Way Back Whensday

Hello my blogging friends. I am back from my lenten fast feeling refreshed and renewed. I will blog about that later.
Today I wanted to participate in my friend Raechel's wonderful idea called Way Back Whensday...she gives a topic and you find pictures to correspond. Her topic this week is baby pictures.
I only have a few pictures and none of Eric--they are on the other computer that is buried somewhere in the basement.

My dad and I...I would say just a couple months old

This has to be Easter...I'm the one with my dad

This is probably mothers day...Gideon seems to be in the same yellow suit as the above picture while the rest of us are dressed differently and I just don't look that much older

Okay, this isn't a baby shot but I love this picture of our family...I especially love that Gideon is never in a normal colored suit.

This is our family on Easter...I think Alaina has a great blend of both of us...my chubby cheeks and Eric's big blue eyes

Who do you think she looks like?

Looking for to next week's Way Back Whensday...what's the topic Rae...I feel the need to be more prepared. :)

Lent

I really feel like the Lord is leading me to participate in a Lenten fast this year. Now, for all of my friends who have more knowledge on the traditions and practices of Lent let me be the first do admit that I know very little about the Lenten season because I come from a church tradition that does not advocate participating in Lent. However, they also do not shun it either.
With that said, recently God and I have been doing some serious bonding and with that he has been gracious to show me some areas of overcrowding in my life--as in areas that are taking over God's rightful place. Sadly, one of these areas is my computer. I spend entirely way too much time on my computer--in particular on facebook and checking and reading blogs. I'm not telling you this so that you feel guilty or I sound like a super Christian. I'm telling you this so that those of you who care enough to read my blog know my heart.
So, starting on Wednesday I will be going on a 40 day computer fast--using my computer only for working purposes. I will use this time to draw closer to my Jesus and allow him to reveal himself to me in new and powerful ways. Believe me, I recognize that I could have chosen to do a computer fast at anytime and in the future I may do more fasts on different things that I think are consuming my life. But for now, the Lenten season is upon us and there is no better time.
Friends, if you need me please don't contact me via facebook as I will not be checking it. I will check my e-mail or you can always call.
I'm praying that through this time of fasting God will be all I need. Something that has stuck with me for a while now is something that a really awesome worship leader, who happens to also be a good friend said. As he was leading worship for a college revival he stopped in the middle of a song. The song was, Your Grace Is Enough by Chris Tomlin. (See lyrics below) I suppose he sensed that people were singing but not really worshiping. He said something to the effect of, "It's easy to sing the words, lift up our hands and when the song is over sit down. But when all is said and done, when the rubber hits the road is His grace really enough? Is His grace really the only thing you need?" I love that and have thought about that a lot. Is His grace really enough for me?
Praying that God reveals himself to you too and that His grace is enough...

Your Grace is Enough

Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Great is Your love and justice God
You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me (x2)

So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise
Oh God

Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me

Your grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your grace is enough for me
God i see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me

I'm just not that interesting...

There's a phenomenon...okay maybe phenomenon is not the right word...let's start over. There's a fad going around on facebook where people write 25 interesting things about yourself, tag a bunch of your friends and if you are tagged you are supposed to do the same. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I think it is really intriguing to read all of these. People have led some really interesting lives! So...with that said I am going to attempt to be interesting. Without further ado I give you...

25 Interesting Things About Sally Mae Wood

1. I think the T.V. show friends is the greatest show ever and could watch it all day everyday! I love to quote it with other people who know what I'm talking about. I often think of Friends quotes in day to day conversation and have to restrain myself from quoting because I know the person I am talking to won't understand. Luckily my husband shares my affinity for this show.
2. I love pop. I know I don't drink enough water but love the taste of the fizzy in my mouth. Sometimes when I wake up in the night and am thirsty I have to force myself to get a glass of water and not open a can of pop. Weird, I know.
3. I am terrible at math...absolutely terrible. In 10th grade I made a deal with my geometry teacher. I would grade all his tests and quizzes and enter his grades if he would allow me not to do any work and give me a C in the class. For some reason he agreed to it.
   
