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

The month of June feels like school papers left in empty hallways, later bedtimes, and clock-less poolside afternoons. June holds promise of sweaty adventures had in fresh-cut grass. June is fireflies, flip flops, and the birth of fairies. It’s the neighbor’s music dancing through open windows. The month of June also feels like self doubt, […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kerry - June is fireflies, flip flops, and the birth of fairies.
    It’s the neighbor’s music dancing through open windows.

    I love all this Kristi. I hope you have a fantastic June. I would love to take part in this one, as this particular June is super meaningful and important to me, but I am flying early tomorrow morning. Not sure I have time, as I still have not finished packing. Oops!

    🙂

    So, maybe if I finish fast and have an hour or so of time in the middle of tonight, as I can’t sleep and am waiting for my ride to the airport.

    Either way, I may still write my June post in the next one, tying it together with whatever next week’s sentence starter is or something.June 2, 2017 – 8:53 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Kerry and I’d LOVE to hear about your June. I hope you write about it whether it’s in time or not (also I can always add links later although I don’t think the other participants go back to read, if that matters). I hope you’re going somewhere amazing and wonderful and that you have a fantastic June and weekend and evening!!! Also? I always pack at the last minute. I’m convinced it works best.June 2, 2017 – 9:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - “We realize that being closer to 50 than to childhood is as it should be.” Yeah, so true. I sometimes find closer to 50 hard to digest, but right now it’s exactly what’s meant to be.
    This is beautiful…love every bit of it. June is indeed all of those things.June 4, 2017 – 7:16 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - This was sweet and beautiful and vivid…and how awesome about swim team. The mere fact that he wants to try it is what matters. Whether it ends up being too much or not enough or just perfect isn’t as important as the fact that he is willing to take the risk and try…I’ve been trying to convince Little dude to try rowing (crew) next spring since he recently dropped playing baseball and doesn’t seem that enamored with tennis either…we’ll see!June 4, 2017 – 7:18 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Emily. I think you’re right that him wanting to try it is amazing, and well, yikes, still. AWWW to Little Dude doing Crew! I tried crew for a minute in college but they made us wake up way too early. It seems like such an awesome sport though. Tux hasn’t loved any sport much so far. Flag Football has been the best but my husband was coach so that was a big thing (some coaches were crazy mean, I think I said before). xoxo and HAPPY JUNE!!!June 4, 2017 – 11:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - So beautiful, poetic and nostagic. This reminded me of being a child more than being and adult mother. There was more freedom in June back then.

    I hope Tucker does well with swimming. Christopher loved swimming lessons until they asked him to be on the swim team. THen he told me he just wanted to swim by himself not with everybody. So that was the end of that.

    As for being an adult now #stupidnachosJune 5, 2017 – 12:55 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Kenya! There really was more freedom back then. I feel like parents didn’t worry so much, even though we didn’t have cell phones or any way to get in touch except to come home for dinner. I hope Tucker does well with swimming, too. We’ll see. I’m not sure he’s got the skill to do the team but we’re going to try it. Some neighbor kids that he looks up to are doing it too, so that might help.June 5, 2017 – 7:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Roshni - Hahha! Hey June, definitely did remind me of Jude!
    I love June just because the kids will be out of school! I so hate schedules and so love summer!!June 6, 2017 – 7:34 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL Roshni! I love June too… although poor Tucker has 12 more days of school!June 7, 2017 – 9:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison G smith - First if all, you always ask the doctor – and pray he says yes, it’s an age spot. Your June sounds lovely. Mine is chaotic. Cammy started tennis this week, really not sure he’s ready. Guess he’ll be a runner. It really is the easiest and friendliest sport.June 15, 2017 – 8:18 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I know I suck at the doctor stuff… June has been chaotic here too, although Tux and I went to the beach for a few days, which so helped. A runner is NOT the easiest, at least for me. I’ve hated running above all else since I was a kid… and so admire those who find peace in it!June 15, 2017 – 11:10 pmReplyCancel

  • Just J - This was truly lovely. You are coming to trust him more and yourself more, and accepting that in order for him to grow older you must as well, it is the natural progression of things and it is good. Fun as it might seem, we really don’t want to be our 20 or 40 year old selves forever, what matters most is that you son sees you as a warm refuge from the world, and always will.June 15, 2017 – 1:10 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you for that perspective! It’s true, them seeing us as a warm refuge matters so much more than the rest of it! Thank you!June 15, 2017 – 11:11 pmReplyCancel

“I need to go to the doctor,” he said. We were heading home after a few hours at one of those indoor kid places filled with bounce houses, climbing structures, and dried turds at the bottom of a colorful ball pit. I asked why, and wondered how quickly the germs he’d been playing with might […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Linda Atwell - I am still feeling broken about this so-called idiot who is supposedly playing Pres. I think I’m going to try some of the things on your list to take my mind of our current political situation–which is not only scary, but it is also embarrassing. I don’t get it that some people think this man acts even remotely like a decent human being. I could go on..and on…and on, but I won’t. .

