The battle of wits has begun.

Girls Night Out... well... In.

It was so much fun having the girls over tonight to watch The Princess Bride. I think Isaac was smitten.

That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying "As you wish", what he meant was, "I love you." And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back.

Lord, how can I be more for You?

I keep saying to myself, “Lord, how can I be more for You?” I want to come into Heaven and be emptied out for the cause of the Gospel. Not burned out, but emptied out. I want to feel like I really left it all on the field. So true success for me is just staying hungry. Not so much for the tapestry of success, but for growth. I never cease to be hungry to grow.
-Jeanne Mayo-

and in all things... session 16

Things I am thankful for on December 26, 2009...

1. Isaiah 54:13
2. Speed-dial
   
3. Our city's weekly waste management services
   
4. God's promise of healing
5. Family
6. A very successful Christmas season
   
7. The combined flavors Raspberry and Chocolate
   
8. Kid Hangers
9. The ability to worship my Creator
10. Coffee
    

happy birthday, dear alina

Just wanted to say a very HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY to my adorable niece.
This year is going to be an adventure for you, and you don't even know it!

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.

Christmas day reminds me of 2 things:
1. God continues to be faithful.
2. Our families are our biggest blessing from Him.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas...
now on to organizing all these toys!

Silent Night from lori bunk on Vimeo.

Christ-MAUS Eve

We body-slammed Steph, formed a family choir, discussed the key to a happy marriage and the kids had WAY to many sweets. All in all, another wonderful Christ-MAUS Eve.

Daddy's Work Party

We came to party... but Isaac would rather work.

Like father, like son.

...they would outnumber the grains of sand.

It's been one of those weeks where I feel like I am dropping the ball. Without going into boring detail, I have just felt like because of my schedule, I have fallen behind on a lot of things- my house, my health, even Christmas in general. I was really struggling last night when God used the words of a friend from church to not only lift my spirits, but to encourage me right where I am. It's amazing, but true- we are all in this together. I am so thankful for the Word of God, as well as people who can speak it into my life.

"How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you."
Psalm 139:17,18

Sisterhood

It's All About The Gifts

New Life's Annual Christmas Service

Friend Tattoos

While the family was relaxing, Isaac snuck away to color. He came back to show us he had put tattoos of his friends on his arms. We were cracking up. While telling us who everyone was, he realized he had forgotten his friend Justin, so he ran to get his marker to fit him in. He was so proud!

Christmas Lights

Enjoying one of our many Christmas traditions... finding our favorite house decorated for Christmas! Isaac was so much fun this year, going crazy every time he saw a house he liked. Here was our favorite house last year, and...

Here is our favorite house this year.

Angels We Have Heard On High

Tonight was the kid's Christmas program at school and it was adorable! It was so much fun hanging out in the aisles with all the other parents trying to get the best picture.

Besides looking slightly bored, Isaac did a great job remembering all the actions.Zoey was more comfortable sitting for her song, but she did give a few shimmy-shakes to get the crowd laughing.This boy melts my heart.Chris and Chris Jr.She LOVED that chocolate pretzel!Isaac HAD to bring his camera tonight so he could get pictures of all his friends.Me and Mine... trying to get one good photo. We failed.

"... and presents under the tree"

While at Target tonight, Isaac very sweetly asked me if he could pick out the wrapping paper for this year. I was slightly leery because I really like my wrapping paper to be red for Christmas, and he had talked previously about liking the blue paper with snow on it... but after thinking for a second, I decided to let him pick. I mean, how bad could it be?Thanks a lot Target!!!

jack-in-the-box

Crazy Convo @ Target today....

Isaac: Mom, look! It's a jack-in-the-box!
Me: Please don't play with that bud, mama doesn't like those.
My Mom: Why don't you like them?
Me: Because you wind that thing hearing the creepy music and have no idea when the crazy thing is going to pop out at you! It's weird!
My Mom: You just don't like it because it's something
that is out of your control.

Busted.

A Staring Contest in 3 Takes

Just an average Wednesday night...

Staring Contest... Take 1 from lori bunk on Vimeo.

Staring Contest... Take 2 from lori bunk on Vimeo.

Staring Contest... Take 3 from lori bunk on Vimeo.

WWE Monkeys

I just found a cute video from our Florida vacation.
I think I see a little side-swiping action going on....

WWE Monkeys from lori bunk on Vimeo.

Be Diligent...

