Safe in HIS Arms...

2012-01-20T07:33:00.001-06:00

I had actually already written a post, but due to the fact that I hadn't researched the person/blog I was sharing, I decided to pull most of what I'd written. (I don't want to send you off to another blog thinking that because I sent you, that I'm in complete agreement with all of the content on the blog... and I may be, but I've not read it yet so I don't know. LOL!) Now, back to what's left of my original post from this morning. O:)

Romans 10:9 is a beautiful reminder of how God takes us right in the middle of our sin, and does something WONDERFUL! I just love that about Him. I love that He doesn't give us a list of laws to keep and then one ONLY then, offer salvation. Nope. He loves and accepts us just as we are - in all our brokenness.

Sending (((Hugs))) and lots of love,

submission - it's a beautiful thing!

2012-01-18T10:50:00.004-06:00

Okay, so I said I'd be posting more often and had honestly intended to do just that. However, our internet went down the day after this post and we JUST got it repaired yesterday. (The internet repair guy pointed out that SOMEONE had run over the satellite pole "several times". I was quite surprised that he even commented on this.. I was absolutely under the conclusion that EVERYONE runs over EXTREMELY LARGE objects while mowing?) HA! At any rate.. I'm VERY HAPPY to be able to play online again.

On to more serious things..

I'd mentioned in my last post that God has done some TREMENDOUS things in my marriage over the past few years. It all started changing when we finally realized we were about to lose Brent.. Link completely fell apart and apologized for ________. (I'm not going to mention his mistakes/wrongdoings here.. I didn't come to point fingers.. I'm only sharing this because it's a HUGE part of where our marriage began to turn around) I forgave him, and apologized for my failures/shortcomings too. As I mentioned, I'm not here to share my hubby's faults, only my own - in hopes of sharing a truth that I've learned. A truth that breathed new LIFE into my marriage!

Fast-forward a bit.. not long after we lost Brent, God brought a couple into our lives. My sweet friend is one of those ladies who quickly speaks her mind - and does not withhold correction/rebuke. We began walking together which of course led to long talks. As we spent more time together she started sharing with me areas that she saw where I was NOT living out my calling as Link's wife. I was NOT a Titus 2 woman at all, at least not when it came to loving my husband the way God called me to.

It all boiled down to submission and how I responded to Link in moments of anger. (Back-talking, arguing with him when I didn't agree with what he said, or what he was doing.. the huffing, crossing of arms.. ANY physical symbol of not approving) Am I saying that we don't have the right as wives to express our feelings? Absolutely not! However, there are times for EVERYTHING. I learned that there is much wisdom in learning to practice self-control when I don't agree with my man rather than immediately contradicting him. (I'd seen many, many times in my life where the woman argues almost EVERY point with her man rather than praying and asking GOD to handle things) I'd been so used to arguing that it became my FIRST response even before taking a moment to realize that my hubby was actually RIGHT. (Now THAT'S embarrassing!)

The friend that I mentioned earlier gave me the book, Created to Be His Helpmeet, and was it EVER LIFE-CHANGING! Honestly, next to the Bible itself this is THE BEST book I've ever read! There may be parts of it that one may not agree with, but if you read it with a humble heart - HONESTLY SEARCHING for God's will for yourself, you WILL go away BLESSED and CHANGED! (You can also buy this book on amazon.com.. the Kindle edition lists for $7.69.) I'm pretty sure that I've talked about this book here before, but it is such a TREMENDOUS part of my story that I just had to share it today.

I guess it all boils down to how I've seen the role of submission transform my own marriage. Have I got it down perfectly? Of course not! I'm still learning, I'm still growing, and I still find myself biting my tongue when every fiber of my being is screaming out to say something. I have learned that when my hubs is in the wrong - to start praying IMMEDIATELY! Who is more capable of changing his heart, God, or me? That's a silly question, isn't it? Yet, it's SO HARD to push down the flesh and just let God be God. The Bible says that God is NOT the author of confusion. (1 Corinthians 14:33) It also tells us that, "the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body." - Ephesians 5:23. This just run so much more beautifully when we do things God's way. Amen? :)

I've just begun reading a new book today and have been encouraged with what I'm reading so far. The name of the book is, Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother. (The Kindle edition is $7.99) I've been encouraged to re-examine Titus 2 and to step back and look at how I'm loving my husband and children. Believe me, I've learned the hard way that you never, EVER want to have regrets.

One last MAJOR issue that goes along with submission is that of respect. Here again, I find myself recommending ANOTHER book. (Sorry!) This one is called, Love & Respect. (The Kindle edition is $8.99) It was so helpful to me to realize that I show my husband love when I show him respect. Just as we (women) crave hugs, compliments, and kisses - our men long to be admired, lifted up, and RESPECTED! It shows a tremendous lack of disrespect when I immediately began to backtalk Link.. to challenge him. He doesn't NEED me to tell him how to do things. HE is the one God put in charge of our home. Again, if I feel he's wrong, I go to God with it. If I feel that this won't be an issue of contempt, and I feel safe (safe meaning that I feel like my comment/response won't lead to an argument) THEN, I will share my thoughts or opinions. If, however, I do feel that he'd feel challenged by my response --- I take it to God in prayer!

To sum up what I've learned:

God put the man as the head of the home - therefore he does NOT need woman to correct/rebuke/challenge him at every turn. If I disagree with something I can voice it lovingly, but after that it NEEDS to go to GOD in prayer! (After that it becomes nagging - drip, drip, drip!) :o
My man doesn't need or want me constantly telling him what to do, or how to do it. He is NOT my child, he is my MAN! (mmm-hmmm!) ;)
I was created to be HIS helper, NOT the other way around!
I should put into practice what I was taught as a small child: If I don't have something nice to say, I shouldn't say anything at all.
I should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER-EVER correct him in public! If we're in public and he's accidentally giving out false information I can and should quietly share the facts. Doing otherwise might lead him to feel disrespected, or cause his friends to feel that way. (I sure wouldn't want him embarrassing me in front of my friends!)
The respect thing seems to be as much a need for a man as the show of love is to a woman.. I should ALWAYS let my sweet hubs know how much I appreciate and love him!
This is random, but since I've learned about that whole love & respect thing - all of those commercials where the woman blatantly disrespects her husband DISGUSTS me! It not only dishonors men, but it dishonors our loving GOD! People are watching us!

Please hear me say that I DO NOT feel like I have all of the answers. I'm ONLY sharing what I've seen in scripture and what I've seen in my own life. When I began to practice these principles, Link began to feel less defensive with me. We began to argue less and less.. he began to talk MORE.. we started to ENJOY each other on a level that we never have before. I can honestly say that he is a different man (giving GOD ALL the glory!) and I'm blessed with a marriage that I'd only dreamed of before! If you're struggling with the way you respond to your husband the way that I have and sometimes do, I'd like to encourage you to pray and study every scripture you can find on marriage. Study those on love, and respect, and how God instructs us as believers to live. It'll change your life, I promise! ;)

finally catching up...

2012-01-11T14:50:00.003-06:00

Hello, my sweet bloggy friends! I've been saying for a while now (give or take a couple of years) that I was gonna attempt blogging again. I'd actually planned on trying during the holidays. I'd planned on journaling Brent's last Christmas with us, but this was the first year since he left us that I wasn't struggling horribly with everything about Christmas and remembering all of the hard memories that come with it. I mostly just wanted to be happy. I wanted to look forward all of the things that I've always loved about this time of year.. besides, Brent would want us to be happy.

With that said, we did have a very nice Christmas. I struggled some with New Year's Eve, then the next two days that follow, but as always - getting Jan. 2 behind us seemed to put an end to all of the dread for another year. (That's of course NOT to say that we don't miss Brent with every breath - it's just that all of those hard memories start in October and weigh heavy on my heart right up until the day AFTER he got his Heavenly healing) I can't say all of that without saying how VERY THANKFUL we are to KNOW that life doesn't end here - that stepping over into eternity is REALLY where it all begins. We're SO THANKFUL that we KNOW that Brent is with Jesus! (I'm still thinking I may move some of those last posts from Caringbridge over so that I'll be able to find them quickly. Those were the hardest days of our lives, but def the most miraculous and beautiful as well. <3

On to other things.. I realized when I pulled up my blog that I REALLY NEED to update my photos and information on here. Zach is now 14 and Gabe is 11. They both look more like little men now, than the baby-faced pictures that I have posted here. As soon as I have time to play around and see if I can remember how everything works, I'll post new pics. ;)

I have so much to tell you. God has done some MIGHTY things in our lives. My marriage is a kagillion times better than it's ever been. (Yes, I know that kagillion isn't a word, and that if it was a word I probably misspelled it, but that's okay.. I'm weird and totally okay with that) ;) I may attempt a post highlighting all of the beautiful ways that God has brought about these changes. With all of that said -- I'm SOOOO CRAZY about my man, and eternally THANKFUL for him!

Another major change is that I've lost some weight. (Of course you already know that if we're friends on facebook)

At one point I'd lost 65 pounds, but I found a few of them back during the holidays. O:) No, worries, I'm gonna outrun them again soon. Very soon, I hope. The weight-loss thing is yet another answer to prayer. God is faithful!

Well, I think that'll wrap me up for today. I'd really wanted to jump back into blogging and truly had no idea where to start. I think I just followed my ADHD around and posted random things as they came to mind. Sorry if it was hard to follow me. HA! Maybe I'll be a little more organized in the future.

I'll leave you today with a scripture that we've been memorizing this week..

13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:13

checking in..

2011-02-04T22:39:00.003-06:00

Hello, Friends!

It's been SO LONG since I've posted. WOW! I've been thinking that I'd like to try blogging regularly again, but haven't taken the time to start. God has shown me so much over the past few years and I'd love to share some of it with you. (I know that He's brought us down this path not only to draw us closer to Himself, but so that we might also encourage others) I want to be open to whatever God has for me, so I'm prayerfully considering keeping up my blog again. (I stopped because it became so time-consuming.. I've GOT to keep God, then my family first... Amen?) :)

I hope to check back again soon. For REAL this time... LOL!

celebrating Brent and giveaway winners...

2009-10-28T07:03:00.006-05:00

WOW.. I can't believe I didn't even get ONE post in since I mentioned the giveaway.. I'm SUCH a slacker! Oh well.. on with the update.

So it was 14 years ago TODAY that God gave us one of our most precious and treasured gifts, He gave us our firstborn son.

Brent was as beautiful and healthy as any new mom could wish for. All ten fingers and toes were there.. he had hair the color of his daddy's, and his skin was as pink and soft as could be. He was PERFECT. We never knew what a short time we'd have to spend with this AMAZING gift, but OH the things he taught us in his short life!

Those of you that have been with us for any length of time have probably already heard me tell of how Brent started telling those he loved how they needed JESUS. (This started happening when he was only 4. He was told Zach - who was TWO at the time that he should ask Jesus to save him NOW.. ha!)

Brent "officially" accepted Christ as his SAVIOR on Easter Sunday at the age of 8. Yes, he was something special from the beginning. Our boy is such a treasure! (I hate to speak of him in past tense because he IS still ALIVE, AMEN?? He's actually MORE ALIVE in Heaven than we are here)

Oh, how I'd love to share all the details and all the ways he blessed us, but that might very well take FOREVER. To say he was a blessing to all of us would be a tremendous understatement.

I'd like to say a SPECIAL "THANK YOU" to all of you that are, and have been celebrating his LIFE with us this month!! It's a WONDERFUL feeling to know that he's remembered.

My challenge to you today is to ask you to do a random act of kindness for someone today in memory of Brent. He absolutely LOVED to make other people happy. It doesn't take much to bless someone.. it might be as small a gesture as offering a smile to the next person you meet. (You never know what might be going on in the heart of the stranger you meet on the street.. they too may be dealing with the loss, or pending loss of a loved one)

Yes, our boy was also DELIGHTED by giving gifts to others! That's why I chose to celebrate his LIFE by having a giveaway on his birthday. With that said.. the winners are..............

for the bloggy makeover... Erin

the Bible on CD - Laura - (I don't have any contact info.. please email me with your mailing info so I can get this out to you!)

a set of candles - Lisa Shaw

a Paula Dean Cookbook (did I spell her last name right?) - Nen

bath & shower gel - April

bath & shower gel - Jill

and finally, a Lunch for Life cookbook. This is a special cookbook put together by families that have/had children with neuroblastoma. There is a picture of Brent and one of his FAVORITE breads inside - Teresa

Congratulations to all of our winners! Would you please email me with your mailing addresses so I can get this out to you? ☺ nason5@aol.com

I SO WISH I could send something to EVERYONE! THANKS again for visiting and for joining us as we remember our sweet little man.

(Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy, we love you all the way to HEAVEN and back! We count ourselves BLESSED to have been your parents)

celebrating Brent's life with a giveaway!

2009-10-05T08:04:00.005-05:00

Yes, it's that time again... It's time to celebrate Brent's life by having a giveaway on his birthday. He would be 14 this year.. man, I can hardly believe it.

Brent had the BIGGEST HEART EVER and absolutely LOVED to give gifts! That's why it seems only right that we celebrate him this way. I would LOVE for you to read (or at least look over THIS POST that I did last year announcing last years life celebration) This post will really give you a peek into what a GENEROUS heart our little man had!

So THIS YEAR I'll be giving away at least two gifts and will challenge you to do a R.A.K. (random act of kindness) in celebration of his amazing life on his birthday, October 28.

I'm still working through the details, but one of the gifts will be a blog makeover designed by "The Design Girl". (She's the lady that designed my blog.. I REALLY LOVE her work!) I've already made the down payment and my name is on the list so the winner won't have a really long wait! YAY!!

Another gift I'm really excited about is this...

This of course is "The Word of Promise Full Bible".

I "borrowed" the product description.. check it out!

Product Description:

"Come experience the entire Bible recorded with an all-star cast led by an all-star cast of actors, including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, Richard Dreyfus as Moses, Gary Sinise as David, Jason Alexander as Joseph, Marisa Tomei, Louis Gossett Jr., and over 600 actors contributing to this timeless work. This audio Bible is produced with state of the art audio technology. Including sound effects and an original musical score. This is a new experience in audio Bible like none before. There are 79 CDs in this set."

I heard about this while listening to the Rick & Bubba show the other day. The guy that's doing Jesus' voice is the same guy that played Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ".

Now, It seems like this isn't just your regular audio Bible. (It's not some monotone voice going on and on and on... ) It's a WHOLE CAST of people reading/speaking out the WORD just as it appears in the Bible. (It's done in the very trusted NKJV) I've ordered one for ourselves, but haven't gotten it in yet. I'm thinking this is going to be AMAZING! If you want to hear a sample of it for yourself click HERE.

Okay, so the only rule is this:

Leave a comment for the giveaway on THIS post ONLY. This will keep it simple! (I'll "link back" to this post each time I post to keep it easy for everyone)

If you want extra entries you can...

- post this graphic/link in your sidebar - 5 entries

- mention this giveaway and in a post - encouraging others to do a "R.A.K." in honor and celebration of Brent's life - another 5 extra entries

Of course you're free to enter as many times as you'd like! ☺ Remember, the drawing will be held on October 28... if you do anything for extra entries please say so in a comment so you'll get the credit. ☺

love, love, LOVE these boys!

2009-10-02T14:19:00.010-05:00

The last post I did was to encourage everyone that wanted to, to eat at Chili's on a certain day and support St. Jude. (I was asked by someone in the comments if this fundraiser would be at all locations and I never got to answer - SO SORRY! Had sick kiddos and were gone to the docs office.. it was an all day run)

Anyway, on to what I wanted to share today.. ☺

While our son, Brent, was sick, we met lots of wonderful people, many through his caringbridge site. The two families that I'll be sharing with you today QUICKLY became FAMILY to us.

You've probably heard me talk about my friend Susan? (She's a friend/spiritual mom to me) Then there's Jill, she's another sister with an incredibly STRONG faith! she and her son Cooper flew all the way here to take part in "Brent Nason Day" back in September 06..

(Pictured: Brent and Ash in the chair, starting on the left in the back.. Zach, Gabe, Clay and Cooper)

Jill and Susan are also long time prayer warriors for our family.. I SO LOVE these ladies and their precious families!)

So our buddy Jordan (which is Susan's son) and our friend Cooper, who is Jill's son both colored peppers for Brent. (Since Cooper doesn't have a caringbridge site, PRAISE GOD he's HEALTHY!!... I'll link you to his sister Hutton's site.. Hutton is a little MIRACLE baby... you'd be BLESSED to read her story and to get to know their family too)

My heart just melted when I saw these!

This is Cooper....

and this is our buddy Jordan...

Yes, it's just WONDERFUL to know that Brent is remembered by his friends! I literally "teared up" when I saw these pics. Precious, PRECIOUS boys!

Okay, friends.. stay tuned! I'm already working on my next post where I'll be announcing my next giveaway. (This is how we'll be celebrating Brent's life this year on his birthday) ☺

Have a WONDERFUL day!!!

Eat Chili's today - Help St. Jude =-)

2009-09-28T08:15:00.005-05:00

YIKES! I almost forgot to mention that by eating at Chili's today you'll be helping fund research for St. Jude. Yes, Chili's will be donating 100 PERCENT of their profit from today to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!!

