Meet Destiny and Karla

Meet Destiny and Karla who are both graduating from High School this year.
I first meet Destiny the summer of 1999 when I worked as summer missionary at the Deaf Church. This is what she looked like back in 1999.

I know! Just want to squeeze those cheeks! Destiny was one of the first kids that we would pick up on the vans for our summer program. She was incredibly smart. She would watch what I signed in ASL and then explain it to the other kids in MSS. I called her my little interpreter. She has the best giggle and it is very infectious. She has a rough looking exterior, but a soft and kind heart. Destiny has always been a tomboy, but recently at the girls retreat got a manicure in hot pink! It was a proud moment! I love how during Bible Study she will always have a question which usually begins with "what if....." You can always tell she has a question either by her confused look or her smirk when she thinks she is clever and going to stump you. When instead of stumping the teacher she is given an answer she has an enlightened look on her face and says "true", it's hard to explain if you don't know her!

This is Karla her 6th grade year when she moved from Puerto Rico with her parents.

On the back of the picture she wrote me a note in Spanish. I still don't know what it says, but that's ok! Karla has had some trials in her life, moving to Texas from Puerto Rico (new schools, new friends, new culture and language) and then shortly after losing her mom suddenly at the tender age of 12. Karla was not quite a woman then, but not totally a little girl. After her mom passed away she grew up fast. She handled everything with an amazing amount of grace that I don't think I could show even at my age now. She is an amazing girl. Karla and her dad and step-mom, Kristy,  live 4 houses down from us and I love that they are so close, even if we don't see each other that often! Jacob adores Miss Karla! She is a total girly girl, but a wrestler and a good one at that (Check out her arms in the last picture!) Karla is always ready with a smile and a hug.

Destiny and Karla: Oh the stories I could tell about you both! LOL I feel so honored to be able to watch you grow into the women you are today. I'm excited about the new adventures you will be starting soon and a little sad that you are "growing up".  Always remember to keep your relationship with God the most important thing in your life and find your security, Love and satisfaction in Him. Love you!

Spring Break Part 3- finally!

This past weekend was the Deaf Church's annual Bible Conference and 30th anniversary, 30 year anniversary for Darrell and GayLynn as the shepherds and my 10th Anniversary as staff there. 10 years?!?! Crazy. Sometimes it seems longer and sometimes it feels that time has flown by. The weekend was filled with good teaching and time with friends. Our friends Jesse and Krystal flew down with Katie so we got to enjoy them for the fast and furious weekend. Sunday morning the church presented me with a love offering. I can't even begin to describe what a timely blessing it was. Every since Brancent got laid off God has provided in some crazy ways. People just giving me money for no reason, Unexpected checks in the mail, and people paying me for random things that I never expected payment for. Glory and thanks be to God who has not forgotten us and to those of you who bless us through your service to Him. You know who you are!

Now back to spring break. Just wanted to share some stories of the kids that occurred during spring break so as to someday look back and use them for embarrassing purposes.

Katie- Super proud of the way she carried herself the week of spring break. She was involved in some service projects and did it all without a complaint. She definitely has the mold-able heart of a servant. At the end of the girl's retreat the girls were picking up and packing to go home. Katie came up and asked "where's the broom?" "The what?" "Broom. I need to sweep the basement. We really made a mess with the popcorn." I just kinda stared at her a minute and then found her a broom. Maybe I don't get out much but I don't know many 6th graders that will take initiative and get stuff done without having to be told 100 times.  Her big joke of the weekend was "I like eggs. They crack me up!" So corny, but so innocent. Dear Jesus please keep her heart that way! Sister you have no idea how proud of you we are!

Jacob- One night I gave Jacob his bath while Brancent and Katie played a game of Sorry. While they played they snacked on some Fruit Loops. About the time Jacob and I came into the living room Brancent began to throw them in the air and catch them in his mouth. Katie started to try, but kept throwing them behind her instead to straight up which was pretty funny. This resulted in fruit loops everywhere. Jacob started laughing so hard as he watched Daddy and Sister and we in turn started laughing at him. Jacob decided he wanted in on the fun new game and got some fruit loops in his hands. He stood still for a minute then threw them over his shoulders and started laughing wildly. It was so funny, but alas, had to be stopped before a new habit was formed. He is such a ham. No idea where he gets it from.We were having Seven (a HS and College age Bible Study) at our house the end of Spring break. We decided we would just review what went on during spring break and was going to be more of a fellowship time so we just kept Jacob at the house with us. He thought everyone sitting in a circle was for the sole purpose for him to get in the middle and show off. More specifically run up lick my jeans (yeah, you read that right) and listen to everyone laugh. FYI the more you laugh the more he does it = Ham. Seeing his boyish nature come alive is fun, and exhausting.

