The past month or so....(random)

It has been awhile since my last post.  I realized I still haven't posted any pics of Father's Day, Fourth of July, a cousins wedding on Jason's side, and more!

Life has been good around here for our family.  I have been dealing with some morning sickness but on the tail end of that now, thank goodness!  I had forgotten how much I used to be able to get done in one day until the last few when I have felt better.  Ava is thankful too!  I had been struggling to interact with her the same way.  The average of 106 degree temp here for the last two months has been rough as well.  It is bad when your 18 month old wants to go back inside after a bit because it is so stinking HOT!!   

Anyhow, we have been having FUN inside:)!  Ava is become quite vocal!  She is starting to string together phrases and some short sentences, mainly beginning with, "I want" or "I need"- lol!  It amazes me the things she will say sometimes.  I know all moms feel that way.  It is just so neat watching them grow into expressing themselves and verbalizing the knowledge they have had but not been able to put into words!  I love it!  

The other night at a wedding, Jason started walking off with our camera and Ava ran after him saying, "I want a picture!!"  So cute.  She played with a disposable camera at the reception and was quite the photographer!  The day after the wedding we took her to a local splash park in Gatesville, her first one, and she squealed the entire time!  It was great to have the chance to do that with GJ!

Anyhow, she is such a  joy!!  Every age is more FUN and DELIGHTFUL, not to pretend each isn't met with its own set of challenges!  

As for me, I HAVE BEEN ON PINS AND NEEDLES waiting for my little niece, Sophie Tate, to join us!!  I can not wait to meet her. I have also been slowly getting back into a workout routine since not feeling well.   

Jason has started getting up to workout in the mornings at 5:30 again and has really been enjoying it, although I know sometimes bed sure seems more cozy!  His softball league is about to start back up!  We are all excited because this year Ava and I should be able to make it to some of his games! 

We FINALLY BOUGHT A NEW CAMERA!!!!  It will be here shortly!  I can not tell you how excited I am about it!  I am not a great photographer but I have the ability to catch precious moments when I am using a good camera. I feel like I have missed so many with Ava because ours takes like 5 full seconds to take!  Anyhow our Nikon d3000 is on its way!  YIPPEEEEE!!! 

Father's Day was a low key and sweet day for the three of us!  Ava walked her gift over to Jason and sat with him while he looked at it!  We played, ate, and enjoyed a family day!  We loved honoring Jason and all the hard work he puts in at work and home to take care of and serve us!  We are two very lucky ladies!!! 

Our vacation to Gruene with our friends was wonderful and relaxing.  We floated the river two days, ate lots of good food, played games, and enjoy adult conversation with no kiddos!  We laughed alot!  Medicine to the soul:)!

Fourth of July was the day we found out that baby #2 is on the way.  We were with the whole family and had a great day PLAYING IN THE POOL!  We stayed out there all day and had a blast!  The kiddos love Yaya and Papa's pool and so do we!  We had my Dad's steaks- there is none better anywhere!!!  Great day of fellowship and fun!! 

Finally, baby #2 is healthy and growing.  Heartbeat was 189 at my appointment:).  We could see baby c's head bobbing up and down.  It was exciting!  Due date still set for March 3rd! 

Last but not least, pics from recently....



Ava's first snow cone!  I had to post this pic, we came across it yesterday.  Not sure exactly what happened here- we just found it hilarious!

Father's Day!

The girls (Talan- preggers, Kellen, and Me-preggers- but didn't know)!

The boys and very typical. Jason and Paul being funny and Dillon laughing at them!

Ava's playhouse that was a complete surprise from YaYa and Papa:)

The best pic I have to capture the 4th!  Jason is the one behind the camera, the rest of us are in there somewhere- ha!

Family pic at Trey and Derah's wedding

Saying their vows- congrats you two!

Our little photographer- "Say cheese"

Fun at the splash park!

What comes after the number 3?

4

We are going to be a family of 4:)

Ava is......

GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!!!

We are thrilled!! :)  We found out on July 4th while spending the day with the whole family.  It was FUN!  We are still really early, like 5.5-6 weeks along.  My first appointment is still three weeks away. 

We covet your prayers for a healthy pregnancy for both little baby C and myself. 

I intend to do my best to enjoy all the moments I have left of just Ava and I!  

