IndyFuges's Xanga

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Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:51:46 GMT

I'm a little confused why I'm not getting anyone's Xanga posts sent to my e-mail everyday...wondering...any clues?

25 random things...

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:01:45 GMT

I've seen lots of people do this, so I thought I would post mine on here, just for old time's sake. I tag anyone else who wants to waste 20 minutes of their life.

1. I absolutely hate the sound of nail clippers being used. It grosses me out completely. However, I will clip my own nails and Caleb's too. But that's where I draw the line.

2. I have always napped Caleb in my bed. I don't know why. I just love the feeling knowing he's warm and cozy in my covers. I have also always laid down with him to get him to fall asleep. It's my absolute favorite part of the day. There's nothing like holding your sleeping child. I plan on doing this with Katelyn as well.

3. I have weird feet. I developed a problem last summer where chlorine makes my feet itch unbearably!! It's so bad that I now have to wear pool shoes in the water. If I get in trouble one day with a lifeguard, I'll just have to get a doctor's note. ha ha!

4. I take a sleep aid every night of my life. My body refuses to fall asleep without one.

5. We sponsor a little boy named Jillo on the other side of the world through World Vision. I keep in touch with him regularly.

6. If I didn't have facebook or a blogging community, I am sure my life as a stay at home mom would be a lot more difficult emotionally for me.

7. I am a trained classical pianist. I can site read pretty much anything (within reason) and have an excellent sense of rhythm. I love accompanying musicians and bands, especially for Worship.

8. I love to floss my teeth.

9. Since I have worked in customer service for a period of time, I am much more patient and sensitive to those that are in that line of work. I am also more understanding of private business owners since I have seen my parents do it for many years. As I get older, I am less demanding and more calm when working through business problems or issues I might have.

10. Before I was married I was terrible with money. I didn't care a lot about savings and I bought what I want when I wanted it. My mom definitely tried to work with me and help me, but I wouldn't listen. It ultimately took my husband to help me see that good money management is worth it and investment in the long run is the way to go. I have become an excellent money manager and oversee our family budget and bill paying on my own. We have zero debt (except the house) and I pay all of our bills on time. I owe a lot to my husband's patience and overall example.

11. I am a fast food junky. But I try to indulge only once a week. Okay twice. In my defense I also eat a LOT of really, really healthy whole foods.

12. I don't watch a whole lot of TV. I could care less to see the latest shows. They just don't interest me. I'd rather be sewing or reading.

13. I don't even remember the last movie I went and saw in the the theater. I think I may go once a year. Again, not a lot of interest.

14. I really love live theater. Especially musicals! The best date Jonathan and I ever went on was when he stole me away to New York City (his parents live 3 hours away) and we went to see Wicked on Broadway! What a great surprise!

15. Jonathan and I love to watch old black and white movies on AMC. We also enjoy movies that came out when we were kids. We're sentimental fools. Jonathan recently purchased the Benji movies on DVD. Caleb loves them!

16. I do not like cold lunches. I prepare myself a warm lunch everyday. Whether it is soup, spaghetti (like today!), or a burrito. I enjoy prepared warm things.

17. I make my husband's lunch every night before I go to bed. I use to get up with him in the morning. That's before I had children and was pregnant again. ha ha! I'm glad he's so understanding.

18. I prefer to drive to destinations rather than fly. I use to prefer flying. Again, that was before I had children. Now I consider the driving aspect part of the experience. We have a lot of fun together as a family!

19. I have a major fear of spiders and anything that crawls. I will not kill anything. I have gone across the street to get a neighbor to kill a spider before.

20. I really, really love chocolate. Good chocolate. Yes, I must have something chocolate every day of my life. Even hot chocolate will do.

21. I value my friendships highly. If you are a good friend then I have your back in pretty much anything. I don't know where I would be without certain key people in my life.

22. I love our new church. I feel a HUGE connection and look forward to Sundays with great anticipation. I love the nursery, the preaching, and the people there!! I have even recently been asked to be the church pianist. And given permission to decorate the church nursery!!

23. I have been to lots of countries. In this order...Grew up in Alaska (not really another country, but whatever...), Philippines, Jamaica, Canada, South Korea, Israel, and Hungary. I enjoyed all of my travels but really could care less if I ever leave the country again, unless it's on a missions trip with my family. That kind of travel is way down on my list of priorities.

