Buddy 12/24/2010

Today's prank will be Buddy's last for 2010. I'm a little sad. We've gotten many laughs and had lots of fun at his expense. The whole point in doing this was to bring a little more magic to our Christmases. As the kids get older, it becomes more and more important to me that their memories of our family Christmases are magical and fun. I have 3 very special kids and they deserve a special life, complete with elf-filled Christmases.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/23/2010

I wonder how mad Alli will be when she sees herself...
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

In all things, give thanks. (Even barf)

So, it's 2:30 am the first full day of Christmas break. I have just spent the last hour holding back hair, cleaning up vomit, washing a load of clothes, and bleaching, bleaching, bleaching. And don't forget praying. Praying Alli would get well and get well now. Praying that the little girls staying here with us tonight don't get sick especially here at Christmas and especially since they are about to make a 14 hour car trip to see family in Oklahoma. Praying that I don't get sick because not all presents are bought and most aren't wrapped and if Santa walked in my door right now (I don't have a chimney) he would put some coal in my stocking and walk right back out. Praying that no one else gets what Alli has. No one!

Can I just say I was sleeping wonderfully? I mean, blissfully. Until the knock at my bedroom door at 1:30 am. I knew immediately that was a mom-I've-yakked-all-over-the-living-room-carpet knock. I knew because she mentioned last night having a headache and belly ache. As I was cleaning up the mess, my first reaction was several things:
worried that she'll still be sick at Christmas and have to miss out

worried about the three little girls spending the night or the boys would catch

completely stressing that this yucky virus would make its way to me before I finish getting ready for Christmas

really tired and quite frankly, a little grossed out

And that's when it hit me. It was honestly almost like I heard God saying, 'In all things, give thanks.' Really God? I'm cleaning up chicken nuggets and grape soda in their ugliest form and you want me to give thanks?

So, I did. I began thanking Him for sending me a daughter to take care of and serve. I thanked Him for the occasional stomach virus or strep or cold to be the worst illness she's ever had to go through. I thanked Him because I was cleaning up in a warm house stocked with cleaning supplies and money to buy things to make her feel better.

I know I sound a little 'Polly anna'-esque, but really, I view it honor to be able to take care of a sick child. God has blessed me with 3 precious gifts, 3 of His children, that for whatever reason He trusted me to take care of and I am so thankful for that.

While cleaning up the remnants of a Chick-Fil-A kid's meal is not my idea of a great time, I'm still honored to do it and blessed to be a mom.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/22/2010

I mean, really, how much cuter does it get?! I know you are wishing you had your very own 'Elf on the Shelf' right about now.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/21/2010

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/19/2010

I thought this was just hilarious. Even funnier, was their words..."Santa, noel, candy, sugar, lights". Crack me up! Who knew being a prankster was so much fun? I suppose I'll need to come up with year long tricks! This has been so much fun. Every morning, the kids are just in awe of what Buddy has done while they've slept.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/17/2010

This morning, we woke up to this. The boys thought it was really funny...Alli, on the other hand, completely flipped! She was convinced that somehow someone snuck in our house and got my keys and had moved my car. This was, in no way, my fault. It's not like I had suggested that so as to add to the mystery. Not me, I'm way too mature for that. ;) After I got Alli calmed down and convinced we had not been burglarized, she seemed to warm up to his latest prank.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/16/2010

Today was the 3rd snow day this week. At 8:00, I heard the kids, one at a time, creep in my bedroom then take off giggling. I then called them all into my room and they told me of Buddy's latest prank! They thought it was hysterical. That little elf sure is making a lot of funny and wonderful memories for this family.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/14/2010

I suppose even Elves have to potty?! If ever we were unsure of Buddy's gender, I think the unflushed toilet confirms he's a male. ;)
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/13/2010

This morning we woke up to find Buddy in the snow. As you can see, he made a snow angel. I'm just hoping we don't find any green snow.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Buddy 12/10/2010

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

This "elf" thing is so much fun that I thought I'd share some of my favorite pranks Buddy pulls on us.  From the looks of the pot with noodles and syrup, I'd say he was trying to make spaghetti...he even had flour and his hands and feet.

Alli said, "He has pretty handwriting."  That cracked me up!

Making it Magic

Christmas always brings out the kid in me.  I always get very excited for my own children no matter how modest our Christmases are.  Christmas truly does equal magic. 
I think my favorite parts and just a few are: 

First and foremost, celebrating the birth of Jesus, what a gift!  Imagine knowing that your baby would save souls makes a Kindle look shabby, huh? (By the way, since I already have Jesus, I really want a Kindle.)

