Black Friday Mayhem

Since my babysitting options fell through for Black Friday due to family illness, Mike and I decided to tackle shopping in Lexington with ALL THREE CHILDREN. Many would ask what I was thinking, I am sure. But, we had a Bell family meeting to discuss our options, and ultimately, the options were to sit at home and look at each other on my only day off or go and hope for the best. We chose option two and encouraged each other that a good attitude could save the day. Well, needless to say, other than a few minor meltdowns, the day was a blazing success for the Black Friday Bargain-Hunting Bell's!!! We found some great deals, got 85% of our Christmas shopping complete and enjoyed each other's company quite thoroughly!

On a much lighter - I guess you sort of had to be there - note, we did had a funny incident in the Disney store. Abby found a plush doll - Ariel the mermaid,

that she fell in love with. She began whining and begging for it. I started with the "...well, maybe that would be a great Christmas present..." or "...let's wait and see if you get it for Christmas" story. In the meantime, Michael was already deep in line to purchase our already chosen Christmas gifts for others on our list. I made a last minute decision to try to get the doll to him quickly before Abby saw it so I would have it for her for Christmas. So, when she turned her back, I tried to toss it - quarterback-style - to him. In the meantime [imagine slow-mo here], a real nice looking lady stepped into the dolls trajectory and it co-cocked her in the back of the head. My gut response was to duck behind the "Santa Buddies Plush Dog" display, which I did do!!!...and I heard Mike say, "Uh, sorry, ma'am." Needless to say, I have never seen him so embarrassed to be married to ME!

Somebody had to take the fall so the baby could have the doll she wanted for Christmas, right - hehehe? Disclaimer: No one was harmed in the purchase of this plush doll - except my husband's pride;)

Merry Christmas!!!

"You're a Man, Now!"

Isn't it quite funny the way our children view things...how they see life through different lenses?

While celebrating Michael's 36th birthday this week, the children ran in, surprised him (with a little help from the birthday elf) with cheesecake (his favorite), and a fun gift and a card that sang, "Lord, you are good and your mercy endureth forever...".

Suddenly, Isaac spontaneously announced to him...
"Now, you're a man!"

Abby began to chime in..."My daddy's a man now...eeewwww."
It was a great laugh and we had a delightful time celebrating.

I then asked each of the children, while we sat around the table indulging in cheesecake, to remind their daddy of their favorite memories of him...
great conversation and memories developed.

Isaac: "I loved riding the roller coasters at King's Island with you."
Jonah: "Yeah...but riding the log flume with daddy was better...we got soaked and laughed."
Abby: "I want to go fishing with you dad, like the boys do."

Not just rememebering, but planning more family fun and memory making was great.
I love being blessed with this family!

Happy Birthday, honey!
My best memory of you:
let's see, was it...
...the two weeks we spent on mission in California?
...how proud I was when you were honored as District 9 Teacher of the Year?
...laughing while playing charades at home?
...watching you read and study?
(you know how that gets me EVERYTIME - nothing hotter than a prayed up/studied up MAN OF GOD!)
...travelling with you around the world to build the family God intended for us;
...so much more...floods of great memories...just can't decide!

I Love you with all of my spirit-filled heart!

The ole' G.B. is outta here!

Yes....someone had the GALL to 'FIDDLE' with my insides!!!!

And, I lived to tell about it...
hehehehe...
ooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh...
can't laugh tooooo hard yet...still a little sore.
But that ole G.B. (gall bladder) is finally outta here!

Powerful

October has been a different month for us...a time to reach deep within us and rely on the simplest precepts of our faith to pull us through what seemed like - to the world - often insurmountable mountains. Although somethings - some moments - are are just too intimate to share, I would like to highlight a few precious times we have spent as a family this month...October, 2009, we shall not soon forget...that is sure.

At the beginning of October, Mike had to have surgery. Although I will gladly spare you the details, it was a difficult time - more of a challenge than we EVER anticipated. God was good and granted healing in His timing...but the challenge brought us closer as a couple...and the reliance we had to have on one another to see it through developed a bonding we are thankful for...although we hope to not have to go through that again anytime soon, right, honey?

Next, Abby developed a terrible bout with the flu - Type A - probably H1N1 in all likelihood - about a week after Mike's surgery. Her fevers topped out at 105.8 - WOW - scary, hairy times...that I know for sure. So add to a healing surgical patient - a very sick toddler, a working mom, two boys in school, husband with surgery complications, and other issues on top of that - challenging. It caused me to DIG DEEP. And, God was more than I ever needed - never failed me!

Following physical healing and restoration in my home, we were directly thrown into enormous emotional pain as we learned of my family's tragic experience - the death of my cousin, Dustin Bradley Everage - so handsome, exceptionally talented, 29 years of life...we just kept saying to each other..."This is so hard, this is so hard." Of the eight grandchildren on my maternal grandparents family branch, there are six of us now living - of which I am the oldest. Although I do not mourn without hope, I still deal with the grief on a daily basis. I hurt so much for my extended family - the family that has been at this same place time and time again. It is powerful...powerful...so powerful. God has us at a vulnerable place - a powerful place. He is a powerful God. He is allowing us to experience life - difficult times - and still be able to see His power. I see Him working in me in powerful ways through all of this...but I realize that although my circumstances change - surgery, sick children, death...He never changes. His power never changes. He is omnipotent - ALL POWERFUL!

After the funeral, Mike and I travelled to Black Mountain, SC, to attend
LifeWay's Festival of Marriage Event.

It was our second year attending and it was an incredible blessing. We were especially thankful for the break-out sessions that allowed us to reconnect in our marriage, talk with one another, deal with some STUFF, reminisce about the past, and dream about the future together as a couple. Then...wow...what do you say about the the final session with Steve and Debbie Wilson on Sunday morning...POWERFUL...40 people accepted Christ, marriages were healed, and we were able to renew our vows! Refreshing and POWERFUL!

Last night, Mike and I were priviliged to attend the Celebration of Life service as we memorialized one of the elderly members of our church who went home to be with the Lord...we were sad - yes, we are human - to see him leave his wife,church and family...but it was so POWERFUL to listen to the testimonies of his family and his church family...as they spoke of the legacy of faith he left us...his testimony, his witness, his integration of his faith and his life in every situation. POWERFUL STUFF! And, most importantly, to live is Christ...to die is GAIN!

And now, I end tonight with something powerful...God can use the simplest things to speak volumes during difficulty. I am so thankful for volunteers who teach our children about the Lord and have a passion for ministry. This past week, in our Worship KidStyle ministry, A.D. was teaching Isaac's class about Jesus' example of washing the disciples feet and how His example teaches us to serve others. She invited us to come to the class and observe the "foot-washin'." We gladly came. She had the children who wanted to participate wash each others feet to experience what it may have been like that day for the disciples. We noticed...at first...that Isaac was somewhat hesitant - a new experience would make anyone think twice, right? Well, as the Godly example, Mike went to him and asked him if 'daddy could wash his feet'...Isaac immediately lit up and wanted to participate - he felt more comfortable doing it with his dad! And...I don't think he'll ever forget...nor shall I! POWERFUL!

And, for the fam...something not so POWERFUL...just plain ole' fun...Trick-or-Treat pics 2009 ...introducing...Mario (Jonah age 7), Luigi (Isaac age 8) and TinkerBell (age 3.5)!
I love these young 'ens!