Monday, May 31, 2010

this boy...



whose laugh is contagious
who eats blueberries like it's nobody's business
who leans forward while talking as if to draw us in
who wears cardigans and boat shoes
who is a water baby
who loves the outdoors
and with your light blue eyes (sigh)

this boy i love.  

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Kids Choir

One of the values we have in our home is to teach Hudson the importance of being a part of the church body.  We don't want him to simply go to church, but also to learn to serve the church.  We believe it is important to start this at a young age and so Hudson has been a part of volunteering with us at the kids choir.   

Every Tuesday afternoon, Hudson and I would head up to meet Travis at Saddleback's main campus in Lake Forest.  One of my friends from high school, Amy also helped volunteer with our group of kids.  It was fun to watch relationships develop including the choir kids and Hudson.  After choir rehearsals, we would head to the Refinery where we ate our $1 tacos for Taco Tuesdays.  Then we would sit around and chat for a while.  

When we started choir Hudson was barely crawling and during the final show he was literally running around.  Also by the end of our time, the director deemed Hudson "the kids choir mascot" and he was even give his own matching kids choir shirt. It was so cute when they called him up to get his shirt because all the kids started clapping for him.  Of course, Hudson joined in the clapping while Travis put the microphone in front of Hudson so he could say something.  He immediately started saying "da da da" in the mic until all the kids burst into laughter which in turn made Hudson cry... haha... poor baby.  He is not a fan of people laughing at him, hence the reason the birthday cake did not go over well.  

It was a great time to serve together as a family and I am looking forward to the next thing God has in store for us. 

Our last taco Tuesday:

Before the final show hanging out in the green room... As you can see Hudson was surrounded by the ladies as he showed off his clapping skills :)

I guess Hudson was bummed that choir was over:
Thanks Amy for all your hard work and for being there to serve alongside with us!  You were a great addition and we both learned so much from watching you with the kids.  

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Hudson's rite of passage into toddlerhood

On May 15th, we were sitting around having dinner with my parents and our best friends Chris and Amy when all of a sudden Hudson decided to walk!  Here is how it went down.  We were busy visiting and eating while Hudson was standing holding onto the coffee table and walking around it.  Then suddenly he decided to just let go and walked about 4 feet straight towards me.  We couldn't believe it!  It was like all of a sudden it just clicked for him.

I have to admit I definitely got teary eyed and I just couldn't stop smiling and laughing.  He continued walking around the entire room even changing directions.  It was such a sweet moment that we will cherish and I am so glad Travis and I were both there to witness such a distinct moment in Hudson's life. This newly acquired skill marks the beginning of toddlerhood!

Friday, May 21, 2010

More picnic pictures

As promised, pictures from our Mother's Day picnic are posted on my sister's website's GreyLikesWeddings and our photography website T&H Photography.



Hope you have a wondeful weekend!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Mother's Day Continued...

On Mother's Day we went to church and then headed to a picnic with my family.  During church my mind was so focused on what a blessing it is to be a mother.  I never want Mother's Day in our home to be a about a day I "deserve", but instead a day to thank God for allowing me to be a mother and to have family.  It is humbling to know there is nothing I have done to deserve the right to motherhood, but instead it is a gift from the Lord. There are many women who long to have children, yet, they find themselves barren or due to circumstances have never had the chance to be a mother. 

These women were heavy on my heart along with those children who are orphaned in the world longing for someone to love and to be loved, someone whom they could call "mother".  I pray God brought comfort to those on Mother's Day and that we don't forget about those who are in need. 

So, on such a day the best thing I could ask for is time with family which began with church...

After the service Uncle Brandon was teaching Hudson how to sing in the microphone
and as you can see, Hudson was giving us the stare down. 

The one who calls me mother (or should I say mama):

My beautiful mother and my son.

Here is a sneak peek of the BEAUTIFUL surprise picnic we put on for my mom.  My sister, Summer was the creative one behind this event. The rest of us girls helped, but it was minimal.  People say I am creative, but when you have a sister like Summer, you re-think such compliments.


