…for this little boy and his family.

(click on the picture to read their story)

Brighton Oliver, I just cannot believe that it has been THREE years since you joined our family. It was a day of surprises. I woke up early on March 9, 2006 with great anticipation…the day of my c-section! I looked out the window to find SNOW. It was beautiful. Three years later I woke up to find snow on your birthday again. How fitting! I was positive that I had been carrying a baby girl for nine months and when they presented me with a baby boy I was FLOORED. We still laugh about my reaction to this day.

Bright you have been SUCH an adventure! You are an early riser, a lover of mornings, just like your mommy. You enjoy breakfast. You eat enough for about three people in the mornings and then eat less and less as the day goes on…sometimes dinner is no more then a few bites. You love routine and still nap 2-3 hours a day. Adoring sweets and despising fruits and veggies I have to be creative to get the good stuff down you. We would dine at IHOP for each and every meal if you had your druthers. You took to potty training without a problem at 2 1/2, although you still struggle with getting your clothes on and off a bit.

You have a small build, but really pack a punch in that tiny body.  Your dad and I delight in your energy and your spunk. You have always been extremely coordinated and excel in anything that involves moving your body. You love to run fast, dance big, ride your scooter, ride your “motorcycle“, play T-ball, play soccer, do Tae Kwon Do and you tackle anything that a playground has to offer. You love the color blue and take the time to point out that my eyes and your eyes match each and every day. You are still a lover of superheros (with the greatest allegiance to spiderman) and get amped for a good game of hide-and-seek with your dad and Malia (you are an excellent hider by the way - amazingly quiet).  You hold a constant count down to the next  family movie night and talk about Alex the Lion from Madagascar often. You can hardly wait to go to preschool in the Fall and make the most of each second that you get to be there while picking Malia up.

You have a tender heart, often noting if someone is not happy. You are very generous with “I wuv you” and “tweet dreams.” Just the other day you told me that I am a “good teacher” as I showed you the correct way to put your pants on.  Everyday you pray the same prayer “_____ and _____  happy. Amen” - usually inserting Grandpa and Grandma, or Nonni and Poppops. You HATE goodbyes and have a very thankful heart. Just yesterday it hailed as we were coming out of church and you thanked me at least three times for “the ice balls” later on that day (despite the fact that I explained that the Lord gives us hail…not mama).  Malia is your best friend and you are a bit lost without her while she is at preschool. You are surprisingly tender to Daisy, never retaliating after hair pulling incidents and telling her “You tute, baby.” Your favorite playmates are your cousins - Hudson and Savannah and you talk about them often.

Our biggest challenges involve reigning you in when you let loose and teaching you that whining will not get you very far in life. We still have difficulty understanding many of your words, as you have really only been speaking  for about 7 months - this is very frustrating to you because as of late you have A LOT to say.

Bright, you truly are a joy. I cannot wait to see what the next year brings. You are SO LOVED!

Hi all,

Today instead of cute pictures of my kids this blog is going to be used as a soapbox (albeit tiny) to promote two things which are of great importance.

1. Our pastor gave a sermon this past Sunday about end times. It is impossible to ignore the fact that prophecy is being fulfilled as we speak. The state of our economy is another indicator that we need to focus our eyes on the Lord;praying, pointing others to Jesus and watching for His return. It is amazing how different my outlook is on day-to-day issues while considering the bigger picture. We need to be informed and not naive to the things that are happening.

Please take a moment (well, more like an hour) to hear what the Bible says about these days that we are living in and what our reaction to them should be. Click here to go to Athey Creek’s website. The sermon was taught 3/8/09 and is entitled Watch.

2. We like to listen to AirOne (Christian radio) in our car because we like the music and we like the fact that we never have to be afraid of what will travel over the air waives into our kids ears. Yesterday was “Global Food Crisis Day” and AirOne spent the day trying to get the message out. Here is a quick synopsis, followed be a link. Chis and I heard this message independently and were each convicted. The Lord has called us to help people in these situations and Compassion has given us a perfect avenue to do just that!

Thanks for my turn on the soapbox! I am praying that these topics reach hearts that are willing to hear!

During lunch the other day Malia was happily devouring a carrot when she stopped to let me know that “Carrots give you a lot of energy, and they are good for your eyes.”

I heartily agreed.

