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Dec11
Category Archives: Family
Nov30
30 Days
I tried my hardest to participate fully in NaBloPoMo but of course I missed a day and definitely phoned in more than one picture post. I do feel like it was a great reminder to put my blog closer to the top of my priority list and if for nothing else than that, I’m glad I made the effort.
Over the last 30 days I have seen the regular posts on Facebook documenting something my friends were thankful for each day. I didn’t participate but now I would like to take the time to fill in my 30 days of thankfulness.
1. The Lord. I would not be who I am without my service for the Lord.
2. Gabe. He is truly my other half and makes me better than anything I would be without him.
3. Aiden and Olivia. I would normally list them separately, as they are so individual, but they made me a mother and fill the piece in my heart so completely that I never knew was empty before they came along.
4. My grandma. She is truly the only mother I have ever known and taught me what it is to love and nurture a family. I am thankful she is healthy and happy and enjoys my children so fully.
5. My aunts. Without my mom in my life I could have had something missing but there never was because of my aunts. Linda and Cheryl brought more love to me and my brother than one person ever could and spoil my children beyond belief. They love it!! 🙂
6. My in-laws. There are a million horror stories out there about terrible in-laws and I’m glad to say I don’t have that. I have in-laws who treat me like their own and have given me the chance to have the sisters I never got to have growing up.
7. Friends. There aren’t words enough to say what my friends mean to me. I have friends who I’ve known for YEARS (I’m looking at you Brandi!), friends who I feel like I’ve known for years (Kimmie!), long distance friends I’ve never met in real life (Jenn and Dawn!), and nursing friends who walked with me through our battle and came out on the other side (too many of you crazies to list!). Each and every one of them has meant something important to me and filled a place in my life that would have been harder and emptier without them.
8. My career. I worked so very hard to earn my career and become a nurse. It means something to me that I can say that I’m an RN.
9. My job. Yes, it’s different than a career. I love my job. I just became full-time this week and could not be happier. In this economy a job is not guaranteed, even with an education, and I feel immensely blessed to have mine.
10. Our home. It is our sanctuary from the world and I am glad for it every day. I love coming home and relaxing at the end of the day and having a little private place that is just ours.
Ok, those were all serious things, now for the silly.
11. Coffee. I LOVE COFFEE. It makes me happy and it tastes like heaven and it is my friend.
12. Chocolate. Right up there with coffee.
13. Purses. I love a beautiful handbag. I love new ones and old ones. I love when the seasons change and it’s time to bring out a different purse.
14. Shoes. Gabe doesn’t like it (there’s just too many of them!) but I love shoes. The more the better and multiple pairs for every occasion. Love. Them.
15. Shopping. Even when I don’t buy anything I love to look and try things on and consider the possibilities.
16. Books. Finding an adventure in the written word is a gift.
17. Movies. My imagination can only go so far and seeing the creations that come alive on the big screen is more than my tiny brain could ever come up with.
18. Technology. I love computers and tablets and phones. Pretty much anything with fancy lights and whistles gets my attention. I think I get that from my dad, I still remember the first dial-up modem he brought home.
19. Dogs. Specifically our dogs. I love animals and our dogs are big sweeties.
20. Good pens. I have worked in offices for so long that good pens mean a LOT to me. Mine are pink so that they stand out and I can nab them if someone else picks them up.
21. Holidays. Whether it be Thanksgiving or Halloween or Labor Day, I love taking time and slowing down and recognizing different moments in life.
22. My car. Long story short, our car died and we had no idea what we were going to do. Our car came at just the right time and at just the right cost.
23. Gabe’s truck. Yep, they’re separate because they were two separate blessings. Gabe now has an extended can and it makes it so much easier with the kiddos.
24. Naps. Enough said.
25. Slippers. When you’re on your feet a lot during the day, having soft fuzzy slippers waiting at home is fabulous.
26. Christmas lights. It’s that time of the year and I’m like a kid when it comes to driving around to see them.
27. Music. I love almost all genres and can sing along to almost anything. Cranking up the sound in my car and shouting out lyrics is a huge stress reliever.
