oh, sweetlee me...

kind words and my favorites...

2012-01-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

one of our favorite things to do is be our kids biggest fans!

it has been a great season of middle school basketball for maddie.

and i love that michael had the opportunity to assist with coaching...

this was a game that the girls fought hard to win!

they even tebowed!

another favorite thing is that...

almost after every game...

the team along with parents grab a bite to eat!

a favorite shot of maddie and michael sitting on the sidelines...

and my most favorite thing this week is this email from the coach...

what? what?

are you talking about my kids?

words such as...

pleasure and rewarding?

enjoyed and calmer gentler voice?

all in one email about

my kids???

haha...

all kidding aside...

it's good to hear kind words about your kids from others...

it sure makes me proud and helps me to know

that the hubby and i aren't doing too shabby of a job in raising these

kids that we've been blessed with.

praise be to God because

raising 3 teens can be very challenging at times

but also very rewarding at the same time.

a few more of my favorite things this week:

having the hubby home and not traveling for work

and celebrating our 20th!

being able to come home and not have to drive anyone to practices

and having time to make dinners

and having 2 days of 60-64 degree weather!

blessed!

happy friday!

linking to...

celebrating 20 years part 1...

2012-01-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

here's how we celebrated our 20 anniversary part 1...

N always makes my coffee in the morning when he is in town

and today he added a bagel with cream cheese...

he wrote me a letter with a list of 20 things he appreciates about me...

that in itself was my most favorite-est present...

he gave me long stemmed red roses...

and even though i told him not to buy me anything...

he surprised me with something that has been on my want list

from anthropologie...

he bought me a chocolate overload cake...

we had dinner at one of my favorite restaurants called firebirds...

and it seems like our anniversary always falls during

charlotte restaurant week...

so for $30.00 you get an

appetizer, entree, and dessert!

the dinner started with appetizers...

ranch rings and a blt salad...

for our entrees we enjoyed...

prime rib and pork tenderloin...

and lastly we had dessert...

creme brulee cheesecake and a chocolate brownie

topped with vanilla ice cream...

it sure was a whole lot of food and

we ended up taking half of everything home...

and this was the little surprise that has been on my want list from anthro...

the tea and crumpets apron!

i just absolutely love it...

probably because i've been obsessed with mustard yellow! : )

part 2 of our anniversary will be to spend a weekend

sometime mid-feb

in my favorite charming city in the south...

charleston, south carolina.

i can't wait!

20 years ago today...

2012-01-25T00:00:00.039-05:00

january 25, 1992

in san francisco, ca

surrounded with family and friends

this young lady said "i do"

to a young man...

he is the most kind, selfless, generous, hardworking,

loving, loyal and faithful person that she will ever know...

through the years they were blessed with

three beautiful kids...

a handsome prince named michael,

and two beautiful princesses,

meagan and madeline.

and by God's grace
through the good.
the bad.
the very good.
the very bad.
and the inspiring moments
that make it all worthwile...

they (we) lived happily ever after...

the best is yet to come!

the end.

instaweekend love...

2012-01-23T05:16:00.013-05:00

we had a very full weekend...

maddie had 2 basketball games back to back.

one on saturday and one on sunday.

and michael had one too on saturday night.

(nope, no pics)

it was very chilly this weekend and on
on cold days

i like to make nutella hot chocolate...

a recipe that carissa from lowercase letters

shared on her blog.

1 cup of milk

2 tbs of nutella

melt over stove while stirring.

so, so, so...good.

i enjoyed a nice 3 mile run saturday morning...

inspired by two of my blogger friends...
jozen of lolasgirl

who completed her 2nd 10K...
and carissa again of lowercase letters
who finished her first half marathon!
thanks ladies for the inspiration!

hand stamped this charm for my cousin

who ran her 1st and 2nd half marathon...

and wanted a 26.2 charm for inspiration

since her goal is to run one this year.

i went shopping with meagan and spent

at least 2 hours at F21!

had a big box meal at taco bell for 5 bucks

which included a

taco, a crunch wrap and a crunchy beef burrito!

now that's a deal!

and...

no, i didn't eat all of that myself...

well, i probably could have but i didn't...

meagan and i shared it.

enjoyed the last few days during the weekend

of code orange revival with

amazing speakers such as

bishops TD jakes on friday night..

james mc donald on saturday night...

and pastor steven furtick closing it out sunday night!

12 speakers, 12 nights of bold preaching...

hundreds came to accept christ into their lives...

200 or so were baptized...

lives changed and challenged...

to God be the Glory!

watch a recap of the revival here...

codeorangerevival.

it's pretty powerful!

the weekend ended with watching our 49'ers play the NY giants!

unfortunantly, we lost but we are still proud of how far

they have come!

win or lose we will always be 49'er faithfuls!

happy monday friends!

instaweekend love...

2012-01-16T05:13:00.002-05:00

code orange revival...

