enjoying spring

When is deer season?

It's not a secret that we have a strange family life, but this one had me laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Our neighbors must get such a kick out of us!

Isaac the Deer from lori bunk on Vimeo.

and in all things... session 27

Things I am thankful for on May 17, 2010...

1. Proverbs 16:20
2. UPS Trucks
   
3. Fresh Air
   
4. That seasons only last for a season
   
5. Baby Feet
   
6. Good doctor reports
   
7. God's loving-kindness
   
8. Navel Oranges
   
9. Running Water
   
10. Accessible Scripture
    

the infamous rUtAbAgA

Tonight was the night we tackled the RuTaBaGa!

Thanks to everyone who provided the yummy recipes, but we ended up with the just the simply made "mashed rutabaga." Isaac and his dad weren't big fans, but Zoey ended up eating thirds! Not sure that we will add this to our family meals, but if we have a girls night, it will definitely be on the menu!

i heart spring

How real is TOO real?

My son caught me crying the other day.

Actually, our whole family was sitting on the couch Saturday morning just finishing breakfast and a song came on that has really meant a lot to me over the years and tears started to run down my cheeks. My husband knew exactly what was going on and started cracking up (mostly b/c he knew how hard I was trying to keep it together and was confident it was only a matter of time.) When Isaac heard his dad laughing, he looked over to me and saw I was crying. "Why are you crying, mom?" I explained that sometimes people cry because they are hurt or sad, but sometimes people cry because they are happy or really moved by something. I assured him that these were happy tears.

Well, today he caught my emotion again, only this time it wasn't happy tears... and he knew it. I tried to play it off, but he wasn't convinced. I had just read something that made me feel like a failure, and although I would like to blame the pregnancy hormones, I truly felt thrown under the bus and completely misunderstood. It's fine... I'll get over it, but I was worried that this flood of emotion would upset and confuse my little man. I mean, I'm supposed to be the one wiping his tears and telling him everything is going to be fine, and here I am in a heap, dealing with a lot of insecurity and personal frustration.I am in the middle of a audio series by Dr. Dobson that talks about raising kids and the type of parents we should strive to be. One of his main points was to allow our kids to see some of our reality, in bite-size ways, so that they can see how to handle situations appropriately and not just become delusional about how "easy" life is. I felt like this might be a good time to put this into practice. I explained to him that mommy got her feelings hurt, but that ultimately I wanted to grow in God and become a better person, so I listen to what people have to say, even when it's difficult, so that I can always challenge myself to grow. I then used an example of how sometimes I say things to him that he doesn't like to hear in order to help him be a better boy.

I think he got it.
Well, enough to hug me and tell me that he loves me
...and that I don't need to worry about other people helping me grow because the baby is making me grow bigger every day.
UGH- just the kick I needed while I was still down.

Anyways, it was a learning lesson for both of us today,
and ultimately I'm grateful.

back to the zoo...

Yesterday was Chris' birthday so we set the day aside to whatever he wanted to do. After much cuddling, a homemade breakfast and a car wash/water fight with the kids, we headed back to the zoo. It was the perfect day and we wanted somewhere we could walk (plus Isaac was very bummed that we didn't see the kangaroos last time we were there, so we HAD to go back). It was such great family time and we were able to love on the man who makes this family possible. We love you Chris!

There is this man...

There is this man...... he stole my heart over 17 years ago
... he has no fear in shooting me endlessly with nerf guns (even while I'm pregnant)
... he always has the last word when it comes to pranks
... his favorite steak is the ribeye
... his favorite pastime is wrestling with his kids
... he loves ANYTHING Milwaulkee
... he has 3 adoring fans (and one on the way) that scream and cheer when he gets home from work and he will always be loved more than he will ever know

HaPpY BiRtHdAy Chris!!!

{baby names}

Chris and Isaac came up with some baby boy names tonight. Any votes?
Brewster Bunk
Foogie-Bo Bunk
Iron Man Bunk
Jump Bunk
Boy Bunk
Optimus Prime Bunk
Boogy Bunk

Honorable Mentions:
Gregory, Henry, Larry and Carl

my sisters hate dogs.

The other day Isaac and I were on the couch and he leaned over to me and very sweetly said "Mom, I am so sad right now I want to cry." After I asked him why, he explained to me that he is sad because daddy and I won't let him have a dog. After laughing in his face and then seeing his heartbroken face, I pulled myself together and explained to him the bad news: this Bunk family will never have any pets of our own. He was crushed. He asked me if Papa and Grandma ever let me have a dog, to which I responded a resounding NO. I did tell him, in their defense, that I never wanted a pet. I was busted when I found this yesterday in a book my mother made me:Oh well, I lived... so will he!

my girl has the lips!

ru·ta·ba·ga

My son is obsessed with rutabagas.
I don't really know why... I think it started when he watched the cartoon Olivia and she talked all about them. We decided to take a field trip to the fruit market today to find a rutabaga and learn all about the fruits and veggies. He decided he really likes zucchini as well.

