Are you IN???

Our friends Carlos and Heather have a dear friend who has endured a very tragic life threatening accident. Some of you may have read about it elsewhere. Tomorrow the family is requesting a day of fasting in honor of the couples 10th wedding anniversary. Can you do it??? Are you willing to give up that "thing" that keeps you from the throne of our Savior. I know it is hard and I am not asking you to do this without giving up myself. I will be taking a fasting break from all things computer related. No blogging, no reading blogs, no personal emails, no twitter, facebook. None of it. I am really excited about it. I think I have needed to "unplug", if you will, for some time.



Read below what Carlos wrote

Hey guys.
This Friday is a special day.
It is Mark and Angie’s 10 year wedding anniversary!!!
So what a perfect time to give them a gift with eternal significance.
For everyone involved.
We are asking everybody to fast for God to work in this situation with Mark.
Healing. Comfort. Strength. Peace.
All those things and more.
What is fasting?
In the simplest form, it is giving up of something you desire to focus on God and His way.
So for you that may be food, drink, television, internet, phone calls, ect.
You choose.
Here are some good scriptures on fasting… Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18: 9-14.

So THIS FRIDAY, from 10 am until 10 pm, on Mark and Angie’s 10 Year Anniversary, we will focus all our attention of God and His work in this situation.

Let me know if you will join me. I won't be able to read your comments tomorrow but you know what, it can wait!!! Life is too short. Join me!!!!

What did you do today???

Here is what I did. I went on a crazy adventure with my brother. He got word of this crazy, auction on all this high end technology. Well I wake up at 6:30 to head out.

(Let me say in the words of my befri Brooke, "you don't get up at 6:30 for anything!!!).

Well to begin with I had to have cash to pay for my loot at this auction. I go to the ATM to pull out some cash. I get my "maximum". What I didn't know there was a cap on how much of MY money I could get out. This is really not cool.

Anyway I figure out how to get some more money and we head down to the "preview" site. We get to this office complex, head to the 8th floor, get off the elevator and hit a computer geeks Mecca. This place had high end computers, laptops, TV's, servers, mack daddy chairs, plasma TV's, external hard drives, internal hard drives, IP phones, Video servers.... the list goes on. To the tune of 561 items. I am here to tell you my mind was completely blown. Some of this stuff was so over my head. The place used to be some sort of Surveillance Company so they had all these cameras and what not. (If you read the Janet Evonovich books is reminded me of what Ranger's office in the Plum series would look like. Black, silver, sleek and $$$$$). The company was being liquidated by the bank and I was there to get a DEAL!!!

We "investigate" the items and head over the the "bid" site and it starts. It was totally what you would expect from an auction. Fast talking, fast paced, intimidating, and FUN. Out of the shoot I get a deal. Quickly I pick up this:

Did i NEED it probably not but hey, it's Christmas!!

Did I mention that this was online in real time as well.... My sweet, darling husband let me go to this and he stayed back with the miniature one. He wanted in on the action, so he logs on, tries to make sure his account is working and he sweeps up this baby for a whopping $25.00

I know, right it's a beauty. In my head as they are saying sold to online bidder # so and so I am thinking "who would pay $25.00 for that thing, who sends faxes anymore???", then I get a text from my man saying, "um, I think I just bought that fax machine on accident". Great, what are we gonna do with that (especially since we have one in the garage sale pile in the basement!!!)

Moving on. They get to the good stuff and I sweep up this new MacBook for about half of the cost.


Can you tell I am in heaven at this point!!! They go through some boring computer server stuff, I nod off for a bit, check my twitter, email, facebook, & TCB as my brother scoops up a Dell laptop, desktop and other items.

Then it comes, the moment. I found this huge recycling bin in one of the break rooms. It had a lovely hole in the top for cans (which we consume a few of on a daily basis). I am stoked, this puppy isn't getting away. So for $10.00 I get the bin (not seen in photo, a 33 gallon wheeled trashcan and the rest of the contents of the break room) Anyone need a coffee mug, can you say BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!???


Mark then wanted some flat screen monitors to go on the wall in his studio so I bid on this for him.