12 nights of God's word spoken

through 12 of the most powerful pastors and speakers

started last wednesday....

and because of schedule conflicts

we didn't get to attend our first code orange revival until friday!

the lines were crazy long but we got in

and had the opportunity to be blessed by

matt chandler of the village church in highland, texas.

we also enjoyed a very exciting san francisco 49'er game!

#ninernation!

i started reading this book...

recommended by a blogger friend...

i grabbed a birthday gift for a friend at anthro...

and i caught mei-mei...

doggie texting on the i Pad!

ended the weekend with a powerful

message by christine caine!

back to code orange revival...

if you are not local you can watch day 6

live online at

www.elevationnetwork.com

"reaching people far from God, to be raised to life in Christ!"

happy monday!

1st place, oh what a feeling...

2012-01-14T23:54:00.000-05:00

proud of meagan and the cheer varsity girls team
who competed today in competition...
(watch video below)

hours and hours,

days and days,

week after week,

they practiced and practiced...

and the practice payed off because

they won first place!

what a great feeling of accomplishment

and a great closure to another

cheer season that has come to an end!

instaweekend love...

2012-01-09T06:32:00.000-05:00

holla! it's monday!

time to get up and get another week started!

first up...

i've changed the post title from

instagram weekend love....

instaweekend love!

why?

because i haven't been using instagram exclusively these days.

as of late...

along with instagram

i've found some other very cool photo apps

that i've been taking my pics with

hence, the reason for the title change.

anyhoo, moving along...

this weekend started off with a...

run! yep, a run!

i finally got myself out there...

a slow and steady run...

but a run nonetheless.

then we had back to back basketball games...

michael played on friday night with a church league...

and maddie who plays on her middle school basketball team

got recruited to play on a weekend league

and that was on saturday afternoon

after she played 2 hours of soccer before the game!

ay caramba!

she's a ball of energy!

sunday morning tradition...

prepared by the hubs...

our version of a filipino breakfast

bacon, eggs and garlic rice

(no rice in the pic)

dark rain clouds looming above us sunday morning...

waiting for worship to begin...

for lunch maddie was craving fried pickles

so she looked up a recipe and made some.

i worked on our family calendar ...

because our week is jammed packed!

and the weekend ended with our small group

on the study of the prodigal god.

which we didn't finish because there was

a minor emergency that happened

but all is good and we'll have to pick up with

chapter 4 next sunday!

and just in case y'all were wondering...

the other cool apps i've been using are:

camera+

camera bag

disposable camera

classic booth

hipstamatic

lastly, i would like to ask if you

could you please pray for a very young friend of mine

who's mom had a stroke

and is not getting any feeling on her left side.

last i heard is that they may possibly

do surgery on the bad artery to prevent

another stroke from happening.

i'm sure she would appreciate the prayers being lifted up.

thanks fam and friends!

"the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much"

james 5:16b

week 1 january photo a day challenge...

2012-01-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

as i mentioned earlier this week i've joined the january photo a day challenge that i saw some blog friends participating in on instagram! i googled it and found out that chantelle from fatmumslim created the challenge and its gone absolutely viral! a ba-jillion people are using chantelle's list for inspiration, snapping away everyday and sharing them via instagram, facebook, blog and twitter. it's suppose to only be for january but chantelle mentioned in her post that she's creating a photo based challenge each month. hmmmm....i'm thinking this may become another 365 photo a day project if she continues to create a monthly list for inspiration!

it's not too late to participate! so c'mon and join in on the fun!

missing them already...

2012-01-06T19:08:00.000-05:00

my parents were here for the last three weeks.

we always enjoy having them here...

they fit right in with our life like they've always been here...

me and my pops...

me and my ma...

and when my mom is here she always

takes the time out to cook all of our favorite filipino dishes....

before leaving she poured her time into making both

mine and my sisters families into

making lumpias (filipino egg rolls)

to put in our freezers for future meals...

she's the best-est mom ever!

oh,

and pa your the best-est pa ever for helping

ma package up the lumpias!

we will all miss you both...

even little mei-mei...

(that's mei...snuggled up on my dad's lap)

thank you ma and pa

for your love, thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity...

love you both

to the moon and back!

muahhhh!

"blessed are the givers

and grateful are the receivers"

"my heart is overflowing."

psalm 45:1

instagram weekend love...

2012-01-02T00:37:00.003-05:00

well, hello there...

2012!

thankful for a new 24,
a new 366 days (leap year),
a new beginning and a
a fresh start!

i have been enjoying the past 2 weeks being on break

and spending time with my family...

my parents included since they are here visiting from california!

we did a WHOLE lot of nothing...

and it was good...

we did a bit of shopping...

which included visiting and browsing in one of my fave stores...

anthropologie : ).

visited michael and meagan with my parents

a couple of times at chick fil a

so that they could see the grandkids at work and in action!

squeezed 2 or 3 runs in

when i really should have done more!

rung in the new year with a toast of sparkling white grape juice....

started the bible in a year on my youversion bible app...

and i was itching to do another photo challenge...

nothing like the 365 photo a day like i did in 2010

but something a little more manageable...

and voila!

my blogger friend jozen from lolasgirl

inspired me with this challenge!

photo a day challenge:

day 1: YOU

day 1 of photo challenge done...day one of 2012 done...first post of the year done!
so as this year unfoldsi'm gonna keep on keeping onseeking God for strength to carry me throughanother year of everything that life brings...sadness, joy, trials, hope, heartbreaks, peace, love...
"great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning"lamentations 3:23

from our family to yours...