So we are going to make something with a rutabaga.
I'm embarrassed to say that I have no idea what to do with one. Isaac said I should clean it and put it in a pot of water, but I have a feeling he won't be finishing his plate with it done that way!

So I am pleading for help. Anyone have any good recipes or ideas for rutabagas? I found a couple of good ideas on cooks.com and allrecipes.com, but I'm not convinced any of those will work. (To be completely honest, I'm more concerned my husband will refuse to eat them than my kids.) Any help I can get from all you wonderful cooks would be greatly appreciated!

i LUV being a mom.

I had one of the best Mother's Day weekends EVER! It started last night when my husband and kids took me shopping and out to dinner. It was such a great time just being all together. Then today we spent the day at the zoo with my mom and family. The weather was perfect, the animals were walking all over and my kids were so excited to everything. It was so relaxing and fun. I love being a mom. Happy Mother's Day!

it's the little things...

It's so funny how things drastically change
when you become a mother.
Right now mother's day is coming to a close, and my husband is using a rented upholstery cleaner on our couch as I type because he knew how much the filthy couch was bugging me. It's the little things that mean so much to me now. For example, my favorite gift this weekend was some wooden spoons I've been wanting for my kitchen, and the fact that we purchased the handles for our kitchen cabinets. Wow, have things changed... and I am so glad. I appreciate the way the people I love take time to make me feel special... to feel needed... to feel heard. Thank you to my wonderful family for giving me exactly
what I needed this mother's day!

She's pretty amazing.

• She took me on my 1st mission trip
• She was next to me at the birth of my daughter
• She cried when she dropped me off at college
  
• She taught me how to swim
• She is always up for a shopping date
  
• She has never let me cry alone
• She forced me to learn how to drive
  
• She has prayed for me every day of my existence
  
• She is the most amazing woman I have ever met

Happy Mother's Day to the mom who did it all! I love you!

It's going to be a great weekend!

Saturday Soccer

Well, I tried to hold them off as long as possible, but the weather isn't cooperating with me... it's WAY too nice outside! We will be starting our Saturday Soccer every Saturday during the summer from 11am-1pm. Everyone who wants to play soccer is welcome! Please email me at loribunk@gmail.com if you need directions to our house.
See you Saturday!

Heartbreak of the day

Yesterday when Chris and I got home from our ultrasound, Isaac and I had a conversation that made me so sad.

Isaac: Whose belly did I come from?
Me: Mine
Isaac: Whose belly did Daddy come from?
Me: Grandy
Isaac: Whose belly did you come from?
Me: Grandma
Isaac: Whose belly did Grandpa come from?
Me: Grandma Neva
Isaac: Whose belly did Grandma come from?
Me: Nonne
Isaac: I don't know Nonne
Me: I know, buddy

Ugh. My heart was hurt for the rest of the night. It's so heartbreaking that my kids will not know one of the most influential ladies in my life. Isaac would have LOVED my grandmother, and she definitely would have gotten a kick out of him... and the rest of her crazy great-grandchildren, for that matter. During the last few months of her life, Isaac would go visit Nonne a couple of times a week, because she loved watching him crawl around her townhouse. It would bring her so much joy. He was only 9 months old when she passed away. He was the only grandchild she had the privilege of knowing, and for that 9 months of love I will forever be grateful.

Officially Outnumbered

So Zoey and I have been officially outnumbered. Isaac was so excited when we told him he was going to have a brother. He immediately explained to Chris how he wanted his bunk beds designed so that his brother could sleep in his room with him. He is going to draw a diagram today. It was so cute! Zoey is still just excited that we are having a baby... but beware, because she is convinced everyone has a baby in their belly and she might try to touch yours. Now on to the bartering for name choices...

Telling Isaac about baby from lori bunk on Vimeo.

baby bunk #3

To find out the sex of our baby, please refer to Psalm 127:4 (NIV)

backyard picnic

Just enjoying a backyard picnic with some of our favorite people.
I love that Isaac and Zoey have so much fun with their cousins!

and in all things... session 26

Things I am thankful for on May 3, 2010...

