Boise Bonds

Too Much Fun!!!

2010-07-10T21:46:00.000-07:00

This past month has been quite exciting for Jeremiah:

~We had friends from Texas visit for a week: Aunt Mary and Uncle Garrett

~We had cousins Tanner and Peyton, along with Aunt Sarah and Grandma Nancy DRIVE to Boise to play for a week. . .it was truly amazing!!!
~We had Grandma Lyons finally get to meet her grandson (check out the video on FB)
~We took our first plane trip to Home Sweet Home California and Jer was exceptional on both legs of the ride!!!
~We had Jeremiah greet Grandpa Lyons at the SD airport and give him a soccer ball!!!
~We got to go to the beach-ENOUGH SAID.
~We went to the happiest place on earth-DISNEYLAND!!!
All in all. . .a pretty good month!!!

10 days of BLISS

2010-06-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

So, what have we learned as parents these last 10 days with Jeremiah. . .
~He takes at least 1 two-hour nap; sometimes 2.
~He LOVES Hurley.
~He sleeps through the night at about 12 hours a pop.
~He now knows how to give "high fives" and "knuckles"
~He tries to beep-box w/ dad while he's getting his diaper changed.
~He LOVES baths.
~He really enjoys vegetables and fruit
~He's super cuddley in the morning after he wakes up and before he goes to bed at night.
~He enjoys shopping with mom and Target and Costco.
~He LOVES going to the park and swinging on the swings.
~He brings us joy every single second of every single day. . .even when he's sleeping.

Baby Jeremiah

2010-06-11T19:36:00.001-07:00

So for all of you who have seen the FB pictures, but don't know the background story on Jeremiah, I thought I'd share a quick re-cap of what has happened in our lives the past three weeks. For the last few years, Aaron (and many of our high school students) have helped volunteer at a women's shelter downtown. For a few hours on Saturdays, we would watch and play with the children of the mothers who live there. One of the moms had a 14 month old little boy named Jeremiah and a few months ago, she came to the conclusion that she simply was not capable of taking care of him. We got a phone call on Wednesday, May 19 from the director of the shelter asking us if we would be willing to possibly adopt Jeremiah. On Sunday, May 30 we met with the birth mother to see if we would be a good match for her son. On Tuesday morning, June 1, (as I was setting up the gym for our junior and senior high volleyball camps!!!) I got a call from Aaron saying that she had chosen us and wanted to sign the power of attorney later on that week. Two days later, on June 3, we were given legal guardianship of Jeremiah and a few hours later, began our lives with our beautiful son!!!

Today we met with the birth mother and the lawyer to begin the logistical process of adoption. The father is still in the area and may contest so we would sincerely ask for your prayers these next few days, weeks and months. These last 8 days with Jeremiah have been absolutely incredible and the support we have received from our families, our church, our school and our friends has been overwhelming. We love our little boy and our prayer is that the adoption process would be finalized quickly and efficiently. God is so very good and to have Jeremiah in our home is a blessing that is beyond description. Thank you for your prayers and your love!!!!

For you. . .Laner

2010-05-27T18:32:00.001-07:00

To our friend Kevin Lane. . .this is for you.
Sincere apologies for seriously taking a year off from our blog. Unfortunately, I have devoted many of my pictures and details to FB while leaving our blog spot quite sparse and empty. So much has happened in a year, but to sum it up:
~Last summer, I decided to leave my job as a BSU assistant coach and return to the classroom. At the moment, I teach 9th graders both English and Bible and coach the varsity volleyball team at Cole Valley Christian. . .GO CHARGERS.
~Aaron works at the same school and teaches a variety of Bible classes to mostly upper-classmen.
~We now have 4 nieces/nephews: Michael (17); Tanner (3); Ruby (2) and Peyton (1)
~Hurley is still the best black lab EVER.
~There is still no ocean in Boise, but we definitely love living here and are thoroughly looking forward to the summer months.

BTW, Kevin Lane. . .you need to come visit!!!

Napoleon Dynamite meets Michael Jackson. . .

2009-03-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hurley. . .

2009-03-01T19:26:00.001-08:00

I don't exactly know when I became a dog lover, but Hurley is seriously the most amazing lab ever. . .and she worships the ground Aaron walks on!!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-03-01T19:23:00.001-08:00

Unfortunately, the New Year's Resolution of Aaron keeping his eyes OPEN during the complicated concept of flash photography has simply not lasted. . .oh well, the food was delicious and the company. . .even BETTER!!!!!

New Year's at the Lyons

2009-01-22T13:46:00.001-08:00

Grandpa and Maggie

The coolest Aunt ever!!!!

Kipp and his lil' buddy
Being able to hang out with my family in Southern Cal was a wonderful start to the New Year!!!! It was good to be able to wear flip flops again (in the middle of winter) and I so appreciated the days of pure sunshine!

A Very Bond Christmas

2009-01-20T15:21:00.000-08:00

Family Pictures in the Park!!!!

Boys will be boys!!!!!

