Four Years!

I have the best husband in the entire universe! Today we celebrated four years of wedded bliss :) And I can honestly say it has been a wonderful four years. I couldn't have asked for a better man to call my own... and surely he'd say the same about me (wink, wink).

Thank You Father for a husband who loves You first and me second. You knew what you were doing when You put us together and I am forever grateful!

It's been a while... the Bradberry house has been full of activity lately. Some great, some not so great. So today (or this week I should say) I simply leave you with a quote from one of my favorite people...

Hakuna Matata for the weekend...

Welcome to the world... Brody Parker!

Announcing the arrival of

Brody Parker Eaves
Born on July 2, 2008, at 7:18 p.m.
Weighing 7 lbs 11 ozs and measuring 21 inches long.
Proud Parents are Matt & Sarah Eaves

Brody Parker Eaves

Daddy and Son

The Giraffe my mom gave Brody...

Me and Brody... if you notice his expression I believe he was thinking, "Ah, I'll just go home with her!" :) Don't I wish - I want one!!!

Really, he is too cute for words and the pictures do not do justice. (My camera died just before he decided to wake up, therefore no eyes open shots, but they're gorgeous too!) Congratulations Mommy & Daddy I know you'll both be great!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthday Card from my brother!

Flowers from my Grandmother!

What a wonderful birthday this has been so far... so wonderful I just have to share! It started this morning with gifts from my husband. Now, let me warn you that we do not do lavish gifts (diamonds, jewelry, big stuff) for birthdays. We are very simple folks and very easy to please. With that said here's a peak at what I received from Jon. You'll want to note his unique wrapping style - always a surprise with him! This time it was tin-foil and blue painters tape combined with a brown lunch sack and toilet tissue paper. (Just a note: he used Snowman Napkins to wrap my Christmas gifts).

Then when I arrived at work this morning I was greeted by a chocolate pie, a beautiful vase with a Gerbera Daisy and a gift from Mrs. Kay. I have been coveting an address stamp that both of her daughters use and she was kind enough to get me one for my birthday!

As if all of that wasn't enough when 11:00 am rolled around in walks my mother with a picnic lunch (homemade brownies included) and more gifts! She gave me the cutest brown and pink flip flops, an Irish necklace and a new Audrey Hepburn movie, Funny Face. I thought what a great surprise... but wait... there's more! A few moments later my grandparents, brother and Jerry walk through the door to join us for our picnic :) Do I have the greatest family and friends or what?

My birthday picnic with (from L to R) Granny, Paw Paw David, Jerry, Momma and Mrs. Kay!

Me & D

Challenge...

I am involved with Mission VBS's this week so my blog time is limited... therefore I am issuing a challenge. I have told my story over the past 2 weeks - now it is your turn! I want to hear your story. Your story can be about anything you want it to be so what are you waiting for? Blog away my friends! Hakuna Matata for now!

Our story... where we are now

So much has happened since moving back to Columbus. Of course we see my family a good bit and we've made some new friends. I have been able to reconnect with some old friends as well. Over all life has been good. But, if you've been following our story for very long you know that we encounter the occasional bump in the road and Columbus has had its share.

I don't really know how to tell this next part without confusing you so bare with me. Jon had been on staff at Canaan for almost 2 years when we really started to pray about resigning. As much as we loved our youth and the folks at the church something just wasn't right. To be perfectly honest with you it hadn't been right for a long while. Reason being that Jon did not feel "called" to be a Youth Minister any longer. He had served as Youth Minister throughout the last 10 years and he knew that God was truly calling him to preach - to be a Pastor. That being true and where his heart was it would be a diservice to remain in a position that he wouldn't be able to give 100%. So, in April of 2007, Jon submitted his resignation.

