June 21, 2016

A Blessing in Disguise



I never thought I would say this, but right this moment, my body's uncooperative attitude about baby making is a bit of a blessing in disguise. You read that right. A blessing in disguise. 

No, we're not giving up. We still want a baby of our own very much. However, summer is usually a slower period at the company where Hubs works, and normally it's not too bad for him, so he could still get in the hours he needed. This summer it's bad. For everyone. We won't be standing in line at the Food Pantry, but there won't be any excess for eating out, movies, or various other things. Just the essentials and stuff to complete the bathroom reno.  

God knew hard times were headed our way, so he pushed the pause button on our baby journey. While I was certainly not happy about it at the time, I understand now. He did lead us to our wonderful doctor a couple of months ago, and after a lot of thought and prayer, we have decided to begin medicated cycles to help my body remember what it was built for. Luckily the medications are super affordable for us, even during this slow period. So, here's hoping He pushes play, and we finally get our two pink lines.

If I had fallen pregnant earlier in the year, I'm almost certain we wouldn't be as comfortable as we are going into the summer season. After all, a lot goes into housing a tiny human in your body for 40 weeks and then getting a house ready for baby to join the outside world. We are prepared for doing all of that, when the time comes though. 

And it will come, in His time.


Have you ever experienced something like this?


October 12, 2015

Gratefulness

Gratefulness


Today I am simply grateful that I know what it means to be grateful for something or someone.

I was picking up dog toys the other day when movement caught my eye out the back door window. Instinctively I looked up, instead of a giant bug or a murderous squirrel, I saw the falling leaves from the huge tree that shades our back yard. I stopped what I was doing, and I just stood there. How had I not noticed this yet? I've been so wrapped up in other things to notice the leaves change. So, I stood there, staring out the window. I took that moment to be grateful for the beauty right in front of my face each day. To be grateful for the ability to stop and be grateful for moments like this one. 

There is so much going on in this world that people forget that they have the ability to forgive, the ability to love unconditionally, to be grateful for the small things. I see it every single day. I've seen people close to me lose themselves in jealousy, in envy, in greed, in ambition, in success. They are so focused on what they don't have, they forget to be grateful with what they do have. And I feel sad for them, because I fear that nothing will ever be enough to satisfy their hunger for more things. 

Have you stopped to notice the leaves fall? Not because you want a good picture for a blog posts or this will make the perfect backdrop for my selfie or you'll get tons of likes on Instagram. For me, some of the best moments are the ones undocumented by a picture or tweet. They happen when I'm fully present and not worried about likes and comments. They don't need to be approved by the masses because they are mine, and they make me happy, and that's all that really matters.


What are you grateful for today?

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Grateful Heart w/ Ember Grey


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September 4, 2015

Friday Favs



Happy Friday! And what's more, happy beginning of the holiday weekend! I hope everyone has a good one, I know I'll be taking it easy and spending lots of quality time with Hubs and the furkids.

Before we get to this week's favorites, remember that giveaway I did at the end of July with Adproval? Well, I am happy to announce that we have a winner folks! Big congratulations to Josephine King! What a lucky lady.

OH, and if you are doing the #12MofBliss challenge with Emily from Ember Grey. the details for September's challenge are up and ready HERE.

Favorite Insta Posts

@the_new_wifestyle  |  @msinthemidwest  |  @champagnelaced
Happy Anniversary yesterday to Chelsea and Ryan Avery!
And don't you just adore this little set up for fall?
Who's going to Hogwarts?

Favorite Bible Verse

He has made everything beautiful in its time … God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there shall be a time there for every purpose and for every work. - Ecclesiastes 3:11,17

Favorite Song

I just cannot get this out of my head.


Favorite Blog Posts


How to Hide a Vertical Image within a Blog Post - Love the Here and Now
Even though it's a DIY for Wordpress, the coding translates to something that works with Blogger too. With the only exception being making that hidden image the default image for the post (whomp whomp). So worth Pinning!

