Sinking Sand

This picture is about what life has looked like for the Watsons the past few months. We are continuously on the move, and my sweet children have had no choice but to go with the flow. These smiling faces make it look as though it has been easy! I'd say that building a house has not put me on any mother of the year charts (as you can see Baker holding his M&M treat in his hand). My car is never clean, we eat out all the time, the diaper bag is constantly full of snacks, Baker can sing you most any song on the radio ("impossib...l...e, impossib...l...e", "wish right now, wish right now...", etc. Again...mother of the year!!!), that last lovely post about my guitar...has not been picked up in weeks, my husband and I rarely have a conversation that doesn't involve the house, my children probably don't remember what it is like to simply play b/c we are always in the car running errands, there is no consistency in our bedtime routine anymore, I rarely have time to call friends or family...unless I am in the car......

Life, to say the least, has been exhausting!

I was sitting in church yesterday, weary, exhausted, and a little numb when we began to sing an old hymn. "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand..." As I sang those words I began to...well....pretty much sob. Yes, I was fighting back flowing tears so that, what can only be referred to as the ugly cry, did not make its appearance. "All other ground is sinking sand." Those words, written so long ago, words I've sang my whole life, found a new meaning in my heart. I realized how much truth lies within them. I have put so much of me into so many other things besides God....and I am drowning among all of them. I am so tired of being let down by the things that God promises me are "going to let me down." As I am sure He is so tired of watching me "sink" because I am choosing to not reach for His hand.

A house....is just a house....just walls, and paint colors, and lights, and doors, and everything else that can be taken away in the blink of an eye. And I have spent way too many hours worrying about all of those little things. Tonight I decided to put what matters the most into our home....what should have been put there all along. Most of our floors have already been put down, but in every room where someone will lay their head, I wrote God's word on that floor. Our rooms will be built upon God's word...and I hope that penetrates into our hearts and we never forget it.

"My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name."

These are a few of my favorite things...

I can say with an open and honest heart that I, Laura Watson, am without a doubt, the worst decision maker of all time! I'm serious....I can't do it....I cannot make quick decisions. I "think" and "think" and "think" until it is pretty much ridiculous that I am even "thinking" anymore. I will keep myself up at night, mind racing, on something as silly as, "Am I sure I liked that dress in red? Or should I have gotten it in silver instead?" Yes, unfortunately that is me! So there is my confession!!!!

FINALLY.....after MONTHS of guitar searching....I can finally say it has come to an end....and isn't it just lovely???? (And yes, I have told it how pretty it is a lot today!)

It did make me stop and think why I am such a bad decision maker. I don't do that with everything, just the big things...things we spend a pretty penny for....things that we want to keep for a long time. There is a song that I love that has a verse I sing to Josh all the time. "We never get ahead, but we have enough." That's us! Plain and simple! And while sometimes that is tough, living within those constraints, it definitely teaches me daily about humility. I don't take for granted my new guitar, the car in the driveway that may not be new, but is paid off, my cell phone that for sure is behind on the times with technology....but WORKS =), or any of the other luxuries this life gives us. God continues to bless me beyond what I need or even deserve! And today.....he blessed me with a beautiful Alvarez guitar!

It is amazing the amount of pressure I feel at the moment....no turning back....no excuses....time to learn to play it well!!!!

Potty Training Take 1

Just chillin'...gettin' some work done!

So today we decided to tackle potty training....and when I say "tackle"...that is literally what it felt like!!! It did not begin very smoothly, bringing me back to my days of teaching. At the beginning of the year you have your room perfect, you know in your mind how you are going to teach that first day, and then....nothing goes as planned. Baker DID NOT want his diaper off and was very emotional about it. Then he did not want to sit on the potty. He continued to get up and down, playing with things all over the bathroom. He had three accidents before any signs of success! Not to mention an active one year old that was all over both of us. I think we both were feeling a little discouraged. Luckily....those years of teaching taught me to improvise quickly. Caleb ended up playing...alot...in the pack-n-play today, and we got a basket out and put some books, markers, stickers, etc. next to the potty to keep us occupied while we sat. And sat we did!!! But then it happened.....BAKER WENT TO THE POTTY!!!! We were both so excited. He got to put a star on his "tee-tee" chart and got 2 M&Ms. Let me just say that Baker is a child after my own heart. He tells me all the time, "I like chocolate, Mommy." So once he figured out he got candy after each successful attempt.....we did not have another accident all day! What started out as a tough morning, turned into a smooth afternoon! I hope tomorrow is even better! My little man is growing up so quickly!

Change is scary, unfamiliar, uncertain....even to a two year old. This morning you could see Baker's fear in simply taking off his diaper, and by the end of the day....he didn't want it back on! It was a great reminder to me (in this world of change our family is going through right now) that change usually comes into our lives to make it better. Dive in, embrace it, have faith....and hold on tight!!!!

