Hello, Friends!

I know I said I'd check in sooner than this, and I apologize. We've had dental appointments among a list of other things. (Zach will get a spacer in the bottom of his mouth until he's old enough for braces.. Gabe had two cavities in his baby teeth) =-/

I also mentioned that I was going to post crazy pictures of some veggies from my garden. (It's a LONG story as to why I've not done it yet, and I'll share it in the next post on the veggies. Hehe) Today, I want to invite you to join us in raising MUCH NEEDED money for childhood cancer research.

As most of you know, we lost our 11 year old son Brent to Neuroblastoma (a cancer of the nervous system). It's because of that we are now PASSIONATE about funding research.

There is an organization called CureSearch, and they're having a "virtual walk" to raise money for research (and of course awareness). I don't know about you.. but VIRTUAL walking, I CAN DO! Hehehe

Their goal is to bring 12,500 people together for a virtual walk to support each one of the children who are diagnosed each year. (This taken directly from their site... quoting them again just below)

Event Details:

In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness month, CureSearch is challenging you to “walk virtually” and show your support for children with cancer. A staggering fact - each year 12,500 children and their families hear the frightening words “your child has cancer”. These statistics could represent a child in your neighborhood, in your child’s school, on the neighborhood T-Ball team or… yes it could be a child in your own family. Join us throughout the month of September for a virtual walk in support of children with cancer and their families.

Information About Childhood Cancer

Did you know....

12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year
Of those diagnosed, 1 in 5 will not survive
Together we can reach the day when every child with cancer is guaranteed a cure
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation exclusively supports the work of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier pediatric cancer research collaborative, treating more than 90% of children with cancer. Located at more than 200 children's hospitals and cancer centers across North America, this group is responsible for every major breakthrough in pediatric cancer research.




SOOOOO... I have set up a team in remembrance of our son, Brent. They ask for a gift of $10, but ANY amount would be appreciated! You can find our team (REMEMBERING Brent) by clicking HERE.


We would be so honored to have you join us in this fight!


I'll update again soon with my silly garden pics. =-)

LOVE YOU!
Tonya

Is that a trumpet I hear?

Hello, my Friends!

I'd hoped to check in with pictures from my wild and crazy garden, instead, I'll share an email that a friend sent me. (We FINALLY got the new computer - it's up and running, but the old one isn't "hooked up" in it's new place. THAT means I don't have access to my pictures)

With that said, I'll share the email. I hope you enjoy it too! (It sure gets me ALL EXCITED!) =-)




You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know..

So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From every hue ever seen and a million more never seen Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky. North. South. East. West.

Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy..

The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.

Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.

Jesus.

Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration:

I am the Alpha and the Omega.

The angels bow their heads.. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports, sales meetings, and football games. Nothing is newsworthy. All that mattered, matters no more....

For Christ has come.






WHEW! Now, THAT makes me want to go HOME TODAY! Can you imagine being in HIS presence? Can you imagine NEVER feeling alone, sad, or scared again? Can you imagine being with PERFECT LOVE FOREVER?? Wow!

I'll try to check back first thing tomorrow to share my new pictures. Thanks SO MUCH for checking in. =-)

LOVE YOU!

Making a Difference!

Hello, Friends!

I hope to log on in the next day or two to share some funky pictures from my garden, (WILD and CRAZY veggie pictures!) but TODAY I wanted to invite you to join me in something that can make a difference.

I got an email from American Express and this is what it said...



Join Cardmembers to make a positive impact.


Whether you want to protect the environment, save our schools, or fund the arts, Members Project® is your chance to help choose which projects will share $2.5 million in funding from American Express. Last year, Members Project brought clean drinking water to over 3.9 million children across Africa. What happens this year is up to you.

Here's how you can get involved:

1) Join the discussion. Find a project you're passionate about, discuss it with other supporters, and help campaign on its behalf. Spread the word. Get your family and friends involved.

2) Nominate Projects. You have until September 1, 2008 to nominate your favorite projects to help them advance to the top 25.

3) Cast your vote. Beginning September 9, 2008 vote on the top 25 projects to help decide which ones will get $2.5 million in funding from American Express.




I've gone and checked to see if any of our "favorite charities" are listed and they weren't. I DID, however, find that there is one for childhood cancer. If you'd like to help out, please click here.

