Bill and Gwen Lee

It's A Girl!

2009-09-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

So here we go for round 6, yep that's right, this will be my 6th child. And they say it's another girl! Kaia is ecstatic and Gage just cried. Bill is great at producing girls! But as for me, I just want healthy. And as always, if I don't see the girl (or boy) parts clearly, I'm not a true blue believer until further ultrasounds prove it to be rock solid. But never the less we are happy. The big day of her arrival is expected to be Jan. 28, 2010... or sooner if I can have it my way!

Summer Trip To Cali

2009-09-16T19:14:00.001-07:00

Due to a very sad event in Bill's family, his grandfather passed away, so we took an unexpected trip to California. Here we are,both at and after the services. I was very proud of the kids for behaving so well while having to hang out reverently for a few hours. And this marks the first Lee Family picture since 2006. Now that Bill is in the Air Force Reserve he was able to sport his dress blues for the first time... a very handsome family I must say.

You can't go to California without a visit to the beach. The kids had a blast... well the bigger two did, Lyra just slept most of the time, which was actually nice because it gave me a chance to play with Gage and Kaia. We dug for sand crabs (we were lucky if we found a handful, I swear there used to be hundreds more when I was a kid), found live clams, starfish and sea urchins. Gage and Kaia each took turns burying each other and Bill was off having a blast riding the waves.

And talk about unexpected... we even got to visit Sea World... for FREE! At the last minute we found out that a military member and four dependants can enter free of charge, so of course we took the offer! Here is a supper cute Lyra sporting her new supper cute shades given to her by her supper cute Aunt Becky. And unfortunately this was the only picture I took (at he beginning) before we had so much fun that I completely forgot to continue taking more. I know the memory will last a lifetime but picture sure do help in that department.

Breakfast For A Cause!

2009-08-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, I have lost 2 of my children. They were stillborn from different causes and while I was in the hospital, thankfully there was a great bereavement program set up to help Bill and I get through our most trying moments. From great nurses and staff trained for just such an outcome, to a wonderful gift I received in the form of a box, these meant a lot. It is for this box that I write to you now.

This box, and many many more, are made and donated to the Banner Desert Hospital for parents who have lost their child or children before of after birth. It contains items that are helpful to parents in making and retaining memories of their little one such as a disposable camera, a journal with pen, Kleenex and CD full of meaningful songs. These boxes also serve as a place to keep their baby's belongings, such as an outfit,blanket or cap that they may have held their baby in, or I.D. bracelets that both mom and baby wore. I received one of these boxes and I keep items from both of my girls in it and I keep it in my hope chest.

Through a friend I happened to meet a person that knew about the organization that makes these boxes, and found out that I can help them continue to meet the need of these boxes. And so can you! It's called Lanee's Legacy http://www.laneeslegacy.blogspot.com/ and they are having a breakfast to raise money in the hopes of meeting the financial need of making all the boxes needed as they strive to become a non-profit organization. Please check out the link and read the blog. I know it will touch your heart. The breakfast will be held on Sat., Oct. 10th @ 8 - 10 am. Tickets are very affordable at $5 each or 6 for $25.

This a way that we can offer support to those that are grieving. I remember when friends would tell me that they wanted to do something for me, to help me with the grief I was experiencing, but besides the usuall "I sorry for your loss" and "I'll pray for you", I used to think that there really wasn't much that could be done. I now realize that this is an enormouse support that can be givin, and by anyone. It really does mean a lot. So for anyone interested in attending, I'd love to carpool and share a wondferfull experence and breakfast together.

Oh Those Horses

2009-05-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

OK, so Kaia might only be 4, nearly 5, but I really think she know what she wants. Some girl's just know what their heart's desire and some know from a young age. And this pertains to Kaia! Since she was 3 she has been asking me for a horse. I thought it would just be a faze that would end shortly but it has shown to become a passion for her. I don't even know where in the world it came from. Out of the blue she asked me if she could have a horse... I just giggled a bit and said "That would be fun to have a horse" and thought nothing more of it. Now it's been almost two years and she asks weekly (at least that, if not more often), if she can have a horse. We've had all the discussions from "where would we keep it?", her reply "in the back yard", to which I say "our yard is too small for a horse", her reply "then let's move to a farm". Once she understood that moving to a farm is not going to happen her solution became "we can keep it in the house and get a cage", that one made me laugh. In hopes to deter this conversation I finally told her that horses cost too much and that I couldn't buy one, she'll have to wait until she grows up, get's a job and has her own home before she can have a horse. Well this seems to be what she will do and talks daily about it. She can hardly wat to get a job when she's 16. Until then, visits like this one to the Dunn family farm will have to suffice. Thank you Tami for helping make a little girl's dream come true.

