what a year for Jackson!

Jackson,

     This past school year has been such an amazing year.  For the first time you really enjoyed going to school.  The biggest deal was of course getting TWO teachers.  You thrived in this situation and the days went so fast for you.  You found out your favorite subject is math and you proved to be excellent at it!  During the first benchmark you were the only one in second grade to get a perfect 100%.  Daddy and I were so very proud of you and so were your teachers.  You had a special lunch with your math teacher, a pass to the treasure tower, and a lunch buddy pass!  You quickly became known as the math wiz in your class and Ms. Krantz always used your papers as the example.                                                                                                                                                

    Another  blessing came with the meeting of your best friend Jerry.  The two of you are so much alike and even got to be on the same football team.   Every day at recess you told me "Jerry and I decided to just swing and relax today".   He is such a sweet boy and we adore having him over.  One of the hardest days of this year was the day we found out that Jerry and his family were moving back to their family ranch.  My heart broke with yours as we excepted this news.  Although the dynamic of the days changed you and Jerry still remained best friends.  The two of you remind me of Ms. April and I when we were younger.  Although we were separated my a move we still remained best friends and I believe the two of you will always be close.  

    The biggest difference I saw this year was how excited you were about school.  The previous years you did very well, but always admitted your favorite part of the day was going home.   You were excelling in all your subjects and having fun at the same time.

   I am so thankful I have the opportunity to be up at your school volunteering.  I absolutely love seeing you throughout your day.  Whether it's in the library or in your classroom or even eating lunch with you...it was one of the best parts of my day.   

   When the year ended you were given the "Math Wiz" award and also an honor roll award.  You had all A's and two B's the entire year!  Again, we are so very proud of you.  You tried your very hardest all year and it showed.   We love you Jack Jack!  

                                                                   The whole world and back again, Mom

6th grade

Cooper,

        Since I am playing catch up I decided to rewind and go back to the end of this school year.  It is so hard to believe that you have already made it past your first year of middle school.  It was a big change with its share of challenges, all which you handled beautifully.  After the first couple days you had your schedule down and you were loving your independence.   As in elementary school you were in all above level classes.  This year along with all the others came so easy to you.  It amazes me just how smart you truly are.   We are so proud of your grades but more importantly so proud of the person you are.  You put school as a priority and want to do your best.  You know right from wrong and don't see any grey areas.  You are a friend but also choose your friends wisely.  I was told by three of your teachers just what a great student you are.  They were thankful to have you in their class and loved your work ethic and were honored to be your teachers.  People warned me how hard 6th grade can be for the child and also the parents.  It was tough learning to let go just a bit, but you made this a little easier for me.  I knew it was okay to let go just a bit, you would do just fine.    When it came to the end of the year you were invited to the 6th grade awards.  As they called your name and we watched across the stage I felt so much pride.  I of course cried ( I know, you say I always do that) and beamed with joy.  You were then handed SEVEN different awards.  You simply amaze me!

1. excellence in reading
2. excellence in math
3. excellence in world culture
4. excellence in first year band
5. excellence in science
6. excellence in language arts
7.  all year academic straight A's ( only 33 out of 360)

                                     


 As you walked across the stage I also knew it wouldn't be long until you were walking across a stage to graduate.  These years are going so fast and daddy and I could not be more proud of you.  As the years go on, some of your  classes might be more of a challenge.  Please remember it is always okay to have some difficulties, we all do.  Do not expect perfection just try to do your very best.  Continue to follow God and come to us with any and every thing.  I thank God everyday for our close relationship and cherish it more then you ever will know.  My heart beams with pride for the man you are becoming and I will always love you as my little boy.  I love you the whole world and back again, Mom

missing grandma

Today while at the doctors office Jackson out of know where said  "I really can't wait to go see great grandma, but I will have to wait 92 years".  Brady then  said " how much longer until I see her? "  Jackson replied " You have to wait 95 years".  Without a thought  Brady put his hand on Jackson's shoulder and said "That's a long time my friend".  I am so thankful to have these boys around me.  I am constantly reminded of their love for great grandma and also reminded that God gives us the grace and power to move on.    

   There has been a void in our hearts and a pain that I am still dealing with.  Grandma has been there for our family from the very beginning.  She moved in with Grandma Mike a month before our wedding and was a  constant part of our lives.  It just seemed she would always be here.  I guess that is why the shock of  how fast she left is still so  hard to get over.

   When she went into the rehab hospital we all thought it would only be for a few days or maybe a week.  We soon learned it would be much longer.  I am thankful for my time sitting with her at the hospital.  Sometimes Brady and I would go to the gym room with her and cheer her on and other days I would sit with her and just talk.  I think it helped me just as much as it did her.

     When she moved to the hospital for what would be her final days, God used her to witness to us as well as so many others.  We all knew she wanted to go to heaven more then any other place, we just never knew we would witness God taking her.  

