Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

My first thought upon seeing my son’s classroom at his new school wasn’t marveling at how far portable classrooms have come, now complete with their own heating and cooling systems. It wasn’t joy at him being close to the playground, or awe over the view of Pikes Peak from right outside his door. Instead, I […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Janine Huldie - I am not sure what more to say than what you already said as I think you summed up my own fears for my kids here sadly. I am beyond words though at this point and scared and frustrated with the way things are and not sure what it will take. But something has to give and definitely needs to be done. And yet it doesn’t seem to matter to those in power, which is truly unfathomable and not right at all.April 18, 2019 – 8:35 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG this whole world (country, world, all of it) is terrifying these days. I agree that it so doesn’t seem to matter to those in power. Those in power just admitted to lying and cheating and that doesn’t seem to matter either. It’s disgusting. But, our kids are totally amazing, so there’s that!April 19, 2019 – 8:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzi - It’s horrific. That’s all there is to it.April 19, 2019 – 5:00 amReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Perfect response to the prompt because this is honestly one of my most plaguing things to be afraid of, more so than cancer, meteors, climate change, and death. Well it’s related to death but it’s not my own that I’m afraid of anymore.
    Our not so little littles need so much more. xoxoApril 19, 2019 – 11:16 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - To be totally transparent, I was thinking it was Mardra’s week (it’s next week – March having five weeks messed me up), so I did it knowingly, if that makes sense. Maybe that’s not fair, but your post was utterly perfect with it, so maybe fair doesn’t matter, and it’s about being ourselves and admitting to the parenting fears being so much larger than our ourselves fears… I so get it. Because YES.April 19, 2019 – 9:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya - Australia took swift action. I was like WOW. I really hoped for some resolution last year when those Parkland students went to Washington. All I can hope for is that they have not given up as they approach the age to vote. I hope they are going to vote hard and against all that is wrong in our country. I’m sorry your heart had to endure that worry this week. Every time I hear of a student taking a weapon to school and someone alerted someone that the person was a threat, I wonder what WOULD have happened. And I wonder WHY they still continue to do it – throwing their lives away or ending it or ending others lives. I don’t know what else to say. It all breaks my heart. Wow to the prompt coinciding with having this story to share.April 19, 2019 – 5:25 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I was like WOW with Australia too, and so jealous! I mean, what if this had happened in the US back when Columbine happened? Or the too many events after???? I follow a lot of the Parkland students too and think they’re hopeful in a billion ways… even our kids, you know? I mean, Tucker asks me why people are prejudiced, why some men don’t like women even though they all have moms… but still, I’m so with you with the students taking weapons to school – what’s happening to them at home or school or church or wherever that they feel the need to kill people and then, themselves. It breaks my heart and also I’m so tired of feeling afraid. Oh, and to the prompt coinciding… disclosure – I thought it was Mardra’s week (Marach had five weeks is my excuse) so then did this prompt after being scared and afraid to take my kid to school…April 19, 2019 – 9:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Nothing I can say or add except…I know. xoApril 22, 2019 – 8:16 amReplyCancel

Random stories and the images they bring come to me often. I’ve written about the now-horrifying book Brave Mr. Buckingham saying “that didn’t hurt!” and how each time Tucker loses a tooth, I think of that line. It’s been years since I set eyes on that story but I picture myself as a young child, […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Janine Huldie - I can still remember my own grandmother and grandfather telling me stories from when they were younger too years back. Definitely made me realize then that my grandparents also were two distinct persons with their own lives way before I was ever alive. I also found myself asking them for more stories after that and for that I am so thankful as I do recall much of what they told me and those stories still live on even if just in my mind and heart now. That said, not going to lie the Caillou comment did make smile and also just thankful my kids never got into that show! 😉April 11, 2019 – 8:20 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL to Caillou and so glad your kids never went there! I’m glad you have so many cherished stories from your grandparents. Realizing they’re real people before we’re born is eye-opening and then the stories are fascinating!April 12, 2019 – 5:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi - I think that family stories are the best! Like you learned, they help family members of different generations become more real.April 11, 2019 – 10:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzi - The tuna story sounds fascinating…I have several guesses and I’m glad you don’t eat it any more.