I thought that before I go I'd share a picture of Brent from a few years back. We'd gone on out one of these Chili's/St. Jude events to do our part. ☺ In the pic below is our precious Brent with Madelyn Beamon (another "Heaven Healed Neuroblastoma Warrior"), her mom Brandi, her Daddy Neal, and her brother Tyler. It's so hard to believe that so many children we knew from St. Jude are in Heaven now. Research is DESPERATELY needed and funding is the key. What better way to help out than eating at Chili's? Can you think of a better place to eat lunch/supper today? (I mean, if you were eating out anyway.. haha)

This is a pic of Brent with his cousin Clay, who was also one of his very best friends. ☺

Thanks for putting up with me twice in one day.. LOL! I hope you have a GREAT week!

Love,
Tonya

a yummy freebie while supplies last!

2009-09-28T07:12:00.004-05:00

Hello, Friends!

As much as I'd like to do a heartfelt post this morning, I just don't have the time. I DO however want to let you in on something I just found out about. If you click smuckers.com/promotions, you'll have the chance to submit a time-saving idea and get a coupon for FREE uncrustables. When the page opens click on "see details". HURRY, it's only open to the first 20,000 entries!

zach found a treasure today..

2009-09-19T11:06:00.007-05:00

Hello, Friends!

This will be a quick post because I'm afraid I'd be an emotional mess if I try to put too much into this one. Zach was playing on one of Brent's old laptops and found some video footage of Brent that I don't remember seeing before.

It's a TRUE blessing to find these little "footprints" that Brent left behind, but OH SO HARD on the heart! (I just LOVE to hear Brent's voice.. I LOVE the country twang that they all have.. precious, PRECIOUS memories!)

I'll end by saying that I'm SO VERY THANKFUL that Brent KNEW our LORD and that we KNOW he's in Heaven waiting for us! What a TRUE JOY it is to have the BLESSED HOPE of an ETERNITY with our JESUS!

how to save BIG with coupons..

2009-09-18T07:02:00.004-05:00

Hello, Friends!

Okay, so as I mentioned yesterday I will be sharing some money-saving tips I've gleaned from a couple of friends (and of course my sister-in-law who is also my friend).

See, I've not been the most frugal of all folks - in fact, I've hardly been frugal at all. Now, I'll be the FIRST to "google" for coupons when I'm shopping online. It's really just too easy to not do it, but when it came to clipping coupons.. well, I had a BAJILLION excuses NOT to. (Mostly just carelessness)

The Bible has PLENTY to say about making wise decisions and managing what God has given us. As I thought about what it means to be a helpmeet to my husband and the decisions I make daily, a couple of verses came to mind...

Proverbs 31:17-18

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

Obviously I have NOT been the most helpful helpmmet, but "PRAISE THE LORD, I SAW THE LIGHT"~ (Sorry, I just remembered watching David Crowder sing this on YouTube) Check it out if you've got a second...

Okay, so I'll stop with the rambling and move on to what I've learned...

First, I got started by checking a few sites online. My FAVORITE is The Grocery Game. Yes, there is a small fee, but it is BY FAR the EASIEST to use and will pay for itself the FIRST time you shop! (It's the easiest to use for me anyway) Oh, and did I mention there is a FREE trial membership to The Grocery Game? You can watch this quick video that will give you an idea how this program works....

I did find another site that helps you plan your shopping list the way the other does, but it just doesn't seem to be as easy to understand and takes a little longer to map out. (A plus for this one is that it's FREE!) It's couponmom.com I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this site too because from there you can print FREE coupons!! (These aren't the little .25 ones that you get in the newspapers - though I DO clip those too.. MANY of the ones on this site are $1.00 or more!)

So whether you decide to go with The Grocery Game or Coupon Mom, the idea is the same. Your goal will be to use your coupons buying ONLY the items that are on sale. Under the FAQ'S on the The Grocery Game they tell you that they know when items are at their lowest price and that's when they recommend you buy them. (Thus NEVER paying full price for anything)

Since I've started shopping this way, I've knocked a HUGE HOLE in the amount I'd normally spend. For instance, tonight I stopped in Kroger and spent 29.00, but I SAVED $25! Granted, grocery stores are usually much higher than shopping somewhere like Walmart, but the idea is that you ONLY buy the "loss leaders". (Those are the items that the stores cut WAY DOWN just to get you in the store.. THOSE are the items we use our coupons for to get MAXIMUM savings!!)

It's really fun to shop this way because you'll get items that you might not normally splurge on. For instance, this week I got an AirWick Automatic Spray Kit similar to this one...
for only .99 and it lists in Kroger for about $13! (Or about $10 at Walmart) It was on my "Terri's List" for the week and I was just beside myself when I got it for UNDER $1! (I know, I'm WAAAYYY TOO EASILY amused)

Another cool thing about couponing??? If you have a Kroger Card (you get those in the store by filling out a quick little questionnaire) you can load coupons on it BEFORE you ever leave home. However, what REALLY gets me about this is that it will take the coupon that you've loaded on your card AND a paper coupon on the SAME item! (However, the coupons on the card WON'T double.. but I'm pretty sure the paper ones DO up to .55 and then you STILL get the coupon you loaded from home!) You can do this by going to shortcuts.com and registering your shopping card. Then you pick out the coupons you want and it automatically loads them! Oh, I keep talking about Kroger.. they are one of the major chains in my area.. shortcuts.com works with SEVERAL DIFFERENT stores. You can find a list of their partner stores HERE.

Again, the idea is to buy things that are at their "rock bottom" price. (Avoiding other things unless necessary) Last week Kroger had a 10 for $10 sale. I had coupons on at least two of the items so I paid only .50 per item instead of $1. (I can't remember for the life of me what those items were.. LOL) Kroger doesn't even require you to actually BUY all 10 of the 10 items.. ANY item that's listed within that sale will be $1 each. I REALLY LOVE to find the "buy one get one" sales! With these you can use TWO coupons (one on each item) bringing your total even LOWER!!

Okay, I think I've rambled enough for one day. If I think of any other major secrets that I've learned I'll share them in my next post. I wish you all HAPPY shopping!

Wait! Before I sign off I wanted to "link" you to my friend Molly. She's one of the friends I've been gleaning from. She also has a post here on how to save BIG at CVS! I think Molly actually explained this MUCH MORE CLEARLY than I just did.

I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend! If you're new to this too, don't forget to get your Sunday paper! The larger ones usually have a LOT of coupons in them. (Another heads-up.. the paper on September 27 is supposed to have over $90 in P&G coupons!) Go HERE to sign up for a sample and some GREAT manufacturers coupons!

2009-09-17T07:20:00.002-05:00

Wow, I CANNOT believe it's been so long since I've posted here! I have so much to share with you but really have NO IDEA where to begin. I suppose I can start by saying that I've MISSED all of you (my bloggy buddies)! Oh, I'll also go ahead and tell you that I plan to do two posts this morning. I'd promised some friends that I'd give the details on a new hobby I've started, but I don't want to mix that in with all the "blah, blah, blah, blah-blah" that I'll be doing.

(Still fumbling to find a starting place.. heehee)

Let's see, summer came and went.. we had a pretty nice garden until the CROWS found it. HA! (They even ate my tomatoes while they were STILL GREEN!) I decided I'd just give up on the yummy red fruit and focus on my bell peppers, cucumbers, and green beans. Guess what?? Our baby cows found a nice ditch under the fence that they could fit through and they ended up finding my green beans! (Seriously, I'm thinking the garden was NOT supposed to happen this year.. HA!) I won't complain, we DID get several pints of bell pepper and green beans in the freezer and were pretty much sick of the cucumbers before they ever went bad, so all was not lost.

As for more personal details - We really enjoyed our free time and just being together. The boys did what boys do - they STAYED dirty! LOL (Of course that means that I also conquered mountains and mountains of laundry, but don't feel too sorry for me, I make them help a LOT!)

HMMMM... right in the middle of my typing up this post this morning the hubby got up and started getting ready to get out for the day. (Little things like THIS are what keep me from posting.. HA! That's NOT a complaint, there is NOTHING I'd rather do than take care of my family.. I'm just sayin'.. that's all)

So NOW it's mid-afternoon instead of morning.. I'll TRY to pick up and keep going..

Okay, this will likely be THE MOST scatterbrained post I've done yet, but I'm DETERMINED to get SOMETHING up TODAY! Oh, speaking of.. the "two" that I mentioned earlier are not going to happen. I'll post tomorrow with the deets on my hobby. (Just a hint.. it's COUPONING! I've TOTALLY FLIPPED OUT over this new way to shop!)

Before I go, I want to let you in on something I found out this morning. The lady that did my blog makeover is having a giveaway for her birthday. (It's TODAY) She'll be giving away a bloggy makeover for some BLESSED person that enters TODAY! Hop on over and wish her a happy birthday if you'd like and be sure to get YOUR name in the hat! (Click the link just above or the graphic below)

I'll HOPEFULLY check back first thing in the morning! (Oh, and THANKS SOOOOO MUCH for the sweet nudges to get back out here and start blogging again - YOU are some of my very BESTEST friends, and I ♥ YOU VERY MUCH)

a COOL "freebie" and a video

2009-06-23T06:38:00.000-05:00

I still find myself having a hard time finding things to write about. I'll have these random posting ideas, but not sure if there's enough to be said so it feels like my wheels are spinning and yet I'm going nowhere. LOL..

With that said, I'll keep it "light" today by sharing something neat I found on a friend's blog, and then a video that I "borrowed" from my friend Lisa.

So the freebie is this: Brent Riggs over at ...where laughter lives: The Riggs Family Blog, has created a "linky" system that's FREE for the public to use. There is a more well known one, but I hear it's not completely reliable. Anyway, Brent has been using this on the family blog for months and he says it works beautifully.

Now, on to the video...

This is the description of the video on facebook, "Taking their inspiration the Afro-American church music, the Heritage Mass Choir presents original Korean Gospel music". I've heard Kirk Franklin sing this song, and found it listed as "My Desire".

The video is AWESOME! (I'll post the lyrics just below)

My desire to please you, to be more and more like you Jesus. Each and everyday,
I lift my hands and say , I want to be more like you. (Repeat)
I give you my life, take me in your arms and hold me Jesus. I give you my
heart,I know that you can mend these broken pieces.
I'm totally, I'm totally, Totally committed to you.

Repeat chorus
I give you my life , take me in your arms and hold me Jesus. I give you my
heart , I know that you can mend these broken pieces.
I give you my life,
My heart,
My soul,
Take control.

I love you 4x the whole choir
Sopranos (4x I love you)
Altos (4x I love you)
I love you 4x the whole choir
I'm totally (5x)
One more time I'm totally , Totally committed to you

Kirk Franklin My Desire lyrics

Alrighty, my friends, I think I'll go now. Whoops.. I almost forgot to tell you THANKS for the Father's Day wishes for Link. I read him each one (from my cell).. he's not a man of many words, but he DID smile.. ☺ I know he REALLY APPRECIATED it! Again, THANK YOU! ☺

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T07:01:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I know it's been FOREEEEVVVEEERRR since I've last posted. I'm just FULL of excuses as usual.. LOL! The best one I can offer is that it seems the more behind I become, the less likely I am to want to tackle what I have to do. (Well, that applies in most cases...hehe)

ANYWAY.. I thought today was as good as any to come back to blogland. I mean, a day that's set aside to honor our own dads, the father of our children, and most importantly, our HEAVENLY FATHER.

So, with that said, I just want to say "Happy Father's Day" to Link, my Daddy, Link's Daddy and to all the other Dads out there. (As if any of the men listed are actually READING my blog.. ha!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Now, I'm going to go help the boys find stuff to make Link's card. After we lost Brent we've discovered how TREASURED ANYTHING that their little hands make, becomes to us.

I hope you all have a GREAT day celebrating the Dads in your lives - whether they be with us here on earth, or celebrating their new lives with the GREATEST Father of all time.. Our LORD, our GOD, our Heavenly Father!

I LOVE You all,

are women born this way?

2009-05-30T20:38:00.002-05:00

Now, I hope this won't offend anyone. I personally thought it was HILARIOUS! (My hubby used to tell me that I talked so much during the day that my lips should SMOKE when I went to bed at night)

I can STILL hold my own.. HA!!!

Anyway, this video was emailed to me by a friend and it gave me a good laugh. It's titled "Are women born this way?" and then just below the video it says, "Apparently so".

I hope you enjoy it too.

are you ready???

2009-05-30T00:06:00.001-05:00

Hello, Friends!

A sweet friend of mine sent me this video and of course I immediately wanted to share it with you. I had seen part of the video at a different time, but never like this. It's definitely something to make one think. ☺

Oh, before I leave, there is something VERY DISTURBING going on in California right now. If you've not already heard, I invite you to read about it in the post below. THANKS! ☺

Have a BLESSED weekend!
Love,

This is SCARY!! Seriously.

2009-05-28T23:10:00.009-05:00

Hello, Friends..

It's been a while since I've done a "real" post here as I tend to take the easy way out and post videos/email when I'm short on time. Well, tonight I'm sharing an email that came from a VERY RELIABLE SOURCE. (It's NOT a forward) If you want to read the article for yourself online click HERE.

To say that I was BLOWN AWAY by this story is an understatement. Whether one claims to be a person of faith, or none at all, we should still have the right to meet with anyone we choose in our own homes as long as what we're doing isn't illegal. (The family that's being persecuted is CLEARLY being attacked because they are Christians)

I could go on all day about this, but instead I'm going to share the email and invite you to sign a petition at the end. Here goes...

"A San Diego pastor and his wife have been told they cannot have a Bible study in their home. The couple says they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, then threatened with ever increasing fines if they refuse to stop the Bible study. (See news article here)

According to the couple's attorney, they were questioned about the Bible study. "'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?" The pastor's wife replied, "Yes." "Do you say 'amen'?" the official asked. "Yes," she replied. "Do you pray?" Again she said, "Yes." "Do you say 'praise the Lord'?" Another "Yes." The official told the pastor and his wife they were in violation of county rules.

The Bible study usually has an average of about 15 people.

A few days later they got a written warning that listed the home Bible study an "unlawful use of land." They were notified to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit," which could cost them thousands of dollars.

Could a small poetry club meet regularly in a home? Apparently, yes. What about a Cub Scout meeting? Evidently, yes. What if they meet regularly to watch Monday Night Football? Obviously, yes."

Click HERE to sign the petition supporting the couple's right to hold the small Bible study in their home. The petition will go to the San Diego Board of Supervisors.

(Email sent by afr.net and they did request it be passed along to everyone in our address book)

Seriously. They whole issue here is Christianity. It's obvious with questions like.....

"Do you say 'amen'?"

"Do you pray?"

"Do you say 'praise the Lord'?"

Please feel free to copy this and forward it to your friends... and/or post it to your blogs/sites.

Thanks for your time..
Love,

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T10:12:00.000-05:00

this is TOOOOO FUNNY!

2009-05-21T21:47:00.002-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I was doing a little blog hopping tonight and one thing led to another and before I knew it I had stumbled upon this video...

Seriously. Was that not one of the CUTEST things you've seen in a while???

Zach keeps going from wanting a pet snake to wanting a bird (he REALLY wants a parrot).. this video DIDN'T HELP. Heehee

random pics and a blog award..

2009-05-20T10:33:00.007-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm FINALLY updating my blog with actual family photos. I enjoy capturing fun memories, but then seldom get them uploaded. (I SO NEED to get MOTIVATED)

Anyway, the first pics I'll share with you are of the boys *new* clubhouse. See, the boys have been asking Link FOR-EEEVVV-ER for some sort of tree house, fort, whatever. Well, Link's dad found this 30-something year old camper and it made for a MUCH CHEAPER clubhouse than we could've built. Here, I'll let you see for yourself. LOL!!

The REALLY FUNNY thing about their new ride is that they protect it as if it were made of GOLD or something. Check out this picture.. notice their BOOTS OUTSIDE the camper????? They don't even do that when they come in our HOUSE!

Here's a shot of Gabe lounging in the top sleeper..

this one was made from inside the camper..

and here's Zach....

These next shots were taken yesterday just after the pool people had pulled out the liner. The boys couldn't WAIT to get in there and check it out!

Now how's THIS for GROSS???? This DISGUSTING water is coming STRAIGHT from our pipes! My hubby called the folks that are over our water system last night. They'll be out today to get water samples. We were MORTIFIED! Granted, the water may look like this out of ANY water system when you're seeing this much in one place, but we're not used to seeing it.

Oh yeah, and before I go.. I wanted to share that I was honored with this blog award

from my new friend Sarah (God's Not Finished With Us Yet)

THANKS SO MUCH, Sarah! You are TOO SWEET! Now, I ALWAYS cheat and NEVER name anyone specifically for the awards I get. I just CANNOT make myself choose just a handful of people. (I'm wimpy like that) I hope you'll forgive me???

Until next time...
Love,

stationary giveaway!

2009-05-19T15:01:00.002-05:00

Hello, Friends!

This will be another VERY SHORT post.. today has been another day FULL of all sorts of things. (Our pool liner finally gave way so we had to replace it.. the folks we bought the pool from have been down today taking the old one out and putting the new one in.. I'll post pics of that tomorrow, hopefully)

Anyway.. when I stopped in at Danielle's Blog today I found out that she's having a stationary giveaway.