2011-12-25T23:10:00.000-05:00

"for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord"

Luke 2:11

wishing you peace, love and joy...

celebrating 18 years....

2011-12-22T20:01:00.000-05:00

no big parties...

just some time spent with the family...

lola made pancit for lunch...

(it's traditional to serve pancit on birthday days because

it represents a wish for the birthday celebrant's long life.)

we had dinner at a local restaurant called bonefish grill...

and for his birthday we gave him the new iphone 4s

and he is just loving it!

i only have the 4 but i'm good without siri : ).

maddie surprised michael with a home made birthday cake
baked with love by her.

singing happy birthday...

and blowing out 18 candles...

i can't believe he's 18....

time's a ticking...

and ticking fast!

my boy is 18...

2011-12-18T06:00:00.008-05:00

18 years ago...

my first little blessing was born...

and today he stands before me

a handsome young man.

entering into a new chapter in his life

with more significant set of privileges and responsibilities.

he is a loyal, faithful and forever friend...

a patient, selfless, and loving brother...

"he is kind, he is smart and he is important"

and he is the best son a momma like me

could ever hope, wish and ask for!

i am very proud of him...

for everything he has accomplished and overcome thus far...

and i know that great things are in store for him.

happy 18th birthday, son!

know that this momma loves you

to the moon and back

and will always

be there for you no matter what!

embrace the camera...

2011-12-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

and this is why i embrace the camera every week.

not because i think i'm cute.

not because i think my kids are cute (even though they are).

but because we aren't always going to be around.

and it's important to document moments...memories...our life."

emily anderson

this week i am embracing the camera with my boy michael...

we share the same birthday month and birthday week!

and in about 3 days

this handsome, young man will be 18 years old!

(tear...tear...)

"photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving...

what you have captured on film is captured forever...

it remembers the little things...

long after you have forgotten everything."

aaron siskend

how i rolled for my birthday...

2011-12-14T00:25:00.001-05:00

today i turned

ahem...

four-oh + four = 44!

(cough, cough, gasp, gasp)

i could not have asked for a more beautiful day...

the high of 63 degrees in mid-december???

and since nelson is out traveling for work...

he sang "happy birthday to you"

via text!!!

and yes...

today was a much better day than yesterday that's for sure...

it was a day filled with blessings...

starting with

breakfast and coffee served to me

from my early riser maddie...

another cup of coffee from starbucks along with

some bangin' homemade peanut butter cookies

made by kylie...

a birthday bag filled with lotsa goodies from shelly...

pomegranites, a box of almonds,

a bag of starbuck's french roast coffee,

(that's what i'm talkin' bout!)

birthday cards from her boys and herself and

a paid for 10K race

for april 2012!

oh, the pressure to keep on with this running thing...

a surprise happy birthday song/greeting

from the staff at work...

along with yummy cupcakes and a giftcard!

birthday greetings on facebook

and via text messages

from family and friends

spanning all throughout the globe....

my birthday dinner at the cowfish!

with my parents who flew in last night from CA...

and maddie...

(michael and meagan were both working...

and nelson as i mentioned above is traveling for work.)

yummy coconut battered onion rings and fried pickles for appetizer...

FUSION SPECIALTY BENTO BOX

A combo meal featuring both burger and sushi sweet potato fries,

Thai cucumbers and edamame.

birthday cards in the mail from family, friends and

blogger friends from the birthday card club...
one from ashley
and from kristen
which included a few loveLee notecards that she made.
super stinkin' cute kristen!
(click on their names to check out their blogs)

lastly, a few of my favorite things...

starbucks coffee giftcards a plenty

and

"the help" book

from my sis...

and that's how i rolled for my birthday day today!

thank you everyone for making my birthday extra

special and oh, so sweetLee filled!

i totally felt the love...

feeling favored and and very blessed!

"today is the the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118:24

sparkle and shine...

2011-12-11T16:01:00.001-05:00

last night was the middle school

sparkle and shine dance...

it's become tradition for maddie and friends
to get ready together and take pictures before the dance.

and off the they went to dance 2 hours away...

our annual neighborhood luminaires night...