Thankfully he already had a job doing carpentry and was able to go full time with that and I was now at Dr. Bennett's office and the Missions Office working. Missions Office you say? Yes, back in February of 2007 I was able to come on board for a job I've always wanted. I began as the part time Ministry Assistant of Publicity and Promotion - say that five times fast! I am responsible for a monthly newsletter, annual books of report, the calendar and numerous publicity for special events. I love it! Plus, it puts me in my preferred field - MISSIONS! The whole thing was truly an answer to prayer that I would be able to serve in the ministry as well as Jon. All that to say, though he was resigning from the church at least we could still pay our bills :)

Next we began to send out resumes. Jon was also put on the "supply" list at the Missions Office. This list is given to our churches when they need someone to fill a vacant pulpit due to not having a pastor or their pastor is simply going to be out of town, on vacation, etc. Almost immediately he began "booking" preaching engagements every weekend. We had several calls from churches that had received his resume but nothing definite. We pondered many scenarios from Jon beginning his Master's work at Seminary to doing a church plant. Still we had no crystal clear vision from God.

Here a little over a year later that's pretty much where we are today. I have since left Dr. Bennett's office and am now solely at the Missions Office, Jon is still working as a carpenter and filling the church's pulpit each Sunday, and we are still seeking God's will. We have interviewed at several churches over the last year, but God has still left the door unopened. We know that He has a plan and we are trying our best to be patient as He reveals that plan in His time. Who knows where we will "end up". For now Jon is getting some great experience and we are making connections all over the place! I do ask that you pray for us as we continue to seek God's will for our lives and that He make His plans known.

Well, that does it for the "general version" of our story. Thanks for coming along on the ride and please check back often as now I will be able to go back and tell some of the little stories that didn't make this first cut - they are some you definitely won't want to miss and they are sure to be an easier read! May you all have a fabulous weekend... Hakuna Matata!

Our story heads east...

We stopped over in Columbus for a surprise visit when we left the cruise after which we headed back to Dothan to pack. Yes, I said pack. Jon and I had decided to make a move to Jacksonville, Florida. If you remember from the beginning of our story this is his hometown and he was happy to go back to the big River City. I too was excited even though this would move me further from my home in Mississippi and of course my family was sad. Jon was going to be working with his brother who was starting his own business as a contractor. I was hired on at Baptist Hospital where my new sister in law also worked (thanks Julie!). We got an apartment just around the corner from Jon's family and settled into married life.

(The Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville just a couple minutes from our house)

In case you don't know Jacksonville is HUGE. I grew up in Columbus, Mississippi, and I am pretty sure you could fit a hundred of them in Jacksonville. Seriously, it takes over an hour to drive from one side of town to the other. And lets not forget that it's nicknamed the "River City". Everywhere you look there is water whether it is the St. John's River or the Atlantic Ocean - so cool! It was really cool to have a real mall (actually more like 4 or 5 real malls), a variety of restaurants, the beach and something to do on the weekends other than rent a movie and stay home. The pace of life was much different and I will admit it took me a while to get adjusted. For those who are wondering I only got lost once. I was knew to the whole having to take an interstate just to go to Wal-Mart thing and ended up heading "out of town" one day as I was trying to get home. But, I eventually figured things out and began to enjoy the city life.

We spent a lot of time with Jon's family as they are all very close and I got to know the in-laws a little better. Jon and I made some wonderful new friends (we miss you Joe & Melissa) and I got to meet his old buddies who told me about the "real" Jon Bradberry! Jon took me to all the coolest places.... St. Augustine, Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach to name a few. I even went to Universal Studios for the first time in my life when Melissa and I planned a surprise birthday weekend in Orlando for Jon and Joe. I could go on for days about our time in Jax - maybe another time though.

(Downtown Jax - gorgeous!!!)

(Altell Stadium. Home of the Jacksonville Jaguars!!! And yes, I got to go to a game!)

(The Landing in downtown Jax. I took this picture while cruising in Uncle Vic's boat one day)

So, things were great. We were busy and we were stretched for money but we were happy. Happy that is except Jon was longing to be on staff at a church. In case I haven't mentioned it I married a preacher! Jon surrendered to the call of ministry in 2000 (I think) and graduated with his B.A. in Theology at the Baptist College of Florida. Well, we began to really concentrate on sending out resumes around January 2005 and wouldn't you know that a little ol' church in Mississippi, Columbus to be exact called Jon to be Minster of Youth in April of that same year. So, 9 months after moving to Jax and we were packing again. This time it was Jon's family that was sad. Maybe sometime I will tell you the "faith story" surrounding his calling to our church in Mississippi but for now just know that we did get called to Canaan Baptist Church in Columbus.