I think you'll have to register, but it only takes a couple of minutes. If it makes your register first, and you can't find your way back to the "Sunshine Project," then just come back here and follow the links out. As of this moment.. there are ONLY NINE hours left to nominate! (Okay, I'm a little confused.. if you look at the top of their site, there is a "countdown" going on. It says that projects are due TODAY. Then, in the body of this email it says you can nominate until September 1. Oh, well! I hope it's something that EVERYONE JUMPS right on!!)

THANKS SO MUCH for your help!


Love,
Tonya


(PS... you DON'T have to be a "cardmember" to vote. You can sign in as a visitor by simply providing some information.. again, it only takes a few minutes. It MIGHT make a WORLD of difference in childhood cancer research)

To Encourage You

Hello, Friends...

I thought I'd check in to say THANKS for your words of encouragement, and of course, to thank you for your prayers! It was extremely hard to say "goodbye" to my grandma. We lived RIGHT BESIDE them RIGHT UP UNTIL the time we got married and started lives of our own. We were LITERALLY RAISED in my grandma's yard.

I cannot begin to say what a TREMENDOUS influence she was.. I'm SO VERY THANKFUL that we were able to watch how she lived her life, day in and day out. I'm THANKFUL that she was so BOLD in her love for CHRIST.

The first feelings that I felt when I learned that my Mam-Maw had fallen ill, were of grief, but also of REGRET! We live only about 10-15 minutes away from where she spent the last few years of her life. Over the past 5 years of MY life I allowed TIME to become an excuse not to visit like I should've. There was no reason I couldn't have visited weekly.. many times I'd let it go much longer between visits. I guess I'm saying this to encourage YOU to take the time to spend with your loved ones. Time CAN be made no matter HOW busy we are. It'll either be spent in what little it costs us while they're still here... or it'll be spent grieving and with guilt when it's too late. (You'd THINK I'd have grasped this after having lost a child?)

I know my friend Randy would get on me for being so hard on myself.. I suppose I'm sharing this with you today in hopes that I might keep you from being in the place that I am now.

As a child of GOD'S, I do have the BLESSED ASSURANCE that we WILL see her again! I'm also comforted knowing that she's up there "lovin on" my sweet Brent. Yes, I can only imagine the hugs and kisses they've exchanged... I can't help but smile as I think of him telling her ALL about things he's learned since he got there.

I hope to check back soon to share some neat (and humorous) family stories. Today, I just wanted to remind you to stop and listen as your little ones are talking to you. (If you have them) I wanted to remind you to give your undivided attention to your spouse (again, if you have one). I also wanted to encourage you to make CERTAIN that you're not letting precious time slip away from you and those who need you.

Take care, my friends...

I love you all!
Tonya

Celebrating the life of my Mam-Maw

"Mam-Maw"

Plummie Reed Clardy

July 30, 1907 - August 13, 2008

Hello, Friends...

I wanted to sign on to say, "THANK YOU!" for your prayers for my Mam-Maw. God blessed her with an easy passing around 5 am this morning. It was very quick and very peaceful. Our family is at peace knowing that she's with her LORD in HEAVEN, but her presence will FOREVER be missed. My grandmother was the ULTIMATE picture of the Proverbs 31 Woman.


Proverbs 31:10-31

A Wife of Noble Character
10 [a]Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm[b] clothes.

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise





Yes, this Proverb could have been written just for her!


When talking about flower arrangements with my Mom this morning, she said that Maw would be pleased to have money donated to childhood cancer research. (Instead of flowers) My grandma has been an AMAZINGLY HEALTHY woman and having no "favorite charity" of her own, I'm honored that my Mom mentioned the Band of Parents.

This organization was started by a group of parents desperately searching for a cure for their children battling Neuroblastoma. (This is the cancer that took the life of our son) You can find Brent on their "Angel Page."





It's been a really long day, and I'm mentally drained. I promise to check back soon!

Thanks again, SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH, for your prayers!

With Love,
Tonya

Prayer Request - Update

Hello, Friends....

I said I'd check back to update on my Mam-Maw, so here goes.......

What she has is called Aspiration Pneumonia. While reading about it in the hospital yesterday it seems that it happens when food or liquid is accidentally inhaled. There were reasons listed why this might happen, and one of those was if the person has had a stroke. We suspect that may be what happened. They did a CT (cat scan) yesterday and it was clear. They'll do another one in a few days.

We visited a couple of times yesterday - she is NOTHING like she was just a couple of weeks back. My grandma has ALWAYS been VERY ALERT, chatty (even as she's aged and her words were harder to come out). Last night, they "called the family in."

