Introducing Anne Elyse Bell

Anne Elyse Bell
Friday, June 18th at 3:48
7lbs, 10oz, 21 inches long

I have known Todd Bell and Shelley Bell for over 10 years now. I attended College with both of these precious people. I will actually go ahead and take the credit for setting them up :) I have so many memories with both of them. Todd is who I met first. He is a man of God, from the moment I met him I knew when I found the man I would marry that I would compare him with Todd Bell. He is kind, helpful, artistic, hard working and loves Jesus and with all of his heart. He has prayerfully overcome many obstacles including talking Shelley into marrying him.( love his heart :) Shelley was first a sorority sister, then a sister in Christ, then a roommate and a best friend. She is adventurous, she loves girly chatter of all things Christ-related, marriage-related, fashion and beauty-related, and my personal favorite.... now mommy-related!!! I could go on and on how much these two people have meant to me over the years, HOWEVER,this post is dedicated to beautiful Anne Elyse Bell. She is a gift from God and I am so very thankful that she is here healthy and well! We are praying for you sweet Bell family of three!

God bless the parents that drugged us...

Happy Father's Day!

It's the beginning of a big week with Father's Day today and Brent's birthday on Wednesday. But it's been easy to devote a day of celebration to him and for him. We started the morning out at church, to celebrate our Heavenly Father's work in our life. Then headed to Earth Fare for lunch Daddy's favorite of course, followed by a relaxing few hours of fun at the pool. We then headed to Brent's parents house for dinner where Ava came down with a fever, hence me at home blogging and Daddy and J.Riley enjoying time on the lake :). What can I say, the guy works hard. At everything. In his career, as a husband, as a daddy, as a follower of Christ, as a brother, as a son, and as a friend. He's committed, selfless, and loving, and he is a man of the highest integrity. Sometimes I am even embarrassed because I am constantly wanting to cut corners and he challenges me to do it right. He's a far better person than me. And his life isn't easy right now. He works long hours at more than one job only to come home and work a few more hours helping me with the kids and doing a few things around the house. With a demanding profession and a never-ending flood of deadlines,not to mention constant family drama :), he still comes home to spend time with his family, even if it means heading to a meeting or computer work after the kids' bedtime, often until 2 am. The amazing thing is that he does it without complaining or moping. And I know it's because he loves us. That's a love to honor and celebrate!

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Let summer begin!

I can not say enough good things about the pre school both my children attended! All of their teachers have been so loving, kind and patient with each of them. They take each child's safety so seriously on top of being so creative and fun! I can definitely say my children are much more academically and socially challenged at school then they are at home with me :) Most of all I am so thankful that my little ones pray with their teachers before the start of every day, hear the word of God every day through stories, games and crafts and are taught the TRUTH right from their own teachers! J.Riley's teacher put together a cd of pictures through out the year, I thought I would share a few. I can't believe how much he has grown!

Thankful

Whew, what a week! It started last Saturday night J.Riley spent 3 days and nights vomiting before I took him to the doctor to find out he had strep! One great day at Dollywood and then a 12am wake up call from sweet little Ava, sick as a dog. Another Dr.'s visit today, strep confirmed. SO today was hard. I am totally exhausted, whiny, tired of cleaning up vomit, canceled plans, and just flat out OVER IT! Can you guess how many times I have said that today? Ha! In the midst of the storm I have decided the only thing that might make me feel better is to remember what I am so very thankful for!

1. Being well loved by my husband (even though I don’t deserve it 50% of the time). He works SO HARD to take on the financial responsibility for this family so Ava and J.Ri can have a mommy that stays home with them. At the end of the day, he still has time and energy to get down on the floor and play with his children and help me with whatever needs to be done. I amazed by all he does. He is a great example of what a man, husband, and father should be.


2. When my sick children want me to be still and cuddle them.. Usually it comes at very inconvenient times,(right after one of them has puked all over the couch) but I remind myself that these years of cuddling will be over SOON so I better soak up as much as I can now.

3. A good book to read.

4. PRAISE music and WORSHIPING GOD!!!

5. Ava's little pink painted toenails and the fact that she wants to always have a bow in her hair.

6. Friends I can ALWAYS count on and friends who know me…. The ones who see me for who I really am, the ones who I don’t have to shower for or put on my makeup! The ones who I can get really mad in front of. (You all know who you are).

7. God’s promises… ALL of them. He NEVER fails!

8. J.Riley turning up his radio way too loud and then dancing and singing in his room while he thinks no one is watching :)

9. My Mom..for her phone calls just to check on us.

10. A glass of wine.

Summer Grillin'

I love when we get to the point where we are grilling dinner a few times a week!

Sunday- Baked Ravioli, Caesar salad and garlic bread

Monday- Citrus grilled chicken, fresh fruit salad with (special dip), Asparagus with goat cheese

Tuesday-Shrimp fajitas, chips and salsa and Mexican rice

Wednesday- Leftovers

Thursday- DOLLYWOOD!!!

Friday- Grilled pesto pork tenderloin,Olive Garden Salad, baked potato

Saturday- Sunday Chicken Soup