Gun Control is Only Half the Problem - Christine Everyday
YES. YES. YES. Christine hits the nail on the head with this post.

Family Photos When Nothing Has Changed
Why wait to take photos? Life right now should be celebrated too!

In Case You Missed It...


Weekend Getaway
A Chewy Summer

Friday Favs (from last week)
12 Months of Bliss - Inspiration


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July 20, 2015

Count Your Blessings



Yesterday afternoon I got some sad news from a dear friend. My heart aches for her situation and I wish there was something more than I could do to help her through this rough patch. I have no fear that she will come out better and stronger on the other side, she's a remarkable person. The unfortunate news touched me deeply. I took a few moments to reflect on my life, my marriage, my future, and I was suddenly caught off guard by a wave of emotions.

I have so much to be grateful for, and some days I fail to recognize this. Recent events have brought me back down to earth and reminded me that I am so blessed in my life. God has given me so much more than I could have ever asked for and I don't thank him enough. I don't thank my husband enough for being the man that he is, and how wonderful he's been, especially lately. I don't thank my mother enough for giving me the best childhood she could, and for teaching me how to be a strong woman.

I am striving each day to be more grateful for these little things. I may do the 100HappyDays challenge again. Its a great way to keep myself accountable and will remind me to focus on the good things of each day rather than the bad.

When the water starts getting murky, I have to trust that it will clear back up again. I have to trust that God's plan for me, for my life, is greater than mine. Everything will be ok.



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May 18, 2015

Armadillo Season


Over the weekend, Hubs and I traveled the 30 minutes to get Chipotle and do a little shopping. While we were driving home I counted 14 Armadillo bodies on the side of the highway. I turned to Hubs and said that it must be Armadillo season. That started me thinking about seasons and time, and ultimately the verse you see above from Ecclesiastes came to mind.

The past few weeks have been a bit stressful for me; papers, finals, ongoing craziness at work, and some tough personal decisions that need to be made. I neglected several things, including this blog, and on the one hand I am sorry, but on the other hand, I'm not. I needed to step away bit to keep myself sane and my husband from thinking I'm a hermit. Right now it seems like this phase will never end, like I will never feel at peace with my life again. That's when I go back to Ecclesiastes chapter 3 and I am reminded and reassured that this season of my life will come to an end and a new one will begin.

I've got two weeks until the summer session starts, and I've decided to only take one course. Giving myself a bit of a brain break, especially since the course I chose will be a pretty easy one. Another great thing about this course is that it gives me the right credits to get my Associates Degree. Woot!

Today I am grateful for the reassurance from God that things will get better. I'm grateful to have a supportive husband who's got my back. I'm grateful life gives me options to choose from.

What are you grateful for?


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April 3, 2015

[ guest post ] Creation and Woriship

Good Morning! While I'm away on vacation in Georgia playing with my mommy, I've invited a few of my favorite bloggers to entertain you! Today Faith is sharing a little of what has been on her heart lately. Take away Faith!



Hi Knock on Wood Readers! I'm Faith and I blog at Life w/ Mrs G & the Artist where I talk about all things faith, love, marriage, & life, a little DIY and recipes and a whole lot of real, authentic community and connection between women in all seasons of life. I nanny by day for two adorable little twin boys and I'm a blogger by night. I’m passionate about God and what he is doing in my life. I love working with my sign language team and living life to the fullest. I love the community and the connections that I've found through this wonderful little blog of mine and I can't wait to meet you!

So have you ever sat back and really thought about the creator of the whole universe wanting to hear our praise and our worship? I know I've always been taught that praise and worship is something that God loves to hear...but somewhere a long the lines, I began thinking that God had to have our praise and worship. Now don't get me wrong .. he loves to hear it but he doesn't have to have our worship to get worship. He has a whole creation that worships him day in and day out.

