The Bellah Family

Book of Ruth #1

2011-03-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

Over the month of February my church did a series on the book of Ruth titled, "Songs of Love". It was split into I think a 5 part series but I can't find my church bulletin for week 5...so there may only be 4 but for some reason I think there was 5.

The song of FAITHFULNESS

I was pumped up about this series. I have always wanted to study the Book of Ruth, but never have. Not sure why. Either way, I couldn't wait. I have told you before about my church and how awesome the music is. Well, for these series' they picked fun songs to lead into the regular worship music. Since the Book of Ruth was split into several weeks, each week there was a a focus theme. Week #1 was Faithfulness. So this awesome choir member sang this song, this is the actual video from the service. Love it! His name is Donovan Duke, I encourage you to follow him on you tube.

Wasn't that awesome? I seriously think he should be on American Idol.

Ok, back to Ruth.

I knew that the book of Ruth was a love story, but I think I expected a twilight version. Boy, was I wrong! LOL! However, I still loved the series and learned so much.

Being Faithful.

Faithfulness- a conviction based in truth that shows up in action.

Nancy Reagan was once quoted, " A woman is like a tea bag; you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. " I love that, and I think that has a lot to do with faithfulness.

From church bulletin- 'In every relationship, particularly marriage, there are times when those in the relationship must be faithful, regardless of the challenge.' In my opinion this doesn't mean infidelity. This means every day faithfulness. faithfulness to BE THERE.

Thick and thin. Better or worse.

My challenge every week is going to church alone. Just me and Hayden. I love it once I am there and in my seat, but I strongly dislike walking into the church and walking to my seat alone. There is even more uncomfortableness when a couple sits on my row pretty close to me. I feel like everyone is looking at me wondering why I am alone. Truth is, my husband would go with me if asked, but that is not the right reason is it? He still goes occasionaly, but a majority of the time I am alone. I have struggled in the past with this, but you know what. God is always there for me, and he teaches me faithfulness. I will be there for my husband. I will pray for him diligently, I will be praying for his spirit. I will not pray that he goes to church with me because that is selfish. I will pray for his spirit and for God to lay something on his heart.

Psalm 37:4 He will provide all the desires of your heart.

The hardest thing for us as followers is to realize that God will provide, only, in his time. Not mine.

Stay tuned for Week two of the Book of Ruth: the song of Grace.

Couch to 5k, round 2!

2011-03-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

I graduated the Couch to 5k program back in October. I continued to run for about 2-3 more weeks. Then I lightly sprained my ankle and got shin splints, and used that as an excuse to quit. I am so VERY mad at myself. I had worked up to 3 miles. I had lost 42 pounds, I can't believe that I quit!

Well, today started day 1 of my restart of the C25k program. I am 15-20 pounds heavier, but I was able to finish it. MAN...it was HARD! I can't believe i am saying that. Sad day. Hopefully I can stay strong like I did before. I would like to run the Polish Pickle Run 5k, at the end of June. *heres to hoping I can finish this.

The app has changed sooo much since I did it last fall. It now has a built in Pace, and Distance feature. Love it!

REVERSED

2011-03-16T18:23:00.000-07:00

I didn't make this video, however, I absolutely LOVE it!

I'm such a Brainiac!

2011-03-13T08:18:00.000-07:00

Hayden has been attending her little Private Montessori preschool now, for almost two years. She has learned so much and I am thinking of letting her stay there for Kindergarten. She still has one more year of Pre-K before Kinder, but she is already surpassing the Pre-K standards. I give all this credit to her wonderful school, well, and to me! teehee!

Back to my 'Smart' moment.

Hayden's school is housed in a church that is selling their building due to low member numbers. If her school does not find another building, they will be forced to close permanently.

I have been in contact with her director trying to give ideas on where they could move to. She expressed her issues with the codes that they had to follow being an all day school. Such as a sprinkler system etc. I listened and still the wheels in my mind were turning. Two weeks later I was picking Hayden up and had a friend from work with me in the car, she asked, "why is it so hard for them to find a building?", I replied, " some silly code about a sprinkler system, I mean, who really cares if they have green grass or not". My friend began to laugh hysterically and could not talk from her chuckles...she began to point to the roof. It then dawned on me...it wasn't a sprinkler system it was a FIRE sprinkler system they needed. LOL! I felt sooo stupid! But it was soo funny, and I am still laughing at my MOMENT of pure Smartness!

I have been distraught over this. I have no idea where I would send her that would give her the education she is getting now. I am also sad for their legacy, they have been in business for 33 years. It is just an awesome school. I have looked into other places that in my opinion are close to the same in their educational expectations, and my tuition rate would increase by $5oo! Which is worth it, if her school doesn't not find another building. Right now, there is a good lead on a building and I pray that all works out!!

Bon Appetite!

2011-02-21T15:55:00.001-08:00

David and I watch a lot of the food network shows. One of our recent shows to TiVo is America's Worst Cooks. I think I should apply to be on the show. David has a lot of culinary background and actually attended culinary school for a little bit. I cannot however, seem to cut or saute anything without his help. However, today I decided to surprise my hubby with a dish that we say on our new show this past week. Here it is. It was actually pretty simple and he LOVED it! SCORE!

Sweet Potato hash

Roasted Chicken with a sweet glaze...

Here is the recipe in case anyone wants it... i left out the onions, and shallots as well as the pumpkin seeds. He still loved and this quite possibly could be his new favorite dish of mine! Yeehaw, momma did it!

Ingredients:
2 (3-pound) chickens, wing tips, spine and breast plate removed, cut in 1/2
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1 cup real maple syrup
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Make a small hole in the extra skin on the legs and poke the end of the drumstick through to form a perfect package. Toss the chicken generously with olive oil and salt, to taste. Arrange the chicken on a sheet tray or baking dish lined with parchment or silpat. Roast the chicken until it is about 3/4 of the way done, about 20 to 25 minutes. The skin should start to brown and crisp.
While the chicken is roasting, combine the maple syrup and cayenne in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the syrup is reduced by about 1/2 to 3/4 or until the syrup is very thick and syrupy.

