Jacob smiling and cooing

My adorable little pumpkin

I just had to post a photo of my little cutie in his Halloween outfit. Thank goodness for kids consignment sales. This outfit was all of $5.... And even though he'll only wear it for an hour or two, it was worth every penny.

I mean the photo op alone was worth $5 :)

I'm TIRED!!!

Ok, so they made their decision....NO INDUCTION!!! Can you tell that I'm a wee bit miffed :) Oh bless, I am so ready to have this wonderful, sweet baby.

In my heart I know that God is in this decision, but I so had my heart set on being done. Bill and I have prayed fervently that God would bring Jacob in His time, and not ours. So I've got a peace about that, but when you haven't slept in a month and a half and you can barely walk due to a certain baby sitting ON your sciatic nerve, it's really hard to wrap your brain around the fact that this can go on indefinitely.

Pregnancy truly is an amazing process. God gets you started with the excitement of the first trimester. Yes you feel like you're about to toss your cookies at any second, but there's something so exciting in knowing that there is a little life growing inside you.

And then you get to the second trimester when you begin to connect with this baby growing inside. You begin to feel them and they start responding to you and it touches your heart in a way I never thought possible.

Then you enter the third trimester. And the beginning isn't so bad. Yes you're beginning to look like a small barge, but you also get to watch as your baby rips and rolls across that huge belly. No longer do you simply feel those kicks and rolls from the inside... they're now visible on the outside as well. Yes, your husband may think it's weird and you look like you've got an alien on board, but it's so much fun to watch as your belly takes on a mind of it's own. I've never been so obsessed with my own body. I still walk around with my hands clasped to my tummy. Just loving the feel of Jacob as he moves and responds to one stimuli or another.

But then you enter the END of the third trimester... No one tells you that you can literally grow 6 inches overnight. I know this to be true.. .it happened to me. There was one weekend that Bill and I could physically watch my belly get bigger. That's a disconcerting process. It's amazing and scary all rolled in to one. For the first time in your life you have absolutely NO control over what is happening in your own body. Crazy!! But beautiful. And then the baby drops, and you can now breathe, but you have to tinkle every five minutes. And even if you don't HAVE to tinkle you FEEL like you do. I sincerely thought about purchasing a set of Depends. And then the baby drops even more, and now he's sitting on your tailbone or your sciatic nerve. And let me tell you, that is a special feeling. Walking becomes something you do only if you have to... and sitting is pretty much the same. Oh and sleep...HAH!! If I get three hours a night I consider it a good night. But again, this is just God's way of preparing us for the joy that is to come. For the amazing ride that motherhood will bring.

So I'm ready for the next step. I'm done with the pregnancy part, let's bring on the baby.

It won't be long now....

Well, we're almost there. I went for a check up today and the Doctor is currently deciding whether or not to induce me. They ran some tests and will make the final determination by tomorrow afternoon. If they decide to induce, they're going to do so on Wednesday. So we're gearing up and hoping for a baby sooner rather than later.

It's so hard to believe that Jacob might actually be here on Wednesday!!

Right now our prayer is that we go in to labor naturally... I've heard it's a much easier process that way. But either way, we know that God is in control and He will carry us through. I'm not nervous yet, I just keep thinking about this precious little boy and I am SOOO excited to finally meet him.

I say that now of course, when there are no contractions and no pain. But I hope to remain calm through it all.

So pray for us please!!

Best yard sale purchase...EVER!!

Ok, so Bill and I have recently become AVID yardsalers...we're obsessed with them. We scope out the advertised sales on Craigslist and plan our Saturdays accordingly. Our favorites are the neighborhood yard sales.. those are the ones that we tend to have the best luck with.

Well Saturday was another yard sale day... and this one was a biggie. It was in an old Louisville neighborhood that is well established. So Bill and I get up and going... the goal is to be at said yard sale by 8 AM.. this is a tip that all pros know :) You see, if it's a really good sale and you're not there early, you usually miss all the good stuff. So we're up and going and off to find the best deal we can.

We drive through street after street scoping out each little group and we're not really finding much. The weather has started to deteriorate and we're fading fast. So we come upon one last house that looks promising.

And low and behold we find just what we've been looking for..... and we got it for a STEAL!

Here's our best yard sale purchase EVER!!




You see, we'd been talking for a while about the possibility of getting a larger vehicle. We had looked in to minivans and hadn't really found anything we liked that was affordable. We knew we wanted to go for used, but we figured we would have to really search for the right deal.

