Up, Up, and AWAY!!

So, my ridiculously awesome wife surprised me with a SKYDIVING trip for my birthday this year!! I have always wanted to go, but of late, Katie had "convinced" me that it wasn't a good idea, now that we have a child to look after and stuff. So I had kinda given up on the idea. Then, a couple days before my birthday, she got Campbell to come out with a piece of paper that Campbell had colored that said "Happy Birthday Daddy" on it, but on the other side were pictures of people skydiving with my and her brother's face on them(she got him to go with me). I was very surprised, but unfortunately showed it by not acting all that excited. I was shocked and actually VERY pumped! Anyway, we went this past Saturday at a place outside Atlanta.

It was easily THE coolest thing I have ever done! I mean really, how much cool stuff do people do that would be more awesome than skydiving? I jumped tandem as you can see from the pictures below and a cameraman videoed the whole thing which was really nice to have. Man! It was awesome! We jumped from 14,000 ft. and pulled the chute at about 5,000 ft. Free fall for at least a full minute, then sailed down the rest of the way over about 7-8 minutes. The falling sensation lasts for about 2-3 seconds until your velocity plateaus, then it just feels like a giant fan is blowing wind at you, and its really loud. After the chute opens its dead silent and all you hear is the gentle flapping of the chute and you can look around and enjoy the view. Landing was smooth and everything. We were asking the guys how much it would cost to get all our own gear and learn to do it on our own. Because after you get certified its only about $20-30 for a "lift ticket" for them to take you up. Not too bad.












Anyway, check out the picks and give Kate major props for the most awesome birthday present ever.

True or False, I have the best wife ever and you're jealous she's not yours? I'll save you the thinking . . . TRUE!

Pregnancy - Not my own, but even better...

Its Kendall!!!

One of my best friends from college has been trying to get pregnant for over 2 years, and it has been a very long road... but she called me on Friday and told me some of the best news I have ever heard - they are going to have a baby!! After Invitro, IUI, all kinds of medicine, and lots of tears - its has finally happened. The best part is, her doctor gave her a 9% chance of getting pregnant with this past procedure, and God showed her!! If you want to hear an amazing story of God's faithfulness to a wonderful couple that loves their Lord - ask me more...

On that same note, for those of you that don't know - Ben and I have been trying to get pregnant for over a year now. I just went to the doctor several weeks ago, and am still having some test run and praying about what to do next. This has already been a tough road to travel, but we are clinging to His promise that He who loved us enough to give us His only son, will not withold any good thing... (Psalm 84) He knows what is "good" for me - I don't. And if you ask Kendall about her story, she will tell you that she is so much closer to her savior after these several years - and as much as I want another baby, I want that more...

I had a progesterone test done today to see if my hormone levels are normal, and now Ben and I are still just praying about where to go from here... would you pray for that too?

And PRAISE GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW for the sweet miracle growing inside Kendall - her positive pregnancy test made me happier than if it was my own! Please continue to pray for her, Will, and baby Ainsworth in the weeks and months ahead...

Its gone...for Now

As you know, I have been looking for a way to get rid of our beloved paci for a while now... and this weekend the opportunity presented itself, and I went for it - or should I say, Ben went for it...

We were in Auburn this weekend, and I left Campbells bear and duck (her sleeping buddies) and 1 or her 2 paci's in the crib at my parents house by accident. Then we "lost" the other paci in the car on the way home. I had a baby shower to go to right when we got back, so Ben put Campbell down for her nap, and couldn't find a paci... so being the great dad he is - he jumped at the chance to be done with it for good! He put her down without it, and she did great. Took a 2 hour nap. Then last night we had a little harder time getting her to sleep without it, but finally did and she slept until almost 8. Yea!

Now, however, it is 3:30 in the afternoon and I am still trying to get her to take a nap... but I am trying to be strong! Hopefully we have given it up for good... Now if I can just tackle potty training...

