2009

Happy New Years!!!!!

2009 is going to be a great year! I just know it...for some reason even numbered years have always been harder for me...so I'm about due for another odd numbered year :-) Regardless, I'm going to keep on keeping on! Life is going to be full of challengs no matter where we are no matter if the year is odd or even. But when we use that challenge to bring glory to God thats what makes it all worth while. Its all about the choice that we make to glorify God in our situation.

No matter what you face, keep on trucking!!!

Its Christmas...you can't take my joy...

I'm writing with a frustrated soul today. I'm at my limit. And for some reason Satan is continuing to attempt to steal my joy this CHRIST-the Lord IS my Savior-mas. I'm not going to go into the specifics of everything that has continued to go wrong...but I will tell you this. I'm worn out. I'm frustrated. And I can't even talk to one of the few people that can and does continually lift my spirits. Tears are trying to brim as I look out onto our snow covered patio. John's deep fryer is all set up ready for the turkeys that will be going in soon! 20 family members will be squishing into moms house. We're the closest this family has EVER been. I just want to praise God for that! I want to praise Him for the fun we're going to have tonight. At the same time its almost bitter sweet how I'm home, with all of my family. And yet, Victor and countless other Soldiers are in Iraq, getting bombed, fighting for our country. Stupid insurgents...working for Satan...I'm not letting you steal my joy. My car has a flat tire. John found it as we were heading home for naptime. Thank God my check came and I have the money to get it checked out and fixed. I'm not letting you steal my joy. Other things have tried to steal our joy. But I'm not going to let you steal my joy. CHRIST WAS STILL BORN. MY GOD STILL REIGNS. I'M HEALTHY, (for the most part) HOME, AND LOVED. What more could I ask for? I'll leave you with the song thats on my heart.


"Shackles (Praise You)"

Whoo!
It sure is hot out here
Ya know?
I don't mind though
Just glad to be free
Know what I'm saying, uh!

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you(What'cha wanna do?)
I just wanna praise you
(Yeah, yeah)
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
(Uh feel me?)
And I'm gonna praise you
(What'cha gon do?)
I'm gonna praise you

In the corners of mind
I just can't seem to find a reason to believe
That I can break free
Cause you see I have been down for so long
Feel like the hope is gone
But as I lift my hands, I understand
That I should praise you through my circumstance

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
I thought I was gon lose my mind
But I know you wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need you to lift this load
Cause I can't take it anymore

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you

Been through the fire and the rain
Bound in every kind of way
But God has broken every chain
So let me go right now

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you
[repeat x3]

Take them off
What'cha gonna do, yeah

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
I just wanna praise you
I just wanna praise you
You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
And I'm gonna praise you
I'm gonna praise you


[Thanks to americana_411@yahoo.com for correcting these lyrics]

[ www.azlyrics.com ]

Merry Christ-the Lord is MY Savior-mas!!

No matter what I will stand...I have a firm foundation in Christ who is my STRENGTH AND SALVATION! I Praise God for Jesus birth today! Despite the pain, I will Stand for Christ gives me the strength to stand and sing and shout praises to my King!

"Stand"

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright, you'll be alright

[Chorus:]
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand
Life's like a novel
With the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon
With only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on

[Repeat Chorus]

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place
Oh

[Repeat Chorus]


[Thanks to BlaBla for correcting these lyrics]

[ www.azlyrics.com ]

Jackson acting silly

Christmas Makes Me Cry

Our first competition!!

My girls had their first competition a few weeks ago! I couldn't be more proud of them! They did such a great job!!!! I can't wait to see them grow and progress through the competition year!!
Heres a few pre-competition pics!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I'm so thankful that for the first time in 3 years, I'm spending Thanksgiving at home today! I really missed out on this while I was in the Army, def. don't regret it for one minute, and I have a deeper appreciation for our Warriors and their sacrafices! Thank-you men and women, for all that you do! You're missed today and always!!

Monday Thanks

I'm thankful for my Katy-did!!! I love ya girly!!

Monday Thanks!!

I'm so thankful for the amazing man that has stepped up in my life lately! I got these beautiful flowers from my Dr. Frankenstein!! The card said, "This is for making me smile ~Dr. Frankenstein" :-D

Saturday Thanks!

Jackson is having a great time tonight with all the family!! We wanted to show his Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunties how much he's talking and doing now!! Hope all of you enjoy how big he is getting!!!

Tuesday Thankfulness

Today I'm thankful for my roomie!! What a great night I had hanging with her through bible study, and then having a movie night with her and Haileigh! What a blessing it was!! I'm so thankful for the friendship I've made through us living together! I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful and beautiful woman living with me!!

Monday's Thankfulness

I'm thankful today for Jackson...boy does he light up my world! Even when he's having his I want nothing to do with Auntie Em days, he still is the sweetest boy I could ever be blessed with to have in my life! Thank-you God for the love of a nephew...for the times I get to spend with him...and even for his cranky days!!

Sunday's Thankfulness

Today I'm giving thanks for my position as Cheer Coach...it has its ups and downs as does everything in life....but I'm so thankful for the spot! I love my team, my girls, my co-coaches, the squads, all of it. What are you thankful for this month??

Another Year Gone By

Here's a highlight of an amazing 24th year!!! Heres to hoping 25 is just as amazing!!



I said a VERY sad goodbye to my Eisenhower team and Army family :-(



Kati & Diana flew down to Georgia to spend Thanksgiving with me!!



My best friend Amy gave birth to her 2nd beautiful baby girl...Annika!!



Lauren, Ketchup(Alex), & I took Alex to his first trip to a live WWE event!



All the cousins together!!



Family Girl's Day at Brookfield Zoo!



Cousin Tommy was born!!



Dad surprised all of us for Christmas AND met Jackson for the first time!!


