This Is Us

Bottom Teeth

2012-02-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Just as Daylan LOSES his....

Ryler GROWS in his.

Sure a lot of work for a quick 6 years.

Ears Pierced- Take 2

2012-02-09T23:02:00.000-07:00

Back in September, days before Kaylea's 9th Birthday she told me she wanted her ears pierced...again.

She had her ears pierced when she was 5 but wouldn't ever let me clean them so we had to take them out. (plus they were kinda crooked anyways...)

With the holes all covered over, she decided to brave the gun again...

{...perhaps a little bit more scary when the lady doing it had a bazillion piercings just on her face."

"Elfie"= our new BFF

2012-01-19T11:10:00.000-07:00

"Elfie"...named by Jaxson, joined our Christmas traditions this year & he is quite the character. The kids would jump out of bed each morning & run to find him! They found him doing things like:

One morning we found he had turned the milk green. Jax thought it was hilarious!

I even found him on our moving truck...I guess he didn't want to be left behind.

He colored ALL our noses green when we were asleep!

Hip Hop King ♔

2012-01-19T10:55:00.011-07:00

Spence's first competition of the season....

He had a BLAST!

... & just happened to win 1st place in their division while doing it.

Their Dance Company won 1st Overall!

...do you see him?

Here is the video of them at the Kar competition. He's the tallest blonde in the green on the far left.

Then here is the performance him & his buddy Ezra did right before Christmas. They choreographed it themselves & performed it at the park for a neighborhood/ward Christmas party. He's in the green again.

*I'm so glad Spence has found something that he loves to do so much and that he can stay active, get stronger and gain confidence while doing it!

Saying "Good-Bye"

2012-01-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

Finally it was time to say our good byes....

And before the big storm came into Provo, we were....

Love the nostalgic smell of Utah rain. It just is different than Az rain.

We said goodbye and headed for our 10+ hour drive home.

It was all worth it...

More Family Trip Fun...

2012-01-19T09:01:00.001-07:00

Another fun thing we did was go to a fun place there in Provo/Orem area where the kids could play some carnival type games. Spencer spied this climbing arena & insisted he do it! They got all harnessed up & climbed to their little hearts content. Spence has been a climber since birth & was in heaven.

Spence had a blast although admitting it was a little scary... Even Aunt Lacey did it to prove her agility & toughness! ;)

While in Salt Lake Tim's brother Brian turned 40! His cute family arranged for everyone in the restaurant to sing to him & then they opened up the roof as he let go of his Birthday wish balloon! I love how he is holding Claire in this picture. {I love to think that if it were Tim doing this, he would have a child in his arms too. They get that from their Dad..making the ch ildren the focus even when the spotlight is on them.~such a Christlike attribute.}

Whatcha think....brothers?

"Hang Loose Dude..."

About time to head home...

Lovin' BYU Classes, Students & Campus

2012-01-13T09:45:00.005-07:00

Kaylea & Auntie Sara--who's more like a big sister

So the funnest part of the trip was visiting our little sisters

on the BYU campus.While there, I went to a Book of Mormon Class

& a Child Development Class with Sara.

{Now we can say I went to BYU... ;)

I think I looked like I fit in pretty good with the young'ens although I was tempted so many times to raise my hand and make comments in the child development class because I felt like I could give a lot of insight...haha.

I actually took notes & learned a ton! Was reminded & relearning things such as "out of sight -out of mind" & Animistic Thinking which is where your 2 yr old thinks inanimate objects have lifelike qualities. The most helpful thing I learned WAS: to try what is often taught by the older Japanese generation. When your child won't eat their veggies, tell them "this carrot is SO sad...he wants to go in your mouth too!"

...Works like a charm with Jax -Try it!!

~Love Learning!~

Tim & I both took turns going to Lacey & Ashlyn's Mission Prep Class. This is a class I think is good for ALL to take since we are all to be "Member Missionaries." The teacher was amazing and gave wonderful stories, insight & explained doctrine at the same time. That I think, is the recipe for a great teacher.

these cute girlies are looking more and more alike as they get older!

Jaxson's 1st Time Bowling

We went bowling & ate on Campus with the Fam & the other Campbells.

{Spence & Kaylea both announced to us that they would like to go to BYU some day.} ☺

~General Conference~

2012-01-08T10:40:00.003-07:00

Our real purpose in taking this trip was so that Spencer & Kaylea could attend their 1st session of General Conference. This has been Kaylea's dream since she turned 8! We even sacrificed our Summer Vacation to come here instead since we couldn't afford to do both. There were 2 specific miracles that happened to us previously that got us to this destination. Number One: Tim was allowed after just a few weeks of working his new job to take off for a week & come. This went directly against company policy & we feel it was a miracle. Then the other is what happened on the car ride up. I've come to recognize more often the tender mercies that happen often in all of our lives and realize they are not coincidences but rather little miracles that just show us that God is always with us.

Because we didn't have pre arranged tickets we were going off of faith that we'd get in. So Saturday morning after the first session we walked down a few blocks to Temple Square and started our search. Spence held a sign that said: "Need Tickets-It's My 1st Time.."

With just minutes before the next session started & with help from other family members we had tickets for us to get in, but they were in different areas. My sis Sara & Tim watched the 3 little ones while Spence, Kaylea & I went into the Saturday Afternoon Session. Spencer's ticket was on the floor & mine and Kaylea's was on one of the higher balconies.

Spencer insisted to me that he would be fine on his own and that he really wanted to do this. I trusted that he'd be okay alone & off he went. Afterwards he told us that he ended up like 5-8 rows from the front!!... and could see the expressions on the Prophet & Apostles faces. Come to find out, two older ladies had helped him get to the front which truly made this a memory & experience he will NEVER forget. I know this kid has a special work here on the earth to do & I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of these kind of experiences for him.

I enjoyed the quiet time I got to have with Kaylea up in the balcony. She laid on my lap, held my hand & journaled right along with me. We sang loudly with conviction the hymns that we had such belief in. We got to stand & sing "Praise To The Man". She happened to know it since it was in the Primary Program this year. It was powerful..so much so that the lump in my throat didn't allow me to get very many notes out. Some of the words that spoke to me the most were "Traitors & Tyrants now fight him in vain..."

~Just minutes before we sang this, there was one of those protestors outside the Conference Center, who just happened to be standing literally 4 feet away from me & my innocent daughter. He had a megaphone yelling things like: "You are being lied to, Joseph Smith was a foolish man who made up stories"....& on & on. He was an inch off the Conference Center's property so he was allowed to stay. Kaylea & I talked back & forth about looking in someone's eyes to know if they are good or evil; and this man had angry, disturbing, evil eyes that she I'm sure will always remember. The hundreds of people in line that could hear/see him were calmly ignoring him. He wanted someone to argue back or be affected but we weren't.

~Our testimonies go much deeper...So much deeper than {these} people will ever realize. And then just minutes later as the MILLIONS of members around the Globe sang "traitors & tyrants now fight him in vain...", it hit me! These protestors, nay-sayers, politicians, etc.. They might hope to persuade one or many but they are doing it in vain, because the course of the Gospel is in stone & will not be affected. (They are definitely fighting in vain!) My only hope in all of this was that this little girl (pictured below) would have her blossoming testimony strengthened & I believe it truly was.

I love just being on any Temple grounds, but especially the grounds of the Salt Lake Temple. My heart is tender as I think about our pioneer ancestors who spent over 40 years building this. Heartache after heartache & many of them never even got to see the final outcome. They definitely knew of it's eternal nature and the role it played.

~During the Priesthood Session that evening, some of us girls sat on the beautiful temple grounds & enjoyed the sunset and conversation. Another group of us went shopping with all the other LDS females in the world...no really that's unwritten Mormon tradition. While the men get spiritually fed, we have female bonding time. I love it! Then they come out all spiritually uplifted & happy. I enjoyed watching the sky change over time with the Temple in the foreground.

This is my Aunt Deeanna with two of her girls. I'm her favorite niece...no really I am. She is the Mother of 8 children (5 of whom they fostered and then adopted)...and now they are almost all grown up. I could swear they were just babies. We don't get to see them often being that they live so far away, so it was so nice to see them & spend a little time with them in Provo & Salt Lake. Of the thousands of people there we continued to run into them & we giggled each time we did.

{Joining us in SLC were many Family members including my parents, my sisters Sara, Brittany (& Scott), Tim's parents, his sisters Ashlyn, Lacey (& Jordan) & his brother Brian's family. We got to spend time a little time with all of them.}

For the other sessions of Conference we enjoyed just

chillin' in our Hotel room all cuddled up....

My 5 boys...

...And us girls taking notes!

{We were lucky enough to have Aunt Sara stay with us & catch up on lost time.}

There is nothing I love more than feeling the Spirit as I watch & hear the music and words spoken and sung at General Conference. The best part is that we are all together, snuggled up as we contemplate the things that matter most in this life and the eternities.

This General Conference was as enriching as all others. Just so happens to be that this time we got to be right there where it all took place...and we felt very blessed for it.

Watch out for Random Posts coming your way...

2012-01-08T09:04:00.001-07:00

Life is FINALLY slowing down enough so that I can catch up on some probably 30 or so posts that I'm behind on. I get so irritated when I'm behind since this is my photo journal to pass on to my kids some day.

For 2012 I will try & just get the posts published soon after they happen even if photos aren't edited & journaling isn't complete. ✍
...They will come very randomly-- so don't be confused! ☺

Here goes nothing....