Then she said “You know how I see through plastic?”

“How?” I asked.

Malia responded “Carrots!”

“I guess they do help with that” I replied.

Malia sat quietly while she finished eating cruching her carrot. Then a big smile came over her faice and she said “Wow! Now I can see through paper! Cool!”

What an exciting time it has been around our house! We are consumed with babies and loving it! No, my friends, it is not my womb that is full - for goodness sake, it is still cooling off from the last round.

On Feb 15th this sweetpea arrived. Her name is Olivia Karis - she is Angie (my younger sister) and Ryan’s first little one.  Man alive,  I can’t believe that Angie is old enough to HAVE A BABY! (Mind you I had Malia when I was even a couple of years younger than Angie - yikes.) Olivia is sooo tiny, sooo cute, and sooo loved.

Ok, now brace yourselves, here is the next little one that blessed our family only 4 days later. This is Armondo Che David - he is Angie (Chris’ sister) and Sonny’s first. Do you notice any similarities here? He arrived with a bit of drama (unexpected C-section) which was reminiscent of my first delivery. But this big boy (9 lb 8oz) is oh so precious! Ang and Sonny are naturals, hope they decide to have a whole crew of little ones!

No no, the story does not end here. This is Aimee, (also Chris’ sister) who is waiting on a  little girl to join the party. She is already dilated to a 3! Can’t wait to meet Jersey May! This photo is of Aimee visiting Ang and Che at the hospital.

And stick with me, because I know that you can’t believe I am still going. This is my older sister, Melissa, who is very pregnant and due with her second in about 2 months! We are excited for Bright to have another little boy at the Bond family gatherings.  Look at that cute belly!

Needless to say, we need to be specific around here when we refer to “the baby.” For the record, we LOVE cousins and hope that this trend continues!

We were just getting used to seeing this sweet thing on top of her head everyday -

when she woke up yesterday and it was gone…sad. I feel like she just aged 6 months overnight.

And one more for the road.

Malia has been crafting up a storm these days, and I LOVE it. When she disappears for a bit, she can more than likely be found at the kitchen table involved in some sort of craft project. A few months back I dedicated a whole kitchen cupboard to crafty things. Trust me when I say that she has been taking full advantage of the accessibility of her sparkles and glue.

And lately, she has been combining her love for crafts with her passion for the US Postal System. She is continually making little packages for her friends. She packs envelopes with cut-up newspaper and magazines, stickers, buttons, thankyou notes for the thankyou notes that she received, invitations to playdates, etc. Tons of fun, but often difficult to squeeze into the narrow slot for outgoing mail at our community mailbox.

It only makes sense, as Malia loves a good party, that she would enjoy making invitations to send to her friends. I was, however, surprised to find her making invites for her  BIRTHDAY party a few weeks back. Her birthday is at the end of April folks, and this project started in mid January.

Malia is the determined type though, so you either help her cause or get out of the way. So, instead of trying to explain days/weeks/months I decided to jump on board. She requested that I spell out each of her friends names and addresses, then drew a picture of a person in a birthday hat next to a cake with five candles on each invite. The lucky ones were doused with sparkles and pictures of animals from an nearby/unsuspecting National Geographic. She has been adding finishing touches for weeks now…guess I better start planning a party.

We have also been working on these Valentines for her party at preschool on Friday. Did I already say that I LOVE this stage?

Wowee…is there an award for the most neglected blog? If so, I think that we are the winners!

Anyway, we are doing great…here are a few pictures to prove it.

Malia making her “OWN recipe”. If you look closely you will note cereal, pretzels, milk, sugar, ALL of the salt in our salt shaker, flour and Sweet Tarts. This was then baked in her Easy-Bake oven. Let me tell you, it smelled delicious…err…strong.

Bright jammin’. He has some sweet moves.

And my Cutie Patootie. Daisy is now sitting, showing no interest in moving. Is she good to me or what?

OK, onto the purpose of this post. Back when Bright was born, Carolyn (my dear friend Hilary’s mom), gave me a guide for praying for your children each day of the month. I have this guide taped next to my calendar, which I look at numerous times a day. It is an excellent reminder to pray for my kiddos continually and with purpose. The idea is to pray for for a specific quality each day of the month.  I have found this so helpful, that I thought I would pass it onto all of you mamas out there desiring to develop God’s character in your children. Happy praying!

