Happy 1/2 Birthday Bryce-Man!

And the child grew and became strong in spirit.

~Luke 1:80

Bryce Allen is now 6 months old! While even Dr. Van Norman was surprised that he only weighed in at 19 pounds and 1 ounce, he still looked perfect at his check-up! B-Man is 26.25" long and his head circumference is 18" (Nurse Matt says he has a lot of "brains" in there). Bryce has begun to do so much just in the past week. Several days ago, he said his first babble of words...."Da-Da" of course. B makes a lot of noises and squeals when he is playing. He also loves to drool and make spitting noises. His favorite place (other than in our arms) inside is the jumper, and his favorite place outside is in Avery's old pink swing. He loves it outside, and he's had fun in Avery's little pool some this summer. Bryce (the rotten little man that he is) is still sleeping in our room, but we are transitioning him to his own bed (which is now in our room, lol). It wouldn't be fair to have let 

A-A do it for all those years and not let him, right? :) 

He now has two (front, bottom) teeth, and it was a struggle cutting those things. Avery did so well with teething, and now we realize that it was probably because she has such a high pain tolerance. Needless to say, Bryce had the ear and tummy aches and pains and was very fussy through it. Along with his constant drooling, everything goes to his mouth. He does very well playing with toys, and he tries to grab everything near him. He is able to exchange items between his hands, and he also grabs his feet and plays with them often. He still loves his stuffed puppy, Buster, and likes just about any other toy that feels good on his gums! Bryce gets in the crawling position when on his tummy, but he isn't going any where just yet. It will take him a little time to get to that point. He still doesn't roll over much, but he goes back and forth from his side to back when on the floor playing. Bryce is primarily a supported sitter, but he will be sitting up totally on his own in no time! 

It looks like we have another "Yo Gabba Gabba" fan on our hands (sheesh!) because he perks right up when it comes on the T.V.. He gets excited and really pays attention to it. Bryce is now getting baby food and juice regularly, and we haven't experienced any allergies yet. He is wearing more 9 months clothes than anything else at the moment, and he could fit in 12 months if it runs a little small! Bryce-Man is usually all smiles, and he's been really good in the nursery at church and at daycare so far. He really enjoys Avery and usually smiles and laughs whenever she is in sight. 

Bryce is an absolute joy, and he's at my favorite baby stage right now. We all love snuggling with him and couldn't feel more blessed having him as a part of our little family. ♥

Bryce Allen Bell, 6 Months...

Bryce Swinging...

Bryce in his onesie from Aunt Faith...

Bryce in the pool...

Bryce and his big sister...

Bryce's first 4th of July...

One awesome kid...

My Dad

 When you become an adult, you often begin to wonder and then realize why you are the way you are. For instance, I've always had this desire, intrinsically, to work hard. I like to get things done and get them done right. I'm usually religiously on time or early, punctual. I worry about things and think about things that I've learned lots of other don't. I feel it necessary to be kind to everyone, no matter what they look like or who they are, and I am usually a pretty friendly person who smiles a lot. I'm not saying all of this to brag on myself, I am saying it because these are the things I learned from my dad. 

If you know my dad, you know he doesn't play favorites. He chooses the right thing even when it's not popular, and he's one of the most honest and kindhearted people I know. He may seem intimidating at times, but that is just his "old-school" way of being a man. When it comes down to it, he'd give the shirt off his back to help someone, and he will always be around when you need him. He seemed to be running for an election when he was at MD Anderson because of his social nature. Even  though he was going through something seriously trying and painful, he always had a smile and a kind word for those he came across.

I've seen my dad on top of the world and I've seen my dad in the lowest of valleys. Dad has always been great at whatever he's done in his life because he's always put his heart and soul into his ventures and worked hard to achieve excellence. He was a pro-golfer when I was a kid, and even after losing some vision after his histoplasmosis and going through cancer and extreme weight loss, he's still better than most! He's also been a salesman for Izod and Coca-Cola, a Recreation Director for the City of Vicksburg, and most recently, a full-time Alderman. His heart was set on making the place he called home beautiful, successful, and safe for his family and friends, and his heart was often broken when things didn't turn out the way he'd hoped. He's the true picture of a good, honest man who was often beat down by the crooked and ugly ways of the world. No matter what, he's always come out on top because he maintained his morals and values regardless of  the cost. He is who he is, and I am so glad he's been a constant in my life...someone I can always count on. He's shown me a lot about who God really is because no matter what, he's always loved me and he's always stood by me. As a teacher, I often see the results of a fatherless or a "not so good father" in the home. I know exactly how blessed I am to have a father like I have, and I understand a great part of the impact he's had on my life and who I've become as an adult. The Bible says the following:

Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children,; Proverbs 17:27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.; Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.;Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.; Proverbs 22:6 - "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."; Genesis 18:19 - "For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."

All of these things....they remind me of my dad. He's the father of a fireman/paramedic/nurse, a teacher, and a worship minister, and the kind of man many can admire. He may not know everything (don't tell him that), but he knows how to be a great dad. For him, I am extremely thankful! 

Happy Father's Day Dad! 

It's so funny to see  how things change when a man becomes a Papaw! Those tough guys become complete "softies" when it comes to grandchildren. 

Happy Father's Day, Jake!

He works hard and loves his job as a coach. He's successful, not because it's easy but because he battles until he gets it right. He doesn't make excuses. He did what it took to overcome his struggles with learning in school and went on to get his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Mississippi College with great grades. He's the same guy no matter where he is or who he is around...what you see is what you get. 

 He's the kind of guy who really plays with his kids. He runs, plays games, paints and draws, watches T.V., and takes naps with them. He does things just because he knows they want to do them.

He's patient, fun-loving, and present. He plays an active roll in our home...changes diapers, gives baths, helps clean, takes kids to daycare, and the list goes on. He talks to them, listens to them (well, mostly with Avery right now, lol) and does what it takes to form a bond and grow healthy relationships. He gets up in the middle of the night to check on Avery and soothe her back to sleep, and he gets up when Bryce is screaming to help calm him down. He goes to every doctor's appointment he can possibly make, and has been to many of them alone with the kids.

He doesn't complain, he just does what needs to be done. He'd do anything for his kids and his family, and I hope one day Bryce is just like him as a father and husband.

Recently, he was baptized again after letting go of some anxiety and fear and recommitting himself to God. It was a moment I couldn't have felt more proud to watch.  He's an athlete who loves working out and being tough, but he has a heart of gold and is loving and compassionate. He makes Avery and I feel loved and secure which can't be an easy task! I feel very lucky to have him as the father of our children and my partner in life.

Happy Father's Day, Jake...

not because your a good dad, but an exceptional and extraordinary one! We love you very much! 

Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.