Date Night

Praise the Lord for Date Nights! My sweet Aunt and Granny had a special night with the kiddos while David and I went out. It was so fun!
(Shelley, my sweet friend who does my hair, curled it up and made me blonde!!)

Have a great weekend!


Emma took this one and insisted that I put it on "our" blog:)

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the stable
Not a creature was stirring, though plenty were able.
The ox and the cow and the goat and the sheep
All comfy and cozy, had drifted to sleep.


The morning doves snuggled all warm in their nest,
While chickens and chicks settled down for a rest.
With smell of fresh hay hanging sweet in the air
The critters all slumbered without any care.


Then out in the darkness a star lit the night
Shining so brilliant, so pure, and so bright!
The stable grew lighter as if it were day
'Till the rooster arose, crowing loudly to say:


"Rise 'n shine, everybody!" he cried, "Cock-a-doo!"
The ox and sheep grunted; the cow softly mooed.
And in a few moments, each one was awake,
Confused and bewildered...was there some mistake?


They squinted and gaped at the glistening star
And then heard a clip-clopping sound from afar.
But after a while the clip-clopping drew close
And right through the door pushed a brown, fuzzy nose.


The animals stared with their mouths open wide
As a man and a woman came right inside.
After heaping the hay to make her a bed,
The man rolled a blanket to pillow her head.


The woman looked weary and tired and worn
Like she had been traveling since earliest morn.
And there in the stable stll flooded with light
They settled back down for a long winter's night.


But just as the critters began to drift deep
A startling noise interrupted their sleep!
The woman cried sharply...like she was in pain!
And all of the critters awakened again.


They waited and listened and watched with wide eyes.
Then to their relief they heard baby cries!
So that was the problem. I wasn't real danger.
The animals smiled at the babe in their manger.


Then just as it seemed the excitement was done,
The animals realized it had only begun!
For in the night sky there arose such a ringing,
With hundreds of angels all joyfully singing:
"Peace on the whole earth and goodwill to us all
For God's only Son has been born in a stall!"


Then down from the hills, the shepherds all poured
To see the sweet baby...they called Him the Lord!
They wept and they worshipped and fell on their knees,
Praying and praising as long as they pleased.


And off in the distance, three learned men smiled,
Then followed the star that would lead to the child.
They'd bring Him great gifts of incredible worth
To give to the King...to honor His birth.


But back in the stable, the critters were awed
To know that this child was the true Son of God!
And so they bowed down and worshipped the King,
And in their own way, sweet praises did ring.
To Jesus they sang, so real and so right:
" A blessed Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"




"And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

Be blessed this Christmas remembering the birth of our sweet King!

12 Days of Christmas

Blonde? Brunette? Short or Long?

Ok, right after you read this I need every one of the three of you:) to leave a comment.
It is decision time. I have a hair appointment, and I need to make a decision.
If you know me, you know I like to change my hair. I have gone from brown to blonde, short to long.
It is time.
I don't know if I should cut it...or become a brunette again?
I need you. Now more than ever.
I think my mind wants to keep growing it and to change to brunette. But, my heart is always a blonde. It IS winter though. I could always go back to my heart's desire when summer rolls around.
I also need whatever is stuck under the "o" key to come out so that I do not have to stomp on the "o" every time I type it!
Shelley, if you are reading this and you have an opinion I need yours the most!:)

Seriously, help.

Our Daughter, Emma

Emma has always amazed David and me. From her first words, to her deepest thoughts. Her reasoning is profound and her understanding of others is so touching.
Last Friday, Emma asked me if she could get her hair cut. About one year ago, Emma had the cutest short hair. We loved it and were secretly waiting for her to decide that she wanted a change. Well, leave it to her to get "deep" even with something as seemingly shallow as a haircut.
We listen to the radio on our way to school.Being that it is near Christmas, our radio station is granting "Christmas Wishes". Recently she heard of a single mother who had been diagnosed with cancer. Her mother was also dying of cancer and living in her home. The younger mother had three children and was just having a difficult time. Their sweet wish was granted, and through grateful tears she attempted to thank the people who were going to help them. (Which, by the way, was the band Casting Crowns!) A couple of days after this broadcast, on the floor in our TV room, out of nowhere Emma asks, "Does cancer make you die?" It was a heavy, heartfelt question for our four year old daughter to ask. We answered her as best we could and left feeling a bit sad. Sad because she is getting to the age where complete innocence is fading. Sad because her little ears heard of a mommy who's mommy is dying. Sad because she felt for the three precious children who do not know how long they will have their mommy. But, happy because our great King made Emma to have a heart for His children.
So, back to the haircut. We have known several friends who have donated their hair to Locks of Love. This is what Emma decided she wanted to do. A descision completely made up by herself. Can I tell you how proud I felt at that moment? Ummm, no. There just are no words.
So we traveled down to Sweet'N'Sassy, where Emma proceeded to get 7inches of her hair cut off. She donated her beautiful "princess" hair to some sweet child of God who may be feeling down because of some nasty illness. We prayed over her hair, that the one it will go to will feel like a true princess when they get their new hair. It was a moment I will never forget. I am so proud and so blessed with the gift of Emma.
And, to top it all off, that same day she lost her front tooth! All in one day, our sweet baby girl became such a big, grown-up girl!
She is amazing and we love her so much.
Be blessed this day.

