A day at the Noxubee Refuge

I think I mentioned some time back that I'd be posting again on our trip at the Noxubee Refuge? (We met there for church and a picnic afterwards) Well, to be honest, I forgot. O:-)

SOOOO.. I thought I'd take a few and share some of the cool pics with you.

One of the VERY FIRST THINGS we saw upon entering the refuge was an ALLIGATOR! OH, THAT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL! (I had Link stop on the side of the road so I could photograph him) Needless to say, I was TERRIBLY AMUSED!












Now, if I can ONLY remember to come back and post the pictures from the FAMILY photo shoot that I promised. O:-)

STAY ON ME! ;-)

Another Award, Oh my!

Woo-HOO! I've won another award. O:-)

THANKS SO MUCH, Liz for thinking of me! You've been a blessing to get to know and have been a great source of encouragement!



As always, I'll be the one to "cheat" and will leave this for all of you! There is NO WAY I can choose just a few of the wonderful friends I've met online. (I'm just weak like that) I suppose WEIRD is more like it. Okay, rambling. SORRY. =-)

Here are the rules:

1. Place the logo on your blog.

2. Link to the person who awarded you.

3. You can nominate up to 5 blogs (I stuck to 3 - felt like a good number to me)

4. You can then add their links to your blog.

5. Leave a message in the comment section to each nominee on their blog.




Oh, and I meant to say, "THANK YOU," to my new friend Michelle for making this special graphic. (It was for Brent's birthday)



How COOL was THAT??? Thanks again to EVERYONE that came by and celebrated Brent's life with us on his birthday. I can't say how much you BLESSED US!

THANK YOU!

Hello, Friends!

I wanted to stop in and say THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for all the support on Brent's birthday. I mean, you guys SERIOUSLY BLEW US AWAY! Saying, "Thank You," seems too little. I honestly don't know how to express our gratitude.

It seems that when someone loses a child - one of their greatest fears is that they would be forgotten. I mean, as a parent, our children almost become "everything" to us. (Now OBVIOUSLY we should put GOD first, and hopefully our spouse second.. you know what I mean)

Anyway, when someone so precious "moves on" to HEAVEN, people around the parents sometimes don't know how to deal with them. (I know I sure didn't)

I guess what I'm trying to say is that as a parent who's child is now in HEAVEN, I realize that I do NEED to talk about him. I NEED my friends and family to talk about him with me. He's NOT GONE - he's just away.

I hear that one of the major concerns in these situations is the fear that the child's life won't be remembered. Now, I know that's not the case, and I know it's awkward when we don't know how to respond to someone that's hurting. For me - just to hear someone else say his name.. to hear them talk about him.. well, it's a blessing.

YOUR TREMENDOUS SHOW of support TRULY MEANT THE WORLD to us! It was SO AMAZING that so many of you took the time to learn a little about him. (Some of our new friends have even read some of the history on his caringbridge site) This show of LOVE & SUPPORT was AMAZING.... thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU!


Oh yeah, I wanted to tell the winners of our giveaway that I got your packages in the mail today. I actually spent the morning yesterday baking the bread. I was so EAGER to make everything JUST PERFECT. Unlike how I'd normally do it, I actually followed the directions for the bread to the "T" making it not taste like what we're used to.

See, I'd ALWAYS use the whole can of sweet potatoes (Which probably amounts to 2 and 1/4 cups instead of 2) I also would normally use a little extra oil. (About 1/4 cup MORE than the recipe called for) I don't know WHY I'm always compelled to give WAAAAAYY TOO MUCH INFO??? (Sorry.) O:-)

All of that to say that the bread just DIDN'T taste right. SOOOOO... I baked some more TODAY! It was shipped out UPS this afternoon and should be at your doorsteps by Friday afternoon. I hope you enjoy your packages! It sure was therapeutic for me to be busy doing something for you in Brent's memory & honor.

Thanks again for your LOVE, SUPPORT, AND PRAYERS!!


