I'm going to Jackson...

Jackson Wayne Campbell is here!! He was born Saturday morning at 9:03. He weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long. We couldn't be happier!

Proud Aunt Tiff




Proud Uncle Chuck

Legacy Farm

We went to visit Chuck's family this weekend. They board and show horses so Chase always loves to visit their farm. They have such beautiful horses and they just bought a new one this weekend. We had a great time and they fed us brownies and ice cream. We might just move in, if they aren't careful.

Speckles is the new one:




This is one of their newer babies.


This is Chase's practice horse...


but this one is his favorite.

Video! We have video!

So here's my first attempt at video. Now I feel the need to give fair warning here, my bedroom is a mess. There are shoes strung everywhere and there is just a general appearance of messiness and I do apologize, however, this is just too much cuteness not to share with the world. And just so you know I'm not a complete pig, the shoes are everywhere because of the little man in the following video. He loves our shoes and empties our closet any chance he gets. My house isn't usually this disgusting but my son IS usually this cute. Next time I promise I'll pay much more attention to lighting and background. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

Well, I do apologize. It looks as though You Tube, the site that is hosting my Chase video, has chosen today to be the day that they do some maintenance to their site. Of course. So, if you are reading this post and you don't see the video below, it's because You Tube is still down. Hopefully it will be back soon...or else I might cry.

You can't say that he isn't learning.

Recently we've been working with Chase on how to be kind to animals...mainly our pets...whose tails he loves to yank...and whose fur he likes to pull. Now I'm not going to point any fingers but I know a certain cat who has some patches of fur missing. So when he's being rough with them, we'll firmly tell him, "No, Chase. Be nice to kitty. Niiiiiice to kitty." as we are showing him how to pet nicely.

One of Chase's favorite games right now, other than pulling on our pets, is to pounce on his father. He counts to 3 and then jumps onto Chuck usually getting the desired result of an "oomph" from Chuck as the 1 year old lands on his gut. Chase loves this. It always makes him laugh so of course, he does it again. and again. and again. And when he's finished, I make him do it some more because I think it's funny too. And really, it's giving Chuck's abs a workout if you think about it. Chase gives him fair warning with a 1, 2, 3 count so he has time to prepare for the pounce by tightening those muscles. It's a win-win situation.

So last night, Chase was making his nightly pouncing rounds and all was well until he missed. He pounced a little lower on his father's body. Needless to say, this did not go over well. The sound that came out of Chuck's mouth sent Chase looking for cover. He found my lap and I held him as his dad assumed the fetal position and tried to catch his breath. As Chuck was in his own world of pain, Chase just watched with big eyes and the saddest little frown. I held him close, told him it was ok and repeated a few times that he needed to be gentle with Daddy. After a few minutes of rocking himself back and forth, Chuck finally came back to Earth. Chase went straight over to him, looked him in the eye, and petted Chuck's leg while saying, "Niiiiiice Daddy".

I think he's finally catching on.

Shutterfly, oh Shutterfly, how I love you, Shutterfly.

Today I'm going to sing the praises of my favorite online photo center, Shutterfly. I've been using this website to upload my digital pictures for quite a while now. I upload to them, pay a processing fee and they send me my pictures. Obviously my activity has increased with them over the past couple years due to the high level of cuteness going on at my house (see below).



From time to time, they email specials they are having (discounted prints, free shipping, etc.)and sometimes they'll even email me free things (prints, 8x10s, etc.). Recently however, they have gone above and beyond, which is why I am singing their praise today. They are giving me a free hardbound photo book and I'm so excited I good spit! (and I don't spit so that should just tell you how damn happy I am). I've been coveting these for quite a while but just haven't been able to justify it. Now I'm no fool. I'm fully aware that Shutterfly knows that I will be addicted to these now and will look for any possible reason to make one. It's true but...well, I'm still happy as hell and if all goes smoothly, these might just be what people get for Christmas.



Wahoo! Thank you Shutterfly!

Those smiles...

