The "Bella" Bells

The "F" Words that Rule My Life

2010-01-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

As I have spent some time following the blogosphere lately I see that it is a trendy idea to pick one word to define your goals and aspirations for the coming year...so I sat in the shower today and tried to figure out what that word was for me. Well, I have to say that this is very hard...you have to find that perfect word to guide your life for the next year and that is a lot of pressure. As I sat I realized that my life is ruled by many "F" words. I figured I would share a few...but not bore you with all of them. So here goes...First and Foremost (both F words)....

FAITH...Really..this is the easiest because my life would be quite empty without it. The more Faith I have and carry in my heart the better things become. I have Faith that everything is just going to get better and better....I mean Life if Good!

Here are a few more:

FINANCES...Oh, I hate this one because it really rules my life way too much. I wish it was not such an issue but it is what it is ...remember Faith Lisa...

FREE FAMILY FUN...Harkens back to Finances. I am always looking for ways to enjoy the Family that is easy on the wallet.

FLY-LADY...I am trying to get it all together and have a clean, organized house. Fly lady helps to break it down for me. I am great at reading her e-mails...which leads to

FOLLOW- THROUGH...Trying to work on this on all aspects of life. This is just a good thing to do. Ever notice that succeddful people seem to have really great follow-through? They say that they will do something and they do. I so admire that. I procrastinate way too much. So Follow-through is a really good goal for me.

As you see, I could go on and on about this. The more I write the more F-WORDS I can think of....Now back to that one word that will sum up 2010 for me...huummm?

Actual Sledding

2009-12-28T21:20:00.001-07:00

I guess it might be fun to see that we did actually sled that day. It was cold but so much fun. I had forgotten what a thrill you can get as you gain the speed going down hill...quite a little rush. Number 3B did not love the snow in his face..but had fun despite himself!

Sledding Shots

2009-12-28T21:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a candid of each of the babies from our recent sledding trip. I just could not resist....aren't they cute?

First Day Of Pre-School

2009-09-07T16:19:00.002-06:00

The B-Man had his first day of Preschool on Wednesday, September 2. He was ready and very excited to see all his buddies from last year. There were no tears this year because this is "old hat" to him now--just big hugs and off to play. Have a great year little man!

Happy Birthday H-Man

2009-06-04T10:27:00.007-06:00

Today is your Birthday! I love you so much it makes my heart hurt! You are an AWESOME SON... I can't believe you are 12 today!

God bless you always!

Some Cool Photos From a 3-Year Old!

2009-06-04T10:19:00.007-06:00

These photos were taken by the B-Man. Mind you-these are from a 3 year old! I really thought they were kind of neat and that I would share some with you. The B-Man got bored one day having to go to all the siblings sports events so he just took the camera and started shooting. I was actually very impressed. Isn't the shadow one really cool? Maybe we have a future photographer on our hands!

Kinderprints Fingerprint Jewelry

2009-04-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here are a few recent Kinderprint necklaces that I have done that I just think are really cool. I love how unique each of these are--no two ever the same. I so enjoy making these pieces and realizing the joy that they bring to those who wear them. It is so amazing to be a part of that. Thank you to everyone who supports me with this!

Date Drops Necklace-NEW

2009-04-14T15:34:00.000-06:00

Actually a previous customer came up with this idea and asked if I could make it...so I must give her credit...but I do think it is really neat. It just a special date-birthdate, anniversary,etc-on a very small tag and hanging from a ball chain. It is very subtle but uber cool to wear. I love the way this one looks on.

Easter Weekend

2009-04-13T15:15:00.019-06:00

Well, the weather was not as we had hoped but what a wonderful weekend anyway. We had a crazy, fun-filled weekend--lots of sports involved in very cold temperatures--but that just did not seem to matter--as we were all together and that was just PERFECT in my book!

Boy did the B-Man love coloring the Easter eggs. I did not think that he would have as much fun with it as he did and he did make some fascinating colors by repeatedly dipping eggs in every color we had over and over. A made some just beautiful ones and H never did have success trying to get the Texas Longhorn orange egg that he was striving for--but he had a blast trying nonetheless.

Be The Change

2009-04-07T08:54:00.005-06:00

Here is a necklace I just did for a gal in Canada...I just love what she wants to say. I think this one is pretty cool! We can all be part of the change...what a great reminder.

Sweet Friends!

2009-04-07T08:46:00.005-06:00

Aren't friends just grand? The good ones are always there when we need them. Hold them close...good friends are hard to find. We love all our friends!

