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

“I have a question,” he said at lunch. I was on a cultural interview with several people that I’d hoped to be working with soon. “Ok,” I replied, thinking “Crap, what else can I tell these people already?” It was my fifth meeting and I was annoyed at having to wear a suit on five […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Pat B - You have written a beautiful post. He is so fortunate to have such an awesome and loving and understanding mother. I think teachers often do a great job of teaching others in the classroom when bullying situations arise, but not all remarks are heard on a school bus by the driver who is trying to get all the kids to their destinations safely. Your wished for superpowers would be such a comfort for you and for your son, and for the rest of humanity to be reminded that we are all more the same than different, now that would be a huge happening.September 25, 2015 – 12:50 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Pat,
      I so agree that if humanity were reminded that we’re all so much more alike than different the world would be so much better and more loving. And thank you so very much for your kind words and for linking up again this week!September 25, 2015 – 5:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Bop the world on the head! I’m with you, teleporting would be so freaking cool. But if we could give the world more empathy? That would be a power worth having. Plus you wouldn’t inadvertently teleport onto someone’s lapSeptember 25, 2015 – 9:20 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - LOL Kerri! Yeah maybe teleporting onto somebody’s lap wouldn’t be very well received. 🙂September 25, 2015 – 5:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I love that your superpower is a head-bopping for the rest of the world – it makes so much sense and truly would make our world a better place. I stopped looking at my kid as “different” a long time ago and yet it is so frustrating because I don’t understand why he is sometimes not accepted by peers…and yeah teleporting would be awesome too. 🙂September 25, 2015 – 9:43 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It so would, right, Emily!?!? It makes me sad that our kids are sometimes not accepted by peers. So sad. All kids should be accepted as they are. xoSeptember 25, 2015 – 5:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Rabia @TheLiebers - That is an amazing super power! I wish the world was more empathetic and forgiving as well. We’re all different, why can’t we just accept the differences and go on about our days!?!September 25, 2015 – 10:08 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Rabia! And yeah, I wish the world was more forgiving too. Sigh.September 25, 2015 – 5:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Heart warming Kristi. I hope Tucker reads these in the future to know and learn on a deeper level just how big your heart is for him and everyone. What a gift a super power that would be to just bop everyone with empathy.

    And yes, teleportation would be lovely! We could bop some jerks instantly (those ones who comment to internet news with no empathy whatsoever.) Would the bopper hurt in these instances?

    Seriously though, beautiful post.September 25, 2015 – 2:59 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Kenya! I hope he reads them too… and doesn’t hate me for writing about him! Gulp.
      Hm… I think the bopping would have to not hurt in this case right? The Empathy Fairy probably would get a bad rap if she went around hurting people. Although there are some… 😉September 28, 2015 – 4:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ Golden Spoons - Love that superpower! And teleportation, too! 🙂September 25, 2015 – 4:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Marcia @ Menopausal Mother - Another great post! And I’m SO JEALOUS that you got to meet Lizzi!!!September 26, 2015 – 12:08 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Meeting Lizzi was truly wonderful. I hope you’ll get to meet her one day and I also hope that I get to meet you in person one day!September 26, 2015 – 3:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Sandra - I see you got a special visitor from England, and she says faht like you’re son, so already we love her.
    I work on a hospital unit in Canada where language barriers are daily occurrences. On some days, I can have 8 patients who barely understand me. It’s difficult to communicate, but you’re right, compassion does go a long way. It would be fun though if I could skip some of my teaching about how to bathe a new baby or how to prevent your newborn from choking, and instead spend some time with them teaching them the really important words like “shit,” “crapping your pants,” “fucking asshole.” Those words are going to be far more useful than, “Where do you keep the breast pads”?September 26, 2015 – 2:15 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Sandra, you lovely woman you. LOL to you wishing you could teach your patients words like “shit” and “crapping your pants” and “fucking asshole” rather than where the breast pads are located.September 27, 2015 – 8:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Corinne Rodrigues - Your post brought me to tears, Kristi. I wish you had those superpowers too. What a different world it would be if we all learned to be empathetic! Love that picture of Lizzi and Tucker! ♥September 26, 2015 – 7:59 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you so so much, Corinne. It brought me to tears, too. And yeah, Tucker LOVES Lizzi so much. He introduced her at the bus stop as His Rooster Lady. Love!September 27, 2015 – 8:16 pmReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth - So glad you had fun with Lizzi! I hope her stay with you was amazing!September 26, 2015 – 10:22 amReplyCancel

  • Allie - You always amaze me. How is it that I’ve never even thought of healing powers as my super power? Sad, really. But yes, I wish I did. Truth is, we do have healing powers. Seriously – look at the smiling, happy boy in the picture – that mainstream, kick-ass first grader. He is who he is, because of his super hero mommy. #truthSeptember 26, 2015 – 9:15 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Allie, you’re so awesome. Your comment actually made me cry a little bit. Our boys! Aren’t they doing so amazingly well in spite of early fears? xoxo friend.September 27, 2015 – 8:18 pmReplyCancel

  • .K - I love everything about this, Kristi. And that picture of Lizzi and Tucker is priceless!!

    When I was little and there was talk of stem cell treatments on the news (a distant hope of a “cure” for CP), my mom asked me if I would cure my CP if I could, and I told her that no, I wouldn’t.

    “Would you?” I asked. “Would you cure it if you could?”

    “Yes,” she said. “I would. Because your life would be so much easier.”