After the chicken has roasted for 20 to 25 minutes, brush each piece of chicken generously with the reduced syrup. Continue to roast for another 10 to 12 minutes, brushing the skin with the syrup 1 or 2 more times while cooking. The skin should start to become very dark and sticky. If the skin starts to get too dark, cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and let rest about 10 minutes before serving.

For the hash:

Ingredients:

2 garnet yams, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
4 to 6 slices thick cut bacon, cut into lardons
1 large onion, cut in 1/2-inch dice
2 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 scallions, white and green parts separated and thinly sliced
1/2 cup green pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, add the sweet potatoes, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, to taste. Toss to coat and arrange them on a baking sheet. Roast the sweet potatoes until they are soft but not mushy, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and reserve.

Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the bacon and put the pan over medium heat. When the bacon has started to get crispy and brown, add the onions, season with salt and saute until the onions are very soft and aromatic. Add the apples and the scallion whites and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the sweet potatoes, and saute until the sweet potatoes are cooked through and starting to become crispy, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with the scallion greens and pumpkin seeds.

BON APPETITE!

Mom of the Year

2011-02-13T14:23:00.000-08:00

what? what is that you say? Mom of the year? **blushing** me? Ahem, why yes, thank you...its an honor to be nominated this year and for it to be so soon in the year has me beaming.

Now, on a more serious note...I made POPCORN BALLS! Yeehaw~! Hayden has her class Valentine's party tomorrow and I am normally so on top of things to make sure she brings something unique and cute, however this year, momma has been kinda lacking in the motivation on the weekends. I am counting down until summer when Hayden and I can spend days in the pool, park, and whatever else we decide to do on our whim!

Ok, back to the popcorn balls! My grandmother, Maw, used to make them every year at Christmas-time and color them green, red and white. It was very festive. I tried making them years ago, pre-Hayden era. Come to find out, you are suppose to make sure there are no kernels in the bowl before you start pouring and balling them up! LOL! whoops! So this time, I sent my dashing hubby to the store for some microwavable popcorn and marshmallows. Yup, Marshmallows, this new recipe I found called for marshmallows and I thought, YUMMO! I also decided to be festive and make them more Valentine colored. So when he came home with Kettle Korn, I decided HEY WHY NOT! The sugary the better.

( Doesn't this look like a bowl full of Fatty Yumminess! )

(and this just looks like a Valentine Massacre)

Cooling!~

Let me tell you, balling these bad boys up before they cool is no easy task. THEY WERE HOT! Now, I am off to find some cute baggies to put them in and make her some awesome labels to attach. Love being her mommy!

Church today was on the book of Ruth...more to come on that later. It was very eye opening.

Snow Day #1 February 1-4

2011-02-09T07:44:00.000-08:00

The first of the snow day of our school year was a blast! Of course I feel this way after a weekend outside and after two days of good weather. Last week I was beginning to understand how people eat their young. Being at home with Hayden is great and a time that I wouldn't trade for the world, but after the "rolling blackouts", our Uverse wouldn't come back on and we were stuck without TV....which wouldn't be so bad if we could go out and play. It was hard! We tried baking cookies, painting...finally daddy came home and rescued us and took us to dinner. Keeping an active 4 year old busy is quite a task, even for a teacher. More pics and video to come after I find more for us to do on this second week of ...duh da da duh....our SNOW DAY...EEK!

I have found a place to call HOME

2011-02-04T12:13:00.001-08:00

The Church On Rush Creek

I have been visiting Rush Creek going on about 2.5 years.... I think. I love everything about this church. There are three services but I always insist that I have to be at the first service at 9am. I have a special place that I sit every Sunday and when I am a row off, it feels weird and I will usually end up moving to that seat that is 'just right'. I like to call this my Goldilocks method. After I take Hayden to her Sunday School class, I head to the main auditorium where I will sit by myself, that is a whole other blog in itself and I am not ready to share that yet. If I am not there before the 5 minute countdown starts on the screen, it usually puts a damper on my routine because I love to soak up everything I see going on around me. From the mingling of friends, to the regulars that sit around me, only some of which I recognize week to week. I am usually the loud one, but not at church. I keep to myself. I don't know any names, and I am embarrassingly shy when it comes to anything that causes me to speak or have a conversation with somebody. Its not that I don't want to be more involved, its that for some reason I feel inadequate. Crazy thought, I know. I once contacted the Life Groups leader but when he responded I quickly backed down and shied away. Again, I don't know why. At Rush Creek our Worship Leader, Eric, is this amazing singer who puts the choir together and they come up with the most amazing, chill bump giving, versions to new contemporary songs that get me pumped to hear God's word. That is my most FAVORITE part of the service. I love the music. The church is very contemporary and you can wear whatever attire you see fit. I have yet to dress super casual, that part is not in my bones. I did wear my nice jeans and a cute sweater, but I had to dress it up with heels, which is funny, because that again...is not ME!

My goal this year is to be more involved. I actually felt pride in taking Hayden to the Easter Egg hunt last year and felt even more pride knowing I bought a package of the filled eggs and donated them! Which makes me laugh out loud at myself. I would like to make it official and "JOIN" the Rush Creek Family, however, I want to join and not go through the whole announce me on the stage thing. Wonder if that is possible? Go take a look and listen, rushcreek.org, you can listen online, but its a bummer that the music part isn't on there...one of the other things I love about Rush creek is after the offering, and after the first chorus of the lead out song, Pastor Russ says, "Have a good day, see you next week". I love that...it's like , yes, yes you will see me next week. I will keep coming back for more because this place feeds my soul! Thank you Rush Creek, for EVERYTHING you have given me!

Repent, Restore, Renew

2010-05-02T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to blog for sometime now. Finding the time seems impossible these days, and figuring out what to blog about is just as tedious. I figure who really cares what I have to say...but I will tell you anyway.

