Extreme Home Makeover

My aunt (mother's sister) and uncle have 4 beautiful children. They decided to have them in pairs. Two older ones (John and Amy) a 10 year break and then 2 younger ones (Elizabeth and Alicia). They are all talented and unique in their own way. However, when Elizabeth (the younger girl on the bottom right of the photo) was diagnosed with a rare blood disease at 6 weeks old it made their family even more unique. She is one of only about 700 people in the world who have this condition. It even has a crazy name "Diamond Blackfan Anemia". Because of this she has to get blood transfusions every week or so to keep up her blood count and keep her alive. Their family has since started the John P. Bell Foundation and has made an impact on many lives in their community and around the world really.

Right before she was born my aunt and uncle bought what they thought was their dream home. However, it had so much structural damage that experts told them they really should demolish it and started over. Now here comes a new baby and she has lots of medical bills. They put their house problems on hold and worried about their new baby girl. After a few years along came Alicia and they were even more busy.

Because they have worked so hard in their community and given back so much they had families write in to ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. THEY GOT IT!!!! Ty Pennington screamed "good morning Bell Family" at their front door this morning! Here is their story. As we speak my aunt, uncle and the two younger kids who still live at home are being whisked away to New York City while they get a brand new house built! I'm the lucky one who gets to be there when it's done. Just by chance I already had my annual trip to AZ planned. I can't believe I get to see their new home! I always miss this stuff. I'm so excited!!!! I can't wait to scream "driver, move that bus!"

This couldn't have happened to a more deserving family.