Christmas lights

We decided to take the boys to look at Christmas lights last night. They got all ready for bed - showers, PJs on, robes, and slippers. We did not tell them where we were going, we just got in the car. Our first stop was to the Chesapeake Energy campus. The only word that came to mind was WOW! Each tree was wrapped from top to bottom and each one was a different color. It was spectacular! I am going to post some pictures, but they really don't do it justice.

From there, we drove to NW Oklahoma City to a neighborhood I had heard about on the news. It is about 15 houses all on one street and they have connected them together and put the lights to music. You tune your radio to a certain station and listen to the music as you drive through. Very well done. The great part of this story comes in while we were waiting in line to get into the neighborhood. The car of teenage girls behind us do a Chinese Fire Drill. The boys want to know what they are doing - of course. We had a discussion of what a Chinese Fire Drill is and why it is called that. M then pipes up and says ''I want to do that!" G responds with "I would be SO embarrassed if you do that." So...... M gets out of the car and runs around it!!!! The girls behind us thought that was great and started honking at him. G is about to crawl through the floor board at this point. This all starts a chain reaction - the car about 3 cars back then does their own Chinese Fire Drill - running all the way up and around our car as well. Lots of fun and clean entertainment for the evening.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Birthday!!!!

We celebrated G 11th Birthday on December 13th. We had a family party on the 13th and then had a friends party on the 19th. What a blessing you are to our lives G - you bring laughter and creativity into our world. We thank God for you everyday.

Green Belt

So proud of G this month. He had made the decision a couple of months ago not to take his test for green belt in Tae Kwon Do because he didn't think he was ready. On December 12, he was ready! Each test seems to get longer and harder (as it probably should) and there was a lot to do and remember. He did great and here are the results:

Praying for Friends

Friends,
If you don't already know, we have several friends who have adopted and are going to adopt from Eastern Europe. One of those is our music minister and family - the Malones. They have 2 children with Down Syndrome that they have already adopted that grew their family to 7 kids. They currently have 3 children with Downs. They are all precious and we love each one of them!
They have (this week) committed to adopting another angel - Ruslana (soon to be known as Ellianna - not sure of the spelling). There is a time crunch for them right now, but God will provide as He leads. In order for this sweet girl to be kept in the baby home and not moved to a mental institution, they must have all of their paperwork submitted (and funds raised) by February 1st. Humanly, this seems impossible, but with God all things are possible.
I am writing to ask you to pray for them. Pray that God will provide exactly what is needed for every step of the journey. Pray for all of the details here and abroad to be worked out. Let God work in your life as well. You can follow the Malone's journey at www.themalonefamily.us.
We love each one of you and wish you a very Merry Christmas this year!

Miracles

On the way to church yesterday, the boys and I were talking about how beautiful things looked - especially the changing leaves. I got a lesson on why leaves are different colors - did you know that leaves turn red or purple when they still have salt in them?
One of the things that came up was the fact that the changing of the seasons is a miracle because it is something only God can do. The wind is also a miracle - when it blows, when it stops (especially now), when it changes directions. Sunrise and sunset are also miracles - these cannot be controlled by man, but is something only God can do.
My sweet G says: "You know what that means Mom?" "What G?" And out of the mouths of babes: "That means every day is a miracle!"
I am praying that I remember that as I start each day and that I treat it as a miracle from God.

Here's hoping you enjoy your miracle - today!

Inspiring reading

Okay, so I admit I am not a very consistent blogger. But, life happens and sometimes - okay most of the time - this does not come very high on the priority list. I think about it often, especially when I am reading other people's very inspiring blogs. I guess I just don't find myself very inspiring and I know I was not a "born" writer.

There are two things I just want to share with you that have impacted my life lately.

The first is a book I have been reading - Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney. I am not done with it yet, but WOW. This little book has really changed my perspective on how I view my walk and what is important. Here is an excerpt: "What's the main thing in your life? What is truly "of first importance" to you? It might be something perfectly honorable, perfectly legitimate; but if it's somethign other than the gospel - are you willing to repent to God and reorder your life?"

This is how it started.
I told you. Wow!