As of around midnight her breathing had gotten better and she seemed to be resting a little better, although she's still running fever. (Her breathing had become shallow earlier)

I'll be going back down there around 7 and will probably spend most of the day. If anything changes I'll let you know as soon as possible.

THANKS SO MUCH for your prayers!
Love,
Tonya

A Prayer Request

Hello, Friends...

I'm checking in quickly to share a prayer request. I'm sure you've all heard me mention my 101 year old grandma. (Better known as "Mam-Maw") Well, tonight the nursing home called my Mom and told her they were about to "pump" my Grandma's lungs. They then called back to ask if any of the family would be coming in and my Mom told them she was on her way.

When she arrived, a nurse told her they'd pulled a lot of fluid and that she was "better, but not good." They said she has pneumonia in one of her lungs, then reminded my Mom that pneumonia isn't good for a YOUNG person, much less someone who's 101 years old. (She's also been in congestive heart failure for a while now)

I honestly don't know how to ask you to pray... My Mam-Maw is a Christian and is ready to meet her LORD. She's lived a long and good life. (Hard, but with many blessings) However, as you all know, it's never easy to think about saying "goodbye" to a loved one.

Please just ask that GOD's will be done... if it's that she be healed, then pray for comfort and joy as she lives out her last years. If it's that she go HOME, then I ask that you pray that GOD will prepare our hearts to let her go.

I'll check in again as soon as I know anything different.

THANKS SO MUCH!
Love,
Tonya

My late post from the 4th (Yes, of JULY!)

Hello, Friends!

I thought I'd try to "backtrack" and do a post that I think I told you about a while back. I had a total "GOD EXPERIENCE" back around the 4th of July and I've been wanting to share it, but I had to take the time to load the picture that goes with the story. It was AMAZING.. a TRUE GIFT from our LORD!

SO, I know I've mentioned before how hard the holidays are for us. In some ways, it doesn't feel any different (because we MISS Brent EVERY day) and in other ways... it just seems to make us more AWARE that he's just not here.

Well, the 4th was one of Brent's ALL TIME FAVORITE holidays. I was excited this year about the upcoming family fun, and yet my heart was breaking because he wasn't here. I remembered how Brent used to look forward to going with Pap-Paw Sam to get the hog. I remembered how he loved to stay up late (to be the first to get to the ribs) ;-) I remembered all of the other things he loved about it.

So... I'd been battling a little "spell of depression" as the day had finally arrived. (It was actually July 3, but that's when half the fun always began) I'd been doing some cleaning in the house, and as I mentioned feeling a little down when I found it...

"IT" was a little note that Brent had made for me some time back. To be honest, I don't even remember ever getting it. I have NO IDEA WHEN he made it, or why. All that I know was that I couldn't have needed it more than I did that day.




As I said, I don't ever remember seeing it before. I think maybe that made it even more special. It was almost like it was Heaven-sent! (No, I don't REALLY think it was, but it sure felt like it!)

I hate that I didn't get to share my special story before now. As I've mentioned earlier, this has been one BUSY summer. I'm quite thankful it has been.. I've noticed that it's been a little harder in recent days to redirect my thoughts when I start to get down. It seems to be that way for the boys too. At least for Gabe. (He's our youngest.. at 7 years old) There have been so MANY times lately that he's started crying and saying he misses Brent. Yes, I KNOW we're all supposed to still miss him. It'd be crazy to think otherwise. I guess what I'm saying is that for some reason the "missing him" has been a little more frequent. As I say that, I'll ask you to please remember us as we approach the fall - January 2. Maybe we're subconsciously recognizing that this IS the time of year when things started to go REALLY wrong?

Okay, since we do serve an AMAZING GOD, I MUST share some of the GOOD things that we're experiencing right now. As I think I've mentioned.. we've really been working on being consistent with our disciplining the boys. I didn't realize that a little time spent "NOT letting things go" in areas such as attitude, how quickly they respond to us, and how they treat each other could have a MAJOR IMPACT on them. With all of that said, we HAVE been more consistent. I've responded with scripture as well as rebuke... and oh my, the transformation has been GLORIOUS! They're so pleasant to be around... school is going better... and they're actually learning not to fight with each other. (This is part of what's been bothering Gabe. He's been miserable, taunted even, by memories of himself being mean to Brent)

All of THAT to share this sweet video. It's of Gabe attempting to quote some scripture they're memorizing. You'll hear me correcting him (by offering a word or two) in attempt to help him make it through. Oh, and I'll post the passage so you can read it as he quotes it. It'll be just below the video. (Oh, the video has to be "approved" by "Godtube." If it's not here now, check back) =-)

1 Peter 3:8-9 (New Living Translation)

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.




