A Day at the Beach

Here are some pictures from the time that we spent with Jenny, Mya, and Tommy.
They came to visit with us for two weeks. We had a blast playing with them. Sandra spoke with Jenny today and she said that Mya has been asking for PA PA since she got home. She is talking up a storm. She had a hard time saying Mimi. It comes out sometimes as Nana and sometimes Mom Mom.

It's About Time!

Yeah, Yeah. I'm finally going to do it!!! Update my blog. It's been a busy summer!

In June Sandra, Lauren, Amy and I went to the mountains for the wedding of Sandra's niece Brooke. We had a great time hiking to the waterfalls. It is a beautiful place. The place we usually go is in the western part of the State. The town is called Brevard. Within about 20 miles there are something like 15 waterfalls. It's also close to the Park Way. We always enjoy going there, hiking in the mountains and getting in the waterfalls.

Tomorrow starts the 40 Days of prayer at our church. I will be getting up at 6:00 am to do my 15 minutes of prayer. Our church has someone praying around the clock, 24 hours a day, for 40 days leading up to the 40 Days of Purpose we will be doing this fall.

I will be adding more tomorrow. I have a little time because it is Labor day and I have the day off!!! I will be adding a bunch of pictures and some stuff I shared with the folks at Outer Banks Baptist Church today. Stay tuned Rick and Andy!!!

Rest up.

For My Adoring Fans!!!

I know you keep checking back here to see if I have posted anything, but nothing!!! Well here you go. It has been crazy for me for some time now with work, travel, work, dance, choir recitals, work, and helping Rich with photograghing weddings.

In March we visited with our friends Danny, Suzy and their three boys Will, Drew, and Ben. We had a great time. While we were there Suzy made us some award winning Blackberry Cinnamon Bread. It was awesome! That is young Ben trying it out before anyone else. The first day we got there Ben started call me Tom Tom instead of Uncle Tom like the other boys. It was so cute. That was my nick name when I was young because my father and I have the same name.

I also helped Rich photographing a wedding a couple of weeks ago. We did the pictures for them on Jockey's Ridge. They turned out great. You can check out my new site at http://www.kittyhawkphoto.com/ I am just getting started, but you can see some of my best shots. I updating that more often than this blog. We will be doing another wedding next week in Hatteras.

In April I went to Raleigh with some guys to the Maximum Man Conf. We had a great time and got to see Nathan while were there. Here is a photo of us with Gene Getz.

FINALY!! TOM HAS UPDATED THE BLOG!!

I know!!! It’s been a while since I have posted! I have been extremely busy. I’ll fill you in:

First: I have been doing a lot of side work (working overtime). Everyone waits until the last minute to get their drywall repairs done for the summer season. With Easter coming early, that makes it even worse.

Second: It is my job to do everyone’s taxes in the house. I wonder how much accountants get paid? Not to mention filling out that ever so fun FAFSA form.

Third: Sandra and I have been trimming (cutting all of the old vines out) and re-building the two grapevines that we have.

Fourth: We got new carpet put down in the den by a friend of ours, Jim. I just finished putting the trim back down today.



Fifth: Rich Coleman (Lauren’s Boy friend) has his own business called Coleman Shots. He is getting me to help him with some weddings this spring. He’s trying to turn me into a professional photographer. I am setting up my own photo web site. It is just getting starting. It is www.kittyhawkphoto.blogspot.com

Sixth: We celebrated Amy’s birthday yesterday. She had some friends over and we had a Hawaiian theme party. She turns 14 tomorrow. Sandra did a great job at decorating!!!

Lastly: Sandra and I are in a great Connection Group. Our chuch has groups that meet in people's houses for fellowship, worship, and bible study. It is a way for christians to get connected and build some meaninful friendships. We meet on Wed. nights when Amy is at youth. This is the first time Sandra and I have had a chance to get in a group together. It is very cool!! We have built some good friends too! Later, Tom and Sandra

Happy Early Birthday Mya!!!!!!

