Slumdog Millionaire

I guess this has turned into a movie critic's site...but seriously, I have seen some great movies lately, and I want to recommend them to you too so you can have as good of a movie watching experience as I have! Slumdog Millionaire is phenomenal, and I think everyone should see it. Not only is it riveting and thought provoking, but it is artistic and beautiful in its presentation as well as devestating in its plot but remains hopeful throughout. Even the day after, I can't stop thinking about it, and I can say without being cliche that it really does give you a new found perspective on life and the world. See it-- you won't regret it.

7 Pounds

See this movie-it is AMAZING!!

Gingerbread houses!

This was last year's gingerbread house...our Jamaican Bob Marley by the beach!

And this year's...BIG BEN!!

We don't make the same, old thing, we like it different!

Jingle BELLS!!

Beliefs

This is for you, Susy, since I liked yours so much!

6 Things I Believe:

1. Everyone has worth and abounding potential. I see it everyday in the kids I work with that some might call "throw aways," and I call our future leaders.
2. Jake is the greatest living male on the face of the planet, and I have him as my husband. Sorry ladies, your search for the perfect man is over because I already found him, and he's mine!
3. There's nothing better than girlfriends, I have so many that I love, and they have healed me and my heart many times over and over.
4. Families are eternal and the best creation ever. The Big Guy knew exactly what He was doing in sending me to mine, as well, because they are a perfect fit and know how to handle me, the free thinker, perfectly.
5. Animals are a peice of heaven. Kids complain and whine, but animals are perfect angels sent only to love and comfort. I love my pets!!
6. I am awesome. If you think that sounds brash, know that I mean it in the purest way possible, I love myself and the person I am. I honestly mean it when I say I'm my own best friend. The point is, everyone is awesome enough to feel this way.

6 Things I Do Not Believe:

1. There is never an excuse to belittle or purposely hurt someone. It's unnatural and not how we, as humans, were created to be.
2. Money makes you happy. Though I love having it and spending it even more, I am never, ever impressed by it and could care less about how much others have.
3. That there are useless people. Everyone has a purpose and gift, one thing that they can do better than anyone else and were sent to this world to do. We just have to go out there and find it!
4. There is only one way to do something. We're all different, thus we all take different routes to get there. Some ways may be easier, but if learning takes place in the process, then it's worth it.
5. That some things are impossible. If you want to do it, then do it. Make a plan and do it. Maybe it will take a long time to complete, but impossible shouldn't be an option.
6. In accordance with my cousin, Susy, I too believe I could never read a vampire love story without harassing every page of its literary inadequence. Twilight is to books as Lord of The Rings is to movies, not worth my time, in my estimation.

6 Things I'm Not Sure Of:

1. How many kids I want to have. If you asked me right now when I have zero babies, I would tell you I want 5 and that I want to proceed to adopt children from other cultures and countries so I can have a colorful, beautiful family, but who knows, when I have one, I might change my mind!
2. Why bad things happen to good people. I mean, I understand literally and the whole ultimate, divine plan, but sometimes things just don't make sense. Maybe they don't have to, and I'm okay with that.
3. Why people hate cats so much. Though I am more of a dog person, as well, what did cats ever do to you??
4. What to write in this section. Turns out I'm pretty sure of a lot of things...
5. How to work less and play more!
6. What I'm going to eat right now for breakfast...

Now reply, and post your own!
Mekell

New Puppy Pics!

Here is our new, little girl, Sedona!

3:2

WE DID IT! We bought the puppy! Our pet to human ratio is now tilted in favor of our 4 legged friends, 3:2, 2 dogs and a cat, and 2 humans living under one roof. It is awesome! Pictures are forthcoming of our new puppy who is ADORABLE and only 6 weeks old!! Her name: Sedona. (We think.)

Animal Lovers

Ok, I've already gone on and on about our dog, Smudge, and our new kitty and how much we love them. BUT...today we were at the mall and saw such a GORGEOUS dog called a Bernese Mountain dog that we fell in love with. This is Jake's "dream dog," and he wants her sooo badly, and heck, I wouldn't mind either because she is a sweetheart! The only deal is that we already have a dog and a cat, and this new dog is only 4 months old and already 40 lbs! That's right, folks, she's going to be HUGE, about 100 lbs!! Is that worth it for puppy love?! We both love animals so much, but my question is...are we insane??? :)

