Spring Favs

They make me laugh . . .


Where do they come up with insightful and funny things they say?  They keep us in stitches and on our toes. 

Summertime means we get to spend more time with all our Grands!








We are having them one at a time -  (Last Wednesday was Camp Jack -- Monday is Camp Sydney & Jack -- Campbell is asking when is Camp Campbell? -- and Clara's mommy and daddy already have her enrolled)  We love getting to devote total attention to them individually and then doing some time altogether as well.

Jack found things in cabinets we haven't touched in months (or maybe years) -- all with a grin and a giggle.  He can walk in a room -- size it up and find those obscure items -- TIME TO DECLUTTER

Sydney keeps us encouraged with sweet little comments like, "Nana you sure make good food" and "Papa you sure work hard."  The other day after watching him work at something she complimented, "Papa you sure are patient"  Every time we're with her she asks when the next sleepover is.  She loves "Baby" her doll and often makes up stories about what she and Baby are doing that day.  She told us Baby is Baby Rose now and her 5th birthday  is July 4th. That makes her older than Syd.   Guess we'll have to do something about that.

Sydney dressed herself for bed in pj's and went to the costume closet to complete her outfit

A couple of weeks ago when Terry was experiencing major vision problems in one eye - we found that covering that eye with a patch would help his ability to see clearly to drive -- We were loading up the car after Campbell's pre-school graduation and Sydney looked at him and said "Papa it takes two eyes to drive."  He could see perfectly out of ONE eye -- but that kept her and her MOTHER a little nervous.

Sydney is the Queen of Worm Rescue at their house

Campbell surveyed all of Papa's work on the yard and their "Sky

Palace" and said -- Papa sure does good work.  Earlier she had asked him, "Realistically, when do you think you'll have sky palace finished?"

Campbell wrapped up her preschool experience at Redeemer with Graduation and a Mother / Daughter Tea earlier in the month.  She is growing up so quickly and has enjoyed swim team, swimming lessons, tennis camp and is headed to Camp Kanakuk next week at Redeemer.

We are so thankful it doesn't take long for Clara to make up with us!

Clara is learning to wave and loves to greet EVERYBODY with a big one.  She laughs and giggles and loves to nuzzle when you hum.  She and Papa spent a lot of time rocking in her room the other night when we were babysitting with him singing "Skimmery, Dinky, Dinky Dink".  He said that was the only thing that would soothe her when she was upset and it gave him bragging rights on getting to help her feel better.  Being with her twice in 3 weeks helped to fill that huge gap between Christmas and late May.


I was reminded of a favorite grandparenting verse this morning as I was straightening my kitchen desk and saw it in a frame there.

Psalm 71:17-18New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁷ O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
    and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
¹⁸ Now that I am old and gray,
    do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
    your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Birthdays -- C & Me

We're almost birthday buddies -- Campbell and I.
Tuesday was C's and last Saturday my first celebration got kicked off with brunch in Denver at Darcy's with Katie, Marshall, Clara and Terry.  (Terry has always said I had to have a birth MONTH instead of birth DAY.)

I got this precious video from Campbell & Sydney

Marshall has been promising me a ride on his Harley

My Harley Happy B'Day Joy Ride

Tuesday was Campbell's friend party -- Sydney happily filled me in on all the info explaining that big sis got two parties -- a "friend party" and a "family" one.  She was a perfect little sis happy for her big sister the whole day.  (S waits 5 more months for her special day)

We wrapped up 6 days of birthday celebrations with a dinner together on Thursday night.

Birthdays for this Nana just get better and better.  I loved being able to celebrate this year with all 4 Grands!

Celebration Weekend - A 15 Year Journey

It all began a long time ago -- when Marshall entered OSU in 2001 and chose pre-med as his course of study.

Fall Semester of  Junior Year in Northern British Columbia - getting ready for the MCAT - so he headed home in December - surprised us a day early by hiding upstairs under the bed and shocked Bethany and me speechless.

St. Francis ER Rotation Pre-Medical School

Medical School Acceptance 2005

Moving to OU Medical and White Coat Ceremony

Med School Graduation and on to Univ Of CO for Residency

Two Year Research Rotation

5 Year Surgery Residency

5th Year Chief Resident

4th year Rowanda Rotation

Residency Gift

Proud Momma and Dad - thankful for all God is doing and has done in his and Katie's lives

Off to Colorado

• It had been 4 months since we'd seen this little gal and as soon as I was out of school we hurried to Denver to be with her and her mommy and daddy
• 

We enjoyed a relaxing time of just hanging out with the 3 Bells and doing Clara's schedule.  We 
love getting into projects as they are transforming the house they bought last August right before little C came on the scene.

