Waiting for 2009...

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7

Every year around this time I find myself looking back at the last 12 months. Remember what I said about being sentimental and hanging onto things? Every year, it never fails...I hang onto the year until the very last second. When that clock hits 11:59, I relive the year in 60 seconds. It's almost like when that clock hits midnight, that's it! The year is gone. Last year was a little difficult because at 11:59 I stared at the clock thinking "This is the year our sweet Ava was given to us. The new year is about to begin....2007 will be in the past." Does it sound strange? I have thought of New Years like that ever since I can remember. And I will let you in something personal. In those 60 seconds as I am waiting for the next year to hit (and yes, I am well aware that Diane next door could have been sitting in the next year for 5 minutes already) I thank God for every last thing that happened that year. I mean everything. I pray the fastest most all-in-one prayer He has ever heard and I also pray that He can understand me as I pray the fastest all-in-one prayer He has ever heard. It is literally as if I am holding on to the year with my finger tips and then I let go when the clock turns 12 midnight. And when I let go, it's a new year. A new file for that mental file cabinet. New memories. New hopes.

This last year, I have learned a lot. I can't even go into some of it otherwise we would miss the new year all together and my entry today would be wrapping up in 2010. But I can tell you one thing. I have truly come to realize the power of prayer, the power of God, the power of love, the power of trust. This year has brought with it the realization that if you wait, God's grace will show itself in your life. And it is hard to wait for it. My goodness, is it hard to wait. But it comes. He comes. And this year, He has certainly been present. And of course, He has always been with me -- sometimes I was the one who stumbled. But this year, and I think I can speak for Keith, too when I say that I have really felt His presence.

My heart is overflowing with thanks for our family. It is through our family that His miraculous work has made it into our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over. I have said it before and I will say it again, we are so incredibly blessed. Our pastor at IBC, Andy, once spoke about spiritual barriers. Spiritual barriers are anything that stand in our way from living the life that God made for us. Sometimes we break down those barriers all by ourselves. Other times, people in our lives lead us to break down those barriers. I look back at my life and I can very easily think about the people who led me to kick my barriers down. My family members are at the top of that list. The grace they have shown Keith, Ava, and I leaves me saying "Wow...this is God's work." Vague, I know...but just break down the barriers, hang on, and wait.

As for 2009...who knows what it will bring. But for some reason, I feel like something great will happen. I don't know why. There are still prayers that I am hoping will be answered. I think God is just mulling them over. And I will hang on and wait patiently for Him.

Happy New Year ~ Thanks for reading.

Christmas Memories

Oh...my poor sweet Christmas angel. This picture was taken after Christmas Eve Mass. Ava was so tired after being so so so good all the way through church. It was probably about 10:30 when this picture was taken and we just couldn't get a smile outta her. But doesn't she look sweet? And doesn't my hubby look so handsome?! I'll take the credit for his attire...sorry, Honey...

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There she is! Yeah, this was taken before church.

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Ava and her cousin Natalie were so precious. Natalie just reached her hand out and Ava held it. They were walking around the entire house like this. All the cameras busted out like papparazzi. Ava was so slow and Natalie just waited for her. Sigh. It was so cute.
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Ava with her Granddaddy. At least I can rest assured that our baby grand will be put to good use. Ava loves to play the piano!
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We developed a new skill. We can now get up and down from the couch! It's pretty funny to watch (and listen to as well!) Ava's new trick comes complete with a bunch of grunts, uh's, oo's, and when she gets up she concludes with a hand clap (which must be followed by your own), and a "Goot gul"...("Good girl," in Ava-niese.)

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Uh huh...you know that's right. The shirt says it all.

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We met Keith's parents about 2 hours away and had a 5 generation picture taken. Yup -- Keith's great grandmother, his grandmother, his mom, and Ava all in one picture! How often do you get that? Ava wore this sweet dress for her glamour shot. It was made by Keith's mom for Ava. This is a very special dress. The fabric that was used for this dress was left over from Keith's very first Christmas outfit. How 'bout that? Thanks Granna!

Thanks for reading ~

Remembering the Miracle...

Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.

Merry Christmas to you all.

With Love,

The Wood Family

Best Pals...

