First Ice Cream Cone

On saturday we made the long drive over to the nearest REI and, lo and behold, it's nestled in this really awesome outdoorsy-feeling mall. We shopped to our heart's content...well until our wallet's limit really and then found surprise #1. Five Guys Burgers and Fries was right next door. mmmmmm It's awesome. and just in time for lunch.

Given the choice of Five Guys and Chic-Fil-A, Eden chose the latter...er rather, her mama did for her. So she had some chicken pieces while Brandon and I enjoyed greasy cheeseburgers. And because we're now at the point in our lives where we're interested in prices of kid's meals, we pay attention to details. Did you know you can exchange that little book insert in the kid's meal (that a 15 month old couldn't care less about) for a free ice cream cone?! Awesome surprise #2 of the day! because really that means we get to share an ice cream cone while Eden gets a lick or two. And she really enjoyed that!

Isn't she so cool in her first REI purchase? Pink sunglasses. She's stylin now. Especially with her oh so awesome matching pink Nalgene sippy cup. (quick insert for fellow parents: Nalgene sippy cups are by far the best sippy cups we've found. no leakage whatsoever. and the price is completely comparable to anything you'd find at Target) *end blog commercial*

In other news...

Thanks for sticking with us through the blue blogging days. Since Eden got the pepto-bismol pink background for her "It's a Girl!" announcement, we thought it only appropriate that baby boy get some blue background. He remains nameless at this point as we're still deliberating. But once we've decided, we'll be sure to let you know so you can monogram some burp cloths and what not. :)  He's being spoiled already though by sweet neighbors and eager grand parents and has accumulated a few trucks and frogs and bears onesies. We're so blessed!

Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails

That's what little boys are made of!

Time to start accumulating blue!!

:)

Looking at 2008

I should start off the post by saying, "Wow! It's 2009 already?!" But I won't because that seems so cliche. 

2009 will be another exciting and full year with hopefully lots of surprises and changes that will grow and stretch us as a family even more! We'll celebrate 4 years of marriage, welcome a new baby into our home, Eden will turn 2, April 26, and Brandon 25. We're looking into a possible move back to Texas (SWBTS) and will hopefully move into our first and very own home. 

Something we've turned into a tradition for our family is making a book (shutterfly) of our "Top 10 of (enter year)." It's a fun way to look back and capture the important stuff we want to remember and we're hoping it will be a fun thing for our kids to do as they grow up. 2007 held lots of exciting events with a our first born's birth and tropical vacations. It was easy to create. And not that we have anything less exciting for 2008, it's just been harder coming up with our very favorite Top 10. But finally, we have it! 

blddldldldlldldlldldldldldldldlldbldbldbdldbdbdldlldld  (that's my drumroll)

Top 10 of 2008

1. Preparation for leaving China. Our last days there were full of bitter-sweet moments as we were excited to be returning to America yet sad to be leaving our home for the last 2 years.

2. Bek & Kev's wedding! What could be more fun that my sister marrying Brandon's best friend?!

3. Seeing family after 2 years away from them. My neice that was 2 when I left ran to me in the airport as soon as she saw me. I of course cried...and that will always be a moment I remember...hugging that precious little neck again and seeing my nephew for the first time ever. And having Christmas with them again this year was awesome!

4. Eden's first birthday! What an amazing gift she's been so far!

5. Making the decision to go back to East Asia long term. again...bitter sweet. :)

6. Brandon got to work with a new sister, AJ, before we left Chiner. She is amazing.

7. Thailand! Always an awesome time!! Plus our Thai massage is very much worth mentioning!

8. The Beijing Olympics. Do you recall how nuts we are about the Olympics? Add to it that they were in China and they were that much cooler!

9. DC vacay

10. moving to SEBTS. we've loved it here so far!

Christmas in a Hurry

I've got a serious case of blog neglect. Whenever I go a few weeks without posting anything new it's hard for me to get motivated again to update the world on the happenings in the Chancler household. Well that, and we've just been too busy to take the time to do it. I shouldn't even be doing this now... we've got three suitcases waiting to be unpacked, laundry covering the hallway, a christmas tree that needs to be put away, groceries that need to be bought, and a little girl that needs to catch up on about 8 hours of sleep. but alas...I'm blogging.

so here is our Christmas holiday update...

