Tuesday, 7 May 2013

08:52 - No comments

Set Apart

This morning I was given the opportunity to witness my friend Steffanie get set apart as a missionary. This was a first time experience for me. What a beautiful way to start your day. All of us that were there were asked to share our testimony with Steffanie, and she in return shared her testimony with us. There were tears present (mine included), and the spirit was very strong. This got me thinking about sharing the gospel. We send missionaries out to share the joy of the gospel. The truth that all mankind may be saved from death and sin. This is truly good news. It is great to see how eager Steffanie is to proclaim this truth. I know that she will do well and have success on her mission.

To close I would like to share my own testimony. I truly know with all my heart that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. That all those who live their lives striving to live closer to God, and seek after the example of Jesus Christ will find joy in their life. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and that the event recorded in this book really happened. I know that Jesus Christ himself visited the american continent after he was resurrected and taught the people there. I know that Joseph Smith saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and that he restored the same church that Jesus Christ formed on his earthly mission. Joseph also translated the Book of Mormon so that we all could receive another witness of Jesus Christ. President Monson is our current living prophet, and he has the keys and the authority to administer to the Church. I know that if we follow the directions of President Monson we will have joy. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Here are some pictures of this morning. Good luck on your Mission Sister Dardon. You are in our prayers








Saturday, 20 April 2013

13:21 - No comments

Finally An Update

Okay, I know I have been really bad. I have no excuses for neglecting my blog. I just didn't do it. SORRY to my multitude of readers. SO here is an update now.

First to back track a little. Back in January a couple of my friends invited me to take some pictures with them. Hmmm dress up pretty and play in front of the camera; count me in. A special thanks to Miranda's originals for the dresses that day, and to Corrine for taking care of hair, makeup, and for taking the pictures. Also thanks to Venita for props, and for Steffanie's spunk. It was a fun day and very cold. There are far to many to put up, so here is a small peek at some of the pictures.






Earlier this month Doug and I took Donald and Taylor on a vacation. We were able to go to Florida, and the Bahamas. It was really warm, fun and hot. Our first stay was in Ft Lauderdale. We were close to the Hollywood Beach (Yes there is a Hollywood Blvd in Florida too). We collected lots of shells, and discovered that We really love the beach. I love swimming in the ocean. Before we boarded on the boat to the Bahamas, we were able to go to a beach in West Palm Beach. There sand was really white, and beautiful. After a day on the boat we arrived in the Bahamas. We stayed on the Grand Bahama Island. This was the same area that filmed to Pirates of the Caribbean. Johnny Depp Stayed at the same resort that we stayed at. The coast was once again beautiful. The atmosphere was really different. There was a lot of pressure to SPEND SPEND SPEND. But the coast, and the beach was my favorite. Unfortunately, we were unable to snorkel while we were there. The first night we were there Florida was having some severe thunderstorms. The Bahamas got the effects. The Ocean was very wavy so there were not taking and snorkelers out. We were able to go on a "banana boat". That was fun. It was this boat that looked like a banana and was towed by a motor boat. We were able to see a ship that used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. We got to climb on. Our next stop was back in Florida. We ended our trip in the Orlando, Florida area. We actually stayed in Kissimee which is where Disney World is. We didn't go there, instead we went to Lego Land. It was a neat experience. I especially liked to Lego R2D2. There were a lot of pictures taken so I can't post them all, but here are some.








Until next time

The Campbell Family.

PS A real special thanks to Corrine, and her family for taking care of Daniel while we were away. Unfortunately we were unable to bring him.


Tuesday, 16 October 2012

07:44 - 1 comment

10 Years In: The Best Is Yet To Come

Friday October 12,2012 Doug and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary. We both wanted to make it big, but with a lot of craziness going on little planning was available to us. So we decided to get a group and go paintballing, and then have a potluck at our house after. Doug got home from work that night around 6, so when I got home from the temple he was there. And on our bed was a ring box. So after we put our kids to bed we exchanged gifts. I got him a new Joseph Smith Eternity ring (that was his original wedding ring) and a painting of the Saviour at a well teaching a woman who I believe to be Mary. The painting was from Simon Dewey. Then I opened the ring box, and saw a key ring. Now there is a story behind this.

