Dr. Greg Bradley!

Friday, August 5th, I headed to Dallas Baptist University to watch my older brother, Greg, receive his Doctorate Degree. He has worked for this a really long time! He defended his dissertation in May and now it was time to walk the stage and receive his diploma and officially become Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership - Greg Bradley, EdD.

I have never been to Dallas Baptist University and the whole campus is gorgeous! They held the graduation in their new chapel and it was really nice!

The inside of the chapel.

The brother and sister of the graduate having a good time before the ceremony started!

The whole ceremony was really nice and it was such a great moment seeing Greg walk the stage! 

After the ceremony, we found the Dr and and got this great pic of the Bradley family! He says this degree is all their's just as it is his because of all their support! 

And while everyone was being formal and congratulating the graduates, Ryan and I took a selfie with the founding fathers of DBU. This is why our parents are so proud of us too - haha!

Then, we headed outside for pictures.

Dad, Greg and Mom

Mike, Greg and Debbie - Melody's parents

The proud siblings

The Bradley family

The next Dr - Kayden Bradley

We went to eat lunch after to celebrate and Melody made this awesome cake for dessert.

We are all so proud of Greg and his accomplishment! Way to go!

Blast from the Past

Last night I headed over to my parent's house because they were keeping my nieces for the weekend. I always look forward to going over there and seeing those beautiful girls. We had such a good time and then my Mom brought out this and it put the night over the top:

I seriously had not seen this box in many, many years and it just made me smile because it brought back so many memories. This Barbie box held all of my Barbie clothes and it was very precious to me. My nieces opened up this box and the box holding the barbies and they went to town playing with them and dressing them up.

All of the clothes. Please note* All of the clothes are from the late 80's, early 90's so they aren't so in style anymore but we didn't care - we still dressed them all up :)

Kiersi and Kayden having fun

Nana and Kayden

Kayden with her Barbie - this poor Barbie's hair needed help

Kiersi and her Barbie

And yes, me and my Barbie - I had to join in the fun

My Mom's Barbie, Skipper and Ken

I Smile Big when I see the picture above because they were my Mom's barbies that she played with and I used the Barbie and Ken as the parent's of my Barbie because I thought they looked older...haha. The dolls are very special though because when my Mom was younger, their house caught fire on Christmas Eve and the dolls above did survived the fire. They are a little burnt in some places but they made it.

It was so fun to really go down memory lane. I loved playing with my Barbie dolls and it was fun to share that with my Mom and nieces. We just need to get updated Barbie clothing for the next time they come over :)

Mamaw's 80th Birthday

First of all, I am alive - sorry I've been a bad blogger. My life has been work, work and more work and I hope to be able to find a good work/life balance. My first event in Dallas went great and now I'm working on my others. Good times!

Now, back to what the post is about - my grandmother's 80th birthday party. I took a 6am flight Sunday morning back from Omaha so I could get home, change and go with Brian to Lindale to celebrate my grandmother. I was so excited to see all my family and for my grandmother to feel how loved she truly is!

It was my grandmother's birthday and there were many pictures out - especially the bridal pictures my grandmother's 3 daughters - my 2 aunts and my mom. I love them!

The birthday girl!

Mamaw and her daughters

Mamaw with her two great-granddaughters - Kayden & Kiersi

Mamaw's birthday cake made my Melody

Blowing out her candles

Mamaw with me and my two brothers



Our whole family

It was a great day being able to celebrate my grandmother. She is so loved and there were so many people there showing their love for her. I'm so glad all our family was able to come and we were able to get a family shot. It's so hard to get everybody together now but we all knew we needed to be there for this day. I have tried to keep all of the cards my grandmother has sent me because she always writes the sweetest notes. I do love her and cherish each day we have with her!

Birthday Fun

First of all - thanks to everybody for the sweet birthday wishes! I truly appreciate and Brian did surprise me that he got on the blog and blogged about my birthday! I've had a great birthday week as I call it because I feel like I've celebrated all week long!

Sunday night we celebrated my Mom's and I's birthdays because our birthdays are a week apart. All of my family came and it was so fun being with all of them. My nieces make me laugh so much and I love seeing how much they've grown and hearing all they have to say. Mom made my favorite cake for me and Melody made a nice cake for my Mom. I'm so thankful for my family and enjoyed being with them!

Mom, Kayden, Kiersi and Me in front of our cakes

All of us blowing out the candles

Wednesday, on my birthday - that morning, Brian gave me my birthday gift - a GPS. I asked for one because I have to rent a car when I travel now and I don't trust my navigations skills at all in Dallas, much less in another state. He also sent me some beautiful flowers (see below). My co-workers decorated my cube and I went with my friends/co-workers Sally and Angie to eat for lunch. Wednesday night we just went out to eat and hung out. It was wonderful!

Beautiful Roses!

Thursday night, we went to eat with my friends at Kyoto for my birthday dinner. I had a blast with all of them. I'm so glad they were able to come and enjoyed the food and friendship!

Me and My Man ready to eat!

Me and Nicole

All of our food ready to cook

Brian surprised me with Sprinkles cupcakes for dessert!

Kyoto employees singing Happy Birthday to me

Me and my birthday ice cream



All my fun, crazy friends - Love them all!

The girls

Brian and I after a great dinner

Friday night, we celebrated with Brian's family and we all went to eat at Cotton Patch Cafe so I could endulge in their Baked Potato Soup - my favorite! We came back and had dessert made my Brian's Aunt Pam and it was delicious! I enjoyed it all!

Again, thanks to everybody who celebrated with me this week. I am overwhelmed by all the love I've been shown. Here's to year 28!

All my cards and sweet gifts - I'm so grateful!

Happy Birthday Caleb!

Happy 11th Birthday to our Nephew Caleb!!!

We love you so much and are so proud of all you do!

You are so athletic and look forward to see what God has in store for you in the future!

Love,

B & Amanda