"You know, my Mum let's me watch my shows (or 'stories' as we call them) everyday from 4:00-5:00. I personally do enjoy my Blue's Clues and Max and Ruby. Usually my Mum sits with me, but when she doesn't, I would sure love to have my own chair to sit in! That way, I can kick back, eat my Goldfish Crackers, and recoup after this long day!"

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"Silly Mommy! Thanks for the chair but I know what this used to be! It's an old potty chair! It's even had a makeover! Don't you try to pull a fast one on me!"

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"Well...I guess it's worth a shot.........."

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"Hm...Yep...I don't think I'm gonna be able to sit in this."

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"What Mr. Joojoo Bear? Aw...you don't look so hot... Are you feeling okay?"

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"Awwww...it's okay Mr. Joojoo Bear...I got your hair....it'll be all over soon...shhhhhhh..."

"Santa, you know Ava. Ava, this is Santa Claus..."

I would definitely say that I am a sentimental person. When I was little I remember going to a school carnival and getting my face painted. Then of course, when I got home my mom made me take a shower. Boy did I love that face paint. I mean, it had become a part of me. Of course the water from the shower made the face paint start to come off. So, since that rainbow (and clouds) had made it's home on my cheek for a whole hour, it deserved to be saved. I remember taking the pieces of paint off of my cheek and putting them on the edge of the bathtub so they could hang for dear life. It was like watching my best friend dissolve before my very eyes.

I bring this up because it was ridiculous. Therefore, the sentimental moment that I had today won't seem so dramatic. Thanks to our dear friends Jenna and her Mommy Adrian, Ava and I (along with Adrian and Jenna, of course) went to the library for crafts and story time with Santa Claus. Now, I think I may have at some point mentioned Ava's run in with Santa (the plug into the wall species) at Home Depot. He was shakin' his hips (and shakin' it twice....sorry, couldn't resist...come on! You hear it, too) and singing. He had to have been 6 feet tall, this Santa. Anyway, Ava just sat there and watched in amazement. All that to say, I was looking forward to the first moment she would see the real Santa. I was a little nervous because I predicted there might be a meltdown. After all, a couple of weeks in Sunday School, Ava had a breakdown when "the man with the guitar came in"...those were her nursery lady's actual words. So, I thought Santa might freak her out a little bit. Well, Lil'Bit got all dressed up for her Santa. Complete with tights and shiny shoes. And actually, the dress she wore was made out of the same fabric that one of her Daddy's outfits was made out of when he was little like her (thanks, Granna!). The girls loved making Christmas cards and eating cookies and drinking ginger ale...I mean this was a high class party! But just prior to that was my moment. There must have been 25 kids there all ranging in age. Everyone was sitting on the floor waiting for the magical moment when Santa would come through the doors. I could feel my heart pounding through my chest. Everything was in slow motion. Just kidding. I 'm just trying to add some dramatic effect. But then there he was. This Santa was beautiful. And when he came in, those kids cheered and laughed and smiled. I looked down at Ava's face and she just looked at him in awe. I'm serious when I say I got a little lump in my throat. I mean, out of all the real Santa Clauses that she is going to see, this was her first. I just took a few seconds to look around at all of the precious faces. One little girl turned to another and looked right into her eyes and said, "That's Santa Claus." Almost as if she was saying "Now, he's the one...he's the one you want to be good for." Oh, my sweet precious baby.

Santa read a book called "Things Santa Can't Do." Ava and I learned that Santa can't shave, he can't drive a car, he can't remember what Mrs. Claus told him to get at the grocery store, he can't use a door knob, and he can't wear Bermuda shorts and t-shirt (except when he goes on vacation to Hawaii after Christmas is over). Very informative book, I think you can find it at your own local library in the reference section by the encyclopedia.

Anyway, I could tell this Santa had been doing this for awhile. Not just because he broke down and told us his age (which was something like 1,723 years old...) but because of the disclaimer he gave us Mommies and Daddies. He said, "Now Mommies and Daddies, if your child says they don't want to sit on my lap, they probably don't want to sit on my lap." So he invited us to sit in the picture with them. Whiiiiich is exactly what happened. The closer we got to Santa, the bigger the frown my Ava got on her face. She screamed. And she screamed. I sat with her, and she screamed. But that Santa was so sweet. He looked at her and he just said, "You know? You just don't understand it yet, do you? And that's okay." We got our kodak moment and we were done. And Ava continued to hold a grudge until we got to Chick-fil-a. But it was a fantastic morning and yet another bonding experience that I shared with my Ava. We missed you Daddy! And thank you Adrian, for driving and for eating lunch with us. We had a blast with you and Jenna-bo-benna!

