Before and After

We took the kids down to MEXICO for Fall Break. There was a lady that would walk up and down the beach everyday asking to braid you hair. Ashlynn wanted to do it.......so 45 minutes later she looks like this. She LOVED it and loved the sound of the beads when they hit together:) A week later when we took them out......she looked like this!!!!!! I swear she had 40-50 tiny braids in her hair and it took me almost 3 hours to get them all out. We will never do it again but it was fun to do one time! Ashlynn took one look at herself and hopped in the shower to get her hair straight again!! She will not be happy that I posted this picture.......oh well:)

12th Anniversary....are you kidding me???

This summer we celebrated our 12Th Anniversary! I honestly can't believe that 12 years has gone by. Our actual date is July 11Th....that weekend we were so busy with Tyler's baptism and family that we didn't really celebrate much. We celebrated Tyler instead which is wonderful but we wanted to still get away another weekend. So I did a little planning and worked my priceline magic.....in Aug. we packed our bags....dropped the kids off with my sis and drove up to Prescott. We loved not having a schedule and being spontaneous! We walked through tons of antique shops....roamed the streets of Prescott and Jerome......and saw Sedona in a whole new way!!! It was a very much needed weekend alone.

We ate breakfast at the little place and the portions were insane!!! We had so much food we didn't know what to do with it. We couldn't save it because we didn't have a fridge. There was a big park across the street.....different bands were playing and people were scattered everywhere. We decided to pack up our leftovers and grab some silverware and go find someone to give it to at the park. We walked around for a few minutes and asked a couple people. They thanked us but said they were fine. Dave noticed this homeless man in a sleeping bag by a tree. He had everything he owned in bags all around him. We both got this feeling that this guy could really use some food. He quietly went up to him bent down and explained the situation with our food. He welcomed the food and was so grateful....you could tell he hadn't eaten in a long time....his hands and arms were shaking as he reached out for the containers. He said thank you and we walked away and I started to cry. How many times have I walked by people like that and looked the other way and acted like they don't exist?? I have many many times. I'm glad that day was different. I'm glad that we had the opportunity to share and that we were open and willing to helping someone....it taught me something.

We drove up to Jerome after that.....awwww I love that drive.....it's beautiful. Jerome is this tiny little ghost town that is a mile or so high on top of a mountain. It's the craziest thing because all of a sudden it's there. It's full of cute shops and yummy restaurants and windy twisty tiny roads....it's great.

While in Jerome we went to an old Gold Mine behind the city. It looked more like a junk yard to me but it was cool to see it all. We were approached by this guy and somehow got sucked into listening to a time share bit. Dave will totally say it's all my fault and it was but this guy was giving all this free stuff to us just to listed to them. We had to go up to Sedona which I wanted to go there anyway.....so we went.....had a free breakfast.....listened to them for 2 hours......ended up getting a free helicopter ride over Sedona and a free weekend stay anywhere in the U.S. We were pretty irritated during those 2 hours but once were were flying in that helicopter it was all worth it! It was so cool and freaky at the same time. I had to sit in the front and the floor was glass.....it was crazy!!!

It was a great weekend and we had so much fun together! Love that we have cool little places like this to escape to that are close by. I love you babe:)

Forgiving

I had to prepare a lesson for a Sunday School class about "FORGIVING" last Sunday. I really enjoyed studying for it and reading all the information for it. After reading a couple stories that were shared it really made me think.....WOULD I BE ABLE TO FORGIVE?? I wanted to share one story....this one is very descriptive so I want to give you a little warning:)

"During World War II there were terrible examples of man's inhumanity to man. After the war was over and the concentration camps were opened, there was much hatred among the weak and emaciated survivors. In one camp, observers noticed a native of Poland who seemed so robust and peaceful they thought he must have only recently been imprisoned. They were surprised to learn that he had been there over six years! Then, they reasoned, he must not have suffered the terrible atrocities to his family members that most of the prisoners had. But in questioning him, they learned how soldiers had come to his city, lined up against a wall his wife, two daughters, and three small sons, then opened fire with a machine gun. Though he begged to die with them, he had been kept alive because of his knowledge and ability in language translation.

