On this Sunday, we are thankful for...

...our church's nursery and children's program. We are humbled and grateful that Michael now serves as the Associate Pastor of Children's Ministries in a church that wants to minister to children and families. PLUS - that I was able to love on babies and their families in the nursery for last 6 years as nursery coordinator was an INCREDIBLE honor and privilige. Now, with life changing ever so rapidly and my boys old enough to sit in "big" church with us, it has been necessary for me to surrender the coordinator's position to a great, trusted friend who has a heart for babies and focus my ministry at church on my own children. However, I am priviliged to be able to continue to be on the nursery rotation as a volunteer and today was MY day!
I LOVED IT! The babies were amazing and their parents were even more precious to spend time with. I prayed before I went in this morning that God's love would be shown through me and I hope that it was. I was blessed to be with His kids today in nursery worship!

...this Bible Study format by Kay Arthur and George Huber, entitled "What the future Holds." I am enjoying this study with my women's Sunday School class under a great teacher and am excited to learn more of God's precepts about our future in Christ from His Word...exciting stuff!!
A great friend of mine brought this to work the other mornin' and I reluctantly tried a cup - you see, I have never been a fan of 'hot fruit' of any kind. I could drink hot cider if I was caught in a pinch and that was all that was available , but it was definitely not my pick if there were other choices available. But, needless to say, it was the best I ever had and now I am the proud owner of every flavor that is made by this company. I know from personal experience that local grocers carry the individual packets for $0.69/pk or you can purchase it in larger quantities at Sam's Club. So far, I highly recommend Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Hot Apple Pie and Original...And, by the way, I've got to go now and get me a cup (or two)...
...Mott's Hot Spiced Cider...YUM!

Thanksgiving picture, Black Friday, fun stuff...

Jonah, Isaac and Abigail on Thanksgiving morning as we prepared to leave for family gatherings...They were so excited to see their family...

Mike and I were so thankful that after spending a great day with family and friends on Thanksgiving, we were able to drive to Lexington and have our Date Night together.
(remember our MarriageFest event? We made a vow to have date night together at least once a month!)
So, we planned a trip to Lexington, spent the night, went shopping for the kids for Christmas late at night at Meijer, got large Hot Chocolate's at 11 p.m. and then went to the ...

...at midnight with some close friends to shop! It was great fun! The security guard opened one of the little small doors to the mall at about 11:15 p.m. and we all went running in like mad people! We stood outside the door of the store and watched the employees scurrying around and the crowd getting larger and larger. Everyone seemed in a good mood, but when the door opened - it was each man for himself! Mike and I had sort of planned a strategy and got everything we were going after and MORE! It was SO fun and one of those memories as parents that we will hold for a long time as really special.

We got back to the hotel at about 2 a.m. and slept until 7:30 a.m. and then got up in a hurry, hit a McDonald's drive-thru, and then went back to the mall for more...it was crowded to say the least, but we loved it...and we were able to practically finish our Christmas list for the children and all those we love so dearly! It is such a blessing to find little things for those you love and think, "I think she/he would enjoy this!"

We are so excited about the things that are to come as we count down to the day we celebrate the birth of Christ...it is such an exciting time for us as a family...

Thanksgiving humor...

...Oh...lighten up...let's have a great time with family and friends...actually some of my own family members want to tell me to do the same thing right now so I am taking their advice and laughing (right, sis???)...

...of course, I have more to be thankful for than can ever be written here. But, more than anything in life, I am thankful for the chance at life that Jesus Christ has given me...the chance to live an abundant life here on earth and be exuberantly excited about the life to come... Happy Thanksgiving to everyone I know and love...and by the way...

...Happy Birthday Lonnie and Steven - love you guys!

Bell Family Christmas Choir Rehearsal - Take 1...

Yes, the trees are up, the decorations are up, and the kids are feelin' mighty jolly. Abigail has sung this song all day, so we thought we attempt to sing it for you to get you into the Christmas spirit with us as well. Hope you enjoy.
***You must go to the right sidebar and hit the pause button on the Christmas Music playlist to hear the video!***

We took some pictures of the children decorating the trees - the one in the family room, the boys' room and Abby's room. They really enjoyed helping each other and were pleased with the finished products. We have taken the opportunity all day long to talk about the birth of Jesus Christ, sung about His birth and hung ornaments on the trees to remind us of His love for us. It has been a great family day!

Jonah had so much fun putting on his "old" ornaments from last year!