The rest of the pictures will be posted within the next week on our photography website

I just think his little face is so cute and funny in this picture...

After the picnic we went the dog beach to let our dogs run free on the beach... poor Gunner he didn't join the party.  I am afraid he lost his invitation, but Shally and Bailey had a fun.



cute picture of Taylor :)


By the time we were at the beach it was cold and windy!

Bryan taking Hudson to dip his feet in the cold water.

Is this not the funniest card you have ever seen?  Brittany and Taylor got this card for my mom. 

 On the inside it said, "And you thought I didn't listen to you.  Happy Mother's Day!".  I was dying laughing... it even makes me laugh looking at it now.

Before we all went our separate ways, we went downtown to grab a cup of coffee and some ice cream.  This was Hudson on our way home... I never get tired of this little laugh.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Family Pictures

On Hudson's birthday, Uncle Trever took us to the orange groves to take a few photos.  It is crazy how much our family has changed since last year on this day.  And with the summer just around the corner, it was time for a new "warmer" header.   

April 26, 2009

April 26th, 2010
Thanks Trev for taking pictures of us that we will cherish for a lifetime!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Mother's Day in Santa Monica

To celebrate Mother's Day, last Saturday we went to Santa Monica to spend the day together.  I have always said I do not like Los Angeles.  Our friend BD asked me if I had ever been to several of the tourist locations, to which my answer was no.  He said I can't really say I don't like LA if I haven't really been to the good spots.  So, we decided to try one of these spots.  

I must say I really enjoyed Santa Monica and it made me begin to see there may be a few diamonds in the rough.

We started with a picnic on the beach.  Hudson is really into holding and chewing on a whole apple.

So, my sister's and have been known for "the watkins girl's stare".  We learned it from our mom... haha... You see we all have big eyes and when we people watch, well it isn't very subtle.  We think we are starring subtly, but really it is quite obvious.  And Hud seems to have inherited this trait...


We walked along the pier.  Which by the way, the little tents to the right of this picture are spaces you can rent for birthday parties.  What a fun location for a party!


Haha... they have the same hair in this picture

He was totally focused on all the new sights and sounds around us.

Ok, so this picture makes me laugh.  We had a stranger take a picture with our professional camera which shoots 8 frames per second.  In order to get it to focus, you only slightly push it down then push it all the way.  The first stranger took a couple dozen pictures and not one of them was in focus.  So, we waited around until we saw someone with at least a SLR camera.  I figured they would at least have some idea of how to use our camera... but again... failed.  So, this is the best of the pictures.  I should have just pulled out our handy snap and shoot camera.

It was so much fun just walking around and see all the fun things taking place on the pier.

This guy was pretty good...

A few guys were break dancing on the pier... it was quite entertaining.
Lesson learned... pulled out the snap and shoot.   After walking around the pier and downtown, we headed to Bubba Gump Shrimp for a few appetizers before we headed home.

When we got home we quickly changed into our swimsuits and headed to the pool for a swim at dusk.  The water felt amazing and it was so relaxing.

Warming up in the spa...


Then home for a delicious barbeque.  

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Hudson's 1st steps

Hudson isn't choosing to walk yet, but he has taken a few steps.  Here is a video of some of his first few steps.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Brittany and Taylor in Rwanda

My sister, Brittany and her husband, Taylor left for Rwanda last night to lead a team of college students from California Baptist University on a 3 week service project.  Brittany works at CBU and her job involves working very closely with all the Rwandan students.  I can only imagine the impact it will have on Brittany to see where they are from and to see what God has done in their country since the genocide in 1994.

This is Taylor's second trip to Rwanda and their first time as a husband wife team to work overseas.  My heart longs to be with them and return to a country that I have such a burden for.  But, I know I get to partner with them by praying for them during their trip that God's will would be accomplished and that He would be glorified.  Please join us in praying for them throughout these next couple of weeks.

Matthew 28:19
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."



Romans 10:15
"And how can they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"