Keeper of Her Home: My Family

Showing posts with label My Family. Show all posts

Uncle Nick

This post is in honor of our beloved Uncle Nick who passed away on Monday, April 12, 2010 after his battle with cancer. We love you Uncle Nick!

Isagani “Nick” M. (last name hidden for privacy)

Sept. 10, 1962 — April 12, 2010
Isagani “Nick” Boncato peacefully passed away on Monday, April 12, 2010, in his home surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Isagani “Nick” was born in the Philippines to Rodolfo and Eumelia Boncato. He resided in Solano County for 32 years. He was an active member of The Church of Christ (Iglesia ni Cristo).
His passion was cooking and entertaining for all his friends and family. He was well known in his circle of family and friends as a person who always went above and beyond to help anybody.
He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Nga “Nani” N. Boncato; sons, Nicholas, Isagani Jr., and Michael Boncato; and mother-in-law, Kim K. Nguyen, all of Fairfield. He is also survived by his eight siblings and eight siblings on his wife’s side. Mr. Boncato’s family also includes many more brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts, who live throughout the state.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, April 17, and from 4 to 9 p.m., Sunday, April 18, at Bryan-Braker Funeral Home, 1850 West Texas St., Fairfield. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, April 19, also at Bryan-Braker Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery, 1707 Union Ave., Fairfield.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bryan-Braker Funeral Home, 425-4697.

27 on the 27th

In March we celebrated my sister-in-law's 27th birthday. We had dinner at Bottega in Yountville. I have to say, the Risotto del Giorno was absolutely divine! I had the best scallops I've ever had that night! Here a re few pictures from the evening. Enjoy...

Happy Birthday, Star!

UPDATE Relay for Life

***UPDATE: The link to our team page has been removed. If you're interested in donating or joining us for Relay for Life, just leave a comment to let me know or contact me.***

"But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish."

Psalm 9:18

Our Uncle Nick has been fighting Lymphoma cancer. In honor of our dear Uncle, my beloved and I have signed up to join Relay for Life. If you are in the area and would like to become a team member or if you would like to donate you can ~~click the icon below and it will bring you to our Team page~~. Thanks for reading :)

What can I say?

I suppose the question should be...how can I say it? So many times I've sat at my desk, contemplating how to describe the happenings of the past few months. But to my dismay, nothing happens. Here I am again, attempting to post but with success my fingers start typing...

Summer came and went with a blink of an eye. Summers go by faster and faster if you ask me. This year marked 15 years of Summer Volleyball Ministry for me and 18 for my beloved. Sad to think that there's going to be an end to that ministry for us soon. :( This year's summer camp was extra special for me because my little sister was there. My prayer for her is to cling on to Christ no matter what! I was able to share my testimony in front of all the students, shared things that I've never shared before. Got to see my beloved as the Commandant for the last time. Witnessed lives changed, souls saved....I'm really, really going to miss this!!! If you haven't already, click here (or just scroll down) to view a slideshow of Summer Camp 2009.

Throughout the summer months, hubby's work had him assigned in the southbay. He spent most of the summer in the San Jose then Fresno area. During volleyball season, he'd drive up for practices and games. During the tournament he'd have to leave a little bit early so he can make it back in time. Some thought it was crazy for him to drive back and forth, he didn't. To him, it was just a small hurdle to climb as served the Lord. He'll do anything to serve our King, if that means driving back and forth then he'll do it (that's what first attracted me to him. His desire to do whatever it takes to serve our God)! The children and I supported him all the way.

Daddy made extra effort to spend lots of time with us. I really appreciated that, so did the children. Lots of drive-in nights, water park visits, things like that made our week with him special. Thanks Daddy!

This biggest event, I suppose, this summer is MOVING! Yes, we just moved into this house a year ago but this move means that God is working to bring us closer to Hawaii. It is both sad and exciting (I should add exhausting) to go through your house, sort through our belongs and keep ONLY what is neccessary. It's absolutely AMAZING what we gave away and sold at our yard sale! We really didn't need all these things that we thought we needed! I'm thankful that God has been showing me not to be attached to worldly goods but to treasure Christ, ONLY Christ!

I'm floored when I look back at all the prayers that God has answered this summer! HE IS GOOD!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

~Proverbs 3:5-6~

IT'S OPEN!!!

Since hubby had to work on Memorial Day, he had the day off today. So we headed for the Anitoch Water Park!!

YIPEEEEEE!!!

The kids have been asking, since winter, when we can go back to that fun, fun place. They finally opened their doors for the season on Monday. But since today was my beloved's "Memorial Day Holiday" we spent it splishin'-n-splashin'!

We can't wait to go back! We're already planning our next trip.

After the waterpark, we headed over the Drive-In to watch "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian". The drive-in is always a fun place to visit. We tried to stay for the double feature to watch "Star Trek" but somewhere in the middle of the movie everyone was falling asleep. So we left the drive-in early and headed home.

I love these family times. I'm praying that these times that we have will be great memories for our kids. They sure are great memories for me.

Ben Boy

Since late January early February of this year, we've been watching our little nephew, Ben Boy, three days out of the week.

Ben Boy is such a chunky little man. Sunshine calls him "Fat Ties" (she's actually saying Fat Thighs). Ben Boy is fun to have around. The kids just adore him! Although, I do have to admit, it was and still is a difficult transition from having three of my own kids then adding an infant (now toddler). God has been using this time to sanctify all of us, especially me. I'm so thankful that we're able to be part of Ben's life in this way. Here are a few pics of little "Jamin" (we have lots of nick names for all the kids).

