One week to go

Today is Monday, we are two weeks into our fast. I gave up the most (facebook, fast food and sugar), while our whole family sacrificed eating fast food. Chayce was tempted many times hanging out with friends, heck I even had to drop her off at McDonald's once to meet up with them, can you say willpower? She really struggled with that one, she texted me and said that it was driving her crazy because everyone was eating and she wasn't. I told her to be strong, Jesus gave his life for us, the sacrifice we are making for three weeks is nothing compared to what He gave.

I myself have struggled quite a bit this time. I have realized how much I 'rely' on sweets for satisfaction. I even found myself angry at times because I just wanted some chocolate. I don't remember it being this hard last year...I have depended heavily on fruits and honey this go'round. It's amazing how delicious a glass of orange juice is when you are really wanting something sweet. To know that I can do this gives me strength...it shows me that I can find other alternatives, natural alternatives to processed sugar. I've been munching on plain oatmeal with fruit, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. I have noticed a difference in my body as well, my stomach is 'trimmer' and I know I've lost at least 2 lbs. I am praying that I can condition myself to stick with this and limit my sweets to special treats and not something I have to have daily. I even made a point to break it to my kids that I will no longer be buying weekly sweets to put in their lunch, that fruits are their new snacks and treats. (Except for the occassional chocolate cake, fresh baked cookies or muffins.) Channing wanted to know if there were exceptions for birthdays, (as if I were going to deprive her of her birthday cake in a few weeks!)

When it's all said and done I am thankful and pleased that I was able to keep in mind the Lord's sacrifice of His only son and Jesus' suffering. With this in mind I was able to change some bad habits and guide my family to a more healthy lifestyle.

The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

Our precious Chan

She was crazy bored today, even though we played multiple games of Perfection and several rounds of Old Maid. Bless her little heart, she jumped up and decided that she wanted to clean the house! She wiped down the bar, the kitchen counter tops, rinsed all the dishes in the sink, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher (all of this while standing in a chair so she could reach). She made my bed and took out the trash in both bathrooms...and now she's helping James and I with laundry! Can you say BLESSING!?!?

I truly believe she has a servant's heart. She has been cleaning for the last several weeks because we started giving the kids allowance. One day she jumped up and decided to start cleaning and I explained to her that you don't get allowance for everything you do, that some things are just expected of you, she replied with a "I know, I just want to help." Music to a mother's ears!

We went to Art Night at her school this past week to see the masterpiece she created: a mama camel, a baby camel with the pyramids behind it...she thoughtfully drew the baby camel some food as well. While we are at the art show, she decided that she wanted to help pass out refreshments. I told her to go right ahead! Instead of standing at the table handing them out with all the other volunteers, she was working the room, the cafeteria that is...walking around personally passing out beverages to anyone who wanted to take one. While we are at the art show, I go over to talk to the Asst. Principal, Mrs. Oliver. Mrs. Oliver asks Channing if she had told me that she had helped someone at school today. Channing shook her head no and I agreed, she hadn't told me anything about it. Mrs. Oliver proceeds to tell me that there was a little girl during the school day who had one of her fingers caught and smashed in a door. Our Chan went over to help her by escorting the wounded girl to the office requesting some ice be putting on the little girl's finger. I asked Channing if she knew who the girl was and she said no.

My sweet little 6 year old, always so helpful and going out of her way to help a stranger...this could be the beginning of many great stories to come!

What a week...

We had a crazy week, Camden woke up throwing up on Monday, he couldn't keep anything down. Tuesday was 'recovery day', Wednesday he started the day with a runny/stuffy nose...no fever though. Thursday he woke up with good energy and I asked him if he felt okay to go to school, he said yes...his breathing wasn't quite right so we gave him his inhaler and off we went. As the morning progressed his teacher brought him to me because he was in tears and I noticed his breathing hadn't improved (the way it normally does when we give him his inhaler). I called the doctor to get him in and they didn't have anything until 3:00 but I didn't think that would work since he was having such labored breathing. I called back to see if they had anyone call in and cancel and when I told them about his breathing they told me to bring him in and they would work him in.

We got to the doctor and by this time he was running fever (99.8). We had to wait for the doctor for at least 30 minutes and during this time he fell asleep on the table in the room. Bless his little heart, it wasn't a peaceful rest because of his breathing so he was making these loud noises the whole time he slept. I couldn't believe he didn't wake himself up! He sounded terrible so I had hoped that the doctor would make it in while he was still asleep so she could hear him. When she came in she sat down to ask me a few questions and he started making the noises again. (I was so thankful that she was able to hear them!) She woke him up and she said he felt really warm so she had the nurse take him temp again, this time it was 101.8. She immediately did a flu test and even tested his oxygen levels. Flu test came back negative so she sent us over to the hospital for chest x-rays.

