The stay at home mama thing...

If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

So since the summer has come, I have received very curious people delicately asking, "So I've been meaning to ask you, how did you do it this year on one teacher income?" I honestly didn't think many people would even wonder but many have. This has inspired me to write how and why we did it. And made shed some light on God's will and how he'll move earth to make it happen.





Ever since I was a little girl all I wanted to be was a stay-at-home mom. When I met Sam, I fell in love and blindly we knew that all we needed was love to survive. That being said, haha, when we found out I was pregnant in the fall of '09, our biggest thought was "AHH, we're NEVER gonna survive!" See, we are both teachers. That job comes with a notorious notion that we make no money. And it's partly true. But, when I found out I was pregnant, we saved ALOT of my income and on May 11, 2010 we became parents to a wonderful little boy. And as I held him I knew I didn't want to let go.





After 3 months of summer bliss, came the big decision whether or not I'd be going back to work. Lord knows, I didn't want to, and Sam and I prayed, sought counsel, fought, freaked out, and finally came to the begruding decision that I would be returning to work that August 1. To say I was without peace was an understatement. I was heartbroken. And everyday when I handed that warm bundle over to my amazing Mom to care for until 3:30 (or whenever I could throw things together to fly out the door) I burst into tears. And people used to tell me "at least it's not daycare." To which I would respond, I don't care if the Pope is watching my son, if it's not me, it's not what I want.





Through a series of events, I decided to speak to Sam again about a month in, and yet again bring him my request to stay home, as if through the tears he didn't know haha. We prayed, fasted, and came to the conclusion that we knew this desire for me to stay home was placed in our hearts so why weren't we doing it? Fear? At that moment we came into agreement and I put in my leave that day.





Has it been easy? Honestly, yes. How did we do it? We just did. No, we didn't use credit cards. In fact we paid off debt. We bought a house which is actually SAVING us money each month. Ha, God is good. We used descretion. One week, we might be able to go out to dinner, the next week, not. God brought people in our life that blessed us beyond belief. We are still living on diapers from my showers which I can hardly believe I was blessed SO much. Even the other day, we were on our last swim diaper and someone handed me 2 packs of his size swim diapers and said my kid grew outta these if you want them. If we needed something or heck even WANTED something, we prayed, and God provided it. But I can guarantee something, we never felt as though we lacked. Jackson has great shoes, I buy him fun clothing on a regular basis and he eats organic and natural foods. God provides it. We are able to do fun things like Gymboree, have a zoo pass, go on playdates, etc. God provides it. This is NOT boasting nor am I saying I can do more for my child than someone else can. I know that we aren't able to buy him the latest toy, take him on vacations and shop at Baby Gap (ok unless there's a sale haha) but I know that it's a season. God has promised me we'll get there, if we want to be there :) And I can promise you, he gives his kids what they need/want. He did it for us. He does it for us.





Why did we do it? Well mostly because Sam and I are both in agreement, that it's what God wants for our family. We felt that Jackson would have the most peace and stability having a routine. We wanted him to view our home as peaceful, a place he knew and was familiar with. We wanted my main and only focus to be Sam and Jackson. And before all you Women's Lib people hate me, yes I DO believe that is my priority. As Sam's priority is Jackson and I. Family comes first, always.





With this being said, after again alot of prayer and what we know God has shown us, I will be returning to work part time this fall. This time I have a peace. I know God has given me this ideal job with ideal hours to work. It isbest for our family which is His family too. This isnt' because this year was horrible and I HAVE to go back. This is what we felt like God brought us too, and to be honest, I'm even looking a little forward to it :) But I know one thing, God takes care of his kids. If it's God's will, he is gonna make it happen. We are proof :)

Why I'd rather not watch..

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that right now Casey Anthony is on trial for the murder of her 2 year old daughter Caylee. Pretty much everyone in Central Florida is tuned in via the tv, internet, phone (yes you can receive updates via text), or facebook (because everyone is updating their statuses about it). And of course mostly everyone has an opinion. And pretty much unianimously, it's not a good one about Casey or her family.

However. Today at the grocery store the cashier and a fellow patron were discussing it and explained she was in a hurry to go home and watch Casey's father take the stand today. She turned and looked at me as I fumbled to pick up Jackson dropped snack trap of goldfish and asked, "Are you into watching the trial?"

Let me preface this with saying I am NOT complaining about those who watch it. If you want to watch it, go ahead. But this is why I refuse to, and don't watch it.