2011-12-11T09:02:00.001-05:00

our neighborhood

had its 12th annual luminaires night...

we fill up white paper bags with sand...

add a candle in each bag...

line the front of the house with the luminaires...

at dusk...

around 5 p.m. you light each bag...

and all through out the neighborhood

it looks like this...

and this...

also the homes are beautifully decorated

like these...

i love, love, love...

how homes are decorated with wreaths hung on each window...

or a candlelabra on each window sill...

being from california...
we didn't do this...
so i do both : )
as most others...

wreaths and candlelabras on each window/windowsills.

it must be a southern thing...

it just adds more sweetness and character to the
normal outdoor christmas decor...

so if we ever move back to cali...

i'm bringing this tradition with me!

and all throughout the night...

we have cars driving through the neighborhood

admiring the holiday spirit that the luminaires bring...

christmas parade & christmas partay #1...

2011-12-10T21:42:00.005-05:00

the month of december is just a busy time of the year for everyone...

for me...

there's christmas indoor and outdoor decorating,

there's christmas shopping to be done, parties to attend,

christmas cards to send out, shuffling the girls

to and from events and the list goes on

and when you add birthdays in that mix...

it's even busier!

in past years i didn't do a good job at blogging

our december madness

but this year i'm gonna try to do a better job.

first up,

small town christmas parade!

both Michael and Meagan participated in the parade...

meagan sat in a truck representing

UA varsity cheerleaders...

michael representing UA in his red morph suit...

which he wears as a student section leader...

then last night was our girls office

christmas crafting dinner partay!

we were spoiled with cheese and chocolate fondue...

along with assorted simple beverages and wine...

the office crew minus wendy

who had a previous engagement....

rachael the one standing behind me
with the stripes on

was our hostess with the mostess...

craft time!

we really got into our crafting...

the craft project was a styrofoam ornament

wrapped around with ribbon...

in which we pinned sequins & beads

in any pattern we wanted...

and well...

we kinda ran out of pins...

so only half of our styrofoam balls were finished.
however, we each took a goodie bag home
filled with the sequins and other fun goodies that
we needed to finish our ornament.

my styrofoam ball half finished...

i still need to finish the other half...

so stay tuned for more december fun!

embrace the camera...

2011-12-08T06:34:00.000-05:00

"photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving...

what you have captured on film is captured forever...

it remembers the little things...

long after you have forgotten everything."

aaron siskend

embracing the camera this week with my coworkers...

blessed to work with some

awesomeness peeps and

we are a hard working bunch!

but in-between the madness and chaos

we manage to squeeze in

some fun and silly times...

like joana wanting to lift me up...

pshaw!

she's as light as a feather and she thinks she can

carry me?

do you see the pain in her face as she tries?

and me and kelly

with blue apples stuck all over us...

and the office crew

practicing our different yoga poses...

you see kylie back there?

the blonde behind the blonde?

she's totally concentrating

and taking this waaaay too seriously ; ).

"we don't remember days; we remember moments"...

good times...

instagram weekend love...

2011-12-05T06:06:00.000-05:00

i think i may have frequented starbucks

a little too often this weekend...

i registered last minute for the jingle bell run for arthritis

in celebration of my girl shelly's 40th birthday.

that shall be my final and last run of the year.

there are many, many, many churches here charlotte...

we happened to drive by this one and fell in love with

the christmas ensemble of the garland around the doorframe

and the wreaths hung on the beautiful church doors...

i love eating

toast with peanut butter, honey and sliced bananas

for breakfast!

we finally finished decorating the tree...

one week later.

(this is a pre-lit tree but being that it's 9 years old

80% of the lights no longer work

and despite the frustration with having to string

lights on them, i still love this tree.

it just stands so tall and perfect).

homemade vietnamese chargrilled pork

over garlic fried rice for sunday dinner...

and online registration for tickets to

code orange christmas...

an elevation church experience!

that's a tidbit of our weekend gone by...

i'm sure yours was filled with lots

of goodness too!

happy monday!

(linking to lowercase letters)

turkey trotting...

2011-11-30T21:37:00.000-05:00

just wanted to share a few more pics

of the turkey trot run

that four out of five of us ran thanksgiving morning!

me and the hubby...

mother-son

it was a 5k/8k run...

nelson and michael did not see the fork

in the route...

so they ended up following the bigger crowd

and finished the 8k instead of the 5k!

8,000 people in attendance!

with my friend the other mrs. lee...

who is a marathon queen!

she's my inspiration and

i wanna grow up to be just like her!

well, maybe just a little bit ; )...

i'm not sure if a marathon is even in my radar...lol!

yup! we got medals! super cute!

post run photo...

same photo in instagram weekend post...

on our way back to the car

we had a great time!

instagram weekend love...

2011-11-28T06:10:00.000-05:00

back to reality...

i can't believe that my 5 long day weekend is over!

here's what happened up over here!

it was a family affair sans meagan...

(who stayed home warm, comfy and cozy in her bed)

the rest of us were trotting at the annual

charlotte 5k/8k turkey trot!