(She designs these herself.. this lady is T-A-L-E-N-T-E-D!!!) If you'd like to enter her giveaway click HERE.

Okay.. I'd better RUN! I just didn't want any of you to miss out! ☺ (It's COMPLETELY FREE to enter.. you get extra entries for blogging and doing twitter posts.. other than that, no strings attached!)

Have a BLESSED DAY!

I ♥ YOU!

clay balls...

2009-05-18T09:26:00.002-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I don't have much time this morning to chat, but I wanted to share an email with you so I'm doing that instead of the normal rambling. HA!!!

So here it is.... (and I wish each of you a WONDERFUL week!) ☺

"Clay Balls"

A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a
canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled
clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much,
but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he
strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into
the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it
cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained
a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or
so clay balls he had left.

Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe
50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves.
Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of
thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we
see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It
isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or
well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure
hidden inside that person..

There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to
know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them,
then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a
fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see
the people in our world as God sees them.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you. Thank you for
looking beyond my clay vessel.

and the WINNER is...

2009-05-15T08:03:00.005-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I'm running LATE this morning posting the winner of this book...

SOOOOOOOOOO... the winner IS..... Jennifer at Life with MY three guys. I'm heading over to Jennifer's in just a sec to tell her that she won. Thanks SO MUCH to those of you who entered! I'll be giving away this book in the next week or so...

Before I sign off, my SWEET FRIEND, Martha, (Fly Away Birdie) has honored me with an award. (THANKS, Martha!)

Martha is just AWESOME! We met through the comment section on another blog, but I was DRAWN to her because of her LOVE for the LORD and the way she takes a stand on ALL that is RIGHT. (She doesn't back down from putting the WORD out there just as is it.. no watering it down with her - love her.. LOVE HER!)

Oh, to fill you in quickly on what we've been doing the past week...

We hosted church in our home on Sunday. I was SO THANKFUL that it was our turn because the busyness of cleaning up around our place in preparation kept my thoughts on positive and happy things. Yes, I thought of Brent and MISSED him like crazy, but it didn't seem to be any worse than any other day. (PRAISE BE THE LORD!! Sometimes 'holidays' can just be too much) We had dinner with my parents and then visited Link's later that evening. The whole day was GREAT!

Oh, I can't believe I almost forgot to mention this.. my little guys greeted me Sunday morning with homemade Mother's Day cards and personalized jewelry. I got a silver necklace with a 'family tree' pendant. It's really cute.. there's a tree of sorts in the middle and all of our names are engraved around the top of the pendant. I LOVE to have (and to be able to wear) things with all THREE of my boys' names.

Of course Monday was back to school then we cleaned the basement. (Now THAT would be a BEFORE & AFTER pic! HA!!!) Most of the toys are down there and Mr. Gabe had it STREWN EVERYWHERE! It was an all day job in itself.. YIKES! (I can't believe I just admitted that online.. hehee.. oh well, it's best to be REAL isn't it?)

OOHHH.. I also did a PartyLite party. My friend Lindy is selling it. (Lindy is Carter's Mom.. his button is on my sidebar) Man, I wish we were all next door neighbors.. I'd have LOVED to have had you all over! (WE SO NEED to have a giant blog party somewhere in the central US)

I think there's been SOMETHING going on with us all week. Anyway.. those are my excuses for not being online as much. I just feel terribly guilty that some of you leave comments so often and at times I'm such the SLACKER! With summer around the corner I HOPE to be a better friend to you all! YOU guys are such AWESOME ENCOURAGERS and I'd like to be that for you as well.

Okay.. I have rambled ENOUGH for one day! I hope all is well with each and every one of you... I also hope you have an AMAZING weekend!

LOVE,

formula for babies in China.. another giveaway

2009-05-13T00:13:00.001-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I wanted to invited you over to The Design Girl's blog to register for her giveaway. She's doing a raffle for the New Day Foster Home's formula project. (This is an organization that helps provide formula for orphanages in China) Please, if you have a minute go over and read about it on Danielle's blog. (Danielle IS "The Design Girl")

I copied this from her blog...

"To help the formula project, I will raffle off a deluxe blog makeover ($105 value).
Raffle tickets are being sold for the following prices.

1 ticket - $5
3 tickets - $10

If you sign up to sponsor formula for a child for one year (the sponsorship is $25 per month), I will give you 5 extra tickets. Do not use the chipin to become a sponsor. You can register here."

Anyway, the blog makeover (should you be the winner) is valued at $105!! This is the VERY TALENTED lady that did my blog makeover!!

Okay.. so if you wanna... go.. check it out!

Also, I posted just below about a giveaway that I'll have Friday. You can read up on it there or just click HERE to enter!

Have a BLESSED day, Precious Friends!
Love,

online educational videos and a giveaway..

2009-05-12T05:50:00.007-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I'm falling behind again when it comes to visiting you! =-/ I DO HOPE to get to make my rounds sometime today or tomorrow. (I MISS hanging with you at your places)

Anyway, in searching for videos that make learning fun, I found some REALLY GREAT videos on YouTube and couldn't wait to share them with you!! ☺

The first one is by a guy named David Osaka. (Click on his name to see his videos) I'd never heard of this guy but LOVE the videos I've seen so far! Well, to add a disclaimer.. I'm not so sure about the way he pronounces his letters in the "Alphabet Song in Phonics". The curriculum we use teaches that "a" says, "a" - apple. The way he's saying it, it sounds like "o" in ostrich.

Now, I also found that you can watch Schoolhouse Rock videos on YouTube!!!

WHOO-HOO! I know.. I know.. I'm WAY TOO easily amused! I was SOOO EXCITED to find that someone had shared the videos that I grew up watching.

Anyway.. there is tons of stuff on tv these days, but not so much on the educational side. I just thought that finding this was too good to keep to myself. (Maybe I'll post on something a little personal and grown up next time.. ha!!)

Oh, I was about to sign off and then I remembered that I told you I'd be giving away a book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.

Anyway, I'm a DORK! I COMPLETELY FORGOT about it!! I'll give that away on Friday. If you want to put your name in for it, please click HERE and leave a comment or at least your contact info. (I'm "linking" you to the original post that I did when I said I'd give the book away) Some of you had already commented on that post, but if you'd like to enter again just leave another comment.. I don't care how many times you sign in)

Also, I ordered an extra copy of Paula Deen's new cookbook, "The Deen Family Cookbook".

I thought I'd share the extra with one of you. I'll try to remember to post a giveaway about that in the next week or two. (If I forget to mention it again, would someone please nudge me?? I'm SOOOOOOO FORGETFUL!)

Okay, now I'm REALLY signing off.... LOL! I guess I had more to say than I thought. HA!! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL week!

Love you!!!

to all you sweet mamas out there...

2009-05-10T05:31:00.004-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends...

I wanted to check in quickly to wish all of you sweet mamas (and grandmamas) a VERY HAPPY Mother's Day! I also wanted to thank those of you who've already left words of encouragement for me. It does seem that all holidays are a little more emotional and I DO THANK YOU for your prayers! We've got a full day in store and I'm SURE that all of the activity will be GREAT in keeping my mind busy. Still, thanks again for your prayers!

Now, in searching for a Mom's Day graphic for this post I ran across this one. I thought it was cute and wanted to share it with you.

Wasn't that cute??? I found it on the Answers in Genesis webpage. (It's one of my FAVORITE sites) ☺

Oh, and just to let everyone know (after my last post on all the rain we've had here) that we didn't get washed away. ☺ Most of the water was gone by the very next morning. (We live up on a hill and that photo I posted was taken down in the bottom of our pasture.. I hope I told you that in the last post?) Anyway.. I just thought I'd share that. (It's early and my brain isn't awake yet so I'm FULL of random useless info.. HA!!)

Okay, my precious friends.. I suppose I should sign off for now. I you all have a WONDERFUL day!

Anybody know how to build an ARK??

2009-05-06T22:58:00.004-05:00

Hey there, Friends!

I thought I'd check in and show you a picture I took in our pasture down below our house today. I think we've gotten about 8 inches of rain over the past few days and the creek has SERIOUSLY flooded! The boys LOVE it when everything gets under water.. it's a wet, muddy, dream come true! As you can imagine, Gabe is just ITCHING to jump in.

The last time it rained they picked up dozens of baby fish that spilled over from our pond. They "saved" them.. SWEET HUH? Ha!!

Oh, and guess what Zach has been doing all afternoon??? Give up??? He's researching SNAKES online! YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY. I want to be a really COOL kind of mom.. but a SNAKE???

This is one of the ones he found and thinks he'd like to have...

A snake??? No, REALLY!?!?!?! Oh, and in case you're wondering.. this picture was "borrowed" from google. No snakes here!!

I HOPE!

How can you die for Me? (Jesus Video)

2009-05-04T20:11:00.001-05:00

I watched this video on tangle.com (formerly "GodTube") and wanted to share it with you. It's pretty convicting - humorous and sad all at the same time.

On a lighter note.. I've not been updating as much lately because I've been VERY BUSY going through digital design kits for my new blog. (It will be up any time... perhaps even while you're visiting)

I truly LOVE the new look and Danielle was AMAZINGLY FAST and INCREDIBLY talented! I don't know if you remember me saying that I was going to do something REALLY BIG in October??? (That's Brent's birthday) Well, I thought it'd be fun to celebrate his life this year by doing something he loved to do. Give stuff away! So, in honor of Brent I'll be giving away a bloggy makeover on his birthday. (October 28) I'll make it fun and interesting by giving extra chances to win to those of you that post challenging others to do a R.A.K. (random act of kindness) in his honor. ULTIMATELY, we're celebrating CHRIST and fulfilling the commandment to do unto others as we'd have them do unto us. Anyway.. that's a good six months from now.. but it's something to think about.

Okay, I guess I'm going to sign off for now. I need to get my little people to bed and try to hit the treadmill before turning in myself. (I'm HOPING to get a much EARLIER start to our day tomorrow)

Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by!
Love,

And the WINNER is...

2009-04-30T05:28:00.004-05:00

Angela over at Grace for the Moment . . . . . .

Congratulations, Angela!

I'd like to THANK everyone that participated in my giveaway! Man, it really stinks that I can't give something to EVERYONE! On THAT note.. I still have another one coming sometime again in the future. ☺

Now, I'm off to congratulate Angela in person. (Well, as "in person" as one can do over the internet.. HAHA!) THANKS again for entering!

Have a WONDERFUL day!
Love,

A.A.A.D.D.

2009-04-24T12:00:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends...

I got this in an email and thought I'd share it. This is SO ME! Yikes! ☺ Oh, and if you're interested in my bloggy giveaway, be sure and leave a comment on the post just below this one. Okay, back to the email.. this is TOO FUNNY!

A.A.A.D.D.

KNOW THE SYMPTOMS.....PLEASE READ!

Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder.
Somehow I feel better even though I have it!!

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. -
Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden.
As I turn on the hose in the driveway,
I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage,
I notice mail on the porch table that
I brought up from the mail box earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table,
put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,
and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back
on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think,
since I'm going to be near the mailbox
when I take out the garbage anyway,
I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table,
and see that there is only one check left.
My extra checks are in my desk in the study,
so I go inside the house to my desk where
I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks,
but first I need to push the Pepsi aside
so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Pepsi is getting warm,
and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi,
a vase of flowers on the counter
catches my eye--they need water.

I put the Pepsi on the counter and
discover my reading glasses that
I've been searching for all morning.
I decide I better put them back on my desk,
but first I'm going to water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter,
fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote.
Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV,
I'll be looking for the remote,
but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,
so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,
but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers,
but quite a bit of it spills on the floor.

So, I set the remote back on the table,
get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to
remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.
Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today,
I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day,
and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem,
and I'll try to get some help for it,
but first I'll check my e-mail.....

Do me a favor.
Forward this message to everyone you know,
because I don't remember who I've sent it to.

More GIVEAWAY fun!

2009-04-23T00:04:00.002-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I thought I'd check back in with the details on my giveaway. I'd been holding back because I'm going to try to support another family through a giveaway here. However, I don't have all the details yet, so I decided to go ahead with part of what I was going to do. (When everything falls into place I'll post again with the rest of the info on the other)

For now.. I wanted to do something to bless someone here. As a stay at home mom (of small children), I don't get out a whole lot. Don't get me wrong, I'd have it NO other way.. I'm just sayin that YOU are my outlet for friendship. ☺ You've been here for me when I've asked for prayer for our family or others, you've left encouraging words when I was afraid or down, and I want to say THANKS by doing something for YOU!

So this is how it will work. One week from today (Thursday, April 30) I'll have my drawing. (I think I'll use random.org to choose the number. Since it doesn't take much to confuse me, I'll only count the comments on THIS post) The gift will be a $25 giftcard. I'll let the winner pick where the card will come from. Your choices will be...

AMC Theatres
Ace Hardware
AllPosters.com
Amazon MP3 ™
American Eagle Outfitters
Banana Republic
Bath & Body Works
Bed Bath & Beyond
Black Angus/Cattle Company Steakhouse
Borders Books and Music
Brooks Brothers
Buca di Beppo
Cabela's
Champs Sports
Chico's
Crutchfield
DSW Shoes
Destination Maternity®
Eddie Bauer
Express
Foot Locker
Footaction

Gap
J. Jill
LL Bean
Lands' End
Lids
Lobster Gram
Men's Wearhouse
Motherhood® Maternity
NASCAR.COM
Nike
Pep Boys
Pier I Imports
Regal Entertainment Group
Sally Beauty
Sephora
Shutterfly
Staples
Talbots
The Children's Place
Timberland
Waldenbooks
White House Black Market

Feel free to share this with your friends. The only requirements is that you leave a comment on THIS post! ☺

Oh, don't forget to go over to my friend April's and register for her giveaway! I think it'll be Friday.

Take care...
Love,

EDITED My friend is having a giveaway!

2009-04-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

WHOOPS! I sure hope there weren't many to read this post before I caught a BIG mistake! (I'm going to leave the original post just as it was but thought I'd explain where my mistake was) SEE, in the post below... I'm telling you all about this giveaway and THEN I say something about the gift being affordable and that we could buy one for ourselves if we don't win. See? That just sounds RUDE! (In a childish kind of way) What I failed to tell you is that my friend April (the sweet lady that's having the giveaway) is helping another lady by "linking" back to her shop. (Kind of advertisement)

Anyway.. I'm a dork (ya'll know that about me already don't you?) ☺ and it only hit me just now (at 4:20 in the morning) that what I said might have sounded childish and mean and though I MIGHT say something like that on accident, I'd NEVER do it on purpose!

SO.. if anyone caught this BEFORE I explained myself, I apologize. In trying to help a friend (who's helping someone else) I just made a goof!

Now, I'll let you read the post below and invite you over to April's to register for her giveaway! ☺ (Again, SORRY for the confusion)

Here's the original post..........

Okay, so I know I said I'd be having a giveaway soon myself - and I will, I promise. Today, however, I'm wanting to send you over to my friend April's to enter for HER giveaway! Yes, you could win one of these...

Isn't that ADORABLE????? Now, get this.. these little necklaces range a little in price, but from what I saw they average UNDER $8! (At that price we can still buy them even if we don't win!)

Now, don't forget to hop on over to April's and get your name in the hat! ☺

GREAT NEWS!

2009-04-21T06:53:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I thought I'd check in quickly to make a confession. I followed up with Zach's previous doctor appointment (with a different doc this time... LOVED HIM). They checked his blood sugar (my sis is a diabetic since childhood), did another CBC, and did a repeat on the mono test.. everything was PERFECT! The white cells that were low before were well within "normal range". (That's the REAL reason I wanted to do a repeat) The mono was negative again and his blood sugars were PERFECT! Oh, if you've missed the previous posts, he never had mono. The first doc we saw wanted to rule it out.. the second doc just followed up with it.

Thanks again for praying!

Now, since I have absolutely nothing else to post on.. hehehe... I thought I'd share a video with you. This little dude is AWESOME! He's got moves.. LOVE IT!

The video is titled "Lil Breakdancer". It's TOO ADORABLE!

We FINALLY have news!

2009-04-16T16:06:00.002-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I wanted to check in to tell you that I heard from the doctor's office today and Zach is FINE! His heart enzyme tests were normal, and the viral test was okay. (Apparently, they thought he might've had "mono") PRAISE GOD, he DIDN'T! I'm not really sure what caused the dizzy spells. (He had another today) I'm supposing it's "inner ear" stuff. (He'll be taking something to hopefully dry it up) If they continue.. well, I'll be back nagging them once again. O=-)

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for praying!!!!

On a different note.. and I'm sure you've probably already seen this.. but there's a video that I saw on the news the other day that I wanted to share. (It's also circulating the web right now) It's just AMAZING! This lady has an AWESOME voice - WOW! It's a really COOL video.

THANKS again for praying for us!!

Love,

checking in..

