Friday, June 24, 2011

Is it really hard being baby number 4?

Marie is turning 11 months on the 30th and her first birthday is just around the corner.  However, I haven't a clue on what we are going to do for her.  It's funny how things change from the first child to the fourth!  I remember having Makenna's first birthday and had it planned a few months ahead of time or at least I had an idea of what I wanted to do. I think we invited everyone we knew!!  Then as we had Markus and Marcia the parties became smaller and smaller! 

Sometimes I feel like Marie and sometimes Marcia gets the short end of the stick.  Especially Marie.  I've only taken her once to get her pictures taken since she was born.  Makenna and Markus had their pictures taken every 3 months and even marcia had her pictures taken a few times too!  Marie has gotten more hand me downs than any of the other kids, barely any new toys (who needs toys when there is remote controls, pots and pans and cupboard doors!) The video camera doesn't get turned on as much but who as time because we are on the go Marie spent her first year in her car seat!  ( not so much but it did seem like it at times) and the pictures we have taken are still sitting in the camera waiting to get printed.  Makenna and Markus have tons of scrapbooks and baby books and Marie only has her name printed on the front of the book.

But with saying all that, I also look at all the love she recieves.  She has two sisters and a brother that loves her more than life itself.  Mark and I are in such a better place mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  We are not so high strung like we were when Makenna was little and our marriage has been restored like I can't explain.  God is the center of our life and our vision for our family is even larger than it was 10 years ago when Makenna was born.  I've chilled out in so many ways and learned so many life lessons and because of that Marie benefits from it greatly ( so do the other kids)  .  We love Marie as much as we love all the other kids and couldn't imagine our life without here.

Actually, I don't really think she has missed out being number four.  She receives  so much love and at the end of the day  "stuff" really doesn't matter.  Yes, she doesn't have her own room and when she gets married one day and we want to put a collage of pictures together of her life, I might have to borrow pictures from my friends or find pictures of the kids and tell her it is her ( thank goodness they all look alike) and she can tease Mark and I and say how she never had as much as her big brother and sisters.  But if mark and I do our job as parents she will know that things aren't important and she will know without a doubt how much God,Mark and I love her with ever bit of our heart....It all depends on how you look at life.  Being number four isn't has bad as it looks even if she doesn't get the party of the year!!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The experience with ear piercing!

Today, was a big day in the Watt family!  Makenna and Marcia decided to get their ear's pierced.  Mark and I made the decision when they were born to wait until they were old enough to take care of their ear's by themselves.  Also, we wanted them to remember the day and have it be a special memory.  We wanted it to  be their choice.  The age we decided on was 7.  Makenna wanted nothing to do it with it but Marcia has been waiting patiently.  She would of had them pierced at 3 years old!  Finally, Makenna said she wanted them pierced but only with Marcia.  So, we decided to let them both do this together! It was hilarious.

First, Markus hates the sight of blood and the thought of needles makes him go nuts! You would of though it was him that was getting his ear's pierced!  He thought there would be blood after they shoot his sisters  ear's with the piercing gun.  He was screaming in the back ground, "I can't look!  It's going to hurt!  I don't want to see blood!  You would have to be there, because we were laughing so hard. 

Makenna would not go first she started having second thoughts, so Marcia hopped up on the chair and said I'm ready lets do this!  As the lady was getting ready to pierce her ear she did an in to out block! ( I  think that is what you call it) Her karate instructors would of been so proud!  She said, "WAIT" I have to talk to my mom.  She whispers in my ear, "you did this when you were a kid, right?"  I said, "Yes." She said, Ok, I'm ready!"  After it  was all over with and she saw how cute she looks with the earrings, she said, "I'm ready to this again!"  (BTW, we were at the mall and marcia was wearing her bathing suit and her matching skirt and tennis shoes! so cute!)

Makenna was a different story.  She said her stomach was hurting and was so nervous.  She decided to do it and held my hand so tight!  After, she said it wasn't that bad!!

It was a big day for the girls but a bigger day for Mark and I.  As we looked at them and just admired how beautiful our daughters  ( markus is a handsome boy too!) are and  how grown up they look with their sparkle in their ears, we realized not only will they never forget this moment and neither will we.  I think I saw a little tear in Mark's eye's.  We both know and see our first baby girl getting ready to enter a new chapter of her life.  Our kids are growing up and mark and are growing with them.  It's a beautiful thing, but man it can just tug at your heart because it just goes by so fast....

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Taking some time and reflecting on the past 13 years of my marriage and father's day.  It amazes me how time really does go by so fast.  I look at my 4 kids and see them growing up right before my eyes. Yes, it is very exciting but at the sametime I want to scream and cry because it seems like it was yesterday that I was the little girl asking my dad on Saturday nights to go bike riding up to the coney island to see my mom at work!  It seems like yesterday my mom tucking my brother and I in at night and giving me those mom talks that have continued into my adult life!  It seems like yesterday, it was my dad teaching me how to bounce a basketball and now it's my husband teaching our kids.  Life hasn't been easy but I'm so thankful for everything in my life.  You would think after homeschooling the kids and being with them all day everyday that I would be so excited to have them grow up and get out of the house, but it's actually the oppostie. I know how fast life goes by and I never want to grow weary or loose focus on what life is truly about.  I have an amazing dad and husband that loves me so much, but who I reall need to thank is my heavly father because it is him who  has given me so much life especially when I didn't deserve it.  He has loved me and continues to love me and helps me grow to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.  Even when I didn't realize he was next to me, he still loved me.Thank you for changing me .Thank you for every minute of my life, for the family and friends you have blessed me with, for the good and hard times becasue in those desparte times is where I have always found you.  Thank you God for all amazing blessings you have given me. Sometimes, I may forget and get stressed out over something very trivial but you always remind me what life is all about. 

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Commencement Speech- Professional Speaker Kim Watt

Its amazing how God works! I haven't spoken in front of a large audience over  a year or two and last night I began to freak out! I prayed and asked God do I really have to do this? If so, he better be with me and give me the words to speak.

I know this is to much information but when I woke up this morning I had the signs of speaking!!! Every time I speak I have stomach aches and gas!!! As weird as this sounds I welcomed those feelings because I knew I was getting ready to do something that I love doing. There is something that happens to me as I walk on a stage and have an opportunity to speak and connect with an audience. It's as though my soul comes alive! Besides being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece and friend ( I think I have them all covered!) there is no where else I would rather be than on stage using my God given talents and glorifying God!

See, God whispered to me today and reminded me that I was created for more and yes the season I'm in right now is extremely important and I love being a stay at home mom. God reminded me if I stay focused in due time I will be able to get out there and speak again and I can't wait!

As you listen to this, there is a mistake when talking about the death of my best friend. I meant to say she died two months prior to graduation and instead I said she passed away three months ago.

Thank you Jesus for the simple reminder never to give up! Let me know what you think....

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