Lego

LEGOS. I just have a feeling that I will be finding Lego pieces all over my house for the next couple years.

 

The Waterfall

Just thinking about a random story tonight.

Chris and I took an amazing vacation with some friends to Alaska the year before Isaac was born. It was probably the most beautiful place I have ever been and I can't wait to go again. One of the days we were in Skagway, Alaska, we went hiking to find a local waterfall. This trail we took went on for MILES.... but the view was SO beautiful.

 

 

Finally after hours of hiking (and let me just say that "hiking" with Chris Bunk is the leave-me-behind-because-I-am-going-to-die kind of hiking) we finally made it to our waterfall. It was breathtaking... honestly, the pictures don't do it justice!

 

 

 

I am CRAZY for waterfalls, I have been since I was very young (I think I inherited that from my mother). I had pictures of them all over my walls growing up and they always took my breath away when I saw them in person. Once we got there I couldn't WAIT to climb down! You can imagine my surprise when Chris told me that there was no way we were going to climb down the waterfall! I couldn't believe my ears! This was coming from the man who climbed up the face of a waterfall in Haiti when we were teenagers! Since I knew he didn't make this decision out of his own fear, I knew it was because he didn't think I could do it. From the pictures it seems like an easy climb down, but in reality, it was very slippery and very steep... and this wasn't a tourist attraction with lifeguards on hand... we were pretty far out in the middle of nowhere. I was so bummed. In fact, so bummed, that I sat down and just stared at the waterfall while everyone else was exploring some pipes behind us.

I wasn't really pouting... ok maybe a little bit... but I really wanted to show Chris I could do it. I think when he saw how determined I was, he decided that we could go.... as long as I listened to everything he told me to do. I can still remember that "don't be prideful" look he gave me as I started to jump up and down, so excited to start. So on we went... and I loved every second! I think Chris was proud of me, and I had a new found appreciation of his love and concern for me.

 

 

So WHY in the world am I up at 1:00 in the morning reminiscing about this story? I honestly have NO IDEA. All I know is that Chris brings balance to my life. He challenges me when I want to retreat, and holds me back when I haven't completely thought things through. Do you have someone like that in your life? If so, you know what I'm talking about, and if not, then I pray that you will in due time. I actually have a few people like that around me and I am thankful that God has placed them in my life.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Jeepers Creepers

Tonight we met the family at Jeepers for Alina's official 3rd birthday. I am not exaggerating when I say that Isaac jumped the entire 3 hours we were there. I knew this kid had a lot of energy, but this was over-the-top. The kids had so much fun.... that is until I decided to take Zoey on the roller-coaster- total failure. Happy 3rd Birthday Alina!

this year, i just DIDN'T...

this year, we DIDN'T put up Christmas lights outside our house.

(although Isaac is still asking when that's going to happen)

this year, we DIDN'T send out Christmas cards to friends and family.

(we did get a lot of super cute ones from others and they are all up in our house)

this year, i DIDN'T make any homemade cookies
for the kids to frost and decorate.

(i figured they got their fill by decorating plenty of gingerbread houses)

this year, i DIDN'T take many pictures, in fact,
i forgot my camera some of the time.

(good thing i have wonderful sisters who i can steal from)

this year, i DIDN'T plan any fun Christmas crafts for the kids to do to lead up
to Christmas or make a cute homemade advent calendar.

(i did purchase one with books to hang on the tree each day...
the story was a little off though, so i had to tell it from memory)

this year, we DIDN'T take the kids to the lights at the zoo,
the village or any other place set up for families to walk around.

(we did go around the neighborhood in our truck on Christmas Eve night)

this year, i DIDN'T make cute homemade gifts for my kids' teachers.

(although, they probably enjoyed my purchased gifts much more)

this year, i DIDN'T get my kids professionally photographed
in their Christmas outfits.

(i did take our annual picture in front of the tree in their Christmas PJs)

Do I regret everything I DIDN'T do?

A little bit.

But with everything being a little hectic this year from adding one little boy to our growing family, it was the only way I would be a "fun" mom and not a "stressed" mom.. and it seems my kids are young enough that they didn't even know what they were missing. They still had a great time! I have to be honest though, I do have dozens of things saved on my bookmarks to do for next year, and I can't wait!!!
What DID or DIDN'T you do this Christmas that made you enjoy it?

the most wonderful time of the year

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... Christmas is over.

I loved it.

