not quite spring, but yet a break.

I wanted to start this entry by talking about how refreshing spring break has been, but a few things have rained on my parade. Our basement flooded. Twice. And our landlord has made more excuses as to why he hasn't been over to fix it. So our washer and dryer are up on bricks, we have a lot of laundry we are unable to do, and no hot water to wash our dishes because the pilot light was drowned two nights ago. My dear, sweet husband is downstairs as I type trying to work on the silly sump pump that continues to malfunction. He's ankle deep in frigid water. Bless his soul. Maybe when our landlord makes it here, he will 'think' about fixing our pipe that burst in December. That might be a stretch.
Also, my dear, sweet husband who is pretty handy at sump pumps determined he's not so great with expensive linens. For example, our new bedspread. It was downstairs to be washed because our precious pup got nervous on our bed (which always leads to tinkling). Well, it was drowned as well in our flood. Hubbie took it to the laundromat, which was successful, but then he put it in our dryer...on normal heat. We now have a fried bedspread. I'm calm about it now because I used last night to cry and weep over this lost item. I've reminded myself its just a 'thing' and he didn't do it purposely, so eventually we will replace it. Until then, I'll sleep under a melted and semi-hard comforter.
Also, its been cold. And I'm over cold, and very ready for Spring.
I have a few more updates but I'll wait a couple days, hoping you'll check back in anxious anticipation!

where it counts

I had to make a phone call to a father of a very upset little girl to inform them that his little angel had kicked two boys...where it counts. I can't remember how old I was when I learned this was a bad thing. She was five and a half.

Brad and I have decided to take the plunge into joining a small group. I am really excited about developing some relationships where it counts. I also learned a teacher from my school is in the group -- God is good :).

We are praying a lot about where we are headed next year. I find it so uplifting when God makes you yearn for something, but yet the situation is totally out of your control. I am learning to trust God where it counts.

Our mischevious little dogs decided to shred our carpet this morning, sometime between my shower and the time I left 25 minutes later. Let's hope that doesn't cost us too much money to fix because we have very little money where it counts (but a lot in retirement where it doesn't count yet...).

By now, my phrase is worn out so I will anxiously await my husbands return, invest some time in cleaning, and be thankful that my count to the weekend is down to one more day.

six more weeks...

Today the groundhog saw his shadow. I can't say I'm surprised. Teaching Kindergarten you learn a lot of valuable "world" things...like the history of Punxtaswaney Phil. For instance, of the 82 times (I think!) that his predictions have been recorded, a mere 15 of those forecasted an early spring. But of those 82 predictions, he has only been correct 33% of the time! So maybe he'll be wrong this year :). Either way, all I'm asking is that my husband doesn't have to plow our entire alley way again because the church we rent from has plowed us in (innocent mistake I'm sure but nonetheless troublesome!). It would also be nice not to get stuck 5 times on your way out the alley way and then not be able to drive about 44 mph due to ice and snow shalacking your axles. Ahh winter.

Last weekend was my 24th birthday! The weekend extravaganza began on Friday night with a wonderful night out with my dear friend Sarah. We went to dinner and then came back and relaxed. On Saturday, after shuttling my husband to and from basketball games, we finally left for Indy. A quick stop at distinctive got my engagement ring back (after a long two weeks with a bent prong!) and then to the fashion mall for a little more than my hubbie could handle :). But did I get quite the birthday deal. How about a $240 outfit for a humble $82?? Happy birthday jeans and a top to me. Thanks BCBG.
After we departed from the fashion mall, we headed straight downtown to check into our hotel. Many traffic lights and bumpers later, we arrived at the assumed hilton. You'd think, right? Oh no. There are apparently 5 hiltons in one square mile. Of course we would go to the wrong one. So more traffic lights, bumpers, and parking garages later, we arrived at the real hotel. I won't admit that I was cranky, because it was my birthday after all. A quick shower and we headed to the fabulous pf changs -- I, of course, hadn't eaten a thing because all my meals were saved for our one stop! Bad choice. "Our wait is two hours." Blasted. We strolled around the mall and my stomach was very glad that it was only a 50 minute wait after all. Dinner was as good as imagined and after a while longer out, we headed back to the hotel.
Sunday brought more surprises! My wonderful mother and sister made cupcakes for my whole class to take in on monday. These were no regular cupcakes, definitely superstar quality. I'm talking dinosaur and teddy bear sprinkles. I even had enough to share with students from last year. I'm blessed.
I finished off the birthday celebrations with massages with dear friends yesterday. We went to a beauty school in anderson and other than my inexperienced masseuse's long nails, I walked away relaxed. We followed our girls day out with dinner and great conversations. I love girlfriends.
A great birthday celebration. I am a lucky girl.