19 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity:

You may have already seen this, but David and I are laughing so hard right now! I had to share!
1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hand held hair dryer at passing cars. see if they slow down.
2. page yourself over the intercom. don't disguise your voice.
3. every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that?
4. put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in".
5. put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 wks, once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso.
6. in the memo field of all your checks, write "for sex".
7. finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy"
8. don't use any punctuation
9. as often as possible, skip rather than walk.
10 order a diet water whenever you go out to eat with a serious face.
11 specify that your drive-thru order is "to go".
12 sing along at the opera.
13 go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.
14 put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.
15 five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party b/c you're not in the mood.
16 have your coworkers address you by your wrestling name, "rock bottom"
17 when the money comes out the atm machine, scream " i won, i won!"
18 when leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "run for your lives, they're loose!!
19 tell your children over dinner. "due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."

Thankful...

Pure Sugar

Do you guys think it is ok that my children are breaking open ALL of the Pixy Stix in their Halloween bags and pouring them into their little mouths????

I may be regretting this "sweet" moments in about 30minutes. Until then, it's nothing but pure sugar for them!!

(And I want EVERYONE to notice Jacob's attire...it is one of Emma's swimsuits!)

Please Join Me in Praying for Mary Grace...

To the right under "Please Pray For" is the name Mary Grace. Please go to her site and as the Lord leads you, pray for her and her sweet family.

Hebrews 4:16
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

LIFE

Life is so good. God has blessed us abundantly with Emma and Jacob.
Enjoy a glimpse into our day!

"Children are a gift from God, they are His reward."

1 Timothy 5:6-10

A good word for me:

1 Timothy 5:6-10

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

Halloween at The Campbells

This was my favorite Halloween with the kids. In our neighborhood, there are TONS of kids and everyone gets involved in the festivities. It was such a fun night, full of characters, popcorn balls, candy and tired little legs. Jacob said that his bag of candy was so heavy that it made is legs hurt...and that was after going down just one street!
Enjoy the pictures!

Read This Right Now:)

Goodness...you have got to go here to see if you are a charismaniac!

Have a great day!!

Martha Stewart, I am not

I see from the poll that someone roasts the pumpkin seeds from their pumpkins. I need to know how to do this:) Emma wants to do this at home, as Thursday they are going to roast the seeds from the pumpkin they carved on Tuesday. Can you help me? I am really good at following instructions, I just need them:)
Thanks in advance!!!

Welcome Trevin Matthew Kersey to the World!!

Our sweet friends, Kristi and Michael Kersey, had their little baby boy on Monday. Please, check them out here.
Congratulations Michael and Kristi!! He is a cutie!

David Vacuums and Cleans and Makes my Day

So, this morning my amazing husband made everyone breakfast. EVERYONE. Without anyone asking him to. He just did it because he loves us. Then, he got the vacuum out and started vacuuming. UPSTAIRS. My least favorite place to vacuum is the stairs and Upstairs. It is a difficult task hauling that thing up each step as I vacuum the ones ahead. But he did it. Without my asking and without any hesitation. THEN, he called Emma up to her room. The two of them cleaned her room in complete harmony. Unlike when I force, I mean try, to get Emma to clean her room. She was actually excited about cleaning her room. I was in disbelief. After her room was completely picked up, he sent her down to get Jacob while her sweet daddy vacuumed her room. Jacob and David then proceeded to clean his room...which was not as destroyed due to his crazy tendencies to pick up his room before he goes to bed. It's awesome, rare-but awesome. Then all three of them cleaned the playrooms. They were then vacuumed. And life, my friends, is very good. It is soooo the little things that make my day. My day had been made...(Which reminds me, David also made the bed this morning!)

Campbell Happenings

It's been a while since my last post. So many wonderful things have happened lately in our lives. The kids have started school again, giving me three glorious hours to myself on Thursdays. Emma is in heaven at school. She loves her friends and adores her teachers. She is full of excitement going to school and returning home as she shares stories of her day. I love that about her. Jacob, well he is another story. I have learned that if I am the first to drop him off he is fine. If I am a teen-tiny bit later, there are crying kids at the door and he doesn't want to be left out:) Actually, last week he went in happily even as another child was crying. Progress:)

A couple of weeks ago our little family went to the Hyatt Resort Lost Pines. Look it up people. Go there with your family and enjoy every minute of it. It was so fun, and I am so glad we decided to take the kids. I can't imagine being there without them! There were many activities during the day. There was a perfect pool area for kids, playgrounds, an area full of bikes of all sizes. At night they have two large fire pits for...S'MORES! Yummy. They also have a movie theater and were playing Monsters Inc. We tried, but if you know our children (mostly Emma) if there is a "bad" character a movie or a book has no chance with us. We were out after about 10minutes. Anyway, great place and we will be back!