And praise the Lord, He had the perfect deal all ready for us. ....and at a yard sale no less. That is, by far, my favorite part.

The marathon of life...

As many of you have heard, my husband is gearing up to run in the Chicago Marathon this October. Which, incidentally, is just about a month after we are due to have our first sweet baby blessing.

Well as Bill has been training, it has taught us both some amazing spiritual lessons. You see, running a marathon is not only a test of ones physical strength, it is a test of your spiritual strength as well. And watching my sweet husband train and grow closer to our Lord as he does so, that has been a blessing to watch.

Bill gets up each day at 3 AM to run his daily miles. These miles range anywhere from 6 to 14... depending on the day. And as the marathon grows closer, his mileage will continue to increase. And bless his heart, he's not a natural runner. This is all VERY new to him. But he keeps plugging away, keeps his eyes on the prize so to speak. You see, he prays his way through his daily miles. Because he knows that without God's help, he's not going to get through this race. And, Lord willing, come October 11th, he'll have his reward as he crosses that finish line.

Watching this training process unfold, it's such a parallel for what our spiritual walk is like. It has its ups and downs and some stints are easy little 2 mile jaunts, while yet others are those long 18 mile runs where you're chest gets tight and your legs feel like they can't go another mile. But through it all God is there. He's holding us up and carrying us through so that we can one day cross that eternal finish line. And this race is not one that we run alone, we have to depend on others to help get us through.. to hold us up when we cannot support our own weight.

Several years ago I was actually at the Chicago marathon observing. It was my first race and I was just soo excited to be there cheering on all those who were running. The race had begun to wind down and we were standing at the finish line watching as everyone began to cross. It was an amazing site to see. You could watch as these runners would turn a corner... just before they saw the finish line their faces were tired, their stances were downtrodden. Many of them looked as if they wouldn't make it to the finish. But every last one of them, when they saw that banner that said, "finish line", they each picked up their pace and seemed to fill with renewed energy.

Well one lone man was not so lucky. This gentleman was struggling openly and his poor legs looked as if they would buckle. And buckle they did, just about 200 yards from the finish. There was an audible gasp from the crowd as this poor man went down to his knees and continued to struggle, trying to stand. But his legs would simply not carry him. They were done, and it looked as if he would be done.. just 200 yards from the end. You could see the panic in the spectators, as we all began looking at one another and several started to jump over the barriers to help this man and carry him across. But there was no need, two of his fellow runners simply scooped him up and half carried, half dragged him that last 200 yards and helped him cross the line.

A cheer went up from the crowd and, looking around, there wasn't a dry eye to be found. At that moment, I had an epiphany. This is what Christianity is all about. This! Helping one another when we cannot help ourselves, allowing yourself to become vulnerable. Admitting that we can't do it on our own. We're all running this race and we are doing so TOGETHER. It's not about who can run the fastest race, it's about crossing that finish line. And whether we do so under our own power or with others carrying us, the important part is that we cross it.

I'm so glad to be reminded of that story. To be reminded that I'm not alone in this marathon that we call life. And I'm so proud to watch my husband as he prays his way through training and continues to give God the glory each and every day as he grows closer to the race. I know that he'll cross that finish line, and he'll do so by depending on the Lord to get him through it.

"My flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:26 NIV

6 months down... 3 to go!

Well, we've reached the six month mark and are now heading in to our third and final trimester. It's been a wonderful pregnancy so far and I'm hoping that it continues to be easy. Of course now that we're getting in to the hotter months my feet have begun to swell and I can no longer where my wedding ring. But, baby Jacob is worth it.

We've gotten a good jump on the nursery. It's painted, the crib is assembled and the rocker is ready and waiting. Now we just need to decorate those bare walls and get a mattress and bedding for his crib.

It's hard to believe that it's almost time to meet this sweet child. I love how his personality is already coming out in utero. So far, we've figured out that he doesn't like to be forced in to action, that he's a night owl, and that we may be purchasing Dr. Dobson's book on the strong willed child. And all of this is just while he's baking... I can't wait to meet him and see if that personality, that he already seems to have, continues.

Good things come to those who wait....

Sunday will be our one year anniversary. So today, I want to pay a tribute to my husband, the wonderful man that God has blessed me with.