Isaac was sort of the "overseer" of the tree-trimming this year...older and wiser, you see...

Brotherly love...

Abby said 100 times if she said once, "come and see MY tree..."

...and all of her ornaments are primarily hung around the bottom perimeter...(and yes- that stocking says - Baby's First Christmas - Mommy just can't part with it yet although this is actually Baby's 3rd...)

"Mommy, hurry, take my 'pit-your' a-side my tweee!"

She also just absolutely insisted that I light it up, turn the lights off and take a picture for your viewing pleasure as well!

Christmas spirit has sprung at the Bell household...how about yours?

Homemade Family Traditions

Our family just LOVES the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. They hold such significiant meaning for us and we are SO eager to spend time with family, friends and brothers/sisters in Christ in celebration of so many blessings, including the gift of the birth of Jesus. Plus - we LOVE decorating for Christmas...we plan on starting tomorrow night with the tree trimming, home decorating, furniture rearranging to get the tree in front of the window, hanging the stockings with care, trying to get the infamous "Christmas card photo" and all that goes with it! (If I remember correctly, last year it took approx. 58 photo-takes to get the right one!)
And, I also notice that at this time of year, I become very reflective...family traditions that help us in recalling the importance of the holiday celebrations mean so much to us...and I love to start new ones. So, this year, this is a new one that we are going to start...hope you will join us in this simple activity to count down to Christmas...everyone can participate and enjoy!

Paper Chain Advent Calendar
(c) 2007 Jennifer Wolf, licensed to About.com
This is another easy Advent calendar for children. Simply make a paper chain out of 25 strips of red or green construction paper. (Or consider using strips of old wrapping paper!) Inside each link, you could even write a verse that tells part of the Christmas story. Or, to encourage your children to think beyond themselves, consider writing an idea inside each link for a mini-service project. For example, one day's project might be making a Christmas card for someone in a nursing home. Another day's project might be clearing off the snow from your neighbor's car. Be creative and see what ideas you come up with for supplementing this simple children's Advent calendar.

Opportunities?? Problems??

It has been said many times that "problems are opportunities:"
-opportunties for growth;

-opportunities for self-development;

-opportunities for discovery;

-opportunities for spiritual revival;

-0pportunities for...___________(fill in the blank)...
Well, if this is the case, I have had MANY opportunities recently to improve myself. Between migraines, tension headaches, reflux, fatigue, and other specifc life stressors, choices and difficulties that are too specific, personal and numerous to be mentioned in this particular forum...I am a wealth of opportunity.

So, I am DIGGING my heels in...not giving in to the challenges, but meeting them head-on!

I am not sure where this is headed, though. I also am not sure of much of anything right now other than the fact that life is changing all too rapidly. Gone are the days of easy decisions and stress-free living. Now are the days of grown-up hurts and never-look-back decisions. Now is the time to "live the dream" or "don't live the dream." Mike and I are working toward breaking cycles and thinking grander thoughts, knowing the stakes are higher and the fall could be harder.

This is where my faith comes in to play. Not whether I have faith in God to meet me at every opportunity with wisdom and guidance, but, as in the scenario of trusting a chair to hold me up...will I look at the chair and say I believe, or will I actually sit in the chair, demonstrating my faith by acting on what I believe in? I want to act on my faith...sit in the calm assurance that God is guiding our steps in difficult decision making, in uncomfortable situations, in sickness and fatigue, and in risky situations...so, here I sit...awaiting my next opportunity, reflecting on the recent past ones...wondering where all of this thing called "my life" is headed...and it is a blast!

Daddy's Day!

Happy 35th Birthday to the best dad in the World!

HURRICANE...

This weekend has been another ACUTE reminder that the best-laid-plans are all for naught when THE MIGRAINE takes over. I must say that it swept me off my feet this time. From Friday afternoon until Sunday around 4 a.m., it came and went, waxed and waned. Then, at 4 a.m., it came with full force - reminds me of when a hurricane finally hits shore and never lets up...pounding, burning with no release in sight. Mike and the kids had gone to church and I was trying to "sleep" it off. However, at 11 a.m., I was in the floor and couldn't handle it alone anymore. I called Mike at church and he came home with a friend to watch the children and off we went to the emergency room. I couldn't open my eyes because the light was blinding. My ears were ringing loudly and deeply. The first two IM injections offered no relief at all. The third one, however did slowly lift the sharpness and pull the knife blade out of my brain enough that I could open my eyes and lie down.

