Five on Friday

Happy Friday, friends!

 

We have had the best week!

We are still reeling from a fun day yesterday.

This week has been all about soaking up the last few minutes of summertime,

and squeezing in a few necessary appointments.

 

one.

Baker and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

I love to bake, and I love to bake with Baker!

Fitting, huh?

 

 

One of our favorites are Muddy Buddies (or any variation of Chex Mix),

and sampling as we go is an absolute must!

Research has proven, the more chocolate and peanut butter on your face, the better they are. True Story.

 

Muddy Buddies Recipe



 

 

two.

These two boys, y'all.

There's something about a boy in a backwards cap that makes me go weak in the knees.

And these two do it better than anyone else.

 

 

  

three.

Baker visited our family dentist and a new specialist at Children's Hospital this week.

Both visits went really well!

 

 

 

 

four.

Croutons and milk. The snack of champions.

 

 

 

five.

My sleeping baby.

My most favorite part of summer has been rocking Baker for his afternoon naps and sneaking a peek at him while he sleeps. I am going to miss these long summer days when school starts back on Monday.

 

 

This summer has been the very best!

I love my job, and I love that my job allows me summers at home with my family.

Here's to great memories of a fabulous summer and the anticipation of an exciting school year!

Five on Friday

one.
on involving children random acts of kindness

This past week, Baker and I scheduled a play date with some of our favorite kiddos. We love hanging out with this precious family.

Throughout the school year, we would plan ice cream outings and backyard shenanigans. When we set the date for our first get-together of the summer, I racked my brain trying to decide what we could do that was different than the things we had already done. I thought back to some posts from bloggers I follow about involving kids in random acts of kindness. I had always dismissed these, thinking we would join in when Baker gets older. Here was our chance! There are no children more joy-filled, and I jumped at the opportunity to schedule a day more meaningful than water slides and sunscreen.

It was the best day! I wish I had hidden a camera to video everything.

The sweet conversations among the children, "While we're at Target, we can buy water bottles to pass out at a construction site. We can also smile at a stranger, leave an encouraging note for a mother on a changing table." And from another, "Ohhh yeah, we can also let someone go in front of us in line." And the youngest, "Yeah, and I am going to help someone unload her groceries. Hey, while we wait in line, we can be writing notes to leave on windshields in the parking lot."
Later, driving down the road, I overheard, "Jenn, I know we didn't plan to give anything to that man beside us, but it looks like his car doesn't have air conditioning. And it's really hot out here. Can we give him a water bottle?" And the girls, "I'm thinking about that verse in James to write at the bottom of this note, but I don't remember the address." "I have a good Bible verse for that note, let's use this one..."

I was mush. The Lord was using these children and it was incredible to watch.

They chose the following acts of kindness (and already have an ongoing list for our next playdate)

one. leave coins on a drink machine

two. leave a note of encouragement for a mother on a changing table

three. smile at a stranger

four. compliment a stranger

five. buy dog treats for a local vet's office

six. take flowers to a nursing home resident who doesn't have family in town

seven. pass out popsicles to workers at an oil change garage

eight. take water bottles to construction workers

nine. leave encouraging notes on windshields

ten. help someone load or unload their groceries

eleven. let someone go in front of us in line

twelve. buy a stranger's meal

thirteen. chalk attack! etch words of encouragement and love in chalk

 

I shared more about this fabulous day on Instagram. Come see!

two.
on my recent addiction to roasted veggies

I can't get enough roasted vegetables. It's true. No vegetable is safe from being tossed in olive oil, sprinkled with garlic salt, and being thrown in the oven to do it's marvelously delicious thing.

For lunch today, it's roasted tomatoes, green beans, and avocado over a half pita for a roasted veggie pizza, of sorts.

three.
on summertime and me time

Baker is in school this summer. I mourned the thought all school year. What would I do without my Baker Boy all day long?

PART-AY!!
Kidding. Sorta.

I have come to love the few hours I have each day to savor the quiet, clean our home, prepare dinner, read, and check items off my summer bucket list.

This time is allowing our family time together to be more intentional. Here's to being a hand free mama.

four.
on Father's Day

I just love this Father's Day card Baker made for Brian this year. So perfect for his favorite hero. And I am the biggest sucker for personalized cards.

five.
on a mischievous toddler

Baker has learned to open doors. Everything that was safe, is no longer safe. Times, my friends, they are a changing. And I quite love it.

Five on Friday

It's that time again!

If you follow me on Instagram, you have likely seen a few of these already.

