Day 8, Place I have been

I have never left the continental US, one day I know I will. I hate to fly! I love road trips! However, when I was younger we always flew back east. One of my favorite places was Wells Beach, Maine. I can still smell the air at the beach, hear the sound track of "Phantom of the Opera" playing in my grandma's car, and seeing those little red cups my grandma and Auntie Kim would carry down to the beach...now I understand what they REALLY had in them. I have gone back there a few times as an adult and can not wait to bring my children there!

Tackle It Tuesday!

No talking on the phone except to Derek! Yesterday, I was on the phone way to much (I got stuff done around the house) and really need to do a lot more today!

Day 7, Fav Movies

When I was a young little gal...




When I was a older little gal....




Now that I am this older gal...I love these little gal movies (movies that came out when I was younger) that I can watch over and over!!!

Day 6, Something that makes me happy & Monday Meeting

Taking this picture of Mary with my children makes me very happy.

Mary was my dad's second wife. Mary, out of all of the wives and girlfriends (expect my mom) is/has always been my favorite. She is a brilliant women, loves life, is realistic, I can talk to her for hours, has known me since I was 12 years old, has great fashion and decorating sense, loves to travel,,,,oh so much more! She really is a great woman.

This morning we headed over to see Mary for a quick "catch up" and headed home. I was going to take a bunch of pictures, but I got distracted with talking. I snuck this one as I was loading up the car. She was having the kids feel soft leaves. It was such a simple thing, but it really makes me very happy! I had a huge smile and still do.


***I combined Blog Challenge Day 6 with my "Monday Meetings" because I am so tired. But I really want to catch up with blogging.***

Day 3- First Love........

First love for what??? Food, car, family member, any noun?? I am going to do the first one that first came to my mind....my first love for a boy:) EWWWWWWWWW, but Derek knows this.

His name was Mike and he was my high school love. I thought maybe it was a person before him, but now I know that was just pure hormone infatuation. Mike, Mike, Mike....I shake my head. I shake my head at those school girl dreams of love and always being together (I see my nieces doing those things now, but I dare not tell them what may really happen...let them love those dreams for a little bit) and being mad because he did not call me back right away. Those hormones, always on the phone, always wanting to be with that person.....thank god they are done. The fear of rejection was horrible for me. I look back on those few years and want to smack myself! So many embarrassing things I remember....argh! Growing up is a funny thing:) I still see him every once in awhile and am so happy that he is happy with his wife and two beautiful daughters.

Well, that was the first person that popped into my head when I read today's "first love" challenge.

Day 2, Blog Challenge

Meaning behind my Blog Title.

I really should have taken more time to think of a cute blog name or at least finish the word 'family.' I have thought about changing it, but that may be a pain. So the Derek and Sara Lee Fam is what I quickly came up with. Pretty much self explanatory, it is about us and what we have going on. If I posted everything that we do I would be at the computer all of the time. The stories I do share are for everyone that reads our blog, but I especially do it for sisters, dad, friends, and family back east.

It is our family of five and we really hope that people laugh at our little stories, even though lately there seems to be more sadness than happiness. BTW, RTP....happy you did this too!

Day 1, Blog Challenge

I saw this yesterday on Teren's blog and I do not know anyone else that is doing it and thought...why not. I am going to see if any of my blogging friends will join in the fun. BTW, Teren's blog is private so you all can not look at hers:) HOWEVER, Suzie, Em, Suzie, Dar, RTP, Meg and Sara 2...come on and do it!!!!!

Day One- Picture, introduce, and list 15 things about yourself.....

I took this pic about 5min ago, first try...not great, but is me. Love how I got Derek in the background!