    Her answer has haunted me all these years, and I don’t mean that in a critical way, because I know that she loves me just the way I am and I know that her answer came from a place of kindness. But it caught me off guard and I think that’s why I remember it to this day.

    But maybe she meant it just the way that you do in this post…that, in a way, taking away my CP wouldn’t be to fix “me,” but to spare me from the way the rest of the world reacts to it.

    Because like you said, that’s one of hardest parts. Sometimes it’s hard for me to get up and walk in front of other people because they gape at my legs and whisper or assume I’m drunk or something like that…and it’s times like those that I wish you were there to bop them over the head with empathy, haha!

    But I think we both know that you already have that superpower, Kristi. You have been bopping people over the head with empathy for as long as I have known you. Tucker, too. You both need to break out your superhero capes again! Thank you for making the world a more beautiful, empathetic place.September 27, 2015 – 3:20 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw K!! I so adore you. And if we’re ever in the same room (which I so hope we are), and anybody whispers or gapes, I’ll most definitely bop them over the head with empathy with a big ol’ speech — or, maybe for real because WHY can we not just realize that we’re all so different and that some of our differences are more “seen” than others and that also we’re so so much more alike than we are different ya know? And thank you for your amazing kind words.
      Thank YOU for sharing our world. For making it better. xxooSeptember 27, 2015 – 8:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Kelly L McKenzie - I, too, have a friend who is sometimes reluctant to speak as English is not her first language. She is one of the wisest women I know and we need to hear her words. I also find it very annoying when they plop in subtitles ALL the time on news reports for folks for whom English isn’t their first language. I understand that it’s perhaps necessary every now and then but ALL the time? Can’t we just make an effort to understand them? It’s not difficult. Just put in the time, people.September 27, 2015 – 7:07 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - RIGHT? Thanks huge, Kelly! If we take the time, we can understand. And understanding other people’s perspectives makes the whole world bigger and greater.September 27, 2015 – 8:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Teleportation for SURE. Also, I want to fly. Even though it’s not as healing as other things. I just want to fly already, darnit!
    I love “faht.” I love how much thought you put into this, and how accents can impact us.September 27, 2015 – 8:24 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I want to fly. I do too in my dreams. One of mine is amazing. After I visited a psychic. Go figure!September 27, 2015 – 10:17 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - As always, beautiful, thought provoking, and inspiring.
    Love the photo of LIZZY & Tucker! SO COOL))))
    She must have traveled every where except MN!! xxxOctober 6, 2015 – 11:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Vidya Sury - You have a heart of gold, Kristi! I wish I had the SuperPower to wave my wand and grant wishes. Tucker is growing up so fast – love that photo! I’d vote for teleportation too! Hugs! Love your post.October 8, 2015 – 3:14 pmReplyCancel

Tucker loves Halloween and all things creepy. In an effort to make it even more amazing for him, we dressed as The Supers two years ago. Super Dad sported a big fake belly and Super Mom had a ketchup stain on her shirt. We’re nothing if not authentic. I’ve been informed by Tucker that Halloween is happening now, “because […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Dana Dominey Campbell - Love to see him talking with you…September 19, 2015 – 5:03 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - You are a super reviewer and I just hung up from the bookstore. While they did not have it in stock, they are ordering it so Alex can read it!

    PS

    It pissed me off all the Halloween stuff is in the stores before October.
    I almost had to buy a cinnamon broom today…not so super is early Halloween!September 19, 2015 – 5:52 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - That’s awesome that your bookstore is ordering it for you! You can get it on Amazon too (if you use the link above I get a few cents). And yeah, it annoys me that the stores have stuff out so early. I can’t remember where we were but someplace recently had Christmas stuff out already! Gah! LOL to having to buy a cinnamon broom today!September 19, 2015 – 6:08 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - The book looks awesome! I’ll pass on entering the giveaway, so someone with young kids can get it. I’m just happy to watch Tucker…I hope you made another video with his mask on like he wanted!September 19, 2015 – 6:58 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks Dana! I did make the next video and one after that! Originally, they were in here too but then I thought they took away from the book a little. I’ll have to include them in a thankful post or something!September 20, 2015 – 11:09 amReplyCancel

  • Dana Dominey Campbell - I SO hear my voice in yours back then… have great hope and expectation. My son now 14, appears not to have any signs of autism, except a very sharp mind and a couple of food adversions. We and he worked our asses off until he was 12/13. Then all suddenly fell in place to my surprise and delight. He has participated and even starred in many plays AND is kick-ass at, of all things, quick answer improv. (Which with a language processing disorder, he “should,” not even be able to do.) My son, Christian did not speak AT ALL, AT ALL, until he was almost 4, then strait out full sentences. And I did not teach him to sound out words or read. He had evidently silently read for months, if not years. Have great hope and expectation… truely!September 19, 2015 – 7:25 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Dana, thank you thank you thank you!!
      What a huge inspiration your story is! Tucker’s made amazing progress over the past few years (at three, he wasn’t talking intelligibly at all – “water” was “ah” and “Helicopter” was “ah” as well) and now that I can understand him is so amazing and such a gift!
      THANK YOU so much for sharing Christian’s progress and great job to you too for always believing in the “HE CAN!” 🙂 xoxoSeptember 20, 2015 – 11:54 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - Sounds like an amazing book…my kids are probably too old for it, but no one is ever too old for the book’s message.September 20, 2015 – 1:44 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen Kehl - OMG that was so Isaiah! I mean the whole I’m going to draw a black belt, and let’s make another video with my mask on!