    Making up stories to fill gaps is ever so natural but not always helpful. It’s frustrating when we can’t go back to those moments and find out the truths.April 12, 2019 – 2:13 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - The tuna one is really gross. I’ll tell you if I want but maybe you’d rather just not know. Hint: It has nothing to do with dolphins. And yeah, so frustrating when we run the moments over and over in our heads, making up scenarios on the motives and such. Not helpful for sure!April 12, 2019 – 5:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - hahaha, Des has his own version of the song that is so wrong. “I’m just a kid who sucks.. each day I grow some ducks.. (hint.. not ducks)

    I don’t want to fill in the blanks with the tuna story, I dare say! I have a similar cream cheese story. And it’s fascinating that we make up stories to fill gaps. Weird human brain stuff.April 12, 2019 – 9:36 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Human brains are so weird. And LOL to Des’ version of the kid who grows some NOT ducks! LOL! Yeah, the tuna story was really gross. I couldn’t even put it here because then people can’t UNKNOW it, ya know?April 12, 2019 – 5:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya - I remember your Caillou post. Was it a video? As for a tuna sandwich, you made me want one and not. I’m scared to know what you found out. There’s some show on Netflix I have no idea what it was but I’ve heard that if you watch it you won’t be able to eat meat again. I need to know something bad about how sugar is made. Sweet story about your Grandma. My mom has a story about the Thanksgiving she found out the turkey was an actual Turkey. I think my grandfather teased her with it while it was raw.April 13, 2019 – 3:54 pmReplyCancel

Initially, I began writing about how I wish I was better at knowing what brings me joy outside relationships with other people. I wrote a little about how the blogging world has changed, and how I’ve changed, but with less than 45 minutes before promising this week’s Finish the Sentence Friday will go live, I […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Janine Huldie - What can I say, but honestly needed this reminder that we can indeed make a difference and that there is indeed some good still left in this world. I mean I most definitely cannot listen to the news lately without getting upset with the current person that seems to be in charge of the country or his cabinet, including and not limited to the current education secretary as in all honesty I am at a loss for words on how stupid and out of touch they all are. That said, I want to believe that if we do act that we can change this and more. So, again thank you as this gave me just a small amount of hope that maybe just maybe we can make that happen. At least I want to hope and have faith in that.April 4, 2019 – 8:12 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I so want to have faith in that we can change this current situation, too. Sometimes it feels hopeless, but I have to remember that once, women voting felt hopeless. Freeing slaves felt hopeless. People DO change the world. I just hope it happens before our kids are adults, you know?April 5, 2019 – 9:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Lizzi - LOL your last bit tho!! I read an amazing post yesterday about procrastinating. I’ll see if I can find the link for you.

    Changing the world matters so much, and I believe a lot of same-on-the-inside people are doing lots of things to effect that. Thank goodness!April 4, 2019 – 11:15 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Leave it to you to get the last bit and not skip it over, thank you. And I LOVED the article you shared on Eli’s page about procrastination. I think it makes total sense, and also like that I’m (we’re) not lazy, we’re anxious and super-smart. Something like that, anyway. 😉April 5, 2019 – 9:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - I remembered that post! You’re pretty awesome. Let’s get back to changing the world!April 5, 2019 – 7:37 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You did? How fun is that? I mean for me, that’s super-fun. And here’s to going back to changing the world. You are! Go superwoman!April 5, 2019 – 9:27 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - I think that post would have been right before I knew you! Or right when. Sigh. So many blogger quotes from people who have dropped off this. Boo!
    Also, I feel you so much on this.
    I wish I was better at it too. It’s like my old idealistic self never imagined he who shall not be named and his bunch of blathering idiots.April 5, 2019 – 8:52 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG I miss them so much. It’s sad, how many have gone away. I wish we were all better at it. OMG to the whole blathering idiots. Exactly that.April 5, 2019 – 9:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi - Thank you for reminding us to change the world. We could all list things we want to do better for ourselves — I’m grateful that you’re thinking even bigger.April 5, 2019 – 8:54 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s true though that there is a lot about myself I want to change, which maybe happens first before being able to change anything about the world, but OMG I so want to change the world. So much. Gah.April 5, 2019 – 9:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Christine - I SO get not having the time to invest in so many things I want to write… OR energy.

    I LOVED that post you referred to. I forgot about it and my gosh, it’s still so powerful in every way.

    I loved everyone’s suggestions in it and will share it again on my page SOON!April 6, 2019 – 6:11 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks, my sweet friend! Gah to wishing for more energy. All. The. Time! xoxoApril 6, 2019 – 6:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - You may procrastinate, but at least you show up each week. I’m currently sucking at that.

