Summer, it's coming to an end...

The summer of 2008: Another great "FUN" "BUSY" and "HOT" time for our family..... I can't believe it's almost over though, I tell my self every summer that we'll have lots of time for relaxation and spring cleaning! OH NO! I seem to always be wrong, but I'm definitely okay with it because I am spending quality time with my family :) We've done alot of fun activities and planned great trips and still have more to come. Summer's are another great time to bond closer with the family! Even though school is out, we as parents can still teach our kids, when we are on road trips we play spelling games or memory games using the road signs etc. We still read books every night. We also go hiking and talk about nature, find different bugs and their meanings. We use math all the time, when we go shopping we add up what we are purchacing. sharing skills, cooking and cleaning up skills, manners and talking about our feelings! Just little things like that - I've enjoyed this summer, all the camping trips, lake trips, hiking or park days! The one on one's with my girls, swimming lessons, all of it! And I can't wait for next summer to do it all over again :)

School season starts back up August 12th and the girls are really excited for that - Kassidee will be my BIG 3rd grader and Maddison, my baby starting the BIG Kindergarten. I am also getting excited, because I'll get the opportunity to be room mom again for both of them. Get to know the teachers and watch the girls find new friends. I love to be involved in our schools and with my kids! I am very blessed and lucky that I get to stay home and have these opportunities!

Kassidee & Maddison's Birthday Party

The girls had such a great time at their birthday party Saturday July 19th...... It was an awesome day to be at the park, although the city called me half hour before the party and said the water pad had a malfunction and we couldn't use it, I couldn't just call everyone and switch parks so we just decided to go without the water working (which they'll give me a full refund) - the kids still had a blast playing. We ate some great foot, had this amazing cake, visited with everyone and watched the girls open all their fun gifts! "THANK YOU" to everyone... Birthday's are always so much fun to see the fun gifts you get, but also I teach my girls that sometimes just having someone come is enough and still meaningful.... They handed out "Thank you" bags to all that came! Also gave everyone hugs and told everyone thank you for coming! I appreciate all that everyone does for me and my girls. It's going to be another fantastic year, Maddison starting kindergarten this year, Kassidee my big 3rd grader! I am looking forward to being room mom for both of them. I have enjoyed these 8 and 5 years of Kassidee and Maddison, watching them grow up and raising them to my best ability! I look forward to many more years to come of school, learning, sports, dance, and more fun activities..

Good Council

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, and almonds.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD heals almost everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

Happy 5th Birthday Maddison

Another precious moment for Mitch and me! Having our beautiful daughter Maddison Jane Wood being born on July 19th 2003 @ 9:46 AM. She weighed 6'13 and 21 1/2 in long. Maddison is my little firecracker -she didn't want to wait to come into this world.... 2 weeks early and delivery was only 45 minutes. I know Maddison will understand as she gets older, but we didn't even have time to get the camcorder out, take alot pictures, heck even the doctor wasn't able to deliver her the nurse did, I'm surprised I didn't have birth in the truck on the side of the road (LOL). I've never seen Mitch drive so fast in my life.... My dad was able to meet us there so he could watch Kassidee, but it happened so fast that it was just Mitch and I and of course our new Mad girl... So I know she'll wonder why she see's the video of Kassidee being born and family in the room, the delivery photos that "You" Maddison just wanted to come. Didn't waste any time! She is still like that today!!! When she wants something it's now, don't waste any time getting it :) Maddison is also a huge sweetheart - everyone she talks to just loves her! She'll talk your ear off if you let her! She has never been shy, watch out she'll run you over with her personality.... Characteristics for Maddison are loving, emotional, generous, home-loving, sensitive, protective, cautious, kind, caring, wise, very dominant and of course she is changeable, moody, clinginng - her and Kassidee share the same traits but they are both Cancer's too! Maddison is SO silly, I love the comedian that comes out of her.. Always showing off - if she keeps this up she'll be a comedian on TV. She makes everyone laugh . I am so proud that I am her mommy! I can't believe she is starting kindergarten this year - growing up!! I love you Maddison and hope you enjoy your 5th year of life.

