2010

Our Top 10!

10. We bought a monster truck – okay really a suburban with 33's.
9.Jo home schools and helps with children's ministry.
8.Matt loves his job, He starts leading Men's Ministry, and continues to lead worship.
7.Home school: full steam ahead!
6.We go camping over labor day weekend.
5. Benen turned 3 on 6-14!
4.Anna turned 6 on 4-16!
3. Benen is potty trained!!
2. Anna is learning to read and got her ears pierced.
1. Somer was born on 6-30!
A little slideshow review of our year. Enjoy!

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful ...

.... for this very big girl, that is growing up way to fast.

... that she loves to play in the snow, do art project, make things for people, and for her very creative mind.

... for this 6 month old - that's right 6 months today.

... that she can set up, roll over, and for her laugh.

... for this loving dad and husband.

... for the joy he gets out of his kids and being with them.

... for this completely potty trained - yes I said completely - big boy.

... for his silly personality, his laugh, and his generally good attitude.

Jo Lee

Christmas Program 2010

Anna and Benen sang their Christmas songs in church on Sunday (12-12). 

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - A Giveaway

If you are interested in a give away check out this post by Recipes for Moms.


Jo Lee

Christmas 2010

Christmas was interesting this year - at least Christmas Eve was interesting - but more on that later. For now just enjoy a picture recap of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve:

We went to my grandparents house (Grumpy and Great Grandma Jo) and had shrimp and crab for dinner (one of my favorite meals all year - we have been doing this as long as I can remember).

Matt played at the Christmas Eve service at church and joined us later.

Christmas Day:

We opened presents at our house.

Got dressed and went to Papa and Grandma's house.

Opened presents there.

Eat smoked beef brisket and yummy sides for a late lunch.

Made Jesus a birthday cake and celebrated his birthday.

Jo Lee

This weekend I...

...stayed home and enjoyed Friday night and the snow.

...finished Christmas shopping.

... looked at a house to rent.

.. eat a Serious Texas Taco.

...made Christmas presents for Anna and Benen.

...wrapped Christmas presents.

...went to church.

... played with the 1 year olds and talked about baby Jesus.

... took a nap.

... watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and cried at the end.

... enjoyed some coach time with the hubby.

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday - Snow

Today I am thankful for snow.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Depraved Indifference

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

Ever have those days that you just need to remember what you have to be thankful - yep it is one of those days, actually it has been one of those weeks. So here goes... I am thankful for...

... friends.

... a husband that helps around the house and with the kids.

... a house to live in.

... 2 working cars.

... a church to serve in.

... 3 wonderful kids.

... baby laughs - you can not help but smile when you hear them.

... hot water - and a working hot water heater (it broke at some point yesterday and is now working again).

... coffee and Dr. Pepper.

... family.

... God my provider.

Jo Lee

Let's Be Honest

To be honest I have had a hard time getting in the swing of Christmas around here. I do not know why I just have; then I found Shutterfly.com and a free 50 Christmas Card give away - that is helping. I mean how can pass up 50 free Christmas Cards - not me. I have been playing around with some fun designs. Like these that I love:

They also have great canvas prints and wall art here: http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor/canvas-wall-art. You can make a personalized gift and then have it sent directly to the recipient - which lets face it is worth giving them a shoot right there; especially for this home of three little ones. Like a mug for the Grandparents or Aunts and Uncle, or a calendar, or you could just check out all the cool stuff they have here:  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

Something I think is supper fun is a photo invitation that you could make here: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations

You really should check out Shutterfly.com. They have some great deals, and when you leave in a town with not many options then online deals are great.

So I will let you go check all the seasonal fun you can have over at Shutterfly - enjoy.

Jo Lee

Thanksgiving 2010

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...

family.

kids.

coffee.

paychecks.

daddy daughter time.

Thanksgiving.

church.

family of choice.

date nights.

friends.

dp (dr. pepper).

simple pleasures in life.

Jo Lee

Drowning in Grace

Sinking: go down below the surface of something.

Grace: free unmerited favor.

"If grace is an ocean we're all sinking."

We are all going below the surface of unmerited favor - we are being over taken by Gods unmerited favor. Lord sink us - me - in you grace today.

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday - Veterans Day

Today I am thankful for...

...Veterans, that have sacrificed for my freedom.

