The Bell Family

Random ponderings on God, life, and the humor all around us


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The Most Out of Control Bell Family Update in the History of Ever–October 2020-December 2022

OK, with COVID and hard family things and well, life, I stopped doing these family updates. Then I got so far behind that I assumed I’d never pick them back up. Then my family started missing them and the scrolling and reminiscing, so I thought, “What the heck? Let’s just do the most ridiculous photo dump of all time.” So here you go. More than two years and 500+ pictures.


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Heaven’s 15th Birthday

Dear Heaven,

              Something about waking up today realizing it was your birthday just made me smile big. This will be the 8th birthday we’ve celebrated with you, and I can truly say I don’t even recognize the little six-year-old girl who walked into our lives all that time ago. That cute child was confused, felt like an outsider, lonely, desperate, and knew little of true love. This young woman before me today is filled with compassion, a faithful sister, radiates the beauty of Christ, has a passion for books, has no problem holding her own in her place in the family, is relaxed, incredibly smart with an astonishing memory, and has this glorious joy that sparkles out of her eyes. You are a delight, and boy am I thankful for how God rocked our world almost a decade ago.

              I feel like I’m supposed to give you all this wisdom in your letter, but honestly all I can think about is you. Just you. And how rich my life is partly because of you in it. I have seen a bigger God through you than through any other experience or person in my life thus far. And I’m somewhat speechless just laughing at how big and kind he is. Especially in times I’m lonely or feel as though he’s absent, I’m reminded he’s there and working when I look at his work in your life.

              But as we all know, I don’t stay speechless for long. Whether we can call what I’m about to write “wisdom” or not remains to be seen. Heaven means “God’s dwelling place,” and if anyone doubts that to be true, they’re walking around with their eyes closed and big knots on their heads from bumping into things continually. Your middle name, however, means “brave as a lion.” Though I’m sure the phrase is gender neutral, I wish it was actually “brave as a lioness” because that’s far more fitting for you. The lion sits and waits for his food and pleasure to be brought to him. The lioness is really the brave and strong one. She doesn’t sit around watching for her man to provide for her. She runs after what she wants, risking all and expending whatever energy is needed. She doesn’t look to the man for approval or guidance. She’s wise and acts on her own, sometimes working with other lionesses for better strategy. I see her in you, and it’s her I want to focus on.

              You’re already well on your way, but this year, start to pay attention to who you’re called to be, what God has called you to delight in. Don’t look to us for approval. Go. Hunt. Discover who you are at your strongest. And come to your sisters and me when you need help getting there. Yes, it’s OK if you receive some protection and affection from your dad (sorry, other boys are totally off limits for AT LEAST another 14 years and probably not even then!), but push the limits on what you think you’re capable of. I’m not telling you to be independent of others. This would contradict God’s plan. But I am telling you to become your own unique individual, apart from who others think you should be. I see many glimpses of her, but I am stoked to watch her emerge fully in the next several years.

              I say this because if your life is defined by becoming what someone else wants you to be, you’ll never have a fulfilled relationship. God designed you to be only you, and he defined others you’ll be in relationship with to be only them. He shines in you the most when you’re her. Otherwise you’ll attempt to find all your joy by demanding someone else be who you want them to be. You’ll be miserable. They’ll be miserable. And God will be duller to those who know you. Those of us who know and love you best will feel robbed not to have seen a brighter Moses. He got to see part of God’s face, but he didn’t have God living inside him. Don’t veil it, even when stupid Israelites (aka any human) complains that you hurt their eyes. Blind them with who Jesus is so that they can truly see for the first time.

              I encourage you in this, but I have no worries this isn’t who you’re becoming. You have this gift of resting in what it is you enjoy, not swayed by the opinions, or even sometimes the ridicules, of others. Even, and this is HUGE, I notice less and less you looking at my face for approval. It’s a testament of you living out of your heart of Christ, resting in his family, and a joy I want more of. It’s simply peace. The gentleness and quiet of a sheep, and the bravery, wisdom, and strength of a lioness. Truly a creation only possible because of a powerful God. And I have the fine privilege of spending time with that lovely creation almost daily. Thanks be to God!!!

