So Long San Diego!

Things have been pretty crazy at the Chandler household these past few days. The chaos started off yesterday on our way to my doctors appointment. Scott's agent Rick called and told Scott that the Dallas Cowboys wanted him to fly him out tonight and try out tomorrow morning. Scott told Rick to hold off on setting anything up until after our doctors appointment. We talked to Dr. Maresh once we got there and explained to him that Scott had a tryout and we wanted his opinion before we made a decision. Dr. Maresh said since I wasn't dilated yet to go ahead and go, so we left the office and Scott put the call into Rick. I dropped Scott off at the airport in the evening and went to bed with the excitement of his tryout and my mom flying into town. I woke up the next morning and got a call from Scott pretty early. He said that his physical went well and that he didn't know when his tryout was and that he had heard that they just wanted to sign him. I hung up with him and got a call back instantly from Scott saying he had good news and bad news, good news he got signed, bad news he said they wanted him to stay out their until Friday. Initially I went into panic mode instead of support mode because I feared that I would go into labor these next few days without him. Needless to say I realized how much of a butt I was being and called him back and apologized for not being more excited. We are both thrilled with the news! We will be living so close to the majority of Scott's family and I will be just under a two hour direct flight away from my family. We really haven't made any solid plans because neither of us really know what to expect these next few months. Scott will fly back for the birth and probably take off a few days later. Eventually I will head out to Texas and get settled. Just like any other year there is the possibility that he could get cut at the end of training camp. We both know that this is a "God thing". I think every boy who grows up playing football in Texas dreams of playing for the Cowboys. When I think back to a few weeks ago with Scott getting released and having to sell the house and have the baby we both knew we had to put all of our faith in the Lord's plan. We knew that he would open a door for us and he opened the gates today! What an exciting life we live. Oh yeah did I mention that my mom and I had an awesome day of painting pottery, eating yummy barbecue, a trip to Target and just relaxing on the couch. I love having her here! Say a prayer everyone that Lyla stays put until Friday. We will see if I can hold off!

Sunday Blessing (Memorial Day)

I wanted to take today's blog and thank all of those who have served our country and died doing so. I think we focus so much attention on the three day weekend, the barbecues, boating and so many of us forget that Memorial Day is a day to remember those who lost their lives in battle. Don't get me wrong I think the extra day off of work is wonderful, but lets not forget what the day is truly about. Remember those courageous men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have the freedoms that we all enjoy everyday.
I wanted to say a special thanks to my great uncle John Wilde who lost his life in a training mission during WWII. From what I have heard he was a rebel rouser whom the girls couldn't get enough of. Occasionally I hear my grandpa talk about his brother and we have all seen the split dollar bill that he still carries in his wallet, intended to be used to split a pint of beer when John came home. John's letters and a pictures in Grandpa's house are all that are left of him. All I know is that if he was anything comparable to my Grandpa, then he must have been a pretty neat guy.

I didn't have a picture of John so I posted a picture of the Blackhawk Bridge in Lansing, IA where he grew up.


Also I just had to add this picture because it is just too cute not to put up on my blog. Love you Gramp!

My Crazy Day!

I thought all of you who read my blog might want to know about my amazingly awesome crazy day I had today. I woke up at 6:50 a.m. and snuggled my hubby for 10 minutes before he woke up. We drove to the airport and I wished him luck in New England. After chatting with my mom on my way home I came home and made some muffins and sat down to watch a movie...well this movie turned into 3 or 4 and it is now almost 8 o'clock. The only time I got up off of the coach was to either go to the bathroom or eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. So you may be wondering why I decided to waste an entire day on the coach. Well I can give you three understandable answers.

1) In just over a week I will have a baby and who knows the next time I will get to sit in front of the t.v. and watch movies all day long.
2) After getting examined yesterday I still felt cruddy today.
3) I am so scared that I will go into labor while Scott is on the other side of the country that I convinced myself that if I don't move then Lyla will stay put.

Obviously I am bored and a little lonely because I am blogging about my crazy hectic day. Good thing I have two Netflix movies waiting for me!

Checkup

I went to the doctor today and not much has changed. On Sunday I will be 39 weeks and as of today I am not dilated at all. I did learn what a braxton hicks contraction was and realize I have been having them for the past few weeks. Also the doctor thinks that Lyla is going to be a small baby so this makes her mommy very happy. Watch delivery day comes and I will push out a 10 pounder. I'll admit the exam sucked today and I have been really uncomfortable the rest of the day. I was happy to hear that I wasn't dilated though because Scott flies to New England until Thursday night and my big fear has been that Scott will miss the birth. I have been praying like crazy that this isn't the case however. After the appointment I spent the afternoon with my friend Casi and her 4 month old Abbi. It was so nice to be able to relax and just visit about everything. She has given me a ton of advice about having the baby and then what to do once the baby is out. She is one friend I am going to miss like crazy when we finally leave San Diego.

Josh Hamilton's Beyond Belief...a must read!