A Sign of the Time

2009-03-25T09:27:00.003-06:00

Just a cute little quip---so I am sitting at my computer this morning-which is a very common thing in our home...I do much of my business thru the computer so I am on it A LOT. The B-Man comes in and sits at the other computer in the room (the one that does not work)-gets really comfortable-and very seriously says..."OK Mommy...I am going with you to Cyber-Space. Let's visit out in the Cyber world". How does a three year old even know this? I guess I will put the computer away and go and spend some real 3-D human time with my little man!

AHHH Spring and Sports

2009-03-23T14:36:00.012-06:00

It's that time of year again...time for the Spring sports seasons. This Saturday was just fabulous...I even, unintentionally, got my first sunburn of the year. I don't plan on getting any more. It really was just one of those days when you want to stay outside all day and soak in the sun.

Such Fun!

2009-03-10T13:59:00.007-06:00

I am having such fun playing with this new website that I found-www.picnik.com. You can upload and edit photos..and the best part is it is FREE. Of course, you can always upgrade...but the free stuff is way too fun. Here is an example of one photo I did. The top photo is the original. The other two are what I have done with it so far. I have so many ideas now on how I can edit photos. So many photos-so little time!

Our Goofballs

2009-03-06T12:56:00.012-07:00

Since I can't seem to ever get any great pictures of the kiddos- I figured you might just enjoy some "goofing" off photos instead. Granted...some of them are pretty darn cute. I hope this helps make for a happy weekend!

Sweet Necklace

2009-02-21T09:25:00.004-07:00

I did this necklace yesterday for a Mom whose little boy had to have emergency heart surgery. My thoughts and prayers go out to her and her family. I can't imagine what is going on in her heart and mind...but I hope this necklace brings a little peace in a hard time.

A Favorite Thing...

2009-02-21T09:18:00.009-07:00

The B-Man got this wonderful building set for Christmas and it has been one of the best toys. Even the big kids enjoy "helping" the B-Man build. I think they are adorable and just thought I would share a few of our quite minutes from this morning.

Before...and After

2009-02-16T12:24:00.007-07:00

The B-Man got out of the bathtub last night and got everything ready for me to put on him. He had it laid out exactly as it should be. I was very surprised to find this waiting for me . Maybe he has a career in displays?

Tree Lighting and First Snow

2008-12-06T20:14:00.011-07:00

I came to my camera tonight thinking I had so many photos to add. Apparently I have been thinking about taking pictures more that I have actually been taking the pictures. Needless to say, I don't have that many to add but I do have a few cute ones from the tree lighting we went to and from the kiddos have fun sledding for the first time this winter. The B-man has really discovered sledding....and he loves it! The big kids had already discovered the joys of sledding and they are alway anxious for the first good snow fall. We have a nice slope in the back yard so they are happy to just be out there. The neighborhood kids quite enjoy it too. I like it because I can keep an eye on them from inside the house....my favorite warm spot. Usually with a nice, hot cup of coffee in my hands!
Enjoy out little bit of winter cheer!

New Design

2008-11-25T19:20:00.006-07:00

Here is a new design that I am doing that has not made it on the website yet..but I am very excited about it. I have already sold quite a few of these. It was first designed for a friend who had a Dutch Grandmother who used to say to her..."Remember Yesterday, Dream about Tomorrow but Live for Today." Hence the three words on the bracelet. We shortened it a bit to get to the point. I think it is just a really fun bracelet.

For Daddy-A"s Haircut

2008-11-25T19:14:00.006-07:00

Abanna really wants Daddy to see her new haircut...even if this cut took place about two weeks ago and really looks nothing like this anymore. Oh well, it is a very cute cut-especially when we take the time to dry it and do it up right. What a darling little girl! Keep smiling!

Thanksgiving Feast

2008-11-25T19:04:00.006-07:00

Yesterday was the Thanksgiving Feast at B-Man's Preschool. They came in all dressed up in little costumes that they made and then sang the most adorable "plump little turkey" song. It was so cute it brought tears to my eyes. Because I was crying through most of it I did not get any great pictures. They are all a bit blurry. One should never let a bluthering mother take pictures! It just doesn't turn out well.
It was a great little feast of chicken nuggets, applesauce and corn. Topped off with some yummy pumpkin and sweet potato pies. B-Man had fun...and later last night promptly got very sick. Went to the doctor this morning to find out that we have the first case of croup that this family has ever had. FUN, FUN!

Halloween!

2008-11-02T17:44:00.012-07:00

I thought you all might enjoy some Halloween photos. They are just random...some from B-Man's class and some from Trick-or-Treating. No matter what the kiddos are doing...they are just plain cute!

