Welcome, Grandson!

Hi Bentley!

Welcome to our family.  You have been loved for 9 months and now you are here and I can show you how much I love you!

I was so excited when your Daddy called me and said that you had been born.  I immediately cried with happiness.  I couldn't wait until Papi and I could drive from Texas to meet you.  We left early on Friday morning and arrived at the hospital.  You were just perfect.  A handsome baby boy.  I couldn't quit smiling.  Your sister, Maci, is loved so much and now our love has doubled! 

 

 

These pictures are when Papi and I first held you. You were so sweet and I just couldn't quit kissing your little head.  We were both surprised that you had hair because neither your daddy or your sister had hair when they were born.  Also, it was exciting to see that it was red!!

 

You have been blessed with a great Mommy, Daddy, Sister, and many other family members who love you and will enjoy watching you grow up.

 

I am a proud Mimi with 2 beautiful grandkids.

 

 

So, Bentley Christian Bell, remember that your Mimi (and your Papi) loves you!!!

 



 

 

 



A Grandson!

I guess the Lord thought I have been a good Mimi to Maci because now He is blessing me with a grandson, Bentley Christian Bell.  He is due on August 21, 2014.  Papi and I are very excited to welcome another grandchild. 

Bentley, this past weekend, your Aunt Laura hosted a baby reveal party.  Even your mommy and daddy didn't know if you were a boy or a girl until they cut the cake and saw the blue.  Then, they proudly announced your name.  It was a fun and exciting time for everyone.

 

 

Papi had just gotten out of the hospital, so we weren't able to attend the party.  But, we were there on Skype and saw the reveal.  We were both very happy and excited to find out that you are a boy!

 

 

 

Your mommy and daddy already love you!!





 

 

You can see how excited your mommy was when she cut the cake and saw the blue.

 

 

 

Maci is going to be a good big sister and you will love her as much as all of us do.

 

 

Well, we all can't wait until August when you enter this world and we can all love on you!

 

 

Bentley Christian Bell........Your Mimi Loves you!

 

 

 





Maci is 3 Years Old!

3 years old!  Wow, it's hard to believe that you are 3.  You are not a baby anymore.  You are a beautiful, little girl who is full of life and personality.  You are very smart and your vocabulary is very advanced.

 

Papi and I were very happy to come to your 3rd birthday party.  It was the theme of Minnie Mouse.  You greeted us at the door when we arrived.  You looked so cute in your Minnie Mouse dress.

 

 

You can now sign "I love you" very clearly and we love it when you sign it.  We love you, too!

 

 

I love this picture because it shows so much personality in your eyes.  It also shows how sugar affects you, LOL!  You enjoyed eating your birthday cake.

 

You are also a little entertainer.  You love to sing and dance and your mommy and daddy have gotten a few cute videos of you showing your talent.  You also like to play dress up, especially in Disney princess dresses.  Here are a few cute pics:

 

 

 

You are also taking dance lessons and Papi and I are looking forward to coming to your first dance recital. 

 

 

 

You are our princess and we love you very much!

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MACI

 

 

 

 

 



 





A Surprise at Christmastime!

We are so happy and excited!!

Going to the Mall

You and your mom were visiting in Arlington, recently.  After work, Papi and I went to your Grammy's to pick you up and take you to the mall.  We were a little worried that you might not go with us because you don't like to be away from your Mommy.  Your mom did a great job of preparing you for this trip.  When we got to the house, you were excited to see us and ready to go.  We told you that we were going to "ride the animals" which is your way of saying that you were going to ride the merry-go-round.  You got in the car just fine.  You told your mom bye and off we went.  You were very excited and were making me and Papi laugh.  You were squealing with excitement and saying that we were going to the mall.  When we got there, Papi held you and we went to the merry-go-round.  On the way, people were looking at you and making comments about how cute you are.  It made us feel very proud.

We finally got to the merry-go-round and bought you an "all you can ride" ticket, which was a paper bracelet that we put on you.  Papi kept the camera so he could take pictures.  I let you pick out the horse that you wanted to ride first.  As we were going around, you were telling me which animal you wanted to ride next.  It was a rabbit.  Then, you wanted to sit in the big chair.  After that, we decided to take a break and get some supper.