WHOOPS - I wanted to acknowledge the ladies that posted about our "Giveaway in Memory & Celebration of Brent." (There may have been more of you, If so, I apologize for not listing you.. I'm just sharing the ones I know of)

If you want, go by and read what sweet things these ladies had to say about our PRECIOUS boy...

Susan

Amie

Pam

Michelle

Ang

Happy Birthday, Precious Boy!

Okay.. today is the day we've been waiting for. I'm SO THANKFUL that the LORD led us to do a giveaway this year as a way to "celebrate" Brent's birthday. This will be our second without him.

I honestly didn't know what emotions I'd face. THANKFULLY, doing something he would've loved gave me something to look forward to. I can truly say that some of Brent's happiest times were when he was giving gifts and/or doing something for others.



With that said, the winners of our giveaway are....

from his CaringBridge site... Dena Olsen,

and from my blog... Melanie (Melanie at Fruits of the Spirit- Oh, I HOPE that's your blog name.. I usually just click through links) I DO hope this link works, for some reason blogger isn't running well for me this morning)

CONGRATULATIONS to both of you!!! I'll HOPEFULLY get your packages shipped out today. PLEASE, get with me ASAP with your mailing addresses. You can email me at nason5@aol.com - PLEASE put in the header that YOU ARE A WINNER! (I'll be sorting through, "real mail," junk mail, as well as spam.. I don't want to miss you)

Yes, our Sweet Brent would've been 13 if he were still here with us. Our hearts ache to see his sweet face, to hear his voice, and to be able to HOLD him again. There are no words to express the wide range of emotions we feel each and every day. One thing I CAN say is that we are COMPLETELY AT PEACE KNOWING that Brent is no longer sick or hurting. He's HEALED beyond anything we could even imagine. He's experiencing PEACE, LOVE, AND JOY like we've never dreamed. For him, it'll only be a moment and we'll be together again.

We were FOREVER BLESSED the day the LORD "loaned" Brent to us.. we are truly better people for having known (and loved) him.

Now, Brent would want more than anything for me to tell you about about the GREATEST GIFT OF ALL... JESUS!


The Bible says that we've all sinned (Do you agree?)

The Bible tells us how to have Salvation,

Romans 10:9
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


The Bible also says....

Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."


It's that simple. HE wants us as we are, to come to HIM and let HIM save us. Isn't it great that we don't have to go and "do" anything??

If you're not a Christian, and want to be.. As you can see, all you have to do is "believe and confess." You don't have to go see a preacher or pray a fancy prayer.. GOD will take you right now.. just as you are!



Now, I want to THANK each of you for CELEBRATING Brent's life with us today. See, Brent's life on earth may have ended - but his ETERNAL LIFE has only JUST BEGUN! Our minds can't even fathom what God has in store for us!

1 Corinthians 2:9
However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him" —

I have no idea what our sweet little man is doing up there... I just know I can't wait to get my arms around him again!

I'd like to leave YOU with a challenge today.. Brent LOVED doing things for others... so my challenge is THIS... In his memory today, how about doing something *extra* for someone else? It might be holding the door open for the next person in town, calling someone who's sick or shut in, or it might be going as far as cooking a meal and taking it to someone. You know, sometimes something as little as a SMILE and a nod will make someone's day. Let's just show the LOVE of JESUS to EVERYONE we meet! =-)

Again, I'd like to say, "THANKS," for taking a moment to remember him. Your support means the world to us!

With LOVE,

Not Me!, Monday

Hello, Friends...

It's time for another...

That's right, this is a time that's set aside just so that we can tell all. Well, maybe - or maybe NOT! ;-)


As for me, and what I didn't do this past week...

I didn't pre-schedule my "Not Me!" Monday post, only to forget to come back and sign the "Mr. Linky" on MckMama's blog BEFORE we left for our vacation! I mean, I KNEW we were about to go out of town and all.. I remembered to type up and schedule the post.. I surely wouldn't forget to "link" back, now would I?? No, that'd be just silly.

While we were on "said vacation" I didn't get down in the creek WITH the kids and try to take advantage of a "teachable moment" only to prove what a DINGBAT, I REALLY AM!