   I struggle with the ache and emptiness I still have in my heart.  She had a huge impact on my life both as a grandmother and a friend.   We both shared a passion for cooking, Christmas, family, going out to lunch, shopping, but more then that our values were the same.    She influenced me and I pray it continues to show in our home as well as the way I treat others.   One of the things I miss most is the way she made me feel.    No matter how I felt I looked when I came by the house, she would tell me I looked pretty.  She would comment on my hair or a simple baseball mom t- shirt I was wearing.  I didn't have to look a certain way, she excepted me for exactly who I was and I knew that.  She told me what a good wife and mom I was.  I knew she was one of my biggest fans.  I miss the words of encouragement.  I know she is still sending them down to me, but I desperately miss hearing her voice speak them and the little laugh that came behind that sweet smile.   As I write this I feel her with me right now.  She is telling me this is what family does.  This is what women/moms  need to do for each other.  We tell our husbands and our kids how much we appreciate them and how good they are at different things, but do we tell each other?  I promise to do this to grandma.

     I feel she is with me everyday and I know Jeff and the boys do to.  We talk about her everyday and remind each other of the stories of her love for us all.  We love and miss you grandma, the whole world and back again.  

  

Proud Momma

There is not a day that goes by that I am am not proud of my three boys.  I am reminded by this  each and every day.  This morning Jackson and I were talking about which church service we would be going to.   As I was making sure I had clean clothes for all of us he went into his room to get his money.
  About six years ago daddy and I made a commitment to tithe 10% of our income to the church.   This is something we believe in and always talk about openly to the three of you.  Recently we decided to give y'all a little more responsibility and more allowance.  We also talked about the importance on giving your first 10% to church every week.
  When Jackson walked out of his room he told me he had his money for church.  He was holding $3.00.  I told him "why do you have $3.00, you always bring $1.40".  He then told me, mom I am giving over and beyond.  This melted my heart beyond belief.  He was getting everything we have been talking about.   We then talked about how the extra money could go to the orphanage or help people right around us.  I was in awe of his giving heart and hope this always continues.
     The most important lesson I want to teach the three of you is to keep Jesus in your heart.  Sure it would be nice to have a bigger house and a nicer car, but always remember to put your heart and your money into God's work.  He will always take care  of you.    I am so proud of each of you and pray for you every day.  You are turning into amazing young men and I am proud to be your mom.  I love you the whole world and back again, Mom

Thank full for the laughter

Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for this amazing family of mine.  My days are filled with "I love you mommy" plenty of kisses and tons of laughter.  These past couple weeks have been very tiring and God knew a good day of laughter is just what I needed.  Great grandma has been in a rehab hospital and we have moved around our regular schedule to make sure we are there with her for a couple hours a day on most days.  The boys have been amazing and so understanding.  This past Wednesday was a little hard.  Great grandma was not feeling well and her poor legs were so swollen.  We talked as we always do and she just wasn't her usual self.   Brady has been so good every time we are in her room.  Everyone comments on how well behaved and quiet he is.  I guess on this day God decided he needed to come out of his shell.  As we were talking Brady decided to play on the walker.  He positioned it right in the doorway of her room.  He then looked both ways down the hallway while calling out "who's got white hair"  "who's got white hair".  Great grandma and I couldn't stop laughing.   This is exactly what she needed and exactly what I needed.   Every single day I make it a point to thank God for the precious gifts in my life.  On this particular day I thanked him for making me remember how important the gift of laughter is for all of us.

Time, precious time

   Brady woke up a little early today (earlier then his already typical 6:45 rise and shine time).  He was so excited to go to his field trip to Posh cookies followed by a picnic at the park.  He was so happy that I was one of the drivers and some of his friends would get to ride in the car with us.  He had his Veggie Tales cd ready to go and made sure toys and books were all cleaned off all the seats.

    When we got to school he realized all the boys moms were also driving today.  This meant a GIRL would have to ride with us.  He wasn't happy about this at first, but when the teacher asked him which girl he wanted to ride with us he came up with one name pretty fast!  They were so funny together in the car and I couldn't help but laugh at all their conversations.  When we arrived at Posh cookies he could not have been any cuter.  He concentrated so hard on making his cookies just right.  He would quietly grab my hand and slip little hugs in between each cookie. He gave me that shy, quiet smile that  melted my heart and I prayed this would never end.

    When we got to the park he couldn't wait to run off with his friends.  The first thing that came to mind was that he was really growing up.  He knew just the right way to act in a school atmosphere and was pure Boy when running and playing with his friends.  It was almost at that exact moment his teacher leaned over and said "this is your last field trip".  WHAT!!  how can this be.  I have been going on these pre school field trip for eight  years now.  How can it be ending?  I could feel my eyes fill up with tears as I watched Brady and realizing there are only months left before he too goes off to kindergarten. Suddenly flashes of Cooper, Jackson, and Brady flipped through my mind.  It feels like just yesterday that each of them were babies.  Why is everything going so fast?  Where is the pause button?  I know deep down that I can not make them stop growing, but I can steal one more kiss, read a little longer story at bedtime, and take every opportunity to savor these sweet years. 

   So thank you to my little sister Kelly for making this blog for me.  I know one day the boys, Jeff, and I will treasure reading about all our memories and all of our adventures!

The Lee Family Blog

I have asked my sister for many years now to start a blog.  I want to read about the Lee Adventures since we live in different cities and I can't see this fun family of five often enough. So, since she didn't start one, I decided to start one for her.  Welcome to the blog world, Lee Family! I'm so glad to see y'all here and I can't wait to read about all your adventures.  Love, Kelly