Summer Fun...pics U

mmmmmm, S'mores in the backyard!!
Hanging at Carowinds with the girls
Camping in Cherokee, NC...before the rain.
Megan Slip Sliding Away....
Park Patrol making team signs for VBS, Tay in the glasses

Temps. are WAY to high here!!

It's been a few days since I've gotten here to post. OMG it's SOOO hot here. I believe they said with the heat index it got to 118* yesterday! That's just plain craziness!! And of all the summers for Eddie to come off the road and go back to construction...poor guy, he is just tuckered out when he gets home in the afternoon. I did take the girls over to a friend's house yesterday morning to hang our with the horses and at 10 am it was already too hot to hang out for very long. It's amazing that even though we don't live RIGHT in the middle of town how much my girls (meg and daycare girls I keep in the summer) are such, what I call, City Slickers. It took a lot of nudging and prodding for them to even walk up and pet the horses...LOL! We were there for about an hour and then headed back home to spend the rest of the day in the comfort of our A/C...ahhhhhhhh!! Here's hoping you all are keeping cool...one way or another!!

So sad

I'm sitting here watching The Early Show as they report on the horrible tragedy in Minn.! I have tears welling in my eyes as they are interviewing the kids that were on that school bus and the 2 older boys who rescued those poor scared little ones. I think about school starting soon and all the precious kids I transport on my bus and thinking about what if had happen with my kids. The stories that the survivors are telling us today are just amazing...what they lived through. And my prayers and thoughts going out to the families of those who will not have their loved one walk through their front doors again.

Why does it keep taking something like this to remind us how lucky we are to be here and to treasure our loved ones each and every moment we have with them. So remember to love on those who mean the most to you today and give a smile and "hi" to someone passing you by today!!

An Amazing Compliment

I know...TWO blog entries in the same day!! LOL But, right after I posted my entry on friends I recieved an e-mail from one of my best friends from high school...yes, I do have 1 or 2 I've kept in touch with from WAY back when!! But she wrote something to me that I think is probably the BIGGEST compliment I could have ever recieve. I don't think Karen will ever know just how much those few lines really meant to me. After I read it I actually went back and looked through lots of my girls pictures in the hope to see what Karen said she sees. Here is what she wrote to me...
"I love the pictures of the girls too. I have to tell you that I can see that they are so very happy. It shows in their faces. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever seen any kids have happiness illuminate from their faces like they do. That is a sign of great parenting. You and Eddie should be very proud. They are both beautiful and have such great futures."

Karen...thank you oh so very much those lines. You have such insight into things that just simply amaze me!! And you too have 2 amazing and beautiful kids!

Friends

friend /frɛnd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation[frend] Pronunciation – noun
1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile:

Have you ever just sat back and thought about the friends in your life and wonder what the specific reason God put that certain person in your life is? God has blessed me with plenty of friends, good friends. For awhile there I wondered if I would have any friends that I met that wasn't connected to my children...not that that is a bad thing, but it seemed like every friend I had I had met through the girls. And I'm sure as moms we all experience that.
But as I sit here waiting for one of those friends to come over for coffee and girl chat I feel so blessed to have friends. Of course we keep some of those friends closer to our hearts than others, but they are all special in one way or another.
I sit here and look back over the years and the friends who have come and gone, their season in my life had an impact in one way or another. Then their are others who season seems to be here to stay...thank the good Lord!Angie ~ the bestest friend a girl could ask for. There's really not that many people who you can "really" say what's on your mind, whether good or bad, and know she's not going to get mad & walk away...it goes both way for us.
Rebecca ~ (pictured above) even though she is only a "wee" bit older than me, she is my guidance, my protector and pusher (has made me grow & face things I probably never would have if not for her). We've only taught together for 2 yrs. now, but I feel our souls have always known each other.
My Loopies ~ it's amazing that we have been together for what...10 yrs. now? Boy have we been through it all together; births of our children & grandchildren, marriages, divorces, child rearing (delights & disappointments) and just everyday life.
To all my friends I say:

May you be blessed with good friends. May you be a good friend to yourself.

May you be able to journey to that place in your soul

Where there is great love, warmth, feeling and forgiveness.

May this change you. May it transfigure that which is negative, distant or cold in you.

May you be brought into the real passion, kinship and affinity of belonging.

May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them and may you be there for them;

May they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth and light that you need on your journey.

May you never be isolated. May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging.