The Storm

There are certain times in life where knowing God is there for us is simply not enough. We don't deserve them but yet we seek those tangible reminders that He is present in our lives, that He is in fact in control even when life feels exactly the opposite.

"Is it possible to be lonely when you are surrounded by people at all times? Are you able to feel broken when you are being showered with blessing? Can you still be empty when your plate is completely full?" I feel I have been living amongst these questions for months and months.

This past weekend I was given the opportunity to go home and be in the wedding of my oldest, dearest friend. I don't get the chance to travel back to Chattanooga often, so when I do I want to embrace every moment I am there. Having a few hours to myself, I headed up Signal Mountain to the Brow. I needed time away from the world...to sit on my mountain top, allow my heart to be at peace, and simply talk to God. I talk a lot. I talk so much that I probably miss a lot of the times God decides to talk back. But that day, He didn't talk....He painted his message across the sky.

As I glanced across the skyline, I watched dark clouds, thunder, and lightening begin to come in from the left. When I looked right, however, what did I see.....calm, sunny, blue skies. I sat amazed at how distinct the line was that set the two scenes a part. That's when I saw the message God was sending me. God really does love me. He takes not only moments to listen to my heart, but places me in the right spot, at the right time, to tangibly remind me of something I so often forget.....He IS always there!!! As I continued to sit in awe of that sight I thought to myself how ever present storms are in life, no matter what shape or form they take on. Yet how often when amidst a storm do we see past its edges to what lies ahead? God showed me that He is right there, on His mountain top, whether rain or shine. He sees my storms, but He also sees my sunshine. And all He asks of me is to trust Him....that it's there waiting for me....when the storm passes by.

For "Office" Fans Only

Anyone that knows us knows that The Office is our favorite show!!!! Josh and I are always throwing out quotes when something funny applies to our own lives. Caleb....our sweet Caleb....makes us laugh almost daily, reminding us of one of our favorite episodes. This is what both Michael Scott and Caleb look like in their normal every day lives!

In the episode Michael "thinks" he is Jim's new best friend, so he begins wearing his hair down and messy like his (which to a true fan....is pretty hilarious). Caleb....daily at his high chair...is always rubbing his hands on his face/eyes/head and ends up with a very similar hair style! It cracks us up!

Beautiful blessings...

Josh and I were given the opportunity to go to Mexico Beach, FL for my best friend Heather's wedding. We spent an amazing three days hanging out with not only each other, but sweet friends. Unfortunately Baker became very sick, so it was no easy week for my Mom, but I am very thankful he was in good hands while I was away.

CONGRATS HEATHER & MATT....love you both!!

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Before heading to the beach we had a bridal shower for my childhood best friend Meaghan at Judy's home on Signal Mountain. Her home is absolutely gorgeous. Every time I drive up the mountain my heart becomes so heavy. Oh how I miss my home.....the view, the trees, the friends, the memories, the air up there.....everything. I was very blessed to grow up in such a wonderful place......and with such wonderful people (pictured below). Mom, Judy, Faye, and Mary Lynn have been best friends for many years....bringing us all up together. They are my family!

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I love the moments in life where you can't deny God's intervention in your life. This was definitely one of those moments. My very best friend/soul mate, Jessie, called me and asked if she could fly me and the boys to Maryland to visit her for a week. But the catch.....it was the very next week, actually less than. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I truly believe God sees our hearts, wants, needs....and knows when life is beginning to become too much. The past few months have not been easy, especially the past few weeks. What greater gift could the Lord possibly bless me with than sending me....FOR FREE....to see my best friend who I had not seen in two years? It was an incredible week. We spent most of it in pure insanity with 5 children.....but the night times were our moments....to laugh, talk, reminisce, and catch up. I miss you, Jess.....more than you will ever know!

Our attempted shopping trip. Don't our kids look like they want to take a picture?

This is what bed time looked like each night!

This is what day time looked like each day!

This is what bath time looked like!

It was all so much fun! I hate that Jess and I live so far away....but I know that no distance will ever touch our friendship!

"Thank you, Father, for the gift of such wonderful friends...who have all helped shape and mold me into the person I am today. I would not be the same without them! They are my beautiful blessings!"

Hard Days Filled With Good Moments...

As you can tell from my lack of posting, life for us has been a little crazy. I find myself using the word "fine" often and have taken on the new motto that life....is a bunch of hard days filled with good moments. Here is a taste of some of the good moments in a typical day!

Caleb cracks me up! He hears music and starts moving! In this video he was a tad bit distracted by his books....his other love....but it doesn't take much to get him going.

Mommy's hands are STILL full....and both boys STILL enjoying dancing with Mommy at the same time! I wouldn't have it any other way. It is one of the few times within our household where we all love each other at the same time! =)

I captured this precious moment while putting Baker down for a nap....hence the bad camera angles and dark picture. We were rocking and he asked me to sing "Raindrops on Roses" with him. I loved the Sound of Music growing up....so my children hear me sing those songs often! I think Baker likes them too!