Praying & Partying

2011-11-17T22:16:00.005-07:00

~We had a scary moment as we drove the first night. We had set up a hotel reservation to stay in Kanab, which looking back now was just too far to drive for the first night, being that we didn't leave till Tim got off work till 6:00. Kids were all asleep and everything was going great until ...oh 11 something. We came upon the point where you had to turn or go straight...both said Page. Well, Tim turned. I said "I think we should have gone straight"...he insisted I was wrong of course. While driving down this new road we hear the lovely sound of ding-ding-ding. We look down & see that the light has come on for the gas tank indicating it is low....we keep driving with no signs of life, or gas stations anywhere. I got a pit in my stomach. Still we continued on... For a few brief moments I was planning in my head that we would be stranded and would be sleeping in our car. At this point, Tim & I were talking in raised voices, which awoke all of the kids & led to 4 out of the 5 crying...no more like screaming. They were uncomfortable & had been abruptly awakened. It was awful.

..................

~Long story short we turned around back to the original route...instant peace. I knew we made the right decision as we putted into the town of Page just in time to fill up that empty tank of ours. We all jumped out of the car, breathed in the brisk fresh air and welcomed the small raindrops on our heads. All kids were full of smiles as they realized we wouldn't have to be on the show: "I Shouldn't Be Alive" ...No really they thought that. The kids had been praying in the car, out loud & simultaneously ..they were so scared. Our phones were not working of course when we needed them most-terrible feeling. The funny thing was looking back later that night, both our moms had text us around the exact time that we were about to be "stranded." ....

`Call it what you want=Mother's Intuition/Promptings from the Holy Ghost/Being watched over from above. I think all apply.

....................

~We finally arrived about 1am to our Hotel and all slept so soundly that night. The next morning we enjoyed the beautiful weather & scenery as we finished the drive to Provo.

After the long travels we finally arrived!

We went straight to the Provo Mall...a nostalgic favorite...

And then we were off to meet my family at Granddad Curtis' 90th Birthday! We met at the end of my grandparents street which is on the top of a beautiful hill overlooking...

...the town of Provo.

~While there, we could hear the roars of the crowd as the BYU Cougars scored! I thought about how my Grandparents used to go to those games religiously & came draped in head to toe BYU paraphernalia. They of course cannot do that anymore & it made me realize and remember that life flies by. {Someday I won't have 5 yelling kids in the car... This time will pass & I have to take it all in now while I still can.}

We enjoyed seeing cousins & family we hadn't seen in quite a while. My kids embraced Aunt Sara that they had missed so much. All the young ones & young at heart rolled down the gigantic hill. (They don't have hills like that in AZ.) And I don't know why I didn't get a picture of Grandma & Granddad together...silly me. I must've been too busy stuffing my face.

~And then we headed off into the sunset, okay north of the sunset, and off to Salt Lake to check into our hotel.

....After all, we had a Conference to attend to.

Ready for Take-Off...

2011-11-15T09:23:00.001-07:00

So we took the kids out of school before Fall Break a day early for K & D and a week early for Spence. We headed up to Utah for the 10-11 hour drive.

The Objectives:

1) attend General Conference with Spence & Kay

2) to attend Granddad Curtis' 90th Birthday Bash

3) to see our 3 little Sisters in action @ BYU

~We had to split it into two days so it wasn't so painful. I always think about our ancestors traveling across the plains & then down into Arizona WITHOUT cars or a.c. How did they do it?!?

I actually prepared some activities for the kids with ideas I stole from Pinterest. One was a Bingo game they had to mark off as they saw the pictures= train, tree, stop sign, bird, airplane, red car etc.., Another game was finding something out the window that started with each letter of the Alphabet. My favorite hour of the drive!!

Ok who feels like playing "I Spy" with this next pic?

{"Oh Stephanie?...}

FIND:
*Spencer's dry patches on arms

*Ryler's friend Elmo staring at him the drive

*Jaxson's messy face

*earphones

*flip flops

*Kay & Day's dog sticker covered D.S.

*3 pillows

*dry erase marker & ABC practice board

*frog toy for Ry

*1 child who was bound to get carsick even though sitting center & raised in booster seat

Heritage

2011-11-09T23:22:00.001-07:00

Ryler got to spend time with both sets of his Maternal Great Grandparents within one weeks time recently. It was smiles, coos & loveable squeezes all the way around.

I feel blessed to have both sets of Grandparents here to be able to talk with & hold my babies like they used to me.

If Mom says "No"....

2011-10-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

...then just poke a hole in it.

How do I discipline this?... when they look at me like that?

For more Motherhood Moments:
Link up to my friend Jamie @ One Blessed Lady

My little photographer...

2011-10-22T22:38:00.015-07:00

Daylan loves looking at photographs just like his Mommy. While on our recent trip in Utah, we were in the car waiting for Tim to check us into our new hotel. I was looking at pictures I had taken on my camera and suddenly Daylan got in this pose & said "Mom, would this be a good picture?"

I of course quickly lifted up my camera & took this precious one of him.

When Moments like these happen with Daylan I try & treasure them. He goes from being Mr. naughty pants to Mr. melting-my-heart.

Earlier that day I was snuggling with Ryler on the bed during the afternoon session of General Conference & Daylan captured this series of shots...

...I think he might have a future in this photography thing.

~What I loved most about these photos was two things.~

One, being able to see through Daylan's eyes, down at his height & see how he views life.
Two, that he captured ME being a Mom; something I am every minute of my life but never get to see.

Ryler=5 Months

2011-10-21T20:22:00.007-07:00

I can't believe my baby is already so old. What happened?!

He is scooting/crawling all across the floor...and quickly I might add. I can't keep up...literally. Look closely below: I had placed Ry on that colorful playmat in the left corner, I left the room for just minutes and BOOM he was underneath the piano on the other side of the room.

Oh and every morning he has a little computer time..checking to see what his peeps are up to.

In this pic I think you can tell really how big he is getting as he is up against Jax. These two are loving being brothers. They both have smiles that just melt my heart.

{Check out those chunka thighs...love it!}

A few days ago he tried his first taste at real food (Rice Cereal) & just acted like it was no big deal.

~I love this kid so much. He makes my heart so incredibly happy. ~I laugh when I look at him because I just can't believe I never "planned" on him coming...Oh but Heavenly Father did & I am so so glad that He is in charge and not me.~

It's Official....

2011-10-20T22:32:00.004-07:00

Tim's little sister Lacey & her longtime beau Jordan got engaged last night.

After 5 and a half years these two are finally tying the knot.

First dating as High School Sweethearts, then Lacey waiting patiently for Jordan as he served a full time mission in the Philippines

...and then Last Night happened.

~Dreams Are Coming True...~

*12*27*2011*

I just found this old little doo-dad pic below and had to smile.

CONGRATS to them!
~We love you!~

~Missionary Moments~

2011-10-19T08:08:00.001-07:00

First off I have to say how much I love the people in our Stake! They put so much effort into this last activity for all the 8-11 year old girls in our stake & it did not go unnoticed.

When the girls all arrived they were put on a pretend Airplane (in the gym). Kay said they even ate peanuts and everything. Then they traveled around the World to different countries learning from someone who had served a mission there about the country it's food, language & culture.

I showed up a little before it was over & was able to watch as they did their Balloon Release. The girls had written their testimonies out & placed them inside their balloons. Then they released them all at once to create this wonderful, colorful collage. This symbolized that they would share their testimonies throughout the world to all those who they could find & who would listen.

{Kaylea woke up earlier that morning not being able to walk but insisted on going anyways. Somehow she had hurt her hip playing soccer at school perhaps. She limped around the church to the stations with help from her bestie Sienna. Then my cousin Alena spotted her & Kay was lucky enough to get piggy-backed.}

With this activity and then the Primary topic of Missionary Work lately, Kaylea was inspired & continues to talk about the Mission she wants to go on when she's older.

~The neatest experience happened to her soon after this. A girl from her ELP class was talking to her about how she wanted a tattoo & Kaylea told her that she never wanted to get one. The girl asked her if she was a "Mormon" & Kay said "Yes I am." Then Kaylea quickly went up to her friend Hailey (pictured above in the blue) & told her "Hailey we have to go talk to Ivanna; she is asking me about the church & I think we should be missionaries to her."...and so they did. The 3 of them ate their lunch inside the classroom & talked about the Gospel the whole recess. They answered questions & wrote their testimonies down for her.

~I am proud of my little missionary.~

Cousin Campout

2011-10-16T22:45:00.008-07:00

It all began when we were having the discussion with Kaylea. She said that towards the end of the school year last year her Music teacher had asked who in the class had gone camping. Kaylea said she was the ONLY one to not raise here hand. How sad is that? Can you say DEPRIVED of a necessary childhood experience!!

Tim (the non camper) instigated a "COUSIN CAMPOUT" for us all to do this summer {in June}. You see Kaylea's cousins the Lundells are the official campers with every camping luxury possible, making it more appealing. And so that is just what they did.

the one time the kids could get away with such dirty faces!

The Clan included Tim, Spence, Kaylea, Daylan, (I stayed home with the 2 littlest) Grandpa Ron, The Lundell Family, Flagstaff Campbell Family, The Check's + Sophie.
(Thanks to Heidi for most of these pics.)

The kids say that some of the Highlights included:

*Beanbag Toss (adults had the most fun)
*Movie Time (watching on sheet from projector)
*Jumping in the freezing cold water (my crazy kids only)
*Being told by the Park Ranger that Bears were seen the day before in the area...(they set up traps in their actual campsite amidst all their tents!)
*Fishing in the Creek (Grandpa caught one with his bare hands!)
(spence & kaylea said they caught some with their bare hands too!... oh fish stories!)

I'm glad the kids could have this experience with their cousins...Kaylea is officially a "real kid" now.

Meanwhile Jax, Ryler & I camped out too...on my bed! We stayed home snuggling on our comfy bed & enjoyed not camping but Ry wore his tent shirt too celebrate. :) {~Ryler was only 5 weeks old at the time & I still couldn't sit up comfortably on my own. There's always next time...ha.}

Cousin Swim Time!

2011-10-16T22:43:00.000-07:00

The kids "California Cousins" Ethan & Carson, stopped by for a summertime visit. They were getting watched by "Grandpa Tom & Grandma Kathy" for a few days & made a trip over to swim.

