American Author and Sculptor
I am trying NOT to close my heart...but to open it and forgive myself and my friend. Heal. Lord, heal my heart and help it to be whole and trusting again. If we were humble, nothing would change us-neither praise nor discouragement.
Twas the night before Valentines and all through the house, not a creature was sleeping--not even the mouse! We had fun making this: Cinnamon Cookie Crunch Popcorn from "Our Best Bites" online. (I made two huge batches but wished I had time to make more to give to all our Valentines...)
I put together this basket for my Valentine and left it by the back door for him to take to work.
This year I was grateful to sleep in a little after getting the older children off to school. It was the best gift I could receive after running on so little sleep this past week.
I woke up and came downstairs--only to find that I was several hours late! My Valentine had left notes and surprises that started at 8:00 a.m.!
Good thing I had a lot of help catching up from Princess and Baby. (Note the roses are very interesting--an "animal print" on them.)
Princess was very excvited to take my picture...
Princess prefers chocolate covered...Baby and I like the berries!
When I asked about the books--he stumbled upon a "Sweetheart" sale at the library by work.
What do you think? Are you ready for some British Bad Boys!?
Hm...
This chocolate is interesting. The longer you suck on a piece the more flavors you taste. Definitely dark (not the eat it and taste sweet kind).
Princess received a Cinderella and Prince Charming dolls, a soft pink dog and Chips Ahoy. (Lately, I have a pet peeve about the dolls that have no male characters to interact with).
Animal Girl got a Wolf color by number (she's crazy about them lately), Hedgehog to love (and Baby did--what a sweet sister!), Family movies, and rabbit and cat treats--hey, we love those pets, too!
My Game Boy received a CD player and Monkey because he is as flexible as a monkey and has been borrowing my player to listen to classical music before bed lately...Sweet dreams my boy!
Sweet Jovis made it home first and set up dinner and a movie upstairs for us! (Kids ate mac n'cheese and hot dogs downstairs and had their own movie). Dinner was BBQ Chicken Pizza, frogeye salad, Sparkling Apple juice, Pepperridge Farm Cookies, and apple cobbler (left over from a lunch meeting).
(Click on the above picture to see it enlarged)
The Chinese follow the Lunar calendar and Zodiak--which means that in the year you are born you are assigned one of twelve animals. The animal of your year is supposed to represent parts of your personality and predict things about your future ( for instance--who you would get along with or who NOT to marry...)
Dinner was "thrown together" with things we all ready had and supplemented from Chao's Asian Market. Pictured above are: vegetable egg rolls (baked), sweet and sour sauce, shrimp, cocktail sauce, peas, and Swiss Chard. We added Lychee fruit gels, White Rabbit (creamy candy wrapped in rice paper) and American fortune cookies.
Baby and Princess have been very sick with the Human Meta Pneumo Virus (two weeks of very high temperatures, 105 degrees, and horrible coughs--to the point of vomiting most nights--All night long). I caught this picture of Eva smiling (you can see her red cheeks and sore nose). Also, you can see tissues, toys, and clothes around her...we were (are?) in survival mode around here.
Susie is wearing a size 8 silk Chinese dress. (It was bought large for Rebekah when she was Susie's age to perform a dance in).
We celebrated at our preschool here with a lot of other books and activities.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Campbell Family - May 2011
December 4, 2011
Dear Family and Friends,
This Christmas we just wanted to let you know how thankful we are for the gospel of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the birth of Christ this year, we are so thankful for the steadiness of the church, and the foundation that we have. The world is going through tumultuous times, and we are seeing difficulties on every side. But all of the fury of the storms around seem to fade away as we focus on the town of Bethlehem and on the quiet of the stable, and on the wonder of the baby boy who had just been born.
This year has been very eventful for our family, with two big vacations, one to California and one to Mexico, which for many of the children, was their first time out of the United States.
Joe had viral meningitis, the worst illness he has ever had, he promised never to get it again! He has worked with EMI Health (formerly Educators Mutual) in Salt Lake for 17 years. He finally got to see the Grand Canyon!
Julie started a licensed, at home preschool, Alphabet Adventures. She still teaches La Leche League Mtgs. (breastfeeding) and Nursery with Joe. She celebrated her 20th High School Reunion this past summer. Hannah, 13, is still attending the advanced PUPs program in Eighth Grade at Provo High School. She is learning Russian, was accepted into the High School play, and is on the Junior Team of Ballroom Dance.