New Addition

We have a new addition to our family...a kitten! We got it last Sunday, so we've officially had the little guy for a week now. As you know, I'm a sucker for animals, especially ones that need homes. If I could, I'd take them all in and love them like their big, human mama! So another teacher at my work came into the lunch room last Thursday asking if anyone wanted a kitten because his daughter's best friend's family was foreclosing in their house and needed to find it a home. Without hesitation, I raised my hand and shouted, "I do!" So I came home and told Jake, who loves animals just as much as me (good thing because any man who married me HAS to LOVE animals since I do so much), and he was thrilled too! At first, the kitty wasn't too fond of Smudge, our puppy, and he would hiss his heart out, which scared me to death because I thought kitty was going to claw out my eyes and any other exposed flesh, and Smudge just wanted to play her little heart out, so I was horrified that my 2 pets would be arch enemies forever. HOWEVER...after 3 days of hissing and barking, they are now best friends and play the day away rolling around on the ground and licking each other to death. Our kitty is adorable too; he's orange and white striped with BLUE eyes! We are still debating on a name, so feel free to help us, here are our choices... Oliver (like the cat in Disney's "Oliver & Company"), Raja (like the tiger in "Aladdin" and my favorite Suns player, Raja Bell, which is our last name too!), OR Meowzer (which is my particular favorite because it's funny!

What do you think???

More House Pics

Nuestra Casa

Here are a few pictures...

Today's Headine:

HOUSEWARMING PARTY A SUCCESS!!-- Our housewarming party was perfect yesterday! Thank you to everyone who was able to come and enjoy in the fun! (p.s. the food turned out great too, and there was plenty of it!) We had an awesome turn out of about 50-60 people, and I regret to say I only got one picture of the food table, and even though I wanted to take lots of pictures of all the guests and the house, I was too busy talking, giving tours, and entertaining to even remember! It turned out wonderfully, though, and I'm glad we could have so many of our friends and family come to see our home! You're always welcome anytime!

You Know You're From the HOOD When...

I'm a teacher at a juvenile jail. That should speak volumes to what my days are like. However, I love it. A lot. I've never been one for conformity, so I definitely understand my students, except the whole law breaking part. But their mentality is completely in my realm of comprehension. Good thing I had amazing parents growing up and a support system in the church and friends.

Anyhow, I teach 6 periods a day: 4 classes of language arts, and 2 classes of ELL, for the kids who don't speak English. Call me horrible, but I definitely have a favorite class, and I tell them that all of the time. They are my 3rd period language arts class of 16 and 17 year old boys. Not only are they smart and fun, but they crack me up so much, and they are responsible enough in class so that we can have a ball while still learning it up! Though they are straight from the hood, they tell me I'm the toughest white girl they know, and we get along great and have an amazing amount of mutual respect. The point of this is that this class, my favorite group, is the reason I am going to make it big and become a millionaire. They gave me the idea for my up and coming book!

Today in class, as they told me stories of how many of them had been chased by dogs in their neighborhoods, I replied that in all of my life, I have never once been chased by a dog. To that, they responded that this was an obvious indication that I didn't grow up in the hood. From there, as a class, we came up with countless indications of how to know when someone grew up in the hood. It was not only fun and entertaining, but it was actually a very healthy bonding experience for others so they could see their similarities and later discuss how they didn't want this same lifestyle for their future family and children. So much good actually came of this discussion. Here are some other hysterical anecdotes...

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM THE HOOD WHEN...
--You're mom waking you up in the middle of night isn't to tuck you in but to push you under the bed to protect you from oncoming bullets.
--You turn on the light on the kitchen, wait for the floor to scatter, and then walk in to do your thing.
--You use a t-shirt to dry off with after a shower because towels are a luxury you don't have.
--You drink kool-aid with every meal, and when there isn't any left, you resort to just plain sugar water.
--You sleep in a bed with 6 other people all in your grandma's room.
--You call it a whoopin' and not spanking.
--Every other type of bread is just nasty, foreign food unless its bleached, starchy, fake, white bread.
--You know the homeless guy on the corner by name.
--You wash your favorite shirt in the sink or tub so you can wear it Friday night, and wearing it out wet is completely acceptable.
--You brush the roach off your food first, and then proceed to eat it.
--Hot cheetos are your favorite food.
--Your idea of a water park is playing with the hose or swimming in the canal.
--Wearing the wrong color could be signing your death warrant.
--There are more liquor stores than schools.
--Somehow, everyone you know is a cousin or relative.

Haha, these are only a few that I can remember, but I plan on having them write down as many as they can and compiling a complete book of these crazy, comical realities! Listening to these kids makes me realize how middle class that I really am and only confirms the viable separation and class system evident within the U.S. But only through understanding these differences and the gap between us, can we truly accomplish change and bridge the gap to equality. Thank you, jail kids, for opening my mind and eyes to a new world and for giving me a good laugh and making me happy everyday!

