I am humbled and grateful and full of joy.
The Life and Times of the Jared and Anna Watts Family
Friday, August 2, 2013
Feeling blessed
I must take a moment and breathe - and allow the reality of how abundantly blessed I am to resonate through me. All too often I allow the ultimate "Hater" to overwhelm me with negativity and feelings of inadequacy. My husband's humble prayer tonight as we knelt together as a family reminded me of how joyful I should be every day - to be the mother of children who desire to follow God's plan and try their hardest everyday to make righteous choices; to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives; to be able to read the word of God everyday and have the scriptures at our fingertips; to be a family - forever; to have the priesthood in our home.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Why did the turkey cross the road?
I wish it were an April Fool's joke!
On my way to school, to drop the kids off - he darts across the road and I hit him straight on...
I kept driving, waiting for him to fall off... I stopped, walked gingerly to the front of the car (thought he might jump up and claw my eyes out) and tried to pull him off the car. Saw that his head was wedged into my grill (took a picture, cause I didn't think anyone would believe my story) and popped the hood. He fell onto the ground and after I was sure he wasn't going to jump up and run after me, I grabbed a napkin from my glove compartment and drug him to the side of the road.
I thought (for a split second) about putting him in the back of my van,
because I KNOW that is what Jared would've wanted me to do and turkey is yummy,
but then again, I didn't want to deal with the blood on my carpet. Too bad I wasn't driving a truck...
(insert here: "... you might be a redneck.")
It made me giggle when I wrote down the excuse for my children being tardy to school though...
Reason for Tardiness: Hit a Turkey.
:-D
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Lindsey's 10th Birthday Party!
Our beautiful Lindsey Lou turned 10 on February 12th, 2013
and we celebrated the actual day with rainbow streamers over her doorway, pink and green ones down the bannister, all meals on the "special" plate and her choice of what was on the menu for the day.
We also had Strawberry Shortcake for her desert since they are her favorite fruit.
WHAT?! No cake, you say? Well, she wanted a party with lots of friends (lots of friends = lots of presents, right?) at Chuck-E-Cheese. So thats what we did...
Lindsey with her cake (themed with present boxes) and her presents in the background.
A GIANT KISS
from Daddy
No present from Gramma Jackie would be right if it didn't include a handmade crocheted item.
Here is Lindsey modeling the scarf and hat my mother made! We have been using these items plentifully living here in North Eastern Pennsylvania!
Lindsey with her new friends she has made in school!
They have all been really sweet and have made her feel welcome here.
AND - Tanner was thrilled to be able to play all evening
and stuff his clothes full of tickets in the ticket booth!
Lindsey got a turn too - but I didn't capture it on film...
Lindsey requested ear muffs somewhere along the way during this new experience
called "winter" we have enjoyed during this grand adventure living back East.
So, that was one of the gifts she opened up on the morning
of her birthday before she went off to school.
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| Lindsey's photo creation (self portrait) on my iPad :-) |
Lindsey continues to learn and grow. We are encouraging her to continue learning to play the piano, she loves singing and dancing and playing games and puzzles on the computer and devices (she finally got her own iPod for her birthday - and Tanner inherited Emily's old iPod touch). She has struggled to adapt to the demands of 4th grade, but we can see her improvement. She has demonstrated some characteristics of OCD that have been aggravated by the stress and anxiety that goes along with such a life changing event as this has been - to move away from everything familiar and away from extended family. She misses her Aunts and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas and cousins. She counts things within her surroundings when she is anxious and then she misses valuable information being taught. But we are learning to manage and she is obtaining study skills that help her be a good student.
We love our Lindsey and love watching her learn and grow and love those around her. She truly enjoys being a big sister to Julie and still remains one of Mommy's best helpers in the house.
Remember - you are so loved!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
A day in the life of a 3 year old
We see shapes everywhere! Squares, circles and triangles - can you see them too?
#anymomentcanbeateachingmo
#toddlertime
#ilovebeingamommy
Be mine...
Thinking of you.
Treats that I left in my hubby's car for him to find this morning.
Happy Valentines Day!!
#whatsinthebox
#bemyvalentine
#dontneedaholidaytoshowmyl
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Lindsey is 10!
February just about kills us...
My birthday, Tanner's birthday, Lindsey's birthday
and then Valentine's Day...
all within the first two weeks of the month!!!!
I know... Jared and I didn't plan well.
SO! Tanner turned 8, and two days later... Lindsey turned 10!
Happy 10th Birthday sweet girl!
Lindsey also wanted to invite some new friends she had made in her 4th grade class to a party at Chuck E Cheese. Well, that was going to have to wait until the weekend...