4. I played softball until my senior year in high school. I was very loud and obnoxious in my cheering. I played 3rd base because I had a strong arm. No one on my team wanted to warm up with me because it hurt their hand when I threw the ball to them and the ball hit their glove. When I was in grade school I was on a softball team called The Little Mermaids and our uniforms were green and white with a picture of Ariel on the front. Ferocious, I know. I was always #5.
5. I'm an average singer. I can sing well enough to not be terrible not but quite good enough to be confident. It's only in the last few years that I've learned how to harmonize and even now I don't always hit the right note and it hurts my ears.
   
6. I was on homecoming court in high school and college and didn't win either time.
7. My mom made me get braces my senior year of high school because she thought it would help my lisp. I got them off after my freshman year of college. It did not help my lisp. My teeth were straight before I got braces and looked the same when I got them off.
8. I love my dad's cooking, especially his biscuits and gravy and his homemade cinnamon rolls.
9. Cooking is therapeutic for me. I like to try new recipes and find it fulfilling when Eric loves something that I cook and wants me to make it again. I especially love making soups. Eric wants me to open a restaurant and even made a menu for it the other day.
   
10. My love languages are definitely physical touch and words of affirmation.
    
11. In high school I was voted "friendliest."
12. I only went to one dance in high school--my choice--and hated it! I felt awkward and uncomfortable the whole time and couldn't wait for it to be over.
13. I moved schools in 2nd grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, 9th grade and my parents moved again when I was in college.
    
14. I really loved Trolls when I was younger. This was bordering obsessive. One time when I was asleep my brother and sister came in and told me they were going to flush my trolls down the toilet and I began to sob.
    
15. My sister used to make me do crazy things and I would do them because I wanted to be just like her. She is two years older than me and when I was in 3rd grade she made up a password that I had to say anytime I wanted to enter the same room that she was in..."Open Sesame Street Elmo" was what I was required to say if you were dying to know. One time she had a sleepover and and her friends put Vick's Vapor Rub and Q-tips in my hair while I was sleeping but I didn't know it and went to church that way. Obviously, I didn't look in the mirror before I left the house back then. I have a million other stories of her torturing me but we'll stop there.
16. I was in brownies when I was younger. All my friends were in Daisy's prior to Brownies, except for me. I ended up going to the ceremony where they move the Daisy's up to the Brownies with my friend's family because my family couldn't make it. You were required to walk across a bridge to signify that you were crossing over and then recite the girl scout pledge at the end. I, however did not know what I was supposed to recite since I was not in Daisy's and instead of saying the pledge I proceeded to say "Mirror mirror on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?" Needless to say, they did not allow me to cross over and I was mortified.
    
17. My mom was in a horrific car accident in 2004 and almost died. She broke pretty much every bone in her body and had to relearn how to do everything, including walk. She also suffered minor brain damage. She was in ICU for 2 weeks and then a rehabiliation center for 5 months. Although she will never be completely the same, she is my hero and I am so proud of her.
18. While my mom was in ICU, Eric and I were dating. He stayed with me the whole time and my dad would introduce him as my "future fiancee." Anyway, my mom had huge braces on her legs with large metal rods holding her legs in place because they were both so severely broken in several spots. One time Eric and I were in there visiting with her and she called Eric over and asked him to take her panty hose off because they were uncomfortable. If she wasn't under heavy sedation it could have been a very awkward situation. Instead, it was just hilarious!
    
19. I don't like onions but love onion rings...okay I technically only eat the breading and leave the onion but it is so delicious. Culvers has the best onion rings breading ever!
20. I thoroughly enjoy spicy cheetos.
21. I'm not always the greatest friend. Especially when it comes to keeping in touch. I've moved a lot in my life and find it difficult to keep in touch with old friends while at the same time trying to manifest new and meaningful friendships.
22. The older I get the more introverted I am becoming.
23. I became a first time mom in September and love it! My daughter's name is Alaina Mae. She shares her middle name with me and with my grandmother who was Sudie Mae. Eric and I came up with her name from a contestant on American Idol last season.
    