"Tag, You're It"

Tag, You're It!
OK, I'm joining the game. I've been "tagged" by another blogger friend.
Here's how this little exercise in randomness works: Grab the book closest to you. Turn to page 161, and type the fifth complete sentence on your blog.

I'm currently reading The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartain.
"Freedom may be just a prayer away."

I think you see this one coming -- "TAG, YOU'RE IT!"

Quick update

For those who are actually following my blog I wanted to give you a quick update from my very first post...the PUNISHMENT. When Taylor got back from the beach she kind of kept a small distance from her daddy, kind of worried what he was gonna say or do. She already knew she was grounded and was suppose to cut the yard, but didn't know how he was feeling a week later. During the week she was at the beach there wasn't much contact via phone between them. After a day or 2 they were back to loving and hugging as usual and then she called me while I was shopping to ask if she could go somewhere and I said, "No, Taylor you are grounded! When you are grounded that means you can't go anywhere!" She asked how long she was suppose to be grounded and I hear in the background out of Eddie's mouth, "You're grounded? Who grounded you?" OMG!! And people wonder why

I'm loosing my mind?? Life is back to usual at the Watson house...oh, and the

grass still isn't cut!!

Maybe this should be Taylor's Xmas gift this year...................................

RANDOMNESS of Lisa

one of those fun (time wasting) surveys from MySpace:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, my mom's best friend at the time
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Last sunday at church
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? My printing...not cursive any more.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yes...2 beautiful girls.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Me? No. Never!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Nope, taken out when I was about 16.
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Not sure, depends who was there to urge me on!!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin Bran

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? In some aspects, yes
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Never met a mint chocolate chip I didn’t like.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile

15. RED OR PINK? Depends on the day

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? Probably my tummy and that I put things off till the last minute more often than not.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My younger brother; Kurt.
18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? blue jean shorts & socks
19. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? potato chips & onion dip as I type
20. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Eddie and Taylor talking
21. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOUR WOULD YOU BE? periwinkle
22. FAVORITE SMELLS? Eddie's deo & cologne, clean kids, cut grass & baked apple candles

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Taylor

24. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Yes
25. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Softball, baseball & football

26. HAIR COLOUR? grey

27. EYE COLOUR? Hazel

28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

29. FAVORITE FOOD? seafood

30. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings

31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? My Name is Nobody

32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Dark Blue

33. SUMMER OR WINTER? I choose Autum

34. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs!
37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Power of a Praying Wife

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Don't have one...laptop..thank you Staci!!

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? See answer # 31

40. FAVORITE SOUND? the girls laughing

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Can take or leave either

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Florida and Mass.
43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? Yes, wouldn't YOU like to know what it is.
44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Ohio
45. WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU LIKE? to duplicate myslef

Monsoon Season in NC???

Well, it all started out nice. Headed out to NC finally about 11am, got to the site and everything set up by 3:30pm. Popped the chairs out to sit back and relax next to the river & Eddie crashed for a nap. Little sprinkles with the sun shinning actually cooled it down some. It was so relaxing to be up in the mountains with friends, chatting with people as they passed the campsite and watching the fire. Of course, night falls and you HAVE to pull out the fixins for S'mores. We tried something different I had heard on the Food Network...use chocolate frosting instead of the choc. bars. It was easier & a whole lot cheaper!! We decided after awhile to turn in so we could get a early start. Our early start began in the middle of the night with raindrops on our tent top. It continued throughout the night, along with a drip from our roof. Because of this Eddie was happy that I actually moved over enough that it would be considered cuddling (I HATE to be touched while I'm sleeping, but not as much as water dripping on my head). Around 7:30 we rolled out of the tent to a major downpour and it didn't seem to be letting up. As I reached for the coffeepot I noticed the light on the maker was off. Just thinking they turned it off I poured myself a lukewarm mug of Java. Then we come to find out that all power is off throughout the campsite and a generator is keeping the showerhouses in full working capacity. We kept going back and forth, "Do you want to pack up & go or stick it out". I believe no one wanted to be the one who said, "Let's pack it in." I personally would have been happy had we stayed or left. I grew up camping & spent many weekends camping in the rain. We found out it was suppose to continue to rain all day. So, the coin was flipped & we packed up. The day wasn't a total loss, we spent a few hours in the "Wheels Through Time" museum. Being with 2 Harley riders it was a neat museum to hang out in to get out of the rain. We'll try the camping thing again in 2 weeks with the kids...we'll start praying for a sun-filled weekend!!