I have underlined and made notes all the way through - and I can only read about one chapter at a time so I have time to process all that was in those 2 or 3 pages. I have understood the meaning of the Cross for many, many years, but one chapter really moved me. I have always looked at the Cross from a human viewpoint - I don't have another one to reference really. I would have run away from "wanting" to go to the Cross because of the physical pain I knew I would have to endure for hours. C.J. Mahaney gives another perspective - one that only Christ could have known was coming: "What Jesus recoils from here is not an anticipation of the physical pain associated with crucifixion. Rather it's a pain infinitely greater - the agony of being abandoned by His Father." He later tells how Jesus is willing to endure what He does - for me. "Jesus is saying, "Father, I will willingly drink this cup by your command - I'll drink it all." And He will. He'll drink all of it, leaving not a drop. Not only will He leave nothing in that cup of wrath for us to drink...but today you and I find ourselves with another cup in our hands. It's the cup of salvation. From this precious new cup we find ourselves drinking and drinking - drinking consistanely, drinking endlessly, drinking eternally...for the cup of salvation is always full and overflowing."
I did not intend to quote so much today, but I cannot help but share some of the treasures I am receiving. If you have not read this book, put it on your "to read" list. It is profound.

Another bit of reading I have been doing is on another blog - www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com . I found this blog after a post on Facebook from Klove radio. What a story this family has to tell! This is (mostly) written by Angie Smith - the wife of Todd Smith, one of the members of the Christian group, Seleh. It chronicles their journey of finding out they were expecting a little girl that was "not compatible" with life and how they dealt with the reality and emotions surrounding that pregnancy and birth. It really is a story of God's grace and mercy. Reading it is like sitting down and having a conversation with Angie. She is very real and open with her readers. Her down to earth style is refreshing and is an inspiration. I will warn you, if you choose to go to the beginning of their story, you will need a box of kleenex to get you though it!

This is much longer than I anticipated it would be when I sat down, but it seems right now you get all or nothing. I would love to hear about the things that have inspired you or changed your perspective lately!

No pictures

Okay, so I have this obsession that I shouldn't post anything unless I have pictures to go with it. Why is that? I know I enjoy reading other people's blogs, even when there are no pictures. I guess it is like all my other little obsessions = just the way God made me.
So here goes (and pictures will come later).
The last time I blogged, we had just spent a week at a reunion for our youth group in Illinois. God has been so faithful to allow us to see some of the fruits of that weekend. One of the ladies that came, brought her husband, who is not a Christian. He joined us for the evening of sharing that we all did. She shared that she had been convicted over the weekend, that she should be back in church - she had not been going since she had children. After the reunion, she got her husband to agree to go with her for a few weeks. Well, that's all it took - within a couple of weeks, he was saved and baptized!!!! God is Good! They are all going to church together now.

The rest of our summer has been a blur of activity. The boys had cousins camp with the Lee side of the family. Lots of time together and very few injuries make for a successful camp. It is always fun to be with family - especially when the kids are all fairly close in age! No matter what, you have your spats and disputes, but we are family, so we will get along. Isn't that what it is all about.

In August, the boys and I got to spend a week in New Braunfels with my parents. Boy have we been spoiled in Oklahoma with our gorgeous weather or what?!? While we were there, they were on their 56th day in a row of over 100 degree weather and had had less than an inch of rain all summer long. We just about melted!!!! Despite the heat, we had a great time. We went to Schlitterbahn for a day - a must do and the boys favorite activity. We tubed the river one morning - the water is so cold it takes your breath away! The rest of the week, we shopped, did touristy things, and just had a good time.

Now school is back in session - I was ready for the routine, but I really don't like the early mornings!!!! All is well so far - trying to ease back into a homework schedule and chores in the afternoon.

I am going in for surgery in the morning on my knee. After trying to do physical therapy all summer, the doctor decided it was time - not healing completely on its own. So, here we go... I really don't know what to expect - except pain. So many have already offered help and meals, and it is so appreciated. We feel so loved.

So for now, that is all. Maybe I will get pictures up when I can't do anything else next week. Thanks for bearing with us on this journey and for loving on us!