28. Breakfast. It’s my favorite meal of the day!
29. Restaurants. As much as I love to cook, having it brought to me is something to be thankful for.
30. Pictures. If you can’t tell from this space, I take a lot of pictures. I have a strong need to document and capture moments.
So there you have it. The month of November is done but I have no intention of abandoning this space in December. We shall see!
Nov29
Thanksgiving Happiness
Nov26
School Breaks Are Rough
My kids are creatures of habit. They know what we do and when we do it. They know that they get up, eat breakfast, get cajoled in to getting dressed, and get on the bus to head to school. From there the school takes over the routine. When school is out they get on the bus, get home to their dad or myself waiting (or both) and get inside for an afternoon snack. Homework usually comes next, then dinner, play time and bed.
None of this is ridiculously rigid or timed to the minute but it’s pretty basic and happens Mon-Fri. But not during a school break. School breaks are different.
I still have to work and so does Gabe. That means the kiddos go to grandma’s house or a babysitter. They are both wonderful options but it’s not the same as what they do all other days. When this happens, tiny humans get grumpy. They are off somehow, not quite the same and definitely more irritable.
While I think school breaks are a good thing, I also think they’re rough on working parents and rough on kiddos that are off their routines. I’m ready to sleep in on Thursday but of course, that will probably be the day the kiddos decide earlier is better and my internal clock says I need to be up no matter what l would like to have happen. Ugh, apparently I’m a creature of routine too.
Nov23
They Make Me Smile
Nov13
Wordless Wednesday – Goofballs
Nov12
Making It Better
There were multiple times yesterday that I cried. Sometimes it was sadness, sometimes shock and sometimes just plain anger at the situation and the senselessness of it all.
Gabe knew I was sad and he told the kids that mommy had a bad day. Of course the kids asked what happened and Gabe told them my friend had died. When I got home these were waiting for me:
My sweet babies didn’t want me to be sad and wanted me to know how much they love me. These small, wonderful things are what make the tragedies in this life just a little bit easier to navigate.
Nov10
Children’s Birthday Parties
I would like to take this time to say thank you to each and every person who has ever come to one of my children’s birthday parties. Seriously, you all deserve medals.
Aiden was very kindly invited to the birthday party of a classmate today. I was scheduled to work 12:45-4:00 and the party was to take place from 2:00-4:00 at a local children’s bounce house/arcade establishment. This meant that poor Gabe was tasked with taking the kiddos on his own. With a stroke of luck I was able to leave work at 2:30 and meet up with the crew to help out.
Children’s birthday parties are ROUGH. There was a large crowd in addition to the birthday crew and to say it was sensory overload is to speak a very large understatement. There was pizza and cupcakes, bouncing and games. There was also screaming and running and being pulled in every direction.
More than likely one of our two children’s next birthday celebrations (maybe both) will be held at this establishment (and we know the owners – the kids absolutely LOVE it) so I apologize now for the sensory overload experience I will one day foist upon you. I do have to say, though, I am very glad these places exist because I’m not sure my living room can handle another of the kiddo’s birthday parties.
Nov9
Simply Thankful Saturday – Veteran’s Day Edition
Monday is Veteran’s Day. My father served in the Navy and in the Navy Reserves. During World War II my grandfather served in the Navy and after his time in the Navy he joined the Army. They served our country well and raised me to respect this country and the service of every man and woman in the military.
Thank you to Max E. Campbell, Jr. and Max E. Campbell, Sr. for all you did and for giving me the love of this country I have. And thank you to every man, woman and family that sacrifices every day for everything I have. Sincerely, thank you.
Nov8
I Love Fall
The smell of fall leaves, mums on porches, pumpkins everywhere. Yep, I love fall. The leaves in Indiana have turned a little late but we have the prettiest yellows, reds, and oranges right now.
I’m sure when it starts threatening snow soon I will have longings for summer but until then I will enjoy scenes like these.
Modesty Unleashed 