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

It’s a running joke that Miss America wishes for world peace. I’m not sure why it’s funny; maybe because it’s impossible to imagine actual world peace. Maybe, because the overly-made-up women saying that world peace exists live in what seems to be a bubble to the rest of us who live mostly in yoga pants […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kerri - Oh my friend I literally just says to a friend just bc your struggle isn’t the same as mine doesn’t mean it’s not just intense. We all have battles. I love your wish for more compsssion

    And if we can get world peace you get bonus points!December 14, 2017 – 10:43 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - So true. It’s hard to not feel guilty BUT something can pretty much always always be worse. So then what? We’re not allowed to feel like a struggle is a struggle? Your friend is lucky to have such a wise friend in you! December 15, 2017 – 9:16 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - I wish for Alex to come home!!December 14, 2017 – 11:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa@TheGoldenSpoons - Beautiful wishes!! I have loved watching Tucker’s progress through your blog. Parenting is such journey no matter “what kind” if kids we are given. Like most journeys, it’s harder for some and seems easier for others. There’s a quote somewhere about being kind because “everyone is struggling with something.” I think that’s true. Often, we can’t see the struggles of others so we assume we are the only ones, or that our struggles are insignificant. But, our struggles are ours – whatever they are, big or small – and we have to acknowledge them and appreciate them for what they teach us.

    Merry Christmas!!!December 15, 2017 – 7:11 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Merry Christmas, Lisa! And you’re so right – our struggles are our struggles. Just because somebody struggles “MORE” doesn’t negate what we’re going through. December 15, 2017 – 9:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Those are wonderful wishes! And those videos of Tucker? Wow — so amazing! You make me want to look back and find old ones of my big dude…I still remember and laugh at how high his voice was and now he’s got this deep man voice! Happy Holidays Kristi!!December 15, 2017 – 11:58 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Oh you so should find old videos of big dude! I was surprised by the one of Tucker. I’d honestly forgotten that it was so hard for him to say his name. When he gets close, he looks for the smile and approval too – LOVE that (and sometimes fiercely miss little him!). Happy Holidays, Emily! December 15, 2017 – 9:19 pmReplyCancel

  • UP - If only more of thought this way…sighDecember 15, 2017 – 4:16 pmReplyCancel

  • Roshni - I’m just so touched by the videos to see how far he has come!! There is much to be thankful for once we count all the little things that are alright in our own lives!December 15, 2017 – 6:24 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Roshni! He really has come SO FAR. Here’s to remembering to count all the things right in our lives. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday! December 15, 2017 – 9:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Amazing how much these kids of ours have grown, isn’t it? I’m still amazed by that kind of thing every single day.
    I know what you mean about the guilt! I often feel like I have no business wishing for this or that when others have it so much worse. But it’s very true that our struggles are all real and should never be measured next to another person’s. It is in those moments when I catch myself saying “but this person…” and think there but for the Grace of God go I and I remember to be grateful for what I do have. As for world peace, I don’t know about that one. Maybe the key is more compassion as a step toward that hope.December 16, 2017 – 9:32 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I can’t believe how much they’ve grown, Lisa. Truly and really. I like the idea of the key being more compassion as a step toward hoping for world peace, although wow, it’s hard to imagine it ever actually happening, you know? December 17, 2017 – 7:20 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - “Sorry when I said, Hi Justin.” Love it!!! Love seeing him grow up! I also that he’s not shy in videos and doesn’t mind you recording.January 7, 2018 – 5:22 pmReplyCancel

In case you haven’t been out in public recently, or gone outside to see that your neighbors have strung lights and brought pine trees into their homes and then decorated them with baubles and shiny things, I’m here to remind you. The holidays are coming, and because they are, many of us can use a […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Emily - Wait, there are ticks on Christmas trees??! Ok, now i understand why people get artificial trees. That may be us this year!!November 30, 2017 – 10:45 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - SORRY!!! I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I read a story once, and there were ticks, and they went out of town and and and and…. and now I’m paranoid about this! But maybe it’s just me (except ticks do actually live in pine trees, right?) GAH. SORRY!!!
       November 30, 2017 – 10:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I’m not sure how I survived before online shopping – I love being able to get most of my gifts while in my pajamas. Unicorn farts…that is genius! One of the perks of not celebrating Christmas is that I am much less stressed in December than most people. I hope you follow your own guide and are able to enjoy the season, Kristi!