2009-04-15T17:03:00.002-05:00

Hey there! I thought I'd pop in to let you know that I didn't hear a peep (not even a PEEP, I tell you) from our pediatrician's office today. UGH!! I'm one of those mom's that will worry EVERYONE around me SILLY if I don't watch myself. (ESPECIALLY if/when it's pertaining to the health of one of our boys) O=-)

ANNNNYWAY... I'm assuming that no news is good news! That, and the fact that I'm SERIOUSLY contemplating taking him back in on Thursday or Friday to repeat the "CBC". I mean, I really just want to hear.. to KNOW that the white cells are back in normal range and that everything looks good on paper. (As far as in person goes.. well, he's back to his old self)

I'm still thinking about doing a giveaway. It's been 6 months since I did the last one. (That's when we celebrated Brent's birthday) There's no holiday, or any special day that I'm wanting to celebrate. I'd really just LOVE to celebrate YOU! I mean, you guys are the BEST! I'm continuously AMAZED at how supportive and LOVING you all are!

So back to the giveaway.. I thought of something AWESOME that I'd like to do.. but I'm thinking I'll hold out till October and do the BIG ONE on Brent's b'day. It really helped to get through it when I knew I was doing something that he TRULY LOVED to do. (That'd be blessing others.. our boy LOVED to give gifts!)

The ball is rolling.. I hope I'll have something to announce soon. (I'm thinking this giveaway will be in the next couple of weeks) Stay tuned! ☺

Oh, I'm also planning to make it around to visiting those of you who've left comments the past few days. I'm REALLY SORRY that I've not been hanging out at your place(s). I've just been CRAZY busy. I MISS you guys when I'm not "hanging out" with you every day. =-/

Alrighty.. I suppose I'm off for a bit. I need to call the family in for supper soon and then HOPEFULLY I'll have some free time to play online.

THANKS AGAIN for your prayers, sweet comments, and all the AWESOME WAYS you encourage me! (I just LOVE the BOND we all have online.. man, if blogging is THIS much FUN... can you IMAGINE how GREAT Heaven is gonna be??)

I ♥ YOU,

quick update..

2009-04-14T21:12:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm checking in to tell you that I didn't find out ANYTHING on Zach today. I called his doctor's office and they left a message for a nurse to call me back. She simply said the tests weren't in and that she'd call me as soon as they arrive. (I'll give them till around noon tomorrow then I'm calling again... hehehe)

I seriously can't thank you enough for the prayers. I've been at COMPLETE PEACE since the first day I asked you for prayer. As I sit and think about how GOOD it feels to be at peace.. the chorus of a song we sing with the kids at church comes to mind...

"Our GOD is SO BIG, so STRONG and so MIGHTY there's nothing our GOD can NOT DO!" (clap, clap) ☺

Before I sign off tonight.. I wanted to share something about a giveaway I plan to do. I'm not sure all the details yet because I'm still thinking on ways that I'd like to bless you. I WILL tell you that one of the things I want to give away is a book by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. It's called "Love & Respect".

I've only just begun to read it.. but I'm TOTALLY LOVING it! (It gives GREAT insight to what our husband's greatest need is. Just as our greatest need is to be loved, theirs is to be respected) It's amazing how Dr. Eggerichs saw something in scripture that I've heard few speak on. (I've SERIOUSLY only JUST learned this a year or so ago.. I know.. EVERYONE isn't as "slow" as I am.. ha!)

Ephesians 5:33
Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.

I don't know how I missed it! God tells the man to "love" his wife (that will meet her greatest need) and HE commands the woman to respect her husband (therefore meeting his greatest need).

Okay.. I'd better run tonight. I PROMISE I'll update again tomorrow as soon as I hear anything. (Even if it's another, "the tests aren't in yet")

THANKS AGAIN for your prayers!
Love,

THANK YOU!

2009-04-13T22:26:00.002-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I wanted to check in quickly to say THANK YOU for the prayers, visits here, and of course for the sweet comments! You guys are BEYOND AMAZING! I'd worried about sharing that I was dealing with fear. Not only did you NOT condemn me, you also encouraged me to keep trusting! I'm SERIOUSLY BLESSED to have so many precious friends 'to wait it out' with me.

Now, I'm REALLY SORRY that I've not done a real post before now. I did the little "tweets" (twitter posts) but honestly, I've just not had a minute to play online. (The other posts were scheduled days before) I've mentioned before that we do home-church.. well, it was our turn to host and our group was planning a sunrise service and breakfast afterwards. Everyone that we meet with is like family, so I KNOW that I don't have to do deep cleaning.. but I still like to do what I can to make it extra special when we have guests over. ☺ All of that to say that this weekend was VERY BUSY! Today, well, it was just another Monday.. but it too has been busy. I suppose I felt like I owed you some sort of explanation since you've been so sweet to check in. I TRULY wanted to come and "chat" before now. ☺ Oh, and I can't WAIT to visit your blogs and catch up with you again. (I was FINALLY getting back into the swing of visiting you all regularly but the past few days have had me a little off track)

SOOOOO... TOMORROW should be the big day. We should hear from the rest of the results from the blood work they did on Zach. I'm VERY HAPPY to report that he's not had any more of the dizzy spells!!! He seems to be his normal, happy little self. I PROMISE I'll do some sort of post to let you know as SOON as I hear something. If you check in and don't see a new post, remember to look at the sidebar. I'll update on twitter if I can't do anything else, but I WILL update here as well as SOON as possible!

THANKS AGAIN for checking in... I hope to have some WONDERFUL news TOMORROW!

Gettin ready to "happy dance"!
Love,

That's MY KING

2009-04-12T00:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter, my Precious Friends!

Sunday's Coming...

2009-04-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends...

I can't seem to write a post this week for anything. I keep finding AWESOME videos and with Easter so fresh on my mind.. well, they just seem FITTING. I hope you enjoy this! I thought it was AWESOME! ☺ (I DO wish there was a little more at the very end.. but we all KNOW the history on THIS story.. AMEN???) ;-)

2009-04-10T14:06:00.000-05:00

My "tweets" have apparently not been completely posting. Twitter only allows "x" amount of characters and my text messages (to twitter) were too long. Sorry about that!

We had some really nasty weather here last night.. a friend of mine had two trees to fall in on their home. Praise GOD nobody was hurt! We're heading over to help out so no computer posts from me yet. (Doing this one on my cell)

Thanks SO MUCH for praying for Zach & our family!!! I'll update more on him later. (They're thinkin he's had a virus that caused the episode) they ran heart tests too, but we'll get no results before Tuesday. CBC showed low white cells, thus the "viral" diagnosis. That'll be confirmed Tues too. (Sending off blood work)

I'll check back ASAP! THANKS again for praying!
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Please pray for our son..

2009-04-09T22:58:00.000-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends..

I had a post already scheduled to post around midnight. I'll leave it just below, as it was already written. For now.. I want to ask for prayer.

See, since Brent got sick (showing NO symptoms other than back pain).. and since losing him.. well, I'm a bit of a cancer NUT! I laugh at myself, but it's really not funny at all. My first thoughts when one of the boys complain with pain is to wonder if it's cancer. (Then I start running the symptoms through my mind and matching them up to the types of cancers we learned about while at St. Jude) I know.. I'm supposed to walk by FAITH and NOT by sight. For me, I think there's a little guilt for not catching Brent's cancer sooner. (I mean, truly and logically I KNOW that there was NO WAY to know any sooner.. and still.. I'm tempted to feel guilt)

With all of that said, Zach told me yesterday when we were coming inside (we'd been hanging clothes on the clothesline) that he almost passed out. (My poor kids are hypochondriacs now too. Oh, and if you're wondering.. I DON'T express my concerns to, or in front of them.. they were around DOZENS, perhaps even HUNDREDS of kids with cancer.. I mean, what else are they to think?) I didn't think much about it then, but today it happened again. It REALLY SCARED Zach. We had him to come in and rest for a while. He's had 3-4 episodes since. Now, logically I'm thinking, HOPING, and PRAYING that it's just inner-ear trouble. Yet, I don't want to miss anything because I'm self conscious about worrying TOO much.

My prayer request is this: Please pray that the doctor will CORRECTLY diagnose whatever the problem is TOMORROW. (I'm taking him in early in the morning) I feel silly even asking you guys to pray about this, but I couldn't live with myself if we had another child to have a serious illness and I passed it off as nothing. (I've met at least 3 families that have multiple children with cancer.. yes, it's rare, but it's ALWAYS on my mind)

UGH.. I hate to even share all of this with you. I sure don't want you to worry that I'm worrying myself sick. I'm truly not. I mean, I don't want anything to be wrong, but I also don't EVER want to have any unnecessary regrets. I KNOW that whatever the future holds for all of us - GOD IS IN CONTROL! (Kind of makes you want to break out singing that old Twila Paris song, doesn't it?? Ha!! Sorry, trying to make a funny)

Okay, that's enough rambling for me! I DO APPRECIATE your prayers and I thank you in advance for lifting Zach (and our family) up. ☺

WHOOPS.. one other thing. I don't know if you've noticed, but on my sidebar I have that little "Twitter" thingy. I'll TRY to remember to post a tweet on what we learn AS SOON as the doc walks out of the room. (For anyone that might not know.. it'll be like a mini update and I can do it right from my phone) Otherwise, I'll update the blog as soon as I can.

NOW... I'll really stop rambling.. LOL....

You may now return to the regularly scheduled update already in progress.... (Sorry! Man, I'm in a cheesy mood tonight, eh?)

Here I go again...

Yes, I'm posting ANOTHER video... O:-)

This one VERY CLEARLY shares the gospel. Sharing the gospel is the whole reason I started blogging. I wanted our journey to help others. I wanted people to see that you can be in the fire, and come out on the other side still loving, and still TRUSTING JESUS. There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY that we could have any peace with our lives and where we are today if it wasn't for the promise that JESUS paid our sin-debt.. that HE LIVES within us.. that HE is carrying our burdens and broken hearts. HE ALONE is our JOY AND STRENGTH! I never meant for this to be about me and who I am, or who I'm not. I truly only want my life to point to JESUS.

I hope you enjoy this video. ☺

Love,

In Christ Alone

2009-04-09T00:35:00.000-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I thought with Easter fast approaching I'd share this video. I'm pretty sure I've posted it before.. but the song is BEAUTIFUL and the message is BEAUTIFUL! I'm SO VERY THANKFUL that CHRIST OVERCAME the grave! Because of HIM, we have eternal life! Because of HIM - we have HOPE in each new tomorrow! Because of HIM, we'll see our sweet Brent again!!! My heart could just explode with LOVE and GRATITUDE for CHRIST and the debt HE paid for our sins!!

Easter Story Cookies

2009-04-08T00:38:00.000-05:00

Easter Story Cookies

To be made the evening before Easter

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't wait till you're half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was Beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar.

Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66. (I like to put a chair in front of the oven instead of using tape. I think it's more symbolic of the tomb being rolled away on Easter Sunday.. AND I'm not so crazy about the residue that tape might leave behind) O=-)

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.

I've done this with the boys a few times.. it is a GREAT way for them to visualize what our LORD went through for us.. MOST importantly - it's WONDERFUL that they can see that the GRAVE WAS/IS EMPTY! ☺

The Truth

2009-04-07T07:29:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd share this video on "truth". It's kind of funny, but sad too. This is how crazy our world has become!

John 3:16 (New American Standard Bible)

16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

Oh, and THAT is the truth.. amen? ☺

Catching up on pics.. FINALLY!

2009-04-04T20:46:00.008-05:00

Hello, Friends...

I thought I'd make myself sit still tonight and FINALLY post those pics that I promised from a LOOONNNGGG time ago! O=-) I'm such a slacker, I know..

Anyway.. I'll stop with the yacking and move on to sharing these sweet memories! =-)

The first photo is from the giveaway I did on Brent's birthday... I promised WAY BACK at the end of OCTOBER to share it.. I'm SO, SO SORRY! (I'm planning a SPRING giveaway too.. stay tuned for THAT!) In this box of goodies was a bottle of Bath & Body Works lotion and spray, a Bath & Body Works Scentport, Brent's FAVORITE (Sweet Potato Bread), a Lunch for Life Cookbook, and another book. (I can't remember what it was.. sorry. Perhaps there was another thing or two, my brain is mud.. I can hardly remember ANYTHING! (The whole point of the giveaway was to celebrate Brent's life by doing what he loved - BLESSING OTHERS!)

This shot was made back when the Horrocks family visited.. this is a picture of the kids riding on our boys homemade "Hillbilly bob-sled"! HA!!!

This is a shot of Gabe after they'd been mud-riding...

Oh, get this.. we actually got a LITTLE snow this year! It happened the night before Link's birthday.. You'll see why I shared that detail in just a sec... ha!

(See, now it'll make sense.. hehehe)

Of course I've made a quite a few pics of Allie Grace (I've not done any editing.. just sharing what I uploaded from my camera.. not learned the settings yet.. again, I'm a slacker) O=-) Oh yeah, if any of you are new here, Allie is my niece. She's ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, Sweet Friends.. I'd love to stay and keep adding on, but it's getting way past my bedtime.. LOL! I plan to take the kiddos out soon and try to get more pics. (They change SO MUCH from one photo session to the next) =-)

Have a BLESSED weekend!

Love,

Please Pray for Carter

2009-04-02T20:19:00.004-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends...

I'm signing on with a request for prayer from you. We befriended a family through caringbridge while Brent was sick. Their names are Bo & Lindy Oswalt. Their baby (Carter) was born with Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome (or "half a heart"). He's been a very sick little man off and on throughout his short life and was hospitalized today with a fever of 104.2. As best I can tell, the family isn't sure what's going on with him right now. If you'd like to meet his family you can click HERE or on his picture below. I'd also like to invite you to post with requests for prayer from your blogs as well. (If you'd like) Just grab the code below and post it in your posting area. (Or add it to your sidebar.... if you'd like) ☺ I know his family would appreciate ALL the prayer they can get!

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Carter's mom, Lindy, was in Memphis for the Redemption 2009 conference that I went to last weekend. She's an AWESOME lady and I've REALLY ENJOYED getting to know her personally. (As opposed to writing back and forth on our caringbridge sites) ☺Lindy is expecting right now.. TWINS! She's had some bleeding... let me quote Bo here so I don't get this wrong...

"Please also be in prayer for Lindy. We found out that Baby A (the closest to the cervix) has a marginal abruption(small tear) in its placenta (the twins have separate placentas). This is why she has been bleeding, so please pray that this will be nothing more than an annoyance and no danger to the baby."

Thanks in advance for your prayers!

Love,

Temptation...

2009-04-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm signing on to share another video with you. My friend (Susan Foster) emailed it to me and I thought it was just too cute!

I hope you're having a GREAT day!

LOVE,

Laminin

2009-03-31T06:58:00.002-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I ran across this video this morning.. I'm such the airhead, I honestly can't remember if I've shared it before? It's an AWESOME illustration of how BIG, how LOVING, how MIGHTY, and how PERSONAL our GOD is!

Have a BLESSED day!
Love,

Redemption 2009, Memphis, TN

2009-03-30T21:43:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm SO SORRY I didn't make it to update on Sunday (or even earlier today) as I had said I would. It seems that I got a bit of food poisoning on Sunday. I was up most of the night last night (Sunday night) and have not completely shaken it today. (I'm SOOOO TIRED!) Enough whining, though! On with the news, eh? ☺

So my big secret was that I went out of town this weekend. Our sweet friends from Habitat for Hope pulled together a retreat for a few mom's they've worked with from St. Jude and from Lebonneher. (sp?) Mrs. Priscilla Shirer was in Memphis and we all gathered together to attend this event! (Have you heard of Pastor Tony Evans? Priscilla is his daughter... he's one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE preachers! He doesn't "sugarcoat" the word, he just puts it OUT THERE!) It was a wonderful, WONDERFUL event! She was speaking on racial unity. I think it was Priscilla who suggested we look around, "because THIS is what HEAVEN is gonna look like"! (It was AWESOME!)

Oh, and don't let me forget to mention that Mrs. Shirer's brother, Anthony Evans lead the singing... I found a video of him on YouTube. (Nothing like being there of course.. but OUTSTANDING nonetheless!) ☺

My mind is still racing with thoughts and I truly don't know where to begin. =-)

I suppose I could start with the fact that this trip almost didn't happen for me. See, I let FEAR take root... I couldn't stand the thought of going to Memphis without Link. (For any of you that might be new to my blog.. Memphis is where our son went HOME to be with JESUS) It's his TRUE "birthplace" of sorts.. amen?

Memphis holds COUNTLESS HAPPY memories for me.. it's where Brent LOVED to be. (He ABSOLUTELY LOVED St. Jude and couldn't be happier than when he was in that hospital!) I thought to myself the day we made the very first trip home without him, that I'd NEVER be able to go to Memphis again, much less step foot back in that hospital. (This trip was my second time to do both)... I'll share more on that in a bit.

THANKFULLY, Mylissa didn't give up on me. She called and texted and even offered to have Link & the boys stay at their home while we were at the retreat. My SWEET HUBBY agreed because he knew how BADLY I wanted to be reunited with my sisters - my St. Jude sisters!

I REALLY NEEDED this trip. I've felt SO ALONE in recent days... I have LOTS of people here that love me, and I don't doubt that... but when it comes to "heart friends"... well, that's a different story. See, I want so badly to be able to talk freely about Brent... I mean, if what I'm wanting to say is relevant to the conversation. However, I don't always feel free to do that. I can tell that it makes some people uncomfortable. (At times I feel like some feel I should be "over it") Well, for those reasons alone this weekend was JUST WHAT I NEEDED!