... man and women that sacrifice today for my freedom.

... families that have and are sacrificing for my freedom.

... a day to remember what they have done and what they do.

... the country that I live in.

... a God that is in control of all.

... grace, and the fact that if it was an ocean we would all be drowning in it.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Not so Wordless

A Wordless Wednesday that is not so wordless. I was really hit with this this week...

In John chapter 4 Jesus goes to Galilee and an official with a sick son comes and finds him. The official asks Jesus to come heal his son, and this is Jesus's response. John 4:50 "Go...your son will live..." then in the same verse you see the officials response. "...The man took Jesus at his word and departed."

Okay "The man took Jesus at his word and departed." How often do I ask God to do something and do I really take Him and His word... not very often honestly... do I really believe that God is going to do what He said He is going to do and for that matter do I do what He is asking me to do? Do I have unbelief - yes! 

Lord forgive my unbelief. I want to just take you at your word and go. Lord give me the opportunity to take you at your word today and to depart with that word - in faith - that you will do it. 

Jo Lee

My Man Rocks

My man rocks because even though he got up at 4:30am to go to work after only about 6 hours of sleep he watched all 3 kids (and number 3 has not been the best mood today) while I went to Book Club and got a much needed break. Thank you babe I really needed that.

Jo Lee

Todays thoughts, ... , and Baby Dedication

Today I have a lot of thoughts....

I have a lot of things I want to blog...

I have I lot to get done before Wednesday evening...

I am tired (the time change has missed with me this year)...

I am being challenged by God...

For now I will leave you with the ... and some pictures of Somer Joy's dedication on Sunday.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday

Check out what we have been doing lately on our homeschool blog: TAC Academy

Jo Lee

Letters of Intent

Dear Somer,

You are 4 months old tomorrow. You have grown so much in a very short amount of time. You are sleeping in the "Girls Room" and sleeping for 12 hours at night. You love to smile and laugh at people especially your brother and sister. You are starting to eat every 4 hours. You enough standing up - and talking to all of us. You have learned to growl and find in fascinating when we growl back, and you also like to stick your tangue out and see if you stick ours out. You love bath time and splashing water every where. You live up to your middle name and are a true Joy to be around. We are enjoying seeing the little lady you are becoming. As Benen calls you "Somer Womer" we love you.

Love,

Your Momma

Dear Benen,

Can I just say that I love your little underwear covered chubbies. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR ACTUALLY POTTY TRAINING. I am not sure if it is just timing or the fact that I asked our small group to pray for you to start, but this momma is praising the Lord. You are doing so good and I am so proud of you. Keep it up handsome big boy.

Love,

One Proud Excited (to have one less diaper to change) Mom

Dear Anna,

While you are my beautiful princess, and I am thankful that you wanted to learn to change Somer's diaper and you actually enjoyed it that does not mean you get to change all her diapers nor do you get to be the parent and think you know everything that Somer needs or wants. I am just saying. I love you but you are 6 going on 7 not 6 going on 30.

Love,

Your Momma - the QUEEN of this Castle my fair Princess

For more Letter of Intent go here.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for coffee, friends, and time to myself. If you want to win a chance to enjoy some coffee and time to yourself then go to Jerome's Women and enter her fantastic give away. 

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Audio Adrenaline's Ocean Floor

Jo Lee

My Man Rocks

My man rocks for willing and joyfully parenting 2 nights - in a row - last week. Thanks for letting me get out of the house.

Jo Lee

This Weekend I ...

... went to small group - love them.

... got up and had a lazy morning.

... load up the car went to Bayfield.

... load up a trailer with a car we have that needs an engine. Took it out to my grandparents house to park for the winter.

... loaded up a newer dryer they gave us.

... brought the dryer home.

... went on a date - 100% kidless.

... eat a cajun broil and yummy desert with the hottest man in Durango.

... came home to kids bathed, in pjs, and the dishes done - thanks Heather you are the best.

... went to church. Worshipped, leader about the Lord, and played with toddlers.

... eat a yummy sandwich for lunch. 

... took a 3 hour nap.

... enjoyed an evening at home, and dinner made by the awesome hubby.

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful....

... that Matt has worship practice. Not only does he love playing it gives me time to blog and not neglect him.

... for baby giggles.

