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

Here’s to eeking out a last-minute thankful post.  It’s been a crazy week, a crazier weekend and while I’ve been too busy and sleep deprived to think about what I’m thankful for, I realize that these are the moments in life that are the exactly perfect times in which to be thankful.  So here goes. […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Joy - Sunny has the exact same chin split! I guess it is a normal thing to have for every growing boy! Glad everything healed okay without going to the ER. BTW, his was glued and not stitched because Sunny would freak out if he ever needed stitches without anaesthesia!

    Your new camera takes awesome pics! Which one is it?

    I love your not-really-a-list list!! <3July 15, 2013 – 4:15 amReplyCancel

  • Jak - ACK! You are stealing my late entry thunder! What gives >.< I was supposed to get the prize for posting last. Though, looks like there were a handful between you and I. I will be more sneaky next time.

    Sorry to hear about Tucker's mishap 🙁 That looks like it hurt. I know there is one post before this (I think) does it explain what happened? I won't get to it until tomorrow, but that is the plan. Hope the lil guy is doing better.

    Cool that you like True Blood (did we discuss this briefly… I feel we may have). I have only seen the pilot episode, but plan to watch it all at some point.

    No idea on a decent organic bug repellent. Odd thing, these last few BBQs I've been attending I have avoided using bug spray, and I almost have no issues, while those using it still do. I found that interesting.

    Looks like there was plenty of fun beach time and I think you got some pictures that captured the moment 😉 I like the one he is about to dump water on his dad personally lol

    Have a great week! Less stress and blood please!

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of InkJuly 15, 2013 – 5:02 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Kristi, can so relate to the chin gash, because Emma had this happen to her this past winter. She and Lily were happily playing and chasing each other, when Emma fell and hit her chin into the partition in front of my parents fireplace. It was bleeding so much and couldn’t truly tell how bad it was. I also opted not to take her to urgent care, because I was fearful of stitches and her reaction of having to be held down. Thankfully it wasn’t as bad as it appeared at first, but still I remember that split second decision and that knot in my throat when it happened. Just glad all ended up Ok for Tucker, too. And looks like the vacation was a success and the love pictures you took (a great camera makes all the difference!).July 15, 2013 – 8:07 amReplyCancel

  • Sarah | LeftBrainBuddha - Great pictures! I hope Tucker’s chin is recovering okay…. and I get it about not wanting to do urgent care, especially so late at night!July 15, 2013 – 8:29 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Joy,
    I think you are right and it is probably just a normal little-boy injury (still scary but I guess it’s common). The camera is a Fujifilm X20. I really love it. It’s very easy to use and takes great photos even for people like me who don’t know much about photography.
    —
    Jak,
    I like the one where he’s about to dump water down his dad’s pants, too. And yes, True Blood is one of my favorite shows. I don’t watch much TV but indulge in True Blood, Dexter, Homeland, The Newsroom, Nurse Jackie and a few others.
    Interesting that you had less issues wearing no bugspray…huh.
    —
    Janine,
    Sorry to hear that Emma had the same injury! Yikes. I guess it’s a normal right of passage – still – blood on our babies just sucks.
    —
    Sarah,
    He’s doing well, thanks!
    —July 15, 2013 – 8:46 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awwww. I flinched at his chin accident as I imagine any mom would. Poor baby, but yes he will have a sexy chin when he grows up! Beautiful pics. LOL to him pouring water down Robert’s shorts. He’s a good dad 😉July 15, 2013 – 9:00 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Kenya,
    Yeah, Robert put up with Tucker pouring water down his shorts for quite a while. I didn’t get up to help because – duh, I didn’t want water down my swimsuit too!
    —July 15, 2013 – 9:39 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - I love the pictures of Tucker, well except his boo boo. But he seemed to have a great time in the sand. And yes, scars are wicked sexy 🙂July 15, 2013 – 9:58 amReplyCancel

  • Dyanne @ I Want Backsies - MY SON SPLIT HIS CHIN OPEN IN NEARLY THE SAME PLACE. He was about 8 and we were in the wave pool at a water park. When I finally figured out where the blood was coming from (it was a little further under his chin than Tucker’s gash), I could see the bone, so we were off to the ER for, thankfully, glue and not stitches. Glad you were able to patch Tucker up without having to endure an ER visit!

