Fragile

It's Christmas time at the Campbell house again, and my how things have changed. It seems like yesterday that we were assembling the baby fence around the Christmas tree, putting the tree up on the 23rd, and taking it down in the 26th.

Here we are with 3 big boys getting paint guns and electronics, and a little girl that can crawl and pull up on the crib. I swear time needs to pause for just a few minutes.

Unlike most of our Christmases, this year we experienced loss, just before Christmas. The loss of "Uncle Thurl" and the loss of all those innocent victims in CT, made us stop and think about how fragile life is. It made us appreciate the moments that we have together.

See, time is moving so quickly, and no matter how many times I wish it to be so, I cannot capture all the moments if their innocence, and keep them this age. This year, maybe a little more than usual, I'm so grateful for my family, and feel blessed I got to spend time with each and every one:)

Overload!

Well, I'm a little behind on my posts, so I think I'll catch up. So much has happened, where do I start..... I have a new job. For those that have asked, I love it. God has some strange ways of answering prayers, but it's funny the way he works things out. I would have never dreamed that I would change positions mid-year, but it has been such a blessing. I have made new friends, strengthened bonds with many people, had the opportunity to work with some truly amazing kids. Trust me when I say it's a GOD thing!

Now, on to one of the lessons I learned in the middle of this move. I had to move things to my new school. It wasn't a ton of things, but it was enough to need about 3 trips. I bet 10 people asked me if they could help me carry anything. I insisted I was fine, and I had it under control. I made the first trip without a problem. When I went back the second time, I had a full armload and one box. It was my treasure box, filled with candy and dollar store goodies. Bribes if you will. Well, I decide that I can simply put the treasure box on top and carry it all in of course without help. I'm sure you know how this ends. I end up dropping the entire contents of the box all over the parking lot. My "treasure", all 1000 pieces were laying on the ground while I stood there in disbelief. I picked up every piece learning these things. First, it's alright to ask for help, even from strangers, and that I cannot carry everything on my own! I am guilty of both of these things on a regular basis. I will often take on the weight of the world without a second thought. I'm not saying I won't try it again, but I will at least try to remember the lessons of my move. After all, if I don't, I might end up with all my treasures on the ground :)

My first real Christmas

I can remember Christmases for many, many years. I remember getting Barbie furniture as a little girl and Dad helping me punch out all the flatware just so he could step on it the next day. I remember getting my first cabbage patch doll. I was over the moon. I remember getting a pink popple with a purple tail just like I asked. That was no easy feat as they were the furby of my day. I also remember getting a puppy for Christmas. When I was growing up, we never had a lot of money, but we always had a wonderful Christmas. My parents made sure of it.
It wasn't until after I had long grown, gotten married and had the boys that I say I had my first real Christmas. See, I always knew what Christmas was about. I grew up in a Christian home. But, it was that year that I finally understood the magnitude of the gift that I had been given. The year the boys were born....
I remember the moment that the understanding hit me. Some would call it an Ah ha! Moment.
Jamie and I were driving to the hospital to visit the boys the week before Christmas. It was late and dark. I'm sure we were headed to tuck them in for the night. We drove around the park on our way to the hospital and I saw the lighted manger scene. Why then, but it dawned on me that I had a son. As after of fact, I had three sons. They were so tiny and fragile waiting for me at the hospital. At that time, I had limited contact with them, and already I had such an incredible bond!
I just like Mary had a boy that I loved dearly. I understood the love of a parent. See, I knew then that Christ had given his SON for me. I am now and will forever be grateful for the gift of his Son. It is a gift so overwhelming to me. I have celebrated many Christmases since then and hope to celebrate many more, but I hope to never lose sight of that first Christmas and that precious gift that was swaddled in a manger just for me. Merry Christmas !

Black Friday!!!

So, most of you may think I'm nuts, but that's alright. I'm getting ready to leave for another Black Friday, and I feel so blessed! Thanksgiving/black Friday are 2 of my favorite days of the year. I mean it's shopping and eating! How can you get better than that?
See, I enjoy a deal like none other. I am the daughter of Eddie and Rita Devaney, the original black Friday shoppers. I remember getting up as a little girl to go shopping for 10 cent tape at Big Lots! But, for a household of girls, black Friday has always been and will always be our girl day. We shop, gossip a little, judge the fashion of others, eat way to much, and brag about our bargains. It's memory making.
So, this black Friday, I feel blessed like none other. I have saved a little money to go. I know not everyone has that luxury. I will be with my sisters, nieces, and Mom, my favorite girls on earth. Jamie told me to take a nap and even made me a tall coffee to go, can you say supportive? I have a little girl of my own to carry on the tradition in a few years. My blessings overflow. So to all you black Friday shoppers. I wish you great deals, may everything you want/need be in plenty, great parking spots, and most of all memory making like none other. Happy Thanksgiving my friends!

6 months today!!!!

Reading buddies

Caleb is reading to Hannah. He doesn't even yell when she smacks the pages.

5 months

What a big girl!