In the spirit of a new season in my life I am challenging myself to a change: Repentance of my sin, Restored Faith, and a Renewed Spirit! About 8 months ago an underlying , selfish but whole desire breathed within me , and I began to pray. Praying so deeply for another being charged a voltage of faith within myself that I always knew was there I just didn't know how to find it. As my journey trudged through turmoil and confusion, God showed me something. He showed me that he will always be there to pick up my pieces when I have fallen apart. He led me to a place where I realized I needed to fully rely on him for all of my needs and desires. He guided me to a path of righteousness that I could only find through him, and he showed me what my true desire was. In the bible it says that God will provide the true desires of our heart. How are we to really know what that desire is until we have prayed for the desire that God wants us to have? As my spirit changes I am sure my blog posts will too...Hop on a pray with me! Repent, Restore & Renew!

Although my blogs may sway from randomness, to complete bragging on my child..I will try and be better about blogging..encourage me to continue blogging by showing me that I am not the only one who reads it!

Remembering 9/11

2009-09-12T19:25:00.001-07:00

I am forwarding you guys to a friend's blog. She so eloquently wrote a blog about this horrendous day. Please go to her site and read...

www.ashley-starkstories.blogspot.com

Jumping with Landon

2009-06-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last week we went to Pump It Up and met my friend ashley and her love bugs to play! She has 8 week old twins, Allie and Emily, and an adorable little boy, Landon, who will be 3 in August. Hayden and Landon are so funny together. They feed off of each other and go wild..I am so glad that one of my friends' kids is an Indian just like mine! I didn't take any pics that day, but Ashley did...go here to look at them! Thanks Ash! We had a blast!!

http://ashley-starkstories.blogspot.com/2009/06/jumping.html

bad Blogger

2009-06-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

I finally have gone back into my previous posts and corrected the images. For some reason when i tried to post from my iphone the pics would not post. Either way, I have gone back in and reposted them from my home computer. I hope to be a better blogger..I have a fun filled summer ahead to blog about!

Hayden's first dance recital!

2009-06-18T18:36:00.001-07:00

Hayden had a dance recital last night at Will Rogers in Fort Worth. I have been looking forward to this so much because I never get to see her dance. David is the one that takes her to dance class on Monday mornings because I am always at work. Since I have been off for the summer I have only gotten to take her once. She did one tap routine, where she was a duck, and one ballet routine where she was a mermaid. I was very impressed at how well she did. She knew all the steps and would do them until she would look at the others not doing it and then she would try and mimick them. Overall I am glad we did it..i am not sure I am going to put her back in dance in the Fall, I would like her to have a Christmas recital, but...I am looking forward to sports. She will be turning 3 in November, WOW~! so hopefully she will be old enough to do some sort of sporting activity. I completely enjoyed seeing her all dressed up...LOVE IT!

San Antonio Memorial day Weekend!

2009-05-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend. My family (brother and his family, my parents, and david, hayden and I) wen to San Antonio to visit Sea World. While we were there David, Hayden and I went to Fiesta Texas since we have passes...we had so much fun! I have never enjoyed a trip as much as I did this one. Hayden was fantastic the whole time and our hotel was super nice and brand new. I have never stayed in a Comfort Inn Suites before..but this will not be the last time! I loved it that much! Instead of writing a big ole post of all the details..I'll let the pics explain themselves!~

Hayden and bugs at Fiesta Texas

my niece Brooke. Isn't she a doll?

Hayden and her daddy! Two Peas in a Pod!

Sleeping Beauty

2009-04-28T06:11:00.001-07:00

Last night when I put Hayden to bed she wrapped her arm around my neck and said, "momma, you're my best friend"! I just about melted! I love my life! Thank you Lord for all your blessings and for making me Hayden's mommy!

Sent from my iPhone

HOBO Dinners

2009-04-27T18:19:00.001-07:00

This is one of David's favorite meals that I cook. We call it Hobo Dinners, not sure why though, thats just always what my mom called it. All you do is take ground meat and put it into a good size patty and then all the veggies you want and wrap it in foil. I always do squash , zucinni, onions, cherry tomatoes potatoes and baby carrots,and Salt and pepper.

Bake for an hour on 375! Very yummy!

Sent from my iPhone

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall!

2009-04-27T09:35:00.001-07:00

This weekend while David was working in the backyard he let Hayden play in my truck ( which wasn't on btw). He went to check on her five minutes later and this is what he found! I couldn't be mad, she knew exactly where the fingernail polish and lipstick went! What a little stinker, but so darn lovable!

Sent from my iPhone

FRIENDS with Ross

2009-03-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Hayden is growing like a weed. She is so tall and her little once chubby legs are slimming up, which makes me sad and happy at the same time. She has always measured to be in the 95-97th percentile in both her height and weight at her well visits. We won't get to see if that holds to be true until November on her 3rd year visit. Crazy that she is almost 2.5 years old. I still remember feeding her a bottle and taking advantage of smothering her with kisses while she was still too young to push me away. She is talking up a storm. Last night she kept getting our house phone and pretending to dial then she would say. "Hey, let me see. Okay Bye. " I don't know where on earth she got that from, :). Then all of a sudden we could hear somebody on the other end talking back to her. I grabbed the phone from her and sure enough she had called her Aunt Teresa, who takes care of her two days a week. Hayden misses her the rest of the time and always pretends to call her, only this time she wasn't pretending. Aunt Teresa's number was the last number dialed and Hayden had hit redial. ha!

Hayden has been in need of some tennis shoes for a while now. Buying shoes for he is a task because she inherited the WIDE foot like mine and her daddys. She wears close to an 8.5 Wide. Which all you thrifty parents out there, Wide is hard to come by. I absolutely LOVE stride rites, because I honestly feel like they are comfy on her feet and they measure her foot to MAKE sure they fit properly. Well, I was all ready to head out to the mall and David said, "babe, can we not buy some cheaper shoes this time". I went through my whole spill about them having to be wide and he said try payless. I have never been a payless shopper so I wasn't sure if they had wides or not. Its not that I dislike Payless, but like I said my feet are wide too and I have always made sure my shoes are extra comfy. Well, needless to say we headed to Payless, but as we drove up I saw Ross and I remember my mom telling me that Ross sometimes has Striderites. So I jumped out and ran in leaving the two troublemakers in the car. I found the CUTEST pair of Superball Striderites for.... $12.99!!!

