Sweetheart Tag

I usually don't do tags, but several people have tagged me on this one and it's an excuse to brag about my amazing husband! What is your husbands name? Aaron How long have you been married? 5 years How long did you date? One year before his mission and 9 months after How old is he? 27 Who is taller? Aaron Who can sing best? It's a tie Who is smarter? Definitely Aaron Who does laundry? I used to say both until last month when he started his new job. He still helps fold if I'm working on it in the evening. Who pays the bills? Me. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you're looking from the foot of the bed, I'm on the right. Who mows the lawn? The lawn business our landlord hired. But Aaron will definitely be the mower if and when we have our own house with a yard. Who cooks dinner? Me. me. me. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Hard question. Maybe me. Who kissed who first? I think it was me. Who wears the pants? Depends on the situation. I love my husband so much. I am so lucky to be able to call him mine. He really does bring out the best in me. Since I married him I am so much more flexible and just enjoy life a lot more. I'm also more aware of the models of cars driving down the road and how many buttons are on a man's suit coat. Aaron is the best silly song maker-upper. He is so good with our boys. And he's just fun to be around. I love laughing with him and playing stupid games like trying to see who can sing off-tune the best! I love you with all my heart Aaron. Thanks for marrying me. You're stuck with me forever!! I tag anyone who wants an excuse to be girlie and talk about your honey!

I DID IT!!!

I actually refinished a dresser all by myself. I had no idea what I was doing and am wondering why I didn't at least go to the library and check out a how-to book. If I could start over I really would know what to do this time, but it's just going to have to do for now. I'll just have to do another project later and actually do it right. Here is the official before and after:

Surprise Visit

Last week I got a call on Monday from my dear friend Erika informing me they were on their way from Buffalo, NY!!!! We have definitely missed them since we both left Virginia and were so excited to be able to spend a little time together. Dillon and Megan were inseparable. They held hands everywhere we went. I'm so grateful for awesome friends like the Goodes!!

Thanks for making the 9 hour drive to visit us Goodes! Hope to see you at Thanksgiving!!

Day at the Brookfield Zoo

Our ward playgroup went to the zoo last week. It was a beautiful day. We moved pretty slowly and only saw about 1/5 of the place, but it was fun just to be there with friends. We sat in front of this dolphin tank for probably 30 minutes. The mommies nursed and the kids just stared at the dolphins.

We played musical strollers all day. Each child wanted to take his/her turn on each stroller. And sometimes too many kids wanted to be on the same one! This is a picture of Dillon, Max and Bristol. We spent half of our time running around the grass by the picnic tables. So funny that the sticks on the ground were one of the highlights of the zoo! Before leaving, we treated the kids to a carousel ride. Is it any surprise that Dill wanted to ride the zebra? Wesley really enjoyed the zoo too!!

Brothers

I am constantly trying to get a good picture of both of my boys. Here are some attempts, but as you'll see it's nearly impossible!

This one is actually kind of sweet! My boys looked so handsome all dressed up for church in coordinating outfits, but SOMEONE didn't want his picture taken! Dillon is really a great older brother. I think these shirts are so cute together. I love Old Navy! This is a picture that a friend took at the zoo that is actually decent.

(click on the picture to see a bigger view)

Everybody loves a good deal!

Even though we're not technically students anymore, we're are still trying to be pretty frugal. I've been excited about the deals I've found lately. We bought this dresser for Wesley's room at a garage sale for $15 and I am going to attempt to refinish it!! (The drawer is not actually missing.) Let's just say this is a way bigger project than I thought. I've been sanding all week and still have a long way to go. But I am actually enjoying this little project and will be really proud of myself if and when I complete it . I got all of these items for $35 at a second-hand store! We reached an all-time low when we took this tricycle from someone's garbage pile on their curb. The sad thing is, we weren't the only ones doing it. This week is Amnesty(?) week in Downers Grove (the next "village" over) when the garbage truck will pick up anything you put out (without needed the special stickers they usually require). People drive up and down the streets checking out everyone's stuff. It's like one huge garage sale!

All I can say is my mother would be so proud! It always takes a little more effort to get a good deal, but you can save a lot of money.

#1 and #2

I love my two little boys so much. It is so fun to see their similarities and differences so far. Here's what I've noticed: Baby Boy #1 (Dillon, 4 month picture) 1. Very blonde hair and blue blue eyes before he was 2 months old. 2. Very mild mannered, even keel 3. First giggle at 2 months. First smile 5 weeks 4. He didn't mind formula at all, which made life easier for mom 5. Little arms always straight out to the side

Baby boy #2 (Wesley, 2 month picture)

1. We still have no idea what color his eyes are. They are still pretty dark and I think they may end up some cool green or something. Everything about him is a little darker.

2. He is soooo smiley! And he smiled for the first time when he was less than 4 weeks. All you have to do is glance at him and he shows a huge open mouth grin. But he's also pretty fussy when he is tired. Evenings are pretty rough these days. Both extremes!

3. He tries so hard to giggle, but has a hard time making a pleasant sounding noise. Just this week it's starting to actually sound like a giggle.

4. Does not like bottle feeding

5. Little arms always straight out in front or fists tucked up under his chin like a little chipmunk

6. He is a little bigger than his brother

For now, Wesley is so sweet despite his complete lack of sleep schedule and Dillon is so fun to talk to like a grown-up, although he is challenging me with his whining, disobedience and pooping in his underwear. I really am grateful for being a mom and pray every day for the patience so I can be the mom they need me to be.

Our little priesthood man

Monday night we had a little family home evening. We followed up on Dillon's Sunday nursery lesson about prophets in preparation for General Conference. We held up a little picture of President Monson and asked Dillon if he knew who it was. He answered, "President Jesus Smith." We've taught him about President Monson, Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith but somehow they all got a little mixed up in his little mind. Really cute, but it looks like we need to work a little harder on our gospel learning.

A REAL LAWYER!!!

This morning Aaron received a letter that looked something like this: ILLINOIS BOARD OF ADMISSIONS TO THE BAR 625 SOUTH COLLEGE STREET SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS 62704-2521 October 2008 Aaron Maxce Chandler 321 W. Quincy St.Westmont, IL 60559 Dear Mr. Chandler, We are pleased to advise that you have passed the July 2008 Illinois bar examination. Yeah for my awesome husband! I love you so much Aaron! Thanks for working so hard to support our family!!!!