    Love your beachy pics, especially of Tucker pouring water down Dad’s pants. ABSOLUTELY creative play. (Next time, give him ice water from the cooler – tee hee!).July 15, 2013 – 10:39 amReplyCancel

  • Dyanne @ I Want Backsies - Oh, and Jak, better luck next week on being the last entry! Now give Kristi back the trophy!July 15, 2013 – 10:41 amReplyCancel

  • Dani Ryan - Oh no! I’m glad Tucker is okay! I am with you on avoiding the whole doctor/hospital visit when possible. My daughter sprained her ankle in gymnastics on Valentine’s Day (while my husband was flat on his back after being rushed to the ER via ambulance for a back injury 2 days before), and ever since she will not let me put medicine in her mouth (because I had to squirt Advil in her mouth with a bunch of nurses helping me that day) and she refuses to eat popsicles (because a nurse gave us a popsicle while we were in the waiting room). Totally scarred the poor kid. And now sicknesses are horrible because I have to get medicine made into suppositories (and there’s only ONE pharmacy in this city who makes them, and they take 24 hours to make) and when she’s not drinking, popsicles aren’t an easy fix to avoid dehydration.

    Shoot. I just took your blog post and made it about me. Whoops!

    Love the pic of Tucker pouring water down your husband’s pants. Too funny!July 15, 2013 – 12:29 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - hey excellent camera…

    the other photos… Tucker does seem to be enjoying the fun of cuts and scrapes (once the initial surprise-excitment has died down*) lol

    I agree with you on the late day ocean thing (with pre-day being a close second, that same Charlton Heston-feel to it.)

    As always, I enjoyed your Post.July 15, 2013 – 2:49 pmReplyCancel

  • christine - Oh, those chin injuries are bleeders. As a mom who has been to the ER and urgent care more times than I can count, you made the right call. We have two kids who have had the same injury, and both have scars, despite one with stitches and one without. As young as he is, it will fade into near oblivion.

    A great camera is always something for which to be grateful. Goodbye bad photos!

    Evening at the beach is my favorite time to go. (Just did a few days ago on our own vacation!) Plus, it’s the best time for taking photos, too!

    Glad you got your post in on time!July 15, 2013 – 4:02 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Scars are sexy on grown men, as are bald spots on the back of the scalp where there were staples to close a toddler head wound. Right?July 15, 2013 – 8:19 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Golden spoons - Poor little guy!!! Always stinks when someone gets sick or hurt on vacation. I’m usually the one who panics and thinks they need to go to the ER and hubby is the one who just wants to slap on a little Neosporin and keep going! 🙂July 16, 2013 – 4:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Courtney - I am glad you had a wonderful break! What kind of camera did you get? Do you love it? Enjoy all of the moments you will capture and welcome home!July 16, 2013 – 6:34 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Your new camera is so awesome. OK, now that that is out of the way- poor you! And poor, brave Tucker! I am glad you made the right call- stitches and Urgent Care would have been miserable for him. I’m so glad it turned out okay, but I feel so bad for you! That is so stressful! It looks like your beach time was not totally ruined by the bad owie, though, so that’s good. xoJuly 16, 2013 – 6:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Jhanis - Glad to hear the little man is okay, my son has a scar right in the middle of his forehead, makes him look like he’s got third eye 😀July 17, 2013 – 1:56 amReplyCancel

  • Jen - I don’t know why I just saw this! I think you did the right thing. The last thing you needed to do was be in a foreign land. You know what? If they aren’t dying I say stay away from any place you can get MERSA. So right on sister!July 18, 2013 – 8:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Molley@A Mother Life - Miss Gremlin did the exact same split in the library at school! 4 stitches in case you’re wondering and 3 1/2 hours in the ER. Hope it heals ok and does pop again. I know steristrips work well on those kinds of wounds.
    Glad Tucker is happy and well in spite of it all.

    http://www.amotherlife.com/and-so-we-spent-the-afternoon-in-the-er/July 20, 2013 – 10:02 pmReplyCancel

