Congrats Ben!

We are very proud of Ben... he was offered the Chief Resident position at Baptist, and he took it! His "chief year" will be the year after he finishes residency (he'll start it in a year and a half). They ask 1 or 2 people to do this each year, and they oversee the residents, do scheduling, take care of some of the administrative stuff, get to teach, etc. All of which Ben will be GREAT at! :) The part I am excited about, is he will have a VERY easy schedule, and will be home with us a lot more - yea! It also means we will have 1 more year in Birmingham - which we are really excited about since we are really just now feeling settled in our house and church, making new friends, etc. We'll see what the Lord has in store after that...

Fall Fun

We have definitely been enjoying our fall... we have been to Dr.Crosby's pumpkin patch in Auburn, the Pumpkin Festival here in Birmingham at the Botanical Gardens, and the Fall Festival at Dawson Baptist. We still have more to come this weekend - with our church's Fall Festival tailgate on Sunday - pictures to come soon...

Campbell LOVED the Fall Festival at Dawson - they had a mini carosel to ride with mommy, tea cups to ride with Daddy and our friends the Booths (the dads squeezed into 1 tea cup together with the girls - it was hilarious!), cotton candy, snow cones, and a band! It was such a fun night... Campbell didn't wear her real Halloween costume (it was too much to play in) but she did wear her tutu. Thanks for inviting us Booth family!

Dr.Crosbys pumpkin patch was a hit too. We had mommy, daddy, Campbell, Honey, Aunt Jess, Aunt Kimmie, and much of the Crosby clan there. We got to run through the pumpkins, dig in the corn, and go on a hay ride!

My friend Jamie and I took the girls to the Botanical Gardens while the men were working - and we ran into our friends Kari and Ellie there too! It was fun while it lasted, but really the girls just loved running free through the gardens - although Campbell didn't understand why should couldn't pick those flowers...

Happy Fall!

Prayer for Katie Crosby

 

My friend Kimmie's sister, Katie Crosby, just left for the mission field for at least 2 years straight - no coming home inbetween. She is working with Muslims in Northern Africa, and will travel to other places as well. Please keep her in your prayers - as well as her family - 2 years is a long time! I got to be in Auburn the weekend before she left for her commissioning service at church, and a friends and family "send off" party after. It was such a blessing to hear her tell us about how the Lord has been preparing her for this for a while - and how strong her calling to the Muslim population is. This is a hard and dangerous calling - but obviously so close to the heart of God. Although we all aren't called to this specifically (however I do think the Lord mandates mission work) we can be a part of this Kingdom work through praying for her. It was also really neat to see the strong support she has from her parents... Although I'm sure they will worry about her, they obviously trust her to the Lord. I pray that one day I get to see Campbell involved in God's work on the mission field - and that I can trust the Lord as the Crosby's do...

Random

Here are some pictures from the last month... some late birthday pictures, our zoo trip with friends from church, and Kimmie's baby shower! Enjoy!

Daddy-Daughter Time

Last weekend in Auburn while I was at a baby shower for one of my friends, Daddy played with Campbell. He took her to the mall to keep her busy and found a photo booth to get these classic pictures taken. I thought they were precious!

One more thing...

Does anyone have any suggestions on the easiest way to clean blinds? I have tried paper towel, sock and cleaning solutions - but this could take years... any quicker ideas?

Boyd Family Beach Trip

So, I am WAY behind and trying to catch up.... bear with me!

My family took a beach trip to Panama City Beach Labor Day weekend. Papa, Honey, Uncle Brian, Aunt Savannah (Brian's girlfriend who Campbell calls Aunt Vannie), me, Ben and Campbell loaded up in 2 cars and made the trip down on Friday, and came back Monday. As you know, Hurrican Gustav was coming through that weekend - so we were a little nervous. Thankfully, the weather was great and we didn't have to evacuate... although the storm took over the beach and you couldn't even see the sand. Savannah and I were even forced to play in the hurricane waves by Ben and Brian - what were we thinking?!? The trip was great - Campbell loved the beach and the pool, and we enjoyed the shopping and great food! Savannah and Brian got her the cutest beach stuff - sand toys with her name on them, a car float for the pool that she LOVED, and even a baby beach towel with her name on it! She even got brave enough to put her face under in the pool - and then after hearing everyone clap and chear, did it over and over! Can't wait till next year...