When Doug and I got engaged, he didn't have a ring yet. We had fun looking at rings, but he would not let me be with him when he got it. I picked out my favorite 3 and left it at that. So one night while we were talking on the phone he told me he got my ring. I was so excited that I told everyone at work the next day. He felt so bad that he had to tell me the truth. He didn't buy the ring, he was playing a prank on me, an had found a ring box while moving a friend and decided to put a key ring in the box, and give it to me. I was so embarrassed that he didn't get me the ring yet (and that I had told everyone at work) I began to cry. He felt so bad he went out that afternoon and spend his food money for the month and got me my ring. Needless to say I took him out to dinner numerous times that month. So when I saw the key ring I began to laugh remembering that story. So I asked him where my real ring was, and he told me it was hidden. So I started looking around the house. He told me it was near something aluminum and pointy (apparently the 10th is the aluminum anniversary). On my keys I found a pointy aluminum self defense tool, with my ring next to it. It's a very beautiful, and elegant ring and I love it. It is so nice having a wedding ring again (the originals disappeared a couple of years ago, possibly because of Daniel). After that we had a toast, watched a movie and went to bed to get ready for paintball.

So on Saturday October 13,2012 we had our party. What a day. The weather was great, the people who came had a blast. We got back to our house around 4:00pm and got ready for the potluck. We had a great turn out. Most of the people who I wanted there was. There were some who couldn't make it due to illness, and others were out of town (we missed you Lamb's, and McKay's). And my siblings, and their families couldn't make it, but it was still a great time. There was great food, and good company (and about 17 children). It was great. I brought out the cake topper for our original wedding cake, and remember that wonderful day 10 years previous. Thanks to all my friends who were able to make it to celebrate with us.

My mother in law stated the neatest thing to us at the party. It only gets better from here. I believe that to be true. Doug and I have taken the last 10 years to build our foundation, and it is strong. Now we get the joy of building the rest, and I truly believe that if we work even harder the best is yet to come. Here's to you Doug. I love you very much

Thursday, 20 September 2012

14:07 - No comments

Taylor's Sister

Taylor recently had a birthday, and she had a wonderful party. We got her an easy bake oven, because she had been really wanting to learn to bake. I thought she would love to have some of her own tools. She has been loving it. She had already made cookies, cake, pretzels with cheese sauce. She has been asking me almost every day the last couple of months (pretty much as soon as her cousin Tina went back home) when she was going to have a sister. All the kids know that I cant have any more, but the concept of adoption taking time seems to be over their heads, and we haven't even started yet. So one afternoon she came up to me with one of her ratty almost broken dolls (that I was about to get rid of) and said that this was her sister. Umm okay, what do I do with that. So I played along, and she really seemed to enjoy it. After we were done playing I asked her if she would like a doll, that was from the being always her sister. She said that would be great. So while I was walking down town yesterday I stopped into the Bargain Shop, and saw a cabbage patch doll. There was a blond one, and a brunette. I bought the brunette with Taylor's birthday money from her Oma, and Opa. She was with me, when I picked up Taylor from school. Taylor looked at the doll, and adopted her right away. Taylor loved that she came with a name, and adoption papers. Her name is Gia. I told Taylor that Gia is very special, and will never get bigger. So she needs special care from her sister. When we got home, she got a wooden doll bed out of the storage, and set up a bed for her in room. She even asked Donald to take care of her, when I took her to dance that night. We got back home, and Donald was on the couch holding Gia in his arms. I didn't think much of the game other then how happy Taylor was, but when I was at the bakery my friend Tess mentioned something she read in the ensign about a mothers heart. Taylor has it. My motivation was not to give Taylor a mothers heart. I wanted Taylor to have a little sister to love. It seems that something so simple could make lasting impressions on my little girl. My hope now is when she looks back to her childhood, she will remember loving parents, and grandparents who loved her so much they would play with a doll with her, and let her call it her sister. I see this little doll giving my daughter an opportunity to develop her mothers heart, and then passing it down to her own daughters.


I love you Taylor, and I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

Thursday, 6 September 2012

08:40 - No comments

Campbell's and Public School

This has been a very busy week. School has started, and I have 2 children in Public school now. For those who know me, I am a big supporter of home school. For the past few years I have fasted, prayed, contemplated, and even made a long pro con list. And it came down to Public School. So how do I accomplish my family goals, when my children are gone during the day. And I found my answer. GET INVOLVED!! My children are most precious. So I get involved. Last year was easy because I already was friends with Donald's teacher. We were comfortable discussing, and working out what Donald needed together. The challenge I face this year, is I don't know Donald's teacher. So I am going to have to swallow my fear, and get involved. I hoping to go on a field trip with Donald's class next week, and I volunteered as a parent helper. I also joined the parent council. I plan on knowing the teachers and them knowing me. This way I will know what's going on in the school, because I am there. I am still a huge fan of home school, but with children in public school. It's going to be a good year. I am going to make sure of it. Here are some pictures from the first day of school. Daniel wanted to go to school too, so I packed a backpack for him.