I was laughing with a fellow blogging friend the other day about how reading other people's blogs can sometimes make you feel like like you in a world all by yourself. You read an entry about an amazing meal someone else made for dinner while wearing heels when you just threw together a box of macaroni and cheese and are still in your pajamas from the previous night. Although we try to be honest and want to humor each other with stories of "momhood," we are always trying to put our best foot forward, in everything we do. I don't think that's wrong... I just think we need to remember that when we are scrolling through our favorite blog sites. For example, I am sitting here typing with the worst headache I've had in awhile, my eye makeup from yesterday is now under my eyes, my house is a WRECK and although my kids are yelling for me to get them some milk, the only thing I can think is that I need my cup of coffee.

I was thinking about all of this after reading today's entry from Oswald Chambers. In 2 Timothy 2:15, Paul reminds us to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed..." So although I always want people to think the best of me, my goal should be approval from the Lord, and as long as I am working hard at what God has called me to and being obedient to Him, I do not need to be ashamed. It's not an excuse to be lazy or to give up because someone else does it better, it's a mind shift to please the Creator instead of each other. So as I ponder that, I am going to go get changed, get my cup of coffee and try to get some clean socks in my kid's drawers.

Listography II

I just read AOL's top 40 TV series of this decade. I haven't seen many of them, but it did inspire me for my 2nd listography question....
(I want to hear YOUR answers too!)
What are you top/favorite TV shows
of the last decade (1990-1999)?

1. Home Improvement
2. Felicity
3. Mad About You
4. The Young Riders
5. Boy Meets World
6. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
7. Judging Amy
8. 7th Heaven
9. Third Watch
10. Wild and Crazy Kids
    

The Recap

It's been the fastest year... EVER!
A lot has happened....

• In January we took the food plunge.
  
• In February I acquired a new love.
  
• In March I became a woman.
  
• In April I had my 1st Mommy/Daughter day.
• In May Isaac made his work debut.
• In June Zoey took a stand.
• In July we kicked some booty.
  
• In August we said good-bye to our infant.
• In September we knocked out 8 years.
• In October we kept tradition.
• In November we warmed up.
• In December continued to thank God for it all!

This past year has been incredible. I've learned so much about what it means to be a wife, a mother and a child of God. My prayer every morning is that the Lord would continue to grow me more each day and that I would be a blessing to those God has surrounded me with. My prayer will remain the same for the year to follow.

מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל

I just had a 3-hour crash course in geography of the near east. We looked at well over 1,000 of my parent's pictures of Jerusalem, Mt. Carmel, Pools of Bethesda, Garden of Gethsemane, and much, much more. I am so stirred up right now and I haven't even left the city. Chris and I are starting our "Jerusalem" fund as soon as possible! For more of their trip check out their blog at Mantle Ministries.

Where's the Monkey?

I try not to make it very often because it is SO BAD for you, but we do love our monkey cake over here. It's so super easy to make and the cinnamon smell reminds me of the holidays. There are few things that light up my husbands face as when he hears the words, "Anyone want monkey cake?" I didn't know this before, but the reason it is called monkey cake is because monkeys are famous for picking at things to get what they want, and that's exactly what you do with
this delicious little snack!Easy-as-Pie Monkey Cake
Ingredients: 2 large rolls of refrigerated biscuits, 1 cup sugar,
4 Tb cinnamon, 1.5 stix of butter
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Cut up biscuits into bite size pieces (remember they grow in the oven) and coat each piece with cinnamon/sugar mixture and place in greased pan (any size or shape will do). Melt butter and combine with leftover cinnamon/sugar mixture. Pour over biscuits. Place in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, place platter/plate upside down over pan and flip over. Enjoy your gooey dessert!

and in all things... session 15

Things I am thankful for on December 10, 2009...

1. Lamentations 3:22-24
   
2. Metromint Orange-Mint Water
3. Receiving Christmas Cards (esp. ones with pictures!)
   
4. My Husband's Brain
5. The Goodness of the Lord
   
6. Active Flex Band-Aids
   
7. When my kids laugh at each other
8. Colby-Jack Cheese
   
9. The Book of Daniel
10. The Food Network
    

teddy bears are so last year

i hate apologies!

I wish there was no need for apologies.
I wish that God would work so fast in my life that the things I do that displease Him or frustrate others would vanish from my life completely. I would never need to say I'm sorry. I would never have to feel remorse, regret or shame. I would never feel like I am disappointing those around me. I would just be a true reflection of Jesus.
It would just make life A LOT easier.

1 John 2:1-6
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

Reflection in the A.M.