... for 2 kids that love on their baby sitter.

... for dominoes and popcorn - totally had a blast playing with the kids today.

... for ice cream motivation.

... for understanding friends.

... for a chance to hangout with Miss. Jinny this week.

... for cooler weather.

... for changes that are happening.

... for life.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for...

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor

Jo Lee

My Man Rocks

My man rocks because he is willing to come to my rescue when I do really silly things - like go on a date with my little man and lady and leave my wallet at home! Thanks babe!

Jo Lee

This Weekend I....

... made pancakes.

... did some cleaning while Matt worked on the Burban.

... went driving to look at fall colors.

... had a picnic lunch surrounded by my beautiful family and the fall colors.

... took the time to do a little kid photo shoot.

... watched "Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe."

... blogged.

... bathed all the kids and put them to bed in their rooms (even Somer :) - mommy and daddy get their bedroom back to themselves).

... made is to church relatively on time.

... enjoyed lunch with some awesome old - new friends.

... went to a premier of I AM at our church.

... put the kids to bed, and enjoyed some time with the hubby.

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for....

... God's grace and protection.

... peace.

... flexibility in homeschooling.

... my baby girls smile - it seriously lights up the room.

... my big girl and just how big she really is.

... my little (okay not so little; but I am not ready for him to be bigger) man that is willing to try anything and thinks he is invincible i.e. trying to jump off of the top bunk of his bed this week. He repeatedly told me that he would not get hurt and repeatedly told him no he would get hurt - I won I threatened to take away the bed.

... my handsome hubby that works very hard to provide for our family.

... the fact that God is in control.

... the fall colors.

... the fact that seasons change - both in life and in nature.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Safe

Jo Lee

My Man Rocks

My Man Rock because he tries to be a Godly leader and head of the house. He seeks God earnestly and is willing to be honest when he is falling. I love him - his is an amazing example of a Godly man.

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for....

... beautiful weather so we can play outside.

... this handsome boy.

... this beautiful girl. 

... my sleeping beauty.

... homeschooling.

... an awesome Husband and Father.

... life - God breathed life.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Feet

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday - Yes it is still Thursday

You will have to excuse the lateness of my post. I was having fun helping a friend paint her bedroom before they get new carpet - and yes it was fun I am not just saying that, exhausting but fun.

So today I am thankful for...

...friends that trust me to help them paint there house. 

... a gigantic pile of laundry that keeps growing and growing.

... a counter full of dirty dishes that I can not seem to keep cleaned off.

... a husband that does not freakout when he comes home and I have rearranged and reorganized the house.

... a husband that will stay late at work even though he does not want to but it needs to get done, and that he knows there is a boundary between working extra occasionally and being a work-a-holic.

... a husband that loves me for me not for what I accomplish during that week.

... chocolate milk.

... coffee and fanciness to put in me coffee.

... Diet Dr. Pepper.

... homeschooling.

... for 3 awesome kids.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Lee Family Worshippers

Jo Lee

Smiles

Here are some smiles; by Somer Joy; for you today....

Jo Lee

My Man Rocks

My Man Rocks because he can sport the straw hat; and he is a hottie in it. I love you my handsome man.

Jo Lee

River Run for Orphans 2010

Every year for the last 3 years our church has helped put on a 5k run to raise money for orphans around the world. Anna decided all on her own that she wanted to run in what is called the "Fun Run" - which is a shorter 1 mile run for kids. She raised money and ran on Saturday; she loves people and loves helping out and I am so proud of her wanting to do this all on her own. She raised $240; and then had a blast running what her friends. Benen unofficial ran in the race - anything Anna does he is determined to try (next year I think we will have him raise money too).

Jo Lee

Thankful Thursday - Labor Day Camping Trip

This week I am thankful for a little camping trip we got to take over Labor Day Weekend.

I am thankful that Anna got to shoot daddies pellet gun...

...and that Benen also got to shoot it.

 I am thankful that we got to enjoy some family time and go walking by the creek.

I am thankful that the kids got to go on a nature survival hike.

I am thankful for my little princesses that loves to talk and listen to people.

I am thankful for my little man that is along for the ride even if he is in his own world.

I am thankful for the trooper that Somer Joy was; even though she does not look to happy in this picture she was awesome all 5 days we were camping.

Jo Lee