Much love, MEK (AKA Mrs. R&B)

Survey Time!

(**This is Mekell, btw)**
1. What time did you get up this morning? Anytime is too early for me, I hate waking up no matter the hour, especially when I'm cozy and warm, but today it was about 9am. Hey man, it's the weekend!
2. Diamonds or pearls? I wear both, although most of mine are fake except my wedding ring, but I prefer sparkly things, so I'd have to go with diamonds.
3. What was the last film you saw @ the cinema? House Bunny. Stupid but funny.
4. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cold Cereal. I love it, the more sugary the better.
5. What is your favorite TV show?? The Office
6. What is your middle name? Emelie (It was my Nana's name, and I want it to be my future daugher's middle name, as well.)
7. What foods do you dislike? Pig, ugh, nast fest. There are many others, but that first came to mind.
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? When I love a cd, I listen to it repeatedly for years. Those 2 cds are Colbie Calliat and Kelly Clarkson, and I sing my guts out to them.
9. What kind of car do you drive? White Toyota Corolla Sport baby!!
10. Favorite Sandwich? As of late, some good, whole wheat bread with turkey, miracle whip, and mustard.
11. What characteristic do you despise? Two-facedness. I may have just created a new word.
12. Favorite item of clothing? This is hard for me becuase my fetish in life is clothing and accessories. But everyday when I get home from work, I always change into flannel pajama pants, so probably those. And uggs. So comfy!
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation: Where would you go ? Everywhere. But right now, Mediterranean cruise, esp Spain. One day I will go everywhere, though.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Banana R. and Target. For me it doesn't matter as much where I got the clothes but how they look.
15. What was the last thing you bought? Fuel (I like calling it that more than gas.)
16. What was your most recent memorable day? Everyday is memorable with my lover, Jake, but this Thursday was the best because we both played hookie and called in sick and spent the day together. Crap, I hope my boss isn't reading this!
17. Favorite sports to watch? In person-volleyball and basketball. On tv-swimming.
18. Your birthday? 1-11-83
19. Are you a morning or evening person? Like I said, not a fan of the mornings, so evenings for sure.
20 What is your shoe size? 10. You know what they say, the bigger the shoe size, the bigger the brain.
21. Pets? Smudge, our sassy puppy who I love like my baby daughter, but one day, my dream is to have a huge yard with tons of pets because I loooove them!
22. What did you want to be when you were little? Dolphin trainer at Sea World. Yep, I still have that dream.
23. Any new and exciting news you would like to share with everyone? We just bought a beautiful home!
24. How do you feel today? This morning and afternoon-fancy (because I was in swanky Scottsdale dressed up eating and shopping with the girls). Right now-comfy (because I'm at home in my pj's making dinner and snuggling with Jake and Smudge!)
25. What is your favorite candy? How does one choose?? I love it all. I'm the girl who puts marshmallows in her oatmeal and eats red vines for breakfast! But I LOVE fudge the most. (Does that count as candy??)
26. What is your favorite flower? Bright, big gerber daisies!
27. What is the day on the calendar you're looking forward to? Christmas because it will be our first one as a married couple in our new house (and because it means 2 weeks off of work for school!)
28. What is your full name? Mekell Emelie Reuter-Bell
29. What are you listening to right now? Jake installing our celing fan.
30. What was the last thing you ate? Diet Dr. Pepper!!
31. Do you wish on stars? Of course!
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Something neon, probably yellow, orange, or hot pink. But definitely neon, and definitely a warm color.
33. How is the weather right now? Perfecto! 75 degrees and lovely. This is why we live in PHX!!
34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Mom
35. favorite soft drink ? Diet Pepsi
36. favorite Restaurant? Pita Jungle
37. Hair Color? Brunette and proud!
38. What was your favorite toy as a child? A spoon, a cup of water, and my dad's hat because I was a famous archeologist digging for dinosaur bones!
39. Summer or Winter? Summer, I love the sun and warm weather and despise being cold. I could sit in my car with the windows rolled up with no a/c and love it.
40. Hugs or kisses? Both, please. Simultaneously. From Jake. Mmmmm.
41. Chocolate or Vanilla? DARK chocolate - has to be dark. I second that motion, Keisa, any other kind isn't worth my time.
42. Coffee or Tea? Coffee, if I drank either, but the sugary, delicious, chocolately kind.
43. When was the last time you cried? At the Phx Children's Hospital Memorial for all the children who have passed away. I went for my neice, Eden, and it was amazingly uplifting, but so emotional.
44. What is under your bed? Nothing that I know of, unless Smudge hid a toy or bone there.
45. Salty or Sweet? Sweet, duh.
46. How many keys on your key ring? Bazillions.
47. How many years @ your current job? 2 and 1/2 years almost.
49. How many towns have you lived in? 3, Tempe, Flagstaff, and Phoenix (not counting my mission. 6 counting my mission.
50. Do you make friends easily? Yep, I love people and talking.