It's heartbreaking, heartwrenching, and leaves me sick to my stomach. For awhile I had zero opinion of whether Casey did it or not. Although some people thought I was looney for saying that, the idea of a mother doing harm to her child is absolutely inconceivable to me and I couldn't fathom a 2 year old's life being brought to an end by her source of life...her mom. I don't know the facts, and thankfully I don't have to.

So when the trial began to air on TV and people began posting about it, arguing about it, talking about it, and tuning in to watch it like it was the latest episode of American Idol or Survior I decided I couldn't. I couldn't watch a family rip apart at the seams. I couldn't watch a father and mother fall apart over the death of their grand-daughter and the loss of their own daughter's freedom. I couldn't watch a mother, who is obviously very diluted, fry in her seat while onlookers pour more gasoline on her in hopes they may be the ones to watch her burn alive. The lies, the confusion, and the plain raw painful emotion of a precious little life lost makes me ill.

I hope there is justice for little Caylee Anthony. But more than justice, I hope people look at the little sweet girl for who she was, and don't remember her by the cluster of mud that this entire circus has become.

Happy June!

Happy June and Welcome Summer! First of all, let me tell you, overall summer isn't my favorite. Only because of the ridiculous heat wave that Florida gives us year round, summer weather isn't exactly special. HOWEVER...I do LOVE summer because my husband is home for approx 2 whole months. Yes, 2 whole months of uninterupted family time. It's absolute bliss :)
The first week of summer we spent catching up on some minor things around the house.

I'm not going to lie, being a budget isn't easy. There is SO much I want to do with the house, but where we are right now, we have to save for. But I'm coping well, and putting alot of energy doing things that I can do, such as framing pictures, cleaning, and re-organizing. I love feeling like progress is being made.

Also, Sam and I were able to go on a date last week which was fantastic! And yes, I find dates definitley necessary and we try to go on them once a month, if not more. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life, I honestly sit down after a long day realizing I barely said one word to him that didn't have something to do with chores, Jackson or obligations. Thats when we decide, it's date time! :) So we headed to the movies and then out to dinner, which was fantastic to spend that much uninterrupted time together :)

Let me tell you, Sam is a wonderful man. I know alot of people say this (or should say this) about their husbands, but Sam is a rock. He's smart, knows exactly who he is, and stays completley firm in that. Sometimes I joke with him, that I want to be just like him when I grow up haha. But it's partly true. He's incredible and I am definitely looking forward to an enjoyable summer with him and my sweet toddler!

The Little Toddler

Phew! May has been such a busy month! First of all, it seems like everyone, including us, has a birthday in May so we've been paryting it up baby style EVERY weekend this month and finishing out with a grand finale this Memorial day weekend with 3 baby parties and 2 memorial day bbqs! But we are not complaining, we are thankful that we have such great friends that want to include us as part of their birthdays. J has been loving it. It is really funny though how once you have a baby your social calendar seems to grow!

On a really exciting note....he's walking :) So the day before his birthday party, May 14 to be exact, he took his first steps in the evening. And I cried. lol. I was so excited for him, because he was excited with himself! He kept taking a few steps and giggling, and then taking a few steps and giggling and collasping on us. And now, well he is just trying it all the time. He is getting ALOT better now, so I snapped this quick video yesterday, of our little toddler.

For me, walking is huge because it opens up a whole new world of possibilites! We can go to the park again (because for awhile all he wanted to do was crawl in the mulch, yuck) and we could get him his first pair of shoes! Last week, we went to the ever famous Stride Rite and got him his first pair of shoes. We opted for sandals because of the summer. He loves them!

We practiced walking around some to break them in :)

And in case you're wondering why he has little pantyhose sockies with these, for the first time use they recommended them so that he wouldn't get blisters :) He doesn't wear them anymore...haha.

So now that he's toddling, I'm expecting a whole world of new adventures in the Wood Household :)

Our Little Buckaroo

Well he's finally 1!! The big one year old had a wonderful birthday :) He turned one last Wednesday and we had a small mini-party with family and Jessica (because well she's pretty much family haha). We headed out to Sonny's bbq because Jackson loves their chicken and ate dinner there, and then headed back to our house for some cupcakes. This was Jackson's first try at cupcakes and honestly..haha he wasn't too sure. I kept in mind though that it was late so maybe he was sleepy? Either way, after a few bites, he was done. :) Then we did gifts and Jackson got some new books and his favorite: a new ride on toy! He hasn't yet mastered how to ride on it yet, but he loves pushing it all over the house.