Alrighty, I'm going to sign off now. Before I do, I want to say, "THANKS," for all of the encouraging messages you've left. I hope to get around to responding to them REALLY SOON! I'd been saying our computer connection was really slow, but I've almost decided that it's our dinosaur computer rather than the provider. I'm thinking of buying Link (and myself) a new desktop for our anniversary. He will LOVE it since he's learned to "play around" online and I will too! It'd be SO NICE to be able to actually get around faster. It takes SOOOOOOOOOO LONG for our pages to load. (Okay, I'm supposed to do all things without grumbling or complaining.. so I think it's time for me to go - BEFORE I get myself into trouble... HA!!!!!!)

WHOOPS... one last thing...

PLEASE, if you see Gabe somewhere... PLEASE DO NOT tell him you saw this?? O;-)

100th post

Morning my Friends!

I cannot believe it's been SO LONG since I've last posted. This summer has FLOWN by! I've been gardening like CRAZY, trying to keep the house running, and attempting to make the most of every moment with the boys. I promise to update again soon to fill you in.. for now. I'll go. This update will be LONG enough without any added rambling. LOL!!!



Thanks SO MUCH for keeping check! I'll "talk" with you soon? =-)







100 things about me-

1) I was born in on November 12, 1973

2) I am the firstborn of 2 girls.

3) My sister's name is Kerry, she's been my best friend since, well since FOREVER!

4) I was raised in part by my godly Grandmothers (while parents worked)

5) My family (all offspring from my Mom's Mom) boasts children, grands, great grands and great - great grands all while my grandmother is still alive. (There are more than 150 of us)

6) I've been taught about GOD and salvation through faith in Christ my entire life. There has NEVER been a day that I didn't "believe."

7) I'm not sure when my salvation experience happened. I remember asking GOD to save me at a pretty young age, but it wasn't until I was grown and married that I ever KNEW for SURE. (I never got in the WORD and developed a relationship with CHRIST before then. All those times before I was merely going on what I'd heard preachers say)


8) My first "best friend" was Dallas Byars. Her family moved and she went to another school very early on. My other "best friends" in elementary school were Holly, Robyn, and my cousins Stephanie and Michelle.

9) In high school my very best friend was Brad Tomlinson. We got into more "stuff" than I can recall. My sister and I being the "dingbats" that we were decided to do something nice for him one day. We picked up his car and took it to wash it up. It was REALLY MUDDY! Guess how we got the mud off??? Brillo pads. No, I'm not kidding... and YES, we really were that DITZY! He was sweet and NEVER said a word - even though we put some nice circular scratches in his paint job.

10) I was a bit nerdy up until around the 7th or 8th grade. (LOL!) I didn't "fit in" anywhere. Because of this I'm EXTREMELY sensitive to EVERYONE's needs and burdens. I know what it's like to be an outcast.

11) When I FINALLY started "coming out" I was on the homecoming court every year until my senior year. Then I was crowned homecoming queen.

12) I've had VERY FEW close friendships in my life. I TRULY TREASURE those that I have, and the new ones I make.

13) My first jobs included babysitting, waitressing, then working at a daycare center

14) I recently shared how Link & I met, it was in my junior year of high school. You can read about it here.

15) Link wanted to ask me to marry him on the night I graduated, but the ring wasn't ready.

16) We married on September 4, 1992.

17) We honeymooned in our first home - a mobile home.

18) I was CRAZY enough to think that by marrying on Labor Day weekend that from then on we'd ALWAYS go out of town and do something "special" since it WAS a holiday after all. HA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Little did I know it was the opening of Dove season.

19) For fun, Link used to take me to the go cart tracks in a local town.

20) I wanted babies almost IMMEDIATELY - Link didn't care, so our quest for children began pretty soon after we married

21) Thinking I'd never have a baby of my own, I used to cry as my friends and some close family members were one by one finding out that they were "with child"

22) Being naive I failed to make the connection and realize why we weren't conceiving. (I later learned there was only ONE day out of the whole month that this is possible - give or take a day or two depending on perfect circumstances)

23) Finally, we learned our first baby was due! I say "we"... I took the test while I was at home, but it wasn't confirmed until I went to the doctor's office. I called Link while he was out with his Daddy and told him our GREAT news!