We are so curious to know if it will be a boy or another little girl! 

Ava will be such a good big sister.  She loves her babies and real babies.  She loves to try and feed them, give them paci's, rock them, and say "shhhh" when they are sleeping. 

Gotta run!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Campbell Househould Lately...

I don't feel like I have anything real exciting to catch everyone up on but our everyday life:)! 

Jason has begun to gain a little more flexibility at work which has been an incredibly nice change for us!  One half day a week on top of Sundays and his boss advocating for him to get more days off for vacation type purposes!  YAY!! 

Ava and I have both been doing a lot of traveling.  We have been to Houston, Temple, Colorado (just me) and so on.  Kellen and I drove to CO for a wedding of one of our former players!  It was a very sweet wedding that fit her and her husband perfectly.  They honored Kellen and I at the beginning of the ceremony along with their family members.  It was quite touching!  Then as only Shawna would, for her bouquet she threw a hot pink volleyball- lol!  Priceless. 

Ava and I are about to head back to Houston for a crazy, busy time.  We are coming for a shower for my sister.  Right after the shower I am leaving town to meet Jason and two other couples for a vacation in Gruene TX.  Leaving the munchkin behind- wohoo!  Thanks mom and dad!  We are going to float the river, golf, hangout, etc...  Just enjoy one another's company without all the kiddos running around! 

Jason then gets to turn around and come back to Houston the Sunday before the 4th and join us for the 4th in Houston!  We are so excited.  The nine (including baby Sophie, of course) very rarely all have time together, we are usually missing Jason!  We will have a great family day! 

Ava is FOR SURE NO LONGER A BABY!  It is crazy.  I was holding her yesterday and saw our reflection in the mirror!  She is SOO BIG!  She is repeating almost everything we say, talking, singing, dancing, climbing, etc... I really can't believe it!  She also finally learned to crawl at 1.5 years old-ha!  She is for sure her own person! 

Her personality is precious, fun-loving,  and very independent:). 

She lately ..

(this will be a long list mainly for my records)

• started counting (1,2, and we occasionally get the three;))
• making animal sounds for sheep, cow, rooster, monkey, lion, snake, camel (sometimes), elephant, puppy, horse, bird, and duck
• has added dusting to her already superb sweeping and mopping skills
• climbing on everything
• blowing her nose and wiping her mouth
• is asking for specific books
• has become obsessed with Winnie the Pooh movie, books, and stuffed animal
• helps pick up her toys
• puts objects in random places
• loves to take things out and put them back in over and over
• runs fast
• "jumps" without her feet leaving the floor unless she is in her crib then she jumps up and down
• fallen in love with the Zoo and doesn't understand why she can't get in the cages with the animals
• has Tea parties with her tea set
• she has begun to identify the color purple
• sings "It's a hap, its a hap, its a happy day" by singing "happy, happy, happy, dddddaaaaayyyyyy"
• does some motions to "My God is so big"
• does some motions to "Head and shoulders"
• acts out happy, sad, silly, giggling, mad, crying
• points out her belly button, ears, eyes, hair, head, nose, mouth, and toes
• helps me load water into the fridge, two at a time- what?  too cute!
• loves her baby pool
• tells me what the letters A, B, C, and sometimes D say
• laughs alot
• loves to pray and say Amen
• loves to read her Bible, especially the story page- Jesus Loves the Little Children
• loves to be tickled
• loves music
• loves to dance
• LOVES HER DADDY!!!!
• saying (new words from last post I think)... oatmeal, giraffe, pool, pooh, teeth, chur-oh (cheerio), juice, milk, water, bach (block), bed, park, pear, manna (bannana), wamama (watermelon), I know, I want _____, air-pay (airplane) or plane, read it, rock, circle, and then repeats almost everything!
• hates brushing her teeth
• thinks it's funny to stick her finger in her nose, "wake up" Jason and I from pretend sleep, tickle us, or touch our belly buttons
• is really testing boundaries just for the heck of it
• cuddling much more-  Yay!! 
• missing her Yaya, Papa, GJ, Uncle J, Jamie, and Josiah.

Every morning she goes over to a pic of the Blackburns and takes it down, points to all three of them, and gives Josiah kisses.  Then throughout the day she always "is on the phone" with Yaya or Papa.  So sweet! 