I realized that GOD has me in the season I'm in so that I will draw nearer to HIM.

HE should be my EVERYTHING.... and honestly, I'm a bit stubborn... sometimes it takes being in a place that I don't want to be for me to TRULY CLING to HIM.

As you can see.. I did some "letting go" and surrendered my feelings to the LORD. I asked HIM to FILL my HEART with HIMSELF. I asked HIM to let me be CONTENT with where I am... and most of all, I asked HIM to use me. I said over and over again that I wanted what Brent went though to matter. Because of Romans 8:28, I know that his life, and what he suffered DID matter! ("And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.") I know that GOD has brought us through what I believe to be the one of the most painful things a person can experience in this world. (Honestly, the only thing that I can imagine that would be worse, would be for my son to have left this world without JESUS) Because of where I've been, and how the LORD has carried me.. I KNOW that I can be used to help others... and I sure don't want to miss it because my eyes aren't FOCUSED on our LORD!

Yes, it was AWESOME to be able to talk about Brent FREELY to other ~~ladies,~~ I mean, SISTERS that have walked in my shoes. (There were ladies there that have lost children and some who are still in the fight) It truly was JUST what I needed!

Now, I couldn't stand the thought of being so close to our beloved hospital without going by to see some of our nurses. We were able to see Mrs. JoAnn (she was Brent's Nurse Practitioner). He ABSOLUTELY ADORED her! We also saw Mrs. Nancy, who would've adopted Brent as her own... ☺ Then of course we saw Sara. She was there the morning Brent went home to be with JESUS. She stood in the room with us just before we left. Link told Sara and Joni not to EVER feel like what they do doesn't matter, because we LOVED them and they made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in the world to Brent and to us!

As I mentioned earlier, my mind is still racing from it all.. the whole thing was bittersweet. SO MUCH FUN and SO REFRESHING to be with my sisters.. and yet so hard to be back in Memphis. (It WAS MUCH EASIER this time though.. PRAISE GOD!!!)

I'd like to say a HUGE "THANK YOU" to those of you who prayed for us. See, the journey up Hwy 55 was in itself, a MOUNTAIN for us. Through GOD'S grace we had an AMAZING weekend! I'd also like to say THANKS to HFH for hosting us, and for continuing to stand beside us. They truly go ABOVE AND BEYOND in their ministry to our family and so many others.

Okay, my friends.. it's late and I'm REALLY tired. I'll try to check in again soon and get those pictures I'd promised posted. O=-)

THANKS again for being here and for your prayers!

Love,

☺

2009-03-26T22:40:00.003-05:00

Hello, Friends...

I didn't realize it'd been so long since I posted... YIKES! I mean, where DOES the time go??? For us, it's been just the normal day to day stuff. We've REALLY been ENJOYING the spring-type weather! Mr. Sam (my hubby's dad) has already been hard at work breaking up my garden. (You may know the drill - breaking the ground and letting the grass die.. THEN we can start PLANTING! I'm REALLY EXCITED about adding some new veggies this year along with several different types of fruit! Hopefully the boys will enjoy watching things grow and become a little more adventurous in trying new foods... YEAH, RIGHT!) Ha!!!

Okay, as much as I'd like to stay and talk.. I really better turn in for the night. I just truly didn't want to let another day pass without checking in. (I REALLY MISS you guys when I'm not able to visit with you!) I'll have some really FUN news to share with you by the first of the week.. maybe even as early as Sunday. I'll try to get pictures up to share as well. (I know, I'm TERRIBLY BEHIND on posting pics) O;-)

Alrighty.. I'll check back with you soon. Thanks SOOOOOO MUCH for checking in with us here! (Hey, while I've got you for a moment.. would you lift a prayer every time you think of our family this weekend? The need for the your prayers, and the prayer request, will be part of the news I'll share)

THANKS AGAIN!

With MUCH LOVE & MANY (((HUGS)))

Simply BEAUTIFUL

2009-03-10T23:32:00.004-05:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I've let another whole day pass without posting.. so once again I'm sharing a video. (I DO hope you're not getting tired of these) O:-)

This video was emailed to me by a friend and it brought out a TON of emotions! (The video is of some men singing "Amazing Grace" in the Coliseum in Rome)

See, any Christian can easily be brought to tears hearing this song.. but it hits me on another level. It wasn't long after we'd brought Brent back to Memphis (to let him "go HOME") that Link was awakened one night by the sound of our PRECIOUS Little Man singing his heart out. Yes, he was singing, "Amazing Grace"! (Brent spent his last days in almost constant conversation with the LORD, praying, talking about JESUS, or singing songs to his LORD)

Another part of this BEAUTIFUL old hymn that "gets" me is the very last verse..

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see."

I can only imagine what our Little Man is doing up there.. besides the most AWESOME of all things.. sitting in the presence of our JESUS.. he's also HEALED. No more sickness, no more pain, no more sorrow. I can't WAIT to get my arms around my PRECIOUS BOY again!

Here's the video...

Signing off with this passage...

Revelation 7:15-17 (New American Standard Bible)

15"For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.

16"They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;

17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

We have SO MUCH to be thankful for.. and to look forward to.. AMEN??? ☺

Until next time...
Love,

This is HILARIOUS!

2009-03-04T21:22:00.000-06:00

Hello, Friends..

I've fallen behind in my posts again.. always wanting to do more.. always meaning to.. just not getting it done. O:-) I seem to take the easy way out more often than not.. (posting videos) Today will be no different. LOL!! My friend Greg shared this with me and after watching it I couldn't wait to share it with you! (I laughed SO HARD I was CRYING!!) I suppose I should warn my bloggy sisters that if you're wearing mascara you might wanna grab a napkin BEFORE watching it! I kid you not, it's THAT funny! ☺

Oh yeah.. be sure to turn your volume up!

I hope you're having a GREAT week!
Love You,

Zach & "Buddy"

2009-02-25T22:10:00.000-06:00

Hello, Friends.. I know I said I'd be posting a more serious post soon but this video is just too cute not to share. (Besides, I'm finding myself once again at the end of another day with little time left) If you've been with me for any of the past few posts you know that we're raising a baby calf. Well, technically, ZACH is. He's been bottle-feeding the little one since we lost his mama and has affectionately named the calf, "Buddy".

In this video you'll see how Buddy has learned to trust Zach and also LOVES to "play" with him. (You'll hear our collie, Lassie, barking.. she's jealous that Zach's playing with "someone else")

Also, watch closely.. and be sure to turn up the volume when you see Gabe enter the pen. He's watched Zach run while the calf chases him many times before and he wants to "play the game too". Well, he THINKS he does.. You'll hear Gabe SQUEAL after he realizes the chase is ON! (I was ROLLING when this happened and STILL find myself CRACKING UP EVERY time I watch it)

Thanks for hanging with me here! I sure do appreciate you for visiting! =-) Maybe, just MAYBE I'll get caught up soon. HA!!

Take care..
Love,

I MIGHT be a Redneck..

2009-02-23T20:04:00.003-06:00

Hello, Friends..

I wanted to start this post by "coming clean" about the RipStik. I didn't think about the way I worded the title of the last post until much later... SOOOOO... just to make certain that I didn't mislead anyone... I DO NOT "ripstik". HA!! I TRIED it ONCE and just as I was about to fall over, I screamed out, "CATCH ME, GABE!" If you could've only seen the LOOK on his face! (hehehee) He squinted his eyes and threw out his arms as if he really were going to ATTEMPT blocking my fall. HA!!! (It was too cute!) Nope, I'm MUCH TOO CLUMSY for all that. ☺

On another note.. I thought I'd share some "redneck humor" with you. (It's an email from my Mom - I thought it was funny)

You know you're a redneck when......

1. You missed your 5th grade graduation because you were on jury duty.
2. You can entertain yourself for more than 15 minutes with a fly swatter.
3. Your boat has not left the driveway in 15 years.
4. You burn your yard rather than mow it.
6. The Salvation Army declines your furniture. (Oh, there WAS a time... HA!!! You should've seen our first couch.. I think it actually CAME from there.. they sure wouldn't have taken it BACK!!)
7. You offer to give someone the shirt off your back and they don't want it.
8. You have the local taxidermist on speed dial. (UMMMMMMM)
9. You come back from the dump with more than you took.
10. You keep a can of Raid on the kitchen table.
11. Your wife can climb a tree faster than your cat. (I don't have a wife, but my ZACH sure CAN!) ☺
12. Your grandmother has 'ammo' on her Christmas list. (My Great-Gramma used to DIP snuff, does THAT count?? Heehee)
13. You keep flea and tick soap in the shower. (That could SOOOO HAPPEN)
14. You've been involved in a custody fight over a hunting dog. (Yep, this could too.. HA!!)
15. You go to the stock car races and don't need a program.
16. You know how many bales of hay your car will hold. (I don't know about hay, but I DO know how many "ears of corn" it will hold)
17. You have a rag for a gas cap. (We once owned a truck we had to "hot-wire" just to crank, THAT count?)
18. Your house doesn't have curtains, but your truck does.
19. You consider your license plate personalized because your father made it.
20. Your lifetime goal is to own a fireworks stand.
21. You have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say 'Cool Whip' on the side. (I'm sorta guilty with that one.. I DO have a "set" of Cool Whip bowls, but I consider mine more of a "portable Tupperware" that I don't mind not getting back.. HA!!)

22. The biggest city you've ever been to is Wal-Mart.
22. Your working TV sits on top of your non-working TV.
23. You've used your ironing board as a buffet table.

I got a kick out of those.. mostly because I could identify with MANY of them. Hey, I'm a redneck and PROUD of it! ☺ No worries here! (I mean, seriously, when the most exciting thing happening at our house is bottle-feeding a calf... well, you get my drift)

There've been a lot of ideas floating around in my head about future posts. I really want to do one on holiness. (Recently watched the movie, 'Time Changer' and have been HEAVILY convicted about how numb I've become to many things) If you've not seen it, it's a MUST SEE!

All of that to say that I hope to do a more serious post in the next day or two. I'm still finding it a bit hard to balance school with the boys, keeping a tidy house, and all the other chores and tasks that fill our days. I've found myself sharing easier topics like humor and videos because those can be done pretty quickly. (I MISS you guys when I don't post and visit YOU regularly) ☺

I suppose that's enough rambling, eh? I'll "talk" with you soon... ☺

LOVE,

Do YOU RipStik?? :-) edited

2009-02-21T11:48:00.001-06:00

Okay, if any of you checked in earlier and wondered what in the world this post was about.. let me explain. LOL!! See, I emailed a video that SHOULD HAVE posted here. (Or so I thought) Anyway, we'd taken the kiddos out for dinner and it wasn't until I got home that I realized it DIDN'T POST AT ALL! (Silly me, Sorry!) Anyway.. the video was one I made of the boys earlier this morning. They are RipStik CRAZY!! I thought I'd "film" them playing around and share it with you. (They SERIOUSLY AMUSE me with their stunts - I mean, so long as they're not DANGEROUS!) O:-) Oh, if you're wondering "who's who?"... (it's REALLY HARD to tell, even for me while watching this video)... Clay and Zach are the ones that are holding the rope and swinging each other around. Clay's wearing the lighter colored jeans. Gabe is the kid you'll see boarding out of the carport.

Alrighty, I know this was a random post. Not much reasoning behind it.. HA! I just thought you might get a kick out watching.

I guess that's about it for me today. =-) I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!

LOVE YOU!

Something COOL to share!

2009-02-19T08:47:00.005-06:00

Hello, Sweet Friends..

This is another of those days that I'm short on time. (I'm short in person too.. LOL!) Sorry, that was corny wasn't it?? ☺ Corny, but TRUE, I'm afraid. Moving on....

When I started out for town last week (the first time I'd been attempting to do Walmart in weeks) I ran over a bolt in the road and got an INSTANT FLAT TIRE! Needless to say, by the time the hubby got to where we were and got the tire plugged.. well, my day was pretty much GONE! (He asked me to go on and get the tire FIXED while I was out so that finished off my day) I know, that was too much info wasn't it?? Hehehehe

Okay, so I wanted to check in and tell you about something REALLY COOL I found! It's a website called, "Slacker". (Now I've not seen anything bad on this site, but just to make sure, I'll warn you to enter at your own risk) What IS Slacker? Well, it's a site that let's you listen to FREE music! There's MORE! You can pick from SEVERAL different styles of music. There's Christian, Christian Rock, Rock, R&B, Country... the list goes on and on.

There's STILL more... (IF you have a Blackberry or iphone) You can download the app to your phone and play FREE music when you want! (Now that's assuming you have an unlimited data plan)

I SURE HOPE you don't find anything bad on this site.. I've been on it SEVERAL times, and as I said, I've not seen anything bad. (However, I suppose the graphics you'll see depends on the type of music you're listening to)

Anyway.. I thought this was really cool and wanted to share! I'm LOVING it so far!!

The Invisible Woman

2009-02-17T00:02:00.000-06:00

Hello, Friends...

I got another AMAZING video through email today. My dear friend Piper sent it over. I doubt you can watch it without having your socks BLESSED OFF! If I've shared it online before.. overlook me, I'm an airhead and am EXTREMELY FORGETFUL! I figured it's worth watching again.. even if you have seen it. I mean, seriously. How many of us have NEVER felt invisible? (I hate to leave out my online "brothers" with this post.. think of it this way.. it's a peek inside a woman's heart) ☺

Have a BLESSED day!

Allie Grace & an award..

2009-02-16T06:43:00.006-06:00

As you probably already know we kept our sweet little Allie Grace last week. She's at an age where she mimics EVERYTHING you do! It's just TOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!! Well, she's undoubtedly started "dancing" so of course the boys tried ALL day (over and over and OVER again) to get her to dance for them.

The video I'm about to share was taken with my phone (Yes, that explains the poor quality and the blurring when she starts jumping) O=-) We'd found a really peppy song on the radio and she was just about to "cut loose." (Oh, ignore my hillbilly accent when you hear me talking.. ICK!)

So to set the stage (so to speak)... Gabe was dancing all over the place trying to get her to dance. I kept trying to get him to STOP the crazy dancing and just "bop his head" because I knew all the movement would blur the video. (Not much luck with that) HA!! Oh, if you'll watch closely (bottom left corner of the screen) you can see Gabe's shadow as he was dancing.. but don't tell him.. he'll kill me.

Alrighty, I've rambled enough... here's our little angel ☺

Needless to say, we are just CRAZY about this baby! (The boys ALWAYS BEG for a baby sister when we've had her)

Now, on to bloggy awards....

I received an award from Jennifer @ My Life With Four Kids. This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link. (check.)

2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award. (check.. well, kind of)

See, I ALWAYS cheat when it comes to things like this.. I can never pick just one, or two, or fifteen (like the rules instruct). I just can't do it. I'm a cheater like that.. sorry. I think you're all deserving of this award, I couldn't possibly.. oh, I've said all this already didn't I? Hehehe Thanks again Jennifer for thinking of me. You are just too sweet! ♥U!

Okay, I've kept you long enough.. I hope each of you will have a FANTASTIC week!

Love,

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

For God so loVed the world,
That He GAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life."

John 3:16

babysitting photos, and a calf =o)

2009-02-13T12:41:00.009-06:00

Hello, Friends!

Today seems like all the others.. I'm on the run again. (I've gotta get out today and get my Sweetie's a Valentine gift) I'm thankful that I at least have a moment to check in. I thought you might enjoy the pictures from yesterday. (Our day of babysitting two ADORABLE babies)

If you read how I labeled this post, then you might have also guessed that I'll be posting a picture of our calf as well. (His mom had some SERIOUS problems during birth and isn't likely to make it) We've been trying to get him to bottle feed - the boys have been beside themselves over getting to bottle feed him. (Well, it's Zach mostly.. it's just TOO cute!)

Anyway, I'll post the pics and will run. I hope you all have a FANTASTIC weekend!

First, Link's sister (Elizabeth) has a flower shop in Ackerman - (It's called, "Forget Me Not".. isn't that cute?). Elizabeth has been REALLY BUSY this week so we got to keep Allie Grace yesterday and will again tomorrow. Allie is just TOO PRECIOUS! She's ALL I've heard about since she left here yesterday. =-)

Zach & Allie

Gabe & Allie (overlook the mess, remember, we had TWO babies.. LOL!!)

Now, if you've been with us on Brent's Caringbridge site for any length of time at all, you already "know" Brian & Meredith. (Mer & Dana are twins.. Dana & Brad, and Mer & Brian spent a lot of time with Brent/us while he was sick) Brent actually thought of "Mr. Brad" as one of his best buds. We got to know both of these sweet couples during this time. They (both couples) and their Mom, Mrs. Tommie all came to Memphis after we came back (to let Brent go HOME). They stayed in our apartment across from St. Jude and kept Zach & Gabe for us. Then of course took care of us in the days that followed us coming home. I can't voice how much they meant to us during that time....... ANYWAY... Mer & Brian had their first baby. (Little Jacob) I'd kept him once before, but kept him yesterday while Dana (and Brad) were having THEIR first baby. (It was a GIRL!)

