Sweet Caroline

Our precious girl turned seven in early December, but I have had little time to spend blogging. However, I do not want to miss the opportunity to honor our little sweetie. Caroline is a blessing in so many ways to our family. We are forever changed by the way God has used Caroline in our lives. Her sweet way of thinking of others first, giving gifts from her heart and serving us is cherished by each of us and by her heavenly Father.

I remember the first night I spent with her in the hospital when she was born. She looked so much like my boys did as babies yet there was a definite girlie look to her. It was that night that I knew I needed a little girl. I never had a strong desire for a daughter until I looked in her little tiny face that first night. Then my heart was captured. She and I have been "tight" ever since. :)

She might tell you she's a "Daddy's girl" but I know better. :) Caroline and I love being "da girls" at the Watkins' house. We do girlie things together and she has taught me that being a girl is even more fun when you have someone being a girl with you. Even though our boys (not the Daddy) tease us about being girls and even roll their eyes at us on occasion, we know they really like the fact that we are girly. :) What would they do without us?!

Caroline, your Daddy and I love you with all our heart and are amazed and honored that God picked us to lead you through this life as your parents. We rejoice with you as God led you to make the decision last month to ask Jesus to be your Savior. We know that as you trust in Him He will always be faithful. He loves you even more than we do. What an amazing thing He did for us by choosing us to be His children. We can rejoice for all eternity together now. Yea Caroline! Yea God!

Caroline with Coach and cousins Elise and Avery

Caroline and Piper (best friends through thick and thin)

Our "Garr-Bear"

December 5 marked the 14th birthday of our precious Garrett. Garrett is a multi-faceted guy. His interests include everything from sports, fishing, creating, to making us laugh at him and with him. But the thing that stands out to me the most about my Garrett is his merciful heart. The best way I know to tell you about this is to give you a real life example of the tender heart that God has blessed us with through Garr.

As most of you know, my sweet Mother experienced colon cancer within the last couple of years. She (praise God!!) is doing well now and is back to a somewhat normal lifestyle, which none of us take for granted. When she had her first surgery to take out some of her colon, I went to be there for the surgery. As you can imagine it was a highly emotional time, even though we all felt and knew God's grace in a very tangible way through the entire process. I had planned on just being in Auburn with my parents and sisters for the day of the surgery. But as night rolled around I decided to spend the night with my sister back at my parents' house and return home early, early the next morning in order to homeschool my kids that day. I woke up to a dark, foggy, rainy morning. I was feeling the weight of my mother's situation and was overwhelmed with sadness and pain for her and all of us. To be honest I cried most of the way home as I listened to praise music. I knew God would supply the grace and mercy needed. But it hurt. As I arrived home, having navigated through Atlanta's terrible morning traffic, needless to say I had a weary soul. Chris had already left for work and I knew I had to pull myself together to get through our school day. I walked through the front door feeling very fragile and then I saw my sweet Garrett waiting for me. He had gotten up and was waiting for me on the sofa in the family room. As I sat down next to him, I began to cry again. And as I did, Garrett did not say anything. He simply put his arms around me and cried with me as he continued to hold me. What a gentle man! God blessed me through my merciful son. Nothing he could have said would have been any better or more powerful! His arms around me showed me my Father's love for me.

God's grace is evident in Garrett's life in other ways also. His passion for life is evident. He takes a strong stand and will not easily be moved when he believes something is true. I see the way God uses Garrett in his friends' lives. The strength God has given him is amazingly blended with God's kindness.

We so deeply love you Garrett and are committed to continue to walk with you and lead you to be the man of God that you desire to be. We are encouraged by the fruit we see in your life and give God all the glory for it. I would not trade you in for any other ole boy and am honored and humbled to be your Mom. What joy feels my heart when I think you! Thank you for being my sweetheart! You are dear to me!

We have a Christmas Baby!

Here are some shots of the new baby at our house! Chris and I surprised the kids with a labradoodle puppy named Charlie for Christmas. Isn't he adorable? Come see him!

Blast from Connor's Past...

I couldn't resist showing you Connor's smiles from babyhood and beyond. What a cutie-patootie! I love that boy! I love all those boys (and that girl!)!

ConMan the 12 year old!

This month marks the occasion of our sweet, sweet Connor's 12th birthday. Can't believe it was 12 years ago I was holding that chubby, bald baby in my arms. I promise you he practically was born smiling. :) People would alway comment on what a smiley, happy baby he was. He would also let anyone hold him. Little did we know then that was a sign of things to come. What a lover of people our Connor is today!

His Daddy and I see such a precious gifting from the Lord in His life. His love for people around him, his excitement for life and the joy he has just in trying to live the life God has called him to live is evident. We love being his parents and are honored and privileged to lead this young man into adulthood. What a blessing to have him as OUR son!