I'm glad it's done.

Our kids were abundantly blessed, and we are so grateful to friends and family for making our Christmas one to remember. I made deals with all of my sisters about sticking to budget this year, and yet again, my kids were blessed beyond comprehension. How do they do that???

Today we attempted a "sleep-in" morning and are now organizing all the toys into their "permanent" places. Isaac said he got everything he wanted this year and hasn't stopped jumping since Christmas morning. This is what my coffee table looks like today:

 He told me that Elijah needs to know all about his superheroes. Elijah hasn't peeled his eyes away!

 Probably my least favorite toys are Isaac's Nerf Swords. Chris HAD to get them for him, and I have now realized that these are MUCH different than the foam pirate swords at the Dollar Store. I think everyone except Chris has cried from getting hit. Boys, boys, boys....

 One of my favorite gifts for the kids was a "coloring cube" from Uncle Matt and Aunt Nina. It's simple, but it gives me hundreds of small coloring pages for the kids when I am trying to get something done... and they love it! Isaac told me that he was going to color a lot of pictures for me and if I like it he will hang it on the fridge, and if I hate it, he will throw it away.... I might have to invest in some more magnets!

 Chris and I were blessed as well from all of our loved ones. I can't wait to use this gift from my dad. I mentioned to my mom one day at the mall that if I had a lot of money I would buy everything from Origins. This is a gift that is a symbol of being heard, even when I wasn't trying to be.

 Because of my intention to have a "simple Christmas" we didn't do many crafts this year. One thing we did do was color a Christmas page each day to help to tell us the Christmas story... we then made them into books.

 I am getting so excited for 2011. I feel the need to "start over" and make some changes to promote growth... in me... in my kids... in my life.

A big thank you goes out to everyone who poured into our life this past year... to the ones who showed up when we felt overwhelmed, encouraged us when we felt like giving up, and pointed to God when our vision was clouded. We are blessed beyond measure and thank God everyday for the amazing life He has given us!

ChristMAUS Eve

 Last night was our annual ChristMAUS Eve get-together. It was pretty calm this year, which is somewhat unusual with that many kids, and we all had a great time. Thank you Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda for always making our family Christmas special!
Here is 2008 and 2009.

 

 

 After we left, we got all the kids buckled in the car and told them that we had to go straight home and go to bed so we could get up early the next morning. They both looked so sad, but reluctantly agreed... and then I found some tickets on the dash!

Isaac was too excited to even pull himself together. We explained that these were special tickets to take a ride on the BUNK Express. Out came the snacks and glow sticks and we headed off to get our coffee and hot cocoa. The kids had a BLAST! Thank you Andi for making our annual tradition even MORE exciting!

 

 

 

This was Isaac's favorite house. We also saw a house that had The Grinch stealing the Christmas tree in their front room. We loved it... and that started a "count the Grinches" game that lasted the rest of the night. We found 5! Merry Christmas everyone!!

Luke 2:7

She brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger.  Luke 2:7

The virgin birth is more, much more, than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you.  The first stop on his itinerary was a womb.  Where will God go to touch the world?  Look deep within Mary for an answer.

 (Excerpt from Max Lucado)

on the Eve of Christmas Eve

Today was such a wonderful day. You know the days... the ones where everything goes right... everyone is happy... that was my day. Chris had the day off and came with us to Isaac's last skating lesson. He is so proud that he passed class #1 and class #2.

 Afterward Chris took us all to breakfast... one of my favorite things to do! The waitress kept bringing out more and more food "compliments of the kitchen" and they were all hilarious to the kids. They laughed belly laughs when they saw it all (a race car made out of a banana and toothpicks, this orange man and then a plate full of grapes and pears).

 The ice rink in the backyard is well on it's way... lots of work went into that today... and I even got to sneak away to enjoy some shopping! But to round out the night we let the kids open one of their Christmas presents and are now getting ready to enjoy movie night!

going to daddy's work

I have never seen a kid so excited to play with tools and work gear!

Like father, like son

Joseph and an angel

 We had such a wonderful time at Isaac and Zoey's School Christmas Program! Thanks to all the people who came out to love them and cheer them on.... they loved it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These videos are for Grandy, since she wasn't able to make it to the program...

Isaac Christmas Program from lori bunk on Vimeo.

Zoey Christmas Program from lori bunk on Vimeo.

Isaac Christmas Program (Bells) from lori bunk on Vimeo.