All of that to say we were up to our necks in baby-love yesterday! (And loving EVERY MINUTE of it!) =-) So this is Jacob...

I'll post pics of Brad & Dana's baby as soon as I get my hands on one.. hehehe (Poor babies.. they'll learn to fear the flash of a camera just like ours do)

Now, here's Zach bottle feeding the calf..

Love,

I may never use my brain again..

2009-02-12T07:48:00.002-06:00

As you might've guessed by the way I labeled this post that this one didn't have much thought put into it. As much as I'd love to sit and ramble on today, I can't. I'll be keeping a wee little baby, and my niece Allie Grace. They should arrive here soon so I'll try to keep this short.

Since I can't stay and talk.. I'm going to share another video. (I hope you're not getting tired of these.. I never do. O=-) My sweet friend, Randy, emailed this to me. I LOVE IT!

Have a BLESSED day!
Love,

Kingdom Dog

2009-02-11T17:36:00.002-06:00

I've been wanting to come and post all day. This has just been "one of those days" and I've had very little free time. In checking my email I found this video (thanks Michelle) and of course couldn't wait to share it with YOU! It's a GREAT message!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Love,

A hard word..

2009-02-10T09:57:00.005-06:00

Warning: This post contains a link that will take you to a sermon.. in this sermon, "dating" is discussed and what the Bible has to say about relationships between men and women. You might want to listen to this when your little people aren't in the room.

Hello, Friends...

As I stated yesterday, I've been wanting to share more from my heart. I've held back at times because I always worry about offending someone or perhaps even hurt their feelings. I'd rather be hurt myself a hundred times than to hurt someone else. (I'm dead serious) All of that to say that a friend emailed me a sermon on dating and I thought it was AMAZING. Yes, it's COMPLETELY different from anything we see in our culture today, but it's biblical. Yes, it sounds like something ancient.. time passes, cultures change, but GOD DOESN'T. I can only WISH I'd have heard this when I was a young teen and beginning the dating scene. Oh, I learned pretty quickly what those young guys wanted in a girlfriend... and if you weren't up to what they expected of you.. well, they'd move on to the next girl.

I'm going to provide the link to the site and I've also embedded the sermon in my sidebar. (I'll leave it there a few days) I'd suggest praying and asking GOD to open our hearts BEFORE we listen and then allow HIM to speak to us as we hear. If you'd like to listen, click HERE

Ending with a scripture...

1 Peter 1:16
because it is written, " YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Birthday Wishes..

2009-02-09T09:27:00.003-06:00

Hello, Friends!

I know my posts have been all over the place lately.. I truly want to share more from my heart in future posts.. I suppose in some ways I'm beginning today.

I want to wish a special friend a VERY HAPPY Birthday! Yes, my friend, Susan, was born on this day. She is one of the most amazing, GOD-fearing women I have ever met! For those of you who may not know Susan, we met through our son's caringbridge sites. Her son Jordan is a St. Jude patient and that is where we first met. (Jordan & Brent became INSTANT friends)

Susan has encouraged me through the word every step of our journey.. she's seen me at my best and at my worst and she still loves me. (That's a TRUE friend, amen?? Hehehe) So today, I wanted to dedicate this post to her. Susan, I hope you have one of the BEST birthdays EVER! I love you from the very bottom of my heart!

I'd like to invite you, my internet family, to hop over and wish Susan a happy b'day. You will be TREMENDOUSLY BLESSED when you "meet" her. (She's truly an amazing woman)

Another Adorable Video..

2009-02-07T09:43:00.002-06:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm checking in quickly to share another video. (If any of you are wondering.. these are just random.. I'm getting them through email) My Mom forwarded this one to me last night and I thought you'd enjoy it.

ADORABLE little girl..

2009-02-04T00:44:00.000-06:00

This is just TOO CUTE not to share!

I wish I lived in Mayberry =o)

2009-02-03T07:28:00.011-06:00

Okay.. I'm over it. I think... LOL! (I'm referring to my last post)

I mean, I guess I should've been born 50 years ago or something? I think I'd like to have lived back in the day when the Andy Griffith show was filmed. You know, when Barney would get all bent out of shape because someone was parking in the wrong spot, or crossing the road where they shouldn't. A time when young children could SAFELY walk around town by themselves. So, if the Bible didn't tell us that there was a time and a place for us to "exist" I might seriously think I was born in the wrong time! Hehehehe... but here's proof that I wasn't! ;-)

Acts 17:26
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

Isn't it COOL to know that no matter WHAT'S going on in our lives that GOD already knows about it? I mean, HE even cares so much that HE put us in just the right country, state, city... and even family! Mind boggling, isn't it?

Before I move on to something a little more serious, and a lot less fun (I mean, what's more fun than watching the Andy Griffith show??) I'll leave you with a quick little video from one of our FAVORITE shows! =-)

To the more serious stuff..

I got an email from the John McCain campaign asking that I sign a petition asking to vote "NO" on the current economic stimulus package. I know that to many families, those who are struggling, it might seem like a good idea.. but if part of the deal includes giving away millions to "special interest and high rollers" (as was stated on the petition) well, that just doesn't make sense. I know that our government has already "bailed out" large companies who then turned around and spent THOUSANDS on a trip to the spa.. and we later hear they've bought a private jet! This is WRONG! There has to be a better plan.. a way to do things without putting more burden on the working man. (Our children will PAY for the decisions we make now) If you're interested in signing this petition click HERE.

I'll sign off today in prayer...

Lord, I ask you to please guide President Obama as he leads our nation. I ask you to direct his every decision. Please help him to know the right thing, and to do it. I pray for all other governing officials, help them to seek YOUR will. I ask that You will bring conviction on our nation.. help us, LORD, to do what is right in YOUR eyes. Please give us a heart for Your people.. help us to love each other the way YOU do.

In JESUS Name, Amen

facebook.. again?

2009-02-02T21:51:00.003-06:00

Hello, Friends!

I wanted to check in just for the sake of checking in. I really wanted to do a post that wasn't so "generic"... but I've sat here and used a lot of time trying to get reacquainted with facebook. (I had deleted my account but realized only tonight that it was still there, just like I left it.. all I had to do was activate it)

Part of revisiting was fun. I mean, it IS a tool for catching/keeping up with friends. However, I found that visiting some of my "friends" made me sad. (Some of the teens) One kid in particular spent a lot of time at our house a few years back.. as sweet and innocent as any child could be. Now? Well, there's use of language that would make a sailor blush.. and pictures of them smoking (and probably drinking) and there's talk about "adult situations" that they really shouldn't be involved in at all. It just makes me sad that this kind of stuff is going on and I SERIOUSLY DOUBT the parents even know it. I mean, WHY aren't we as parents and protectors of our children watching what they're doing??? Okay, I didn't mean to get on a soapbox.. I'm just REALLY VERY disturbed about it all.

Now don't get me wrong.. I know there are a lot of kids that are getting it right. (And I'm NOT trying to say I've never done anything wrong either) I just wish that... well, I wish that innocence wasn't a bad thing. I wish that it was still "cool" to be pure and to present yourself that way.

I can see that this post is going to run in circles... LOL.. maybe I'll come back and try again tomorrow?

On another note... I'm FINALLY making my way around to "catching up" with you all and it's been really nice spending time at YOUR places! I do hope to be a better friend and to be more encouraging to YOU! (You guys have been just AMAZING to me!)

Alrighty.. I think I can hear my little people still talking. I think I need to go and *encourage* them to be quiet and go to SLEEP! ha!!!

Thanks for letting me ramble (or rant?) I'll try make more sense the next time. O=-)
Love,

A FREE magazine for YOU!

2009-02-02T00:00:00.004-06:00

I wanted you to know about this publication I’m a part of called Serious.Life Magazine. They just published the February issue today, and I am in their Featured Blog Directory. It’s a very high quality magazine… you’ll really like it.

The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. The magazine is owned and published by a family who has seven kids, three adopted and one who has Leukemia (www.riggsfamilyblog.com). The magazine gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics.

Again, the subscription is free, and I know you’ll enjoy the magazine, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future issues. www.seriouslifemagazine.com

"Finally Home" (Video by Mercy Me)

2009-02-01T15:25:00.002-06:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm STILL catching up on email and in doing so I found this video. WOW. It definitely makes you think.. especially if you don't personally have someone close to you that is or has been deployed in one of the branches of the military.

I've also just received an email from a dear friend who's son has just been deployed. This video will kind of "kick up a notch," how well we remember the need to PRAY for our service men and women.

I hope you enjoy this video as much as I did!

Did someone say GIVEAWAY????

2009-01-22T06:29:00.004-06:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I'm checking in this morning to tell you about a family that my friend Amie is trying to help out by having a bloggy makeover giveaway!!!! (How COOL is THAT???)

See, she has a friend named Linn (The Saunder Family) who is the Mom in a family of 12 that just lost EVERYTHING in a house fire.

Now there is a campaign that has been started to help get this family on "Extreme Home Makeover" and you can read more about it HERE. The address for this blog is, "Love Builds A House," how ADORABLE and fitting is that? (Of course it's lovebuildsahouse.blogspot.com or you can just click on the link in this paragraph) This blog has been set up for the quest that has begun to get their home rebuilt. If you have a moment hop around these links and get to know this sweet family.

I've added a button on my sidebar and we'd love for you to "grab it" if you'd like to do a post of your own about this family, or even better, add it to YOUR sidebar! (If you do, be sure to hop over to Amie's and leave a comment letting her know about it so that you'll be entered for the FREE BLOGGY Makeover!)

Thanks again, Amie for doing your part to get this campaign up and running! I'd never met this family before yesterday and I've already fallen in love with them. =-)

Now, I'd like to thank YOU, my Precious Friends, for being so pro-active yourselves! Doesn't it feel GREAT to help someone in need? Especially when all we have to do is go and leave a comment on the Extreme Home Makeover Blog! See, there's this REALLY LONG application you have to fill out to get them "officially nominated"... not to worry, the HARD part has already been done... all we have to do is leave a comment "encouraging" them to consider the Saunder family. (I know about the app because I downloaded it to nominate my friends from Habitat for Hope and BELIEVE ME... it's a LOT of paperwork! Well, at least for someone with ADHD like myself... HA!!

Alrighty friends... that's it for me today! I hope you all have a wonderful day! Thanks again for getting involved!

2009-01-20T06:09:00.006-06:00

YIPPEE... I actually posted TWO days in a row! ;-)

Okay, seriously now... I said I wanted to share something that I learned about GOD recently and I just couldn't wait to share it. (Maybe it'll keep some of you from experiencing unnecessary guilt)

See, I'd always heard that we should "give thanks" for everything. Here's the scripture... (It's AMAZING how ONE little word can change the WHOLE meaning of a sentence)

1 Thessalonians 5:18
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

See, I'd been thinking I was having a rebellious attitude towards GOD for not being thankful for the path my life has taken. (Losing Brent, you know? I mean, we have been thankful for many things during this trial, but not for the very act of losing him or for the way he suffered)

Well, you may have heard me mention that I don't put a lot of faith in what other people tell me about the Bible. Not immediately anyway. See, there are SO MANY scriptures that we've found over the past 3-4 years that have been TERRIBLY misquoted... so if I hear something I go and look it up for myself.

ANYWAY... all of that to say that I was in my room folding clothes one night and the TV (itself) changed the channel from what I was watching to a pastor that I used to LOVE to listen to. (It was Tony Evans... I suppose I had set the thing to change itself when he came on)

Now, I've not heard Mr. Evans preach anything that didn't line up with scripture.. but there are MANY others that I have. (Thus my check it for yourself attitude... PLEASE, if you find a preacher on TV that tells you GOD wants NOTHING but GOOD for you.. change the channel.. that's JUST NOT SCRIPTURAL! The Bible tells us to EXPECT trials.. oh well, that's another post)

So, I don't remember the theme of what Mr. Evans was preaching but I DO remember him using 1 Thessalonians 5:18. I listened closely as he explained how we don't HAVE to be thankful FOR everything.. but we are to be thankful IN everything. See, I KNEW I was NOT thankful for losing our son and watching him suffer the way he did. HOWEVER, IN those circumstances.. (we have learned) some came to accept JESUS as LORD of their lives. Now THAT my friends is something to be THANKFUL for!

So I don't have to thankful for all of the TERRIBLE things that have happened since October of 04 (the year we learned Brent had cancer), but IN those trials we were and ARE thankful for MANY things in CHRIST JESUS! (We were always looking for SOMETHING to be thankful for.. You know.. even in those last days, the CREATOR of ALL allowed us to witness "conversations" between HIMSELF and Brent as HE prepared him to go HOME! Again, THAT is something to be THANKFUL for!)

You see what I'm saying?? We're NOT thankful for sin, but in this sin-filled world, we ARE thankful that GOD'S own SON came to pay for our sins. (So in that sense we ARE thankful "IN" everything, but not necessarily FOR everything.

I can't tell you the burden that knowing this lifted from me!

Okay, now on the day to day stuff...

For our History class yesterday we watched the 44th Presidential Inauguration. I explained to the boys that THIS was history in the making for so many reasons. I also told them that we need to pray for him just as we did for President Bush. I explained that we need to PRAY that our new President will seek the HEART of GOD in EVERY decision he makes and if he's not saved, that he will be. (You know, because the Bible says we will be know by their "fruits" Matthew 7:20) I know that he was elected (by some) because he's so liberal in areas like abortion... but it's in THOSE VERY AREAS that I PRAY that he will KNOW GOD'S HEART and will not allow countless babies to be killed every day. Okay... all of that has been debated over and over BEFORE the election... I won't drag you though it again today. See, I'm ADHD like that. It only takes a second for me to get off track. LOL!!

I guess that's it for me today. It's time to wake the little people and get them ready for school. I hope you all have a WONDERFUL day!

Catching up.. (AGAIN) O:-)

2009-01-20T05:31:00.003-06:00

Hello, Sweet Friends...

Man, you guys NEVER cease to AMAZE me! I was truly blown AWAY by your sweet thoughts and words of encouragement over the holidays. (And or course, all the comments/emails/text messages since then)

It was really hard this year... I don't know if it's the time that's passed, or just part of the grieving process, but I had A LOT more of the really HARD memories (kind of like "flashbacks") than I have the previous two Christmases. (Yes, it's only been two years, but 3 Christmases... didn't want to confuse anyone with my statement... Now that I think of it, I'm probably the only person on earth that can get turned around so quickly.. HA!!)

At any rate, GOD IS GOOD and we had a nice Christmas after all. Even WITH the virus that lingered in our home for over a week. LOL!!! Our poor Gabe had it TWICE! I was actually the ONLY person here that DIDN'T get it. ;-)

Now, to "fess up" about my absence here....

See, I'm a bit of a procrastinator.. I'm actually A LOT MORE than "just a bit" but I don't think there's a term for it. Hehehe.. O:-)

SOOOO... I kept myself busy as not to think... well, in keeping myself "busy" (which wasn't really much more than just spending LOTS of time with the hubby and boys) I just found myself avoiding the computer altogether. THEN.... as I found myself becoming MORE and MORE behind, the harder it was to jump back in and just DO IT!

All of that to say that the "dark clouds" have lifted (you know, other than those breakdowns that you don't see coming). There's been LOTS of LAUGHTER and roughhousing as well as a few sighs (when the holidays were over and we had to start back to school) HA!!

GOD has DEFINITELY been our STRENGTH AND OUR JOY! I learned a lesson about HIM along those lines during the holiday season that I can't wait to share with you! (Don't worry, I won't do it in this post.. I don't wanna keep you ALL day!) O:-)

I've truly thought about you all hundreds of times and have MISSED "hanging out" with you here. (And at YOUR places as well) I HOPE to try to jump back in tomorrow and just start blabbing again. I mean, today I felt like you guys deserved some sort of explanation about where I've been and what we've been up to. ☺

Oh, before I go, I want to say THANK YOU for the many prayers you've lifted for me and my family during the holidays. (The term, "Thank You," seems so small compared to the gratitude I feel towards you all) I truly cannot say how much your love and support has meant to us! (((HUGS)))

Alrighty, I guess that's it for me today... I'll be back to my regular rambling soon. (HOPEFULLY, tomorrow!) ;-)

2009-01-11T22:32:00.000-06:00

Hello SWEET Friends! I'm on our couch, buried under two of my favorite little men of all time! (And sitting next to another- that'd be my hubby of course!)

I've been meaning to update before now.. I'm terribly sorry that I haven't! We made it through the holidays and it seems that we're falling back into our new "norm". There's a lot to yack about, and YACK I WILL.. It just won't be tonight.

I didn't want to keep putting it off. Some of you, my AMAZING & PRECIOUS friends, have started worrying & I didn't want to let that keep going. I PROMISE I'll do a "real update" soon... Until then, I want you all to know we're okay. The holidays were hard, but it does seem that getting the first of the year behind us has really helped.

Oh, I've been checking my email from my phone and I'm SURE I've overlooked a lot.. However, it's still all online and I'll read it all soon. (I actually got online the other night for the first time since I don't know when... I had a total of 1000 emails! Granted, most of it's junk.. I've got a lot to sift through. All of that to say that I know some of you have emailed and I've failed you mail you back. Again, I'm sorry! I hope to get back in my "groove" again really soon! I hate that I worried you, but love that you care enough to!

