Random, Random Everywhere But Nothing That Makes Sense

Just a few random thoughts to bestow upon my avid readers.

1. Why is it that a one year old will insist on wearing a winter stocking hat in 78 degree weather?

Lil Mr. N loves going outside. He will bring you his shoes and coat. Then he will precede to bring you, your shoes and coat. All the while trying with everything in him to let you know he WANTS TO GO OUTSIDE. I was already planning on some outdoor fun, so I got everyone ready to go. Lil Mr. N is on the verge of a meltdown. His is frantically looking for something and I kept telling him, "Buddy, we are going outside". He just keeps whining. So I finish grabbing the stroller, keys, cell phone, etc and head towards the door. He comes running up to me with his superman winter cap. I told him we didn't need it because it wasn't cold outside. He didn't care. I kept telling let's just go outside. By this time his is about ready to throw himself to the floor. He can smell the spring air and it is killing him. So........I put the hat on.............and we head outside. People it is nearly 80 degrees outside. What will people think? I let him play for a minute and then with bated breath I gently pulled it right off his tiny, little head. Wait for it........wait for it.... nope not a thing. He was so over the hat, he was outside.

2. You know you are out of shape and possibly on the other side of 30 when you take your children to the park, and they insist you climb the monkey bars, and when you finally heave yourself across (even though your arms and inner elbows are now burning with pain) you look down to see....................of yes.....................I have managed to pop NUMEROUS tiny, little blood vessels right in the bend of my elbow. LOVELY!

These have been random thoughts with Chandra. Stay tuned next time for more...................randomness.

Our New House

I know I promised pictures like a month ago and I am sorry it has taken me so very long. Remember I am not the photographer in the family. Only a few of the pictures I took turned out (if you can even say they turned out, their pretty bad). This is all I have for now. Consider this your appetizer.

Here is the outside of the house.

Here is the formal living room (with Mr. N and Lil Mr. N).

Here is the dining room off the formal living room.

We have a family room/den, an eat-in kitchen, two bedrooms and two baths on the main floor. There are two more bedrooms and a bath upstairs, plus we have a full partially finished basement. We feel so blessed to have so much room and look forward to housing our family and friends when they come to visit. Which I am sure they will!?!?!?!?

P.S. Mrs. H.J., when are you going to have that baby?

Church in a Basement

I pray this finds everyone well and for those of you back in Hillsboro, know that I miss you all (terribly) and pray for you all regularly.

I woke up yesterday morning (many times, that stinkin' time change), made breakfast, showered, woke my brood of boys, fed them and hiked over to Church. The temperature outside was wonderful, a little on the breezy side but wonderful.

We settled into the pew, same exact pew as we have been sitting in ALL MONTH LONG. Mr. N, apparently, is a creature of habit. We have been trying to break the mold, cycle of sitting in the same spot. However, it seems like every week when we walk in there is always the same exact spot open. Our plan.......get there earlier and pick whatever spot we want. OH, but NO, Mr. N. wants to sit in HIS spot. "I like that spot, that is where I want to sit", he says to me. So, for the sake of not creating "issues" (I think you know what I mean by issues) I "graciously" let him lead the way into "our" pew.

Okay, back to my story. We were getting into communion time and Lil' Mr. N. had decided he had had enough. So, I "discretely" excused myself to the cry room. Matthew started his sermon and I settled in to hear him via the speaker. About 15 minutes or so into the sermon I hear this howling noise. It took me only a second to realize what it was, me being wired to hear tornado sirens at a moments notice (even ones that aren't going off). I hustled out of the nursery to make sure Matthew had heard them and try to help everyone downstairs.

Now, we could have all just hunkered down and waited for the storm to pass, but we didn't. Chairs were set up in the basement fellowship hall and Matthew finished his sermon downstairs. He is kind of like the post office, I suppose. He will preach not matter the weather.

Just some thoughts to leave you with today. Where do you go in the storms of your life? Will continue on with your purpose when the storm comes or will you hunker down, waiting it out?

In the Blink of an Eye

It is so crazy how fast kids grow. It is also a little crazy how moms find humor in things. Matthew so did not think this was funny. But I thought Lil' Mr. N just looked absolutely adorable. He discovered today how to blink his eyes and just got the biggest kick out of it. Of course, by the time I got the phone out to record him, he didn't really want to show off anymore. I finally got him to do it again. So, if you don't find this adorable it is okay. They say love is blind. I am just trying to cherish every moment because they will be grown and out of the house in the blink of an eye. Enjoy.

Are You There?

Yes folks, I am still here. I realize it has been months since my last post and I apologize. I am sure you have all anticipated everyday, "Will this be the day Chandra posts". Sorry for the repeated disappointments you have all had to endure. The past few months have been full of excitement and new adventures. In my defense I only got online when I was over at my mom's house.
January brought about a new job, house and town. While I had to say goodbye to family and friends, I have gotten to say hello to a new Church eager to grow and I am excited to be here for the ride.

Today, I finally have a little down time(well I am making down time because after all, it is my birthday) and, after 2 years, I have high speed Internet. So ladies (and gentlemen, if I have any gentlemen readers) hold on tight because I am back in the...............BLOGGING WORLD.

My post today is 30 things about me. Not because this is my 30th post or my 30th day here or my 30 time I have told the kids to QUIT RUNNING IN THE HOUSE but because today is........

MY 30TH BIRTHDAY

So here goes..................30 things about me (this may be a big mistake) in random order.