Due to heartbreaking circumstances, my sister-in-law and my nephews are moving home from Texas. Even though it's not the ideal situation, I have to admit that I'm excited to see them. Please wish them the best of luck!

A Small Glimpse into my Future as a Little League Mom

If it's going to bring me these kind of smiles, I'll take it.

A Cuddly Moment for a Crappy Monday

The Beast Begins to Take Form

*Click here for the previous post on this topic.*

Those First Sweet Little Phrases

The first time Chase repeated exactly what I had just said was cute. I had just seen him for the first time that morning and had said "Hey buddy!" He repeated it back to me in that sweet baby voice and I melted.

The second time, after I had just yelled "F*cking Idiot!" at another driver, it wasn't as sweet. However it was nice to know that he had my back.

High on a Hill was a Lonely Tarzan

I spent this past weekend with my sisters and my stepmother's side of the family at The Lake of the Ozarks. We do this one weekend out of every summer and let me just say, it's always a good time. These ladies know how to have a good time and by a good time, I mean they know how to drink, gossip, and tell each other how beautiful they are and how gorgeous their wedding ring is. So, I'm usually the most sober one out of the weekend because SOMEONE needs to know how to spell 9-1-1 if the need should arise...therefore I get some pretty decent pictures. Well, um, not this year. I drank a little more than usual this time and may or may not have debated whether or not Tarzan was a yodeler or not... once or twice. It gets deep, let me tell you. I did however manage to take a few pictures and I think they accurately convey how I was feeling Saturday night.

I'll start off with this picture of my sister, Katie. It's the best one that I took, if that tells you anything. She looks very happy to be seated next to me, doesn't she?






This next one is my sister, Amanda, who probably didn't enjoy my camera in her face but was too smart to tell me. I've crushed her spirit as only a big sister can do, one too many times.




Next comes my stepmother Debbie and her mother. I'd tell you what they were doing but it's a top secret lake tradition. The picture is still amusing however.




My cousin Lara is a pretty big instigator in these type of situations so while I'm not sure exactly what was going on in this picture, I'm sure it was instigating of some type.




Now I debated on whether or not to post this next picture, I really did. I decided that it needed to be done but I must warn you that it's not for the faint of heart. If there are children in the room, please tell them to turn their heads because well, it's graphic. I caught on film what many have labeled "Demon Flathead". Yes, it's true. Now if the children are out of the room, please scroll down and you will witness the infamous Demon Flathead.

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Ok, well assuming you all survived that last one, there is one final picture from the weekend and if you can name where in the house this is located and why I took the picture-a virtual cookie to you. Because, really, I can't remember why. I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as I did and if no one has told you already-you are beautiful and your wedding ring is gorgeous!

Happy Fourth of July!

He looks so thrilled to be sitting still for two seconds, doesn't he? I honestly tried to get a great shot of him, hoping to truly capture the essence of the Fourth. No such luck so we're stuck with this one. Hope everyone had a happy one!

Evelyn Celeste Miller

A year ago today I heard the news that a beautiful little five year old girl had been abducted from her home in Iowa. She was missing and everyone feared the worst. Those fears were confirmed a short time later when her lifeless body was found. That innocent little girl was the niece of my friend, Brandi. As of today, Evelyn's killer...that monster is still among friends. He's still among his family. He still enjoys sunlight and a bed of his own choosing. He still walks free and enjoys whatever he calls his life.

Over the past year, I've watched as Brandi has dealt with the cruel things a murder victim's family goes through. I've seen all the disappointments in not arresting the murderer, all the hope and letdowns and the desperation to find some sort of closure and justice. I've watched all the guilt and what-ifs and self blame that good people torture themselves with. It's been heartwrenching. No one should have to endure this.

No matter what happens in the future though, it seems the biggest fear has been forgetting-forgetting what a beautiful innocent creature Evelyn was, forgetting her smile, her voice, her laugh and forgetting the special moments that they shared with her. Not to mention the fear of the public forgetting about her story...and that her killer is still free.