Putting up the tree (even though this year's tradition resulted in WW3 between two siblings that shall remain nameless; all I will tell you is it was the baby and the middle).

Hearing Christmas music, I am taken back to when I was a kid.  I had this BEAUTIFUL Christmas carol book filled with all the classics.  My best friend and next door neighbor, Stephanie, would bless (at least that's what we throught we were doing) all the neighbors in our subdivision with our caroling.  We'd bundle up and go house to house belting out all the classics.  We'd murder the high notes and put in all the "extras" in Rudolph (ie; "...had a very shiny nose, LIKE A LIGHTBULB!!").  Man, we thought we were pretty cute.  I imagine to our parents we were and to our neighbors...well, they were very familar with our antics. :)  Because I loved this tradition so much I recently took Alli and 2 of her friends and one of my present day best friends, Brandi, to go sing Christmas carols to Brad's grandmother.  It was actually a lot of fun and the residents at the apartments seemed to enjoy us.  Or maybe they were just humoring us.  Anyway, I am guessing and hoping that is a memory that Alli will never forget.

Going to my papaw's out in the country, was also one of my favorites.  I haven't done it since I was a kid but I can still remember his red brick floors, his ugly, tacky tree, and getting $10 in a bank envelope that I thought was $1,000,000.  I remember riding home and it was always late and almost bedtime. There were times I could have sworn I'd seen Santa's sleigh and reindeer in the sky.  I miss my papaw so much.  I remember I ran into him at Target the Christmas before he died and he was really missing mamaw.  I told him I would come and put up his tree for him and he had no interest.  The magic was gone for him.  Then, when I hugged him and told him I loved him anyway, even if he wouldn't put his ugly, tacky tree up, he just looked back at me, smiled and said "I love you, Mandy."  Papaw was the only one who called me Mandy and I loved it. 

Shopping with Brad Thanksgiving night has become another favorite tradition.  We may leave the house with very little to spend but we always manage to stretch it into a great time.  We laugh, and act silly, and just be together.  Then, the nap the next morning is always icing on the cake.

My mother could make a stocking better than the real presents.  She has this talent for finding wonderful and unusal treasures.  I so wish I had this talent.  Many, many Christmas mornings, I was as excited to see what was in my stocking as I was to see my actual presents.

This picture is our newest tradition in our house.  You are looking at "Elf on a Shelf".  He is a pixie elf that Santa has sent our house to watch the kids and report back to Santa.  The kids have named him, "Buddy". Buddy only travels at night and comes back every morning. When he comes back, he has played some trick or brought some sort of small gift and is hiding in a new spot.  This morning we found candy canes all over our tree.  If I was guessing, I would say there were 42 of them.  The kids were thrilled and are already to see what antics he pulls tomorrow morning. I hope we have Buddy for a very long time.

Traditions, to me, are so important because they mean safety.  They mean love.  They mean that someone cared enough about us to recreate a previous wonderful experience for us.  Traditions are a great way to bring the magic to the ordinary.  Thanks Mom and Dad, Granny and Granddad, and Papaw and Mamaw for teaching me so much about traditions.

I wonder, what are some of your traditions? I would love to hear them.

Pretty deep stuff

I never intended to have two back-to-back postings about death. 
In fact, I was in the middle of another post when I received the news that my cousin's wife had passed. 
It was expected. 
Due to her suffering, it was probably even welcomed. 
Still, how does one really deal with that? 
I mean, my closest family and friends each hold a very special place in my life.
My husband, my very best friend and truly a life-long partner.  I really can't imagine a single day without him in it.
My kids, all 3 are these perfect blessings. Their imperfections make them perfect. Doesn't make sense, I realize but it does to me.
My siblings, who I learn from and laugh with.  And even though two of them are "new", I don't ever want to be at a stage in life with out you.
My mom, the epitome of selflessness and giving and independence.
My friends. So many of them yet, each one is important to me for different reasons. There is the forever one, the anytime one, the hilarious one, the fun one, the soul-sister, the smart one, the real one, the giving one, and many, many more.  The reality of it is many of my friends are all these wrapped into one. 
I have the best friends and family, I really do. 
Each one serves a purpose.
Each makes me want to be better, do more, worry less, love harder.
A hard pill to swallow is that one day I will have to goodbye to some of them. 
I get tears just thinking about it. 
My life, as I know it, will just never be the same.
Makes you wonder, do you have the same impact on people as they do on you? 
So my question (to end my depressing rambling) is this:  Do you know what purpose you serve in others life? Is it one you are proud of? And, have you told the VIPs in your life just how they make your day better so that one day, when you are telling them good-bye, they'll know why life, as you know it, will never be the same without them?