Jason and I are still praying and waiting to see what God has in store next!  We are learning and growing as we wait!  Prayers for our next step would be AWEOSME!  Thanks. 

I will leave you with a few pics:)

She loves to wear my headbands

Kel and I at Shawna's wedding

The volleyball bouquet

Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ava- 15 Month Post (a tid bit late)

So I realized the other day that I had not done an update on Ava lately.  I was wanting to find a place to record some of the new things she is doing now that I no longer have a baby calendar. The blog is going to have to do for now!  

Anyhow, Ava, you are at such a FUN AGE!!  Every day your precious, loving, and spunky personality shine through a little  more!  You are starting to use more words and just do more big kid things!  So precious (and sometimes so challenging;))! 

Lately baby girl the words you have either clearly said or attempted to say are.....

bird- twee-twee

diaper

chicken

turkey

hat

baby

bye-bye

shoes

dragon

puppy- woof woof

shine (this little light of mine)

bible

Jesus

bath

wa-wa (water)

keys

bottle

cacker (cracker)

outside

wee (anytime you see a swing or a rocking chair)

Jo (josiah)

Harper (friend)

Haddie (friend) 

ball

apple

more

mine

no

please

cheese

thank you

bawoon (balloon)

hush or shh - with your finger over your mouth- love it!

There are more that I am missing I am sure but those are some of the new additions to your vocab right now- lol!

You also are:

Dancing in circles to Ring Around the Rosie and enjoy being dizzy

Throwing and catching balls

Trying to hit the golf ball with the club

Starting to "get/tickle" daddy and I

You pound it with people

You like to back up to daddy and I when you want to sit in our laps

You give the best voluntary and involuntary kisses

You love your friends and cousins

Saying Hi and Bye to anyone and everyone

Starting to put things back in their places

Chasing the balls of your ball popper and putting them back in

Knocking on doors when someone is in a room or outside that you want to get to

Going down smaller slides by yourself with someone waiting at bottom

Starting to climb

Doing stairs by yourself as long as you have some kind of railing to hold onto

Becoming interested in buckles

Undoing your shoes constantly

Starting to understand drinking from a straw

Almost using a spoon by yourself

Still loving your sleep and your bed

Associating some letters with words

You love to sweep or mop with your broom or any of mine

Testing your boundaries (a lot)

I think I will stop there!  You are just growing so fast!  Everyday I have at least one if not a gazillion precious or funny stories to tell your daddy when he gets home!  We are so very in love with you! 

Thank You sweet girl for the joy and love you share with us each and every day! 

A few random pics

Have a great week!!

Fun Weekend- coming right up:)!

So this weekend is going to be so FUN AND EXCITING because....

1. YaYa and Papa are coming to visit!!  We are so ready for them to get here!! 

2. ACU Volleyball Alumni Weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 We are having the first annual ACU Alumni weekend.  Alot of old teammates and players are coming in town!  We are going to meet for a social event on Friday night for a little while to reconnect.  On Saturday, we will watch the current ACU team play in a tournament here on campus and then....... we are all going to play eachother starting at 2:00!  After we play alumni vs. alumni for a while we are going to have alumni vs. current ACU team!  Oh boy- going to be entertaining!   I am going to get to play with old teammates I haven't played with since our college days but also get to play with some of my players that I have close relationships with!  I am so excited that mom and dad are going to be here to watch and enjoy the weekend with me (Jason has to work :( , and I it is cool to think that Ava will get to watch her mommy play volleyball:)!! 

Today is going to be a good day BECAUSE......

They just decided to start letting Jason leave at noon on Tuesdays!!!!!!! This is such a huge blessing for us as a family for more family time!   YAY- THANK YOU GOD FOR THIS!

Well I got to go get baby girl- have a good one!

Hallelujah- warm weather!

The Campbell Clan is praising God up above for the warm weather!  What do people do with little ones who live in places that stay cold year round?? Anyhow, we have been enjoying the great outdoors!  We literally are always outside! 

There is not much to catch up on.  Jason and I are just embracing life, learning, growing, and enjoying each other and precious Ava!   We CHERISH our Sundays because they are only family day since January:(.

Anyhow, here are a few pics of February and March. 

Super Bowl Night with friends and it started snowing! 

The girls!  Talan and I each have one and the other two are preggers (both have their sweet baby boys now)!