I love you,

Mom and Dad


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Bell Family Update–September 2020

Beautiful month full of soccer, choir, school, soccer, choir, and school. And also soccer, choir, and school.

The month started with some alone time for me. It was a sweet time away for me to breathe, read, hike, and think.
Warriors
While I was gone, Bill watched some sweet kiddos in addition to ours
And got to drive their grandparents’ Tesla…
I can’t tell who had more fun: my kids, or my friends’ kids
And this was the response to Bill’s extras
Soccer game with my parents who faithfully attend every one they can.
Celebrating one of my favorite redhead’s birthdays
He looks so calm and cool. But right before this, the baby was forced into his hands and he flipped out, worried he’d drop him.
Leaving pics on our friends’ phones
And kids leaving pics on ours
Family walk. This little man is still the cuddler.
Trampolines are for more than jumping
Our dear friends had their sweet little nugget this month! She’s perfect, and the baby hog thinks so, too.
The baby’s dad and our long-time friend tried to teach Liam how to do a backwards somersault.
Victoria left her earrings on her sink for weeks, so finally a child decided to make soap art with it.
Such a cool drawing of a Viking ship!
Sporting some spirit wear for our favorite soccer team.
When you tell the child most like you that her hair looks pretty, she’s going to do something to make her hair gross.
Chilling one day in a big chair after busy week
Our soccer crew
Gangsta coaches
When your church eats together each week, sometimes you need dessert for dinner.
My silly little boys
We’re pretty serious. Emphasis on the pretty.
One of our friends pointed out that our choir nametags make him think of a CVS receipt. Now I can’t unsee it.
And Aiden had his turn with the teeny baby…
Clashing mask problems
Bill’s boys. This group makes my heart swell.
Never ever ever will I tire of hearing little ones read.
Getting ready for Liam to have two teeth pulled
I get to teach five sight singing classes online each Wednesday. No matter my mood, I’m always smiling after hanging with these people.
Cute new Trailblazer spirit wear
I love getting videos from one of my gorgeous nieces who lives in California. Dang, I want to hug her neck.
Oldest boy Bell and youngest boy Bell
Playing with our little friends again
Hey, Cap!
Headed out for a weekly date
These two. Cheesy and hard working. They worked over the course of several weeks for one of our lovely neighbors to fill this whole area in with stone.
I see this couple almost every day I walk this trail. I’d put them close to eighty. Always holding hands, always chatting with each other with joyful smiles. I tear up every single time. Obviously I don’t know their story, but what a beautiful glimpse of a marriage to Jesus I get to see fully one day.
None of these girls share my last name, but does that really mean they aren’t mine? No. No, it doesn’t.
More baby snuggles
When you tell snarky child she can’t bring her food into the living room…
Taking this motley crew in the car with me to soccer
He can’t whistle in the normal way. But he watched a YouTube video to try to learn to whistle this way. It didn’t work.
Finally a pic with my mama
I’m so proud of this pic because I’m talking to another friend and soccer mom AND I’m watching the field. It’s a rare picture to capture.
Face paint on the arm
Accidentally twinning. Firstborn and baby.
When you go to a dairy farm, you gotta wear pigtails.
The crew learning about pigs, cows, and poop
Piglets are pretty much the cutest thing ever
A newborn cow!
Time with my girls jamming to Pentatonix
I don’t think I’m going to say anything here
Obligatory weird pic
Being manly in their pink and purple
Again, she doesn’t share his last name, but does that mean she isn’t his? Nope!
My girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love them with all my heart.
Can’t attest to the “like Mom” part, but she truly is beautiful.


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Bell Family Update–August 2020

If I wanted to complain about being bored, this month would shut me up. Whew!! Everything our family does and loves is in full swing now. Sweet to see others’ faces (even if masked) and to return to something that feels at least a bit normal.

