Summer Evening

We had the best time last night just bbq'ing in the backyard. It was great just to fire up the grills, throw the frisbee for the pup and talk about our day! Hope your Tuesday night was equally as lovely!

Old Man Campbell

All wet from running through the sprinkler.

Grilled zucchini is my favorite!

Cheers!!

Summer Evening Routine

Campbell has started this evening routine with Avery and Everett. Around 7 pm Avery gets the itch and starts circling, waiting for him to put his shoes on. Then they grab the frisbee and head up to the school. Lately, Everett has been going with them as well. When I'm not working I like to tag along. Last night, Campbell was at golf league so the evening routine was up to me. Walking up to the school with a dog and a cat following you feels a bit like a parade and a whole lot ridiculous. No matter how ridiculous there is something soul anchoring in routine. Simple, predictable, daily: routine.

Mr. E marching up to play. You can see our house in the background, thankfully the school is not far.

This picture cracks me up because she looks so dang happy. 

Pictures of Mr. Everett are dang near impossible.

The two of them running together as fast as they could go.

She wanted nothing to do with taking a picture with me. 

//outtake//

doh.

Early Spring

Around here lately...

Avery and her buddies Randy and Riley

Fabulous new sugar cookie recipe via Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Dad bought Avery Easter Bunny ears for Easter. She was NOT thrilled. But I have to admit, it was so funny to see her reaction. She loves my dad. She knows that he is the one who will always be talked into an extra treat. I think this torture was only endured because she knows that he gets her the good stuff.

Really grandpa? 

I fully expect a call from PETA for this one.

A very cranky Easter Puppy.

Much love,

Caitlin and Campbell

Cultivating: Growing a Home

My friend Jenny and I had talked about potting plants for our homes but both discussed our poor track record with keeping plants alive. We often get these crazy ideas of projects that we should work on and convince one another to tackle them together. This challenge was no different. Despite our past failings we decided to give it a shot. We were quite proud of ourselves as we worked on this project. We picked out a few plants each and got to work. It was fun to work together on a something that I knew would brighten both of our homes! Also, we got to enjoy the most beautiful spring day! And of course, the pups were quite the helpers.

The goods.

Ranunculus won both of us over. 

Succulent love. And Toms, love those too.

Jenny getting down to business.  Her hyacinths smelt so good!

Jenny and Ziva are great buds to Avery and I. 

I love this picture because Ziva is so loving and always giving Avery the sweetest puppy kisses. 

They were thrilled. I promise. 

Ta-da!  

Luckily, the hubster came home for lunch so he could snap this photo of us with our hard work!

P52 {8 & 9}

They are sitting still, so near to one another and not wrestling, only because a treat was a stake. I hope someday when they are old and slow and loyal, that I will remember these days when they are rowdy, dirty, and fairly naughty with a huge smile. 

Ziva and Avery : The best of friends. 

Such proud pups. 

Conversations are best over carbs and crochet hooks. 

Ramblings of a nurse and {P52: 6 & 7}

Project 52: To get one picture a week. This has now turned into a lesson in forgiveness of self and realizing my limits and not being too self-critical. This equals: new goal.

Time to admit that some weeks there are no pictures taken, none, zero, zilch. Some weeks I run around like a chicken with my head cut off only to fall face first into bed exhausted, worn out, emotionally drained and wondering why in the world I ever thought nursing would be a good idea! Yes, there have been some hard days at the hospital lately. Hard days that make me realize more than ever that being a nurse is what ever fiber of my being was made to do. It was who God has called me to be. These same days have also left me wondering if I am strong enough. 

Am I strong enough to the hold the hands that are taking the last breaths? 

Am I strong enough to be a witness in those times? 

In those moments as I quietly pray for their soul? 

To fight back the tears as I am helping them to breathe? 

All while praying that this may be their last peaceful breath? 

Wondering if I should have done more?

Or possibly less?

Who am I to be at that bedside?

To go home with the memories of them heavy on my heart? 

To hug my parents extra hard just in case?

Now that we got the career/calling discussion handled, we can move on!

I still want to be pushing myself towards using the camera more and not give up completely just because not all pictures fall on the right week, or are taken at the right time. Whatever "the right" time is! So, 52 pictures will be taken, edited and posted. Moments will be documented. Maybe not all in the correct week, there may be many in one week and none in another, but nonetheless, they will be. 

P52: 6

A hike with Avery and Husband. 

P52: 7

A new study with Stephanie. 

"The climax of God's happiness

 is the delight He takes

 in the echoes of His excellence

 in the praises of His people. "

John Piper

A Campbell Christmas {outtakes}

In an attempt to get us all in one photo on Christmas morning we propped the camera up and set it for automatic shoot and did the best we could to corral the two critters. Brilliant, right? Should be easy, right? Avery missed the concept, Everett tried to escape, and well...you can see what happened. It's fairly hilarious when your camera recognizes your dog's butt as a face to focus on and blurs you and Husband in the background. Enjoy our outtakes!

There she is folks, in all her glory: the backside of Avery.

Avery chose to finally sit, right in front so she was totally blocking Andrew and Everett.  Basically, our world tends to revolve around her. (and she knows it!!)

Yes, we're in our jammies, yes, we have bed head, but, we are together, healthy and happy. Besides Everett, I don't think he was too thrilled with the situation ;)

Happy New Year! 

Love,

Caitlin and Campbell (Avery and Everett too!)