    I think the best changes happen when we crowdsource – we can’t do it alone. The problem is that some people think they can. Hopefully that person will not be re-elected;)April 9, 2019 – 11:28 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - From your words to life itself as far as that %$#@#$%^%$#@ NOT being re-elected. Gah. Here’s to crowdsourcing, and awesome friends like you!April 11, 2019 – 6:44 pmReplyCancel

Ah, vacations. We smile at memories of laughter, shared meals, soft beaches, and fireworks. Long, boring car rides later feel fun and nostalgic in hindsight. Like the time my dad threatened to leave my brothers and I on the side of the road if he heard any more “talk about poop, gas, or vaginas.” I […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Janine Huldie - I am seriously so excited for your upcoming Disneylan trip tomorrow and cannot wait to hear all the memories you make in this trip. Hoping you have a blast. Hugs and btw linking up my Dumbo Cupcakes which were inspired by our first ever Disney World trip a few years back, which still holds a special place in my heart, too ❤️March 28, 2019 – 8:18 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Disneyland was SO MUCH fun, oh my gosh. We adored it. It’s a lot smaller than Florida but really fun. Glad you linked up Dumbo Cupcakes – adorable!April 6, 2019 – 6:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Whitney - How do you do this? Short post but all the feels and I want to go to Disneyland with you. Thanks from a tired mom who will take her baby girl there one day!March 28, 2019 – 8:29 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you – that’s so sweet. Definitely take your girl with you when you can. We really enjoyed it and the lines weren’t too crazy!April 6, 2019 – 6:54 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - What a great way to celebrate Tucker’s birthdays — way better than a party in my opinion! Love these pics too!March 29, 2019 – 11:52 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Since his birthday is in July, his friends are usually gone, and school’s out so it makes sense. We do usually celebrate with a party before school ends but the trip is his “real” birthday.April 6, 2019 – 6:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - So many of these places are mine too! I don’t remember if we did Chincoteague and Assateague but I remember the wild ponies!
    And Yellowstone is one of my top five of all time. I didn’t write about it! I don’t think I’ll be writing about Zorbing or certain death tides anytime soon!March 29, 2019 – 12:10 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OOOH to the wild ponies! They’re so amazing. And Yellowstone! Yes. I think we may try to go this summer. LOL to zorbing and certain death tides 😉April 6, 2019 – 6:56 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya - These are wonderful vacation memories. I’m going to have to click over to zorbing because I don’t remember that story. I’d love to visit Yellowstone someday! I’ve only been to Tennessee as far as the places you mentioned above. And since you mentioned Ze plane – “Puerto Vallarta” reminds me of Love Boat.April 6, 2019 – 6:21 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Oh you so should visit Yellowstone. It’s really incredible. A buffalo ran right up the street about three feet from our car – they’re HUGE. It’s really a beautiful place. Puerto Vallarta – it’s been way too long since I’ve been to Mexico! Definitely Love Boat. Oh I liked that show…April 6, 2019 – 6:57 pmReplyCancel

It was Easter Sunday, and I was eight years old. We’d moved into a new house that summer, and winter came before we landscaped much, so the backyard didn’t have grass or mulch or anything. The yard was sunken, so melted snow and rain made a shallow but large pool of mud. My brothers and […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Lizzi - To be fair it sounds like you’re doing all you can to give him a glorious, golden childhood. 🙂March 22, 2019 – 12:07 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - I think about the memories too and what my kids will and won’t remember…I was just talking to one of my boys about this the other day. And, Great Wolf Lodge — we never went and I so wish we did! Have a great time at Disney — Tucker has an awesome mom and dad. 🙂March 22, 2019 – 7:25 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s weird what we (and they) remember, isn’t it? Here’s to them remembering us being awesome.March 22, 2019 – 10:05 pmReplyCancel