Coach Dewayne

On Friday, May 14, this world lost a wonderful man.  Coach Dewayne Lasley was never without a smile.  Never without a funny remark.  He encouraged our girls to do their best and be their best, and the parents to stay off the girls' backs. :) My heart breaks for his family and our softball family.    

This just goes as more evidence that no moment is promised except the here and now, that we need to cherish every moment and live it to the fullest.  What does give me comfort is that Dewayne is in Heaven with our Father.  He will always laugh, always smile, always coach.  I know how bad our girls are grieving, I can't imagine how his family is handling all this.

I wish I had a picture with Dewayne in it.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Chicken!

Am I crazy?  I will never again ask myself this question.  I now know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am downright nutty.  I know this because for Easter, I surprised the kids with 6 chicks.  They were surprised all right.  They are in love.  Who wouldn't be? Aren't they cute?

FYI: After 4 weeks, they are no longer cute.  That's ok, they're educational, right?  That's what I keep telling myself.

You are looking at a picture of Teagan, Stripes, Lemon, Sunshine, No Name, and McNugget.  Don't ask me which is which.  Remember?  I am crazy.

Mahoney chechking them out.

My first pic on my blog!

And I did it from my phone!  Exciting stuff, right there.

My two sweet boys that are doing a great job right now in making you believe they are sweet.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

The Ugly Truth

My blog is boring.

I will fix this.

YAY! I GET to!

What if, when approaching a task, instead of having the "I have to (fill in the blank with seemingly tedious act here)" attitude, we had the "I get to (fill in the blank)" attitude?  This would mean that when I am tired, stressed, etc and I have to climb Mt. St. Downy (otherwise known as my neverending laundry pile) I would see it as an opportunity to serve my family, reminding me that not only am I healthy and well enough to do so but also, just how blessed I am to have them to serve.  Since pledging to take on this viewpoint and make it mine, my whole day-to-day attitude has changed (for the most part, heehee).  I really do see it as an honor to help with homework, make dinner, do our shopping, etc because it is me getting to do it for them.  The Lord wants us to have a servant's heart. 

Luke 22:24 A dispute also started among them over which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 22:25 So Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 22:26 But it must not be like that with you! Instead the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the one who serves. 22:27 For who is greater, the one who is seated at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is seated at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

So tonight, instead of "having to", I GET to do laundry, take a friend recovering from surgery dinner, help with homework, and fix my family a meal.  Thank you, Lord that I GET to serve.

Don't forget!

I read this quote and realized that I have tried to live all of my adult life in this way.  I strive to epitomize this:

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." -Fredrick Koenig

Obviously, I mean the whole not forgetting part of this.  I really feel so thankful for life's little blessings that are actually huge but, because they are not materialistic and flashy, society often refers to then as "little".


These are my little things:




my God and His forgiveness and mercy and love.


my sweet husband who just gets me and loves me anyway ;) and is perfect for me.


my precious children that teach me WAY more than I will ever teach them.


my itty bitty house that is crowded and full, but home all the same because Brad and I have worked so hard for it, and, as a family, we love there, play there, laugh there, work there. 


my spoiled rotten Shih-Tzu who was a gift I could never afford and makes any bad day better. Incidentally, he will, from here on out, be referred to as child #4.


my shockingly low-paying job that allows me the best of both worlds (Sorry, anti-Hannah Montanians), and keeps me coming back for more because I love those kids and  I believe in the power of education and the whole process and that it really does take a village.


my family and friends who keep me laughing, keep my head up, and I love so much!


my worn out, beaten up car that was a blessing when I needed one in the worst way.  It's not flashy, but does the best job of getting me from A to B.  I love my car. Sounds silly, but that car symbolizes hope when I had very little.


I could go on and on but these just "the little things" that make me happy. 

I'd love to hear what makes you happy.

Busy + fun + love = blessings

Alli's party went very well espcially considering we ended up with 17 girls, WOWZA!  They were a fun, sweet bunch.  I have decided 2nd grade is my favorite age for kids as a whole. With my own kids, I have really tried hard to enjoy each age and stage they were in at the time.  I'm just so thankful she finally got to have her party.  It was so important to her.  All 3 of the Woods' kids are like that.  They have always cared more about the party than the presents.  That says to me that they care more about relationships than things. That fact makes me very happy.  It's what I have always wanted for them, to value people and not things.  Don't get me wrong, they LOVE getting gifts, who doesn't? 