At this point, I was excited. Having dreamed of being a minister's wife if was finally happening. And a Youth Minister's wife at that - how cool! I love kids and teenagers (probably because I still am one!). We settled into Canaan and quickly had a full plate. I went back to working at Dr. Bennett's office and it was as if I had never left 2 years earlier. Jon and I began to build relationships with our youth and I got involved in every little they'd let me be a part of including choir, teaching and eventually directing Vacation Bible School. God worked out every single detail to bring us to this place. So why did it never feel quite right? Want to know? Come back tomorrow for the current chapter in our story.... Hakuna Matata!

P.S. Yes, I know that this post began in 2004 and somehow ended up in present time. I obviously left out a lot. It would take me years to tell the complete story so remember this is the very abbreviated version!

Our story goes on...

(Our cruise photographers took the most wonderful photographs. This is just one of the formal ones... don't we look like millionaires???)


(At dinner in the Monet Dining Room)

Today our story continues with the second half of the honeymoon and when I left you yesterday we were headed to Grand Cayman. Let me just remind you that this is my favorite island. There are few things that can compare with the natural beauty of the Caymans. The people are friendly, the water is gorgeous and the food - fabulous!

Did I mention the sea turtles? Well, allow me to do so now. I love sea turtles and while on Grand Cayman Island we went to the Turtle Farm. These people were actually crazy enough to let me play with a few too! Okay, so they let everyone play that wanted to but I can pretend that my love for these creatures was so evident that that's the true reason I was able to play with them :) Check out these pictures of our "sea friends". I named my little guy Oliver. He was so cute! I wish I had found the picture of me kissing Oliver but I ran of time this morning when I was gathering the pictures to post today.

(Me and Oliver)

Anyway, Grand Cayman was wonderful. We ate our first Caribbean Jerk Chicken which was incredibly hot and saw a lot of cool stuff. Next we were on to Cozumel, Mexico. This place was equally exciting and full of possibilities. We decided to do our own thing and shopped around the open air markets before heading to Chankanaab Park. Once at the park we relaxed beneath the shade of Palm tree for a bit until we decided to rent snorkel gear. Now don't get me wrong I love the water, but the idea of swimming with real sea creatures was a little frightening. Nevertheless I agreed to snorkel and will admit that once I learned how to not swallow water I enjoyed myself. Well almost - I enjoyed it up until the point that a Barracuda brushed up against me. At that point I screamed underwater thus losing my snorkel and swallowing more sea water than I imagined possible. My husband on the other hand was laughing hysterically and decided to chase after it to capture a picture. He was able to snap a picture but the quality was not great so I will spare you this time.

All in all it was a great cruise. We enjoyed every single minute of every day and can't wait to celebrate our 5th anniversary next year with a similar cruise (if we save the money!). The whole week brought us together as husband and wife and God truly blessed us. Of course the honeymoon did eventually end and we were "forced" to leave our wonderful boat. Back to land, the real world and deciding on where to go from here. If you come back tomorrow you can find out where we ended up.... hakuna matata!

"Our story" begins...

(The new Mr. & Mrs. in Cozumel, Mexico)

Hello again blog world! Sorry for my absence yesterday as I was busy catching up from being out of town this past weekend. My friend Lane and I headed to Atlanta on Friday to do some "house shopping" and I was completely exhausted upon our return Sunday night. All in all we had a great trip and Atlanta won't be the same without us!