Smudge.

It just dawned on me that we need to put pictures up of our baby!!! Smudge is our adorable, feisty, and loving pomeranian puppy that I bought last year on December 7th. She is, by all counts, my baby, and for awhile, I called myself a single mom before Jake and I got married! She is the apple of our eye, and for now, she is satisfying our need for a baby. In fact, I think puppies are great training for babies. You love them so much, but you have to clean up their poop, and they wake you up 3 times a night with their crying.

Our little girl, although sweet, is also sometimes a holy terror, running with the end of the toilet paper all throughout the house, stealing any sock she can find, and sometimes getting that naughty look in her eyes as she does things just because she knows they make me mad. However, she is the best dog ever because she is so playful, and she would play fetch all day long if possible, she loves anything alive, kissing to death any human that will let her and playing her heart out with any other animal she meets, and the best part is when she nuzzles her little head into your neck and sleeps, just like right now how she's laying on my cold feet, warming them up.

You may think I'm one of those crazies who loves animals more than people and treats her pets like a person, which may be true, especially since I call her my baby and have like 6 outfits I dress her in, but I love my puppy so much; she makes our little family complete!

Election.

So I'm lucky because the guy I wanted to win, won. However, I think it's horrible how many people are still bad mouthing our president elect. Though he may not have been their choice, and they may not even like him, grow up, people, we are all Americans, and in that, we all share a common ground, one that should bring us together and keep us hopeful for the coming months and years. Let us not forget the mantra that lives in courtrooms all across the country, innocent until proven guilty. Give our president elect the chance to prove himself, please, before already counting the next 4 years as a bust without even having lived them yet. I think this is unconscionable and pure ignorance where it happens, and we as Americans shouldn't stand for it, no matter whom we voted for.

Foodies Wanted:

Hi, I have a question. I know there are a lot of foodies out there, so maybe you can help me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE food, but the whole cooking and creating thing is something I'm still trying to develop. So we're having a house warming party in 3 weeks (that you're all invited too, btw), but I need some good ideas for some munchies and appetizers to make and what kind of menu would be good. Any ideas????

HaLlOwEeN!!

Here are some pictures we have from our fun Halloween last night! I was a gangsta girl (or one of my students:) and Jake was the Joker (it was so fun putting makeup on him:)!

African Baby

We thought we'd try something fun today...making a baby! (Not what you're thinking:) So we put pictures of our faces into this website program that took our features and showed us what our children would look like. The funny thing was, the boys looked hideous, and the girls looked Mexican, which is odd, seeing how we're both white. Anyhow, the option came up to make our babies appear African with our features, and it turns out that we make much better looking black babies than white babies! This is perfect for me because I've always wanted an African baby. I'll cross my fingers when the real one comes!

Baby Bell!

What do you think about my little new baby Baby Bell?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

Brownie Points

Jake is fabulous and scored some major brownie points today, even though he totally didn't need any since I already think he's tops ! As I was teaching my 6th period class, a surprise entered my classroom, a beautiful sunflower bouquet, my favorite candies, and a super sweet note from my lover. Even though Jake and I love to have fun and joke around, (hence my post the other day:), he still can be the kindest, most considerate person I've ever known. My whole class "oohed" and "ahhed" as I blushed and grinned from ear to ear, and the whole time I was thinking how I'm the luckiest for having the most considerate husband in the world. He's not only my husband, he's my best friend, my boyfriend, my lover, and my soul mate. I love you forever, Jake. Thank you for knowing me and loving me better than anyone ever has. Too good to be true IS true!

Our House!!

Here's a frontal view of our house, it's the only picture we have for now since the inside isn't completely finished and picture worthy yet! But I do want to invite all of our family and friends out there in blogger land to our HOUSE WARMING PARTY on Saturday, November 22nd from 3-6 pm. It should be a ball!! Come and enjoy friends, food, and fun!

Help Wanted

Help Wanted:

Any ideas for Halloween costumes for Jake & Mekell Bell. Must be submitted by next Friday, as Hallween is that day. Any offer accepted.