    Signed, Your organized-but-not-a-serial-killer friend Dana 🙂December 1, 2017 – 9:32 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - HAHA now I just have to remember to DO IT. I thought of it while writing this because Tucker will LOVE that, but I need to make a note in my calendar so I’m sure to remember. And yay to not being a serial killer (not that I had any doubt). xoxo December 2, 2017 – 10:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa L. - This is fabulous. So much truth. So much wisdom. Here’s to a lazy, non-sucky holiday! Cheers! xoDecember 1, 2017 – 1:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Lovely post Kristi. May I share?

    Just thinking and talking and sharing all the holiday traditions, I always loved that CB special and his sad little tree. Many decorations are at odds with my cat since I got him three years ago. I do have a set of lights strung around the inside of my bedroom window. My ex did this and I like having them so close. I can hardly see Christmas lights anymore and that makes me sad sometimes, but my mom knows and understands and works to put some up, in only white because red are invisible to me now, all over the outside of my house in the hopes I can still enjoy them.

    Yay for all moms at this time of year and all year round, including you, even if you don’t think you’re anything but lazy about it all.

    My brother and his wife have begun the elf on a shelf thing with their two kids and I am glad they love it. Yeah, still a little creepy to me.

    We all really do just need to do what works for us and our families. Nobody else matters in this case.

    Love your point about the serial killers. Organized isn’t always a positive trait in everyone.

    I am writing a lot about Christmas tradition, but was unwell and missed participating in this one. Still, I love yours and will go read the other submissions.December 4, 2017 – 12:51 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you, Kerry! I’d love for you to share if you’d like to! I’ve heard a few stories about how tree decorations and cats aren’t the best combination. That’s nice that your mom puts up the white lights outside – can you still see them a bit? LOL to the elf on the shelf. I think it’s really creepy but sometimes worry that I made Tucker miss out on something that so many kids really enjoy. I briefly considered getting one when he was tiny, but saw a huge display at Target and I don’t know – I just couldn’t get into it. Oh well. Probably too late now anyway! Tucker still believes in Santa although I don’t know how long that will last. I’m going to go read what you’ve written about Christmas tradition now. Sorry you missed out on this one but I’ll have another holiday prompt this month – feel free to link up one you’ve already written! December 5, 2017 – 12:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - LOL to unicorn fart. There’s a prank box at Bed Bath and Beyond, I really want to go back and get it. It’s says something like it’s an ear wax cleaning kit. I’m always on Christopher about cleaning his ears and I saw that prank boxes and that was too funny. I could put a gift card inside but the look on his face to that would be priceless. Ok I’m going to get it. What’s 20% off of $3.99. I have a million BB&B coupons.

    My house finally smells like cinnamon. My parents were here and they decorated the day after Thanksgiving. My mom brought me some stuff she didn’t need and they got me in the mood to decorate. So I was done on November 30th and tweaked over the weekend. I’m not usually on board until after our birthday’s mid month. But it certainly does get you in the mood to go and buy a prank box. 😉

    Future tip for undoing it all – an excellent audiobook!December 6, 2017 – 9:16 amReplyCancel

You ditch math class (and speech class, and that other class that starts first thing in the morning) to drink beer with friends before your dad gets home. Er, maybe you didn’t… but well, anyway. Your friends are people you can’t imagine not talking to 1,001 times daily even though you didn’t know their names […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Emily - This was great – so creative and yet all so true too! It’s funny bc I was thinking about blogging earlier today, how I miss it and miss having tons of things I wanted to blog about and now I can barely think of anything I at least want to write about…I’m trying to figure out my next phase of being a writer/blogger and where I want to focus my efforts (write a book? Blog again but with different focus? Only blog when it’s a finish the sentence prompt?)…we’ll
    See!November 16, 2017 – 10:49 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG I wonder about blogging all the time. YES to blogging when it’s a finish the sentence friday prompt! Well, yes in my opinion, anyway. 🙂 November 18, 2017 – 11:02 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Loved this! I’ll put myself in the graduated category and went to graduate school or for a second degree and constantly ask myself did I make the right decision. But we know that taking a break means you almost never go back right?

