Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Chandler Christmas Card for 2010!

Here is our Christmas card for 2010. I haven't sent one for several years and usually just send to far-away friends...so....I am apologizing now if you don't receive one and here it is for all to enjoy!

We love you and wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with the amazing knowledge that the baby Jesus was born this season and in Him we have hope!

Picture Joy Christmas
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Monday, November 15, 2010

Gone Again

A couple of weeks after I returned from the DR and I find myself gone again. I am in Indy for work training for 3 days. Left yesterday eve (sun) and will be home on Wed eve. It was a little harder this time around...probably because it wasn't something I had been looking forward to for the past 7 years. Actually, wasn't really looking forward to it at all :(

Anyway, I am here with a co-worker so that makes it a little better since at least I am not eating alone! After being a little pouty last night (by myself) about how lonely it seemed and how bored I thought I might be, I realized that I need to just appreciate the time I have alone. Why wouldn't I appreciate the time alone? There are so many things I can do...yoga, devotions, read a book , play computer games, blog, facebook, sleep, eat.

So, I have spent quiet time doing devotions, I have done yoga, I have played a couple of games on the computer and I have listened to relaxing music as I feel asleep. I have also talked to my babes and eaten some pretty yummy Thai food so far. :)

While I am trying to appreciate this time, I will be happy to be back with my boys soon.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Humbled

After 7 long years waiting, I finally went on a missions trip with my church to the Dominican Republic. The whole thing happened because of my wonderful husband...he knew that I wanted, needed to go on this trip and not only set it up for me but sent out letters and graciously watched our two boys with NO complaints about how it would affect his school stuff.

All this said, it was a humbling experience. Amazing but humbling. I would love to share more and I plan to but right now I can honestly say that I am still processing it all. (and how do you begin to pick what pics to show when there is a separate story behind every single one?)

What I did learn among other things is that I have an amazing husband and children, I have an amazing family and I have amazing friends. I am thankful for all of them, even when I don't show it.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Cuddling

Just lovin' my babes. :)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Happy Fall and Trick or Treating!

We had a fun packed weekend...we met some friends at a hayride/haunted forest that was held at a local fire department. Had NO clue the hundreds of people that would show up and stood in line for ONE AND A HALF HOURS to ride this hayride thing in the freezing cold that went through the haunted forest. As we were finally getting on to the wagon, Q had a melt-down and was apparently scared of the wagon. Sigh. I waited in the building until they got back. :(
The next day Isaiah decorated pumpkins he had picked out with a friend of ours (Heather). It's so fun to watch him be creative...he also decided to make Quinn's fun. :) I think they turned out well.
Followed our annual tradition and went to our friends, Amy and Brian, house...hung out with them and their girls, Isabel and Claire. It was the first year for Quinn. I had found this adorable spider costume at Goodwill and hoped he would actually wear it. E didn't think Q would enjoy it...as soon as he realized he got candy he wanted to go up to every house. :) Unfortunately he also took his sweet time wandering from house to house and often decided to take detours. They had a great time! Happy trick or treating!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Happy 37th Birthday!


Eric,
To an amazing father, husband, brother, son, and friend. I know I am leaving you this year for the DR and I thank you so much for your selflessness in allowing me to go! Thank you for working so hard for your family and for the time you make to spend with us even though school has you insanely busy. We love you!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Outside Fun Again

Fun and pain...
The other day I took the boys to the park which is about 5 blocks from our house so very convenient. Quinn enjoys playing on the playground while Isaiah goes to the skatepark that is right beside it. He is really trying to be some kind of "extreme" sports dude and this time he took his Razor and even wore his kneepads in preparation.

So while I snapped cute pics of Q playing, Isaiah was practicing his skills. Here is a long story made short...
He successfully conquered the large ramp on his Razor.
Razor snapped at the bottom, Izzy fell back on tailbone and caught himself with his elbow.
Holding back tears so he didn't look wimpy, he sat on the bench waiting for me to come over.
I found him very pale, limping in pain and sick to his stomach.
Started walking home and had to call E (calmly) because I thought maybe he was going to faint (and I still had Q and stroller).
Laid on couch nursing a very swollen elbow/forearm and feeling sick most of the evening.
Couldn't put pressure on arm for next 2 days so advised to have xrays done because of the nearness to his elbow.
Xrays fine. Whew.

This story told, here are some cute pics from that day until it went bad and some from this morning when the boys were playing outside together. Aren't they cute?

Sunday, October 3, 2010

My Singing Q

Quinn loves to sing...and loudly I might add.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Goodbyes and Bonfires

Yesterday was a crazy day for us. We had a goodbye dinner with a good friend, Angie. She worked with us at Oaklawn and recently accepted a job at another agency. :( E has been friends with her for a long time and when I started my job, I found myself in an office across the hall which has provided endless amusement and laughter... (I forgot my camera so I didnt' get any pics but I'm not sure she would have let me post any pics of her anyway so I guess it's all good...)
GOOD LUCK ANGIE!


