Saturday, August 02, 2008

More Lourdes/Paris Pics




Unfortunately since these are from another family members album some are small. Just click on them to see them larger.

It is not working but hopefully you can see them well enough to enjoy them.

ps - The small one of the statue of Mary is from the candle Light Procession in Lourdes they have every night.




Lourdes/Paris Pics



These are all I could find on my computer right now but there are more. I just have to locate the folder - lol.

These are of Lourdes. They are of our hotel, the view from our hotel, the Crown of Mary atop the Basilica and me at the top of the Basilica.

Catching Up

H everyone - since we are all settled in I thought I would do some catching up here.

1 - Lourdes/Paris

Our trip to Lourdes/Paris was a wonderful time. My parents came and watched the kidsos we could enjoy the generous gift of this trip from my in-laws.

When we arrived at the airport to take off for Newark where we were to connect with the family and head to Paris there was a four hour delay. We were able to go into Atlanta instead and then on to Paris where we then connected with everyone for the short flight to Lourdes.

Lourdes was just amazing! We were able to drink the water, pray, go to Confession, drop off petitions at the Grotto and just enjoy our time together. After two days in Lourdes it was off to Paris.

Once in Paris we went for a short tour and had our pictures taken in Front of the Eiffel Tower. After settling in we ate and went to bed. The next day was full of fun and adventure. We went to the Louvre and saw a tiny portion in 2 hours. Then it was off to The Arc D Triomphe and walking and window shopping along the Champs D' Elysses. After that we went shopping for the kids and my parents along what I call "souvenir row". We found everyone something nice and then headed to Notre Dame. We got there just as it was being opened to the public so we actually got to walk around inside. It was just so beautiful.

After a long day wee went on a 4 hour dinner cruise along the Seine with Mike's family. We got to relax, enjoy good food and good company, and see the major sights of Paris from the boat.

The next morning was early departure. After an 8 hour flight to Newark we had a three hour delay. We were both so exhausted after not sleeping on the plane and basically missing out on 24 hours of sleep. Our plane began to board about a half hour late and then the fun began. Once on the plane there were problems with air traffic control and we were told we had about an hour wait on the runway til take off. A half hour later we were informed that because of thunder storms down South no planes were able to take off for Florida or Atlanta. Our plane and about 9 others sat for 5 hours before taking off.

The trip was great but the travel part was rather difficult. I am just grateful we could go.

2 - Moving to Michigan

Our move also had some hitches such as having to pack and drive the truck ourselves instead of having the moving company do it as planned. They came in and tried to charge us double the original quote so we rented a truck ourselves, packed the house in 24 hours, left and made it to Michigan in 2 days. The hardest things were packing the house on short notice and then having to drive the van alone because Mike was driving the moving truck and Austin was driving his car.

When we got here our dear friends came over and helped unload the truck and start the unpacking. We are so grateful and glad to be back.

Since being back we have spent a lot of time with our friends and family . I have been able to go back to my former Ob/GYN who is an amazing pro-life NFP (Natural Family Planning) only OB. We have also been able to enjoy being back at out former parish. So many blessings!!!

3 - News

Mike has now started his new job! So far so good. We are praying that all goes well for years to come. It is a great place to be. Mike has also started working out!! He has gone everyday this week but one and is loving the benefits but not loving the sore muscles.

My Mom is sick so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is being released from the hospital today. After thinking she had a bladder infection they ruled that out when it continued for over a week with no improvement. After a CT Scan they found she has Polycystic Kidney Disease. This means she has cysts on her kidneys. As time progresses - many years - they can cause kidney failure and she may need dialysis or a transplant. It is also genetic. As for now they will treat her symptoms and keep an eye on things treating things as needed.


My sister Jenny and her hubby John are on their way here and will be in tonight for a weeks vacation. It will be the first time in almost 5 years the whole family will be together again. We can't wait!!!!!