I heart Consignment Sales

For those of you who don't know, the BEST invention for moms was the consignment sale... a way to sell your childrens clothes that you don't need anymore, and buy other gently used clothing that you DO want! For those of us on a strict budget, these things are amazing... I have gotten SO much of Campbell's clothes at these - and go to almost 8 sales every season! Dressy clothes, casual clothes, furniture, toys, you name it! So the last big sale of the season just ended here in Birmingham -and it was great... I went the night that I got the stomach bug, which was a terrible time to be there - but I had the much-coveted early admission pre-sale pass, and I wasn't going to miss it! I got Campbell pajamas, some cute clothes, and a big girl bed and slide for the back yard! (for an AMAZING deal) She loves the slide - and although we love her bed, we are going to wait a little longer to make the switch. If you are interested in these sales and want more info, let me know! I will have my spring/summer sales maped out before you know it! :)

My Birthday... a little late

I turned 27 September 30th, and had a great week or so of celebration... minus the stomach bug! My family and friends were so good to me - thanks everybody! Sweet Ben helped me celebrate my birthday week with several fun gifts: BEAUTIFUL flowers from Dorothy McDaniels in Homewood, an I heart Jim coffee mug (from the office), a really cool bracelet with campbells name and birthday on it, and a makeup makeover at bare minerals. He even (tried) to surprise me with dinner with friends and a "the office" party at our house. That weekend we went to Atlanta for a family reunion, and I stayed with Brian and Savannah for a few days to shop and hang out with them. Savannah (my brothers girlfriend) took me to a really cool western themed fundraiser for several local charitys - and we got to ride a mechanical bull! sort of... She and Brian took me to Noche - one of my favorite dinner spots... it was so fun! Then sweet Jessica, Joy and Kimmie got tickets to the Brad Paisley concert - and I got the stomach bug and couldn't go! Last weekend all of our college friends got together for dinner for mine and Hannah's birthdays - it was full of laughter as usual... I love birthdays!

Ring A Bell?

I thought this was so funny, and so true. Not of me, or any of you who have blogs of course! Just those other people. . . :)

-Ben (not Katie this time)

Birthdays, Stomach bugs and school - oh boy!

Well, as of Sept.30 I am now 27 years old - and quickly approaching 30! It has gone by fast - I remember wanting to have had all my children by 30 - oh well! I had a pretty good birthday - thanks to a very sweet husband, wonderful family and the best of friends! More to come on that with pictures soon...

Soon after I hit the big 27, I started to get a stomach ache. My mom had just had a bug this past weekend, and I was with her. I had an "early viewing" ticket for a big consignment sale that night, so I went hoping I wouldn't get sick there - but it was too good to pass up! I felt terrible the whole time I was there and prayed not to pass out... after 2 hours of shopping in an old Bruno's full of other moms, I had had enough. I checked out quickly, and got in the car. (glad I went - campbell got some new clothes, a hamper, a big girl bed and mattress, AND a slide for the backyard!) But, on the way home I almost had to pull over and let Ben come get me... I got home, ran to the bed and collapsed. Soon after, the fun began and didn't end until the next morning. Ben almost took me to the hospital because my blood sugar kept getting low, and I couldn't keep anything down to raise it. When I tried to get in the car to go, I had to run back in to the bathroom... I couldn't even make it to the hospital. Poor, sweet Jess came over to stay with Campbell in case we had to go the hospital, and I'm sure she saw me in a whole new light that night! I know you all know I can exaggerate, but this was no joke - the worst thing I have EVER had. And I am quite experienced in the stomach bug arena - I was hospitalized for it 4 times when we lived in Mobile! It even rivaled childbirth... I thought I was going to die. (and at some point probably wanted to...) All that to say, Ben is now not feeling good this morning - lets just hope we can spare poor Campbell!