On her actual birthday - two days before Valentine's Day - she woke to the traditional streamers on her door and streamers down the banister. She got her request for breakfast and got to open a present before school! See photo above...
Everyone gets to pick the menus for each meal on their special day
and we had Lindsey's favorite fruit to top off desert...
Strawberry Shortcake!
Love you Lindsey Lou!
You are amazing!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tanner's 8th Birthday
Birthday decorations for
Tanner!
8 years old
Real Steel
Birthday party activities...
Boxing matches
Throwing Darts at balloons filled with goodies
...and homemade pizza!
Julie helped Mommy make the pizza... while Daddy
and Tanner and Lindsey and Emily
had BOXING MATCHES!!!!
We are so happy that you are
our strong but sweet boy!
Happy 8th Birthday Tanner!
We had invited about 5 of your friends from your 2nd grade class to come over to your party...
but with Nemo blowing in, and a snow day - it was hard for anyone to get over to our house. So, we had a great time just the 6 of us!
Sunday was your actual birthday
and we saved a gift for you to open that day.
You were so excited to open up your very own set of scriptures
with your name engraved on them! You were so happy, your reaction brought me to tears!
You were happy to put on your first suit and looking forward to being baptized.
You looked so handsome! My future missionary...
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Winter Storm warning...
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| Nemo's comming... Feb. 8th, 2013 |
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| 7 inches to blow - the morning after Nemo blew through. Feb. 9th, 2013 |
Jared likes to use the snow blower. Good Morning Nemo!
I'm just glad it didn't knock out our power this time.
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| A bit of shelter... |
Friday, February 8, 2013
Another snow day...
So, Nemo decides to blow through - dumping another 6 to 8 inches of snow overnight.
Bringing on yet another SNOW DAY!
YAY!
My kids decided to give ME a pedicure!
I feel so loved!
Aren't they sweet?
I think I'll keep them...
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Tanner Wrestles
Tanner is a natural at any sport he tries!
He did really well with this sport -
and took 3rd place in his weight class at the final tournament -
but, he did not want to continue.
He wants to do baseball and soccer and football.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Surpise!!!
My sweet daughter Emily and husband Jared planned a little surprise birthday party for me!
I was truly touched to see the group of people that had gathered to celebrate my birthday.
It was all Emily's idea - and she had the help of Daddy and my newest friend Sarah Samudio to plan it all. Dinner and cake with friends! It was beautiful and fun! It was a great way to celebrate my 38th birthday!
Pink balloons, good food, friends, family, laughter, stories shared, and cake pops as favors!
What a party!
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| Walking into the "Surprise!" |
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| My cake! Red Velvet created by Sarah and Luis Samudio (Sarah's Specialty Sweets) |
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| Me, Emily and Julie admiring the beautiful cake! |
Guests:
Robert & Melanie Nelson (and Clark and Kurt)
Abby Rogers and Freddy
Billy Wright (President of T&D Power)
Stacey and Andy Melton
Jorge and Karen (Jessen) Perez
Luis and Sarah Samudio
AND
My loving family: Jared, Emily, Lindsey, Tanner and Julieanna
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I'm a good mom... (I repeat this mantra daily)
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Afterschool snack - inspired by a conversation w/ my sister Christina today! ❤ @christinasharrison
Thursday, January 24, 2013
December Citizen of the Month
Soon after we moved here to Pennsylvania, Tanner became a victim of bullying.
All three of my children ride the bus together to school. The Elementary at the front, the Middle and High School kids toward the back. All of my children have the confidence and self-respect to stand up for themselves and to defend what is right. All of them have experienced verbal bullying - and Tanner stood up against two boys who were bullying him and other children. He told these boys to quit picking on these other children and so they turned their aggression to him. Because they could see that their verbal taunts were not effecting Tanner, one of the boys allowed it to make him really frustrated and he decided to lash out physically. He would punch Tanner in the leg every single day. He went to the bus driver and told him what was occurring. There was no change. Lindsey tried to defend Tanner and her hair was pulled and the bus driver told her that she shouldn't have gotten in the middle of it. Emily and her friend Molly came forward and tried to talk to this boy named Bobby. He just sneered at them and continued on punching Tanner on the afternoon bus ride home each day. I noticed Tanner not wanting to ride the bus, I was not sure why. After about three weeks of this happening each day, Tanner expressed to me in tears that he was being bullied physically every day. I remembered him telling me that Bobby had punched him one day, but I did not know it was happening EVERY DAY! I went to the school the next day and asked who I needed to speak with about a bus issue. I was directed immediately to an administrator who was in charge of the school district's transportation. I was assured that this would be investigated immediately, that there are camera's on each bus. I was apologized to, and assured that this was not something that I should have to handle or address with the offending child's parents, that this was something that the school would take care of. The bus driver was at fault for not filling a complaint when Tanner first told him of the problem. If he had, then the boys involved (including Tanner) would have been asked to come into the Principal's office and to explain their actions. Tanner had been let down by an adult in authority (the bus driver) and had not been helped like he should have. His trust in adults was shaken. After speaking with this administrator, I was able to speak with the principal of the primary school and he assured me that this behavior is not acceptable and asked my permission to call Tanner into his office the next school day to hear his story and address the behavior of these other boys with him. He explained that these boys would be warned and that if the behavior ever happened again that they would be off the bus for 5 days.