    BTW I remember when you wrote about Tucker thinking his mouth was broken. Him saying that hurt my heart too. I agree, we are all broken in some way(s). On a happy note, though, I LOVE Tucker’s sense of humor! I want to play that game with him. I’m sure he would CRACK ME UP! I’m so glad you are writing down all these things. They are going to be awesome to reread and treasure in the future….heck, they are wonderful right now. You are one lucky mama.May 26, 2017 – 1:45 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Yeah, I can’t even with the news most of the time. It’s just shocking and unbelievable. And SAD. I love Tucker’s sense of humor too and would love for you to play that game with him. I’ll warn you though – sometimes, it’s “would you rather be in burning lava for one minute or 30 seconds?” Um… Thanks, Linda! I agree with the lucky part 🙂May 26, 2017 – 2:50 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - What amazes me most about how you describe that exchange with Tucker is that even though he said his mouth was broken because people couldn’t understand him, he expressed himself SO beautifully! And your reply reminded me of how the mom replied in the movie, “Wonder.” I’m not sure if the movie is going to be as good as the book, but they just released the movie trailer and I cried the entire way through that!! Anyway, I’m off topic a bit, but I love the tips you gave above! I play “would you rather” with Matthew all the time too, except he gives me choices like, “would you rather eat a cockroach or have hundreds of them crawl all over you?” Yeah – great choices – ugh!! But, still great game too.:)May 26, 2017 – 8:59 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Wonder is going to be a movie??? I listened to the audio book and adored it. Tucker listened to part of it with me as well. I wonder if the movie will be appropriate for kids (am excited anyway!!). LOL to eat a cockroach or have hundreds crawl on you. Gross!!! (and funny)May 26, 2017 – 2:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Echo - I love this and I especially love #4 and #5. Clouds and nature can be very theraputic.

    Aven has asked me before, if he is broken and I always say of course not, you just work differently from other people. “So I’m weird then?” he asks, and I always say, “Of course you’re weird, you’re my son, aren’t you?”.

    You gotta give them fuel and give them fire, so they can get what they desire!May 26, 2017 – 11:26 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Yes yes yes to “You gotta give them fuel and give them fire, so they can get what they desire!” LOVE. I also love your answer of that of course he’s weird because he’s your son. Awesome!May 26, 2017 – 2:54 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - Great advice! I do think that everyone is broken in some way – at least a little. I have a draft to link up with this but it one of those things we wrote about last week that we an’t actually write about. Sigh. Anyway, I like what you did with this. 🙂May 26, 2017 – 1:06 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OOH I hope you can find a way to write what you want without talking about what you don’t want to! And yeah, I think we’re all a little broken. And also all amazing.May 26, 2017 – 2:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Just J - This was an awesome post full of wisdom and good suggestions for dealing with the times we feel broken. I like that you clarified that some people truly are broken… damaged, sometimes beyond repair I think, and some people have broken spirits, but for most of us being broken has a lot to do with our perspective and approach to life. We are stronger than we think, and although at times it might feel like life is going to break us, in my experience it hasn’t yet and I doubt now that it ever will. Parts of us might be worn or broken, but we are survivors and we will find ways to carry on.May 26, 2017 – 8:28 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, J! I agree that for most of us, broken is our perspective and that we are so much stronger than we realize. Here’s to finding ways to carrying on and living this life in the best ways possible.May 28, 2017 – 11:25 amReplyCancel

  • Kerry - He thought his mouth was broken because people didn’t understand him. Awww.

    I often will go outside and sit and listen. I think about the moon that is in the sky and the same moon someone is seeing on the other side of the world. That fact simply blows my mind and helps to heal the parts of me that feel broken and cracking.

    This stuff with 45 is sad and all the violence lately is disturbing. You must be horribly broken in spirit and soul and mind to act so badly as he does and as that new guy down there who attacked the reporter and then there was the attack by the Russian guys at the embassy. Targeting a concert full of girls and people on a train. All done by broken people.

    I do love the fun you and Tucker are always having. Bald eagle or fish. I would want to fly too. Haha on the answer Tucker gave. Smart kid you have there. Such a logical answer. Feels like a rock/paper/scissors kind of an answer he came to there.May 28, 2017 – 2:36 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I know – the broken mouth statement was hard. Poor kiddo. Thinking about somebody else looking at the same moon from a different area, a different life, a different everything is so humbling and refreshing, isn’t it? Such a good reminder that we’re all not alone, connected in ways unknown.
      And yeah, 45. Some days, I just cant read any more about what he’s done. It’s disgusting. He’s disgusting. Sigh.
      LOL to Tucker’s answer to the bald eagle/fish. It really is a rock/paper/scissors answer. 🙂May 28, 2017 – 7:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Love the conclusion! Giggles heal! #5 – just looking at the sky day or night is a thing that I love to do. Love it even more above the clouds in an airplane. It’s something about looking at something that seems endless that helps to clear my thoughts. And I do often wonder if someone is looking at the exact thing I’m looking at, where they are and what they are feeling too.May 30, 2017 – 7:26 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Giggles heal for the win! And yeah, looking at the sky or just outside is so huge for me to clear my thoughts or even just take them away from my me-brain, as is wondering where planes and people are going. Thanks!May 30, 2017 – 11:00 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - Love Love Love Love this, dear.
    You continually choke me up, make me FEEL something. Deep. Inside.
    Your words soak thru me.
    Seriously. I would not lie.
    PS. we are ALL broken to an extent…
    the question is…How do we mend ourselves back together?
    Recently I heard a quote, which I loved.
    “I am broken and devastated…But I am not destroyed.

    xxxx from MN.June 4, 2017 – 12:14 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - We mend through connections, and love unseen, I think. We mend by sharing stories and remember we’re not destroyed. I love that quote, too. So much. I so hope we meet in real one day…June 4, 2017 – 11:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison G smith - Fabulous post!!!!! I really needed to read this this morning. I’ve been feeling very broken. When I get home I’m going to play with Cammy, I know he’ll make me smile.June 15, 2017 – 8:13 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m sorry you’re feeling broken. Tell me you’re smiling now, or, if not, call me. Please?June 15, 2017 – 11:08 pmReplyCancel