Thanks again (SO MUCH) for keeping up with us.. We CERTAINLY APPRECIATE your prayers more than I could ever say!!!!

I hope to "see" you soon...
Love,
Tonya
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T22:32:00.002-06:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I want to start by apologizing for not checking in before now. I've had good intentions... I've just not got it done.

As I'm sure you know, the holidays are incredibly hard for us. I know that for me personally, I've had a lot of "flashbacks" recently... remembering Brent's last days... UGH.... it's just so hard to allow myself to think about it.

It's weird how memories can rush over you all at once.. with no warning at all. As we started singing Christmas hymns Sunday at church I suddenly remembered the sound of Christmas carolers outside our hospital room. We knew it would be the last Christmas we'd have with Brent and EVERY moment was bittersweet. With that memory alone, I started sobbing. It's weird how songs/music can do that to you. Afterwards, I went back to being "okay" again.

Anyway.. we've been trying to keep busy and attempting to make every day the BEST it can be for Zach & Gabe. Don't get me wrong... we're not THAT bad off. GOD IS TRULY our STRENGTH and our ROCK. Things are "good" when we're with loved ones, or keeping busy. It's those quiet times that can stir up those terrible memories. Anyway.. I've just been trying to keep my head in the sand until after the holidays. Things always seem to get "better" again with them behind us.

I hate for this update to be one negative thought after another.. but it looks as though we'll be spending Christmas alone tomorrow. Our boys are passing around a VIRUS of ALL things. I know that "all things work for good, to those that know the LORD and are called according to HIS purpose"... I'm sure I messed that up a bit, but you know what I'm talking about.. right? Heheheh....

SOOOOOOOOOOOO......

On a more positive note.... we're looking forward to tomorrow morning. The boys have been counting down the days (LITERALLY) and they'll probably not sleep a wink tonight. We USUALLY make "Daddy-Clause" some cookies and Coke before bed, but with Zach coming down with whatever this is, we just didn't get it done. (Oh, if you're wondering.. we set out "Coke" instead of milk because Link is NOT a milk person.. LOL)

Of COURSE we'll be reading the REAL Christmas story in the morning (the birth of our LORD and SAVIOR) and will then open gifts. I'd attempt to make pictures, but I usually get so caught up in watching the boys that I COMPLETELY FORGET! O:-)

Now, I'll TRY to be more consistent with posting in the upcoming days. However, we won't be past all of "dates" until we've made it through January 2. (That's the day Brent went HOME to be with JESUS)

Oh, almost forgot... I also wanted to say THANKS for wishing Gabe a happy birthday!!! He turned 8 on the 21st, and unfortunately it was on a Sunday... this past one to be exact. We had a mini party for him BEFORE church, then our Christmas party with our church group... so Gabe basically "partied all day". LOL!!

Alrighty, I'm gonna go for now. I'm camping out in the living room with Zach and it looks like it may be a LONG night. Before I go.. I want to THANK YOU ALL for your thoughts, prayers, and of course for checking in on us here. We LOVE YOU more than we can say!

Have a VERY BLESSED Christmas, my Friends!
LOVE,

And the BIG NEWS IS.......

2008-11-29T11:38:00.002-06:00

Hey there, Friends! I'm sorry to have left you hanging like that. HEHEHEHE.. well, sorta. O:-)

Before I start all the "blah, blah, blah," about our Thanksgiving... I KNOW many of you are wanting to know what the big news is??

SOOOO... my sister (Kerry) and her hubby (Shannon) are going to adopt. If you've heard me talk of my sister before, then you KNOW I'm just CRAZY about her and her family. Our children were all born in "stair-steps." Ashley (her daughter) was born in 94, Brent (our first son) was born in 95, Clay (Kerry's son) was born in 96, then Zach in 97. We had this really neat little pattern going with our first 4 (combined) but SHE had to go and mess it up. LOL!!! (Of course Gabe came along in 2000)

Seriously though, she's diabetic and because of that, Clay was a HUGE baby! (OVER 10 POUNDS) Now, my sis isn't like me... she's a LITTLE BITTY thing! Clay got stuck during his birth and it was too late to do a section. (Sorry if that's "TMI" but it's a VERY IMPORTANT part of the story). See, her doc didn't know he was so big (not sure how they missed that, but oh well) and he was practically born dead. (Due to that, his heart was TERRIBLY ENLARGED) PRAISE GOD, he DIDN'T die (or least that he didn't stay that way)! He was airlifted to Jackson, MS and his parents were told to prepare for the worst). GOD stepped in, and Clay was brought home just a week or so later. He's been healthy since.

HOWEVER, my sister & her hubby, again due to her health.. decided that 2 would be enough. (I don't know if that was the ONLY factor, but it was DEFINITELY a MAJOR one)

Well, GOD has recently shown them that HE wants to add to their family. They felt strongly that it would be a child from Russia - and GOD has MORE THAN CONFIRMED it over and over again!

They will set out to adopt 2 babies. (Two is the limit if you're not getting siblings, and very young siblings would be VERY RARE)

If you get online and research these orphanages - oh MY! It'll just BREAK your heart! (Little beds lined RIGHT NEXT to each other.. stories of children with no one to hold and love them.. it's just SO SAD)

Needless to say, I'm EXCITED BEYOND WORDS! (See, I gave you a little hint the other day.. I said the baby wasn't coming to OUR house.. what I didn't say, was where it WOULD be going) O:-)

Now... to catch up on the holidays.....

I told you I'd be fixing a turkey for Link's family dinner. It turned out REALLY WELL, I'm happy to say! I actually remembered to take out that little bag of.. I don't even CARE to KNOW what's in it.. O:-) HA!!!

See, to tell off on myself a bit... The VERY FIRST turkey I ever made......... well, I sort of didn't know there was ANYTHING inside the bird that needed to come OUT. (Sorry if this offends anyone that doesn't eat meat) ;-)

At any rate.. I was VERY PLEASED that I didn't burn it, or under cook it, or leave something inside that wasn't suppose to be there. HA!! Dinner at Link's parents was AMAZING! (They're ALL FANTASTIC cooks!!)

After lunch, we made dough ornaments. That'll be another set of pictures I'll need to load and share. (Man, am I SERIOUSLY BEHIND on pictures, or WHAT??)

We'll be doing supper with my family tonight. (If you didn't know.. my Daddy is a truck driver) HE wasn't home for turkey day so we'll be oinkin out AGAIN tonight. (Hopefully I won't.. I've started yet ANOTHER diet)

HHHMMMM... WHAT ELSE???

Well, I COULD tell you that I'm now OBSESSED with learning how to do blog makeovers! (I LOVE my Christmas one, but I always feel terrible asking the lady that's doing the makeover to keep making changes) Jennisa was VERY PATIENT with me and I think she did a GREAT job! (You can find her at onceuponablog.org)

A VERY DEAR friend of mine has been encouraging me to learn, and well, honestly, I'd REALLY LOVE to know how! I did find a spot online that gives some REALLY GOOD instructions. My biggest problem NOW is to figure out how to work my Photoshop program. (I'm SOOOO DINGY and HATE to read instructions) I suppose if I'm going to get this figured out, I'm going to HAVE to though. =-/ (Heheheh)

If any of you know of a "step by step" visual type thingy.. could you let me know? O:-)

Okay, I KNOW I'm forgetting something.. I suppose whatever it is will wait until next time?

Oh, and I've also STILL not made it around to commenting on your blogs. I'm SO VERY SORRY! I'm sure you understand.. the holidays are CRAZY, and WONDERFUL, and WONDERFULLY CRAZY! ;o)

I hope to see you soon..

Love,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2008-11-27T07:59:00.002-06:00

Morning, Sweet Friends!

I wanted to come by and wish you a VERY HAPPY Thanksgiving! I know I said I'd try to come and post pictures, but honestly, I've been so busy trying to get our house back in order that I've just not had a lot of time to "play" online. (After the BUSY week we had last week.. I CRASHED for a couple of days.. MAN, does it EVER get MESSY, FAST!)

Anyhow - I hate I've not been by to wish you all a happy turkey day in person.. HOPEFULLY I can catch up with YOU soon!

I'd also like to do a post on being thankful. I sure wish I had time today.. but I'm doing one of the turkeys for my hubby's family dinner so I REALLY NEED to go! ☺ (I'll also BE THE TURKEY at his Mom's house) LOL!!

Oh, we've got some AMAZING family news to share too! (Don't get too excited for us.. there's no baby coming to OUR house) O=-)

Okay.. I'd better run! I hope you all have an AMAZING day!

Love,

Tonya

Too Easily Amused

2008-11-25T12:25:00.001-06:00

Hi there friends! I'm playing around with my blog and THINK I've discovered a fast, easy way to post from my cell. I guess we'll see if this works?!

I'll try to check in soon w the pictures I promised from last week. =-)

See ya soon!

(I'm *editing* this post to say that it WORKED! Everything above this was posted by my phone.. COOL, huh?) WHOO-HOO!

Now, I'm off to see about getting those pictures uploaded.

Oh, one other thing.... My sweet friend Jennisa from Once Upon A Blog has been doing some Christmas decorating for me. My 'Christmas blog' should be UP in a few days. I'm EXCITED to see something new.. and to have a way to CELEBRATE JESUS this holiday season!

Okay, I'll get back soon. I'm WAY OVERDUE in checking in with you guys. Things have FINALLY started to settle down, and I HOPE to get caught up with you all by tonight.

LOVE,

Tonya

Catching up..

2008-11-22T06:58:00.004-06:00

Hello, Sweet Friends!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to "catch up" with you all. This has been ONE CRAZY/BUSY week.. but it's been a LOT of FUN! Let me fill you in... =-)

Okay, so when I last posted I told you that we had out of town company coming in. They DID arrive just seconds BEFORE I clicked the "Publish Post" button. (The boys were outside EAGERLY watching and waiting for them.. I heard them scream out, "They're HERE!") LOL!!!

So, who WAS this company??? It was our dear friends from Memphis, Mark & Mylissa Horrocks.

We met them just before we learned that Brent had relapsed, back in 05. They too have had their world "rocked" by the diagnosis of cancer in their own child. However, AND PRAISE BE TO GOD, their daughter, Bella, has done BEAUTIFULLY! She's been in remission since she finished treatment in 04!

A couple of quotes from her caringbridge site..

"Bella was diagnosed with Stage IIIa Malignant Melanoma at age of 3 on 9/11/03."

"She finished on October 8, 2004!!! She had her first annual scans and redone October 18th, WHICH PROVED HER TO BE CANCER FREE FOR 1 YEAR!!! Praise the Lord!!! In November, Bella had a baseline PET which was NORMAL and a repeat MRI...NORMAL!!"

Okay, now would you like to know just how AMAZING this family is?? They saw a GREAT NEED while in treatment at St. Jude. They didn't just carry their daughter home and forget about the things they saw, felt, and experienced while at St. Jude, they did something about it!

What did they do, you might ask?? Through the leading of the Holy Spirit they started a non-profit organization called, "Habitat for Hope."

Please, if you have a minute, go and read how this all began.

Yep, they packed up their family (they lived in Florida) and MOVED to Memphis, TN just to support families like ours day in and day out.

They helped get us housing so that we could keep ALL of our boys together after Brent relapsed. (Although St. Jude goes ABOVE AND BEYOND what you might expect from a hospital, they can only provide housing for 4 people. You are NOT ALLOWED more than 4 at any time) We DESPERATELY wanted to keep the boys under the same roof after relapse. (They told us there was NO HOPE of a cure for a child after relapse occurs)

Mark & Mylissa called and visited often, organizing meals for us while we were in the hospital. They walked the halls of St. Jude with us, praying between scans. Mark & Mylissa were there with us the day we first heard that there was nothing more that could be done for Brent. (Of course we didn't accept that, but that's a ANOTHER story)

I could go on and on telling you about how they helped meet the physical and spiritual needs of our family.. but for the sake of time, and to avoid writing a book today, I won't. LOL!

I would like to share one more quick story.. another memory that stands out. It was when they came to the hospital and threw Gabe a birthday party (at St. Jude) so that he'd HAVE one. See, we'd just brought Brent back to Memphis "to let him go" and were beyond even remembering that it was our baby boy's birthday.

They also came and got the kids and took them places during those very sad and very dark days so that they'd have a little bit of "normalcy"... so they could get their little minds on something that wasn't so tragic.

This sweet young couple doesn't just "talk the talk," my friends, they WALK THE WALK!

The very home they live in is open day and night to families in Memphis who have a child with a life-threatening illness. When I say "open" I mean people LITERALLY LIVE in their home. (I'm nagging Mylissa to build a cabin somewhere on the property so that they can have their own space.. I'm telling you, I could NOT do what they do ALL the time!) The hope/plan is to one day build cabins on the property for more families to live in while their child is hospitalized/or in treatment. As far as I know they only thing holding them back is the money. (It's a NON-PROFIT and it's running on donations)

Okay, so I could talk ALL DAY about this sweet family and what they do. I know you'd be blessed if you went over and "met" them for yourselves.

I know I promised pictures, but there are children sleeping all over the place right now. LOL!! The boys had a sleepover last night so there are some in the boys' bedroom, the living room, and one in our bed. HA!!! I'll try to get the photos uploaded sometime today and will share them in the next post. (HOPEFULLY)

Oh, I forgot to tell you what we've been doing the rest of the week... WHOOPS! Okay, so if you've not left already... I'll QUICKLY fill you in!

The Horrocks family left on Tuesday.. we were hosting church in our house Wednesday as well as having Thanksgiving supper with them afterwards. SOOO... the POWER-CLEANING/SHOPPING/COOKING began just after our sweet friends walked out the door. Then on Thursday, it was school and cleaning AGAIN. Yesterday, we went to a friends house to make dough ornaments... FUN, FUN, FUN! (I'll post pictures of those soon, too!)

Yep, it's been a really CRAZY week, but OH-SO-MUCH-FUN!

Today... I'm keeping Allie Grace! WHOO-HOO!! =-)

Okay, I've SERIOUSLY kept you long enough. THANKS SO MUCH for letting me pour my heart to you. I PROMISE to try to keep the next post REALLY SHORT-N-SWEET! O:-)

Thanks again for stopping by - I've MISSED YOU ALL!

LOVE,

Help Amie bring Owen HOME???

2008-11-16T18:01:00.004-06:00

Hello, Friends..

I'd LOVE to stay and chat. Seriously. I would. However, we've got out of town company coming in literally ANY SECOND. I wanted to take a minute to ask you to go over to my friend Amie's blog and help her win a contest. Why, you ask? Because if she DOES.. she'll DONATE ALL of her winnings to help bring Owen HOME!

I PROMISE I'll check back soon with pictures from our visit with friends. That is if I don't forget to take any.. LOL!

THANKS SO MUCH for considering my girl, Amie and her contest!

LOVE YOU,

Another petition..

2008-11-14T00:33:00.006-06:00

Hello, Friends!

I'm going to keep this post short-n-sweet, and to the point!

I got an email from a dear friend asking that I sign a petition. Here's a little info that will let you know what this is about..

FOCA Would Wipe Away Every Restriction on Abortion Nationwide
This would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support, such as:

Bans on Partial Birth Abortion
Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
Only licensed physicians can perform abortions
Parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter's abortion

FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

If you believe this is wrong, PLEASE, go and sign this petition???

This little angel is just ONE of the reasons I'm THANKFUL for women who've chosen life.. Isn't she the CUTEST???? I know the picture is blurry, she'd fallen asleep in her jumper and I grabbed my cell phone to get the picture before moving her to bed. ☺

This is my BEAUTIFUL little (ADOPTED) niece. Her name is Allie Grace and she's filled a great void in her Mommy's & Daddy's life. She's been a BLESSING to ALL that know her. I cannot imagine our lives without her.

I have a confession to make..

2008-11-13T07:47:00.005-06:00

Yesterday WAS my birthday...

Before I start filling you in on all the ways it was special, I want to THANK YOU guys for all of the sweet comments you left... You guys are AMAZING!

Okay... now, I'll tell you how our day started...

The day (for Zach & Gabe) began around 4 AM. Zach had asked Gabe the night before that if he got up early to wake him. I don't think he thought Gabe would get up THAT early. =-)

Once they got up, they IMMEDIATELY started cleaning (that was the plan from the night before)... Link & I knew they were up to something so we stayed in bed.

After a LONG WHILE we turned on the tv (in our room) so that they would know we were awake. Then we started hearing the "clank" of dishes. You guessed it - they cooked me BREAKFAST and brought it to me in bed.

Wait, let me back up... Link went ahead into the kitchen... just a few moments later they came into my room (while singing Happy Birthday), and carrying a tray and my breakfast. Now, get this... I've been doing Weight Watchers and I've been cooking things like "grilled cheese" in a special way to make it lower in points. Well, Zach cooked it JUST THE WAY I DO! (With fat free spray butter and EVERYTHING!) They even put the tiny little pickles on my plate, just the way I would! Oh, and they also fixed my water (with my FAVORITE flavored "stir in")

Did I mention I got HOMEMADE birthday cards too???? Those are THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I learned after we lost Brent that things done by their sweet little hands BEAT ANYTHING that could be bought!

