PRS BABY

Mark is very honored to have an endorsement from PRS and the folks that work there are quite amazing and wonderful. They really take care of him and his needs. They sent us the cutest baby gift the other day. I guess you can never start them too young. Thank you very much to our PRS family.

WE LOVE TENNIS

Isn't she cute!!

Look at that form!!

I have a love, no obsession, for tennis. I have been playing since I was in middle school. I played youth ALTA, I played in High School and I have played ladies ALTA/USTA for as long as I can remember. My parents played tennis when I was little. I remember many nights on the tennis courts playing with my brother while my parents played until the wee hours. I never really thought that my little girl would have a desire for the sport. She has always been more into dance, ballet and music. She is more like her daddy- she likes the fine arts. Well, recently they began offering lessons in our neighborhood. I was talking to a friend about it and she told me she wanted to take lessons. I WAS THRILLED. I will never push my desires on my child, but I will encourage it if they show interest. So, now, on Thursdays we go to "tennis camp". She has her cute pink racquet and she is ready to go. The coach is very good. It would be hard to keep the focus of 4 year olds, but he is great. I want to get out there with her it looks so fun. Looks as if we have another little tennis player in the family- and I for one could not be HAPPIER!!!!

CONTEST UPDATE

Ok, so the other day I posted about a contest I am going to be having. If you attend a Music Builds show and get a picture of you holding up a sign @ the show showing you read this blog you will be entered to win something from me!!! It will be Third Day related. If you can get a picture of you and Mark with the sign I will have a drawing at the end of the tour for a GRAND PRIZE. Not sure what it will be but.... I'm sure it will be spectacular!!! HAVE FUN.

Send all sign photos to: thirddaywife@me.com

GOOD LUCK

NASHVEGA$ & ATL

This past weekend our buddies the Barton's came into town for a visit. This family was some of our best friends during our time in Nashville. We miss them and their boys terribly. We really do try and visit each other as often as possible. It has been a few months and Jennifer wanted to come visit while her husband Jason was on the road. Jase is the singer for an amazing group called 33Miles. They had a show near us so Jen and the boys came down for a few days before. We had a great time! Abbie and Jacob (her oldest) played SO WELL together. No fighting. You would think they were together every day the way they get along. It's almost like they don't miss a beat. They just pick up where they left off.

On Sunday, Jason and Mark both were here and we decided to load up the families and head to the always yummy Pappasito's. While there the kids had a great time.


(It's always a good idea to give kids raw tortilla dough near a window, I'm just sayin')

Messes were made, food was consumed and fun was had. It was a great evening- until our little Katherine woke up hungry. It's only fair, we ate she should too!! We reach in the diaper bag for the bottle and guess what. WE FORGOT THE BOTTLE!! Yup, mama and dada are left handed. We live on a different planet from the rest of the world and we just forgot. Now, before you call DEFACS we found a Walgreens and thank you very much they had a bottle for us!!! So, don't fret, little Katherine had her drink and we all made it home safe.

It has been a day and I already miss my buddies. I can't wait until the next time we get to play.

WATERMELON = YUMMY!!

Now you know why watermelon is my favorite fruit.
Couldn't you just eat her up!!!

SHAMELESS PROMOTION

What do you get when you put some cool surfer dudes

and a group of charming southern gentlemen together?


MUSIC BUILDS TOUR


Tomorrow officially begins the much anticipated Music Builds Tour in Detroit, MI. This is a show that should not be missed. Both bands, Third Day and Switchfoot have been really working hard to make this THE show of the season. I for one don't normally like when the man goes on tour, but they all have been so excited about this tour that I just can't help but hope they have a ton of fun and some really great shows. You can make that happen. If they are coming anywhere near you go out and take a gander. Not only is it 3D and SF, but you also get the great music of Jars of Clay and Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Let me know if you will be at any of the shows. I plan on going, but not till later in the tour, so ye who get to go to some of the first ones- I'M JEALOUS!!!

Hey, I have an idea, make a sign for Mark that you read my blog (don't you think he would get a kick out of that !!!) Who knows, maybe if you post a photo of you at the show with your sign, I just might be able to get you an autographed goodie!!! If you can get the rare photo of you, the sign & Mark you might get a bonus prize!! I'm just sayin', I might know some folks that can help me out with that. Post in the comments and I will keep checking back. Pass on the word

Go, get out the bling and get to craftin' up those signs. Go, quit reading and get busy.

DATE NIGHT

Last night my sweet little "big" girl asked her daddy why he was always spending time with sister and not her. After carefully explaining that he was helping out mama since he was going to be leaving tomorrow and it would give mama a little break and that he needed to spend time with both his "girls" she accepted the explanation.