(That's me in the picture, the skinny blond... HA!!!!!!!! Oh, that's SO NOT TRUE! That's my niece, Ashley) Hehehe... That was a FOR REAL, NOT ME! kind of fib, I mean, joke! (I wasn't in this photo, obviously.. anyway, back to the story...LOL!)

I mean, who would try to tell their children that, "It's in creeks just like these that people go and pan for gold"? Then, this same unnamed person wouldn't freak out because while she's holding a bunch of tiny little rocks from the creek bed she spots something shiny just beneath them in her hand!




That "something shiny" wouldn't be my, I mean, her wedding band, "shining THROUGH" those rocks! I mean, even I couldn't accidentally fool myself, now could I?? (We won't mention the earlier post where I talked about accidentally "greeting" mannequins and even myself when I walked past a mirror in town)

Nope, not me! I'm way too savvy for all that!


Okay, so I AM a ditzo, and I DO a LOT of really CRAZY things all week long. However, to preserve SOME of my dignity.. I'll stop here. (At least for THIS week) ☺


Now, on a different note.. we will try to honor/remember our PRECIOUS Brent's birthday by celebrating his life with a giveaway. (Because he was never more happy than when he was giving something to someone)

His 13th birthday would've been on Tuesday, October 28. I'll announce then the winner of the prize package sometime Tuesday morning. (For more info click HERE, or the gift/logo below)

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and your email address. (If you don't want to leave your email, then make SURE you check back Tuesday to see if you've won)


Thanks so much for stopping by, and for celebrating Brent's AMAZING life with us!

Friendship Awards

I'd like to start out by saying, "THANKS," to my friend Cheryl for the, "A Perfect Blend of Friendship Award".

I know of at least twice that I've been honored by "blogging awards" and I truly didn't know what to do with them. If you are one of the precious ladies that "left one" for me and I didn't acknowledge it correctly, I apologize! I am truly one of the "slowest" people you will likely ever meet. O:-)

Now, I'm supposed to answer a few questions when accepting this award.. so here goes......

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood? No, I don't. I can't think of even one person from high school that I "hang out" with. MOST of my friends are those that I've met online. There are MANY ladies that are DEAR to me, but I'm assuming when asked about my "friends" that it means those that I actually spend time with or keep in contact with.

2. What do you value most about your friends? Honesty. I value having ladies in my life that will "call me out" when they see me making a mistake. I want to do what GOD expects from me and I LOVE to have friends that will tell me what GOD'S WORD has to say about whatever issue I'm facing.

3. Are your friends your sounding boards? Yes, I like to talk with my closest friends but ultimately, I weigh what they tell me against what I KNOW to be right in God's eyes. Now, don't let me fool you... I MOST CERTAINLY make MANY mistakes. I've got SOOOOOO MUCH to learn. I'm just telling you where my heart is.

4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends? ANYTHING. It's a blessing just to know that someone cares. So, it doesn't matter what we're doing.. as long we're getting to spend time together!



Now, I'm SUPPOSED to pass this along to 5 friends, but I'm always just MORTIFIED that I'll leave someone out. SOOOOO.. as always, I'll cheat and just pass this along to ALL OF YOU!

O=-)

Also, my friend, Jennifer at, "My Life With Four Kids" gave me one.



Thank You, Jennifer, and again to Cheryl! That was SO SWEET of you guys to think of me!


WHOOPS! Before I go, I want to remind you that we're down to TWO days until the big giveaway!

I'm getting SO EXCITED.. I can hardly wait! Remember, to enter, all you have to do is leave a comment. If you don't want to leave your email address, just make sure you check back on October 28 to see if you've won! (For more info, click HERE)

I'll also remind you to visit my friend, Amie, who will also be celebrating Brent's birthday with us by hosting a giveaway in memory of him. Go on over and get registered there too! =-)

Have a BLESSED WEEK...
Love,

We're HOME!

Here are some photo highlights from our trip this week. (Explanation below)

Hello, FRIENDS!