    I wish someone would invent a Naniwrimo for “summer break”.November 16, 2017 – 10:50 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL to graduate school or for a second degree and constantly ask myself did I make the right decision because YES YES YES. For real! And yeah, the break thing — you almost never go back. But still, sometimes? I so want a break. And some people take breaks… Right??? November 18, 2017 – 11:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Forgot to say that I ❤️ that picture of you!November 16, 2017 – 11:01 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks! I think I was more like 20 in it which isn’t exactly high school, but I only had an hour to write and post and find pics and and and ugh… but thank you! November 18, 2017 – 11:05 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - First Kristi, beautiful picture dude.

    Second. what?? Your book is not finished?? I plan on being ur beta, if you want?

    Third, every word you write is dripping with fantastic specialness.

    Fourth. Online relationships are way better than high school because it is an introvert’s paradise.

    Fifth, Online relationships are like High School in that we do share way way too much online but the time flies by so quickly. I don’t have a blog but a Facebook page for my art. In one day, I can get so many hits it is impossible to do anything but answer them. I don’t dare ignore my account overnight either as I belong to writing and painting groups; one of which is my own.

    I don’t see the pettiness in my online friendships that I had in high school but we are all grown ups. It would have been lovely to block some people in high school as it would be in real life. Online relationships give you that ootion.

    Finally, dude I have seen way too many male members online. I saw zero in high school. I wasn’t that kinda girl. I still am not and yet I am always surprised by the photos. That part of online. I could do without.November 16, 2017 – 11:02 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - 1. THANK YOU. I think I was 21 or 20, so not really high school but I was in a hurry2. I SUCK at doing this. I need to take time and yes, I’d love for you to be a beta3. OMG that’s so amazingly kind. THANK YOU. 4. Truth. 5. Yes. But it’s ok to ignore your account overnight. People will still love your art. 6. Gross to the male members online. It sucks to live in a sexist society where men sending dick pics is funny but a woman doing the same would be a slut. It’s just wrong. November 18, 2017 – 11:08 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - This is so true – I was skeptical until you made the connections. I feel like I’m a junior, and I’m happy to stay here. With you, please.November 17, 2017 – 2:27 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks, Dana, and I am happy to stay a junior or senior too. I don’t want whatever is next and was skeptical writing it because WTF but Clark made me and it’s mostly true, right? November 18, 2017 – 11:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie G smith - Awesome post. Descriptions, and the blogging World descriptions. I really enjoyed reading this. I miss you and I know we have to catch up soon. I promise we will!November 21, 2017 – 7:30 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I miss you too and yes, please, to catching up!! Sooner than later (said knowing it’s Thanksgiving on Thursday *gulp*). xoxoxo November 21, 2017 – 9:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - You speak so much truth! I know we didn’t know each other’s names just a few years ago but I am sure glad we do now. Hopefully, someday, we will both make big $$$ for people to read our words. You go, girl! or if you prefer, You go, WOMAN! I’m cheering for you and your book!November 21, 2017 – 9:15 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw, thanks, Linda! You’re in inspiration for sure on the book front! Here’s to making $$$ from people reading our words. I’m so glad to know you and hope it’ll be in real life soon!November 22, 2017 – 8:30 amReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - –I can def. see the connections w/ high school and blogging.
    There are the “Popular girls,” of course, the weirdos, the intellectuals, the burnouts…Kind of like the Breakfast Club, right?
    Anyhow,
    you are so gorgeous.
    Even though I have a college degree,
    I feel as if I’m still in H S. xxxNovember 29, 2017 – 11:34 pmReplyCancel

Remember those priceless moment commercials? They went something like this: Tickets for a family to go to a waterpark: $84.00 Nachos and lemonade at the waterpark: $27.00 A new swimsuit for the child who’d outgrown his: $20.00 Sunscreen for the waterpark: $11.00 Memories from a day of sparkle-filled moments with the family: Priceless Then, they’d […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Linda Atwell - His joke cracked me up!
    And I love his wrinkly arms.
    And I also loved those priceless commercials! I’m glad you are making so many memories!November 2, 2017 – 10:33 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - So glad you liked his jokes and OMG I so love his wrinkly arms. I miss baby-him, sometimes. Thanks, Linda! November 3, 2017 – 11:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Ivy/ zoe - Priceless. The jokes are priceless.November 2, 2017 – 10:54 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - I don’t know, I thought it was pretty funny…. (must be a Y Chromian thing, you wouldn’t understand. lol)