A precious little flower that is in constant bloom

I watch as yet another milestone around the corner looms.

It seems like only yesterday that we shared a breath

but now it seems like tomorrow you will leave and I'll be left.

A tiny little angel that always is in flight as soon as you came into my life you brought me so much light.

Your beauty is so stunning your smile makes me melt

I'm so proud to be your mommy It's the best I've ever felt.

Oh perfect little princess with you I'm so in love every night before I dream I thank the lord above.

How did I get so lucky to have as sweet of a gift as you

If ever you should need me there's nothing I wouldn't do.

Our Creation of Moon Sand

Kassidee and Maddison are such little creators! They LOVE their moon sand, always building new castles and ice cream palaces etc... It is fun to watch them build and talk to each other about idea's and helping each other accomplish their creation. I love to listen to them talk to each other - so loving and kind..... you always hope they continue their sister relationship when they get older. Kassidee and Maddison are alot fun, bring so much joy and happiness into my life and as they are getting older and learning everyday new things or new words etc... I am proud that I am the teacher of that :)

Good job girls! I love you so much.................... You're the BEST!!!

Happy 8th Birthday Kassidee

Once upon a time July 9, 2000 @ 2:03PM a little baby girl was born named Kassidee Laurie Wood, weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and 18 inches long - One of the BEST DAY'S of our life! It was the most amazing experience delivering my first born. I was in hard labor for 3 hours, and I felt every ounce of pain. Yes I went natural but it was well worth it................ I've been called crazy, but I have no regrets! I had alot of love, happiness, joy and fullfillment in my life at that given moment she came into this world and it grows deaper every day - even more with her blooming into a beautiful young little girl who turned 8 years old today... I can't believe how time has just flown by - Kassidee is an amazing little girl - she touches everyones hearts in own her little way! I have lots of many wonderful memories and good times with Kassidee in her 8 years of age and look forward to many more to come! Kassidee is such a BIG sweatheart. Very artistic!! So soft hearted, kind, very loving, dependable, helpful, independent, strong willed - she has a very sensitive but powerful personality... Kassidee is also very protective, sympathetic, changeable, and many more great qualities. Her sign significantly tells her well :)

I am VERY PROUD to be Kassidee's mother! She was put on this earth to do many great things and I am honored to be the parent that gets to enjoy watching. I have created a slideshow of some fantastic photos of Kassidee over these precious 8 years! I hope you enjoy them as I do :)

Happy Belated "Independence Day"

That's funny for me to say "Happy Belated Independence Day" but it's so true... I've been so busy that I can't keep up on my posts. It's not like me to not be on top of it - but wow I just can't keep up. Did I say that, oh my I did...... (LOL) but I try to keep truckin.............. I guess it's better to keep yourself busy than not, to feel that rush and stress all the time that you have too much to get done!




So I've included 2 sets of events but figured they go hand in hand. The 4th of July celebration and the US Navy Sky Divers.. I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July holiday weekend! Ours was awesome..... We went boating all day (Slacker on not posting pic's yet) then we watched the firework show at our St George Park. Fantastic show this year! Also some photos of the US Navy Skydiver show we experienced at Country Jam :) They had the national anthem singing live while they held the american flag skydiving! AMAZING........ I had chills the whole time

A little History for Kassidee & Maddison.

Independence Day in the U.S., is an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Although the signing of the Declaration was not completed until August, the Fourth of July holiday has been accepted as the official anniversary of U.S. independence and is celebrated in all states and territories of the U.S.The holiday was first observed in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776, at which time the Declaration of Independence was read aloud, city bells rang, and bands played. It was not declared a legal holiday, however, until 1941. The Fourth is traditionally celebrated publicly with parades and pageants, patriotic speeches, and organized firing of guns and cannons and displays of fireworks; early in the 20th century public concern for a "safe and sane" holiday resulted in restrictions on general use of fireworks. Family picnics and outings are a feature of private Fourth of July celebrations.