We ate in the food court at the mall.  We got you a grilled cheese sandwich and some fries from Sonic.  You ate the whole sandwich and a few of the fries.  After we ate, you said you were ready to go home.

It was the first time that I really felt like a grandma.  It was so much fun taking you on a little outing and letting you decide what to do.  On the way home, you sang for us.  You just melted our hearts.  We know as you grow older, you will be more comfortable going with us.  We love you so much and are just thrilled at how much you are growing and talking. 

Maci is 2 Years Old!!

 Happy Birthday, Maci!  It seems like you were just born, but you just turned 2 years old.  Wow, you are growing up fast.  You are as cute as ever.  This is a fun age because you are learning how to express your little thoughts.  It is so much fun to hear you talk and sing and watch you sign. You are full of life and everyone who meets you loves you.  Your mommy did a great job giving you a 2nd birthday party with the theme of Olivia the Pig.  The picture on the left is of you eating some of your cake at your party.

The picture on the right is your daddy eating his birthday cake at his 2nd birthday party.  This was at his daycare.








 

You love taking baths.  When your daddy was little, he loved taking baths, too. 

 

This was taken when he was 2 years old.

 

Your mommy and daddy took you to your first Mardi Gras parade.  You had a good time and loved the parade.  You got a lot of beads and I guess you wanted to wear them all at the same time!

 

Your daddy did the same thing when he was 2.  He does have as many beads on that you too, but it was amazing that I had a picture of him wearing the beads....like you!

 

Maci, you are such a blessing and a gift from God!  Mimi loves you....so, so much!!

 

You Are Growing Up So Fast

I can't believe that you just turned 20 months old.  You will be 2 years old in just 4 short months.  Wow!  You are so smart.  You are talking a lot, even though we can't always understand what you are saying, LOL.  But, you know so many of the family members' names.  You are also signing words like Mama, Daddy, dog, bath, more, milk, bath, and I am sure there are others.  You love to sing and dance and make us laugh. 

You hair is finally growing and it's red!  You are such a cutie and so many people love you.  I know you keep your Mom and Dad busy with all of your activity.  They give you so much love and it shows. 

I wish that we lived close to you.  One day Papi and I plan to move to West Monroe to watch you grow up in person instead of just on Skype.  We do, however, really like talking to you on Skype.  It just thrills my heart when you say, "MIMI!!!" and then you immediately ask where Papi is.  That thrills him, too.  We both love you so much.

Recently, your Mom and Dad took you to the fair.  They took some great pictures.  Here is a cute picture of you on the Merry Go Round.  And, of course, I found one that I took of your daddy's first time on the Merry Go Round.

Dedication Day

Sunday, May 6, 2012 was a very special day for you, Maci.  This was the day that your mom and dad stood before the church at First Baptist West in West Monroe, LA promising the Lord that they would raise you in church.  They dedicated themselves to the Lord on this day.  Your family members and some of your parents' friends stood with them and dedicated ourselves to pray for you and your parents.  You did so well.  You were so cute because when the congregation clapped, you also clapped.  Of course, you did not know or understand what was going on.

 On May 8, 1983, your grandpa Bill and I had a dedication for your daddy.  This dedication was held at First Baptist Deaf Mission in Baton Rouge, LA.  We promised that we would raise him in church and we did.  When your daddy was 7 years old, he told me he wanted to invite Jesus into his heart.  I remember praying with him and he asked Jesus to save him.  This was such a blessing.  I look forward to the day when you are old enough to understand what salvation means and you invite Jesus into your heart. 

I am glad that Papi and I were there to see your dedication.   We pray for you and your mom and dad every day.  We know that God is watching over you and loving you . He loves you very much and so do we!

Happy 1 Year Birthday, Maci Jo

Well, little Maci Jo Bell, you are now 1 year old and I can't believe it!  I remember how excited we were for you to be born and now you are already a year old.  Wow!

 Your mommy and daddy had your birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.  It was a little crazy because of all the people at the restaurant.  But, you got a lot of gifts and enjoyed eating cake!  Here is you, your mommy and Chuck E. Cheese.  You were not scared of him at all.

