Blog
Project 366 {Week Six}
February 5: Wonderworks Nominees, Crawdads & Crazy Monkeys
James randomly found this massive craw daddy this morning while doing outdoor chores. We have had a lot of rain lately so I guess he just washed up. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he came strolling into the house with that thing. He gave Delayuh a good fright, I wish I had captured her reaction!
The boys were recipients of Wonderworks “Future Scientist” and “Strength Through Adversity” nominations! They each earned a free ticket to the museum. I am so proud of them both!
I taught the kids this exercise tonight. I used to love doing this as a kid and now that they have learned it… they also can’t quit impressing us with it!
February 6: Valley Water Mill Park
This place was so awesome. We hiked along streams, saw an actual spring and, of course, the lake. There is so much to see and learn in nature and it always makes it more fun to be with friends! We enjoyed a yummy picnic before heading back home for some book learning on the front porch. What a gorgeous sunny and warm day it was!
February 7: Chicken Coop
These boys are such good caretakers of our little flock. They truly impress me with their total care, from daily feeding and watering to cleaning the entire coop every couple three weeks. They have really taken full responsibilty for these ladies that we got as tiny, just barely hatched chicks. We are all excited for them to start laying this spring! We eat so many eggs!
February 8: The Baker
He doesn’t have to help make bread but he sure likes to! And I like that he likes to!
February 9: Seeley Man
This kid is obsessed with the Chiefs and so he loves wearing his new hat that Daddy got him for his birthday along with his #87 jersey. I got him these little red sneakers around a year ago and he wears them every chance he gets too, although he’s sadly about to outgrow them. We had a Krispy Kreme date today and when I saw the red chair I knew I had to make this simple environmental portrait of him! I leave at least one of my camera bodies in my backpack at all times these days so when the moment calls, I am ready!
February 10: Hard Working Man
He is so unbelievably hard working and dedicated to pursuing his dreams. I am so proud of him and happy to be by his side for each step of the journey.
February 11: Chiefs Are Superbowl Bound!
I never doubted. And yes we did pop a champagne in the house! What an incredible amazing game and memories made together! I had my camera on a tripod and timer to capture reactions and emotion from everyone, I especially loved Seeley’s dance and at one point James was rolling around on the floor, lol, that’s just what he does with extreme happiness! We sure had one happy house tonight!
Project 366 {Week Five}
January 29: Front Yard Football
It was so warm out today, of course they had to be outdoors…in shorts, t-shirts and sleeveless dresses!
January 30: Nature Center
Another gorgeous day…today it was all things Nature Center, so much to see and learn there!
January 31: Happy Second Birthday Eddy
Two years ago this gorgeous heart throb was born and a few short weeks later, he became the bandaid for our hurting hearts when he became ours! We had the pick of the litter and I will say he is the best dog our family could have ever asked for! We all just love him to total bits. Also, he apparently didn’t remember his first birthday complete with a “cake” and party hat because poor thing thought he was in trouble when we put his two layer steak cake in front of him this year, lol!
February 1: Haylee & Robert
“What if life didn’t go as we had planned…
What if life was never supposed to go as we had planned…
What if our lives were always supposed to come together to bring God the most glory through a story only He could write…
What If…”
Two weeks and one day shy of two years ago, these beautiful babies moved from our home into their forever home with whom today became their forever family! Our hearts were shattered because we had planned to be their forever home and their forever family. We never intended to be a stepping stone…
The following is in part something I wrote to their sweet forever momma when I learned their adoption day was finally set in stone…
I was rooting for this day for them long before they were with us and I have quietly prayed for this day to come every day since they left us. I have processed a very complex range of emotions for the last two years and with time it's been easier to see God’s divine hand and now ultimately His Master Plan because although it didn't go the way we thought it would/were told it would and although our intentions were TO BE their forever...we see it now as God used us to be a final stepping stone TO their forever. I never planned to be used that way. I would have told God “NO!” and, in fact, thought I had taken all precautions and measures from the very beginning to ensure there would be no future loss, hurt or grief as that season of my life had already held so much of those things. I couldn't handle more heartache and loss at that point in time. But sometimes, I guess, you don't get a choice in how He chooses to use you. And guess what? l'd do it all the exact same again for them, if need be, to get them to this place of forever with this beautiful family! I am truly thrilled for these children I once called my own, I am thrilled for the opportunity to love them forever as family, I am thrilled to support this family of five in any way we are able in the future and I am so very thankful for a God who so beautifully worked all things for their good and His glory. He gave me a promise for these babies and myself when they first came to live with me… Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” This verse hangs on a large frame over our mantle. And my heart rejoices in how beautifully He has kept that promise.