Here's to hoping they make you smile again.

One.

I've prayed for this - pulling up, standing, the beginning stages of walking. That Baker's parts, which were so beautifully crafted and so wonderfully made by our Father would begin working in symphony. Now that it's here, goals are being met, Baker is surpassing odds, I'm torn. It's a day of celebrating, but there's a small part of me that already misses the bitty baby whose little body molds so perfectly to mine. Thank you Jesus, for the time to hold my precious, and thank you Jesus, for your perfect plan for his life. May he always walk in You.

Two.

Hi Toofers!



My cheeser is a little beaver. One morning this week, I walked into Baker's room to the sound of singing and chatter. I was so excited that my little woke up on the right side of the bed and was showing all of the signs of his mommy's love for the morning. He was playing so happily in his bed, or so I thought. Apparently he was using his crib as his newest chew toy.

The conversation that later transpired with Baker's teacher involved words like "ingested large amounts of wood' "don't be alarmed" "wood chips" "in" "diaper."

I can't make this stuff up.

Three.

Fall made a very brief appearance over the weekend. It lasted long enough to tease me with the need for oversized college sweatshirts and throws while snuggled on the porch in the early morning sun with my favorites.

Fall, I love you. In the name of heated seats, teeming bowls of chili, lattes, leaves falling, football Saturdays, come back soon, please. 

Four.

My sweet Baker, you are my brightest sunshine. You make me happy when the skies are gray. You make my heart smile deep down to its very depths. You breathe life. You speak joy. You smile and my day is made instantly better. You cry, you cough, you stand, you sing, you fuss, you eat, you dream, you inspire. And I am affirmed in my role as your mommy. The Lord daily reminds me of His faithfulness through your sweet spirit.



Sometimes I let the days pass too quickly. I rush this way and that. I get impatient. I get overwhelmed. I pack macaroni and cheese or Spaghettio-s instead of vegetables or cutely cut sandwiches that correlate with your letter for the week. I let weekdays pass in hopes that the weekend will arrive sooner. I multitask. I neglect to be fully present all the time.

Thank you for loving me anyway. Despite my many faults. Thank you for giving me grace every single day.

From the tips of your tiny toes to the top of your head, and all of my favorite spots in between, I love you.

Five.

Baker has cut out his morning nap at Rise. As a result, he craves a power nap late in the afternoon just to make it through supper.

I gratefully drop everything. Let laundry pile where it may. Let the dishes multiply. And spend a few minutes of a very busy day rocking this little, committing his life and my worries to the Lord, and stare in amazement that he's really mine.

Five on Friday

I haven't linked up with Five on Friday in a few weeks.

 

But here I am on a late Friday night joining the party!

In true Jennifer Bell form,
Fashionably Late.

One. Baker's One Year Pictures

I don't think I have shared these on the blog yet. I posted the preview for Baker's Newborn and Six Month Pictures by Amber's Photography, and these were just as wonderful.

This one may be one of my favorites.
So real life.

 

 

 

Two. Pic Tap Go

I'm obsessed with picture editing on my phone. I have recently downloaded this fabulous app that lets me pretend I am a photographer extraordinaire. I still have no photo editing software on my computer, but I am looking to remedy this problem like yesterday. Since May 2012 (Little Man's birth month), I am obviously in a race with myself to see if I can take more pictures than I did the previous month.
If you have a favorite photoshop, I would love to hear your recommendation.
Mission accomplished.

Three. Advocare

I have taken the plunge and purchased the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.
EEEKKK!
If you want to join me, I'd love someone to hold me accountable. I've heard numerous success stories and am excited about writing mine. I am most looking forward to the promise of increased energy. For whatever reason, surely not my rambunctious toddler, mine is zapped - bring on the Spark!

 

https://www.advocare.com/130853419/default.aspx 

Four. It's Football Friday

Baker and I dressed in our Bama gear as we headed off to school today! I am so excited about the promise of Fall, Saturdays on the Quad, and wonderful tailgating recipes. Stephanie at Plain Chicken has the very best recipes for football season - dips, and sandwiches, and sweets galore.

My personal favorites:

 

Hot Party Ham Sandwiches

 

Buffalo Chicken Dip

 

Sausage Biscuit Bites 

 

You're welcome.

 

Five. Looking Back

I met my Brian Bell at the first football game of our freshman year at Bama. September 6, 2003.

Ten years ago this week.

 

He's always been the one.