Mya was born on Feb. 8, 2007. We celebrated early because Jenny, Tommy, and Mya are here for the weekend. More pics to come.

1-25-08

Well we had a good trip to Sanford and Durham. Mon. night we had dinner with
Rob, Jeanell, William, and Mathew. We had a good time visiting with them. Rob
showed Sandra and I around the farm. They have hogs and cows. One of the hogs just
had babies. One of them was a runt and they had to bring it into the house and feed it themselves. It’s name is Pinky. Now it has become the family pet. It tries to get into the house through the dog gate in the back door. It also plays with the neighbors dog.

We went Tues. to see Trish, Nathan, and Gwyneth. Trish really look good. She is doing a lot better. We then went to Cindy’s appointment for her follow up for her surgery. Everything went well and they told her she could do whatever she felt she could do.

We then went to visit with Gwyneth. All three of us got to go in and see her. Words can’t express the feelings that we all felt as we just admired the miracle that she is. We all felt as if we could just stay there all day and watch her. It was the same feeling you get when you stand on the beach or on top of a mountain and watch a beautiful sunrise or sunset, you just can’t take your eyes off of it. We all felt privileged to be a witness to what God has done with this little girl.

Sunday 1-20-08

Today was a great day!! We woke up this morning to a little bit of snow! It didn't last long and it didn't stick but whenever it snows on the Outer Banks it's a celebration. You can see just a little bit on the trampoline. We had a great day at church today too. Rick shared a message on the Sanctity of Human Life. He used a lot of material from the story of his new grand-daughter. It was a real "hanky blowing time". Here is a Psalm that I like. It reminds me of my advice to Lauren's boy friend and my son-in-law: Work hard and never lie.
Psalm 15: 1 LORD, who can dwell in Your tent? Who can live on Your holy mountain?
2 The one who lives honestly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart 3 who does not slander with his tongue, who does not harm his friend or discredit his neighbor, 4 who despises the one rejected by the LORD, but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his word whatever the cost, 5 who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent the one who does these things will never be moved.

Happy Birthday to Lauren!!!!

Last night and today we celebrated Lauren's birthday! She turned 19 today. Last night we went to the Jolly Roger restaurant. Lauren got her favorite, Seafood Lasagna (are we seeing a theme here). Lauren was born on Inauguration Day. We got to watch the Inauguration of George Bush just after she was born in the hospital room. It was a special day! I was never able to be in the delivery room with the first two girls.

His Beauty!!

It is great to live on the Outer Banks!! This was the view from the place I was working the other day.

Jan. 17 2008

Well it's been a while since I have posted anything. We all have been busy keeping up with Nathan, Trish, and Gwyneth. http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/ Sandra, Cindy and I will be going up to see them on Tues. It is amazing to see the number of people who are involved with their story.

We will also be going to see our friends Rob and Jeanelle. They live in Sanford, NC. They have a farm with some animals. Rob raises hogs. Check back next week for some sweet pictures.

With Rick (our lead pastor http://www.beachpreach.com/) traveling back and forth to Durham, I have been trying to put together a message just in case he is not there on Sunday. It will be on Love vs Hate. One of the verses I have been chewing on for some time is:

I Peter 4:8 Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.

After I share it with the church I will post it. I can't do it until after I preach it, some may stay at home that Sunday!!

Cindy is doing better. She got the wound vac taken off yesterday. Now she doesn't have to carry that bag with the pump any more. Thanks for all of your prayers!! We are not sure when she can go back to work yet. She will probably find that out next week.

Lauren will turn 19 Sunday, Jan. 20. Send her a birthday greeting at lelee@liberty.edu They got snow today at LU so they canceled classes.

Faith, Hope, Love Tom

One last note: Sandra makes the best Lasagna around. Some of Jenny's college friends used to call it Mama Lee's Lasagna. They used to ask for an invitation over so they could have a home made meal when they were working on the OBX for the summer. They would ask for the world famous Lasagna. We had some last week and I got a picture with my new camera.