February 2: Silly Seeley Turns Six
This little fiery spit-fire firecracker “baby” of ours just turned S-I-X today and boy did we have such a great time celebrating him! He is a super big Chiefs fan and I think he had the Happiest Birthday ever being celebrated with everything he wanted most! Gosh, I love this crazy, crazy kiddo! He is THE most fun, the most crazy, the most rambunctious, the most sweetest and the most loving little six year old boy in the world. He didn’t get his nickname “Bruiser” by accident…he goes into every day full throttle and makes me hold my breath always! He amazes me with his creative bright mind!
Happy Birthday Seeley!!! 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
P.S. Yes, I realize now that I am a crazy momma and sewed his Chiefs apron upside down and literally never once noticed until the day after his birthday while looking at a photo! I had a brain fart and honestly never even gave the pattern a single thought, so I guess I got lucky and cut mine out correctly.
February 3: Not My Circus But They Are My Monkeys
January 31: Football Fun In The Sun
I completely forgot to even pick up my camera once on February 4th, so I’ll use this extra set from January 31st as it’s placeholder! James has really been working on his kick and I’m pretty impressed with our Baby Butker!
James {Ten…And A Half!}
Dearest James,
I am so proud of the incredibly strong boy you are! You amaze me with your giving heart, your thoughtfulness the way you bring happiness and fun into every day of our lives with your quirky and goofy sense of humor! I just love who you are, you have always been and who you are becoming. I adore you and can not believe you are ten. And a half!!!
I love you is not enough!
Love,
Mother
Project 366 {Week Four}
January 22: Ice Day
Daddy stayed home because of icy roads! We love our mornings even more when he gets to stay home and join us for breakfast, the kids are always so excited and surprised when they find out he’s here when they wake up instead of at work! I adore James’ “Chicken Anatomy” drawing, don’t you think he did such an amazing job?!
January 23: James Makes Bread
The kids love taking turns helping me make bread. They enjoy the process almost as much as they enjoy devouring it! Today it was James’ turn. I truly cherish all the times we spend together doing things like this because I know soon the day is coming that he will have more interesting things to do, but for now I’m just soaking it all in!
January 24: Morning Adventures
It was such a beautiful, warm and foggy morning so we headed outdoors for breakfast and a morning walk through our woods. So much beauty all around us. And no exception to the beauty is Delayuh in her tutu, tiara and boots!
January 25: Principal Daddy & Keepper & Sons
I tell the kids I am the teacher and Daddy is the Principal! ;) They enjoyed having him sit in with us for a lesson today, especially Seeley because he loves feeling like one of the big kids showing Daddy all he has been learning. Early evening we headed out to the new land we recently bought. We have some exciting new plans for it and today is just the very beginning of all that is to come. Nothing is more fun than pursuing our dreams…together as a family!
January 26: Twenty Five Years
Twenty Five Years ago today God called my beautiful sister and friend to His side. She was living her best life having recently married and becoming a Mother…all her dreams had seemingly finally come true. She was a doting and loving, full time SAHM to her little 2 year old and 4 month old boys when she was passed after a very awful battle of cancer that started during her last pregnancy. I will never forget her and the love she always showed me. She was 18 when I was born and I was nearly 18 when she left us. She was a beauitful second mother to me, an amazing confidant and friend as I grew older. I mourn her to this day. She is forever loved and missed and so today we visited Aunt Melissa’s grave in remembrance of the beautiful life she lived. My Father was buried beside her in January 2021 and just a short year and half later, my darling niece was also buried a few hundred yards away. I can’t “visit” one without visiting the other.
January 27: Chicken In The Bread Pan Picking Out Dough
Help! Recently that song got in my head and I can’t stop. I’m driving the kids bonkers singing it.
January 28: Superbowl Bound!
Our beloved Chiefs are headed to the Superbowl!!! Zeb and I truly enjoyed our afternoon relaxing and watching the game together!
Project 366 {Week Three}
January 15: Chores
They wear it. I wash it. They help put it away. Repeat.
January 16: Give Us This Day Our Delayuh Bread
More bread and crescent rolls. This girl sure loves cooking and baking. For her birthday, she asked me to sew her and I matching aprons (I sewed a set for James and I when he was her age and we have just been borrowing his) and so needless to say she got her wish and we have been putting them to very good use! I would say she is in the kitchen with me almost every day and definitely enjoys it the most but the three boys love it too, especially Seeley, since he is still so young.
January 17: The Glass Is Half Full
These pretty little handmade cups were a thoughtful gift from their Aunt Julie! She sure loves our kids and is always so sweet to them. I spoiled them with some homemade hot chocolate this morning after the boys helped me do outdoor chores this morning. Just felt good to be out there in 19 degree weather vs. anything below zero! {Oh and the crescent rolls were courtesy of Delayuh’s baking yesterday!) Rhe had a turn in the kitchen with me over lunch today making the next round of bread. He said, “This sure is a fun way to do math!” referring to our doubling the recipe. :) I love how proud he seems in this photo, you can almost see the sense of accomplishment on his face! He is a sponge when it comes to learning and loving! His love language is quality time, I’m sure of it.
