You're Gonna Miss This...

The past few weeks or months (hard to keep track), Lee has been getting in bed with us in the middle of most nights. It might have started back in July on our Florida trip when he shared a room with us and we couldn't tell him no. He almost always comes to my side, with a train in his hand (which he sleeps with) and I hoist him into the middle of the bed. Every so often Reese has a nightmare and goes to Dillons side and he lets her in (each child knows whose side is most opportune). 

Which means that some mornings (like todays) we wake up in a queen bed with 4 people squashed, sore, sweaty and often to a stinky aroma. There is bed hair, morning breath, cranky awakenings and lots of thrashing. It's not uncommon for Polly to jump in and burrow under.

Slowly, usually as the light begins flooding in- moods improve, siblings start giggling. Parents stretch and Reese says she wants Yogurt clusters for breakfast. Lee kicks off the covers and children start asking for someone (usually Mom) to "Get Uuuuppp"! The hall fan gets turned off, the dogs run down the hallway and so our day begins...

{Hilarious side note: Dillon claimed pre-kids that our children would never sleep in our bed.)

Summer Recap

It is September 1st! Reese just finished her first week back to Preschool at Childrens House and I suddenly had the urge to do a little Summer Recap before the memories fade! Reese 4, Lee 2. Parents 31 ;)

Summer 2016 Top 12

12. Dillon mountain biked his way through summer! He set some impressive goals in January. This June he and a group from church biked The Mickelson in ONE day which is 100 miles!

11. We painted our house! We hired a company and love the results. It was exciting to see all of our plants that we planted last fall come to life and thrive- my favorites are the lavendar bushes and the daisies!

10. Book Club! I have loved reading consistently, have discovered a new favorite author {Kate Morton} and enjoyed some girl time!

9. We have always wanted to attend the Rushmore Lighting Ceremony, and we picked a day and went with friends! 

8. Reptile Gardens. I think this place is so beautiful and clean, we go nearly every week in the Summer! 

7. Water! Pools, rivers, creeks, sprinklers- We soaked up some time in the sun this summer!

6. Hiking. Steamboat Rocks off Nemo Road is a fun maze that kept us exploring, and then we crossed the road to discover a field of dandelions. We also hiked to Friendship Tower for the first time and were amazed at the beautiful views! Just yesterday the kids and I made it to the top of M Hill. And who can forget Dillon and I's 10 Year Anniversary Hike to the top of Harney Peak! 

5. Alpine Slide. This was a fun day! We had been up the gondola when Reese was 1 but this was our first time to slide down and the kids had a blast!

4. Florida. We met up with my family in Destin. My parents got the most beautiful beachfront house and we all enjoyed perfect weather, food and good times for a week.

3. Dallas. We drove it and the kids did great! It was a packed weekend full of cousins, swimming and the lake! 

2. Medora, ND. A one night roadtrip that was impromptu and a blast! So fun discovering new places together!

1. Storybook Island. Such a magical place that will forever be special to me! So many memories of Summer days spent here with Reese and Lee. They always climb to the top of the Castle and then run straight to the train! My personal favorite is probably the pirate ship or Pooh Corner.

Honorable Mention:

1. The City Trolley

2. Dinosaur Mountain {We pop over here a few times every summer and its always fun}

3. The Pancake Breakfast at Fort Hayes

There you have it. I think I may have overused ! for lack of writing ability! =)

Jumbled Thoughts

{I wrote this a few weeks ago, but felt it was incomplete and didn't publish it til today, June14th. It does not flow in a way that satisfies my desire to express my sentiments best, but I must include it in this blog, for it is a huge mark in the journey of my life.}

The evening that my uncle died, I ran through the house, frantically opening drawers, dumping articles onto our bed, throwing supper on plates- shifting between utter shock, grief and distracted purpose as I packed for the trip home. The kids were watching a show and a dear friend and Elder stopped by. That night stands out to me now, and likely will forever. Though the motions and words spoken during those hours are a blur, the disbelief and sadness I felt then, is carved clearly into my memory.

             

I lack the ability to adequately honor my Uncle Doug and Aunt Chrissie, and cousins John and Raymond. I desperately wish I could convey to others the ways in which their intentional presence has shaped my life. I want to tell everyone how he poured into his family and church, with a love that was evidently rooted in Jesus. And how even in this life altering event, my aunt and cousins have become for me the ultimate image of love and strength as they cling to each other and resolve to keep on.

My sister helped John and Raymond write the obituary for Uncle Doug. Katie told me later that when she asked them to tell her about their dad, they both said "He KNEW God. He didn't just know about Him. He really knew Him." 