I think I've already blogged about this but Brancent got laid off March 25. He has been mowing several yards, chasing Jacob, and doing random projects his wife comes up with. He also has been working on the backyard so hopefully soon we will have a good place for Jacob to play outside and for us to hangout on summer evenings. It's been funny they things Jacob learns being home with Daddy all day. One day while eating Jacob looked at me and opened his mouth as wide as he could while giggling. I couldn't figure out why he was doing that until Brancent sheepishly admitted he had been showing Jacob "see food" and Jacob started doing it back. He said I only did it once didn't know he would remember. So my apologies in advance if Jacob decides to show you his food before swallowing.

There are some big changes being birthed in our lives so hope to get to blog about them soon.
Grace and Peace!

Spring Break Part 2- Girls Retreat

I love these girls. They are beautiful. They keep me on my toes making me laugh and making me cry. They're the best!

PBDC Girl's Retreat 2010 from Darrell Bonjour on Vimeo.


Spring Break 2010 Girl's Retreat: hand massages, manicures, went out to eat, watched the Princess and the Frog, watched New Moon, wrote encouragement cards, got goodie bags with encouragement cards, monogrammed aprons, cooked together, made recipe packs, made bracelets, and most importantly
talked about not buying into cultures lies but instead let God define beauty for us.
Proverbs 31:30

Spring Break Part 1 Surprise Parties and Ninjas

February ended in a whirl with PBDC hosting the annual Deaf Evangelism Conference. I was in the nursery most of the time, but from what everyone said it was fantastic. We had several friends from the DFW area that were here that we don't get to see often which made the weekend even more fun. Josh, Libby and Noah were among those that came and Libby and I got to have lunch together the Monday after the conference. Uninterrupted adult conversation. So nice and way underrated.

The next big thing on our calendar was Spring Break. Katie flew into Lubbock on the first Saturday of Spring Break and came to A-town with Uncle Jared, Aunt Patty, Simon and Mark. Little did she know they were coming to Amarillo for her surprise party (Her actual birthday is April 15 but we always celebrate it with her during spring break) She had told me a few years ago that she always wanted a surprise party and she was definitely surprised! The party started off with the kids decorating aprons then each decorating a mini birthday cake to eat and take home.We got the idea from a cool little bakery in Amarillo, but the price they charge was a bit much. Nelva got a mini cake pan and made the cakes and I bought the decorating stuff. Just as good if not better for way cheaper. We found out that PawPaw is quite the cake decorator...who knew! Katie got a lot of money for clothes and a Taylor Lautner shirt (squeal!) and several other goodies. There was some dancing that went on and a certain SIL (love you Patty!) who gets the award for best Ellen dance and best Robot of the night. We had so much fun and sent everyone home with a sugar high.

The next day we were sitting in church and the (heavy wooden) doors to the hall came slightly open.. I thought someone was probably peeking in to find a friend or family member and didn't think anything more of it. A few seconds later it opens wider and I see the top of a small blonde head. I kinda sat there thinking "no way" Sure enough in came Jacob and headed down the aisle towards the back of the church. I meet him in the aisle and whisked him out in the hall grateful he hadn't made a beeline for the stage where Darrell was preaching. I went down the hall to find the nursery workers in a panic looking for the escapee. They had been breaking up a toddler squabble and Jacob opened the door and closed it behind him unseen and without making a sound. Our friend Darla who was one of the workers said 'I've never lost a kid before!" I told her not to worry about it cause he was not lost, he knew exactly where he was going! He gave Darla and Destiny mini heart attacks and earned the nickname "Jacob the Ninja" from the older kids all in one day. Just another Sunday at the Deaf Church. Needless to say I will be putting knob covers in the play room very soon.

Meet Lauryn

 There is a lot I want to blog about but it will have to wait another day...

For now, I'd like you to meet;

Lauryn Elise Mendoza

Born March 23, 2010 at 12:09

6 lbs. 10 oz. 19 1/2 inches long.

I got to hold her yesterday! She was making those cute newborn noises. So cuddly and beautiful! Congrats to her mom and dad, Apryl and Gabe Mendoza and to big brother Jaxson! Love ya'll!