I waited quite late to get married, and had begun to wonder if marriage was something that God had planned for me. I was happy and had grown into a truly intimate relationship with my Lord, but I still felt that there was something missing. But knowing that I could not control it, I gave it over to the Lord and asked that if His plan for me included marriage, that He would bless me with the right man. And He did. And not in the way I expected. First of all, I met my husband on E-Harmony...ok, not what I would have guessed but this IS God after all. Secondly, my husband is five years younger than I am. Again, not really something I would have chosen but... Ok God. And thirdly, he lived in Kentucky. Now I have never in my life had a desire to visit Kentucky. I'm more of a big city girl.. I like the bustle of the city, the access to take out at 2 AM... things that you just don't get in smaller places.

All these things weighed on me in those first few months of falling in love, but God always found a way to quiet my heart. To give me a peace about this man, and so I continued to trust the Lord and fall more in love with Bill. Here are just a few of the many, many reasons why I love my husband.

1) He's God filled. Bill is a Godly man through and through. I love that he takes the spiritual lead in our relationship. It is his first inclination, when faced with a decision, to go to his knees and ask God for direction.

2) Bill is thoughtful. You can say that so easily, but he is honestly the most thoughtful man I have ever met. He always, ALWAYS puts my needs above his own.

3) He's protective. Most men are protective, yes. But I think it's because Bill is so quiet naturally, that when his protective side comes out it's a site to see. I LOVE that he loves me enough to be my protector. It makes me feel so wonderfully cherished.

4) He's helpful. I love to cook, I mean I really enjoy it. I could cook all day and be happy. But I tend to make quite a large mess when I cook and I hate to do dishes. So my sweet husband cleans the kitchen. He knows that I'm not a fan of the clean up, and so he comes in each and every night and cleans up after me.

5) He's willing. Bill is analytical by nature. When making a case, you need to appeal to his sense of logic. Well, I'm not always what one would call logical. I tend to be more creative and emotional. I'm an idea person, Bill isn't. But, he is always willing to listen and try. And I could not ask for more. He may not understand it, and he usually doesn't. But he loves me, and he trusts me, and he's always willing to give it a go.

6) He's calm. This is one of my favorite qualities. I'm a whirlwind and he's a quiet breeze. When I get overwhelmed or worked up, my husband steps in and calms me. I've never been able to relax as I have being married to him. Just being with him gives me peace.

7) He's loving. I never wonder for a minute if my husband loves me. He constantly reminds and shows me. Whether it's a little touch, a whispered endearment, an act of kindness, or just saying the words. Bill shows his love in so many ways.


Dear Lord, I want to thank You today for this wonderful man that You have blessed me with. Please continue to mold our relationship and keep us growing ever closer to You as we grow closer to one another. Please remain the center of our relationship and help us to keep our eyes on You. AMEN

My bladder is NOT a trampoline!!

Sweet baby is active... VERY active. Precious... I love feeling the baby. BUT, as a pregnant woman, you also have to drink copious amounts of water.. I usually try to drink no less than 2 and a 1/2 liters of water A DAY. Now put ALL that water and a bouncing baby who is sitting ON your bladder together... and what do you get... THE PERFECT STORM!

Baby Campbell's first photo

Ok, I am so thankful for ultrasounds. As a first time mommy-to-be, I haven't really known what to expect with the whole pregnancy thing. And so far, it's actually been pretty text book. Sick most of the time, weird pains that you've never had before, but I hadn't really felt anything specific toward the baby yet. It all seemed sort of arbitrary and unreal.

And THEN we had the ultrasound... When the technician started, the baby was completely still.. you could see the little heart beating but no movement otherwise. Being a first time mommy, I of course asked if this was normal. And she said that it was... well as we continued to watch and listen I got tickled at some point. I started giggling and laughing and that sweet baby came ALIVE!! It started moving and grooving all over the place. At one point it raised its little hand and you could make out all five little fingers. It was just so sweet. And at that point, I connected... no longer was this an unreal experience, this was a little life... and it was REAL. And it knew it's mommy. And at that moment, I had this overwhelming feeling of love. We're having a baby!!!

King size it is

We are now the proud owners of a glorious Sealy Posturpedic king size mattress. This beauty has a 3 in memory foam / latex foam topper that envelopes you as you sleep and supports each joint. I have never slept as well as I have since we upgraded. Bill and I both enjoy a soft mattress, so this gem is ideal. You seriously feel like you are sleeping on air.