~We sure miss them.~

forgot one or two...

2011-10-15T12:06:00.011-07:00

How could I forget?..

Tattooing himself

Playing with the hose

Gotta go he just jumped off the table & got hurt.

Is it any wonder why I'm behind on blogging!?!

The Terrible & Wonderful 2's

2011-10-11T23:23:00.001-07:00

Today Jax ran up & down the aisles of the Movie Theatre squealing as he ran from me. Of course I couldn't catch him.. I was so angry but found myself laughing & cursing (quietly) at the same time.

These are a few of his latest favorite things to do:

Helping Out..

Building Towers

Sleeping smack in the middle of the bed...

Pretending HE is the baby...

Playing with his baby brother Ryler...

& Making Mom Laugh...

"Oh Mom.... You can't see me!" "Here I am!"

I LOVE THIS CRAZY 2 YEAR OLD KID!!

9 years ago today...

2011-09-12T14:02:00.002-07:00

...Kaylea came to this World & changed our World. What would we do without a girl in the house? Here's the video I made her last year for her baptism. I cry every time I watch it as I reminisce the ups & downs of these past nine years & wonder how different life would be without her...

Happy Birthday to our 9 year old Princess Kaylea!!

We Remember...

2011-09-11T00:25:00.001-07:00

"I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today.

'Cuz this FLAG still stands for Freedom.

And they CAN'T take that away..."

'Till We Meet...

2011-09-02T09:32:00.004-07:00

Ryler woke me early one morning.
I was exhausted from a long night but I got to see this:

This was what the Sunrise looked like on August 12th, a year to the day that Emmie returned home to Heaven. It was so bright, it even hurts my eyes looking at the picture of it.

Later that evening we honored Emmie with a Balloon Release on the Temple grounds. It was a special time as Debbie (Emmie's maternal Grandma) had just gone through the Temple for the first time to receive her Endowments. She had promised Emmie that she would do this a year ago as Em lay there preparing to leave this Earth. Debbie followed through and did it on this special day a year later. She radiated that evening as she walked out the Temple doors & I know Emmie was there to experience it with her.

Not too many days after this day we got awful news:

Tim's step cousin Amanda passed away in a terrible car accident. She was driving very early in the morning & had to have fallen asleep at the wheel. She went off the road, off the side of the mountain plummeting hundreds of feet killing her instantly. She wasn't found till days later after she hadn't been heard from. A helicopter discovered the crash site & her car. She was planning to get married in the coming months leaving behind a fiancee, her parents, 2 sisters, brother & nieces and nephews that adored her.

Although we didn't see her often, Tim and the 5 kids happened to run into her at the Mall not too long ago. She introduced her fiancee to them & then asked each one of my kids their ages, what grade they were in among other things. She took specific interest in each one making them feel special. Something so small yet so meaningful in recollection. As my kids recalled the moment, I thought to myself how important it is that when I speak to someone, I make THEM feel important; a definite Christlike quality.

And then the Lesson we are all reminded of when anyone passes away...that This Life is Temporary & we never know when it will be our turn to leave. It reminds me to live in the moment..not too much in the past or the future. I try & treasure the now- as imperfect as it may be. I hold my kids a little longer, forgive a little easier & cherish life a moment at a time.

Tim's Knee Surgery...{July 22nd}

2011-08-26T23:40:00.000-07:00

BEFORE:

"Hey it's just knee surgery. What's the big deal?"

AFTER:

(doped on morphine)

"Wow...this is Awful!.. Oh and where are my sunglasses?"

It was so horrible to see Tim in so much pain immediately after surgery. He was not conscious but was moaning in pain. I had the nurses give him a few more injections of morphine in his I.V. & he felt MUCH better. ....BUT then the funnies began!

He insisted on wearing his sunglasses inside the Recovery Room which gave me & the nurse quite the chuckle. He looked like Stevie Wonder as he bobbed his head back and forth and said such funny things. He told the nurse numerous times how important it was for him to wear his sunglasses since "his eyes were so sensitive from his 3 eye surgeries."

(..you had to be there.)

Tim also kept saying : "There has to be something the Doctor's not telling me." The nurse finally said "Ok Tim why don't you just relax and stop talking because you keep saying the same thing!" I busted up. Then doped up he started saying in his drunken slurred speech sweet things like: "Wow Audra, you stayed here my whole surgery....You're amazing."

--Oh good times, good times...--

Wish I had video-taped his silly moments.

Because they didn't last long! Getting him in the car was horrendous & so was the 30 minute drive home from the hospital. He was miserable, pale & on the verge of passing out and vomiting.

Let's just say it's been a long couple of weeks!!

**Tim's Surgery was actually really complex. It was 2 hours long & it involved first taking 4 tendons from his hamstring, braiding them together & creating him a new ACL. To get it placed correctly the Dr. had to drill into his tibia & femur bones. Ouch!**

This was taken at his first Physical Therapy appointment @ East Valley Physical Therapy. I HATE when people post gross bodily harmed pictures on their blog like THIS:

(Sorry had to document it for history's sake.)

He did get his leg shaved.. which was a first.

The 1st week was absolutely brutal!... Tears were shed by both of us. We were up all hours of night in pain, giving/taking meds & with the 2 little boys. He was in a lot of pain, needing lots of care & attention. Meanwhile kids start school. Was in survival mode.

The 2nd week he was limited to work about an hour a day, I chauffered him everywhere, His bruising was scary & he was still on percocet, aspirin & crutches.

The 3rd week Tim began driving (which was so helpful!), had a job interview, got the job & celebrated his 37th Birthday. Tim was down to one crutch. Spence began school this week...the same day that Tim spent his full first day back at work. I felt like I was sending another child off.

The 4th week he is now progressing well. He is walking free of crutches& seeing my Dad 3 times a week for Physical Therapy. Other than a funny little limp he has, he is pretty much back to normal. He still tries to walk at his normal fast pace which provides us all a chuckle.

Tim is now just literally Dreaming about the time when he can run up & down the BASKETBALL court again....but that won't be for AT LEAST another 6 months or so. I really am proud of how hard he has worked to get healed up to this point. He still has a long road ahead but it'll be worth it!

~We are just glad that his Surgery went so great

as is his Physical Therapy.

...He has a new knee & All is well.

One Last Hurrah!

2011-08-24T22:51:00.002-07:00

Before Summer Break was officially over, the 8 year old neighborhood girls & their Moms had one last hurrah! We had a fun Girls Nite Out @ the Mall. First we went to Johnny Rockets for some Dinner & FUN. The girls giggled (as you can see) & shot straws & wrappers at each other the whole time. They had a blast drinking their sodas, gabbed & giggled, giggled, giggled. After an hour or so of that ...our food still hadn't come so we hurried & got our movie tickets, crammed our food in the bottom of my stroller & these animal loving girlies were off to see the movie "Zoo Keeper." (And we made the theatre smell like onions!)

{There were 2 other girls there but one came after dinner & one left before she even got there cuz she got sick on the way there. I love that there is a big group of girls for Kaylea to hang out with and grow up with in our neighborhood. These are just the ones who are 8 with many more who are 7 & 9.}

1st Day(s) of School

2011-08-23T08:13:00.003-07:00

Here we are doing the traditional front door 1st Day of School picture.

Daylan & Kaylea began school July 27th so here they are (while the rest of the fam lay in bed still) It was so great to hear them as they got in the car when I picked them up that day!

They both talked a mile-a-minute about how it was the greatest day ever!! They both said it flew by...even Daylan who had just experienced his 1st FULL day of school ever! Our conversation was about: how great their snacks were & who they sat by at lunch, what they did on the playground and who they sit by in class.

Kaylea is in a 3rd/4th Grade combo class this year & LOVES it! I'm so glad that she is so that she can be pushed to learn even more! She is also still in ELP where she will ride a bus to a different school every Monday. She is loving that too. I'm so glad that my kids love to learn!

(Hopefully the driving doesn't become overwhelming as we are still in our rental house & driving back to our old neighborhood for school.)

Daylan had a BLAST...can you tell? His 1st FULL day of school ever & ALL SMILES!

Then almost 3 weeks later, it was Spencer's turn to leave me for his 1st Day of School. {It was such a blessing to have him NOT in school during this time so he could help me as I was a single mom for a few weeks helping nurse Tim back to everyday life stuff after his knee surgery. Meds, Learning to Walk, Chauferring etc. Spence was a huge help!}

We just decided to keep up with the tradition of having him go to a NEW SCHOOL EVERY YEAR since Kindergarten!! No really though we felt he would be pushed so much more at this new Charter School.

Although he was the only new kid in his class, he ended up knowing like 6 people...plus more on the playground from other classes. That is the advantage of having LIVED everywhere!!...knowing so many people. He is enjoying this more structured way of schooling & is catching on quickly to their phonograms & ways of doing things.

*It is going to be a wonderful year and I feel so blessed to be in this spectacular community!*

Ryler Potter

2011-08-20T23:16:00.001-07:00

He's got the lightning scar and all...

So they asked if Ryler wanted to star in the movie but I told them he's too busy right now.... eating, pooping, sleeping, looking at his mobile, kicking his legs, knawing on his fists, growing chubby cheeks, cooing, & smiling at all who will speak to him.

~Emmie's 1 year in Heaven mark~

2011-08-12T09:03:00.006-07:00

Mama,

I went home to see Jesus, back to that Heavenly place.

He said it was time for me to go, although I knew I'd miss your face.

Don't cry for me now, it's so beautiful here.

I want you to always feel that I am near.

I'm surrounded by angels, family & friends,

God the Father, the Savior, the list never ends.

If you only could see me now. I can run, I can sing,

Oh the sweet joy that only Heaven could bring.

I miss you so much, but I visit you often.

Just close your eyes & I'll whisper, the pain I will soften.

Thank you for giving me my earthly body while there,

& always brushing my long brunette hair.

