Mission Call

Besides the fact that I am really slacking off on this blogging thing-- we might get Christmas pictures up by Valentine's Day. I told Reed tonight I need to find a way to make my life more efficient. His suggestion was and I quote " get up earlier and talk on the phone less." My response was, "I want my life more efficient-- I don't want it to suck." :) Anyways, that's beside the point here.... I had to take a quick minute to post that my parents got their mission call yesterday.... drum roll please..... they have been called to the London England Mission. They report on March 24th 2007 and will serve for 23 months.



We are all very excited for them. I must admit.... I'm a little nervous. Not for them. They'll do great. But two years feels like such a long time that it makes me a little sad if I think about it for too long. I have to admit I'm pretty attached to my parents. I survived just barely when they deserted me in Oregon and moved to Arizona two years ago(that was for your benefit mom:))But that was just because between their visits back to Oregon and mine to Arizona we still saw each other at least every three months plus we'd talk on the phone a couple times a week often daily. Really though a mission is where they are supposed to be right now and I just keep reminding myself what a fantastic opportunity this is for them and how proud I am of them and how many exciting adventures they will have in the next two years. They will do great work and bless many lives. And I can't help but think that Heavenly Father will make it a little easier for us while we miss them when they're gone.

Happy Birthday Katie!

So Happy Birthday Katie! I know it's a day late and I apologize but yesterday was so crazy I never even made it to the computer until about midnight and I just didn't have any energy left to blog. But I found this picture of us... at my fifth birthday party and I just had to post it. Who would have thought that 24 years later we would be sisters?! I couldn't have been any luckier than to have you not only as a friend but a sister. We love you and think the world of you. Hope your day was special.

Check out my Slide Show!

When it rains, it pours

I just realized how ironic the title is since it has been raining like CRAZY for the past two days. I have NEVER seen so much rain and that is saying alot since I have lived in Oregon for all but a handful of years during my life. Anyways, that wasn't even the point of my title. I was referring to the drought we have been experiencing on my blog lately. And now that I'm back, I'm back with a million entries in one day! But in my defense... Novemeber and December are INSANE in the Bell household. What with Jocy's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping, decorating, holiday traditions, baking, etc. Plus you throw in my Primary calling and all the things that go with reogranizing primary for the new year and the Christmas parties for the teachers and then for the kids. Well you get the picture. I'm sure it is the same at your house too but when life gets insanely busy for me and I can't keep juggling all the balls-- well somethings gotta give. So my blog took one for the team. Hopefully it won't have to happen again.... but you know how the holidays go. So if I don't make it back until the new year... Merry Christmas to you all!

let it snow

Just the thought of snow makes Nate excited! So when actual flakes came floating down he was thrilled. It didn't even bother him that it didn't stick- at least this time it didn't. He's still holding out for it to snow at least once this winter.

O Christmas Tree

I love getting Christmas Trees!!! Here we are at a lot picking out the perfect tree. This lot was amazing. I could have chosen any tree on the lot and it would have been beautiful! I've never seen so many perfect trees on one lot before. I remember as a child going with the Bird family and it taking FOREVER for our parents to pick a tree. While they searched we would play hide and seek or chase in the trees. It seems the tradition naturally has continued since my kids are now the ones playing chase with their cousins through the trees. Now I wonder if it really did take my parents forever to find a tree or if it was just us as kids, in our impatience of youth, that found more entertaining things to do. :) How the tables have turned.




I included this one of Reed showing off his muscles.:) He's nice to have around.

Thanksgiving

Just a few of the things I am thankful for....

Three great kids
Forever families, knowing that we are connected to each other for eternity
A husband who loves being a dad and is my very best friend
Extended families, who are always there and love you inspite of your imprefections
Being a member of this church at this time in the world's history
Having the freedom to choose
Modern conveniences that my grandmothers and even my mom sometimes didn't have : disposable diapers, washing machine, computers, cell phones, hot water.
Food enough to eat, a warm place to live and a bounty of other luxuries.