24. Living in Flint, MI in middle school were some of the greatest times with some of the greatest people. Shout out to the Turners, Krings & Martins!
    
25. I am a blanket snob. I love blankets and hate it if they are too thin or too small. I am obsessed with being warm. I travel around our house with the space heater and we keep our thermostat set at 75 because if I'm cold, I'm cranky. Eric and I have a dual electric blanket on our bed. He never turns his on and my side is on high from October -April.
    

Domestic Goddess

On Monday I went to Walgreens to pick up some pictures and I was very thirsty. So, I bought a pop--a diet orange soda. I don't normally drink orange pop but it sounded good.

When I got home, I thought I had the lid on tight and I accidentally knocked the bottle on our cream carpet. Orange pop was everywhere. I quickly picked the bottle up and immediately put some Resolve on it and blotted it out...it's what I do with every stain that ends up on our carpet and it usually gets it out no problem.

The next morning I had all but forgotten about the orange spot when Eric saw it and asked what was on the carpet. The Resolve did not work and I was left with a large orange spot on the living room carpet. He tried more Resolve and scrubbing with no success. I told him not to worry that I would figure something out...although I didn't quite know what to do.

I quickly got on Google to research how to get set in stains out of carpet. Come to find out orange is one of the hardest stains to get out of carpet. Go figure. But I came across a website that said to take a wet, soapy washcloth, lay it over the stain and then iron over it...that's right IRON! It said the iron against the wet cloth would act like a steamer and pull the stain right out.

Well, it took me a while to find the iron because well, I don't iron...ever! If I want something unwrinkled I throw it in the dryer for a few minutes and if Eric has a shirt that is wrinkled then he can either wear it wrinkled or attempt to fix the said problem himself. I loathe ironing. Anyway, I digress. I found the iron and though fearful I was going to burn a large hole in the carpet with my iron, I proceeded with caution. To my surprise, it worked! The website said it may take a few times for the stain to completely come up so I will keep at it. But for now the bright orange soda stain has become more of a dull orange memory!

Here's to my domestic goddess tip of the day! Don't hold your breath for any more tips from me...

Exercising will be the death of me, I'm sure of it!

I hate exercising...I do it, but I hate it. Anyone who tells me that the more I do it, the more I will love it is wrong. However, I am attempting to do my first ever 5K. I'm not a runner and I think I use that as an excuse a lot for why I don't lose weight like I want to or why I despise going to the gym. So, I have decided to conquer this challenge. My friend Diane turned me on to a program called "From Couch to 5K." An appropriate title for me! :) And I must say, it is definitely doable...so far! I am currently on week 5 and haven't died yet so that's good news!
The 5K is in Valpo on April 4th and is called Ringing in Spring. I have a couple of friends who are walking it and one friend who will run it with me. Friend, if you are reading this (and I know you are!) how are you doing?!? You can do it! :)

I am looking into getting a new pair of running shoes so if anyone has any suggestions I'm open to it!

I'll keep you posted on my progress...I think I can...I think I can...I think I can!

I am Yours

This weekend was a special time for us as we dedicated Alaina to the Lord. It was an awesome experience to know that we were making a public declaration that we will submit her to the Lord's will for her life with the help of our families and the body of Christ.
Although it was hard not to get caught up in her cute dress and precious bow, I tried my best to concentrate on the fact that the Lord has entrusted me with this precious gift but ultimately she his His child whom I have the privilege and great joy to raise.
The words to the Casting Crowns song, "Who Am I" rang in my head all day yesterday as we celebrated this special day. It makes me stop and think of how big and awesome God is and how small I am but how much he loves me and how much he loves Alaina.

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

I am yours.

Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am yours.
I am yours.

____________________________________________________________________

On another note...
Our new furniture arrived last week and it is fabulous! I am thankful every time I sit upon its fluffy cushions! I think Eric and I have fallen asleep in the living room for the past 5 nights!