As I get older, the migraines get worse. It - yet again - has stolen 3 days from my life. However, yesterday, when it was escalating, the Lord and I had a long talk about it all and I am okay with it. Sometimes I need to suffer some to remember how much he suffered. Although I was hurting, it was a worshipful time. And, I was able to memorize Ephesians 6:10 while I was praying for relief...my challenge to you today...memorize this little verse...

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Eph. 6:10

Potato soup and good friends...

I have a great recipe for Loaded Potato Soup that was given to me by a co-worker and it has become a fall-and-winter family favorite here at home. So, I thought I would share it with you...so many people have asked me for it and have loved it. Again, not original with me, but great none the less...

Dice 8-10 potatoes into small squares.
Cook in first pot just until tender -
not enough to mash or until they crumble...just until barely tender.

In second pot, sautee 1/2 c. butter and 1 small onion in a stock pot.
Then add 1/2 c. flour to make a rue.

(It will become very thick and clumpy - that's ok!)

Add garlic powder, garlic salt , ground cayenne pepper and black pepper to taste.
Then, add 3 cans of chicken broth and 3 cans of cream.
Cut 3/4 to 1 large block of Velveeta cheese into small slices and add to soup mixture.

When finished, add potatoes to the second pot.

Fry Bacon; use a knife to cut into small pieces.
Pour soup into bowls and then top with shredded cheese (I like Colby/Monterey Jack), bacon,
diced green onions and a 'wollup' of sour cream.

Have some great oyster crackers available as well...
and voila!

We are actually having friends up tonight for dinner and this is the menu of choice with hot roast beef and swiss croissant sandwiches...

Nothing like good friends and good food...now...I must be off to clean up this house and cook!

Aren't you glad that...

What peace I have in my heart this morning in knowing that He is in complete control! I do not have to panic or fret. The God who created the universe is still on the throne and there are no surprises to him! I do not have to worry about what the future holds because I know who holds the future in the palm of his hands. It is well with my soul this morning...

On this Sunday, I am thankful for...

...the end of Daylight Savings Time. Although it does get darker earlier in the evenings, which is a total bummer to my children who love to play outside, it does give us wonderful mornings to celebrate the "Son." Plus, we just loved having an extra hour today to rest, play, and spend together as a family.

...my small colletion of cookbooks. From Paula Deen to Betty Crocker, I thoroughly enjoy getting them out this time of year and looking for a new "comfort food" fall/winter dish to try out on my family. This year, I am looking for that just perfect casserole - maybe some sort of chicken casserole or something similar...I will read these things a thousand times this season... ...my Christmas list...it has grown significantly this year because we have a new, beautiful niece, two special friends with new babies and lots of other wonderful people that we care about. Although the list is long and requires a budget, it is a pleasure and delight everytime I look at it because it reminds us of all the incredibly special people who have touched our lives...
...Schwann's Cinnamon Ice Cream...yum!

...the right AND PRIVILIGE to vote in this great country of ours! Although we struggle, we are still the greatest nation on earth and are A BLESSED PEOPLE to be able to go to the booths safely and confidentially to cast our vote for the candidate that we believe will best serve the people of this great nation. Yes, I am a Christian. Yes, I am Pro-Life. Yes, I will vote! See you at the Polls...

in·ten·tion

From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:

in·ten·tion
Pronunciation:
\in-ˈten(t)-shən\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1: a determination to act in a certain way

This word - INTENTION - has been on my mind alot lately. I have been driven in my own personal life and walk with Christ to live my life intentionionally - to determine that I will act in a certain way. I am so tired of having unfulfilled intentions. I know that the enemy dances when I intend to do something, but never follow through. So, in the interest of accountability and the desire to see others do the same, I wanted to share some things that I have been implementing in my own daily experience intentionally - not waiting for everything to be perfect to implement them, but actually doing it now. I want to live as though my life could end at any time - no regrets, no "I could have's" or "we should have's."

Some specifics that we are doing intentionally - and boy, is it making a difference...

-praying together as husband and wife daily;

-cutting my hours back at work to be home more with my family;

-resting more and NOT feeling guilty about it;

-enjoying my work days instead of dreading them;

-working with Mike on our budget-telling our money what to do;

-looking for personal/one-on-one ministry opportunities that are right around us;

-planning time for and with my spouse, including date nights;

-
Just a few, I know...but I am incredibly guilty of WANTING to do things, but never getting around to it. I am trying to now DO those things that my heart desires...
there will never be a more ideal time to take risks and live the dream than now!