Can you believe that!!!! Striderite's are $46 at the actual Striderite store. I quickly began to pray that the size was a wide and guess what...IT WAS!!! I also picked up a SUPER cute pair of Sauconys that were a .5 size bigger. Later that night I got suspicious and decided to go to Striderite.com the same shoes were on there and they were selling them ON SALE for $29.99. Embarassing as it may be, I have never been the one to look at price tags. I know what I need and I just go get it, but I will tell you this. It feels FABULOUS to get a good deal! I am definately hooked now. My mom and hubby have always loved Ross. Me not so much, I mean the clientale that frequents that place give me oogie feeling and I always have to sanitize myself after leaving. While I was in line I also saw a ELMO's World DVD for $6.99. WOw!!! Now..I contemplated posting this because I don't want all of you bloggers to go run out and get my shoes! Leave some for us, at least leave us the WIDES! I'm not too worried though, according to my comments, I only have one reader. Thanks Ash!

Nick, nick, nick, nick, nick ,nick , nick, nick-el-lo-deon

2009-03-05T18:16:00.000-08:00

I was pondering all the things that Hayden has been watching on TV and began to think how weird it all was.

For instance,

Calliou, which is Hayden all time favorite show. Beside being a brat that whines all the time...

Did you ever wonder why Calliou is always in a T shirt and Shorts, but his mom and dad are in turtle necks and jeans?

Max & Ruby- Where the heck are their parents? I mean Ruby can't be more than 6 or 7, and Max, well, he can only put two words together. Not a very safe message we are sending, right??

Handy Manny- just three words for ya..... Mr. Lopart and Creepy

But on a lighter note, my new FAVORITE cartoon...

Mighty B!!! It is written and acted by Amy Poehler. Its seriously HILARIOUS!!

It comes on Nick Jr. and I love watching it!!

Here Comes the Sun..doo da doo doo

2009-02-28T19:41:00.000-08:00

I guess it is pretty obvious that I'm only getting around to posting something about once a month. "Better out than in I always say"-Shrek , oops...I mean late than never! :) Every year I get flowers from my WONDERFUL hubby for Valentines Day and this year was no exception. I came home to this beautiful arrangement.

They are always my favorite too, the multicolored with orange, red, hot pink, light pink and yellow. It was so pretty.

Hayden loved it to, so we shared them from our Valentine, Daddy!

This month we also took a trip to the Dallas Aquarium and David wanted to take Hayden on the train. I contemplated because it is not a GREAT experience but we both thought Hayden would really enjoy it and she did.

She liked the aqaurium but I think she was more

amazed with the other kids that were there.

My little stinker bear!

The weather was pretty nice the past couple of weeks and we

also went to the park with Hayden's boyfriend, Landon.

Landon is about to be a big brother with

TWO little sisters! We can't wait for Allie

and Emily to get here!!

We now interrupt the regularly scheduled blog for this breaking news announcement.

::::BREAKING NEWS:::::

Last Friday I got a call at work from David, and he told me that Hayden started climbing out of her crib. I of course started freaking out because Hayden sleeps upstairs and I could only imagine what that was going to be like when she can get out of her crib at any time?? I have a video monitor but I still DO NOT like it. What if I can't hear her get up?? Either way...Hayden is in her big girl bed!!! She really had NO problems at all with this transition. For the most part I can hear her, but I am still not getting much sleep for me checking her monitor every hour to make sure she is still in her bed. It has only been about 5 nights and she has only gotten out one time without me hearing her and she came straight to my room to wake me up. Which really does make me feel better. I need one of those mini door alarm things that dings in my room when her door opens.

Knock on wood but she has yet to fall out!

We also took a trip to Central Market, Aka David's FAVORITE grocery shopping store. They were having a Mardi Gras parade, which was kind of scary for Hayden but they threw beads at her which she loved. She also got her first cup of Gelato.

This past weekend we went to Seasame Street Live, which was NOT worth it!! I do however, VERY much encourage you to go see THE WIGGLES when they come to town again, VERY FUN!!

Until we meet again!!

Fun Fun Fun!

2009-01-20T18:36:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while because frankly I can't think of anything worth posting about. I sometimes feel like I am the only one reading my blog. Either way, I racked my brain and tried to come up with something to write about.

First off, we went to the Fort Worth Stock Show opening weekend. Hayden had a blast. She loved all the animals, and I did too. We all three loved it so much we went back again and did the whole midway thing! Hayden got to ride another pony, the General Lee, a roller coaster , and helicopters. It is so funny to me to see four year old scared and to see Hayden riding with her hands in the air. This child is scared of nothing, which can be good and bad! I have to keep my eye on her at all times.

The Famous Stock Show Pony Pick!

Hayden also started her dance class. She goes Monday mornings for one hour. It is a combo class of Ballet, Tap, and Tumbling. I wasn't sure if Hayden liked it or not, but this morning she told me, "momma, I want Dance". Which of course made me smile and glad she is in it! I was very sad that I didn't get to be the one to take her, but David gets to and I guess that okay. I just wish I could be that mom that carpools and such. Maybe one day, or at least I can be the "go to" mom in the summers!

Here is Hayden and Georgia at Dance. My friend Lisa and I signed them up together! Hayden just loves Georgia and so do I!

Hayden has grown up so much in the last couple of months. Its amazing how fast they change after turning two. She has her moments, but for the most part she is super easy and very independent. She really has a knack for being a jokester. She is always trying new ways to make us laugh. One day we all three went to the olive garden. Hayden has spaghetti and when we left she told David, "I got Spaghetti in my pocket", he asked her what and she showed him an actual piece of spaghetti. We all three laughed and from then on, it is an ongoing joke that Hayden has a spaghetti in her pocket. She makes herself do the goofiest laugh afterwards. Such a faker! This is her playing with some Dora stickers she got when we went to get her ballet shoes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2008-12-27T12:08:00.001-08:00

Caution: Long post with lots of pictures!