  • instant medical care - Hi there! great post. Thanks for sharing a very interesting and informative content, it is a big help to me and to others as well, keep it up!July 23, 2013 – 12:51 amReplyCancel

If you had a chance to go back in time and do something over, would you? Do you have regrets? I have a tattoo on my ankle that says “To Die With No Regrets” (yes, I triple-checked the Chinese characters after hearing the horror stories of tattoo artists giving you the “I’m an asshole” one […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awwwww. I love it. I often wish things had happened just a little earlier for me so that maybe there could or would be a second child but then that wouldn’t be then the life I have now would be totally different. So it is as its meant to be.July 12, 2013 – 1:33 pmReplyCancel

  • Kim Pugliano - Not one single moment, word, outfit, drink, fart, roommate, boyfriend or meal. Nothing.July 12, 2013 – 1:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean - This is called the Butterfly Effect, right? It’s a bad movie but also a kind of scary science fiction novel. I totally agree with you and I think it’s a handy way of avoiding self-shaming. I often got angry at myself for buying the first house we did. Bad location, needed 100% updates in every room. However, that’s where my son and daughter were conceived. What if we had been living somewhere else? Would my kids not have been who they are?
    Yes. Absolutely. Your tattoo will never be wrong. 🙂July 12, 2013 – 1:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Seem to be the prevalent theme of the day with not changing things necessarily and must say I am truly happy to hear this for the most part from you and others. thanks you as always for sharing and for joining us again!! 🙂July 12, 2013 – 1:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Kenya,
    While I wish things happened earlier, too, it’s just not worth the risk to lose the way things are now!
    —
    Kim,
    Not even a fart? You are awesome.
    —
    Jean,
    Yes, actually. I almost referenced The Butterfly Effect in the post but that made it really long and weird. The original one was almost three times as long as this…but I just wasn’t feeling it.
    I know exactly what you mean about the house – I hate on this one all the time, but it’s where Tucker has known home, always…
    —
    Janine,
    Thanks, Janine! I haven’t had a chance to read other people’s but am really looking forward to it!
    —July 12, 2013 – 1:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Julie Sparks - I totally agree. I never saw “The Butterfly Effect”, but there is a Star Trek: The Next Generation episode called “Tapestry” where Picard goes back and redoes something seemingly obvious (he doesn’t get into a fight that damages his heart) and discovers that that brush with death was exactly what influenced him to live life to the fullest. I truly believe that if you start to pull at the threads that make up your life you will undo that which makes you you! Great finish to the sentence!July 12, 2013 – 1:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - I love you. If you read my FTSF post you will know why, sister! xoxoJuly 12, 2013 – 1:54 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Julie,
    Yes, perfectly said and I love Picard! It’s true that once you go back and start changing little things that big things become affected. Now worth the risk!
    —July 12, 2013 – 1:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - I am completely surprised by you, once again. I thought FOR SURE you were going to go with something from the 80’s and make me remember those bad hair days. Instead you went for the sweet. I love this post. I love that you know meeting Robert sooner might not have been the best thing, that you met him when it was meant to happen and not a moment before.

    And just think, if you did have a do-over and ended up sleeping with Billy Idol? You might never have met Robert 🙂

    Love you. Love this post. Love that photo of your boys enjoying the beach (why can’t my girl love the beach). But most of all I love how you always surprise me!!!

    Awesome post my friend. Well played.July 12, 2013 – 2:19 pmReplyCancel

  • Jessica Smock - I completely agree with you! I tried to think of something to write for this and came to the same conclusion. I wouldn’t change anything — even the bad things — because they led to everything in my life today. So that’s why I ended up writing about potential regrets, rather than present ones.July 12, 2013 – 2:34 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I couldn’t have said it better myself. That’s why I picked something pretty trivial and not at all life changing. I’m good with how things are, and I’m not messing with it.July 12, 2013 – 2:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Lori Lavender Luz - This is the post I would have written had I participated in the bloghop. I’m happy where I am now, and everything that led up to it was therefore necessary. I do look back and see how I mishandled things, but probably each time I was doing the best I could with what I had to work with in that moment.