As for today - my story, actually now it's "our story" continues. After our wedding we drove a couple hours to nearby Pensacola Beach and stayed the night at the Hilton Garden Inn. Let me take one minute to say that we did not get the room we reserved, it was way overpriced and there was a reunion of some sort going on where people were "carryin' on" all night long. In spite of all of that the night was perfect and that's all I'll say about that as this is a G-rated blog :)

The next morning we drove to New Orleans, Louisiana, to board our cruise ship. The Carnival Conquest - the most perfect boat in the entire world. My sweet, wonderful, perfectly fabulous new husband knew me so well. He booked us on a "French Impressionist" inspired ship where we dined in the Monet Dining Room each night overlooking the ocean, saw shows at the Toulouse Lautrec Lounge and stayed in a beautiful Verandah Deck room complete with our own private balcony. Everywhere we looked there were French Impressionist paintings. Did I mention it was perfect?

Of course our destinations weren't bad either. Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico. Talk about paradise. I've never seen water so beautiful. Our first stop was Montego Bay, Jamaica, and while I wish we had done things a little differently on this island it was still pretty cool. We played on a beautiful beach, had lunch at Jimmy Buffet's restaurant, and I was offered illegal drugs! Yep, you read that right. While waiting on our taxi back to the boat a couple of Rastafarians propositioned me - right on the street! I wasn't thrilled at the time, but now at least I have a funny story to tell about Jamaica -"eh man" (insert Jamaican accent here)! I did love speaking the language while on the island, even if all I knew was from the movie Cool Runnings. Our driver on the island was impressed with my knowledge.

Our second stop was Grand Cayman Island. My absolute favorite spot! I mean where else can you play with sea turtles? Come back tomorrow for part two of this fabulous island and the conclusion of our honeymoon and see what I mean. Hakuna Matata :)

My "Hallelujah" Story...

Well, I think it's time for a happy chapter in this life story of mine. So on this fabulous Friday that's just what you'll get. My little brother David preached my Daddy's funeral and we said our last goodbyes. Although Daddy was gone life had not stopped. We had to move forward and we did.

Jon and I continued to plan our wedding. We made arrangement after arrangement and mailed invitation after invitation. In the mean time, Jon graduated from the Baptist College of Florida. He had a little help of course! (With all the drama his future wife was causing she figured it only fair to help him write 2 papers in order to get class credit.) All in all things gradually became "normal" if there is such.

As July 24th drew near I knew it would all be worth it. Some of my friends and family came the week before the wedding and we were able to hang out and just have some fun time. We also got a lot of loose ends tied up before the big day. And of course on Thursday pretty much all of the family and wedding party was there. I was surrounded by love on all sides. It was magical. Our rehearsal and dinner was so much fun. My brother who officiated part of the wedding showed out big time and Jon had barbequed quite a feast for dinner. However, nothing compared to the big day. Traditional in parts, unconventional in others... for us it was perfect. We vowed to love, honor and cherish each other, sang to each other and prayed together. We were surrounded by all of the people we loved. My favorite part though has to be that we walked out of the sanctuary to the tune of the "Hallelujah Chorus". Laughter erupted as the song began to play and we ourselves couldn't keep from giggling.

(Me showing off my lime green flip flops...
yes, I wore them all day. I don't back down from a dare!)

The reception that followed was equally exciting.... well except for the whole cake shoved up my nose so that I couldn't breathe thing! But even that was great. I am always the one rooting for the bride and groom to cream each other and that's just what we did. Just like our wedding, the reception was simple and it too was perfect for us. I wish you all could have been there and to those that were - thank you for being a part of our special day.

When all of the food was gone and the guests began to leave we too prepared to make our big escape. A change of clothes and a "to-go" plate and we were good to go. We hopped in the car while being attacked with bird seed and jetted off to Pensacola where we would spend the night before heading to New Orleans to board our Cruise Ship. And that's where today's story ends. So until Monday... Hakuna Matata!

My story goes on... **warning** may cause tears... grab the tissues!

Well, I suppose most of you know what happens next. Jon comes to the great state of Mississippi and spends Christmas with the family and gives me diamonds…… earrings that is! They were gorgeous (thanks Julie). We had a great Christmas break and then headed to Jacksonville for New Years. I had my first taste of Pop’s lasagna and Nan’s homemade bread and I knew for sure that I would enjoy being a part of this family if I got the chance.