The technician took pics of his chest and after she looked at them, she told me to wait while she checked to see if the radiologist wanted to look at the and call the doctor while we were still there. I thought that was odd and I had a feeling that she had seen something. She came back from talking to the radiologist and said that Camden had bilateral something or other. I can't even remember the second word she used but she told me that the doctor would be calling me and just to make sure that I got his prescriptions filled. We barely made it home and the nurse called to say that Camden has pneumonia in both lungs and the doctor wanted to see him again on Friday morning. He was given an antibiotic, a steroid and albuterol to put into a nebulizer. He had trouble with his first round of the albuterol because he is so used to taking the heaving breaths to suck in the meds from his inhaler...I thought he was going to hyperventilate!! It took several minutes of telling him to breathe 'normal' before he got the hang of it.

Anyway, he is improving...up and around like his normal self again.

Praise be to God for allowing us to catch his illness early on.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Channing Riece Watson...

Mom: Chan, what's your favorite color?
Chan: Purple

Mom: What is your favorite thing to do?
Chan: Ride my scooter

Mom: Who is your most favorite person in the whole wide world?
Chan: I'm not going to answer that...my family!

Mom: What is your favorite thing that I cook?
Chan: Bean and cheese nachos

Mom: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Chan: I do not know

Mom: What's your favorite song?
Chan: Firefly (By, Jimmy Needham)

Mom: What is something that alot of people may not know about you?
Chan: I like to sing

In the Name of Jesus

This story gave me chills as I read it:

Frisco shop owner invokes Jesus in telling gunman to leave
9:08 AM Wed, Jan 13, 2010 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz

Bruce Tomaso/Editor Bio | E-mail | News tips

CBS 11 has this story (complete with video) about a Frisco store owner who thwarted an armed robbery by telling a gunman that God wanted him to vamoose.

According to the TV station, the would-be robber entered Extravagant Necessities, a gift boutique on Legacy Drive, just as owner Marian Chadwick was taking care of her last customer Tuesday evening and getting ready to close up.

The gunman, wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses, demanded money.

Chadwick told CBS 11 what happened next:

"I looked him straight in the eye and I said, 'In the name of Jesus, I command you to get out of my store. You are bound by the Holy Spirit and you are leaving.' "

The gunman turned and walked out of the store. No one was injured.

He left in a silver car, possibly a Kia.

Police said the same man may be responsible for armed robberies in Plano, Richardson, Allen and Frisco.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! Hebrews 13:8

About me...

4 Jobs I have had:

1. A snowcone maker...technically, it was 'shaved ice'...WAY better than your average snowcone!
2. Customer service rep...answering incoming calls for Sears and then for Ford Motor Company
3. A shoe salesperson...I hated it, I'm not good at 'selling' anything!
4. A recruting assistant...best money I have made to date and I had free insurance too...I miss those days.


4 Movies I have watched more than once:

1. Sixteen Candles, I always dreamed I'd find my VERY OWN Jake Ryan!
2. Grease, the original one...I love, love, love, it. We named Channing after Stockard Channing who played Rizzo!
3. When A Man Loves A Woman, such a great movie...love that man Andy Garcia in that movie!
4. Twilight, yes I am addicted. AND, I will continue to watch it over and over and over again!


4 T.V. Shows I cannot miss, although I really don't watch much t.v., when I do, these are the shows I love to watch!

1. Dateline NBC
2. 20/20
3. Biggest Loser
4. Intervention


4 People who email me regularly:

1. James, the hubby aka "Muff"
2. My beautiful friend Shanna
3. My sweet sister-in-law Shelley
4. ???


4 Places I have been:

1. Las Vegas...for our belated Honeymoon
2. Many trips to Shreveport, Louisiana...mostly to see James' family
3. Aruba...James' company gave us a free trip there when he reached 5 years on the job...I had an upset stomach all the way to the airport due to my fear of flying.
4.Destin, Florida...family vacation, it was amazing and I can't wait until we can go back!


4 Favorite Foods

1. Mexican food, especially brunch at Mattito's in Dallas! You should try it!
2. Italian food, I LOVE Lobster ravioli!
3. Seafood...shrimp, shrimp, fish, shrimp...need I say more?
4. I also LOVE hamburgers...I crave them! Oh and ANYTHING chocolate! Ok, so that was actually five.


4 Places I would like to visit

1. Mexico, I hear the beaches are amazing!
2. Israel, I would love to walk the streets where Jesus once stood and see for my own eyes all the places I have read about in the Bible.
3. The Bahamas...BEACH!
4. Italy, for the food and romance.


4 Things I am looking forward to this year

1. Getting our finances in order and paying off some debt.
2. Starting my career!!!!!!!!
3. Growing more...spiritually, so I can be the wife, mom and person God wants me to be.
4. Cooking more and trying even more new recipes.

I know this girl...

She drives me C-R-A-Z-Y!!!!! One minute she's an angel, the next minute...well I won't call her Satan, or Lucifer or anything like that but OH MY GOODNESS! "Take me here, can I go there?, Mom this, Mom that", an eye roll here, an attitude there. She wants to stay up late yet she can't quite seem to get up in the mornings for school. She is so freaking smart, gifted actually, not just in my opinion...it's a fact, but sometimes doesn't apply herself. Her room stays messy, she leaves her dirty clothes on the bathroom floor, bickers with her siblings...cooks things on high so all the liquid in the pan boils over and makes a gigantic mess that causes the smoke alarm to go off continuously.