    Tell Tucker if we win I, we will make him a video!!September 20, 2015 – 9:33 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Awesome, Jen!! Make him a video even if you don’t and I’ll post the next video! TTTx10September 21, 2015 – 4:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - I still love The Supers family better than most things. And I love that he knows about Halloween from Target and friends at school spouting funny nonsense. Halloween is moved to NOW!
    Book looks awesome.September 21, 2015 – 10:28 amReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth - So cute! I love the family costuming!September 21, 2015 – 1:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie - Count me in. What a great idea:)!September 21, 2015 – 4:31 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - OMGGGGGGGGGosh,
    He is ADORABLE!!!!!!
    Great Video!!! xxxSeptember 23, 2015 – 7:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Nina - Isn’t Target our calendar nowadays? Haha I love his astuteness. And the costumes! You guys really are super 🙂September 24, 2015 – 12:45 pmReplyCancel

Tonight, I sat in my son’s tiny first-grade school desk for back-to-school night and resisted riffling through its contents. I didn’t want to disrupt his teacher’s slideshow about schedules and learning and classroom rules and how parents are able to volunteer and be involved.  I sat there, fidgeting to find a comfortable position and thought […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Allie - Oh you poor thing! I hate last minute. Mine too, kind of. And I got tripped up about whether or not I should have pictures. Eek. First grade! Yay Tucker. And it sounds like he will be in lovely hands. I know it’s going to be great. And I’m laughing at you and September. Cause – you know, in my mind fall is halfway over! Damn, we have fall BREAK in TWO weeks! What the?!?!September 10, 2015 – 10:19 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Allie! Yours was amazing. And yeah, it’s one thing when I do the last minute alone, in the quiet. It’s another when I know my son needs to go to bed, and I hear stupid cartoons that I feel guilty for letting him watch so I can finish. Gah. I had to wake him for school today. TG today is Friday (and of COURSE, he’ll probably be up early tomorrow).
      You have FALL BREAK in TWO freaking weeks???? GAH!!!!September 11, 2015 – 11:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Anna Fitfunner - Yes, it is wonderful to find teachers who really understand our kids. Who are reaching out to them to help them grow and find their place in this world. T is so lucky that he has that kind of teacher in the first grade; she’ll probably stay with him in so many ways for the rest of his life. Sending hugs and smileys!!!! 😉September 10, 2015 – 10:19 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s everything really, to find the teachers – or to have them find us – who not only understand our kids, but are willing to. That’s big huge. I so hope that she’s as amazing as I think she is and WHOOT TO GREEN SMILEYS!!! They make me so happy!!
      PS Tucker asked to start buying his lunch today. I was freaking out a little because at least when I bring it, I know what’s in it but also proud because maybe – with the exception of most veggies – he’s making healthy choices. At least now when he wants chips, he says “I want unhealthy food” “but just a little because I want abs” so something?September 11, 2015 – 11:50 pmReplyCancel

  • JT Walters - Beautiful writing tonight. I am so happy you fell into kindness and empathy.

    This week I fell into cruelty, ignorance and discrimination against my son for having special needs and retaliation for my advocacy for him and children like him. We are kinda of having opposite weeks. However, I am thrilled for you and T man!September 10, 2015 – 10:33 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I am so so sad that this week brought you cruelty and ignorance and discrimination. I HATE that you’re going through all of this so much. I’m really sorry and sending huge love and prayers. Also I know if anybody can conquer these dicks, it’s you.September 11, 2015 – 11:51 pmReplyCancel

      • JT Walters - Thank you. I think you give me too much credit! You are awesome.September 12, 2015 – 12:29 amReplyCancel

  • Christine Organ - Falling and stumbling into fall…I love that. That’s how I feel too.September 10, 2015 – 10:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Julie Jo Severson - You’re amazing that you pulled together a post in that short amount of time. I’m picturing you sitting in that little desk and smiling. Such a funny site at those parent meetings. What a huge relief that your son has such a wonderful teacher. Means the world doesn’t it? And yes to teaching empathy on day three! Way more important that all the other stuff. Sleep well. Yay to Friday.September 10, 2015 – 11:11 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Not so amazing, but thank you and lol to the whole sitting in the tiny desk for our meetings. Also YES empathy is so so much more important than “all those other things.” I love how you phrased that. 🙂 Also thank you for hosting this week with me!September 12, 2015 – 12:04 amReplyCancel

  • Deb - Yay. Beautiful meditation on the change-over of the seasons. I never do that well with endings and transitions. He’s going to be so, so fine.September 10, 2015 – 11:20 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Love. I so so so hope you’re right. We just found out that the “secure incident” was a man with a knife and his car running behind him for like some get-away or something. Gah.September 12, 2015 – 12:06 amReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Wow, we had similar nights!! Back to school night is actually in October, but we had First Grade Night! Weird!
    Cosmic.
    Sister Wife.
    Moving on..
    The teacher sounds like a goddess, teaching safety and body awareness and empathy. Hug her for me.
    xoxo.September 10, 2015 – 11:28 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Cosmic.
      Sister wife.
      Love.
      Here’s to body awareness and empathy. And I so so will. xoSeptember 12, 2015 – 12:07 amReplyCancel

  • Pat B - I love your writing and I suspect it was really good for you to be able to write those feelings. Wishing you and your family the best during this school year.September 11, 2015 – 12:28 amReplyCancel