Tuesday is mid-week service for me and sometimes after the busyness of the weekend things finally start to slow down a little by Tuesday and I feel somewhat rested. I usually "try" on Tuesday's to be "spiritually minded" as my mother calls it to prepare for service that night. I realize that we always need to have a God consciousness but sometimes on those days that we are in service it just seems to come more readily .. if you know what I mean. :) Anyways, lately I've been thinking of the goodness of God and his love and mercy and greatness! I mean, when you really stop and think about all the things that God has done...it's amazing! It's amazing to me how a God that created the whole world just by speaking it into existence...knows and CARES what is happening in my life.




Not only that but he loves me and wants to see me prosper. In fact the bible says that he plans to prosper us and not to harm us and to give us a hope and a future. He cares about what bothers me, he cares when I'm in pain, he cares when my heart is broken into a million pieces, he cares when I don't understand why things happen for some people and not for me. The bible says he is "touched by the feelings of our infirmities". And that's not to mention what he did on Calvary for you and me...

How many of you know someone who would die for you? Without even blinking...and then pray that your sins not be held against you...who does that? I don't know that I know anyone that would do that. And to think that he did all this for us...died for us, created this life for us, left to prepare a place for us the bible says so that where he is we might be also. And yet...after all that...sometimes we get so caught up in this life and things that don't matter that we forget to worship the one that makes this life possible...I'm guilt of this myself way more times than I even want to think about. But we have to remember that even though we are IN this world, we are not OF this world. We have something better than this waiting on us.

A couple of months ago our pastor showed us a clip of something that I just found amazing! I would like to show it to you now. I hope you find it as interesting as I did! It just goes to show that if we don't worship God and give him glory he deserves...he has a creation, a whole world that will take our place!


Is that not amazing? I guess I had never thought about it to much but even though he desires our praise. Even though it gives him pleasure when we sing our songs to him and worship him not for just who he and what he has done for us but because we love him. Even though he loves all that .... if we somehow get so caught up in this life and the world we live in .. he is still going to get the glory, worship, and praise he deserves. His creation ... loves to give him praise and the bible says if we don't worship .. the rocks will take our place. I don't know about you .. but I don't want a rock taking my place. I have to much to thank him for. He has done to much for me not to praise him with everything I have in me.


Huge Thanks to Faith for stepping in for me today! I hope you enjoyed what she had to share with you. Stay tuned for more fun guest posts while I'm away! Now go follow Faith on all the things!


Life w/ Mrs. G   |   Twitter   |   Facebook   |   Instagram


P.S. There won't be a Blogger Pow Wow for April due to Easter festivities and multiple vacations of the hosts. We will be back in full swing on May 3rd though! Stay tuned to find out who will be hosting and what topic we will be discussing.


February 20, 2015

9 Things You Definitely Should NOT Give Up For Lent

Lent. It's a season of the Christian Year when we focus on simple living and fasting to grow closer to God. The beginning of the season is Ash Wednesday (this year it was Feb 18th) and lasts until Easter Sunday, April 5th. 40 days. During those 40 days Christians are supposed to fast from something that distracts them from God, and using that time they would have spent on watching reality tv, for example, to pray and read scripture.

Many people chose to give up sweets, but you can fast from just about anything: soda, junk food, bread, reality tv, social media, bubble baths, makeup, etc. Some of us are still trying to decide what to give up, and while there are several posts out there giving ideas on what to give up for Lent, I thought I'd take a different route and list some things you probably should NOT give up until Easter.



1. Deodorant.
For the sake of everyone around you, please, please do not give this up. I'm pretty sure you're fresh scent antiperspirant is not distracting you from God.

2. Cleaning your house.
Sure it's distracting from a lot of things, and none of us really like to clean, but you have to stay healthy and respect your body and it's environment or you'll have a whole new set of distractions to deal with.

3. Trivia Crack.
Especially if you play with me. Please don't give this up!! You are actually learning stuff when you play, or at least I am. So expand your knowledge and keep spinning that wheel!

4. Your Job.
Well.... I wish. But the bills still have to get paid somehow.

5. Blogging.
It does take a lot of time and energy to blog, but if you are blogging about things you are passionate about and it is helping a least ONE person, then you definitely don't need to give it up. Lent is also a time for service to others, so lets post all of our recipes and DIY posts now!

