Faith's First Haircut

BEFORE

SO SAD...DURING HAIRCUT. THE CRYING ONLY LASTED FOR ABOUT A MINUTE.

AFTER

I finally took Faith in for her first haircut. I have to say that it was much harder than I thought it would be. It was actually kind of sad. Now I see her and know that all the baby is gone. She is really a little girl now. At first, Faith was pretty upset, but once she realized that they were just messing with her hair, she recovered pretty quickly. They ended up cutting about 4 inches off. I think her hair turned out really cute, and now her hair will grow more evenly. Beautiful little girl!

We Had A Very Merry Christmas!

These are just of few of the pictures that I took over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Yes, that is chocolate on my children's faces...at 9:00 in the morning. On Christmas morning, anything goes!

Well, it seems that every year Christmas gets better and better. Luke is finally to the age to where he gets that Christmas is about Jesus' birthday. As a matter of fact, we were at our church's candlelight service and Luke told me that the candles were Jesus' birthday candles. I thought that was really sweet. He also said that he was going to help Jesus blow them out...because, according to Luke, sometimes it's hard to blow out ALL those candles.

Luke is also finally old enough to understand the concept of gifts. I'm pretty sure that next year he and Faith will be on pins and needles waiting for Christmas morning. This year all Luke asked for were candy canes and chocolate candy. Talk about easy to please! Faith just wants whatever Luke wants. They were both completely overwhelmed when they got up to a ton of gifts from family and Santa.

Santa brought Luke a Leap Frog Clickstart computer and several games to go with it, which has been a MAJOR hit. Who would have thought that a 3 year old can run a computer? He is a pro already. Santa brought Faith a baby and baby stroller - plus all the stuff that goes with it. That baby never gets to rest! She is always giving it a bottle and shushing it to sleep. Then she gets her purse, baby, and stroller and walks the house for a few minutes. It's amazing really. God has so ingrained in us to know our roles as mothers, that it is clearly evident in an eighteen month old. I don't know how much clearer things can be...

We are so abundantly blessed that there is no beginning and no end. It just amazes me! God has so richly blessed us with the birth of His son that anything beyond Jesus is just a fringe benefit of the season. I hope that everyone feels God's love in coming year.

Blessed be the name of the Lord!

New Pictures of the Kids

Updated Belly Picture

Okay, so a few people asked if I was getting big. Here I am in all my glory. This was taken today, and I am officially 28 weeks...and starting to get seriously uncomfortable. To answer every one's question - YES, I am getting big and will only get bigger. Enjoy!!

Yes, We Are THOSE People...

So, here it is almost December which I would say makes it the Christmas Season if it weren't for radio stations playing Christmas music the day after Halloween. I guess that it really has been the Christmas Season for a month now. So, guess what I haven't done and don't really plan on doing? If you guessed Christmas cards, you are absolutely correct. Yes, we are those people who get a ton of Christmas cards every year and rarely send one out. I know...it's probably not very nice, but here are my thoughts on Christmas cards:

1. I don't have time to get them done right now. I am trying to keep my head above water with raising 2 kids, being 27 weeks pregnant, basketball season, laundry that is up to my eyeballs, a kitchen that seems to always need a cleaning, grocery shopping, and the list goes on. This year, there will be no Christmas card in the mail from the Lee's.
2. I always feel guilty when I take our Christmas decorations down, and I have to (let's be honest) throw away the Christmas cards that we receive. It seems like such a waste. We are not pack rats and don't keep things. It's going to probably end up in the recycle bin. We enjoy them, but once it's not Christmas - they are gone. Heartless, I know...
3. In trying to live a little more eco-friendly lifestyle, it's not really jiving with the "less paper, less waste mentality." Since we are driving all over creation to basketball games and tournaments, I am consciously trying to make an effort to try and offset some of the damage done by our traveling in a "green effort." Dang global warming. I honestly think that an e-card is a greener way to go...

So, in closing, I would like to apologize if you send us a Christmas card and don't get one in return. We are THOSE people. It's true. If you know us at all, you will know that it isn't because we don't love you to pieces or that we aren't thinking about you during this wonderful time of year. We are just not Christmas card people or Thank You card people or anything that requires a postage stamp people. Don't take it personally. That is just who we are, and if you don't send us a Christmas card - no big deal. We understand.

Merry Christmas from THOSE people.

Trick or Treat!!

Tyron, Melanie, Luke, and Faith

Space Ranger Luke

Emily "Squirt" Mathis

Faith with her fairy wand.

