Long overdue hugs!

Wow! It's been a very long time!! I am so sorry! We have had computer problems (in the shop and now fixed but WHERE THE HECK IS EVERYTHING....LIKE MY PHOTO PROGRAM??) and even lost my camera for a few days before it turned up again at the restaurant in Grandville where I knew I left it! Even now, I am re installing my Nikon photo software in hopes of being able to upload and hopefully share the 134 pictures I have on my camera!!
Since I last posted we have been to Detroit twice (fun with my parents while Tom was in Vegas, and an awesome weekend with the Bolt's), as well as to Chicago with Bill and Joan, I did a lecture to ~50 women about reducing our environmental impact, the kids turned SIX (6)!!!!!!!!!! and we celebrated with a night at a water park hotel in GR, I went to see Jamie Oliver and Ryan Seacrest on Oprah last week (Show to air March 22) I (heart) Jamie Oliver!!!, I've done some sewing, we celebrated 'love' day by doing the 'walk for warmth' in Zeeland and visiting the local hospital with toys/coloring books for the kids, I'm adjusting to working a second job at Hope, we're enjoying our 'Sunday night Movie night' as often as possible, we're taking every possible moment to soak up the winter sun that occasionally shines through the windows....
I read that today is ' International mother language day' a day to celebrate the history and diversity present in our many world languages. Then, I saw the graphic above and loved it! Have you seen this amazing company run by a local woman? http://www.mothertongues.com/ Love it!!
Well, that's it for my photo-less update, I'll be back soon!!!
Blessings everyone!

Snowshoeing!! (is that how you spell it??)

We had a wonderful time trying out the kids new snow shoes yesterday (thanks grandma and grandpa M.)! Tom and I were able to 'borrow' some from a local nature preserve. It was great exercise, beautiful, and a wonderful family morning!

Career Day

If those NICU doctors at Spectrum could see them now....
Today was career day at the kids school. They got to choose what they wanted to be and somehow I had to make them look like that career. They turned out perfect and I must admit seeing the girls this morning brought a tear to my eye. If they could see them now.

Dr. Sophie Bonnema, NICU

Dr. Abby Bonnema, NICU
Noah Bonnema, chef
(yes, I made the hat...don't laugh!)

"Just like the first day of school....only colder"

I snapped a picture of the kids all bundled up for school this morning, what a riot. This year we have been saying a psalm and praying on the way to school every morning. I must admit it's one of the things I am most proud of. This morning we started learning our 4th psalm of the year:
"Sing to God a brand new song, because he has done many wonderful things. Play a trumpet or a horn! Join the rivers and mountains in singing praise to God!" Psalm 98 (children's version)

Merry Christmas/ Happy 2010!

We had a wonderful Christmas, and cannot believe the break is winding to a close. It started off pretty busy and is ending up a little more quiet but every moment has been precious. There was cookie baking (and eating) time with family, time in prayer, times of laughter, times with friends, and times snuggling in our jammies. It was beautiful to see the kids understanding of the true meaning of Christmas this year. The Christmas story truly meant something to them as they participated (as sheep) in the Christmas Eve program at church. A couple of my favorite moments were watching the kids shop at Target, wrap, and give each other thoughtful darling gifts. The other moment was after Sophie received money from us to buy a toy for a child in the hospital she responded, "Oh good! I have been wanting to do that!". That is the meaning of Christmas to me.

We ended 2009 with a chilly hike and wonderful Mexican themed party with our friends the Bolt's. It was a blast, the perfect combination of fun, funny, and relaxing :) We welcome the adventure of 2010, a new decade. I read somewhere about finding a 'word for the year' something that will represent how you want to live this year. I am not being unique, by using a word I read someone else used..but I love it. My word for 2010 will be "Story". Every moment with my kiddos a beautiful story is unfolding, our story. I want to remember to Be Present (something I have been working on since my birthday), be an active participant in the story. I do not want to have the story going on around me, without me, I want to be involved, attentive, and loving it. I can't wait to see the story that will unfold in 2010 for our family.

Blessings!

Sophie is the sheep farthest to the left of the screen, Abby and Noah are the two farthest to the right of the screen. Enjoy!

My favorite family tradition

Every Sunday night we have 'family movie night'. It is by far my favorite time of the week. The very best part is when we push the sofa and love seat together, find the big down comforter and make a "nest". We all pile in and snuggle for the entire movie. It is amazing. Tonight we watched a 'censored' (by Tom...who knows the entire movie by heart) version of Tom's favorite Christmas movie 'Christmas Story'. Doesn't get any better than this.

Skipping ahead to Christmas!

I know, it's been too long! I have about 70 pictures to be sorted and lots more I could add from our wonderful Thanksgiving with all of my family. I'll get to that... But, for now, we had the kids first Christmas program at school tonight. It was amazing! Abby had a speaking part...in spanish! Sophie found out Monday that she would sing a duet. And Noah was part of a special song. It was precious, amazing, adorable! I think the best part was seeing my kids give each other fives/saying "great job" after each did their special part. I didn' t capture it on video, you can almost see it in the upper right corner of one of the videos...but not quite. Each time one returned they all gave each other 5. I could hear people around us saying, "They must be brothers and sisters". They love each other and they are each others biggest fans. Priceless.

Noah "S-A-N-T-A" (see the girls in the upper right corner)

Sophie's Duet :) (See Abby and Noah in the upper right corner)

Abby's finale in spanish! (you know where to look for the other two!)