 

The one that makes camo look good (and believe you me, he models it A LOT),

The one that makes me the best me,

The one I look forward to coming home to each day,

The one that leads our family in the Lord,

The one that makes anniversaries, and holidays, and random days the most special,

The one my soul loves,

The one I love to cheer on the Tide with, and parent Baker with, and cook dinners with, and enjoy Friday movie night with, and pray with, and do life with.

 

The one.

The only.

My one and only.

 

I love this man.

It's the Weekend!
Even better, it's Alabama Football Weekend and Labor Day Weekend!

Yippee skippy, friends!

Five on Friday

I am excited to link up with the lovely ladies of Five on Friday today.
You should read through the posts - they are fabulous-o!

I began the blogging journey in July 2012, shortly after Baker was born.

Cliche right?

A mom blogging about her journey in raising a baby with Down Syndrome.

Some might think.

 

I didn't feel like it was a cliche. 

Or something I had to do.

Rather, I felt like God had given me a platform.

To share our story.

Our God given blessing with others.

To live this life, this journey for His glory.

Maybe, through writing, He would be magnified.

Someone would be encouraged.

A mother facing a Down Syndrome diagnosis would choose life for her child.

So here I am.

Doing my thing.

Being a believer, a wife and a mommy.

 

I am reflecting on our journey by reading previous posts from this past year.

Reading the highs and lows.

The struggles and the joys.

The celebrations and setbacks.

The laughter and tears.

The faith and hope.

It has been a good year.

No, it hasn't.

It has been a great year.

 

As hard as it was, I have chosen my five favorite entries over the past four hundredish days.

 

One.

 

I think it's only appropriate to start with Baker's Birth Story.

 

With his birth, my dreams of becoming a mommy came true. With him in my arms, breathing his scent, kissing his face, feeling his warmth, my heart grew. God's faithfulness was affirmed.

 

I was a mommy. I had a baby. My little Baker Bell.

Little did I know, but from this day forward, I would be forever changed.

 

I couldn't help but cry as I reread this. It brought back the raw emotions of his diagnosis. The fears. The tears. The worry. But it also brought back the joy of seeing his strength and determination. And the pride in walking in the NICU, seeing my name on him, and his all over me.

 

On the 11th day of May, I first held my dream come true.

 

 

 

Two.

 

The second is Perfect Day. It shows pictures of our first Buddy Walk supporting National Down Syndrome Society and Parent Advocates of Down Syndrome. It was absolutely a perfect day. One in which we felt so much love and support in this journey.

 

 

 

 

We set a modest goal - to raise eight hundred dollars and to take a team of 50 walkers to support our family. Our precious family, friends, and complete strangers sent donations, ordered t-shirts, and drove church vans to surround our family at this wonderful event. We far surpassed our goal, taking over 80 walkers to win the Spirit Award and raising over $3000!

 

Be on the lookout for information for this year's Buddy Walk. I hope you'll make plans to join us and support our team!

 

Go Team Baker!

 

Other Buddy Walk posts: Buddy Walk, Team Baker, Favorite Things Friday

 

Three.

 

A Day in the Life. I started doing Day in the Life posts occasionally just to document ordinary days that, to me, were extraordinary because they were ours. And I wanted to remember them forever.

 

 

This is one of my favorite Day in the Life posts. I think partly because it's a normal day for us - work, school, therapy, fun, love - memory making at it's finest.

 

Four

 

In All Things.

 

No summary needed. Just read it.

 

Five.

 

For the fifth, here are some others that share landmarks on our trip. It's been a good trip. There's no map. We don't know the final destination for Baker. But we are trusting God with our path. Trusting that He will lead us and guide us. Road trips are the most fun - especially ones with unexpected twists and turns.

 

Waves - Such raw emotion.

 

Baby Giggles - Baker has always had such a great laugh. And a little "Baby Got Back."

 

Toes in the Sand - Our first beach trip featuring a mighty precious beach bum.

 

Peace, Love, and Green Beans - The faces. They're priceless.

 

A Word that should be a Word no More - Stop using the R word. For Baker. For me. I implore you.

 

As Long As - Never again, will I say, "It doesn't matter, as long as they're healthy." Because, I'll love them anyway.

 

His Letter - in response to an ESPN video featuring Heath and Jennifer White, and their precious little girl, Paisley.

 

Jesus Calling - Worry, Worry, Worry - I am always worrying about this or that with Baker. And it is exhausting.

 

First Day Jitters - New school, new teachers, new beginnings.

 

World Down Syndrome Day - I celebrate you.