HELP

So we have quite a few changes coming up to make that might stir Campbell's life up a bit... I want to first take away the paci, second start potty training, and third move her to a big girl bed. Wow - I just get tired thinking of it... The paci will be more sad for me than her I think - it just brings her so much comfort. I hate to take that away. Oh well! Potty training is also a very scary thought... I have read all I can, and think I have all the necessary things to start. The big girl bed is not as high of a priority - she has never thought about climbing out (knock on wood) and still loves her crib. Plus, I was hoping to switch her to a new room and big girl bed when I got pregnant - but since that doesn't seem to be happening any time soon, we might have to just put her new bed in her current room. I hate to give up a guest room if I don't have to!

All that to say, can anyone give me their great pearls of wisdom on these 3 things? I know those of you that have been there and done that will be better than any book... so help! Please! I just remember back to the baby stages being so hard because they changed so fast - and as soon as you thought you had one phase mastered, it was on to a new one... Well, I feel like we have gotten things down and had things easy for quite a while now - and going back into unchartered territory is NOT something I am looking forward to!

Thanks for your help... I'll leave you with a few recent favorite Campbell stories...

-Tonight I was about to spank her for spitting out her milk (a new favorite of hers) and as I turned her over my knee she screamed "I obey God! I obey God!" :) Its hard for your discipline to be effective when you are grinning from ear to ear!

-I have asked her lately when she has 2 things if she wants both (pacis, toys, etc)... She then put together that both meant 2, so she now says "2 both" instead of 2 or both. example: "I want 2 both pieces of apple mommy." I love it!

Sweet Friends, Sweet Kids, Sweet Brother

A good friend from college that lives in Dallas flew in to the beach a few weeks ago, and another friend from Birmingham and I drove down to see her - and took our girls! Jessica and I took little Evelyn and Campbell for the 5-6 hour trip down - and it was interesting! We hadn't seen Whitney since her wedding over 3 years ago - so we were overdue for some hang out time... and she hadn't met Campbell! It was really good to see her - and the girls loved the beach. The ride down and back was another story... lets just say I'm glad Jess and I made it back alive. Whitneys sweet husband, his brother, and her dad were all there too - and were such a big help with the girls! Whitneys husband even found Campbell a crab at the beach! (and she still talks about it!) Thanks Max! And thanks for a wonderful trip Whit - hope your birthday was wonderful!

Also, I went with some girls from our church last Friday to a womens shelter downtown to put on a May Day Carnival for the kids. It was so wonderful - the kids had a great time, and they melted my heart. We had a inflatable donated, snow cones, face painting, and lots more fun things. Our church does things weekly there, and I can't wait to go back - and take Campbell! Here are a few pictures from the day...



Then, my sweet brother came in town last weekend - and we all took Campbell to the park. Campbel LOVES her Uncle Brian and every second she gets to spend with him!

The Red Bubble Gum

It happened. Campbell put something in her mouth so gross - it made me sick.

A friend and I took the kids to McDonalds after Bible study to play and have lunch since it was so pretty. The kids were playing outside on the playset, and I ran in to get a refill on my drink. When I came back, my friend said - "I think Campbell has something in her mouth..."

No, I had not given her anything - we had finished lunch. This was something she must have found on the playset... YUCK! I could smell the fruity scent as I grabbed a wipe and crammed it in her mouth yelling at her to spit it out, and when I reached in her mouth I pulled out a big wad of CHEWED UP RED BUBBLE GUM... are your stomachs churning yet? Who knows whose gum that was!! And my child was chewing on it!! I'm sure this has happened many times to others, but I thought I was going to pass out. I just hope there aren't too many strange diseases that can be passed from chewing others gum...

YUM! :)

The INhumane Society

I am very sad... I LOVE dogs, and most animals in general. I am NOT an animal rights fanatic, however. But the Humane Society and SPCA commercials on TV always make me cry, and make me want to send money. NO dog should go without food or be mistreated - and it breaks my heart to know that happens. So usually, I would want to support any organization that helped them...