"This Polish father said: 'I had to decide right then...whether to let myself hate the soldiers who had done this. It was an easy decision, really. I was a lawyer. In my practice I had seen...what hate could do to people's minds and bodies. Hate had just killed the six people who mattered most to me in the world. I decided then that I would spend the rest of my life--whether it was a few days or many years--loving every person I came in contact with'. "

After I finished reading this story to my 13 year old class I was balling. I couldn't help but go back in time and picture that horrific part of history in my mind as I was reading to those kids. I couldn't help but imagine that family being mine. Can you just imagine this?? It's so horrible I can't even wrap my head around it. If I was in that situation would I be able to forgive? Would I be able to choose not to be angry and live in peace? I honestly don't know if I could.

This lesson made me think about a lot of things. It made me think about how lucky I am to be living in a free country. I can walk down the street and not be covered up because I'm a woman. I can have as many children as I want and not just one. I can be who I want to be and where I want to be at any given time. I have choices that I am able to make and no one makes them for me. It's all me. It made me think.....why was I put right here on this part of the earth....why?? I certainly don't have all the answers but I am going to make for dang sure that I appreciate things more....acknowledge things more.....not take things for granted. Especially not get caught up in the small things that don't matter and let things go that maybe bug me a bit. Not allow myself to get bent out of shape about things that I can't control. How much head space do we all take up on things that we can't control or change?? All you can control is you and you alone. We are truly blessed to be living in this time. Don't get me wrong I know there is a lot of crap going on in this world but there are a lot of remarkable things going on in this world too. We have our freedom we have our choice.

I appreciate stories like this that stop and make you think....literally stop. What a remarkable man to have a heart filled with peace and love instead of anger and hatred. It teaches me to stop....and be grateful for what you have....be grateful for your family and loved ones....be grateful for your health and your freedom. Focus on the bigger picture and thank God for what He has given you every single day. It is through Him that we live and breath every single day. How quickly I forget that sometimes....but I'm working on that and trying harder every day to be who He would want me to be. I'm trying to change my focus.....really change my focus.....it takes a day at a time.

My Cubs

So I finally have a Cub Scout....can you believe that...it's CRAZY!!! Dave just happens to be the Cub Scout Master as well so this is something that my boys can do together. I have to say that Tyler has been so excited to be a part of this and has been working really hard. He just earned his first badge....his BOBCAT and a couple belt loops. It was the first meeting that I had been to and it was a lot of fun. Dave did a great job with the boys and planned a bunch of fun activities for them. I was really impressed....Dave's father was a Scout Master for many years....I could tell he learned a lot from him:). They were having a swim party that night...that's why the boys had swim shorts on with their shirts:) Look at Ty's face though.....he kills me he is so hilarious!!!! He is so embarrassed and it trying so hard not to smile. I don't even know what face that is....it's like he's holding his breath or something. So funny I just love him!!

He was so proud of himself and I was such a proud mom!!

It was Cub Scout night at the D-Backs game the other night. Dave and Ty went and brought along the Bybee's and also took our brother in law Brian. Ty had one of his favorite buddies with him all night. They were able to go early and march on the field with all the Cub Scouts before the game. He thought it was AWESOME!!!

Ty and Kohl.....good buds:)

First Day of School

Today FINALLY came!!! I knew this day would happen and I completely thought I was ready for it. Tyler was kind of excited to go back to school but Ashlynn.......she was SO EXCITED to be in school like her brother. She could hardly wait!! I've been holding on to their school clothes and shoes until the first day. I think they were just as excited to wear brand new things. Even though Ashlynn had to change 3 times and ended up not wearing a new outfit. But she still wore new sandals.....she calls them her Jesus shoes....I laughed so hard when she said that!

