4 weeks old

My baby is already a month old! He is such a curious, energetic little boy. He celebrated his first holiday this last weekend. RESURRECTION SUNDAY! Most people know it as Easter. He was so cute in his yellow polo with matching plaid pants. Even though the size was 0-3 months, he is still too little to fit into them. But it was adorable. We decided not to have him hunt eggs. I think it would be a waste. Who do you think would eat the candle he would "pick up?" His daddy and me. Do we want to be eating candy till Halloween? I don't think so.

The hunt has begun.

His Nana took care of him for me Sunday. I was able to enjoy myself and my husband. Corban was in good hands. Nana changed diapers, fed and played with him. While mommy and daddy were having fun. Not that Corban isn't fun!!!!

THAT GO-CART WAS FUN!!!!

We had a great time hanging out with family. I love my family. There are 50 of us total, and when we get together, it's loud! When we are all together, there is one thing that is important to us all...food. That's the reason we see each other. Italians love food. So can you imagine what the dinner table is like once grace is said? It's a race to see who gets in line first. (Not limited to the young ones!) I wouldn't trade my family for anything in the world. My grandparents have 5 kids, 15 grandkids (9 are married), and 12 great grandkids (one is on the way). As you can see, we are still growing. Nothing beats family time!

This is my cousin LeaAnn and Aunt Laura. Don't let the patch scare you. She just had eye surgery.

this is an actuall
fight, just kidding!

So sad

I found out yesterday my grandfather passed away. He had been struggling for a long time. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 7 years ago and I guess that was the turning point. He had continued to fade away from us all. In these last days, I know he was happy and content.

I know he had found Jesus to be his Lord and Savior. It is comforting to know that I will one day see him again in the presence of God Almighty.

One of the sweetest things I have seen while watching my grandfather's life slip from ours was the relationship he had with my grandmother. I had recently sat with her and asked her if it was always this way between the two. "No!" Was her response. "Life was rough and hard. We didn't always get along and sometimes he was a mean man." Looking at the way they were with each other, you would never think they ever fought. I never saw a more true love than the love they shared with each other. I know in my own marriage, things get a little tough, but love holds the mold. I saw true love in the eyes of both my grandparents. It's not a first love look, nor was it a passionate one. The look in their eyes read tenderness and commitment. An adoration. They would of been married for 63 years this June. Not many people can say that these days. Most people can't say they've been married for 5 years.

I know my grandmother will miss my grandfather. I can't imagine losing a spouse. Especially after being together for so long. But they will be reunited one day. Heaven awaits this joyous reunion.

Corban was the last great grandchild my grandfather will ever see. We happened to go to their house after being discharged from the hospital. That was the first and last time Pawpaw saw me and Corban.

He's Here

Well folks, he is finally here. The miracle that we've been waiting for. CORBAN GAD CAMPBELL. Weighing in at 7lbs and 10oz and 20.25 inches long. What a blessing he has been.

I was in labor for 18 hours, but it was so worth it. The last 4 of those 18 hours I was laboring old school way...no pain medicine. I did get an epidural earlier in labor, but by the time pushing came around, it had worn off. Looking back, I don't think I would of done it any other way. I pushed for about 2 hours. It wouldn't of taken so long if I had thinned out all the way and if he wasn't turned sideways. That's what the doctor said.

I can't believe I am a mom now. There is nothing else like it! I didn't know my heart could make so much room for such a little guy. I now know what they mean when they talk about a mother's heart. I am responsible for this little boy. It's freightening and wonderful all at the same time. I am held accountable by God to make sure he grows up in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. I wonder if I will make a great mother. If I will pass the test of parenthood and see the fruit of this labor when he is older?

But right now, my heart is content on being his everything. Completely dependant on Wes and I for love, care, support and nourishment. I love this little boy. More than words can say. My prayer for him is to grow up knowing Jesus loves him and knowing who he is in Christ. To be a warrior for the Kingdom of God and against the powers of darkness. I want him to be confident, loving and giving. I want him to be just like his Daddy. Always thinking of others before himself. A hard worker and a loving husband.

Long time no write!

It has obviously been a while since I've written anything on my blog. Part of it was because I just didn't feel like it and the other was because I had so much going on. But after reading some of my friends blogs (Colleen), I decided to give this a try again.

Since my last post Wes and I have been to Europe, painted most of our house (still have a lot to do), hosted Thanksgiving here, went to the EMS because of kidney stones, found out we are having a boy, celebrated Christmas and New Years, voted for John McCain, had 2 baby showers, went back to Kerrville for a visit, lost our sweet dog and now about to have a baby any day. I would go into more detail regarding most of these events, but it would take way too long. This blog is just an update of where we are and where we are going.

Our son Corban will be born any day now. His due date was the 10th of March and as you can see, we are past that date now. So it has to be any day. These are a few pregnancy photos we took back in January. It has been a great pregnancy. I have had so much fun carrying this active child and I can't wait to see how active he is once he gets here. I am so ready to meet him. He is going to bring so much joy and happiness to mine and Wes' life. His name is Corban Gad Campbell. Corban means a gift devoted to God. Gad means good fortune and trooper. He's going to be our little trooper.

Europe, here we come

Please pray for Wes and I. We will be flying out Tuesday going to Germany. Then on Sunday we will be flying into Rome. We are super-duper excited and can't wait to share with all our lovely friends and family our exciting adventure. I still can't believe that we are going there. We will return on Friday, Sept 12. Pray that this Gustav character will not keep us from being delayed. I feel like I've been delayed for 25 years!!!

Doctor's Appointment

We had our second Dr.'s Appointment yesterday. Everything went great! What a relief?! We heard the baby's heart beat. We didn't get to see the baby. Man, I had my heart set on seeing too. But hearing the heart beat was awesome. We even heard the baby move! What an incredible sound. I can't believe we are having a baby! We made it through the first trimester!
It was really emotional for me yesterday. I was crying. It was so good to hear the little heart beat. The essence of life. My first baby's heart stopped beating...but God has such a way to bring beauty from ashes. The same place where fire was found and ashes remained, is the same place where beauty and pearls where found. God is so good. He is so perfect with His redemption and His restoration. He has restored my womb to carry and protect my little one. He does it time and time again. Not just in my natural womb, but in my spiritual womb. The place where my godly character is being developed. The place where who I am in Christ is being carried out and protected. The Lord brings restoration to every area that we allow Him access too. I love the work of the Holy Spirit. What a comforter and a revealer of truth.
My final thoughts and encouragement:
Allow the Holy One of Israel to come into a place of "spiritual death" and bring restoration there. Allow Him to bring life, abundant life, to places where you thought would forever be dead. Constantly bear fruit. But we can't bear fruit in areas that are dead. Let Him prune His Bride to where we are spotless and blameless in His sight.

Day at the Beach

yesterday, wes and i decided to pack up the truck and head to the beach. and that's just what we did. we packed a great lunch and snacks and took off. we had the best time. it was needed. wes has been working 12-13 hours a day and comes home extremely exhausted. i'm not working right now so i am completely bored. i wanted to treat him to a relaxing day. first thing we see when we get there is a dead jellyfish on the beach. then we took for the water and i found another one 5 feet from me. let's just say, wes had to do some convincing to get me in the water again. i've never seen one so close before. let me say that again. i've never seen a jellyfish before.
what is it about the beach that you get so tan? i can lay out at my house for 1 hour and get barely anything, but at the beach...i lay out for 30 and get dark. i love it. we love being together and it was the perfect day!