PS: I love baby feet. Lauryn has really cute baby feet with long toes

Valentine's 2010

Saturday my grandparents stayed with Jacob while he napped and Brancent and I went to lunch. Thanks Noni and Popi! I can't remember the last time Brancent and I went to eat alone and had uninterrupted conversation. It was nice. Valentine's day after church we helped with a kids party at the church which is always a lot of fun. In honor of "love" I bought Jacob a shirt to wear for Valentine's day...and maybe mother's day if it still fits.

I love the "don't mess with my mom" he has on his face. He rocked the hair, his shirt and his vans.
We sent Katie the new Toby Mac Cd for Valentines day along with Jacob from New Moon candy and a few other goodies.  Jacob's V-day gift was something we had been thinking about getting for awhile. He first saw it on a commercial and was mesmerized. Jacob got...

 A battery powered G2 swivel sweeper! He is signing vacuum to Daddy in the above picture.

   

He LOVES it. He likes turning it on and off, pushing it around, and best of all to see the brushes go "round and round".  He vacuumed the other night for about 15 minutes. Of course, he goes over the same spot 20 times and doesn't get the concept of it's suppose to pick up things off the floor, but that's okay, whatever keeps him busy!  On the rare occasion he sets it down it actually is a good little spot vac. Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's day.

21 months

I realized that one of the (many) things I have not done well is give regular updates on Jacob. Hopefully what I write on this blog will someday be transferred into his cute, but empty, baby book.

Sunday Jacob turned 21 months. He is an absolute joy and an absolute toot! Saying he is 100 % boy is putting it mildly.  Rough housing with daddy is a nightly event. Stubborn and ornery like his dad and quick tempered like his mom. Heaven help us! In the past few days when he hasn't gotten his way he will scream/growl and throw himself on the floor. Needless to say we are in a new and interesting stage of growth.

He has a strange and persistent obsessions with the vacuum, anything with a lid and things that turn (wheels, fans etc) Everyday not matter if he is at grandma's house or our house he points to where the vacuum is kept and will sign "please, vacuum". No matter how many times I tell him "no", "not now", "wait", he does not give up. Sometimes it's funny, other times not so much. There have been tears when I won't vacuum or let him play with the tea pitcher.He likes to get on the counter while I cook or wash dishes. He has learned to take the lids of of everything and likes to stir and season whatever I'm cooking.

He has been climbing on chairs and couches for some time, but has now taken it to new heights. Pun intended. I have in the past few weeks found him standing on top of the nightstand, dinning table, his toy bins, and back of the couch, which is not pushed against the wall. I'm thinking he may be a bit of a daredevil and willing to ride roller coasters with us once he is tall enough.

He has developed a love for candy and bribes are not beneath me so it works out for everyone. The other day he was stinky and I told him "go to daddy and let him change you then when you are finished you can have some candy." He signed back "candy" and I said "finish change diaper then eat candy" (yes I did say it like that and yes I know that's not proper English). He drug his feet slowly to where Brancent was waiting and as soon as he finished hopped up and signed "candy please".

As you may have already picked up on he signs a lot, but he doesn't have a lot of verbal vocabulary. His verbal vocab is "momma, dadda, no, pa, ball, shoes, apple, ice/eyes (they sound the same)" with maybe a few more. He has started really trying to have conversations with us, but we have no idea what he is saying. It's pretty funny. His signing vocab is at about 27 signs plus. I say plus cause he signs or tries to sign something new everyday. Of course these are baby signs so not everyone understand him.

We were in Lubbock getting ready to fly to Florida the first of December and while waiting in line I struck up a conversation with the woman behind me. I was hold Jacob who had his paci in his mouth (yes, still. and it was very early in the morning-don't judge me) and all of the sudden he sat up in my arms. He looked at her and pointed to me and signed momma and then turned to see Brancent pointed to him and signed daddy. The lady had no idea what he was doing and said "oh is that your head?" Jacob did it again while I explained/interpreted what he was telling her. She then proceeded to talk about how wonderful that it was that he was learning sign, she knew someone teaching their kid...or dog...or something....but she really was nice. It made me laugh that not only did he try to have his first conversation with a stranger, but that he signed it and I interpreted. HA! In his world everyone signs so I think he was a little confused why she didn't sign back or get what he was saying.

 (Several of the above pics are from our Dec Florida trip, when we were snowed in and at church with our friend DeNae)