6. School.
Again, I wish. Education is important, so perhaps take small breaks from studying to pray for a moment, and if you can, choose a class that is religion based for that semester/session like I did with my History of Christianity class.

7. Coffee.
If you drink the stuff every single day, lets face it, you have an addiction to caffeine. I'm not saying that bad, cause I do too, but we all know what happens when you haven't had your coffee. It's not pretty. So lets say you give up the frilly flavored creamer or make your own at home instead of stopping at Starbucks. If you drink it black... well good for you. Just don't give it up!

8. Shaving.
Seriously ladies, this is NOT the same as No Shave November for the men. I know it's winter (for most of us anyways, glaring at you Californians and Floridians) but your husband/boyfriend is not gonna wanna tap that when your legs, armpits, and other various regions are hairier than his. Just saying. And for you single gals, you know what, do what you want. #nojudgement

9. Lets just go with Hygiene as a whole.
If I need to elaborate on this for you, please email me and we'll get you the help you need.


*EDIT 2-24-15*

I am adding an honorary number 10 because Emily from Ember Grey made a very valid point. You CANNOT give up Michael Bolton for Lent!

*END EDIT*


What are you giving up for Lent?


February 9, 2015

Praise for a Grateful Heart


There is victory in the Lord! Yes, my friends, there is. And my wonderful Husband made a very important commitment to God, to me, and to the world yesterday. Yesterday, a long with 3 others, Philip was baptized. You guys, I can't tell how how much joy this has provided, but it brought me to tears. I am so, so grateful for Jesus and His saving grace.

I am also grateful that Bear is doing so much better now after his "surgery" on Friday. #nomoreballs
Poor baby was so pitiful and lethargic until Sunday afternoon, but this morning he's almost back to his normal self.

In other news, I've installed two new Blog designs in the past couple weeks! The latest being Kendra's over at Kenji is Here. (I did Grady's over at Gradybird last week) The more I do them, the more I learn and it's a wonderful thing.

Kenji is Here - Blog Design by Amanda Wood Designs


Working with my clients is the best part of the design process. By having open communications with them, I have the privilege to get to know them beyond their blog content and comments. It's magical to bring their personalities to life with colors, fonts, and images. And their sweet words of praise just melt my heart and reassure me that my decision to start doing designs was a good one.

What are you grateful for this week?

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Linking up with

Grateful Heart w/ Ember Grey

February 6, 2015

Blogger Love is the BEST



I received a sweet, sweet text this morning from Faith and the conversation that was born from it really touched my heart. You see, Faith and I share a love for God and believe that He gives us what we need when He decides we need it. And that applies to people too!

God gave me my #Tribe when I was about to give up on finding friends here Missouri. My heart is overflowing with love and praise for the joy and support I receive from these lovely ladies. Then God went above and beyond and gave me my new friend Kaity. So, now I have my #Tribe everywhere I go, and Kaity here with me in person.

P.S. A little bird told me that Kaity might be joining us here in Blogland soon, though!

Ok, now it's time to share some of that love! These are some of my favorite posts from the past couple weeks:


How to Keep Track of Your Sponsors - The So-Called Homemaker
This post has literally saved me! I feel so much more organized because of Christine's idea. I was able to take her format, tweak it little to suit my needs, and BOOM perfection! #Adulting

Nutella Oreo Cheesecake - All the Joys
Need I say more?

Conversations & Blogger Love - The Adventures of Bug and Boo
Simply adorable.

Contentment - Life with Mrs. G and The Artist
This post is so beautiful, raw, and deep.

10 Ways You're Driving Your Spouse Crazy - The New Wifestyle
This post made me laugh so hard, but it's also kind of a wake up call. We need to be a bit more mindful of ourselves sometimes.

Valentine's Day Blogging Prompts - Love the Here and Now
These are perfect for the upcoming holiday! I've definitely got a few lined up myself.

5 Reasons I Will NEVER Return to Your Blog - The So-Called Homemaker
YES! 100% agree to all of these.

on that same note,
10 Blogging Kisses of Death - Sage
Again, YES!

