My Dad's Mom passed away today.  Although 85, it's still a shock.  Other than her arthritis, she was healthier than all of us.  She never complained, and she was the strongest person I knew. 

She only started feeling bad yesterday.  They took her to the doctor, then the hospital, then today she was moved to ICU....all within 24 hours.  She had pneumonia, bronchitis, and (found today) kidney cancer.  She was talking, laughing...being herself.  She looked at Dad and said, "Don't be sad."  She knew what was happening.

She has been in a wheelchair for many years due to the arthritis.  As a kid, I'd pray for her to get out of that chair and walk.  I'd never seen her walk here on earth, but I know tonight she is walking with Jesus.  She's probably.....running....dancing....prancing her way on the streets of gold. 

The selfish side of me grieves.  I'll miss her wit, wisdom, and so much more.  

If I am able, tomorrow, I'll upload some pics of her.  Please keep my family in your prayers.

I appreciate you all, more than you know.

Here's the song that comes to mind....pretty self explanatory:

WISH YOU WERE HERE  by Mark Harris

Verse 1
I wanted to tell you how closely Ive kept
The memories of you in my heart
And all of the lifetimes that we've had to share
Live even though we're apart

But don't cry for me
'Cause I'm finally free

Chorus:
To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our Maker
That's where I'll be
When you finally find me

Verse 2
Now don't you be weary cause waiting for you
Are wonders that you've never known
Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for His hands
And one day they'll welcome you home

And that's when you'll be
Finally Free
Finally Free

Chorus

I wish you were here 2x

Bridge
And all of the dreams that you treasure
Will soon come together
And that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow
And you will rise again

Chorus 2x

I wish you were here 3x

I realize the title is strange, but please bear with me while I explain.

Monday, we were out of school, and Eric took 1/2 day off work.  We all pile in the car and go to Harrison.  Eric needed to drop off some paper work, and I needed to help Pa with a few things.  The boys were just wanting cookies and a change of scenery.

So, we do what was needed, and head back toward Russellville.  We made it past Jasper, but we weren't as safe as we thought.  Water suddenly became black ice, and we were sliding/skidding/doing a 360/bouncing off the guard rail on our original side of the road/crossing the road/bouncing off the bluffs/going back across the road and finally coming to rest in the road at an angle.  A trooper comes sliding by, steps out of his car to tell us that the wreckers and salt trucks are coming, then he procedes to do the splits in front of us.  Pain, tears, and laughter all at once in our car.

Amazingly, no major injuries to us or the car.  Everything is minor.  Jerry has some soreness from the seatbelt.  I have a little elbow injury from the "Hallelujah-Handle".  The car has mainly cosmetic damage with some tire damage.

Now comes the "blessing" part.  I do believe I have found the one benefit to being my size....weight.  After waiting 5 hours for a tow, and being towed as far as they could go, we still couldn't get traction.  I had suggested that I climb in the back and sit across the back axle, but Eric refused to let me for the longest time.  Finally, in desperation, he agreed.  I climb in the back [with strict orders to the boys - they can tell people about the wreck, but not about me being the weight in the back].  We creeped along for a couple of miles, pulled into a place to stay the night.

This place is usually closed for the winter and it's the only motel between Jasper and Russellville.  It's called the Lazy Apple.  The people [Carter and Cookie, no kidding, their real names....they're from Texas, can you tell?] just bought it in August, and they were soooo sweet!  They were full from all the stranded/wreck people.  I'm hoping/praying God just blesses them abundantly.

Well, that's the adventure from the road......I am so blessed.......now to start my diet.

Well, it was an interesting day.  I'm another year older. 

I'm fighting a bug.  So, hope/pray I'm better fast!  Got too much to do to be sick.

Hope all is well on your end of things.  Better update later. 

I was hoping to have pictures to post, but you'll just have to wait for me to figure this new fangled thing out.

