The Watsons

… to all you faithful blog readers and welcome to 2008 - who knows what it will bring? We have returned from a lovely break in the beautiful Karri Valley Resort in the south west of WA. We were in a log cabin on stilts in amongst the trees with parrots and cookaburra’s as our neighbours, it was beautiful. We spent our time canoing, playing tennis, walking, climbing trees, swimming and even a bit of archery - and guess who was the only one to get a bullseye? Yes you’ve guessed it, yours truly (Michelle just in case you thought it might be Philip writing this blog). Of course it was a fluke but I won a bar of chocolate so can’t be bad!

So we are now back and waiting to see what the Lord has got in store for us this year. Life is still pretty fluid and we need to know what is happening with Philip’s job as in his duties as things are changing where he is. It’s possible he might have to do some more travelling although, Praise God, he’ll be based in Perth so the travel will be a lot less than last year. Abigail enters her Year 11 with uni in mind in a couple of years, she’s thinking of doing a biomedical sports science degree at the local uni which would suit her as she enjoys both human biology and sport. Kezia is contemplating taking up tennis, she’s got a brilliant eye for the ball - just a matter of whether it will encroach too much on her social life! Jake is looking forward to another soccer season at the end of February, he got accepted for an academy team but decided he wanted to play in the lower league so he could enjoy the game rather than the pressure! Ethan’s looking forward to going into year 2 and is doing well generally, he is proving that just because your fourth in the pecking line doesn’t mean your not overlooked!

So that’s a brief update, will keep you in the loop as news arrives. Lots of love xxxx

It’s a wonderful thing to count your blessings, particularly towards the end of the year. We have 4 healthy children, have a roof over our heads (a pretty decent one at that), food in our stomachs, families and friends that love us and the ongoing provision of the Lord that never fails.

We have Philip’s parents here at the moment which is a monumental blessing in more ways than one (and that’s not including their gardening and decorating skills!!!). It’s great to have them here although we’re waiting for the hotter weather to arrive, Terry is not impressed with the 23/24 degrees at present. The children love having their grandparents here too. We’re off to Karri Valley for christmas which is a beautiful chalet resort around a lake surrounded by karri trees (hence the name … obviously). We’re all looking forward to canoing,tennis, climbing giant trees, golf, archery, hiking and, of course, swimming. Not a holiday for the faint hearted. After that we’re anticipating my sister Victoria and Sarah (Philip’s cousin and my friend) for 3 weeks in Jan/Feb and then Mike and Jane Haley in March (yes we even consider Mike to be a blessing!).

The major news is …. we’re coming to England for a visit to celebrate my 40th birthday (I whispered the age) and will be staying for a month. We are all soooooooooooooooo excited at the prospect of seeing everyone again after so long (it would have been nearly 3 years). We’re still working out the financing of the trip but know God will provide, He’s already done so for a couple of the tickets - He is so good.

So lots of love to everyone and keep in touch. xxxx

The whacky world of the Watsons continues with fresh news hot off the press … Michelle is no longer working! It is with great joy that I announce this as I am fast coming to the conclusion that I am allergic to work and therefore get a negative reaction when I engage in said activity! Ideally I would be a lady of leisure but this is not possible due to challenges of the “$” nature and so I am praying and looking for a home job that fits in with family life - so far that job is proving elusive … BUT I know it’s out there somewhere and will continue to seek until I indeed do find!

Since our last blog Philip has been promoted (he was demoted when he came back from Sydney and then 2 weeks later promoted - God is good) and subsequently went on 4 business trips to Alice Springs, Darwin, Sydney (again) and Tasmania, he’s seen more of Australia than most Aussies! He’s job is very fluid at the moment and in some ways the role is still unknown, this has it’s ups and downs. His parents come on tuesday and we’re all really looking forward to seeing them.

We have also moved home and are enjoying our most luxurious pad yet, we’re renting from people we know and are able to decorate which is nice. We have the sea views and are really well located.

The kids are fine and looking forward to their grandparents coming and finishing school. They have all grown up incredibly this last year, particularly the girls who are really little women now (sob sob).