After the dinner, we then had to book it to Eastwood's (Izzy's school) annual bonfire. My camera was dying so I took pics randomly and hoped they turned out....the school has small bonfires all over the payground for families to sit and conversate. They also have a DJ that the kids LOVE and hot chocolate, cookies and glow sticks. It was cold and spinkled off and on which made it slightly miserable for us but the kids didn't seem to mind. Isaiah spent him time playing catch with E, Quinn and being chased by girls with his friend, Ethan. Quinn spent his time running around amusing himself while chasing a football and playing on the playground. We spent our time talking with friends, chasing Q, being rained on, chasing Q and then chasing Q some more. :)



Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Peace Maker

Today was the 1st awards assembly of the year and Isaiah was given an award for "Peace maker." Since his 3rd grade year didn't start out so smoothly (let's just say, 4th day in and a trip to the principal's office...nothing serious but not the greatest way to start...) I am extra proud that he has been able to turn it around!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Thoughts

When I worked at the jail I had this really cool saying that hung on the wall in my office. Since then I have looked everywhere under the sun (in boxes) to find it to no avail. Found it on my flash drive today. It is now hanging in my current office.

Watch your thoughts...they become your words
Watch your words...they become your actions
Watch you actions...they become your habits
Watch your habits...they become your character
Watch your character...It becomes your destiny

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Monday, September 6, 2010

Fun in the Chandler House

So a running joke between dad and I is how exciting my weekends are now that I am "old with kids." It's amazing sometimes that I am in bed before my parents...it's also amazing what amuses me for long periods of time now that we don't get to go out just because we feel like it! Many times it is my kids and their silliness. This is where I found myself one random Sunday evening. Eric and the boys amused themselves (and of course me) FOREVER with the following fun...

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

1st Day(s)!!

For two of my babes :) It was the first day of school today...E in his student teaching adventure and Isaiah in third grade! E looked handsome and ready to go. He is teaching a 2nd grade class the first half of the semester and a 6th grade class during the last half.
As our annual tradition, Isaiah and I went out for breakfast before his first day. We picked Martin's supermarket for their yummy donuts and muffins. He let me take a few pics in his classroom and then I left to get to work.
I did have a momentary tear as I walked out of the building and then thought...good grief, it's third grade?! I mean, I understand tearful departures for Kindergarten and maybe even first grade but seriously, THIRD grade? It was one of those moments I was glad neither he nor Eric were there. :) Anyway, I guess it was the fact that my babe is just so big and brave and handsome...
GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR BOYS!!!!
Aren't they unbelievably handsome!?!?!?!?!






Monday, August 16, 2010

Outside Summer Fun



While we didn't really get to take a family trip this year, we have had alot of outside fun. We have been to a friend's house at a lake in Michigan, to the pool more times than we can count, on walks, to several playgrounds, in our back yard and to my family reunion.

Both the boys LOVE LOVE LOVE the water which is fun but a little tiring on the Q-end :( He has no fear so there is alot of chasing that goes on to ensure that he doesn't drown while trying to drink the water. Isaiah has become quite an adept swimmer and enjoys anytime he can get in some kind of water. It's been so hot that we have even gotten E to go with us to the pool a couple of times...which is awesome! (you would appreciate this more if you realized how much he prefers to stay where the air is conditioned :) :) )

In looking at my pics I am a little saddened by my lack of gusto with the picture taking this summer. There are so many things and places I didn't get on camera :( Sigh. I guess you will just have to enjoy what I did remember to capture.

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to make a little slideshow of some fun times outside...

Saturday, August 14, 2010

My Little Tornado

A tornado. A whirlwind. A rascal. A monkey. A path of terror. It never ends...
but at least he's cute doing it :)

Friday, August 6, 2010

My Garden now...

or as of July 25th....yeah for me :)

Monday, August 2, 2010

Basketball Tourney!



First tourney in several years!

The boys (Scott and Seth), Eric and our friend, Rick played in a 3-on-3 tournament in Lima on July 31st. Scott came up with the creative name of the "Tramblers" which was a combination of the three last names playing (Troyer, Chandler and Ambers). Loved it! There were several years that they did this every summer either in Elkhart or somwhere in Lima and was alot of fun for the family to watch. It's been quite awhile so it was pretty exciting to have them enter again.

They played in humidity, then there was pouring rain, then it was unbelievable hot, direct sun. They played against some decent guys and then against the man we only know as "Steroid man" who was just as mean to his own teammates as he was while elbowing the opponents. He was horrible and E had to hush me several times when I felt my opinion should be spoken. :) It was double elimination and even though they were disappointed, the rest of us were proud when they won THIRD place out of everyone.

Congrats boys!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Summer Swimming

With summer comes the annual swimming lessons. Last year both Isaiah and Quinn took lessons...this year I didn't put Q in because I figured I learned enough last year to do things with him myself. Anyway, Isaiah moved up a level and was able to learn new strokes (butterfly, dolphin and the frog kick). Needless to say, he felt pretty cool and worked really hard this summer. He also got to learn how to dive. I was rather proud. :)

learning to take a breath during the Butterfly

the Butterfly

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Little-est Beautiful Sister

So my baby sister graduated this year. Again, I am writing quite late but I want to post how proud I am of her. She chose to give a Senior recital where she performed both piano and trumpet followed by a reception with tasty finger food made by mom.

