GODE

Helllllloooooo, September! How I love you so. Maybe it's the cooling temperatures, the sound of marching bands or the general frenzy of football season's commencement, but i. love. september. OR maybe it has a little something to do with the 25th day of this wonderful month. OK, admittedly, I am one of those girls that is obsessed with her birthday. Does that make me shallow, immature, self-obsessed??? I think not. I think this obsession makes me....um.... festive!

My birthday last year was the best one yet. hands down. Only a week before, this guy I had a HUGE crush on asked me to marry him. So yes, 24 was amazing. The last year of my life has definitely been my favorite year to date. Some highlights: first comes baby lofto, we find out some of our besties, the frid's, are having a baby, weeks later i find out i will be an aunt, i start a new job that i love, life-long bestie has a baby, sisser has my perfect baby nephew, i become mrs. fuson, i move in with a boy, other life-long bestie gets engaged, baby avery comes into the world..... Yes, this is all during year 24. What a fantastic year!

While it might seem like 25 has a great deal to live up to. I'm not worried. For starters, I love being married, and that's not going anywhere. Secondly, bestie SJ's wedding will be here in a few short months. And I'm expecting babies from some other friends, Mr. and Mrs. Adcock just to get us started. Ok, ok, back to my birthday. This year, not only does my birthday fall on a Saturday night....sweet. But, I will be 25 on the 25th. Thus, this is my golden birthday! The mister will be 26 on November 26th of this year too. Pretty neato if you ask me. Gah, i just love birthdays. Let the countdown begin!!!

Some memories of birthdays past...

23rd with my sweet boyfriend (2008)

the years change, the friends don't :)

Tin Angel. yum

Fiance. 24th (2010)

Lofto on the way, Avery who? Oh what a diiference a year makes!

And Tonight...

Proof that my post from much earlier today is dead on. Look familiar??

I need to run down there in a cute hat :)

To Have and To Hold

I'm sick. Like sick sick. Like, you've heard, "sick as a dog?" Well I've never seen a dog this sick. You get the point... I'm not a happy camper. Anyways, pity is not what I'm after... though a little wouldnt hurt. I tell you this to set the scene in the Fuson home at 5am on this lovely Wednesday morning. I have been up all night, and you know what that means; we've ALL been up all night. Ahhh the joys of co-habitating in a 2 bedroom, 1 bath penthouse suite. Sure, none of us would blame the mister for hating me just a little more with each onward switch of the light, creek of the door or roar of the filling bathtub (it's the only thing that helps).. but no, my sleepy-faced little boy will just roll over, ask if there is anything he can do, perhaps try to rub my back for a millisecond, and within moments, he will resume his heavy-breathing, snort, snore, snort, sigh regimen.

Yes, being sick sucks...plainly stated. But I will say, having a care-taker, if just for fleeting moments, really does make it better... bearable at least. I got the card pictured below during a late-night Kroger run yesterday.... monday... whatever, I'm sleep deprived and confused. Anyway, the mister was going to have a pretty important morning the next day, so I wanted to make a lovely breakfast to get his day started off on an energized note. I made a yummy sausage pie (that's what I'll call it)... a recipe by the wonderful Aubrey West. I have to admit, it was gooooood. Let's be honest though, like I could mess up anything with sausage and cream cheese. yum, but I digress. I gave the mister this card with his breakfast. I don't think I have ever seen anything that depicts my realtionship with the love of my life any more. I smile everytime I look at it. The inside of the card was blank, which I always prefer. My message was short and sweet. "Thank you for taking care of me. I promise to take care of you forever." That is marriage. That has been the last few hours around here. That is how it should be... to have and to hold... on sicky, nasty nights and in health. Goodnight for me. Good-day to you all!

Changing Seasons

Literally and figuratively, the seasons are changing for me and those in my world. The low tonight in Nashville is 59... yes, 59, and all around me, life just looks a little different than even a year ago. For example, the hubby and I had tickets to the Titans pre-season game a few evenings ago, and when we were considering recipients for the other two tickets, we had to consider, "well, she has to feed every three hours...he doesnt get home from work till... they have to put the baby down at... they go to bed at..." wow. The seasons are definitely changing. To put it into musical perspective, I was driving to work yesterday when Lightning 100 played 100 Years by my beloved Foo Fighters. I hadnt heard this song in some time, and I almost got misty-eyed.. i know... to the foo fighters?? ha.

Despite the figurative growing pains that are bound to associate themselves with this point in life, I also look around me and realize that I have neevr been more happy or more content. I absolutely love being married. Chad and I have gone from two fireballs trying not to kill eachother on account of being obsessed with oneanother to two sharing, loving members of our tiny little family. Most of the time, that is; you can't take the fire out of two stubborn-heads... but i guess that's part of our initial spark. I read a blog last week by some friends that live out of state who also are somewhat of newlyweds, and I literally laughed out loud. The author, witty to begin with, documented his nightly routine that now involves watching his wife pick out her clothes for the next day and ironing them because "she just can't do it like he can." Priceless. While Mr. Fuson doesn't claim to iron, the scene seemed eerily and hilariously familiar. Oh how the ins and outs of our days have changed. In marriage, not only do your evenings consist of winding down from your own day.. but now, you must take on, and solve the issues of another. All before an 11pm bedtime! Ahhhh how it's worth it though.