                              Here is your daddy and his smash cupcake when he was 1 year old. 

  Here is a picture of your daddy, his daddy (your PawPaw) and Chuck E. Cheese.  Your 

daddy was not scared of him either.

 One year old, my precious little granddaughter.  I look forward to loving you for many years to come!  I just don't want the years to go so fast!  Your Mimi loves you!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy, MaCi Jo!

Busted!

Maci, you are learning about rules. Your mommy and daddy have told you not to mess with the DVDs on the shelf. Recently, your mommy caught you with a DVD in your hand that you obviously pulled off the shelf. Your facial expression is priceless. If you could talk, I feel like you would be making up some excuse as to why this movie is in your hand. Of course, you would never admit that you took it, even though your mommy took a picture of you with it in your hand! Well, I think we know where you got this facial expression of "innocence"!  Scroll down!

 When your daddy was young, he too, was taught certain rules.  One of these rules was not to climb on the stool in the kitchen.  We didn't want him falling and getting hurt.  Well, one day, when I walked into the kitchen, this is what I saw.  Notice his facial expression?  Hmmmm....look familar?

First Christmas

It's your first Christmas!

 Papi and I drove to Monroe and were blessed to spend your first Christmas with you.  You were only 11 months old, so you didn't really know what all was going on.  But, of course, you were so cute and we loved seeing you get new toys from everyone.  Your mom had you all dressed up that evening.  It was a long day for you, but you kept up your adorable personality!  We were so happy to be there and look forward to all the Christmas days in the future!

I found this picture of your daddy on his first Christmas day.  He was only 9 months old. He was so cute.....just like you!

Just Like Daddy

This has always been my favorite picture of your daddy. 

Wow!  You really look like your daddy......a mirror image!!

6 Months

Happy 6 Months, Maci

I can't believe that you are already 6 months old.  Time has really gone fast.  I love you more each day!  I was recently looking through pictures of your daddy when he was little.  I found these 2 pictures of him when he was 6 months old.  He was so cute, too!





5 Generations

  On Memorial Day weekend, 2011, Papi and I went to Shreveport to visit my parents.  While we were there, your mommy and daddy drove over to Shreveport from your new home in West Monroe.  It was so good to see you and hold you and kiss you and see how much you have grown in the short time since you moved away from Texas.  You are blessed to have been able to be a part of this picture.  I believe that pictures of 5 generations are pretty rare.

  This is something that is a part of your history.  It's awesome.  You are being held by my grandmother who will be 99 years old this year.  She is your great-great grandmother.  Wow! 

The people in this picture:

Eula Pearl Day Wilson Dunn Jenkins - November 26, 1912

Robert Leroy Wilson - March 29, 1936

Melanie Gayle Wilson Bell Mitchum - January 26, 1960

Jonathan Daniel Bell - March 19, 1983

Maci Jo Bell - January 19, 2011

            P.S.  Notice:  Female, Male, Female, Male, Female

Moving

 This is a blog that I really didn't want to write.  I just got used to the fact that I had you as my first grandchild and was so thankful that you lived in the same city as I do and now you have moved.  My sister Robin (your great-aunt) and her husband, Mike have a trucking company.  They offered your daddy a good job.  In fact, it was almost impossible for him to turn it down.  Your mom will get to stay home and raise you instead of putting you in a daycare.  That is good news for you!               

                                     
 These pictures were taken on May 13, 2011.  Papi and I were spending a few treasured hours hugging and loving on you before you left the next day for Louisiana.

 We will miss you so much, but we know we will get to see you when we go there and/or you come here.

                 I know that you are so young now that you don't really "know" me as your Mimi.

        I know that you will grow and change a lot and we will miss some of your "growing" moments.

      Papi and I will still love you just as much and will also pray for you and your mommy and daddy.

 We know that this is not "the end".  It is a new beginning for you and your family.  You will be well loved there by my sister and her girls.  You will love your cousins.  They will spoil you like we would if you were still here.

So, no matter where you live.....always know that

YOUR MIMI LOVES YOU!!!!!