Caillou’s whines bounced around the room’s lemony light the morning I tried to figure out whether my two-year-old was deaf. I muted the TV mid-sentence, and watched. Did he notice?   He was wearing my favorite outfit. Blue shorts and a white polo with rugby stripes along the chest. He wasn’t bald any longer like […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Emily - We went through this too — still do, because Big Dude doesn’t “fit” under a label. Speaking of labels, I’ve always had a hard time with them, because to me, they mean “stigma” even though they really don’t and shouldn’t. But, I also learned that if you want your child to receive certain services in school, then you need those labels, even though you dislike those labels and even though your child doesn’t really fit under any of those labels. We finally got to a point in Big dude’s schooling where he didn’t need any support and therefore he was “declassified.” So, what did I learn? Hold on to the labels until you don’t need them anymore. 🙂May 18, 2017 – 10:13 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I know what you mean about the stigma, Emily. I feel that way as well although it’d sometimes be easier to have a label to explain what’s going on. And yeah, the school thing gets more complicated. Tucker’s only seven and so far, so good with the general for services, but still. Thanks!May 19, 2017 – 10:02 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Well done, my beautiful friend. Well done.
    You know, as far as we’ve come, I still wish I could keep my girl home with me all the time. Until I remember that it wouldn’t be good for either of us in the long run. And oh how I wish I could send a recording thing with her, just to know is she OK? Happy? Getting along with people or being bullied? Ugh.
    But gosh look how they’ve grown…and look how awesome they (and we) are. No matter what we do or don’t write about. xoMay 18, 2017 – 10:23 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you so so much!! I sometimes wish I could keep Tucker home with me too but honestly, that would be too much. For both of us, you know? I’d totally send a recording thing with him still if I didn’t know his backpack is in a cubby on the other side of the room. I never got great recordings anyway… And yeah, they are awesome. We are, too. xoMay 19, 2017 – 10:03 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - First, I love this look back at Tucker’s journey, and yours. I love knowing that I have known you since before kindergarten, and that through your eyes and words, I’ve had the privilege of watching Tucker grow and thrive.

    Second, I get the not wanting to write about stuff. But then it being the stuff that I do want to write about, but never will. Some people write for catharsis, and that’s great for them. Not for me.May 18, 2017 – 10:28 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I know what you mean, Dana, and feel the same way watching your kids grow and thrive and travel and now the first year of college! Wow. We’ve been doing this for a long time I suppose… I sometimes write for catharsis but there are MANY subjects that will never find their way on these here interwebs pages!May 19, 2017 – 10:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - One of the questions I am asked most is what exactly is Lindsey’s disability? I still don’t have an easy, quick answer, like: autism, Down syndrome, Aspergers. I generally have to go into a long explanation, i.e. short in her neurological system caused from an unidentified syndrome plus essential tremors. Wow! A mouthful, huh?

    But what does that mean, exactly? people ask.

    Although she was diagnosed as the “R” word and we know that word would not be used today, Lindsey would be called intellectually disabled or developmentally delayed.

    Yeah, but what does that mean? they say.

    So I try again and again. I don’t really know. May never know.

    I know that many of my sisters/mothers living in the special needs world do not want labels. I believe I’ve talked about this before, but I so wanted a label. I wanted one more than anything because I believed, with a label, teachers might better be able to teach her. Yet a label, I mean an easy label, never came to fruition for me. I hope it does for you. It sure seems like what they are doing for Tucker is working and I’m so thrilled for you.

    And as far as feeling like writing about something. I totally get that! Hugs to you.May 19, 2017 – 1:57 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I thought of you Linda, as I know you’ve struggled with what Lindsey’s disability is. It’d be too easy to say that Lindsey is Lindsey, that Tucker is Tucker… because exactly – what does that mean? What do they struggle with? With Tucker, it’s funny… somebody asked me the other day if we still thought it was autism, and a mom who knows Tucker pretty well basically said he’s “all better” (she didn’t use those words but I forget what she said). Her snippets into his life – I can see why she thinks so… but she also doesn’t see his struggle to brush his teeth, to understand that when somebody says that another kid has a nice shirt/is good at something, that it’s not about HIM, and how he struggles with so much in so many ways. But, he’s also a seven-year-old boy, with seven-year-old boy desires and interests… Anyway. Thank you and hugs right back!May 19, 2017 – 10:35 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - Okayed peed myself over the calliope video. I hated that little shit too! “R” it released a lot of repressed angry I had towards that cartoon character. Now if someone could make s son outting Sponge Bob for the pirnographic.cartoon. I might some day be whole again.

    Kristin and “R”. It is just Tucker. No labels except; beautiful. adore able, perfect and really thoughtful. That is how I see him and growing quickly.

    Late so if missing please forgive. Awesome Tuckrr is all I see!May 19, 2017 – 4:28 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL to stupid Caillou!!! He is such a whiner! UGH I can’t stand him! No clue what you mean about outing Sponge Bob or some cartoon?? And I know. Tucker is just Tucker and so so awesome.May 19, 2017 – 10:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - I feel like I have been watching Tucker grow up over these last few years of blogging and knowing you. I love stories about him and I kind of love that he was independent & confident enough to cut his hair (and that he wanted the man bun in the first place.). The older they get, the harder this blogging thing seems to be!May 19, 2017 – 8:07 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I feel the same about your daughters, Lisa! I kind of love he cut his hair too… but the rest is SO long and now it’s this little sprout right at his crown. We’ll see what happens… and yeah, the older they get, it’s not really fair any longer, right?May 19, 2017 – 10:53 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - Makes me miss my son that much more!

