What's my donkey? (wk. 7)

As was discussed in church on Sunday about the donkey who carried Jesus to Jerusalem...

Sometimes I get the impression that God wants me to give him something and sometimes I don't give it because I don't know for sure, and then I feel bad because I've missed my chance. Other times I know he wants something but I don't give it because I'm too selfish. And other times, too few times, I hear him and I obey him and feel honored that a gift of mine would be used to carry Jesus to another place. And still other times I wonder if my little deeds today will make a difference in the long haul.Maybe you have those questions, too. All of us have a donkey. You and I each have something in our lives, which, if given back to God, could, like the donkey, move Jesus and his story further down the road. Maybe you can sing or hug or program a computer or speak Swahili or write a check.Whichever, that's your donkey.Whichever, your donkey belongs to him. It really does belong to him. Your gifts are his and the donkey was his. The original wording of the instructions Jesus gave to his disciples is proof: "If anyone asks you why you are taking the donkeys, you are to say, 'Its Lord is in need.'" [Max Lucado, And the Angels were Silent, p. 54]

I often wonder...What IS my donkey?? What do I have to give that may be useful to the Lord? I'm sure I've got one, I just have to find it! And I plan on doing just that - finding my donkey and putting him to use... If you should happen to see my donkey, would you let me know... Thanks!!

Counting my blessings..(wk.1)

Can I just say..I am extremely blessed!!



I serve a risen Savior who, thankfully, forgives me for everything I have done in the past and the sins I commit today. He loves me and is faithful and just.

God has blessed me with a wonderful husband. A wonderful husband that loves God. He loves me, loves our children and provides for us.

I have 3 children that sometimes drive me nuts but, are no doubt more precious than gold. Each of them hold a special place in my heart. I know that by placing them in God's hands, they are taken care of. He does a MUCH better job at it than I do.

At our church (Antioch), we are doing a series called, "Live Like You Were Dying." Bro. Jason has challenged us this week to 'speak sweeter' and Appreciate, Pray, & Encourage. I am guilty of speaking harshly to others, especially those in my house. So, as I begin this challenge, I hope you would join me. Look closely at yourself and think..Do your words hurt or help? Do they uplift or degrade?

Happy 2009!

Well, it's the new year and everything is anew! Well, kind-of.....ok, not so much for me! I'm still hanging out at home with the boys. They are getting so big! I can't believe how much they've grown over the past few months. Tucker is about 26 lbs. and I'll find out on Tuesday how much Cooper has grown. They are both such blessings to me and our whole family.

Emily is doing well in first grade and is loving every minute of it! Of course, she is in the process of developing her social life. She's still in gymnastics and now is in Upward Cheerleading. It's a great program geared toward presenting the gospel to the participating children. So far, she's only had one game to cheer at but, it was extremely fun. Emily turns 7 on Thursday! I am in complete disbelief!! She's grown so fast that I am unable to keep up. We are having a birthday party for her on Saturday afternoon with just the family and then she will have a couple of friends over for a sleepover. It's going to be a blast. It's her first one and I'm trying to think of some fun things for the girls to do. Maybe I'll bake a few small cakes and let them decorate them and take them home. Maybe we'll rent some movies and eat lots of junk food?!? Isn't that what all little girls like to do at sleepovers??

Tucker is almost 19 mo. old now and he is a handful! He is also extremely funny. I think he may be our family entertainer. He loves to listen to music, dance, watch Noggin, and irritate his siblings. And, like any other kid his age, he like to get into things he's not suppose to. He has learned to climb out of his high chair and up the baby gate. Tucker likes to watch Jack's Big Music Show, Imagination Movers, Yo Gabba Gabba, and his Elmo movie. Over the past few weeks, he's decided to talk. He can say so many things now like: Momma, bite, more, please, cheese, mine, all done, thank you, eye, teeth, and I'm sure there are others that I can't remember right now. He is such a fun little boy to be around. I love to hear him laugh, it makes my heart melt.