So here are a collection of pictures from the day. In the haste of things, I couldn't check the pictures to make sure I got any good usable ones (and Keith's camera is a little too high-tech for me so there was a menu blocking my picture on the viewer screen! I couldn't figure out how to get it off and thought the camera would explode if I pushed a wrong button.) Enjoy the sequence with Santa. I absolutely adore my baby girl.

We love our Jenna! (by the way, might I say how excited the girls look?)

"oooohhhhh no Mommy....here he comes." (cue music from Jaws...)

I really look like I am experiencing joy from this situation. The whole thing was sort of funny, I'll admit it. She was just clinging on to me with everything she had. I have to laugh at this picture, too because it looks like I'm just hangin' with Santa like we're sitting my living room. Well, you know, I'm tight with Santa...we're like this. I mean, he did say that he was going to deliver a bright new ToyWatch with crystals bordering the pearled face and a white wrist band that he found in the watch department at Nordstrom. He did say that. And Santa wouldn't want to let me down. He said that, too. I'm kidding friends...well not really, but Santa did aleady go in on the treadmill with Keith. And you can't run on that with a fancy watch.

"What?" Asked Santa. "You want a duck for Christmas?"

"Ohhhhh why do these Mommies do this to their babies?"

Thanks for reading. May your days be filled with sentimental memories.

Runnin' Around the Christmas Tree

Well here you have it. The newest addition to the Wood family. Can I just tell you how excited I am to have this 165 pound bundle of joy in my home? It just glows doesn't it? Keith and I went back and forth of what we were going to do for eachother for Christmas. You know, it all comes down to the fact that being active makes us feel good and good about ourselves. Keith used to go to the gym on a daily basis and now he chooses to be home at night with his two girls instead of going to the gym (he's just the greatest). We would go to the gym nightly before Sassy came. That was our time to let off any steam that had collected throughout our day and we really got in some husband and wife bonding time (even if we were across the room from eachother.) Since I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with our Ava, I do have the opportunity to take my jogging stroller out -- last year's Christmas present....do we see a trend? It's sorta increasing with the years isn't it? Next year it'll be our own gym! : ) -- but as I have brought up in former blogs, it just gets a little well, boring. But now! My friends, Keith has used it at night, and I use it in the morning before Sleeping Beauty arises, and it is fantastic! There's nothing wrong with a little variety...now we have options. And, ugh, if I say this I am commited....hold on give me a sec...okay. And now I can train for a half-marathon I have my eyes set on. And Mom! We are SO on for the turkey trot next year. I'll be one trottin' turkey.

Well, I am going to have to sign off for now. I am in the middle of baking (cue "Psycho" music). It usually isn't too pretty when I get in the kitchen. But I am proud to say that I, Emily, made yummy cookies from scratch. Yes, I made everything. Me and my "Chocolate Hazelnut Sandwhich Cookies" are off to a cookie party tonight. Daddy's gonna be home to spend time with his princess and Mr. Gold's Gym 550.

Hope you all have the most pleasant weekend.

Thanks for reading...

Turn Around and Run!

No really...turn around and run! This one's a doozy cause Momma's a-venting! You know, sometimes I wish I was a nurse. If I was a nurse, I would not have been up at 3:30 in the morning on the Internet trying to find explanations for all of my sweet baby girl's troubles. Poor Sassy has not been feeling so well. But you know, the only things she is struggling with are a little stuffy nose and a fever. Now, her fever has gotten a little high (102.6....I know, I know....it's nothing...), but we are going on day three and by golly, I just want her to feel better! It just really puts me in semi-panic mode when I can feel the heat radiating off of her body onto mine, you know? And she just looks up at me with her snotty nose and those baby blues saying, "Mum, will you give me anything I want?" And I say "Oh yes, Baby! Of course!" Anyway...she is playing the part of Sleeping Beauty miraculously right now. It's hard for me not to go in there and crawl into her crib with her, but I know she needs her rest (and frankly, I would break the crib...).