That is all for now and I will post Paris pics soon!!!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Moving Tomorrow

Sorry - I know I am already behind on my blogging but it will only get worse before it gets better.

We are moving back to Michigan tomorrow. I can not express how happy we are to be able to go back to our roots and be back with Austin!!!

Any thoughts and prayers our way would be greatly appreciated.

I want to let everyone of our friends from Florida know how much we will miss them and how grateful we are for their presence in our lives during good and bad times.

For those of you in Michigan -watch out- here we come:)

Monday, June 16, 2008

19 week ultrsound pics


Today I had my 19 week ultrasound. The tech gave us these 3D pics. Enjoy these - I am loving them!!!!

Saturday, May 31, 2008

pics from swimming today

Needless to say we had a great time palying in our pool today:)






My Golfer

Austin has been golfing with his high school golf team. He has really been enjoying the break from hockey and getting to know some of his schoolmates better.

Yesterday his team golfed in Regionals. Austin did very well coming in third out of every golfer there!!!! He shot a 5 over par - a 77. The team came in 2nd overall and now moves on to States.

Mike and I are actually going to get to see him golf in States! We are going to Michigan next week for a week and next weekend is when States are. We can't wait to see how he and his team does.

Go Gabriel Richard Fighting Irish! Go Austin!!!

ps - Here is a picture of him golfing for his team earlier this season from the local paper.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Baby Watson - 16 weeks


I had an ultrasound on Wednesday and it was awesome. Baby Watson was kicking, trying to suck its hand, and trying to grab its toes. I just love watching all the activity.

The doctor said the baby is perfect and that all the blood work they have gotten back so far has been amazing!!!

I am having slight problems though. My placenta is curled up a little bit on the edge and a tiny portion of my membranes has not fused. The doctor checked my cervix and uterus by ultrasound also and those are just fine. Because of these slight issues he is going to be proactive and do another ultrasound on June 30th. The doctor said that these two things are really of no concern since it is such a small portion of both that are affected and the baby along with my blood work so far is perfect.

I am thankful that he is being cautious though and I look forward to meeting this little one in November.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Kolbe's First Holy Communion


Ok - So I am super slow! Kolbe made his First Holy Communion on May 3rd. He did such a nice job. The only disappointment was hat we could not take any pictures of them receiving because the previous year was so bad. That is a minor inconvenience.

We had a nice celebration afterwards with our dear friends and my mother-in-law. It was small but very nice. We had lots of finger foods, jambalaya. and a beautiful cake made by my friends Kim. The kids played and swam.

I am very happy for Kolbe. He is now receiving Jesus and all of His Graces. Kolbe is now excited to go to altar server training:) He sure is a go getter:) We are very proud of him and pray he always grows closer to Jesus and his Sacred Heart.





Monday, May 05, 2008

Happy 6th Birthday Nate


Today is Nate's 6th Birthday. He is such a sweet and gentle little guy. He is my cuddler and loves to suck his thumb and rub Maggie's hair:)

Today we just laid low and I made ice cream cone cup cakes for dessert. I felt bad for him because he got sick to his stomach this evening and went to bed very early. Hopefully he will be better in the morning.

We love you Nate and can't wait to watch you grow and change in the coming year.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

We're Expecting Baby #9!!


We are proud to announce Watson Baby #9 due to arrive November 8th, 2008. I am now 13 weeks along and we are all very happy and excited. It is truly a blessing and we wanted to share it with you all. Also we would like to ask you all to keep baby and me in your prayers.

Just to answer everyone ahead of time - we are NOT finding out if we are having a boy or a girl this time - we are going to wait.


Here is an ultrasound pic of our little one at 11 weeks.

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Closure On USA NTDP

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers for Austin during his season and his tryouts during Easter Weekend.

After 2 years of being scouted but the USA NTDP; 2 years of Selects Camps; Two Years of many discussions and tours.... The USA Team decided to wait to offer to Austin and therefore Austin said "No Thank You".

