House-Hunting, Crawling Out of Diapers, and Tanning Beds

Yes, we are actually looking for a house. Funny thing about living in New York compared to Dallas: in Dallas, it was by far cheaper to rent an apartment than to buy a house. You could rent something pretty nice, too. Not so, here. There are very few nice places to rent, and it is not cheap! Although our place is working for now, we have discovered that it is actually equal to or less to buy a house, and would be a wiser use of our money. So, we are on the hunt. We don't have to move out of here until June 1, so we have time to look around and consider. It is a big undertaking, though, so please pray for us as we look for a place. It is both exciting and frustrating at the same time.

Walton is almost nine months old, and he is such fun right now. He isn't crawling on his knees yet, but is extremely mobile using the 'soldier crawl', pulling himself toward, over and into anything that catches his interest. Which is usually something that shouldn't! He's keeping us busy, and Bill and I are endlessly entertained by his antics and his personality! Earlier this morning I put him in an empty diaper box, as the pic shows, and he loved it! And speaking of diapers, we have to keep an eye on him if that is all he is wearing. Since he pulls himself along the carpet, the tabs of his diaper often get snagged on it, and he will completely drag himself out of his diaper! I have developed a soft spot for baby toshies, however, so I always enjoy the little peek! :)

I am missing the sun. I can take lots of snow (which we have), and I can take lots of cold (which we also have). I do not do well, though, with lots of sunless days (which we have experienced many of). I like the sun. I like the cheery way it waves through the windows and the warmth of its rays on my face. I like the way it makes my cheeks rosy so I don't look like a vampire. In short, I like sun. So, a few days ago, I was telling Bill that although I have never considered a tanning bed before, it is beginning to tempt me now. The thought of having a few minutes of sun - however fake - and warmth on my body sounds so inviting! If the next time you see me I am a burnished copper color, you'll know what happened!

And lastly, a little eye candy :)


Baby in a box

With a few tries, Walton can hold his own bottle

The boy in the Alaska pajamas ....

..or at least the pants!

Walton likes to play with the curtain - it must make him feel mysterious!

Holidays '08

Let it Snow......

We have gotten tons of snow, lately! It is so deep that we have to dig the cars out, and the dogs make tunnels when we take them outside. Drifts have piled up that are at least as tall as I am. And it's not stopping. Truthfully, it is quite lovely, though, and we are really enjoying it. Definitely looks like a winter wonderland. We've gone sledding and taken walks in the snow. I especially love it at night, looking out the window and seeing a blanket of white, glittering with diamonds. The world has a softer, gentler feel under a layer of snow. It kind of glows, too. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Walton and Uncle Sam

Samuel Walton Minatra and Walton William Bambach - two of my favorite fellas. We love you Uncle Sam!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! This is such a special time of year as we remember all that the Lord has blessed us with, "blessing piled upon blessing". For the first time since Bill and I have been married, we were able to spend Thanksgiving with his family in Michigan. Every year past, Bill had to work the day after, so we weren't able to go anywhere for the holiday. We had a great time. We celebrated Christmas early with them, which was especially fun as we watched Walton "open" his gifts. We did a little shopping, some sledding, and got together with some of Bill's friends. Bill went to a hockey game with his Dad, and had great seats. We had an unexpected blessing this year, and I am so grateful that the Lord worked it out for us. My dear cousin, Sam, lives in AK and works in Canada, so it is not often that we get to see him. However, he is dating Amanda, who happens to live in MI, about an hour from Bill's parents, and was visiting her for Thanksgiving. We were able to meet for lunch that Friday, and what a treat that was! It was so good to see my cousin, and to meet his sweet girlfriend! It was the first time that Sam had met Walton, too, which was very special. The time with them really blessed my heart. We returned to NY Saturday, and Sunday we went and got our Christmas tree. Every year in TX we went to the same Christmas tree farm to cut down our tree. It was something that we looked forward to each year. We wondered if we would find a farm here in NY that we would like as much, since that is one of our favorite traditions. Thankfully, we found a very neat tree farm about 40 minutes from our house. It had a great selection of trees, and lots of extras for Walton to look at. The only downside was that the lovely light snow we had that morning turned to freezing rain by the time we got to the farm - brrrr!! But, we still enjoyed it and picked out our tree in record time! :) And now we welcome in the Christmas season!