I must mention here that my dogs are sick. Pray for them. Both are having less than solid stools, one is upchucking, and they both refuse to eat. We know from my previous post that this is a tragic and frightening thing!

My snow day count is up to two. Brad's? Six. I was resentful, I'll admit. But I'll be the one snuggled in at 10am in June while he makes up each and every minute.

I've decided along with the master's I'd like to begin that I'd like to write children's books and go to conferences on all things literacy and best practices. I'm not sure how all those will fit into a schedule but I'll try to make it work. I begin tomorrow with the indiana conference on learning. I'll let you know how it goes!

Lastly, if you could say a prayer on the direction our lives are taking. We are praying about some changes that I will not mention here just yet. Change is scary and uncertain but I don't want to let my hesitation and comfortability of where I am at change who God would like me to become. I'm open, Lord. Send me.

for the love....

In the last 24 hours I've realized that I am obsessed. Like, I'm thinking more than love...borderline obsession. And no, not with my husband (though he is handsome, great, and the love of my life)...my obsession lies with my dogs.
I read this article yesterday while hubby was finishing up at the gym and realized I have stepped into this new age of pet care.
I don't think I'm crazy (other than I still cry when I think about Marley & Me), at least I hope not. It's just not hard to feel for my year and a half chocolate lab who has developed a severe allergy to something in his food and cannot stop itching and has very puffy eyes. Seriously, I had nightmares. And our other pup can lick so fervishly that your face almost hurts after just a few. How can you not adore someone an animal that will never turn on you despite your no makeup, grumpy moods, and dirty house?
Time to go finish 90210 and cuddle with the pooches on the couch...ahh what a great evening :).

Penguins Waddle

Two months since I have last blogged. Sad. I will get better -- I am even thinking about starting a teacher blog...hmm.

Okay so two months of updates here we go!

1. We are still living happily ever after...or so it seems! Marriage is better...and different than I anticipated. Being married to your best friend is a definite bonus because when you get mad at them in a spouse sort of way, you can still like them in a friend sort of way.

2. Christmas break was very needed for both of us. We went to my family's for a week and then to Brad's for a nice dinner and then had a whole week at home to play and relax. How far is summer?

3. My sister, Mehgan, got a mini-pomeranian for Christmas. He is ADORABLE. And he loves our dogs even if he is nearly 1/17th their weight. Check out the video below to see his fiesty-ness and notice Buddy's "unsure" response.

4. Brad and I have decided we are going to start our master's degrees this summer! We're looking at a couple different schools but are 93% sure we are going to go for it. We'll let you know how our marriage is after two years of classes together.

5. It has snowed a lot. Brad has had three snow days because of it, compared to my one. Doesn't seem quite fair knowing I have the farthest, therefore most treacherous route to drive.

6. I signed up to run the mini marathon in May...yikes. The training is easier but harder than I thought. Easier = I have run more than I thought I would be able to. Harder = I am not as motived as I would like to be. That's why I just ate half a giant Butterfinger candy bar (thanks to my Christmas stocking).

7. This year Brad and I have to do a state teaching portfolio. It's rough. Today was my day to write lesson plans so I could teach them next week. So...I got my student profiles filled out :). No lesson plans.

8. I now have a craft room! We cleaned out the upstairs "leftover wedding and storage room" and moved my scrapbooking cart along with a old table in there. It's fabulous. Now I just have to organize it...I'm tempted to go now and not do any more lessons. Hmmm.

9. The reason we started this blog was to keep our wedding guests and friends updated on the child we adopted because his birthday was on our wedding day (July 25). Ready for a little twist? Last month we got this letter in the mail:

"Mrs. Fugett,
We regret to inform you that we have received updated information on James. Please review the folowing information.
Name: James Watiri Njogu
Birthdate: August 25, 2001
Birthplace: Kenya, Africa
Thank you,
World Vision"

It's like a little joke from God but I look at it this way -- we must have needed James as much as he needed us so God changed his birthday just long enough and then surprise -- He shows His sovereignty again!

10. I taught a penguin unit at school last week. It was one of the most fun weeks at school in a while. The kids paired up (boy-girl eww!) just like the penguins do. They were given one egg between the two of them to care for throughout the day. Once it left my hands at 9am, it was their complete responsibility until 3:15pm. 9 eggs began the day. At 10am, 3 eggs were left. At 1pm, 1 egg was left. And at 3:15pm, that one little egg was left triumphant! I think we all learned valuable lessons. Thankfully, they were hardboiled.