Respectfully yours,
MRB

Happiest!

I hope all is well with everybody. I wanted to share with everybody how I feel right now. I couldn't be happier. In fact, everyday I say this. This is true because Mekell my Belle is my best friend and she does so much for me and for everybody she deals with on a daily basis. Yesterday I found myself telling her that I thought it was impossible to love her even more than I did at that time, but today I love her even more, and I feel even closer to her than I ever have before. Looking back over the past 5 months I realize that this statement is true everyday. I am the happiest I have ever been and I love Mekell my Belle with all of my heart! I am so grateful that she called me to pick up the patio furniture a little over a year now. =)
Jake

Reunited

Two things happened tonight, Friday, that were amazing. First, we went to a memorial for many of the children that have passed away at Phoenix Children's Hospital, and one of those children, as most of you know, is my perfect niece, Eden Grace Ridgway. The memorial was bittersweet, both beautiful and devastating at once. But more than anything, it made me increasingly grateful for my faith and knowledge that Eden is still a part of our family and that she's still alive and waiting for us to meet her on the other side. Sometimes I even like to think of her taking care of our future children. Since she's perfect, I wouldn't trust anyone more. Even though I only knew her for 4 months when she was on this earth, I love her so much, and she is one of my heroes. Baby Eden, we love you, I can't wait until we are reunited one day!

After the memorial, Jake and I went to Mervyn's looking for whatever I could find for our new house. While I was looking through the jackets, a young boy, about 17, called over to me and came over to me calling, "Miss, Miss!" When I realized he was talking to me, I looked up to see that it was one of my students!! For a teacher that teaches in a public school in their community, this is probably commonplace, but for me, since I teach youth from all over the valley at a Juvenile Detention Center, I never see my students again on "the outs," and if I do see them again, it's a bad thing because it means they're back in jail. Anyhow, I have never seen one of my students in the real world before, and so this was incredible! The best part is that he, Casey, is doing amazingly, working 2 jobs, going to school full-time, and playing on a competitive basketball team. I felt so happy that he not only remembered me, but mostly that he is so awesome and doing so well!!! Talk about the best pay back ever! As teachers we may not get paid much, but we get more pay back than almost any other occupation ever!

Lights Out

One thing I pride myself in is that I think I'm pretty, dang smart. Sound prideful? Maybe, but I don't mean it that way at all, I just love to learn (hence the whole me being a teacher thing), and I think education is the most important thing in the world basically. Anyhow, this is proof that I still have so much to learn. It's kind of funny when something like what happened does and reminds you of your youth and inexperience...

So here's what happened. Jake and I moved into our new, dream home 2 weeks ago tomorrow. We thought everything was taken care of after we signed our lives away by placing our "John Hancock" on so many papers the rain forest would weep. Welp, we were wrong... Everything was perfect the first week and a half of living here until Jake came home on Thursday and immediately noticed there was a problem. We had NO power! We both got right on it and called our lender to find out what the problem was, and I was ready to "let them have it!" Well, turns out you have to actually call the power company yourself and change it into your name! We NEVER knew that!!

Maybe that sounds crazy and also idiotic, but come now, we're young and even though I don't like to admit it, I have tons to learn, and this is evidentally one of those million things. Well, needless to say, by the time we called to get our electricity turned on, it was too late, so we spent the whole night without any light, and no power at all!! Fingers crossed everything in our fridge is ok! We'll let you know if it was after we eat it! They turned on the power again this afternoon, and let me tell you how thankful I am for that! Thank you modern conveniences!

Just thought I'd let you know our funny blunder this week! Next on the "To Do" List, call to change the utilities and water ino our names too... Who knew??!

Lovin' the Light, Mekell

Home Owners!!

We bought a house, and we moved in last Saturday! It's so exciting, and as you can tell, it's very busy...so busy that I have had zero time to post anything to the blog lately, so as soon as we take some pictures, I'll show them all off!! I love it, though, it's so fun! Plus, you can see stars from where we live, which is such a rarity here in PHX! We have more than enough room, so come on out and VISIT US!!

Love, Me

Help!

Hey friends and family, or as I like to say, homies!! Jake and I are visiting my mission friends this conference weekend, and they taught us how to use our blog and how to add people's blog addresses to ours! YAY! So, I added lots of you, but some of you I need invitations to get to your blog. So please give us either an invitation or your blog address if you're not on ours because we want to keep in touch!! Gracias:)

Much Love, M&J

Wedding Pictures!!!

Here are some wedding shots to satisfy your visual taste buds...Enjoy!