Lumberjack Bill cutting down the Christmas tree

Special time with Sam and Amanda

At Bronner's Christmas Store: checking out the reindeer with Daddy

Walton examining his stocking

The Bambach family after Thanksgiving Dinner

Smog the Dragon: Halloween '08

October Snow

Bill and I were reminded yesterday that we no longer live in Texas when we got a light snow. It didn't stick, of course, but still...snow...in October. I am looking forward to a white winter, but I admit that I am not quite ready for that yet! The sun is out today, and it is a crisp Fall day, but the weather is getting cooler. In preparation for this, I wrote on our grocery list yesterday, "HOT COCOA" :).

A Crying Kind of Day

Today has been a crying kind of day for me. Ever have one of those? There is nothing really wrong with me, but off and on throughout the day, I've cried about different things. I have just felt overwhelmed today with all the grief touching those I know and love. At the church we used to go to, three little girls lost their father to a brain tumor. An amazing lady at our church just brought her father home from the hospital to die with his family. Another lost her spouse unexpectedly when a routine procedure found a rare disease; she couldn't even touch him to say goodbye. A friend of ours here in NY lost his mom a few years ago, and then his dad just died in June. And a friend of my sister, a neat, godly young man, lost the battle with brain cancer Sunday morning. And there are lots more that I could list. I admit, sometimes I just want to pound my fists against the Lord's chest like a little child and cry, "No! No! This isn't right. It isn't supposed to be like this!" As I cried that today, I had the sudden realization that, no, it ISN'T supposed to be like this. We weren't created for death, and, thanks be to God, death is simply a stepping stone for us into eternal life. I thought of the verse about the Lord "making all things new". Then, with tears flowing harder, I raised my eyes to the rain-filled grey clouds and cried with new urgency, "Please come quickly, Lord Jesus. Oh, come quickly!".
And so, as I continue to cry throughout this crying kind of day, I just whisper again, "Oh, come quickly!"
Amen and amen.

Random Oct. Pics

A New York Fall

It is officially Fall in New York, and it is as lovely as we had heard it would be. After spending five years in Texas, it is nice to be back to the four distinct seasons. Though we have had quite a bit of rain lately, the weather overall has been gorgeous - in the 70s with crisp wind and sunshine. We have taken lots of walks, gone apple picking, and the leaves are really starting to put on a color show now. Supposedly the peak time for Fall color is mid-October, so I will try to post some pics of that when it comes. Last but not least, I've had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte, to ring in the season! The view from our back windows on a rainy day. This picture doesn't do it justice, as the reds and yellows are really beautiful.

A hike through Watkins Glen Gorge. This place feels like being in Rivendell, for you LOTR fans!

Pumpkin candles and a puzzle make for a cozy Fall evening.

Dressed for a blustery day.

Apple picking - this orchard is so gorgeous and only about five minutes from our house. Great apple cider, too!

Beautiful Fall colors!

Are we presenting an "Un-Christian" view of our Christianity?

About a month ago, the senior pastor at our church introduced this book to us, and Bill and I both started reading it. It was so compelling, I finished it in a few days. Now, there are not many books that I would say "everybody has to read", but I think this is one of those books. I would go so far as to suggest that if you really want to be a relevant Christian - and impact today's culture - you need to read it. (Now, if you don't read it, I'm not going to think that you are lax in your faith - I just think it is a provocative book). Based on studies done by the Barna Group, the author, David Kinnaman, addresses the six major perceptions that our culture has of Christians. To pique your interest, the research showed that the majority of people considered Christians to be:

1) Hypocritical

2) Only interested in "getting people saved"

3) Anti homosexual

4) Sheltered

5) Too political

6) Judgmental

Now, you can agree or not agree with his suggestions on how to address these perceptions, but you can't argue with the statistics. Which is why I think it is so beneficial to read this book. If we say we are Christian, then for many people, the aforementioned six subjects are what they believe our faith to be. Personally, I found this book to be convicting and challenging! Pick it up - and then let me know what you think!

The Last Four Months in Photos

Living in New York!

Four- wheel drive for New York winters

Amy's Wedding

Bill's Graduation from DTS

Bill's Ordination

Walton's arrival!

Funny Things Bill Has Said Since I've Been Pregnant

I know it has been a while, and I promise to post pics, updates, etc., soon. I just wanted to share a few of the funny things Bill has said during this pregnancy:

"I hope you get really huge".

"I hope you have a big baby" (ok, some of these maybe aren't all that funny!)

"You are not as mobile as you used to be"

"You are getting to be mondo, sweetie"

"Once you get the epidural, labor is going to feel just like you are sleeping" (oh really?)

"I think I am going to pass out when you have the baby".