My little Girls

"I sometimes wake in the early morning & listen to the soft breathing of my children & I think to myself, this is one thing I will never regret & I carry that quiet with me all day long."

Yesterday Taylor got home from a week trip with friends to the beach. Megan was connected to her all evening. The three of us went to the grocery store and the 2 of them just took off to "hang out" (as much as you can at the grocery store) and as soon as we got home they picked a movie and off they went back to Meg's room. Around 11pm I went back to tell them good night and there they were out cold, side by side, all snuggled up to each other in a single bed!

Yes, they do have the typical sister relationship, especially since there is 5 yrs. between them. But there is also closeness there that I shared with my sister as we grew up. They love to play fight and they will chase each other through the house yelling and screaming at each other and it ends up with them on the floor wrestling and tickling till Megan screams, "I GOTTA PEE!!" Most of the time Meg is playing wolf, but most times Taylor will let her up because you never know!!

I thank God everyday for blessing me with the 2 girls he created specially for Eddie and me to raise. I just hope I live up to the job.

THANK GOD FOR LITTLE GIRLS!

Summer Time Fun

I don't know what it is with my girls....about the only time they will spend outside is in the pool. Yes, I know we have warmer weather than some, but they just never seem to want to go outside and play. I thought for sure once they watched the movie Bridge to Terabithia they would get out in the 4 1/2 acres we have (a good bit of it woods) and have adventures....wrong! Well, we're taking them camping in a few weeks and OMG they'll need to spend a WHOLE weekend OUTSIDE!! LOL.

I do have to give them some credit, they do spends quite a few months outside during softball and soccer season. I just remember we HAD to be outside from sun up to sundown, but we also enjoyed that. I guess it's just one of those things that have changed from our childhood.

I only do this until I get dizzy & then I lay down on my back & watch the clouds, she said. It sounds simple but you won't believe how many people forget the second part.

For me this is an analogy - when things are getting too out-of-hand, it is important to get into a calm state - like when you were a kid and lied on the ground and looked up at the clouds and imagined the shapes they were making. This has a very good message for calming down.

It takes me back to childhood; the smell & feeling of grass and seeing a different perspective looking up. I'm savoring that carefree feeling...Now real life gets in the way and we just go on and on getting dizzier and dizzier...and thats not the fun part!Hope you take a few minutes to watch the clouds and enjoy your life.

ARRGGHHHH!! Chores and Punishment

(Taylor working at the beach)

Why is it that you can get angry and or punish your own child, but the minute someone else does (uncluding your spouse) it upsets you? Does this happen to you too? Let me explain the situation...



Last night as Taylor and I were leaving VBS I called Eddie to tell him I was dropping Taylor off at Beka's for them to leave for the beach in the AM and to see if he'd like to meet me for something to eat. His reply was "When is she coming home to finish this **** yard?" (Her chore for the day that was suppose to be done before she left for the beach) I just handed the phone to her and then the "Yes Sirs" started & the explanation of why one section was not finished ~ she needs his help in this section for some reason (we do have 4 1/2 acres). The phone is then handed back to me. He "I shouldn't let her go to the beach, but that would be punishing Beka." Her, just silent staring out the window. So, I get settled at her friends and head home. By the time I get home I am stewing. I walk in the house, don't say much, drop stuff in the kitchen and head back to the living room where he is laid out on the couch. I believe he knows I'm not happy. After a 1/2 hr. his cell phone rings, he tosses it to me to answer, saying, "it's your daughter." I'm thinking she's calling YOUR cell, she obviously wants to talk to YOU! So, I answer. She asks for her daddy, so I say, "Hold on." and toss the phone back to him. Another "discussion" takes place. He hangs up and proceeds to tell me that this whole grass bit just pisses him off and she shouldn't have gotten to go to the beach, but I'll have her ass when she gets home...football season is coming up." OK, now I have a ton of things flying through my head, but I remember what I've been reading in Power of a Praying Wife....Shut up and pray...knowing when to say something and know when to stay quiet, at least till things settle down. I will have to step in this fall. I mean how long do you punish for not completing ONE chore?? Yes, punish her when she gets home next week...but we're not dragging this out for months.


He has to remember she's a GOOD kid. She's taking almost all Honors courses (going into 10th and taking 11th grade courses), plays HS softball, is very active in church and has worked hard this summer ~ 3 weeks @ church camp as a counselor.


Am I making excuses for her and is her daddy just PMSing???