Click to play this Smilebox photobook: Ben Boy

Make a Smilebox photobook

Our boy is 8!

Last week, our baby boy turned 8! Can you believe it? Our Young Padawan is growning up to be such a handsome, loving young man. Here a few pictures of him as he celebrated his birthday with his GTC - Builder's Class.

Feeling shy

He told me later on that it was weird to have everyone sing to him. He said, "I never heard so many people say my name at one time before".

Here's his Builder's Class that he and CL go to every Wednesday. Recognize the smiley faces on the top picture?

Vanilla cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting, just what the little man ordered.

Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Gena and Uncle Sean stopped by to wish ALW a happy birthday. Yes, we let him light his own candles (with very close supervision). I love the picture of Daddy hugging him tight, that's the manly way to hug.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON!

Happy Love Day!!

(picture drawn by our Princess)

May your day be filled with lots of L-O-V-E!

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

1 John 4:7-8

We have SO MUCH to be thankful for!

For our family, Thanksgiving was celebrated early this year. Last night we had a small Thanksgiving dinner with just our family. Since my beloved has to be away at work on Thanksgivng day, we worked things out so that we could celebrate Thanksgiving on his day off.

So as people were shopping and getting things ready for Thursday, we sat down and enjoyed a yummy filled dinner. We choose not to have a whole turkey since it was just the five of us and the children and I were still going to have dinner with our extended family on Thursday. We bought a delectable turkey breast that was so juicy and just enough for our family. I made my "famous" garlic bacon mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, corn muffins with honey butter and for dessert the girls and I made pecan tarts. As with every Thanksgving there were lots of leftovers. We packed it up so Daddy can bring it to Manteca with him.

Before we filled our tummies, we went around the table and said what we were thankful for:

Daddy: I'm thankful for Christ and His provision for our family.

ALW: I'm thankful for playing video games and being born.

MJ: I'm thankful for Mom and Dad.

CL: I'm thankful for Mommy cooking dinner and for my family.

Me: I'm thankful to God for my wonderful husband who works so hard for us.

We had such a wonderful time together! Thank you, Lord for your goodness to us!

May your Thanksgiving be filled with joy as you celebrate the many blessings that the Lord has given you. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

More Than Meets the Eye

Last year we were inspired by a couple of videos we saw on You Tube. Being transformers fans, guess what Young Padawan wanted to be...you got it... Optimus Prime. So with a few boxes, paint, tape and a gift he received, here's what we came up with (BTW, this was done in less than a week)...

"Autobots, transform and roll out!"

The cousins

Princess: "Save the cheerleader, save the world!"

Cousin Tati: "I am Lava Girl."

They just love to dress up. I wonder where they get that from.

Here are a couple of costumes from a few years back...

My beloved as Rey Mysterio

Sunshine as the original Cheetah Girl

(This is my favorite costume because we've had it since Young Padawan was a baby...I'll miss it.)

Princess as Boo from Monster's Inc.

Young Padawan as the Grudge

(This costume cost no money but was the most memorable. People still talk about this one to this day.)

Costumes of the past

Serving in the Youth Ministry at our church, we have a variety of different costumes. So when this time of the year comes around, we're usually ready...usually.

Young Padawan has alreay told me what he wanted to be (since July, he's told me) so all I have to do now is put it together. Princess will most likely match Young Padawan. And Sunshine will wear something special.

I wanted to share some photos of past costumes that we've have had. Hope you enjoy them.

Always two there are, a master and an apprentice.

Baby Princess Leia

The cousins.

Princess wanted to be a Princess.

Young Padawan ready for battle.

I have more pictures to post so come back and visit us again.

Wha cha gonna be?

(a phone conversation today between CL and her cousin Nadia)

Nadia: Wha cha gonna be for halloween?

CL: A sinner.

Nadia: A what?

CL: A SINNER!

Nadia: Oh, a singer. I'm gonna be a Cheetah Girls.

"First day of school, First day of school!" - Nemo

Bye, bye summer vacation....hello to a new year of school!

God has graciously allowed us to continue to homeschool our children this year. Our Young Padawan will be in 2nd grade, Princess will start Kindergarten and Little Miss Sunshine will continue with Pre-K.

I'm so excited to start this new school year! At the same time, I fear the many challenges that will come our way. With homeschooling, there will always be challenges. One of the biggest challenges I have is balancing my time. How can I teach the two older children who are in two completely different grades and still manage to give attention to the little one? Two words...through Christ! "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" - Philippians 4:13. Only by the strength that God provides, through His Son, can I take on this task of homeschooling head on.

This year we’re going to start a new curriculum, Five in a Row or FIAR. FIAR is a unit study based on literature. You can find more information about it here. We’re going to try our hand at lapbooking again since the children really enjoyed it. Some of the other curriculum we’re planning on using to supplement FIAR are Saxon Math (K&2), Sing, Spell, Read & Write (1&2), Starfall.com, msnucleus.org, BrainPopJr.com and a few others.

Last year we did an experiment with uniforms. The idea was inspired by the Duggar family who dress their children in colored polo shirts. Having the uniform helps them (and me) differentiate school time with regular home/play time. It worked last year so we decided to continue doing it. Another benefit is that the children are always dressed and ready to step out if necessary. And they look super cute too.

Also, to help keep their work organized, I've given them each a "school work" binder where they can keep all their paperwork. I let them decorate the fronts of their binders with a little bit of my help. OK, I did most of the cutting :) My scrapbook stuff finally came in handy.

It’s going to be a busy year! So my posts will be kept to a minimum but I will try and post new events and adventures that come our way.

Happy Learning!