You may or may not remember Jerry's prayer request (and faith offering) regarding a puppy.  Well, God is faithful.....so He gave Jerry a double blessing.  Yes, 2 dogs!  [God and I are still having words over it.]  They are both rescues, and they were both given to us free.  (pictures soon)

My QAST test was fine.  I was a nervous wreck by the time I went in for the test.  There are 5 levels to a QAST.  The 5th level being the top level.  I am a level 4.  I'm really hoping to be a level 5 the next time.  My ultimate dream is to have my National Certification.  The test for that costs around $800.00.  So, for now, I'll just have my State level, and I am happy with it.

Eric, the boys, and I are reading the Bible through together this year.  Eric and I read it through last year, individually.  This year we are reading together as a family.  The pronunciations are hilarious!  They seem to be enjoying it so far.

Well, once again the battery is telling me it's time to close.  Stay tuned! 

There's so much to update, and I'm not sure where to start.

Guess I'll just break it down in sections.

This new computer is a laptop...SWEET!!!....but I'm still "learning" it.  Props to brother-in-law/computer guru for all the help, too. 

The house in Harrison, please be in prayer that this "short sale" will be a success.  There is a guy in negotiations with the bank to buy it on "short sale", just hope and pray they can reach an agreement VERY SOON.

Sorry, this update is short.....more later.

Thanks to Pa and Nanny, I now have a computer!  Yay!!!

I'll give a full update later.....next year!  HA!

Well, I haven't posted in such a long time, you probably are in shock right now!

Kerrye is actually posting this for me as I have a hard time getting on xanga at the moment.

Things are going well.  Jerry was in the Christmas play last night - he was the main character, and he did AWESOME (That's Kerrye's personal comment!)

I hope everyone is enjoying this season.  Praying for you guys and I love you!

So, as most of you know by now, my home computer is on the fritz! 

I can not access Xanga, MySpace, Facebook, etc at work.....BUT......

I can e-mail from work....when I'm there.  So, how am I doing this post????

I came to Eric's work to print directions [to go take my QAST] and decided to SNEAK in an update for ya'll.

As for the QAST - the best way to describe it for non-interpreters....it's equivilant to taking your state boards.  Nerve wracking, scary, but very good and informative.  The Arkansas QAST is SOOOO much better than other states (no offense, other states).  I'll have my results by the time I leave, where in other states, you have to wait 6 weeks for your results!  Sorry to say, my nerves are still fried about it.

I had to make a mad dash to Harrison, so I missed work today.  Lots going on that I don't have time to put in here.

Hope to update again soon.  Hope you all are well.  E-mail me and keep in touch, please!!!! (Don't make me beg....it's not pretty.)

After church last night, we took the boys to Mt. Nebo to watch the Perseids meteor shower.  It was beautiful!  I am not a "photographer", so I found this pic on-line to show you what we saw. 

There were quite a few people up there watching and filming it.  We stayed til 11:30PM, and I got back up at 4:00AM to go by myself and see the pre-dawn show.  I went on the other side of Dover, hoping to get a good view from that direction.  I recommend the Mt. myself. 

Other than that, Kent and Candy Christmas  [website:  http://www.candychristmas.com/ ]  were our special speakers at church yesterday.  They do a great homeless ministry in TN called "Under the Bridge".  My youngest son, who has been carrying his birthday money in his pocket for a month now, gave every bit of it to their ministry in the offering last night.  He didn't tell me or anything, I just saw him do it.  So, at the end of service I asked him, "What did you give - QQ"  and He said, "All of it."  I told him that God would bless him, and he must have really listened to the sermon because he said,"Mom, I know that God is going to put my money back and I believe he's going to give me a puppy, too!" ----------------- GIVE HIM A PUPPY!!!!-------------------HELLO!, NOW WHAT DO I DO - QQQQQQ

The group made Superior.  They needed Superior with Honors to advance to the next round.  Kerrye read some of the judges comments to me, and I'm going over and over them in my head.  I feel so bad for the girls.  I feel like I really let them down.