Strolling with Grammie and Poppy

We had some fun family time today. This is Grammie and Poppy with their four grandsons. Now I am downloading my free trial of Adobe Photoshop - looking forward to the fun I am going to have with the photos we took today. My only problem is creating time in my schedule to do it!

School Visit Synopsis

Highlights of Parent's Day at the boys' school:

• Eating lunch in the cafeteria was...how to describe it...interesting? The seats are small and everyone wants to talk to you nullifying any quality time with Jeter and Barber. And yet, they are absolutely thrilled that you are there.
• Is it wrong/silly to feel totally flattered when two third grade girls come over to me, one twisting her hair around her finger and the other looking back and forth from the floor to me and then to the floor again while they banter "no you tell her" back and forth until finally one of them speaks up and says "Jeter's mom? We just wanted to tell you that we think you are really pretty". LOL. Is that what it would be like if I had a daughter?!?
• I was reminded once again how annoying book fair can be...although I was relieved to find a book that Jeter and I could both agree on. Barber's turn to go is tomorrow afternoon. Hoping for the same success.
• It's really nice when they have normal size chairs for us to sit on (in the classroom) for parent's day. That isn't always the case when I volunteer in the classroom throughout the rest of the year.
• I seriously believe that Simms is a kid magnet. Maybe that's why he has been such an awesome soccer coach for the 4/5 and 6/7 year olds? Barber's classmates didn't want him to leave and vied for his attention the entire time he was there!
• Confronted with the reality of my age when one of my former students was a substitute in the school today. At the same time it was enjoyable to observe her skill in teaching these kiddos and I was as proud of her as if she was my very own daughter!

Tweaks and Overhauls

New week. New day. New blog design.

Routines are good but change is good too - and sometimes it is just necessary. You always have to clean your house - at least I do - and periodically I do things just a little bit differently. Other times a complete overhaul is required. On the home front, this is what I have been doing with the boys clothes. It's necessary when the season has changed and they have grown.

The same truth applies to my blog. I resisted change for awhile. Why? I loved my design. I really did. So I survived for a long time with small tweaks and updates. I wrestled with the thought for a while but I finally had to face the truth - the time had come for a complete overhaul. Simms didn't think it was necessary but he isn't a huge lover of change either. That was one thing I tackled last night - after we pruned a tree (Simms pruned, I was the spotter for where to cut which branch), enjoyed an impromptu dinner by a fire in our backyard (mountain pies) and said good-night to our kiddos. The overhaul is complete and I still have time to tweak the details.

How do you deal with change? Do small tweaks give you the chills or do you love the challenge of a complete overhaul?

He Hears. He Knows. He Cares.

Seeking and praying.

This has been the constant in my life lately - meaning it's been more pronounced in the last two months. My heart always desires to follow His leading and do what He's doing but sometimes there are just seasons where the need to be seeking and praying is stronger. This is where I've been.

And it has been a good time. He's revealed some things to me that are so precious and He's blessed me in mighty ways. That is what a loving Father does.

Yet there is still some stuff that hasn't been answered.

Today has been one where I've enjoyed just being in His presence. Knowing that He knows. He cares. He hears. These are truths that I believe but I love when He takes time to show it to me.

Like today when I was driving to church...I desired to just worship Him. I popped in my Desperation Band CD and joined in with My Savior Lives. To my surprise the CD then skipped from track 1 to track 8. I thought that was strange and reached to return to track 2 but just as I was about to I felt like I was supposed to listen to this track. Thankfully I yielded to that nudge.

I needed to hear the lyrics to Everlasting God.

One thing I know that I have found
Through all the troubles that surround
You are the rock that never fails
You never fail

One thing I know that I believe
Through every blessing I receive
You are the only one that stays
You always stay

You never change
You stay the same
You are the Everlasting God
You will remain
After the day is gone and things of worth have past
Everlasting God




The morning meeting went well and I was back home by 1:00 pm. To work I went. Getting the morning dishes into the dishwasher and cleaning out the sink. Straightening up the family room. Bringing the laundry to the basement and putting away some recent purchases into the pantry. I was about to head upstairs and tackle another task when I felt like I was to take a break. I started to shrug it off but it grew. So I went downstairs, got something to eat for a late lunch and sat down. It was then that two more songs blessed me - I had the radio on and had I continued working upstairs at that time I wouldn't have heard them.

The first one is Revelation by Third Day. Here is a snippet:

Give me a revelation
Show me what to do
'Cause I've been trying to find my way
I haven't got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I've got nothing without you.

Okay. Got it. He is hearing me loud and clear.



The second song is He Is by Mark Shultz (to hear the song on his website, scroll down and pause the advertisement...then select He Is on the player)

He is. He was. He always will be
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still my soul
He is.

These lyrics resonate with the song from this morning. It also reminds me to continue to Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10.

He hears.
He knows.
He cares.

Laughter is Good Medicine

"Why do they always lose when we see them?" Jeter's venting frustration at the Giants loss to the Chargers in the last minute of the game.