As soon as the last little girl was gone Saturday morning, we went right into action getting ready for my brother's wedding.  It was a very cold day with even a few snowflakes but it was perfect.  To see my brother so happy, so peaceful, was priceless.  I'd have stood in Antartica to see that (well, maybe not with tights on).  The bride's father and mother took us out to eat (all 21 of us) and it was wonderful. Her family was very warm and they treat Ava as if she is their first granddaughter.  What a blessing!  Ava came home with us to spend the night and as JT and Stephanie were leaving, Ava waved and said, "Bye, dad-dy, bye mom-my."  Needless to say, it brought tears to my eyes.  Ava may not have been born with a mommy but she has one now.  God is so good. 

Sunday was Valentine's Day. The kids loved their new books and candy.  Chase began right away reading on his.  To see him reading, on his own, because he wants to, pumps me up!  Those of you who know what struggles we went through, I am sure understand.  I was treated like some sort of Valentine Princess.  I woke up to a beautiful display of  gorgeous, pink tulips(my favorite flower), a huge box of Turtles(my favorite candy), a bag so full of VS goodies (another fav), and the sweetest card.  Brad always picks the best cards.  I give him a hard time because he used to write in them and now he says, "It says it for me".  Honestly, I love reading the cards he picks. Brad is the best man I know.  I'm amazed at his heart and how after 14 years I love him more than ever.  After breakfast, we did some shopping and then met some of our best friends for dinner.  It really was a flawless day, the kids were happy and behaved, and we had a great time.

This past weekend was busy, fun, crazy, and a blessing.  When I woke up Monday morning I honestly said, "Wow, is the weekend already over?"  Thank goodness, due to snow, our inservice was cancelled because, although I was looking forward to it, I was exhausted.  I spent Monday curled up on the couch with my new book.  So wonderful!  I have so many things to be thankful for, and I am.

Just thoughts

Tonight is Alli's birthday party. Finally. She has been so looking forward to it and so have the 20+ girls(!!!) that are supposed to be coming. I know it'll be crazy and chaotic but, I can not wait.  I look to hear them giggle and sing and play.  That kind of loud, craziness is a happy reminder that I've been blessed with a happy, healthy little princess.  I love to listen to all three of my kids talk when they think I'm not listening. When I was a little girl I always dreamed of having a house full of kids. The house where all the neighborhood kids came to hang out.  Now, my house isn't quite like that now. I let pride of having a small house and not fixed the way I want it get in the way too many times.  But, I'm getting there.  :)  There is always at least one extra kid there on the weekends and I love it. 

Back to the party, our kitchen has been transformed into "Peace Central" and at approx 10am tomorrow, as all the girls are leaving, I'll be running around like a crazy woman getting ready for my brother's wedding.  One of the little girls wrapped her arms around me and looked in my eyes and I said, "Are you ready to party?" She said, calm as can be with all seriousness she could muster, "Mrs. Woods, I think we may just have to stay up all night." Never cracked a smile. Uh-oh. I'm done for.

 My brother is marrying a sweet girl named Stephanie and they are expecting their first child together.  The good news is Stephanie treats Ava like hers already so this is all very exciting.  It's soon and crazy but usually that's how the best things in life start.  Gotta look at the postitive right? 

After the wedding, we are going out to eat with everyone and then Ms. Ava is spending the night to give the Newlyweds a break.  I'm really looking forward to it.  That kid is a mess!  So funny. I love to hear her talk. 

Sunday is Valentine's Day, a day that my kids have always loved. We have some traditions around our house on V-Day.  The kids get of course their favorite candy in whatever Valentine theme I can find it in and a new hardback book.  This thrills them!  I always get Brad Turtles candies and he usually gets me Turtles.  Hahaha.  Also, we didn't last year, but usually every year Brad takes us all to Wasabi.  We are all eaters at house so we love this, too. 

I am just really looking forward to making memories this weekend.  I love my family so much so the times I have with them is precious.

