Madison is 14!

Madison turned 14 today! Wow, how is it possible that I have a 14 year old? I can't figure it out, am I that old? It just doesn't seem like it. Time flies so quickly.
Birthdays always bring excitement...especially for kids. Remember when we were kids we had to make sure everyone knew exactly how old we were and we had to put that 1/2 in there and sometimes even counted down the days. But now as adults we really don't do that countdown thing anymore!
Madison was born on Jan. 29, 1995-Super Bowl Sunday. This day came as a surprise to me. I will never forget it. She came into this world small and tiny (3lbs. 12 oz.)but she was a fighter. She did things the doctors said she couldn't do. I guess she wanted to show them. She is definitely a miracle. I look at her as a gem that God has blessed us with and we are so grateful she has been sent to our family. I know God has a plan for her life.
I love this girl so much! She has such a wonderful spirit about her. She is very responsible and this makes her an excellent babysitter! She loves her brothers
(even though they can get on her nerves sometimes:-) and sister. She is extremely honest. She is a very caring person. She really cares about other peoples feelings.
Madison was delightfully surprised this morning with some of her gifts. And this evening we went to Mamaw and Gampa's for her birthday dinner.
Thank you Madison for making me a mom. You are a wonderful person and I am so proud of you. You make our family complete..I LOVE YOU!

My Little Artists

I was never very artistic. It looks like my boys might be following in their sister's footsteps. They love to draw. This keeps them occupied for a long time. And it's really quiet around my house when they are drawing. They really get into this. Just look at that concentration!

Word of the Day

Sophia's word of the day is "baby." Everything today is "baby." I love listening to her as she is trying to talk. I tried getting a few shots of her with one of her babies. And of course that led to a bunch of other pictures. So here are a few. I can't believe she will be one next week!

THE SICK COUCH

This has been a hot spot in our house over the past several days. We have always used this one loveseat to cover and put our kids on when they are sick. I don't know why we chose it and why it has stuck. I bet this will make you think about where you sit next time you come to our house to visit :-) I was just asking Dean today why we don't use the leather couch in the room without carpet! That seems to make more sense but anyway we do what we do. The boys are better. Hopefully the sick couch won't be having anymore visitors anytime soon!

Snow Day...Well Kind Of

I was so excited about having a four day weekend, who knew it was going to turn into five days! I got the call at 5:43 this morning that school was cancelled for the day. I rolled over and turned off that alarm! I was wanting some sleep since Sophia had me up at 3:30 for a while. Connor came to my room around 8:30 saying "Why aren't we in school?" It wasn't really even snowing yet. It didn't take too long for it to start though. We did get a little bit. My boys were excited and wanted to go play. So I got them bundled up...well Connor is so hot natured he wouldn't get too bundled up. While they went outside and played, Sophie napped, Madison watched TV in her room and I watched the inauguration of our 44th president. I didn't plan on watching so much of it, but I kind of got hooked. I sat in the den as the sun was shining through the windows and watched as history was being made. It was kind of moving. May Mr.Obama deliver what he has promised to our country. I hope his promises can bring success for our country. And how about that prayer by Mr.Rick Warren!
Well I have enjoyed my day..Now I have a three day work week!!


Checking out the snow

Making a snowball

Here it is!


Having a snowball fight!


I thought today would be a great day for some soup! Thanks Dean!

Baby It's Cold Outside

Today was a great day to be off. It was so cold outside. And I think it's going to get colder! I'm glad I got to stay in and be warm for most of the day. Madison and I ventured out this afternoon for some "pampering." That was nice. Then back home for a quiet family evening. We even ended the night with some Wii games.


Braeden showing Mom how it's done



Connor & I playing putt-putt


I'm trying to figure this out!

Watching Madison make Gampa

Madison & Mamaw

What A Way To End The Day

Before

After

Finally getting some rest

I just had to share with you all about my evening late last night. Sophia had dinner last night (Gerber Lasagna), played a little and then went to bed around 6:30. Well a little after 9 I heard her stirring some, so we thought we would get her up and change her and rock her back to sleep. She had different plans! She wanted to stay up for a while. And that was okay because I didn't really get to see her for that long before she went to sleep. So we played on the floor, read some books...she loves to have a book read to her. It's like she is trying to say what you are saying and she looks so serious :-) I got a phone call, so I was sitting on the couch talking, Sophie was sitting on the floor beside me playing. And out of nowhere she threw up ALL over the floor..You know me..it really took me off guard because she wasn't acting sick or anything and I let out a little scream (right Dawn?)I kind of jumped up and grabbed her real quick because it was still coming. Dean came running and went into clean up mode..God Bless Him! And I did baby clean up.
Things got settled back down and Sophie went back to bed. Well a few minutes later she was crying again. I thought she might stop but after a few minutes she didn't so Dean went to get her. Guess what? You guessed it, poor baby had got sick again. So dad was in charge of cleaning the baby this time and I went to get her crib cleaned up and everything washed. I will spare you all the details.
I am pleased to say she is feeling better tonight. I did have to call someone today to come clean my carpet. The stain came up for the most part....
Never a dull moment...Love you Sophia...