Connor, we enjoy sharing life with you. I can't tell you in words how much I love you. The sunshine and laughter you bring to us is priceless. I can't imagine our family without you. I tell you often that there is a Connorman space in my heart that only you can fill. Thank you for being my precious son and bringing me much joy. I can't thank God enough for you. I look forward to seeing the man of God that you will be as you continue to follow our Lord and Saviour! You are da Man Con-Con!

Blessed beyond Measure!

Chris took all of us to celebrate this afternoon at Longhorn Steakhouse for it was a VERY, VERY HAPPY day in the Watkins' home! We finally closed on our old house this morning at 11:00 a.m. The most amazing thing about this closing is the fact that real estate in Atlanta right now is not good at all. That our home was only on the market for 4 months is really a gift from God. We do not take any of this lightly and give our heavenly Father all the glory and honor for this undeserved blessing. We do serve a mighty God and we as a family hope to stay coninually amazed by His grace! He is so good to us!

Thank you family and friends who have prayed for us during this time. May you also be encouraged by yet another example of God's faithfulness!

Our Ballerina has her own style!

Ok, All you Mamas of girls out there have told me this would happen. It's happened....actually it happened a couple of years ago. I just recently have given it up! You know what I mean....given up the battle for style. I mean who really cares if you wear go-go boots (thanks Aunt Jenny) with a leotard and tights. I would not pick this outfit, BUT Caroline would. Believe it or not (I'm sure you Mommys of girls out there have no problem believing this) but this is not the most eccentric thing she has pulled together. I DO draw a line with stripes and plaids or floral and stripes or oh my goodness all kinds of stuff. As Chris says, "There are bigger hills to die on." Oh how tempted I am to climb this hill though.

I do take joy in the fact that God has made my little girl in a unique way to bring glory to Him. I just have to constantly remember that the unique way He made her is not like the way He made me. Neither one of them is right or wrong....just both for His glory in different ways. But somewhere in the Bible doesn't it say we should at least match? :)

What a snazzy guy!

One of the joys of being a part of such an awesome school for homeschoolers is being able to have athletics and such things as homecoming football games and dances. Riley and a group of friends went to the homecoming dance at school tonight. They have had swing, ballroom and all kinds of fun dance lessons for the last few weeks offered at school.

Girls Weekend in Huntsville, Alabama

Caroline and I went with Aunt Joni and Avery to visit Aunt Jenny, Elise and Uncle David (who actually went camping for the weekend) in their new town of Huntsville a couple of weeks ago. We visited the Huntsville Botanical Garden where there was a scarecrow exhibit. I love my sweet family and am always thankful for the opportunity to spend time with them!Jenny took all the pics this time cause I forgot my camera. I guess that's why she's not in any of the photos. :(

Jen, This is for you! :)

My friend Jen "tagged" me to post some of my favorite recipes. I am not known for my cooking abilities like some. But these recipes are some of my favorites; so here goes:

Spaghetti Pie -adapted from my Mom's recipe
(This makes 2 pies.......great to take for dinner for someone)

2 pounds hamburger meat (or ground turkey)
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
12 ounce package of thin spaghetti noodles
1/2 stick of margarine or butter
2 eggs
2 cups of cottage cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese

Cook spaghetti; drain; stir in butter, eggs and parmesan cheese. Cook meat; drain and add sauce. Put 1/2 of spaghetti mixture in bottom of large pie pan or casserole dish. Add 1/2 of cottage cheese (do not mix). Put 1/2 of meat sauce on top of cottage cheese. Add 1/2 of mozzarella cheese to top of pie. Cook @350 for 30 minutes.



Taco Soup -this is from my sister Jenny
(this also makes a lot and is good to take to someone else)

2 pounds gound beef (browned and drained)
1 large onion (chopped)
2 envelopes Taco seasoning
2 envelopes Ranch dressing mix
2 cans corn drained
2 cans diced tomatos
1 can Rotel tomatos (undrained)
1 can black beans (undrained)
1 can pinto beans (undrained)
1 can kidney beans (undrained)
2 cups water

Simmer 2 hours. Serve with grated cheese, chopped green onions, sour cream, salsa, tortilla chips.


Hot Artichoke Appetizer
(this is a yummy dip to take to Caregroup)

1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup mayonaise
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Mix all ingredients well; then sppon into a lightly greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Serve with melba toast or tortilla chips.

Baby, Baby!

Here are a few of the things we have been doing lately! We had the privilege of keeping our sweet friends' children for the weekend last weekend. We ALL enjoyed Robbie, Ally, Chloe, Peyton and Baby Casey. It's so fun to have babies around the house! I don't know who enjoyed it more the boys, Caroline or me! We love you Katie and Ron! Your children were wonderful! You would have been very proud of them! Let us do it again! And yes, we'll even take Peyton again! We ALL get such a kick outta him! He's quite a guy!