Some of my favorite things about Chloe right now...

1. She has a new found love of hide and seek. She likes to be the seeker.
2. Her love for "sauce sauce" (apple sauce). We were at Sam's Club last weekend and she got her first look at bulk apple sauce. With an amazed look on her face, she yelled "No way! Sauce sauce!!".
3. She loves her daddy. Anytime she gives me a hug or kiss she seeks out daddy so he can have one too!
4. She likes to brush her teeth. She really likes it when daddy helps. Mommy-not so much:(
5. She loves to read books. You can usually read a couple of pages before she decides it's her turn to read to you.
6. She is learning her ABC's. She's getting better at saying all of the letters correctly.
7. She is very aware of babies. She doesn't like it if she hears a baby crying. We always tell her she is going to be a great mommy someday.
8. She loves playing outside. She is starting to master the slide in our backyard.
9. Her expressions are very dramatic. Whether it giggles or grumps, she puts a lot of effort in her emotions.
10. She still snuggles, sometimes. In the early morning when we are getting ready for work, she loves to just sit and snuggle.

Being an adult

Phil and I have been on a financial plan to get out of debt and build a savings for about a year now. There have been some bumps in the road, but none as big as what we have had going on the past month. Our washer died, our computer died, we discovered an oil leak in our car, and last night we found a mold problem in our bedroom. Last night Phil and I were feeling VERY discouraged. So, we have to buy new carpet, tear out a very handy cabinet in our room, buy a new dresser (because the drawers in our room were storing clothes), and paint. There are lots of things we have dreamed about doing in our house. Re-doing that room was one of them, but we didn't want to do it right now.

Facing this huge task and a large sum of money that will have to come from savings, it would be easy to throw in the towel and say what is the point of continuing. We are not going to do that! God is still in control. He will continue to provide.

If we hadn't found the problem when we did, things could have been a lot worse. I am thankful that the need to clean overcame me when it did. Some people will say that was because it's time for spring cleaning, I say it's because of God. He knew what the problem was and without that urge, it would have been months before the issue was found. I am thankful for where we are at now. God is continuing to grow and shape us and I will look at this as a growing opportunity!!

Sunday car rides

On the way to lunch from church on Sunday, Phil and I were talking about warm weather and things we can't wait to do. We were passing the zoo, and I told Chloe we would take her to the zoo when it was warmer outside. She quickly replied "No mommy. I don't want it. I want cheese." Apparently she had her mind on one thing, and that was lunch!!

Is it spring yet???

As many of my readers know, the Amburgey family has been really battling illnesses this winter. Every time we get over one thing we get about a week of being healthy and then something else comes. This time it's me. I go to see Dr. Sand this morning to see what it is this time. So, we need your help. What does your family do to stay healthy? Leave your comments about what your family does during the winter to avoid illness. Thanks for your help!!

A Love Story

I was reading some notes some of my facebook friends wrote. Some of my friends had filled out questions about their relationship with their significant other. One question was what did you do on your first date. I was thinking back to almost 8 years ago when my romance with Phil began. It's hard to say what we did on our first date because I am not really sure when that was. I remember being accused of going on a date with him while at Grace. Phil asked me to go get some ice cream with him. It was a long day of classes, so I told him I wanted to go take a shower and then we could go. I had a friend who decided that because I felt the need to freshen up, that it was a date. Really, I just didn't want to be sweaty anymore!!

So, if that wasn't a "date" when was our first date? I think I would say our first date (the day I decided I really liked Phil) was the first full day I was back in Winona Lake for the summer. I had gone home for a couple of weeks, and then moved back to Winona Lake to work as a youth leader at a church there. My first night back in town I had arranged to stay with a friend. She forgot, and I was left with no where to stay and no money to get a room. I knew where her family lived, even though I didn't know them, so I stopped at her parents house to see if they knew where she was. She was in Iowa (I think) visiting her boyfriend. Her mom was nice enough to offer me a warm bed and I watched My Fair Lady for the first time with her. The next day was a Sunday. Phil and I had talked about him coming to visit and going to church with me. To say I was feeling lonely would be an understatement. I was waiting in the church lobby to see him and when he walked in the door, I gave him the biggest hug ever!

Phil spent that whole day with me. The lady I was supposed to be living with for the summer was out of town and we weren't sure if she was going to be back for me to have a bed that night. Phil stayed with me until we were sure I had a place to live and even though I don't remember exactly what we spent that whole day doing, it was when I knew I was falling for this guy. That was in June of 2001. He proposed in August. It was the best summer of my life!

Favorite Songs on my Ipod A-J

1. All I Need- Bethany Dillon
2. Automatic- Starflyer 59
3. By Your Side- House of Heroes
4. California Soul- Maximillian
5. Can't Explain- Ever Stays Red
6. Closer- Jars of Clay
7. The Cure for Pain- Jon Foreman
8. Drifter- Decemberadio
9. Get Up- Jake Smith
10. Hear Our Prayers- The Glorious Unseen
11. Hold On- Arthur Alligood
12. I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend how to Dance with you- Black Kids
13. Joyful Noise- Flame

Birth control will help the economy??

PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFU_jE9WasM&eurl=http://mommylife.net/archives/2009/01/pelosi_more_bir.html&feature=player_embedded

All I can say is wow! I know several families, mine included, that would never trade their children to be better off financially. There is no amount of money that can be put on the fact that I have Chloe in my life. I think of friends who have made huge sacrifices to have their kids. I am personally thankful for the sacrifice they made because their children hold a special place in my heart. Funny that another country in a financial crisis is encouraging employers to let their people go home early so they can multiply!!(http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/26/canon.babies/index.html)