A Very Merry Christmas (2009)

Wow, three months since my last blog post. Must do better about that. :)

It's Christmas Day 2009 and I sit here on the couch this evening overwhelmed by God's blessings. This year has brought a five-year cancer-free checkup, continued stability in my job considering the current economic situation, and the birth of our son. Temperatures are in the 20's tonight with windchill in the teens yet we have heat to keep us warm, a roof over our heads, lights shining brightly on the tree, and my son is sound asleep in his crib. My beautiful wife, who works tirelessly to see to care for Ethan, care for this house, and tolerate her husband, is getting ready for bed.

There are times throughout the year when work brings on various levels of stress, when you can't make everyone (or anyone) happy, when the bills pile up, and when nothing can go right.

Yet, here I am a week from year's end and I look at her, and I look at him, and I realize that the stress was handled, you can't make everyone happy (and trying guarantees failure), that those bills got paid, and everything is just right.

Merry Christmas!

"Babi" four years later

It's been four years since Babi passed away. There are many things I would have liked to have sat with her and discussed since that time. In particular, I'd love her thoughts about Ethan. When he was around 12 weeks old I was carrying him around the house because he was a bit fussy and we went into the home office where a picture of Babi hangs. He instantly calmed down and stared at her photo. I said, "Did you meet Babi?" and his face had one of the largest smiles I'd ever seen before. Something tells me she picked him out just for us. :) Thanks, Babi. We miss you. We love you.

"Kings"

One of my favorite shows on TV is being cut short on NBC -- "Kings" will be ending in a few weeks. The show is set in a future time in the city of Shiloh in the country of Gilboa. A loose retelling of the story of King David, (his daughter is Michelle, or "Michal") the show's visual symbolism is amazing. The crown of butterflies on David's head, when David avoids a sniper thanks to a lone dove, smoke blowing in two different directions -- all examples to watch for. You can catch up on the series thanks to Hulu.com now through September 20, 2009. After that you'll have to buy (or rent/Netflix) the DVDs of the series. My favorite aspect to the show is the formality in speech, in particular with King Silas (Ian McShane). In "Pilgrimage" he says a prayer that I really love; I'll repeat it here for Steph and Ethan:

My Family - always in my heart when not in my eye. May the time apart enrich the time spent together. May there be enough love left over until the next time we join hands. Amen.

Ethan's here!

If you haven't heard on Facebook already, Ethan James Bradley is here! He'd love you to visit his site at www.ethanjamesbradley.com to see his photos and videos. Stephanie and I are truly blessed!

There are a few things I've learned in his first nine days with us:

1. When you are peed on by someone and you don't mind, that's love.
2. A baby's sneeze is probably the cutest sound... ever.
3. You can do anything you want on two hours of sleep... if you don't care if it's done right.

Back to spending time with him...

The difference a baby can make

With Christmas Day just hours from now I know this will be the last Christmas that Stephanie and I will experience being just the two of us. With our little bundle of joy on the way I really can't wait for next Christmas! However, tonight as I ready for bed [hey, Santa doesn't come when you're awake] I have not only our baby to think of -- and the magnitude of change that will come with him/her but I'm incredibly thankful for yet another baby that changed so much for all of us. Let us not forget the "reason for the season" and take a moment to be thankful for all we have and all we are given, because of Him.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Merry Christmas.
-J

Best Christmas Ever!

If you haven't heard by now, Steph and I are going to be parents in six months or so! I've been wanting to be a dad for quite a while now -- it just sort of 'clicked' one day. Though obviously shocked to hear the news from Steph, I'm now ready for my greatest challenge. I never fully understood "I loved you before I ever knew your name" until now. "Peanut," as we are affectionately calling the baby for now, is always on my mind. I know that Steph and I are going to have our eyes opened to all that having a baby brings.

I know I won't be a perfect dad, Peanut, but I promise I will do everything to the best one I can be. Love, Dad

Thanks for supporting SU2C

Friday night's show was great and I look forward to hearing how much money was raised Friday night alone. All things considered, didn't Patrick Swayze and Christina Applegate look good? I'd like to thank the friends and family that donated to SU2C. This list are the people I know donated and deserve a special thanks. If I missed your name, let me know!

A in-no-particular-order very, very special thanks to...

• Stephanie!
  
• Rick & Sandra Bradley
• Jim & Linda Hutzel
• Jesse & Mattie Bradley
  
• Michael & Sarah Bradley
• Mr. & Mrs. Miller
  
• Beth & Tim Lemons
• Greg & Laura Hutzel
• Jon & Jennifer Hutzel
• Mike Hutzel & Jennifer Robinson
• Adam & Christina Pawlowski
• Rusty Boozer
• Gabe Keller
• Shawn Wall
• Fred & Jennifer Rice
• Tammy Johnson
  

Michael & Sarah Bradley

Today's post is a heart-felt congratulations to Michael and Sarah. God put two great people together and we wish you both all the love, health, and happiness in the world.
Photos by Bob Miller.

Lifehouse's Everything Skit

My brother recently shared this video with me and it is truly one of the most amazing skits I've seen performed. I hope you all enjoy it!

Faith

Having just celebrated four years of being cancer free I couldn't be more happy. As time has passed it has become easier for me to talk about what my family and I went through. Recently, I've shared the story I originally wrote in 2004 -- "Six Months in Heaven" -- with several friends that didn't even know me at the time. I have been asked a question by several people which they probably thought would be a tough one to answer.

The question, in a nutshell, is "How can you believe in [or love] God when faced with having cancer?"
The simple answer to this seemingly tough question lies in a single word -- Faith.

My copy of Webster's defines 'faith' as [1] allegiance to duty or a person, and [2] something that is believed with especially strong conviction. For many, seeing is believing. For me, Faith in God is believing even when you can't see.

Cancer was not punishment. It was a fierce, violent, physically damaging storm that I knew would end, but the end was never in sight. I had Faith then as I have it now, my friends, and every day since the sunsets are more and more beautiful.

James Andrew Hutzel

This weekend's trip to Cincinnati for an early Thanksgiving gathering turned tragic. Stephanie's grandfather, Mr. James A. Hutzel, passed away Saturday morning due to declining health. He was 87. We obviously didn't live close to Steph's grandparents, but I did have the pleasure of meeting them and spending time with them nearly a dozen times. Grandpa Hutzel was a man with a good sense of humor, loved his family dearly, and will truly be missed.

Remembering Babi

She was my grandmother. She was one of my best friends. She was a wonderful Christian woman who respected everyone and earned the respect of all who met her. She was "Babi".

As her two grandchildren, she taught Michael and I a great many things. She showed everyone how to be a better person and we would all do well to remember, refine and exemplify those lessons in our own lives.

It was two years ago today that Babi passed away. She has been missed by all. This world is a lesser place without her in it. She is with God and the angels, and even Heaven itself is enriched by her being there.

We miss you, Babi.

"Blue Like Jazz"

Today I finished reading Don Miller's book, "Blue Like Jazz". Wow. Miller puts his "songs" and those of his friends into words in a way that everyone can understand. The book is about the Christian faith without focus on "the rules" and without feeling as though he is "preaching" to you. It's a book about love, forgiveness, grace, family, friendship, loving others and loving yourself. It's the best $10 you'll spend all year. Enjoy the music.

Buy "Blue Like Jazz" at Buy.com
Buy "Blue Like Jazz" at Amazon.com
(Hardcover Large Print and Audio CD versions are also available.)

If you want to read Blue Like Jazz and
truly cannot afford the $10, let me know.