Happy Birthday, Brad!

Today, as I was cleaning the bathroom, I started thinking about my brother, Brad and how today is his birthday.  He is 35 years old today!!

(On a side note, as I was cleaning the bathroom, Brooke came in and asked what I was doing.  I replied, “Cleaning the bathroom.” To this, she said, “For Daddy?”  Ha!  She knows just as well as I do that Daddy cleans the bathroom more than mommy, and for that I am soooo very thankful!!)

Anyhow, back to Brad.  I started thinking about all the good memories that we have from growing up.  We were very blessed with great parents and grandparents; our childhood was easy, secure, and happy…I wish all kids could have the home we grew up in!  So, I thought I would share some of my memories on my blog to reminisce the “good ole days:)”

I remember…

I remember crying for Brad when I was just a baby at the daycare where mom took us.  I was little bitty, but I can still see it in my head.  I was in a crib and crying hard for Brad, but no one would take me to him:(  Mom only sent us to this daycare for two days because the second day, Brad beat her back to the car when she dropped us off!  He didn’t like it either!

I remember (mostly because I have heard the story over and over again:) how I was jumping over Brad when he was laying in the floor watching cartoons and landed on and BROKE his collarbone.  Ashley was brand new and just home from the hospital…guess I was a little too excited!

 (Brad sporting the sling for the broken collar bone and for some reason, that’s about all we have on:)

I remember bargaining to get what we wanted from each other and ganging up on Ashley to get her to do things for us.  We would tell her, “If you don’t change the channel, we won’t play a game with you…”  (Those were the days before everyone had 10 remote controls, and we only had 5 channels…) We were typical siblings!

I remember Brad getting stuck in a tree he was climbing, and Grandpa Green having to cut him out with a chainsaw.  Grandpa told us not to call mom at work, but Ashley and I ran home (bawling) and called her anyhow.  She could hear him screaming from across the yard and could hear the chainsaw.  Probably not the phone call you want to get at work…  Thankfully, it all worked out in the end:)

I remember Brad playing hot wheels and all things ball.

I remember having crushes on most of Brad’s friends:)

I remember Brad working on the farm with Wayne all summer long.  I remember him driving off in a deep ditch on the farm.

I remember him and Ashley eating a Fudge Round and Mt. Dew for breakfast while I ate my bowl of cereal and drank water:)

I remember Brad getting a new speaker system in his truck and being so proud of it.  I also remember it getting stolen and how awful that felt!

I remember riding to ballgames together and using said speaker system to get pumped up!!

I remember Brad getting his new full-sized white GMC pickup!  We were all so excited and happy for him!

I remember Brad hugging me and comforting me when my heart was broken.

I remember making grilled cheese sandwiches at midnight because Brad would make me feel bad by saying, “You are going to make a bad wife someday.”  Yes, he was a great brother, but still a brother:)

I remember moving to FHU with Brad.  He was a transfer student, and I was a freshman.  I was soooo thankful to have my big brother with me!!

I remember calling to tell Brad the first night that Josh called me.  I said, “You will never guess who called tonight.” He said, “I bet I can.” I said, “Who?” He replied, “Josh Ketchum.”  I then said, “How did you know?” He answered with every freshman girl’s worst nightmare, “He is sitting here in my room.” I was humiliated!  At least it worked out and Josh called again!

I remember Brad being so happy the day that Josh and I got married.  I remember the hug he gave me and how he remarked about what a happy day it was!

I remember the day that Brad married his best friend, Roxanne.  I remember standing next to Ashley as a bridesmaid and her crying her eyes out:)  It was a very happy day; one we had prayed about for a long time!

I have so many good memories of growing up with Brad.  He is such a wonderful brother and man.  I now get to make more memories of our children growing up together.  I get to watch him be a great dad and husband.  I was always very proud to be Brad’s sister, and I am proud of the man he is today!  We love you, Brad, and hope you birthday was wonderful!!!

Sorry Mom and Dad, this is the only family picture I had at my house of us when we were little:)  And, yes, this really is my dad!!

P.S. Sorry Ashley, but for some reason, most of the pictures I have are just of Brad and me.  Not sure where you were…:)