On another note, since the tragic earthquake in Haiti, those people have been on my heart and mind. I CAN'T stop thinking about them and praying for them.  I wish I could DO something tangible to make a difference.  Please pray for this country and their people and all the ones who love and care for them.  This is such a diffucult time for a country that was already so devastatingly poor.  Please pray for me, as I have been doing some wrestling and struggling within myself.  I love my life, my God, and my family, I just know I could be doing more, I could be making a bigger difference but I feel so stuck.  Like I can't move. All my life I have been this way.  I get overwhelmed so I have to take some time to think and pray before I act.  I'm ready to act now. 

Dealing with Mono.

As you all know, my Alli-girl has been dealing with mono (coupled by hepatitis) for 3 weeks now.  She has, in my opinion, done very well with it all things considered.  Especially since everyone has stopped treating her like she has leoprosy (seriously, I was ready to get her a bell and make her walk the halls at school ringing it and shouting, "UNCLEAN".)  For the most part, she just tires more easily and occasionally vomits and has headaches but nothing like others stories that I have heard. She, like all my children, is very resilient.  I have been worried sick about her but, that is my job. 

Last night, my mom came and got Alli and took her birthday shopping. They had a blast! And shopped til they dropped. Mom even took her to dinner at Chick-Fil-A. It was a great night.  When Alli got home, though, she was wiped!  I'm so glad that Alli was finally feeling good enough to go, she's been looking forward to it. 

We go next week for more blood work to make sure the hepatitis is gone.  Thanks to everyone who has asked about and prayed for her.  I can't tell you what it means to have caring friends and family.

Always getting better...

I am 30.  I remember thinking that 30 was so sophisticated, so put together, so on top of it.  WRONG.  At least, for me, it's wrong. 

Picture this:
bedhead (I have THE worst) 
+
pineapple pajama pants
+
Dr. Pepper t-shirt
+
dancing around the kitchen with a cereal spoon
=
not sophisticated.

The point is, the image I had in my mind is not the one I see when I look in the mirror. It is one that I thought I'd have perfected and trust me, nothing about me says perfect.  I'm ok with that, really.  I have, as of late, decided that one of my favorite parts of this life is to be always getting better. I fully recognize that I am not perfect, that I could always be: more patient, more thoughtful, less lazy(though, in my defense, I just feel tired), more educated, more organized, more positive, etc., etc.  At the risk of sounding Oprah-esque, I just want to be the best me, to live my best life.  And it feels good when I actually make progress in one of these areas.  Very satisfying.

I'm not at all a perfectionist, so maybe I am a improvist or quite possibly a betterist.

It's A Girl!!

Get your Kleenex, Kim!

Have you ever had a surprise party? 

Or have someone give you some news that you never saw was coming? Such as, "We're moving." or "We're getting a puppy." or "I lost my job today."

I have had all of the scenarios happen to me.  With each one comes a plethera of emotions, some good, some bad but most certainly always overwhelming.  I think that is natural when you are dealing with the surprise of a possibly life-altering experience.

Now, imagine the rush of emotions when you find out you have a sibling that you otherwise had never known.

I was 29 when I found out that I have an older sister that lives in Florida and looks just like our father. Sorry, Kim, but if looks like a Keaton and talks like a Keaton, it must indeed be a Keaton.  Truth's the truth.  We may have been apart all our lives but we made up for within moments of my realization.  The news came in the form of a message on MySpace.  It said simply:

My name is Kim McLaughlin and I am looking for Kenneth Keaton.  I found your name when looking for him.  If you have any information and can help me, it would be greatly appreciated.  My number is (___)___-____.

Or something to that effect.  Honestly, I didn't think a whole lot about it. I immediately called Dad and gave him the number. He said he didn't know who that could be (Seriously, Dad?  There goes your Dad of The Year award.). I was ready to hang up and get on with my day when he replied, "Oh, I know who that is. That's my daughter." Then all I heard after that was Charlie Brown's teacher talking, "Wah, Wah-Wah-Wah, Wah-Wah".  My head was spinning, to say the least.  It took all of about 30 seconds after Dad and I hung for me to decide that I would call her myself.  It was one of the smartest decisions I'd ever made.  There was lots of questions and tears but, I knew right away I had that warm, caring older sister I'd always wanted.  We had an instant bond.  I was not angry with my Dad for not telling us, I was only grateful.  ANOTHER person in my life to share with, love with, laugh with, cry with(we're pretty good at this one), when I already have so many.  How awesome is that?

In the 13 months that have follwed Dec. 14th, 2008, we have talked almost daily via email, phone, and text. We've met in person for 5 wonderful, sweet days that I'll never, ever forget.  My kids INSTANTLY fell in love, my husband think she's great and I love her kids dearly as my own. Kasi is more like a best friend or another sister. Triston is precious, wild, all boy, and super affectionate.  Really, it couldn't have gone more smoothly in a Lifetime movie.  Life is good.  She's my sister and I am so blessed.