11. Over Christmas, I decided we needed to go to Cabo this summer. I researched it and hot-dog! $1200 roundtrip, all inclusive, 7 days 6 nights. What a deal, right? We planned what dates we would be gone, budgeted, and chose our resort. And then...I read the fine print.

"$1200 per person if booked together."

I'm an idiot. And we have to find a different vacation spot. Any ideas?


On that note, I'm going to finish up here thinking of warmer weather...while deciding if I should organize or write a lesson plan.

PS - Less than one week until my birthday AND our 6 month anniversary. Aren't they spaced nicely? :)

long days.

So I've really started this entry several times over the last month. It seems as though I feel my life is never quite interesting enough to post a whole entry. I'd like to become better, as I grew up journaling and really enjoyed it. We'll see...you'll have to check back and see!

Latest updates...Brad's football team plays in regionals tomorrow when they thought they'd lose in the first round of sectionals. Hard to accept at home, but very exciting for him and his team! Things at school have been going well. I laugh my way through each day. My favorite quote of the last month:

While writing what we were going to be for Halloween as a whole class...
Me: "[Child's name], what are you going to be for halloween?"
Child: Mumbles under breath.
Me: "I can't hear you when you are mumbling...what are you going to be for Halloween?"
Child: Mumbles again.
Me: "[Child], what are you going to be for Halloween?"
Child: "Ugh...a PANCAKE!" Said as he stomps away and ashamedly covers his face.

I can't tell you how hard I had to work to keep myself from laughing. It was obviously one of those moments where mom decided what he would be with no opinion heard from the child. I'm still awaiting the picture :).

Our dogs are doing well -- Buddy has learned how to shake and whenever asked to sit will immediately offer you his hand. He keeps us so entertained and has become such a sweet dog. I have also never met a dog who gets so excited about meal time. He jumps around and frolicks as though his soul has just been saved. I look forward to this show almost as much as he looks forward to the food in his belly.

Today I had a tragic experience. I was driving home and was behind an uncovered semi. A huge piece of metal flew off the truck and hit my windshield. Not only did it cause my heartrate to triple, but left a crack in the windshield that goes in seven different directions! Thankfully I was on the phone with my genius friend Katie and she was able to write down his license plate number as I sped up to get a good look. Unfortunately, we have a $250 deductible for windshield repairs -- or so I learned tonight. Oh, what to do.



A week from tomorrow I head to PA for Jess' wedding. Last night I was almost sleepless with excitement. It may be silly, but even though my life there was so short, I fell so in love with the people there. I miss them dearly and cannot wait to hear how life has been over the past year.

That's about all for me right now...Brad's due home in the next fifteen and I probably should tackle the laundry that's been accumulating for about a week. Oh, and I wanted to be overzealous about the holiday season and put a new background with Christmas trees on it, but I chose this sassy pink one until after Thanksgiving. It will have to do :).

september update

Fall is upon us. I'm seeing signs of it all around. The days have cooled off a bit, thanks much to Ike, and the leaves have already begun to fall. I began an apple unit with my kindergarteners yesterday and it excites me to think of hayrides, pumpking carving, and haunted corn mazes!

Brad and I are continuing to adjust to the life of married folks. It has been a little difficult for me lately, I must admit, to adjust to the life of a football coach. He is gone so many nights and until so late. And, there is only so much TV I can handle. I need a hobby...any suggestions? And, if you ever need a friend on a weeknight...you are more than welcome here -- I would rather enjoy the company! Regardless, I am thankful for the short hours he is home in the evening. Mo is taking well to the adjustment, though I think he misses cuddling with me all night.

On a more serious note, I have been experiencing some odd chest pain lately. I've been to several doctors and was in the Emergency Room for a while last night and I continue to hear that it probably isn't serious, but still no diagnosis has been reached. It's a little frustrating because I've never had any problems before and here comes this weird blindsiding "thing." I go to the hospital again on Friday morning for a stress test. Hopefully, this might yeild some answers. For now, its pain killers and many acid reducers..."just in case" or so I'm told. Your prayers are coveted :).

Okay on to more bright things! I finally scanned in the letters we've received from James. The first is an annual report from his school. He is doing very well.

The second is so precious to us. He has drawn and labeled many pictures (something I would jump up and down if my Kindergartners would grasp hold of!) with a short letter he dictated to someone. Enjoy!