I must admit...

I must admit that I LOVE Little League...I have enjoyed everything about it. It has been so good for us as a family. The boys have loved playing, have learned so much and have had a great time. Jonah is a great hitter, runner and team player. The other night, he hit a double, ran his brother home from 2nd and made a GREAT stop in the outfield! Isaac is fantastic as the catcher. He gets right in there, has learned the game well, and hits the ball like a pro! He has scored several runs and has a blast on the field. I had my first "baseball mom" experience in the concession stand. If anybody want to buy a hot dog, nachos or a drink - I'm your girl ;)

Isaac loves playing catcher...he is determined to catch a foul ball and get an out before the season is out!

Isaac is having so much fun playing baseball...he is a great sport!

Jonah is such a great outfielder...he gets to the ball before anyone else!

But, if you ask him his favorite thing to do, he will say, "Bat and run!"

It is hard to believe...they're learning to make their own way in the world! Go Cubs!

And, I must also add that the boys have the best support behind the fence any two little boys could ever hope for. Abby gets so excited when her brothers hit the ball...she yells for them and claps those little hands. And, the icing on the proverbial cake - an AWESOME DAD! We are so blessed to have a dad who encourages, praises, teaches...I see the boys improving every week and I know that it is a direct result of his influence. If a mistake is made, a ball is dropped or one might strike out, daddy is there to lift up spirits, find a teaching opportunity, find the good points and give a pat on the back...I love that about this man! And, regardless of the outcome of the game, we all leave arm-in-arm, hand-in-hand...laughing and talking about the game.

"Go, Boys, go!"

"Daddy, will you buy me some more po-corn?"
"Look alive boys!"

On another note, I have noticed that my daily planner has been increasingly full in the months of April and May...so much to do and so much to tell. However, although things may get hectic, we always do our best to make time for visits with family, even though they may be brief at times. We had a great time with this photo op in my front yard on Saturday afternoon with our adorable niece. The kids were really into it and enjoyed being outside on such a beautiful day. They all love each other very much and we are incredibly blessed to be part of this wonderful family. Beautiful Bell Children
I love these children so much!
We were able to take our little camper out for the first time this past weekend and it was so much fun! Although we didn't get to spend much time there due to previous obligations, and I have no pictures (I know...bad blogger), it was delightful and we are looking forward to going out again this weekend. And, yes...the weatherman is giving rain, rain and more rain. But, now, this camping family doesn't seem to mind . No more tents, wet air mattress, leaks and messes for us. Bring it on, baby. We've got shelter, movies, a microwave...we are ready! And, nothing like a good mudhole at the campground to get my kids excited! Making memories - I love it!

Finally, I must share an intimate moment I had with my daughter this week. As I was sweeping the kitchen floor, she said, "Mama, can my help you?" I said, "Sure." As I handed her a smaller broom and dustpan, she said, "Can my tell you something?"
"Yes, honey...what is it?" I asked.


She casually stated, "My growing up, mama...but it's ok."

My tears welled up...where does the time go? I am trying to cherish it all, wallow in the moments of time, seize every opportunity, look for God's movement in my life in the big and little things.

We have been preparing for months for Michael's second mission trip to Haiti...he leaves in 10 days. It makes the family times sweeter...we are spending lots of time talking with the children about Haiti, praying for the team members by name, discussing missions, packing, talking about God, loving others...trying to make a difference for the cause of Christ "as we are going..."

"How great is our God, Sing with me...How great is our God!

Then, all will see...How great...how great...is our God! "

When one is down...

Easter, 2009

...we're all down. The world stops moving for a brief moment. Nothing else seems to be important.

Yesterday, one of us got "knocked down." And, in this family, if one gets knocked down, we are all knocked down. You see, we are a family. We do this thing called life... together. Other things were pressing us at the time...others were depending on us, expecting us to show up, expecting us to be there for important, good, Godly things. Expecting us to be where we were supposed to be, doing what we were scheduled to do, being everything to everyone. But, yesterday, we had to be together for the one of us who needed us most. And...I just love that about family. Yes, we discussed it as a family, knowing that meetings would be missed, people would notice we were not there, important things - good things would go by the way-side. But, what's a family to do? Be a family when it matters the most...make it priority...stop everything else to help the one of us...for without all 5...we are not the family God created us to be. Was it worth it you ask? Did we miss out on anything? Sure, we did! We missed being where we were scheduled to be last night. It was important. But, this...far more important-er! Was it beneficial to the family? Yes, the one is healing...we are being transformed...into a family God can use! It's tough...it's exciting...it's hard to see one of us hurting, bruised, sore, injured, lame, battered, in tears...needing the other four of us to carry them...but we are strong...and we will...we always will...because we are ...
family!

