Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Chloe's Reflection of the Year

January- I can finally Crawl!!!
February- I have a tooth.
March- I can walk and the doctor fixed my ear!!
April- Mommy and Daddy took me to the zoo.
May- I turned one. We had a huge party and I ate a LOT of cake.
June- Mommy and I went on a trip without daddy. I really missed him!
July- I was a flower girl in Tara's wedding and we took our first Family Vacation!!
August- I have discovered the joy of family walks. We went on one every night we could.
September- My 4th trip to the zoo, but it was the last of the year. The animals are cold.
October- I got to go trick or treating!
November- I started going to daycare at Sandy's house. We color a lot there!
December- My 2nd Christmas!!! I love the lights!!

If Chloe could type I think these are the things that would stick out to her. We have had an amazing year. Last year at this time we had a 7 month old that was trying to crawl, but couldn't go anywhere. This year we have a toddler who is full of personality, artistic, musically inclined, and very vocal! I wouldn't trade the last year for anything. I am really looking forward to the next 12 months.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Saturday Morning Adventures

On Saturday mornings Phil has Men's Fraternity. He hasn't been in a couple weeks, but he went this morning. That meant that Chloe and I got a couple of hours to ourselves. After breakfast, she wanted to play in her room. Having her toys in her room has been nice because it means the living room stays a little bit cleaner and she is exploring her independence right now, so this gives her a chance to develop this as well. This morning she asked me to come in there with her. Once in her room she pointed to the rocking chair and said "Sit mommy." We played with her ball and her baby for a little bit, and then she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the chair. I thought that meant that she was ready to move on, but she really just wanted to sit in the chair. After helping her into the chair, giving her baby, and a book. She looked into my eyes and lovingly said... "Bye bye mommy." I sadly left the room and she read a book to her baby. It might be a little too early to tell, but I think my little girl is going to be a great mommy someday!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Wednesday, December 3, 2008


I just found this pic and had to share it. When Chloe was 14 months old she was in my friend Tara's wedding with me. Notice the bare feet. Her feet were so small then that they wouldn't stay in her shoes that should have fit a 6-9 month old. We decided to ditch them at the last minute. She was such a ham that day!!







FYI

An issue that matters...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEja-1emRic&eurl=http://mommylife.net/&feature=player_embedded

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Things to be Thankful for...

I have had plenty of things to blog about in the past week, I just have not had a chance to sit down and do it!! Chloe's first week at the new daycare was last week. It went better than expected. There were only a few tears and she is actually talking while she is there. Those of you who know her well, know that is a miracle. She also mastered the art of holding a crayon correctly last week. Jacque and I have both said several times that Sandy is amazing!!! I am thankful that God made Sandy knowing that she would have a part in helping Chloe be all she can be:)

In preparation for our trip to Michigan, my friend Dawn and I made truffles on Sunday. I have to give most of the credit to Dawn because apparently my hands are too warm to roll the center into a ball. All I did was melt the chocolate. So, I am thankful for my cold handed friend:)

Chloe fought with a cold all weekend and on Monday the cold won. Phil also went to bed Sunday night feeling a little queasy. I remember at some point in the middle of the night him coming to bed and saying he had a fever of 101.3. So, I was home with the sick ones on Monday. They are both feeling better today. I am thankful I work for a company that helps us put our families first.

These are just a couple of examples of what I have to be thankful for. There is so much more that God has blessed each of us with. What are you thankful for this season?