    Sponge Bob is British humor and very pornographic!!! Watch and learn grasshopper who had to tell me what erotica was! LOL😭😂😂😂😂😂😂May 19, 2017 – 11:06 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Ok I’m obviously very naive because I’ve seen Sponge Bob and never got the pornographic part of it! Yikes! Also LOL.May 20, 2017 – 1:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Just J - While I think it’s definitely true that we all have places inside of us that we will never write about, even in journals hidden away for no one else to see, I am thankful that you have chosen to write about Tucker here and continue to share his story and yours with us, because not only do we learn from your experience, but we learn from the depth of your love what it means to be a mother, to encourage, to hope, and to believe. These are powerful lessons, and I admire your honesty so much!May 20, 2017 – 1:04 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you so much Just J! I really appreciate you saying that — one of these days, I should probably go through the archives though and see whether there’s anything that might embarrass him when he gets older. I like being part of the community, and sharing, and helping moms who are newer on the path than I am with figuring out developmental delays, etc. but I also don’t want anything I write about to be something that would hurt his feelings, if that makes sense…May 20, 2017 – 1:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie G smith - I know what you mean (or think I do😭) when you say you want to write about, but don’t want to. Sorry about the haircut (I would have loved to had seen him with a man bun). I remember cutting my bangs to, it was awful. And shaving my unibrow😱. Hang in there momma xoxo.May 22, 2017 – 2:07 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hey Allie!
      Yeah, the things we don’t want to write about… sigh. And so far, we’re still going for the man bun. The hair he cut doesn’t stick up too badly so we’ll see… LOL to you cutting your bangs too (and you have a unibrow?? Never would have known so you must have found the perfect recipe for keeping it from meeting in the middle!). xoMay 22, 2017 – 6:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - I was absent for this one. I kept wanting to write something, but something stopped me. There are plenty of things I don’t want to write about (my chronic pain and how I live with it/politics/world suffering/my lack of employment as someone with a disability) and I flaked on it all because sometimes it’s just too hard. Now I kind of regret it, but I will know when time is right. I do know you must be careful, like any parent afraid of embarrassing a child, with all you write. You have such good intentions and write with such empathy and skill, but it’s good that you are aware. I have a memory of holding a pair of scissors. I am not sure how old I was in this memory. I’m not even sure if I went ahead with the trim or if my mom stopped me in time. Will have to ask her if she recalls any of this or if it was all imagined. My oh my how Tucker is growing and becoming his own man. I hope labels help him more and impede him less.May 26, 2017 – 4:26 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - The next one (live now) is about feeling broken… I totally understand why you don’t write about what you don’t write about… it’s hard in this world to tell the truth about pain when so many yucky people talk about it falsely… if that makes sense. I so hope you’ll let me know whether your memory of holding scissors is true and that you cut your hair (maybe something so many kids do), or whether you were stopped before chopping your hairs to your scalp!! And yeah, Tucker is so growing and becoming his own man… I hope labels and the lack of him help him too. Thanks, Kerry.May 26, 2017 – 11:24 pmReplyCancel

Being a mom feels like promise. Of do-overs for childhood slights and a chance to right the injustice of times you were misunderstood in your own youth. This tiny human holds your smile above all else. When you see him – really see him – you are sun on his face. And that’s when you’re […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - Absolutely beautiful!!May 12, 2017 – 11:13 amReplyCancel

  • Debi - This: “It’s whispering ‘Good Night’ while feeling love so light and so heavy that you’re lifted up while falling through generations.”

    That’s exactly what it’s like. Thank you for this beautiful line!!! (and the whole post!)May 12, 2017 – 1:54 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you, Debi. It really is what it feels like. Happy Mother’s Day to you! I hope you have a great weekend!May 12, 2017 – 4:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Just J - You’ve got this mother thing nailed down so well, this is exactly what it is, all of this… and then one day they are grown up and you look at them in total awe, wondering how you created something so amazing, and how they grew up so fast when it seems like only yesterday they were so small.May 12, 2017 – 2:58 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks for the sweet comment. I look at Tucker in awe all the time, wondering how he’s possible. How he’s so amazing. Happy Mother’s Day!!May 12, 2017 – 4:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I just loved this…so many great thoughts, but this one is sticking with me today, probably because I’m two weeks away from watching Big Dude graduate high school: “You turn, flip your pillow to the cool side, and he’s now five-years-old.” Except with me, I flipped my pillow and now he’s 19…Have a very happy mother’s day Kristi!!May 12, 2017 – 5:20 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Emily! I hope you have a really happy Mother’s Day too and again, huge congratulations to Big Dude and your whole family. It really does go by so quickly (except on the days when it really doesn’t) 😀May 12, 2017 – 7:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Kelly L McKenzie - And just when you’re feeling a little bit sad about the probability that they don’t need you anymore as they’re away at college and in 4th year or they’re teaching English in Spain and poof, you get a text from one asking for your cake recipe and a photo of a hand covered in hives from the other …