24. I have a huge heart for homeschooling my children. I know anything can happen, but I trust God will lead Jonathan and I in the best path when the time comes for formal schooling.

25. I tore my ACL when I was 17 and had to have reconstructive surgery when I was 19. I now have two screws in my left leg.

Saying Good-bye...

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:14:46 GMT

I am joining those moving to blogspot. Don't worry. It's still public! Please feel free to leave comments under anonymous (just sign your name in the comment box so I know who it's from). You will find all the same fun stuff over in my new site! I just needed a change!

www.indyfuges.blogspot.com

I thought this was cute and easy to do...

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 01:08:14 GMT

A year in review...

Here's how it works: Go into your calendar for this year. Find the first entry for each month and copy the first sentence of each of those entries into this post. That's your year.

January: We had a c-r-a-z-y night I tell ya!

Feburary: Caleb woke me up crying at 5:30am this morning. I never got back to sleep. Oh well.

March: Cara and Savannah are our constant playmates. The Lord knew I needed Cara in my life.

April: I will admit that I often feel like a Mama Gorilla.

May: I always have lots of ideas for blogs throughout the day, but when it comes to actually sitting down and doing it they all fly out of my head or don't seem important anymore.

June: Now I know it's not technically "summer", but to this Alaskan born girl, when it's in the 90's, it's summer!!! This summer has been rockin' so far. One of the best summer's of my life.

July: Jon and I did something we haven't done in ages, we went and saw a late night movie.

August: Well, the Indy Fuges have taken HGTV's slogan and made it true this summer. We have "started at home".

September: It's been a long week full of pregnancy symptoms, and to top it off I woke up this morning with an insane head cold.

October: It's Thursday afternoon. I got back Monday night. This may sound strange but I finally have the time and energy to blog.

November: My Cowboy Cutie and Football Hubby! What a fun family night we had. It was just perfect in every way. You know, the kind of night that makes you feel all ooey gooey sweet inside.

December: We had a wonderful time in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving. It's always nice to be with family that you don't see often!

Movin' on...

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:39:31 GMT

So, I've been organizing and planning for adding baby #2. One thing I would REALLY love is to have closet organizers in both the kid's rooms. So, I searched for some simple DIY options that my husband could make for a reasonable cost. I found this and he said he'll draw up a plan! Yeah! I think I'll be getting my closet spacers soon! This will be good for both toy and clothing storage.Both very much needed as you add children to the family. With this design I think the bottom shelves/hangers could eventually be taken out to accomodate longer clothes if necessary.

For Katelyn's room (spelling has been changed...) I have decided to go with a 'vintage baby' theme. I'm very excited about this as I am incorporating old photos and items that have belonged to her grandparents and great-parents in the room. Many of these items are on "loan", but will look beautiful in this room I am creating.

Here was my inspiration:

I know this isn't a vintage room, but I got the idea from the outfits hanging on the wall. I will use vintage items on hangers over her changing table. I went to an antique store the other day and was surprised to find reasonable prices on darling baby clothes dating back to the 20's and 30's.

Here is some bedding I have found that is actually on clearance. I really like it and think it would fit in nicely with my vintage theme. If any grandparents or relatives that read my blog would like to buy this for Katelyn, please let me know. ha ha! She (and mommy) would thank you kindly!

Based on that bedding I believe I will paint the main color in the room a light shade of purple with accents of mint green. I will sew some curtains and make some throw pillows as well. Right now our rocking chair is an ugly gray and I'll probably end up buying a pretty chair cover for that.

I would also like to add some wall words to her bedroom. Here are some links to bedrooms and examples that I liked a lot.

http://www.wisedecor.com/images/photo_album/mias_room.jpg comment: I really like the paint job/wall-paper done here and especially like the ribbon added to the lamp.

http://www.wisedecor.com/photo_album/adrianas_nursery.html I thought this was really sweet, but I can't read the wording.

http://www.wisedecor.com/photo_album/babys_room.html I would REALLY consider writing this on her wall.

Then again, this is an AWESOME idea! http://www.wallwords.com/NamesandMeanings.htm

Some Christmas photos...

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:44:28 GMT

Yeah!!! A Thomas book!!!

Yeah!!!! More Thomas stuff!!!!!

Caleb discovering there's more presents in stockings!! He had fun!!

Our birthday cake for Jesus! I thought it looked like a chocolate donut.

