The Blessing We Call Bella: July 2011

Once again we found ourselves trying to plan something to do inside because of the POURING DOWN RAIN! Arg! So, I discovered a little gem up north called Funky Monkeys. If you have followed our blog you might recall that several places we have gone have either been called "Funky" something or something "Monkey". I am not sure why that is, but I guess the Brits love the words. Anyhoo, it was a good ol fashion roller rink and indoor play place wrapped up in one. SCORE!
So, the night before I asked Bella if she wanted to go roller skating. Of course she replied, "yes" with loads of excitement like she always does because she's so dramatic. When I asked her if she even knew what it was she still replied, "yes". But, when I said, "Okay, where do we put roller skates?" She said, "On daddy's head"....so I knew she didn't have a clue. Thus, God Bless the inventor of You Tube. I quickly found a How to Roller Skate video and showed her. She was mesmerized. She's like, "Yes, let's go!" When I told her it was for tomorrow, we had a slight meltdown because she wanted to go at that very moment. But, we got throught to the next day. When she woke up that was the first thing she said, "Are we going rollerskating, now?" Once this girl gets her mind set on something, it is almost impossible to coerce her away.

So, when we got her skates and got them on, the girl just got up and took off. I was like, "Wait!" No fear! She was happy as a clam.

Happy, Happy.........

Joy, Joy................

I love rollerskating!

Then, you can start to see just a little bit of apprehension....

But, we all got up and held her hands and we moved toward the rink. As soon as she wobbled just a little bit, the girl let out a ferocious scream. Once she figured out that there was a possibility that she could fall, it was over before it began! Poor thing! We tried to help her with her confidence and went really slow around the outside (shoot I HAD to go slow...I am no spring chicken) but everytime she teetered just the slightest she started screaming or hyperventilating. It was sad but funny. Ya know, its the story of life, we are gung ho about stuff and then fear robs us of our joy. Here's the pics that followed after we came off the rink.

I don't like it!

Get these off!

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!

So, we moved onto the play side in hopes to cheer her up, but after her dream of rollerskating came crashing down, she just couldn't seem to enjoy the rest of the day to its fullest.

Now, not all was lost...we did get lots of giggles and by the end she was smiling (on her way out in this picture) but whenever rollerskating comes up she will be the first to tell you that she does not like it!!! Maybe in a few years when she can wear proper skates and gets over the trauma, we'll try again!

Thank you Lord for keeping us safe from broken bones!

Fun with Pa-Pa

As we landed at Heathrow from SC on July 7th, Pa-Pa landed from Seattle to spend about 3 weeks with us. We had a lot of fun together. We took Bella different places and spent lots of time at the park. Bella loves her Pa-Pa.

Bella loves her little clock. Pa-Pa was helping her learn to tell time. She caught on very quickly to the o'clock.

Then, Bella wanted to get her golf clubs back out because daddy and PaPa were getting ready to go golfing. You can see how serious she is about learning. Everytime I say daddy is golfing she asks "where?" because she wants to join him. She's actually not that bad, she just needs to work on her backswing.

Bella loves to build towers.

She walked around the house in PaPa's shoes.

Then, she had to try on Pa-Pa's glasses for a minute. I know I am bias but she's a darling looking intellect, don't cha think?

I had so much fun trying to capture this emotion. She loves to run around and around the house. Everytime she came through, PaPa would jump out at her and scare her. She's so funny because she LOVES this sort of thing. She asks to do it over and over again.

The weather here has been horrible! So, one day we went back to Jumpin Jacks indoor play place. Bella loves the little cars here. She waits and waits for one to be free and the runs to get it.

The BIG slide which she still won't do alone.

Back to another car.

They have one area with balls, a hoop and soccer goal. Bella loves to go in there and kick the balls and throw them. We keep trying to figure out which sport she might gravitate towards. My original vote was soccer because she loves to run, kick and have a little contact, but if you stay tuned to an upcoming blog, you will see her shine as we introduce her to a new sport.

Back to the slide....only this time she had to go ON PaPa's lap.

One day when the there was a glimpse of hope for the weather, we set out for a picnic to the Abbey Gardens. It is a beautiful place with a playground, two old cathedrals, ruins, lots of open space and of course gardens. It's where Bella gets most of her professional photo shoots done.