8,000 people in attendance!

it was a lot of fun!

face timing with all of my cousins, parentals, aunties and uncles

back home in california on thanksgiving night...

gotta love the iphone!

i sure love, love, love
did i say love?
mine ; )...

maddie actually convinced me to go black friday shopping...

so off we went at midnight...

we were walking like zombies by 2:00 a.m.

i couldn't wait to get home to get in my bed!

leftover thanksgiving ham with king's hawaiian roll...
which we would normally have with pan de sal...
but of course we don't have that over here and
it's way too time consuming to bake them...
so king's hawaiian roll it was!

with cup of joe for breakfast...
it was bangin!

maddie made some cupcakes...

thanksgiving decorations went down...

and up went christmas decorations...

this is what happens when my iphone gets into

the hands of my two teen daughters!

my nikon d90 all set up to take our family photos...

for our annual christmas photos we send out every year...

so that we can add them to our yearly collection...

which hangs on our banister...

ending the long weekend with christmasdecorating the outside of the house...
what a fun-filled 5 day weekend!i'm sure yours was just as fun and busy!
happy monday!

(and of course linking to the loveLee Carissa

of lowercase letters!)

instagram weekend love...

2011-11-21T06:21:00.008-05:00

meagan and i got our nails donewhile maddie got her eyebrows waxed and meagan paid!(it's nice to be treated out once in a while...wink. wink.)
we all enjoyed a nice family dinner outon a friday night which is a raritythese days with busy schedules.
enjoying a starbucks verona K cupfor my keurig coffee maker!
the sunsetting on mine and maddie's drivehome from christmas shopping.
we picked up our copies of elevation church worship team new release"for the honor" cd's!oh, yeah and it is gooooooood!nationwide release is on november 21st!all proceeds of the sale goes tocompassion international!
maddie and mei mei enjoying time at the kitchen table.
and lastly,we enjoyed a small hometown christmas parade...of which both michael and meagan were in.
yep, another fun and busy weekend!and being that it is thanksgiving week...we are all excited about our 2 day work/school week!i know y'all are too!
"enter into his gates with thanksgiving,into his courts with praise;be thankful to him;bless his name"Psa 100:4
have a wonderful thanksgiving week...there is so much to be thankful for...in the big and even the little things.

(linking to the miscellany monday)

embrace the camera...

2011-11-17T09:37:00.000-05:00

"and this is why i embrace the camera every week.

not because i think i'm cute.

not because i think my kids are cute (even though they are).

but because we aren't always going to be around.

and it's important to document moments...memories...our life."

emily anderson

"photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving...

what you have captured on film is captured forever...

it remembers the little things...

long after you have forgotten everything."

aaron siskend

me and maddie...we've got cupcake love...enjoying another cupcake...from our favorite little cupcake place in town!

instagram weekend love...

2011-11-13T21:58:00.011-05:00

we all enjoyed the 3 day weekend...
shopping with maddie for a dress that she could wear for the sparkle and shine dance...all three dresses looked adorable on her and it was hard to decide which one to buy.we ended up buying the 1st and 3rd dress...hoping to decide on one and return the other.but for a clearance price of $19.99 we may just keep both and savethe other for next year's dance!
girls night out...at a local thai restaurant in town...enjoying all of my favorite dishes...pad thai, yellow curry and thai iced coffee!
meagan with the junior girls on the varsity cheer teamat friday night's play off game!
bojangles, a southern classic...
michael's first college football game experience...appalachian state vs. western carolina!
vietnamese grilled pork over vermicelli noodlesmade by your truly : )...(recipe to follow in future post)
5:18 seconds before elevation church worship begins!
"for the honor" worship service/cd release...(100% of the proceeds from sales will begiven to compassion international)
ousted to the back seat in between the girlsbecause michael called shotgun!
yes, it went by too fast...and wishing it didn't have to end.
happy monday!
(linking to the lovely carissa graham @ lowercase letters)

thankful, honored, humbled and blessed...

2011-11-12T12:17:00.003-05:00

after 3 months of being on hiatus from my etsy shop...

i've finally re-opened it!!!

for those of you who don't know...

i run a small etsy shop

and i create custom handstamped pieces
and sometimes some sewing goodness.

with the handstamped pieces...

i love that each piece has a story...

or a meaning behind it...

the following are a few recent orders
that i wanted to share with all of you and

that i have been honored to create for recent customers...

this piece was ordered by shelly
who is gifting it to her friend...

"hot doc"

(a nickname that she gave her friend)

and the

26.2 digits

is for the marathon runner that hot doc is..

this piece was ordered by claudine...

it is for her twin sister's daughter

who's name is "kelsey rose"....

claudine wanted me to handstamp kelsey on the disc

and add a rose charm...

very fitting don't you think?

this piece was ordered by shirley...

she wanted her two daughters names handstamped on a disc...

"taylor and jayda"

and lastly this piece was ordered by alison...

i handstamped the name

"cate"

which is the name of her sister's new baby!

with so many wonderful and creative shops out there

who have a bigger selection to choose from

i am always truly thankful, honored, humbled, and blessed

to receive orders when i do!

and with christmas around the corner...

and if you are still shopping for gifts or have yet to begin...

a handstamped piece may just be that perfect gift!
don't see what you're looking for?
we can create something together ; )...
just email me or message me on etsy....

i will be taking orders through december 15th so that
it will arrive to you just in time for christmas!

check out my shop: ohsweetleeme.etsy.com

happy saturday friends!

care package...