On to the good news... after much praying and with some birthday money from mom and dad (thank you!) I found a temporary spot at the Mothers Day Out at Briarwood. Campbell is SUPER busy these days, and doesn't love running errands anymore - I don't blame her! To give her (and me) a break and let her do something fun instead of run to the bank, pharmacy, etc. - she gets to go to school! Her buddy Winston is even in her class! We are so thankful for this! They get to play with friends, have snack, play outside, do crafts, and learn from God's Word. Her first day was Friday, and I was so excited about it - until I got sick. So Daddy got to take her, and she did really well. She made a pom-pom (which she said perfectly when telling me about it) and anytime I asked her anything about school she would just say "Oh,boy!" and smile really big. She loved it! This spot is only hers until the end of December, so I am praying something else will open up.

Hope you all have a STOMACH-BUG FREE weekend - WAR EAGLE!

She has stolen my heart...

I love being Campbell's mom... not that we don't have our bad days - very bad days - but there are also many moments that make all those days worth it. For example:

-This morning when I went in to get her up, I picked her up and she touched my face and hair and said "pretty..." ONLY my child could think that I was pretty at 8am with no make up, bedhead, morning breath and in pjs. She made my day...

-She always says Bens name 1,000 times a day wondering where he is, and I respond "Daddys at work baby - he will be home soon." She then repeats "soon....". So now she will just save time and tell herself "Dada...soon." :( I hate that he has to work so much... She picked up a framed picture of the 2 of them this morning, brought it to me and said "kiss,hug!" She then took it, kissed Bens face and hugged the frame for like 10 minutes. I was in tears!

-She loves our dog Bailey, and now Bailey is finally warming up to her too. She will let Campbell hug and kiss her - which are 2 of Campbells favorite things. They also love to play chase. She always looks forward to coming home to see "Baweeeey" and to personally let her out of the kennel. Today we pulled in the garage from a trip to the grocery store and she yelled "Baweeeeey!" I said, "Yeah baby - we get to go see Bailey! What do you think she has been doing?" and Campbell matter-of-factly answered "Barking." :) I didn't even know she knew that word...

Enjoy your day - and this GREAT fall weather!

Test Results

PRAISE THE LORD! Ben got his test results back, and he is HIV negative! We are so very thankful for this... and for all your prayers.

O LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness
you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1

Thankful

I am thankful for many things - one of which is my parents. They have loved me and bent over backwards for me my whole life - and still do. They are so generous to help with Campbell, and most importantly - love her like I do. They took her for a few days so she could spend time with them, and so I could clean our filthy house! :) THANK YOU honey and papa for loving us with a selfless love...

I am also thankful for the prayers of friends and family, and the peace and protection of Christ. Bens second HIV test is tomorrow, and God has been so gracious to give Ben and I peace throughout this process. I usually don't get updset/worried until a few days before each test, which I am so thankful for! Thank you for all of your prayers, and please be praying for this test tomorrow afternoon.

He is supposed to be "in the clear" after this 12 week test, but there is a slim chance things could change. Ben being the wise husband he is, reminded me that the Lord is using this situation (especially in those he works with that ask about this) and that we shouldn't rely on the facts and statistics for our comfort - but that our trust should be completely in the Lord. A husband who loves the Lord... another thing I am thankful for.

1 Chronicles 29:13
Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name...

PS - sorry for another post without pictures - pictures of our beach trip coming soon!

A Simple Reminder...

I love how the Lord using so many different things in our lives to teach us - especially our children. I am just now beginning to experience this since Campbell is so young, but it is such a blessing.

We have tried to teach her to stay still and quiet when we pray before meals, but that doesn't always happen. She recently started folding her hands with us, and has always been good about yelling amen (usually to hurry daddy up so we can eat!) ... Then the other night we were hurridly sitting down to eat and as I was about to take a bite I heard her yell "PAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!" It took me a mintue, but when I realized her hands were folded and she was reminding me to PRAY (pronounced paaaaaay), I almost cried. I was in such a hurry, and even at 19 months Campbell knew I was forgetting something important.

I often think I am the one teaching Campbell, but so often SHE is the one teaching ME... thank you Lord.