First Day of School!!!

4th Grade - Jordan and Mrs.Stevens at Sneak-A-Peek last night.
Jordan - so excited about school...Isabel did not want him to go.
Here comes the bus...
Finally off to school with Isabel and her cinnamon toast.

Loss and funerals

Sometimes I think with all Chad and I have been through this year that things should mellow out soon, and I know that God will not give me more than I can handle...but sometimes I still struggle. Especially with loss...

Not only did we lose Grandma and Eddy this year, I also lost my Aunt Cuca (dad's brother's wife) in July and just this weekend Chad's cousin Ryan passed away.

Aunt Cuca struggled with diabetes for many years and her loss will leave a void in our family. We will miss her tamales and chicken molle (spelling?). Uncle Rudy and the boys will miss her terribly.

Chad's cousin Ryan passed away this weekend, he was only 33 years old...it seems that there was some sort of accident. Ryan was a groomsman in our wedding 14 years ago. Since he was so young, this loss will be tough on his immediate family...especially his mom and brother.

With Chad's grandparents last year, I will have gone to six funerals in the past 16 months...poor Jordan has gone to more funerals in his young life than some adults attend in a lifetime.

While we will miss all these family members tremendously we are always reminded of the memories that we share with them. And for those of us that are left behind to grieve we have the promise that we will see these beloved family members again some day.

Yesterday, I had a "sad moment" when I got to work and for some reason I had to talk to my brother Robbie who is in Iraq. I needed to talk to him at that moment...not quite sure why other than he's always someone I can lean on when I need a friendly voice to talk to. I emailed him and he called me back...we talked for about 20 minutes and when I got off the phone I felt better. I'm not sure why I wrote this other than it confirms that we need these important people in our lives...

Take care everyone and be safe...
Love
Jackie

Vacation - SDC

Last weekend the kids and I went with Chad's parents to SDC and Branson. This picture is of Isabel at the gate.
Tired little girl...
On the train...
Grandma, Grandpa, Jordan & Isabel
Jeff, Cathy & Owen joined us last weekend too...it was hot, but we had a good time.

4th of July!!!

First we went over to Mom's house and then stopped by Aunt Donna's to see my cousins from OK. After a stop at the fireworks stand, we then headed to Dad's house to our annual Madrigal picnic and fireworks display. It was a good day, I got to see a lot of my cousins and Isabel and Amanda played really well together. I of course had the flag shirts for the kids...I can't do the 4th of July without our shirts.

Happy Summer!!!

Chad's new job!!!

Chad in his truck...I got to go out on the road with him last weekend (Isn't he cute). It was fun to see him do his job and travel to different areas. It was kind of like being in an RV and touring the country (sort of).
Train bridge - for a brief second we thought we might not make it under. But we did!!! For a moment we both ducked our heads...
Oh beautiful Iowa!!! I love seeing farm houses and silos. It was a good evening.

Eddy

Eddy Reber

1958 - 2008

My uncle and my friend. All I can say about this man is "WOW." What a godly and loving man he was. In all my life, I've never once thought when someone died that they were lucky. I was kind of envious of Eddy for going to heaven, he has no pain, no worries, and is enjoying all the wonderful treasures that there are in heaven. And also I know he was greeted by his mom and dad who I also miss so much. Eddy we love and miss you tremendously...we will see you again some day and we know you will be waiting for us.

Isabel is TWO!!!

June 7, 2008

I can't believe how the years fly by...it seemed only yesterday that she was born. She is such a big girl now...the day before her birthday she counted to 10!!! She is so smart...

Happy Birthday Isabel Marie!!!

Is Summer FINALLY here???

The kids enjoyed the warm weather yesterday on the deck in the kiddie pool. At first Isabel wanted nothing to do with it. By the end of the afternoon she was jumping and splashing with her brother.

Happy Memorial Day to all the Veterans out there who have served or who are currently serving our country...Thank you for all you do.