You were the best Mom I could ever have had

Now take of yourself, Ava, Elsie, Ivan & Dad.

I'll see you sooner than you probably think

The Savior comes quickly, so don't you dare blink.

I love you so much & I want you to know

That I still see Strawberry Shortcake up here too...on the front row. ;)

~Emmie

Skypin'

2011-08-04T21:29:00.001-07:00

What would we do without Skype?

We wouldn't see Tomzie= Tommy/Jozie in Hawaii

...Or the Goodwin cousins in Cali

Carson has aged so much that he now has a goat-tee.

Look who I see!!

Oh silly Aunt Stephie...

Arrow of Light

2011-08-04T21:25:00.001-07:00

Look at all the pins. arrow points, belt loops & patches he earned. Yay!

My little boy is not so little. He has reached the end of Cub Scouts and now enters the realm of Boy Scouts. I am so proud of him for having the desire to learn & do all that he can. He inspires me to be better & do more! Way to go Spud!

Haboob={Crazy} Dust Storm

2011-08-04T21:22:00.001-07:00

A new word to add to your Vocabulary.

Not your typical monsoon storms...

On July 5th, an End of the World looking dust storm came rolling in & hit most of the Valley. I SO wish I would've gotten a pic of how we saw it coming towards us out our back window... but I was so wrapped up in the moment that I didn't think to grab my camera. (Yes I do have those moments from time to time.) Here is a picture from someone's cell phone of downtown Phoenix as it started to brew there.

In the home we're in right now it is close to the San Tan Mountains. Tim called for me to come quick & look out the window. It looked exactly like this photo but CLOSER so we had to look straight up to see the top. I heard that it was 2 miles high!

I didn't do any crazy damage as far as I know, but most everyone I talked to had a thick layer of dirt on the front/back patios. It even blew so hard that it came through windows & left a thin layer of dust INSIDE the house. My kids played "Wizard of Oz" as it happened & ran to the basement as it shook the house a bit & blew loud noises through the windows.

I LOVE MONSOON season cuz it means my Birthday is closeby..

Hiccups & 1st Bath

2011-07-31T22:13:00.000-07:00

Wow...this seems like ages ago. Ryler looks so different. He's gotten so much BIGGER and more mature in these 2 short months. It has really flown by as I look back, although a lot of the days and nights seemed so long. I just wish I could go back in that crazy time and have more quiet moments with my precious newborn.

While Pregnant, this is what I felt him doing every night at this same time...

And now here he was looking in my eyes as I watched him with the hiccups.

updates on kaylea's adventures

2011-07-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

~I've been asked to mention that kaylea posted on her blog~

check here...

My 2 Babies...

2011-07-19T21:40:00.005-07:00

I wonder how many diapers I change a day....
I wonder how many hours of the day (and night) there is someone crying...
I wonder how many dirty dishes there are in my sink at any given time...
I wonder how many real meals I have made in the last few months...
I wonder how many days can we go with wearing the same clothes...
I wonder how many staples I still have under my skin that haven't dissolved yet...

I wonder how many times I will ever have 2 in diapers again.

I ~~probably~~ won't. So I realize I will relish the moment.

2 diapered b~~abies~~ boys just happy to be alive
& happy to be brothers.

As hectic as life can be right now,
I am trying to take deep breaths & ENJOY these moments.

I am trying to realize that I am not in a "Who's House is Cleanest" Contest.
I am trying to Embrace the Chaos & not freak out.
I am trying to not take things so seriously.
I am trying to not take things so personally.
I am trying to be a good Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister and Person
I am trying....and that's all that matters.

Birthday Wishes from Kaylea...

2011-07-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

except it's not Kaylea!

Sara sent me this photo today to wish me a Happy Birthday. We were all confused wondering who took this random internet photo of Kaylea. Even Kaylea thought it was herself for a moment.

Funny huh!?

Thank you to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday so far...

& it's barely noon!

*There's nothing better than:

*Getting a birthday card sent all the way from Hawaii from your brother & sister n law.

*Your sister waiting till 12:00am on the dot to wish you a Happy Birthday.

*Waking up to a Birthday texts from other sisters & sister n laws.

*Receiving breakfast in bed made with love by your daughter.

*Hearing your 6 year old's morning voice say: "Happy Birthday Mommy."

*Seeing your oldest son scrounge his room looking for a gift

...ends up finding & giving Hershey kisses. *Real kisses from Jax & Ryler.

*My piano lessons canceled today so I went to Target ALONE in my p.j.s.

*Checking your email to see you have over 50 Facebook Birthday messages...& they keep coming.

*Having your husband surprise you by taking you to the Apple Store to get a new computer.

*Knowing that Mom is cooking me a Sunday Birthday Dinner & I don't have to cook tomorrow.

Aww....32 is feelin' good.

☆America's Birthday Party☆

2011-07-14T21:18:00.000-07:00

For the 4th of July this year, we celebrated all weekend long.

☆Saturday we had fun swimming & having a BBQ with the Curtis Clan. Grandma Kathy always has the most scrumptious food.

☆Sunday of course were Ryler's Blessing Festivities & then Spence spent the night at the Simas' & Kaylea was off to the Arizona Grande Resort with the Check's.

☆Then Monday began with seeing the add in the paper for $9000 off of a Truck! Having had gone 6months or so with only 1 vehicle we hopped on this offer. We spent the afternoon picking out a truck & getting the deal done. We had the 3 little boys with us &...

Tim chose RED since that's all his boys favorite color. Daylan thought he had the coolest Dad in town. Plus it showed our Patriotism being that it was the 4th!

Then we rewarded the boys for good behavior by going to the Dollar Theatre & seeing "Rio", a movie about a BLUE bird. (was feeling so festive) It was surprisingly very entertaining!

☆That evening we met up with Lonnie, Lace & Ash to watch some good ol' Queen Creek fireworks. We all piled in to the new RED truck! These Californians had to admit they were impressed & pleasantly surprised with the show. I caught this pic of a firework & didn't notice the detail of each star in the flame till later.

Jax was blown away by the fireworks show & would let out a squeal with each one.

After the show we drove a whole 3 minutes (I ♥ our little town!) back to the McCleve's & did our own fireworks. The 1st ones my kids had ever done here in AZ since it's now legal. They loved it!

look at the Stars in Spence's eyes...

TIm & Lonnie put on some much bigger fireworks in the yard that were loud & a little on the crazy side. The kids loved it!!...but not as much as Tim. :)

Lucky Kaylea got to spend the day swimming at the Arizona Grande Resort with cousins Ava, Sophie & Elsie. She had a blast swimming & even got to watch fireworks show out the window as they ate dinner. She got dropped off late that night & we did a couple more little fireworks in the backyard that we had saved for her.

☆WE LOVE AMERICA!☆

Blessed

2011-07-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

Ryler was given a name & a blessing on July 3, 2011.

~RYLER THOMAS CAMPBELL~

Some of the wonderful things he was blessed with were:

* Having the desire to serve others & to be an Example

*Have a shield of protection from wickedness

*The blessing of holding the Priesthood
*Have the ability & desire to say "Yes" to church callings

* Be able to live in the World but avoid things harmful to the Spirit

* Find a choice spirit to marry in God's house & raise a righteous family

In the circle to bless him stood Tim, Grandpa Tom, Uncles Danny & Phylip, Grandpa Lonnie, Uncles Mason, Jason, Scott & Great Uncle Terry. {Unable to attend were Uncles Tommy, Brian, Marcus} In the congregation were about 40 more family members & loved ones.

I got up and bore my testimony to the ward after the blessing. My heart was so full after going through such the emotional roller coaster that we have in the last few months & year. This has been a record year for me getting up to do that...I think 4 times.

I determined why: Trials bring blessings.
Blessings bring us closer to God...thus the humility and testimony bearing..

I mentioned the fact that everyone had witnessed a miracle that morning whether they recognized it or not. That miracle being that lil' Ryler had not been colicky that entire morning. We have experienced extreme colic at our house & we were literally blessed that morning to be free of it. I said that I figured Ryler must've known it was his blessing day.

The true miracle is that his colic has decreased so substantially since that day, that I would not even call it colic anymore...just gas bubbles here and there.

*After Sacrament Meeting we had family over for a little Lunch at our rental house. {We realized once again how much family we really do have between us & hoped for the miracle of the bread and fishes.} :)...And to think that a good number of family were not even there!} I didn't think to get pictures of any of the family because Ryler slept peacefully for hours after his blessing!!

{If you look closely you'll notice Ry in two different blessing outfits. The actual day of he wore Spencer's lil' tux onesie because his hadn't yet arrived in the mail. That's just how my life usually goes...There was a big mix up in the mail-so almost 2 weeks later when it arrived we did another little photoshoot. You can see a difference in the amount of chub on his cheeks too.}

~Now more than ever, I am so grateful for this sweet little boy that Father in Heaven has sent to us. He always knows the bigger picture and knows the end from the beginning. I can't imagine my life before or without our precious Ryler.
Funny how that happens...

Ryler's First Photo Shoot

2011-07-11T07:59:00.001-07:00

{Ryler didn't exactly cooperate for these pics, but we still managed to get a few good ones of the lil' guy.}

*There's nothing sweeter than a father's strong hands holding his fragile newborn baby. I love how it's as almost as if Ryler is looking up to his Dad as to say..."Take good care of me", "Teach me all that I must do..."

{Notice the wedding ring that is now gone...And the extra skin that seems to fall off my baby.}

I wanted pics of US ALL on our bed cuz that's our story...our kids jump & gather on our bed. Day & Night. They want to snuggle and be by us.

Does it get any cuter?

My favorite part of Motherhood=Witnessing my Children loving each other

All the pain, the hardships...It was all worth it.

{A Nipple on his nipple... :) & Hat made by Grandma}

Ryler we are so glad you came to our family.
We Love You.
Your smile makes us smile.

...Yeah, I think he's glad to be here.

