Demolition has started!

We officially closed on the new house Wednesday August 3rd, 2011...Jason had to go back on midnight Friday night so we didn't really do anything to the house until yesterday...My dad came over and helped Jason completely gut the kitchen, today he is tearing up the floors. Jason's mom came last night with us and helped me with the kids so I could get started the bedrooms...really all that needs to be done in the rooms is some minor wall repair and paint, but with a breastfeeding 3 month old things go a lot slower for me...I can't wait to see the transformation this house is going to take into being our HOME!

5 years ago today

5 years ago today my father-in-law went to be with the Lord
5 years ago today Ariana was 5 weeks old screaming at the top of her lungs (they say babies can sense how their parents feel, and we all felt a deep sorrow that day)
5 years ago today...

So much happens in 5 years...and I believe that he would be extremely proud of his children and his grand-children!

Today we are celebrating all the Campbell cousin's birthdays: 5 years ago there were only 3 of them, Today there are 7!!! Wouldn't he just love them?! I know that I would love for him to see them all together...

Today we are closing on our first house...I know that Jason would love to have his dad here to answer his question and give his advice and input on things. He would be happy to know we have 10 acres of land, even a little woods to hunt on...

Today, instead of grieving, I would hope we can celebrate the day my Father-in-law, without a doubt, went home to be with our Lord and Savoir...and that one day in the not-to-distant future we will meet up with him there...Oh, what a day that will be! I am thankful that he directed his life after the Lord and gave the option for my children to one day meet him...

Today we can Celebrate!

Packing

This is just the beginning...I have always known we wouldn't be in this house forever, but after almost 10 years living here we are packing up and headed out of Midland! (Praise the Lord)...We aren't moving far, just to Beaverton, about 25 minutes away...

So here is my question, Where in the world do I start?!?! I mean I have started packing up somethings, but I look at this house and feel an incredibly overwhelmed...This is the first time I have ever had to pack up a house...I went from home to a dorm, back to home, and then here...and now packing up a whole house with a family of 5! WHEW, I'm going to be a busy lady the next couple weeks, but it will all be worth it...

JC Penney Coupon

JC Penney has a coupon for $10 off $25 purchase, and they have a TON of Clearance for everybody!! Oh, you don't have to print the coupon, they have them in the store as well!!

Moving

Soon we will be moving, I'm not sure of the exact date though. We were supposed to close on the house yesterday and the appraisal guy wanted to go back, and go through the attic (I'm curious to know why this wasn't done before, and how the report was already written up without him going up there...)

Before we actually move into the house we are wanting to redo the kitchen...I am really hoping this doesn't take too long, as Ariana will start kindergarten September 6th...I didn't think I would be in a huge hurry to move since we aren't selling this house, but the school thing kind of puts the pressure on.

Anyway, I have been looking at ideas for the kids bedrooms and here is one for the girls' books that I love and think I am going to attempt! :)

Book Sling

Although I will probably applique their names on the fabric...

I have soooo many things I want to try and do...hopefully I will be able to get some done, maybe this winter when I am snowed in ;)

As for today I am watching my babies learn new things and their imaginations grow...

Love this life!

New Recipe

I'm not really sure what to call it...DELICIOUS would be a good name! My aunt made a version of this when we got home from the hospital after having Zane, I just tweeked it a little. Once again in the slow cooker...Hey, what can I say, I am a busy woman! I mean I spent a good part of my day at the beach, and who in there right mind wants to come home and cook after a day like that ;) So here is the recipe

4 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of potato soup
1 packet of dried onion soup-I used Lipton brand, I got it free at Kroger :)
a handful or more of cooked bacon pieces ( I got mine from the local meat market all cooked and crumbled for me) remember I like simple, the less work for me the better!

I put it all in the slow cooker toss the chicken in the soup a little and cook it on high for 4 hrs or low for 6-8hrs...

This could go over mashed potatoes or just eat it as a mushy casserole, hahaha...

I wish I had a picture...but sadly, I was too late...

Beat the Heat...

It has been a really hot summer for Michigan this year, I am most definitely NOT complaining!! One way I have found to "Beat the Heat" is to use the Crock Pot when I make dinner...Not only does it not heat up the whole house like the stove, I can throw stuff in, in the morning and cook it all day and have delicious meal by dinner time. It is sooooo simple!

I have used many recipes from A Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Adventure. We have all loved the recipes I have used this far! Last night was the Cheesy Ranch "Tot" Bake....I put green beans in mine, which the girls didn't care for, but Jason and I both enjoyed it!

Zane Michael

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

JIF giveaway on momspotted.com!

