April 29, 1992 I was blessed with my second son, Brent Matthew Deems.  He was 2 months early and every “whit” whole.  He was a happy baby and loved music, especially worship music.  18 months before I was even pregnant a man, whom I’d never met, asked if he could pray with me about children – I said I have a child, he said I was to have a second child, and it would be a special child…..I was also told that there was “praise on his lips even now, that he would one day stand before men and minister and all who heard him would be blessed”.  Then when he came early the Lord led me to Psalm 8:2 – out of the mouths of babes and infants you have ordained strenghth (praise) that you might still the enemy and the avenger.  God said to me that day – “Brent Matthew has enough praise right now to combat anything Satan throws his way”.  He was born at 32 weeks and weight almost 5 pounds!  Every WHIT whole!

When he was a baby, he would always lift his hands and praise – when I sang or when worship music was on.  He loved to sing and dance in the living room with me!  :)  I’d say – Brent Matthew – you are so cute!  One day he said ” I know!  hahahaha  Loved my baby.  What a blessing.

As he and Eric got a little older – say 5 and 8 – Eric began to accompany his dad to officiate ball games and Brent and I would spend a lot of time toghether. I’d say – “It’s just you and me again, bubby”.  At 5, he had his tonsils removed.  We came home from the hospital on a Friday evening and as I was fastening his seat belt – in a little raspy voice I heard – ” Hey mom, it’s just you and me again”.  :)  I loved that age – he came home from kindergarten at noon and I would wait for him to get off the bus and we would eat lunch and watch Little Bear together and Looney Toons.  We loved Looney Toons! (and still do!)  Somewhere in this era on a Friday, again, it was Valentine’s day.  I had a banquet to attend at church for couples but Randy was at a basketball game.  So Brently went with me.  We dressed alike and had our picture taken.  A few months later, Brent was still referring to me as his valentine – and it has stuck ever since. 

Brent and I have always shared a love of music.  We love the “hard stuff” lol – P.O.D. is our favorite – we love cranking it up and going down the road!!!!  We love to listen to the  guitar riffs and especially Drum parts!  When he was 12, my drummer (at church) developed tendonitis and Brent was taking drum lessons.  We threw him in there and OH MY!  The anointing on him to WAR on the drums!  LOVE IT!  I have such great memories of playing with him and Eric.  I have no doubt he will break many chains with the drum sticks in his hands!

On June 2, 2008, he was coming home from school and was hit by a semi. ( see previous blog of 4/27/11) I declared the prophetic words over his life and God was faithful.  2 months later, he was marching on the ball field – leading his award winning drumline to state championship.  (2 rods and 8 screws intact) What determination!  And what a gift.  Brent means upright and Matthew means gift of God!

We went to see the Transiberian Orchestra and have declared to never eat at TAco  Bell again!  We went to John Mayer concert and declared – the boy is sick!  Talk about an anointing!  He just doesn’t realize he’s supposed to be using it for God’s glory!  Great memories!  Then last summer, when I took him to college……wow.  Letting him out of the car, looking into his eyes, telling him I love him and leaving him 8 hours away……just about killed me.  He had become my sidekick – I loved going to his band competitions, he always sat with me in church, going to lunch, texting during school, etc.  I love that boy.

He is home for summer break and soon I will be moving him into his first apartment.  I will be thrilled to help him, but I will cry all the way through the airport once again and come home to an empty bedroom (and clean – haha) and thus begins another year.  Earlier this year, I was praying for him and his brother and the song “The Lord is With You Mighty Warrior” came on.  One of his favorites.  I said – Lord, I am not just going to sing this, but to declare it over my boys.  That was at 1pm.  2 hours later, I check facebook and see that Brent had changed his status 2 hours earlier – the exact time I was declaring that over him (and Eric) Brent changed his status to “The Lord is With You Mighty Warrior”.  Nothing more, nothing less!!!!  OH MY!  Tell me God doesn’t hear our prayers???????

One of our favorite “games” when he was probably 10- 12 started like this – I said – you are the apple of my eye and the puddin’ in my pie!  He laughed.  The next day I said – you are the chocolate in my chips!  So he said – you are the pencil to my lead and the mayonnaise on my bread!  LOL – He used to love mayo!  From then on we would find unique ways of stating that…. mac to my cheese, ice to my cream….. etc.  So from the noodle neclaces when he was little, to the 2 dozen roses he sent me for mother’s day – I cherish every memory and time spent with that child of mine.  As we said when he was little – How much do you love me?  (And he would throw his arms way out -and the little book Guess how much I love you? )-  I love you, baby to the moon ……AND back my forever Valentine!