1. I can not believe I have a blog.
2. I love god, my husband, my children, friends, and family. This really does not even need to be written.
3. I hate bathing suits.
4. I use to tan and now I just become one big freckle.
5. My husband always goes to sleep before me...I hate it, but I am a late owl. Do not get me wrong we may go to bed at the same time (wink, wink) but I usually get back out of bed:)
6. I love to have parties and people at my house.
7. I hate to clean (I use to love it) because with three kids I feel like that is all I do...such a rat race!
8. I love to drink wine, coffee, dt coke and of course H2O!!!
9. I really miss my sisters that live so far away!
10.I am a stay at home mommy who has some REALLY bad days with the kids and I am not afraid to share that. Many are, but life is not perfect.
11.I want to reach 85 years old and then I will be good to go and hang out with God (Derek has to make it to 87, haha).
12.I would keep having kids if it was not so expensive and I did not have 3 sections already.
13.I HATE my arms!
14.I do not like to run (just like cleaning) but it is a means to an end...so I must stick with it.
15.I love this one....I do not own an Ipad, an Ipod (anything like that), I do not even know how to work my fancy G2 (Drew knows more than me!), or an actual DVD player! We do have all of the XBox stuff and Wii stuff:)

Blog Challenge.....

I have been invited to do a blog challenge.
He he he (evil laugh inserted here), I love a challenge, so I am taking it on Ms.Teren.
Now, I am also extended the challenge to all of you! Yes, you!
Here is what you do....
You must post for 30 days and the topic must be regarding these topics:
Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts
Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3-Your first love
Day 4-Your parents
Day 5-Your siblings
Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7-Favorite movies
Day 8-A place you've traveled to
Day 9-A picture of your friends
Day 10-Something you're afraid of
Day 11-Favorite TV shows
Day 12-What you believe
Day 13-Goals
Day 14-A picture you love
Day 15-Bible verse
Day 16-Dream house
Day 17-Something you're looking forward to
Day 18-Something you regret
Day 19-Something you miss
Day 20-Nicknames
Day 21-Picture of yourself
Day 22-Favorite city
Day 23-Favorite vacation
Day 24-Something you've learned
Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26-Picture of your family
Day 27-Pets
Day 28-Something that stresses you out
Day 29-3 Wishes
Day 30-a picture
Ok, READY, SET, GO!!!

Celebrating Pa

Today is the 1year anniversary of Pa's (aka.. Dwayne,Papa, or old man) passing to Heaven. Not much to be said about it beside Derek being sad:( He was doing okay until he got a picture of Pa's gravestone....we have not been there yet, too hard.

I was happy to hear that Derek wanted to go to one of Pa's favorite places, Don Jose. So, the kids and I picked Derek up after ballet and headed to dinner. I kind of forced Derek to take this picture



but after we talked about it for a moment I think he was a little better. After all, the day that Pa died ended up being beautiful outside after a few days of rain (I will never forget all of the family in Michelle's little place that weekend)...just like today! I think Derek and I will celebrate Pa's life every year like we did today just like we did the day he died. For those that did not know, we all went to Don Jose's after Pa passed.

Chris is off to hang out in Stan! Pray Please

Chris left Emilee, Tyler and Hailee to go fight the fight in Afghanistan. This time was a little harder for them all because the kids are older and Chris, even though knows it is his duty, wants to be here for them and my sister. I can only imagine what my sister is going through! Please pray for my sister, Ty and Hailee that they make it through yet another deployment. Why did both of my sisters marry military men! I mean I know they look all cute and stuff in their uniforms...hahaha.

Seriously though, to both of my sisters and all of the other spouses that have to wait for their loved ones to come home, "I salute you!"

This is Funny, thanks Nichole

One of my sisters' friend (mine too) sent this email to me. I loved 23,24,12,10,8,7and 3. Oh and 2:)

Subject: adult truths

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong .
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.
22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.
24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Drew Turned FIVE!

I remember when riding our beach cruisers to get some beer from the liqueur store a friend told me she knew I was pregnant...no way I thought. Then not so many days later I found out I was pregnant with Andrew. I was with Tyler and he cried because he did not want to stop being my favorite boy...it was so sweet. I called Derek to tell him (I really should have done it differently) and he brought me home a pastrami sandwich from The Hat, he did this with all three kids. Derek and I could not believe it! Then the sickness started, sciatic nerve problems, high blood pressure, oh the heartburn, bloated feet...you get the point. How we ended up with three kids, is still shocking to me. My sweet husband, do you miss rubbing my feet?

Now five years later we have a polite, sweet, independent, active little boy. He hates time outs, getting spanked, having to share with his sisters, and hearing the word no. He loves M&M's, Netflicks, cereal, donuts, his grandma (his friend), playing outside, all of his friends, superheros, Nerf guns...well he loves life!