How Do You Spell Love? L-E-E

2009-04-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

How we love our Lyra...

A Long Waited Arrival, Lyra Ruth Is Here!

2009-04-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

Born March 3, 09... at 8 lbs 5 oz and 20 in. Lyra has come to join our family. I can't find words to express how much she means to ALL of us. Gage and Kaia needed her as much as Bill and I did.

My Greatest Wishes

2008-10-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

I've found myself thinking, a lot, lately about the things I've always wanted to do. As I sit here blogging, I'm listening to some of favorite music and I realize these things are more like strong desires... that are growing stronger. And quite fast. I'm sure fear has been my main deterrence but part of thinks that if I announce it publicly, I'll find some courage. Hmmm, well, we'll see if it works. Three things that I've always wanted to do are as follows, and not in this particular order...

1. Learn to play the cello:
I can't even begin to express how much I love the sound of the cello. Ahh, it takes my breath away just to hear it being played. I want so badly to learn. But it doesn't seem to be the instrument of choice for many, therefore I don't even know where to turn to learn to play it. That is, without having to go into town for it.

2. Learn to play the piano:
I have always loved music. And the piano is another of the instruments I've always wanted to learn. I love to watch a pianist who feels the music they play. As many of you know Tina Upson... she's definitely one whom I love to watch. So thanks Tina for allowing me to experience your skills. Now when you get both the cello and the piano together... OH MY! It's like eternal bliss for me. My heart skips a few beats, I get chills and feel as though I'm light as a feather. If that is any inclination of what eternal happiness is like, I can not wait!

3. Learn a trade in the medical field, i.e. nursing:
From the time I was very little I have always been greatly interested in anything medical. My mom worked for 20 years (give or take) in labor and delivery and it's like that's all I've ever wanted to do, should I ever have a career besides being a full time mom. And it seems that so many people I know are in nursing school so now my itch is getting stronger. So I'm considering starting nursing school. We'll see.

We're Expecting!

2008-09-25T14:20:00.001-07:00

Yeah!!! We can all hardly wait. While on vacation I found out that I'm prego and we are excited to say the least. Of course it doesn't come without worry (LOTS) and some reservations but we're keeping a close eye on things. I'm seeing a high risk Dr. in town and I'm lucky enough to get regular ultrasounds. HURRAY! And let me tell you, I thrive on those for comfort. We don't know the sex yet but will soon find out on the day before my B-day. I'm due March 19th, 09.

Our Summer Vacation

2008-09-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

On our way to Ohio! It took about 9 hours and 2 plane's but the kids loved every minute... which meant they were very good!

Messages in the sand for daddy on the beach of Lake Erie.

Gage and Kaia chasing pigeon's in a courtyard outside the mall in downtown Cleveland. They were laughing so hard!

Taking turns on Grandpa's riding lawnmower in Kentucky.

Let's start the summer off right... right?

2008-09-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

So summer break is here and so is family. With a group of 18 we decide to go to Slide Rock, it should blast! As our caravan of 3 head into the middle of nowhere, my suburban decides to loose acceleration. Luckily we've reached the top of the hill to be able to cost down to where, with more luck, there's an exit to pull off. As with think the problem is the battery, we send off 2 of our men to fetch one. Only to our dismay, 2 hours go by before we find out that it's not the battery. It ended up being the fuel pump. After 3 hours in the hot sun we're waiting for a tow and my husband to show up. So we send my sister and 2 sister's-in-law to town with all 8 children to swim at my sister-in-law's mom's house. Bless her for such an intrusion. As it turned out to be a blast of a different kind it was really a blessed day. Everyone was kind and patient as the hours pasted by. A lot of it had to do with Aunt Jamie's great imagination and taking the kids on a trek into the unexplored desert to find traces of alien's. Thank you everybody for your great efforts!