The holidays are my favorite time of year. I love being off work for two whole weeks spending time with my stink-pot, and actually trying to be a domesticated wife (david and I worked out a new system, he ALWAYS unloads dishwasher, and I ALWAYS fill it)! Which is working out very nicely if I do say so myself!

This year I hope to have started many Christmas traditions with my love-bug! The first tradition is baking and decorating cookies with Georgia to put out for Santa Claus!

Hayden was doing a great job! Just couldn't quite get the 'ball' effect!

She kept making them into little tubes!

I loved this! Did you know that Math and Science are the two subjects that girls do not exceed at as well as boys? Being a teacher there is always room for a science lesson! I loved how they saw the cookies go from eggs, butter and powder to dough, then onto cookies. It really does let your child understand more on how things work. Let them HELP you!

The learn sooo much more being hands on!

Then it was time to decorate! Let the messy fun begin! I was afraid that Hayden wasn't going to have enough decorations for her cookies because she kept eating all

the marshmallows and m&m's!

They had so much fun and so did I. I love it that Hayden got to

participate in this new tradition!

We always have so much fun at Georgia

s house!

After we decorated the cookies we traced our hands onto the sheet that we sat on,

that way next year we can leave another mark and stamp our memories!

We started off our week with a visit from my brother and his family!

Hayden and Brookie, the princess' of the family!

Hayden and her Uncle Danny! She just loves him!

Brooke is getting so big. She has two big ole teefers!

It was so much with Brookie! She is such a laid back easy going baby!

Hayden had a lot of fun playing with her cousins.

My pictures posted out of order, but this is

Hayden & uncle Jimmy (david's brother) on Christmas eve.

Brookie is so cute here!

She just lets everyone do whatever they want with her!!

On to Christmas eve...after family left our house we set out to

put reindeer food on the lawn for all of Santa's Reindeer.

I'm not sure if Hayden fully understood that Santa was coming

to her house, but she does know who Santa is, and that we were feeding Reindeer.

I had a blast with her!

Getting ready for bed we put our new Pj's on that we got from Aunt Teresa,

then we put out cookies and milk for Santa!

This is what the view of what Santa brought looks like from our staircase!

My First Dollhouse!

Art Easel with Magnetic letters and a chalkboard on the other side!

One of her favorites...her "bike".

She also got this Karaoke machine that plugs into the TV and you can

see yourself on the screen. She loves it!

She also got a toddler size basketball goal!

Then we noticed something....Santa ate all of the cookies and

left only marshmallow crumbs! How exciting...

]

This year was very exciting, I can honestly say it wasn't much work hiding gifts from her because she didn't really realize what was going on. However, I am not looking forward to next year, when she will actually have list and santa will have to be more discrete!

Memory Lane

2008-12-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

I began working at the Children's Courtyard when I was 18. I was a Senior in High school about to graduate. I continued to work there until I was a junior in College. I loved working there. The hours were great and it was super easy! While I was there I made some friends that will last a lifetime. I talk to Ashley almost every week and Angi and I live only a couple of miles from each other now. Sara and I just got reconnected and I am sure I will see her a lot more in the coming year. I feel very blessed to have them in my life. Ashley's little boy, Landon, and Hayden are only 2.5 months apart in age, which makes for lots of fun when we hang out!

The Shack

2008-11-30T10:31:00.001-08:00

After countless conversations with people regarding their love for this book, I just finished reading "The Shack" by William P. Young. It is a very powerful story that I challenge you to read and walk away from unchanged. It is a story of love, forgiveness, and undeniable faith. They are even in the works into making it a movie. Which I will be going to see as soon as it comes out!

I love to read new things that other people love and were affected by. Any recommendations?

Santa Baby!

2008-11-29T10:03:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

What a difference a year makes! These are Santa Overalls from Canton, I just felt that they were appropriate for her santa picture!I am so glad that she liked it! Christmas is here!!! yay!!

The Bellah Family

2008-11-27T05:56:00.001-08:00

Get your own Family Sticker Maker & MySpace Layouts.

Up at Twilight

2008-11-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

I will be the first to admit that I have an obsession...let's rephrase that..I have an addiction. I admit it, I accept it, and now I will try and explain it. It all started back in the spring when I was stuck on not being able to find something to read. I loved my Francine Rivers novels, and I dipped into a little Cecilia Ahern, but I needed something more, something new. That's when Stephanie, led me to the most fascinating books I have ever read. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. 250 pages in and I was hooked, 4 books and a movie later I am addicted. There is something about these novels that brings you back to the days when young love was dreamy. I have an absolutely great marriage. I love my husband and daughter with all my heart, no contest there. However, I cannot seem to stop thinking about my Edward. I am sickly addicted! :) I can't help but laugh at myself..I mean truly laugh at myself. What is wrong with me? Do I have too much time on my hands?

After talking with my cousin, Mandi,I realized something. I am feeding my mind with the enemy. I do not think there is anything wrong with watching TV, or reading fictional books, but I do however, feel that there is something wrong with addicting yourself to these things. I am not sure how I want to word this blog, so I will end it here with a last thought. I still will go see all things twilight when they come out in theaters, and I will still read any books that Stephenie Meyer puts out because I still love the 'thought' of Edward Cullen, but this time I will read them light-heartedly. I am choosing to feed my mind with the spirit. I am choosing to fill my thoughts with Jesus. I am starting by reading my new book, The Shack. I hope it brings my mind back to where is needs to be focused, on Jesus. I want to focus more on being a wife, mother, daughter, sister and aunt of God.

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!