Mego,
you are such an amazingly talented lady with such a huge, huge heart!
You are a fabulous aunt, sister and daughter.
We love you!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

10 on 5.20!!!

MAY 20, 2010
(I'm writing a little late....)

Happy Anniversary to us! It has been 10 years since marrying my dear husband. Thankfully I can say that we are stronger and closer than ever.


I will say that marriage is hard, I guess, more that it takes an amazing amount of work. Some days it feels like we just met just yesterday and some days it feels like it has been forever! Now, 2 beautiful children later, many ups and downs (and I do mean many), lots of tears and even more laughter...we are still working through it.


I love you Eric!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

New old things


I distinctly remember running around under a sprinkler with a garbage bag on that had holes cut out for my head and arms. (I think I might have been pretending I was a princess...) I also remember a bright yellow slip-n-slide. I don't remember if we just threw ourselves on the slide or if we did something more creative.

All this being said, Brent and Bridget gave Isaiah a new version of the slip-n-slide for a gift. It was finally hot enough to use it. Izzy loved it and he was quite entertaining to watch. I do wish for the days when I would be brave enough to jump on the little blow up boogie board that came with it and slide down the bright yellow fun-ness. As it was, I sat on the chair and watched, occassionally taking pictures. Oh, to be young again.

Monday, May 24, 2010

I'm growing things...or going to be...

So once again my fabulous parents (and sister) helped me achieve increased domesticity. For the past couple of years I have desired a garden but have a horrible yard for it. We get very little direct sunlight on most of it and pine trees drop pounds of needles on the rest.

My thought was that maybe a small raised-bed garden would be do-able. Anyway, after talking about it last summer and this spring...my dearest mother made my father make it happen :) (do you understand that???)

We actually had quite a packed weekend. Isaiah had Grandparents Day at school and he wanted G'ma and G'pa Troyer to come to his school with him so he called and asked them. Dad decided that they would come up the night before and help build my garden. Little did I know the work this would entail. Eric knew even less. :) As he was helping dad rip up sod, jump on a shovel and shovel in piles of dirt, he looked at me and said, "you got me...you got me good this time." He then went to work the next day and proceeded to tell everyone how I had fooled him into thinking we were going to build a "cute little garden." While there was never any attempts to trick him, he truly wants to believe there was. In reality, I had no idea how much work it would take.

Regardless of E's belief, my garden turned out awesome. I planted 2 tomatoes, 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 jalepeno plant, a mound of cucumbers and a mound of zuchini. It is awesome. Thanks mom, dad, Eric (and Mego for watching Q while it was happening). It was a great weekend! On a side note...they stayed two nights! They never stay two nights!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The February Recap

Our February was FULL! So much to say...the slideshows might be a little long but so worth it (in my opinion of course) to see all that was going on.

The first slideshow is of Isaiah's 8th Birthday! Our baby is 8! Can you believe it? He is such an amazing kid...he is growing like a monster, is a fantastic big brother and is so incredibly loving and soft hearted. We are so blessed to have him.

He chose to have a few friends over for a slumber party, they enjoyed pizza and a sundae bar for dessert. They crashed out on the living room floor watching a movie and were up and ready to roll earlier than I would have guessed the next morning :)




This next slideshow is the rest of our crazy February...the first few pics are just of the boys and Quinn at 10 months old. Feb.10th was Chloe's birthday (our niece) and we enjoyed fun in the snow in Ohio. We took a little weekend family trip to Indy where we visited our friends, Kevin, Jen & Nolan and Dory & Tom. Unfortunately I realizes later that I only thought totake pics when the babes were playing. Sorry Dory & Tom. :( Kevin and Jen offered to watch Quinn while we took Isaiah to the Children's Museum as a surprise. We had a great time but didn't get any pics there either since when we walked in the door I realized the camera battery was completely dead. Sigh. Oh well, I guess we always have memories.....


Monday, April 26, 2010

Our January

Here are some pics from the rest of our January....

Friday, April 2, 2010

Happy 1st birthday, Quinn!




Happy 1st Birthday Quinn!!!
My poor baby was so incredibly sick and miserable for his first birthday and all of Easter weekend. :( He was running a fever and barely maintained so I didn't get many good pics...BUT...
QUINN,
what a surprise you were and what a blessing you are! From your perfect smile to your crazy, wild hair, you are amazing. God knew we needed you in our family...to brighten us with your laughter and silliness and to keep us on our toes with your spunk.
We love you!
Daddy, Momma, Isaiah (and Jeb)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010 is here. Craziness.

This year we spent the evening with our friends, Shane & Nichole. Isaiah spent the night at his friend's house and we took Quinn with us. We started the evening by serenading Shane for his birthday...(yes, he is a NY's baby: the debate would be, do you always get jipped on your bday if it is NYW or is it cool because there is always something going on?) Anyway, we ate a ton of food, played cards, talked, laughed hysterically and had a fabulous time. We enjoyed getting to know S&N's good friends, Jen & Rick and their 2 kids. It was a wonderful, low-key way to bring in the New Year with people we have come to love and cherish!