"Mommy, how about when I grow up then you can be done with your marriage to Daddy so I can marry you?" Barber asked me this tonight as I'm tucking him in to bed. Then he followed it up with "Can you do that? Can people stop being married to one another?" The timing of when these questions arise astounds me. If you know me, then you know that we had a discussion (brief but I couldn't let it go) about the fact that marriage is more then just husband and wife. It is a commitment and a covenant made before God and although there are some people who stop being married that is something that Mommy and Daddy will never ever do. I also told him that I don't know who he is going to marry but I am already praying for her. Yes. I. Did.

"Mom, why do you have to do that? You are always working!" Barber's response to me asking him to pick something up from the floor. I have two responses to this - (1) maybe I need to play some more and (2) at least he recognizes that all of the stuff I do around here is indeed work.

"Mama, what can I do to help?" Normally, this is a question that a mother would love to hear her son ask. But I just got finished telling Jeter that he needed to sit down and rest so that his body could heal. Apparently he's as good at sitting still as I am.

"Why aren't Papa and Mima going with us to the game? We only have 4 tickets?!?!? Can't you just buy 2 more?!?!?" This was in reference to the tickets that we were able to purchase to bring the boys to see the Giants at Giants Stadium. The innocence of childhood. It also shows the love of family. Like his Mommy, Barber loves and cherishes the time we have together.

"Life with the Campbell's is always an adventure." Simms made this statement after he safely pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. We got a flat tire en route to NJ - to bring the boys to the Giants game the following day. Thankfully AAA sent someone to us in about 15 minutes and the boys thought it was fun to be in the car while the gentleman changed our tire and added air to the spare. It also helped that Poppy and Grammie drove out to meet us so that we could trade cars and quickly get back on the road again.

Simms is right. It is and has always been an adventure - and I continue to smile and laugh as much as possible on our journey together.

Time...it's worth it.

Family traditions.

Jeter's class has been discussing family traditions. This past week they had to complete a project where each student is responsible for making a quilting square. The middle of the square was to display their family (via photo or drawing). The four corners were designated for traditions within your family. This week they are presenting their squares to the class and then together constructing a class quilt.

The four traditions that Jeter selected were:

• Birthdays. He highlighted that they always wake up to a room full of balloons, they get to choose two flavors for their homemade ice cream cake and then they get a special cake designed by mom for their birthday party with family and friends.
• New York Giants. Apparently the fact that we are all NYG fans and watch the games together (when it is on TV - excluding night games for the boys) is a tradition in his book.
• Christmas. He noted that our family celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and that we spend time together decorating cookies and the tree.
• Fun Family Friday. This is a "new" tradition that was birthed this Fall. With the many scheduled evenings, we made sure to have a nice evening together on Fridays. Friday's are now characterized by enjoying pizza and ice cream sundaes as well as some fun activity together.

As parents, we often (at least Simms and I do) think about the big things that impact our children. At times this can eclipse the importance and relevance of the day-to-day stuff. Isn't it interesting that a larger percentage of what my son perceives as meaningful and important doesn't cost a ton of money? The cost is really time - to make things together, talk together and play together. Finally, Jeter summarized the importance of his family's traditions by stating that they create a strong family bond.

He may only be eight but I think he's on to something...

What is one of your family traditions?

The Taste of Fall

One of the things I enjoy about Fall are apples. Sweet. Crunchy. Yum. Fuji are my favorite and I just bought about 80 apples this past Friday. My two bottom crispers are full and I have about 30 that will be peeled and prepared - many destined to become the main ingredient of my most favorite apple crisp ever (recipe below). I will make a number of goodies that we will freeze and enjoy over the next year.

Believe it or not, I will also make another trip to the farm and buy at least another 40 apples before the end of the season - then my crispers will be jam packed with apple goodness. These apples stay fresh in our refrigerator and my family will continue to enjoy them through February or March of next year. And then we have to wait again until the following October...

Apple Crisp

Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbs flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
6 cups apples

Top Layer:
1 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup butter melted

Mix bottom layer ingredients together. Place on a greased pan.

Mix top layer ingredients until crumbly and spoon over apples. Pat firmly.

Bake 350 for 25 minutes or until lightly brown.

I use the excuse that I don't own a 1/3 tsp to triple the recipe. :) This also helps when I have about 30 apples to prepare into some apple goodness.

For Whatever You May Be Going Through...

Barber Uninterrupted

Last night soccer practice was cancelled because of the rain. Jeter was bummed but it was nice to enjoy a leisurely dinner together. We had ziti, meatballs and spaghetti (for the boys), bread and oil and zucchini.

The boys were telling me about their day at school and then we were talking about the weather and hoping that we have good weather for Homecoming this weekend. The conversation continued to twist and turn - Barber was asking where we (Simms and I) met and then Jeter was recalling the story of Simms asking my Dad for my hand in marriage and then...

Barber: Mom, you know how there are some people who don't get married but they have kids anyway?

Me: Yes...(prepared to talk about this but cut off by Barber)

Barber: Well, I kind of wish it was that way with you and Daddy.

Me: ???????? (still not able to respond except with the questioning look on my face because words are still coming out of his mouth)

Barber: Do you want to know why I wish that? (He now assumes the answer is yes because he just keeps talking) I wish that because then when I get older, I could marry you.