I will never forget and always hold dear, the memories of the road trip they took me and my sisters and cousins on to New Mexico. Or the invitations to spend the night at their house, where they read aloud to us from the bible and answered our questions on eternity. I will cherish the memories we made when they drove to South Dakota two summers ago just to see us. I  can't remember a holiday in Texas without them. So much of my relationship with them is also the simple, everyday life that they showed up for- birthday dinners and dance recitals and choir concerts.

My parents have taught me so much through this difficult journey. How to respond to those who are grieving, how to keep on moving and living in the midst of tragedy. What does it look like? Holding hands when there are no words, providing a safe haven for healing, speaking the name of Jesus, and standing together in those dark, desolate moments.

My children have been watching 'Prince of Egypt' and there is a song from it that echoes in my mind, reminding me of the impact my Uncle Doug's life had, in my life and so many others. 

A single thread in a tapestry, though its color brightly shine

Can never see its purpose in the pattern of the grand design

And the stone that sits on the very top of the mountain's mighty face

Does it think it's more important than the stones that form the base?

So how can you see what your life is worth

Or where your value lies?

You can never see through the eyes of man

You must look at your life, look at your life through heaven's eyes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 17, 1961 - April 18, 2016

Doug Mee, 54, of Midland, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2016. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00AM at First Presbyterian Church in Midland with Dr. Steve Schorr officiating and Walter Thompson and Shannon Weisenfels assisting.

Doug was born on July 17, 1961 to Audrey and Edmond L. Mee.  He attended Rusk Elementary, Goddard Jr. High, Austin Freshman, graduating from Lee High School in 1979. He attended Midland College, Texas A&M and graduated from UTPB in 1986.  Doug went back to school at Sul Ross to get his Industrial Technology certification to teach. He worked as a salesman for the US Chamber of Commerce, taught school, sold wood works, was an investment broker for American Express, and worked the last eleven years as a welding contractor.

Even at a young age, his gentle and compassionate spirit was like a glue that further bound the love between his siblings and parents. He also had a wild side that pushed the limits of parents and babysitters during snack time and bath time, to his siblings delight. For example, loading firecrackers into his parents’ cigarettes so that they would explode at their lips. This wild side complimented his compassionate and gentle spirit throughout his life. He was easy to get along with and never held a grudge- even when his family unknowingly drove off without him at a gas station on family vacation, returning ten minutes later. There were wonderful adventures with his Butt and Headrick cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He married the love of his life, and best friend, Chrissie Faller on August 15, 1981 in Midland. Doug and Chrissie were partners in life, pouring out love to those around them, serving in Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and reading the Bible to their very dear young friends Chris and Amy and to nieces and nephews. He showed his love for Chrissie by hand-crafting individual gifts for her students. Doug had a servant’s heart and would do anything for anyone. He was happy, witty, artistic, and was a talented wood turner. Doug loved being with his family and especially spending time with his twin boys, Raymond and John.  They enjoyed Indian Guides, Upwards Basketball, fishing, swimming, hiking, playing video games, card games, evening family dinners, and just being together.

Doug was a man who knew God. When he became the father of John and Raymond, it became the pride and delight of his life to share this love for his Savior with his sons for the next sixteen years. He courageously led his family in faith and love, passing on the word of God, and traveling to Central America to serve alongside his family. He used his creativity to build parts of his sons’ tennis float, and passed down a love of the outdoors. If he had a rod in his hand, he was happy. When not pulling pranks (snaps and pops were his weapon of choice) or serving as a deacon at his church, he might be found bringing to life Star Wars characters in the snow, hiking the Davis Mountains or Dinosaur Valley with his sons, or skiing in Ruidoso. Doug built John and Raymond dinosaur toddler beds which they slept in for many years. Maybe he will be remembered in Belize by his constant use of Velcro.

He is survived by his wife, Chrissie Mee; sons, Raymond and John Mee; mother, Chata Mee; brother, Eddie Mee III, and wife, Juanita; sister, Wendy Mathis and husband, Russell; sister, Ellie Hackey and husband, Don; niece, Erin Hurguy and husband Josh and their children Emma and Tessa; nephew Luke Hackey and wife Erin and Addison and Blake; niece, Katie Mathis; nephew, Andy Mee and wife, Kelley and their children Madi, Summer, and Connor; niece, Laura Ferguson and husband, Dillon and their children, Reese and Lee; niece, Holly Mee; Roy Hackey and wife Cassie and children Jordynn and Wyatt; niece, Mollie Mathis; niece, Audrey Hackey, nephew, Cade Hackey; sister-in-law Leaf Faller, brother-in-law, Tony Faller and numerous cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, Edmond L. Mee, Jr and by his dear cousin Jeri Butt Krafft.