  • Sandra - Your kid is so cool…hair gel? Really? That’s awesome! And I have to say, I love the meme you made of your talking baby (somebody teach me this shit! I can’t even figure out PicMonkey!)And yeah, “secure mode”? There are some crazy mother fuckers out there, and it is through the grace of God that our children find leaders who can teach them how to remain safe. Am praying for the safety of your son and his school mates while “stranger danger guy” is wandering around…psycho…don’t there people realize that in this day and age, just stay the fuck off the school grounds!…sorry, but this shit scares me. Last year we had a white pedo van driving around the parking lot of the school, stopping near children to ask them “questions.” Thank goodness it was reported, and nobody got hurt, but man, I’m sick of these sick fuckers…Ok, can you tell I’m slightly stressed with the return of school…~deep breaths deep breaths~September 11, 2015 – 1:30 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Sandra,
      I will teach you Pic Monkey but prefer Photoshop (and Canva is easier than Pic Monkey). Also yeah, the hair gel is new since he thought he wanted a faux hawk and then decided against it sometimes but not all the time so we’re in hybrid mode now. Thank you so much for the prayers and honestly it’s worse than we knew — the guy had a knife and had his car running behind him. I’ll write about it soon. Thank you and I’M SO SICK OF THESE SICK FUCKERS. Deep breaths.September 12, 2015 – 12:44 amReplyCancel

  • Out One Ear - Linda Atwell - Oh the emotions of summer ending and fall starting and your little guy going to school. I miss sitting in those little chairs for a parent/teacher conference or a meeting or to visit Lindsey or Michael’s classroom. Maybe I’ll get a grandchild someday and get to sit in one again, as a grandma. BTW, your new little grandbaby (I think that’s what your new little addition would be)–the family photo looked wonderful. But I digress. I can’t believe Tucker’s school has already had some potential stranger danger. It makes me so sad that all of our kids have to watch out for such stuff. They certainly shouldn’t have to be worried at such a young age–even though it doesn’t sound like Tucker was feeling unsafe. Like you, I already like his teacher. Keep on enjoying first grade. And it is all going to be ok.September 11, 2015 – 2:40 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Gah to the emotions of fall and school and summer ending and yeah. I so hope you’ll have a grandchild too one day so that you can revisit it all. Also I plan to write about it but the stranger-danger was so much worse than the school told us. It’s a little unbelievable and I’m still processing. I love his teacher so far. Thank you for always knowing just what to say.September 12, 2015 – 1:00 amReplyCancel

  • Bev - Well I think it’s pretty darn amazing that you wrote such a beautiful post last-minute and with your son there!
    It sounds like it is going to be a good year for him, I hope! I’m glad he has a teacher who gets him. Here’s to a wonderful year!September 11, 2015 – 6:56 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Bev!!! I feel really lucky that he’s been so blessed that he’s had such great teachers!!September 12, 2015 – 1:01 amReplyCancel

  • ivy - Oh i dont even know what to say. Just happy my fav guy is doing so well and has great support at home and school… See ya soon!September 11, 2015 – 6:59 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - I literally just wrote about my feelings of my girls and back to school this week and all I wish for them this year, too. And can say I think we are most definitely experiencing similar feelings on this now. I think I may even link up my post. Technically it doesn’t say fall, but it is jam packed with my upcoming wishes for them this year and all to come this upcoming season, as well, too. Hugs and we will get through this together now 😉September 11, 2015 – 7:13 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m so so glad that you linked up, Janine!! Here’s to feeling all of the feels and the love and the regrets and the sigh sigh… Huge huge HUGE hugs back to you and yes, let’s so get through this together.September 12, 2015 – 1:03 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Special needs are just needs. I love Tucker’s teacher. I am so very thankful that she seems to get it. That you have found a safe place, even when you are worried he might not be safe. But he is, because he has a teacher that understands how to make him as safe as possible.September 11, 2015 – 9:48 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - They so are just special needs and I love his teacher too so far. I hope her whole “safety is raising your hand as much as body safety” continues because who cares about the academics! Thank you!September 12, 2015 – 1:05 amReplyCancel

  • Michele - Ah! That baby picture of Tucker saying “yo mom” came just at the right time, as the lump in my throat was threatening to send tears spilling down my cheeks. You’ve captured the bittersweet end of summer and start to the school year just perfectly. I’m so glad for you and Tucker both that he’s found another wonderful teacher.September 11, 2015 – 2:47 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks Michele!!! It’s such a bittersweet time, really. And I’m so glad, too!!!September 12, 2015 – 1:06 amReplyCancel

  • marcia @ Menopausal Mother - Your son’s teacher sounds wonderful—a perfect fit! I think your boy is really going to enjoy first grade!September 11, 2015 – 11:04 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - ***it’s about empathy and being accepted and accepting. That’s when I cried.***

    God gave you the RIGHT teacher, darling! xxxSeptember 12, 2015 – 11:22 amReplyCancel

  • K - I loved this whole post, Kristi, but I especially loved the part about Tucker’s teacher focusing on empathy and acceptance and her understanding that “special needs are just needs.”

    Your posts speak to me…and I am so so so glad that Tucker has such an awesome teacher. I’ve seen so many teachers that forget about promoting kindness and understanding and creating a safe place to learn because they’re hyperfocused on academics. And while academics are important, empathy and kindness need to be emphasized as well. xoSeptember 12, 2015 – 9:08 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I so love that part too, K!! I completely agree with you about the academics piece and, in fact, emailed the principal at the beginning of the summer letting her know that we’re confident that the academics will come when they come and that we’d rather keep him excited about going to school.September 14, 2015 – 4:57 pmReplyCancel

  • April G - I’m so happy that the start of the year has gone so well. It’s truly a blessing to have a teacher as wonderful as his.September 13, 2015 – 1:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awww so warm and fuzzy! What’s up with all secure mode’s. Maybe these things always happened but they have different responses in place now. Seems like I’ve heard more and more here and there about a lockdown. So far so good that the locations haven’t turned out to be anything other than following protocol to whatever triggered the threat.

