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

Fight, Fearlessness and Facades.

First of all, WOW, almost 15,000 views on my website!! All but about 3,000 of those are just from the last couple of weeks! Thank you all so much for taking the time to come to justiceforjennifer.com and read my story and pass it along to others. Also, I'd like to thank everyone that has signed my guestbook and left such wonderful comments! You all encourage and inspire me on a daily basis to keep doing what I'm doing with your kind thoughts and by sharing your stories with me. You're all simply amazing.



Reading through all of the entries on my guestbook, I decided to touch on a few things...



My Fight.



This whole traumatic incident has been a long journey and I've fought my way to get here. I have fought from the very beginning, and never given up. I fought for my life, my voice, my recovery, my sanity, and now, I'm fighting for justice for not only myself, but others. I have said it many times, and I'll say it again, I am here for a reason...which is to USE MY VOICE, and encourage others, and I won't give up, because...



I.Am.F-E-A-R-L-E-S-S.



I feel as though I could take on the World. After what I've been through, and all I've fought for and overcome, why should I be afraid? I will NOT live my life in fear. I am so incredibly blessed to have had a normal childhood and adult life, and I want to be a leader for others. I want to encourage others. How would I be encouraging to others if I was scared to speak out about my story, scared to go in public to run daily errands, or show my face when talking about my story?
Someone wrote an entry on my blog about my cheerfulness on television possibly being a...



Facade?



The definition of facade is: a superficial appearance or illusion of something.



Understand that what happened to me, happened 19 years ago. I have had years to overcome this event in my life, and empower myself with strength to fight back.

I WAS scared, for a couple of years after this happened.
I HAD nightmares.
Every year, I thought that he'd come back for me...and "finish me off."

BUT I REFUSE TO LIVE MY LIFE IN FEAR.

What you see, is what you get.

I am NOT in mourning, why would I be? I have a beautiful, healthy life!
I am NOT sad & grieving, I've got many, many, things to be thankful for.
I am passionate about helping others, because THIS is MY PURPOSE in LIFE.

Over the years, I have tried to transform, to the best of my ability, a negative, traumatic event...into one that is positive, and can encourage and educate others..by speaking out. Growing up, I would hate when I would tell my story to someone, and they'd respond with "I'm so sorry you went through that, I understand." I've never wanted anyone to "feel sorry" for me. You shouldn't. I am alive. I feel so sad for those whose lives have been taken. Those that weren't lucky enough to have children find them while playing. And, saying, "I understand" when you really don't...that does more damage than good. There isn't anyone that ever fully understands until they've been through it. What you CAN do, is join in a person's journey. Fight the fight with them, and be supportive. What has made me who I am, is spending all of these last 19 years of my life talking about my traumatic experience to help in my own healing, and try and encourage others to speak out along with me and keep up The FIGHT, and BE FEARLESS!

Please do not take me for being superficial, because JENNIFER SCHUETT is not superficial, but instead a SURVIVOR.

Justice For All,
Jennifer