Spence turns 11...

2011-07-09T08:52:00.004-07:00

June 9th the moment finally came....

Wait for it...

Wait for it....

SPeNcE said that ALL he wanted for his birthday was a: DSI-XL & so that's what he got.

Earlier in the day he woke up to the traditional donuts & balloons,
& had a few of his buddies over to swim. (Pierce & Jarrett)
& swam again later with the fun Aunt Sara.
He went on a Scavenger Hunt to discover his gift his D.S.
and then we had cake & ice cream.
Spence was one content kid.

(watch jax at the end...)

Some things that we'll want to Remember about Spence at this age:

*Takes on a lot as the Big Brother.

*Picks up the slack & is much appreciated by his parents.
Easy going; Gets along with most everybody!
*Gets upset when he thinks somebody doesn't like him.
*Is the designated Pooper Scooper" around here.
*Knows what he's doing EVERY Friday Night...=Boys HIP HOP
*Is excited to go to Church Dances where he can show off his skillz.
*Converted Daylan to be a "Jackie Chan" show watcher. I think they've seen all the episodes.

*Talks too much in his Church class-His teacher said that if HE didn't talk for the whole class time, they'd all get treats...still waiting on that.

*His last 3 sets of church teachers would come up to us periodically & say how Spencer would always know all the right answers.
*Missed the ELP trip to San Diego to be here when Ryler was born.
*Writes so fast that his handwriting is not legible.
*Has an AMAZING memory that actually scares me.
..Will quote movies like it's no big deal.

*Has a good sense of humor (although his pre-teen ways take it overboard at times)

*Can put his contacts both in under 1 minute flat & is proud of that since it used to take 20.
*Has an ever-so-little crush on a girl...I'd could tell you who but then I'd have to kill you.
*Makes his classic "Origami cards" to give out for people's birthdays or special occasions.
*Can't be dishonest even if he tries...(gets a guilty look in his eyes)
*Favorite Food= Sausage Pizza Treat= Chocolate Chip Cookies/Brownies
Drink= Blue Raspberry Crush Scripture Story= Samuel the Lamanite
*Thought recently that he could "teach" his newborn brother to sit up.
I explained it didn't quite work that way.
*Enjoys making flip-note cartoons & Has already made one on his new D.S. (pretty good & comical)
*Is in a competing Hip Hop Boys Dance Crew & loves it. Is fantastic as it strengthens his muscles, confidence, friendships & life experiences.
*Only sees very blurry images without his glasses/contacts...inherited from his Father.

*Him & Kaylea like to "Picto-Chat" (text each other) on their D.S's from room to room. (The other night they bore their souls & told each other who they "liked.")

*Is & has always been a climber...likes to climb trees & walls.

*Is the go-to guy when any of us have problem with the remotes/computers.
*Likes to read from his "Gross Fact Book" & gross us out!
*Might be going to a new school this year...? (we'll see)
*Beat-boxing is a hidden talent of his. (wants to try out the drums)
*Loves diving & doing flips off the diving board. (freaks me out!)

*In the Summer his skin turns brown & his hair bright blonde

*Babysits on occasion for us (all kids minus ryler)

*Has collected & Read all the Harry Potter & Diary of A Wimpy Kid Books
*Learning to play/sing "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" on guitar

Daylan The 6 Year Old

2011-07-06T09:56:00.005-07:00

The day before Dude's 6th Birthday, he said to me with his sweet grin... "Mom, I am SO excited for my party tomorrow!!" I couldn't bear to tell him that there was NO party. I try and do the Friend Party every other year thing & this year was the off year (thank goodness w/ the craziness.) We were going to of course still have our little family party as planned, but I knew he'd be devastated upon finding out his buddies were not showing up..Obviously I hadn't communicated this very well to him.

So that evening about dinner time I quickly called up some of his closest buddies Crew, Riggs, Jett & Kian to come over the next morning.

The big day, June 17th, we swam, had popsicles, gatorades, frozen corn dogs & called it a party. Thanks to Gma Kathy & Aunt Sara they brought these YUMMY homemade frosting-ed brownie bites. They were delectable. This "party" might have even been funner than last year's...(and a lot cheaper.)

RYLER even celebrated by getting in his "swimsuit" for the 1st time.

Later in the day the party continued...

as Tim got home from work, we had dinner, cupcakes & presents.

& cousins came to swim.

It was a good "Day."

Some things we want to Remember about Daylan at 6 years old:

*Is learning to cross his eyes...I'm so proud (not)

*Has a beautiful voice that melts my heart

..Has perfect pitch and a soothing tone.

*Tender hearted. It kills him to see his siblings sad. He is oftentimes sadder than them.

* Kisses Jaxson's cheeks all the time.-so much so that Jax gets bugged.

*Still occasionally calls his parents "Mommy & Daddy"

*Favorite Color= RED, *Food= macaroni *Treat=ice cream cones

*Has the Campbell-Pout down pat.

*Can give a dirty look that would scare a bad guy.

*His big grin makes his eyes squinty-like his Mom's.

*Does not enjoy reading books as much as Kay & Spence but Reads very well.

*Has played video games since he could sit up...& is a little too good at it.

*Impresses Grandpa Tom with his "Angry Birds" & Ball throwing skills.

*His cheeks are so squeezy you could eat 'em.

*Is a big-time snuggler which his Mom & Dad love!

*Makes his friends jealous that he can SNAP!

*Wishes he would hurry & lose a tooth!

*Not the most patient child....

*Throws a tantrum like nobody's business.

*His friends' Mothers think he's the perfect angel & laugh at the above comment.

*Has yet to conquer the task of riding a 2 wheeler bike (will last about 5 seconds- then falls)

*Watches "Jackie Chan"episodes on Netflix all the time with Spencer.

*Will ask me randomly..."Mom are you mad about anything?"

*Has a face full of perfectly sun-kissed freckles.

*Can get under Kaylea's skin in 2.2 seconds & vice versa.

*Misses playing Soccer games every Saturday.

*Still gets an occasional awful ear infection. (Had tubes in years ago, fell out but never got another set.)

*Is terrified about getting more shots in 5 years when he's 11.

*This is his first summer swimming completely comfortably across pool.

*Loves to do cannon-balls, is learning to Snorkel.

*When his older siblings are around he can hardly get a word in edgewise,

...But when he does it's usually a funny one liner.

*...Classic middle child syndrome-just like his Dad.

*Sleeps in a Queen bed w/ Jax. They love watching movies together as they fall asleep.

*Wanted to be a Police Man until Spence told him you have to get tasered & sprayed with mace!! Now he is in turmoil trying to decide on a new career!

*All his Teachers (& the ladies at church) are in love with him.

...Not to mention his Mom who would not be complete without her "Day-Day."

~Father's Day~

2011-06-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Wow...we have a lot of kids.

~After a wonderful morning at church, we took the traditional after church Father's Day photos with Tim & the kids.

Earlier that morning at 7ish Kaylea kept tapping me as I longed to sleep in & asked me to help her make Tim breakfast in bed. What would this world be like without daughters?...seriously. So sleepy-eyed I helped her throw in some (refrigerated dough cinnamon rolls). Kay made a pitcher of orange juice, plucked a bowl full of grapes & found a cute "Daddy" mug in our rental house & we were headed downstairs.

Why downstairs?...well Tim had slept most of the night in the basement with Jax -who wakes up still in the night-. I help the baby, he helps Jax. That's our new system. Yup he deserved a good Father's Day.

~Directly after church we went to visit with our Dad's. First Tim's then mine. They are both great in their own different ways. The best thing to us about both of them is how much they love our kids! Our kids run up to them knowing they'll always get a hug & playtime.

I'm so grateful to have a husband who adores his children as much as he does & makes time for them. But hey...they are pretty great.

Boogers & Yawns ...classic campbell.

Scout Day Camp

2011-06-28T12:55:00.003-07:00

"Mom -it was like funner than Disneyland!"

That's what Spence told me after the 1st day of Scout Camp.

He went for 3 days & was gone from 2-11pm every day.

He had a blast doing things like archery, water balloon fights, crafts, b-b guns, swimming...etc.

I've had all these boys pictured as my "Bears" in Cub Scouts at one point in time.
Good bunch of kids!

This was Spence's last shin dig in Cub Scouts.
Now he's growin' up & moving on to Boy Scouts...

So 'long...It's been fun!

Soapbox Saturday: "Modest when it's the Hottest"

2011-06-25T10:05:00.012-07:00

Yes it is 112 degrees this week....and not looking cooler anytime soon! Anyone would know, especially us Arizonan natives, that it is dang hot outside.

But it never ceases to amaze me each summer to witness the amount of clothing people wear shrinking drastically! And we know it happens long before the temperature even reaches the 100's...perhaps the second Winter is over.

From young, to mid, to teen, to ~~(moms)~~ much older girls displaying their:

*short shorts/skirts*

*sleeveless & see-through shirts*

*skimpy swimsuits*
*sliding up/down shirts*
*suctioning (tight-fitting)

(like my "S" alliteration?)

~What's disheartening is that we see more & more of it even with the church-going crowd; People that know better. Or say they believe differently but don't show it. Even Moms that are letting their young girls think it's okay to show off their body. ..And then of course by the time they're teenagers, well.. it's already engraved in their brains. If they don't learn young, the mom's can't expect their daughters to all of the sudden just figure it out. And then down the road the parents just can't seem to figure out {insert sarcasm} how their daughter has immorality issues or why she wants to date the "bad boys" etc. etc. *The worst is when the moms, these daughters ultimate examples, come out in their seasonal cleavage-showing swimsuits. And are the Dad's really okay with it when they know the way other boys/men can think when looking at their wives and daughters? I think the Father really has to step up and preside in this situation to protect his precious girls.

~I think maybe a lot of people might do it just because it's the fad/trend whatever. Because everyone wears it...Really?...We care that much to fit in to a disgusting world? Is that our goal? Or maybe it's that we've just become so accustomed to seeing it or wearing it that we tend to tune it out or become numb to it.

