36 Hr Dallas Date

36 hour Dallas Getaway...YEE HA!

My 1st Happy Place...HOMEGOODS with a Starbucks in hand

#purebliss

Had the awesome opportunity to meet Kim & Eric Winton for dinner

hadn't been out with them in almost 10 years! 

After a day of searching for fabric for our great room drapes, we ended with dinner at our Fave...NAAN. A lil 'Tuna Tower for the road.

ahhh, yumminess

Shout out to Oma & Grandpa for keeping Ella & Owen for us. xoxo

Mission Jamaica 2014

March 23rd, 2014

Dear Supporter,

This past week, I had the AWESOME opportunity to go to Jamaica on my third mission trip. The entire trip was a huge blessing! In Jamaica, we did construction work as well as led Vacation Bible School at Jamaican schools. The beauty of the island of Jamaica is an incredible creation of God. I was lucky to be on “Team Domin8” (dominate) the entire week.

On Saturday, I arrived in Jamaica at about 7:00 pm. All we had time to do was eat dinner and go to bed. The next morning, my group and I went to Good Hope Baptist Church for church. That night, we had wonderful night of worship. On Monday, my team and I went to Duncan's school and we worked with grade 5 students. Later that day, we went back to Good Hope Church and we worked on mixing concrete and carrying it to a wall that we were building 100ft away. We did the same thing on Tuesday and Wednesday as we did on Monday. On Thursday, we went to the Samuel Prospect Basic School where we had a sport day with ten seven year olds. That afternoon, we went to the infirmary where we spent time with the elderly and unemployed reading the Bible and praying with them. The next day, Friday, we had the opportunity to go to Ocho Rios and to the market, as well as to Dunn’s River Falls were we climbed the falls and spent time on the beach. Saturday, we spent the entire day traveling home to America.

This week, everything I experienced was fantastic. Some of the highlights were the delicious chicken & rice and juicy patties, the physically challenging construction work and the ministry to Jamaican children. One way I feel encouraged as I have returned home is to have the endurance to be in God’s Word every day. I also feel motivated to continue on the path of less of me and more of God. Thank you so much for helping me to be able to go on this journey. The Jamaica mission trip was my favorite trip to date, and I look forward to many future opportunities to serve.

         Love, Will

Surprise Ella Bella!!!!

As I visited with my Ella Bella about what she wanted to do for her 10th Birthday this year, she decided she wanted a Surprise Party (which was one of my suggestions). It was really fun planning it...although it was a little nerve wrecking trying to keep all the details secret. She knew it was coming, but didn't know when, where, etc. I did my best to pick out elements that would touch her heart, i.e. favorite restaurant, activity, cake.

Sunday after church, B'day Girl got to pick out some flowers to have at the house...neon pink it was!

Worked on these cool chevron beaded Earphone Party Favors while b'day girl was away at school.

Tags read: Your friendship is music to my ears...Thank you for celebrating with me today. Love, Ella

Monday, February 17th, 2014

B'day wish #1 came true...a bag of marshmallows waiting outside her door

Next...Aunt Kerri surprises Ella with her favorite Einstein spinach & cheese bagel

Thank you Aunt Kerri for the yummy bagel breakfast!!

B'day Mom (that's me) arrives early to Mimi's Cafe to decorate the table

Birthday guests arrive and are given B'day Blowers for the big Surprise!

 Abby, our videographer spots Ella coming in the restaurant...we were all hiding out.

Ella was truly IN SHOCK. We thought she was mad at first, but then realized she was just soooo surprised that she didn't know how to respond. :D

 (a little backstory: my Mom "Oma" had invited Ella to go to lunch with her and Aunt Kim for her birthday...Aunt Kim was in town for Carter's TU luncheon)

Even more fun than surprising Ella was watching these young girls get to *Surprise someone for the 1st time...they were all full of nervous, excited energy!

Ella still taking it all in...

A table set for a *Birthday Princess*

Little Missy ordered up a Strawberry Smoothie...a fave

B'day Girl with Big Sis & Mom

(Abby was an amazing helper as usual! So grateful for her!)

B'day Girl with Oma and Aunt Kim

I love this lil' lady so much!

(So funny that we don't look a thing a like! Thank goodness for our crooked pinkies in common...ha!)

Lunch is served!

B'day Girl went with pancakes...and yes, she even poured syrup over her fruit!

Giggly Girl giving cousin Carter a hug goodbye :-)

Present Time!

(Ella, being a middle child, looooves to receive gifts...they really bring her joy)

Ella and Jordan

Ella and Kate

Ella and Brianna

Ella and Emory

Ella and Talya

Ella and Reese

The Whole Birthday Gang

 (Riley's on far left; somehow missed a pic with her)

Next Up: Surprise Afternoon Movie

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

Last Surprise of the Day: 

*RANDOM ACTS OF CUPCAKES*

As we dropped each b'day guest off, they picked a neighbor to bless with a decorated plate of cupcakes. All the girls would pile out of the car and go together. As the recipient answered the door, they would all yell "Happy Cupcake Kindness Day!"

Riley was first up, and guess whose house she picked??

 

My friend Ali Cox! :-))

 Next in line was Miss Kate...

 Sweetest guy answered the door...

Jordan's neighborhood came next 

Here's where our Cupcake Stash was stored...the back of Bertha!

 Talya's was unique...we got to hand the cupcakes over a fence!

Last up was Miss Reese...hers was hilarious because a cute young boy about their age opened the door...they all turned red! :-))

Back at home and Birthday Girl is huuuungry!

She chose Kashi Mediterranean Pizza as her b'day meal 

(makes perfect sense as she is a semi-Vegetarian and loooves anything with veggies and cheese)

She's such a Hoot! 

(she changed into this formal dress the minute she got home...she tried to wear it earlier in the day to her surprise party..."no can do" B'day Mom said.)

 Time to sing to our B'day Princess

 Making a Wish...

 More Presents = Happy Girl

 Mimi stopped by for some B'day Love

 Lil' Man gave Ella some requested Goldfish 

(since I don't normally buy them)

And her favorite gift of the day...an ITOUCH!

(we had Abby's restored for her...she's been waiting for her 10th b'day just for this!)

 I was so proud of Will who made her a card AND bought her a gift!

(Godiva chocolates...her fave)

 Aunt Cindy stops by to celebrate...Romey tries to eat her b'day cake!

It was THE.PERFECT.DAY for my Baby Girl. So grateful to God for putting all the final details together and allowing us to bless her and her friends. Nothing quite touches the heart like a meaningful Birthday Celebration.

*~*Happiest Sunshine ☀️ Birthday to my Beautiful Baby Girl! Our lil miracle has grown into the most delightful, creative, sweet spirit who brings JOY to all who know her with her quirky sense of humor & compassionate heart.*~* #10yrsflew #EllaBellalove