January 18: Princess Delayuh
I loved dressing up with Delayuh as a Princess and then her and I going on a Princess Date! We had the best time eating fancy snacks and meeting all the beautiful Princesses!
January 19: Aunt Sissy came up for the weekend, so we had a party and played games and ate yummy food! Greg came over for chili and cinnamon rolls too. Everyone had a fun evening!
January 20: We had a family slumber party in the basement with Aunt Sissy! We pull out the extra mattresses and blankets, eat snacks and stay up way too late watching funny TV! It’s the kids favorite winter family activity to do but then when you add in Aunt Sissy, it becomes next level fun for everyone! We ate a 4 quart cinnamon roll for breakfast then headed to visit Grandmother for the afternoon and evening. She sent the boys home with a couple toy model cars with one being just for parts. As you can see in the last image, they wasted no time at all getting the cars rebuilt. It’s the boys favorite past time! :)
January 21: Chiefs Vs. Bills
We made homemade pizza and had a Sunday night football watching party in the basement! The best winter memories with our babies!
January 18: Homeschool Gym
A few extra images I made this week!
Project 366 {Week Two}
January 8: Little Man
January 9: Snow Day
Snow days are so much fun but nothing makes them more fun than when Daddy gets to stay home for a snow day with us!
January 10: Eat, Sleep and Breathe Racing
When we came to tuck him in, this is how I found him! I couldn’t help but bust out laughing!
January 11: Field Trip
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Bentonville, Arkansas
The kids loved exploring art that coordinates with our current homeschool history lessons, Beeple: Human One, the amazing indoor and outdoor structures and I loved that it was all things Annie Leibovitz. The afternoon started with Gusano’s for a pizza party (iphone capture at end of slide for this one) and ended with getting home after 7PM! These kids work so hard in school and I love being their teacher! What fun are days like today for all of us!
January 12: A Field of Dreams
Celebrating yet another dream come true! We are excited to share more of what this is all about in the days and weeks to come!
January 12: Campbell Christmas
My family (Mother, siblings, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews) all gets together in January every year for Christmas since there are so many of us! We all have have our own families and in-laws too so it’s just easier to put our Christmas in January! James drew #1 for White Elephant so he had the pleasure of opening multiple gifts after getting his gifts stolen countless times, lol!
January 14: Four Quart Cinnamon Roll
I have really been on a baking kick. I have legit used over 20lbs of flour since mid December. This was one delicious giant cinnamon roll!
What a fun week it was! I am getting back in the habit of daily shooting and throwing my camera in my backpack everywhere we go!
Project 366 {Week One}
A fresh New Year! I am excited to accomplish another 365!
January 1: Happy New Year
January 5: The Loss of A Friend
James’ very beloved bearded dragon, Bro, passed away after being his friend for almost 3 years! It was a sad day for us all. It is so hard to watch your child grieve and navigate loss.
January 5: Princess Delayuh Turns Seven
January 6: Family Slumber Party
January 7: His Best Friend
A few bonus photos because it was a very busy week with the holiday, the loss of James’ pet, and then all the sewing, baking, prepping for Delayuh’s birthday on top of the homeschooling and I just did not pick up my camera daily. It’s going to take some time to be back in the daily habit of shooting but I am so happy that I am capturing far more than had I not started this. That’s a wrap for the first week!
Delayuh {Seven Year Old Portraits}
Dear Delayuh,
You are the little girl I never asked God for but the one He saw fit to bless me with anyway. You are the little girl who brightens every single one of our days with your twinkly eyes, your spontaneous eruptions of laughter and giggles, your beautiful “piano playing,” your angelic singing, your sweet little tender heart and eager willingness to help with all the cooking, cleaning, baking, sewing and all the other little girly things. I love that you are every bit as much of a tomboy as I am. You rock your carharrts, boots and ball caps and look every bit as beautiful in them as you do in your frilly princess dresses, high heels, tutus or tiaras. My favorite is when you combine the two and run around with your brothers in your carharrts and tiara or boots and a tutu. Nothing more sweet to me. You’re my little shadow, my little sidekick. You’re Daddy’s little Sweetheart Princess. And you’re your brothers antagonist. 🤣
It’s fun because some days it’s you and I against a house full of boys but I guess since they’re all cute we do okay putting up with them, right?! 😉
I love our little rough and tumble, cute-as-a-baby-bee’s-bumble, adorable little giggle box, sweet little baby-doll momma, fun-loving and hilarious girl! Your personality is just so, so, so fun and I’m so grateful and happy I get to love you every day!
Happy Seventh Birthday My Sweet Baby Yay-uh!