Man, do I EVER have a LOT to tell YOU! Grab a comfy seat if you have a few and let's catch up! ;-)

Now, before I fill you in on our week I want to take a minute to remind everyone that our first bloggy giveaway (In MEMORY and in HONOR of Brent) will be held on Brent's birthday. October 28. If you've not already registered, please take a moment and sign the guestbook. That's ALL you have do to enter! Click HERE to read the details.

Next, I want to tell you about how one of my new girlfriends has blessed me/us! She's holding her own giveaway in memory/honor of Brent. Please take a minute to go over to Amie's and read her tribute to Brent, and of course, register there too.



Okay... so here's the low-down on where we've been, what we've been doing, and why I didn't say anything about our trip BEFORE we left.

Well, I tell you what.. since I'm SO FORGETFUL, I'll just start with the end and go back. (I'm just that crazy - I'd SMOOTH forget to tell you WHY I didn't announce we were leaving)



See, one time a few years back, I shared from Brent's site that we were going on a mission trip BEFORE we left. I truly don't know if the person I'm about to tell you about knew this.. but it was TOO close for comfort all the same.



So, we'd JUST arrived back home from a week long trip to KY. We left our home again just long enough to meet the church bus and get the rest of our luggage. When we came home there was a car parked just outside the garage and there was no one inside. (Our garage door was CLOSED!) There was nobody on the front porch - no one in sight ANYWHERE.



I noticed the back door of our house was OPEN and not a person in sight.



Just as I started to back the truck to leave, this tiny little woman comes running out of my back yard and attempts to stop me. (I'm thinking that she herself isn't a threat to me, but I had no idea if there was anyone else inside)



She proceeded to tell me that she knew Brent had been sick and that she was "praying for us." (I'm wondering the whole time what in the world this has to do with her having been in my house)



She claimed that she was lost.


Seriously, now.


How many of YOU would go in someone's back yard and then let yourself into their home?? (Keep in mind - I've NEVER met this woman in my life) I agreed to follow her back to town (thinking the whole time that I just wanted her out of my yard and to get the police there ASAP)



Fast forward a bit... I have a cousin who's a policeman. I later learned that this lady that was in my home had been in jail for drugs, had JUST gotten out, and was likely in our house looking for something to make drugs with. (I mean, we had a BOAT LOAD of medicine at the time)



Thankfully, nothing was missing. It shook me up enough that I NEVER leave our home without setting the alarm. I also make sure that our dogs are ALWAYS loose. All of that to say, that I will NEVER, EVER give out that much info (beforehand) EVER again.



Okay, now that I've got my "cops and robbers" story out of the way... let me tell you where we've been.



Hey, you aren't sleeping on me, now are you??? Hehehehe



SOOOOOO... here's our vacation story.

My sister (Kerry) and her family invited us, along with our Mom, to go on vacation with them. (My Daddy had to work)

We went to the GREAT Smoky Mountains! It was a BLAST! I can't tell you how much it meant that they asked us to go.. and that we were kept busy as the days are leading up to Brent's birthday. It's been a true blessing.

The boys had just as much fun playing pool with Ash & Clay in the cabin as they did doing the "fun stuff" in town. (My personal favorite was the motor trail ride AND of course the day "the girls" and I went shopping) Hehehehe (The men took the boys to the Bass Pro Shop, and then did lots of other "guy" things while we hit the Tanger outlet! WOOOOOHOOO! =-)



Okay, so I've "yacked" enough! I guess I'm going to sign off for now. I'll start catching up on what's been going on with you guys tomorrow. I've MISSED ya! =-)

FINALLY, to catch up on Zach's birthday

For Zach's birthday we ate a late lunch at Sweet Pepper's. (I THINK that's what it's called?)

THEN, we were off to get rid of that nasty cast!!

Getting an "x-ray"..... the hand was "much better" but he's not released to be "rowdy" until his follow-up appointment in two weeks. (Ya HEAR THAT, Zach???) ☺

A family photo shoot from Sunday afternoon... more to come (Oh, and an update on where I've been all week coming within 24 hours!)

Word-Filled Wednesday

For more posts on this "WFW" visit Amydeanne in The 160 Acre Woods.




PS.. don't forget to register for my bloggy giveaway. For more information click HERE