Ouch.

So yesterday, I had my wisdom teeth removed. I did really well, and the surgery went by really quickly! Well, until as of about 5:00pm today, my right side is starting to swell, and I am having pain in my ear and jaw. Ouch. I am not sure if I should be alarmed, or if this is normal once the anesthetic has worn off. Speaking of, that was funny.... I woke up bawling after the procedure and continued to cry for about 30 minutes. I have absolutely no idea why! I was a mess. My oral surgeon kept telling me I was talking too much, as I was waking up. Apparently I had a lot to say as I was coming out of the medicated coma! (Go figure, right!)

Tomorrow we are heading to Thomas to celebrate grandpa's birthday. My husband went to lunch today with my in-laws, Lance and Anna Ruth to celebrate Lance's birthday. He is the big 2-8 now! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCE! It's funny, now that he is growing into the "professional world" it is harder to buy him gifts! It used to be so easy! Lacoste is my new staple for Lance, until he tells me he has had enough. (ARE YOU READING THIS LANCE? THIS IS YOUR HINT IF YOU DON'T WANT LACOSTE ANYMORE!) ;) Or... Anna Ruth....



I hope everyone has a great week; I cannot believe January is almost over! ~Amy

GO BEARS!

Cutest. Thing. Ever.

Things that make me fall in love with my husband all over again... Saturday, my friend called in a bind asking if we could watch sweet baby Peyton for about 2 hours. Of course, we said yes. We can't pass up time with the cutest baby alive! So, she came over. My husband, however, was feeling a little under the weather due to allergies (20 one day, 65 the next) and wanted to lie down. After I fed the baby and rocked her a little, she began to have heavy eyes. I had stuff to do around the house, so I walked into the bedroom and asked my hubby if he would mind holding her for awhile. About 15 minutes later, when I heard no talking, I found this: I can't wait until he's a daddy. Cutest. Thing. Ever! ~Amy

The Ball!

We had the privilege to attend the Governor's Inaugural Ball Monday night. It was wonderful; cold but wonderful. We had such a nice time dressing up and spending some quality time with Aunt Kimmy. See for yourself:

Governor Fallin looked amazing in her dress. She is really a pretty lady. She wore a dress by Sherri Hill, who is the mother of a childhood friend of mine. She is the sole reason I love fashion. When Kara and I were young, we'd play with her paper and pencils "designing" our own dresses. I doubt any of our designs ever made it in her line! ~Amy

I Think I Have Found My Calling

We all know I can be a little aggressive and forward, so maybe it is time I put it to good use. Yesterday, a nurse at our office brought in the 10 month old baby that she is fostering. She was the cutest little African-American with little Afro puffs and two bottom teeth. When I walked by she reached for me and I held her. As I was holding her, I asked the foster mom what happened to allow her to foster this child and that is when she told me that this is the SECOND time her parents have beaten her. I started to tear up a little, and as she is discussing the injuries, the baby turned her head and that is when those tears went to a FULL OUT BREAKDOWN! This 10 month old baby had a dislocated jaw and a drained hematoma on her ear that left permanent scarring that reminds me of cauliflower ear on a wrestler. This little innocent child has been harmed like this, not once, but twice in 10 months and you want to know the best part? Our system is so screwed up, that the parents still have visitation with the possibility of regaining custody because they feel like the baby is always better with the parents. Really? Needless to say, I squatted down on the floor of my bosses office and bawled like a child. My friend, Sandra, came running over because she thought that something had happened to my husband. Seriously, that is how bad I was bawling. A total mess. It took me a little over 3 hours to calm down. I am not sure what happened. I think it was just the devastation of seeing an abused child and knowing that this stupid, skanky woman can continue to have kids and I can't. I just could not recover. Luckily, my friend Carter didn't ask questions, but asked if I wanted to go have a drink after work. We went and his girlfriend joined us; eventually my husband too. We had a great couple of hours laughing, telling stories, and cheering me up. I love our friends.

So, with all of that, I encourage all of you to call your local representative and suggest an immediate change in child welfare law. We are thinking of drafting a bill and seeing how many people we can get to sign it. I am not sure if I have to stomp the stairs of the House, or what, but I'm NOT letting this go. Join me? ~Amy

2011: The Year of Shedding.

Happy New Year, everybody! This year we are focusing on change. We are having a family cleanse. We are cleansing our bodies, our finances, and our house.

