Hello everyone,

I have been lax in my updates but things have been a little crazy. I know you are just dying to hear alllllllll about the Waggoners, aren't you??? :) Ok, here goes.....

Clint came home for a wonderful visit at Easter. WooHoo! It was so special to have him here with us, even if for a few days. While he was here, we were able to come together and share in and celebrate the last days of our sweet Charlie Bell. His last few days were full of gooooooooooooood food, wonderful memories and an endless supply of pug luv. It was heartbreaking to make the decision and then actually go thru with it, but it was for our sweet boy and it had to be done. It was absolutely the hardest thing I have ever had to do and the pain of it all is still so real and present. I miss his little face...his velvet ears....his soft and sweet kisses....his snoring.....his big lion paws! God blessed us with that little fella and we shared an unbelievable amount of love and pug fun. Thank you so much to all of you for your prayers, calls, cards, and for joining in the CELEBRATE CHARLIE DAY! The Meehans came in for our celebration and we had a great time. Charlie ate like a KING all weekend! And in the end, his last moments of life were filled with love and peace. It was a beautiful moment. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. His birthday was May 5th (same as Dareck's and Clint's Dad, also named Charlie...he got his name from him and my Grandma Bell). We missed him on his bday but in keeping with tradition, I made muffins and Lady Bug got to eat extra in honor of Charlie Bell. :) She is doing pretty good without her man. Sometimes she seems really sad, so we just give her extra loving. I have started walking her everyday and she LOVES that!

Clint left two days later for Kansas and then headed out to Iraq April 14th. He is doing well for the most part. It is already beyond hot there, and it will only get worse. We are able to talk and email every day so it has been nice being in touch with him. Today he is travelling so I may not hear from him for a while, but I know God will protect him. His email address is: cjnsig@yahoo.com Once he gets to his final destination, I will pass on his mailing address. I love and miss you baby. Hurry home!

Let's see...what happened next...OH! yah...I GRADUATED NURSING SCHOOL April 12th!! :) The day Clint left, Mom, Suzanna and Chandra all came in for my graduation. We had a great time! Thanks again for coming girls. Dareck tried to keep us all in line, but did not do so well...: ) Graduation was a beautiful day and I appreciate the hard work of those that set it up. Carla, you rock! I miss the girls from class...it is hard to spend 15 months with people and then just not have them anymore. I got a JOB....I will not start until July 16th tho....yippee...so Gary, Tina, and girls...come on over! : ) And anyone else that wants to visit...feel free. Now, the studying for my state boards...that test is gonna be a dooozie. I am taking a review class right now and just have to hope and pray I can pass the boards when it is time to take them....yikes!

After graduation, Mom stayed for two weeks. We had a blast! I miss you Mumsy! We always have fun...and I am happy to report that I am the current CHAMPION in Wahoo...we played over 150 games (that we kept score of). I loved it. Thanks for sharing her with me Poppy! :)

The day after Mom left ( I told you April was WICKED CRAZY for me), Dareck, Lady Bug and I went to Raleigh to drop off Lady Bug to Uncle Tom, Mags and Sean and pick up Chandra for our trip to CHICAGO! We flew out Thursday the 26th and then Randy's graduation was the next day. Oh how WONDERFUL he looked! He was so skinny tho, but so handsome in his uniform....it was so nostalgic to be there with him.....he looked so much like Clint, and we even stayed in the very same hotel that Clint and I stayed in 18 years ago! His girlfriend, Donna, joined us and we had so much fun. Randy was lucky enough to have weekend liberty and we lived it up on the streets of Chicago! We went by the old house we lived in when Dareck was born...it was still standing! It was just an amazing weekend. We missed having Clint with us physically, but Randy was able to chat with him and we told old stories and watched videos. There was just not enough time but what time we did have was wonderful! Donna, it was so nice to really get to know you. I cannot wait for our next vacation to CA! Randy should be graduating in Dec. from a school in Coronado, Ca. and we are planning to go. Chan, thanks for going and adding to the joy of the weekend. I love and miss you Seaman Randy J Waggoner! :-0

Dareck had his 17th birthday Sat. May 5th. I cannot believe our baby boy is 17!! He is almost the age that I was when I had Randy....oh boy how time flies. We had a great day together. He is such a good boy and I am so proud of him. I love you Dareck! :) He is working at a diner washing dishes. He likes it ok...he bought a skateboard with his first paycheck. He is getting better and better at skating.

Okay, I think that is it for now. Thanks for your time...I know this is long, but it is hard to put all of that into a quickie, well, especially for me, anyway! Dareck and I are doing ok with the guys being gone...it gets pretty lonely around here but we try to stay busy. Some days are harder than others. Please keep us all in your prayers. Clint and Randy really need them. We love you all and wish you all the happiness in the world. Enjoy the adventure!!!!

Ciao for now! :-)