2011-11-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

from my mom and dad...

all the way from california...

which included some of our family's favorite things...

that we can't get over here...

like our most favorite and missed...

a bag of pan de sal...

which is filipino dinner rolls...

but we eat them for breakfast not dinner : )

some filipino candy...

and garlic peanuts...

that my parents friends brought over all the way from the philippines...

they even included...

a sour citrus fruit called calamansi...

used in place of lemon...

from their (my parents) tree from their backyard...

loved and enjoyed it all...

and so wishing we had some more!
thank you ma and pa...for the well loved care package!

homecoming court...

2011-11-03T10:28:00.000-04:00

homecoming...

both michael and meagan were voted to be on homecoming court...

michael for senior homecoming court...

and meagan for junior homecoming court...

one of the senior nominated girls was away on a missions trip...

so this lucky girl candace...

had two guys as homecoming court partners...

they are bff's...

senior homecoming court...

meagan's homecoming partner seth...

junior girls homecoming court...

junior homecoming court

michael, candace and christian being presented...

meagan and seth being presented...

senior and sophomore court...

junior court...

it was a very cold evening...

thankful the rain held out until after court presentation

and through almost the end of the football game.

instagram weekend love...

2011-10-31T06:24:00.000-04:00

this past weekend was extra busy...
friday night was homecoming...(a later post with pics to come)
maddie and i couldn't resist stopping by and pickingup another whoopie pie and a coconut cupcakeafter dinner saturday...
i worked on cleaning up my little craft space...because i have a few orders i need to work on...
i also re-opened up my etsy shop afterbeing on vacation mode since last july...
the leaves here in charlotte continues to change colors...i love fall...
i baked some chocolate chip cookies...which ended up to be a fail because i wasshort one stick of butter...what was i thinking?
another weekend gone by...
i hope yours was just as loveLee!

we've got spirit, yes we do...

2011-10-28T09:23:00.000-04:00

we've got spirit...

how bout you!

black out night....

except for michael who's in the red morph suit!

michael and meagan...

"pink out night"

in support of breast cancer awareness month...

and it's a victory over one of the tougher schools to play...

proud of them cardinal boys!

they played their heart out!

school spirit week...

means...

the annual...

"powder puff" games...

michael's senior class girls powder puff team

with the

senior guys powder puff coaches and

senior guys cheerleaders...

meagan's junior class girls...

with their junior class powder puff coaches...

minus a junior class guys cheer squad : (...

senior girls vs junior girls...

and the winners were...

the senior girls!

michael with his senior yearbook teacher and senior yearbook team...

meagan with her friends...

the senior guys cheer squad with their coaches

megan and adrienne.

last time, last year, last show...

presenting...

senior class guys of 2012

half time show...

"half time show" from oh sweetLee me on Vimeo.

and let's not forget maddie...
out on the stands...
cheering her siblings on...
or maybe more like socializing with her girlfriends
would probably be more of the case...

and...

tonight is homecoming night...

both michael and meagan were voted in by their class to be

on homecoming court...

and it's also the biggest football game of the year...

( playing against the rival school)

hoping that the rain will hold out until it's all over...

and so hoping for a big WIN tonight!

if not,

that's ok...

school spirit, school pride...

having fun...

and making memories is what it's all about...

have a loveLee weekend!

changing leaves, changing lives...

2011-10-27T17:04:00.000-04:00

I ran my second 10K last saturday for

Hope Cancer Ministries...

"Kate's Race for Hope"

with Nelson and Maddie...

It was a very chilly 38 degree morning...

Maddie all decked out...

this was the trail where i rolled my ankle...

i was at the 2 mile mark...

i was not going to stop so i pushed through

and kept going even with the pain

because i had to finish...

i really had to finish...

because my goal for this year was to run

and complete two 10k races

by the end of the year...

and i really wanted to get it done....

despite the rolled ankle and the very chilly morning...the trails and beautiful scenery...made for a good 10k run experience.
crossing this off my bucket list:~~1st 10k run2nd 10 run~~
now time to think about possibly doing a half marathonfor next year's goal.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

instagram weekend love...

2011-10-24T07:13:00.049-04:00

my favorite I phone app is instagram hands down!

it's the best ever photo app...

i love that you can snap a pic and then choose a filter

to transform the look and feel of the photo...

i'm gonna try and do an instagram weekend post every monday.

recapping the weekend via my instagram photos.

i have to admit I now take most of my pictures via my iPhone
and use only nikki (nikon) for those special moments.
oh, and i can even blog from my phone using blogpress.

i heart my iPhone!

the beautiful view on a chilly 38 degree morning...

pre the 10k run that i ran.

yummy grilled chicken sandwich at cracker barrel...

worship celebration service in a tent...

at the new church location.

carolina pulled pork lunch after church service...there were two choices of pork...vinegar based or tomato based...i had to try a little of both!i liked the tomato based one better : )

pumpkins at walmart...which we still need to buy.
we had a very good, busy, and fun weekend.i hope yours was a good one too! now forward and onward to a very busy week ahead...basketball tryouts...spirit week...homecoming...and the last football game of Michael's senior year...sigh...
happy monday!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

whoopie pie?...