  • Deb - He’ll remember something you can’t remember at all, most likely. We don’t get to manipulate their memories, as much as we want to, because their brains are so moldable that everything has an impact. My oldest daughter remembers when she fell at age 3 and scraped her knee in the shape of a leaf, but not any of the massive Hanukah parties we had in our old house. My younger daughter remembers not one of the dozen endoscopies she had, but she remembers the awesome rice crispy treat cake I made for her 5th birthday. It’s chaos in there! Do the things with him the YOU will love remembering. <3March 22, 2019 – 10:43 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - True, that he’ll remember things I don’t.. he already does, sometimes. So weird, this parenting and memory stuff, wanting them to have traditions and awesome stuff… I love that your daughter remembers the rice crispy treat cake. I guess that’s what really matters. xoxo and thank you for the advice!March 22, 2019 – 10:07 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya - Nice end of Spring Break treat! Does he know yet? I with all of the having to stay home over the the last couple weeks is what made you click on the impromptu vacay? Sounds fun and definitely warmer.March 24, 2019 – 1:05 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - I definitely think all couch forts need a defense cannon. xoMarch 25, 2019 – 7:54 amReplyCancel

  • Miranda Hicks - Beautiful Post.I really enjoyed while reading.Mother is the only one nobody can take her Place.I love my Mom infact being a Mom still I miss mom.

    Miranda | https://www.checkcorner.com/March 26, 2019 – 2:10 amReplyCancel

It was sunny and almost 60 degrees outside when I got an email from school saying there’d be no school the following day due to the blizzard. “Bomb Cyclone” is what they were calling it. I was happy – I’d be able to sleep in, we’d have an extra day to get through a couple […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Lizzi - It sounds like you nailed it. Remember, you don’t have to feel it to be it, and you ARE doing all the things with him and encouraging, supporting, and playing with him in the ways you want. Even though you sometimes feel like screaming. 😁March 15, 2019 – 12:17 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Nailed it with guilt for not nailing it enough? My MO. Thank you for your sweetness. Always.March 15, 2019 – 10:34 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Wow, that’s a lot of snow…and an awesome tunnel too! I remember when my dudes were younger and feeling the “mom guilt” that maybe I wasn’t present enough all the time. Or maybe I yelled too much or ignored too much or lost my patience too much. Now that the dudes are bigger (and taller than me!), I can say with great confidence that they don’t remember those moments that we doubted ourselves as a parent. I just watched the last episode of “Shameless” and while I know it’s quite the opposite when it comes to modeling good parenting, there was one line spoken where one of the characters was questioning whether he’d be a good dad because his girlfriend was pregnant and the other guy (who was already a dad) said, “just love them” and you’ll be a great dad. Something like that, but it’s honestly true.March 15, 2019 – 7:52 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - TOO MUCH SNOW. I mean I love snow, and winter, but am so over it now. Thanks for the reminder… Tucker’s almost as tall as I am now, and his feet are bigger (WHAAAAA). Here’s to just loving them. I think there’s a lot to be said for that. Still, SOOO easy to feel like we’re flunking. xoMarch 15, 2019 – 10:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi - We can’t possibly live in the moment all the time! You really are doing a good job, but even in the moments when you think you COULD do better, you could also be doing worse. Giving kids a chance to be bored and get creative — like T did when he built that tunnel — is really important. That’s how their minds get stretched. Be kind to yourself, mama. Really.March 15, 2019 – 9:54 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s true, we can’t but it’s also true that it’s too easy to feel guilt about that right? Gah. And yes, thank you for the reminder that I could be so much worse. I love when he finds things on his own, like the snow tunnel. Reminds me of days when I was a kid without screens.March 15, 2019 – 10:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - You always make me think. You always make me want to be better. I am blessed and better for knowing you. xoMarch 20, 2019 – 10:02 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw. You’re so kind Lisa! It’s I who am better and blessed for knowing YOU! Thank you my friend! 🙂March 21, 2019 – 4:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Yvonne Spence - Lovely! I can so relate to your feelings of missing the younger him (or in my case her and her) and also wanting to just appreciate every moment you have now.
    In the end, we all do the best we can in any given moment, and that’s all we ever can do! I hope you had fun tunnelling in the snow! And how far Tucker has come!March 20, 2019 – 3:04 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You’re right that it’s really all we can do… still I really DO miss younger him. But I’ll miss now-him, later too, right? And yes, thank you – he really has come such a long way! We’re proud!March 21, 2019 – 4:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - You and Tucker remind me of me and Christopher – fondly! I remember days like that and I know I’ve written posts like this. Lots of times I pushed through and enjoyed the moments and sometimes I didn’t. I hope I don’t sound terrible for not missing them now. I keep waiting on that moment to strike. It’s probably going to be when we have an empty nest and then I’ll never stop crying and feel super lonely. Waaaaah.March 21, 2019 – 6:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Ferocity and ventilation.Enough said.April 3, 2019 – 10:52 pmReplyCancel

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