Today...

You know those days where you go to bed wondering what in the world did I even accomplish today?! Lately, I feel like I've really let some of my resolves to create good habits that would become just a natural part of my daily routine go. So much for New Year's resolutions, right? I mean, I've sat down to write a new blog post twenty times but just don't feel up to writing and skip it. Sad. There are so many things that I felt excited about trying to accomplish this new year: journaling/blogging, consistent personal scripture study, fun sewing projects, weekly (organized) FHE, exercise, at-home schooling, etc. But each day, that motivation and drive get lost somewhere. Lying in bed this morning, listening to the banging of a crib against my bedroom wall and the pitter-patter of running feet downstairs, I gave myself the worn out pep talk of how I was going to get up, get dressed, get breakfast for you and kids, WORK-OUT, and start the day productively. I mean, why is this so hard?? Just get up and do it!! The rest of the day will go much more smoothly and tonight, you won't feel like nothing was accomplished. So I did it. I even had my morning devotional with the kids and they stayed fairly clean after a breakfast of "soft" oatmeal. But as the morning went on, those little explanations of why this is so hard randomly popped up in my mind. As little fingers poked at my eyes and nose while I tried to find "peace and inner-connection" while doing yoga with two little exercise companions sprawled within two feet of me. While trying to convince an obstinate child with a cough and runny nose that playing in the frigid basement in just a bathing suit and fairy wings is not okay. When sneaking into the bathroom while the girls were distracted to take a shower only to start the water and find they were behind me half undressed to get in too. As unusual waves of exhaustion or hormonal emotions from pregnancy test my actions and thoughts. When what used to be days and nights of not-much-to-do get filled with activities, assignments and obligations that add extra busy-ness to our lives. It seems so easy for me to make excuses as to why I don't feel like I'm truly progressing as of late. But at the same time, I have to recognize so many of the hard to see blessings that have pushed me forward, though unknowingly. Regular dates with hubby thanks to friends willing to take in our brood. Seeing my children grow in relationships with new friends and each other. Though I have not been having as much personal scripture study as I should, we have family scripture study every night and morning. My household may not be up to par according to my wishful standards, but it's not a condemned disaster and it keeps us warm and comfortable. We don't have lots of new, nice things but we have been saving money even on our med school budget. We have been healthy this winter. We have a new addition to our family on the way who seems healthy and hasn't made my life too uncomfortable...yet. I've had Christopher home a lot lately and enjoy spending down time with him. We had a great Valentine's day with the kids and each other. I'd say one of the best in a while. Countless moments of smiles, laughter, hugs and kisses.
Prayers have been answered, blessings have been given. I just need to work a little harder. Starting today.

And just a few random pictures we've taken recently...recharged camera batteries hopefully mean more pictures to come.

We're thinkin'...

PINK!

Yep, we're adding a bit more sugar and spice to our little family mix!

Now we just need a name....

Spoiled...

Sometimes I forget. I forget what life was like with a husband first starting out in medical school. I forget those first few days of school that made Christopher want to pack everything up and just go back home...he thought there was no way he could get through four years of this! I forget about the professors that each assign incredulous amounts of information for students to not only study but be able to recite forwards, backwards, up and down. I forget about the many nights alone so Christopher could study at the school, the finals weeks when I NEVER saw him, and all the stress that came with it. I forget about the anxiety wondering where we'll spend the last two years of medical school, of not seeing my husband for two weeks during his preceptorship after just having a baby. True, there's still lots of scary unknowns ahead, even more nerve-wracking and stress-inducing than these, but for now, I'll just enjoy being spoiled while having a husband at home!

After starting out with some "tougher" rotations, Christopher is now on a string of light rotations. This one in particular has him home by 10 or ll o'clock in the afternoon. Yesterday, he came home announcing that we should go to the Imagination Station in Toledo (basically a children's museum with some pretty cool things for even us big kids). He'd yet to go and the kids loved it when we went with friends, so off we went.

And there has been lots of time for the kids to have fun with dad in the snow.

And as for me, hubby's been here so I can grocery shop by myself, have someone to beat me at games other than Candyland and go for nighttime runs to Krispy Kreme to satisfy a pregnant woman's sugary cravings. It's great to have you home, hon!

Oh, baby...

