Busy, Busy, Busy...

It is crazy to think that Maddie is "officially" over a year old!  I don't think it has sank in yet how fast time has flown by.  The other day while I was at the mall, I was in the elevator and I heard someone behind me say how precious the little baby was.  Of course, I thought they were referring to Maddie, so I turned around to thank them only to recognize another precious little baby sleeping in an adjacent stroller.  That 'baby' was only 3 weeks old.  It was then I realized that to most people, Maddie isn't a "baby" anymore...It made me very sad! 

The past few weeks have been CRAZY BUSY!  It seems like summer just began and it is over half over!  We have been doing so much and enjoying the time, weather, and activities.  Devin & Jacob are rounding up the baseball season.  Tomorrow night is Devin's last game, and last Friday was Jacob's last one.  They did so well and Jeff & I are so very proud of them.  

We enjoyed going to Festa Italiana this year as a family.  It is pretty much a tradition for our family (we are Italian) and we skipped last year as Maddie was quite small.  Maddie is so observant and loved watching everything going on around her.  She loves listening to music and, to my surprise, liked the fireworks!  

Enjoying the Music w/ Mommy & Nana

 Dancing with Daddy at Festa!

We also enjoyed a Milwaukee Zoo trip with our friends and their sister's family.  We had lots of kids and they had a lot of fun!  It is great to see all the kids enjoying each other so much!

Best Brothers!

The whole Gang of Kids!  Count them...

Let's see what else...we've enjoyed celebrating a birthday for the kids cousin, a graduation for my cousin, spending time with family in from out of town, a family reunion, some dinners with friends, bonfires, and just hanging out.  We've been going and going for sure!  

Thankfully, and thanking God each and every day, Maddie is doing very well.  She is developing quite the little personality and I love EACH moment of it!  She's really starting to wave bye-bye now, says "DADA" all the time (I think maybe she thinks I am DADA???), BABA, NANA, VAVA, and is experimenting with lots of other new sounds.  She isn't walking yet, but will in her time!  She enjoys walking around on the furniture and getting into everything.  Above all that smile of hers just continues to melt the hearts of all those she comes in contact with, especially Mommy's, Daddy's, and her big brothers.  I KNOW how very lucky we are!  

Maddie rolling around in the grass...

There are a few events coming up.  We are looking forward to the Herma Heart Center Picnic in August.  We hope to meet many of the heart families that we follow but have never had the opportunity to meet in person.  The Brigg's Al Run & Walk which benefits Children's Hospital is also coming up...September 20th!  We will be forming a team for Maddie and participating as a family in the walk.  Details for the event will come soon, but please think about supporting Maddie's team for this.  Children's Hospital is the reason Maddie is with us today.  There is nothing that can be said to thank the doctors, nurses, staff, and facility enough for that.  Please email me if you are interested in running / walking with your family or yourself and I can provide you details.  I hope to have her team set up this week and I will post more details then.

Please continue to keep all those who are in need of prayers in your thoughts.  There are always too many, but I try to keep reminding myself that God makes no mistakes and He has a Great Plan.  

Love,

The Watson's

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Enjoy some photos!!!

Kisses for Mommy

Fishing w/ Our Papa

Devin and His Cousin, "Mr. Jeff" from South Dakota...Wish you lived closer!

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!!!

Little Miss Maddie!

MADDIE IS ONE!!!!  

Her party on Saturday was a blast. Over 100 people came to celebrate this ever so special day with us (115 to be exact...but who's counting). The overwhelming turnout was amazing and just another sign to us of how fortunate we are. Thank you to you all!!! It meant the world to us to have you share in our special day, and it is certainly one that will be forever remembered.  Thank you to all of you who helped make this day possible...You know who you are!!  A extra special thank you to our parents.  You amaze us every day!  We Love you! 

We couldn't have asked for anything more. Maddie and our family were surrounded by family & friends that I truly feel in my heart were just as happy for Maddie as we are.

The day started out storming and I clearly remember asking God to shed some sunshine upon us for the day. The very next time I looked outside the sun was shining. He is present...always.

Maddie enjoyed her day...smiling at familiar faces & not so familiar ones. And yes...for those of you who are wondering, I did allow her to have her own little birthday cake! She devowered it, I think had a few tastes, but mainly played in it. 

We had an awesome cake decorator who did the cakes exactly the way we wanted...

It is hard to believe Maddie is one year old already. Time flies, and I know it will continue to do so. So...we are living up every moment, taking in every second of every day, and enjoying life as best we know how.

We put a video together for Maddie for her birthday. Please feel free to watch it if you have a chance. The link is at the top of the blog.

We'd also like to share our birthday wish that we read for her...

A Birthday Wish to our Daughter, Our Sister,

Dear Maddie,

We Wish You Many Year of Laughter, Joy, & Fun

We Wish You Happiness, Love, & Harmony that can Never Be Undone.

We Wish You Many Years of Cheerful Hugs & Kisses

We Wish You Many Years of Great News from All Your Doctor Visits.

We Wish that God's Hand Continues to Guide You as Your Life Begins to Start

We Wish You Wellness, Strength, & Healing With Matters of Your Heart.

We Wish You No Scrapes As You Learn to Walk Your Long First Mile

But Most of All that You Always Remember to show Your Incredibly Beautiful Smile.

We Hope You Feel Deep In Your Heart As Birthdays Come & Go

How Very Much You Mean to Us...Much More than You'll Ever Know!

And Finally Maddie...If there is something Mommy & Daddy can teach you to live by, the way you have taught us to Live. Laugh. Love....It is to HOPE, DREAM, WISH = Infinite Possibility!!!!

We Love You Maddie!

Happy Birthday Priness...Yes...she is our "Princess"

Mommy & Daddy,

Devin & Jacob

"Live. Laugh. Love."