Have a beautiful Wednesday!

The day Copeland met Jesus face to face...

Little Copeland met Jesus today. Please lift her family up when God brings them to mind. If you want to read about their precious life, and how they are glorifying our sweet Jesus even through their heaviest trials, please go to the right and click on "Copeland".
May they be blessed as they are singing God's praises in the midst of one of their most trying times.

Please Pray for Copeland and her parents

A friend of a friend had this on her blog the other day. I have followed this sweet family since. Please pray for this baby girl and her precious family as she nears the magnificent meeting of her heavenly Father. I cannot imagine.
I can't figure this out, so please go to my list and find "Copeland".
Love,
Keri

Playdate

Are playdates for the kids or the moms? I am pretty sure they are just as much for mommies as the kids. I love having friends come over with their little ones. It is great to chat and discover the similarities that motherhood brings. It is also interesting to see the kids in different stages of life.
Today we had a fun playdate with Brittani, Park, Sunni and Ava. I am so thankful these ladies live near me! They are awesome and full of great information.:) They know of some great places to get fun, more importantly inexpensive, things for your home. We MUST go shopping soon!
Thanks girls for coming over with your beautiful children. I truly am so thankful that God placed you so close to me.
Children are such a blessing and we are thankful for the added blessing of playdates!

Lose Yourself

Ok, you have to copy this and paste it to your browser. May seem like a lot of trouble, but you will thank me when it's over.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz06v09J4-Q

Wordless Wednesday

I LOVE my Kids!!

I love my kids. I love all the unique~ness of each of them.

I love that, before bed, if Jacob finds ANY of Emma's things in his room he grabs it all and promptly goes to throw it in Emma's.

I love that every night as we are leaving Emma's room, she flashes me the "I Love You" sign and says, "I love you and Goodnight!". Every night. I love it.

I love the way she seems so grown up by her vocabulary and mannerisms, but looks so very tiny in her big bed.

I love that she will still occassionally as us to hold her in public. She is growing up, but still so young.

I love that Jacob absolutely has to have me hold him when we are crossing the street. Somehow, by the Grace of God, fear of the street is in him. I am glad for that.

I love that Jacob runs through our house with Emma's dress~up heels on and tells me that he is Cinderella. I

love that he also can dribble a soccer ball like a true professional.

I love that Emma has hazel eyes and Jacob's are the bluest blue, and that they both have beautiful sand~colored hair.

I love that when we go out to eat, on occassion, people have stopped by our table to tell me how well mannered our children are. (If you have children, you know why I love that so much!)

I love that they adore little babies. They can't keep their little hands off of them...I see that as a good thing and not a bad one. I foresee Emma being the perfect little mommy and Jacob being the greatest dad.

I love that Jacob's laugh can make the hardest day ever the most treasured day ever. His laugh is contagious I promise. I dare you to listen to it and not find yourself joining in.

I love that Emma has a love for people. I love that when she meets a stranger she will later ask me if I think they know Jesus. I love what God is doing in her heart.

I love that both of my children can tell you the capitol of Alabama and Alaska, along with state birds and that Alabama has iron and steele as natural resources and that Alaska is the biggest state. (Those are the only two states we have learned so far, but they were truly learned!)

I love that Emma loves school and that Jacob seems fearful. His fear reminds me that he is comfortable at home and that he is still so very new at this "life" thing.

I love that they are both napping at this very moment.

I love that as I read my bible this morning, Emma asked me what I was learning from it.

I love that Jacob can sing all the songs from "Diego" and "WonderPets".

I love that both Emma and Jacob love to read.

I love that both Emma and Jacob love to paint.

I love that Emma finds great joy in helping her brother do certain tasks like unbuckle his seat belt, put the straw in his juice bag, wash his hair, change his clothes, tell him big boys go poopie in the potty, get on his swing and take care of baby dolls.

I love that when Jacob wakes up he cries...moreover, what I love is that when I ask him why he is crying he always says, "want you, mommy."

I love that God has provided a way for me to stay home with these children and experience these things everyday for myself.

I love that because of Emma and Jacob (and David of course!) I have had one of the best summers ever!

What did I do to deserve these little gifts? Some days I feel so unworthy. They are so incredibly dear to my heart and I don't want to mess up as a mom. I know I will as I am human, but it breaks my heart to think about it. God is so Good to bless us with Emma and Jacob. I pray these little ones will be established in righteousness(Isaiah 54: 13) and find their confidence not in David or me, but in God(Psalm78:7). They are true blessings.

Can you see her flashing the "sign"?