Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful..

Who would have thought that it would be freezing cold, and raining with a possibility of SNOW here in Texas around the Holiday Season? Now, that's just pure luck! I've lived here in Texas my whole life, minus a year or two, and it's snowed 3 times. Well, I'm lying. One of those times it was just big, boulder chunks of ice...but in Texas, that can suffice for snow. Anyway, the weather is frightful outside...people in Texas don't know how to drive in Snow! I'll turn on the news tonight, and there will be car wreck after car wreck. No bueno.

On our Houston news, there will probably be stories of break-in's again tonight. What is wrong with people around this time of year? I just don't get it. The other day, my best friend (who is 5 months pregnant) left her home with her 2 year old son to go to a doctor's appointment, and while she was gone, her front door to her home was kicked in, and thieves stole all kinds of things from them. Oh, and I forgot to mention that my best friend's husband is a Marine and just got back from Afghanistan in June. Do people not realize that when you break into someone's home and take their belongings, you take much more than that? You take their sense of peace and security. To know that my 2 year old god son stood in the living room of his home and cried and said "bad guy" and pointed to the missing television...makes me so sad.

Well, Jonathan and I finally got the Christmas lights up! Apparently either hanging Christmas lights, or Thanksgiving makes me sick, because by last Sunday, I was laid up in bed until yesterday. I had strep throat, the flu...and anything else that could cling on to me. I felt horrible, but I'm starting to feel back to normal now...but I'm sure as soon as I step outside today, my throat will swell up and order me back to bed.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and survived Black Friday. I skipped out on the shopping in the stores and did most of it online. So much easier than fighting the crowds!

Here are some pics of our lights and tree I thought I'd share:

Thanksgiving Thanks

In less than 4 days, I'll be prepping a 22 lb. bird, injecting, stuffing, basting and baking her slowly in my oven, while whipping up a kitchen full of side-dishes and tasty treats for dessert! And, the last week it's been like 60 degrees here in Texas. That rarely happens, but I'm glad it has become cooler than usual, so I can actually enjoy this holiday season, minus sweating. Today I will attempt to assist Jonathan in hanging Christmas lights on the outside of the house. It will be interesting to see how much *help* I really am. Last year, while I was inside decorating, he and his brother, Justin, put up lights outside, and played a joke on me trying to make me think that Jonathan had fallen off the roof. I may just have to get him back this year. This cool weather is making me feel a little sneaky. ;)

This Thanksgiving, I really do have so much to be thankful for. I've been incredibly blessed to have been surrounded by such wonderful support, because I definitely have needed it. This year, at times, has been trying, and, at times, incredibly tough, but it's also been a year filled with love, happiness, and victory, and for all of that, I am so thankful. I've realized so much this year about the strength and fight I have inside of me, and to have a whole World of support behind me on my happy and not-so-happy days, has meant more to me than I could ever relay in a blog.

In two short words, I'm Thankful.

Teddy Bear?

I watched this last night, and I have MANY things I could say about this video, but won't comment at the moment. Let me hear your thoughts!

www.click2houston.com/video/21526706/index.html

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait.

I just wanted to write and let everyone know that there's alot I want to say, and there have been blogs I've written and then not posted...simply because I do not want to jeopardize my case in any way.

At this time, still pending prosecution, I will continue to Use my Voice to encourage others in speaking out and seeking justice, and I will focus on the details of my case only in the courtroom. There are no court dates as of yet, but I'm hoping to hear something soon. If there are things I can update everyone on, I will do so, but right now, I'm just playing the waiting game, again.

I have finished reading all of the guestbook entries and e-mails that have been left on my website through yesterday. I can't thank you all enough for sharing your stories and writing those notes of encouragement and support, it's just so mind-boggling to me that so many of you have been touched by my story, and I would like to thank those of you that have been keeping me in your prayers - I wake up every day feeling more strength for what waits ahead!

All My Love,
Jennifer

Girl ExtraOrdinaire

...is an ExtraOrdinairy company by Tiffany Bressan & Courtney Noelle. Tiffany & Courtney had a vision that they made into a reality, which resulted in the founding of Girl ExtraOrdinaire...a company that encourages women to dream big, and never give up! Thank you to Tiffany & Courtney, for following my dream, and watching it unfold into a reality, and for the encouragement and support! You two are truly appreciated!

Please visit www.girleo.com!

Happy Captureversary!

Today is the one week captureversary (i made that word up) ... or rather the one week anniversary of the capture of Dennis Earl Bradford. What a week it's been! After the capture last Tuesday, and doing nothing but being confined to my house answering phone calls and e-mails for days, I finally got out of the house Friday to wash my car and run some errands, and then decided I needed to get away for the weekend. I drove to San Antonio by myself to clear my head, and visit my best friend and godson. I love San Antonio and I'd love to live there one day. My grandpa and grandma used to take me just about every month as a child, and I have so many memories there..and the atmosphere is just one that I can embrace and love. Anyway, this past weekend was my best friend's 27th birthday, so we had a great time while I was visiting! I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. We've been best friends for about 12 years now, and when we're together we can be goofy and not have a care in the world, and I love to play with my little godson, Bryce. I drove back home Monday, and literally 5 minutes after I walked in the door, as I was unloading my belongings from the car, the home phone rang. At that point, I wanted to throw my suitcase back in the car and get back on the road!

Every night for the past week I've tried to read through all of the thousands of e-mails I've received...I feel horrible that there's just no way I'd ever be able to respond to all of them, but I just can't. I hope you all understand, and just this morning I've finished reading through all of the e-mails I've received on my justiceforjennifer website, facebook, and myspace, and letters that have been sent to the Dickinson Police Department. I still have to sit and finish reading all of the guestbook entries on my website, and look forward to that. I am still in disbelief that so many of you have heard my voice, and have been inspired to use yours! Your stories have touched my heart, and I've found myself crying reading so many of the e-mails I've received. Those of you that have sent me messages congratulating me and encouraging me, Thank you! I know that this is really only the beginning of another chapter in my life. See, what some people don't understand is that I will never let this go...I will never completely "move on" ...even after the trial. I plan to dedicate my life in helping others, and be involved in law enforcement in one way or another. I am going back to school in the Spring to finish off my degree, and then want to also start a foundation to help other victims of violent crime and encourage them to use their voices in becoming victorious, and get the justice they deserve. I don't know how long it will take to accomplish my new goals, but I guarantee you, I won't ever stop.

In Victory,
Jennifer <3

Victorious!

"Hope is not a Dream...but a way of making dreams become Reality."

October 13, 2009 was a day of pure emotion, and victory. At 6:50 a.m. in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Dennis Earl Bradford was arrested as a suspect in my 19-year-old cold case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DYIaLHbA6Y

Someone please pinch me. Is this REALLY happening?!? Yes, it is. Imagine waiting 19 long years, and waking up to a phone call at 6:50 a.m. that all of these years later...the above person had been captured. It's almost been a week, and well...I'm still in complete and utter...shock. I'm excited and overwhelmed at the same time, and so incredibly happy that he cannot hurt anyone else.

At this time, I will not comment any further on my case, pending prosecution, but want you all to know that I sincerely and deeply appreciate all of your e-mails, messages, phone calls, etc. This past week has definitely been a whirlwind, to say the least, and I still have not been able to sit still long enough to read the thousands of e-mails and messages I've received. It amazes me that so many people that I've never known would take the time to write me such genuine, heart felt messages.

Thank you all, very, very much for your support!

Sending love to you all,

Jennifer