Fun with "old" Friends

When James and I met, we were part of an incredible youth group. We were both Air Force "brats", so having somewhere to belong was really a unique experience. Both of our fathers ended up stationed around the St. Louis area and our families resided in O'Fallon, IL. If you have never lived in a small town in the midwest, you are missing a treat.

We ended up at First Baptist Church, O'Fallon, IL. James had been there for 2 years and I was just a part of the group for my senior year (having 3 high schools and moving between your junior and senior year does not kill you!). The youth group at this church was VERY active and accepted me and my sister right away - practically dragging us to every activity. We got there in the summer, and there seemed to be something going on every night. It could have been extrememly overwhelming, but God used it in a powerful way to draw me closer to Him.

For many years, several of us that were in the youth group together, began to talk about having a reunion. Just a time to get together and catch up. This last year, James and I took the bull by the horns and dove in to get it done. So, after lots of help and some hard work, several weekends ago we had a reunion. What a blessing to our lives this was. We got to see friends we had not been in touch with in years. One of the highlights was seeing all of our kids playing together as if they were long time friends!!!!

Our schedule for the weekend went something like this - Friday was family day - each kind of made their own plans and several families did activities together. We ended up at the City Museum in St Louis and then the boys went up in the arch. We went with Sheila and her family and Chip and his family. What a blast!



Friday evening, many ladies of the church provided dinner for us and we had a casual gathering at the church. Tim L. brought up the tractor and gave the kids tractor rides around the church property.



Saturday, a great couple from the church offered their home and pool to us to have a pool party. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and swam for 4 hours. The "show" came with several of the dads, James included, decided to join the kids and show off on the diving board. Chants of belly-flop, belly-flop could be heard for blocks followed by splashing and cheers!



Saturday evening was the "adults only" dinner with childcare provided by the church (thanks FBC for all you did for us). We spent 2 1/2 hours sharing the impact the youth group had on our lives and what God is doing in our lives now. What a powerful evening it was! I really believe God ordained this time. We had people who have continued to serve faithfully to those who had fallen away from church attendance. But I believe both were impacted in a life changing way and were reminded how important it is to be in God's Word and to be in fellowship with other believers. I give God all the praise and glory for the work He did that weekend. We continue to hear stories about how families were changed! Thank you God!



Sunday we attended church together and had "leftovers" and pizza for lunch. What a blessing to be together for this great time of worship. Sunday evening, about a dozen of us had the opportunity to share with the current youth group about our experiences. We had a great time worshipping with them and answering their questions. It was great to see so many youth interested in what God has done and will do. Again, thank you to FBC for providing us with that opportunity. We ended the weekend eating at Red Robin with a big group of friends.





I cannot think of the weekend without giving God the glory and credit for making a difference in our lives. These truly are friends that will be forever friends, because we have a God that bonds us for eternity.

Summer Time Fun

I hardly know where to begin. Our summer has been so full of so many things - all different from our "normal" school year routine. We started off the summer with James, G, and I going to Children's Camp at Falls Creek. This is where I got hurt (btw, still going to PT for that and wearing an oh so fashionable black brace on my knee)- see my previous post.

G then went with a friend to CrossTimbers camp - also in OK. He was away from home for a week with no family - a 1st for him. We heard from him every night and had a couple of "I want to come home" conversations. He did stay all week, had a great time, and is looking forward to going again sometime.

We also got a brief visit from my sister, Anji, and her family as they were traveling across the country, moving from Virginia to California. It was the first time we got to meet our niece/cousin and she is a cutie pie. Here are the cousins all together.


In between the two camps, G tested for his orange belt in Karate. He was so nervous, but did a fantastic job. I was so proud of him - he has worked really hard to get to this point. We have taken a break for a couple of weeks, but will hit it hard again soon.



