The day after.....

This white girl is red!!!! Robert and I are fighting over the aloe vera/vit E lotion and Josh is nothing but brown. Robert calls him the blonde headed Mexican. Luckily Kolton wanted to swim in a shirt yesterday so he's not burned at all...thank goodness. Robert's belly and my thighs took all the sun yesterday! I was able to wear a skirt today...Robert went shirtless. Just kidding. We'll be healed up just in time to hit the lake over the 4th with "cool Uncle Mike".

Happy Birthday Aunt Rhea

This weekend I am babysitting Bulee the Beagle for my parents. They went to Natchez, MS this weekend to celebrate great-aunt Rhea's 96th birthday. She still lives by herself in Kentwood, LA (yes she, her kids and grandkids know the Spears clan) and she just recently quit working at the LA welcome center. Last time I saw her was in Jan. when I was in Natchez for my great-aunt Bobbye's surprise 80th birthday party. Rhea and Bobbye are the only two siblings left of my (parental) grandma's...the baby and the oldest. I've posted a picture of Aunt Bobbye and I because she is the closest thing I have to a grandmother. Robert laughs at me because I cry every time I see her! Maybe because she reminds me of my grandmother?? Not really sure.

VBS

VBS 2008 offically ended last night. I really enjoyed teaching older missions this year with Melissa and will probably do it again next year. (Jennifer, you've found Gina's replacement). Yes the class was easy, yes we only had the age groups for 15 min, yes we had many breaks....why wouldn't I do it again next year? Seriously, Melissa and I enjoyed all the kids and we both learned new things this week.

Burn Baby Burn

Today Robert and I took the boys to Hawaiian Falls in Garland (I know what you are thinking Helen). We got there at 10:30 when the park opened and left at 5:30. My legs are RED and Josh is brown....not fair. The boys had a great time today but of course preggo forgot the camera so I have no pictures to prove it. I've never seen so many tattoos. Oh, and the lazy river there isn't so lazy and there is no good shade to nap under. The past 2 summers we've gone to Schlitterbahn so I'm used to COLD river water, shade, and a very lazy river to float. With Emma on the way, a 5 min trip to the waterpark sounded much better than 5 hours.

Flashing Lights

Why is it when one gets pulled over, one's Christian values go out the window and one cusses like a sailor (or Marine...Robert says the Marines taught the sailors to talk like that)? That is exactly what happened to me this morning on George Bush...now remember I only drive George Bush to my office twice a week....what are the chances of me getting pulled over?

You know how the state troopers like to drive slow in the fast lane on GB? Well I have never been afraid to pass them as they are driving too slow and jackin' traffic up. I learned today that you should not pass the black, female state trooper when she is jackin up traffic. Apparently she doesn't like it. My dad taught my sister and I how to drive and how to speed "keep it under 10 over and you'll be fine". So I had my cruise set at 68 and went on by Mrs. Trooper and she pulled me over. She is not very friendly either I might add. She simply stated I was going 70 in a 60 (she "paced" me at 70), she was issuing me a citation and would be right back.

Of course I didn't get pulled over in Dallas County where good ole dad could pull some strings, and of course I didn't get pulled over in Richardson where I could throw "Officer Alcorn" out there....nooooo I was in Collin County. In fact I talked to my dad who said passing the trooper pissed her off and Brian simply said too you weren't in Richardson (no kidding) and agreed a ticket for 10 over was weak. He did say troopers have an ego which I don't doubt after today!!!

So now I'll be driving the speed limit in the slow lane while all you other drives go flying by me because who really drives the speed limit (besides the troopers). Robert said he needs to trade in the Volvo for a Corolla so I won't get any more tickets........Apparently his Marine sticker has kept him from getting not only a ticket but also prevented a ride to jail. Maybe Mrs. Trooper doesn't like Marines because the sticker on my car did me absolutely no good.

No title

Last night was the first night of VBS and I really enjoyed doing missions. It was easy and I still got to see all the kids as they came through. I didn't think 15 min would be much time but the first group that we had took 10 min and we had 5 left over! After that I started talking slower and reading more to take up 15 min!!! Tonight Melissa is leading and I'll sit back and be crowd control!

Today was the first day of swim lessons and it took all my energy just to take 3 kids to lessons (Justine was with us), get lunch and come home! Some days Emma sucks all the life out of me. And it was already 98 degrees when we left lessons at 11:30!!! I do so much better in the comfort of AC or being in water if I'm outside!!! The joy of being pregnant during the Texas summer!!

Does anyone else ever get tired of hearing their kids yell "mom"??!!!! I have heard "mom" more in the last 20 min than I have in days!!!

Watson Weekend Update

Not much has been happening in the Watson house since Robert got back from the Mission Trip...things are back to normal! Friday night we went to Friday Night at the Park with church kiddos. Justine made my day by finding me in order to give her favorite aunt a hug! She's the cutest thing ever and I get to babysit her for a while tomorrow...translation...she'll come over and play with the boys. Tomorrow the boys also start swim lessons. Of course Kolton can swim but since Josh is taking lessons I figured he could take more too.

