Buying Pictures

We just went for a walk and along the way were a couple little girls sitting along the path. I told Joel, "yay! maybe they're selling lemonade!" which would really be a surprise! We figured they were just sitting there for fun. But as it turned out they were selling something. They were selling hand-made drawings and pictures and guess who just had to buy one?! For 2 Euros!! That's like $2.50!! I think he's making up for the penny he was offered and he's a sucker for entrepreneurs after his own heart. Thought you all might like that little story!

...........

We have little so say. We just loved these pictures from a happy boy and wanted to pass on the smiles!

Who doesn't like the south????

I forget sometimes that not everyone is from the South. Well, atleast I forget not everyone enjoys the things the South is famous for. They sure are missing out.... We recently had a cookout at our house for all the interns that help us at the church. We grilled chicken, had baked beans, potatoe wedges, chips/salsa/dip. Everything was great! And for dessert, I made a huge banana pudding. Perfect! I thought.... 3 people didn't like it and two of the three tried it for the first time that night. What's not to like? My little southern 'bubble' was popped! I guess that people don't eat that up north? Another reason why I will never cross the Mason-Dixon line :) I'm still in shock - sort of, but then I thought I'd ask all of you - since we all live in different areas. Y'all like banana pudding, right? Maybe not?

Anyway, we Florida Woodards are doing pretty good. We spent some time in Atlanta last week with my family. Now, we are preparing for the camp trip for the teens. We are leaving 2 weeks from yesterday. I'm sort of excited and sort of not looking forward to the 10hr drive with the kids AND the teens crammed in a 15 passenger van :) We also are starting to prepare for the dreaded hurricane season. duh, dun, dunnnnn.....

Here are some pictures of the boys. Ryan is wilder and woolier than ever :) He's poop-potty trained, and we are working on the other stuff. He looks cute in his little underoos! His latest discovery is that he can 'aim' it. I need a girl!! I am so outnumbered. There won't be a dry seat in the house for the next 18 yrs...... Matthew is really starting to figure out his little world! He holds his head up well, and tries to sit up on his own. Of course, we still have to hold him up :) He likes to stand in our laps too, and he gets mad sometimes when we sit him back down. He's ready to go - except he can't quite 'go' yet. He found his hands and picked up his first toy today. He's growing way to fast!! Overnight, it seems, he grew out of his 3m clothes. I am washing Ryan's old 6m clothes now. It's sad to pack up the baby clothes:(

I hope everyone is doing well. We think of y'all and pray for you all often. Erin, my pepper plants and tomatoe plants are finally growing. I'm still worried about the tomatoes, they're only about 3 in tall, so I don't know if they'll grow fast enough to make fruit this year. The pepper plants look good, though. They just took forever to sprout. Here are some pics.....Okay, the picture upload thingy isn't working for some reason. I will post more pictures later!

Trying to locate Jon!

Hey Jon! Cheryl Swords is trying to get in touch with you. Would you please email her?
charity2@ctcn.net

Two Lines Means Yes!

Another Joel Woodard baby is on the way! Due to arrive the first week in January, although hopefully the last week of December.

One Year Down!

William just finished his first year of school. He took his last exam on Tuesday and received his grades Friday. He finished the semester with 2 A's and 2 B+. He was very happy. He starts USC in August. He will work 30 hours a week this summer at a plant here in Aiken.
The girls are doing well. We only have 3 weeks left in school. Katelyn will finish out the school very well and will continue to have help next year. Morgan's teacher says she has done very well this year and I know she is ready for first grade.
I had a second interview on Thursday for a fourth grade position at a school that is close to USC. I should hear Monday or Tuesday what their decison is. It would be a perfect location and sounds like a very good school full of possibilities for the girls and myself. I would be teaching SS and Science to all of fourth grade. We'll see!

Noah Krupa

Here are some more pictures! Mom, you're right... we need more pictures of Katelyn and Morgan!!

I am going to make some breakfast so I will keep this short and let the pictures do the talking... we're having fun.

Happy Moms Day!

Hey! I finally remembered my login information so I could post! I just sent you all an email with pictures of the Pauling boys girls. Isn't it funny - each of their kids are girls. I know Cheryl is thrilled.

I got back from a trip to Raleigh, NC last night. It was a very quick trip, but I believe will prove beneficial for the school.

We need to see some new pictures of Noah! Marie, pictures of the girls should be possible too, right?

Hope all of you moms (Marie, Amy, Debbie and Erin) have a wonderful Mother's Day! You are each gifts from God to our family. Thank you for all you do for your family and for our family. It wouldn't be the same without each of you!

Vacation & Conference

Last Sunday we headed to Vienna for three days of vacation. We stayed in a hospitality house outside of Vienna (that we've stayed in before), mostly just relaxed around the house, shopped a little and went into the center for our usual visit to TGIFriday's and Starbucks! I spent most of my time around the house scrapbooking Abigail's album and Joel watched movies and worked on an article he's writing. It was...as always...a relaxing and enjoyable time.

So some of Abigail's fun experiences during that time include, riding a train--which she loved, getting her first balloon, and visiting with very friendly ducks.


Then we headed up to the JV Spring Bible Conference in Czech. We were really looking forward to seeing everyone again and also having some good teaching in English as well as worship in English. It was really great and the Lord did some great things in both of our hearts.

Unfortunately though, the first full day we were there Abigail got a stomach virus that had started going around the babies...about 10 of them. So she was throwing up, had a temperature of 102.5 and was just sleepy. She was really so sweet in the midst of being sick. By the third day her temperature was gone and she was a little more back to herself. The nice thing for us is that she just wants to be held and cuddled right now and she's sleeping a lot! I can't remember the last time she protested when I laid her down for sleep. Pretty crazy!

On Friday there was a good ol' fashioned hoe-down and she was feeling better that day so we took her. She got her first tastes of popcorn and cotton candy. (You're probably thinking, "No wonder she's sick!") She liked the popcorn, but wasn't at all impressed with the cotton candy. Then on the way home, Joel let her do the driving...tee, hee, hee. Now that we're all home, she is still a bit sick and Joel isn't feeling good now and I'm just trying to stay healthy. I'm almost done with all the laundry from the week...with Abigail throwing up--often on us--we had quite a bit to do! We're glad to be home though. It was fun to catch up on you all on the blog, thanks for writing!

Update!

Wanted to let you know.... Ryan is 31 lbs and 36" tall. Matthew is 23.5" and 12 lbs 4 oz. They said he was huge to be only 2 months. Both the boys are doing well and are almost completely better. Now, mommy has the cold...well, laryngitis anyway. By the end of work yesterday I was whispering to my patients :)

matthew's first cold

Pink eye and sinus infections are going through the woodard's household. Ryan started it last week with pink eye, sinus infection and an ear infection. He gave it to Matthew, poor thing! He can hardly breathe! and he hates having his little nose sucked out. He has a good appetite though and doesn't seem too miserable. We go to the doctor tomorrow - supposedly for a well child check... :) I stayed home from work today to take care of him, and I think I'm getting the cold part too. Good thing germs don't travel over the internet! Ryan is almost completely better. He just has a cough remaining. He keeps telling me, Mommy I not sick!! He hates his eye drops! We pretty much have to sit on him to get them in :) Hope y'all are doing good.

Happy May!!