1. Isaiah 26:3-4
   
2. My daughter's fishy kisses
   
3. Reconnecting with friends
   
4. The hymn "Tis So Sweet"
   
5. My beautiful nesting tea cups (Thanks Li!)
   
6. God's Intervention
   
7. Spring Cleaning
   
8. Havarti Cheese
   
9. My son's imagination
   
10. We get to find out our baby's gender tomorrow!!!
    

helping my kids help kids around the world

My parents go on several missions trips throughout the year and are always excited to come back and share the amazing things God does overseas. My mom mentioned to me last week that she wanted to start collecting kid's meal toys to bring to the kids in 3rd world countries (the conversation started b/c of my endeavor to purge everything ridiculous in my house and I was throwing all the meal toys away). I have 1st hand experience how much those small, inexpensive toys mean to kids who have little or nothing to play with. Will you help us? Would you put any kids meal toys that you are getting rid of this year into a box and give it to me or my mom to donate to kids who don't have much? It might even be a GREAT project to share with your kids and explain about missions and giving. We will be doing this all year long, so there is no rush. When you are ready to donate, just send me an email so I can hook up with you to get them, or just drop them off in or in front of my office at the church. Thank you so much!Here are a couple of GREAT sites that I use with my children to help them to understand mission work and what kids all over the world encounter on a daily basis.
Kids of Courage: Voice of the Martyrs
Kids on Mission
Kid Mission
10 ways to help kids love missions (John Piper Ministries)

the packing list...

Even though this is my 3rd pregnancy, I still love getting the emails that update me about what I am experiencing each week. This week, along with my update, I received a article on what to pack for the hospital or birthing center. At only 19 weeks, it seems pretty early for me to be receiving this email, but I clicked on it to see what they had to say. I was cracking up... here are some of the things on the list...

1. several copies of your birth plan for each nurse and doctor you encounter
2. diversion for long labor, including puzzles, deck of cards and favorite magazines
3. pre-paid phone card for long distance calls to friends and relatives
4. a bathing suit (for baths or showers during labor)
5. a book on newborn care

Although these are wonderful things to have, and I probably brought all of them for my 1st pregnancy, these are the things I will have with me this time...

1. my husband
2. my toothbrush
   
3. ear plugs

Any moms want to way in on the things they would make sure they would have or wouldn't have at the hospital this time around?

FaMiLy

Last night we celebrated Lance's birthday and, as usual, the kids took over the show. Isaac LOVED hanging out with the twins and Zoey always had to have her hands on their face. Such a fun, cRaZy night!

what a memory!

It was over a year and a half ago, so I have no idea HOW he remembered, but Isaac saw some marshmallows in our cupboard and asked to build with them like he did before. Then he asked for the toothpicks. This kid has an incredible memory, because our marshmallow day (you can see it HERE) was in November of 2008! I'm glad it's still as fun today as it was back then. Yay for super easy projects that are an easy clean-up... too bad my kids are now full of sugar right before dinner time!

and the QuEsT continues...

Today our quest continued to find new parks all over the county. We ended up at a beautiful and relaxing park called Ghesquiere. I've realized that we enjoy parks a lot more when there is more to do then just the play area. We like to go exploring... finding new plants, bugs and oddly shaped sticks. We will definitely be visiting this park again!

one of THOSE days

It's just been one of those days.
I'm not feeling well.
I'm pregnant.
My clothes are starting to get uncomfortable.
My house is a wreck.
There are many problems I need to solve.
There is no time to solve them.
My daughter's favorite word is "no"
My son's favorite word is "mom"
This day has been super long and I still have a ton to do before I can lay down for the night. I decided to take a minute to grab a drink of water and sit... so instead of making another dish for me to clean, I grabbed one of the left-over disposable cups from Zoey's birthday. (We put characters on them so people would know which cup was theirs). Out of all the names I could pick, today I picked THIS one.
Are you kidding me? Not Barbie. Not Dora. Not Wonder Woman.
MISS PIGGY!
I think I'm going to call it a night!

and in all things... session 25

Things I am thankful for on April 19, 2010...

1. Proverbs 4:20-22
   
2. Cooking!
   
3. Organic Honest Ice Tea
   
4. My daughter sleeping in til 10am
   
5. Green grass
   
6. Cute hand-me-down maternity clothes
   
7. Drive-thru ATMs
   
8. God-given friendships
   
9. God-given wisdom
   
10. Watermelon
    

is it nothing to be happy?

"You are worried about seeing them spend their early years in doing nothing. What! Is it nothing to be happy? Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long? Never in their life will they be so busy again."
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

Let's party like it's 2005

Yesterday Chris and I had the entire day and night to ourselves. We woke up early, had breakfast and headed out to Lansing in the 40 degree weather. Actually, Chris had a choice of 3 adventures for the day and he decided on Lansing, so we hit the road with ice teas in hand. We laughed the whole day talking about what life was life before kids... which was weird because we spent 1/2 the day talking about how blessed we are because of our kids. We even jumped in the car at 11 at night to get a late dinner. It's been over 4 years since we've even thought of doing that! I wouldn't want to go back to being kidless, but having a day to focus on each other made it easier to embrace the phase of life we are in. Thanks dad and mom for taking the kids so we could have some time off!