Safe in HIS Arms...: Better late than never? O=-)

Hello, Friends...

It's been another long stretch since I've updated, so I thought I'd check in quickly just to say that we're "okay." This summer has been a busy one - and that's always a good thing. (As always, we're MISSING Brent like crazy)

Link's been busy at work, the boys have been lots of help around the house, and I'm staying busy doing that wife/mom/help-meet thing. =-) Oh, and our garden is GREAT! The boys want to go out "first thing" each morning to see how the veggies are growing. (It's CRAZY how fast the cucumbers grow!!) Funny, they're so into watching the stuff - they'd run screaming like girls if you tried to get them to eat any of it. HA!!!!!!!!!

Oh, before I go... I hope to get TONS of pictures on the 4th and will be sharing those as quickly as I can get them loaded. It's been a long time since I've made pictures of the boys and girls together. We actually don't have any of them (Addison, Lora Beth, Zach and Gabe) with Allie Grace. We're hoping to get some really great family pictures! Again, I'll share them ASAP!

I hope all is well with each of you, and want to say THANKS for stopping by! I PROMISE to do a better update soon. (We always appreciate your prayers too) ;-)

See ya after the 4th? (If not before)

Love,
Tonya

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Brent's Story...

Our son Brent suddenly started to complain with back pain in the fall of 2004. He was playing flag football with the town league and loved to roughhouse with his two younger brothers so the pain was dismissed at first. After having him tested for kidney and bladder infections and finding him clear we finally asked for an MRI of his back. A couple of weeks later (the very day of the MRI) we received a phone call from his doctor saying that a tumor was found in his pelvic area. We were asked how quickly we could get him to St. Jude Children's Hospital - we left IMMEDIATELY. Later that same week we got the diagnosis. It was one that we would NEVER, EVER forget. It was Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. His chances of survival when diagnosed were 1/4 - 1/3. When he relapsed we were reminded there was NO CURE. There was basically no hope of survival... none outside the HOPE we had in JESUS.

Brent fought long and hard. He was a Christian and LOVED his SAVIOR. He NEVER asked "why" or complained. He took each day as it was - a gift from GOD. Brent went HOME to be with the LORD on January 2, 2007. He was 11 years old. If I've EVER had a "hero" in this world.... it would be him.

If you'd like to read about his AMAZING journey you can visit his caringbridge site caringbridge.org/ms/brentnason

18 comments:

Sheryl said...: So glad to "hear" from you. Sounds like it's been busy but fun. Love your comment about the boys screaming like girls if they had to the veggies. I'm with them, it's fun to watch it grow, but please don't make me eat them.

Looking forward to your pictures. And, as always, I continue to pray.

-Sheryl; June 30, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Young Creations said...: Happy 4th. We will be spending it on a small Island called Coronado. It is in San Diego. It is actually a beautiful place. Small town, perfect for the 4th. I will share some pictures as well.
Lauren; July 1, 2008 at 2:31 AM
Amy S. said...: Hi Tanya!

I'm glad you are ok! Was wondering about you again. How nice it must be to have a vegetable garden. So fun watching everything grow. I'm looking forward to seeming lots of pic of the boys and girls together.

Love and Hugs; July 1, 2008 at 8:48 AM
~Amy~ said...: Glad to see you stop by for just a bit. I too have had a hard time posting this summer. I want a garden so bad. I have never had one, but love fresh veggies. Have a wonderful holiday and talk to ya next week.; July 1, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Faithful Froggers said...: Hope you and your family have a wonderful 4th of July! I'm sure it will be so fun to have all the cousins together. I can't wait to see the pictures.

My guys would run screaming about the veggies, too! :)

Love & FROG . . .; July 1, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Paula V said...: Good to hear from you. I figured life was keeping you really busy. It's that nice weather outside and so much more to do and be able to do with the nice weather. It's hard to believe we stay cooped up all those months in the winter.
Love ya,
Paula; July 1, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Susan said...: THANK YOU Tonya,

I was needing this post, really BAD!!!

Glad you are staying busy and that garden sounds YUMMY.

My boys LOVE their veggies, just wait and see, they will come to LOVE them once they get older, trust me on this one.

Looking forward to the photo-shoot. Hey we want to see YOU in some of them too, HINT~HINT~

LOVE YOU girlfriend♥; July 1, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Shan said...: Glad to hear you're doing well! I'm jealous your cucumbers are already growing, ours aren't even vine-ing out yet! Have a wonderful 4th!!!; July 1, 2008 at 2:16 PM
A Stone Gatherer said...: Hey girl, glad to have you check in! I hope you have a great 4th! Catch you later!; July 1, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Lakeville Vertical said...: Glad to see your back. I've missed you and hope to see lots of pics after the 4th. Hope it's a good one for you! :); July 2, 2008 at 1:55 AM
Dawn said...: Hey Girlie!!!

Busy summer days can be just as fun as those lazy summer days. Have a HAPPY 4th.

Thinking about you all!; July 2, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Reba said...: Hi! Glad to see your post...I have missed them. But I also know how busy summer is, especially with kids! We just got back from the coast...I love going to the beach. Will you be hitting the shores this year? I look forward to lots of pictures!
Reba; July 2, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Jennifer said...: Enjoy reading your blog.....I've tried to leave you a message on several occasions...and finally! woo-hoo! I hear the big St. Jude marathon is coming up in Dec. Is there going to be a Team Brent?; July 2, 2008 at 8:27 PM
Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...: Tonya~
Thanks for the update...I've sure missed you!!!!!

Take care sweet friend, and enjoy the 4th with your family.

Be blessed.
Kim; July 2, 2008 at 9:12 PM
Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...: Glad you are back. Hope you had a fantastic fourth.; July 5, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Melanie said...: Hi, Tonya... just dropping by to say "Hi" and see how things are in your neck of the woods. Sounds like you're going to have lots and lots of fresh veggies soon.

Enjoy your summer and all the fun with your sweet boys!; July 6, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Susan said...: Hello,

I found your blog through the Faithful Froggers blog, but I also followed Brent' story near the end through caringbridge. I also lost my oldest child, my only son, to neuroblastoma - almost a year ago now. I look forward to reading your blog. I find it such a comfort to read blogs of other moms who have gone through what we have. It inspires me on my own journey to make a new life without my son beside me.

Susan; July 8, 2008 at 10:00 AM
valerie said...: I've been missing you!; July 8, 2008 at 8:31 PM