Our family Picture

So, I have been extremely slow this year at getting our newsletter out. I'd like to say that I have just been so busy with the holidays, two busy, busy little boys, being pregnant and in a new town...but really, I just haven't gotten around to it. And our camera broke a few months ago, so we had to borrow one. Yes, I know, excuses, excuses!

However, I finally got it all put together, organized a family picture and should be sending them out soon. (Yes, they are still sitting on my desk. Oy!) So, here's our annual family picture. Gabriel was in quite the mood and we couldn't keep him still or happy for anything...except crackers. In fact, I think Justus is eating one in the pciture below. We have a picture of us all eating crackers, but it must be on the other computer. I'll have to post it when I get a chance. Ahhh, the things we do for our children. : )

p.s. Baby update! I am officially 35 wks pregnant (i.e. my tummy in our family pic). We're getting into the last month!!! I feel huge, only have one more pound to gain before I break my record (from Gabriel and Justus) It always comes off, but the numbers sure look daunting on the scale! I'm measuring 34 1/2cm-Right on target and am becoming less and less nervous for labor knowing we get to meet our new addition...and I won't be pregnant anymore!!! Hallelujiah.

Happy New Year

So, I've never really been into setting New Year's Resolutions. For one reason or another, it seemed a little risky to make a committment I was afraid I would break...probably on the sooner end of things. However, it always makes me think, "What would my resolution be if I made one?" And after a few days of thinking, if dawned on me, that all the thoughts combined, I was practically thinking I could be a Perfect Mom!!! See, that's why I don't make these things!

It did remind me of some important aspects to being a mother though, and New Years or not, I will continue to try and improve how I love and nurture my children day by day. Simple things, like puting down a project (or sometimes dinner preparations), to just sit with them. Acknowledging their emotions in testing situations instead of just the actions. Learning how to always bring a good attitude and peaceful environment to our house. And of course, making sure we are not all work and no play!!!! Somedays I do much better than others, and then there are days I seem to forget all together. But somewhere along the line, my job seemed to change from a chore to a pleasure...and I'm sure all of us at the Bondurant home are better off for it!

Happy New Years!
The best to all of you and your official or "non-official" resolutions!!!

Christmas is here!

I love Christmas time. It is especially exciting having children of my own to watch and see their responses to gifts and excitements that come up during this holiday...and it is just a few days away!!!

I am happy to say that I am completely done "buying" gifts and have only a few left to finish making. As always I think I've taken on one too many projects, but I admit I enjoy every minute of sewing and crafting I get to do this time of year...even when they keep me up until 3 in the morning sometimes. Oops! This year I have ventured on a new endeavor...embroidering. As I posted earlier, I now have my instruction manual to my sewing machine and have the "know how" to many options I had no idea I could do. So, embroidering here we come! I have run a few practice pieces and one actual gift, and think I'll get the hang of it sooner or later. My inspiration project is our stockings. I found some in a magazine that were just my style and of course, after seeing the monograms on them, I got it in my head that I could do just the same thing for ours....I'll let you know how it works out! Until then, Merry Christmas!

p.s. I missed you all these last few weeks. After the storm that came through we didn't have internet for over two weeks...what's a girl to do. So, it's a relief to be back online! Blessings

"Am I lovely?"

Oh how quickly the time goes by. I am always thinking about posting new blogs and puting more pictures up, but before I can download them on the computer and find the time to write it out, we're on to the next thing. : )

I am, however, still amazed that we are nearly into December. Thanksgiving gone and presents to think about. How I love this time of year. I seem to want to cuddle up with a book much more often than any other season. Just recently I remembered a book I have been meaning to read for a while. I have heard little things about it, but never more than a few little comments. It sounded good though, so I ordered it on Amazon and began reading it as soon as it arrived.

I never imagined how blessed I would be from something so simple. The name of the book is "Captivating" and it very simply describes the places of a women's soul. How we are created and the questions we long to have answered. Even the first chapter nearly brought me to tears, surfacing emotions I have many times ignored or even completely denied. And even though I was eager to continue reading, I tried to keep most of what I was reading strictly head knowledge without getting too emotionally involved. Because somewhere along the line, "emotions were bad" and only seemed to get in the way. So I just read, thinking, I'll take care of "that" later.

Consequently, last night before bed I finished a section where the author shared God's desire to romance us and send us our very own gifts of admiration...ones that are meant just for us...from Him. Without too much thought concerning it, I finished the chapter and went to sleep. When I woke up I was somewhat disheartened from my nights dream, but also wondering why "that" particular issue had come up. Quietly I began writing in my journal and my very own Beloved gently began to romance my soul. Answering the question I had so many times heard a resounding "no" to, with an unmistakable and genuine, "Yes!".