After coming home from that, both boys went to spend a week with my parents in Texas. This was their cousins camp week - or as my parents like to call it, Cousin's Concentration Camp. They have a blast with the cousins - the highlights being going to Schittlerbahn(twice) and tubing the river.
While the boys were gone, I spent my time preparing for VBS at our church. I was the director for 2nd - 6th grade for the 2nd year (I had directed preschool for the previous 5 years). This is always quite the undertaking and the week before VBS is usually just as busy as the week of, so I was grateful the boys had someplace to be and something to do while I "lived" at the church. The boys returned the Monday VBS started and what a week it was!!!! Our enrollement ended at about 1600 and our average attendace for the week was about 1250. I give God all the glory for the week and how smoothly it ran. No major problems! We also had 80 kids make decisions for Christ as well as 20 others who wanted more information. Praise the Lord!!!!!!

The 4th of July was filled with watching fireworks and hanging out with friends and family. Friday the 3rd, we went to Yukon to listen to Tony(brother in law) play with a group out there and watched a fantastic fireworks show. Saturday the 4th, we were at Liz and Randy's house for a cookout and to set off some of our own fireworks. Believe it or not, it stormed on us, but the kids had a great time anyway and we were able to go inside after dinner. The following are pictures you get when the teenagers get a hold of the camera!!



We have just returned from a great youth group reunion in Illinois. I will post on this later. Just suffice it to say WOW!
We are looking forward to another Cousins camp next week and in the meantime are camping and swimming as much as possible.
Hope your summer is full of fun and laughter!

"Falls" Creek

Okay, so James and I decided to go to Falls Creek with G for his first Children's Camp. James had only been one other time and I had never been to Falls Creek, so we thought this would be a great time. We went with our church - 95 of us in all - about 75 campers (4th and 5th graders). Overall the camp was fabulous. We didn't have any problems with the kids - no complaining, they were all where they were supposed to be when they were supposed to be there, no arguing - really great kids. I thought since it was my first time, that I really would try to see all the Falls Creek things there are to see - prayer garden, outdoor ampitheater, Devil's Bathtub (now called Boulder Springs), etc. So on Thursday, our first full day there, my sister in law, Mary Jane and I set out for Boulder Springs. It is pretty hilly at Falls Creek, if you have never been, and the trip to Boulder Springs is up a steep paved hill then down a steep gravel hill, past a lake to the Springs area. We made it up the paved hill just fine (after getting lost and directions several times). As we started down the gravel hill (slowly mind you), the gravel gave way out from under me and down I went. I almost took out the girls waiting in line for the water slide - I at least scared them all half to death. The problem with the fall was most of my body went with the gravel down the hill. My left knee, however, stayed behind and I am still not sure where it was when I landed. UUGGGHHHH! This was not how I pictured my trip to Falls Creek (does the name have significance?). I decided I would be okay and we continued - albeit much slower - on to Boulder Springs. Big mistake. By the time we made it down there, I was not doing well - my knee HURT! They ended up calling a golf cart to come and rescue me and take me back to the cabin. The interesting part was getting back up the hill in the golf cart with 3 people in it. You kind of have to get a running start.
I ended up going to the First Aid hut on Friday morning, just for them to wrap it in an ace bandage and give me crutches. Great! First time on crutches and I am trying to go up and down hills and stairs at Falls Creek. By the way - you might want to see your doctor when you get home. Thanks.
So here I wait. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon. Still hoping for the best, but I am not sure there are great options when it is your knee. I'll keep you posted.

Recognitions

We went up to school today to G class for a "recognition" time. His teacher, Mrs Sawyer, has been a blessing to us this year and G has thrived under her leadership. It really is a great class and they have all matured a great deal this year. G has one classmate from Korea, who will be returning to Korea when school is over. The class has grown very fond of her and they took this time to tell her good bye. Mrs Sawyer also recognized the kids for different things she has seen in them this year. G was rewarded for reading (believe it or not, he made many goals this year - despite not wanting to read!). She also recognized him for the character qualitites of joyfulness and enthusiasm. But probably the one I am most proud of for him and the one I think deserves the most recognition for is the one he got for being a prayer warrior. Mrs Sawyer is herself a great prayer warrior and for her to see those quailities in him was very special. I myself could take notes from him and need to quit being so impatient when his bedtime prayers last for a while! What a blessing! Thank you Lord for developing qualities in my child that I have not nurtured very well.

