The Countdown Begins

The best show of all time is about to start its fourth season. For any of you who have not watched this show I would highly recommend it (we have the first three seasons for anyone who wants to borrow them). 

I have to admit that last years season finale made me cry like a baby (in my defense I was a little hormonal - Owen was just 2 months). I cannot wait until Thursday but there are only 8 total shows for this season because of the writer's strike. Sad! Hopefully Owen will go to bed (and stay in bed) by 8:00 because I am going to be completely oblivious for 2 full hours! 

Time Away

On Wednesday afternoon after Owen woke up from his nap I realized I was officially bored out of my mind. Being a city girl, every once in a while I start to go a little insane living in the country. I thought after living here over 3 years I would get used to it but after going Walmart for everything I could possibly need for the next month I decided it was time to get out of town. Don't get me wrong I do love living here but during the winter there is nothing to do and after a few days of being stuck in the house I need to do something. 

We got to my parent's house around 4:30 that afternoon. My parents both had meetings that evening but we still got to eat together and once I put Owen down I made cookies for something at the school. 

Owen did not sleep well that night but it was totally worth it being able to go to Springfield. My mom took Owen for a few glorious hours so I could go to the mall by myself and out to lunch. I went to Panera and just stared at the wall when I ate. People probably thought that I was a depressed person but it was so nice just to sit. I then got a few refills of coffee and read for a while. After I got home my mom told me to take a nap (I think I am coming down with a sinus infection - again). After an hour long nap we both decided to head back to the mall and check out more sales at Old Navy. I think I have already bought about half my Christmas gifts, shower gifts and new baby presents for the year - they were having AMAZING sales. We ended the evening with chicken tacos and three episodes of Lost (what could be a better day?). So thankful for my parents!!! 

In the morning we left just in time for me to meet Charity and Isabel for coffee. Jay and I took a lot of turns yesterday of taking of Owen so the other one could nap. I think we have all come down with the same thing. We had friends over for dessert last night and just talked for a few hours. 

Tonight we have a date night!!!! We are going to go to Troy for dinner and then our favorite coffee shop. Thanks Derek and Kari! I am so grateful for these last few days of relaxing and spending time with people we love! 

Adopted

This last week in our Life group we had a great discussion about how we are chosen by God. I love Ephesians 1:4-5 which states, "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will." When I look at this verses I cannot help but think of two wonderful couples I know who are in the process of adoption. What an awesome reminder of what Christ has done for us!

I am in awe that Christ chose me before the creation of the world to be His child. I am going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all time by Charles Spurgeon:

I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterwards; and he must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I could never find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love.

Long Time No Blog

Hey! It has been a while since I have taken the time to post. There are many reasons for this which is why I am going to just do a brief overview of the last month.

- We had a wonderful Christmas at the Bradshaw's house. We left right after Christmas Eve service and got into North Canton around 12:30 am. Owen got to meet his Uncle Chris and Aunt Angie for the very first time. He got a lot of attention (being the only grandchild) and a TON of Christmas presents. I think we are going to have to be in the market soon for another house because of all the stuff he has. It is amazing that someone who is so small can take up so much space. The week was spent hanging out with family and doing lots of shopping (I always have a list with me of things we need when we are there).

- The first weekend in January we headed to Springfield to celebrate with my side of the family. It is a little overwhelming with all the kids in one house but such a blast! Owen enjoys just watching his older cousins play together. I know I am biased but I have got the cutest nieces and nephew ever. I enjoyed going to see one of my dad's basketball games on friday night and then on saturday we all hung out at home. I always look forward to spending time with the Slagles.

-Two days later we headed back to Cedarville for Jason to play guitar at Mission's Conference for three days. He got to play with some good friends and it was so nice to see people that we rarely get to see. However, it is depressing going back to a place you spent multiple years of your life at and not knowing anyone. It always makes me feel old when we go back now.

-Owen continues to become more and more mobile. I cannot get anything done with fear that he is chewing on electrical cords or pulling our speakers down on him. I put the pack and play up in our living room so that if I need to make a mad dash into the kitchen I don't have to worry about him getting hurt. He loves to make a lot of faces now and has found multiple uses for toys (check out the pics). The other day he gave me a kiss right on the lips. It was a very slobbery but he opened his mouth and landed one right on me! I think I melted on the spot! The older he gets the more fun he gets. He seems to be a little more work now but it is totally worth it!