    The Happiest of Mother’s Days to you, Kristi!May 12, 2017 – 11:15 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw Kelly! I love the reminder that your kids are older than mine is and asking for your cake recipe, and what to do about hives. That’s really what it is, I guess, overall, right? And Happy Mother’s Day to you my friend!!!May 12, 2017 – 11:38 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - And Happy Mother’s Day to your mom! I hope she wears her purple pants!!!May 12, 2017 – 11:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - I knew this would be beautiful and I was right. I love how you can always put into words exactly what I don’t quite know I think or feel until I see it and then I think, “yesssss! exactly!” You are an awesome mom and an awesome person and I’m so glad to know you! xo Happy Mother’s Day!May 13, 2017 – 9:20 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You’re too kind, Lisa and thank you so much for your sweet words. I think YOU are an awesome mom and an awesome person and am so glad we’re friends. Thank you for the prompt this week – it didn’t occur to me to write about moms until you said that in our FB group! DOH!!! I’d had another prompt planned but was so glad about this one and love what you wrote and Happy Mother’s Day!!!May 13, 2017 – 11:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - I love everything this post covers Kristi. The pillow turning over thing was an unexpectedly perfect way to explain what it’s like.

    I am glad I could come up with something for the prompt this week in particular. It seems to be a popular topic, as all the entries in the link up this week shows.

    I have read some and was already moved beyond description by what I read.

    Happy Mother’s Day to you.May 13, 2017 – 11:55 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Kerry! The pillow turning over thing is real, but it’s also real that when kids are young (at least for me), there were days when it was 11am and I couldn’t imagine getting through the next eight hours. We’d already been to the playground, twice, had breakfast, a nap, and read stories. It was endless and now I miss it. So there’s that 🙂
      I’m heading to read yours now… so glad you linked up, as I always am!May 14, 2017 – 12:00 amReplyCancel

  • Moonmoon Chowdhury - Hi Kristi! So much feelings in each word . Loved your beautiful summary of what it is to be a mother . Really liked the part where you talk about the mother and child being each other’s sunshine. And the lovely drawing “barbaerwein” .❤️ Very cute .
    A very Happy mother ‘s day to you too .May 14, 2017 – 1:37 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - ***Sometimes, being a mom feels like you’ve lost yourself.

    Sometimes, being a mom feels like you’ve met your better self***

    There are always profound, insightful, beautiful words that come forth when you speak)))

    xxx
    appreciation from MN.May 15, 2017 – 9:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - You always write your thoughts beautifully. This is another piece that will stay with me for days and days. Although I loved so many lines in this piece, I especially loved: It’s thanking and reeling of the randomness of YourChild. Of the exact combination of DNA, stardust, hope, and ancestors that made your son. It’s feeling that he’s of you and of something undiscovered and beyond imagination.

    I’ve always thought that any of our spirits could have been born anywhere, to any parents. The randomness is such a perfect word for my thoughts. Tucker is so lucky you are his mom.

    🙂May 19, 2017 – 1:43 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thank you, Linda! You’re so kind! And Lindsey is so lucky you’re her mom. The randomness really is something, isn’t it? Thinking about it all is mind-blowing. xoMay 19, 2017 – 9:59 pmReplyCancel

  • Yvonne Wright - I love your blog and all the love you bring…helping to raise Autism Awareness… I too am a mother…Kylah was diagnosed at the age of 5 she did not speak…I walked away from a government job of 12 years…I know I needed to protect her..I became her voice…I was very active in Kylah’s school…I wanted to meet and develop a good relationship with the people who were going to be involved in Kylah’s life on a daily basis…Kylah is now 20…and will often say to me…Mommy get out of my room…MUSIC to my ears…she is expressing herself daily and soaring like a eagle…Thank-you for all that you do for the Autistic Community…WE appreciate you. I also am starting a organization to help raise Autism Awareness and Acceptance.June 2, 2017 – 12:20 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Yvonne! How wonderful that Kylah now tells you to get out of her room – I know what you mean about their voices being music to our ears!!! I’d love to learn more about your organization!June 2, 2017 – 7:48 pmReplyCancel

A name isn’t ever just a name. There’s weight to what we’re called. Sometimes, the weight of a name is measured by generations, or an ancestor that holds special meaning to the ones who named us. We name our children with purpose. The blood we pass on gifts them with the strength of Vikings and nomads […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • JT Walters - They call me jealous because I look at your pictures and see this beautiful woman inside and out, my dear friend and am baffled at how you can think you look old.

    While I was not adopted by another family, I grew up in a Hebrew community and attended Temple, JCC and learned to speak a modest amount of Hebrew which earned me the nickname “Beth”. It is not on any legal document and yet somehow I have Jewish “Beth” invisibly stamped across my forehead so everyone thinks I am complaint. Not so Siste! You know I go by the Science. It is interesting because when growing up I had a Hebrew nickname Beth “the house” and and Arabic last name. I was the walking talking two state solution.

    I do love the Middle Eastern culture when it is warm and inviting. The food is awesome and the people are wonderful. So having that extra name is a blessing.

    As for my son I read him male names out of the baby book and I said, “Kick really hard for your name”. He kicked me to death every time I read the name Alexander. I think it suits him. You have meet him don’t you?May 4, 2017 – 10:22 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - That’s cool about your Jewish first name and Arabic last name! And yes, I think Alexander fits Alex just perfectly. He knew what he wanted even back then! 😀May 5, 2017 – 5:03 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - Oh Krisit–I missed you! When I was traveling to Australia/New Zealand and the South Pacific, I didn’t have as much access to internet as I would’ve liked. I just know I missed some really good pieces that would’ve touched my heart. Like this one. The weight of a name. I’ve never had a nickname or been known by any other first name—and have had moments in my life when I was jealous that others did have them. Although I’ve had three last names, I’ve been Atwell longer than any of the other names I’ve held.