To stand out we just can't fit in.

Makes me think of this quote along my sidebar that I love:

"Women of God can never be like
Women of the World...

The world has enough women who are TOUGH;
we need women who areTENDER.

There are enough women who are COARSE;
we need women who are KIND.

There are enough women who are RUDE;
we need women who areREFINED.

We have enough women of Fame and Fortune;
we need morewomen of FAITH.

We have enough GREED;
we need moreGOODNESS.

~We have enough VANITY;
we need more VIRTUE.~

We have enough POPULARITY;
we need more PURITY."

Margaret D. Nadauld ~General Conference 2000

It's just sad to me. Perhaps there are even those who need someone like a Church Leader stating such words like "do not walk around half naked" for the light to come on in their heads!? ...or maybe they can just justify it since they haven't "heard" it lately. C'mon we all have brains with memories & should be using them. Seriously though, we have ALL been given AGENCY, COMMON SENSE, and in our Church we have WONDERFUL things like the "Strength of Youth" Pamphlet-a guideline for youth going over our standards from music to clothing etc. We know what our bodies are made for & it's certainly not to show them off!

~I don't have ALL the answers,

BUT I do know that modesty is one of them!~

*Ok

Getting

DOWN

from my

SOAPBOX

now...

{P.S. Don't look at the Birthday Post below. My son decided to rebel against my Modesty preaching. What can I say...He was HOT. :)}

Soapbox Saturday....{tomorrow}

2011-06-24T12:54:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow I'm beginning what I call "Soapbox Saturday"
.....cuz I'm dorky like that.
This somewhat un-opinionated Mama can be quite the contrary at times.

Stay Tuned....

Jax Turns 2!

2011-06-23T10:03:00.015-07:00

So I guess I just like celebrating Birthdays in May & June.
Just a week and a day after Ryler was born, May 21st, my sweet lil' Jaxson turned 2!
He enjoyed this yummy thing at Grandma's House.

Chocolate, Bubbles...& playing w/ Uncle Phylip ~what more could a kid want?

Back at home, amidst the packing chaos, we still managed to CELEBRATE with a few Gifts & Goodies!

Some Things we'll want to Remember
About Jax @ 2 Years Old:

*Drinks his sippy cup with no hands, simply just tips his head back..

*Wants to interlock fingers when holding your hand.

*Thinks squirt guns, balloons & BUBBLES are the best things ever!

*Has the cutest dimple on his right cheek!

*Displays classic OCD traits. He amuses us yet drives us crazy as he does things like: *lines up all the shampoo bottles in a perfect row *makes sure doors/cupboards are always shut *every crumb or dot or flake of anything has to be vanished immediately

*He adds the "ee" sound at most words creating his own adorable language

ex. buggy (bug) moony (moon) toesie (toes) diapie (diaper) etc...

*Will come hold my legs, then say "Uppie" & reach so I'll pick him up.

*Has knatted hair in back resembling rats nest (campbell genes)

*...Beautiful round blue eyes with long dark eye lashes

*...Fair white skin-burns easily, allergic to most sunblock (curtis genes)

*Calls any Motherly figure in his life "Mom" -aunts, grandmas etc.

*Loves to HELP do chores-sweeping, mopping & unloading dishwasher.

*Cuddles up to Ryler each time he sees him and kisses all over him

...sometimes squeezes Ry too tight & has been known to poke an eyeball or two.

*Has a Love/Hate Relationship with the dog -Snuggling one minute & then hurting each other the next

*Often puts both fingers in his nose or ears & just stares at you with a serious face.

*Is enamored by puzzles/video games= "Angry Birds" & "StarFall"on Dad's Ipad

*Has his Dad wrapped around his finger & can talk him into giving treats in place of a meal.

*Knows when his Mom needs a hug, will snuggle with me & pat my face.

*Has way too much energy.
...& loves to climb/jump off of high, dangerous places.

*Enjoys drawing pictures with markers while sitting next to Kaylea-he is very detail oriented.

*...Also enjoys coloring on walls & his body

*Can recognize EVERY ABC & knows each of their sounds!

*Spots the alphabet letters in street-signs & Breaks pretzels into pieces to form ABC's.

*Does the classic "I'm trying not to smile face"

*Gets gassy in the middle of night if he has milk after 7pm

*Watches shows like "Caillou" & Movie "Letter Factory" religiously

*His newborn black hair has since changed to strawberry blonde

*Can throw a ball better than his Mom...has an "arm on him"

*Loves wrestling with brothers/Dad -Usually wins by sitting on their faces.

*He waves & says "Bye" to everyone & everything...from toys to the grocery clerk to his plate at dinner.

{-He needs closure to things. So on that note...}

Good Bye.

These Days...

2011-06-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

Our Family is just plain tired.

No Really. I mean it...

The End.

RYLER 1 month

2011-06-19T23:34:00.006-07:00

~It's been a long, crazy month for us.~

It began with a Birth, Then A Death, 5 Graduations-3 High School, 1 Kindergarten, 1 College, A Baptism, Priesthood Ordination, Scout Camp, Celebrated our other 3 Boys Birthdays, our 12th Wedding Anniversary, Moved out of our House, moved into a Rental & began building our New House! {That's not even mentioning the usual things like Dental/Doctor Visits (shots included), Kids Activities like Hip Hop/ ~~Piano~~ /Guitar Lessons, other Family B-days, Friends Play-Dates/Parties, blah blah blah......}

*Throw in a little Post-Partum, C-section healing, Terrible 2's, Tantrums & Arguing Children, Barking/Peeing/Biting Dog & a Colicky Baby and you can get an idea of what it has been like. I'm realizing how precious sleep and alone time is (usually only occurs when going to the bathroom) & how much of my stuff is boxed away & missing for 5 months!!!
Existing with half a brain & ~~half~~ 10% of my stuff is overwhelming.

There have been lots of tears, but also smiles
as I looked into the eyes of this baby boy.

taken June 13th-his 1 month Bday

~ Grandma Porter~

2011-06-15T12:20:00.001-07:00

93 years old she would have been on June 3rd.
Just 5 days earlier on a Sunday evening she passed away peacefully in her own bed.
She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren.
What a perfect time & way to go. It was a beautiful evening out.
Her 3 daughters each held on to her as she went.
She was ready to go...

{The night before she passed away, we brought over Ryler so she could meet him before she left...Although miserable & tired, she still showed her usual excitement as Tim held Ry up to see her.}

That next afternoon after leaving Hospice she came home to be in her own bed. Tim placed a small picture she had of her father on her pillow & told her he was waiting for her.{Her father had died young leaving a wife & 6 daughters behind. I'm sure he was anxious to see her.}

*Her parents, some siblings, grandson Russ & husband Hal all awaited her Heavenly arrival.
We said Good-Bye just as they were greeting her.

Grandma & Jaxson on his Blessing Day~2009

Grandma Porter was known to most for 2 things.

Even in her 90's:

1) she always had on an outfit that you'd never seen before, complete with matching accessories & shoes. Her make up was of course always done too..complete with lipstick & a SMILE.

2) she had her house decorated to the max- there wasn't an inch that was ignored. From floral arrangements, to photos, to porcelain dolls or teddy bears. (the great-grandkids recently counted 350 teddy bears!) You'd have to see it to believe it.

And she loved it that way. Especially her dolls.

*I found out a secret the day she passed away that I never knew. Tim's Mom told me that the night that Tim proposed to me, that her & Grandma Porter spied on us. Tim had a candlelight dinner set up for me on her back patio that overlooked the lake. The two of them lay on their stomachs & watched through the bottom of the blinds. {Picture this tiny 81 year old woman on her belly trying to catch a glimpse of the moment.} This brought a smile to our faces as we remembered the night & imagined her doing this.*

Grandma Porter in that very spot 2010

~Her funeral was the day after her 93rd Birthday, Saturday June 4th.~

It was a beautiful service filled with memories, testimony & song.

Kaylea holding her program.
(Kaylea inherited her nails from her Great Grandma.)

Some of the Great-Grandkids sang: "Families Can Be Together Forever" at the Gravesite.

Here are Grandma's 4 Children surrounding her.

{Debbie, Carolyn, Lanny, Kathy}

Till We Meet Again...

Getting sentimental again...

2011-06-13T11:48:00.002-07:00

Me & my Phylie back in the day

In 1997, my lil' bro Phylip was starting Preschool when

I was graduating High School.

Now just recently in 2011, my lil' Daylan graduated Kindergarten & Phylip graduated High School.

Now he's:

All grown up.

Talented.

Handsome.

Obedient.

Fun Loving.

and just plain Awesome.

Not to mention a great Uncle!

Phyl & baby Spencer

Phyl & baby Ryler

It just happens to be his 18th Birthday today!

Happy Birthday Phylip!

We love you.

From Here to Eternity...

2011-05-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

...That was the name of our wedding song.

And here were our rings.

~We recently celebrated our 12th Wedding Anniversary.~

And this is what we did:

It was a week to the day that Ryler was born.

We began the day with a little picture taking.

I took a few & then Tim's sister Tracey came to our house to do a lil' Family photo shoot. {photos coming ...}

Tim & I thought a lot about how different our lives were 12 years ago.

Wow was it different! ... in many more ways than one.

12 years later here are our wedding rings now...

on the oh -so- tiny toes of my 5th born.

I'm glad I took this photo that day because we have since LOST Tim's ring in this crazy time!

....ah.. the joys of moving.

*Later that evening, we celebrated in true Audra-style. We had our kids babysit themselves while we took plates of our neighbor-brought dinner to the secluded Pecan groves & talked about our future.

*Free and Peace and Quiet....what more could I ever want?

*Then with baby in tow, we headed to Kohls to use our free $10 off coupon. Tim pushed my recently cut open body around the store in a wheelchair while Ry lay on my lap.