Flights to texas are few and far between apparently, causing us to leave our apartment at four a.m. Early mornings, lack of sleep, and airplanes only do one thing for me...make me sick. So I started off the Christmas holiday with a sinus infection. However, that wasn't the worst of what was to come in the next few weeks. A few days after we arrived, Eden showed sure signs of having the stomach flu. After a few nights of throwing up, general whiny-ness, and a very bland diet, she got over it and is no worse for the wear. BUT, the blasted stomach flu then passed itself on to each and every one of our family members...including me and Brandon. So for every day that we were back there was at least someone that we were related to at home puking. awesome. 

It snowed! Not much. But it was enough to throw some warm clothes on the munchkin and step outside for some pictures. She wasn't too convinced that snow is fun to eat.

I felt the first flutters of baby movement. Either that or I ate one too many Taco Villa bean burritos.

Eden's Christmas day outfit made her slightly resemble an elf.

and oooohhhhh the gifts. wonderful awesome amazing and neat stuff....of which we got way too much and had trouble bringing it all home. Here's Brandon's reaction to one of his gifts from my brother...

yes. that's a clip for his Glock. and it holds 33 rounds and is probably only legal in Texas. 

Eden got hoards of toys but her best reactions came when she opened up the clothing. She's such a girl. 

We had a great time with family and friends and were fortunate to have been able to see just about everyone in our families. I think we had six separate Christmas meals spread out over the 2 weeks...which is exhausting and overwhelming, but still fun.

We got back at 2 a.m. last night after barely surviving the roughest flight and landing we've ever been on. It was indeed a miserable trip because EVERY single seat was taken, meaning Eden had to sit on our lap the whole way, and well, she just isn't used to sleeping on us. But that was her 18th flight so she's more or less a pro at it and did pretty well for being 15 months old, sleepy, cranky, and restless. 

Brandon doesn't start classes for another couple weeks, so we're looking forward to some time at home relaxing and recovering with one another!

Hope your Christmas was very Merry!

And Happy 2009!

A D.C. Weekend

With Brandon's finals finally over, we used the free weekend to drive up to see S&A in Washington D.C! They have recently moved back there and it was sooooo great to see them and to get to see some cool sites! Ironically enough...it was our second time there with them. We were all three spoiled with good food, too much attention, comfy beds, and our very own escort around the city doubling as our very own photographer. :) What more could you ask for?! I opted to leave my camera at home most of the time since S is a former Washington Post photographer (but currently still working there), so I can't take credit for most of the pictures!

Our first afternoon there we got a personal tour of the S's office at the Post which was really cool and made us feel important. Then A hung out with Eden so that Brandon and I could go see the Holocaust Museum. This was our third trip to D.C. and both times before we wanted to see the museum but never had the time. So it was at the top of our list this time around. There aren't words to describe it, so I won't attempt to. But if you ever have the opportunity to visit D.C. put it as a priority on your list!

Saturday evening S&A took us out to eat at Old Ebbitt's Grill, a popular restaurant barely a block from the White House. We got reservations for 3 in the afternoon and even then, there was a line out the front door. The place is literally packed around the clock. 

Then we walked over to the White House. It was freeeeeeeeeeeeeezing!!!!

We thought this was funny sitting out in front.

Eden with S&A and the White House Christmas Tree.

And of course Brandon overheard some Chinese while near the Christmas Tree and stopped for a short conversation! :)

Since we've visited most of the touristy monuments, smithosonians, and archives museums we didn't do a whole lot of sight seeing. But every time we've been to D.C. the Lincoln Memorial has been under construction. So we really wanted to see Lincoln. 

The view of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial. It was amazing at night with the reflection on the water!

We had so much fun walking around downtown even though our fingers were frozen! We enjoyed it so much that we think we would definitely love living there if we ever have the opportunity!!

And this last picture is just cute. Eden loved S&A so much! And for some reason always got really relaxed in S's lap. This is sunday morning during Church. 

Tomorrow we leave bright and early...well techinally it won't even be light yet...for Texas to spend Christmas with family! Luckly, we're flying this time. yippeeee!

In DESPERATE Need of some Snow

We miss snow.

We miss the shimmering whiteness that blinds you when it covers the ground.

We miss the *crunch* that it makes as you walk over it.