2011-10-21T09:59:00.005-04:00

the other night we had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants

and a couple of doors down this sign caught mine and maddie's eye!

we love frozen yogurt, and cupcakes

but the whoopie pie caught our attention and peaked our interest.

what's a whoopie pie you ask?

well, we didn't know either so here's a brief description of it...,

"the whoopie pie is an American baked good

that may be considered either a cake, cookie or pie.

It is made of two round mound shaped pieces of chocolate cake,

with a sweet, creamy filling or frosting sandwiched between them."

now doesn't that look absolutely yummy?

it was soooo good it took everything in me not to devour that goodness myself.

It's now our latest obsession...

so much so, we had to go back two days later to try their...

coconut chocolate chip whoopie pie

and one...

yes, just one

key lime gourmet cupcake with graham cracker crust

with a key lime pie filling topped

with a key lime cream cheese graham cracker

and key lime glaze.

i think we may be going back again soon!

happy weekend friends!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

road trip...

2011-10-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

the north carolina state fair started october 13th

and goes through till the 23rd.

being from california and having gone to the california state fair

a few times we wanted to experience north carolinas state fair.

so we took a little road trip to raleigh...

there were lots and lots of agriculture stuff to be seen...

as to be expected at a state fair...

a 522.8 pound pumpkin and a 282 pound watermelon

were among the many...

oh, and lots of animals...

but the girls weren't too interested in walking through that section

because the smell didn't exactly make it very welcoming.

however...

we did buy the traditional fair food stuff...

cotton candy and a caramel apple....

along with kettle corn...

and blooming onions!

two of my favorites.

we finished walking through in about 2 hours...

it was a good one time experience...

i can say i've been there, done that, and i can now cross it off my

list of things to do

while living in north carolina.

racing for the cure...

2011-10-18T11:58:00.002-04:00

it's become tradition that i run the 5k

susan g. komen

"race for the cure".

the largest 5k run in the world...

raising significant funds and awareness for the fight

against breast cancer.

breast cancer survivors are celebrated and those who

have lost their battle with this terrible disease are honored.

so on saturday, october 1st...

we got up bright and early and met up with friends

to run this race to raise money

for this great cause.

after the race we enjoyed a much needed

breakfast at cracker barrel.

i enjoyed my favorite...

a pancake with fried apples on top.

yum!

A perfect fall morning...

2011-10-06T08:27:00.001-04:00

to enjoy quiet time, toast and coffee in my back porch.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

my first 10k...

2011-09-17T18:58:00.006-04:00

before turning forty-ahem something...

cough...cough...

i have it on my bucket list to complete two 10k's...

(10k = 6.2 miles)

and i have been procrastinating for 8 months to run one...

so when my coworker and sweet friend told me about

HIT THE BRIXX 10k...

i pondered...and pondered...

and did my best to get out and run to increase my distance before this race

and before signing up!

so last minute...like yesterday....

i registered and registered my other girlfriend with me...

shelly the mamma in the red she's the one that told me about the race...

and she's a marathoner...

she pretty much kick's butt!

then joana the girlfriend i registered with me...

the mamma in the middle...

well, she's been running about 6-7 miles

on pretty much a daily basis...

and then there's me...
who only averages 3-4 miles and

who continues to plug along...

hoping that one day i will find this thing called running

a passion of mine and not a chore....

i'm not there yet...

can you see?

i'm struggling and really finding the strength i need within me...

to cross that finish line...

i had to keep reminding myself that...

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!"

Philippians 4:13

and He did!

one ~~10k crossed off~~ my bucket list....

one more to go...

hoping to get it done...

and then maybe, just maybe...

a 1/2 marathon???

; ) wink..wink...

one proud mamma...

2011-09-14T01:30:00.009-04:00

i think most of you know by now i like to take pictures as a hobby...

95% of the time i don't really know what i'm doing...

i just snap, snap, and snap away!

taking a chance i took michael's senior photos...

yeah, me...

thankfully after a gazillion shots we found a few worthy enough

to dub it

"michael's senior pictures"

which saves us money by not having to hire a professional photographer.

moving on...

"it seemed like only yesterday he was born and i held him in my arms...

so tiny and precious...

one of God's biggest blessing in my life.

today he stands before me a young man...

so handsome, smart, funny, responsible...

and soon to be graduating from highschool."

senior class vice president...

"best all around"
senior superlative award...

student council senior class representative...

UA's school prefect...

yearbook sports editor...

UA's school videographer...

football student section leader...

president and founder of "Lights, Camera, Action!" club...

junior civitan treasurer...

loyal, faithful & forever friend...

kind & giving brother...

and the best son a mom could ever ask for...