New Year's Resolution is for Aaron to keep his

eyes open for pictures. . .so far so good!!!

We spent this past Christmas in Kansas and had a wonderful time with the entire family. . .it was the first time all the brothers had been together (for Christmas) in 7 years!!!! It was such a blessing to have everyone there and our gift giving was extremely special this year: we each gave a gift card to someone else in the family AND THEN contributed money to a charity of our choice. It was so incredible to go around the room and hear what organization each individual had given to. . .just amazing!!!!

10 years of Blessings

2008-09-15T22:18:00.001-07:00

On July 25th Aaron and I celebrated our 10 year Anniversary!!! It has been an amazing decade together and I am so thankful for all the love and laughter we continue to share. I have found a hero, a best friend, a man of God and a knight in shining armor all rolled up into one. . .how did I ever get so lucky!!!!!!!!

The Happiest Place on Earth

2008-09-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

This summer we got to go to Disneyland and bring our nephew Tanner with us!!! There is nothing more special than being able to share the dumbo ride, mint juleps, Pirates of the Caribbean and mickey mouse ears with a child. . .especially one as cute and fun as the Tan-Man!!!!!

Kansas Bonds

2008-07-07T19:53:00.001-07:00

Dad and Mom Bond visited about a week ago and we had a wonderful time taking various tours around the city, visiting a nearby ghost town, forcing them to play Rock Band and relaxing in a cabin right on the river. It was so much fun to have them here and now there's a little more Blue and Orange representation in Midwest!!!!!

Aaron's very first catch. . .fly fishing!!!!!

The view from the front door of the cabin. . . definitely not roughing it!

Same song, second verse, a little bit louder and a little bit worse!!!!

Blessed in Montalban

2008-06-25T08:28:00.000-07:00

After we finished camp, we drove out to various villages and brought families food and school supplies. The little children clung to us and offered their love so freely is was almost overwhelming!!! It was a wonderful day of serving and our hearts were touched beyond description.

Laguna. . .in the Philippines

2008-06-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Aaron's team, also known as "Japan-Japan Balut" (that's another whole story in itself) took home the title. . .and was the only undefeated team in the camp! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

Our team was called the "Crushers" which I thought was pretty brillant. Though we didn't win the championship, we had a lot of fun and created what were probably some of the best huddle cheers I've ever heard!

We arrived at the Word of Life Camp on June 2 and this was the sight that greeted us as we got off the bus...It could seriously be a page right out of Swiss Family Robinson!

Aaron is finally Home Sweet Home

2008-06-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Aaron got back last night and I am thrilled to have him home again!!! He actually stayed in the Philippines for another week, traveling with about 8 other team members to the Negros Islands. . .the pictures he showed me look almost fake, but I'll let you decide :-) Now that he's here, I can update our blog with the faces and memories that we will never forget. STAY TUNED FOR MORE IMAGES. . .

Welcome to Manila!!!

2008-06-10T07:19:00.001-07:00

I just returned from the Philippines yesterday and what an amazing experience it was! We had about 80 girls attend the volleyball camp and though their tiny arms were bruised by the balls, their knees scrapped from diving on the ground and their shirts soaked from the massive amount of humidity, their smiles said it all!!! They simply fell in love with the game, the staff and most importantly, Jesus. Their kindness and sincerity touched my life and my heart greatly misses them already.

Two GREAT date nights. . .

2008-05-25T12:08:00.000-07:00

Last night, we went to a Matt Costa concert which was just outstanding! Not only did he perform every song on his new album, but sang another 3 songs for his encore performance. . .which definitely scored big points with the crowd. . .as well as the Bond family!

Aaron and I also went to Cirque Du Soleil's "Saltimbanco" show on Thursday night and it was absolutely amazing! We had floor seats so everything was seriously up close and personal. . .the things those performers do with their bodies are beyond any sort of human rationale or reason. . .makes me hurt just watching them!

Lucky Peak

2008-05-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

One of our favorite spots in Boise is Lucky Peak Lake. Since it's been around 90 degrees the past few days, it felt quite nice to cool off. . .about every 20 minutes or so. I think Hurley actually enjoyed it even more than we did!!!

Augustana. . .a new fav!!!!

2008-05-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

So we went to an Augustana concert the other night and it was a GREAT show! We happen to know the key-boardist (see pics for proof) and he got us in free of charge. . .always a bonus. Their music is a combination of Cold Play, Mat Kearney, Tom Petty and Bob Dillion all rolled into one. . .definitely an amazing mixture of immense creativity and soulful tunes!!!!

Philippines Bound

2008-05-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

So in just a few weeks, Aaron and I will be going overseas to the Philippines to work with about 80 underprivileged kids. . .teaching them the sport of volleyball and more importantly, about the love of Jesus Christ.
As one of the fundraisers, Aaron organized a scrimmage between the girls volleyball team and the senior boys. Though the men put up a good fight, the ladies stole the match. Fortunately, the boys were awarded bonus points for "best dressed" and "skimpiest shorts". . .I'm not sure that's an honor to be proud of!!!!!!!!

