Hi Everyone, Sorry I haven't posted in some time. I will be trying to post a little more frequently now that I have a real computer. I got a Mac for Christmas!! It has been really busy around here (all my post say that). I have a lot of pics to post also. I got some cool studio lights for my birthday and Rich and I have been trying them out. Here is one pic. Later!!

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.

Happy New Years!!

Well it has been quiet around the house the last few days. Amy, Lauren, and Rich left to go to Winterfest in Lynchburg, VA on Sunday morning. Sandra, Cindy and I are just hanging out here at home for New Years Eve. We are missing all of our friends that we usually party with on New Years Eve. Sandra and I went to see "I Am Legend" earlier but it wasn't one of the greatest movies we have ever seen.
Sandra and I would like to ask everyone to pray for Nathan and Trish. Trish is in the hospital and is not well. You can read her story at: http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/ Rick, Steve, Burnie, and I are going to Durham tomorrow to lay hands on and pray for her. (James 5:14 (New International Version)(NIV) 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.)
Cindy is getting better. She has been out a few times since getting home from the hospital. She even went outside to sit on the porch for a while the other day and she got caught in the rain.
We hope everyone has a great New Years Day.

Sweet!!!

Hey everyone, Hope you are having a great Christmas Day!! We had a great service last night at church. It was the first Christmas Eve service in our new building. We were almost filled to capacity. There were about 240 people there to celebrate the Lord's Supper. We sang some traditional Christmas hymns too. Thanks to Rachelle and Bonnie for leading us in the singing. This morning Rich's dad Dickey came over for breakfast and gift exchange. Sandra worked hard and made an amazing breakfast.

Oh Yeah!! I open my special gift this morning. It was a Canon XTi camera. Rich tried to fake my out and make me believe it was a surf board. I'm really stoked that everyone went together and got me this camera. Now I can put some more pictures on our blog site. I'll update everyone in a little while with how our day goes. We are supposed to go over to Dickey's house and play some pool on his new pool table.

Christmas Eve!

Well it's Christmas Eve and I am just about finished with all of the shopping! I have to go to the grocery store this morning and get all the stuff for breakfast tomorrow. Everyone will be stopping by to see what we gave each other, and to have some of Sandra's great breakfast. Thankfully we never have to make a big meal for Christmas Dinner because we always go over to my father's house for dinner. Thanks to Brenda for working hard on Christmas to feed us.
My favorite part of Christmas is on Christmas Eve when we will go to church this evening and celebrate the death of our Savior, Jesus the Christ by having communion. I know that everyone celebrates His birth this time of year but without His death his birth wouldn't be that special. His birth didn't bring forgiveness, salvation, reconciliation, peace, purpose for life, eternal security, and a hope for the future. It's by our faith in His work on the cross that brings all of these things. At our Christmas Eve service it is a good time to forget about the hustle and bustle of the "Christmas Season" and to remember what is really important.
I can tell that it is getting close to Christmas day because Rich (Lauren's boyfriend) is getting all excited about what he got me for Christmas. It's driving him crazy not to tell me what he got me. He has a hard time keeping secrets! He's been asking me for the past three days "If you could have anything you wanted for Christmas, what would it be?". I think everyone went together and got me something really nice but you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out. I will update tomorrow!! Tom

Well we have been home since Wed. night and things are a little crazy. I am a week behind at work and with our regular Christmas activities. Sorry to say that no one will be getting Christmas cards from the Lees this year. We just don't have enough time to get them done.
Sandra is doing a great job at playing nurse to Cindy. Cindy can walk around the house but she is a little slow and unsure on her feet. She is also needing a little help getting dressed and that kind of stuff but she is doing pretty well.
I'll share a little story from our hospital stay: From time to time we had to step out of the room while Cindy was sleeping or they were doing something for her. Sandra and I were walking around killing time when we saw a bulletin board with some notices on it. We were reading the notices when we came across a notice for some volunteers for a sleep study. The pay was $600 for two nights of study. We joked about signing up while were there, and making some extra money. The next night we had to leave the room again so we were walking around the section of the hospital where they do the sleep studies and observations for Sleep apnea. A nurse asked us if we were her patients for the night. Sandra and I just laughed (because of the previous nights discussion). The nurse asked us what we were up to so we explained that we were from out of town and our daughter was in the hospital.
She asked us if we had place to sleep!! We told her that we were staying with some friends. She then told us that if we were ever at the hospital and needed some sleep to come see her. She said if there was an empty bed in the sleep study rooms we could come in and sleep there. We had a good laugh about that. As we left and told her thanks she replied "I'll be praying for you guys and your daughter".
Well things were a little exciting around here tonight. Jenny, Mya, and Tommy arrived today and we exchanged gifts tonight with them. It was fun to see them want each others toys!
We get to go to Grandma's tomorrow and have Christmas with Sandra's side of the family. Hope everyone has a good weekend. Tom and Sandra

Home

Well we made it home today!! The doctors gave us the ok to leave the hospital this afternoon. We got home around 6:00 tonight. Cindy still has a ways to go before she has completely recovered, but it is sure good to be home. Thanks again for all of your prayers. Continue to pray that she heals up and that she doesn't get any infections.
On another note: Jennifer (our oldest daughter) had a meeting with Tommy's (our grandson) teacher today and she said he is making great progress. He is autistic.
Oh yeah, the house looked pretty good too when we got home and Rich had made some chicken and dumplings for dinner. Tom and Sandra

Thanks Everyone!!!!

We just want to say thank you to all of the friends and family who have prayed and called while Cindy has been in the hospital. Especially helpful have been Nathan and Trish. We have been staying at their apartment at night. It has been nice to see familiar faces while here in Durham (not to mention saving money).
Today we got to see a doctor kiss a pig! Seems that they were doing some kind of fund raiser here at the hospital. Peace Out!!

Getting Better!!

Well, today was a pretty good day for Cindy. This morning they took the drain tube out of her nose and they changed the dressing on the incision in her stomach. Cindy was able to eat a Popsicle and make a little action on the other end too. That is a good thing!!!! The doctors say that she should get to go home Wed. or Thur. She will have a vacuum drain in her belly for about 6 weeks and Home Health will have to come and change the dressing three times a week. This will allow her incision to heal from the inside out.
On another note: The girls back home are learning a little Independence. Lauren and Amy have been doing some things that the live in maid usually takes care of. Rich said "no one thanked me for cooking dinner!!!!". Sandra says "Welcome to my world!!!".
While here in Durham we ran into an old friend from church that we haven't seen in about 5 years. Beth Newman (formally Sweeney) came by to see Cindy and prayed with us. Spending about 45 minutes with her made us all feel like we had never been apart. Just imagine what it will be like when we all get together for eternity!! Oh yeah, she had a beautiful baby boy five months ago and he is such a cutie. Thanks everyone for your prayers, Tom & Sandra

Still In Durham 12-16-07

We are still in Durham with Cindy. She is doing better today but still has a ways to go. She was able to get up and walk just a little bit today. She still has a drainage tube to drain her stomach out. In the next couple of days they will begin to re-introduce liquids and food into her system to make sure everything works. If there is a blockage or an infection we will be here longer. There is no way to predict what will happen until she eats and drinks. Please keep praying for her and us. You can check out our blog daily @ www.kittyhawklees.blogspot.com Tom and Sandra

Just Getting Started

Hi Everyone

I am just getting started with this blog. It will contain a number of different elements from our lives, loves, and family. Hope you enjoy!!!!

Tom & Sandra