Nothing Like It

There is just nothing like a beautiful picture of someone you love. Nothing.

Are there photos from your wedding that you just adore? Photos that you stare at over and over wondering how on earth the Lord blessed you so incredibly with the one that you married? It's amazing how photos from our wedding can bring back such vivid joyous memories. There is just nothing like a beautiful picture of someone you love. Nothing.

Do you have a favorite first picture of you and your first child? Isn't it strange how a picture can make you remember certain smells, sounds, and physical touches? I have a photo of my firstborn and me in the hospital room that makes me cry EVERY single time I look at it. This was the first life to look into my eyes that was my very own. The first one to cry out for me to feed her. The first one to call me mommy. My first child who ever told me she loved me. There is just nothing like a beautiful picture of someone you love. Nothing.

Photos of first birthdays, second, thirds and so on. Pictures of family and friends gathered in celebration of life...laughing, plates-full-of- food in hand,  happy, joy-filled pictures. There is just nothing like a picture of someone you love. Nothing.

I know some precious friends have lost babies...and the photos they have of their precious little one are worth more than most anything. Proving that this child was here, alive, real, smiling, crying, laughing, breathing...There is just nothing like a beautiful picture of someone you love. Nothing.

Well, let me share with you a little bit about a sweet friend of mine.
She is beautiful. She is a daughter, wife, mommy and friend. Her precious Dani has is one of my son's oldest friends...and we just adore her. Her second blessing is a sweet as honey and as cute as a button. We love this family. Tons.

Dawn has become one of my favorite photographers. I love looking at her site because I know her heart. I know that she is not just shooting pics for some cash. She is doing something she truly loves. She knows that there is just nothing like a beautiful picture of someone you love. Nothing.

Dawn graciously came over a couple of days ago and shared with me photos she had taken of our family. I loved them all. Truly loved them all. Even the goofy what-in-the-world-was-he-thinking pictures of our sweet Ben. He is a character, and Dawn caught it on camera. I love it because I never want to forget the crazy joy this child brings to our family. I love it because Dawn doesn't either. Dawn let Emma choose her own poses...and they are beautiful. Capturing innocence and beauty from an 8 year old girl. Jacob climbing up a tree and positioning himself in a most dangerous place, yelling "Get this one, Ms. Dawn!" She did. Priceless.

The photo at the top of this page is one of my favorite photos ever of our three blessings. I could seriously stare at this picture all day. I think I may have actually done this once or twice;) I mean, look at those faces! There is just nothing like a beautiful picture of someone you love. Nothing.

I would love for you to check out her site. Our family photos are not up yet, but you will find shots of our very own Ben:)
 If you are in the area, I encourage you to book her for your next photo session. I promise, you will not be disappointed.
http://www.anewdaybydawn.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Vapor...

I woke this morning to the sound of the trash truck on a nearby street. My husband is out of town, so I jumped out of bed and quickly dragged the trash and recycle cans to the curb.

When I opened the door, I was shocked to find dense fog all around. It really did scare me for a moment. (If you know me, you know that is not hard to do!)

As I was walking back in, the Lord gently reminded me of the words He gave James in James chapter 4 verses 13-17. I have not been promised tomorrow...I have not even been promised the next hour. What am I doing that is of eternal significance? It is a joy of mine to be able to have my children home with me three days a week for school. We feel this time should not be wasted and that it is a beautiful opportunity to teach the children from the time the sun come up until the time the sun goes down of His commands. I'll be honest with you, there are times when laundry, cooking, cleaning, piano, football and other ministries seem overwhelming. But, if I am completely honest, when those things become overwhelming I find I am trusting in myself and my own strengths instead of the Lord. 

Today, I am thankful that our gracious King gently reminded me that my life is but a vapor. Here for a moment. Oh, that my children would remember the joy of the Lord in my life! That they would remember that I was constantly pointing them to the Savior. Jesus, pilot me. You are my hope, my joy, my song, my love, my strength, my peace, my calm, my breath, my all. I pray these are not only words, but how my children truly see and remember me...

Kindergarten

And so it is. My 2nd baby will be starting kindergarten tomorrow. The weight on my heart will not lift:( It is so bittersweet for me to reach this milestone. This is my second time, and you would think it would be easier. It.Is.Not.
I love this child with deep, deep love. He has a part of my heart that is completely his. I treasure his laughter as it is one of the most contagious things in life. I will miss it throughout the day in my home.
The teacher that Jacob has this year is amazing. We were blessed to have her teach our sweet Emma. I was so happy to hear her voice on our voicemail telling us that she was excited to have Jacob in her class this year!
It will be a great year, of this I am sure. It will be a hard day tomorrow, of this I am certain.

Jacob, you are loved sweet one. More than words can express. May your day be full of adventures and more knowledge of your sweet Savior.

Summer Lovin'

Dear Summer,
Please don't ever end...
Yours truly,

The Campbells

Jacob's Dream

Today Jacob, my five year old, told me about a dream he had last night. He said that in his dream one of his leg hairs was "this long" and lifted his arm way above his head. He said "it kept going around and around and around". He then told me we were in the car on our way to church and he was trying to keep it down, but "it was so long and so curly and would not lay down."
This is my life people.

And I love it.

"Ben Eats an Orange"