Halloween this year was really fun. It was our first experience with "Trick or Treating." Luke had a blast, and Faith is likes anything that Bubba likes. Hope you all had as much fun as we did!

A Question Someone Is Going To Have To Answer In Heaven...

I told Tyron yesterday, that when I get to Heaven I have a question that I have to ask someone. You see, on Saturday morning at 1:32 a.m. Luke threw up in his bed...and then of course, Faith started throwing up about 2 hours later. They both continued to simultaneously vomit for the next 8 hours. Seriously simultaneously. So, the question for someone to answer is this: Why do stomach bugs insist on waiting until everyone is in bed and sound asleep to hit? It never happens at 10:00 in the morning or at 1:00 in the afternoon. Always in the dead of night.

However, God is extremely faithful. I spent the hours I was awake with my babies praying like I rarely pray. I prayed for mercy, healing, and strength. I prayed for rest for them and calmness for me. It's the most powerless feeling in the world to try to comfort a sick child. Especially when they are scared because they don't understand what is going on. Praise God for His healing hands. The entire bug lasted less than 24 hours. That is mercy. I guess stomach bugs have something in common with Jesus...stomach bugs come like a thief in the night and someday so will Jesus. The difference is that stomach bugs cause chaos and suffering while Jesus will re-establish order, healing, and love.

Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch

Cute little booties! Faith always has to go where Bubba goes.

Faith. Climbing as usual.

Best Buds....my friends Tigger and Pooh.

Luke and Faith driving the farm truck. Driving is serious business!

Best friends...Coburn and Luke.

Parker Reese...the picture of tranquility among the chaos of 7 kids 3 years old and younger.

Luke, Melanie, and Faith.

Amanda and Emily Mathis.

Luke in one of the many bounce houses. Looks fun, huh?

I am sure that Luke is imparting some wisdom to Emily. Faith just wants to hold a pumpkin.

These are some of the kids from our Saturday morning Mom's Club . Not everyone could make it but we sure had fun! (Left to Right - Luke, Faith, Emily, Coburn holding Parker, Asher)

Sweet little Emily Mathis. (My best friend's little girl. Isn't she so cute?)

Faith LOVED the pumpkins. She thought that we needed to take them all home with us!

Luke and Faith.

We had so much fun. As you can tell, I posted 1,000 pictures. Sorry if you were bored, but I couldn't leave these out. Trust me, there are many more pictures where these came from!!

Luke's New Friend...

Dicky Bob giving Luke kisses.

Luke carrying Dicky Bob.

While we were at Mimi and Paw Paw's house, Luke made a new friend. Believe it or not, I think that Dicky Bob likes Luke as much as Luke likes Dicky Bob! Hard to believe, I know. Luke toted this cat around pretty much the entire time we were there. Pretty cute!!

Fall Trip to Mimi and Paw Paw's House

Hi.

Just hangin' around.

Making sure that Jake isn't feeling left out.

Sitting with Paw Paw on the back porch...playing with a pinwheel.

Hanging out with Mimi on the back porch.

Space Ranger Luke

Luke loves Buzz Lightyear, so for Halloween this year he is going to be none other than Buzz. He wants to wear his costume all the time. He tried to talk me into letting me wear it to the football games on Tuesday. No such luck though. His costume has boots, laser, gloves, and wings that actually have lights on them. So fun!!

T Minus 5 Days and Counting...

So, what are we counting down to anyway? I'll give you a couple of hints: it's a sport, requires a hoop, and is played in a gym. Any guesses? BASKETBALL SEASON! I have to say that as we enter into this crazy season, I am equally excited and a little nervous.

Basketball season always brings such a rush to life. We go to games on Tuesdays and Fridays during district. We go to games Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays if there is a tournament...which are numerous during November and December. Tyron is at school later due to later practice times. Don't get me wrong, we love every minute of it. We like to see Tyron in action, and he is so good at his job. He has been promoted to Head Varsity Assistant which couldn't have come at a better time. He now only deals with the Varsity team instead of JV and Varsity. Some day very soon, Tyron will have his very own program. That in itself is exciting.

Basketball season also brings with it a upgraded level of obsession for one little boy. Luke is going to be completely submerged in basketball life once again. Not that he isn't in love with the sport as it is, but the actual season can't be rivaled. There is just something to be said about going to the gym on a cold day to watch a game. It's fun hear the soles of shoes squeaking as the boys run up and down the court, and of course, Luke wants to know why he can't be out there "being defense."