Andrew!!


Bubby at 1 year.


Drew-Drew at 2 years.


Topher at 3 years


Big Boy at 4 years


Our 5 year old!!

On A Lighter Note!

Yelling at the TV, drinking a glass of wine, cuddled up with a blanket on the couch....it must be the OSCARS!!!

Derek totally thinks I am a freak, but I LOVE the last Sunday in February! Even if I had not seen any of the movies nominated (I really only saw Tangled and Toy Story 3), I do not care! I yell if I guess the winner correctly and yell with my fists in the air if who I wanted to win did not.

This year was a treat for me because I have EMMA! We watched most of it together, granted I had to force her to sit with me, and when we guessed the first award correctly I made Derek take this very unflattering pic of me, but so cute of Em.





Lilly even came in to watch, but I really think she was just tired and wanted to lay on the floor.



Yeah Natalie Portman for winning and for Social Network not! FYI, Derek and I watched Inception last night and we really liked it!

Kyle's Viewing

Some people were asking how it was at Kyle's viewing last Wednesday. Here it goes.

Mike came down, Derek got off of work early, I had to take Drew and Lilly down to HB then Em to Linda's (they all stayed away for the night), I came home got dressed made dinner, Kelly came over...we all had a glass of wine.

We then headed over to John's. We met up with a lot of people and did a caravan over to the mortuary. **This was kind of strange because I felt like we were all in our early 20's again headed to a party, but we were not**

Then the tears and hugs became numerous. I have never seen any of these men cry, it was horrible. There was no avoiding Kyle, he was right there, he was right there...well, his shell was. He looked like he was sleeping, just not moving. Of course, we hugged Debbie and Courtney, shook hands and said hello to people we had not seen for some time. Then people started to get a little mad at Kyle, why did he have to succumb to his addiction? Why did not all of the talking and trying to help him work? Oh his poor mother, father and sister! Then these words, "he is not struggling any more," came from someone. It is still hard to accept, but ya know those words ring truth. Kyle was a good man, but never got the chance to shake his demons. He struggle so hard. He never saw Lillian because he told Derek he did not want him to see him like that. However, to see him laying in that box was horrible...he was so young!

Here is a picture of the guys with Debbie and Courtney. It was so strange to take a picture (I almost did not, then did) when Kyle was there on the left hand side. However, ALL of these men had been in Kyle's life for so many years. For Derek it was since he was 11 years old. Debbie and Courtney will always have these guys, they are all good men.






We then headed back to John's for a celebration of his life. It was very nice with lots of food, drinks, and stories about Kyle. It was just really nice. Even Kyle's ex-girlfriends were there. That was nice to see them, because if anyone had those very special moments with him, they did. Those that were there were his true friends.

Then we headed to Rembrandt's (we had not been there in years) were we had a few more drinks then headed home. Here is a picture of Joleen (John's sis) and I. The other pictures I took I am not posting. Out of control.



The next day Derek looked at me and said, "that really happened right?" I have no clue as to how Derek must really be feeling. The anniversary of his dad's passing at a young age is in a few days and now one of his oldest friends has passed at a young age. To have the person who helped you come into this world and to have another who knew all of your secrets, fears, crushes, the good and bad parts of your life die.....I just shake my head.

Then this past weekend we had Drew's 5th birthday party. A lot of the same people were at the party to celebrate Drew turning 5 that were there on Wednesday for Kyle. There were also some people that could not make it to the viewing of Kyle at Drew's party. It was strange in a way. More stories, but I am sure they will not end.

Derek and I know that death is a part of life. Young or old. I have known people that have lost parents when both were young and I have known people that have lost dear friends. This is Derek and my first experience with this, so thank you for the love and support.

Tackle Tuesday!

Where does time in a day go! Oh wait, we woke up at 10am!! haha

Anyways, really, where does the time go! I have 5, 3.5, and 18 month old children...when did that happen!

My tackles today are. #1- call Drew's future elementary school to find out about kinder! #2- organize our monthly calender so I can keep track of soccer, dance, my own workout crap (that is right, I used the word crap because who really wants to actually diet/workout to lose weight), Derek leaving out of town, kids doing the same....blah, blah. #3- look into la cross and spring soccer for Drew.

Once again, where does time go?