I was extremely happy with the way the school administration immediately handled our complaint. I just felt bad that it took so long (3 weeks of punches) for me to be made aware that Tanner was not getting help from adults that he should be able to trust! Can you imagine the fear and helplessness he must have been feeling? My heart aches and I cry just thinking about it!
But, I am also amazed at his bravery and his strength.
Tanner was named school citizen of the month for December!
His teacher commented that one of several reasons why he was chosen was
because of his kindness and standing against bullying on the bus.
I am truly proud and thankful for his loving heart!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
My first baby...
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My 12 year old.
Beautiful inside and out.
I can't believe how much she has changed in the last year!
I cannot say enough about how blessed I am. I am so proud of the young woman Emily is becoming. I remember clearly the moment I looked down at her as a newborn - tiny and new, bewildered at what she and I had just went through - and the thought was strong and true... This child is not "mine", she is her own amazing little being, on loan to me from God. I better take good care - to teach her Who to look to for guidance, strength and love.
I love her with all my heart - she is one of the most positive
and brilliant beings I have the privilege of knowing.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Anything pumpkin flavored makes me think of you...
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Look! I made doughnuts!
Baked - not fried - pumpkin spice with apple cider glaze.
Thought of you Spencer and Christina Harrison!
#yummy #igotskills #momrocks
Saturday, January 19, 2013
NY Manhattan Temple trip
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Emily's first visit to the temple
on our Honesdale Ward trip to
the Manhattan New York Temple! ❤
This was her first time to participate in Baptisms since she just turned 12!
Jared was able to be there and participate in administering the ordinances. What special blessings - to a be worthy because of our striving for righteousness, to be able to be in this sacred place and to bless others by serving and to be blessed by the Spirit filling our hearts.
I am grateful for a loving God's tender mercies in such tumultuous times.
New York City - Day trip #2
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| NYC Ballet and The Metropolitan Opera Ahhhh... the dreams of the performer. |
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Freedom Tower
A view from the Staten Island Ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
So beautiful
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10pm check-in on the kids and this is what we find.
#bigbrother
#siblings
#love
#family
#sweetness
Friday, January 11, 2013
Girl's Nite!
Mommy/Daughter date - Dinner, shopping and "Les Miserables"!
#love #mygirl #girlsnightout"
(taken at Cinemark in Moosic, PA)
She's 12
My firstborn is twelve years old.
How time flies and crawls all at the same time.
My niece Courtney just settled into her new apartment in Rexburg, ID - off to college and new adventures! I remember when she was two and the cute little flower girl at my wedding!
I just try and relish the moments - take them one at a time and enjoy, because life goes by and goes on and there will always be laundry to do and toilets that need cleaning. But little ones grow and become amazing creatures that you look upon with awe and wonder - that you helped create that temple that houses a fantastic being which will help you to achieve your highest goals and aspirations. Because, that is what being a parent is all about, a refiner's fire and a molding cast...to shape us into truly amazing creatures ourselves!
I am in awe of how fast Emily has changed - just within the last year - look at our family picture from this last Easter and then look at our snapshot from Thanksgiving...
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| April 8th, 2012 |
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| November 22nd, 2012 |
I don't know if you can see it, but I am just amazed at the change. She has become a young woman!
She is participating in the Young Women program at church and was interviewed by our bishop here in the Honesdale Pennsylvania Ward and he said, "She is an amazing young woman. Full of light - you can just see it in her eyes. She gets it! She has a testimony and you feel it radiate from her."
Well, hallelujah!
So far, so good.
It's been a long time since...
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I got to buy a new dress - and I can wear it right off the rack!!!! #itsthelittlethings
#shoppingaddict
#red
Thursday, January 10, 2013
It's about time...
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Potty training: Day 2. She's counting her stickers!
(one for going #1, two for going #2 in the toilet)
#workssofar
#simplemotivation
#finallygettingstarted
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