Scuba Diving in the Living Seas Aquarium at Walt Disney World!


On my way to see John Cena for the first time!!



5 generations of Tobinsons celebrate the Grand Opening of our new store!

At Nasa with 2 of my Chaplains!!



In D.C.


Bri & I at Erin & Josh's Wedding!


I got into NIU!!


Jackson & I at mom's suprise 50th birthday party!!

What a Blessed Year!! Thank-you God for all that you gave me this year! What an amazing year of growth, of challenge, of praise and worship, of family, friends, tears and cheers!

Playing Peek a boo with Jackson during lunch this afternoon!!

Jackson is having a great time playing with the carts at Ace...this is one of his new favorite rides!!

Tagged!

I was reading my sister-in-law Kandy's blog and she was tagged by someone else...so now I'm it...the name of the game is to go into your picture files, to the 6th file, and select the 6th picture...so here we go!

This picture was taken at the church that I attended for a while in Georgia. I did a rededication of my faith in front of the congregation! In this photo they were all praying over me. One of my Chaplains, who is very near and dear to my heart was there and is laying hands on me, along with his wife who was like a mom for me while I was down there! And the other woman in the shot was the children's minister who I volunteered for. All wonderful people! That was such a special day!!


TAG, YOU'RE IT!

Daddy & Jackson

Jackson & Daddy had a blast on the way home from church yesterday! John had Jackson laughing the whole ride home! What a blessing his little laugh is in ALL of our lives!

Only The World

I found comfort in the following song today...what a great reminder that we're only here for a moment and then its on to bigger and better things! My prayer is no matter how hard this all gets that I can remember that this life is all to glory my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that this is, after all, Only The World...

A forward I got today...I so needed reminding of this...

Concentrate on this Sentence

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Fun Stuff...Free Handbag!

http://www.handbagplanet.com is giving away free handbags for a 24 hour period! I've picked out my bag, super cute!! Go signup and pick out yours!!

Family

I am so very blessed with the time I'm gaining to spend with my family. I am really enjoying watching Jackson grow and learn new things every single day. God is moving in BIG ways through all of this and I'm so very blessed to be part of the change that God is making in all of our lives. He is so good! I'm so thankful at how close I'm growing to not only my brother and sister-in-law but also to my future mother-in-law as I seek her for Godly wisdom and encouragement!

Jackson got to go up to our church's produce stand with me this weekend to get some corn...so he also got to get his very own pumpkin as well!! Isn't he just the cutest lil man?!?

"If this is what it takes to praise You...Jesus Bring the rain!"

Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. [a]
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

Lord, Help me to shower this world with your love...

God's really been talking to me lately through the lyrics of this song. I'm having a constant reminder that no matter what He is in control, will get us all through this...and everything is going to turn out in Glory to Him!! Praise Jesus that He's in control, knows the outcomes of our lives, our actions...even when we're unsure of where we're going and what we're doing.

New Motivation

I'm trying to get motivated to lose some weight before the big day...and I think I've found it! That picture is me from my training days! Thats my new background on my computer! I'm going to push on through the pain of my injury to get back on my feet and lose this weight...its time to get creative, on safe ways to drop the weight and work-out without causing extra pain or hurting my neck any worse!

7 months to go til the wedding!

I am humbled, amazed...

Its hard for me to put into words the emotions and thoughts that encompass my mind at this moment. I'm teary-eyed at the thought of it all...The words that I can find is that God is so very good to us! Below is one of my most favorite songs...it always lifts off what ever burden it is that I'm carrying and helps me give it back to God.

Kandy is asking for comments on her blog from those that prayed. She'd like to say a personal thank-you...if you prayed, please drop a comment on her blog:

www.woodardhappenings.blogspot.com

Wedding Bells in the air...

Everything is going great, school is in full swing, work, cheerleading, and the most fun part, the wedding!! Stress has been unusually high with all of the above, but...its all completely worth it! We've set the date for April 3rd 2009! We know so far where it is that we will be getting married, we're still trying to iron down the finals for the reception!

In other news...my best friend Amy & her husband had their baby yesterday!! Heres some pix!!

I'm soon to be a MRS!

Steven asked me to marry him yesterday, and of course, I said yes!! We are planning to marry on the 18th of April 2009...planning is in full swing!! I'm really excited! Stay tuned for more pics and details as the date quickly approaches!!

A new life in Christ

The first weekend of this month, I had the blessed opportunity to participate in the first Northern Illinois Chrysalis Journey #1. God did some remarkable and very amazing things in my heart that weekend. I am proud to announce that I'm free of the burden that I carried on myself. I wouldn't forgive myself for the mistakes that I made early on in my Army career, personal choices. God had forgiven me years ago...I wasn't letting go cause I felt I was unworthy of such an "easy" forgiveness. God really really pressed on my heart it was time to let go of it and accept His forgiveness, His forgiveness that wasn't easy...His forgiveness that put His Son on the cross to bear my shame, my heartbreak, my pain, my bad choices. He did the same for you. I urge you today, to really reflect on whatever is troubling you and freely give it over to God. Because You Are Worth It. Don't harbor your pain and let it eat you up inside. Joy in Christ is waiting for you, all you have to do is let go, and let God.

I hope you enjoy the pictures from this weekend!

The group picture was my table family...the Rebels 4 Christ!

New Family Member!!!

BurNie Earl has joined the small Woodard family!! Zeke and Earl haven't met yet, as Zeke is at mom's and Earl is staying at the apartment...but, once we finish moving into the apartment then they will finally meet!!

Brookfield Zoo family trip!!!

Family trip to Brookfield Zoo!! What a blast!

Lincoln Park Zoo

We took the cheer squad into Chicago last tuesday to the Lincoln Park Zoo...lots of fun!! Enjoy the pics!