I then realized it was the wrong size. This is a 19" he wanted it bigger and in widescreen. (NOTE: you might want to take a look on ebay for this after Sunday as it will be up for auction!!!)

so I wait a few and score 2 of these instead


Not able to contain myself I pick up 2 of these at $25.00, my brother wanted one and I needed a family gift exchange for our Christmas party, best of all it meets the limit of $25.00!!!


To end my day I bid on item: 509. This is the prize to beat all prizes. In the auction list it states, "remaining contents of room, not already tagged". AWWW YEAH!!! I won a bunch of junk.


I get all the stuff on the counter, in the cabinets, on the floor, in the drawers. If I EVER have to buy another office supply it will be too soon. They had paper, envelopes, staplers, scissors, crap, crap, a hat, more crap, a trashcan.... you get the idea. I don't really know what is in there, but come Sunday when I pick it up and load it into boxes, we shall see. Don't worry it will be well documented for those sitting on the edge of your seat. Do i hear ANOTHER BLOG GIVEAWAY???

It was a great day, we got some great deals, had fun, experienced something new, and mostly I spent an ENTIRE day with my brother and that was worth any of the money I spent. I would pay 10X that just to be with him. It was a special memory. Can't wait till the next one!!! Hope they don't offer any FAX machines.

****You notice I left the link for the auction site out. That if for a reason. If you know about it you might bid against me and well, nothing comes between me and shopping- of ANY KIND!

Abbie's Christmas Greeting

I just love my little girl.  She has the most fun!!!

  
Download now or listen on posterous

Abbie Jingle Bells.aiff (282 KB)

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My new BUDDY!!

Meet baby Levi. He is wonderful. I have had the pleasure of coming to Florida and helping these new parents out. It has been wonderful. Thanks to my sweet husband for being full time daddy of a couple of days. I am going home in a few days and I will miss this little boy until I get to see him again. I know he will be loved on by the rest of his family and friends that are so excited to meet this little dude. We are so happy he is here and happy and healthy and just the cutest ever.

Answer #2

Traci Ward said...
Where do you like to shop? Do you have a fave label or line? Shopping. WOW. What a problem I have in this area. I LOVE to shop. Funny thing is that my mom HATES to shop. My daddy- we are kindred spirits in this area. I would have to say that he gave me my love for "finer" things. I really like nice quality things. My father always had really great suits and ties and I would often go shopping with him. It was a favorite of ours. Now since he is retired and doesn't have to dress up we love to go to outlet malls together. My mom just refuses to go. It is our daddy/daughter time!!
Back to the question, My favorite stores are: Anthropologie, Bloomingdales and anything boutique and original. As far as "brands" go I really love Joe's Jeans for good denim, Free People is a great funky hobo chic brand that I like. I like BCBG and Nanette Lepore. Anything designer makes me drool, but most of the time I just "look and don't touch!!!" I do have my limits!!! I do enjoy the great finds at Forever 21 and Target. Cheap is not always the best quality but very fun. If it is cute and stylish I will go for it!

Where did you get those divine black knee boots I saw you in last winter? :) I really don't know b/c I have like 3 pairs but either DSW (where all shoe lovers should go), Nordstrom (I am also a major SHOE SNOB!!!) or Target- gotta love a bargain.

Answer 1

I am beginning to answer all of your questions. Some of you have the same question so I will only respond once if I can remember that I have answered it that is.

SirMax said...
Which part of Hawaii? We went to Maui for 4 days and Oahu 4 days. It was wonderful
Have you ever been? I went once before when I laid over there when we were coming home from Australia

Okay what would I like to ask? Do you like to read? Yes, I like to read. It has become harder with the birth of my two girls. My problem is when I get hooked on a book, I can't put it down. I have been known to pick up a book and then 8 hours later be done with it. I am a fast reader and I do actually comprehend what I am reading (little note, it REALLY ticks my husband off b/c he is SLOW reader!!!)