Besties!

Amanda and her two kiddos with Ava and I at Run4Rex

TN Weekend- went to visit a dear group of college friends!  Oh how we miss them!

Sarah and I loving on each other's kiddos!

Ava's hair one day after nap- crazy!  She must have slept good;)

Harper and Ava reading books

Ava and Daddy at zoo-she LOOOOVVEEESS HER DADDY!

Playdate with Ava, Harper, and Haddie all together

Harper's Birthday Party- 2 years old

Starting early- perfect passing form!

Weekend alone with YaYa and Papa!

Trying out the lion and frog chairs so she can have her own when we go camping!  We went with the frog but cousin Jo is probably going to end up with the lion or maybe the monkey!

Harper and Ava riding in the wagon!

We have spent time with family lately, but I always grab Mom or Jamie's cameras since they take better pics.  Problem is I never end up with copies to post!

Have a great weekend!

God's Compassion and Healing Power!!!!

I have so many things I still want to catch everyone up on and pictures to post; however, the story of God healing Ava is of first priority!!!  

As many of you know since Ava was six weeks old she has not been able to have dairy or soy.  We tried several times over the first year of her life to give her soy or dairy and it always ended up with Ava being sick, in pain, not sleeping, etc...  So, when she turned one we were giving it another shot.  

I began giving her just 2 ounces of milk each day for four days then four ounces for three days and then six ounces one day.  As the days went on she began to get much more irritable, had no idea what she wanted, constantly crying, not sleeping, and her skin was reacting in a few places- ughh!  I took her off and knew I had to wait a few days before we could continue with another plan of action.  I was frustrated, weary, and discouraged!  

That Sunday morning at church David McQueen was starting a new sermon series about the Spirit.  He was talking about how the God of Old is the same God of today.  He walked us through the life of Jesus and how so much of his time was spent performing miracles of healing.  He discussed that there is without a doubt a place for doctors and medicine and how blessed we are with modern medicine and technology.  However, he also mentioned how the church as a whole doesn't stop often enough and pray first for God's hand in healing and sickness!  I am not doing justice for the words God spoke through David that morning, but hopefully you get the idea!

Anyhow, on the way home from church that morning I just felt God saying to me, "Go back to formula only for this entire week and pray over her faithfully every night for her healing".  Of course, I am thinking of all the excuses not to do that... the timing isn't convenient, is that really you, etc!  And of course he was persistent in letting me know that He was leading me to do just that!  

So I prayed over Ava every night as I was putting her to bed and Jason and I prayed over Ava as a couple every night once he was home.  Throughout the week God kept placing the scripture on my heart that states if any of you are sick-  go to the elders, be anointed with oil, and you will be healed.  So I knew at that point the Sunday that would fall at the end of this week of praying would need to include Ava being prayed over and anointed by elders at Beltway.  

At Beltway they have prayer partners who pray during service and give a list to David of things the Holy Spirit has spoken to them the people need prayer over.  Over the last three months of this practice there has never been the following mentioned.... At the end of the service that Sunday, a prayer partner had received a word of knowledge that someone who has been struggling with chronic reflux and lactose intolerance needs to be prayed over this morning!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW??!  So as you may guess we went forward after service for Ava to be prayed over!  

We felt strongly it needed to be an elder and were unsure of how to handle that if the first available prayer partner wasn't an elder.  (God is probably saying if you hadn't noticed I got this... I have set this in motion...) Anyhow, of course the first available prayer partner was an elder and the first thing he said was I am going to anoint her with oil because that is what the scripture teaches us!  WHAT?!  Anyhow, he prayed over Ava.  

Since that day Ava has been drinking milk, eating yogurt, eating cheese, etc... etc... etc....  She has had not one problem or negative consequence of it!  GOD HEALED AVA!!!  What a GOOD AND GRACIOUS God!  He didn't heal her because He had to but because He loves us and her and has compassion for us!  

I won't go into detail but through the week of praying over Ava and the first few days of her having dairy the enemy was at work in full force trying to cause skepticism and fear! THANK THE LORD ABOVE that He has already won the battle and He is victorious! We had people surrounding us who stood in faith with us and in the gap for us when we were tempted to give way and doubt!

We are so in awe, humbled, and thankful-- we had to share!!