As a family we feel we made the right decision. Though they did not out right say no they did not want him they are still unsure and wanted him to attend the Festival in the summer. Austin is sure that it is time to move on to something else. We feel that this just was not the right place for his continued development.

We are very peaceful and happy with our decision. Good Luck to all those boys who worked so hard and made the team.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Final 40 Camp is Over....

Hi all. Austin is done with the final 40 camp for the USA NTDP. Now comes the waiting. He played very well and even had 5 goals in one game! They will start making the calls on Thursday and we will be told one of three things: We are offering you a spot on the team; We are going to keep watching you; Thank You for coming out and Good Luck in the future.

Obviously we hope to hear the first one! I will keep you updated and now we await his arrival home this evening for the week. We miss him and can't wait to see him tonight. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Happy 13th Birthday Mikey



Today is Mikey's 13th Birthday! I can't believe I now have two teenagers! Mikey is such a wonderful young man and I am soo proud of him. He has a huge heart and is always the first to help me when I need it. He is always the first to share with his siblings too. We are so blessed by his smile and good attitude. We love you Mikey!!!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Ben's Game Ball



On Holy Thursday, while I was at Mass, Ben was playing his baseball game.

Ben is one of two nine year olds on a Major Team - the highest level in Little League. He has been adjusting to the faster pitching and struggling a bit at bat. Well Thursday he had his first hit in the Majors - a double and with it an RBI. His coach gave him the game ball!!! We are all so proud of him. Go Ben!!!!!

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Final 40 Camp This Weekend

Today Austin started his weekend at the USA National Team Development Program Final 40 camp. This is the final 40 players from the 1992 birth year to be invited to tryout for the U17 USA NTDP Team. This group of 40 is from the entire United States os it is an honor and privilege to be invited to attend and an even bigger honor to be chosen for the team.

Please pray for him that God guide him through this camp weekend and that he play his best and use his gifts for God's glory. I will let you know when we get word of how the weekend is going and if they offer him a spot this weekend, wait out the 7 day period, or if he does not make it....

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Maggie's Dora Bed




Maggie just LOVES Dora. We watch lots and lots of Dora. I have been wanting to get her this Dora set of a pillow case, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet,and comforter for a long time. I finally found it at Target and snatched it up. I also have been waiting for the Dora jammies she is wearing to go on sale at Target and they were on sale the same day so now she is in Dora heaven. When I put on the bedding she said, "Oh this is pretty". She is such a girl.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

My Baby is Driving!!!

Last week on Tuesday Austin got his driver's license. It is so hard to believe that he can drive - alone!!! He is loving the freedom but is finding out rather quickly that gas is expensive. I am glad that in Michigan he can only have one other person in the car with him at a time. It cuts down on distractions. So far he is doing a great job and is giving my parents some freedom too. I can't wait til next week when he gets here so he can run my errands. I have waited a long 16 years to say to him "Go get me some milk."; " I am out of bread - go to the store" It is going to be nice!!!! Now we just keep asking his Guardian Angel to protect him when he drives:)

Sunday, March 09, 2008

We lost!

I am sad to tell you all that Compuware fell to Ceasars 4-1 this evening. We scored first but then let them back into the game. After scoring one goal they scored two more within a coupe of minutes. Then they scored an empty netter at the end of the game.

I am so proud of Austin and all he has accomplished with his team mates. His next stop is the USA National Team Development Program Final 40 camp Easter weekend. Please pray for him that he can achieve his goal of playing for the USA NTDP.

Go Comp!!!!!

Today Austin and his team - Compuware play for the State Championship. So far this week we have gone undefeated and today is do or die. If we beat Little Cesars we go onto Nationals in Buffalo New York. If Cesar's wins we are done.

I am very proud for Austin and his team and how well they have played. I will post as soon as I know the results this evening.

Go Austin and Go Comp!!!