Until now! My dad is a Wildlife Biologist and works for the US Department of Agriculture. Through work he came across an article on the US Humane Society - and sent it to me the other day. It was so sad - apparenly, the President of the Humane Society makes over $500,000 a year and has his own limo driver full time. Also, the organization gives less than 4% - yes 4% - of their profits to animal shelters!! Can you believe that? I am furious... its nothing but a money making scheme. This article was run by several papers - even the New York Post had done an investigation.

So moral of the story is - if you want to give your money to help homeless pets - GIVE IT DIRECTLY TO YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER - that is the only way they will get it! Most of these animal activist groups don't really have the interest of the animals in mind at all - just their bank accounts...

Jesus is Alive!

Jesus is Alive mommy! These were the sweet words I heard for weeks until Easter... the funny thing is, Jesus doesn't stop being alive nor do we need to stop reminding ourselves of that fact just because Easter is over. We love and serve a RISEN Lord -
every day of the year!

Our Easter was really special. Campbell started the week before with a party at school, and an Egg Hunt at the park and at Dawson Baptist that Saturday. Ben had to work unfortunately, but sweet Aunt Jess came along for the ride instead! We did get to take daddy dinner to work though - which Campbell loved. She loves to go visit him at the "hapital". At the park Campbell got to jump in the jumping castle, ride the carosel, decorate egg cookies, play with a bubble machine, and attempt to ride a pony. Emphasis on ATTEMPT... she loves horses, so I thought - "hey, this will be great! she would love a pony ride..." So Jess and I wait in the blazing hot sun in a long line for this. Of course when I put her on the pony, she looses it. Maybe next year!

Good Friday night my parents and brother kept Cambpell in Auburn so Ben and I could go to the Secret Church at The Church at Brookhills. We had been once before and were so excited to go again. This is an awesome night the church does twice a year, where they meet on Friday night from 6pm to Midnight for teaching, worship, and to hear missionaries from various areas of the world where the church is persecuted. They translate the teaching from these nights into hundreds of languages to be used as teaching material for these persecuted churches around the world. Its amazing. What a great way to start Easter weekend...

Saturday Ben and I had a little lunch date and he took me to the indoor shooting range here. I said I would go with him as part of his Valentines present - and he took me up on it. :) I really didn't want to go - I am not opposed to guns since I grew up around them, but I do not share this hobby with my husband. Until now... I loved it!! My shooting wasn't too bad either... The details from that trip could be a whole post in itself. :) Then my parents brought Campbell back that night and went to church and lunch with us for Easter. We loved having them here - thanks for coming Honey and Papa!

Campbell got a fun Easter basket with some of her favorites - Easter jewelry, some rings that had lipgloss in them (a mistake i later realized) stickers, candy - and a new table and chairs that are just her size from Honey and Papa. Uncle Brian gave her a huge stuffed duck she fondly calls Charlie Duck, and Aunt Vanny gave her a cute new bathing suit and tshirt she has been carrying around in its bag for days. Aunt Sue sent her a new Elmo book and stickers - she was spoiled! Thanks everyone! We also did a little Easter egg hunt at home, and spent good quality time with some friends that night. It was a great weekend!

My Alarm Clock

I have the most wonderful alarm clock... her name is Campbell.

She doesn't wake me up until 7:30 or 8am usually, which I love. (this was not always the case...) Today, she woke me up with the most beautiful sound... no crying, but a song instead.

As I opened my eyes I heard something on the monitor that went like this...

"twinkle twinkle wittle staa, how i wonda what you arrrr... up abud da woold so high, wike a diamon in da skyyyyy... twinkle twinkle wittle staaa, how i wonda what you arrrrr"

LOVE IT!!

(i know - still no pictures... waiting to get them on the computer, then i'll have some good ones - i promise!)

More Toddler Talk

So today I was changing Campbell and she looked at me and said "Daddy spanks for God." I was amazed! She is too funny...

Ben and I try to explain to her that when she disobeys, she has to have a spanking - since God tells us in the Bible to obey. And just like she has to obey mommy and daddy, mommy and daddy have to obey God. I kind of thought I was telling her these things more to get in the habit for later - but sounds like she might already get it! :) Now if I could get to understand the OBEY part....