As I am listening to this (via the baby monitor mind you) and my heart just breaks I have an epiphany. So when Mark came back into the room I told him since he was leaving that night he should take Abbie out to dinner and ice cream just the two of them and I would stay back and watch sister.

Abbie comes trotting in and Mark asks her if she wanted to go on a date with dada and go eat pizza and get ice cream. She is overjoyed and ecstatic!!! She tell him, "daddy, we need to change into our date clothes!!" (how totally precious). So I take her into her room and she picks out a special outfit to wear on her date with her daddy. Then she comes and picks out a shirt for Mark to wear on the special date.

My big girl is so sweet and she loves her daddy so much. I just hope and pray that she will always be so excited to go a "date" with him.

THERE'S A LIGHT AT THE END OF THIS TUNNEL

Some of you have gone down the path of our buddies the Cowen's. For years they tried to have a baby, went to hell and back and decided to adopt. They have been so very faithful in their walk with the Lord during this trial. I don't know that I would have had the strength to keep moving ahead. Did I mention that Brooke and BJ are both just a tiny bit stubborn!!! (I can say that b/c I love them so much and they know me and well, this pot is calling the kettle black!!!) Anyway, finally after so many tears, pleading with the Lord, having good days and bad days, sharing in the pregnancy and birth of many others around them, we can proudly say "IT'S A BOY".

They made the decision months ago to adopt. They have been diligent in the process- did I mention you go through some major JUNK trying to adopt. 911 screenings, fingerprints, physicals, your life looked at from the inside out. Yet, through the ups and downs they have been strong, supportive to one another and honest!! This has been so hard. Then with each step doors have been closed. They had to go through several birthmothers saying "NO". With each one you can imagine it is like another negative pregnancy test (one time they even got to see photos of the baby- SERIOUSLY!!!!)

Today the cloud has been lifted and the Lord has answered the desires of their hearts!!!! They got the call that a birthmother has chosen "THEM"!!! She, i think from what I understand, actually fell in love with them. OK, that is what I am talkin' about. So come December 22, 2008 we will meet little baby boy Cowen!!! (insert loud scream as I am still so overjoyed and overwhelmed by the Lord's grace!!!) This couple is very hard NOT to fall in love with so with each no I would ask WHY LORD!!! Today, the why is an AMEN. The initial prayer has been answered.

There is still much we need to pray for. Specifics, 1) pray for Ashley, the birth mom (healthy pregnancy, strength to go through with adoption), 2) Baby Cowen, that he will be strong, healthy and cute so that my baby Katherine will just swoon all over him!! (can you say arranged marriage??) 3) Peace and comfort to Brooke and BJ until the baby is born!! 4) MAJOR!!! finances. It is rather costly to adopt a child. They have raised so much money but still have so much to go!!! The Lord will provide, let's just keep praying for the how.

Take a look at their blog and read their story, tell them hello and keep coming back with your support.

Brooke and BJ we love you and can't wait to share yet another fun journey with you!!!

15 FABULOUS YEARS!!

My main man and cutest husband Mark reminded me yesterday (August 13) that we had been "officially dating" for 15 years. OK, that is crazy.

See this is how the story goes. I met Mark via Mac in about June of 1993. Mac and I worked together and he wanted me to go see his "band". So I said sure. I loaded up 2 of my girlfriends, (Aimee and our other friend Stephanie).

So the 3 of us and like 5 other folks go to this "show". It was my first time seeing Third Day live, um.... if I wasn't friends with Mac it may have been my last. Seriously, there were like 10 people in the audience.

I do digress, so as the weeks passed, Mac, Mark, and the girls all began hanging out with some of our other friends. As the days, weeks passed I formed a very real and true friendship with this Mark character. He would always pick on me and then keep me in stitches. At this same time, I was praying for a real, true and genuine relationship with a man. I told the Lord I did NOT want to give my heart away again unless it was the man I was to marry!!! BOLD!!!

Mark and I continue to "hang out" with friends, going to Third Day shows, befriending the other guys in the band (Tai and David) and having the best summer of our lives. Then one day, Third Day was playing at the youth group at my then church. My new and very open friend Tai came up to Mark and I as we were talking and said, "So what's the deal, are y'all like a couple or something?" This was the first (but not the last) time Tai left me standing with my jaw dropped. Well, Mark and I stamper around the question with the required, um.. No, we're just friends..... inside I was falling for this dude. I was having sessions with my then youth minister trying to figure out if the feelings could be real and from the Lord. Remember that husband I was praying for. YIKES!!!!!

After a few more weeks, and HOURS on the phone (Mark worked in Auburn, AL that summer- he will have to post about his former life if you want the answer to that one!!!) a friend of ours told Aimee that Mr. Lee had himself a bit of a crush- on this brown haired, blue eyed, firecracker of a gal. Being the super friend she is Aimee then relays the info. to me (how high school). Well, if you know me, you know that I am not one to avoid the truth. The next night as Mark and I have our late night talk I just come out with it. "Hey, I hear you kinda have a crush on me- what's the deal!!!" If you know my husband, you know that he is not one to lie!!! He says, well, yeah, so maybe we should like go out or something.