This girl (the one who drives me crazy)...woke me up last night with all the noise she was making, it was 1:45 a.m. to be exact. I walked to her room to get onto her and what did my ears hear? The very girl who drives me crazy witnessing to her friend...talking to her about God and telling her friend how she can just let everything go and hand it all over to Him.

I turn around and quietly walked back to my room. I then offered up a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking Him for this girl who drives me crazy.

OH! Happy! Day!

I can't believe my eyes...it's really here!!!
Now I just have to take a fabulous picture to attach to it~

Happy Birthday Mom!

I consider myself very blessed to have a mom that's almost always been my best friend. More times that I could ever count you have been there for me, physically, emotionally, financially and (dare I say it) even mentally! As mother and daughter we've had our trying times but I have always known that I could come to you and tell you or ask you ANYTHING and you would share your heart.

Thank you for turning up the music and dancing around the house when we would clean when I was a little girl. You truly made cleaning a fun experience.

Thank you for the many hours we spent at the pool when I was growing up...it was the most fun and it didn't cost us alot of money...thank you for continuing to love it so we can lay out together on our days off.

Thank you for always working so hard for your family, you sacrificed so much for us and had to miss out on some of our activities so we could have a house to live in and food on our table.

Thank you for writing me the little note you wrote me when I was 15 the day of my homecoming pep rally at school. You told me how proud of me your were and how you thought I looked beautiful that day, it mean so much to me. I still have that note.

Thank you for sending me roses on Valentine's Day when I was 19 and single...I didn't have a valentine that year so you stepped in and brought a smile to my face that day!

Thank you for your courage and your will to live when you were 38 and diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember it like it was yesterday, the doctor coming in to tell us that it was cancer and how devastated we all were. You fought so hard to live and here you are almost 15 years later, almost like it all never happened except the scars left behind as reminders.

Thank you for being so calm the day you found out I was pregnant with Chayce...I don't remember much about that day, just that you were completely there for me and you never raised your voice or told me what you thought I should do.

Thank you for giving Chayce her first bath because I was too scared I was going to drown her, you did it with a smile on your face and showed me that it wasn't so scary after all.

Thank you for all the diapers you gave me for Chayce, especially the first year of her life when I was getting no child support. You helped me out so much!

Thank you for being the woman behind the camera with the birth of each of my kids. Without you, I wouldn't be able to re-live those memories any time I want on our television.

Thank you for witnessing the birth of all my kids, it meant so much more having you in the room with me.

Thank you for being such a great Mimi, mine and Chris' kids are so blessed to have such a hands-on 'grandma' who takes them to feed the ducks, buys 'poppers' and goes outside to pop them in freezing weather, clothes them on a regular basis, buys coloring books of your own so you can color with them. You are always spending time with them or taking them to do things and that's why the have a bond with you like no other. You give yourself to them so unselfishly, always.

Thank you for being one of many who encouraged me to go to cosmetology school and for sacrificing two years of your life watching my kids so I could follow my dream.

Thanks for all you are, all you do and for always being there.

I love you so much Mom.

It's 2010 and changes are a-comin'

Well, New Years Eve consisted of us staying home and letting Chayce have some friends over. The kids all sang karaoke on Channing's new microphone she got for Christmas. Camden was in his element...he didn't care who was watching, he was belting out the tunes...actually he sang "Can't Get Away" by Rush of Fools three times in it's entirety. I think we may have the next American Idol living under our roof. I had a glass of wine and James and I stayed up until about 1:45...till we just couldn't keep our eyes open anymore!

Thanks to our pastor, we are encouraged each year to 'fast' for 21 days beginning with the new year. Last year he asked the whole church to do a sugar fast, no refined sugar, only fruits and fruit juices. James even participated which made my heart so happy. This year Pastor Brad left it up for us to decide. I have chosen to refrain from Facebook and sugar (again). I asked James what he was going to fast and he couldn't really think of anything until Monday morning, I got a text from him asking if I thought fast food would be a good one. I was thrilled, it's quite a sacrifice because that's basically what he has for lunch everyday at work, not to mention alot of our money gets blown on it as well. We are constantly picking up something here and there, I told him I would join him in his decision as well. I was telling the kids that he and I had decided not to eat fast food for three weeks and they thought that was a pretty neat idea so Chayce and Channing agreed to give it up as well. I told them I thought this was very big of them and I talked to them about how much money we'd be saving over the next three weeks since we would be eating at home. I am excited to see how much our health, our wallets and our spirits will benefit from this!

I cut up my credit cards yesterday...I should have done it sooner, but hey...better late than never right?!? We are really going to focus on doing the debt snowball that we learned in our Dave Ramsey class at church. We've already started saving for Christmas of 2010, our goal is to also start saving for a yearly family vacation ...if it doesn't happen this year, there's always next year, the goal is to start saving for it. Chayce needs braces and I am hoping to get into a salon sometimes SOON so I can help knock out our debt...ahhh 2010, I foresee you being a year of triumphs and victories...better marriage, more family time, more God time, and making better choices with our money.