Introducing... Juice Drop

Writer's block is the worst! Since we found out we were pregnant on January 17th nothing else seemed interesting enough to write about. Every time I sat down to write the only thing on my mind was this baby and I knew it was still too soon to reveal our exciting news. But the time has finally come when I can put my words on paper the screen and share with you the ups, the downs, the joys, the unusual, and the funny things about the miracle of pregnancy!

Where do I even begin? I have so much to say. I started a journal for the baby the day I found out but I think I'll spare you from every entry. I also think I'll save the story of how we found out for a different day. It's a pretty funny story so stay tuned!

Actually I know exactly where to begin...We've already picked out a name for our baby. I've heard so many different names from "the bean" to "little one" and I actually had planned on calling ours "the bump" until Travis introduced me to a different, more unique, name. One day he asked, "Can I call our baby Juice Drop?" At first I thought, "sure, in private; don't repeat out in public." But since that moment, Juice Drop has stuck and we've shared this moniker with our family and close friends and they've began calling our little one Juice Drop as well. I'm sure you're asking, "Why Juice Drop?" Well if you know anything about Travis's high school soccer career you'd know that his nickname was Juicy (apparently it meant that he was fast like...juice?) He even still uses his email address from high school which is juicyjones11@... So when Travis suggested the name Juice Drop, I had to admit it was perfect for our little one.

Without further ado let me introduce you to our little Juice Drop. 

Ready to meet the world September 19, 2012:

And for those of you who are interested in Juice Drop's bump here are weeks 10-13 (Disclaimer: all these photos were taken right after lunch so my bump may be a little exaggerated. Talk about a food baby!)

Running into His Glory

Have I mentioned that I love Charlotte? Not just because of everything it offers; it has a lot to do with the weather and the fact that I can go running outside if I so choose in January. Yesterday was probably one of the best runs I have had in a long time. Running isn't my preferable method of working out; I'd rather do Zumba or Turbo Fire (something that can get my mind off of actually working out!) But yesterday I just couldn't pass up the chance to get outside and run as far as my legs could carry me, or at least until the sun went down since it was 4:30 in the afternoon. And all I can do is praise God for it being that late in the day because I experienced something that I could only describe as being a "Saul to Paul Moment". If you don't know what I'm talking about go check out Acts 9 in the Bible right now! As I was running the path on the McAlpine Greenway Travis of course left me in the dust and all alone in my thoughts as I briskly jogged along. Usually I’d be frustrated that the sun was blinding me on a run but I couldn’t help but bask in it. There was one point where the sun was so bright all I could think about was God and all His glory and the fact that He is so great and mighty that when we finally meet Him it’ll be much like the sun blinding me on my run. We won’t be able to even look upon His face because we’ll be blinded if we do! I’ve never experienced the sun shine so brightly before that moment, I’ve never been so blinded by the sun that I could not see anything else around me. I just remember thinking ‘if another runner or biker comes along they better be the ones that get out of my way because I can’t see a thing!’ Now I wasn’t totally blinded like Paul was and I didn’t hear Jesus speak to me like He did Paul but I believe I caught a little glimpse of what Heaven will be like: totally enveloped by the glory of God and wanting to never leave His light. Of course because I’m not in Heaven yet I had to leave the light of the sun as it began to set behind the trees but I won’t soon forget the feeling that swept over me during those few minutes, the feeling that kept me running into His glory.

New Holiday Traditions

Merry Christmas from the Joneses!

We're trying something new this year: Christmas by ourselves! We won't be making the traditional trek back to Columbus for many different reasons. Am I sad? Yes! But am I excited to spend Christmas with my man alone for the first time ever? A million times Yes! One of the reasons why we won't be making our journey north is because of everything that is going on here in Charlotte. I'm sure most of you can relate to crazy Christmases, maybe even 3 or 4 in one day. What Travis and I need is a relaxing Christmas where we can focus and seek God's guidance in this next big step. Beginning in January we will transition into the role of being the point leaders of the Albemarle Community which will hopefully be followed by us moving into one the apartments there. So heading back home for the holidays is just not an option for us if we want to focus on the responsibilities and the move ahead of us in less than a month. We will miss our families tremendously but we know we need to take time for ourselves this year. I'm pretty excited about experimenting with new traditions; maybe pancakes on Christmas morning, spending most of the day in our footie pjs, and reflecting on the joy, peace, and love our Emmanuel has brought to the World!

(I won't admit just yet though that I'll miss the white stuff on the ground, ask me Christmas morning and I may change my mind :)

While We Were Gone

So life didn't stop when we left for our 2 week vacation trip--wish it did though so we wouldn't have missed all the great things that happened while we were gone! Here are just a few things that took place:

1. Soccer practices, tutoring, and bible studies went on as usual. However, the Woodbridge Albemarle Community is now practicing at a field close by instead of the tennis courts. The kids have been really receptive to this change and enjoyed going somewhere other than their own "turf" for practice. 

2. Two Thanksgivings took place in two neighborhoods! Along with the Urban Eagles, there were three other ministries, including the church Travis and I are attending, that came to Birchcroft to put on a Thanksgiving meal on November 19^th. Canned goods and prayers were given at every door and a potluck of Thanksgiving deliciousness was outside for everyone to enjoy. The Tuesday before Thanksgiving Grier Heights had their meal and moms were making their best Thanksgiving dishes and girls were putting on a dance performance for everybody. A community came together to share in the praises of the past year and families became one as they celebrated what God has done for them. I so wish we could have been a part of both these wonderful celebrations!

Grier Heights: not on Thanksgiving but a few weeks before--gives you an idea of what it was like :)

Birchcroft: Mom & David

Birchcroft: waiting for a delicious meal 

Birchcroft: enjoying a delicious meal