John 17:14-18
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Listography

I love the Listography books. I think they are so neat to capture thoughts and look at them years later for a good laugh. I always tell my students to write lists of things they desire now (what they want in a husband/wife, what kind of dad/mom they will be, what things will be important to them 10 years from now) because no matter how certain you are in them now, they will bust a gut later on realizing that your
whole perception has changed.

Here is the listography question of the day:
(I want to hear YOUR answers too!)

If you could be friends with anyone,
who would you choose?

1. Charles Colson
2. Ravi Zacharias
3. Meryl Streep
4. Michael Chiarello
5. Shawn McDonald
6. Bobbi Brown
7. Mac Powell
8. Jill Briscoe
9. Nicky Cruz
10. David Nasser
    

YOU hold the universe...

I have a favorite time of the day. I know most people would think it would be nap time, and that is definitely a close second... but my favorite time of the day is our time with the Lord. Isaac begs me each morning to read the Bible and worship. It brings tears to my eyes just to picture his face in the morning as he learns about God and dances around the house praising Him. I love this time not only because my kids are focusing on God, but also because it brings things into perspective for me. Today was one of those days. I have been pretty sick since Friday and today it seemed to get slightly worse instead of better. I really didn't want to worship... not because I didn't have love for God or because I was upset... I just didn't have the mindset for loud music or the energy to find the CD. (We use Hillsong Kids CDs... but today we used Hillsong United since the other CDs seem to be hiding). After jumping around with the kids for a couple minutes, I sat down holding my head and wishing for the motrin.... but then I saw this:I realized once again that worship isn't about how I feel, but about what God deserves. I want my kids to see me push thru... to see me press in... to see me give honor and glory to the God who created us and breathes life into us every single day. So as I sit here nursing an ear ache and a migraine, I am thankful for our times with the Lord.They give me what I need every single day.

Mama, you know everything!

I was very much under-the-weather today, so we played "library" and each of the kids brought all their books into my bed. (Zoey was so cute trying to carry all her books at once... adorable!) Once we were all laying down, I started to read one of Isaac's books... one that I have read probably over 100xs. Without realizing it, I closed my eyes and started to recite it from memory. I guess I started to speak lines from pages we haven't gotten to yet, because all of a sudden Isaac says, "Mama, how did you know that was what the dinosaur was going to do? Mama, you know everything!" It was the 1st time I had the energy to laugh the entire day and it actually made me feel much better. If only he knew the truth...

and in all things... session 14

Things I am thankful for on December 5, 2009...

1. Isaiah 53:5
2. Ginger Organic Yogi Hot Tea
   
3. My Flannel Covered Hot Water Bottle
   
4. My Comforter
   
5. DayQuil
   
6. NightQuil
   
7. Kung Fu Panda and his mesmerizing ways
   
8. My Body Shop Heated Lavender Body Hug
   
9. My husband's (and family's) check up phone calls
   
10. That I am not currently pregnant and can actually take medication to make me feel better!
    

“I'd be content if my children grew up to be people

who think decorating means building enough bookshelves.”

-Anna Quindlen-

"House" the cat

We have a cat... kind-of.

It's actually our neighbors.
She is there when we leave.
She is there when we arrive.
She tries to follow the kids into the house every day.
My kids are in love.
What is better than a pet that you don't have to let in your house and are not responsible to feed and care for?
(As I am posting this she is staring at me thru our doorway- she knows the kids are in here and wants me to let them out)

Advent

Advent [ad-vent]:

a coming into place, view, or being; arrival
Tonight we are starting our Advent Calendar and I am so excited. I know that Isaac is at an age where he can understand the meaning of Christmas and why we take time to celebrate it, so I made an envelope for each night with a coloring page from this website, that will help us talk about the truths of Christmas.
So here's my question...
What are you doing this holiday season
to keep Jesus at the center?Here are some other cute ideas for Advent:
My Sister's Advent Countdown
Advent with Books
Advent Cones
Advent in a Box
Advent Candles
A-Door-Able Advent Calendar

Today my heart aches...

Esther Cora Puggini

December 25, 1923- November 29, 2006

Deck the Halls...

Today was our annual "Decorate-4-Christmas" day. I look forward to this day all year long... Hot Cocoa, Polar Express, Matching PJs, Christmas Music, Evergreen Tree Smells, etc. This year Isaac was a huge help in decorating the house and didn't want to be left out of any part of the process. When putting the ornaments on the tree I forced myself to continually say "Wow, great job Isaac!" instead of "Please don't put another bulb on that same branch, spread them out! Make it even!" It was very hard for me! Now the kids are tucked in bed and Chris and I are brewing another pot of coffee. Happy Christmas Season!