More pictures....

Here are a few more pictures from dinner. Yes, the Aquarium in Nashville, is a restaurant. Make reservations!!!!! We ate around 7ish so it was great! Seems kinda weird to eat seafood inside of an aquarium to me.......just thought about that! The 2nd picture above is of Bella and Brantley. The bottom is of me and my friend Kim. We are now ready for the next trip!!!

Nashville Aquarium

Last weekend, it was rainy here in bham so, we loaded up and headed to Nashville with the Binghams. We had a great time! Our kids are all close in age, so it was a very fun trip! Our table was right next to the huge tank in the center- so the bottom picture shows what the kids did most of the time!

I heart NYFD

This has to be one of the best photos from Haiti yet!!!

I heart saving money!

I think my husband is so proud of me! I think. I have started clipping coupons and taking advantage of great deals lately! I have always loved to grocery shop at Publix- but in reality I thought, I could go to Wal-Mart and save money. I WAS WRONG!!!  Publix not only will take all coupons- like wally world- will not, but they also double them- I think they double them up to .50. Not quite sure about that, but they double most! Publix also has coupons in the front of the store in the "free magazine" section. They also have BOGO deals- you only have to get one- and it is 50% off! Then if you have a coupon to go towards that- you save more! See how it works! I went Sunday night, while TK kept the boys, and I spent $87, but I saved $68.27 and that is groceries for 2 weeks! Did I mention they have several BOGO- so I bought a lot of groceries! A buggy full! My husband was amazed and this was a record! 2 weeks ago I only saved $25 and spent $60.

Rules for Saving:

1. take time- take 1 hour out of your week, to organize and clip= huge savings!

2. organize in catagories- organize into catagories. Example- Dairy, Frozen, Can goods,Deli/Meats, dry food items, snacks, baby items, toiletries, cleaning supplies

3. look for in-store coupons, BOGO, and only items you will eat/use- if you dont eat/use it- it is a waste

4. make a list on an envelope- make a list before you go- select coupons for stuff you are buying, then place them inside the envelope- so you have them available

5. Go to a store that doubles coupons!

6. Look online for printable coupons

7. Take time shopping! It has become like a therapy session for me!

These are just a few tips, that I have used and have been successful. Everyone has their own way. Also, save coupons from week to week- and some stores still except expired coupons. Good Luck! Please leave a comment if you have a success tip or story about saving money that we all need to know!!!

Happy Coupon Clipping!


A few Coupon resources-
http://www.iheartpublix.com/
http://www.coupons.com/
http://www.retailmenot.com/
http://www.printablecoupons.com/
http://www.southernsavers.com/
http://www.afullcup.com/

We love, because He first Loved us. 1 John 4:19

Please click on this link to see how your money can help needs in Haiti. These are not all adults, they are children, babies, moms, dads, grandparents. All of these people are loved ones and someone's family. My heart breaks for these people! If I had the money- I would pack up and go help for a week or two- I know they need nurses! I often talk with co-workers of mine, if we had the money- we would voulunteer all of our time that we spend working, maybe one day we can! Until then, I have to pray and send what little I can. Click on the link above to see what Compassion is sending to Haiti, but they need YOUR help!

Wednesday Recipes Week 1

Each Wednesday I will post a new recipe. Most are family recipes and some are my own! I cant promise you that any of these are served at a certain restaurant, but she does serve some of my grandmother's recipes, and they have been passed down to me. Most of these recipes will be easy, since I am the mommy of 2 boys, and still work part time at night. So they will be easy to say the least! Hope you enjoy!!!

Not Your Grandma's Coconut Cake

I know the thought of coconut cake- is not very good- but this cake is awesome!!! Not your grandma's coconut cake!!!

You will need:
9x13 pan
1 Butter cake Mix- (bake cake in 9x13 pan according to the directions on the box, and with the ingredients listed on the box- most call for 1 stick of butter, 1 1/3 cup of water, 3 eggs)
1 Can of Coco Lopez- (coconut milk mixture)
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tub of whip cream
1 small package of coconut flakes (optional)

While you are baking your cake- according to the directions on box, mix 1 can of coco lopez with 1 can of sweetened condensed milk, set aside. (Make sure the whip cream stays in the fridge until you are ready to serve!)
After cake is done baking, once out of the oven, poke with a sraw or fork- all over cake- several holes!!! (make sure the cake is still hot/warm- or it wont turn out right)
Then immediately, pour coco lopez/condensed milk mixture all over cake- mixture will seep into cake.

Let cake sit for 30-45 minutes- once the cake is cool- you can then add the whip cream topping and sprinkle coconut flakes on top. Ready to serve!
Store in the refridgerator!!! It will keep for up to 3-4 days.

The longer this cake sits, the better it is!!! It is super easy! I usually make it the day before I am going to serve it.

To make it fun- you can add food coloring to the whip cream and/or to the coconut flakes- to make it perfect for each season! My favorite is to color the whip cream green and the coconut a little darker green- then add jellybeans for Easter!

We are the Champions My friends.........

We did it!!!! BCS Champions!!!!

                                            Hey Saban, is that a smile I see?

A lot of help from T. Cody (aka- Mt. Cody) and 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram, with these two no one could stop the tide!

This is one reason he won The Heisman!

Touchdown Alabama! This just might be the next Heisman winner, Trent Richardson.

My heart goes out to Colt McCoy- what an awesome interview at the end of the game!!! As much as I love The Crimson Tide- Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy have been favorite players of mine too!

What a perfect game!! It even started off with this awesome duo- I heart Josh Groban!!!!

Follow Us!

Click on the right side of our blog to follow us! See what the Woods are up to!