1st   PURITY

• Psalm 51:10 - O Lord, create clean hearts in my children and renew steadfast spirits within them.

2nd   PASSION

• Psalm 84:2 - May they yearn, even faint, for the courts of the Lord, crying out for the living God.

3rd   INTEGRITY

• Proverbs 11:3 - Heavenly Father, please guide them as you cultivate integrity and honesty inside them.

4th   SERVING

• I Corinthians 10:24 - God, help them to be sensitive to the needs around then, and give them a desire to meet those needs.

5th   BLESSING

• 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 - Lord, pour our Your blessing on my children; fill them, protect them and equip them for your plan.

6th   JOY

• Philippians 2:2 - May their joy be complete in You, Lord as they strive to be like You in love, unity and purpose.

7th   PEACE

• Colossians 3:15 - Let Your peace rule in their hearts, since as one body, they are called to peace.

8th   SELF-CONTROL

• I Peter 5:8 - O Lord, may my children be self-controlled and alert. Protect them from the evil one.

9th   LOVE

• I Thessalonians 3:12 - Heavenly Father, allow them to increase and abound in love for one another just as You have for them.

10th  PATIENCE

• Psalm 40:1 - God, give them hearts that wait patiently for You, knowing that You hear them and will answer them.

11th PROTECTION

• Psalm 91:11 - O Lord, protect them, give Your angels charge over them, guarding them in all their ways.

12th  FELLOWSHIP

• I John 1:7 - Father, may they walk in the light as You are in the light, having sweet fellowship with each other and with You.

13th  EVANGELISM

• II Timothy 4:2 - Holy God, may they always be prepared to preach the word, that theIR peers may be saved.

14th  RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Matthew 5:6 - Father, bless my children that they may hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

15th  KINDNESS

• Ephesians 4:32 - May they be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as you forgave them.

16th  GENTLENESS

• Ephesians 4:2 - Heavenly Father, may they walk in a manner worthy of their calling, with all humility and gentleness.

17th  FAITHFULNESS

• Galatians 6:9 - O Lord, may they not lose heart in remaining faithful, for in due time they will reap Your reward.

18th  WISDOM

• James 3:17 - God, help them understand that wisdom from You is pure, peace-loving, considerate and sincere.

19th  COMPASSION

• Galatians 6:2 - May my children be compassionate toward others, bearing each others burdens.

20th  BOLDNESS

• Acts 4:31 - Almighty God, may they be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak the Word of God with boldness.

21st  COURAGE

• Deuteronomy 20:3-4 - Lord, make them strong and courageous, confident that you will go before them.

22nd  PRAYER

• James 5:16 - God, give my children a passion for prayer that is powerful and effective.

23rd   HUMILITY

• 1 Peter 5:5 - Lord, may they clothes themselves with humility in all aspects of their lives.

24th  HEALING

• Jeremiah 33:6 - May they understand that you, Lord, bring health and healing and will reveal to them an abundance of peace.

25th  BROKENNESS

• II Corinthians 1:3-5 - Blessed are You, God who comforts them in their brokenness so that they may comfort others.

26th  FREEDOM

• Galatians 5:1 - Because You set them free, God, enable them to keep standing firm as they experience You.

27th  UNITY

• Psalm 133:1 - Lord, unify my children that they may dwell together in the common bond of Christ.

28th  GODLINESS

• I Timothy 4:7 - God, may they discipline themselves for godliness, having nothing to do with worldly things.

29th  DISCIPLINE

• Hebrews 12:5-7 - May they not disregard Your discipline but understand that You discipline those you love.

30th  HOPE

• Romans 15:13 - God, fill them with all hope, joy and peace, that they may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

31st  STRENGTH

• Ephesians 6:10 - Almighty Father, may my children be strong in You and in the strength of Your might.

“Magic Spoon, Magic Spoon, if I had three wishes I would wish for…

1) a huge bath tub so that I could have a dolphin and swim with it in the tub

2) a 100 foot Christmas tree

3) a million elephants so that we could all ride elephants instead of riding in cars”

This fun conversation was brought to you by “Dinner Games for Beginners.” The kids run to the dinner table when they know we will be playing and then linger longer than usual after we finish eating. It is also quite entertaining for the adults.