Fast forward to August 15, 1993. We are sitting at YMCA Camp High Harbour (Third Day was the house band that summer). We are in the amphitheater by the lake. Mac is down front singing his High Harbour closing night song and Mr. Lee leans over to me and says.... "Will you be my girlfriend?" This took me a little by surprise. We had been on a couple of dates (alone), still hung out with our friends, and this whole time had the best of times together. I took a leap, jumped in, said yes and the Lord answered my prayers that night. He knew that 4 years later we would be married.

I have to say, I am with my best friend in life. I love him, he totally gets me and my many quirks and still loves me as much today as he did on 8/13/93. So to that I say, thank you Mr. Mark Lee for asking me to be your girlfriend and 15 years later I still say YES!!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Today was the first day back for my little "big" girl. She was so proud. I decided to do a running timeline as we went from home to school. It is my right as a mom- I get to embarrass!!! Here goes....

We are leaving the house...

In the car on the way... this is her "I'm excited" face (precious)

Walking (more like running) to her classroom, she is quite thrilled with her Hello Kitty backpack!!!

We found her cubbie and put her goods in there....

Have a good day sweet baby... I LOVE YOU!!! (and will miss your cute face while you are in school)


Poor baby, what will it be like when she heads to Kindergarten next year!!!! Heaven help me.

RAISE UP A CHILD....

Isn't it great when our children watch and learn from us.... In this case our little munchkin has taken the things she sees her folks doing the most and is using them... at the same time!!! Phone in one hand (mama), microphone in the other (dada). WOW, can she multi-task or what??? I sure hope these talents can be used later in life!!

Third Day on the 3rd Day

Technically I missed it by one day but hey... who's counting.

This month I want to jump on board and talk about "Revelation". This has got to be hands down the absolute best album this group of guys has EVER put out. I feel I can freely say this. I have lived with these songs A LONG TIME!!! The recording process takes time. In November I was in a studio listening to this stuff. Some of it for the first time, some of it I had heard OVER and OVER and OVER again. You get the idea.

Why do I love this album. Maturity. It is simply very mature and it just plain ROCKS. I will be honest. There are some of the albums I just couldn't put in and listen through without having to skip some of the songs. (DISCLAIMER: don't ask, I won't tell!!) on "Revelation" there are none. I was SHOCKED. When Mark got the rough mix we got in the car and gave it a go. I think we listened and I said nothing. Now, to a musician this probably is NOT a good sign. I was overwhelmed. Track 1, bam great song, Track 2, wow there's another, Track 3, amazing vocals, on and on and on. Last track so beautifully executed and a great ending. I was floored. I have been an avid listener since the good ole' days when they only had an album out on tape. (Which as a side note Abbie came across the other day and demanded some headphones and a tapedeck to listen to. She seriously wore the thing out in no time. She LOVES it.) Anyway, for the most part if asked I would say that "Time" is my favorite album but buddy not now. We listen to "Revelation" on a daily basis. I love that Howard pushed each and every guy. No hold barred pushed. Made them a little insecure sometimes pushed but look at the outcome. Mac has never sounded better. He hits some stuff I didn't know existed. The guitars are spot on. Not too polished not to sloppy. All the elements came together (no pun intended) and they are just great. I think the guys have really taken a huge step forward!

If you have not gotten the album take if from me (if you want) and get one. You will not be sorry. It really is just a great listen. I know I sound biased but really I don't normally encourage and promote their records like this. I just believe in this one with everything I have. I am very proud of the boys and wish them the best of luck with this record. Now, go, take a listen- tell me what you think.

FUNNY GIRL

Today a dear friend of ours sent us the sweetest gift. Knowing my LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for Disney my buddy Chas (our Disney buddy) sent us some Minnie Mouse ears for baby Katherine. My heart just melted when I opened the package. This is the FIRST thing I would have gotten her when we took her there. He even had her name put on the back. They are too cute. Well, as any good big sister would do, Abbie wanted to put them on her. Well, I told her, as soon as sister wakes up we will try them on. I proceeded to put them on the counter. Abbie was coloring and I went upstairs to do a couple of things while baby was sweetly napping in her moses basket downstair, while Abbie quietly colored at the kitchen table. Ahh, the perfect life right!!! Well, when I came down a few minutes later I checked on the baby and this is what I find.
I totally cracked up. Abbie had taken the ears and gently (so I am going to hope) put them on her sister and even strapped them under her chin. All the while litte Katherine just slept. Oh boy the fun we are going to have!!!! They already are TOO CUTE together.