I have to admit, I am pretty bummed out this morning. With Ava being sick, I am missing out on a morning pj party. My MOPS group is gathering as I sit here listening to the ever-so-familiar lullaby CD through the baby monitor. I even had Ava's fresh pajamas laying out ready for her to change into (she tends to take more than a couple of potty breaks during the night.) We were going to go over to Kristi's house this morning along with the other mommies and kiddos from our MOPS table and bake cookies, and read books, and play until we worked off the cookies, and then eat more cookies. A blissful cycle. But you know? It just didn't work out for us and that's okay. I just imagined how awful I would have felt if we got another baby sick or if her fever just sky rocketed. So, we're staying here today at the Wood Stay in Your Pjs Day party.

I am in my second set of pjs myself. Why? Well (let the trumpets sound!)....I have decided that I am going to get up with Keith (that's 6:00am, friends) and go for a morning run. That way, I know I will do it! Ava and I do a really good job of taking the jogging stroller out maybe 3 or 4 times a week (lately it has been less). But it is just so windy lately. Running is not fun while pushing a 10 or 15 pound stroller with a 21 pound baby inside of it, against the wind. And walking tends to get a little boring in our neighborhood (I don't especially enjoy reminding myself how much I hate not having any trees around here every time we walk). So, Ava and I will continue to go out for a walk for enjoyment and I will make sure I do my run in the morning! It was a good run, until I turned a corner and saw my street's "guard dog" waiting for my arrival. And I couldn't turn around and run, because Lassie would chase me. I tell you, people, put your dogs on a leash! I won't spend too long on my soapbox just because my legs are tired from my run, but dogs belong on a leash. If you are at a dog park, fine. But in a neighborhood? Where there are cars and kids...nuh uh. And this dog is dark brown. I almost ran right into it because it blended in with the dark. And I always see it walking up and down the street. She's beautiful, don't get me wrong. Would I want one? Sure, give me 20. But when I have to walk the other direction because I don't want her to attack my stroller, or change my running route because she is standing there saying "I dare you...come closer...", that's not right. Okay I'm stepping down from my soapbox. Wait! Only with one foot! One more thing! I did call the animal protective services, or whatever you call them, a while back. I was told that they couldn't come out right away but maybe the next week. Whatever! That dog is going to know you are on your way and it is going to hide. That dog will get all cammo on us and sit in a dark bush or something. She's smart! She's already got me changing up my exercise route. Anyway...the moral of this story (is there one?) is never give up on your law enforcement representatives. Maybe 10 minutes after I got back home (my heart still racing from both my run and my near death dog attack) what did I see? Well, I saw my dear friends in their shiny black Navigator with pretty lights on top driving down my street. I think it said something like, oh, "Sheriff" on the side. They were on their way to rescuing that dog. I guess they could hear my mind grumbling this morning...I don't know how they knew. It was 7:00 in the morning after all. Okay, now the other foot's off.

Phew! I need to put something sweet in here now after all of that! Speaking of sweet...Keith and I had a garage sale this weekend and made some sweet money. Boy did we clear out some clutter. And a lot of what we didn't sell I either convinced myself for the 10th time to keep it or it went to our good friends at Goodwill. Keith took my Tribeca to drop the stuff off and it was full. Anyway, this time of year is great for garage sales because the earnings turn into some extra Christmas gift funds. And these days...well, you know how it is. But it felt good to drop off all of that stuff! And I know it will all go to someone who won't just put it in their garage like we did. We are so blessed to have everything and more of everything to give it away.

Now...out of today's blog you can get 6 things (yes 6! I was very informative!)

1. Don't be afraid to get on your soapbox from time to time. Just remember to get down.
2. Stay away from guard dogs. When all else fails...turn around and run.
3. Have a garage sale.
4. Let your hair air-dry every once in awhile (I didn't address this before, but, yes, it's good for the soul.)
5. Thank God everyday for your blessings even if they have snotty noses.
6. Go home and put your pjs on.

Have a wonderful day--hope you smiled. Thanks for reading.