King size vs. Queen size

Ok, we currently have a queen size bed and have had since we got married. But my husband, bless his heart, is a SPRAWLING sleeper. He likes to spread out and that doesn't make for pleasant sleeping conditions if you happen to be the wife who is sleeping (or trying to) next to him.

So, with a baby on the way and the possibility of adding another sleeping body to our already overcrowded bed, we have decided to look in to purchasing a king size mattress. Not only will this allow me, the wife, to actually sleep without a knee in my back or an elbow in my nose. But it will make a bit of extra room for said baby. The goal being that we will transition sweet baby to their own room and bed before they are old enough to realize that they really like sleeping with mamma and daddy.

So this weekend the search will be on... I'll keep you up to date. I am REALLY hoping we can find a good deal and a comfy mattress. ... Cause honestly, I'm tired.

Appreciation and blessings...

I just have to give a shout out to my sweet, wonderful husband. Lately he has started checking both cars at night to see if they need gas.. if so, he goes and fills them up... I haven't put gas in my car in months. And I know it's just a simple thing, but it is SOO nice to get in a car and just go... I love not having to worry about stopping at the gas station.

Not only does he do that, but he also washes my car, vacuums it out... He just takes SUCH good care of everything.

It still amazes me that the man you marry, the one you love more than anything and can't imagine loving more.. I love how that love grows, how it deepens. And granted, we're still relative newlyweds, but everyday of being with this man reminds me of how blessed I am. I praise God for giving me this wonderful husband. God truly did build him just for me :)


So even when picking up shoes and laundry that my sweet husband leaves ALL around the house, I still thank the Lord that I get to pick up those things, and not someone else. Because as mad as that man may make me, he is still MY blessing.

Flea Markets and spray paint... OH MY!

Ok, so I've become a little bit obsessed with spray paint lately. Honestly, it's one of the best products EVER! It is simply amazing what you can do with a little time and paint.

We went to the New Years Day flea market here in Louisville... it's the largest one of the year and rightly so. It's held in the Expo Center downtown and admission is free... it was a great way to spend New Years day. We found one booth that held tables and tables of stuff all marked $2. I picked up a TON of nifty items. One of which was a set of wooden sconces that were ok, but they just didn't match my decor... enter spray paint. I went to Wal-mart and picked up a couple of cans of spray paint and WALLA! Beautiful sconces that now look like metal.. and that NOW match my decor. And I did all of this for less than $5... much to my husbands happiness.

Here are the finished sconces:

Well, since I had the spray paint out and ready I started thinking about the bedroom furniture in our guest room... and the fact that I didn't really LOVE the color. So you guessed it... SPRAY PAINT!! I went and picked up several more cans of the nifty stuff and Bill and I proceeded to "re do" our furniture. We spent the better part of two days applying coat after coat to our furniture, but the end result was worth it. Here's a pic of our handy work:

I will say one thing about spray paint... wear a mask and make sure that you have PLENTY of ventilation... But beware... even with a mask you might encounter the dreaded "black nose" ... See below:

We look like we've been playing football.... but even with the mess, it was ALL worth it.. and what a fun memory :-)

Sweet tooth

My husband has a bit of a sweet tooth... I know this and I try to limit the amount of baking that I do. But, every now and then I indulge him a bit and make his FAVORITE thing... CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE Brownies. Now I don't mind making these because I don't eat them... I'm not a HUGE fan of overly chocolate things.

But Bill LOVES them and will eat the whole pan if I'm not careful. So I usually remind him that one brownie at a time is a normal serving.

Well the other afternoon as I was coming down the stairs this is what I saw.....

Here's my husband caught in the act indulging his "sweet" tooth:

He didn't finish the whole pan in one sitting, but he did finish the whole pan in two days... What can I say, he loves sweets!

This was his final indulgance of 2008... He's planning to run in the Chicago Marathon this October, so I figured one pan wouldn't hurt too much...

Christmas fun

This was our first "Married" Christmas and it was sooo much fun. We had a leisurely, lazy day that started with a big breakfast, then on to opening presents and finally on to our SCRUMPTIOUS Christmas dinner of prime rib. I've never made a prime rib before, but I plan to do so again... it was GOOD! I even made homemade horseradish cream... YUMMY!!

This is our Living Room all decorated for Christmas... that's a 9 ft Christmas tree... It was HUGE!

And here's Murphy giving Bill Christmas kisses...