I know, I know - its time for some pictures... I'll try to get some up soon.

Peek a Boo with Jesus

So, I know I haven't posted in a while - but seriously, there hasn't been too much going on around here... but for the sake of posting, here is a conversation I had in the car with Campbell this morning - but first let me set the stage... Bens parents gave her some playing cards that have people from the Bible on them (Adam & Eve, Jonah, etc) but Campbell only recognizes Adam and Eve, and calls the rest of them Jesus. :) She was playing with them in the car when this conversation took place...

CAMPBELL: Peek a boo Jesus!
Mommy, where did Jesus go?

ME: I don't know, Campbell - where is Jesus?

CAMPBELL: Here he is! Peek a boo Jesus! (laughs)
Want a bite Jesus?
Mommy, Jesus is hungry!

ME: He is?

CAMPBELL: Yes... here Jesus - eat this in your mouth.
Night Night Jesus... mommy he sleepy.

ME: Night night Jesus.


Oh, conversations with a 2 year old... she does have a vivid imagination! :)
Enjoy your Monday...

Campbells Bday

(scroll over pics for a caption - some of them were cut short)

campbell had a fun-packed birthday week... on tuesday (feb 3) - her actual birthday -we took cookies to school and she had a little party there. honey and papa (my parents) came in town, and we had cake that night before wheel a fortune. then on saturday all our family came in town from auburn and atlanta and we took her to chuck e cheese... i thought this would be a hit - and the games and pizza were - but NOT the mouse, chuck e cheese himself. she FLIPPED! for days she kept saying, "all done mouse!" guess we'll have to wait a few years to go to disney... we still had fun, and my brother brian and his girlfriend savannah came in town that night. campbells got to show them the park, and her favorite ice cream place. i can't believe she is already two - she'll be driving before we know it...

Sunny Cali

So here are the long overdue pics from the LA trip... did my girl Hannah do good or what? $40,000 - not too shabby... Sorry, no pics from the show - they didn't even allow cameras anywhere near the studio. And yes, there is a picture of Amanda Bynes (What I like about you, Hairspray, etc)and her man thats on The Hills (Villacampas - y'all will be impressed!)... we saw them in their Range Rover and got a picture as she turned her head! :) I love that we got to walk on the beach in January - it was over 85 degrees!

Dear friends and family...

We are not ignoring you, nor have we forgotten to call you back - or call you at all... we are out of minutes! I hate this time of the month - the end of the billing cycle, when every month without fail - we run out of minutes early. I'm sure you are asking, "why not get more minutes?" I ask Ben the same question... :) But we are trying to work with this plan for now, so until this weekend - we can only text, and we are almost out of text messages too... perfect. :)

For those of you with verizon - we can talk for free! Otherwise, we'll have to put our conversations on hold until the weekend. :) Stay tuned for LOTS of pictures from the weekend and Campbells birthday...

Have a great Monday!

Tomorrow - The Big Day

 

 

 

Campbell Grace is TWO! Tomorrow, Feb. 3rd - my little girl will be two... the pictures above are of the day she was born, her 1st birthday, and today. Its amazing to see how fast she has grown, and to remember the days that she couldn't walk or talk - and now she is saying full sentences, counting above 10, saying the ABCs, singing Jesus loves me, telling me she loves me and the name of our new president. :) i wish i could go back and relive it again - even the bad days. but since i can't, i am going to try to love the here and now and cherish it - even the bad days. :) i love you my sweet little girl - your dad and i could not have prayed for a more wonderful child - we love you to pieces!


Side Notes:

-tomorrow is also big because it is my friend Hannah's (and maybe a bit of me too) debut on WHEEL OF FORTUNE! if you are in birmingham in is on ABC 33/40 at 6:30pm. Don't miss it! :)

-HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS! today is one of my most special and oldest friends birthday... i love you and am so thankful for you!