In, On, Under & Above

Bella has quickly become a little tornado! She is in to everything... or on it, under it, chewing it, unrolling it, opening it, unplugging it, etc, etc!

Here is her first venture into the dishwasher.

It was going great until she realized she didn't know how to dismount!

By far, Bella's favorite pastime is sorting through our DVDs. She will talk and sing to them for as long as I will let her.

Another recent discovery... the dog's water bowl!

We got her this push along toy and she is so proud of herself for figuring out how to walk behind it. The toy also has a 'sit and scoot' feature but Bella was already to big for it....

... so I traded it in for a newer model. Bella is happy with the trade because she upgraded to a model with music and lights! ;)

... inspecting my strawberry plant (unfortunately the birds keep eating them all!)

I just love the lips in this one...

Loving on Apollo...

We went to the zoo today with some of the Mommy's and little ones from music class. It was a lot of fun!

Grant and Bella holding hands.

so cute!!!

9 months and growing

I know I say this with every monthly update.... but I desperately want Bella to stop growing and stay this way forever! But then again, everyday she becomes more fun and I guess that ties in with growing! :) Bella's first tooth has finally made an appearance and it seemed to have very little effect on her.... other than a little fever.

There was little cooperation in this picture due to the strange new objects Mommy put on Bella's feet.

... and even after the newness of the shoes wore off, Bella rarely sit still anymore.

This is what most of my shots end up looking like. But she is still beautiful.... close or far!

Last week we went to the Dallas Arboretum with my friend Kathryn and her precious daughter Sophie.

Kathryn asked Sophie to sit down so I could take a picture of the two of them and Sophie sat on Bella's lap.

Bella gladly accepted the new seating arrangement. I was so cute!!!

I love this picture of Sophie... her skirt blowing in the wind.

Bella loved the pinwheel Kathryn brought.

After seeing Bella's excitement over Kathryn's pinwheel, how could I deny her her very own! Yeah, I know she is spoiled but it was only a dollar and she is too cute not to spoil! :)

More swimming pics...

I just love these swimming pictures....

Daddy's Little Yankee

Daddy is so proud of her team choice....

More "dada" love....

Bella has learned how to kiss and is very generous with them. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

On the move...

My mom got Bella a walker.... and she loves it!!! She doesn't use it for walking as much as she does for RUNNING!

... Bella is wondering why I am taking pictures instead of helping her out of the grass!

.... snack break....

Joy's many blessing

Eight years ago I was in college and packing up my things for one of my MANY moves. As I was wrapping my things in newspaper, I came across the face of a precious, smiling girl. The picture was from her obituary. It took me many tries before I could actually read it in its entirety through my tears... but when I had I was blown away by what her family had written!!! Their relationship with God had allowed them to stay strong and know that their daughter was in a better place with Jesus. And because of their beliefs, they knew one day they would join her. I was so blown away by their strength during such a horrible time that I immediately looked up their address and wrote them a letter.

I have prayed and thought about their family many times in the past 8 years but for some reason today I was struck again by what I read so many years ago. I was sitting on the floor playing with Isabella when I thought of Joy.... and her family's loss hit me in a totally different way than it ever had before. My heart broke eight years ago for their loss but today it was ten fold.... looking into my own angel's eyes and thinking of my life without her. I jumped up and went searching for the letter and picture Joy's family had sent me in reply to my letter. Ironically, Joy passed away almost 8 years to the day, April 10, 2000. I know that none of this is a coincidence and that God put Joy's picture in front of me eight years ago for many reason.... but mainly to bless my life! In college, I was blessed by her family's unwavering trust in the Lord and his plan for their lives... and today she has blessed me by reminding me that I am not guaranteed a lifetime with my daughter, husband, family or friends and that I need to love and cherish each moment I have with them.

Below is Joy's obituary. I hope you are equally blessed!