We miss snow ice cream.

We miss snow balls.

We miss snow.

And it's been a long time since we've seen it. While in the Big Chicken we saw snow flakes twice. And both times it lasted for a mere 5 minutes...obviously not covering anything.

Since we've been in NC it has snowed twice. Once for 5 minutes or so. And once it was enough to leave a tiny layer on the cars one morning...melting away by 9 a.m.

Snow has a strange effect on us. It doesn't really feel like Christmas until the first big snow, so obviously as it was 60 degrees today, it doesn't feel like Christmas around these parts. And I find it a little depressing.

Thinking back to my childhood, I can remember times that my dad would pull us on the sled behind Cookie, my brother's horse with a little too much "mmmph" in his step...perfect for sled pulling. I can remember digging tunnels through snow drifts 5 feet high out beside the barn. I remember making snow men taller than we were...leaving an eery snow man grave yard a week or so later. And in high school I remember on more than one occasion having to dig my truck out of snow drifts in order to make it to school on time (the regularly scheduled time). 

*Side note...around here they let out school for a High Wind Advisory with wind gusts up to what the average is on any given day in Amarillo. And that day that we had the light "dusting" of snow, yeah, no school. weird.

Anyways. We miss snow. And if we don't see snow this year we're going to make a special trip up north. Where? We don't care. We'll drive north until we see snow. And then we'll stay there for awhile. We'll let Eden get out and roll around in it. We'll let her eat it and laugh about how cold it is. We'll make snow angels, throw snow balls, and accidentally track some into the car leaving little puddles on the floor boards. And maybe we'll pack our poor and neglected boots and skis just in case we run across a decent ski resort on this end of the U.S.

Am I beginning to sound bitter?

Maybe I am.

I hope it snows during the 2 weeks we're in Texas.

A Thanksgiving to Remember

Well they all are really. But I was going for a "catchy" title.

We spent the Turkey day with a conglomeration of people...Bek & Kev stuck around so we at least had some family to spend the day with this year! All five of us decided that doing all the work that a Thanksgiving meal entails was too much for us to handle. So we went to Brandon's boss' house where some of their family, some other SEBTS families, and a sweet Chinese family all enjoyed the holiday together. It was a big crowd with lots of kids (read: lots of noise), lots of fun and lots of food!

I was in charge of the dressing this year. Which shouldn't sound like a daunting task since that's been my job the last two years. However, the last two years our Thanksgiving feast was in China which basically means that my dressing didn't really have to be THAT impressive since anything tastes good after eat so much soy sauce. But this year making the Thanksgiving staple for a bunch of fellow Americans who hadn't been eating dumplings several times a week for the last year...well...it was a little intimidating. So what did I do? I stuck with my trusty Ghetto Chinese Cornbread Dressing. Sure I had all the amenities of an American grocery store, but my instinct told me to stick with what was familiar. So in went the Ritz crackers and chicken bullion cubes (I just made my Aunt Susie faint) . And lo and behold...even Ghetto Chinese Cornbread Dressing can be a hit in America.

A little intimidated by the large crowd at first, Eden became fast friends with Brandon's boss when she figured out he was the one with the strawberries.

This week we put up our Christmas tree! And you'd think that having a giant green prickly thing in our living room would draw more attention from a curious toddler. Surprisingly, Eden is not that interested in it. She's interested in taking the candy canes off of it, but then again so is Brandon. We had fun putting it up though, listening to our fav Christmas cd, and discussing how we don't have that many ornaments. (thus...candy canes).

We have a lot to be thankful for this year. We're happy, healthy, and have an exciting new family member joining us soon. We're blessed in LOTS of ways and thankful for so many things!

But this year we're celebrating being thankful for something a little different. God has used the last few months at SEBTS to confirm his calling for us to return overseas for long term service. And even though submission to this sort of calling can bring heartache...the thought of missing family and friends and not seeing nieces and nephews grow up...it brings incredible joy and peace to be able to just say yes to what we know God wants for our family. We're so overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for this peace that comes with knowing we're headed to where He wants us. There's so much more to say on this subject, which includes plans for returning to Texas for the next few years before headed back overseas. More to come on this later.

We pray your Thanksgiving holiday was fun and turkey-filled! But most of all we pray your Thanksgiving was full of the peace that passes all understanding!