1. I was born in Illinois.

2. I lived in Africa for 3 years.

3. I have 2 brothers.

4. I have 1 sister.

5. I have 22 nieces and nephews.

6. I am a nurse.

7. I am a mom.

8. I am a wife.

9. I love chocolate chip cookies.

10. I have amazing parents who have taught me so much and live lives I want to emulate.

11. I have siblings both natural and married ones who have encouraged me on my journey.

12. I turn 30 tonight at 11:59 pm.

13. I was born in a matter of 40 minutes (your welcome mom).

14. I was a cheerleader and track athlete in high school.

15. I am a child of the King.

16. I am a preacher's wife (as of 2 1/2 weeks ago).

17. I love (as hard as it is some times) helping those who have lost a baby.

18. I love the color lavender.

19. I love school.

20. I like to make people laugh.

21. I home school and love it.

22. I only have 7 more things to come up with about me.

23. I still have the very first car I bought on my own.

24. I like to ride bikes.

25. I like to be outdoors.

26. I love to sing.

27. I love to read.

28. I broke my leg when I was 7.

29. I believe God has a plan for our lives and wants to see others come to know Him.

30. I have 3 living boys and a baby who has gone to be with his Heavenly Father.

Sorry, you had to endure all 30 of those. I am working on getting pictures and videos up of the house for all of you to see. For now, have a blessed day and I will post more another day.

I Have Been Tagged

I’ve been tagged! I am still new to all this bloggy business but I thought this would be fun to try. Hopefully, I do it right. I love the holidays so this tag should be fun, I love to hear everyone's holiday story. Here are the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Fill out the questions below
3. Tag 5-7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag. Have FUN!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Choco​late?
Hot Chocolate with mini marshmallows.

2. Does Santa​ wrap prese​nts or just sit them under​ the tree?
Wraps them - not very well, mind you.

3. Color​ed light​s on tree/​house​ or white​?
That is a toss up. There is such elegance to just white lights but the Christmas just speaks color to me.

4. Do you hang mistl​etoe?
No, as Mr. N would say, “That’s gross” (kissing that is).

5. When do you put your decor​ation​s up?
Usually the day after Thanksgiving, however our tiny apartment doesn’t allow too much room for a tree so we will have to enjoy everyone else’s tree.

6. What is your favor​ite holid​ay dish (​exclu​ding desse​rt)​?
Stuffing and homemade rolls (actually any rolls, I am a carbaholic).

7. Favor​ite holid​ay memor​y as a child:
Decorating the tree with my family.

8. When and how did you learn​ the truth​ about​ Santa​?
I don’t recall, I don’t really ever remember believing in him but I am sure I did. We had a lot of fictious characters leave presents for us over the years.

9. Do you open a gift on Chris​tmas Eve?
Yes -just one.

10. How do you decor​ate your Chris​tmas Tree?
Our tree is covered with anything and everything. You name it, it is probably on our tree.

11. Snow!​ Love it or Dread​ it?
Love it, love it, love it!!!!!!

12. Can you ice skate​?Y
Yes, I guess, I do love it of course I have only been once or twice, but it was soooo much fun.

13. Do you remem​ber your favor​ite gift?
There have been so many that each held a special meaning to me. I can’t really narrow it down.

14. What is the most impor​tant thing​ about​ the Holid​ays for you?
I have to ditto Heather’s response, "Remembering and celebrating the birth of our Savior and spending time with the family. Making great memories."

15. What is your favor​ite Holid​ay Desse​rt?
Pumpkin Pie, I cannot get enough.

16. What is your favor​ite holid​ay tradi​tion?
Games especially Scrabble.

17. What tops your tree?
Usually a star.

18. Which​ do you prefe​r givin​g or recei​ving?
Giving for sure, it is way more fun.

19. What is your favor​ite Chris​tmas Song?
I pretty much love almost all Christmas music but so far Chicago’s Christmas Album is my favorite.

20. Candy​ Canes​!​ Yuck or Yum?
YUCK!!!

21. What do you want for Chris​tmas?
A free standing mixer, camera or a keyboard.

22. Do you atten​d an annua​l Chris​tmas Party​?
No, other than the party going on with the extended fam.

23. Do you dress​ up on Chris​tmas or wear PJs?
PJ’s.

24. Do you own a santa​ hat?
No

25. Who do you norma​lly spend​ Chris​tmas with?
I try to spend it just with the boys, but with all the family around that doesn’t usually last too long. They are up, opened all the presents and ready for more festivities before I even crawl out of bed (okay, I may be stretching that a little).


I tag: Jordan, Mandy, Molly, Kristi, Nicole, Ashley and Shannon.

Pictures - Make Me Say Ugh!

I finally got the dear hubby pinned down to take some pictures of our kiddos. He is always doing everyone's pictures except ours. "Schedule me a day", he says. Haha! Very funny. Anyway, we decided to go out and try some pictures. Here is how the day went.....

Lil Mr. N - extremely crabby because....well......it took longer than expected to get everyone dressed and out the door. All he wanted the WHOLE time was me. I don't like pictures, yet in order to make him happy I had to be with him in almost all of them. Yuck!

The weather - temperature was great, wind was HORRIBLE!!!!!

The big boys - apparently left their listening ears at home.

The camera - oh yes the camera decided to quit working. Just one of many things in my life right now that have decided to throw in the towel and call it quits.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from our fun, exciting day. We will have to schedule another appointment with daddy very soon.