A Sabburday (a Saturday of rest)

Recently Matt and I were challenged to take a sabbath each week (a day of rest), and this was confirmed be one of our pastors sermon's on sabbath. Do Saturday has become our Sabburday (Sabbath Saturday).

The Road to Mudderella Pre-Picture

To help document my journey to Mudderella, fitness, and weight loss - I am posting a post picture of myself, and plan to post some more pictures throughout my journey.

(Ignore the beds - that would be my daughters idea of made beds, and it was the only room I could get a good picture in.)

Jo Lee

Mud, Princesses, and More

So, I did something today that I have wanted to do for a couple of years. I signed up to participate in Mudderella Colorado 2015 - Mudderella is an opportunity for women to unite and share their strength, laughter and tears over a 5-7 mile mud obstacle course.



So Why, would I do something like that?
To help me lose the last 20-25 pounds I would like to lose.
To do something that help motivate me to get into shape.
To do something new.
To do something with some fun ladies, that I know, and meet some new ladies.
I have wanted to do a Color Run, Fun Run, or something like that for a coupe of years.
To raise money for Futures Without Violence - Futures Without Violence (FUTURES) is a leading national nonprofit and social change organization working to end and prevent dating and domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault by providing resources and support for victims and survivors, and raising awareness through educational programs all throughout the country. 



I am going to keep track of my training progress, and I will let you know how the race goes on Aug. 22.

If you want to donate to Futures Without Violence go here: www.eventbrite.com/donate/durango-dirty-divas-jo-lee

To learn more about Mudderella go here: mudderella.com

To learn more about Futures Without Violence go here: www.futureswithoutviolence.org


Jo Lee

God's Got Reasons.....

We do not always understand why God does what he does or puts us in the places He does but He has reasons...

In Genesis 13 and 14 we find the story of Abram (Abraham) and Lot. This is were Lot and Abram divide up the land they are living in. Lot picks the more fertile land, but the thing is that Lot ends up in the middle of a war and taken captive by Sodom and Gomorrah, and his wife turns to salt.

At first it would appear that Abram got the short end of the stick in the land divide, but God was protecting him, not only that but God provided for him and even blessed him in the land he was in.

Jo Lee

Matt is 33.

The handsome guy in this pictures turned 33 this week. I have so thankful for him in so many ways. I am thankful for our differences and for how much both us has grown in the last decade and I look forward to how much more we are going to grow in the future. Happy Birthday Hottie!

Jo Lee

Christmas 2014

Just when I think things are going to slow down around here, they don't.... So, the last time a posted was fall... now it's almost February.... So, what about our Christmas...

It snowed, I can't remember the last time we had a snowy Christmas, it was awesome and the kids loved it. I am thankful that Christmas day is also pretty mellow around here. We went to Papa and Gamma's for presents and to spend the day. Had shrimp and crab, yummy. Took naps, played games and just enjoyed family.

Jo Lee

Fall, Pumpkin Patches, and Us

It is Fall.

We have gone to the Pumpkin Patch on a Homeschool Field Trip

Benen played another season of soccer

We read The Pumpkin Patch Parable, and put a smile on our pumpkins just like God puts a smile and light on and in us.

I have enjoyed some DP and fancy blue nails.

We enjoy dinner and dessert, together. 

Enjoy worshipping through serving (riverKIDS) with this group of ladies.

.... and sometimes you need to put a mustache tattoo on your finger and be silly.

Jo Lee

Empathy = Love and Truth and Grace

I have been reading a biblical parenting devotional and the last two days the have talked about empathy. The first day was about empathy as a way to help manage anger towards our kids. Today was about empathy being both truth and love. I have never really thought about it that way but it make sense.

Empathy is combining both truth and love and showing those to our kids, yes but I think it is a principle we can use in all relationships. The question is how do we show both at the same time - by being connecting to the Father and doing what He would do.

I am learning that in a lot pr principles, if not every, God is not really black and white, He is grace and empathy. For us to be those things we have to be connected to Him and listening to His truth and love and grace.

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." James 1:19-20

"Instead, speak the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15

Jo Lee

Timothy is 2.

Yes my little man is two, turned that on Saturday (8-9),

He is such a ham, and makes the greatest faces.

He loves drucks, food, cars, shoes, climbing, "helping" around the house, and just being 2.

11

11 Years!

We have been married 11 years!

11 years of ups and downs. But I would not trade them for anything, those ups and downs have made us the couple we are today. 

Happy Anniversary Babe!

Here's to 11+ more years:)

33 Years

Yes, I am 33. Turned that on July 1st. 

Crazy I do not feel 33, while some days I do. Most days I do not think I am mature enough to be 33, whatever that is. Realty is that I am, and I am enjoying it.

Somer is 4

Somer turned 4 on June 30.

4 for Somer's 4th.

1. Loves dancing and singing, songs that she makes up.

2. Loves doing things with her older siblings.

3. Is very imaginative.

4. Wants to help all the time.

Anna is 10

Anna turned 10 on April 16

10 for Anna's 10th.

1. Loves gymnastics.

2. Wants to learn to ride horses.

3. Reads like crazy.

4. Has her own sense of fashion.

5. Loves to do crafts.

6. Is starting to cook, and experiment with her own recipes.

7. Is in her last year of elementary school.

8. Is tall.

9. Loves writing and getting letters.

10. Loves doing things for other people.

Benen's Birthday

So, I am a little behind. Benen turned 7 on  June 14.

7 for Benen's 7th

1. Still loves cars.

2. Loves to play soccer and t-ball

3. Loves going on boy trips with dad.

4. Can read better then he thinks he does.

5. Has not lost any teeth.

6. Is get big (way to fast in my opinion).

7. Wants to learn to play drums and guitar.

1st and 5th Daddy Daughter Dance

Somer's First Daddy Daughter Dance

Anna's Fifth Daddy Daughter Dance

Daddy and his Princesses

What the boys and mom did. Pizza and movie date.

13 for 2013

13. Matt looks for a new job.

12. Matt looks into joining the military, we will see what God does with this one in 2014.

11. Both Matt and Jo spend 6 days unplugged getting connected with God.

10. Annna turns 9.

9. Benen turns 6.

8. Somer turns 3.

7. Timothy turns 1.

6. Matt and Jo celebrate 10 years.

5. We find a new place to rent.

4. Anna breaks her wrist.

3. Anna and Somer enjoy Dance and Gymnastics.

2. Benen plays Fall Soccer.

1. We are a family united by God, and growing everyday.

Dance and Gymnastics

Anna and Somer have been doing dance and gymnastics sense August.

This week was parent observation week, we got to go watch class.

Here is Somer dancing and stretching. (My iPad does not like any of the pictures I took of Anna so I will have to get some new ones):

Soccer

Been is playing soccer and loving it.

School Has Started

We started school this week..

We are starting slow...

We are studying bugs....

Here are some bug habitats we made this week.....