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.

10 Years!

Sometimes it does not seem like 10 years could have gone by.

But other times it seems like we have been together forever (in a good way), it just seems so right to be with him:)

Either way today we celebrate 10 years of marriage and I would not trade the last 10 years for anything.

Jo Lee

One Sunny Saturday.....

... this Fam"Lee" went hiking.
Yes all six of us went hiking.
The kids did awesome.
It was beautiful and fun.
The little ones napped all the way home

Jo Lee

Friday Facts

Fact: We have moved!
Fact: I do not want to unpack any more boxes.
Fact: I would like to be moved in, have everything out of boxes and be settled.
Fact: Being done moving means I have to unpack more boxes.
Fact: I better decide what I want more:)

Fact: This picture has nothing to do with what I blogged about, but I wanted to include one that I love this one. (It was taken at a Marriage Celebration Dinner a month ago:) Enjoy!










Jo Lee

Been awhile.....

So to update you all on what has been happening around here.

Sommer's Surgery: Somer's surgery went will, but recovery was not so good. She was a good deal of pain the first few days. We came home after the surgery and she started having seizures. Went through some testing and discovered that one of the meds she was on has a seizure side effect, took her off, seizures stopped. The are still up in the air about weither the medication caused the seizures or just brought a problem to the surface, so we will post likely have to do more testing and see a pediatric neurologist in a few months. She is doing awesome now! She also turns 2 on Saturday!

Birthdays: Somer is not the only June b-day we have around here. Benen turned 5 on the 14th, and I will be dedicating a whole post him tomorrow.

Me: I am still pregnant, as I should be, but getting closer to being done. 7 weeks left.

Matt: The company that Matt works for has sold will be changing owners the end of July.

July and August will be busy: with my b-day, our 9 year anniversary, Matt's company switch, and quatro all due around August 18th.

Jo Lee

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Pictures

Jo Lee

8 Years

8 years ago this is what we looked like!

Young and in love and ready to face the world. 

8 years have brought us 3 beautiful kids, many surprises, heart aches, and lots of growth. 

Would I do it all over again, yes.

Because I am more in love with you today then I was 8 years ago on that cloudy July 19th.

I am blessed and honored by you my love Matt Lee, and I am more thankful to God for bring you into my life than words can express.

Jo Lee

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

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

Thankful Thursday

It is Thankful Thursday and I have internet to actually write a post. Speaking of no internet that is what I am thankful for. We did not have internet for a few weeks and while it was challenging at the same time it should me how much time I actually spend just vegging out on the computer. I num myself by just sitting and staring. So I am thankful for the chance to see were I choose to num myself and not deal with life. I want to deal with and experience everything God has for me each day. I am thankful for a chance to do that today.
Jo Lee

The Belly at 38 weeks...

... and we continue to play the waiting game.

Letters on Intent

Dear Belly and Maternity Clothes,

I am so thankful that I have maternity clothes to wear and I do not have to spend my days in a MooMoo, but could you seriously fit better. I put on a size large maternity pants and they fit fine then the next pair does not fit at all. I am running out of clothes that comfortably fit. Also could my belly stop growing over night; I wear some thing one week the next it is to tight to wear in public. I know that all of this means I am growing a health (probably big) baby but seriously I am afraid if my clothes do not stretch or my belly does not stop I will have to stay home for lack of proper body coverage.

Cordially,

One big prego mom counting the days tell you come little one.

Wordless Wednesday - Family Night Cookie Making

... and eating:)

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for...

... the sun and that it is warming up a bit.

... figuring out how to get Benen to nap.

... friends who do not mind giving us rides.

... my talented and creative husband.

... Monday night when my husband let me go to bed at 7:30 - I so needed that.

... my creative daughter; it was really fun to listen to hear imagination this morning.

... my snuggly son; he just loves to "hug you" - then runs to the couch so you can snuggle.

... water - I am really thirsty lately and it does the job.

... how sore and tired I am - that means it is getting closer and closer to this baby coming and that she is getting bigger and bigger.

... my husbands job and that it provides enough that I can stay home.

Baby Girl to Arrive in July

We had our ultrasound today and we are having a girl. Here are some of the ultrasound pictures for those of you that can read them. Her name is Somer Joy; meaning summer joy.

After the ultrasound Matt and I were walking down the hall and he was really quiet, I asked if he was okay. He said yes " I am just falling in love." I said with our baby; and he is:) I know we both are. It just seems more real and like we are actually going to have this baby now that she has a name and we have seen her.

Matt's B-day

Matt's 28th birthday is today. We celebrated on Saturday; with family bowling and a gourmet home cooked fish dinner and some dark chocolate brownies with ice cream.

The bowling. The kids loved this and the adults had fun to, but it was most entertaining the watch the kids bowl.

The cake (brownies).

2009 Christmas (New Years) Letter

December 2009

Happy New Year Family and Friends,

So much has happened in 2009 we couldn't even get this letter out before Christmas! So we thought we would just give you the highlights.

Matt – Loves his job and we can't believe he has been working at PCS a year. God is providing and Matt is excelling and really busy. He is also enjoying playing on the worship team at church, where he is currently learning the lead electric.

Jo - Has stepped down from doing children's ministry and is focusing on things at home. She is enjoying the challenges God is bringing her; and being available to serve and minister where God needs her. She is also home-schooling Anna and is no longer watching kids at home. With home schooling she's gotten involved in a community of home-schooling families in our church; there are about 12 families!

Anna – Started kindergarten at home. She is doing well and really enjoys it. She is very good at her numbers and is struggling with some of her letters right now, but we are getting there. Anna also lost her first tooth early this month which was exciting for her. This summer Anna took swimming lessons and passed the first of several courses. She is also a dancer, and is excited to take dance lessons, which she will start after the first of the year.

Benen – Is growing fast. While Anna was busy with swimming lessons, we found Benen is our little water baby - and he loves the water. He loves doing Bible stories with his sister as part of school in the morning. He is great at singing the songs and memorizing the verses; which is fun to see him do. He is very much into cars, balls, and Larry Boy (a VeggieTales hero-character).

Family – God challenged us to cut back in some areas this year, so Matt and I are not leading Small Groups right now. We are still connected to a Small Group, and God has put us in the prefect one. Our big news right now is that we are expecting number 3 in early July. Crazy to think we will be a family of 5 before we know it.

Thankful Thursday - 2009 and the last Decade

So last week I heard a lot on the media how the last decade was one of the worst and people wondering if 2010 will be better than 2009. Really? I did not think the last decade was that bad nor was 2009. I guess I have a different out look on life then most people. So in light of this out look I thought I would share of what I am thankful for the last decade and for 2009.

The last decade; I am thankful for...

...graduating high school.

... going to college.

... meeting Matt.

... Matt and I's dating relationship.

... starting to attend the River Church (New Life Chapel)

... getting married.

... having Anna.

... having Benen.

... God providing Matt with a job he loves.

... a challenge and call to home school.

... every ministry opportunity I have had - youth, children, adults, etc..

... every relationship that I have developed.

2009; I am thankful for...

... God's financial provision.

... homeschooling friends and support.

... the Connection Group God brought us into.

... getting pregnant with #3.

... growing in my relationship with Matt.

... God's challenge to cut back and how he has provided the grace for that to be easy.

... family.

... having a 5 year old and a 2 year old.

... starting homeschool, and homeschool curriculum that is very diverse.

Christmas 2009

Christmas Eve and Grandma Jo and Grumpy's (Great Grandparents).

Christmas morning at our house.

Christmas morning and Papa and Gumma's.