_______________________________________________________________________

And lastly...we have started on the journey of teaching Alaina how to eat! I just found it so bizarre that I have to teach her how to eat and swallow. We've only tried cereal a couple of times but she's doing okay with it. I feel bad feeding it to her because it just looks so disgusting but she doesn't seem to mind. So, here's to full tummies and hopefully sleep filled nights!

Wahoo for New Furniture

This weekend, Eric and I (and Alaina) went shopping for new furniture for our living room. The furniture we currently have is hand-me-down from his parents next door neighbors. They gave it to us 4 years ago and who knows how long they had it before that. It has served us well and we are grateful for all the naps and t.v. watching that has taken place on it's lovely blue cushions. However, it was time to be grown-ups and buy some grown-up furniture.

We were looking for a 3 cushion sofa and a recliner or over sized chair with an ottoman. We would love a sectional but it just doesn't work in the set up of our living room.

We first ventured to Value City Furniture. No such luck. We thought we might hit a jackpot since we bought our bedroom furniture there when we were first married and they have such great deals, but it didn't happen. We are on a budget people! Can't be spending frivolously!

We then went over to Wicks...sad to say Wicks is out of business. We wondered why there were no cars in the parking lot!

Next stop, La-Z-Boy. Eric was very interested in getting a recliner and possibly a reclining sofa We found a few items that were nice and could have worked but we still weren't 100%.

Next, we went to the mall. We had a few other errands to run there and actually found a furniture store in the mall. We found a couch, chair and ottoman that we really liked and it came with a deal where you could also get a coffee table, 2 end tables, 2 lamps and 4 accessory pieces for X amount of money. It was quite a steal. We were a little iffy seeing as it was kind of a no name place randomly found in the mall. But we tucked it in the back of our brains.

As we left the mall there was one more place Eric wanted to go, The Room Place, but Alaina was getting hungry and fussy and I thought it was best that we just went home. He decided to just run in real quick while we stayed in the car. He came back about 10 minutes later and told me I had to come in. He showed me two different options that he like and I liked them both! (Which in and of itself is pretty shocking for us to completely agree on something as significant as living room furniture--we don't share the same sense of style a lot of times!)

The first set was fabulous. The material was something like I'd never felt...it felt as though you were sitting on a big fleece blanket! The problem was that it also looked like you were sitting on a big fleece blanket and it only came in one color which could have worked but I wasn't sold on it. If we're dishing out that much money on furniture I wantedt to be in LOVE with it!

The second set was equally as fabulous and a much better color with more elegance that the aforementioned furniture. It had an over sized chair with an ottoman. Eric and I can both sit on the chair together with room to spare. The couch is deep. Eric wasn't sold on the couch because he felt weird siting in it with his feet dangling but the salesman showed him that's it's not so much a couch that you sit "on" but that you sit "into."

As we sat upon the cushions at the Room Place I fed Alaina a bottle to hold her over and we talked about the pros and cons of the furniture while Art, the sale mans hovered over us inserting his bits of knowledge. (A quick bio on Art, the salesman at the Room Place: An overweight, diabetic latin man with a large gap in his front teeth. Proud grandpa of 10 grandchildren and he just found out last week that his daughter is going to have a another baby in February. Why in the world did his daughter wait a month out from her due date to tell her dad she was pregnant? I think we know way too much about Art.)

Anyway, the Room Place was offering a similar deal as the store in the mall, only it was 7 pieces for X amount of money. They were offering, the couch and chair, coffee table, 2 end tables and 2 lamps for X amount of money and we would have to pay for the ottoman on top of that. If we were in the market for the table, end tables and lamp it might have been worth it but we were really just interested in the couch, chair and ottoman. We decided to forgo the "deal"and get the items we truly wanted and needed.

And with that, Eric signed on the dotted line and tomorrow the furniture will be delivered to our home. (Minus the ottoman which they did not have in stock and will be here early next week.)

The pictures below are from the website and don't really do the furniture justice. It looks really green and it's more of a tan color. When the furniture gets here I'll post new pictures.

Yes, I realize I've been rambling about furniture for a while now but this is an exciting day in the Wood household that I'm quite excited about.

The Chair and Ottoman

The Sofa

The Set Together