If so, who? I am a little ashamed to answer. I really love alot of the British Lit. The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella. I am totally addicted to the Janet Evanovich books (the Stephanie Plum series), I will read ANYTHING by John Grisham, I like Mary Kay Andrews (she writes about Southern folks). Most of these are not what you would call "good" books. They make me laugh but they don't have the best "morals" shall we say. I have made a resolution to start reading Christian Fiction. What goes in comes out right??? I used to read it "back in the day" but it was a bit cheesy and too Prairie Home Companion for me. Now I hear there are some great authors out there. Time to get back on it.

I like to get other's opinions about authors and then check them out for myself.

Oh...have a GREAT time!

11/22/2008 8:46 PM

Great question and hope I satisfied your curiosity!!!

BABY MAMA

I know I owe you some answers to questions but this just happened and I HAD to blog. I just posted this at my friends blog. Please Pray!!!

SHE'S HAVING A BABY!!!
Hello friends, my name is Stephanie and I am taking over the Cowen blog for a few days. You see, today December 3 at around 10 PM, Brooke and BJ got "the call". How appropriate and what a sense of humor our Lord has. Brooke lays it out there in her last post and BAM!!! Most of you will not see this until after Levi is born. He is due to become a Cowen around 1 AM on 12/4. BJ had predicted 12/3 so not a bad guess.


Brooke and BJ are driving down to Tampa as I type. Brooke asked me to keep everyone up to date. So here goes.

10 PM- Brooke calls saying Ashley's water broke and she is standing in the closest and doesn't know what to do.
10:01 PM- I jump online to book flights for them and realize that the last flight out leaves at 10:30 PM.
10:15 PM- Brooke calls back and we run down what she needs to take with her. (See she was having a shower her at my house on Sunday and would hopefully "get" what she needed. )
10:20 PM- I begin frantically searching for car seat, pack n play, moses basket, diapers, bottles, wipes, mylicon, passies, alchohol swabs (for umbilical cord), powder, diaper cream, blankets, clothes..... (thankfully I have a 4 month old and she has just gotten out of all the "newborn" things so we are good to go!!!!)
10:37 PM- BJ arrives and gets a crash course on baby equipment. Hugs, I LOVE YOU'S and off he goes
10:50 PM- I call Brooke and run over all the stuff b/c I think BJ will not remember, then realize, neither will Brooke... oh well....
12:31 AM- I am sitting here blogging and praying with all my heart that in a few days I will get to kiss Levi on the head, tell him I love him and that he can't ever look at another woman b/c my Kitty is his girl!!!!

Please when you read this drop to your knees and pray for this family. The NEEDS ARE HUGE. I know many have done all they can but if you have even $20.00 to spare hit the donate now button and let's not make finances be the reason that Levi can't come home. I KNOW the Lord will provide, but I also know there is a true need.

Also, pray specifically for Ashley's heart. Let it love Levi so much that she knows with everything in her that this baby was destined to become a Cowen. He is so loved and will be so well cared for. Sadly, she is not at the point in life that she can do this.

The next 48 hours will be bittersweet. They will be joyous, stressful and chaotic. Let's give the Cowen's our love via emails, comments and facebook messages. I will do my BEST to keep this blog updated for those in the virtual world.

Know you are loved and appreciated for your support during this time. The roller coaster is not over, but man we have climbed the last hill and we are about to come flying down. Stomach's queasy and then it will be over. What a ride it has been!!!!

FROG

Ya Wanna Know??

Ok, so I leave Monday for Hawaii over the Thanksgiving break. I know you are jealous, but....

Anyway, what I am going to do is leave the comments open and you can ask me anything you want to know (within reason, keep it clean!!!) While I am away I will try and answer them. That way I will (hopefully) have something to blog about.

I really would hate to keep posting photos of us on the beach, in the sun and warmth with the beauty of the islands around us. That could REALLY get old, couldn't it?

Ask Away,

Out of Office Reply

Ok, seriously I HATE getting the reply email that says this.

Stepping off high horse!!!

Now that that is off my chest let me say that I will be out of the "office" for a few days. I am loading up the girls and driving (Dear Lord, I pray for sleepy children that don't need to go potty and don't cry for 3 hours- AMEN) to Savannah for some Third Day shows and quite honestly to let our family down there meet our new baby. Talk about being a bit behind!!!