And my heart melted

Created & Called...the ingredients of life - part 2

This is Part II of a two part series - if you didn't already, feel free to read Part I. Besides being Mommy extraordinaire (ha!), I lead a ministry at our church. For more information about the ministry you can check out our blog...look at the links in the left margin. Last month was the kick-off to our new season: Created & Called: Year of Activation. I shared the following with the moms and wanted to document it here as well - in case my boys want to learn more about why their mama is the way she is. LOL

Do you every get downloaded with stuff? That’s what I call it anyway. Like I said previously, I ask lots of questions and they don’t always get answered right away. But I know God listens to me and cares about my questions and so I trust an answer is eventually coming – hoping that it’s on this side of heaven. Anyway, I always have a journal in close proximity to me – in my purse, on my nightstand, at the desk, etc. Unfortunately, even though I’d love for them to be themed, they aren’t. Largely due to these downloads. I could be at church (worship or when someone is speaking), driving in the car, working at home, washing my face, in the middle of the night…seriously there isn’t a truly consistent pattern that I can see anyway. And then boom. Download. So I don’t try to remember it…I sit and write.

Recently I was writing down various women in the Bible and the potential theme that surrounded them / their message, you could say.

Mary – called to mother Jesus

Esther – called to save her people; to intercept the plans of the enemy.

Deborah – called to serve as a judge for Israel. Wisdom and discernment resulted in victory for Israel and years of peace.

Elizabeth – called to mother John the Baptist

Hannah – called to mother Samuel

Egyptian princess – called to raise Moses; this allowed him to understand what royalty was. This was needed component for him to participate in God’s plan to ultimately free the Israelites. He didn’t have the mindset of a slave. (Kris Vallaton elaborates on this in his book Supernatural Ways of Royalty)

Rahab – called to protect the spies

Ruth – called to support and love on her Mother-in-law, Naomi.

Motherhood is definitely a theme here. This is not an easy job – and if you note, because of the strong foundation that their children received, they were active participants in the calling God had on their lives – giving glory to Him through their words and actions.

Another theme that I ponder seems to tie me to the Israelites. My parents became Christians in the early 70’s. As a result I am not cognitively aware of what it is like to live life without Jesus – He has always been part of my life. I now understand that the time frame was during a revival. I saw a lot of stuff. Prophesy was “normal” for me to see – so was people falling down, long lines waiting for prayer, services that would run for 3+ hours, church on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, hearing lots of different tongues, seeing and hearing about miracles. Prophets and teachers of the Word would stay at our house. Vacations were conferences in other states. And then it was like someone hit the pause button. Not that God wasn’t still here. But things happened in our world with people I knew. I witnessed leaders fall. It hurt. Since then, there have been glimmers that remind me of my youth and my hearts cry has been – God I just want YOU – I want it to be the real deal and not just take another walk around the mountain. So then I ask a question…what is it that can keep us from walking around the mountain again? How can we truly be part of a “revival that doesn’t end” – quoting Bill Johnson.

This going around the mountain reminds me of the Israelites – that’s the tie. Remember I mentioned Deborah? During the time of the judges there was this constant ebb and flow with the Israelites and living in peace. They would repent and God would give them victory over their enemies and they would live in peace for a period of time and then they would return to worshipping idols and false gods which bore the consequence of falling into captivity and lack of peace. This would then last for an extended period of time until they would once again repent and cry out to God for forgiveness and He would give them victory over their enemies which would result in a period of peace until once again they began to serve false gods. It was a cycle that too often we judge them for. I mean have you ever asked “What is their problem? God saved them! WHY would they bring idolatry into their homes again?” Obviously I have…I like questions.

What sickens me is the parallel to the present. We experience revival – a time of peace that seems to be followed by a time where we feel under attack.

How do we stop the cycle?

I am not an authority on revivals or the cyclic nature of them. And I am not saying that this is the only answer to the question. But, I believe with all my heart this is a key and may be why I have been part of this ministry.

For something to last – it has to cross generations. Generations. You are moms – who have an integral link to the next generation. We cannot pass down to our children what we don’t grasp ourselves. I’m able to pour more truths into my boys then my parents did with me. They just came to know Jesus when I was 2 years old. They deposited truth into my life but it was all new to them. I now have a lifetime of truth that has been deposited into my life to pass on to my sons. Is this making sense?

I really believe that God has been preparing for a supernatural shift to take place in each of you – that He has prepared you to fully embrace the truth of your identity and purpose. My prayer is that every good word that He has spoken over your life will be fulfilled – to completion. And that, as a result, this truth would be deposited into each one of your children. That amidst the wiping of noses and butts, you would ooze the truth of their identity and purpose to them. That, just like Jesus was always a part of my life, we would have a generation who would never doubt who they are or the importance / relevance of their life. I have to tell you – I believe this is possible.

So…where do you begin? Wherever you have to. Just let Him speak into your life – and choose to listen and believe what He says to be true.

At the end, I read Max Lucado's book You Are Special. If you've never read it, turn off the music and play the video below. It's one of my boys favorites.