24) Our firstborn was a son. We named him "Lincoln Brent Nason." (Lincoln is my husband's birth name and he was named after his father so Brent was actually named in part after his daddy and grampa)

25) Two years later (almost to the date) we had our second child - Zachary David Nason. (My dad's name is David - thus Zach's middle name)

26) I became pregnant again and was expecting our third child in August 2000. I found out in my first trimester that the baby had been dead for 3 weeks. (I never showed any signs of miscarriage. We only found out because they couldn't find it's heartbeat at my next appointment)

27) Three months later we were "expecting" again. Again, we had a beautiful baby boy. His name is Gabriel Reed Nason. Link suggested the name "Gabe." When I looked up the meaning I found it meant "God is my Strength," since we'd just lost a baby it was PERFECT! Gabe's middle name was chosen because it's my Mam-Maw's maiden name.

28) Our life was all "happily ever after" until we learned that Brent had cancer.

29) One of the worst days of my life was hearing those survival rates - 1/3 - 1/4 chance beyond two years. After relapse, there was no hope given.

30) Brent was my other "VERY BEST FRIEND!" He'd gotten old enough that enjoyed "running to town with Mama."

31) Some of my fondest memories are of trips that Brent & I made alone to Memphis.

32) My first time on an airplane EVER was when we took Brent to Vermont in hopes of finding a cure for him. I'll never forget how he took my hand when that plane took off (he could see the fear on my face) and said, "It's okay, Mom, I'm here."

33) Some of the most frightening days of my life were those spent in Vermont.

34) The most horrible day of my life was on January 2, 2007 - the day Brent went HOME to be with the LORD. (Although there were so many hard days before that as we watched him endure unbelievable pain, yet he maintained the sweetest attitude)

35) I've had to learn how to stop doing things in "threes." (My first really hard memory after coming back home was the morning after he passed. I went to fix the boys some chocolate milk and out of habit I removed three cups from the cabinet)

36) I've learned that JESUS truly IS my ROCK! HE'S my JOY in midst of my heartache.

37) I've learned that it's okay to meet with other believers in our homes (There is no calling for buildings to be built in the New Testament. I'm not saying that to make you think your way of church is wrong, just in defense of our way)

38) We started meeting in homes after we lost Brent. The church we'd been members of had built a new sanctuary and our first time back in was for Brent's wake and funeral. After that, it was just too hard.

39) We met with some friends and as we studied God's Word we realized that we weren't doing anything wrong in meeting the way we were so we eventually quit pushing ourselves to go back.

40) We base how we meet on 1 Corinthians 14.

41) Yes, I know this is going in every direction but I'm trying to figure out how in the world I'll make it to 100! LOL!!!

42) We just celebrated my Mam-Maw's turning 101! (Her birthday was July 30)

43) I had my first "real" garden this year)

44) Now I have MORE cucumbers than I know what to do with! (If you live near us and would like some... PLEASE, call me?) =-)

45) I went into the corn field for the first time EVER this year. (The grass is nearly as tall as I am in there! Okay, so I'm only about 5'3"... still, it was CREEPY!)

45) I learned that pulling corn can be a dangerous sport! (I managed to slice the tip of one finger - the cut was REALLY deep! I also had about 3 other cuts on my hand. Those felt and looked like the ones you'd get from paper cuts)

46) I also learned that carrying corn on your arms will make you ITCH like CRAZY later!

47) I'm happy to say that I survived my corn-pickin' ordeal. HEHEHEHE!

48) I'm thinking there is NO way POSSIBLE that I'm going to be able to post 100 things about myself in this update!

49) Did I mention that I have 4 nieces and one nephew?

50) Did I mention that I LOVE babies??

51) After having 3 boys I ESPECIALLY enjoy hanging with the girls. ;-)

52) YIKES!!! I'm only a little more than halfway through and I've got NOTHING!

52) Okay, I think I forgot to mention that I homeschool our boys?

53) My favorite colors are yellow, pink, orange, peach, green, and lime green

54) My favorite foods are ANYTHING Mexican, most anything Italian, burgers, salads, and of course FRIED chicken. (LOL!) Yes, that explains why I'm not the dainty little thing I was when Link & I married

55) I have blue eyes - LOL! (Getting stressed here... nowhere close to 100 yet!)

