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.