Just Jo

Not very proud to be American right now!

2010-02-27T20:18:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been doing a lot of soul searching about the way we eat. Reading a lot of blogs, asking a lot of questions and just trying to make decisions that will be healthier for our family. Which lead me to a this movie.
I have heard several people mention the movie Food, Inc. Oprah did a show about it and several friends mentioned it, so I was curious. I just finished watching it and can I say oh My GOSH!

After watching this movie I am outraged because for the first time EVER I am ashamed of the way we live in America. I am ashamed of the way I live in America. I am ashamed that small farmers are being put out of business because they are not conforming to the genetically altered way of eating and growing food. I am ashamed of a government who is not protecting it's citizens from deadly pathogens because they are more concerned with hurting their friends the conglomerate. I am ashamed of my ignorance and urge everyone to question where their food is coming from.

I am scared for my kids! I am afraid of diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer with continue to plague our families, our friends and our neighbors. And why is that? I never really asked myself why more people are sick. Is there a connection here...absolutely! So what is really important here. What is important is the bottom line, which ironically is the flat line because we are all paying the price for it.

Which is why I'm going to change. I'm posting a link to the trailer. Look into watching this movie! It could really change your life.

New Title

2010-01-05T13:45:00.001-08:00

I decided to change the title of my blog. I'm not sure if that goes against the rules or anything...I just felt that other title didn't fit me anymore. "Just Jo" doesn't mean that it will just be about me, because there is so much more to me then myself...I am a wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and soon to be student...so this blog will be a little bit about all of those. I hope you enjoy the catch up...it was a long time coming!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

2010-01-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

We were lucky and got a good family picture with the timer on our camera. It was a miracle actually!

Our Christmas tree filled with the 10+ boxes sent by our family.

The boys waiting so patiently to open their presents.

Having fun in the snow. It is so much better when you have on snow pants, boots, and gloves.

Our weak little attempt at a snowman.

Settling In

2010-01-05T13:12:00.000-08:00

We made it to Maryland safe and sound. We found a nice apartment in a nice neighborhood that is close to Ryan's work and close to shopping. Still working on building our community and getting to know people. Here a just of few pics of what we have been up to since we moved.

My little Puppy and Spiderman for Halloween. They had so much fun. They couldn't believe that someone was giving them candy.

Brady is Ryan's little mini me. He tries to do everything the big boys do. And he loves to sit on Daddy's lap and play xbox with him.

Connor and Brady being sill before bed time.

California Dreamin!

2010-01-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

Good bye Virgina! Now on to California for a few weeks.
We went to Ryan's parents and spend a few weeks there. Connor and Brady had a lot of fun with Grandma and Grandpa. We were surprised my my brother and sister in law who came down to spend time with us while we were in town.

Connor and David had a blast playing in the inflatable boat.

Next we went to stay with my parents in El Centro. While we were there we had an emergency room visit with Brady who almost cut off the tip of his finger. It was a nightmare, but he did good and you can't tell he even hurt it. Besides that we had a wonderful time. The kids got to play with more cousins and get more love from grandparents and aunts and uncles.

Playing with Papa Bob's new toys! Boys and motorcylces?!
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We even went to Phoenix for a long weekend to see my dad.

Fun at Papa Scott and Grandma Susie's house. We had so much fun in the pool.

Now on to our next adventure...we're moving to Maryland!

Saying Good bye to Friends

2010-01-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

Part of what was so hard about living in Virginia was having to say good bye to so many friends.

Two of my best buddies Liz and Melissa. Liz is now in Georgia waiting for new orders and Melissa is in Washington reunited with her family.

Lindsay, Amanda, Corrine and I enjoying a Sunday brunch. Lindsay is now in Georgia, Amanda is in Oklahoma and Corrine is now in Texas.

This is at a going away party for Ainy who moved to Texas. I love all of these ladies and had a hard time saying goodbye to every one of them.

Ladies who were/are such a blessing and encouragment!

...and more then I have pictures of. Love and miss my VA bff's

Playing Catch up...starting with Disneyworld!

2010-01-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time coming, but I am finally going to try and update my blog. A lot has happened in the 7 months since my last one...so here we go.

The fam standing in line for Small World.

My parents joined us on our trip...and thank God they did!

Ry and Connor on the Dumbo ride.

At Epcot!

Mutti and Papa Bob pausing to take a pic and trying to stay cool!

We had an amazing time. We stayed at a time share resort that had a kids water feature and a gradual walk in pool. It was so hot a humid there, but we toughed it out.

Vacation!

2009-06-12T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm going to DISNEYWORLD! WOO HOO!!! :)

...Asking...Seeking...and Knocking!

