Lisa Bonnema

Mom. Writer. Speaker.

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Pockets

March 7, 2012 by Lisa

Today, sandwiched in between therapies, preschool pick-up, and a few conference calls was a small pocket of time. A time that could have been used to tackle the mountains (yes, mountains) of laundry sitting on my bedroom floor or the extremely neglected toilets and floors, but instead I grabbed an adorable two-braided girl by the hand and we skipped outside.

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No phone, no nagging minutes, no plan. Just me and my middle enjoying some rare time alone in what ended up being the most gorgeous day we’ve had this year.

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She rode her bike. I took pictures. We had a picnic with veggie straws and giggles, and we played baseball until Brooklyn woke up and joined the party.

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The sun was bright enough for sunglasses, and fur-trimmed coats were shed and replaced with polka dot and plaid hoodies.

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We had stroller races until Emma got off the bus — the only indication that our time was almost up. Therapy #2 at 4:15.

As Emma headed down the driveway and handed me her coat, she pulled out a bottle of pink Hello Kitty nail polish from her sweater pocket — the nail polish she asked me (about 103 times) to “pleeeeeease put on” this morning.  But between outfit wars, half-made lunches, and eggs on the stove, there was no time for nail polish.

“Why did you bring that to school with you?” I asked her.

“Because I wanted to,” she said with a huge grin on her face. “I carried it with me all day.”

With that, she put it back in her pocket and suggested we play hide and seek until Miss Julie arrived. I smiled, soaking up her wisdom, and agreed to be the seeker.

~Linking up to Just Write

Wisdom

December 16, 2010 by Lisa

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When we brought Brooklyn home the other day, the first thing Emma did was kiss the stitches on her head. She didn’t grimace like I did; she wasn’t scared. She just gave her sister a little love because, well, that’s what big sisters do… especially when they haven’t seen their little sister in a few days.

When Kendall saw the shunt for the first time, she said, “That’s so cool” and giggled. She gave her “Brookie” a quick hug and skipped off to play.

I know they don’t totally get it, but in many ways, they get it so much more than I do.

They teach me so much, these little ones.

Love. Acceptance. Peace.

This isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

I am learning that life isn’t always about totally “getting it” because let’s face it, sometimes “it” just doesn’t make sense at all. And many times, “it” just isn’t fair.

“It” is about finding the love, the joy, the giggle.

And then trusting that in time, the understanding will come.


“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

Foto Friday: Jammies in 3D

December 3, 2010 by Lisa

I think it’s funny how much people say the girls look alike. Honestly, I only see the differences. BUT I do see a lot of Emma in Brooklyn…much more than I ever saw in Kendall.

Anyway, I thought I’d let you all be the judges. Here are all three of my little ladies in my all-time favorite jammies. Granted, Emma is only 6 weeks old, so it’s not quite a fair comparison, but you get the point.

Have a great weekend everyone! Hope you get to hang out in your favorite jammies!

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Brooklyn, 3.5 months old

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Kendall, 3 months old

emma pink

Emma, 1.5 months old

Basking

July 13, 2010 by Lisa

This summer is flying by, but we are trying our hardest to savor every minute. Trying to balance the “to do” lists and errands with the fun and memorable. Trying to let go of the schedule a little and enjoy the sunshine for as long as it lasts.

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Lately, I am finding joy in the every day, especially as I look at these two little girls grow more and more in love with each other. They are truly best friends, and their relationship is something they created on their own. Somehow, their relationship makes me more complete, and it makes every hard day worth it.

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The three of us — “the girls” as Jeff calls us — we are a package deal. And I love that. They drive me crazy, yes, but they also amaze me and inspire me and love me for all that I am (and all I am not).

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When I look at them — at us — I am happy. Often frustrated, always exhausted, and sometimes overwhelmed…but happy. And to think we get to add another girl to our “package” makes me happier. I know it makes them happier too.

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(*P.S.: “Power – Part 2” later this week…)

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I am a great many things: a "mom in progress" to three beautiful girls; a wife to my favorite person; a daughter of Christ; a writer; a lover of good coffee; a recovering perfectionist; and a hopeful romantic learning to find peace and joy in God alone. This is my story and His story.

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