2008-11-17T19:03:00.000-08:00

I don't think I can put into words how I feel at this exact moment. I am happy, sad, anxious, jolly...all wrapped into one roller coaster. I cannot believe that Hayden is two. Where did the time go. I felt myself getting depressed when the party was over. I guess it made her getting older a little bit more real. I don't know what it is with time and me lately. I got very upset at my birthday 3 weeks ago too. I do not want time to keep going. As much as I like watching Hayden grow I don't like it that she isn't a baby anymore. As Hayden gets older, so do I and that isn't fun either. No longer am I the youngster everywhere I go, I am now the 28 almost 30 year old!

We had Hayden's 2nd birthday party this past weekend and I always tend to go over board..well, this time I decided instead of catering to all the kids, I was just going to cater to mine! So...no gigantic bounce house, no big pile of dirt for the boys..nope, just a small bounce house that my brother gave me, and ....da da da dadda....BARNEY! Yep, we hired barney to come and sing and dance with our lil cupcake! At first she like it but wanted momma to hold her..but then Barney began to sing Head, Sholders, Knees and Toes and it was all over with..she jumped down and began marching, singing, smiling hugging and kissing on the purple dinosaur! It made all the stressing, money, and sleepless night worth it! I asked David if we could rent Barney again for her to play with around Christmas...he just gave me the look. haha... I just loved seeing her so happy about something! She truly enjoyed Barney and I love it that we did that for her. Papaw and Gan-Gan paid for it...as a part of her birthday present..but it was still my idea! :)

We had been practicing all week how

to blow out her candles. She blew one

out then didn't understand why there

was still one more to go! Very cute! Her shirt says

"one cute birthday girl!"

Isn't she the cutest birthday girl you know?!!

Then there is the icing on the cupcake...Barney!

I absolutely loved it that she loved it!

I didn't even mean to make them match! Look at

her sweet cheeks!

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to update this blog...I have been little pre-occupied with the party. However, we also went to six flags recently and I will definitely post pictures on Hayden's first trip! Ty and Drew are coming for a visit this weekend and we will be sure to take lots of pictures then! 3 more days and we are off for a whole week! Yahoo!

Can't get enough of yo love babe!

2008-10-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have been having so much fun being Hayden's mommy!!! She is the coolest chic I know! I can't believe that in one month she will be turning 2!!! That is so completely crazy to me. It seems like just yesterday I was having the baby blues, and running on no sleep! Now, I look back and wonder where the time went? I look back a pictures constantly and think about how much my baby has grown. I am so thankful that God chose ME to be her mommy. I am the luckiest momma out there, hands down! :) Instead of emailing a ton of attachments to friends and family members I am going to post some pics on here of our latest adventures!

We could not get her to smile..only ELMO!

Festival fun crafts!

Hayden & Georgia! So sweet!

Hayden and her laptop..just like her momma!

Hayden and in Dallas Cowboys uniform (halloween costume)

She is just so much fun to dress up! Wow..never thought I would hear myself say that!

My big girl!

I couldn't decide which pose of this picture to post, they were all so cute!

The Perfect Mom

2008-10-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

Where did this idea originate? Why have we as women become obssessed with the idea of having perfect families? When did having a clean house become more important than sharing a popsicle with your child?

There really is no specific reasoning behind this post except for the deadly mistake one woman made and I listened to her story on Oprah. I too get wrapped up in being the best mommy I can be, and I truly believe there is no fault in that. I do however believe there are mistakes made by parents everyday that end up deadly. There is really no one to blame, we all have our moments and our daily hectic schedules but what is more important that nurturing your relationship with your child. It was an emotional episode and I have yet to get the story out of my mind. I think I related to the woman because her child was 2, like mine, and she was an Assistant Principal, which I will be in a couple of years. I feel so much sympathy for her story, I know that is was a mistake, but it cost her the guilt for the rest of her life. I really do not want to retell the story, 1-for retelling it wrong, and 2-for not wanting to write the horrible events down on paper, or blog-site if you will. You can go read it here.

After hearing Brenda's story is really caused me to re-evaluate my life. I am in no way a 'perfect mom', but really who is? And what makes a mother a 'perfect mom' in your eyes? I do however, try to be "PRESENT" daily in my daughters life. I talk to her when she babbles, I pick her up and kiss all over her face, blow on her belly, and go outside and get dirty at least every other day. I try to be an ACTIVE PARTICIPANT in her daily life. I used to work at a daycare and being a teenager , you know when you used to you think you had it all figured out? I used to see those sweet little darlings that would get dropped off at 6:30 and would be the last ones picked up at 6:30 and I would think...I could never do that to my child. It wasn't until I became a mother and had to take Hayden to school that I realized, it wasn't a choice for those mommies, it was a fact of life. I drop Hayden off at school by 7:10-7:15 3 days a week, and I pick her up at 3:40. I feel absolutely terrible if she has to stay any longer than that. Plus it is an actually school that the kids have to be picked up by 3:45, if you can't be there by that time you have to pay for 'after school care'. I bust my bottom to make it there by that time. I worked out a deal with my principal that I will make up my time on Mondays and Fridays to exchange for leaving work 10 mins early on Tue, Wed, Thur to get to Hayden's school on time.

But what about those mommies that do not have a principal that will work with them? Or what about those mommies you HAVE to stay and work to make the hourly wages that pay for food or clothes for their children? I am so sorry now that I ever judged them. They were doing what they had to do to survive. There is still not a day that passes, when I get into my vehicle to go pick up my child from school or to rush home to see her that I do not get ansy in traffic anticipation to get there. I can't wait to see her everyday. Now, please do not misunderstand it is almost a definite that when Hayden get into the car that she will start telling me "Baw-nee momma, baw-nee" and I will turn the DVD player on for her to watch on the way home. I also swore growing up that I would never let the TV be a babysitter for my child, and you know, IT's NOT. Like I said I am an ACTIVE PLAYER in her life. When I turn on Baw-nee I sing the songs with her, and I ask her about Babybops boo boo, what ever I can do to show her that her words mean something to me and that what she sees, feels, and says has validation in my eyes. I want her to know that she is important to me.

I am in no way judging that poor mother that made that deadly mistake that day. I am however trying to open eyes, and trying to get all parents, grandparents, aunts uncles, child care givers, a clue to be PRESENT in the life of a child.