Making Ghost Cookies

2008-10-30T17:35:00.009-06:00

We made Halloween Cookies for B-Man's preschool class today. They are having their Halloween parade tomorrow and their little celebration. This is the B-Man's first real Halloween that he understands (sort of) what it is all about- that he gets to dress up and get lots of candy! I think the Nutter Butter Ghost cookies turned out really cute. We can't wait to share them with the class tomorrow!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

2008-10-21T19:30:00.010-06:00

Today was pumpkin day...the day that we all go and pick out our pumpkins. Everyone gets to pick one out. This is quite a process...believe me. Who knew we had such indecisive people in our house? H. found one that was a bit misshapen...and we had fun with that one. I will let you use your imagination and see if you see what we saw! Check out our photos and enjoy a little Halloween cheer. BOO!

Swiss Fun

2008-10-07T09:11:00.006-06:00

Here are some fun photos of the kiddos goofing around.

It was a total SPORTS Weekend

2008-09-09T16:42:00.014-06:00

Just wanted to give the photo update of our total all-sports weekend -or I should say all-sports Saturday. We started the day on Saturday with Hayes' Flag football practice and then had his game. We just after that to grab lunch and then head to Annalise's soccer game. The "Coconuts "(as Annalise's team is known as) totally dominated the game. I must say they really seemed to enjoy themselves. Then it was off to the Colorado Rockies Baseball Game that night--where, sadly, they did not dominate. I hate to report that the Rockies lost and Houston went home the victor. We did enjoy pizza and dippen' dots so it was not a total loss for us! Enjoy the photo journal of our "Sports" Saturday. We all had a ball. i wish every Saturday could be that fun!

Fighting for Fig Newtons

2008-09-06T15:28:00.003-06:00

Here is a funny story I just had to share....

Last night at around 2:00 am I hear this really loud scream...."NOOOOOOO, No" coming from the monitor that is in Benjamin's room. I quickly come awake and start to panic as this is not something that Benjamin does often. Usually when he is asleep we don't hear a peep from him. So, I go running down there to soothe him and find out what is wrong. I go in and ask him what the problem is and he says in this little voice in the dark, "That guy ate my Fig Newton". I ask him if someone from preschool ate his fig newton today and he says, "No, it was that guy and he ate my Fig Newton". So as best as I can tell is Benjamin was having a dream where he is in a tussle with some strange "guy" over a prized Fig Newton....who knew those little cookies were worth fighting for? That must be some good cookie! It is funny what is a nightmare for a three year old. I must say that he settled down again pretty quickly and went right back off to dreamland with the promise of a Fig Newton in the morning. Gotta love em!

We Survived Day Two

2008-09-05T17:58:00.004-06:00

Well we made it through day two of preschool and it is going great. There were a few tears at drop off but he was not crying by the time I made it out the door. I was faced with 5 hours to myself...what to do? Well, I spent far too long grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. I didn't realize there were so many new food products that have come out in the last three years! We will be eating well for the next week or so. Pick up at preschool was quiet. B-Man is still so out of it as it is usually the time that he is in the middle of a nap. He was kind of zoned. He has perked up toward evening.

The highlight of the day has to be a comment B-Man just made to me a few minutes ago...he said,"Mommy, you don't have scary eyes. You have happy eyes -yeah happy eyes and you are beautiful." It was just totally unexpected and will be cherished.

Off to do dinner. It was a good day!

Hometown Fesitval

2008-09-04T19:41:00.013-06:00

Today Benjamin and I spent the day at the Hometown Ranch Days Festival. Once a year the town opens up the land where the old mansion stands and have a lot of fun things to the kids to do and see. It is so neat to see all the land and imagine what it was like to live here when there was no development. It must have been amazing. Today we enjoyed seeing all the wildlife, the petting zoo, and Benjamin's favorite was the hayride. It was a beautiful day...a bit crisp...but not cold at all. It was just perfect.

First Day of PRESCHOOL

2008-09-03T11:18:00.005-06:00

I can't believe the day has finally arrived. My emotions are so mixed with this new milestone. On one hand...I am so excited that the time has come for the B-Man to spread his wings a little and branch out from the Mommy world. On the other hand...that's my baby. I am not ready to let go. That said, however, he is very excited for school. He was up at 3:15 this morning wondering if it was time to go. After a little convincing I was able to get him to settle back to sleep for a few more hours.
As I write this he is at school. I keep wondering...how is he doing? What is he doing right now? Is he missing me? I hope you are having fun. I will see you soon.

Benjamin Turns 3

2008-09-03T11:08:00.011-06:00

All the kiddos have had birthdays this summer and I am not playing favorites by just bloggin about one of them. I have photos to prove that we love them too! Benjamin's birthday just happens to be the most recent celebration we have had. I can't believe my little man is already three. Enjoy some of our celebrations from the photos. I love you Benjamin.

We did not drop off the face of the earth!

