boo Boo

Today as Abby was running down the hallway toward her bedroom, the carpet monster reached up and grabbed her. She fell perfectly so that her sweet, little head hit the corner of her door. This resulted in the nastiest bruise/goose egg/knot/scratch I have ever seen. Never fear! She is fine. She was understandably upset when it first happened; however, as the day went on, she barely realized anything was different. Here is a picture of it which does not really do it justice, but it shows that she felt good enough to head out to Old Time Saturday with Tiffany, Ben, and Paula. (Ben's Mamaw Debbie met us there, too, for a special treat.)