    As I read your piece, I loved this particular part:
    Mom feels like letting go of baby and toddlerhood, which I’m not ready for. It also feels like sleeping for an extra two minutes because a boy who calls me Mom rather than Mommy is certainly one who can put on his own underpants. Wipe his own butt.

    And I think you are right. Mom does feel like letting go of baby and toddlerhood. Sometimes Lindsey still calls me mommy and I have to say, it is sweet, it is endearing.

    Anyway, I’m glad to be back in town and reading your beautiful words and connecting with your stories. Hugs.May 5, 2017 – 1:27 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I missed you too, Linda! I love seeing your travel photos on Facebook though, so much. One of these days, you’re going to have to fly through DC to get somewhere and maybe there’ll be a layover and we can meet in person! I love that Lindsey still calls you mommy – it IS sweet. When Tucker isn’t thinking about it, Mommy slips out. I think he’s heard friends call their moms mom and so he tries it on to not be a baby (weep). I’ll get used to it… and Hugs back at you, my friend!May 5, 2017 – 5:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I was going to do this prompt this week, but then I thought, “why break my streak of NOT blogging for so long?” Ha or Ugh. Anyway, I was going to write about my college nickname that seems to have stuck with some of my friends. It was “Flemily” or “Flem” for short (but could also be spelled, “phlegm”). Who would have thought that a nickname meaning “mucus” would have stuck? Hmm, I think that’s a pun too…anyway, I suppose names can and do have weight, and I think it’s fun to think of what we could have been named too. My husband was almost named “Dino” instead of “Jonathan.” I told him there’s no way I would have dated him if his name was Dino, so there ya go — a name can have weight! 🙂May 5, 2017 – 8:38 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - No pressure or anything but the linkup is open through Sunday night if the urge strikes. How did you end up with “Flemily??!!?” You have to write about that! OMG to your husband almost being named Dino. I’m glad they called him Jonathan so you could marry him and have your three awesome boys. Isn’t life weird that way?May 5, 2017 – 5:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Names are so important. We actually didn’t have a name picked for Zilla because we were “so sure” she was a boy. We were scheduled for an induction and before we left figured we should choose a girl’s name just in case. We did and it was the perfect name and a good thing because, well, she’s her! 😀
    I’ll be back with mine for real later.May 5, 2017 – 9:34 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - That’s awesome that you chose her name last minute. My husband and I agreed on Tucker pretty early on… I liked Carter but he’s from Carter County TN and thought it’d be weird. That people thought he was named for there, or something. I’m glad though because Tucker is SO MUCH A TUCKER! 😀May 5, 2017 – 5:10 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie - Momma, this was a bit heavy:). I had no idea that you were called Ester (in the womb). You are so a Kristi! (even more so than Kristine). Bubbly, sunny, pretty Kristi. You name fits you. And four last names…that’s another blog post. ha, ha!May 5, 2017 – 1:44 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Yeah, my bio mom (I later found this out, after I met her), had a sister named Esther who died when she was a kid, so she named me after her. My parents didn’t know of that name when they got me, and I didn’t learn it until years later when I got my papers, and then I didn’t learn the story of her sister until I actually met her a few years back. And aw shucks – thanks for the sweetness. I think Allie fits you perfectly. LOL to the whole other blog post about four last names!May 5, 2017 – 5:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - I did not know this about your first name. Wow. What was it that shaped you and the name you would soon have in those eight or so days? Interesting to think. You will get used to mom because he will grow into a wonderful young man and you won’t always find it so endearing if he is calling you mommy at a certain age. Life is about not holding on too tightly because we know we’re going to have to let go at some point. It’s astounding to me just how tied to our names we become. I think of mine a lot and others.May 5, 2017 – 1:45 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I think a lot about the eight days… I guess mostly wondering whether they just let me cry or held me a lot or what. It seems that either scenario would affect me for life, although that’s probably over-dramatic. It’s also why I never let my baby “cry it out” — I never wanted him to feel like nobody cared. Anyway. And yeah, I know about not holding on too tightly but wowza sometimes that’s so hard. I think about names a lot too. It usually seems like they fit the people that have them, but if they had a different name, would that fit too?May 5, 2017 – 5:14 pmReplyCancel

  • Just J - Although I really wanted to participate this week, when I saw the prompt I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it, a couple ideas came to mind, but nothing worth writing about. Then I came here and read your powerful post, and you’ve inspired me! Names are very important I think, you chose well for your son, and you have lived well with yours. Your comments on your name/life in your first eight days touched my heart. Knowing that it was your first name gives you the strength it bears, as well as the name you are known by now. I have gone by assorted names, and I still have issues with my given name, as is clear by my ID for this blog… Just J, perhaps a resignation of sorts, or maybe just keeping it simple. I’ll be back before the weekend is over with a post of my own. This was an awesome read!May 6, 2017 – 3:03 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Yay for inspiration – I’m so glad. I saw that you’d linked up and am going to see what you shared about your name (many names) right now.May 7, 2017 – 7:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I didn’t know you were Kristine, or Esther.Esther is the heroine of the Purim story – she was a queen.