All things ballet...

We received Abigail's ballet costume in the mail today...she had to try it on and LOVED it. Just thought we'd share a few pictures. She is so excited...can you tell by the smile?

Have a great Easter celebration! We will!

Lamb

My mind is full today...hard to clear it. I am home from work with strep, which is no fun. I haven't slept well due to the pain. On days like this, I don't like noise. I relish the silence until it almost deafens me. The clock in the kitchen is ticking, the computer hummmms, and it is raining off and on outside. Mike and the kids are gone for the day. I love to sit in the dark...study, think and pray. These moments are far and few between. I don't feel well, but I'll take them any way they come. Good Friday notions scream out..."Crucify him, crucify him." A wooden cross, nails, thorns, holes in his hands and feet. I was there that day...on His mind. He thought of me. I can't imagine the suffering, the scorn, the pain.

I am only human. My mind doesn't stay focused the way it should. It wanders. I have concerns - carnal concerns. Lord, keep me focused on you. You are all that matters. You did it all for me. You will meet my needs - the needs of my family. You took the cross for me - why do I keep taking it up again and again and again? Today is Good Friday...I will remember the cruel cross...the blessed, beautiful, cruel cross. Thank you for the cross, Lord. Thank you for the nail-pierced hands. Worthy is the Lamb!

New camera...Yay!

I had an unfortunate mishap with my little Canon PowerShot camera on Christmas Day and picture taking just hasn't been the same since. So, for my birthday and our 12th anniversary, Michael and I bought a new camera to capture special family moments. We have been very excited to enjoy it, but had not had time yet to fiddle with it much. So, tonight, after the boys went to bed, Abigail was in a great mood and we took a few shots to try it out. We still have alot to learn about how to use it most effectively, but none the less, got some cutie-pa-tootie shots of 'punkin-head' right before bedtime. By the way, in case you hadn't heard, Ms. Abigail is now officially enrolled in pre-ballet classes. We are so excited for her. She now has her very own weekly event to go to and loved it! She had her first class 3-5 year old pre-ballet "Try Me" class on Monday, and afterwards, said, "Mommy, please tell my daddy that he needs to buy me fancy clothes now like my friends in my class [leotards, dance shoes, etc.]." She was the tiniest ballerina in her class and gave it her all. Needless to say, we have ordered the leotard, tights, leather ballet shoes (size 7 in little girls), 12" leg warmers, a warm-up sweater and a ballet bag. We are in hook, line and sinker! We are so proud of her!

Reasons

There are so many reasons that I love being a mom...but I must say that my three darlings make it so easy to love it. (Now, notice that I did not say that it was easy being a mom - just that I loved it!) But, I thought tonight, as my children lay sleeping, resting for the final day of school this week, that I would share 10 things that I particularly enjoy about each child.

Isaac...I love that you...:

1.) always go with the flow;
2.) complete artwork reflects your personality and is beautiful;

3.) love reading to your baby sister;

4.) never give up and are very confident;

5.) pray so genuinely and thoughtfully;

6.) love to help others - you get the missions concept!
7.) enjoy yourself everywhere you are;

8.) build awesome tents as large as a room out of blankets, chairs, pillows, etc

9.) like your hair a certain way, and no matter how hard I try, your refix it...your way.

10.) show incredible potential for the kingdom of Christ and I can't wait to see how He uses you!

Jonah...I delight in...:

1.) your unquenchable sense of humor;

2.) your passion - whether you are right or wrong;

3.) your ability to recall even the minutest details of an event that occurred years ago;

4.) your "no stick" days!

5.) watching you run from 3rd base to home!

6.) watching you lay in the bathtub, relaxin', knowing that you haven't used a drop of soap;

7.) seeing you delight in worms, dirt and bugs!
8.) your poetry:
"The Glorest [glorious] sun, the Glorest clouds

The Glorest mud, the Glorest rain
The Glorest trees, the Glorest wood

The Glorest rocks, the Glorest wind

The End by Jonah"
9.) your rosy-red cheeks that glow when your run your heart out;

10.) seeing you learn Scripture that I know God will use to grow you up in Him!


Abigail...it thrills my heart to...:

1.) paint your fingernails and toenails pink - so pretty;

2.) hold you "just one more minute" before bed;
3.) hearing you wake up in the morning and wanting a "snack" - no matter the time;

4.) play with your dolls and help you change their diapers - they sure do pee alot!

5.) let you "dry" my hair;

6.) go shopping with you;

7.) watch "Abby in Wonderland" for the 147th time;
8.) see you grow and have conversations with you;

9.) listen to you sing, "J-O-Y, down in my heart, deep, deep down in my heart";

10.) think about the ways that God is going to use your life!

I absolutely LOVE being a mom.