"This is the best thing that's ever happened to us that is going to ruin our lives" :)

I know I am forgetting some, but as he continues with these classic lines, I'll keep you posted.

Life with Bill is NEVER dull :)

Thanksgiving Blessings

What a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Though several dear friends were absent this year, it was great to spend time with family and friends. The turkeys were great, Mom made her best-yet dressing, and Bill delighted us all again with his famous pumpkin cheesecake. Usually, we eat our Thanksgiving feast outside, but the weather was too cold and wet to be out this year, so we lined up tables in the dining room and were cozy and warm for dinner. As we went around the table and each person shared what they were thankful for, I was reminded of all that we have and the numerous blessings the Lord has given us. My loving and wonderful husband, my supportive and fun family, and encouraging friends are at the top of my list for sure! On Saturday, despite the rain and cold temps, we traveled to the Christmas tree farm and cut down our tree. This is the fifth year we have gone to this place, and always look forward to it. We brought home our fattest tree yet - so tall and fat that we had to rearrange our living room to make space for it! But it is gorgeous and the smell of fresh evergreen greets us as soon as we enter the door. Now Bill and I will spend many evenings cuddled on the couch looking at the sparkling tree - I love this season :)

Ode to a Red Starbucks' Cup

I can't believe that on my list of favorite seasonal things, I left off the Red Starbucks' Cup!!! Now, I did mention the seasonal drinks from Starbucks - namely the Pumpkin Spice Latte and the Eggnog Latte, but the Red Cup is a whole separate thing. Thankfully, a friend who has a similar devotion to Starbucks reminded me of this (thanks Juls!), and of course she is right! The Red Cup is a symbol of seasonal bliss, that all is right with the world - at least while you are drinking your eggnog latte! And so, to honor this annual phenomenon, I composed a poem. Please read this with your seasonal Starbucks' beverage of choice (in a Red Cup):

Ode to a Red Starbucks' Cup

Oh Red Cup, of cardboard frame

Eggnog, Pumpkin, what 'er your name

Filled to brim with warmth and cheer

Addictive, yes, but it's not beer!

You will rouse us from our bed,

Gladden our heart and clear our head

Make our mornings oh so bright

Keep us working all through the night.

More than that, you let us know

though temps are high and there's no snow,

That Thanksgiving is drawing near,

And Christmastime is almost here.

Through it all we won't ignore

Though buying you might make us poor,

Remember thanks when we sup,

Our cheery, cardboard, oh Red Cup!

Happy November!

I am so glad that is it November! November is one of my favorite months, and this is the beginning of my favorite season. I love everything about the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
A few of my favorite things:
pumpkins, acorns, mums
cinnamon and spice smells
hot apple cider
Thanksgiving feasting - mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes
Bill's pumpkin cheesecake
pumpkin desserts of any kind!
holiday coffees at Starbucks
candles
fires in our chiminea
autumn colored leaves - brown, gold, burgandy, orange
snuggling under the covers
the smell of pine needles
cutting down our Christmas tree and decorating it
Christmas music
hanging stockings
eggnogg
sugar cookies
hot cocoa
exchanging gifts
bundling up in scarves and gloves to go for a walk
the meaning of Christmas and how it fills me with wonder
maybe beliving in Santa Claus....still
sitting it the dark with Bill looking at the Christmas tree
red and green decorations
Christmas lights everywhere

And so, with all those fun thoughts in my mind, I will now have a bowl of stew with my darling husband :) Share some of your favorite things about the season with me!

And Baby Makes Three...

Yes, a baby Bambach is officially on the way. Baby came as a little surprise for us, but I guess the Lord in His perfect timing decided the time had come for the Bambach duo to become a threesome. Or, as Bill told me, "You play, you pay". :) We are really excited about this little squirt, and thankful that the Lord has given us this opportunity. The picture was a sonogram at eight weeks, and I am now almost 13, so baby has grown considerably since this, but you get the general idea. I think the baby definitely looks like Bill! :) I had a doctor's appointment last Monday, and got to hear the baby's heartbeat, which was exciting. The nurse also took a lot of blood for tests. I told her that since I was pregnant and supporting myself and this baby now, that I thought I should keep as much blood as possible, but she didn't agree and took four big vials of it! I am starting to realize that now that I am pregnant, my body is no longer my own! The baby is doing all kinds of things to it, and the doctor does all kinds of things to it, and basically I'm just supposed to sit back and let it all happen. Hmmmm.... Is there a way to keep one's modesty and be pregnant at the same time? Please advise.