We were quite the site I'm sure.

While there we bought Jax, our soon to be 2 yr old birthday surprises to give him that next day.

*Back to the house it was as we greeted our 4 oldest children,

...who were all still in one piece.

We ate our yummy {neighbor-brought} dessert, watched a movie

...and talked about our Moving plans for that next week.

Yup- that's what you call pure Romance in the Campbell household.

~L❤ve at First Sight~

2011-05-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Once I could finally feel my legs again after surgery

(3 hours later!!-Remember my Rookie Anesthesiologist?)

...they let Ryler & I leave the Recovery Room so he could greet everyone.

To my amazement Jaxson has jumped into the Big Brother roll full force. From the moment he saw Ryler he said over & over again "Baby... a Baby!" He began to love on him and kiss him and even found some random stuffed bunny in the hospital and was trying to have Ry play with it. There has not been an ounce of jealousness shown by Jax-It just might have pushed me over the edge if he did. What a blessing!...

{Just now as I was typing this, Ryler began to fuss in his swing & within seconds I hear Jax yelling from the other room saying: "Mom baby cry!"}
And then there's the BIG KIDS:

They are loving every minute holding their little brother Ryler.

My favorite thing about being a Mom...

is seeing my children LOVE each other!

{I'm sure it is just how our Father in Heaven feels too.}

That's just the way we roll....

2011-05-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my husband's line of work, the economy & our crazy moving history, I typically have a baby and then we move right before or right after. I've come to accept it & actually laugh about it...(kinda.) This time around ⌚we are moving 13 days after Ryler is born, just 10 days after being released from Hospital! C-Section incision, staples & all...

~Jealous?~

{We will be moving temporarily into a house for 5 months until our other house is ready. We are staying in the home of friends that just recently left on a 6 month mission. They were praying maybe even more so than us that our house sold soon so that we could move in while they were gone The blessing is that our house sold just 4 days after our friends, the Bulechek's left on their church service mission... Meant to be?-I think so. As crazy and unpredictable as life is, it is comforting to know that we are watched over.}

*I think over time I have learned...or am learning, that if I put ALL my FAITH into the hands of Heavenly Father & tell Him 'thy will be done', that Yes it can be scary not knowing the answer, but I do know that it WILL all work out. Sometimes I just don't know when or how but that's okay.

✌-OUT,

The Birth Story...

2011-05-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

The Prep Room:

The place where I get to have my bloodwork done & a lovely I.V. put in

(that they can never do easily cuz my very small veins!)

{This is about the time that Tim starts getting REALLY nervous.}

Then it was really time....

I walked into the Operating Room, climbed up onto the bed. I hunched over a pillow & took deep breaths as the "Rookie" Anesthesiologist gave me my spinal. (Not comforting to hear the experienced guy walking him through it...lovely.)

I laid down, watched the magic blue curtain go up & waited for my hubby to come in. I prepped him on what to do with the cameras. I was trying to keep both our minds off the fact that I was being sliced open for the 5th time in the same spot.

Here I am thinking: "Am I really doing this again!?"

I looked up into these lights & could see a clear reflection of my surgery. I got super nauseous. They would continue to raise my blood pressure to keep me from vomiting. As it started to get closer I snuck a few peeks & my adrenaline started pumping and compensated for my nausea.

Then we heard the doctors and nurses say phrases that hinted he was almost here. Suddenly I heard my Doctor say something to the affect that the Cord was wrapped around his neck...then he said "wrapped twice..." & "also around one arm.".....Seriously!.. I thought. Is this really happening! I panicked for a moment as I saw the reflection of what was happening above me.

The nurses quickly took him and worked on him. Still no crying! A mother's worst nightmare. He still hadn't cried yet but suddenly an overwhelming feeling of peace came over me and I knew he was going to be okay. A tender mercy I'll never forget.~

He still hadn't cried yet and needed Oxygen!
(look how purplish he looks)

And then FINALLY we heard a little gurgley cry....

And then a louder, clearer one.

The best sound I ever heard...

When all was well, Tim cut the cord & then brought little Ryler over to me so I could kiss him. It literally felt like I was kissing Heaven.

Tim took Ryler out of the room with him & the nurses as I was left in operating room getting sewn back up. The nausea came back & I threw up that nasty barium sulfate drink a number of times.

Finally I was all done. The doctor told me that again I had quite a lot of scar tissue (as always) but that everything looked good. What a relief. No abnormal bleeding, tearing, hemoraging or need for hysterectomy...Fears I have.

Then I was wheeled into the Recovery Room & I got to hold my baby.

And the World stood still....

♥Meet our sweet Ryler!

2011-05-18T12:06:00.005-07:00

*RYLER means "Adventurer" & that he has been from the beginning. For starters, this little guy thought it would be cool to be born on Friday the 13th. I'm certain he had something to do with that. It was actually supposed to be Thursday the 12th but long story short it was set back a day & Luckily that it was, because I had a terrible flu bug that day! {Unanswered Prayers work out best sometimes.}

When Ryler made his Earthly appearance, I guess he thought he'd come repelling out of my body. He came complete with the umbilical cord wrapped twice around his neck & once around his arm. I saw the reflection in the light above me as the doctor quickly unwrapped it & passed him off so the nurses could get him crying & breathing. It seemed like it took forever and although I lay there helpless and scared, I knew deep down he would be okay.

HE must have known too....

~Ryler Thomas Campbell~

6 lbs. 1 oz. & 19¼ inches

Friday, May 13th 1:00pm

Hooray!....

2011-05-12T20:45:00.001-07:00

Hooray!...

Tomorrow Ryler comes out to Play!

ConGRADuations!!

2011-05-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo Britters!

My little sister Brittany just graduated from her 2 year program studying to be a Dental Hygienist. It opened my eyes to what they have to go through to get to this point. {Even being accepted into the Program takes a lot of Prerequisites.} Just the amount of Anatomy they learn is crazy, the Tests they take (& have to score well on) & the amount of Patients they have to work on is amazing! This must really weed out the ones who aren't cut out for the challenge.

I'm so proud of you Britt for sticking with it!

I don't think I ever could've done it..

M♥ther's Day this year...

2011-05-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

~Here is our traditional sit-on-the-couch Mother's Day photo.~
There's just something about being pregnant on Mother's Day...It made this "Mother" thing Im doing all the more meaningful and all my emotions were on the surface that day.

(yes the dog thinks he's my child too)

~In our ward at church Sunday morning, Tim's parents were actually the speakers making the meeting significant as they spoke about Mothers. It was sweet to hear Tim's Mom talk about her Mother who was sitting in the congregation and said it meant a lot that she was there, even though she probably had no idea that she was because of her Dimentia. {There's just something about just having your Mom close by that is comforting.}

~That evening my hubby, dad & siblings prepared Dinner for my Mom and I. (I think mom helped a bit...) It was scrumptious. Tim had the idea to spell "MOM" out of cheese & Sara the Talented made this "Queen Ice Cream Cake" (best I've ever had!) & helped my SIL Kayla make chocolate covered strawberries! I felt spoiled...

We visited with both of our Mom's that evening & gave them their little gifts.

We are so blessed to have our Mothers in our lives,

and are grateful for all that they have taught us and raised us to be.

Kids Performances

2011-05-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

The end of the school year came way too fast & has been full of Recitals & Performances. We have been BUSY with it all but I think having them perform gives them great experience & confidence. Over the course of 2 weeks we have had:

*Spencer's 5th Grade Singing Performance:
He had a speaking part & was of course the most handsome 5th grader there. (Does every parent think that of their kids or is it just me?) Most of them were too cool to sing but not my Spence. His partner was not there so he danced alone & with the cutest grin. His star he waved around was decorated like Patrick-to which his younger siblings thought was the coolest thing ever!

*Daylan's Kindergarten Performance:
ADORABLE is all I have to say. There are some pretty talented 5 year old kiddos, Daylan included. He had the cutest speaking part & with his slight speech impediment, it melted the audience & gave them a giggle. He was the Vegetable "SPINACH" & said in the mic- "We're the leafy vegetables, in case you haven't guessed. And without us, Salads across the Land would be distressed."

*Spencer's Boys Hip Hop Dance Competition: Spence & his Boyz Crew did great as always at The Hall of Fame Regional Competition. He was told by his Coach that this was his best performance ever. *They took 1st Place Overall in their Division!! As the boys accepted their award @ the Awards Ceremony that day, Spence gave the crowd a peace sign & head bob making them all chuckle. (They perform in July for Nationals @ Disneyland.)

*Kaylea & Spencer's Guitar Recital @ El Rico's:
Kaylea was one of the first to go up & was terrified. She hadn't practiced the particular song enough & panicked at the last minute. She even had to "run" to the bathroom right before she was to perform & was "gone" when it was her turn. But alas, she made it up to the front with a little love-shove from Mom. She sat on the chair in front of all the outside Restaurant & did a good job performing the chords of the song "Fireflies." I was so proud of her for doing something she was scared to do.

Then Spence got up & performed "I Wanna Be A Billionaire." He decided right before he went up to sing the words into the microphone. He also had a love-shove from his Mom right before when he 2nd-guessed his decision. He broke my heart when he said: "Do you really think I should?" Absolutely! -I told him. He got up there & sang and played his song. Kaylea & Spence have only been taking Group Guitar Lessons for about 3 months & both did something most adults would never do!

*Piano Group Days:
Each of my 15 students (3 being my own kids) casually performed over the course of 2 days for each other a song they had been working on. This was the less stressful way of doing it (for a prego lady like me) than the Christmas Recital I put on in December. We played games, performed & had treats. Awww...now for my 6 week Maternity-Leave...nice.

*Daylan's "Let's Play Music" Recital:

What?...this doesn't look like a Recital picture?

Well it's because he was throwing up @ home instead of singing.

But we had him do his own Let's Play Music Recital for FHE later on.