2009-05-18T20:06:00.000-07:00

At our Wednesday night lifegroup during prayer request time I asked for prayer for Ryan and his job search from leaving the military and entering back into the civilian job market. When we stopped and started seeking the Lord in that time a prayer was prayed for Ryan saying, "God directs the steps of the righteous man." And that stayed with me. Like God was saying pay attention to that because that is what he needs to hear from Me and you will have to say that to him again and again until I have answered your prayer. And of course a few nights later I had to remind Ryan of prayer.

At church on Sat night...Vannessa started to speak before worship of something someone shared with her about faith, and how we seem to ask God for more faith for this, or more faith for that. What we should be doing instead is seeking after the Lord to help us perfect the faith that we have. After all, all God said was that we need to have faith the size of a mustard seed.

And again I got a reminder tonight of how God is trying to speak to me...and that I need to just stop and listen...(thanks Candie for posting that clip).

...So, if you read this and you pray...pray for Ryan's steps to be guided by God, who is the righteous one. And for our faith to be used to it's capacity...sold out to the God who never fails or waivers. And for us to take the time to listen now before it's too late and we have to be "spiritually smacked."

Fun Times with the Kiddos

2009-05-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

Since I just learned how to put pictures on here...

Brady loving his first bounce house experience

All the kiddos climbing all over eachother

Izzy Bizzy

Silly Face Connor

Brady Boy

Princess Zoey

Izzy and Amanda about to go down the slide

Me and my silly boys who can't smile normal or look at the camera

Princess and Nichole posing for a pic...so cute

See what I mean about the silly smile!!! Goofy

The next day I had all the kids over to help out their mommies and I just had to document my insanity.

We had a blast at Jumping Joeys. The kids get to run around and be kids and I get to act like one too. Is there anything better!

My First Triathlon!!!

2009-04-06T14:09:00.001-07:00

Here are some pics of a sprint triathlon that I did at the beginning of April...it was a lot of fun!

Connor cheering me on!

focused on the next leg of the race...the bike!

Sweet Friend Ivette (aka Betty) came to help Ry out with the kiddos.

Izzy and Connor cheering on Amanda and I

Amanda and Scott waiting for her to start the race.

I survived...all smiles at the end :)

I found a new hobby! Definitely want to do another one...hopefully in July if I can get my rear end to the gym again.

Bragging about my Hubby!

2009-04-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

Since we moved to Virginia 3 years ago Ryan has been taking classes to get his Masters in Public Administration. And just recently he completed his final research paper, which is a well written 40 page paper that I think is exceptional. We just found out that he got an A on his research paper and an A for his final class, which in and of itself is a huge accomplishment and something to be proud of. But that final A was the icing on the cake. My Ryan is graduating with a Masters in Public Administration with a 4.0 Grade Point Average. Yes my friends he got straight A's!!!

Yeah Ryan...I am so proud of you!!!!

Thank you for making our sacrifices mean something, and working so hard for our family!

Comments!

2009-03-30T12:26:00.001-07:00

I think that I finally figured out the comments issue. So feel free to try and let me know.

Hi I am Joanna Reynolds, and my son has asthma!

2009-03-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step to overcoming that problem.

...My oldest son Connor has asthma and he had a pretty bad flare up this past week because of a cold he got over the weekend. There is nothing more humbling then laying next to your child, listening to him breath and just waiting for him to wake up with another coughing attack.

He was diagnosed with asthma when he was just over 1 year old. I don't have asthma, Ryan doesn't have asthma, so how did our son get it ? Well apparently just about everyone else in our family does. And because I don't have it, it is hard to understand what it is doing to him when he gets sick.

From being up with him all night to waiting in a hospital room the next day and an appointment with his pediatrician the day after that I have come to this conclusion...My son has asthma and I have been ignoring that fact for the last 2 years.

The word denial keeps coming up in my mind. What do I need to learn from this? I am learning that just walking over the problem doesn't clean it up. That I need to embrace the solution instead of fighting it and thinking the problem can fix itself. And I am not just talking about Connor's medicine. What other areas of my life need to be as eye opening as Connor's asthma attack before I get it, before I make the right changes?

Seven Year Itch?

2009-03-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

This past Monday Ryan and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary. It's hard to believe that so much time has gone by in our marriage. A lot has changed and time seems to go by very quickly. We are now parents to two wonderful little boys, that alone makes time go by fast.

With all the changes that life has brought our way I feel like life might finally start to slow down a little. And maybe we can finally be in a place where we can focus more on each other and less on what is going on around us. The our external environment may not change all that much, but my attitude can.

Here's to a lifetime of more anniversaries. Happy Anniversary Ryan...Love you babe!

My First Blog!

2009-03-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

For a while now I have been tracking the blogs of a few friends and really enjoying the thought, creativity and connection I have with them through those blogs. So I thought why not give it a shot. I don't know who will read this, but here I am entering into the world of blog...and all I hope is that I have something good to say and that I don't make a bunch of grammar and spelling mistakes.