Erika Bonham dot com: March 2009 Archives

March 31, 2009

Our sweet friends the Fadelys from way back when are currently in the process of adopting a precious little girl from India. They have been waiting and praying for her for over two years. They are almost there and now are working to raise money to bring Dorothy home. If you would like to hear more of their story, you can read Tisra’s blog. If you would like to donate and help them bring their sweet little girl home, check out the site they have put together here. There are some very cool prizes as well. Most of all, just keep their family and Dorothy in prayer, for the wait, for peace, for their travels, for a smooth transition for their family and for Dorothy as she comes to a new country and home.

March 25, 2009

I was having trouble staying on budget with my grocery and play money spending pretty much since we went to Disneyland in January (or maybe even since Christmas and our December birthdays). It was really getting me down and wearing me out. Shane is the budget guy in our house and he is awesome at it. He has a gift with it and enjoys it and well, he does a great job. Anyway, he presented me with an idea to try to get back on track (and a little bit ahead). A four week plan in which we have $100 each week for food and play… anything aside from bills. Now this is a big drop from what we normally spend and at first I thought he was crazy. (I really like to shop).

We are finishing up the third week now and I can’t believe how well it is working. I am actually amazed. We have even had pizza twice (thanks to Domino’s $5.99 pizza), taken the whole family out to Mexican Food, gone out for frozen yogurt, and had Starbucks a time or two. I am very much looking forward to these four weeks being over, but I think they have been very good for me, to see what we can live on, to realize how much I don’t need. I feel good about it and a little proud about it and I could see doing it again sometime to maybe save up for a large purchase of some kind.

I do want to remember what I have learned from all of this, that we can get by and should get by on less and for me to be a better steward with our money. I am thankful for this little experiment and for the success of it. It has been a good lesson. Thanks, Shanie!

March 24, 2009

Tegan had her two year check up today and I was so impressed with how easy and enjoyable the appointment was!

First off, the doctor moved into a brand spankin’ new office. I always hated the old office. It was dirty and…old and just dirty. This place is not only brand new, it is well, beautiful!

Tegan was a little tentative about going, but I explained that the doctor is her friend and just wanted to see she was a big girl. I told her she didn’t need to cry or be fussy and we thought of all the things we could show him. Her pretties (rubber bands) in her hair! Her sparkly nails! Her butterflies on her jeans! She did great. She didn’t fuss once.

When Ethan was her age, he had been scarred by all the doctor’s visits surrounding his broken leg and his full leg cast and X-rays. He never was calm at the doctor. Not until around 3 and that was until he found out he was getting shots. Then he would lose it. Even at his last 4 year old check up.

So today when the doctor said they had to do a finger prick to check the little lady’s hemoglobin, I was a bit worried. I told her they were going to do a little prick to her finger and then I would give it a kiss. The medical assistant came in and I asked Tegan which finger she wanted her to prick. She stuck her little pointer out. The lady pricked it and Tegan said, “ouch!” The lady squeezed her finger and told her she just needed a little drop of blood. She got a little bandaid on her finger and we were done. And then the brave little miss finished the whole thing off by telling us, “Blood is cute!” with a little smile on her face.

Nurse in the making?

March 20, 2009

lupine, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Spring has sprung!

Found these lupine on my walk and it took me two days to convince myself it was okay to pick them. They are so pretty. And there were more of them.

Happy Spring!

March 19, 2009

After a conversation between Tegan and I when I explained to her she could not have a tea latte until she grows up…

Me: “What are you going to be when you grow up?”

She pauses and taps her mouth with her finger, “Uhhh…a sister!”

Too cute.

March 17, 2009

tired guy, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Ethan hasn’t really napped for the last year and a half or so. I was so sad when the naps stopped happening. It was nice to have a little time in the afternoon when both kids would sleep and I could get things done…like cleaning the house or reading or just having a minute of silence.

The other day, I was on a walk with my dear friend Krista and she filled me in on how it is done. Now I have tried to force naps on this kid and honestly, a lot of time he really needs one, but he fights it (and usually wins). So, I did what Krista told me. Lay down with him, be quiet with my eyes closed. Breath like I am asleep (I exaggerate this part a bit so he can really here it). Today is nap number 2. Hurray! He barely argued this time. And it is so hard to wake the kid up! He loves to nap, he just doesn’t know it! I am hoping we are on to something and that he will go to sleep when it’s bedtime. Today, I finished a book and got the house all cleaned up for bible study tonight. And I got some laundry done.

Thank you, Krista (aka Super Mom!)

March 13, 2009

swiss, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

I bought this wallet when we were in Switzerland in 2003. I have really liked it and will be sad when the day comes that I have to get a new wallet. I am always getting comments on it as well.

“I like your wallet!”

“Do you work for the red cross?” (um…it’s a white cross)

“Are you a lifeguard?”

Anyway, yesterday I am in line at Target. The lady in front of me gets her wallet out to pay. Same exact wallet. I was so excited! I tried to talk to her about it but it didn’t happen. As I was walking out, she was standing at the Starbucks inside the Target. I felt like a dork, but I had to go up to her. I told her I had the same wallet and showed it to her. She was just as excited as I was and got hers in Switzerland also. I think she might have been a Swiss Miss, actually. She also had stories…people asking if she is a nurse, etc. It was very cool and a small world. I love my wallet:)

March 7, 2009

happy girl!, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Today was Tegan’s 2nd birthday party. We had around 30 people at our house and it was so much fun! Lots of friends and family and lots of love! Tegan loves Mickey and Minnie so we had Minnie cupcakes and Mickey chicken nuggets (as well as some awesome strawberry salad!) It seriously was so enjoyable and I totally love every single person that was there. Tegan was on cloud nine. Especially after she received her new kitchen and table and chairs from Nana and Papa. She made this little sound of awe as she saw it and all the kids flew to it like bees to honey. Our little baby is no longer a baby. I can’t believe that it all happened in our tiny little bathroom two years ago!!

The other day, I was remarking to Ethan that I couldn’t believe my two babies were so grown up and that I didn’t have a baby anymore. His response…”You could have another one. ‘Dear Jesus, please help mommy have another baby, amen.’” He even laid hands on me:) We aren’t there yet! My hands are full with two. And so is our house!

Happy Birthday, little missie!

Minnie cupcake, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

the Minnie cupcakes. They turned out great and were yummy!

Eth, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Isn’t he a cutie??

the family, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

I just really liked this picture and wanted to post it of my grandpa, dad, brother, Ethan and I. Only a few of my favorite guys are missing.

March 1, 2009

IMG_4017, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

I spent many a year in Borrego camping with my family for a few days in February or March growing up. The tradition actually began when my dad was a kid and many of my grandparent’s friends, people who have known me my whole life, still go there every year. This is the second year we have gone out there as a family. This year, we spent the night. Shane and Ethan were out in a tent and Tegan and I in the trailer with Grandpa and Grammie. Both had meltdowns at bedtime, but they slept all night and had a great time. Grandpa, Shane and Ethan hiked to find water and Ethan ended up skinny dipping which he thoroughly enjoyed. They saw a snake and a big horn sheep. It was quite an experience. It was a very dirty weekend but so much fun. I have so many memories from the times I spent out there growing up and I want my kids to have that too. I think the memories have started, with Ethan anyway. It was fun to watch them explore and discover. There were a few breakdowns, but over all it was a lovely weekend.

IMG_4060, originally uploaded by Ladygirl.

Ethan and snake friend in Borrego