    I usually don’t read others posts on a bloghop until I’ve written and hit ‘Publish’ on my own… that way I don’t get all ‘oh-man-my-post-is-pitifully-out-of-it’s-league here… but with you I make an exception.
    If I’m all, like, ‘damn! can’t think of anything’ I read your post. And then I realize that there was something insightful and engaging to say on the topic, had I only the language skills (and nerve) to type it into the post.

    Good sentence fragment, good sentence finish.

    No fair taking all the good observations!

    I was, no surprise, heading along the same path, (allowing for our different family demographic)… now, I have no choice but to abandon that and go for the weird.November 3, 2017 – 7:49 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - See, you were heading along the same path anyway, and then could’ve said “I KNEW YOU WERE A CLARK!” but yeah, I get it. I don’t often read anybody else’s posts from a sentence or a hop because they get in my head and I can’t get them out, so I get it. But now I want to know what you’d have written in the same path (although I did very love the path you ended up going down, especially the car and feeling like I was in the 80’s because well the 80’s…). November 3, 2017 – 11:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Yes, those are the best wrinkly arms!! And researching a dog?! I say, Go for it!! Dogs are awesome!!November 3, 2017 – 2:51 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Yeah, we’re talking about it. It’s hard though, after you’ve had the very best dog in the world, right? Also, my allergies are worse now, and so I’ve got to actually plan this time, rather than just picking the one I see on a street corner or shelter (which is what I’ve done before). Or, not, because those times worked out pretty well, too… November 3, 2017 – 11:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I count at least five eye rolls in that last video – Tucker is going to rrrrrock adolescence! And I like both jokes – tell T I said that, please.

    Here’s to many more priceless moments!November 3, 2017 – 4:09 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - HAHAH to the rrrrrrocking adolescence. Truth! I’ll tell him you said so. I just don’t like the second one out of principle, or something, but yeah, he’s funny 😉November 3, 2017 – 11:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - The two of you…I just love your relationship.November 3, 2017 – 9:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Tina Szocik - I never thought of moments that change us because they’re painful as being priceless, but so TRUE!!!!November 4, 2017 – 10:17 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I never thought of the ones that hurt being priceless either, until I started thinking about it, and yes, so true. Thank you for saying so. November 4, 2017 – 11:07 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awww to meeting bio mom and sister and comparing toes. LOL! Have you ever written a post about the meet? I’d love to read it. I know I saw pictures this summer? of you and your bio mom, wow to the resemblance.

    Off to check out Tucker’s videos – I almost typed “toes”.November 7, 2017 – 5:21 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’ve only eluded to it in posts; I should probably write about the whole experience, but I worry about the *other* people involved. LOL to the toes! November 13, 2017 – 9:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie - Form one work-in-progess, to another, thank you for sharing your priceless moments and memories. ANd you little video start ROCKS!!!!!November 13, 2017 – 10:55 amReplyCancel