Lyons Luck

2008-05-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

So my brother happened to call into KROQ the other day and won tickets to a breakfast with Jack Johnson. He decided to take Sarah (good call Kipp!!!!) and they had a wonderful time. . .Jack even requested a duet with Sarah, but she modestly declined, much to the dismay of both me and by brother :-) So far, she's been cheek-to-cheek with one of my favorite singers and my most favorite surfer, Rob Machado! Can it get any better?

Eyes Wide Shut

2008-04-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

Aaron has a disease (you may have heard of it or even experienced it) called "flash-phobia-eyes-not-openus-itis." Basically, any time a flash is used, whether it be wedding pictures, Christmas pictures, family pictures or prom pictures, his eyes remain consistently shut. Case in point. . .

Third time's a charm. . .not so much!

Free at Last

2008-04-27T19:44:00.000-07:00

Just an update on the misdemeanor trial. . .Aaron plead guilty for speeding and passing on a double yellow line. . .and his sentence was reduced from reckless driving to inattentive driving. . .which resulted in a ticket rather than a suspension of his license, a hefty fine or even jail time. . .hey I can rhyme. . .that's not a crime!!!!!!!!!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

2008-04-20T19:31:00.000-07:00

We have now officially been in Idaho two years and it is truly amazing how and where the Lord has directed our steps. We still definitely miss Texas: the incredible barbeque, the authentic Mexican food, the amazing kolaches as well as hurricane season in Galveston when the waves would be legit enough to surf. But far beyond that, we miss the friends and family we have there and are continually thankful for the love they have brought to our lives!!!!

Mo-Mo & Po-Po

2008-04-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Aaron's parents got a chance to go to Dallas for Ruby's dedication! "Mo-Mo" and "Po-Po" were very excited to be apart of such a beautiful occassion and look forward to spoiling her as much as her big brother Michael!

The beautiful bride

2008-04-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful wedding, full of friends who were fellow players, fellow coaches and fellow Air force pilots. People came from a variety of states as well as countries to celebrate this special day!!!

Meet me in St. Louis. . .

2008-04-07T19:43:00.001-07:00

This last weekend we were in St. Louis attending the wedding of Louella Lovely and Melvin Maxwell. We spent the rehersal dinner in a luxury box, while watching the Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals and chowing down on hot dogs and brisket. . .Yummy!!!

Bond, Joel Bond. . .

2008-04-07T19:13:00.000-07:00

Joel, Aaron and two students rest after tearing it up!!!!

Joel came to visit last week and we introduced him to fly fishing, snow-boarding and maybe a bit of altitude sickness. Though he didn't catch any fish, he did witness Aaron getting caught for speeding as well as passing on a double line. . .who knew that could result in a misdemeanor. . .more on that topic later!!! We had a wonderful time and enjoyed hearing all of Joel's stories about England and his various "European Vacations!"

Daddy's Little Girl. . .

2008-04-03T11:00:00.000-07:00

Who is now taller than him (might I add). Unfortun - ately, pops wasn't able to be with us during spring break. . .he was in the middle of Thailand impacting the lives of young individuals as he has continually done over the past few decades!!! Even though he is now officially retired as a coach, he has never once stopped mentoring, teaching, motivating and truly impacting all of those around him. We love you dad!!!!

Best Friends

2008-03-26T20:15:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a little love from mom and man's best friend!!!

Happy Easter

2008-03-26T20:12:00.001-07:00

We had mom and Aunt Naida over for Easter. . .nothing like having 3 "know-it-all" cooks in the kitchen! The food was delicious, the company was delightful and the left-overs, well we're STILL eating the left-overs!!!! Yummy :-)

Undercover Rock Stars

2008-03-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

So, somehow Paul McCartney and Ringo Star decided to come and "rock out" at the Bond household. . .or maybe it was just two wannabes who were experiencing their 15 minutes of fame for the first time. . .that actually might have been how long it took these novices to get through their first song. . .BUT by the end of the night, Sting had nothin' on them!!!!! Rock On!!!!

Summer Dreams

2008-03-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

Simply counting down the days until flip flops can be worn. . .unfortunately, there's still a bit of snow on the mountains and though it's great for boarding, we are seriously ready for spring!!!!!

New Additions to the Bond family

2008-03-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Our nephew Tanner Michael Lyons was born just over a year ago on March 7. He celebrated his first birthday on Saturday and is already looking forward to when his dad will finally let him go surfing all by himself!!!!
Our niece Ruby Vatina Bond came into this world on December 24 and we had the blessing of spending a weekend with her just a few days after she was born. We are thrilled to be her god-parents and hope she gets to come and visit Idaho soon!

My first Blog

2008-03-11T09:48:00.000-07:00

So, here-a-goes. . .all of my anxiety regarding "MySpace" and "Facebook" has now come to a complete halt. . .as I have finally broken down and become one of the millions who post the most intimate details of their life on the web. . .well, maybe not so much intimate as entertaining :-)

Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy posting!!!!