Our kids’ “Uncle” Tony makes beautiful pens. Now he’s teaching the kids to turn their own pens!! Esther and Heaven got a turn this month.
Thug youth group
Haircut time
Double snuggles on the couch
And our fourth teen!!! She asked for an oatmeal cream pie cake. Creative as always for Cheyanne. And maybe the easiest cake I’ve ever done because it didn’t matter how messy I was!
“Aunt” Holly and “Uncle” Tony supporting our first day of choir!!!! Choir is long and tricky this year with COVID. In the past, all the kids were in the building at the same time for a couple of hours, and that was it. Now, there can only be two ensembles at a time spread far apart, and with all ten kids involved and Bill and I as directors, it means we’re at the building five hours one night a week, most of which is spent in the van. These two made shirts, bought a transportable grill and a million hotdogs and chips, and had a choir tailgate party in the parking lot!!!!! Because they are the best of the best.
Our dear friends who moved in behind us wanted to paint their door yellow. She went around to neighbors asking us to hold a sign to convince the HOA to let her. It worked! Their door is now beautifully yellow!!!
Double date night with two of our favorites!
Went to hear our friend sing on Sunday morning. We segregated boys and girls so Lee could get his man snuggles.
We started having our kids who were done earlier at choir go to our close friends’ house until the rest were done. Oh the bravery of Barb to take this motley crew…
How we found Miriam one morning…
Sweet sunflower date with this lady
Some of our Micro Blazers (kids too young to play on the official soccer team)
A pic a friend sent me when her daughter couldn’t get online for my sight singing class. She was stressing that I’d kill her. I’m pretty hardcore, Emma, so stress on.
New specs!!
These two had a fake wedding in our basement officiated by an older brother. Josiah got to hold another friend’s baby one night, and I’m wondering if this pic is prophetic as to how their future will be if married for real with kids.
Dunes Day!!!!
And eating at our traditional restaurant afterward
I’ve faithfully mocked Bill’s dance moves for 19 years now. Lee joined him, intense dance face and all.
My Dunes traveling crew!! So much fun to spend six hours with this group. And this lady is balm for my soul.
We didn’t get a single pic of all the kids together at the beach, so we took a rest stop photo instead.
This picture fills my heart. I don’t think we have a pic of just these two. Bill and I have been blessed with fabulous relationships with both sets of our parents. He treats and loves my parents as though they were his own, and I adore these two together.
Fun selfies
Taking my choir outside for a mask break. These girls are amazing!
Forlorn little brother waiting for older siblings to finish soccer practice.
Seriously beautiful
I tried to take a selfie. I have ten kids.
These are a few of my favorite things.
The smallest Bell giving his all!
This was so fun!! A hot air balloon landed close to us during one of our soccer games!
Trailblazer family attempting a pyramid during halftime…
Ending in total success.
“I want Aunt Courtney to hold me!”
School projects
Sweet playdates with friends
I’ve been sick half the month with a Crohn’s flare-up. This little man comes for snuggles and to pray for me often.
Last minute hugs before heading out for an overnight with Bill
Hiking trip with this guy
I keep my door closed in the mornings while I have coffee and read. This is why. These humans were in my room within three minutes of the door opening. Two minutes later, I had seven kids on my bed. I adore them!
No caption, except the caption I’m currently typing…
OK, these two. They have this fantastic relationship where they’re the most like each other, which means they understand each other and also totally rub each other the wrong way. This was Bill going over Malcolm’s logic one night. After several minutes of Bill trying to explain a concept to Malcolm and Malcolm mistakenly sure he’d gotten it right, this was the moment when comprehension finally set in. Bill’s at the end of his rope, and Malcolm is dying laughing at the whole exchange. They’re so good for each other…
I sat on the ground to watch a game. Some of my favorite little people lost no time making sure I had my priorities straight about who should be getting my attention. My heart overflows when I see these faces!
Teaching my online sight singing classes!
I’m not obsessed with this baby–you are!
Double date night!
Cheering on her big siblings, or just talking it up with Aunt Holly?
Taking two of my kiddos home after soccer and treating them to Taco John’s
The only time you’ll see this crew serious… I love this team and cheer myself hoarse each game!


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Bell Family Update–July 2020

Fun July filled with LOTS of friends!!