Check out the GIVEAWAY Momspotted is offering featuring JIF To Go Travel Pack!
Perfect for those road trips with the kiddos!!

S-H-O-T-S!!!

Today, We had to take Ariana to get her Kindergarten shots...I had in my mind she was going to flip out and start crying and need some major consoling while I was trying to take care of a baby that hates sitting in his carseat...

Well we arrived at just before her appointment time. I asked both girls if they had to go potty before we went into the office, and both of them assured me they did NOT have to...I checked Ariana in, and Adalyn comes up to me first saying she had to go potty... (annoyed) I took her. I asked Ariana again when we were in the bathroom if she had to go, the answer was still no...about ten minutes later we were back in the waiting room she decided she had to go as well...This normally wouldn't be a huge deal, however, the bathroom is outside of the office and at this point I didn't want to miss them calling her name or Zane waking up. So again, annoyed, I took her...We get back just in time to be called back to the room, Zane was wide awake at this time just waiting for the right time to start flipping out.

We get back to the room and the nurse comes in and asks some questions then leaves and we wait for the Dr. during this time, Adalyn starts bouncing on the seat...guess what, the child has to go to the bathroom again! Finally, everyone's bladder is emptied...and the Dr comes in checks Ariana out, then the nurse again...tells me to put the baby in his seat and hold Ariana while she does it....Ariana put her head in my shoulder and whispered "mickey mouse, mickey mouse" flinched just a little and that was it...My Brave, Brave little girl!!! All ready for Kindergarten NOW!!!

He is here and now 3 months old!

On April 25th, Jason and I got up early and made our way to the hospital. My c-section was scheduled as the first one that day, thankfully! I knew what to expect for the preparation of the surgery, since this was my third one. Yet, every time (this one was no exception) I was nervous...Nervous that something may happen to me and I had two beautiful little girls at home, nervous that Zane would have some major complications, even though the extensive ultra sounds showed nothing more then a spot on his heart...So many things start going through head...As it was it took the anesthesiologist around 45 minutes to get the spinal in correctly (just more time to ponder all the things that could happen, and to decide I would never do this again!) Once the anesthetic started working, the doctor brought Jason in and about 15 minutes later introduced us to our Beautiful son Zane Michael! He was 8lbs 13oz and 20 inches long. The first thing I saw when the nurse brought him over to me was his dimple in his chin! It is so prominent and cute, we all love it! He was absolutely perfect! I just kept thanking God for keeping me safe and Zane healthy!

The girls absolutely adore him! They can't get enough of him! Daddy is pretty proud too :)


Next on the list was getting Zane an appointment with the pediatric cardiologist...his family doctor told me over and over that all of his exams were fine and there was probably nothing wrong. However, for my piece of mind I wanted an echo-cardiogram done. So we were referred to a doctor in Saginaw.


They did an EKG and ultrasound of his heart. They found a heart mummer and a small hole between the two upper chambers of his heart. The Dr. said there is nothing to be concerned about and that he would see us back in a year *big sigh of relief*! This little guy definitely has God's hands protecting him. Thank you to everybody that has lifted him up prayer!

Tomorrow Zane will be 3 months old. He is getting so big! He smiles and coos at us all the time, once and awhile we can get a small little laugh out of him. He loves to give big sloppy kisses and we all love to receive them. He has been such a blessing to our family!

2 weeks till D-day...

I think back to the moment I first found out I was pregnant, I was only 5 weeks along. The first 20 weeks seemed to fly by and that put us in December and it was time for our ultrasound. We found out we were having a boy, everybody was thrilled! The next couple months actually went faster then I had anticipated...Now we are two weeks away from meeting our little guy, and time seems to have stood still...I am huge, uncomfortable, and can't seem to get the things done that I would like because my feet keep swelling up, so I need to put them up. Today is gorgeous outside, it is supposed to get up to 71 degrees..perfect day for a walk. However, I know how these legs and feet will feel if I decide to do so.


Yesterday was one of those days I would consider perfect. I got to sleep in a little bit, then got around to meet my friends, Brooke and Kala (also very pregnant). We spent time getting pampered, since Kala and I can't reach our feet right now we all had our feet and toes done. Then we went to Applebee's for lunch. A little later on, my little girls and I walked downtown Midland to Pizza Sam's and met Kala and her children, and Brooke, Gene, and two of their girls for ice cream. Needless to say I did NOT even attempt to walk back home. I had Jason come and get me for fear I would not make it back...We ordered pizza and hung out as a family for a while before the girls went to bed.