The most precious pic of all. Jonathan has been really into Lionel trains lately, buying all kinds of stuff on ebay (he sold his handgun so he afford all these luxuries). Caleb loves this new train set up and usually the first words out of his mouth in the morning are choo-choo! These are my two engineers together. FYI: This manly room will soon become a pink, frilly all girl room by April...I asked Jon where he was going to put his train setup...he doesn't know...

Sadly, the only picture of Caleb and I this holiday season. I just happened to be behind the camera for every photo taken. This is even a self photo. sheesh. The life of a mom.

Jonathan baking a Fuge family favorite, Apple Pies!

My three Christmas guys! Too cute!

A heart full of thankfulness...

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 01:19:57 GMT

As I was watching "White Christmas" tonight on the couch with Caleb curled up contentedly in my arms, my eyes filled with tears as my heart swelled with thanksgiving. This has by far been the best Christmas of my adult life. There have been so many things that have made it special. From being in my own home ALL Christmas day to making my first ham to giving so many special gifts that I handmade this year. It was just such a great year. It was my fourth Christmas in my married life, yet the first one that I felt I really connected as a wife and mother. My first Christmas with Jon we were at his parent's house (though absolutely wonderful, still not the same as home), the 2nd Christmas I was sleep deprived due to having a 6 week old, and my third Christmas we were at my in-laws and I was still recovering from a terrible illness of insomnia, so I still wasn't functioning at peak. This Christmas I hosted my first Christmas meal and spent the entire day in my own four walls. I wasn't sleep deprived (although I did wake up at 5:45am and got the day going...), the gifts were the best ever this year (simple, yet precious to me), I made several firsts: Ham, Mashed Turnip, homemade Mac and Cheese, and a Pecan Pie. All surprisingly turned out delicious!! Jon, Kate, Wes, and I played a mean game of Rook Christmas night. It brought back so many fond memories of my college and single days...oh how things have changed.

So tonight as I sat watching the final moments of "White Christmas" I cried tears of sadness and joy. Sad that the season is drawing to a close. A bit of magic seems to slip under the doors with the end of the holiday, so I know I must find simple ways of keeping the spirits up in January. (shouldn't be hard with my bundle of sunshine to keep me busy). And tears of joy b/c I know that next year we'll have a little 8 month old to keep from getting into the tree and decor that we'll drag out again to decorate the house.

God has been so good to us in 2008. There have been moments of frustration with sleep (still for those of you that know my story), lots of dental bills (!), and other mishaps along the way. But in the end Jonathan and I have a beautiful marriage. One that I wouldn't trade for a lifetime of perfect sleep. Caleb is our treasure and truly makes each day a blessing. Then as I sit here I can feel my little girl tapping impatiently on my womb, as if to say she's ready to join the Indy Fuges tonight! Wait little one...17 more weeks to go...

Yes, Christmas 2008 has indeed been one for the books in my opinion. I'll always remember it as having a simplicity that was natural and not fabricated. My heart has been touched in so many ways and I am drawn closer to my Savior as a result. I thank the Lord for his Son and the birth of our Savior long ago in that humble stable.

I'll probably post again before the year is over, but this is my official Happy New Year blog. I'm thankful for you as a reader and trust that you'll probably stay with me on this journey I call life. Looking to an exciting and eventful 2009! Cheers!

Great Site!!!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:38:24 GMT

I discovered this blog and love, love, love it!!!!! Be sure to click on "My Wesbite" located on the left of her blog!

http://www.soulemama.typepad.com/

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:13:30 GMT

A beautiful sunset I took outside my back window. Very unusual here.

Christmas friends

More Christmas friends. They turned 1 on December 10th. No, we do not own 2 Basinjis. Zander (right)belongs to Cara, my friend in the neighborhood. But the dogs get together weekly for playdates and run like mad everywhere! It's good exercise for them and wears them out, so they sleep when they go home! But they love to cuddle when they get tired. It's so doggone cute!!

A cute idea!

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 18:22:56 GMT

At my mom's group on Friday we all shared great Christmas or gift ideas with one another. I loved one mom's idea of doing Elf Magic. The tradition is explained on this site http://www.elf-magic.com/about.htm She was sharing how much her kids love this! I can't wait til Caleb is old enough to do it with him! If you already do it with your kids, let me know! I love how it weaves activity throughout the holiday season and gets the kid's excited!