I know you will be sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what in the world I will blog about next !! (HAHA) But for those interested, I will be home after the weekend and if time (rather baby) allows I will commence my usual job of intermittent blogging!!!

If time and internet service allows I might just give you some goodies from the road, probably not, but maybe!!!!

Until next time!

Band Field Trip

The other night Mark and I got to have a fun night out with the rest of Third Day. We kinda went on a band field trip, or so it felt like!! We didn't have to get permission slips signed or anything, but we did have the responsibility of keeping up with our tickets. You see, we had the good fortune of going to theColdplay concert at Philips Arena.


This was no ordinary show, we actually were able to sit in a "box" or "party suite" as it was called. This was pretty cool. There were actual seats and then there were these COZY recliners that you could kick back in and chill and watch the show. Now, me, being the self appointed diva that I am could get used to going to concerts like this. It was NICE!!!




Well, it was a good time, nice to see everyone (including the Revive guys who came along and even the crew guys that snuck in!!!)

I jest, but really I do LOVE our crew and thank them for all they do for us. In reality I guess I should have given up my recliner for them...... NAH, then I wouldn't have been a DIVA!!!!

Christmastime Is Here....

Today (well really yesterday, but I can't tell you why b/c I TOTALLY made fun of a friend for the same thing and I don't want her to make fun of me so we will leave it at today) began the Christmas season for the Lee family. I know, I know what happened to Thanksgiving. Well, sometimes you have to just follow the crowd!!!

So today a good friend of ours (who's Birthday it is HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!) got us into this really great event. It was the opening of a great little place in Underground Atlantacalled the Gingerbread Party.

This is the greatest idea EVER. You go and it is a place to make a gingerbread house. You don't really have to do anything but have fun making the house. They do the rest for you. All the prep work that makes you pretty ill by the time you build the house.... done, cleaning up after making the house....done.

You just let your creative juices flow and make a beautiful house and even more important make a memory (a positive non pull your hair out, yell at the top of your lungs, then try to make it better because you feel guilty for ruining it) memory!!!

The only negative is I had to deal with THESE which I have a majorly strong aversion to. They creep me out big time!!!! (that is for another day though)

So go, check it out. We had a blast and made a pretty kickin' house. I know you will too.

So go, check it out. We had a blast. I know you will too.

Kandles by Kate

My friend Kate makes the beautiful kandles. She hand paints them. They are quite beautiful and I was fortunate to get one last Christmas and I love it!!! She has graciously donated one of her creations to the blog party. Take a look at her site and snatch these up for yourself. Hurry, she gets REALLY busy at Christmas!!!! Enjoy

Hello, I'm Kate Daniell. Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and experience for yourself our unique Kandles.

My background is as an Elementary School Teacher. I graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1998 and taught Elementary School Art for six years before starting a family of my own. I now have two wonderful children and a very supportive husband and family. I have a strong passion for craftsmanship, creativity, and great Kandles. In the four years we have been in business we have experienced a steady and manageable growth. The creativity and quality of the Kandles we are now delivering has grown along with our company. As you will see we have very unique and high quality Kandles.

Kandles by Kate is a hands-on operation. My goal is to have a personal relationship with as many customers that buy and sell our Kandles as possible. One of the main reasons we have experienced and enjoyed a strong and stable growth is because I know so many of my customers and listen to their ideas and appreciate their feedback. That will never change because our Kandles are customized for you, not customary like you find everywhere else.

Please browse our site. This is a work in progress and will improve on a regular basis, so your feedback is important and appreciated. Call me with your questions, comments, and orders. Thanks.

Go visit Kate and tell her I said HI!!!

Junior Republican?

I am not a political person so you will very rarely see me discuss politics on this here blog. This is my "Election Day" post. When we were on a recent trip Abbie and I found a soap shop. I really am not sure of the name of it, I just know it is inside the Grand Floridian. Well while we were there Abbie decided to purchase a bar of soap for herself. Seeing as it was her birthday and all I decided that it would be fine (let truth be told I would have bought it anyway cause I'm a sucker, but I figured the Birthday part justified it a little bit more!!!)