& *Spencer's Hip Hop Dance Recital: (May 14th....to be continued)
I'll be in the Hospital with Ryler but will watch it later via recorded video. He'll have lots of support there from family members & I'm sure he'll do awesome! :)

~Spring All Around Us~

2011-05-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

although Summer is coming upon us way too fast...

I LOVE SPRING...

If it weren't for my allergies, it would be my favorite.

so it comes in 2nd next to Fall.

~I love that Spring represents New Life & New Beginnings.~

..notice the For Sale sign in the background above...don't LOVE that part.

Every year wherever it is we live, it seems like we always have a nest of birds. This time the doves made a nest at eye level on a rickety branch in our front yard. The birds chose a pretty tree with a view but the branch, their foundation was way too wobbly. (See where I'm heading with this?...)
So after a couple days of enjoying watching these baby birds, the kids come running inside panicking saying "Mom, the baby birds-..they're dying!!" I went out and saw the 2 baby birds on the concrete, one was seizuring close to death & the other questionably sitting however he landed. The mother bird was flying around in circles not knowing what to do. I got some gloves, picked up the baby birds and placed them back in their nest on a more sturdy branch. Within minutes the mother bird was back to the nest trying to help her babies. A day or so passed as she tried nursing them back to health & then suddenly all were gone. One lay there on the ground dead while the other baby & mom were gone. Hopefully the other baby flew off & was okay.

Lesson learned from the Birds: Just because one option looks the prettiest or the best on paper doesn't mean it's the right one.

Am I getting too philosophical? ...

~Easter Sunday~

2011-04-27T21:15:00.000-07:00

1st order of business:

Open Easter Baskets

{Yes those toesies at the bottom of the picture taste even better than the chocolate pictured.}

2nd order of business:

Off to Church to celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior

After Church we headed over to Grandma & Grandpa McCleve's House where he had a wonderful Dinner that everyone contributed to.

Is this backyard heavenly or what?

...And in the AZ valley of the Sun nonetheless.

We LOVE QC!

After eating we hung out, the kids played on the tree & hammock swings, the boys played a little softball, the girls performed shows for us & Tiffany went to the E.R. because of a severe allergic reaction...Yup~sounds like a typical McCleve get together.

~Easter Fun with Family~

2011-04-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

Grandkids Egg Hunt @ the Curtis'

Pure Excitement!...

Grandma Kathy & clan set up a fun egg hunt for the kids complete with their own special eggs to find. It is always fun to watch them run around and get so excited. Jax got so into this year-it was SO FUN to watch him. My Grandparents were in town from Utah & they got to enjoy as well.

(I think Grandma Curtis spies an egg & is telling Granddad where it is.)

We had a yummy BBQ & enjoyed the nice weather outside.

Granddad Curtis taught Jax the art of winning the game Rummikub.

We dyed eggs too...Aunt Sara, the artist gets a little into it.

Easter Fun Begins..

2011-04-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

....THE LOOT!

*Making Easter Rice Krispie Treats for Family Night!*

The Left Shoe Bandit...

2011-04-16T21:40:00.002-07:00

This is no joke.

When looking for shoes for Jax to put on the other day, I found this assortment. ~Only ALL "RIGHT FOOTERS"...

Anyone else think it's cool that Jaxson's middle name is on his shoe?

Just a WILD guess but....
I think this guy might be the Left Shoe Bandit:

{I ended up finding 3 of the 5 left matches but 2 are still missing which is kinda sad cuz they are hand-me-downs from brothers/cousins with fond memories attached to them.}

Story of the Year....

2011-04-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

*There is the cutest little African man in our ward. He is a husband & daddy of 4 children that had not seen his family in 6 years. Every Fast/Testimony meeting he would get up bearing his testimony (in the greatest accent ever) of the Gospel giving me goosebumps every time. He'd usually sing a Hymn which brought in such an instant, sweet spirit. One time he sang "Count Your Many Blessings" & I had to leave the chapel because I was crying so much. Click on the link to read his amazing story & see him reunited with his family at the Airport.

{Photo by: trevordayleyphotography}

The youngest daughter on the left is in Kaylea's school & church class.

*Grab a box of tissue....no really -a whole box.

Read: Roy's Story

Tulips, Chocolate & Naps in the Park

2011-04-14T23:09:00.000-07:00

...Does it get any better than that?

*DAY 8* Continued....
~The 3rd area we went to was more city-like with tall buildings & a huge park.

The last part of this day we just went off away from the tour group by ourselves & enjoyed a few of my favorite things....

❀Tulips-my fave❀

We bought trinkets & chocolate for family & friends who watched our kids...& Ate DELECTABLE European chocolate...♨

like Nutella Crepes! ...Mmmmm

☀And found a great place in the park to just lay down in the cool grass & relax.☁

*Is there any better way to finish off a Trip? We rested and talked about what to name our son. Tim agreed on RYLER although now just to annoy he is saying otherwise. That's what I put up with...the good, and the annoying...but never boring. ☺

The Last Evening...

2011-04-14T00:12:00.022-07:00

Here we are on the steps on the final evening of the cruise. This old man insisted he take a picture of us & he did. His wife posed us & then they got our email and emailed it to us when they arrived home. How cute is that?

It's awfully grainy but it captured a moment of serenity. The weather was beautiful out, the sun beginning to set, & we were all dressed up ready to have our last delicious meal.

Tim & I are gazing at this darling older couple thinking about how cute they are and how we want to be like them someday. And more than likely they are doing the same with us, reminiscing about the day they were at our stage in life.

Where's Snow White?

2011-04-13T22:13:00.001-07:00

*DAY 8*

The bus took us to 3 different areas this day & we got a good taste of France. We went along the Alsatian Wine Route into the French Alsace Region.

This area was my favorite of the 3 we went into because of the architecture. It actually felt like we were at Disneyland!

As we walked into & out of the town we saw a tall structure with a huge stork & her nest resting on top. I was expecting to see Dumbo at any minute.

As we drove into the town of Colmar we saw out our window this miniature, but still large replica of the Statue of Liberty, and discovered that the actual man who sculpted it, named Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was born there. His old home is now a museum which we didn't go to, but it was neat to know the origin of this gift from France to America.

Colmar had the best shopping & restaurants. Here we sat with some new friends & shared the best Pizza I've ever eaten. Even BETTER than Pizza I ate in Italy! We had a hard time explaining to our waitress what we wanted since they don't call it Pizza- "tarte-something" we figured out.

My new favorite color:

YELLOW

I have a new fondness for the color Yellow!
It seems like it was everywhere~perfect for Spring Time. Hope it always will remind me of the Quaint Towns in France.

The Black Forest

2011-04-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

*DAY 7*
Ever taste one of these?
"Black Forest Cake"?....it's naughty but yummy.

And this is where it originated.

~A Place Called The Black Forest in Germany.~

Pretty huh?

We walked through a primitive town in The Black Forest and saw how life was lived back in the 1600's. We discovered how they ground their wheat (pic-bottom middle), made everything they had including things like brooms from twigs they collected (pic-bottom left). Below you can see the dense forest of trees, thus leading to the name Black Forest since it was so dark. My favorite part was seeing the baby beds next to the master beds. (Ironically, I'm setting mine up beside my bed today.) Tim even tried out the teeter totter-a game for kids back then. One thing I found interesting was that in the big homes they would keep their animals INSIDE on the bottom floor & their bedrooms above that. Bad part=it must have stunk, Good part= between animal heat & hay it insulated home & kept them warm.

So what's with the red ball hats?...

It's the old custom of people in The Black Forest that the single women wear these funny RED ball hats & the married women wearing BLACK ball hats. The old lady tour guide joked that the black symbolized grief...haha.

They didn't have any black-balled hats to wear so I'm wearing the Red. Don't think the Black ones sell as well. :)

This was the first picture Tim took the whole trip that was not Blurry!... ~A Round of Applause Please.~

Rainy Germersheim

2011-04-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

*DAY 6*

We spent most of the drizzly day in & outside the Speyer Technik Museum. Tim was in heaven as we saw the Transportation of the Ages. From Aircraft, to every type of Automobile, Fire trucks, Trains, Submarines; Even Space Shuttles & Nazi/American War Tanks & Planes. There was also authentic Nazi German boats & uniforms. Tim being the WWII buff that he is said that he had literal stirrings of anger just looking at these things and wanted to destroy the swastikas he saw knowing that they were the real deal.

This is a real Lufthansa 747 Airliner that was elevated in the air on display at the museum. Here I am taking the picture from across the street a ways away. So if you climb the bazillion stairs then you can walk through the plane. I can't believe that I braved all those stairs but I DID! ...contractions included. I thought I was gonna die! (Tim was surprisingly patient with me, especially with his excitement level what it was.)

You can see below some of the inside pics of it. Most of the airplane was in it's skeleton form like this. In one photo you can see Tim at the back of the plane & another of him walking through what would be the aisles. With the plane elevated at a slant, it took all I could do just to stand where I was and take these pics!! It was freaky. Then to top it all off Tim & I slid down a HUGE slide from the bottom of the 747 to the ground. I thought would wet my pants out of fright but all worked out okay. :) The pics do it no justice. It had grown men with no teeth pacing at the top before they went down. Pictured is another plane that also had a slide.

Tim & I got back to the boat, grabbed an umbrella & took a little walk in the cool rain.

After a bit, I got tired & chilly and walked back alone while Tim went exploring. With just minutes before the boat was to leave the dock he was nowhere to be found!! I watched from the balcony for him & finally saw this dark speck running towards me. I knew it wasn't one of the old men on the boat & breathed a sigh of relief. The craziness I put up with....

I began to see my kids all over Europe...

2011-04-10T21:31:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few of the names I took pictures of as they reminded me of loved ones back home. I'm a sentiment♥l person as it is, but figure in the emotional state of a 7 ½ months pregnant lady being across the other side of the World. ✈

*This Is Us*