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

12 of Chloe's favorite things

(not in order of importance)
  1. Daddy
  2. Mommy
  3. Dora
  4. Elmo
  5. yelling Amen after we pray
  6. dunking her face in her bath water
  7. putting lotion on her hands
  8. her baby
  9. talking to baby on the phone
  10. bananas
  11. Mamaw
  12. Papa

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Christian Confederate Soldier's Prayer
(Alleged to have been found on a CSA casualty at the Devil's Den, Gettysburg)

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but got everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Day Care Drama

Many of you know that Phil and I were excited that the day care in our neighborhood had openings and was in the right price range. After turning in the paperwork yesterday, I asked for a final figure on the weekly cost. When I saw the number I was speechless. $40 more than we were first quoted. WOW!! After discussing it with Phil, we decided that just wasn't realistic. Ok... now what do we do. We had already given our 2 week notice. That meant we had 4 days until our last day at her current day care. Do we keep her there, or go with our original feelings that it was time to move her to a more "learning" based center. Thank goodness that Jacque decided to have Isaac and did LOTS of hard work by finding just the place for her little ones. I called Sandy(the lady Jacque decided on), and found out she has an opening. The only issue is that she won't have the room for Chloe during the summer if all of her current kids stay with her until then. So do you gamble and hope someone has to go somewhere else, or do you try again and hope you find someone you trust?? We went to meet Sandy and see her facilities. She has a building that is attached to her house just for the day care. It was perfect. Just what we were looking for. It was even better seeing her in action. I was impressed with the fact that while talking to us she was able to calm a sharing problem without raising her voice. That is HARD to do!!! So, we are taking the gamble. We will have someone lined up for the summer and hope that someone moves on so we don't have to use anyone else. Chloe is going to get the learning she is ready for in the environment I know she will thrive in. When it was time to go she didn't want to leave. I guess that is a good sign:) So a special thanks goes out to Jacque. Thanks for trusting the mommy sense God gave you. Thanks God for providing in a situation that was easy to loose sleep over!!!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

We are on day 2 of vomit duty. Chloe woke up yesterday morning at 4 and starting throwing up. She stopped getting sick around 6 and after going to the doctor and finding out that there is a 12 hour stomach flu going around we knew we would have a sleepy baby(due to the 4 shots she needed at her 18 month check up), but thought we were over the worst of it. This morning Chloe woke up around 6 and once again got sick. The worst part is when it gets in her hair. That means you have to undress her, get a bath ready and put her in hoping she will be able to sit up the whole time because she is really weak. I had to do this 2 times today. Not fun. I will spare you the nasty details about the smell and texture. Please pray she gets over this soon. While I love her cuddles when she is sick, I miss my energetic little girl!! Enjoy the new pics I am posting of her:) Also check out the pics from the River City Rat Race.










Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Chloe's such a girl!!


Last night, Chloe once again showed her girly side. As soon as we got home she found a pair of pajamas my grandma just got her (see above pic). After translating what she wanted, we realized she wanted her new pink pajamas on...NOW!! There were even tears involved because 1. we didn't quite know what she wanted at first and 2. we weren't acting fast enough. I wasn't quite sure I wanted her to have them on because of the fact they hadn't been washed yet. Phil and I are getting good at the whole choose your battles thing. While I know we are "in charge", there are just some things that really won't hurt her if we agree with what she wants. So after Phil told her hewould put them on her, she layed down on the ground without being told to, and giggled because she got to put on her new pink pajamas. Phil said she is a lot like me. I'm not quite sure that is a complement.

We Voted!!


On our busy Tuesday Phil and I got out to vote. Although we weren't able to go together, we both were blessed to not have to wait in long lines!! Now it's time to wait and pray. I am reminded that no matter who becomes our next leader, God is still in control!!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Chloe's 2nd Halloween


Last Halloween Chloe was only 5 months old, so while she looked cute in her little ladybug costume, there wasn't much interest in the night. This year, at 1 1/2 she had a blast. We went trick-or-treating with my sister-in-law Brenda, and my niece Keara and nephew Garrett. Chloe didn't say anything to any of the people handing out candy, but she would say tick-or-tweat on the way up to the door and thank you once they closed the door. She was very fond of the suckers. Any time she got a chance to choose what she wanted she grabbed a sucker. After we were done getting candy we went back to Craig and Brenda's house and enjoyed some awesome chili and cornbread. It was a fun night and I was so proud of my little lion.

Monday, October 27, 2008

What a weekend!!!