Year in Review

Our church made a short video of the year in review. Check it out! It has church, world and local headlines in it. It is very short- I just remember all of this- so I thought this summed up 2009 VERY WELL!

http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/messages/09/122709/

Merry Christmas....

From Our family to Yours!!!

Christmas Card designed by Jenny Holloway with Jenny Holloway Designs

Got Christmas Spirit?

Click on the link below to watch a fantastic sermon by our Pastor. He is doing a series this month on Christmas Spirit. Live.Laugh.Love. - All three of those things seem to be very hard to do around Christmas time from all the stress, financial obligations, etc. This series has given me HOPE!!! He just amazes me each week! Even if you are not in the Birmingham area, you can watch live from your home computer on Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00. His messages are great and very Practical Christianity as well as Very Biblical Based- which is one thing our country seems to be running from these days. I encourage you to watch a message one day- you can also download the sermon notes- which is a great tool for personal Bible studies at home or with friends!!!  Click on the link!
churchofthehighlands.com

Cute Movie!!!

We took the boys to see this tonight, they loved it!!! Jax was even great, as long as he had popcorn, candy and coke he was great- which is very RARE for this health food lover! Brantley and I laughed during the whole movie! This is a great family movie- A MUST during this Christmas season!

Sometimes you just need a little bit of .......

Motivation! Or I do! I am posting this to remind myself everytime I logon to my blog and to inspire me! Life itself is great, I have 2 adorable little boys and a fabulous husband! We are blessed beyond measure! But,  sometimes life can get you down and you can go through a rut- so I am setting my New Year's resolutions early! I will not list them, for I know I need to be held accountable- but I know them in my mind, So does TK! So, If in December of 2010- I have completed my task..... I will hopefully be vacationing here.......................

While Staying in one of these...........................................

Of Course, this would just be for TK and myself.

OR, we might possibly return here with the boys ......

TK and I went here for our honeymoon. We stayed here 2 nights in the Rainbow Tower on Wakiki Beach in Oahu, after returning from an 8 day Hawaiian Cruise. Man, those were the days! Now we have real life to think about. I am not in anyway posting this to brag- I just need motivation. Sometimes in life, we are all going to go through things and it only makes us stronger. I just hope we are really strong and sitting in one of these places next December or January blogging!

A few of my favorite Online Shops!

Stationery and Shirts
Duck Duck Goose Designs- they have adorable shirts, stationery, stickers, notecards, etc. I found them on Etsy.com and then realized they had a blog! Go check it out! Super Cute stuff!!!

I had to post this with Christmas coming up! If it is too late to order from them..... Keep them in mind for Valentine's Day and Easter!

Everyone including myself, LOVES the Cookie Mama! Shannon is awesome to work with and oh so fun to talk to! I think she has stopped taking orders this year, but remember her for the upcoming year, birthday parties, showers, etc!


I LOVE monogrammed things!!! I started this business in January 2009, and Sold it to a great friend in September. I was super busy and a hobby became work so I sold it. Rachael does such a great job and does more than I ever could imagine!!! Check out Monkey Bubbles Monograms!!! So much cute stuff to see!


My friend Melanie has such a cute business too! She made Jax an adorable reindeer shirt and everyone loves it! She has a cute blog and a shop on Etsy as well! Grab her button from the side!!!


These are just a few sites for now, I have so many more I need to post!!! I will try to post a few each week!!!

A Highlands Christmas

Our Church is presenting A Highlands Christmas. It is December 21-24 with 9 programs in all, including 3 on Christmas Eve. My sister-in-law Brandi is singing in it and I cannot wait! Click on the link below to reserve your seats- you must have a ticket to enter, but they are FREE!

http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/christmas/

Coming in 2010

First of all, I promise to start blogging more about real life, not just pictures from events and trips. I once heard the quote "Life is what happens while you are busy making plans". I need to live by that! TK gets tired of me always planning things- but I have major OCD. If you have been on a trip with me, you received a "packet of info". Ha! No joke....

I do want to be a better blogger in 2010- but first, I want to be closer to the Lord and then blog about His blessings, my sweet kids and fabulous husband, and how my "get in shape" workouts are going. Also, I want to start blogging about my favorite items, websites, etc.

All that to say- MommyWood is going to be better, so stay tuned!!!!!

Visiting Santa

Brantley taking Jaxson to see Santa.

Brantley and Santa!

Jasxson wasn't too sure- he wanted candy, but did NOT want to sit in Santa's lap!

My 3 sweet boys with Santa, this is the only way Jaxson would visit!

Brantley turns 8!

Brantley turned 8 on November 19th. His party was last weekend. We had a great time and it was such a beautiful day! No party is complete without cookies from The Cookie Mama (see button on side of blog) and The Ice Cream Truck!!!

Jax says Rolllllll Tide!

Congratulations to the NY Yankees!

Here is a picture of my favorite Yankee's fan (picture taken in Times Square NYY Clubhouse in November 2008) And I cant post a post about NYC without a view of the city!!

Tailgating For the Tide

If you live in the South- SEC Football is huge! Family tailgates are the best! The top picture is my Mawmaw Sally, 2nd picture- my brother,husband and dad, 3rd picture- my neice Skylar, 4th picture- my brother Britt and nephew Garrett and neice Skylar. We love the tide- here are a few pictures from a tailgate a few weeks back. RTR!

Why little boys like the mall.....

Ok! So maybe my two boys do not like to shop, but they love the galleria- and this is why!

Happy Fall!

Happy Fall from my two sweet little pumpkins!!!

October 2009

TK and I took a weekend getaway cruise and had a blast! Here are a few pictures! I cant wait to go again! I must say, I LOVE to travel! And yes, these do look like postcards- but I took these pictures!!!