Bowling date with my man
Pool fun with my parents
Day out with my girls to get manis!
While the boys spent time with books and Bill
We had the most fun July 4th with some awesome people!
First date?
Some of our favorite kids
A glimpse into why
We went on vacation last minute to family camp in Michigan. We barely took pictures! Here we are at a gathering outside one night.
And waiting for ice cream.
Doing crafts the camp provided. They did a great job trying to still make everything fun even though they couldn’t do their normal activities.
Puzzle wall that each family contributed to
We split our family in half to make a competition throughout the week at family camp. The winning team got to pie the non-winning team.
Ariana didn’t go down easily…
Some shamed little girls who decided to ding dong ditch some neighbors and had to apologize. They stood on the porch for a full minute before they rang the doorbell this time!
Two moms and our oldest daughters.
Bill did a trust fall with sixteen kids.
Here’s how it turned out… He’ll be in trauma therapy now.
Helping Nana at the food pantry
Zoo with friends
I don’t know why it cracks us up to buy water in a can. But it does.
Trying on new glasses!
She loves him. He loves her not.
Miriam had her Chronicles of Narnia birthday party!!! This lady was not to be trusted.
I wouldn’t bank on mercy.
Finding Susan’s arrows
Javelin throw
The winner’s of the javelin throw–two Victoria’s!
Breaking the stone table (pinata)
Mini bows and arrows
Pin the mustache on the lion. Ariana painted this!
Hang the clothes in the wardrobe
Pass the snowballs
Pass Mr. Tumnus’s parcel
Catapult the witch’s castle with snowballs
Aslan thawing the frost
Generous friends and lots and lots of presents
Our dear friends moved in right behind us, and most of our kids are in love with their sweetest pup. Our favorite is how he looks out his window at us. He’s seriously the biggest, most precious baby!
Heaven wanted to make a pizza cookie, and Miriam helped her! It looks so much like a real pizza! And it tasted great, too.
Girl play date with friends.
Aquarium day in Chicago!
Walking along the lake in Chicago
Looking out at Lake Michigan
Fighting with pool noodle lightsabers. “You keep accidentally cutting off my legs!”
Bill playing with hair.
Liam getting to celebrate one of his friend’s birthday, complete with hours of gaming.


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Bell Family Update–June 2020

This month almost felt normal! With COVID still going strong, life is still a bit different, but it’s been sweet that some restrictions have begun to be lifted.

Choir auditions outside in a parking lot!
Pretty hair on her 9th birthday.
This made me laugh so hard!!!
Snickerdoodle Cake
This was her first attempt to blow out her candles. Notice they’re all still lit…
I took my boys to paint wood signs!
While Bill took the girls out walking and shopping.
Lots of water play this month.
Soccer meeting!!!
While the kids played in the fields.
Josiah sporting his green hair preparing to cheer on his siblings in soccer.
On one of our favorite neighbor’s motorcycle.
Barb doing crafts and lessons with the little ones during youth group.
Youth in the basement.
Working hard to win a scavenger hunt sent out by their youth leaders.
Bill got to lead music in a sweet friend’s wedding.
I had a quiet morning outside, which meant I had a buddy. Nothing was wrong with her, btw. She just didn’t know I was taking the picture and was chatting.
Giving blood to the vampires.
Reading and listening at the same time. I’ll never understand you types.
Got to have dinner with one of my favorites!!!! Miss this lady and the laughter and the depth and the way she points me to Jesus.
Again, a quiet morning to myself. They always find me…
Hiking!
And a wound. Because we were playing a game on a parking lot. And I was trying to catch Bill. Which meant I ended up on my back bleeding and cackling.
Hanging with friends!
And playing wonderful games that where we chose a more hands-on approach than the rules called for…
Four Square with my kiddos. And a stray.
And GaGa Ball.
Random selfies.
Conquering
Water balloon pinata as a family.
A visit from some of our Indy friends!!! It was exactly what my soul needed.
A super serious play the kids performed.
A weekend with my Victoria!!! Getting our nails did.
Bill got some individual time with the older boys while I was out of town with V.
Legos in the hotel room.
LOTS of food.
Picture books are still my favorite.
Cute children’s section at the zoo in Evansville.
Pretty hair.
Decked out in new clothes and accessories.
Getting her ears pierced.
And happy relief!
Hotel pool.
More pretty hair.
Love this little girl who’s growing too fast.
Ariana captured this pic. He’s my favorite laugher.
And this made us all happy because anyone who know Bill knows how much he talks using his hands. This is his classic pose.
Catching up with other kids after my weekend trip with Victoria.
And making up for lost time.
Father’s Day breakfast. I was so proud to get a pic of him and all his kids. Until I realized Miriam was still in bed… Oh well. 90% is an A at the college level!
Yes, Josh. Yes, I do.
Ba dum ch!
New braces!!!
More fun with hair!
Three Esthers in one pic!
Family SkyZone day!
The baby turned 8! Uncle Tony and Aunt Holly got him a giant dinosaur…
And a kite! I love the delight on his face.
And this pic of the kids watching the kite.
They’re so fly.
Meeting friends at Versailles State Park.
This is what 19 kids look like. Three families…
Victoria got her besties a three-part friendship necklace.
Perfect hotdogs.
The kids have assigned drills to get ready for soccer camp. They are 100% leading them on their own, including jogging together each week!


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Bell Family Update–May 2020

What do you do on month three of quarantine? According to these pictures, you make lots of weird faces.

Bill and I were playing ping pong. I have no idea what happened that made us laugh so hard, but I love that Ariana captured it.
Posed
Real
Still real
The cutest thing about this is that there was a movie on behind them. And they BOTH about halfway through just sat here with books! It was probably a boring movie with lots of kissing…
We feel pretty. Oh so pretty.
Grilling the dogs!
My friends are weirder than yours.
Told you.
It’s been a few years since I got to fold laundry with this lady!
I warned you in the intro…
Malcolm’s 14th birthday!!!!
These pics make me laugh when the little boys are in them because they’re always blowing with the birthday kid.
My favorite person
We went to a lake house for Mother’s Day weekend. So relaxing! It was fun to do a couple of puzzles together.
And we had a couple of chilly pontoon rides…
The kids practiced a song for me and my mother and performed it for us!
Again, see intro…
And the firstborn won’t stop getting older. Ugh.
We had an amazing visit with Bill’s brother, Michael, and one of our nieces, Hannah! I didn’t want them to leave and believe the most responsible move for this girl is to finish her degree in the state of Indiana and live with us. I’m going to wear her down.
We got to do a social distance walk with my mom to raise money to dig wells in Africa.
Unintentional twins!
Showing good form for the crane.
You can pick your nose, and you can pick your friends, but…
We needed at least one masked pic in the update.
Bill and I got a perfect weekend away to the Louisville area for our anniversary weekend while my mother wrangled the kiddos. Here we are at Southern Seminary reminiscing. Flooded with sweet memories!
Eating at one of our favorite restaurants.
We just wanted to point out that the bridge into Kentucky is fine but meh. The bridge into Indiana, though? Fancy, new, and full of hope.
I can’t even write about this couple without tearing up. Fifteen years ago, we lived with them for a year and a half, paying nothing. I went into labor with Liam two weeks after moving in. They taught us more about hospitality and opening our hearts than any other humans have. By far the most generous people I’ve met. They invited us into their home when we were babies and selfish to the core, and they loved us and extended grace at every corner. We love our Halls!
And this is our friend from the pic above, still wonderfully old wearing a calculator watch!
Relaxing in the hotel.
17 years of marriage!
Of course part of our anniversary was spent in masks.
Our traditional Melting Pot anniversary meal.
And then we came home to this amazing restaurant the kids made for us! It was an hour before we hugged our kids because all ten were dressed up, bringing in our luggage and serving us, either in the dining room or the kitchen. Incredibly sweet and perfect!
Two of our servers
And a live performance of a song Ariana and Miriam wrote, complete with 80’s style key changes, drama, and fade out.
She got to wear one of my mom’s masks when they were out for an errand.
Memorial Day with friends
Creek stomping.


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Bell Family Update–April 2020

Such a weird time in our history where we’re mandated by government to be quarantined. Probably the fewest pictures we’ve ever had in one of our monthly blog posts, but these pics reflect joy in togetherness. Oh so ready to be with friends and family again, but thankful to God for sweet time with my people and growth in him.

Working on a weaving school project
We made a challenge to take an hour-long walk away from our neighborhood each day in April.
Because of that challenge, we felt like we literally got to watch spring happen! Most Aprils we’re maxed out in stress finishing up our activities and school. What a gift to have a slow April where we got to see God’s beauty!
Kids and water is always bliss
Practicing on bikes in our neighborhood to prepare for a rail trail
Social distancing with some of my besties!
This was made to be climbed
State park day, even if most trails were closed
Easter with our church!
And our Easter birthday girl!!!
I wish I could have a real party…
Day trip with this beauty. Walks, bikes, soccer, Gray Havens YouTube concert, Little Women on the phone, and lots of yummy carry-out!
Seefood
Selfies for days
The beginning of an adventure!
Twinning with this sweetie
Twelve bikes in a friends’ truck
And the super fun and successful bike ride on a rail trail!
Google Hangouts game night with our church
Choir practice with Daddy


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Bell Family Update–March 2020

As with the rest of the world, COVID19 has seriously changed the way we thought this month was going to turn out! Our hearts have been in much prayer for our friends who have compromised immune systems and for our friends in health care. God has been kind to keep us healthy, and we’re incredibly grateful for weather that’s allowed us to be outside and for social media so we can still be connected to others, even if not face-to-face. As with all things broken, God still is working things for good, and the amount of time we’ve had to slow down and simply be together as a family has been a gift indeed!

The month started very sweet as these friends and I finished our Cincinnati trip together!
While I was away, Bill went into project mode. He hung all twelve of our bikes in the garage!
And he painted and redecorated our bedroom!!!! I’m in love! With him, though I adore the bedroom for sure.
A sweet night with my favorite woman.
A cool local walk while several sisters were at a meeting.
We did our first escape room with some dear friends!!! And we got out! I mean, I seriously had nothing to do with it, but, man, it was fun to watch everyone else’s minds work.
An elevator pic after we escaped
A day at Eagle Creek Park
Pelicans had rested there during migration!!! This pic was through mounted binoculars.
Mom’s concert. She didn’t know this would be the end of her season or her fabulous director’s last concert. But alas, COVID19.
We got to celebrate this man I love so dearly!!! That was the last time we saw them since we want to avoid spreading germs. We cannot wait to be with them again!
My favorite guys and their muscles…
Every girl’s dream.
Even my brother contributed his pic from California!
And a perfect rainbow to remind us of a faithful God before we were all quarantined.
Pi Day!!!
And our last outing to celebrate a sweet friend’s fifth birthday.
We left this pic on his mama’s phone.
So they contributed their own pic!
Quarantine begins. As does a different kind of creativity.
Our sweet neighbors!
Trying on clothes for the warm-weather switch over, and he’s stylin’.
One of many walks, this one by a beautiful creek.
Though we’ve been protected from COVID19 thus far, we did catch a stomach bug. This poor little man settled here one morning and crashed out.
Spring Celebration!! We do an egg hunt on the first day of spring.
Normally we do bunny cinnamon rolls, but with stocks being low in grocery stores, we had to settle with waffles this year instead.
Cool friend to play with on one of our walks!
Our first allergic reaction! We think maybe to sesame seeds but aren’t sure yet. Poor little man!
A few of our kids wanted to dye eggs.
My first sewing project! Cause when you’re quarantined, you finally have all that time you’re always wanting.
A school project the kids did all on their own!
Social distancing ourselves during a walk.
A day at McCormick Creek State Park. Most of us made mini rafts!
Two of my silly teens
Playing Frisbee and kickball on gravel at the park.
Fun creations
Our little family still fits on one couch!
New glasses!


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Bell Family Update–November, December, January, February 2019-2020

Clearly, I’ve not stayed on top of these… So here goes! Four months of pictures of our crazy lives.

Sending Mom tie pictures for her opinion. Which Mom then just made another mom decide.
The guys on Liam’s soccer team who got awards. He got Man of Honor.
Little man arm wrestling with his Uncle Tony.
Victoria and Josiah with their choir listening to a book by their fantastic choir teacher and my friend.
Our third teenager!!
And her birthday “cake.” Yep, 13 candles on a sugar cookie.
She wanted to decorate sugar cookies for her day.
Even Aunt Holly participated.
These six did choir this year and took this picture for a fundraising brochure, offering to do jobs around the neighborhood.
Aiden’s way to clean my bathroom mirror.
School with my littles.
Day date with Daddy
SkyZoning
A Children’s Museum day with some of the kids.
A weekend visit from Bill’s brother, Paul, and family.
Cousins!
Victoria being big and reading her cousin, Sarah, a book in the morning.
Stacking bears
One of the hundreds of pictures I find on my phone every month that I didn’t take…
Working on our basement. Bill made a marketplace!
And our new hanging tent!
I know this is super exciting, but I had this designed for our laundry room. Oh my stars I’m in love!
Earrings made for Ariana’s birthday party.
Some of the food for her Gilmore Girls Birthday party. Cause Gilmore Girls know how to eat.
Have to have coffee
And a pop tart cake
The girls made hair ties along with the earrings.
And tried to answer these questions.
Did I mention Gilmore Girls know how to eat?
Al’s Pancake World!
Then the second November birthday–Nana!!! She wanted a smoke machine. We just had her blow out all her candles instead.
Did I mention hundreds of pictures?
Decorating for Christmas
They wanted me to take this picture and make it my screen saver. Cause they’re more special than their siblings…
Bill and his man crush.
Christmas mantle. I WILL get all twelve knit someday. I WILL get all twelve knit someday. I WILL get all twelve knit someday.
Already beautiful girl wearing makeup for the first time.
Getting to attend a friend’s gymnastics event
Her dad and little brother. I love that little man!
Legos with my girls.
Ariana at a Christmas party
Concert day with three besties!
Victoria decided Noah was her best friend.
Two Bells (and a Grunden and a Bagnall) playing bells for the kids’ choir concert. Cause Bells play bells. In case you didn’t get it.
It’s not yellow.
Ariana took this picture at a children’s museum in Dayton, OH. I think it’s beautiful!
And so is she
She took this one, too.
These three pastored together for a few years. So good to have them together again celebrating Dan becoming an elder at his church now.
Creating together
Another surprise pic on my phone. And it makes me laugh every time cause my Cindy friend got in on it!
Do you think Santa will leave that under the tree?
We are so special…
And so is he
And they are, too.
Taking Miriam out to shop for a gift for Heaven’s birthday.
Double date to Taco John’s
While our sixteen kids held down the fort. Without adults…
January bubbles
I wasn’t there. I don’t know what’s happening.
They’re so pretty!
This looks so sweet. I’m pretty sure, knowing these two, there was more to the story.
When you go in for a selfie but bump heads instead.
Our sweet neighbor who’s become an eleventh Bell kid. We love her!
So flattering
Like I said, an eleventh Bell kid. Lol!
Right after I had my hair dyed darker.
Visiting the Home and Garden Show with one friend and seeing another!
And seeing Shannan, too!
It’s science really
The kids took this when I was in one of my infamous laugh-can’t-breathe moments.
Kids aren’t the only ones who find your phone when you aren’t around…
Another pic with my oldest girl
Me on the trampoline with the kids
We’ve joked for a bit that these two couples will get married someday, so we cracked up to see them at the island together. The parents called it a double date. I think the kids just gave us dirty looks.
Birthday dinner with Bill
He took me downtown for a couple of nights in celebration of my 40th.
Downtown Indy one morning from our hotel room
The welcome home from the kids. Best birthday gift.
Lincoln Square Pancakes family breakfast on my birthday
And a family walk
My mom made my birthday cookie, and Ariana decorated it!
And the final part of my birthday–a surprise 80s party!!! My friend, Cindy, took all these pictures. They are so gorgeous and fun!!!
Homemade earrings from a sweet teen friend of ours!
I’m obsessed with my new dot to dot book.
Our girls cleaning toys at our local library.
Attending our friend, Sean’s, masters recital. Josiah was totally into it.
Walk with friends
Celebrating each other’s 40th birthday! I love this friend.
Cause it wouldn’t be a family update without sleeping kids.
We’ve made the same future joke about these two getting married someday. Same dirty looks afterward. This pic will go in the slideshow.
There were sweeter pics of these two on my phone, but this one was the most real.
Got to spend a weekend in Cincinnati with these besties! So much fun. And so quiet with no kids around.