The Campbell Family Blog: Happy Independence Day

I feel so behind on my blog that I'd like to apologize in advance. It is hard to believe that it is already July and its as hot as can be! First off, Happy 30th Birthday to Mike's brother Matt!! He celebrated number 30 on July 2nd. Other July birthday shout-outs, Grandma Gaynor July 10th, Mimi Roberts & JC July 18th, Mariann Weathers July 26th, and Kate Box July 30th. :) We love you all and wish you the happiest birthdays.

A week and a half ago we had a Dr's appt with our new OB/GYN, Dr. Linda Prentice and I think she is just great. We are very happy that we won't have to do anymore hunting to find a new one. We will plan to deliver at Harris HEB (under the new Texas Health group). We were also able to get our first sonogram and see the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was really amazing to be able to see him/her already and also incredible to read about all the changes that are happening with this little one in the next few weeks. Isn't God's creation just amazing?!? We sure think so!! I haven't scanned the sonogram picture in just yet, but I will try to do that soon. I do have a few photos to share this week so we can remember what my tummy looked like "pre-baby". I took pictures of my stomach at 6 weeks (the day we found out) and also at about 10 weeks. Not much going on just yet on the outside, but I'm sure it won't be long. We have been getting several questions about whether or not we will be finding out the baby's gender or keeping it a secret. My answer is a resounding "YES!!" We can't wait to find out and will certainly share the information. I'm not too sure at this point when we can find out, but I think around early September perhaps? Other than that I've been feeling pretty well, tired many days, but not always and occasionally a little queasy really just in the morning. (imagine that!) I am very thankful that I've not been sick thus far, but ready for the boost of energy I've been hearing about in week 14!! :)

On the job front, I had a face to face interview at Study Island for open positions of either Inside Sales Associate or Account Manager. I was informed by the manager that I should hear something back early this week. I did get an email from the Vice President of Sales this evening wanting to schedule an appointment to speak with me Thursday about a possibility of a post-secondary position available that would report directly to her in their new division called Northstar Learning. I still have some questions about what this new sector will look like and if it would be a good fit for me.

Additionally, this week I started my training sessions for the Texas Teachers Alternative Certification Program. There are 7 sessions from 9am-4pm held at the Arlington Convention Center. I was surprised by the number of attendants today and would guess that there were probably between 400-500, which was much larger than I expected. Today's speaker was really great and talked primarily around classroom experiences, best teacher and worst teacher traits, our goals for teaching, what to expect in an interview, and best practices to get hired, etc. Tuesday and Wednesday will be four sessions around Classroom Management. Next week we conclude with Lesson Designs/Planning & other assessments. I have to admit that I am torn by the possibilities that these two career paths could present for me and the uncertainty of in what capacity I will want to work after having this baby. Take an extended leave? Go back part-time? Take the normal maternity leave and then straight back to work? I have to admit I never pictured myself working after starting a family and now that I'm at this point I'm just not sure how I will feel and whether or not it is fair to myself or my future employer to start something that could possibly end or be different in 6-7 months. Please say a prayer for wisdom and clarity for me around the whole job situation.

Last, but certainly not least, Happy 4th of July!! We celebrated this past weekend with our great friends, John & Kristy Wood, who came up to visit us from San Antonio. They arrived Thursday evening and we relaxed at the house and had a movie night. Then on Friday we took them on a tour around Fort Worth, since Kristy had never seen it and John had only seen the hospitals. We took them all around the TCU campus and showed them our old dormitories and all of the new things that had been built since we graduated. We also went by the sporting fields, the Greek, and the business buildings. Then we took them down to the Historic Stockyards and toured the old Main Street and even got to see a longhorn up close and on the street! We were hoping to catch the routine cattle drive, but were about an hour late. We drove past Billy Bobs, but unfortunately didn't take the opportunity to go inside. (Maybe next visit we'll see a concert or something) For lunch we thought it was only appropriate to go to Joe T's, not necessarily for the food, but the atmosphere and since it's a Fort Worth original. After lunch we went to my parents home to swim for the afternoon followed by some wonderful ribs, potatoes, and squash casserole prepared by Mom & Dad. It was a busy day, but a fun day. Saturday we woke up and drove to Southlake to Mike's sister-in-law's parents' for a day of swimming, brats, and for the guys (and non-pregnant ladies) floating beer pong. Rather entertaining on the water if I may say so myself. We had a wonderful time and it was nice to spend the day relaxing in the sun and water. I know I definitely needed that. In the evening we drove back to Grand Prairie and enjoyed a WONDERFUL fireworks show just down the street overlooking Joe Pool Lake. Sunday, we went to a different church than we have gone the past two weeks, called Crossroads Bible Church. I think we will plan to visit again next week and maybe even attend one of the adult Bible classes to see if we think this church would be a good one for us to get involved.

I think this concludes the events of the past two weeks. I'm sure there are things that I have left out, but I can always fill in the gaps in the next post. I wish everyone a happy and productive week and here are the pictures I promised! :)