A very proud Auntie!

I know that there are at least 2 other blogs with pictures of the newest addition pasted all over them but I just couldn't help posting my own pics as well...

So without further adue, I present to you Harper Reen Bell!

The first thing you'll notice is her beautiful petite and round features

Born April 12th, at 10:21. 5lb 11oz, 18 inches long

Then you'll notice her beautiful little hands and those gorgeous long eyelashes

Big eyes and lots of dark hair

Don't forget those tiny little feet!

The only time she cried was when she got a bath -

She was actually as red as she looks in the picture.

 

Proud Daddy!

  And of course - Aunty Reen is beaming!

A few parting thoughts about life from your namesakes:

Harper Lee, "Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."  (from To kill a Mockingbird, a shared favorite with both Chelsea and I)

Aunty Reen - Harper, you have no idea how excited I am to watch you grow up to be a young lady with much happiness, full of life and faith.  I pray that somehow when you think of your middle name that you will remember that you are a masterpiece concieved and created by the very hand of God.  If you never remember anything else about me or that name, don't forget that.

Pike Place

Since the weather has been so beautiful, I couldn't resist going to Pike Place with a friend on Saturday - it's one of my favorite places in Seattle!  So many fun things to see and interesting people to watch!

Here are a few of my favorite pics:

Oreos

Last night I escaped fat camp and ate the following: 

• a cheesy yummy chicken burrito from Taco Time
• A large serving of mexi fries
• the equivalent of one row of Oreo cookies

Now those of you who know I have been doing very well at fat camp with great success: eating well, exercising a LOT and generally feeling pretty good about myself, but last night I gave in. 

Do I regret the following?

• Bad tummy ache?
• Black poo? (as one of my dear friends warned me about..)
• consuming more calories in about 2 hours than I have in the last 3 days?
• Working out the entire weekend?
• holding up the white flag in surrender, turning myself in to fat camp again?

Perhaps, but dammit those Oreos tasted SO good!

The Gun Show

Ok Peeps my arms feel like Jello today, but it's all good!

In the middle of December I got myself a personal trainer and since then I have lost 3 1/2 pounds, 3 inches off my waist and 2 inches off my hips!

But the best thing is that in ONE week, I have lost 11/2 inches off the circumference of my arms around the bicep!  That's a lot for a little person like me. and you can actually see them (the guns that is)

So watch out you crossfit crazies,
cuz Beano is on the move!

And I probably won't even get severely injured and revert to asking Carolyn for pain killers...

And His Name shall be called...

Wonderful.
Counselor.
The Mighty God.
The Everlasting Father.
The Prince of Peace.

I have to admit that the last several weeks I have been having a difficult time getting into the Christmas Spirit, which is unusual for me.  I'm not really sure why that is. But I changed my mind Last Saturday night when  my dad and I went on our annual date to see the Messiah at the Seattle Symphony. 

The first thing to note about the Messiah is that it is unanimously regarded as one of the most important masterpieces in the history of music.  It would be beautiful and inspiring even if the words had nothing to do with Scripture.  But the best thing, the crescendo if you will, is that the words from this masterpiece come directly from the Word of God. 

The whole work is Piercing, Transcendent and Beautiful. 

For unto us a child is Born!
Merry Christmas!

THE FAM

On Sunday, we had a great Christmas celebration with the Lang family.  Grandiose, Good Eats, Loud, Hilarious, Eventful, Top 5 of annual Best Fun list. 
Of course this is my favorite picture of the bunch and I would like to make an attempt to tell you what each person is thinking:

Casey:  I know I'm supposed to smile but...I think there could be a lot sales potential if we make soft close standard in Amero.

Papa: Hey we're taking a picture and I'm holding my granddaughter!

Kyla: Ha ha, I'm with papa and you're not!

Andrea: I hope my children smile, I'll be a good example...

Heidi: I'm so over this picture taking thing

Grandma: Does everyone have enough food over there?

Chelsea: I'm prego and proud!

Pearson:  There's something over there that I want and I think I know how to get it...

Tyler: I'm cool

Loreen:  Chin up, leg bent, butt out, Please no double chin, please no belly pooch..

Amongst all this, we had a time of remembering what Christmas is all about and a time of prayer for my cousin Tony. It was one of the most amazing things I've experienced in a long time. I was telling a friend about this and she said, "well I wouldn't expect anything less from your family." What a testimony to what a wonderful family I have!

Numbers part 2 - LOVE

525,600 minutes
525,000 moments so dear
How do you measure a year?

In Daylights, in sunsets, in midnights and cups of coffee
In Inches, In Miles, In laughter and Strife

525,600 minutes?
How do you measure a year in a life?

Seasons of Love!

This song comes from Rent, a broadway show.  It's one of my very favorite songs in the whole world.  I woke up one morning last month with it stuck in my head and I haven't been able to get it out since then.

So lets not waste any more miles, midnights or minutes!

Click here to see the song on Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8iTeDl_Wug&feature=player_embedded#