Jodi's Top 7 of 2007

7. My job at REACH -I have been so blessed to have a job that I love. Jan (my boss) has been so nice to keep me on staff even though I am very part time. Occassionaly, I get to go to go into schools on fridays (Jay's days off). Because of our new governor we have lost our funding and are on the verge of closing (thank you Ted Strickland). We are still holding out for something to happen to keep REACH afloat.

6. Our vacation to Hilton Head- We got to go with my parents to Hilton Head when Owen was only 2 months old. It was so relaxing and so nice to get away. It was also nice for Jay and I to get some alone time while my parents watched Owen.

5. Our new Mac/TV - We have literally waited for years to get a home computer. I am so thankful to be able to keep in touch with family and friends via the internet. I love having a connection to the outside world on days when Owen and I do not get out.

4. Pregnancy and delivery - I totally enjoyed being pregnant (except for the throwing up of the first trimester and being over due). People are so much nicer to you when you are pregnant. There are also the people stare me down (and continue to do so) because I look like a teenager. I always try to flash my ring in their direction. I have no idea why I care what they think but for some reason I just want to yell out, "I am 27 and I am married so back off."
Delivery was amazing, it was what came afterwards that was a bit of a challenge (emergency surgery and blood transfusions). It was crazy to think this little human just came out of me and he is mine!

3. Our church body - I love our church. I am so thankful that it is comitted to being a gospel oriented church. The people at our church are incredible. We were overwhelmed this year by the shower that was thrown for us. We continue to meet new individuals who are such servants and want to use their gifts to glorify God. It is so strange to think that a year ago I did not know some of the people that I know now who are such an encouragement to me. Our church had also gone through a lot of changes this year and yet because of God's grace we continued to grow.

2. Friends and family - We got to see a lot of friends this year from college that we do not get to see very often. It is those friendships that once you are together you just go from where you last left off. It is so bitter sweet to see them because afterwards you miss them more. God has giving us amazing friends from high school, college and in Greenville. We are so blessed to have people that help us grow closer to our heavenly Father.
We are so thankful to both be raised in Christian homes. It has been so much fun to watch our families interact with Owen (especially Jay's parents being that it is their first grandchild). I love that we never have to worry about Owen when we leave him with any family members. My mom has been especially amazing this year. She stayed with us for almost 2 weeks after Owen was born. Because of complications I was really weak and my mom just took over. She would sleep in the same room with Owen and only wake me up if he needed to eat! She is a woman that I truly desire to be like. It has also been nice to be able to drop off Owen and their house and go out on dates. :)

Drum roll please! And the #1 of 2007 is.....

1. Being Parents - I could never have dreamed what it was really like to be a parent. It is completely awesome and completely terrifying at the same time. Watching Jay with Owen has been one of the highlights of my year. I have seen a whole different side of Jason since he has become a dad. Jay is an incredible father! I could never ask for a better husband!
I love being a mommy. I cannot imagine life now without Owen (what did we do for entertainment before?) Being a mom has exceeded my expectations and I am looking forward to the new year full of "firsts" with Owen.

As I look back over the year I am amazed at God's grace and goodness in our lives! Thank you Lord for blessing me way beyond what I deserve. Christmas this year brings on a whole different meaning when I think about God sending His only Son to this earth to die. I pray that in the coming year I would be reminded of this daily when I look at the son God has given us.
Merry Christmas!!!!!

Owen's Favorites

Just a few of Owen's Favorites (in no particular order)
~ Playing and standing in our laundry baskets
~ Sucking on his pacifier (check out both pics)- he just started taking it a few weeks ago
~ Standing in his crib when he does not want to go to sleep
~ Eating fruit (from mashed up bananas to canned apples and cranberries)
~ Any type of mirror. He loves looking at himself. Despite what the books and magazines say I can tell he knows that it is him.
~ Bouncing up and down in his crib before going to bed. We do this before every nap and at bedtime.
~ His fish and fish bowl toys - I got this at a garage sale before I was pregnant for $1.00.
~ Mommy - I have got the goods!
~ Daddy coming home from work. When he hears the garage door open his eyes get bigger and he stares at the door until Jay walks in. He knows that he is about to have some serious play time.

Christmas Dance

Bradshaw Dance
Jason did not think this was very funny! Bah Humbug! I thought it would spread some Christmas cheer!