This year brings something unique to the table...the chance that a baby could be born at the end of the season. Now you see why I said that I was a little nervous. As many of you know, our babies tend to be a little anxious to enter the world. With an official due date of March 2, 2008, we have a pretty good possibility of having a early to mid February baby. Nothing like having to interrupt a district game or play off game to have a baby...almost as bad as having a baby in the back seat of a car. Yikes! Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

With all that said, I only have one more thing to add...GO COUGARS! If you are interested in checking out The Colony Cougar Basketball, you can get a schedule and all kinds of stats at www.cougarbasketball.com

I Can't Believe He's Already 3!!

It's crazy to believe that our little Luke is officially 3 years old! As of 3:41 this afternoon, Luke has been in our world for 3 years. I honestly can't imagine my world with out him. He is truly a blessing and testament to our Lord. God has shown me and taught me so much through our sweet Luke.

For those of you reading this who really know Luke, you can testify to the fact that he is sweet beyond words and loves to no end. He has a passion for basketball that makes his Daddy his hero. He loves his baby sister, who is also his best friend. He smiles, and his whole body lights up. Luke loves to learn and is easily taught. His favorite song is "Jesus Loves Me" - especially when you do all the motions. He can play and play and play and then play some more. He ALWAYS has a quick hug and kiss for his Momma. Luke loves his blankie and snuggle time. To be honest, you just can't do Luke justice with words. God took a part of my heart and soul that I didn't know even existed, and He filled those parts up with this amazing little person.

Thank you God for giving us Luke. We are blessed beyond all understanding to have him in our lives. You are the Master and Creator.

Happy Birthday Luke!!!

Here are some pictures of Luke's 3rd birthday party. It was so much fun! Tons of little kids running all over the place sure makes for a good time. Thanks to everyone who came to help us celebrate our sweet little man!

A Typical Day In the Life Of...

Luke Marshall Lee

7:45 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Wakes up. Comes in Momma and Daddy's room. Asks, "I get in Momma's bed and watch t.v. a minute?" Climbs in to snuggle with Momma and watch "Stanley" on Disney.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Tells Momma, "I hungwy. I eat cerweal?" Go to kitchen, climbs in chair, eats half a box of cereal while looking out the window to watch the cars and birds.

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. - Runs around the house shooting hoops, playing trucks, and leading Faith in a good ol' fashioned game of "Chase Noel."

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Plays outside. Activities include shooting "big boy hoops,"golfing, baseball, more Noel chasing, concrete chalk drawing. We also use this time to feed the ducks and go to the park.

11:00 a.m. - lunch - Play in room with baby sister. Encourage her to climb. Drag out every toy in toy box. Climb on bunk beds. Color.

lunch - sits at table eating something that is palatable. This is probably his least favorite part of the day. He thinks he is too busy to eat.

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Coloring, finger painting, reading books. Quiet time to get ready for nap time. Luke's favorite books include: "My Big Book of Jungle Animals," "Diggers and Dump Trucks," "Hugs Loves Kisses," and "Swine Lake."

1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Toy pick up. Kid clean up. Every thing has to be in it's designated place before Luke can rest. He is definitely like his Daddy...everything has it's place and there it must be before anyone can rest. Taddle taling on Faith for climbing on everything that he already knows are not supposed to be climbed upon.

1:30 p.m. - 3:30ish - Nap time. Trying to sleep when his little sister won't stop talking or singing. Usually wraps blankie around his head to drown out the noise. Sweet little man!

3:30ish - Sweet snuggle time with Momma. Lasts about 5 minutes. Gotta go shoot hoops or play hockey.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Snack time. Outside play with Faith. Favorite things to play outside are hoops and golf. Add a little sliding and Noel chasing and you have a first-rate good time.

5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Watch movie and playing inside. Usually shoots hoops or plays with puzzles and blocks.

6:00 p.m. - 7:00p.m. - Plays with Daddy and Faith. Dinner. More playtime with Daddy - usually Wii, wrestling, or "tackle football."

7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - Bath time and teeth brushing. Snuggle time. Read books.

7:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Bed time during this 30 minute interval.

Luke is so sweet. He is the easy going, extremely smart, motivated, loving, kind, obedient (for a 3 year old), funny, outgoing, and protective. It's really funny to have a real conversation with him. He is starting to be able to reason a little bit. He is so aware of people's feelings and smart. I can't believe how big he is. 3 years has flown by.