This weekend my brother Matt and his girlfriend Jessee came down from Michigan for a visit. They got here Friday just in time for dinner. Saturday was filled with errands, eating, and teaching Matt and Jessee how to play Settlers of Catan. Which Matt won, but it was a very close game. On Sunday, after church, Phil and Matt ran the River City Rat Race. It was Phil's first race in over a year, and he blew his goal out of the water!!! Matt placed 4th in his age bracket, which after dealing with food poisoning the week before, I think he did GREAT!!! They have not posted the race results yet, but when they do, I will post what Phil placed out of over 500 racers. Another positive thing that happened is Chloe totally came out of her shell for Uncle Matt. She played ball, jumped on the bed with him, and shared tons of hugs and kisses. I was also told that she was the most vocal in the nursery on Sunday that she has ever been. Maybe she is starting to come out of her shell a little more. I guess we will have to wait and see!!!

UPDATE: We just found out that Phil placed 126 out of 533. He was 12th out of 29 in his age group. Matt placed 14 overall. Great job guys!!!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

A little bragging:)

The past couple of days I have been thinking about how amazing my daughter is. She is so full of personality. She has been talking in complete sentences the past couple of weeks. I know she is still too shy to do this in public, so many of you are wondering if she really even talks. This morning she looked at Phil and said "Where is mommy?". Several times she has said "Mommy, read this." or "Umm...I want this one." I never thought I would be having the kind of conversations I have with her. My heart melts every time she tells me she loves me. I am so glad that God hand picked this little girl for Phil and I. Motherhood is SO much more than I could ever imagine. I pray that the Lord continues to grow Chloe into an amazing little girl and continues to show Himself through the lessons learned by being Chloe's parents.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Never Find Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sDcKHd_fvU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZF-_EZ8mb0


A group called Never Find Out has made several ads which can be found on You Tube. These are two of my favorites, but there are several more. Check these out and share them with others!!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

I still see the blood!!!

Today during lunch, I was trying to make a burrito and I hear "Tera, I am bleeding!!". My friend Tara, sliced her finger on a can top. After having many people look at it, including a nurse from the workers comp claim area, we made the trip to Redi-med. The solution to the problem... glue. Medical technology is amazing! Tara's finger is very sore, but no more bleeding. So, today I got a field trip, and had to fill out an incident report that asked 3 times how did the trauma happen. How many different ways can you say my friend is a little clumsy and cut her finger?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

This is a blog take over!!

In order to please the many fans of Phil and Tera, I (Tera) am going to take over this blog. So, sit back, relax, and look for many more posts from me:)

Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Opening Ceremony


Last night I was up until midnight watching the opening ceremony's of the Olympics. I have to say, it was one of the most amazing visual displays of culture I have ever seen! It had tens of thousands of performers, technology mixed with uncomprehending levels of choreography, and the most incredible torch lighting the world has ever seen. If you haven't seen it, do. China is such a mysterious country, and this was a chance to see just a small sliver of who they are as a nation. Amazing!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

My promise to you

I, Phillip Amburgey, want to use this post to apologize to all those dedicated blog readers out there that dedicate their time to keeping up with me and my family. I have failed you. Two posts is just not the quality I intended to provide by creating this project. So, to make up for this failure, I am recommiting myself to this blog, and promise all my blogies that many posts are coming. Hopefully.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Chloe turns 1






The big day had finally arrived, Chloe's 1st Birthday! It took a lot of prep work, but it went great! We had around forty guests total, and we squeezed them into our tiny house (barely!). Chloe received lots of great gifts and devoured her first cake! She's an incredible little girl! We love her so much.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Chloe's first trip to the zoo!





So, yesterday Chloe made her first excursion to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo! We weren't exactly sure what her reaction would be considering she's only one, but she loved it! She especially loved the monkeys and the aquarium. She would point and crack up laughing, she even tried to make monkey noises! She's growing up so fast, it's unreal! Soon, she'll really appreciate the zoo, but for now, just seeing her point and smile is worth more than words can express.