The Life and Times of the Watters Family

Congratulations Cam!

Good job baby! I am super proud of you. Way to get a PR on your 1/2 Marathon today!

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Cory and the Seahawks game

Cory is one of my most favorite people in the world. I am so thankful that he has been a part of my life for such a long time. I feel far more prepared to raise my boys because of Cory. He was just three when Cam and I started dating and only six when we got married. When we found out we were having our own little boy, I was really happy and hoped he’d be a little like Cory (actually, they both are a little like him).  I have really appreciated how he has always shared what he’s interested in with me. I enjoy listening to his ideas and plans. I have seen him grow up so much in the last couple of years. I really, really like him. He is genuine, transparent, generous and thoughtful. Cory challenges himself and desires to do what’s right– even if it isn’t easy. 

In a week, Cory will be leaving for Guatemala again. He will be staying for three months this time and will actually be living at Kairos House. He will be spending his days playing with and encouraging pediatric cancer patients. Please pray with us for his safety and for his strength to be found in God. Please pray that God would be glorified through Cory’s ministry in Guatemala. I know that already this act of sacrifice– leaving behind all of the comforts of home at 16 years old, to pursue God’s calling and to love others– has made a huge impact in my family. Sean and Caleb are watching every move Cory makes and seeing what truly matters most. 

The boys LOVE their uncle Cory. He is only seven years older than Sean and eight years older than Caleb. The three of them have always had a pretty special connection but it seems now even more than ever. As the time gets shorter between now and when Cory leaves, the boys want to spend every second with him. They have had lunch dates and a couple of overnights in the last two weeks. At this very moment they are currently adding on to the tree house that the boys started with Mike this summer. I am amazed at how patient he is with the boys. He pursues spending time with them and plans fun things to do. 

This past week, knowing we were going to be in Seattle for the weekend, Cory got the idea of surprising the boys while we were down there and taking them to a Seahawks game. We couldn’t resist and decided to come along too. We told the boys we were going to go to lunch downtown after church and we met up with Cory and Mike there. The boys didn’t have a clue what was going on. Casually at lunch Cory asked the boys if they wanted to go to a football game– and they flipped out! I had brought all of our Seahawks fan apparel in a backpack so that once the announcement was made they could get all decked out. No green and blue mohawks this time though! We had such a fun time at the game (well except for  one small issue–there was that drunk lady that tackled Sean and sent him flying into the row below his seat and two rows below hers as she fell on him– he’s fine btw).

Thanks so much Cory, that was a great idea! We love you. It was really special to be there with all of those Watters boys. I really don’t mind being outnumbered with these guys.

(more pictures on Flickr)

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Parenting Conference

Cam and I spent Friday night and half of today at the Biblical Parenting Conference, hosted by Mars Hill Church in Ballard. We learned so much and a were reminded of some things we need to work on. God spoke very personally to each of our hearts about areas that need some attention. The speaker, Tedd Tripp, wrote the book Shepherding a Child’s Heart. I read the book this summer and have found it to be full of wisdom and very practical. I would highly recommend the book and the content from the conference which will all be posted soon and for free on The Resurgence website.

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guitar lessons, old memories

The boys had their first guitar lesson today and LOVED it! Their teacher, Mr. Beede, is an old friend of ours from High School. Mr. Beede’s (aka Nate’s) dad, Glenn, was our youth pastor in High School and actually officiated our wedding. Nate leads worship at CTK occasionally and each time he does I feel sentimental and I miss his dad. As the boys shared what they had discussed in their lesson today, about not using a talent like playing the guitar for your own glory, I remembered how humble Glenn was and I see that in Nate as he leads worship too. Glenn taught us how to really worship God. Simply and humbly. I am so thankful for the impact he had on our life and indirectly now has in Sean and Caleb’s life. Only God. 

This is part of the explanation from Nate of what they would be learning in their lessons:

“The worldview focus is on appreciating music as a gift from God and using our abilities to praise and glorify Him.  Worldview questions include:  “What can music tell us about God?” and “How does our biblical knowledge of God determine how we use our musical abilities?” 

I’m sure his dad is proud. 

The boys started practicing as soon as they got home and were so eager to show Cam and I everything they learned.

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what have we been up to?

We painted the trim on our house, did some other random repairs, celebrated my Birthday and Aliza’s, spent time with family, started soccer, joined MP3, began school, I started a new bible study, we resumed small group, the boys started a book club, and we’ve tried to enjoy every second of summer sunshine that we can. There’s a nice run-on sentence for you!!

There’s so much more to say but I don’t have time!! I just posted a whole bunch of new pictures to Flickr. Go check them out if you’d like. I gotta put this thing (computer) away and get outside while the sunshine continues to grace us with it’s presence!

Happy 50th Birthday (tomorrow) Terri! I love you and think you are the best mother-in-law in the world.

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