√ Get sitter to ensure quick and quiet appointment (Thanks, Jen!)
√ Don't die in a fiery crash traveling in the snow
√ Like new OB
√ Hear baby's heartbeat
   Actually have gained weight/not lost
√ Don't faint during blood draw

First prenatal appointment = DONE

AND....because I didn't get in to see the dr. until much later than I usually do, it'll already be time for THE ultrasound at my next appointment!!! So, next Wednesday I go in for a quick ultrasound to confirm due date (which at the moment is July 16, but I think it will end up later), then in February I'm back in for prenatal #2 and the chance to see our third little munchkin!

So this is Christmas...

Yep, I too have dropped the ball and now have some catching up to do. I don't have some of the best visual aids to accompany the handful of Yuletide events I figured I'd post so I apologize now. I really didn't document this Christmas as much as I would have liked. Still, we really enjoyed the holidays and the start of a new decade.

Since Kira is definitely at the perfect age to really build up Christmas and make it seem super fun and magical, I tried to incorporate more crafty activities for her and Alexis and to enjoy. Of course, we don't claim to be master craftsmen (craftswomen?), but we still had our own fun, especially since some of these were a first for the kids AND me.

The perpetual hair-in-the-face look, think it will catch on?

I didn't get any pictures of the tree or decorations. But in my defense, we weren't home most of the holiday. We packed our suitcases, tuned up the Yukon, prayed for no snow, and headed out to Oklahoma to spend Christmas with both families. We haven't been "home" for Christmas since we moved from OK. We spent all of Christopher's Christmas vacay (minus driving time) with our parents and siblings. It was so great! The girls were spoiled, we were spoiled and it meant so much to be able to catch up with loved ones we hadn't seen in over a year. In fact, ALL of Christopher's siblings made it home this Christmas with their families! Here they are in all their mad-pyramid-skills glory!

We hopped back and forth between my parent's home and Christopher's to make sure that we got to see everyone. We spent Christmas Eve at his parent's and Christmas Day at mine. We were all showered with fun gifts and just enjoyed the opportunity to be away from work and responsibilities for a little while.

We were a little worried that our trip home would be a little more eventful than the trip down as snow began falling AGAIN the night before we left, threatening to follow us all the way to Michigan. And it didn't help that the littlest girl in the family got a yucky head cold, putting her in an uncooperative mood, not that we could blame her. Would you want to be strapped into a seat for two days dripping, sneezing, and coughing? But the Lord blessed us and we were able to travel in moderate safety (there was an incident that involved a clueless blue pick-up, ice and an emergency off-ramp, but my man has mad driving skills, thank goodness!). In fact, we can now say we've been through Miami (OK), Paris (IL), Brazil (IN), and Lima (OH)...all in one trip, lucky us!

We got home in time for Christopher's birthday (Jan 1st). We celebrated by putting him to work taking down Christmas decorations and going grocery shopping, an essential part of a perfect birthday! But he was able to relax in his own home and sleep in his own bed and the girls gave him some fun presents. We had homemade pizza for dinner, popcorn cake for dessert, compliments of my mother-in-law, and he ended the night with football...not too shabby, right?

Still with me? Almost done, I promise!

The last few days have been spent lazing around, watching the gentle snowfalls and playing in it when possible. Christopher is on Radiology right now, so we've been able to see him alot and it's made the transition from seeing him everyday on vacation to going back to work much easier for us here at the house.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and if you haven't had our good fortune of being coated in that white cold stuff like we have, Kira has something to send your way!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all...

well, we'll talk to you after the holidays!

**More details about Wood baby #3 to come!**

Giving thanks (a little late)...

Well, 2009 hasn't ended yet, but hasn't disappointed with its blessings to the Wood family. Just a few of those that I'm very thankful for:

• This dimpled smile
  
 
• These curls
  
  
  

• This almost-doctor 

• A first turkey that may not look like much but turned out awesome!
  

• A great grandmother who has yet to be blog-thanked for coming out to see her grandchildren!

• A new home, which means being that much closer to being done with the journey that is medical school.
• Family far away that we'll be seeing in a few weeks!!
• Which then brings us to my extreme gratitude for this little traveling contraption

• Of course, more thanks sprinkled for good friends, good health and good memories made
• Most importantly, the many opportunities had this year to strengthen our testimonies of Him 

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Oh, and the girls had a little something to say that they were pretty thankful for, too.

HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING!