Makeup Application–Face Shape Tuesday, Jul 31 2007

I am getting ready to stop selling Mary Kay, so before I quit I thought it would be fun to give you women some application tips to help with your makeup.  Bill in his masculinity is horrified about this, by the way, so pray for him as these posts makes it on our blog.   I’ll do my first post on ways to best apply your makeup according to your face shape.  In future posts, I will focus on application of eyeshadow and lipstick.  This is not to try to get you to buy anything from me, but I do want to let you know that if anyone is interested in making a last purchase from me, I will be making one more order on August 31.  You can order by calling me or going to my site at http://www.marykay.com/cbell0524/default.aspx.  There are also many other helpful tips there, so feel free to look around.  Just in case a Mary Kay person checks this site, I want to make sure to note that the following tips are from Mary Kay. 

 For a heart face shape (the forehead is wider than the chin, and the chin tapers to relatively narrow or pointed):

1. Apply several small dots of highlight on the chin and blend to make it appear wider.
2. Contour the sides of the forehead, down over the temple area, and along the sides of the face.
3. Sweep cheek color along the center of each cheek, just below the pupil of the eye, to help cheeks appear slimmer and the jaws wider.

For an oval face shape (symmetrical):

1. If desired, add a little definition to the face by applying contour to the temples.
2. Sweep cheek color along cheek bones.  Or for a natural, just-blushed look, apply cheek color to the apples of the cheeks. Or brush cheek color slighty higher on cheeks, just under the eye, for a youthful glow.

For a round face shape (features shorter, wide, full cheeks and rounded chin):

1. Dot highlight under the eyes, in the center of the forehead and on the chin to bring focus to the center of the face.  Blend well.
2. Contour with Bronze Highlighting Powder on the temples and sides of the face.
3. Apply cheek color to the apples of the cheeks.

For a square face shape (strong and balanced, with equal width at the forehead, cheek and chin):

1. Dot highlight on the middle of the forehead and chin and brush highlight down the center of the nose to bring focus away from the outer edges of the face.  Blend well.
2. Contour the sides of the forehead above the temples and on the sides of the jaw to help give edges a receded appearance.  Blend.
3. Apply cheek color just to the apples of the cheeks, keeping attention on the center of the face.

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Ministry from Home Sunday, Jul 29 2007

Bill and I have been trying to have a more relaxed schedule in the evenings so we can focus on ministry opportunities.  We want our children to see us doing things to serve others in our spare time instead of sitting on the couch.  Some ideas we have come up with are writing notes of encouragement, preparing freezer meals, knocking on neighbors doors for fellowship, and helping our brothers and sisters at church with needs they have (i.e. moving or babysitting).  We are a bit limited, though, since it’s not easy to get out much with two little ones, especially considering nap and bed times.  What do some of you do to serve others from your home?  We really want to work hard in this area and would appreciate your input.

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Parents of Boys Thursday, Jul 26 2007

I just finished reading a hilarious book by Dave Meurer.  It’s called “Boyhood Daze.”  He is the father of two (grown) boys and shares many personal stories of raising them in his unique, witty way.  I cried a lot while I was reading (and I don’t mean tears of sorrow).  If any of you have boys (or if you don’t), it’s definitely worth the read.  Another great part is that he does get serious occasionally (though not for long) and speaks about ways to raise them to be godly.  I read the book in three days and am thirsty for more.

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Most Creative Answer Wednesday, Jul 25 2007

We almost forgot to award the most creative answer from our post announcing my new pregnancy.  The award goes to (drumroll, please)… Bob and Brenda!  O.K. they didn’t really give an answer, but they did respond entirely in Pig Latin.   Because Katie and Mark wanted it so badly, though, we’ll give them an honorary placement, too.  Bob and Brenda get fellowship at the Bell house with home cookin’, and Mark and Katie will finally get that Owensboro visit sometime soon.  Congratulations, guys, on a witty mind!

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Bill and Courtney Sittin’ In a Tree Tuesday, Jul 24 2007

As some of you saw in my previous post, Bill and I got some alone time last week.  Here are some things we got to do that are rare treats for us anymore:

• Went to see “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.”  I know some people have reasons against all the Harry Potter stuff, but we are huge fans. 
• Got coffee from Starbucks (O.K., Bill got a vanilla bean frappuccino–not a coffee fan)
• Went on evening strolls, one of our favorite pastimes pre-kids
• Visited some friends
• Ate lunch together every day
• Went out to eat
• Went to the jazz factory
• Stood in line at midnight to get “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”
• Prayed together for our kids
• Read the new Harry Potter book together (I know it’s a big Harry Potter week.  Did I mention we’re huge fans?)
• Talked, talked, talked, talked, talked
• Solved a Rubic’s cube
• Reevaluated some parenting issues
• Laughed a lot
• Listened to and watched a thunderstorm through our screen door
• I drove him to work and picked him up

I was missing the kids at the beginning of the week, but now that they are back I’m missing my special time with my hubby.  I’m ready to do it all again!

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Mommy Vacation Monday, Jul 23 2007

For those of you who are stay-at-home moms, you know that it’s difficult to actually get a true vacation from your job.  Even when on vacation, you usually still have the kids with you, so you’re still working.  For about four days last week, I got my first only-Mommy vacation.

A couple of weeks ago I let myself give in to so much sinfulness because I was having a pity party.  I was tired from the pregnancy, sick from Crohn’s, unsatisfied with finances, desiring to be lazy, lonely for adult conversation, and, probably worst of all, getting annoyed with every little thing Bill was doing.  All I did was think about the future and a better time instead of getting on my knees before my Savior and repenting for my discontentment.

Bill and I discussed the possibility of sending the kids to stay with our parents for a few days.  I asked several people for their opinion on the matter, and every one said they felt sending them would be a wise decision, so basically it was me against them.  I was the only one who didn’t want to give my children up for a break and reevaluation (I convinced myself I would be shirking my responsibilities).  When I finally gave, I realized I didn’t want to give them up because I was scared to live with just Bill again.  I had forgotten how to do that, and it made me uncomfortable.

Well, the kids left Tuesday afternoon and came back Saturday.  Tuesday was hard, but the rest of the week was glorious.  Bill and I have gotten to reconnect in a way we haven’t done since Liam was born.  He has been loving me beautifully while being honest about some ways I have been selfish, and through God’s grace I am seeing other sinful areas of my life that need work.  I am becoming aware of how I look like the world as taught in 1 John 2:15-17.

Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them.  For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world, and the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

How easily and quickly I forgot to look at life in terms of eternity and fell in love with the world instead!  What a shameful example I’m laying out for my children and others who see me, and what a grotesque lack of respect and submission I was showing Bill.  I praise God for revealing this sin to me and pray for His grace to transform my heart in this area and to desire Him and His ways above the things in the world.  I want the love of the Father in me.

By the way, the kids are back now, and we received them with very ready, loving arms!

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Isaac Lally Friday, Jul 20 2007

I would like to ask each of you to pray for some friends of ours.  They found out a few days ago that their four year old son, Isaac, has medulla blastoma.  You can visit his webpage by going to http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/visitAPage.do.  Type “isaaclally” under “Caringbridge Site.”

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Professional Pictures Thursday, Jul 19 2007

We had professional pictures takes at Flash! Portraits a couple of weeks ago.  You can view them by going to http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?cobrand?i=01wa.  Type ”bell” in as the last name and click on “go.”  Then click on “Bell, Courtney,” put “family” in as the password, and have fun viewing them.  The kids look so sweet!

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New Black and White Photos Wednesday, Jul 11 2007

So, I’ve been talking about doing this for a while, but I finally got around to making a little mural of black and white family photos to go above our living room couch.  Thanks to my brother (Michael C. Bell–another shameless plug for my brother’s music), I found out that I could get black 8.5″ x 11″ frames at the Dollar Tree for–you guessed it–one dollar each.  So I bought six of them, rummaged through the photos that we had, and made some select choices to feature in our living room.  I cropped and edited them in Photoshop to print off at home.  As I hope you’ll see, I tried to get a unique perspective on everyone.  A big thanks to those who also gave us pictures in the past that I used for this (I’ve given photo credits below).  I hope you like them as much as we do.

 

Photo taken by my beautiful wife Courtney

Photo taken by me

Photo taken by our friend Kacie

Photo taken by my radiant wife Courtney

Top left photo taken by Kacie
The other two were taken by me

Photo taken by Courtney’s mom, Brenda Madison

 

And the final product…

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CDs for Kids Friday, Jul 6 2007

Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about CDs for children, especially the longer the word gets passed around about the “Awesome God” CD put out by Sovereign Grace Ministries.  I agree with all the rest that this is the best set of songs to buy for your children.  We’ve been using these songs for almost a year now, and we still have not tired of them.  They are set to groovin’ music that is just as enjoyable for Bill and me to listen to as is for Liam.  Though Liam’s speech is not extensive, he pretty much has the first 4 songs memorized. 

In addition to “Awesome God,” I wanted to recommend some other great resources.  One CD that is good for teaching children is called “Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender.”  The only problem with this one is that the music is a little cheesy, but don’t let that stop you because the truths are solid.

Other favorites of ours are two lines of scripture memory CDs.  One is called “Hide the Word” and is by a man named Mark Altrogge.  He is one of the main writers for Sovereign Grace’s music (which I believe hands down to be the greatest, most gospel-centered music out there).  My favorite thing about these CDs is that he uses verbatim translations of scripture.  He has seven CDs out now, and the last 5 are almost entirely from the ESV (English Standard Version).  The passage reference is also included in the music.  The cheapest way to get these is to buy the bundled set for a very discounted price from the online store at Sovereign Grace Ministries.

The other scripture memory CD line we like is called “Seeds Family Worship.”  It stays pretty accurate to the text, changing things every once in a while to fit the music a little easier.  They have four CDs out now focusing on praise, faith, purpose, and courage.  You can listen to samples of almost all the songs online, so what are you waiting for?  Go check it out!  

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