Moving on, this store had hundreds of hand made soaps. Abbie looked at and smelled ALL of them (yuck) and I let her pick (unpressured) whichever one she wanted. This is what she picks!!!!


I was cracking up. Really, the "Republican" elephant soap. You see it has a picture of a red elephant embedded in the soap. So there you have it. Abbie has chosen her pick for the Presidency!!

Hey, I wonder if soap sales can dictate the winner???

Third Day on the 3rd Day- "Otherside"

I really didn't know what to do for this month's Third Day/Third Day post. So I decided to talk about the "Otherside" of Third Day. The wives. These ladies inspire, relate and encourage me everyday. I have known them all for various amount of times but I count them all as close friends. This month I will spotlight them:

Shannon- (Tai's Wife), what can I say about Shannon. First of all she is superwoman. She has 5 kids!!! 3 in school every day and 2 at home. Yet she still finds time for her! This is amazing. The other day I sent her an email to let her know just how much she inspires me. I feel overwhelmed and overworked most of the time that Mark is away. When the going gets tough I just think of Shannon and her hard work and love for her family encourages me to press on. Shannon is always smiling. She is a joy to be around and is always so very kind. Her love of her life, family and friends makes her a loyal and faithful friend. She is strong and so very sensitive at the same time. Whenever I think of Shannon I smile and I am so honored to call her my friend.

Jennifer- (David's Wife), I seriously just laughed. I laughed because Jennifer makes me laugh. She is so witty and funny. Most of the time I give her husband the credit for making me laugh, but she just slips things in that I will think of YEARS later and laugh out loud. I have had some many fun times with Jennifer. Late night dance parties on the bus, awakenings ball, swooning over the soap stars we love at various awards shows and just hanging out. She is such a beautiful soul inside and out. She is strong in spirit and love. To me she is a rock. If I ever needed something I know I could call on her and she would help in a pinch. I am ever amazed at the many ways she can wear her hair (and it be PERFECT every time!!!). She is a wonderful mother to her 2 boys and you can just tell the love and devotion she has to her 3 boys. Jennifer is a remarkable woman, someone to admire.

Aimee- (Mac's Wife), Oh my Aimee. I have known Aimee since about 3rd grade. I knew her before I knew the band. She is probably the strongest woman I have ever met. She is the BEST mother on this planet. She loves the Lord passionately and her family without question. Dating back to middle school you could see her love of kids. We are so similar but SO OPPOSITE in the same. She is black & white, she wants an answer and she enjoys a schedule. I admire this so much because her family flows seamlessly where I feel I flounder about without much schedule. I love the way she encourages and inspires her entire family. She is such a devoted wife and loves her man unconditionally. The respect she gives him will warm the coldest of hearts. Without her, there are days that I might not make it. I need her reassurance and friendship. Many nights we will talk like teenagers into the wee hours, then our men come home and we don't talk for a week. That is the friendship we have. Open, honest and real without stipulation. I would have to count her as one of my best friends and I am so thankful that some hundred years ago the Lord brought her into my life!

About 13 years ago the Lord put this gang of ladies together and we didn't know how it would work. I now feel like it wouldn't have worked for this long without the love, commitment, and devotion of each one of these women. I am honored to be in their presence and a part of their lives. Though we don't get to be together as much as I personally would like, I know that they are there for me. I love them all and am so blessed to have each of them as a friend.

My Pumpkin Patch

This Halloween was quite fun and entertaining.
Abbie decided she wanted to be a pumpkin in about July and decided "sister" would have to be one too. Therefore, we had a real live Pumpkin Patch. They were really cute. We went with my parents, my brother and sister in law and my niece.

Because of some unforeseen circumstances our "dada" got to be home and trick or treat with us.

This is our "scary mobile"

We ended the night around the outdoor fire singing songs. A good ole' fashioned Southern night.
A good time was had by all.

Memorabilia By Amy

Amy (who makes these lovely frames) is married to my friend Bob. I have known Bob for a long time. There is a really funny story about him, a singing Christmas Tree and a nickname. I love Bob and Amy so I will not spill the beans!!! Suffice it to say that Bob better appreciate that!!!