We walked up from the gardens to the little town and had some ice cream. Always agreat way to end a wonderful day!

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Dear God

One of the most amazing parts of being a mom is teaching Bella about Jesus. Curtis and I do this is many different ways but one of my favorites is teaching her to pray. I want her to know that God is always with her and she can talk to him at anytime so our prayers are very personal and fairly informal. For most of her life, her bedtime prayers have consisted of us saying little prayers over her or for her. Then, we moved on to modeling them and her echoing. We kind of use the formula of saying sorry for something (forgiveness of sins), thanking Him for things, and then asking for help for others and self. Well, now that she is about as articulate as a 2nd grader, I've asked her if she wants to start saying her own prayers. Sometimes she does and sometimes she doesn't. Here's are a few of her first attempts.

Day 1
M- Bella, do you want to say your own prayers tonight?
B- Yes, momma, but will you start?
M- Sure, okay, Dear God,
B- Dear God,
M- Thank you for ...... is there something you want to thank him for?
B- (long pause) Thank you for.......(long pause)...the black I-PAD. Amen.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm? Okay, well, that's a good start, right? Ha!

Day 2
M- Ready to say your prayers.
B- uh-huh. Dear God,
M- I'm sorry for.....
B- I'm sorry for hitting mommy. (which she did)
M- Thank you for.......
B- Thank you for pickles, chips, yeah, ya know how I really, really like chips and strawberries. Amen.

Getting better. Now, just so you know, when we model praying we usually say things like "Thank you for my parents, teachers and friends. Thank you for loving me. Or other things He might have done from the Bible story we just read.....not food items or electronics. But, at least she is thankful. Rome was not built in a day!

Thursday, 14 July 2011

Happy 4th and Bye-Bye SC! SC Part 5

We started the 4th 0f Jully festivities back at Virgil's on Sunday after church with another afternoon of good food and lots of family. Bella started off with a long nap in the guest room.

Then, there was a little kickball

And a little photo shoot on the stairs

The following day, the BIG BBQ was at Curt's mom's. The boys played a little Bball and Curt still thinks he can hang with the 18 year olds. He holds his own, but is a little achy afterwards.

Cousins galore!

These days Bella is never far from a lollipop. Our next trip to the dentist will be a doozy.

Cheesin it up Bella got very JEALOUS of baby Lauren, which showed exactly what it would be like if we had another baby. I had to take this picture because Lauren was sitting in Curtis' lap first and then Bella HAD to go there too and was all pouty. Then, Lauren was rubbing her back. So funny!

This is a little girl named Mya who Curtis' mom has watched since she was born. She and Bella are one day a part, yet she is so much bigger than Bella boo. They have fun playing together. I try to get a shot of them every year on the couch.

Ashley and Bella
Ashley and Lauren
Waiting to board the plane in Colunbia, SC That's a wrap! Goodbye SC, see you next year!

Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Faith and Family- SC Part 4

As our vacay in SC continued, we did much of the same---visiting with family and eating! Curtis' brother, Virgil and family just purchased a brand new beautiful home and had just moved in two weeks prior to our arrival so we were blessed to attend their housewarming/house blessing party. It was a nice BBQ with lots of family and fun. I could kick myself, though, because I didn't get any pictures of the outside of the their house. It's gorgeous!

Bella was running up and down the hill of their back yard. They are the first house completed in their neighborhood so their backyard isn't all enclosed, yet.

Daddy showing Bella the view at the top.

The loves of my life!

Ashley and Lauren

The beautiful ceremony blessing the house.

Bella with Grandaddy

Back outside wanting to play with all of the big cousins

Bella and Grandma

Bella and Lauren

At church the next day

Aunty Jannis and Cousins Tess, Arlen and EJ

The World According to Bella

I wanted to start a new section in our blog because Bella always has these one liners that describe the way she views life. So, if you need some sound advice about the way the world works, check this out.

1. When your parents are busy, big girls have to entertain themselves.

2. Sometimes when 3-year-olds dance, they get hurt.

3. Big girls eat every thing off their daddy's plate.

4. I can remember because I am 4 now. 4-year-olds can remember EVERYTHING, mom.

5. When you get cold, just shake your booty and you will warm up.

6. Princesses always dance to slow music. Did you know that?