So far the benefits of marriage and living with a boy have been both gratifying and unexpected! My favorite parts to date: always having shaving cream in my shower, a limitless supply of over-sized t-shirts, having a constant playmate that never has to go home, someone to watch Pawn Shop with and last but not least, a constant companion who cares about the health and well-being of my car and my finances!!! woohoo! freedom! For someone who is somewhat of a control freak (I don't feel the need to control others but need ULTIMATE, supreme control over every minute and detail of my own life) I have found marriage to be liberating and kindof breeezy (i know that's not a word, but it relays my point). Sharing life's responsibilities, big and little, what a relief. And it's even better when you're sharing it with someone who is hot hot hot.

Ok, I'd say that is more than enough for now. I feel like there are so many things I've been meaning to share, but the thougts and ideas escape more freely than they come. Therefore, I've decided to conclude with a few pictures of recent happenings. Perhaps you'll begin to see why I seem to be so struck by the changing seasons. And yes, by 59 degrees tonight... it's strange, it's new, and it's alot to handle, but I love it all!

Avery Day!

Sleeping Beauty

TRW Shower

sisser love

horrible picture, wonderful evening!

Muy Bien

Today is a good day... A very good day. My only plans for the next couple of days involve hanging out with the hubby, a little decorating, and a lake day with friends. The beautiful Ashley Watt will be gracing us with her presence, and I am so excited. This week has been incredible. The Fridrichsens, one of our very favorite couples, welcomed their precious daughter into the world on Monday, and she.is.beautiful! I already love her so much.... which is a relief after I've spent the past 9 months with mixed emotions about her stealing her parents attention from us. Chad and I have been so blessed to have Emily and Jonas down the road, in the land of milk and honey, and while I hate to admit it, the time has come to share. I did feel slightly selfish last night, though, when they had to forego our weekly Tuesday dinner on account of being in the hospital :( Miss Pearl is just so perfect, and wonderful, and new. Infact, I may need to go hold her right now! Pictures soon! She has the most precious nursery I have EVER seen. Have a good weekend everyone! Mine has begun!

After the Final Rose

So, you know it’s bad when you’re trying to log on to your blogger account and for at least a moment, you can’t remember your username and login. Yes, yes, I have been a slacker blogger. So, for those of you who have been loyal enough to check back in every now and then, I know; I owe you. You see, I knew marriage would ultimately change my life… my day-to-day activities, schedule and priorities. However, if anything, being married has given me MORE free time, so I’m still out looking for my excuse. No more driving back home at 2 am. So much more sleep! Honestly, I guess I would just rather spend my time nesting in our little home or on the boat with the hubby, than at my computer, and I’d say that’s probably just fine. Not to mention, my job has started to become a little more of a priority, but I love it. Im so thankful to do work that I really do love. In the last 10 days, I’ve sold 3 homes to 3 families that are so excited… I can’t help but feed off their excitement!


Over a month has gone by now since Chad and I began our little family. Sure, there is something so intimate about standing before all of your friends and family and saying those vows, but what I wasn’t prepared for, is how much closer you get simply from living together daily as husband and wife. I know, Im beginning to sound like a Brad Paisley song, going on about how I thought I loved him thennnn, but it really is so true. Especially in our little place right now, we’re never more than about 10 feet apart. Cooking meals, brushing our teeth, saying our prayers, we are at each other’s side. It’s amazing, and I truly can feel that this is the way God intended man to be… in relationship, true I’ll-be-here-and-adore-you-no-matter-what kind of love.

Despite its seemingly tight quarters, I absolutely love our little love nest. It is just what we need for now. Sure, many of our friends have bigger places, and we both recognize that this is not a long-term plan, but every time I think it seems a little small, I just think how HUGE this place would seem if we were living in New York or Tokyo! Comparison really can put things into perspective. Besides, this places has saved us from having/wanting to buy tons of furniture and home goods, which for me, is a very very good thing. We do have a guest bedroom/office though, and we would love to have visitors, so come one, come all, people!

So far my best cooking endeavors have resulted in a pretty yummy Mexican Lasagna dinner and some delicious shrimp scampi. We did spaghetti the other night. I tried to make it more healthy by using ground turkey instead of beef and wheat noodles. Ehhhhhhhh. Finally, I just started chopping up everything I could find in the fridge…. onions, scallions, herbs, you name it. If there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s bland food. So, eventually enough red pepper flakes woke it up a little, but all in all, I can say Im just not THAT big of a spaghetti fan. You know what I do love though? Chad’s desire to do the dishes every night. Im really diggin that!

As promised, Im finally sharing some pictures of the Fuson Love Nest. Though we’re not completely finished unpacking gifts and changing things out (like that AWFUL chandelier over the table) it really does feel like home. And I love it here! For Chad and I, both of whom are not the best sharers in the world, learning to share everything has been wonderful. I guess when youre all goo goo gah gah at one another is the time to learn. Have a fabulous weekend everyone! Ill be at the Hurricane Shrimp Boil tonight, so halla if youre up at the CHL.

Blogger is ridiculous and these are all out of order

emerill's got nothin on this

yes, we have a bike in the dining area and a skull mount on the table between crystal candlesticks. that's how the fusons roll

bathroom is still a work in progress, but i love our shower curtain. it's kindof little mermaid for grown-ups

Chad re-did this peice and it fits so nicely

a true labor of love. chad spent days reconfiguring this space for all of my things

our room

most comfy bed in the entire world

come visit! seriously. like now. do it.

Busy Bee!

SO.....I i became an aunt, got married, went on the MOST fabulous honeymoon of all time, came back, went to the lake to celebrate America, bestie got engaged, came home, back to work, and about 150 wedding presents later, I think I might be finished! time to sit? doubt it. time to write about 400 thank you notes. oh well. i really am so thankful. sorry about the abandoned blog. i promise to add pictures of our little home tonight. missed you guys