Update on Dad!!!

My dad is doing well as can be expected. He had surgery on Friday and was able today to get up and about (sit in a chair etc). He will have a long road of recovery ahead of him...he cannot bear weight on that left leg for at least two months. Please keep him in your prayers...

Love,
Jackie

When it rains it pours!!!

After almost 20 hours of labor, we have a new member of the family...Gwen and Greg are proud new parents of baby Grace Elizabeth born yesterday evening. She is so pretty with her little round face and china doll complexion. She looks like her daddy but has her mommy's eyes. Congratulations guys...she is beautiful!!!

On another note, my dad really needs a bunch of prayers tonight. Yesterday he fell off an eight foot ladder onto the concrete garage floor. In the process he seems to have broken his hip and crushed his pelvis. He is currently in traction and waiting for surgery which might not happen till Friday. He is in a lot of pain and can't move at all. Please keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery and that all goes well when they do take him to surgery later this week.

I know the lord will never give you more than you can handle, but with my new job, school starting, dad having his accident, and other family things it seems to be a lot to handle.

I often say to myself to just "trust in him" and he will get me through, and I need that more than ever now.

love, jb

First Haircut!!!

Isabel had her first official haircut on Saturday, August 4th. Gina who has been cutting my hair for the past 5+ years got the honor of cutting it. Isabel did surprisingly well considering she had to sit through my haircut first. Jordan was a trooper and came along for the picture taking (of course I had to pay him $5 bucks to do that duty). We had a good day!

Kids will be kids

Jordan is always playing and trying to get Isabel to laugh and run through the house...in fact he is chasing her right now as I type this post. Yesterday Isabel had her first offical boo-boo. Jordan and her were sitting on the deck chair cushions in the house and she ended up bumping her head on the wall by the fish tank. She is fine...I'm sure it's just the first of many boo-boos to come.

Isabel

Isabel's one-year picture was on Fox4 this past weekend. This is the picture that was posted for the one-year birthdays incase you missed it.

I love my new job...

It is perfect for me...I am so excited to really get things going. The last two weeks have been mostly training, learning, researching and watching what goes on. I've met a lot of wonderful people as well. Today my group had a Unit outing, complete with a ride on a mechanical bull (see pictures). I think I am going to be really sore tomorrow since I got thrown off pretty hard. I remembering when I landed everyone going "oh, ah, etc." more like "o my gosh" that must have really hurt.

I survived the ride so all is well. Take care everyone and have a great weekend.

LY - Jackie

July 4th Party!!!

Having fun with Daddy
It's not the 4th without a flag shirt picture on the Bond front porch!!!
Here's the whole family.
Me and Aunt Stella
My cousin Joseph and his daughter Amanda...she is adorable.

Happy 4th of July!!!

This has always been on of my favorite holidays...I love the hot weather, flip flops and watching fireworks. It's really the heart of the summer that I love the most. We went down the street and watched fireworks last night, it was a fun evening. I'll send more pictures later today of the kids in their flag shirts...I hope everyone has a wonderful day...

Jackie

Going on a trip...

We recently visited my brother and Sherri in Belleville, IL and also spent a little time in St. Louis. We went to a wedding, the Cardinal's Game and also the Zoo. We had a good time and a nice visit.

Jackie's New Job!!!

Many of you know that I left my job back in April and have been a stay at home mom for the last couple of months. It's been the best short-term job that I have ever had, I have loved every minute of it. However the time has come that I must return to my career (and a paycheck and benefits).

I recently accepted a new position with a local company to work with a school district as the Wellness & Health Benefits Coordinator. I will be working with all staff coordinating their new wellness program. I am so excited about the new opportunity. If I could have wrote a position for myself, I would have wrote this one. It is perfect for me.

Thank you to everyone who has kept us in their thoughts and prayers this last couple of months. It has meant everything.

Love,
Jackie

Summer Days

Simple summer days - Isabel enjoying a dip in the "spa" on the deck. She loved drinking out of the hose. Chad had to hold the steady stream for about 45 minutes. Happy Fathers Day to all you Dad's out there.

Aloha from Hawaii

We had Isabel's Party today...we had a traditional Luau from Hawaii complete with a roasted pig in the ground and hula dancers (NOT - lol). No really we did have a Luau except without the pig and I could not get anyone to dance (except Isabel). We had chicken and shrimp made by our resident Chef (Daddy). Isabel had a good party complete with presents, cake and a good meal. Well now it's time to really get summer started. Aloha everyone...

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!

Isabel and Daddy in the morning.
I've got my doggy.
Since her party is not till this weekend, we had to improvise with a Zinger.
Bubba and me having my birthday zinger.

We had a good day!!!

Cute Feet and Busy Day

During Isabel's nap one day last week I walked by her room and both her feet were sticking out of the crib. I could not resist such cute little feet and toes.
Today we visited the nursing home to see Grandma...they say babies and pets are great therapy for older folks...man they are right. Grandma's eyes lit up when Isabel would laugh or smile and when we sat her on Grandma's lap. Mom, Donna and Eddy have not seen Grandma that responsive in a long time. It was almost like she was having a conversation with Isabel. It was so sweet.
Grandma smiling at Isabel.
OK - the day before her birthday was a big one...Isabel is officially walking. Not just a few steps, but clear across the room. I got it both on video and camera. Can't wait for tomorrow - the big ONE!!!

Look at me standing!!!

I'm almost walking by myself...I bet I will be by my birthday which is one-week from today. I'm such a big girl!!!

Baby Isabel

Baby Isabel still takes a bath in the kitchen sink...it's a back saver. I always dry her hair before she gets out...so she always looks like a wild child before it is brushed. I'm sure the days in the sink are numbered so I'm enjoying them while I can.

Baby Isabel is getting so big...in just two weeks she will be a year old. I'm now at my one-year anniversary date with my blog. What a year it has been.

See me swing!!!

Daddy bought me a new swing...I love it.
Bubba and I can now swing together!!!

Florida Vacation

We decided to take a trip to Florida and we had a wonderful time. This picture was of Chad, Jordan and Isabel at the hotel pool on day one.
You can't go to Disney without a picture of Mickey (this was actually taken at Epcot Center - day two)
Jordan and Isabel outside the Nemo ride at Epcot.
Since Jordan got out of school for a week, we needed to do something educational so we visited Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, FL on day three. See my space heroes.
One day four we decided to go over to Clearwater Beach for a "real" beach day. Isabel was not to sure of the sand, and would not venture off the blanket until the very end of the day. Jordan had a great time playing in the water with Chad. We finished our trip with a visit to Seaworld on day five to see Shamu and friends. Then the next day (Mother's day) we parted ways and the kids and I waited to fly home and Chad started out the trip home in the car. He had to basically escape the Florida wildfires and closed highways. If it's not a hurricane running us out of Florida, it's a wild fire keeping us there. We all made it home on Monday afternoon safe and sound. I'll send more pictures soon. Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's day!!! I know I did.

Happy Easter

See what the Easter bunny brought me...
Pretty Baby Girl!!!
See my bunny ears and bunny basket...We are now ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch.

Isabel is 10-months Old!!!

Isabel is 10-months old...I can't believe how big she is and how times goes so fast.
Isabel and Bubba getting ready to go to church for Easter Service. We decided to go on Saturday night to avoid the rush and the crowds. It was a nice service.

Let's play just a little more before we get in the car. She my pretty dress that Nanay got...one good thing about going to church on Saturday is that we get to wear two Easter Dresses.

Happy Easter to everyone...