Before you read this post watch this video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0n8ZlWHixE

My favorite type of book to read is a good memoir. Fiction is wonderful but I feel there is much to be learned by reading a memoir. After last year's home run derby Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton became a household name. This was the first time I became aware of this amazing athlete and his amazing story. This season Scott decided that he wanted to upgrade our Directv package in order to catch all of the Texas Rangers baseball games. I will admit I protested this at first because I had no interest in this team. Well as with most sports teams, the more you watch them and get to know the players, the more fun they are to watch. So this past month I have converted to being a Texas Rangers fan, more so a Josh Hamilton fan.
I knew Josh Hamilton wrote a book about his struggle back to baseball so I ordered it for Scott. The first day it arrived in the mail I practically devoured the book. It was such an amazing read and an even more amazing story. I don't want to give anything away because I really want you all to read his story. If anyone wants to borrow it let me know because Scott is almost done with it and I would be more than likely to let you borrow it.

Sunday Blessing (Christmas Nostalgia)

So last Sunday I was flipping through our movie channels to find a movie to watch while I got ready for church. I stumbled across Santa Claus 3 and thought why not? Well this Sunday I was doing the same thing and Fred Claus was on so I decided sure. Most people who know me know that I start listening to Christmas music in October and I skip decorating for Thanksgiving just so I can decorate for Christmas. I usually have my tree up by November 1st. For years I have been told that I would get burnt out on Christmas if I start so early but I never have. When I found out I was pregnant in September the Christmas music started even earlier. I can't help it...I am a Christmas junkie. I love everything about it and I think it is sad that people only celebrate it in the month of December. Maybe I have been starting earlier and earlier because I have been in San Diego the past 2 years and it is harder for me to get into the spirit when it is 70 degrees and sunny in the middle of December. Maybe it is because my mom and dad did an amazing job of making Christmas time "magical" in our home growing up. Maybe it's because aside from trips to Disney, Christmas is the only other time that I feel like a kid again. Regardless I don't care...I love Christmas and I eat it up every year.

Reasons Why Lyla Hasn't Arrived Yet...

1) Grandma Leela isn't here
2) I STILL haven't packed my hospital bag
3) I haven't taken the hospital tour
4) I haven't painted my finger nails a color that I am happy with
5) Mommy is enjoying Husband/Wife time too much
6) Lyla's diaper bag is sitting in her closet completely empty
7) "Because we haven't reached her due date" says Scott

Sunday Blessing (My Mommy)

Happy Mothers Day Mom. Thank you for raising me to be who I am today. You have always been such an amazing role model, teaching me that I can be a strong woman and that there was nothing I couldn't achieve in life. I only have amazing things to say about you and I know that I could never truly express to you just how much of an impact you have had on my life. You have always shown my so much support, especially these past few years being here in San Diego. Your frequent cards, emails and calls always warm my heart and I will forever cherish them.
If I have learned anything throughout my pregnancy it has shown me how much a mother cares for a child. You exemplify the word selfless, always putting your children first. I am convinced that this was the best gift you could have given us.
I hope and pray that Lyla and I share the same bond that you and I share. I am so excited to experience motherhood. Thank you for all the advice you have given me not only these past 9 months but throughout my life. I love you with every ounce of my being. Thank you for being you and for showing me unconditional love. I love you Mom.

A New Challenge

It took me a week to finally write this blog and I'm not sure if it was because I was still in shock until now or was just tired of talking about it all week. Last Monday Scott came home from his morning workout really early. I was still sleeping but heard the alarm go off. Of course I went into panic mode and thought there was an intruder. So what did I do...I opened the bedroom door and said hello? I met Scott in the hallway and he informed me that he has been released. Normally I would probably stress out to the max but I went into support mode for my amazing husband who has always supported me through my hard times. After a call from his agent we were told Scott was on waivers for the next 24 hours. This means any team could claim him within 24 hours. It seemed that there were three teams interested in him, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and the Oakland Raiders. After 24 hours we received a call from Rick, Scott's agent who had informed us that no team claimed him. What it came down to was the Chargers released Scott at the worst possible time, the day after the draft. NFL teams had filled their rosters with draft picks and free agents so there was no room for Scott on a team. Rick told us to sit tight this weekend and possibly next weekend and we should know more. We are waiting for an injury or for a team who is unhappy with who they have at the tight end spot.
This past week has been pretty hectic. Released on Monday, Doctors apt. on Tuesday, met with our realtor on Wednesday, cleaned all day Wednesday and Thursday, Thursday night put our house up for sale and Friday got away for the weekend.
It has amazed both Scott and I how supportive and amazing our friends and family have been this past week. We have received so many wonderful emails and calls showering us with love throughout this crazy time. By the grace of God I have been handling this entire situation extremely well. I see this as a new chapter in our life. While it isn't the best timing with Lyla coming at anytime, we know that the Lord will open a door somewhere for the three of us. My father in law brought up this point this past week. Trials are brought to us by our sovereign God for two purposes:
1) To grow and strengthen our faith
2) To reveal our faith to others
We know that God loves us and that he wants what it is best for us. He loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us. We have found so much comfort in our faith at this time and feel so fortunate for all of the blessings that we have received.
So our next step is to have a healthy baby, sell our house, get Scott on a team, and move out of San Diego...in no particular order.
Thank you to all of our friends and family for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Having such supportive people in our lives have made this transition so much easier on the two of us.

Sunday Blessing

So my Sunday blessing this week is pretty lame but I love it. This Sunday I am thankful for my bumpit. Yes the thing you have seen in all the infomercials. I have used it so many times and I love it. I would say it is definitely worth the money. I always have my hair up and the bumpit adds a whole new element to wearing your hair in a pony. Cut me a little slack though...it's been a little hectic this week and the bumpit has brought me some comfort while getting ready in the morning.