Everyone who reads this blog knows almost everything there is to know about Ashley. Everyone knows that Ashley is such a big piece of my heart but I want to introduce you to the other piece of my heart; Ashley's big brother, Brad.
Brad was born in 1996 after several failed pregnancies. He is just as much of a miracle to me as his sister. When my husband was finally ready to have children I changed just about everything in my life. I began to work out more, eat better, cut caffeine, was very blunt in asking people not to smoke around me. At the time I worked at job that kept me on my feet virtually eight hours a day. I never had problems getting pregnant, it was staying pregnant that proved to be a challenge. Approximately two months before I found out was pregnant with Brad, I had a miscarriage. It was devastating, I felt God was punishing me for some past wrongdoings but I was determined to become a mother. Being a mother was the one thing I know I was put on this earth to do. I firmly believe it is the only path God planned for me.
Today Brad is a very well adjusted, smart, athletic, and cute (just ask all the girls), 15 year old boy. He just took the tests to get his Lerner's Permit. As his mom, I am excited he will be driving soon yet at the same time I am scared to death. Brad is not the typical teenage boy except for the fact that he sleeps til noon during the summer and likes girls or should I say girls like him. What makes Brad different is he has such an intelligence and maturity that is well beyond his years. I enjoy so much talking to Brad about politics, religion, history...just about anything. But I am also very embarrassed and humbled to admit that Brad is so much smarter than me.
Brad and I are close, we have the same close relationship that I have with Ashley. Brad talks to me about anything; girls, drugs, sex, etc. (Our conversations aren't always about politics and/or religion). Brad is self-disciplined but I still have to guide him. He has a great circle of great friends from all walks of life, both girls and boys. I trust his friends and I love being around them almost as much as he does. I secretly wish all of Brad's friends were my friends on Facebook but that is taboo. I think my Facebook page would be so much more exciting with Brad's friends a part of it.
Baseball is Brad's sport of choice to play, but he prefers to watch football. Brad has been playing baseball since he was 5 years old and was on his high school's JV baseball team as a freshman last year. He is a pitcher and a third baseman but can pretty much play any position assigned. Some of the players on the JV team last year have said that Brad "is the most underrated player on the team." He seems to have gained the respect of his fellow teammates as well as the coaches. So you see I am not just a dance mom, I am a baseball mom too.
Academically, Brad is gifted and I am not saying that because I am his mom, he is truly gifted with a high IQ. He is not one of those gifted students that consistently makes straight A's. Since going to high school, the straight A's seem to elude Brad. He is part of the International Baccalaureate program at his high school and graduated middle school with 4 high school credits under his belt. He has many interests and is still not 100% sure what he wants to major in when he goes to college. Some of his interest include psychology, medicine, and engineering. He has dreams to attend the Naval Academy, M.I.T. or Stanford or as he says, "any school that is not in Florida."
When Ashley was born with all of her health issues, I was afraid Brad would be extremely jealous of her or overprotective of her. However, Brad is neither; he treats her like any sibling would treat their brother or sister. Brad and Ashley have always gotten along and even though they will both be teenagers soon, they still like to spend time together. I know that when Ashley starts high school in one year, Brad (and his friends) will be there to help her. Knowing Brad will be there gives me some peace.
Brad is such a big piece of my heart, and just like Ashley, he is the reason mine continues to beat. Being a mother to both of these miracles is such a gift. A gift I will cherish daily and will enjoy continuing to unwrap as they learn to live there lives.
Today Brad is a very well adjusted, smart, athletic, and cute (just ask all the girls), 15 year old boy. He just took the tests to get his Lerner's Permit. As his mom, I am excited he will be driving soon yet at the same time I am scared to death. Brad is not the typical teenage boy except for the fact that he sleeps til noon during the summer and likes girls or should I say girls like him. What makes Brad different is he has such an intelligence and maturity that is well beyond his years. I enjoy so much talking to Brad about politics, religion, history...just about anything. But I am also very embarrassed and humbled to admit that Brad is so much smarter than me.Brad and I are close, we have the same close relationship that I have with Ashley. Brad talks to me about anything; girls, drugs, sex, etc. (Our conversations aren't always about politics and/or religion). Brad is self-disciplined but I still have to guide him. He has a great circle of great friends from all walks of life, both girls and boys. I trust his friends and I love being around them almost as much as he does. I secretly wish all of Brad's friends were my friends on Facebook but that is taboo. I think my Facebook page would be so much more exciting with Brad's friends a part of it.
Academically, Brad is gifted and I am not saying that because I am his mom, he is truly gifted with a high IQ. He is not one of those gifted students that consistently makes straight A's. Since going to high school, the straight A's seem to elude Brad. He is part of the International Baccalaureate program at his high school and graduated middle school with 4 high school credits under his belt. He has many interests and is still not 100% sure what he wants to major in when he goes to college. Some of his interest include psychology, medicine, and engineering. He has dreams to attend the Naval Academy, M.I.T. or Stanford or as he says, "any school that is not in Florida."
When Ashley was born with all of her health issues, I was afraid Brad would be extremely jealous of her or overprotective of her. However, Brad is neither; he treats her like any sibling would treat their brother or sister. Brad and Ashley have always gotten along and even though they will both be teenagers soon, they still like to spend time together. I know that when Ashley starts high school in one year, Brad (and his friends) will be there to help her. Knowing Brad will be there gives me some peace.
Brad is such a big piece of my heart, and just like Ashley, he is the reason mine continues to beat. Being a mother to both of these miracles is such a gift. A gift I will cherish daily and will enjoy continuing to unwrap as they learn to live there lives.
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