It was such a nice day, but I was totally wore out by the end of it.



Today is Sunday:

• It is Sunny and Beautiful, should be outside
• Jason fell and hurt his back again (we are quite the pair)
• So many things need done before baby comes and I'm not sure they will be finished...
  

Busy Weekend

This past weekend was incredibly busy, but I wouldn't have changed it for a thing!

Saturday morning was spent celebrating my adorable little niece's 2nd birthday. It was such a nice time spent with family. Sydney was sooo funny with presents too :) After the birthday party, Jason met up with me to go look at house. While the house is absolutely gorgeous, I'm really not convinced it is the one for our family. So we will keep looking....

My girls stayed with grandma and grandpa this weekend, and Jason and I went on the best date EVER! Since we are having a baby in about 3 weeks, and this will be our 10 year anniversary in December. We decided since this opportunity presented itself we had better take it now and celebrate while we have the chance :) We got up Sunday morning (not too early thought), got dressed up and headed to Detroit...What was in Detroit you may wonder...LES MISERABLES! We stopped in Pontiac on the way down and got a quick burger at Steak n' Shake, and made it to the theater and found our seats. Our seats were incredible!! The show was EXCELLENT!! Jason has wanted to see this show for the better part of half his life...I have listened to the CD with him, but nothing compares to seeing it person! After the show we stopped back in Pontiac and had dinner at Joe's Crab Shack! It was an overall AMAZING day!

When we got home, I had to get my feet up since my legs and feet were swelled up incredibly bad from riding and sitting through the show. So I put myself on temporary bed rest for the night, and just relaxed until bed...

Now it is Monday Morning...

• I am looking forward to getting my baby girls back home! I miss them...
  
• I have a Dr.'s appointment at 2:20 today! Hopefully he will check and see if there is progress (even though I have scheduled c-section) I would like to know if there is anything going on...
• Today marks a wondrous day where a huge debt we have paying on for over 11 years will be PAID OFF! I am beyond thrilled!
  

So despite the crazy weather in April, I couldn't be happier!

36 WEEKS!

Well, Today I am 36 weeks pregnant! and it shows~ My poor ankles are no longer existent...4 more weeks until my scheduled c-section, unless this little guy decides to come early. I think we have finally decided on a name, not entirely sure, but I like it more and more every time I run it through my head. I am having some braxton hicks contractions but nothing major so we will just keep waiting :)

Saturday, My mom had a small surprise family shower for me. I got some really cute little boy clothes, his first John Deere tractor, a beautiful handmade quilt, a couple flannel blankets(which I LOVE!) and the cutest step stool! The girls were so excited to have presents for their baby brother!

Now I need to get in gear and get these little things all washed up and put away so that if baby boy does come early we are READY!

Updated Photos

Baby Boy Campbell 20 weeks

Ariana(4) and Adalyn(2)

Wow....it's been awhile...

It has been two years since I have updated this! What has happened these last two years you may ask. Well, my babies have gotten a lot bigger, and there is a new little Boy on the way!!! April 25, 2011 we will introduce Baby Boy Campbell into a female dominate family...How lucky will this little guy be?!! :) Both girls are very excited to have a baby brother, and have even offered to change his poopy diapers (little do they know how stinky those can be!) I'm anxious to see their expressions and hear their funny comments through-out this experience...

Well lets play catch up on the girls first. Ariana is four now! I just signed her up for Kindergarten! I'm pretty sure this is going to be harder on me then on her...We sent her to K-3 at Hidden Treasures Preschool, then I decided to home-school her. So the last couple months we have been learning letters and sounds. She does really well at this! We haven't gotten through the whole alphabet yet, but she knows all letters and sounds. She LOVES writing and I LOVE seeing the words she spells phonetically!

Adalyn turns 3 next Saturday February 12th. She has been potty trained since May. However, she was in a crib so she wore pull ups to bed. Well Jason took the front off the crib a while ago but we still didn't make the switch. I just didn't want to deal with the mess in the middle of the night if there was one. Well yesterday we woke up to over a foot of snow and evidently we ran out of pull ups. I wasn't about to take the girls out to a store that may or may not be open. So she slept in panties and woke up DRY!!! I am beyond thrilled!
Adalyn also does school with us, she really just likes to be included and is really picking up on a lot! I am surprised at how much she has caught on too without actual instruction. Just as I am typing this up she came up to me and said /S/ says "snake" ! What a little smarty pants! I think she is going to have a really hard time when her "sista" goes to school too. They are built-in best friends...

I've been informed it is time for breakfast so I will have to catch up later :) I hope you all have a great day!