The Bell men take on a sprinkler project

while the 3 Bell gals do a couch re-model

Clara didn't know what to think of all that fluff stuff

We loved our babysitting times - Momma and Daddy headed to a wedding -- only their 4th time out without her since Clara was born last August

While momma a daddy were away, Papa decided that it was time to check out the greenspace in their neighborhood

This little lady is always ready with the most precious smile

Breadbasket of Friends

Through the 40+  years of ministry, serving in large congregations and small with Terry,  I realized how many different types of friends I have.  I don't know what sent me there -- but I realized that they are a lot like my favorite breads.

I decided to make my list.

. . . .honey buns - loving huggers,  lavish with compliments - they remember your birthday and treat you like a queen.

. . . .bagels- with you in the tough stuff - call to ask how you are and really want to know. . .they don't mind listening as you go ino ALL the details.

. . .tortilla - you have a relationship you are building with this person, be it a new co-worker, new in-law - just like tortillas needs something

. . . whole grain - back to basic friends - maybe your "Word Girl" friend who will tell you truth and drop the Word on you from time to time - this is probably the one you trust with your secrets and realize they will tell you the truth if that outfit makes you look fat.

. . .pita bread -- your ethnic friends or ones from cultures so different from your own- be it family background, or religion or country - they expand your world view

. . .croissant - your artsy friends

. . . crackers -- these are the spicy, spirited, quick wit and maybe even a little sassy ones

. . .raisin nut bread - your crazy nutty friends who keep you from taking yourself too seriously

. . .rice cake friends -- they are the ones who NEED us and that enriches us as we give and serve them - could be someone that you mentor or an elderly lady that you visit from time to time.

Or it may be that you have a friend who's the whole bread basket!

I am blessed with all these types of friends --

Mom

So much of my life is tied up in my relationship with you.  The things you taught me still echo through my head each and every day.  .  . matters of faith . . . life . . . and love.

As a young girl you were my best friend . . .

 As a teenager - I would hear others gripe about their moms but you were my rock and strong place. . .

You taught me what to look for in a husband and gave me a standard to live up to.

As a young college student you set me down one day and reminded me that my grades weren't what you and Dad had in your budget and that I should apply myself.

As a young preacher's wife and first year teacher, you would have us for Sunday lunch after Church services and give us our laundry that you had done --- you knew that my plate was full and overflowing and you didn't want me to get overwhelmed—so you did our laundry EVERY week that school year.

As a mom of two active little ones I called you often and asked "what abouts" all the time -- what about that little one who doesn't stay in bed? --- what about that fever or rash?

BUT ALWAYS . . . you were there to pray for me and our family.  I knew all I had to do was call and you would be faithful to do so and not give up.

You were always the hub of our family and the center of it all. .  . you could stretch a dime – make ANYTHING from scratch.

In your later years -- you taught us so much about how to live with the struggles of life.  We watched you be Dad's physical support and care for him for 15+ years.  You taught us commitment and dedication.

In your own life battle you taught us so much about living with faith and grace at the end of life.  You made us laugh -- you gave bits of wisdom --  you told us how much you loved us.

  I loved getting  you ready for bed at night and I'm remembering those sweet words you spoke to me.  We’d talk over our day – read the Bible – and share.

It was my honor and joy to get to care for you as you had cared for us all these years.  This weekend, I'm thinking of you thankful for your being in my life!!!

Happy Birthday, Marshall!

Daddy on call on his birthday -- so Clara and Mommy make a hospital visit

It's not been that long as I look back since you were just that little guy with lots of questions, Marshall.  Now look at you -- all grown up with a child of your own.
She's so much like you in so many ways and every bit as much like her momma -- that's what makes the miracle of birth so exciting -- the strength of both of you in a special little person.  
Having your own child and watching them grow in the way they are "bent" is one life's greatest joy.

In Clara's ready smile we see you at that age with the same engaging smile that drew people in.
Today we celebrate you and your successes --
We wish we could be there with you - but know that we are celebrating the person you are today and every day!


Love you to the moon and back!