A really talented friend

An incredibly talented friend I have made these lap desks for my boys. Aren't they so cool? We used them on our 5 hour drive home last Saturday and the boys have used them everyday since! Amanda - who made them - said she saw some in Canton and thought to herself, " I can do that myself". Please understand I never have these thoughts. I am absent/void when it comes to artistic talent, but I sure appreciate those of you who can do these things!

Surprise!

So, I got an extra special surprise for Thanksgiving. Sweet G took me away for an overnight trip to a precious bed & breakfast in Jefferson. We had a wonderful time walking the streets of this historic town and just enjoying each others company without business or children interfering. The next morning we ate a delicious breakfast with 3 other couples and had a great time visiting. Then we headed back to NB to join the rest of the family for a lovely Thanksgiving Day lunch. All - in - all we had a wonderful break.

The room was named Monterrey Bay and was done in a California motif with a soft blue color on the wall. It had just been redone and was really beautiful!

G and me by our fireplace.........we let it burn all night!
Dinner!
The outside of the house we stayed in. It was away from the main house so we had plenty of privacy.

Happy Birthday B!

2 months
4 months
9 months
1 year old
8!

Well, my sweet, sweet B turns 8 today! He is such a great kid and I am so proud of him for so many things. He was a great baby. He slept all night around 7 months - it only took us 2 nights to get him to fall asleep in his bed wide awake (we "ferberized" him as it is called). At 15 months he would wake up from his nap and speak in full sentences, "Mommy, I would like some yogurt please!". I swear the only word he ever said incorrectly was pancakes - he called them "papakes" and I would never correct him because it was so cute. My friends all said he was like a 40 year old man because of the conversations he was able to maintain. I am most proud of his kind, gentle heart. His teacher this year nailed it when she said that B is a friend to everyone in the room! He is so good to his little brother (who sometimes doesn't deserve it!), including him in just about everything he does. My greatest hope for B is that he grows into a man of God, a man who will put God first and do God's will no matter how hard this is . I pray that he will continue to be a friend to all remaining fair and compassionate. I know that God has many great things in store for us as we watch him mature into a young man and I am forever thankful for the privilege to be his mother. I love you B...happy birthday!

Fall Sing Along Videos

Here is a video of the boys doing the chicken at the fall sing along! Enjoy!

Fall Sing Along

It worked out perfectly this year as B and Lu's classes sat on the same side right behind one another. I didn't have to run from side to side. Wow!
B was a leader for the 2nd grade song and got to stand on the stage. He loved it!
B - before the big performance in his chaps!
Lu - before the big performance in his chaps!
Lu and his sweet new friend Des!
B and his good friends WD, MC

As always the boys' school did a great job with their western themed fall sing along. It is so fun to watch the kids sing the words and dance the moves. They all seem to have a great time and do a really good job. Again, it is such a blessing to attend a school that truly prides itself on a sense of community, family and belonging. I am very impressed with what each member of the faculty does with 777 students to make them feel important.

Family Reunion

I don't know of any family that has a better reunion than the Watson's! We have been doing this since Grandma Watson passed away - I think this year was #16! As our family continues to grow so does the fun! Some people dread going to their family reunions, but I can honestly say it is an event we look forward to each year. We gather at a lake in beautiful condos and enjoy the fall weather while we catch up on each other's lives. We eat together, play games together and sincerely enjoy each others company. God has truly blessed us with the most amazing group of people that we have the honor of calling family.

Halloween - finally

Mimi and Papa are ready for the fun!
They have been practicing their football looks - pretty serious if you ask me!
Our tradition to always trick-or-treat with our dear friends!
In the car, out of uniform ready to drive home!

Please forgive me for being late with the fun Halloween pictures! It is kind of sad because as they get older I take fewer and fewer pictures. I did think the ones from this year were cute - I hope you enjoy! Our subdivision was covered with kids this year. It was so great because we saw so many friends from school and their families out and about. It was a great evening!

Still at home with a sick friend

So this tummy bug has not been the 24 hour type. As a matter of fact, the doctor said it could last 7 days and there is no medicine. Just what a mother wants to hear. Of course, G is in London for the week...why is it the kids always go down when the dad goes out of town?? Truthfully, this is much easier than it was a few years ago. I have been off work for a day and a half and Lu and I have watched some good movies and read some great books. Here is praying that tomorrow will be "normal" with everyone where they need to be and with B celebrating his birthday this weekend our other prayer is that this tummy bug stays far away from him!

Soooo long since the last one!

Just a quick update as I lay in bed with sweet, sick Lu! It has been forever since I have posted. Life has been going at full speed times a thousand! Halloween was great! Mimi and Papa came to trick-or-treat with us and it was probably our favorite Halloween ever! Then we went to our family reunion that next weekend. It is one of our favorite events of the entire year as we gather in cabins at Lake Buchanan and eat great food together, play skip-bo and pool among other games, and visit with many relatives about everything that is going on in our lives. This past week I was in Houston at a middle school conference. The speakers were amazing and spending time with friends from work - outside of work - was a true blessing. I work with some amazing women from whom I have learned and continue to learn many things. Yesterday was Fall Fest at the boys' elementary school. Great fun and lots of work - then last night Lu went down like a limp spaghetti noodle. He has the tummy bug so I hope it is the 24 hour variety! I will be adding pictures later today - I hope!