    The weight of a name can be a heavy thing – looking back I’m not sure how I committed to any name for my own kids. But I guess “Hey you” would not have worked.May 7, 2017 – 6:41 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL to Hey you although once, my dad tried to name our dog Damnit (instead, the name Junior stuck for the dog). Which Purim story?? I like the queen part… I always pictured Esther as a farm girl. Queen is much more glamorous.May 7, 2017 – 7:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Moonmoon - This is such a wonderful post , Kristi on the significance of the name and how even before the knowledge or comprehension of the name ,we are a feeling of warmth and safety to our newborn and how our name is inextricably connected to memories and a particular tone of address and how our name is just not a name but also what we are to the other in question(e.g.. mom, sis, daughter etc). Thanks for the rich perspectives .
    Best wishes,
    Moon
    https://aslifehappens60.wordpress.comMay 8, 2017 – 2:41 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you so much, Moonmoon!! Isn’t it mind-boggling to think of who we were before we were named and how that shaped us? The identities afterwards, mom, etc. It’s a lifetime of stories, maybe.May 9, 2017 – 12:02 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awww man I had an oldie that I could have linked up about my name. As for CHrisotpher I don’t feel like we named him with purpose. I’ll have to ask my husband why he kept coming back around to the name Christopher. I finally said, “FINE” when I was in labor. But I can’t imagine Christopher with any other name. I know that I got on my husband’s nerves about why not “I had a classmate named that” or “If my friend has a boy then that’s the name she wants”. LOL! With Christopher I said so & so’s dog is named CJ and I wouldn’t want anyone to call Christopher CJ.

    As for Tucker & Kristi, I love your names and couldn’t picture you as anything else. Esther? Definitely not. Glad you’re Kristi.May 8, 2017 – 2:05 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m sorry your oldie didn’t get linked. I’d be happy to link it now if you’d like? Maybe I need another similar one… this week’s was continued a little from last week’s of “what I’m not…” and seems to be something that works for people’s stories, I don’t know.
      LOL to “FINE” in labor. I said that a lot during my labor too although not about the name. And thanks for agreeing that Esther is a definitely not, although who knows…if I’d have always been her, maybe I’d still be me? That’s a weird thing to think about. And I LOVE Christopher and Kenya as your names too… so much. Kenya is an awesome name for a billion reasons, and Christopher was one I didn’t have any “but so and so had a son…” stories except that my ex had a son named Christopher. It’s perfect for YOUR Christopher. Also funny – I know a few Christophers and some are Chris, and some are Topher and yours is always Christopher to me. I guess it’s like Kristine. I’m NOT that. Funny. Anyway. Rambling now.May 9, 2017 – 12:07 amReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - What a great prompt! I wrote mine late, but it was fun thinking about all the different names I’ve been called. One thing we don’t realize about becoming a parent (or at least I didn’t) was how hard choosing a name for your child can be. I mean, they are stuck with it FOREVER, right? I like my name and the names we chose for our girls – although, the oldest has recently announced that she does not like her name and inquired how one would go about officially changing it. HA!May 8, 2017 – 8:32 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Names are so weird. I was thinking at first about what we’re called, mostly because Tucker was going from Mommy to Mom and I do NOT like… but then it made me think of names in general… and you’re right. Choosing a name for our child is HUGE. YIKES to your oldest wanting to change hers. My BFF from college, who has a high schooler, recently agreed to a name and gender identity change. I guess some names don’t end up working, and others define us. Or something? It’s so much more complicated the more you think about it. For me at least.May 9, 2017 – 12:10 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie - Choosing a name for baby seems to be an easy task before we actually step into it.It is the hardest task ever.May 12, 2017 – 1:28 amReplyCancel

It’s late for a seven-year-old to be going to sleep, and yet, here we are. It’s the kind of late that you don’t tell the neighbors about because it’s a school night and they’re probably sleeping. Or, at least decent enough to be in bed reading or watching TV. We’re laughing though, and laughing makes […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Lisa @ TheGoldenSpoons - Love it! I often struggle with being enougha as a mom – being enough of everything to all three girls. It’s a lot of pressure to put on ourselves. I have to remember that no parent is perfect & that I would never expect another mom to bee 100% all the time. So why should I expect it from myself? We love our kids fiercely and do the best we can – and that is certainly good enough.April 28, 2017 – 9:14 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Why oh why are we so much harder on ourselves than we are on other people? It’s so true that we would never expect another mom to be 100% all of the time. So why from ourselves? Thanks for hosting with me this week and for the awesome sentence, Lisa!April 28, 2017 – 7:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi - Oh Kristi, this is so dear. It’s interesting that we both posted this week about how we want to hold on to certain memories, and also tied that to worrying about our in-the-moment parenting. I think staying up late because of joy is pretty admirable, actually. We certainly do more and more of that as our girls get older, and it works out ok.