Interesting things going on at church which will keep you posted on as and when it happens. x

We are now a week and 2 days into “normal” life. Both of us are working full time and juggling the housework, picking up the kids, cooking etc, still in the novelty period particularly as I’m 9-4 at the moment but guessing the 6am-2pm’s are gonna bring their own challenges! Having said that I’m going great guns at work, realising my grey matter does still work and am learning the ropes quite quickly, thankfully the jobs patient based and so quite interesting. Philip’s settled down well workwise (which he always does) just looking forward to getting to know a few more people. He’s gonna be doing 2 early’s a week when I’m on my late shift so we’ve actually got it all in hand.

The kids have had a sudden “GOT to be organised” thrust and are responding … slowly! Certainly a bit of a shock to the system when mum’s probably done too much over the years! But they’re all great and still enjoying Aussie life, particularly as the Spring is now here and the weather’s getting warmer … roll on summer. Still yet to see the house we’re moving into but hoping it will be in the next 6-8 weeks, all so excited about that one!

As the nights draw in on those cold Autumn nights in the UK, think of us as we start to have evening drinks on the verandah watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean …

Yes it’s true, we’ve both got jobs and they start this Monday. Philip at Price Waterhouse Cooper (perm) and me as an admin clerk in a private hospital (temp). I was rather pleased to have got the first job I went for, having said that it is an employees market at the moment so I won’t get too big-headed!

Gonna be juggling the childcare but so far it all looks like it’s gonna work out. Looking forward to getting into some sort of routine until the october holidays and then see what happens. Life is settling down nicely with Philip being back in Perth and we’re all looking forward to moving to our next house soon (hopefully end of October). Jake’s soccer season is coming to an end and he’s enjoyed that … he’s now acquired 20 silkworms as pets! (random). Kezia has kept her 4 fish alive for over a year now which is a record (the previous record was about a month!). Abs is going great guns with her karate and going to a switchfoot concert with the youth tonight. … And Ethan … well still Mr Gappy having lost he’s 2 front teeth but he looks kinda cute.

Still missing everyone but guess that’s a part of life now, only a couple of months til Philip’s parents come so looking forward to that. xxx

They say every journey starts with the first step and this is very definitely the third step in our journey/adventure/experience in Oz. Philip returns tomorrow for good … we all give a MASSIVE sigh of relief and look forward to the Lord showing us - one day - what the past 7 months was all about. One can only assume and hope we have grown in character and experience.

As far as we know at the moment Philip will start a job as desktop publisher outsourced to PWC, once again he has lovely views from his office and we’re expectant that greater things will open up as he gets on with what’s in front of him. Michelle will be venturing out into the big wide world temping in the secretarial world and looking for a full time job from mid-October - mind you we are conscious that “many are the plans in a mans heart but the Lord directs his steps” so nothing is ever written in stone (surprise surprise). Abs continues to work at a local cinema and is proving to be a very conscientious worker, she went to a karate class last night and enjoyed that so might continue. Kez continues to excel as the family social butterfly. Jake is finishing his soccer season with a good indication that he’ll get a place in his team next season, Philip’s hoping to get involved in the coaching. Ethan has finished his “Auskicks” season and was thrilled to get a magnificent trophy … despite his involvement in making patterns with his shadow rather than going for the ball!!!

That’s all at the moment folks … will write a more informed blog when there’s more information. xxx

They say every journey starts with the first step and this is very definitely the third step in our journey/adventure/experience in Oz. Philip returns tomorrow for good … we all give a MASSIVE sigh of relief and look forward to the Lord showing us - one day - what the past 7 months was all about. One can only assume and hope we have grown in character and experience.

As far as we know at the moment Philip will start a job as desktop publisher outsourced to PWC, once again he has lovely views from his office and we’re expectant that greater things will open up as he gets on with what’s in front of him. Michelle will be venturing out into the big wide world temping in the secretarial world and looking for a full time job from mid-October - mind you we are conscious that “many are the plans in a mans heart but the Lord directs his steps” so nothing is ever written in stone (surprise surprise). Abs continues to work at a local cinema and is proving to be a very conscientious worker, she went to a karate class last night and enjoyed that so might continue. Kez continues to excel as the family social butterfly. Jake is finishing his soccer season with a good indication that he’ll get a place in his team next season, Philip’s hoping to get involved in the coaching. Ethan has finished his “Auskicks” season and was thrilled to get a magnificent trophy … despite his involvement in making patterns with his shadow rather than going for the ball!!!