 

Rainbows, Restoration, and Answered Prayers - A break from social media is good for the soul.

 

Rise-ing to the Occasion - Moving for Baker - because that's what parents do. They love big, they make decisions with their children in mind. They pray for, they hope for, the wish for - they do.

 

A Final Walk - For teachers here, there and everywhere.

 



I'd love to hear which ones you have enjoyed.

Ones that made you laugh?

Ones that provided inspiration? 

Ones that showcased pictures of a handsome Baker Bell?

Is it one of these five?

Or another?

 

I have loved sharing this journey with you!

Five on Friday

 

I am joining the Five on Friday party!

 I have loved reading these posts that range from pictures of the week, to favorite recipes, to powerful blogs or articles.

Maybe next time, there will be a central thought or idea to my post, but this totally random approach is what I'm loving today!
 

It is Friday, after all!

One. an article.

"God Only Gives Special Needs Children to Special People."

If had a dollar for everytime someone told me that, well, I could pay Bill Gates' mortgage this month. Wait, I doubt Bill Gates even has a mortgage. But, you know what I mean.

It doesn't bother me when people say it, in fact quite the opposite is true. I do feel like I was chosen specially. But, I was also chosen specially to be Brian's bride. I was chosen to be a teacher and a friend and a daughter and a sister. God chose this life especially for me. And that is what makes me special - that I was chosen to walk this path, lead this life, be touched by so many, and have the opportunity to glorify God with each beautiful step.

I loved this post about how God is magnified through the blessing of a child with a disability. With each word, I nodded. Once so emphatically, I banged my head on the headboard and am still seeing stars. Oh, how I love the blogging community to connect with and be ministered to by others.

Two. two special visits.

Summertime means time to catch up with family and friends that sometimes get pushed aside in the hustle and bustle of everyday.

We had two this week. The first was with my Nana. I love Baker getting to meet the people I love the most. She is so special to my family. She is reason my mom decided her grandmother name would also be Nana.

Next, we got to visit the Smalley family. This family is about as close to my own without sharing my last name. I started babysitting for them in January 2004. Two of their five children, Jack and Sarah Kate, were in our wedding and some of my favorite memories involve these precious kiddos, and their parents, too.

Circa 2005. That grin!

 

Somehow, I blinked, and now she's old enough to play with my baby.

 

 

Such a fun day!

 

Three. lovely reads.

 

I did a favorite books post a while back. Baker is finally getting to the age where he picks his favorite books. Right now it's, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. We read it multiple times each day and he even predicts the next part and has his hands ready for the motions the uber-cheesy elementary teacher in me assigned to each page. I love this! 

 

I find that throughout the day, and night, too, the words from the books we've read throughout the day creep up on me. I find myself sing-songing catchy choruses as I clean out the dishwasher, and reciting rhymes as I wait to check out in long grocery store lines.

 

Last night, as I checked on Baker one last time before I went to sleep. These words danced in my mind.

  

"But at night time, when he was asleep,

the mother quietly opened the door to his room,

crawled across the floor and looked up over the side of the bed.

If he was really asleep,

she picked up that [fourteen month old]

and rocked him back and forth and back and forth.

And as she rocked him, she sang,

I love you forever,

I like you for always,

as long as I'm living,

my baby you'll be.

 

I will surely love you forever, my precious angel.

 

Four. good stuff.

 

 Jesus Calling is such a wonderful devotional. It's amazing how the Lord speaks just the right words at just the right time my heart needs to hear them.

 

Some of my favorites from this week:

 

"Come to me continually,

I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness,

the Anchor of your soul."

 

"Worship me in the beauty of holiness."



 

"Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious,

repeat this unconditional promise:

Nothing can separate you me from Your Love, Jesus."

 

And my two favorites.

 

"Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily."

 

"I have engraved you on the palms of My hands."



 

Five. please don't go, summer girl.

 

As much as I am loving Summer, I am getting excited about Fall!

 

tailgaiting and Alabama football (road to 16, anyone?),

 consignment sales and fun Fall appliques,

chili and yummy warm soups,

RISE and new back to school adventures for Baker and me,

cooler weather and warm scarves,

leaves crunching and heat blowing and fire crackling.

 

It makes me want to grab a quilt, throw it over my two favorite boys, and watch the stars dance in the cool night sky.

Except for, we'd likely die of humidity and heat exhaustion.

Oh, at least it's fun to dream!

 

And I'd much rather savor these last few days of Summer...

Please stick around forever.

 

 

 

Happy Friday, friends!