Rebekah, 11, is in Sixth Grade and an artist! She won awards in Art and Photography in Reflections. She also had a Harry Potter birthday celebration, re-did with the extended families at Halloween this year.
Jonathan, 8, is in Third Grade and got baptized this year! He also started Cub Scouts and got eye glasses.
Susannah, 4, is doing very well, and often reads, yes really reads the words, of books to her little sister Eva. She has done very well reading the scriptures on her own as well. She loves all things Princess.
Eva, 18 months, is more a little person than a baby day by day. She says many fun things, learns new words daily, and is also the first to volunteer to pray. One of her favorite expressions is "read-it!" She loves to read books with Dad each night.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Love,
The Campbells
P.S. For more family happenings, see www.julieandjoesblog.blogspot.com or www.alphabetadventures1.blogspot.com
The Christmas season always encourages more loving thoughts – at least for a few weeks. I’d like to share an idea that might make your “Christmas attitude change” last a little longer.
I encourage you to take a closer look at the story of Christ’s birth this year. Even if you are not religious, there was an important message delivered that night in Bethlehem, which you may have missed.
The moment Christ was born the angels appeared to shepherds watching their flocks by night. The angels delivered this often overlooked message of Christmas in the first two words they said.
They said, “Fear not… For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
What you may have missed are these words: “Fear not.”
I used to think the angels said “Fear not” because the appearance of Heavenly personages may have startled the poor shepherds and they were worried about frightening them — but now I think the words have deeper meaning.
Our journey through mortality is a scary endeavor. Before the Savior's birth and subsequent sacrifice on the cross, it was also a journey without hope. We had no hope of returning to live with God. Life was a testing center and even one mistake meant failing the test.
We had much to fear.
The angels, because they understood this concept, knew that Christ’s birth marked the end of that fear. Mankind was now safe. Christ and his sacrifice would change life from a testing center into a classroom. Now we could approach life without the fear of failing.
Think about what that means.
How would your life be different if you had no fear?
Because of Christ, your journey is now a safe one. When you make a mistake (which happens daily), you can repent and try again. You can keep repenting, trying, learning and growing throughout your life with no fear about not making the grade. Your life is a classroom.
Now, you can focus on the lessons each experience is here to teach you and know your value is not on the line. You have nothing to fear about not being good enough. You are good enough right now, through Christ.
Whew.
Even if you don't believe in Jesus Christ, this can completely change your attitude toward every part of your life because, as it is, you spend way too much time worrying about not being good enough.
All of your immature or selfish behavior is tied to this fear. This fear is the reason you lose your temper, say unkind things or decide to protect yourself instead of serving someone else. Fear is involved in all of your problems.
When you are afraid you’re not good enough, your focus is on you. You are worried about getting love and validation. This insecurity is a selfish place to live from. In this state you cannot build healthy relationships because you can’t really focus on other people.
If your marriage is struggling, fear is most likely the problem. Both parties may be focused on getting love instead of giving it. If your marriage is drowning in fear, there can be no love.
You cannot have love and fear at the same time. They are opposites. You can either feel scared and focus on you, or you can feel safe and focus on others. It’s an either/or situation.
Who do you want to be? A scared person or a loving one?
It is only when you have no fear that the best you can show up. In a state of no fear, you can genuinely love and serve other people. Love happens when you stop worrying about proving your value and focus on edifying others instead.
My wish for you this Christmas is that you will accept Christ and do as the angels said and “fear not.”
Go forward into this New Year with confidence and peace. You have nothing to fear.
Your value is infinite and absolute. You don’t need attention or validation from others. You know who you are. Focus on giving love and validation to others and edify people wherever you go instead.
Stop trying to earn your value through your appearance, your work or the things you own. These are not who you are. Focus on being the love in every room instead. Your love for other people is who you are.
Everywhere you go, look for opportunities for random acts of kindness. Make this year the year you lead with love. Let this Christmas message change your attitude all year long.
This one change could change your life.
Merry Christmas.
Kimberly Giles is the founder and president of www.ldslifecoaching.com and www.claritypointcoaching.com. She is a sought after life coach and speaker. Watch her LIFEadvice segments on KSL TV Monday mornings at 6:15am
"Get me off this strange man, Daddy!"
"Oh, and Santa--I want a playhouse and a baby doll and..." (Shy Princess isn't shy this year)
And brother had all kinds of requests...like a self-portrait of Santa put in his room, along with a few small gifts (put in his room-NOT by the fireplace, Lego Heroes, etc.)