Not knowing.

**EDIT**
It was not a UTI.  My sweet baby girl has been fighting with mono.  The mono has given her hepatitis.  No wonder she's been so down.  The doctor says that she will be fine in two weeks or so.  I can't wait.  I'm ready now.  It's hard to watch people you care about suffer, in any way.  Thanks so much for all the prayers.
*******************************************************


Alli has been sick for over a week now. She's sick on her 8th birthday, talk about not fair. The symptoms are fairly mild. It's just the fact that they have been present for over a week now.  Mainly a fever, some headaches, two episodes of vomiting.  Really sounds like no big deal. 

So, why am I freaking out?

Honestly, I am not a hover-run-to-the-doctor-at-the-first-sneeze-mother.  I'm just uneasy this time.

I know why.  It's because I don't know.  I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what is causing the persistent fever. I don't know why she's pale and has puffy eyes.  I don't know why, when I ask her how she feels with a 102 temp, she replies, "Awesome."

I can't stand not knowing.  Always have been this way, always will be.  I was the "WHY?" kid.  I was the "HOW COME?" child.  I was the "WHY AM I DOING THIS?" teenager. And still am all these things as an adult.  Drove my mother and teachers crazy and most assuredly has the same effect on my sweet husband.

Not getting my answers when I want them has an unnerving effect on me.  Which, in turn, unnerves those closest to me. 

Alli goes to the doctor today and I'm sure I will drive all the staff at Pediatric Consultants insane until I have my answers.  God help them.

Life's problems or God's blessings?

I really believe that happiness is a choice. That attitude is key. That yes, we all get blue, but how you view the world can mean all the difference. Here are some examples to show what I mean by this:

Situation #1
I bought a beautiful set of cherry end tables for next to nothing (you all know my deals I get). I was so proud of my find. They made my living room look new. Everyone that came over got to hear all about my sweet deal on my new, gorgeous tables. Then, Chase happened. In an effort to charge up his DS, he carelessly unplugged my scented oil cartridge from the wall and layed it on it's side. All the oil ran out and ate the varnish off my prized table. Problem or blessing? Blessing! I now have a forever reminder that I once I had 3 beautiful, carefee children who made my house a home. It's just some wood and I can still feel that sweet, "I'm sorry, Mom" hug around my neck.

Situation #2
All but one pair of my jeans are painfully tight. Problem or blessing? Blessing! Those uber-tight jeans are a constant (and I do mean constant) reminder that I, like most Americans, have more than enough. At this very moment, there are people in Haiti who have been devastated and would sing praises just to have clean drinking water, rice or baby formula. Does this serve as one's excuse to be overweight? Certainly not, but I can assert that I would much rather have rub marks on my waist from too-tight jeans than pains in my belly from hunger.

Situation #3
Anyone who knows us and unfortunately anyone who ran into us one of these days, knows that the past year the Woods' family has endured our share (and then some) of vehicle trials and tribulations. Problem or blessing? Yep, you guessed it! Blessing! Yes, it's been aggravating, expensive, and inconvenient. However, the great that has come out of this is my mother and Brad have had a wonderful oppurtunity to talk and grow closer (my mother is wonderful and has been picking Brad up to carpool with her). I'm just thankful for the relationship they have.

I could go on and on...you get the idea. Don't get me wrong, I'm not all sunshine and butterflies. However, God makes me aware everyday that blessings are all around me. Some days I may have to look harder to find them, but I know they are there. It's all about attitude. God is so good!
Amanda

My very first blog! How exciting!

My first attempt at a blog.

This should be interesting. I have never done well with written expression but, here goes.

The decision to start a blog was based on many things.

1) So many things are happening so quickly. Not really one thing in particular it just feels as if life moves at such a rapid pace, that I don't want to take anyone/thing for granted.

2) My friends, Lisa and Melody, blog and I have so enjoyed reading their adventures and thoughts.

3) Life is short...and at times hard. What better way to express yourself (esp since my drawing consists of unrecognizable stick figures only)?

4) On most days, I am able to acknowledge and show gratitude for the things with which me and family are blessed. On the days when I am not, hopefully this blog will help to pull me back up.

5) I thought it'd be fun.

So if you are reading, thanks and stay tuned. There will surely be more to come.

Much love,

Amanda