And let's give a huge round of applause and Welcome back our favorite Llama to Blogland.
My New Normal - The Rambling Llama


What were your favorite posts this week?

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January 12, 2015

A Grateful Heart Full of Praise


Happy Monday! Classes start tomorrow and I am so ready. I definitely will have to stop for coffee though as my first class is at 8:30 A.M. and that's when I've been getting up lately. #dontjudgeme

A few things happened over the weekend. First, I finished and installed Kathy's new blog design! I love it! It is fresh an has a slightly latin feel to it, which is so fitting since her family is from Argentina. I'm so glad she is so pleased with it too! She was a doll to work with and I'm so grateful to have her as a friend.




Second, we tried out a new church on Sunday. I seriously think God wanted me to be there for that sermon too, because boy did I need to hear it. The Pastor talked about making room for God in your life every single day and learning to trust him with things outside of your control. One of the things the Pastor asked us to think about was "What do you think is on God's mind today?" We all have so much to think about ourselves, but I can't even imagine the number of things on God's mind!

While I know I have a lot on my mind, it does not compare to God's mind, and I am grateful that I do not have to bear that burden each day. Thank you, Lord, for taking all of our worries as your own.

Third, we finalized our vacation dates for our trips to Georgia this year! I am so, so, so, so, so, grateful that we are able to take two trips this year and I am ready for the first one to come. I miss my mom and my Llama so very much.

What are you grateful for today?



linking up with

Grateful Heart w/ Ember Grey

November 21, 2014

Link Your Ink


I was so excited when Cassie announced this link-up. I love seeing people's tattoos and hearing the stories behind them. The meaning behind my tattoo is a favorite of mine to tell, but let's start with the story about how it got on my wrist to begin with.

I had been wanting a tattoo since I was about 16. My mom had just gotten hers, and I desperately wanted a butterfly on my shoulder. But alas, I was too young. So I waited. A few years pass, and my tattoo dreams where still strong. I had the chance once, but I totally chickened out. Good thing too because I would be stuck with a generic pink butterfly on my shoulder.

Fast forward to my early twenties. I no longer want a butterfly, I want the word "faith" on my wrist. I would doodle it there in pen while I was at work, I tried out different fonts, I researched tattoo shops, but you have to have money to get one and I was fresh out. Rent, food, and bills kinda take priority. Adult responsibilities suck sometimes.

In my mid twenties I was introduced to wonderful time suck world of Pinterest. There I found so many beautiful tattoos and pinned them all! One day I came across the perfect tattoo design that took my little idea up a notch. I saved it to my phone and daydreamed about the day I had the spare cash to get it. Then my tattoo godmother (aka by BFF Melissa M - not my Llama Melissa) decided we were getting best friend tattoos for my 26th birthday. I showed her what I'd been wanting, and she loved it! Mel consulted Siri for local tattoo shops and we chose one.



About an hour later I was watching Mel get my sweet little design inked on her hip. She lay there like it was no big deal; like she could take a nap or something. Granted, she already had a few tattoos before this, so she knew what to expect. Then it was my turn. I was terrified. The sound of the tattoo machine was making me nervous and the artist playfully kicked it on at me a few times to desensitize me to the sound. He patiently waited for me to offer him my arm and calm down. I tried to watch at first, but I couldn't. I ended up turning around and watching some cartoon show on the TV in the room. It didn't hurt as much as I was expecting it to, but I won't say it was painless.



I am very proud of myself for overcoming my fear and getting the tattoo I'd been dreaming of for years. It means a lot to me, and when Mel wanted it too, that meaning grew even more. You see, my Gramma used to say this to me: "Amanda, you just gotta have faith. Faith in the Lord, faith in your family, but most of all, you gotta have faith in yourself." Now, every time I look down at my wrist I hear those words and I remember that Melissa is apart of the family I chose for myself and she will always be there for me, like I am for her.

Do you have a tattoo? What's the meaning behind it?


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