THEN, they announced that they wanted to give me the day off! Are you thinking what I was thinking??? LOL!! I believe there was some motive behind that one! (I always give them the day off on their birthday... remember, we home-school)

Well, motive or not, they'd been SO STINKIN SWEET I decided we'd ALL take the day OFF! Link was rained out and he was going to be home all day... SOOOOOOOOOO... ALL of that to say that I spent the whole day with my guys!

Of course my Mom came over and hung out a while. Later in the evening my sister came a little early for church so I got to have a little *extra special* time with her as well. (It's been our week to "host" church - so everyone was coming here).... Oh YEAH, and to finish off the night... my niece, Addison, baked me a birthday cake and we all (our entire church group) had CAKE after church last night! It was a REALLY WONDERFUL day!

Now, don't let me FAIL to mention that my BEST GIRL, SUSAN, HONORED me on HER blog! (I stole the image below from Susan's blog - hehehe)

That was one of the sweetest posts EVER! Yes, I was doing the "happy cry" all day. (I got that phrase from my friend Amie... well, unless I'm saying it all wrong.. LOL!)

Friends, if you don't know Susan, you are MISSING A BLESSING! We met through our son's caringbridge sites, then GOD ALLOWED me to meet this sweet soul in person! (I'll share THAT story in another post) O:-) Please, if you haven't already, go over and say hello.. You'll be BLESSED by getting to know her!

So, from Susan's post, I had many BEAUTIFUL HEARTS to come over and wish me a Happy Birthday! THANK YOU ALL, SO VERY MUCH! You guys are BEYOND AMAZING! Yes, it was an AMAZING DAY INDEED!

Whoops, I also got some emails and text messages wishing me a great day! (I sure don't want to leave anyone out)

I have not so great memories of my birthday in history - it was the day that Brent went into the hospital for the last time, ever. We went in and things just kept going terribly wrong from there. He was in the hospital from my birthday, until he WENT HOME to be with the LORD on Jan. 2, 2007.

THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH for making my day so SPECIAL! Thank You for helping me make HAPPY memories! I ADORE YOU!

Warning: This Post MAY Cause Drowsiness

2008-11-10T21:05:00.000-06:00

You shouldn't attempt to read if you will soon be driving or operating heavy equipment!

Yikes - I'm having a hard time knowing where to begin this post. Can you believe that someone who BLABS SO MUCH could have trouble talking?? LOL!!

My sweet friends, April, and Amie have given me some bloggy awards. Since April "awarded" me first, I'll start with her..

Yes, April gave me the Marie-Antionette-REAL Person Award!! (She tagged me through my comment section, thanks, April! I've TRULY beem BLESSED getting to know you!) ☺

Now, here are the rules for this award:

1. Please put the logo on your blog. (Check)

2. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award. (Check)

3. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs. (Can't do it, sorry! I'm SUCH A CHEATER!)

4. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.

5. Leave a message on their blogs telling them they've won an award! (If you wanna play, call yourself TAGGED!)

Now my friend Amie - at Heart smiles has quickly become an AMAZING friend as well. These ladies have stolen my heart for sure!!

So, to play Amie's tag/award....

In order to accept this Bloggy Award/Tag in disguise, you must do the following:

1)When you receive the prize you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back.

2)Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design.

3)Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing they were prized with ‘Honest Weblog’.

4)List [if you can and/or dare] at least ten honest things about yourself. And then, pass it on.”

(As with all tags, I'll just tell you that if you want to play along - jump right in there)

Now, it's time for me to help you doze off to sleep... Hehehehe

HHMMMM.... ten things about myself... where DO I begin?? (I'll try to share things you haven't heard me say already)

1. To be such an organizer/freakish person.. I have a REALLY HARD time staying on top of my chores! (I'm quite sure my time on the internet has NOTHING to do with this.. ha!)

2. My labor time with all 3 boys was under 12 hours. I THINK - ALMOST positive that the first one lasted only 7-8 hours. The same for the other two. I was TRULY blessed with impatient baby boys! LOL!! (TMI.. RIGHT??)

3. Other than being a child of God's - the MOST IMPORTANT thing in my life is to be Link's wife and the boys' Mom. I've NEVER, EVER wanted to do anything else. (Well, I did want to be a beautician when I was 12'ish... but when I saw that first baby boy ANY desire to leave them for any length of time QUICKLY went OUT the door!)

4. I'm COMPLETELY CONSERVATIVE! There is NOT ONE OUNCE of "a liberal woman" inside me. (The ONLY "rights" that anyone has are those given by GOD. If HE doesn't say it's "okay," then it's NOT okay!)

5. If the Bible says it, I BELIEVE it! We can't "write off" scripture because times were different. The Bible CLEARLY SAYS that JESUS is the same YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER!

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Based on John 1 we know that Jesus is the WORD too, and that means the WORD NEVER CHANGES EITHER)

John 1
The Deity of Jesus Christ

1(A)In the beginning was (B)the Word, and the Word was (C)with God, and (D)the Word was God.
2He was in the beginning with God.
3(E)All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4(F)In Him was life, and the life was (G)the Light of men.

(The only change I see is going from being under law to grace.. and we are DEFINITELY UNDER GRACE, if we're UNDER THE BLOOD of JESUS!)

WHOOPS! Got side-tracked... sorry! (You're wondering what happened to that gal that couldn't think of anything to say.. right?) LOL!

7. My GREATEST desires (as of yet) have been fulfilled - ALL of our boys have put their faith in CHRIST! There was NO desire, even in my wildest dreams, GREATER than that!

8. I used to be shy. I know. It seems impossible, right? Hehehe... I did.. I'm not sure what happened to the old me. Now, I almost NEVER meet a stranger. (Well, there is this one guy at Walmart that is INCREDIBLY ANNOYED at my attempts to "greet" him... I think he has issues, but they have NOTHING to do with me..)

9. I HATE slimy foods! Yeah, I know that's random, but I'm TRYING to make it to "10"

10. AH HA! I DID make it... HMMMM... and my mind is BLANK................ ALL OVER AGAIN! (This is not new to me) LOL!!! Oh, I know.. speaking of drawing blanks... I'm SO ADHD that they should come up with a new term for it. I can't keep ANYTHING in my memory for ANY length of time! If I NEED to remember it, I write it down. Then, I just HOPE I don't forget where I put it!

THANKS AGAIN to my sweet friends for thinking of me! ☺

LOVE,

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

2008-11-08T00:00:00.001-06:00

There seems to be a pattern here... I posted a video last week (rather than a song) and here I am doing it again. (I hope that's okay, Amy?) =-)

It's a GREAT little clip and it's something that I think all parents should see. (It's geared towards the dads, but if your family is like ours, the boys actually spend more time with me)

For more posts on this "TSMSS" check out Signs, Miracles, and Wonders!

Prepare to be AMAZED..

2008-11-06T11:23:00.003-06:00

Okay, so I came back quicker than I thought.. (see post below.. lol)

I've been on and off the computer between times that the boys were working without me. I'm TRYING to catch up on mail and comments.. what I'm about to share is AMAZING! (I got in an email, but I'm not sure who sent it.. if was YOU, THANKS!)

Get ready to be INSPIRED.. and remember, we have SO LITTLE to complain about!

Man, I've STILL got goosebumps!

Back online - life is GOOD =-)

2008-11-06T08:49:00.003-06:00

Hello, Friends!

Okay, so I'm BACK ON! WHOO-HOO! There's A LOT I've been wanting to share, but won't do it all in THIS post. For now, I was just going to fill you in on what's been going on here and then get back to work with the boys. (Remember, we home-school) =-)

SO, the computer mess wasn't the computer at all. (It was just the quickest and easiest way to explain things from my phone- since THAT'S how I did the update)

The problem, I was told, was the modem. (We have satellite internet - no high speed available HERE)

Well, we had to place an order, then wait for the man to come install it. He finally made it yesterday, and the computer was working PERFECTLY by noon.. but then we also had to have our hot water heater replaced.

When it rains, it pours, right?? ☺

So, we were busy a large portion of the afternoon getting the heater out, and the new one in. My father-in-law did all the work.. isn't he a SWEETIE???

Well, he was concerned that a pipe that carries the fumes out wasn't in place (Mr. Sam isn't a plumber - he was just taking care of things for us) Oh, did I mention that it's a GAS water heater?

SOOOOOO.. we THEN had ANOTHER man to come and help get that pipe thingy in place.

Okay.. ALL OF THAT to say that by the time all of those "helpers" came and left it was time to go to church.. and THAT, my friends, is why I didn't do a post last night.

Was this the most BORING thing you've EVER READ??? Seriously. HA!!!!!!

Okay, maybe I'll be back soon to share some photos from the bloggy giveaway we did back on Brent's birthday. (If I don't, remind me??) O:-) I'm SOOOO FORGETFUL!

Alrighty, my friends.. I hope to get to make my rounds and catch up with all OF YOU sometime today. I sure have missed you! =-)

Have a GREAT day...
Love,
Tonya

Computer problems, OH MY!

2008-11-04T20:38:00.000-06:00

Just a quick note from my cell to say that our computer has been out for SEVERAL DAYS now. I HOPE the issue will be resolved tomorrow... I'm MISSIN YOU GUYS!

See you soon (I hope)

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

2008-11-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, so this technically ISN'T a song.. I found it while searching for one on "godtube." It's Stephen Baldwin's testimony. I thought it was pretty cool and wanted to share it! (I pray for boldness for Christ - I want to be QUICK to tell others about HIM)

For more posts on this "TSMSS" hop on over to Amy's and see what other's are sharing.

A day at the Noxubee Refuge

2008-10-31T00:01:00.001-05:00

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!

2008-10-30T21:18:00.000-05:00

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!

2008-10-29T18:33:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-10-28T09:00:00.014-05:00

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

2008-10-27T00:04:00.005-05:00

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

2008-10-26T00:03:00.008-05:00

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!

2008-10-24T22:42:00.004-05:00

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

2008-10-24T00:37:00.000-05:00

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

2008-10-22T00:00:00.002-05:00

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

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays

2008-10-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

For this "TMTT" post I'm sharing another Paula Deen recipe. Wouldn't you just LOVE to eat at this lady's house EVERY night??? I KNOW I would! ☺

Grandmother Paul's Sour Cream Pound Cake

Ingredients:
1/2 lb (2 sticks) butter
3 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine and cream the butter, sugar, and add the sour cream. Sift the baking soda and flour together. Add the sifted flour to the creamed mixture alternating with eggs, beating each egg one at a time. Add the vanilla and pour the mixture into a greased and floured 10- inch tube pan. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ease of preparation: easy

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

For more YUMMY recipes hop on over to ....

Love,

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

"Not me!" Monday

2008-10-20T00:05:00.003-05:00

Edited - 4:35 AMThis post was scheduled and posted automatically last night. After checking in with MckMama's blog this morning, I'm not really sure she'll be doing her "Not me!" Monday post. I guess I'll leave mine up "just in case." Hehehe

Today is the day I get to NOT tell you all about what happened last week. O:-)

The funniest thing that DIDN'T happen to me last week was when I "didn't" get rejected by a two year old. No, I "wasn't" joking around (trying to be funny) when I "didn't" ask little Lainey if she would be my friend. Then she TOTALLY "didn't" tell me, "No, I'm Ash-wee's fwiend." (Ashley's friend) She CRACKS ME UP!!! (Lesson learned: Don't ask questions if you can't handle the response... HA!)

I also didn't smile sweetly, nod my head, and "speak" to a mannequin in a store the other day before I realized it wasn't a human. (Well, actually, I've done the same thing when walking past a mirror in a store) I don't know which would make you feel more foolish, "greeting" a mannequin, or smiling and nodding at yourself. HEHEHEHE (I'm SERIOUSLY TOO friendly for my own good)

Oh, and our boys aren't some of the SWEETEST little men - EVER! I mean, Zach wouldn't tear off the edges of his GIANT birthday cookie just to make it into the shape of a heart for me! (Shameless bragging, I know) O:-)

Okay, there are SO MANY other things I could probably share, but for now, I've tortured you enough. Hehe

If you'd like to find out what other people "AREN'T doing," go and visit, MckMama. Let me warn you.. this can become addicting. :o)

Oh, I also wanted to thank those of you who've entered my bloggy giveaway. I'm so excited to be able to give you just a small portion of what you've given me. It does make me a little sad that I can't send everyone something.

SO.. be sure and enter by leaving anything in the comment section. Please don't feel obligated to write a lot - it's just the easiest way for me to keep up with the entrants. I do want to apologize beforehand for not being able to respond to the comments quickly. I'll have VERY LITTLE time online this week and will catch up ASAP! (I'll fill you in on what's kept from here by the weekend hopefully)

Thanks again for participating! =-)

My first bloggy giveaway!

2008-10-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

Okay, so as many of you know, our sweet Brent has a birthday coming up. He would've been 13 this year. (It's so hard to believe he'd have been a teenager)

It is in his giving spirit that I want to celebrate his birthday.

If any of you knew Brent personally, you already knew that he found GREAT JOY in giving gifts! A perfect example would be his "Make-A-Wish" shopping trip. (That's what he chose for his wish) Of all the MANY things he might have bought for himself, he MADE CERTAIN that some of the things he bought, he bought in THREES! (One for himself and one for each of his brothers)

Brent LOVED to pamper his nurses (and sometimes doctors) too. If we were eating at his favorite Mexican restaurant, he'd ask to bring his nurses chips & salsa. If we were in Walmart (and he was about to go "in-patient" for chemo) he'd want to buy the nurses donuts. For Christmas one year, we made most everyone at St. Jude candy apples.

Of course while in Vermont, he was also eager to have me bake and share Sweet Potato Bread. Yes, GIVING was what made him happy!

SOOOOOO.. to celebrate the generous spirit of our little man, I'd like to give a couple of YOU something for HIS birthday! I'm thinking since he LOVED to share baked goods - I'm going to send out some of his favorite Sweet Potato Bread along with a cookbook that features his recipe and a photo of him. (The cookbook was put out by Lunch for Life. They're a fundraising group that helps raise money for Neuroblastoma research) There will also be a little "mystery surprise" in each of the two boxes. You'll have to wait to see if you win to know what it is. (AFTER I KNOW the winners have received their packages, I'll announce what they won online)

You can start entering today (by leaving a comment). We will hold the drawing on Brent's birthday - October 28th. The winner will be announced the same day. Be sure to leave your email (Or check back here on the 28th) so I'll have a way to contact you should you be one of the winners! (We will draw 2, one from my blog and one from Brent's website. I'm posting links to both since this post will be in both places) Oh, and feel free to comment on both his site and my blog to double your chances of winning. :o)

Oh, on another note.. this can also be a way to celebrate my Blogiversary! Yes, I will have been on blogger for one year on October 26. It's been a wonderful experience getting to know you all better! I've made some very dear (hopefully life-long) friendships here! (and OF COURSE on Brent's website)

With much love,

Safe in HIS Arms...

submission - it's a beautiful thing!

finally catching up...

checking in..

celebrating Brent and giveaway winners...

celebrating Brent's life with a giveaway!

love, love, LOVE these boys!

Eat Chili's today - Help St. Jude =-)

a yummy freebie while supplies last!

zach found a treasure today..

how to save BIG with coupons..

a COOL "freebie" and a video

Happy Father's Day

are women born this way?

are you ready???

This is SCARY!! Seriously.

Happy Memorial Day

this is TOOOOO FUNNY!

random pics and a blog award..

stationary giveaway!

clay balls...

and the WINNER is...

formula for babies in China.. another giveaway

online educational videos and a giveaway..

to all you sweet mamas out there...

Anybody know how to build an ARK??

How can you die for Me? (Jesus Video)

And the WINNER is...

A.A.A.D.D.

More GIVEAWAY fun!

*EDITED* My friend is having a giveaway!

GREAT NEWS!

We FINALLY have news!

checking in..

quick update..

THANK YOU!

That's MY KING

Sunday's Coming...

Please pray for our son..

In Christ Alone

Easter Story Cookies

The Truth

Catching up on pics.. FINALLY!

Please Pray for Carter

Temptation...

Laminin

Redemption 2009, Memphis, TN

☺

Simply BEAUTIFUL

This is HILARIOUS!

Zach & "Buddy"

I MIGHT be a Redneck..

Do YOU RipStik?? :-) *edited*

Something COOL to share!

The Invisible Woman

Allie Grace & an award..

Happy Valentine's Day

babysitting photos, and a calf =o)

I may never use my brain again..

Kingdom Dog

A hard word..

Birthday Wishes..

Another Adorable Video..

ADORABLE little girl..

I wish I lived in Mayberry =o)

facebook.. again?

A FREE magazine for YOU!

"Finally Home" (Video by Mercy Me)

Did someone say GIVEAWAY????

Catching up.. (AGAIN) O:-)

Merry Christmas!

And the BIG NEWS IS.......

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Too Easily Amused

Catching up..

Help Amie bring Owen HOME???

Another petition..

I have a confession to make..

Warning: This Post MAY Cause Drowsiness

Then Sings My Soul Saturdays

EDITED My friend is having a giveaway!

Do YOU RipStik?? :-) edited