First, we are dieting. We have said this in the past, but enough is enough. We have been depressed due to infertility, and just haven't cared. Now, as we are breaking into the horizon of happiness again, we are getting fit. So, wish us luck and weight loss. ;)

Secondly, we are tightening up on our finances. We are getting our debt paid off, and we are going to be more frugal. We are going to try and fatten our "nest egg" and not spend outside of our means. We are also going to cut back on our frivolous spending. (That will be hard...)

Lastly, our house needs a deep clean. It is all tied up with what was previously stated. I frivolously spend. If I see something I have to have, I buy it without thinking twice. That has to stop. Why? Our "nursery" is packed down with home accessories. It's embarrassing. Some still have tags, because that must-have never made it. So, garage sale, Ebay and Craig's List. Whatever it takes. I need to rid myself of the clutter. I am getting rid of things I have never used, jewelry unworn, lamps unlit. If we haven't used it; it's going.

2010 was the year of fun, now 2011 is going to be the year of shedding. Shedding all things heavy. Fat, debt, and clutter; that's what we are getting rid of. This year's resolutions, unlike one's in the past, we are sticking to without an option of failure. So, I wish for everyone else the strength we are going to have because 2011- We are NOT taking no as an answer! Happy New Year! ~Amy

1 Year With Bo!

So 1 year ago, December 29th, 2009, we adopted little Bo. When we got him, his name was Orville. He was a cute little fat ball of fluff. See for yourself:

One year later, "Orville" is Bo and he is now long and lean. Who knew a dog would bring us so much joy and we are so glad we rescued him from the shelter instead of buying one at a breeder. Little puppy, the current love of our life. Happy New Year! ~Amy

This Christmas

This Christmas was a great one. We had so much fun with our family, friends, and little puppy. Christmas Eve was spent at my husband's parents house with the whole Roof family. We got grandma a Snuggie, and she thought it was a fur coat. It was so cute!

She was so happy... and warm! That night, however, we had an experience that is still staying with us. Z went into the Love's in Watonga to get me a Sprite on the way home, and came back to the car visibly upset. He had been in there for a while and I was beginning to worry. He shut the door and was looking around. I thought there was a robbery, or something because he wasn't even talking. Then, he said, "I just had the saddest experience..." He went on to tell me he was at the register and there was a little boy (6-9 years old) who was filthy, hair matted, coat way too big, trying to buy a toy gun. He had $6 and some change and then gun was $7.95. Sadly, when the cashier told him he didn't have enough money, he went to put it back. That is when my husband told him to keep his money and bought him the gun. He was so excited. Here comes the even sadder part... As we were driving off we saw this little boy crossing the highway to walk home. It was 20 degrees outside and this filthy little boy was walking home across a 4 lane highway, by himself. All of a sudden our Christmas became very, very, sad. Z got his name and I immediately called my mother-in-law to find out if she knew him. We followed him to his apartment where he was living and saw his "parents" (loosely using that word as I can't bring myself to call them parents) walk him into his apartment. I cried the whole way home. First, I cried because I cannot figure out why God allows people like that to be parents, and we have such a struggle. Then, I cried knowing that it is Christmas Eve, and Santa wouldn't be visiting this little boy's house. Next, I cried at how filthy this kid was, knowing he was neglected and that he has no chance in life. It really was a full-circle cry, if you will. Z and I feel like when we have these experiences, that God is trying to tell us something. There are so many kids in this world that need love, and we have a lot of love to give. Something big is in the future for the Bradt's.

Ok - back to the happier times, I made hot cocoa cupcakes. They were darling, but nobody really ate them. What grown adult eats marshmallows? (Besides me...)

Christmas day was spent at my house with my mom. We went and saw The Tourist at the theatre and I guessed the plot within the first 30 minutes; so I almost fell asleep... On the 26th, we had the whole family (mine and his) over for dinner and I cooked. This year's menu was: roasted chicken, pork loin, mushroom stuffing, carrots, green bean casserole, pomegranate stuffed apples, and of course crescent rolls. For dessert I made a caramel pecan pie and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. Debby went to lunch with Anna Ruth's parents earlier in the day, and was telling them how I cook a lot and always try new recipes. She was bragging on my skills, so I just knew this one was going to be a flop. Luckily for everybody's belly, it was edible and we had a wonderful 3-day Christmas. I hope everyone else had a Christmas as blessed as ours. ~Amy