As I started to write this post, I wanted to find the words to make a difference. I wanted to say something bold and groundbreaking and somehow healing. I soon found that I don't have those words... but I do have words that help remember which will someday lead to healing.

Evelyn Celeste Miller was a beautiful five year old girl, that deserved so much more.


Evelyn in Brandi's wedding as she walked with the ringbearer.

Donations may be made to:
Evelyn Miller Memorial Fund
First Security Bank & Trust
809 Clark St., PO Box 577
Charles City, IA 50616

Tag, now I'm it.

Ok, so my good pal Erin has tagged me with a Meme and since I don't have time to upload all the pictures and write all the posts that I have, here goes...

7 Things I Want to Do Before I Die

Skydive (which I'm aware might actually cause me to die-so maybe I'll save that one for last)

Visit Paris, Rome, London and Branson.

Go on safari.

Scuba dive.

Know that I've made a difference.

See my children succeed happily.

Make my parents proud.





7 Things That Attracted Me to My Partner

His sense of humor.

His kindness.

His good looks.

His morals.

His work ethic.

His ability to name every show, movie, or commercial even the most obscure actor has been in.

His collection of tennis shoes.






7 Books I Read Over and Over

Ummm, errrr, I'm not sure that I've ever read the same book twice. Does that make me a bad person?






7 Movies That I Love

The Princess Bride

To Kill a Mockingbird

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Shawshank Redemption

Young Frankenstein

O' Brother Where Art Thou

I could really go on and on...





7 Things I Can't Do

Say "social security" successfully in one try.

Stay up past midnight.

Watch scary movies.

Stand Owen Wilson.

Grow my hair long.

Touch, be near, look at, talk about, or listen to someone else talk about snakes.

Sleep with my feet (or other body part) hanging off the bed due to the thing that lives under my bed. I'm convinced that there is something.

Make a grammatically correct post-not even to save my life.

29 and holding...

Setting fashion trends year after year since June 21, 1977.

Baby Hypnosis

The captive is trying desperately to escape from this babygate prison. He wants you to look deep into his eyes...deep into his eyes...you are getting sleepy....sleepy....sleeeeeeeepy...YOU NEVER MIND THIS BLANKIE SOAKED IN ETHER...sleeeeepy....sleeeepppppyyyyy...

The Best Care in the Air

Chuck and I flew Midwest Express on our most recent trip and let me just say, I loved it. I was in airplane heaven, I tell you. I loved it so much that I took pictures, while actually on the plane. Yes, Chuck was embarrassed but he's getting used to it. So that leads us to my latest entry entitled...

Why I Love Midwest Express or Why I Stopped Complaining About the Little Extra We Had to Pay:

#1- They have big leather seats with adjustable headrests.


#2- Those headrests fold open so I can sleep without resting my head on the stranger next to me.
The photo that was previously displayed here has been removed to make room for new pictures but trust me, you would have been impressed.

#3- They have footrests!!! I could prop my feet up!!

The photo that was previously displayed here has been removed to make room for new pictures but trust me, you would have been impressed.

#4- They gave us warm cookies!

The photo that was previously displayed here has been removed to make room for new pictures but trust me, you would have been impressed.

So needless to say, next trip, we are definitely flying Midwest Express again and that's great news if you happen to sit next to me and don't enjoy drool on your shoulder.

Chains of Water

Today the captive finds himself in a pool of cold water. This must be a form of punishment after his failed attempt at escape the previous day.

The captor paces aimlessly back and forth in the yard behind him, forever pushing a loud machine while creating paths in the grass. If the captive times his escape just right, he might just succeed at this attempt.

As if the captor sensed his plot, the ultimate in torture begins.

There is nothing worse than bubble torture. The escape plan will have to wait for another day.

Chase's Life Lesson #1

Lesson #1- Cats make excellent pillows...



especially if the pillow is a willing participant...



and declawed.

The Beginning of the End

I will keep you updated on the enemy's progress.