Amy is a stay at home mom with two PRECIOUS children. Her daughter's hair is AMAZING. Amy has graciously donated one of her beautiful frames for our blog party. I really wish that I could win some of these prizes. If you like them and want to see one in person, come by The Pink Elephant in December, I have a feeling we might just have a few in stock (that's how great they are, I have decided to carry them in the store!!) This is actually news to Amy so I hope she reads this!!!

Here is some information about Amy:

I am a stay at home mom and love it! I love coming up with beautiful interesting things to decorate my home! I began creating these framed, hand-written square mats for a local restaurant in 2007 (if you are ever in Crestview, Florida, you've got to eat at the Wild Olive!) After selling several special orders to people who saw them at the restaurant, my friends encouraged me to create a web site so that other people could find my creations and order them too! So I am just thrilled to have found something I love to do, that other people are interested in buying, that I can do while being at home with my kids!

The web site has a list of over 30 quotes and verses that would be great for just about any special gift or occasion. But I would be delighted to design something unique for you or your someone special. The words to a favorite song, a lullaby, or even your wedding vows would make a beautiful keepsake! My web site doesn't support online ordering yet, but if you contact me by email, we can figure out a design that works for you and I'll get started on it right away!

Frames are 20" x 20" square with a 4" x 4" opening for your photo.

Magnolia Designs

This is a very cute and quite creative site. Kathy is the person behind these great creations/ideas. I have known her for several years. It was probably about a year ago that we were able to reconnect. She is now living in the land of Maple and Moose, she is a Georgia Peach that has been transplanted in Canada. Take a look at her things and let her know if there is anything you might want. She is generously donating a "paper pack" for the blog party. Go give her some love and THANKS so much for doing this for us.

Blog Swag

As most of you know there is going to be an ATL Blog Party. All of us ladies and gent here in the Dirty South are getting together and having some good hang time and getting to know the people behind the words we read!!! As a little perk to the partay Heather and I decided to get some SWAG from folks as a little door prize/giveaway type thingy. I plan on spotlighting the persons who are donating these generous gifts over the next days leading up to the party. Most of these companies/persons have online businesses or are available for purchase online. Please if you are reading this go and support these people or at least let's give them the appreciation they deserve. I mean, it totally cost them something to do this for us so THANKS!!!!

Happy Birthday Abbie!

5 years ago today I had the most precious, beautiful little baby Abigail Madden Lee. Little did I know that day that my life would forever be changed and this small little child would quickly eat up my heart. From the beginning she has been such a shining light. She was a big baby and being new parents we didn't quite have the eating thing figured out but as soon as that was corrected she became an angel baby. She didn't sleep much because she was so inquisitive and wanted to take in EVERYTHING around her. She slept great at night and was happy during the day. I didn't know then that her little personality was already there. She is still a little angel (sometimes the devil pokes in for a visit but it's short lived!!)
She is very kind, loving, beautiful and HYSTERICAL. On her 5th Birthday I have decided to list the 5 things I LOVE and ADORE most about my little munchkin.

1) Her SMILE, it is infectious. She grins so big it just melts your heart.

2) Her imagination. She is always singing, making up songs, writing books, drawing and just playing pretend. I love that she is so creative and a free thinker. I don't think there is a box that can hold this one. She will ALWAYS be thinking outside of it!!

3) Her adoration of her father. He is her all, he hung the moon and stars to her. I love this because I feel that she will have such a passionate love for her heavenly Father. Being able to understand the love of her father will make it so much easier to freely love Christ.

4) Her laugh. Ohh, when I get a good belly laugh out of her it just gives me chills. Let me tell you. It is fun to make this critter laugh!

5) Her heart. She is such a precious angel. She is very conscious of others and the difference between right and wrong. She is honest and will tell on her self on a regular basis. (Seriously, how amazing).

I love this girl. She is my baby and my big girl. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for her. It will be big I am confident. I really never understood the love for a child until 10/28/03. At 8:21 am that all changed. It rocked me so hard I realized I NEVER wanted to go back.

Sweet Abbie, I pray you always know how much your mama loves and adores you. My sweet buddy!!