So this is Ashlynn before we said goodbye and this is me after. I took my sunglasses off and realized that my mascara was all over the place. All of our emotions were really high and then it was that time to let her go and me just to watch. As I stood there and watched my baby walk away with a backpack just as big as she was.....I completely started to cry. It caught me way off guard. I couldn't believe that my baby was a big girl now and in school ALL day long.

As soon as she was inside I ran over to Ty's classroom to see him and give him a love. I get in there and want to take a picture and he was acting all embarrassed....like he was too cool for his mom now. What is the world is that......how is he already old enough to act like that??? I kept telling him to smile and show his teeth and he very quietly said...."no mom no"....and he wasn't even moving his mouth when he said it. He just wanted me to take the dang picture and get out! At least he smiled, it's a little cheesy but oh well.

Isn't he such a stud......and she is just so precious:)

After school I took them over to the big fountain and took a few more pics. They were so happy when I picked them up. I'm so glad that I planned to be with a friend that morning because I was feeling so strange all day. It was a weird feeling being alone all day and not knowing what to do with yourself. There are so many things that I want to do and accomplish while I have this time to myself. I just need to make a plan and stick to it so I don't turn into a frumpy mom that lays around and eats all day. I'm excited to have more me time and work on things and make new goals for myself. This will definitely be an interesting year around the Campbell House....Happy Schooling everyone!!!!!

Tyler's Baptism

July 10, 2010

What an AMAZING day this was for our family!!! I didn't know what to expect or how that moment would feel. We were so blessed that day with all the support from our family and friends. We really are blessed with wonderful people in our lives and feel so lucky. I'm so grateful for a husband that honor's his Priesthood and was able to baptize our son. Tyler had so many men in the circle to help confirm him a member of the church and that was just awesome. I can't believe that Tyler is 8. He is such a sweet young boy and we are so grateful to be his parents.

Our entire Bishopric came and we had Grandpa Dwayne and Grandpa Dennis give the talks....they did such a wonderful job! Ty is the first grandchild to be baptized on my side of the family and also the first great-grandchild.

So happy that ALL of my sisters were there:)

The Johnson Bunch

The Campbell Bunch

Lake Powell...pure BLISS!!!

So this place is seriously a little piece of heaven on earth!!! It's been years since we've been back here and the first time the kids have been. We never want to miss a summer trip like this again!!

Ashlynn had so much fun the minute she got onto the boat for a ride she would fall right asleep!

We played in the sand.....went wakeboarding and tubing in the boat.....the guys went repelling a couple times a day from a 300 ft. rock....Ty even learned how to do it but his rock was much smaller about 20 ft.....and he did AWESOME. That was a proud parent moment...especially for Dave. Eat....Play.....and Sleep....what more do you need:)

It was the best fun ever!!! We are so grateful we were able to go and make so many incredible memories. I have so many more pics and will put them on my facebook page if you want to check out more!! Lake Powell ROCKS!!!!

Baseball games & Dance class

Ty started baseball back in April and I'm just barely getting these posted! He had games twice a week for 8 weeks. Our lives basically revolved around the baseball field and we just loved it. It was so much fun to watch him play and see how much he's grown!! He had the most awesome coach that was so positive with the kids and patient. Tyler absolutely LOVED getting ready and warming up before each game. He totally would get into his own little zone. I have to say that I just think his buns are the cutest ever in those baseball pants!! We can't wait until baseball season starts again!!



Miss Ashlynn had dance during the day while Ty was at school. She had one class a week for 8 weeks and then a recital at the end. Can I just tell you that this girl LOVES to dance!!! I hope that sometime soon we can really get her involved more in dance. She is such a crack up and did so well!! Dave was able to run out of the office just in time to make her recital. It was such a joy to sit there and watch her perform what she'd been learning. Even though all the baseball games and dance classes made our lives a bit more hectic....we wouldn't trade any of that fun for the world!!! To watch the kids faces and see how much fun they are having and how happy they are...100% worth it!!!!