Praise Him!

Today I attended the "Homegoing Celebration" of a 4 year old little boy. Life is so precious. The family of this child showed a lot of strength today. I know God was with them and he will continue to help them through this difficult time. I was reminded today that we need to Praise God in the good times and in the bad. He is with us when the sun is shining and he is with us in the storm. God is good! Please continue to keep the Woodley family in your prayers.

My Everything

I was just thinking about my family and how thankful I am for them and how happy they make me. My husband and my kids are everything to me. I basically live, eat and breathe my family. My kids are my happiness, my frustration, my reward, my strength, my weakness, my love, my life! Those four precious beings are who I am. They probably don't even realize it but they make me stronger, more patient, more loving- just a better person!
My husband, oh where do I begin...He is my rock, my strength, my happiness, my relief, my love, my everything. I am so grateful for him. I'm glad God had a plan for us long before we even knew it.
This is a wonderful journey we are on and I am glad I have you all with me. I want to thank my family for loving me in spite of my weaknesses and thank you for teaching me what it truly means to be happy. I Love You!

PICTURES!!

Okay, I admit it...I have an obsession with pictures! I think I've known this for a long while and it was just reinforced more the other night..I don't know how many pics I took of the kids..I was trying to get some shots of Sophie to remember the day she turned 11 months. It was a lot...Braeden kept saying "Mom do you just want me to take the picture?" On Christmas day I took over 300 pictures! I didn't realize it at the time, I just enjoy doing it.(Maybe I've missed my calling, ha ha:-) But you know pictures save those moments forever. I love looking back at them. I not only love taking pictures, but I love taking my children to get photos made. Oh, by the way I think I get this trait from Ma. My grandma loves pictures too.
You know I just love my walls to be adorned with photos, if you have been to my house then you have probably figured this out! It makes me happy to look at them. I guess some people like to put fancy art work and things like that on their walls. Pictures of my children and family will suit me.

Happy 11 months, Sophia!

Today Sophie is 11 months old. I can not believe it. It feels like she was just born. It makes me kind of sad in away that in a month she will be one year old. She will be a toddler! But that stage has many exciting things to enjoy also. Sophie has brought pure enjoyment to us. I love how she just adds that little sparkle to our lives. Everyone loves her. Do you think it is possible to kiss those cheeks too much? No. I don't think so because she sure gets a ton everyday :-) And she loves it! I love how my other three kids are so sweet and kind speaking around her. It's great!
Thank you Sophie for blessing us with so many things..here are just a few we love...
*still loving that toothless grin
*those big brown eyes
*your jibber jabber
*your little pointer finger (she points to everything)it's part of her curiosity
*when you play peek-a-boo
*when you patty cake
*the way you crinkle up your nose when you are laughing
*how you smell after a bath
*how you say 'baby' so soft and gentle
*how when I ask you to give me love, you give me this nice big wet kiss
Oh, there are just too many to name.....
WE LOVE YOU SOPHIE!

Excitement for Connor

Yesterday was the last day of hunting season and Connor shot his first deer! He was really excited.

Fun Friday

Connor posing with Mom

Madison

Braeden & Dad

Look at those Sundaes

Ate it all!

We had a great time yesterday. We went to MacArthur, saw a movie, ate lunch at Max & Erma's, and did a little shopping. Braeden needed basketball shoes and Connor needed a new backpack. And Madison just wanted to spend her gift cards. We had planned to go iceskating too but it was raining so that will have to be another day!

First Day of the Year

Our kids were so excited to ring in the new year last night. I think it might of had something to do with being able to stay up until midnight playing Bingo and Uno, I don't know...We spent the evening at Joe's celebrating Matt's birthday and then we went to Mamaw and Gampa's to bring in the new year. Poor little Sophie was so off her schedule. She slept a little but then woke up not too long before the ball dropped.
On another note....Braeden just melted my heart this morning. He informed me that he had done something wrong (little did I know he was tricking me). So off we went to his room and he opened all of his dresser drawers. He had neatly folded (in his special way he said) all of his clothes and placed them back in. I admit it usually doesn't look that neat because when he wants something he just goes goes shuffling through the clothes. What Mom wouldn't love this! He was so proud of himself and I was too. Maybe this is the start of something new!
Well only three more days til back to school..Yikes! I'm looking forward to tomorrow, we are going to have a Family Fun Day together! We have planned to take the kids out for the day. What a way to end their Christmas Break. I will fill you in later on what we did!