56) Did I mention that I HATE bugs??? YEP, there are only about two that I'll actually pick up

57) I don't like snakes

58) I don't like sticks that look like snakes

59) I don't like to look inside some one's eye (As if I were looking for a bug or something... it grosses me out)

60) I've never been hospitalized for anything other than having babies.

61) With our last baby (Gabe) I was only in for a day and a half. (I've been REALLY BLESSED with SUPER FAST recoveries)

62) After losing Brent, Link & I have grown TREMENDOUSLY CLOSER! GOD took something TERRIBLE and brought a BLESSING out of it! Our marriage is better than ever now

63) I used to hate football, but learned to love it when Brent & Zach started playing

64) My favorite pro teams are NY Giants, Indianapolis Colts, and I also enjoy the Green Bay Packers

65) Brent's favorite college team was MSU (Mississippi State Bulldogs) so that's the one we pull for! We also like Ole Miss.. UNLESS they're playing State.

66) I don't care much for reading, but I do love my Bible

67) One of the other greatest books EVER is, "Created To Be His Helpmeet" by Debi Pearl. If you apply the biblical principals t will CHANGE YOUR MARRIAGE for the better!!!!!!!!

68) Two of the hardest principals from the book (and also the Bible) are for me to be submissive to Link in ALL circumstances (no I don't always get it right) and for me to keep my mouth SHUT! (I mean realizing that he can find a parking spot without me.. (Imagine that??)

69) JESUS is my EVERYTHING! (Yes, that SHOULD'VE been NUMBER ONE on this list of 100 things..)

70) One of my VERY BEST FRIENDS was a lady I met though our son's websites. Her name is Susan and she is ONE AMAZING LADY!

71) I'm NOT looking forward to our boys growing up! (I don't want them to leave me) =-(

72) I'm praying for godly women for each of them!

73) I know that GOD is AWESOME even when what HE does doesn't make sense to us

74) I've learned that we can't always pull a scripture from the Bible and "claim it."

75) We made that mistake when praying for Brent's healing. We have to remember that ONE verse that says "If we ask anything according to HIS WILL."

76) Those "name it and claim it" teachings are WRONG! The Bible teaches over and over that we (as Christians) should EXPECT struggles and trials!

77) I'm thankful that I don't need a human to go to GOD for me (as was in the Old Testament) JESUS is that BEAUTIFUL Life-line that keeps GOD'S children in CONSTANT contact with HIM!

78) I've made MANY mistakes and wrong choices in my life. I'm also thankful for 1 John 1:9. It tells us that if we confess our sins HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness! (GLORY, GLORY!)

79) Random again.. I'm trying desperately to make it to 100.... One of our favorite Christian singers is Jeremy Camp. Our friend Mark Horrocks from Habitat for Hope arranged for Brent to get to meet him!



80) I love the smell of a clean baby! (Random again, I know)

81) I LOVE to hear my boys ramble... SOMETIMES! LOL!!

82) I wish there were more hours in the day! O=-)

83) I wish I were more BOLD for Christ!

84) I WISH there was a CURE for cancer! =-/

85) I pray that our next president will be chosen not based on the color of his skin, or the party that he represents, but based on his MORALS and convictions

86) My favorite seasons are fall and spring (Random again, but I'm ALMOST there!)

87) I LOVE the newness of Spring - the colors and the smells

88) I LOVE to watch the colors change in the Fall - and the COOL AIR that starts to pour in!

89) I LOVE HUGS & KISSES from our boys (and of course Link)

90) I love to snuggle

91) I'm THANKFUL for the TRUE friends that GOD has blessed me with (Did I say that already)

92) I'm thankful for all of YOU, my online friends!

93) I'm THANKFUL that this list is almost ended and I apologize if I made you sleepy... HA!!

94) I LOVE that my family lives close by

95) I'm fascinated with weather and space - GOD'S CREATION is mind-boggling!

96) WHOO-HOO! This is ALMOST DONE! I'm getting TIRED!

97) I wish that everyone I know and love would accept JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR! (He IS the Christ - email me, let's talk if you don't believe?) =-)

98) I'm getting hungry

99) I think I'll have an egg sandwich for breakfast - HA!!!!!!!!

100) I LOVE & APPRECIATE you for sitting through this! Again, my apologies for keeping you. Hehehehe