Last Day of School: Saying 'Bye for the Summer

The last day of school can seem like such a waste of time. I often think, "Why can't we just skip it?" But, the truth of the matter is that there always has to be a last day of school. It's the only way to get to summer.


For 61 million schoolchildren, it is one of the biggest days of the year: the last day of school. To include my 14 year old and 7 year old.

The eight graders at Chiddix Jr. High School won't be coming back in the fall: They'll be heading to high school(I have only about 80 days to mentally prepare my self for this). They all were ready for autograph day. Year books in one hand, a pen in the other, these kids spend their last day saying "have a nice summer" -- again and again -- in writing.


In first-grade at Colene Hoose Elementary field day is the last-day-of-school tradition. What a great time they all had fun playing Steal the Beacon, Boom Blaster and many many more activity's. What a way to say have a great summer!

The last day of school means the beginning of so many different adventures.

For us that means we have allot of packing to do,yep we are moving in two weeks.
Then the 14 year old and the 7 year old will be off on vacation to Minnesota then Colorado for the summer.The 27 year old and I will be unpacking and taking in one or two mini vacations. Then more unpacking,so if you need to get away please feel free to join us for the summer party of a life time at our place unpacking !!!

I have no doubts that the rest of the summer will be incredibly insane and I will need a real vacation when it is all over.

Ahhh let's just have fun,live well & laugh often.

To our Mothers as we look back.

As we look back on our life's
We find ourselfs wondering.....

Did we remember to thank you
for all that you have done for us?

For all of the times you were by our side
to help us celebrate our successes
and accept our defeats?

Or for teaching us the value of hard work,
good judgement, courage, and honesty?

We wonder if we've ever thanked you for the simple things...
The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared?

If we have forgotten to express our gratitude
For any of these things,
We are thanking you now....
and we are hoping that you've known all along,
how very much you are loved and appreciated.


Happy Mothers Day !

Before and After

The before shot :




As most of you are already aware,my 27 year old an I were engaged over this past weekend.
It was a day that we will cherish for a life time.

Everyone that is near and dear to our hearts had a hand in making this a perfect moment. We all shared many tears of happiness from Colorado to Minnesota all the way to Florida. After along day of celebrations of my birthday right into our engagement.
We were ready to turn in for the evening,but I was very eager to hear all the stories of how the day transpired. So as the story goes my 27 year old ,14 year old ,7 year old and my sister in law Lisa all went shopping for my gorgeous ring. They traveled to several different stores.It is neat to think that every time I look at this spectacular ring it has a part of each of them.All that shopping tuckered our 7 year old right out!




I was dieing to hear all about the conversation between my Dad and my 27 year old.
By the looks of this photo. I would say it went quite well. Picture perfect !





Then a few phone calls had to take place.My mom and my 27 year olds parents.
Once again each of them approved. I think...

Then then big moment. He asked me... I said yes ! We had quite a family moment!





Now the after shot:
By the looks for this photo do you think I am still engaged?

Midwest 5.2 magnitude earthquake ? Maybe.

As I am sure most of you have head.If not let me tell you all about it.

Our 7 year old was up off and all night last night.He was suffering from a cold that his Mom gave him. Our 7 year old is a bit different then most kids ,he also has asthma so when he has a "normal" cold he is just a mess. So about 4am he was in need of a nebulizer treatment.I was a bit sleepy and still suffering from that pesky cold myself however I got our 7 year old all fixed and back into bed.

Just then a large ruckus took place... This was a sound that we have never heard before.It almost felt like it shook the house.

I received a call from my 27 year old this morning.He called to see if everyone was OK. I responded with a quick yes.He told me that an earth quake hit just before 4:37 a.m. it was centered six miles from West Salem, Ill.(I have no clue), and 66 miles from Evansville, Indiana (again no clue).

Oh, yeah, we felt it.Thinking he was telling another story.I then told him that must have been what shook our house. A long silents on the other end of the phone,I continued to tell him we thought the windows were rattling, and you could hear our back deck creak.This must have been a fairly large quake? He then said go look at the Map on-line and see for yourself how far the quake traveled.At this time I am about 50/50 a story(we get them all the time)or for once is this real deal going on.

So I did he was right ! (Don't ever tell a Campbell man they are right)!
I got back on the phone and told him we had no damage. He said what? It must have just been that damn squirrel that knocked our new flower pot over on the deck.


We are all safe a bit far from us here in Normal IL. The news said there was no immediate reports of damage. Thank God !

When you step in it .....

As most of you already know we had the opportunity to take a trip to the Morrow farm over spring break. What an adventure.

However being city folk I was asked(by my 27 year old)what are the necessities you need to bring to the farm?I said pj's ,coats ,t-shirts ,jeans ,sweatshirts ,under garments ,shoes all the day to stuff plus and extra just encase.

I decided to pack for myself ,our fourteen and seven year old and the dogs.
I left my 27year old to fend for himself.




When out exploring on the farm my 27 year old says to me ,I guess we should have brought two pairs of shoes so we don't have to scrape all this mud off.








Well he was working so hard to get that mud off of our seven year old boots I just did not see the need to tell him that we have a extra pair of sneaker inside ...

When you step in it some of us can get a laugh !
City folk on the farm I tell ya !

Cliff Said ...

Spring break and family reunion Tekamah, Nebraska style.
What an adventure !

We made it home on the evening of Saturday March 30Th.On our journey back home we had all shared different stories about our excellent adventures on the Morrow farm.

I had ideas pouring out of my head on what my next post would be about...

Once we made it home and we all settled down and got our things on packed, I told the kids that it is late, get your clothes ready for church and get to bed.

The next morning my fourteen year old(Shannel)came up stairs,I was about to ask her why she had her crocks on and befor I could say anything she cut me off and said
Cliff said that I had to wear my crocks to church today because they are holy !






I just looked at her with laughter ready to pour out of my mouth...
Can't argue with that.


Thank you Morrow family for hosting
spring break and our family reunion.

We all had a great time and look forward to come back soon.

I also look forward to hearing what else Cliff has said.

More adventures of us on the Morrow Farm to come soon.

'Twas the day before Easter

'Twas the day before Easter
..and all through the woods,
The bunnies were busy
packing their goods.
The eggs were all colored
so pretty and bright,
All things were "go"
for the big, special night.

The baskets were waiting,
all decorated with care,
In hopes that the Bunny
soon would be there.
My family were all asleep in their beds,
While visions of Easter eggs
rolled round in there head.

And I in my pajamas
with the dog near my lap,
I had just settled down
for a quick little nap.
When outside the window
I heard a great noise,
I sprang from my chair
and jumped over some toys.

As quick as a flash
to the window I flew,
I pulled up the shade
and, OH, what a view.
The moon on the meadow
cast a bright golden glow
And the wind blew the flowers
to and then fro.

Then all of a sudden
from out of nowhere,
Came some lively bunnies,
hopping here, hopping there!
Leading the group
with ears long and funny
Was a plump, all-white rabbit...


That's right...the EASTER BUNNY was here!
I have proof this year!






Happy, Happy Easter
from our home to yours!