Saturday night we took the boys to Adventure Landing for go-karts, laser tag and a round of putt putt golf. Of course they had fun and mom and dad left there TIRED!! Next Saturday we'll be off to Hawaiian Falls. The water park is 5 min from our house and this will be the first time we've gone.

Tonight VBS starts at church and runs thru Thursday. I had signed up to help Gina with older missions and then she and Mark leave!! I'm leading older missions and somehow talked Melissa into helping me!!! I always like the week of VBS but honestly this year I'm glad I'm not helping in a classroom. Older Missions will be short and sweet...we only have 15 min with each age group. Melissa and I will be talking fast!!

Nathan to go "home"

Cindy got a phone call today that Nathan will be going home tomorrow morning. His grandma, who originally said she wouldn't help raise him, changed her mind, got an attorney and said she would help monitor his parents. So what happens to Nathan if something happens to his grandma? Grandma and parents live together and if I were the judge I'd have to wonder if that environment was really the best for a child. Apparently all the judge cares about is the fact that there aren't drugs in the home, as far as he/she knows, so Nathan goes back. If parents need "supervision" then I don't think they need a child in their care. CPS is all for keeping kids within the family which I just don't agree with.

So as I think about Cindy, Waylan, Justine and Nathan, I wonder what I would do if I were in their shoes. Would I take the risk and continue waiting for a boy or "give up" and be ok w/just 1 kiddo?? Outside looking in it's easy for me to say what I would do but I really don't know what I would do if my desire for kids and feelings were involved.

If anything happens to Nathan, CPS will place him with Cindy & Waylan again. I just pray that he will be safe, healthy, and loved back at home. I don't think he'll be more loved at home than he would be w/Cindy, Waylan, & Justine though.

Random Post

Imagine that...me being random.

We have almost survived the week w/o Robert! He should be at the church within the next 45 min and Josh and I will go pick him up. Kolton struggled with coming home to see Dad or staying with Nanny...in the end Nanny won as usual. I will say I have done surprisingly well w/o Robert this week. God has definitely done work on me w/o me even knowing it. Wasn't too long ago that I really didn't like to be left alone...part of the baggage from a previous "experience". I've come a long way! I did just fine this week if I do say so myself but I am glad things will be back to normal within the hour!!

I got bored yesterday so of course I went shopping. This time Josh and I only went to Kid to Kid so the clothes I bought for Emma were cheap and so cute!!! I have now had to move her wardrobe to the closet in what will be her room...her clothes started taking up too much of my closet space.

A few things on my mind right now that are, as the title says, random....
Cindy's baby boy Nathan. I called her yesterday and today for updates on him of course. You can check out her blog for his full story. Some of you have gotten prayer requests from me over the last 2 years about the Children's Minister, Paul, and his family. They were in a car accident 2 years ago that resulted in Paul and little Samantha being air lifted to 2 different hospitals. I read on Jennifer's blog just now that the man that hit them passed away from a massive heart attack. I'm not sure why reading that has left me speechless but it has.

Oh, and I have 2 new pet peeves. #1..when I order a diet drink for my diabetic kid and he gets regular...I've worked fast food in high school...it's not that hard...one says coke, one says diet coke, the labels are even different colors. Maybe I need to learn how to say diet coke in Spanish..would that help? And pet peeve #2...people who pull up at a gas station smoking. For those people I would like to walk over to them and stamp their forehead "dumba**". And for those who flick the cigarette out onto the ground at a gas station....I'd like to thank them for not blowing the entire place up. If you are one of those people who smoke at a gas station...please tell me what you are thinking so I can better understand your stupidity.

Robert called...Josh and I are off to the church.

Baby Boy

My best friend, Cindy, and her husband, Waylan, finally got a baby boy today!!! Baby Nathan is 3 days old and adorable (but not as adorable as big sister Justine). They have been waiting 9 1/2 months for a boy to come along and today was the day. Now we pray that it is God's will for Nathan to become a Langford. I tease Cindy that she's cheating by adopting...no weight gain...no throwing up....she said she is but has to wait a long time. Today I told her she'd only have been 2 weeks past due since they waited 9 1/2 months. Don't you know when she takes him out in a few weeks other moms are going to be calling her names...so skinny w/a newborn!!! Cindy and Waylan will get more info on his "status" in 2 weeks after the first court hearing. (I'm learning all kinds of interesting facts about CPS and adoption from her.) Keep them in your prayers.

Another Day at Camp

The boys went to the last day of camp today. Tomorrow morning is family rec and picnic and the closing ceremony. The kids are tired! Today Kolton went swimming, fishing, and mentioned a slip 'n' slide (I HATE those things). They both come home with a little sun and tired eyes.