Cooper will soon be 5 mo. old. He too is growing too fast. He is the best baby in the world!! So calm, so content. He loves to laugh. If he hears anyone laughing, he just has to join in! Cooper thinks the world of his sister and brother....after all, they are the funniest people he knows. He can roll from his tummy to his back and from his back to his side. He also likes to 'talk' to whoever will listen. Cooper is sleeping through the night (for the most part) which makes us all happy! Due to Tucker's peanut allergy, we are postponing solids until Cooper is 6 mo. old. I don't mind at all...that just gives me more opportunities to hold him while I feed him. I know Cooper is my last baby and I don't want to rush his growing up. I want him to always be my baby.

I know, I know....

It's been forever since I updated. Not much to say though...we've just been going through life - one day at a time.





Cooper is 2 1/2 mo. old now and he is such a smiley baby......I love to see his smile and hear his laugh. That sound makes my heart flutter :)








Tucker is 16 mo. old and is constantly on the go. He is out of 1 thing and into another all day long!





Emily is still doing great in 1st grade. She made all A's on her report card and has lost 3 teeth since my last update.

I've been busy!

I knew once Cooper arrived, I wouldn't have much spare time but, I had no idea!! These boys definately keep me busy - I'm loving it though! Cooper has such a sweet spirit. He isn't near as needy as the other two were and for that I am undeniably thankful!! Not to mention - he is such a gorgeous baby!

Tucker is adjusting to brotherhood well. He loves on Cooper from time to time and helps me burp him by patting him on the back. It really is the sweetest thing to watch!! He only gets upset when I'm feeding Cooper and he can't get in my lap too. (this is also when he likes to get into things because he knows I can't jump up as fast!)

Emily is doing GREAT in 1st grade. We are so proud of her. Our only concern with her is that she isn't getting challenged enough in school. There are 28 kids in her class - and I don't like that at all! (If only we could afford private school)

HE'S FINALLY HERE!

Cooper Joffre Watson has finally arrived! We are ecstatic to have him here ~ he is such a blessing.

Here's my story:

We arrived at 7 am to be induced and we got the nurse we'd requested. Her name is Rita and she was our nurse with Tucker and she just so happens to live on our street! She's awesome!! Anyways, we got into our room and IV started. Pitocin started at 7:30. Dr. Lawrence came in and broke my water at 8. I was still at 1 cm. 50% effaced and the baby was still not engaged in my pelvis. So, we sit and contracted for a little while and Rita came back and upped my pit and checked me - I was at a 3. 5 minutes later, she was back to place oxygen on me because his heartrate was dipping. I was breathing through my contractions just fine and doing great but, Rita thought that I would go fast and said that if I was sure I wanted and epi I could go ahead and get it. I agreed and it was placed at 11:05. Cooper's heartrate was still going down and I was placed on oxygen at 11:30 and the pit was turned off so that he could recover and my contractions stalled out. Dr. Lawrence came in and checked me at 12:10 and I was still about 3.5 and it was decided to turn the pit back on and try it again. Everytime my pit was upped, his heartrate would drop. So, for the rest of the day, I was flipped from side to side, sat up and then down, oxygen off and on, pit off and on. At 1:05 I was dialated to a 4, 3:55 @ 5, after that he seemed to do really well and his heartrate evened out. So, I was able to have my pit upped steadily without issues. 5:15 I was at 7, 6:45 @ 9cm, 7pm @ 10 and he was born after only a few pushes at 7:10 pm. During delivery, his heartrate was dropping again and the Dr. had to continually scratch his head to get it to come up. Thankfully, all was well though. His cord was around his neck but, David was allowed to cut it. Cooper was handed off to the nursery staff and he was given a little oxygen and suctioned out. After he was cleaned up a bit, he was given to me. His nose was a little bruised because he sat in a weird position for so long. But, other than that, he's perfect!! He is so small, especially compared to the other kids.

The Stats:

6lbs. 6oz. 18 1/4 in.

Happy 53rd Birthday Daddy! We Love You!!