    I ran across a picture last week of Christopher doing kindergarten homework. Well it showed up in my Time Hop from 5 years ago! He had a pencil behind his ear. He needed it there while he wrote his name with another pencil. WHERE has the time gone. I couldn’t believe how little he was. And even though he’s growing growing growing and catching up to me, you don’t see that they aren’t little really until you look back on pictures. Waaaaah! Yeah I just teared up too!

    And just to add to the nostalgia, in 2010 there weren’t any secure modes, Sandy Hook hadn’t happened, and I could just walk into the school and say, “Hi Julie, I’m going into Christopher’s class” and I’d sign in and get a visitors pass. Now I ring the doorbell to a tinted door, identify myself and the purpose of my visit which seems dumb because it’s still Julie but this is what our world has come to.September 14, 2015 – 9:09 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - The secure mode — jeez. We now have a meeting at the school tomorrow night. Turns out that the guy at the playground had a knife, was lying in the grass with his car idling behind him GULP GULP GULP…
      I know what you mean about the nostalgia and even with the age of six here I see photos of three and think how quickly it goes and *sob.*
      Sigh to the “Hi Julie” now being having to identify yourself and the purpose of your visit…September 20, 2015 – 11:36 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - After my son had a crappy kindergarten year (many moons ago), we insisted he needed a 1st grade teacher that knew how to run an inclusive classroom. Without sounding too dramatic, that teacher was a godsend. We knew the minute we met him (yes, a man teacher!), that all was going to be okay, just like you now know with Tucker…:)September 14, 2015 – 10:39 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m so sorry to read about a crappy kindergarten year but love that first grade was amazing. Also why are there not more male teachers in elementary? Tucker would so love that…September 20, 2015 – 11:38 amReplyCancel

  • Sara - Hey, Maybe T’s new teacher is a reader of your Our Land segments! Sounds like she is like-minded and sympatico. 🙂
    Knife and car running??? F@ck! SO not okay. You’re teaching him duck-and-run moves, right? *gulp*
    Huge hugs to you & him.September 14, 2015 – 6:35 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Sara! Gulp indeed. FUCKITYFUCK. We have a meeting at the school tomorrow night. The worst part is I don’t know what to even ask for for better safety. Sigh. xoSeptember 20, 2015 – 11:39 amReplyCancel

  • COMike - Nice post Kristi! It is amazing the impact (good or bad) a teacher has on our kids. We have experienced both sides of this coin. The fun part is our chances either way are higher (double!) as have 2 kids (as you know). 🙂

    It was a very odd feeling when we learned about “Safe Mode” at our school too. Odd most likely being sadness as we learned and watched some of the precious innocence in our children evaporate due to real world ugliness from others.

    Say “Hi” to Tuck for me and us.September 16, 2015 – 8:11 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks Mike! Safe mode sucks. The worst part is what to do to make it better? The world needs fewer psychos. Sigh. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment – what a treat really! Happy happy birthday, old man 😉September 20, 2015 – 11:40 amReplyCancel

  • Mimi - I ❤️ This Kristi!! You have that disclaimer at the end, but I don’t know what you have to apologize for. It’s just so beautiful and rings true for mamas everywhere about stumbling and falling into fall and looking back even as we move forward. You capture the essence of school starting perfectly. xoSeptember 16, 2015 – 8:36 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks, Mimi!! You’re the sweetest and sigh to the stumbling and falling and looking back and looking forward. I suppose it’s universal. But it never feels like it when we live it, ya know? I hope you’re having a gorgeous Sunday!September 20, 2015 – 11:43 amReplyCancel

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A couple of weeks ago, I joined Ivy’s Six Sentence Story prompt with these two fictional stories. Since then, I’ve been thinking about Denise from the second of the two. Her story continues here in six more sentences. This week’s word is “content.” “Certainly this can’t really be a grave,” Denise thought as she leaned in for […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Ivy - They never look sleeping. Cool idea to continue the story line….i love the “fake prada lady” …i have so many people in my life with appointed monikers like this one.September 3, 2015 – 9:04 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Do I have one? And it better be something more awesomely unique than Weeniebutt because FRIST.September 3, 2015 – 9:06 pmReplyCancel

      • Ivy - Like the screaming apple lady or mr. Bus stopSeptember 3, 2015 – 9:17 pmReplyCancel

  • ivy - Oops…i tend to give them to people whose names i dont know…September 3, 2015 – 9:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Josie Two Shoes - I am loving this story and hope it will continue! I too have found that the dead don’t really appear to be sleeping, but rather as you say, there is a countenance of contentment – true release from the burdens carried that often haunt us even as we sleep. This story line feels dark, and yet very real. I already like that about your character, she is real… not pretending, not fake. My kind of woman!September 3, 2015 – 9:30 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I think that it may continue, Josie. And yeah, to the dead. It’s such a strange concept and leads to so much more – what happens after and where do we go and all of that. The story does feel a little dark, which was a bit of a surprise for me as that is not usually my writing. Maybe it’s some alter-ego thing that Ivy is helping me to bring out in the fiction?September 4, 2015 – 10:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Again, well done. I like this character.
    Yeah, I would never say dead people look like they’re sleeping.September 3, 2015 – 9:38 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I don’t know that it’s a chapter but thank you. I don’t know if this is going anywhere but I like that it’s made me think. And yeah, dead people. They look dead.September 4, 2015 – 10:35 pmReplyCancel

      • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Character…not chapter! 😀 I really like this Denise character.September 4, 2015 – 10:51 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Great writing once again…really loved your last paragraph. You’ve got a knack for this, I’m telling ya!September 3, 2015 – 10:07 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Gah. I dunno. This isn’t the book I have in my head but seems to be the one coming for these six sentence things so maybe just go with it is what I’ve been telling myself. Of course, nanowrimo is 50k words and this is six sentences so they likely won’t be related. But thank you!September 4, 2015 – 10:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Mimi - Loved this Kristi! So much fun to read a different kind of writing from you. I was riveted!September 3, 2015 – 10:33 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi - Um, could you cheat a bit and give us a few more sentences? What happened?! 🙂September 4, 2015 – 2:09 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Gah, I dunno! Should I keep going with it or do the story in my head? Fiction is weird. As is life, I suppose.September 4, 2015 – 10:38 pmReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - Kristy,
    have I told you lately that I love U? Okay, I know I don’t really know you, but what difference does that make.
    Anyhow, I like what Lizzy said, “They are not home anymore. They are in their new home.”

    xxSeptember 4, 2015 – 10:54 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Kim,
      I always always welcome somebody as fabulous and as amazing as you telling me that you love me. Thank you. And we know one another. I’ve had the conversation with writerly friends about how we share so much more in writing than we would in a grocery line or at a playground. It makes us easier to know one another and easier to love. The feeling is mutual.September 4, 2015 – 10:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - I’ve never seen a dead body! Not a loved one or anything. But we were there when my dog was put to sleep and it did NOT look like sleeping at all. You’re so right. It looked like.. well.. like the life was gone.

    I love your character!!September 4, 2015 – 2:09 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Tamara,
      A dog’s life gone looks the same. I’ve witnessed both and it’s true — it just looks like life is gone. Where does it go? And thank you.September 4, 2015 – 10:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie - I got shivers when I read this. Well fdone my friend! I like it:). More please…September 4, 2015 – 4:03 pmReplyCancel

  • Out One Ear - I would love to be inside your head Kristi. It is so full of incredible ideas and thoughts and stories. How do you do this????September 4, 2015 – 9:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Marcia @ Menopausal Mother - I love these story snippets, Kristi! Fiction writing is in your blood. Can’t wait to read the next installment!September 4, 2015 – 11:43 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks, Marcia! Maybe we should write a fiction post together — you could make me way funnier 😉September 5, 2015 – 10:44 pmReplyCancel

  • Pat B - It is so interesting to see this story evolve. It makes me wonder what kinds of hidden stories are within myself.September 5, 2015 – 1:43 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Pat, I bet there are so many hidden within you! I think you should explore more the stories that are now locked inside your mom — taking snippets of ones she’s told you before and adding to them.September 5, 2015 – 10:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - So now I want to now what’s in that hole, AND more about her relationship with her dad.

    I never go up and look at the deceased at a viewing. That’s not them.September 6, 2015 – 12:07 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - That’s smart to not view them. At my husband’s mom’s funeral, we were right there and I couldn’t help but look. Too much. You’re right – that’s not them at all.September 7, 2015 – 7:50 pmReplyCancel

  • Anita - Touching story.September 7, 2015 – 2:30 amReplyCancel

  • Anita - Touching story.
    Hope no one has to encounter a dead body of a loved one this way and what’s more have to go through the process of having to claim it…September 7, 2015 – 2:31 amReplyCancel

  • Sandy Ramsey - I’m so far behind but I had to go back and read from the beginning. This is really good! I sure hope you continue the story because I’m kinda hooked now.
    It is complete horseshit that dead people look like they are just sleeping. I hate that I even know that.September 7, 2015 – 9:50 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Sandy – thank you and you’re right — total horseshit that dead people look like they’re asleep!September 8, 2015 – 5:20 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Great job with 6 sentences to continue the first “chapter”. I hope you keep goingSeptember 8, 2015 – 12:04 pmReplyCancel

As September looms, I think about this summer and all that it’s held for me. My little boy turned six, and had his first-ever birthday party with friends. I attended BlogU, BlogHer and two writing retreats. Our family took a trip to Dollywood to celebrate Tucker’s birthday, and each week, went to the waterpark, a […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • JT Walters - Even though I have been crippled with a broken leg, this was the Summer my son really became a full grown man. At the beginning of the Summer he still listened to me and loved me but now I am just the final enforcer.

    It saddeneds me to say my son will never talk but gets his point across. He is now struggling for his independence and autonomy.

    Where he use to love babies, he wants Mommies to care for their children.