Yesterday they didn't go to camp...I woke up at 1:00 am in "mild discomfort" to say the least. My mom had to drive me to the doctor because I was bent over like a little old lady. The doc determined it wasn't my appendix or a kidney stone and decided I pulled a ligament...ouch is right. After resting the rest of the day I was back to my normal pregnant self today. And did I mention Robert is still out of town?!! I've handeled this long mission trip pretty well up until yesterday. But when I was flying solo and not feeling good I was wishing he was home. 3 more days to go! Remember though, the guy who introduced us, David, is in Iraq and has 2 months of a 12 month tour left (his 3rd tour by the way)....his wife would be rolling her eyes at me saying "give me a break....9 days"...so I won't complain. I've talked to Robert everyday and she only talks to David when he calls...however often that is.

Camp...Day 2

The picture says it all.....

Camp New Horizon

Today was the first day of diabetes camp for Kolton and Josh...Kolton wouldn't let me take his picture at the end of the day but of course Josh did. The camp is sponsored by the American Diabetes Association and is located in Celina...not too bad of a drive to/from work but not so great of a drive from home. The only thing I don't like about the camp is that it is for kids with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. For those of you who have read all my posts, there is one that mentions one of my pet peeves is people who think the two types are the same...don't get me started on that again.

Both boys had fun today and are ready to go back tomorrow. Kolton said his favorite activities were swimming and the hayride...after that he was too focused on his DS to talk about camp anymore. All I could get out of Josh was that he swam and went on the hayride too and then he was too focused on the movie in the car to talk anymore. They are men-in-training....what can I say?!

Mission Trip Update

The MRBC crew made it to Colorado Springs early this afternoon ahead of schedule. Robert called from the burger king on base which brought back memories of the burger king on the base where my dad was stationed until I was 8 and the burger king on the base Robert would drill at when I met him....each base must have a burger king!!!! Tomorrow the kids are going to Pikes Peak after church, Robert's playing golf on Tuesday..tough mission trip huh??!! He was looking at snow capped mountains wearing long sleeves and pants as the boys and I were heading to the pool.

Happy Birthday CeCe

Today Josh went to a birthday party for his friend CeCe who turned 4. They are in the same Sunday School class at church and were in the same class at Mother's Day Out. The party was at 10 this morning and since I had to be at home working, Robert dropped Josh off and I picked him up and I'm glad I wasn't at the party the whole time. When I went to get Josh it was a typical 4 year old party...kids everywhere...running in different directions...some yelling, some crying, some fighting. Josh came home looking like a tiger. I just had to take pictures to post for the blog.

Mission Trip

Robert is off to Colorado Springs w/the youth for their mission trip. They left today at 4...driving to Amarillo and then on to Colorado Springs tomorrow morning and won't be back until late on the 15th. While they are there they get to see Pikes Peak and go white water rafting. They are leading VBS for the Air Force Academy and leading worship Saturday night and Sunday morning. Between VBS and their other "adventures" (as Josh calls it) they will also be doing another mission project at a soup kitchen I think. Pray for them all while they are gone! I've posted a couple pictures of the loading process...the original plan was to take 3 vans but ended up with just 2. Everyone fit but I'm sure the adults will find it to be a loooong trip!

School's Out

Today was Kolton's last day of school as I know it was for most of the area schools. Kolton gets a few days to sleep in then it's off to a week long diabetes day camp. After that he'll have swim lessons, VBS, and whatever else I find to keep him busy! I'm sure we'll be at the pool a lot.

Today I went to this class party which was a total beating....2nd graders EVERYWHERE. Helen and I said we would never work in a pediatrician's office....being around a bunch of 8 year olds on the last hour of school ranks up there with screaming sick kids. I did get some good pictures and of course Kolton enjoyed the party. I've posted a picture of him and his teacher, Mrs. Crain. She'll be taking next year off as she was on maternity leave last school year AND this school year...you do the math.

I'm sure in a few weeks my blog will say I can't wait for school to start again!

Josh and Gracie

Today I watched Josh's good friend Gracie. It amazes me how different kids are...Josh is so laid back compared to her...she likes to keep busy. She was bored by 10 this morning if that tells you anything. After a trip to Mexico..I mean the McDonald's in Murphy for lunch and a little more playing it was time for her to go home at 4...not too bad of a day.

Robert is getting a cold which #1 is not good since he is leaving for the Youth Mission Trip Friday and #2...well you know how men are when they are sick.....

One last comment, how can a person be on WIC and still carry a Coach bag AND have a pedicure?? I'm all for helping out those who are struggling but I think we all know how much a Coach bag costs.....not to mention the rock this lady had on her hand....

Weekend Update

This weekend was uneventful. Of course I bought more clothes for Emma which I really need to quit doing. My phone was eligible for an upgrade so of course I got a new one and spent the rest of the weekend playing with it. We took the boys swimming today after our usual after church nap and that's about it. Pretty boring huh?!

Corollas

This post is really for my friend Helen. On a previous blog one of my pet peeves was Corollas in the fast lane and she could relate. Well, I'm here to tell you it's not the actual car that can't go over 50 mph on the highway...it's the driver. I took my car in for service Friday and was given a Corolla to drive for the day. When I pulled up to drop mine off I saw a row of Corollas and thought "surely not"....but at least I had a car to drive off in. I am here to tell you, the vehicle does in fact go over 50!!!