    I just had my first experience of waiting up for my teenaged daughter to get home from a party. It was awful and wonderful and made me want to go through her baby book. I say YES, hold on to these moments and REMEMBER whatever you can! That will be enough. 🙂April 28, 2017 – 10:00 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Debi! You’re so sweet. Yikes to waiting up for your teen from a party! The time goes so quickly… (and sometimes, so completely slowly!). Here’s to us remembering what we can and holding on (and looking at baby books when we need to!).April 28, 2017 – 7:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Your internal dialogue was so relatable. We all feel that way — questioning whether what we do and say is enough. Now that I have three (!) teenagers, who are testing me in all kinds of ways, I wonder if I did enough when they were younger — what I mean is, did I do enough to lay the groundwork so that they now make smart choices and continue to be good and kind humans??April 28, 2017 – 4:00 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hey Emily,
      That makes sense. Sometimes, I feel like that now, even though Tucker is only seven. I see some habits from earlier years that have stuck that aren’t necessarily good (things like, we used to struggle to get him to eat anything and his weight was way lower % than his height…and now, sometimes, I feel like he’s eating more than he needs – it’s a weird side effect). And I think you’ve probably made really good foundations for those awesome boys!April 28, 2017 – 7:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Beautiful words Kristi. Strict bedtimes aren’t always the answer, speaking not as a mother, but remembering how mine used to handle that part of the day. As long as he gets his rest, from what you can see. I can’t imagine being the one responsible for a life. Bittersweet.April 29, 2017 – 5:14 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Kerry! I think that the too-late bedtimes are okay, too. So much so that there are times when I’ve let him sleep in and be late for school. Still though, sometimes while I’m lying there with him waiting for him to get more sleepy, I worry that I shouldn’t have let it get so late.April 30, 2017 – 5:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison Smith - Kristi, I wish you weren’t s hard on yourself. I always feel sad when I read you posts about not feeling like your good enough. You are the best momma! As for Spanish, we used to have it (and Barrett had French!), before the district ran out of funds. Barrett was the only one form his class hat went, so it’s not unusual to ask for an exemption. I let him go, because I believed it was kind of a break for him. And his teacher told me he loved French music. Believe it or not, he can still count to twenty in french. LOL.April 30, 2017 – 10:24 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hey Allie,
      Mostly, I get over myself and realize that late nights and giggling in the dark are what makes up the good stuff but thank you! That’s awesome Barrett loved French music and can still count to 20 in French (I took four years of it in High School and can’t count to 20!).April 30, 2017 – 7:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Britt - Beautiful. I feel this all myself. Thank you.May 1, 2017 – 11:17 amReplyCancel

  • Dana - I know this feeling well, about not being enough. But I think the fact that we worry about that means that we try as hard as we can, and that has to be enough. And turn it around – aren’t our children enough? We don’t ask for them to be any more than they are. I believe in their hearts, they feel the same way about us.May 1, 2017 – 7:59 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I think you’re onto something with the fact we worry about it means a lot and I love the reminder that we don’t ask for our kids to be more than who they are… thanks, Dana.May 2, 2017 – 3:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - I love this – beautiful as always, and wise wise words. The bedtime thing is huge around here. I think I need to relax just a bit in that department. It’s hard, though – she needs the sleep, I need the sleep, but I feel too many nights like we rush and close the door and it feels…unfinished.
    I started a piece for this prompt. And then I went down a very dark rabbit hole I wasn’t expecting and it just got too ugly for sharing. I’m keeping it, though, to finish when I figure out exactly what it was that I wanted to say, or when I’m far enough past this funk to have a more positive point to make than what’s on that page now. xoMay 2, 2017 – 11:12 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I know what you mean about sleep. I feel bad (obviously) about it so often but then when it’s time to leave his room, I feel bad about that too because it being too late is my fault, not his, you know? I often wait for Robert to come home for dinner and I shouldn’t but I should and. Well. It gets late. I’m sorry that the piece took you down a rabbit hole that ended up being ugly and dark.. I have faith that something amazing will come from it though. Send it to me when you’re ready? XO and hugs. I hope the funk blows over soon…May 3, 2017 – 7:55 pmReplyCancel

      • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - I play that should/shouldn’t game all the time. Too often. And all it does it make me nuts. We are so hard on ourselves as parents. I’m hard on myself about everything. And then I stop and think “what am I teaching my daughter by doing this?” Nothing good. Some days that’s the thing that keeps me centered.May 4, 2017 – 11:13 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - That’s a good reminder… the whole “what am I teaching my daughter by doing this” thought. I need to do that more often I think. Sometimes, I do the opposite like if Tucker’s being hard on himself, I’ll be hard on myself and then he’ll tell me to not be and I remind him that he was…May 4, 2017 – 7:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Heather Burnett - I love this! I never feel like I am enough! Especially now. Especially working on my son’s IEP. We are waiting on the school to do their evaluations so that we can have a second meeting. I am not patient enough. I do not know enough. I am not prepared enough. I can’t read enough to know enough to go in with enough confidence to advocate for him like he deserves!
    Thank you for this reminder-though…that my five year old boy may feel seen next year if I do more at the school.
    I’ll confess that I have not thought of that!
    Your writing is lovely! Please do not judge my grammar & punctuation here:)) I’m in the car on my phone & I can’t see!!!😀May 3, 2017 – 9:42 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hi Heather,
      Thank you for your sweet comment! Also your grammar and punctuation here was fine as far as I can see. Ah the dreaded IEP meetings. They’re ROUGH, for sure. The advice I always give is to remember you’re the Big Boss. Like, if you don’t agree, don’t sign. Still though. This is the first IEP meeting I’ve been in that I didn’t cry during it. But a few days later, I cried while volunteering at my son’s school because he got a new sound and his speech therapist came over because he was so excited… For the IEP – again. You know best. Trust YOU. (also hugs because IEP meetings suck)May 3, 2017 – 8:10 pmReplyCancel

  • Lux G. - That’s a sweet and powerful lesson to teach your child. I think it’s important that we keep reminding them this beautiful truth so that they can hold on to it when they grow old and times become confusing.

    Thanks for sharing this lovely thoughts.May 3, 2017 – 10:27 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Lux! I really appreciate your kind words and agree that what we teach kids now is what they’ll hold onto as they enter more confusing times.May 4, 2017 – 7:11 pmReplyCancel

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