A ninja, Snow White, and Undertale Sans went to a Halloween parade. They met up with Mario and grim reaper, and were escorted by glowing hair woman, tall creepy guy, and a Handmaid. Why Do People Like Halloween So Much? People like Halloween because they dress up, follow firetrucks and a gigantic pumpkin balloon in […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Vickie - (I got a weird message when I tried to post a comment so if this turns out to be a duplicate, feel free to delete)
    The “I don’t know the people standing behind me” photo made me laugh out loud! Love the costumes – all of them. I think my son also loves the attention expecially when people tell him how great he looks. I hope it never ends.October 26, 2017 – 10:38 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hm. I wonder why you got the error. I think Facebook comments are more sketchy than the ones down here… but yes, I hope it never ends for either of our sons! October 27, 2017 – 7:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Great costumes!! I’ll be very curious to see if my 13, almost 14 year-old “little dude” goes trick-or-treating this year. Says he isn’t sure right now. He’s at that in between age, I think? It will make me sad if we officially “age out” of the trick or treating stage, especially because I won’t be able to “share” his candy! 🙂October 26, 2017 – 11:44 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Oh I hope he decides to go trick-or-treating! And that you get some candy! I remember the in between age. It was cool, then not cool, then later, way cool again… October 27, 2017 – 7:44 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison G smith - Fantastic post. For reals. Loved traveling down Halloween memory lane with you. And your costume rocks ( even though I’ve never seen the show). Enjoy Halloween, it changes fast. Only have one trick-or-treater this year😭. Oh, and Cammy’s Slender Man this year and he scared the crap out of Bear. Realty bad. I laughed my a$$ off, so I probably suck like that dad😲October 27, 2017 – 5:49 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL Allie! Slender Man IS scary. I’d have laughed, too. The dad was actually really cool – I didn’t think much about it until my niece was so upset. And thank you! You haven’t seen Handmaid’s Tale? It’s REALLY good. Like, really good. And weep to only one trick-or-treater this year! I want to see a photo though. Slender Man is cool….October 27, 2017 – 7:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - First, is that tall costumed person your little boy??? How is he that tall? Amazing.
    Second, I LOVE that he took his mask off to reassure the little kid. What a great young man you have – that is a sensitive and compassionate heart.
    I think you’re probably right about people wanting to be something they normally aren’t – or can’t be. That makes a lot of sense.October 27, 2017 – 11:44 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I know Lisa! He’s so tall. I wish he’d slow down a little bit. I can’t believe it. At this rate, he’s going to be taller than I am (and I’m not that short) by the time he’s 10. Gulp. And thanks – he’s really sweet and compassionate. One day, he’ll have to hang out with Zilla!October 27, 2017 – 7:49 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awww man I feel out of the loop with The Handmaid’s Tale. I’ve seen memes that I didn’t get because I haven’t seen the show. Aside from that y’all did a great job with the costumes. As for the little Tucker pictures, if I had to choose, the chubby cheeks fireman (yellow & black) is my favorite.October 27, 2017 – 1:32 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s a disturbing show but really really good. And yeah, the chubby cheeks fireman is pretty adorable. Ach, they get big so fast! October 27, 2017 – 7:50 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - it must be fun to share make-believe with Tucker. by definition* make-up believe is always personal and one of the most protected parts of (a young person’s) life… and Halloween, at the least the one you’re showing us in the your post is a active sharing of make-believes.
    as I think about it, there (should) be a curious reversal in the authority on the make-believe, being still young, Tucker would have more…standing in the matter of the real and the imaginary allowed to show, at least for one night a year.
    very cool

    *ok, by my definitionOctober 27, 2017 – 8:30 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s fun* for sure to share make-believe with Tucker, and you’re so right – it’s personal… and protected, I think, although I’d like to hear more about how it’s protected – is that because it’s allowed, this one night each year? Also LOL to the one I show you in my post, because there’s always so much more to it, right? *ok, by your definition ;)PS I love your worldviews. You’re fascinating and totally awesome, every night of the year. October 27, 2017 – 11:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Echo - I love Halloween, probably because I was born so close to it! Aven is going to be jealous! He wanted to be Papyrus, but settled on going as a Cheeseburger instead!October 27, 2017 – 9:17 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Are you dressing up??? And OMG Aven wanted to be Papyrus???? So many people don’t know who Sans or Papyrus are. I don’t even know the story much, and Tucker only knows them through YouTubers playing the game and he loves the music (which is pretty awesome even if it’s not Lars awesome). The people who recognized him seemed cool though – totally alternative, or geeky, which is my people, and so awesome. October 27, 2017 – 11:42 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - Tucker has come SO FAR & will only go Farther!)))
    (Because of ‘YOU.”

    OMGGggg, the Handmaid costumes are spectacular!!! xxOctober 29, 2017 – 10:32 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Awww…. thank you thank you thank you! Are you dressing up? Do tell do tell… October 29, 2017 – 7:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - I love these memories. Especially the one where Tucker felt so bad about scaring that young kid. Empathy! It is so wonderful that he has empathy. I like how Halloween has evolved and that you are still into it because Tucker is into it. Your post made me smile BIG TIME!October 30, 2017 – 12:12 amReplyCancel

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