    I will miss the last glimpse of my boy who has become an adolescent/teenager/anti-authority renegade.August 27, 2015 – 10:28 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Awe man, the growing up is just dang hard isn’t it? SO SO hard. I love that he wants moms to care for their children. You’ve raised a noble son for sure.August 28, 2015 – 11:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Mimi - Loved this Kristi! You capture the essence of summer and all the emotions that run through it. I’m hoping to hook up. This is a great prompt! xoAugust 28, 2015 – 12:53 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Mimi, I so hope you’ll link up!!! This prompt is one that originally was like “hm” for me but then, once I thought about it, was so perfect. So full of a million possibilities. xo youAugust 28, 2015 – 11:27 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie - I hate good-byes, too. Especially to childhood phases and seasons (except winter – I’m always happy to say so long then:)). I will miss this summer so very much. We’ve had some cool, teasing mornings this weekend, and I was not excited. It coming too fast.August 28, 2015 – 7:04 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m a dork and even miss winter’s passing. Although that’s less true here in DC than it was when I lived in Colorado. Winter in Colorado is amazing. Everybody thinks it’s brutal but it’s less brutal than here. The sun is out almost all of the time and it’s DRY cold so less cold, and the snow crunches under your feet. Also, skiing. But yeah, I’m so going to miss summer.August 28, 2015 – 11:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom - So true – “each of us says goodbye to an us that we’ll never be again.” *Sigh!*August 28, 2015 – 7:40 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - “Where is a bird’s butt-crack?” That is just awesome – period.August 28, 2015 – 8:03 amReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth - How smart of you to make the loss of summer easier by planning fun things in autumn!August 28, 2015 – 9:43 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I hope so!!! The whole booking thing started sketchy but hopefully we’ve got it sorted by now!August 28, 2015 – 11:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ Golden Spoons - I swear this summer went by SO FAST! I feel like we had just gotten settled in a started making pans when it was time to start thinking about back to school already. I’m usually not that emotional about the end of summer – neither happy to send the kids back to school or extremely sad about it. This week, though, I was unexpectedly teary when I dropped them off on the first day. My oldest started her last year of middle school and the two youngest started at a new school after last year being so hellacious at the old one. We will never have this summer back again and I fell like I just didn’t get enough this time. ::Sigh::August 28, 2015 – 12:31 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I feel like it went by so fast too, Lisa! Like super duper crazy fast. Sigh. I’m glad though that you got the two youngest into a school better for them. Hopefully. It’s all so dang scary though. And sad! Because pretty soon, we’re going to be planning their weddings right? Gah.August 28, 2015 – 11:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Michele @ A Storybook Life - It sounds like it has been a wonderful and memorable summer, bird butt cracks and all! I love the idea of planning your Florida trip to keep the summer feeling going a little longer. 🙂August 28, 2015 – 1:52 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Michele! I so want to keep the summer going. I’m sad about FIRST GRADE ALREADY. Gah.August 28, 2015 – 11:56 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Just beautiful. I already miss it too, and it’s not gone yet.
    It was shorter than usual for us, because we had 4,000 snow days last year, but I’m wondering if it could only have felt short – for all the fun it contained.
    Sob.
    Stop growing up so fast, kids. I still want to buy baby shoes.August 28, 2015 – 3:10 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I so miss it. We had 4,000 snow days too but we did the year before as well and so they adjusted the schedule this year. Tucker didn’t get out until end of June. Still it feels too dang short. Sob is right.August 28, 2015 – 11:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Sandra - I love your kid! Where is a bird’s butt crack? ‘Cause really, where is it? Right? I love September and the fall, and when kids start school. And it’s not because I get the kidlets out of the house, but it’s because it reminds me of that great feeling of getting to start fresh in a new grade with new friends. This was beautifully written once again, and your love for your son moves me beyond words.August 29, 2015 – 6:28 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I love him too!! LOL and yeah, right? WHERE IS IT??? I do love September and the Fall but I’m so going to miss this summer. It’s the aging I think. And thank you so much for your kind words – they mean a lot to me.August 30, 2015 – 12:45 amReplyCancel

  • Dana - I’m missing summer right along with you, Kristi. I can’t believe people get annoyed about parents being tearful…what a waste of time to be annoyed by that. Life’s too short, people.

    I love the questions that Tucker asks you – I think that the questions asked are a better measure of intelligence than the answers given. (But I did love your answer to the bird butt crack question!)August 29, 2015 – 9:56 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - People who get annoyed are buttholes really. And I love the questions that Tucker has too!! You’re so right about the questions meaning more than the answers! I mean what do you SAY really about “where is a bird’s buttcrack?”August 30, 2015 – 12:46 amReplyCancel

  • Nicki - So adore your perspective in this Kristi!

    “And every summer, we say goodbye to an us that we’ll never be again.” Sad and achy, but also good as we continue to move forward and “live a little bit more, every day…” <3August 29, 2015 – 7:00 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw Nix. Thank you. It’s so true right? I mean sad and happy and sad and achy but yes to the moving forward. A little bit. Every day.August 30, 2015 – 12:47 amReplyCancel

  • Angel the Alien - Weird that people would get annoyed about parents being nervous or teary about their children’s transition! It is a huge thing… if you have children in your life you realize that they are constantly cchanging into new versions of themselves… the baby you knew last year is not the toddler you know this year or the preschooler you’ll know a few years from now. I think the teariness is reasonable, because you really are saying goodbye to something. Yes, it is good to move forward… but still… it is always hard to say goodbye.August 31, 2015 – 8:48 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s so weird, Angel, because you’re right — we need to remember as parents (and as PEOPLE) that people change and grow but also that it’s sad because we’re saying goodbye to the people we knew before, right? Thank you so much for getting it. For saying that teariness is reasonable. Hard to say goodbye always.August 31, 2015 – 11:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Christine Organ - I am so sad to see this summer end too! This is the first time when I’m not even a little bit excited for fall. Usually about this time of the year, I get excited for school and football and cool nights. Not this year. I want more pool days and flip-flops and lazy mornings.August 31, 2015 – 10:14 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I’m so glad that you feel the same way! I usually love fall, and I am sure (or hope to be sure) that I will this year as well but I’m just NOT as ready as usual!!! Pools. Flip-flops. Lazy. That. Sigh.September 1, 2015 – 1:10 amReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - So beautiful. I love T.’s questions – so funny. Zilla asks similar things and it drives me batshit crazy, but isn’t part of why we love them so damn much? I can’t imagine NOT answering questions like that. Or trying to, anyway. 😀August 31, 2015 – 10:33 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I love T’s questions too Lisa! And you’re spot on with driving us batshit crazy (because OMG the “WHY???” argh!) But yeah, I can’t imagine not answering them either and their questions give us so much insight into them!!September 1, 2015 – 1:12 amReplyCancel

      • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - It really does. And I think it gives some insight into us, too, you know?September 1, 2015 – 11:15 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - The reflection of summers. There are so many things that have been the “last time” but I also really enjoy watching Christopher grow up and I just loved his independence this summer. Even though I was not excited to see the summer end so quickly, and fall means football, homework etc – I love it more!

    I happened to be eating a bagel with cream cheese while I also wondered, “Where IS a birds butt crack?”September 3, 2015 – 10:07 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Sigh to all of the last times, Kenya! Huge. I’m happy to read about you enjoying watching Christopher grow up because I’m missing Baby Tucker so much right now. Ugh to football and homework. T wants to play football too (which I think I’ve said before) but I’m hoping he goes for soccer or a gentler sport. Also HAHAHA to him and “gentle sports” — really.
      And right??? Where IS a bird’s butt crack?September 3, 2015 – 11:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - I love this line: We say goodbye to an us that we’ll never be again.

    Again, you are so right. No matter how hard we try, we will never be the same as soon as that second passes. There are many moments in life that I tell myself, hold on to this moment. Hold on tight. And yet many, many, many moments later, I have trouble remembering exactly how that moment felt. You seem to do so much better with this than I do and I love getting a glimpse into Kristi.

    As you already know and acknowledge, yes, this summer is going and you are already missing it, but there are many more summers to look forward to. And you will embrace them with the same energy that you embraced this last one. And that is what I love about you and your words.September 3, 2015 – 11:46 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Linda, your comments are always so wonderful and amazing and it’s like you know what I mean between the lines. It’s so true that we’ll never be the same and I also feel like sometimes, I forget the moments. There are a few though, that I keep. I think it’s a symptom of not becoming a mom until I was 40, and I’d already miscarried, met all of my friends’ kids, and have less patience than I used to for sure. So maybe it’s partly guilt-driven — that I know I’d have been more fun for Tucker if I were 10 years younger when I had him. Anyway, there are those moments now when I feel like I need to breathe them and hold them. Thanks also for the reminder that I’ll cherish the upcoming ones just as much.September 4, 2015 – 9:05 pmReplyCancel

The following two stories are fiction, and are told in six sentences, for my friend Ivy’s prompt. I usually don’t participate, as I’m often doing my own Finish the Sentence Friday prompt on Fridays. Ivy leaves her Six Sentence Stories prompt open until Tuesday, so that we can do both if we so choose. How awesome is that? […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • ivy - Hooray! You made it!!!! Awesome stories! On a couple levels….both of them work from different angles and get so much in in just 6 sentences….yet all the inferences are there…especially in the second one. Im so glad you linked in!!! Thanks Kristi!August 21, 2015 – 3:04 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you my sweet lovable knows-how-to-hug-f’real-friend. Thank you for this prompt. I’d not have written anything this week. Our birthday(s) week. You know I was thinking – I have my birthday and also my adoption day and so maybe have more than one too??? Or not, I mean it is not the same but kinda?
      I’m so glad I linked in too. xoAugust 21, 2015 – 11:32 pmReplyCancel

      • ivy - Omg! Totally a member of the club!!!! You could run for office! Welcome!!!!!! Happy birthday and happy adoption day!!!!!August 22, 2015 – 12:47 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi Campbell - LOL never did celebrate adoption day. It’s either in 6 days or 8 days from my birthday, depending on who you ask. I think you get that 😉August 23, 2015 – 2:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - You should write fiction more often, Kristi – these are great!August 21, 2015 – 5:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Sarah - These are fabulous stories, Kristi. So real and moving in just six sentences.August 21, 2015 – 5:56 pmReplyCancel

  • Marcia @ Menopausal Mother - You have me COMPLETELY drawn in with both of these! Now I want to read more!!! What happens next?August 21, 2015 – 10:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Okay, you are SO ready for NaNoWriMo! I’d say you have the makings of 2 novels right here – keep going!August 22, 2015 – 8:52 amReplyCancel

  • Sara - Love. You still got it, girl. Huge hug.August 23, 2015 – 2:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Dyanne @ I Want Backsies - All right, show off, TWO six sentence stories in one week? Love them both; such interesting takes on the prompt!August 23, 2015 – 11:09 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks so much Dyanne! And not really show-off when I’ve been waiting and waiting to participate but afraid to right? 🙂 Right? Yes. Right. I hope.August 27, 2015 – 12:43 amReplyCancel

  • Tamara - I am NOT a fiction writer… (like at all) so I bow down to this.
    Keep on at it! I want to see more!August 24, 2015 – 1:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Roshni - Wow! You made for some chilling stories! So different from your usual style! Pretty impressive!August 26, 2015 – 5:58 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you, Roshni. Not sure where any of this fiction stuff is going but I think (for now, at least) that it’s maybe going to be fun.August 27, 2015 – 12:44 amReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - I love the part about the tracks – very well done. These are terrific. How did I miss them? Oh, right…I disappeared from blog land for like the whole summer.September 3, 2015 – 9:36 pmReplyCancel

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