That’s all at the moment folks … will write a more informed blog when there’s more information. xxx

Well, some of you probably heard I (Michelle) had a car crash last wednesday. Kez and Jake were in the car but praise God we were all able to walk out of it! Got taken to A&E where I had x-rays, blood tests, ECG, ultrasounds etc but thankfully, apart from a few cracked ribs and bruises, we’re all ok. Our angels certainly stepped in - it could have been a different story. So we’re very grateful to God for saving us and feel a new sense of purpose through it all, it certainly puts things in perspective! Kez is still jumpy at loud noises (as well as the impact both airbags exploded which was pretty traumatic in itself) so would appreciate your prayers.

At the moment it looks like it was my fault (after 20 years of driving with no accident it’s a bit of a dent in my pride) and we were only insured 3rd party and our car is probably a write-off, BUT we’re alive and no serious injuries, the other lady also had chest pains but I think she’s alright too.

Philip came back from Sydney the following day but unfortunately his flight was delayed and the 5 hours turned into 13! However, we’re all together now and grateful to be alive.

So there you go! Will keep you posted xxx

Yes once again the Watsons are getting ready for another move … to a house nearer the kids schools and in a beautiful location just 10 mins walk from a harbour and the Indian Ocean - Oh how blessed are we. Funny enough we haven’t actually seen the new house we’re going to rent but Kezia assures us it’s better than where we are now and location wise is perfect so we’re very thankful to the Lord for it and are hoping to be in it sometime during October, this is great timing as our first visitors for sometime (Philip’s parents) will be coming in November.

I (Michelle) have decided not to go back to work til Philip returns from Sydney at the end of August and then hopefully will get a secretarial job share in the city … feel those city lights beckoning! Philip is looking forward to settling back in Perth and seeing what the Lord has got in store with regard to the company he goes into when he returns, as per usual with us everything is a case of “if, but and when” so, once again, watch this space.

At present it’s school holidays, Philip is back for a week and it’s great having him around. THe girls are going on a youth camp tomorrow which they’re really excited about. Philip, Jake, Ethan and I have been offered the use of a friends beach house in Mandurah which is about 1 1/4 hours drive from here, we’re hoping to go crabbing and look forward to seeing dolphins and other wild life while we’re there (aside from Philip of course lol - what a cracker!). Will try and set some photos up, we’re really bad on that one so sorry.

Lots of love yo’all xxx

Hi everyone, sorry for the blip in blogs … apparently someone hacked into our server mucking everything us … shame there are some not very nice people in this world!

But enough of that … where are we now? Well it’s nearly the end of June and it’s “All Change” again - surprise surprise! Philip has been asked to stay in Sydney until the end of August, has left his plush apartment in central Sydney for a lilo and 2 sleeping bags at a lovely friend of ours just outside of Sydney, this allows for money to pay for his trips back to us every weekend which is WELL worth it, mind you he misses out on one night of sleep due to travelling back. Michelle is now back in the world of the secular worker … in telesales!!! Yeah ok someone’s gotta do it and the hours fit in with the kids which is the main concern at the moment. Already Michelle is known as “Princess” in the office as they think she looks like Princess Mary (the nearest the Aussies has to royalty, she married the Prince of Denmark) so finding favour … lets hope it lasts. The kids are fine with Abs taking her choices at school and enjoying working part time at a local cinema - she’s enjoying earning a decent wage and getting into films for $1 (about 41p) so perks are pretty good too. Kez is growing up TOO quickly and has spent some of her birthday money buying the right hairbrush to do her fringe!!! Jake’s finding soccer challenging and wants to be a midfielder, school’s going well and he seems to have some brains in that gorgeous head. Ethan continues to be the baby of the family which can be cute and frustrating depending on everyone’s mood, but he’s favourite question at the moment is “Is such and such a word a compound word?” sounds like he’s taking in his lessons! He’s improving heaps at Aussie football and still enjoying school.

So we carry on, its cold and we miss the heat and we miss our family and friends but it’s still no going back at the moment. Love you all precious people xxx Will try and get some photos up soon .