After New Years Jon and I both headed back to Dothan. He began his final Spring Semester at BCF and I began my new job in the ER. Things were finally going well. I had settled in to this new, very unexpected life and Jon was busy trying to prepare to graduate. On February 5th though things would change again…. this time it was good change! On Jon’s 29th birthday, he informed that the greatest birthday gift he could get would be if I would agree to be his wife! He came to my apartment just as I got off of work for what I thought was to get his “real” birthday gift (an XBOX). I stood there in my navy blue scrubs – not looking great I tell ya – and after he opened the XBOX he popped the question and took my ring out of his pocket. I’m pretty sure that I said yes after the shock wore off! He later told me that the jeweler had called to let him know my ring was ready so he went to pick it up. On his way home he decided he wouldn’t be able to wait and propose as he had planned, but would have to ask me immediately! How sweet! I remember everything about that night…

So, the next few weeks were great. We set the date for Jul 24, 2004, booked a honeymoon cruise to the Caribbean and began to plan our Big Day. I thought nothing could go wrong… but, something that no one can prepare for was waiting for me just around the corner. Please bare with me as I tell this next chapter. It won’t be easy and I cannot leave out detail – for my benefit and yours.

(Me and Daddy)

On April 1, 2004, my dad went into the hospital for a heart valve replacement surgery – open heart surgery. He was in Meridian, Mississippi and I was in Dothan. Still being the new kid on the block at the ER I had not planned on asking to be off to travel home for his surgery, but a last minute gut check told me that I needed to be with my dad. Although the doctors (and all of us for that matter) were pretty sure the surgery would be fine, I still felt the need to go and be beside him. I called Jon who came straight from school, called his work to tell him he needed to go with me to Meridian, and we drove to Mississippi. We got there just before visiting hours ended for the day. Daddy was out of surgery and in the ICU for recovery. He didn’t know I was coming and I still remember the joy that spread across his face when I walked into his room. Still on a ventilator and unable to speak, I knew what he was thinking and I was glad that I had come.

The following day, Daddy was off of the ventilator and we were able to go and spend time with him. I showed him a picture of me in my wedding dress that Momma had snapped when she came for a visit and he got to see my invitations. We laughed about him having to wear a suit for our upcoming wedding (Daddy hated wearing dress clothes). Everything was fine – or so we thought. Jon and I said our goodbyes to everyone and later that day headed back to Dothan with the promise that we would come back when Daddy got to go home. We returned to Dothan that Friday evening and I called to check on Daddy and he was doing fine, so we settled in for the night. The next morning we went about our day as usual. It was a Saturday and I didn’t have to be at work until 2:00 pm so we headed out to one of our flower girls’ ballgames. On the way there I called and checked on Daddy and he sounded good. We talked for a little while and then I told him I would call again that night to check in. That was the last time I ever heard my Daddy’s voice. The previous day became the last time I would ever see him.

Jon walked through the doors of the emergency room that evening with a look on his face that I’ll never forget. He had come to tell me that my Daddy was gone. The doctors said that a blood clot gone to the heart caused his death. It was quick and unexpected. He was 49 years old. Long story short, my co-workers gathered my things for me, called the boss, sent us out the door and we drove that night back to Meridian to be with my family. Just 3 short months before he was to give me a way…

I tell you this story to remind you that life is precious. Take time to be with those you love and make memories that will last you a lifetime. Go - when you think you're not needed. Be - when you don't have the strength. Love - like there's no tomorrow. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for giving me the “gut feeling” that ultimately led to me being with my Dad for those last moments. Though he would never walk me down the isle, he saw me in my dress and received his invitation. God knew that I needed to be there that day and I am grateful. Father’s Day is this coming Sunday and my Daddy is with our heavenly Father. Happy Father’s Day to you both and to my Paw Paw who gave me a way and who has always been there for me and to Jerry who has also always been there for me. I love you all!

Until tomorrow… Hakuna Matata!