Then Sunday we had a small party with close friends and family. I chose to do a country/cowboy theme mostly because I thought it was absolutely precious! We had some amazing friends offer to do SO much. Our close friends Lisa and Marcus offered to make invitations and our birthday banner. They came out perfect and I told them they need to move into that buisness :)

Leah and Jessica offered to make cake, so J had 2 pretty much professional cakes for his party! Which were both delicious I might add :)

And Marcus also took pictures for us because well we all know how I am with taking pictures :) It went so smoothly and J had a fun time playing with his friends. I was sad though, because we weren't able to invite alot of his playgroup and mom's group friends :( We missed them alot, but I didn't want J to be overwhelmed and the size of our house just wouldn't allow it. For his next birthday though, we're going to do a big party in the park! Yes, I've already thought about it :)

Bye Bye Baby?

On May 11, J will be one year old. One. year. old. ONE year old! I don't care how many times I say it, it's still hard to believe. It's hard to believe that one year ago, we saw our little man for the first time and had literally NO idea what the future would hold! In ways it seems like he's been here longer than a year, and in other ways it seems like it's only been a few weeks. Nevertheless, I can't imagine, or remember life without him!

This is J and me when he was just 2 months old :)




So over the course of the year, he has gone through so many radical changes. And as a family so have we :) When we first met J he slept. ALOT. Then he progressed to crying. ALOT. Then that progressed to smiling alot. Then playing and eating alot. Then moving. A whole heck of alot. And now...well he's just settling into his own personality and becoming an active member of this family. It's werid how he can be a baby, but also a boy at the same time. Here are his updates for his big one year birthday:




*He likes to take all of his toys out at the SAME time :)



*He lets me know what he loves...and hates :)


*He laughs when we do.


*He thinks it's funny when we surprise him from around the corner. And he LOVES to be chased by Sam.

*He is curious and doesn't have time for nonsense. Nothing and no-one needs to interrupt him during exploring/adventure time. We have coined this time because this is a time where J (with a very serious face) goes digging in cabients, toy bins and hidden places. He could occupy himself doing this for a good while.


* His favorite song is "Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes" and this is the ONLY song he will dance too.


* Loves chicken, cantaloupe, spinach and goldfish. Thats pretty much it...for this week anyhow.


* He uses a fork just like a big boy.



*He loves being outside and doesn't mind getting dirty. This makes Sam proud.






* He is still nursing. I know, I know...but its only 3 times a day. He's a momma's boy...what can I say?


*He growls when happy. I have no clue.

*He gives hugs. Real hugs. Around the neck...and every time he does I almost tear up.

* He is particular about his naps and bedtime. I love this about him because that means I get "my time" in. :)

So here we go into the "toddler stage" Although no matter what..he'll always be my baby :)

When you think Tim Mc Graw...

What a weekend! First off let me tell you how ridiculously blessed we are. I know "blessed" can be a loaded term to many and sometimes the effect of that word can get lost when you don't truly mean it and know that all good things come from God. But we are seriously so blessed. On Saturday, I went and got my hair cut by the amazing Monica Anderson. She has a baby about 6 months older than Jackson so we can chat about our boys and she doens't think I'm obssessive. Or if she does at least she understands :) Then I came back and took Jackson to the park for some fun :)

Then we headed out to take some pictures with the amazing Jenee' Wagner. I wasn't sure how Jackson would do, but as always he completely impressed all of us and was a star. :) We'll be getting them on a cd shortly and I can't wait.

And then the best part....So about a month ago some friends of ours completely BLESSED our socks off and asked us if we wanted to go see Tim McGraw in concert. My response was "I'm there with bells on!!!" We made plans for my mom to watch Jackson and Sam and I were both eagerly awaiting some great grown-up time with great friends and a great concert.

And a great concert it was! Lemme tell ya, I love country music. I didn't grown up in a small town, and the thought of farm work exhausts me, but country music...ah I love it. I was raised on it. I know everything from Hank Williams, to Johnny Cash, to George Strait to the new people like Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean. Guess it's just the Cowboy in me. There's something beautiful about music that is relational and real. And they can talk about Jesus and not feel uncomfortable. I love it. :) And Sam and I are beyond glad we have friends that love it just as much as we do!