2008-09-02T17:12:00.012-06:00

Hi all- Sorry it has been so long. I know it seems that we just dropped off the face of the earth...but it just seems I am not disciplined enough yet at this blogging thing. I will do my best to do better-but I can't promise. I figure there will plenty of time for writing so now I am going to let pictures speak for what we have been doing the past two months. Enjoy!

Let's Cruise

2008-07-15T08:37:00.002-06:00

A. went to a party on Sunday and had such fun. It was a cruise ship theme at her friends house. One of the activities was getting her caricature done. This one is A's--I think she looks like Loni Anderson! I do love it though. I think this is such a cute idea. A. just loves hers and want me to frame it and put in her room. They played cruise ship games-Bingo and such- had cruise ship drinks- and even had little passports that took them from "port to port". It was such a well thought out and fun party. All the girls had a ball!

Sweet Girl

2008-07-13T10:08:00.002-06:00

I just love this photo of our sweet little girl. Everyday she is growing up more and I am amazed by her grace. She is such an amazing combination of girly-girl, sports athlete, and drama queen. I can't believe that she can put on that soccer uniform and go be totally into her game and then come home and put on the bow flip-flops and paint her toes. She can go out and play with the boys...and believe me, she does that a lot as we only have boys on the street....and then come inside and play cafe. It is just so fun. We get the best of all worlds with her. I couldn't ask for more.

Hayes is Moving On

2008-07-12T09:59:00.004-06:00

These photos are a little late in coming (this happened June 21st) but here are a few photos of Hayes' Moving On Ceremony. We are leaving the safe womb of elementary school...and starting the dark, cold world of Middle School. Ughh.... This is worse that letting them start Kindergarten. I really don't want to let go. I know that it won't be that bad but I really am not ready. Mind you---Hayes is ready. It's just me with the problem. Go figure! It was a great ceremony though. Hayes and his friends Nicolette and Mark played their trumpets to start the ceremony off -(they played "School Spirit") and did a really great job. They had several of the kids showcase their talents during the course of the 1 hour long ceremony. It was so nice and "moving". They all had me crying. I will cherish this day forever. I am so proud of you Hayes. I know you are ready to "move on"---but only to middle school:)

Good Morning Mommy

2008-07-12T09:40:00.005-06:00

This was my first vision this morning. Sweet Benjamin walking out of his room with a big smile, holding his new Diego ball.... and dried blood all over his face. The crib is even worse! Total carnage. I don't know what he did or how it happened-but there was not one complaint in the night. I sleep with that monitor practically glued to my hear and trust me...I heard nothing unusual. It breaks my heart. I hate to think that there is something happening in my children's lives that I can't take care of right away. I know, I know this is just a bloody nose but I am thinking bigger issues here. This is only a small scale example of what I am thinking about. I so want to be there to heal all the pains and take care of everything and I know that just can't happen. At least Benjamin proves here that they can deal with the issues and still come out smiling. I guess that this is good news!

KINDERPRINTS

2008-07-09T17:53:00.013-06:00

These are a few samples from my new line ( KINDERPRINTS) that I am going to introduce in the Fall..and I am so excited about them. I make these using the actual fingerprints of the children. They put they finger directly on the PMC and then I finish out the pendant and make the necklace. I just love these and they are just beautiful on. I get so excited about all my new designs that I can't sleep at night. My head is just swimming with new ideas. I get so exhilarated....but my poor family suffers because I am doing nothing else. Vacation will be good for us. It will force my to pull away from my design desk and have some fun. Vino here I come---soon---right after I finish this one design!

Sleeping like a Baby

2008-07-05T16:46:00.001-06:00

I have been so tired the last few days.....I keep wishing that I could just sleep anywhere...like Benjamin here across the chair ottoman. I don't know how little children do it. They have the energy to get up at all hours and then just put their heads down when they have had enough. I keep thinking that this might just work for me. I think I will just put my head down on the dishwasher for a few minutes. That is all I need. I am trying to think more like a kid. I want to have that child like excitement for life...so do I get to sleep like a kid too?
I must admit that I was amazed to find Benjamin draped like this across the chair. I had no idea that he had fallen asleep. I came downstairs to find him like this. Poor little guy! He must have been exhausted because he really never does this. He slept like this for quite awhile. I just kept cleaning around him. No rest for the weary---I guess I haven't grasped the kid like attitude....YET!

I hope you will enjoy the new Bell family blog. I have decided to give this a try as a way to chronicle our family life for posterity and maybe share with friends and family who are interested. I also think it will be a fun way to share some of my new jewelry designs and business successes. BellaBell Designs is keeping me busy and starting to take on a life of it's own. Stay tuned for more on that.
Please ENJOY! I would love to hear comments from you too.