Michael J. Lee

"Class of 2012"

part-timers...

2011-09-06T21:16:00.000-04:00

i have not one but two kids...

working part-time at chick fil a!

michael has been working there for about a year now...

and since some of the employees were leaving for college...

it was a good time for meagan to turn that application in!

she filled one out, turned it in, was scheduled an interview

and got hired all in a matter of 24 hours!

lucky girl i say...

i'm sure her big brother had some influence ; )...

and well....

we couldn't leave the third child out of the pic...

that wouldn't be fair...

let's just say that...

in 3 years she's hoping to be a future chick fil a employee!

labor day weekend fun...

2011-09-05T20:15:00.001-04:00

Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival

is the biggest fair here in the southeast...

and it's tradition that i go to it every year.

here's maddie and cousin paige...

they got matching henna tatoos with the chinese character for

"love".

since it was tooooo stinkin' hot to have funnel cake

we enjoyed some italian water ice instead...

flavors were:

mango

strawberry

pina colada

mint chip

and in the evening when it was cooler we went back

to get some of that funnel cake....

it's tradition you know...

i couldn't let the fair go by without having some.

i have decided...

2011-09-03T19:51:00.000-04:00

on Sunday, August 7th, 2011

all three kids were baptized!

"The greatest opportunities come in unexpected times. "

One never knows when the Holy Spirit will move in one's heart. Tonight "I have decided: Spontaneous Baptisms" all three took a simple step of obedience and publicly made their profession of faith in Jesus through baptism. Been waiting and praying for a while for them to make the decision on their own and so happy that they have done so together, making it so much more special.

below is a video of the baptism throughout the weekend.

and you can listen to the message here:

http://www.elevationchurch.org/sermons/follow/part1

time stand still...

2011-08-30T21:35:00.000-04:00

first day of school picture

2011-2012 school year.

i am officially a mom of a senior, a junior in highschool...

and an 8th grader!

wishing time would stand still...

"san francisco" my favorite city...

2011-08-19T21:19:00.000-04:00

san francisco...

i grew up romping the streets of this city.

the mahal and i both worked in the city for years

before moving 2 hours north for more affordable housing.

i miss san francisco but i'm glad i am

able to go back and visit!

stanford university...

2011-08-06T19:48:00.000-04:00

on our drive to san francisco with my parents...

we stopped by stanford university for kuya to check out!

pa and kuya

beautiful campus...

sure would be nice if he could get in with a full ride scholarship!

(yes, every parents dream i suppose).

our last day in so cal...

2011-07-18T22:55:00.000-04:00

on our last day in southern california...

we visited USC...

(university of southern california)

for kuya.

a shot in front of the school stadium...

hanging out on the steps of the bookstore...

and...

we even got to stop at another food truck lunch spot

which happened to be in the same area as USC.

oh joy!

and coincidentally the nom nom truck was there : )!

and i was tickled pink that i got a photo op of misa...

(one of the owners of nom-nom).

and this is normally what it looks like at food truck stops...

a few tables set up in a parking lot so that one can sit and enjoy their food.

kuya had a mocha boba drink...

mui had cheese fries...

the mahal had some type of fried potato...

topped with an amazing sauce!

ate had fried shrimp tempura...

and of course,

for one last time...

i got to enjoy a grilled pork banh mi (no photo)

and it sure was deelish!

beverly hills & santa monica...

2011-07-17T23:31:00.000-04:00

here we were visiting beverly hills...

driving around and then stopping for a few...

rodeo drive...

of course, the shops were a little too upscale for us

but we had a good time walking around...

we then headed over to santa monica...

and strolled through the santa monica pier...

as you can tell it was a little overcast...

and a little on the cool side that day...

we also strolled through third street promenade...

a colorful, three block stretch open to pedestrians only...

lots of entertainment, shopping, dining and 20 movie theatres!

hollywood...

2011-07-08T01:07:00.000-04:00

here we are on our way to hollywood...

stuck in Los Angeles traffic which seems to be getting worse

each time we visit southern california.

traffic is definitely going to be a nightmare when they close the 405 freeway.

so glad we got to visit before the closure.

hollywood blvd...

mui-mui with leonardi di caprio

at madame tussauds hollywood wax theatre.

a few hollywood stars...

and yes...

even ryan seacrest has a hollywood star : ).

now this guy looked pretty good for a michael jackson impersonator...

mui-mui with the hollywood sign on the hills in the background

which you can't see in this picture...

but you can slightly see here...

here's ate with the highlands shopping center mall in the background...

walking down the stairs of highlands shopping center mall...

ate and mui...

and yes...

kuya, ate and mui-mui

leaving hollywood with a few tokens

from the visit...

goodbye hollywood!

p.s... on a side note, if you noticed, i've changed the names of how i am referring to the kids and hubby in this blog. i have the translations noted on the top right hand side of my side bar just in case you were wondering ; ).