My brother Robbie is currently deployed to Iraq, he will be there until approximately October. Pray for him and his safety and for all the soldiers there with him. We miss you Robbie...

Kids & Popcorn

Jordan and Isabel watching cartoons this morning...I love it when he plays with her, I actually get to have some computer time. Isabel loves playing with her brother, she tries to do everything he does.

What the Bond's are doing!!!

Dancing "Easter" Girl...Isabel loves to show off her dancing moves!!!
Future Soccer Star
Sick baby girl...I could not lay her down in bed or even dress her she was so sick. She wanted water so bad that she would not let go of the water bottle. Needless to say neither of us got much sleep that night.
Girl Cousins - Isabel and Grace hangin out with Grandma Connie every Tuesday.
Boy Cousins - Jordan and Owen at Easter dinner.

Sorry it's been so long...

Hello all,

We've had a busy 2008 so far...It's finally spring break and I think I will be able to catch my breath soon. With Chad starting his new career, Jordan's state assessments, my grandma passing just this last week, things have been hectic. We are doing fine, just trying to stay afloat and keep my head above water. At least this week I only work 1 1/2 days, so mostly I will be off work and with my kiddos.

Jordan and I went and say "Horton Hears a Who" yesterday, it was really cute. We also did a bunch of errands and running around while Isabel was at daycare.

Hope everyone is enjoying this "semi" warm weather...keep looking, spring has to be there somewhere.

Please says some extra prayers for my uncle Eddy (mom's younger brother)...during recent doctor's visits this past week, he did not get a very good report...it's simply wait and see in another two months what the scans say then. He did not feel really good during Grandma's funeral, but never once complained. He's such an awesome and Godly man...he can really use the prayers.

Take care everyone and happy early Easter...

LY

Jackie

Brother and Sister

Have you even seen two siblings look so much alike? I guess Robbie and I looked similar for being a boy and a girl. Everytime I take Isabel somewhere someone ALWAYS says...she looks just like her brother.

I'm curious to see if we were to have another baby if he/she would look the same as these two? Again just curious not saying ANY thing else...as of right now we are done!!!

Hope everyone has a great week...stay warm:)

My family

You know how you have those pictures you take at the spur of the moment and then they end up being your favorite pictures. Here are a few of mine...

Christmas Time

Here are a few of our Christmas pics!!!

Holiday Greetings from the Bonds!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!!

My Blog this year is our Christmas letter...with everything going on with the family, my new job, school, Isabel and the holidays...I had to say "no" to something and I decided the Bond Family Christmas letter and Christmas card was what I could give up. I realize that our whole year was cataloged and documented on my blog, so why not just send another link and wish everyone Merry Christmas that way.

If you scroll down you will find my prior posts in the archive section.

We want to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year. May everyone be safe and well this holiday season.

God Bless...from the Bonds

Chad.Jackie.Jordan.Isabel

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Isabel and her baby!!!

I was beginning to wonder if Isabel would ever "play" with her doll, typically she just tossed it on the floor and then climbs into the baby doll bed herself. But now after spending the last four weeks with Connie and baby Grace on Tuesday's, Isabel knows ALL about babies now. I have to wrap up or swaddle her doll in that blanket about 100 times each evening and we feed the baby and hold the baby and then the baby sleeps with Isabel. Now all she needs is a baby doll stroller "hint hint" you aunts and uncles out there reading this...
Now we just need to name our baby doll...my doll's name was "Debbie" when I was a little girl...any suggestions?

Santa Baby!!!

Isabel would not actually sit on Santa's lap, she would only stand there by bubba with her dogie. But hey, at least she was awake this year...Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families. We had a good day yesterday, we went to my mom's house and my brother and his wife are in town. Last night Jordan, Robbie, Sherri and I all went down to the plaza and watched the plaza lights come on. It was cold, but we were able to get into my office and watch the lighting. We also had an excellent view of the fireworks display. We had a great time. There is so much to be thankful for...hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend:)
Love,
Jackie