Sunday, 26 August 2012

15:54 - No comments

Donald Turned 9

This was a busy weekend for us. First off Wednesday night we went swimming as a family. It was lots of fun, and our upstairs neighbor in Calgary came with us. While we were there Donald took in some water. He was fine until we left the pool. Then he started coughing really bad. I started getting worried about secondary drowning. It can happen within 24 hours of a near drowning incident. So I took Donald to the hospital to get checked out. We were there for a long time. So long that Donald started his birthday while we were waiting for the Doctor to see us. It was neat thing for him to be in the hospital that he was born in the very minute he turned 9. When we finally saw the doctor, they checked his lungs and got an X-ray and discovered he did have some fluid in is lungs. I am so glad I took him in. He got taken care of, and all I well.

So them it goes to Thursday. Donal turned 9. We went I shakers and did some go karting, and laser tag. It was a fun day.

On Saturday was his birthday party. Some of his closest friends came. Everyone dressed up as their favorite book character. Donald was dressed up as Fone Bone, Taylor was sleeping beauty, and Donal was Manny from diary of a wimpy kid. I was dressed as manny's mom. There was a pirate, vat man, Peta from the hunger games, and one of my favorites was Maxwell dressed as Dr. Doolittle. We played capture the flag, and water balloon blanket. I think the kids had fun. I know I did. He got some very cool presents, and we got him a rock tumbler.

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

13:25 - 1 comment

A Birthday, Anniversary, Parade, and a Reunion

The last 2 weeks had been a  very busy crazy week, as you can tell from the title. So I thought I would go in order on the title.

A Birthday:

On August 9, Doug turned 32. The kids were excited to celebrate a birthday. Doug is not one to make a big deal out of birthdays, and he would actually like to avoid them, but not me. I made him waffles, and I made sure I told every one I say that day about it. Yes it drove him crazy. We had his parents over for supper, and I made him an amazing layered angel cake. It was a big hit.

An Anniversary:

On August 10 we celebrated a very important anniverary to us. I have now been cancer free for 3 years. It is not a time in my life that I would soon forget. The lessons learned, and trials over come, and frienships developed. I am so happy for the past 3 years of being healthy and in the clear. Doug and I were able to go out on a date that night to celebrate. We had dinner, and went to the range to shoot our bows (yes I find I like shoot the recurve bow.) This years brought on more news as well. Since my last surgery 3 years ago, I have under gone genetic testing. Getting cancer in my 20's was very unusual, so they wanted to determine if genetics was involved, and to determine if our children were at risk. In January I found out that genetics were not involved. We are all very relieved to know that our children are not predesposed to have cancer. Even though we may never know what caused my case, I am glad that our children can live a healthier life.

A Parade

On August 11 was the Heritage Days parade. I love that our house is on the parade route. Doug and I got up, and enjoyed sitting outside in our chairs. We got to wave at cars driving past, and getting some funny looks from people thinking we were waiting for the parade to early. It was a pleasant time. The funny thing is just before the parade, is when our insurance adjuster came to look at our house to see the damages on our house for the parade. They were substantial, but they were 100% covered. They stayed to watch the parade as well. Daniel and I sat on a blanket for about an hour before the parade watching everyone get ready. Donald and Taylor went to their friends Molly, and Zoe to watch the parade for their birthday part. Taylor came back before the parade to watch. Daniel had a blast picking up Candy on the road.





A Reunion:

This weekend was the Kunkel Family Reunion. Every year for the last 10 years they have had their reunion at the Great Canadian Barn Dance. Well this year it was some where else. We got this letter stating the reunion would take place at the Steville Bridge Campground, and on Monday we would canoe down the river to Dinosaur Provincial Park. In the letter they said to find the location of Steville Bridge Campground do a search on Google. We had no such luck. The only reference I could find on the place was a blog that talked about the campground, but not the location. It wasn't listed on any map, and our GPS on our phones couldn't find it either. So we decided to head to Rosemary, and hope for the best. So Sunday after church we left, and got to Rosemary around 7:30. There were no signs, and we couldn't reach anyone. Doug saw this car, and asked for direction to Steville Campground, and he offered to guide us there. It was thanks to this man, that we were able to find the reunion. On Monday we canoed down the river, and had a blast. It was great to see family, and reconnect. On our way home Tuesday we stopped by Calgary to borrow my brother in-laws truck to transport a Piano that was given to us. We got home last night in the rain with the Piano in the back of a truck covered in Tarps, and thanks to Bill Peavoy, and his friend Jim, Ian Lewis-Russel, and Todd Wolsley I now have a Piano. Now I just have to learn to play it.

All in all it was a great couple of weeks. And a big congrats to my Friends Lindy, and Dustin for the birth of their 4th son William who was born Sunday. Congrats you guys I am super happy for you.

On a different note, I forgot to post a video of when Daniel learned to ride a bike. So here it is.  Until next time. Have a great Summer



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