The question, "Am I lovely? Do I captivate you?" "When I was a little girl and dressed just like I thought a princess would be with flowers in my hair, was I lovely?" "When my friends parent explained to her that she'd rather not have me come over because I was too much. Was I lovely-then?" "When I vulnerably asked my long time crush if he ever had feelings for me and his answer was, 'I'm flattered, but you're just a friend'. Was I even lovely then?" Question after question I asked and each time He truthfully answered, "Yes"...and for some reason, my heart was able to hear.

"Like a lily among thorns,

is my darling amond maidens. " ~Song of Solomon 2:2

Feeling like I had always been the thorn among lilies, the odd one out, or merely just invisible in the shawdows of other girls and women that were certainly more lovely than I. God sweetly guided me to this verse...and how perfectly it spoke to my soul

Oh, how passionate my Lord and Lover is-My Beloved!

And with that, I pass on this wonderful book to any of you that are even a little curious about what God says about...and to the women that He crowned the "glory of all creation". Captivating in every way!

Blessings

Random Days

We made our, now annual, trip to the pumpkin patch last weekend. It was a little rainy, making it a much shorter visit than we anticipated, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves, and the clouds helped keep the farm from getting too crowded. : ) Last year, we went to Sauvie's Island and we sat in line nearly two hours to cross over the bridge to get home....So, this year, we picked another farm, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Besides the pumpkins, they had turkeys, an animal "tour", corn maze, hay maze with a giant slide, elaborate play structure and alas the "launching" mechanisms (i.e, a pumpkin sling, cannon and trebuche). Kiely especially enjoyed the latter and is going to come up with some sort of contraption for our pumpkin carving party! We certainly wouldn't want the menfolk getting bored.

After our trip to the pumpkin patch I was inspired by the season and recruited Justus and his cousin Jacob to help make cut-out cookies. My mom has a fantastic recipe that uses whole wheat and honey! I tried to let Gabriel help while I was rolling out dough, but the seemingly small ball I gave him to "roll" went straight in his mouth...and was consumed! Oy!

The other, small, yet extremely exciting event occured when I received an email from Bernina (a sewing machine company). I was given one of Kiely's grandmothers old sewing machines that was going to be taken to goodwill a few years back and have been greatly pleased by its reliability despite it's age. However, one thing that didn't accompany it, was the manual. So, I have just used the basic functions on it...until this last week when the company emailed me a file containing the entire manual. Free!!!
I quickly made a trip to Lazerquick, had it printed (front and back) and bound. Complete with durable cover! Afterwards I didn't waste anytime in reading the manual front to back and am so very excited about the new "options" I now have with my machine. As well, as many other tips such as oiling, cleaning, needle capacity and such! Yipee, I found out it does in fact accomodate a dual needle. I was curious, but now I KNOW! So, for sentimental reasons, here is a picture of my new found manual. : ) Ahhhhh, true love at first sight!

Momsense

I went to a Christian Women's Conference this last weekend with the ladies at our church in Astoria. I was a little hesitant to go, knowing these events usually trigger emotions (i.e. crying ) that I felt more comfortable avoiding. However, Kiely seemed a little too enthusiastic when I asked and didn't even hesitate when I reminded him he would be watching the boys while I was gone...which included, bed time, diapers, feeding, gettting up in the morning and the like. Soooo, I went.

I was relieved to do a decent amount of laughing...and my fair share of crying, but it ended up being something I needed. The things I try to avoid usually are what I need, to say the least. However, I wanted to share this particular video clip with all of you...don't worry, it's the laughing type. So, if you can spare the 2minutes and 55seconds (and I recommend you do), it will certainly lighten your day...and perhaps leave a song in your head. ; ) Enjoy!!!




p.s. thanks Stacy, for the video tip...You may be seeing alot more videos now : )

A great day!!!

Yesterday was my 24th Birthday and it was certainly a great day! I woke up to two boquets in my room and an ice-cream treat in the freezer! Then shortly after I realized I was awake and not dreaming, Kiely came in and pulled me out to the balcony off our room to see a beautiful sunrise. What a refreshing way to start the day!

My family sang me happy birthday at breakfast and after listening intently to the song, Justus followed them with a melodic "happy birthday - happy birthday to mommy!" Priceless!
Then after a normal morning and running some errands Kiely and I were able to get a quick lunch together with the boys. For some reason, a whole eight hours is too long for him to be gone, and I miss him, so I love it when we get a chance to meet half way through the day. : )

We ate dinner in the formal dining room with the nice dishes and candles-a simple treat! And afterwards Kiely had arranged for our friends and family to come over for dessert and a very boistrous game of Pictionary (probably my favorite board game). Which my team triumphantly won (not a huge detail...but I'll admit I'm a little competitive). The boys went down easily, even after all the comotion and excitement and I got an entire nights sleep...no crying children, no bathroom visits, and I even had pleasant dreams to go with it! Aahhhh, a great birthday indeed!

Also, I have plans to post a "belly pic" soon. It's just a matter of finding a camera and remembering all at the same time : ) Blessings