Pioneer days, Track and Field, Music and Teeth

I wanted to post about some recent events in our house. I had written in a previous post about Noah Webster Day. M and his class had a great time attending school like Noah Webster would have had, making pioneer crafts, and doing pioneer chores.



Then I went on a field trip with G and his class to the Gant Pioneer School in Kingfisher, OK. They actually "did" pioneer school all day - they did math with slates, had a spelling bee, wrote with quill pens, and ate their lunches out of their pails. It was just like being on Little House on the Prairie!!!!



Track and Field Day was last Friday and although we had a threat of rain all day (it has rained 17 of the last 18 days I think), it held off and the kids had a great day. G took 2nd in the broad jump and M was 3rd in the frisbee throw.



At the Children's Choir program at church, G got to play handbells. He has been practicing with the handbell choir for several months. They played at the program and then again in church on Mother's Day. He seemed to really enjoy himself -although take note of the concentration on his face! :)



M biggest news is the loss of his FIRST tooth. Yes, he is 8 and this is the first one. We were at church last night and of all things, he was eating a sopapilla. It had been loose, but not too loose. I guess it was just time. The tooth fairy showed up last night as well, despite the tornado threat and the sirens going off!



We are looking forward to the last few days of school and doing some fun things for the summer. Will post some more later!

Have a great one!

Check out this post...

I just wanted to share this link with you. This lady is an aquaintance I have met through Once Upon a Family and she has a powerful message to share. When you get to her blog www.inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com, you are looking for the "What are you worth?" post. The video is worth your time!

Busy Times

Things are starting to slow down for us on the school front. Not as many activities this week. We are all doing well. I went with G class to Kingfisher today. They attended a Pioneer school. I think all of the kids are very appreciative of their school and don't think it is quite as hard as they originally did. They really attended pioneer school - did work from then, were called on with no choice and were disciplined as well. There were several boys who tried to get in trouble - throwing spit wads. The consequences were standing at the board on your tiptoes with your nose in a circle or sitting on the stool with the dunce cap on. G did comment this evening that he was glad he didn't have to go to pioneer school all the time, although they had a good time today.
On another note, we are now in the second season of the day in OK. It was warm and humid this morning - felt kind of like a rainforest. About mid day, it rained for a while and then the cool (cold) weather moved in. We'll see what tomorrow holds.
M still has a loose tooth - a little looser each day. He is excited to lose his 1st tooth (at 8 yrs). I am thinking several more with follow shortly and he will have nothing for a while. I'll post pics when the actual event happens!
Have a great weekend!

Going to try this...

Well, I have decided to join the ranks of bloggers out there - not because that is the thing to do, or because I particularly like to write or am good at it. I am doing this because I think it is a more effective way to communicate, with our family in particular, things that are happening in our lives and pictures of the family. It will be easier to show pictures without having to email them and clogging up your inboxes. I am also going to try to avoid using the boys names at least - and will probably refer to them by their initial - I think you can figure out who I am talking about.

With that being said, here is the way the Lee's have been living, laughing, and loving this week. G had the "4th Grade Land Run" this week. This is a reenactment of the 1889 Oklahoma Land Run. They played Pioneer Games, did a Land Run, staked out their homesteads, and ate a pioneer lunch on their homestead. We had a near perfect day - no wind to speak of and spring like temperatures. We all had great fun. G even had a covered wagon made by his dad and Bucket (thank you).

Staking his claim

Relaxing after lunch

M also had an eventful week with Noah Webster Day being celebrated today (Friday). They dressed up in pioneer (1828) clothes and did crafts, school, and chores. (Pictures coming later) They sat on benches for school - divided boys and girls - and were repremanded by having to stand on their toes with their noses touching the wall. I was also told that M was pretty good at washing dishes! The school uses the 1828 Noah Webster dictionary (it still has Biblical definitions) - so that is why we celebrate him.

I hope you will stop by often. Now I have to make sure I update this periodically! Enjoy what we are doing to live, laugh, love, and enjoy life! Let us know if you decide to join me on this journey - we would love to follow your family!