I read this book a couple of years ago for work called, FISH. I highly recommend this book. It is centered around a fish market in Seattle, and it tells ways to be Present at works, but I think we can all relate on how to be Present in LIFE. I hate to sound cliche, but SOME of the main points in this book were:

*BE PRESENT

No more "good mornings" with your face down.

Try a "good morning Tom, how is Lacy? Is she liking soccer"

*MAKE SOME ONES DAY

Which most people do not realize how EASY this is!

*PLAY

*CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE

There are days when I am so tired and all I want to do is get home from work, lay on the couch and watch TV, but my husband works nights, and everything at night depends on me. I can't just sit around and watch my daughters precious life pass me by, NO! I will be the most perfect mom I know how to be, I WILL BE PRESENT!

Just because your child paints at school, or colors, or plays in shaving cream, doesn't mean you can't do those things at home with them too. They might even learn more doing it with you. Here is an activity that I am going to steal and do with my classroom at work, and all of you out there will older kiddos, I think you should do this with your child. Get creative, "MAKE THEIR DAY!"

Go here, it's my cousin Mandi's blog. She is a stay at home with 3 kids! and you know what...SHE IS PRESENT! She did this project with her oldest. I love it! I will definitely be using her idea!

Tagged! Thanks May Fam!

2008-09-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

Tagged!!
The rules: List 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, and 3 facts about yourself. Tag 3 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

3 Joys:
1) Hayden & David
2) Family
3) Friends

3 Fears:
1) I am worried about our economy. I have never been one to be up to date with the 'happenings of our world', but as I get older I find myself worrying about the future for my daughter.
2) My husband is addicted to 48 hours mystery, and all of these other true crime shows. He forces me to watch them with him and it leaves me terrified. I am so scared I will get kidnapped or that someone will try to hurt me or my family. As my dad would always tell me growing up when I got scared, "cara, your almost...28. Nobody wants to kidnap you and if they did, they would bring you back shortly after!"
3) Losing a family member. I can honestly say I am VERY close to everyone in my family. I don't think I could handle losing one of them. They are every bit apart of my life and my future.

3 Goals:
1) Start saving money. I throw money out of the window and I want to stop!
2) Get healthy. Not only do I want to lose weight, but I want to be healthy, for me and my family.
3)To bring myself and the people that surround me closer to God. I am finding out daily what it means to be a wife and a mother in christ. Jesus created me out of an image of himself, we should strive to be more like him.

3 Current obsessions/collections
1) Blogging - mine and especially others!
2) Reading. I LOVE EDWARD CULLEN!! I love to read, Francine Rivers, Cecilia Ahern, Gary Thomas, Shout out TWILIGHTERs!!!
3) my daughter, I cannot get enough of her! She's a silly thing just like me!

3 Facts about myself:
1) I am very overweight, and very self conscious about it
2) I have an passionate, obsessive personality
3) I love to GO GO GO GO GO on the weekends!

I am tagging Mandi, Steph, and Ashley

Lemonade, Corn Dogs and Funnel Cakes...OH MY!

2008-09-27T12:03:00.001-07:00

Can't you just taste the foot long corny dogs with extra mustard and freshly squeezed lemonade? I just absolutely LOVE the state fair. David and I have gone at least twice every year since we have been together. I love to visit the exhibits, and walk around. There are also the famous Pig Races! You know you are in Texas when you go see a pig race! There is the also the bird show that we go to every year, and every year they perform the same stupid lame trick that they pick somebody from the audience and they 'accidentally' get knocked into a pool of water. I mean come on people..but I still love it, and I still laugh every time! David and I have a long standing squabble about the TEXAS LOTTERY GAME SHOW, I traditionally get picked EVERY TIME to go on stage. David says that before he met me, he always got chosen, (uh yeah whatever), well he has already warned me to stay calm and hidden that he wants to get chosen this year! We'll see about that! I can't wait to take Hayden this year. We were going to go today but other plans surfaced. We might go tomorrow after church and before the other Texas tradition, DALLAS COWBOYS game. They come on at 3, so we are going to have to book it over there after church which gets out at 10:15. I can't wait! I can just hear Big Tex now, Hello and Welcome to the State Fair of Texas, Hola bienvenidos a la estado fiesta Tejas..hehehehehe..hahaha...another way of knowing you are in Texas, when everything gets translated into Spanish! :) Adios!

Wash n' Curl

2008-09-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

No matter where we go, people comment on Hayden and her curls. They either say, "I wish I had those curls", or "where did you get those curls". I wear my hair straight a lot of the time because it is less maintenance and it looks good right after a high-light. Either way, people do not see where Hayden gets her curls. So, here ya go me and my baby. This isn't even my curliest.

Maggie Isabella Layton is here!

2008-09-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

One of my best friends had her baby girl today. It just killed me not being there the whole day, but the little stinker decided to come while Auntie Cara was at work. Steph has made me feel like the "go to" mom for advice, and even though I am not a perfect mom, she sure has made me feel awesome. Steph called me last night and started asking me questions about contractions, and being the pro baby maker that I am (hehe, I only felt two and got the epi), I told her my best suggestion. "call your doctor". Either way, I got a text from her early this morning as my kiddos were doing the pledges, that she was at a 6 and had already had the epi! At 2:15 Maggie entered this world and "oh the places she will go". I am super excited for my friend, there is no greater love in this world than the love you feel for your baby. I can't wait for Maggie and Hayden to be BFF's. Soo...Congrats Steph and David, I love you to pieces!

Labor Day

2008-09-03T18:19:00.000-07:00

Caution: This Post is Super Late! :)

My Bubba came home! I was so excited all week because I knew Danny, Sarah, Ty, Drew and Brookie would be coming home for the long weekend. I don't think I have been that excited about something in a long time. Ty is getting to that age where he gets your jokes, and jokes right back. Drew..well..he's Drew. So completely lovable and very much a snuggler, well, to his Papaw anyway. Brookie is getting so big, I can't believe she is 6 months already. Hayden just adores my brother and his family. She talks about them non stop, of course it is very drawn out, but sound it out with me, "Tyyyyyyy, Druuuuuu, Se, uununkljlijlnun Dede (uncle Danny), bebe, (baby Brooke). I love it that she loves them so much, which in turn makes me unbelievably sad because we don't get to see them that much. I am planning on making a trip up there soon, but this time..DRIVING, YUCK! We hung around my mom and dads all weekend just loving on each other! I miss my brother like crazy!

My dad bought Hayden a Harley!

My little Bikini girl lovin on Brookie!

Hayden and her sweet unljknlk Dede

Hayden and Ty-Ty

Arkansas Trip

2008-09-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Hayden and I traveled to Arkansas to visit my brother and his family. The airplane ride wasn't that bad, I had my iphone and had loaded some Barney videos on it, which kept Hayden entertained when she started getting a little crazy. We got there and it literally rained in the morning like EVERYDAY! What a nice change that was for us, because then it cooled off and was very nice in the afternoon. Sarah, SNL, said that it usually was HUMID to the point that you didn't want to venture out, but I was glad that the week I was there is was nice. Here are some pics from the trip!

Hayden just loves brooke. I know she is going to be such a loving big sister, ONE DAY!

She was constantly loving on her, giving her kisses like she was her momma!

Hayden felt the need to get into everything that

Brooke plays in. This cracks me up!

My brother and his baby girl! Isn't he the best!

Here are my two nephews, Ty and Drew, on the Bounce house danny bought, then GAVE to ME!!! Thank you big bubba I love you ten tons! Where do they come up with this stuff? Jokesters!

I cannot believe that They have been gone only two months. It seems like forever. I miss them so very badly. No matter what, I cry crocodile tears when I leave them. Ty-Ty is growing up so fast, he will be 9 in January. Drewby is hilarious, He just turned 5 in June, and Brookie will be 6 months old this week. I cannot believe how fast time flies by. I have got to make another trip up there soon! Maybe even take Hayden to her first Harding Bison football game, (uncle Danny's alma mater). Of course she will have to wear a cheerleading uniform!

One last Hoorah!

2008-09-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

As a teacher I start back to work a week earlier than the students, and not that I don't do work before they begin it just seems more official once there are kiddos grinning and screaming at me?!? hehe..I wanted to do something extra fun before the first day back to school. I pondered on several special activities we could do as a family, Hawaiian Falls, Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags, and the Zoo but when it came down to it, Hayden can only handle soo much fun. Let's face it folks, does anyone really want to see me in my bathing suit anyway? So the Bellah family decided on a Zoo outing. We had taken Hayden once last spring, but she wasn't old enough to be into yet. So I though she would like it a lot more now that she is almost 2. She really likes riding in her jogging stroller, and she liked the gorillas and the chimps, which are my absolute favorite part of the Zoo!

Hayden drove. hehe :)

We bought a day pass on the train which is called,

and we snuggled up for a pic, I look so lovely here!

this is Hayden before she ripped the bow from head! She is so cute!

and one of my faves, Everything is better in TEXAS!

You know what's funny, I don't really take very many pictures of the animals, because 1)I don't have a fancy zoom lens that would make it worth looking at, and 2) you would only see a bunch of pics of gorillas showing us their butt because thats all they seem to do when I am around. :)

Hayden at the kids barn, she looks like a big kid. Growing up so fast!

peeking in at the turtles!

Autobiography!

2008-08-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Friday evening I went with one of my new BFF's, Amber, out to eat then to a movie. We had a LONG day at work and were deliriously tired, but we wanted to go out! While we were eating and chit chatting, she brought up a very matter of fact story, or factoid if you will.. Tori Spelling has a new Autobiography out called, Story telling by Tori Spelling. Very clever huh? We then began thinking of our own autobiography and what we would title it.

Amber made mine up for me.

"Hairy fella by Cara Bellah"

Which was Hilarious to me and still is. It took all the self control I had not to spit my chips out at her from laughing hysterically. Now its your turn. What would your autobiography be titled? Come on...play along!

Miss Independent

2008-08-21T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hayden cracks me up everyday with every effort she has to be so darn independent. I should have known this was coming..even at an early age she thought she could do everything mommy does. She is very much a mini-woman. Not only did things have to be done by herself, but I was not even aloud to help. She started "feeding" herself around 15-16 months and now she feeds herself yogurt, soup, spaghetti o's, with virtually no mess. I mean, I STILL can't eat without making a mess of myself. Well, today after our bath when I was getting ready to put her spongebob PJ's on, she started spazn out! She had to put her shirt on herself. Well, I was too tired to put up a fight and gave it to her. She put one leg in the arm hole and the other leg in the neck hole. I kept trying to explain that it went on her head, so then she decided to try and put it on her head with both legs in it! I started to giggle, which in turn made her giggle. Before I knew it, we were both in the middle of the living room floor giggling in hysterics like we were at our own little slumber party. I just love her! I am so glad that I have a little girl to be silly with!

When I am drying my hair, I have to dry hers, when I am hair spraying, I have to do hers. Here is a pic taken at my moms, with her towel on her head, she thinks she is something! Isn't she the cutest?

But, everyone else is doing it...Why shouldn't I?

2008-08-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

This is my first post, on my first blog, the day before my first day back to work. I am completely exhausted and rested from the most eventful summer The Bellah Family has ever had. I enjoyed being at home with my little toddler, and I am sad to see summer go. Over the summer we traveled to 4 states, three family reunions, we went to the ER in Louisiana for the stomach virus, and we escaped hurricane Dolly in South Padre. Hayden got to go on her first airplane ride to Arkansas, when we went to visit my big brother and his family. I had a blast traveling, but I am ready to settle back into my routine of everyday life. No more washing, then packing, then unpacking and washing again. So...here you have it, my new blog. I hope it will keep all my family from near and far up to date on all The Bellah Family adventures. You know what "they" say, open a box of Bellah's, you never know what your gonna get!