    What a happiness-inducing photo!July 12, 2013 – 3:27 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - I wholeheartedly agree; no do-overs here! Even those of us who have been married twice (or more!) don’t often say “I wish I hadn’t done that.”

    Oh wow. I had to stop typing to deal with an EPIC meltdown from my oldest and I totally lost my train of thought. Anyway… those photos were perfection!July 12, 2013 – 4:31 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - well said… I tip my Wakefield Doctrine hat (on my damn head) in respect. too topic, all word-tangly and such, but you have expressed the concept in a way that makes sense no matter how many movies or books, one amy have read.
    And this is as it should be (and further to your credit) because it (this “about those past decisions of yours”) is something everyone knows on one level or another.. you have simply expressed it simply and elegantly.

    coolJuly 12, 2013 – 4:35 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - “…hey is it too late to change my Post? I do have something I would want to change in my life. If I had the three wishes and had already gotten the (” test garbled here, indistinguishable …something about large and multiple …”) and I gave my other wish to the person standing next to me that has the lesser reflexes, I would wish this:

    ‘I would go back and simply read and edit the Comment that I just left. Jeez… how much time would it have taken for me to proof that thing? Thank you for not reading the incredibly not proof-read Comment.’*

    * I still totally mean what I said about this here Post here, I would just prefer that I employed the English language to express it.July 12, 2013 – 6:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Slu - You know, while reading your Post, I was thinking to myself what I would “do over.” I thought of a few (ha!!!) and then, finished reading your Post and thought: You know what? She’s right!!! Makes us who we are. I’m with ya.

    Your Tat… I’ve got one that says: No Regrets (with a red Heart). About: My time with my wife.

    Happy Friday, SluJuly 12, 2013 – 6:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Dani Ryan - You know, I feel the same way you do. Yes, I wish I could go back and wear the strongest sunblock known to mankind when I was a kid because I’m freaked out about the amount of sun exposure I had, and yes, I wish I had spent more time with my grandparents. But I wouldn’t change any of the big stuff – the bad relationships, the amount of time we waited to start trying for kids, etc. etc. Because if I changed that, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. And, well, that makes me sad!!!

    Oh, and I love the meaning of your tattoo. That is awesome. Mine? Not so much. I wrote about it earlier this week if you want to check it out! http://wp.me/p2KIJm-1cxJuly 12, 2013 – 8:54 pmReplyCancel

  • Kate Hall - Aw, I love this. I don’t really have much I’d want to do over either – just when I really hurt people. I hate that I’ve done that. Great post!July 12, 2013 – 9:47 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - I hear ya sister! LOUD AND CLEAR! Everything we are is a culmination of everything we have done, why would I want to change where I am now? MWAH!July 13, 2013 – 12:43 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Kerri,
    Hang in there. I have high hopes that Tucker will show Boo the joys of the beach IRL one day. It’s a magical place (once you get over the crappy sensory stuff. Also, Tucker cut his chin open HUGE and we chose to not go to the ER and have doctors hold him still to look at him while he screamed). Maybe I should have gone with something from the 80’s but I just couldn’t find a way to bring it around to not wanting today to be different, you know?
    —
    Jessica,
    I loved your potential regrets post and have the same ones regarding “Do I need to give Tucker a sibling?” as you do.
    —
    Dana,
    I loved YOURS.
    —July 13, 2013 – 12:51 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Lori,
    Thanks. I had a hard time writing this as it felt just like the “life’s turning points” one and I just couldn’t find a way to bring regrets around.
    —
    Stephanie,
    Thanks, you. Yup, I don’t say “I wish I hadn’t done that” when it comes to most things. And those I did, I won’t be writing about here!
    —July 13, 2013 – 12:55 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - @CLARK,
    You get your own comment box in case you come back to check. I HATE not having nested comments. Every week, more and more. So hard to reply personally to everybody’s awesomeness, and this week, I want to reply personally to yours. First, huge kudos to you for calling me out on Twitter before I even knew what I’d write. I mean, I knew I would say “nothing” but not how I’d say it. You knew I’d say nothing and that’s freaking awesome. The Doctrine works.
    Your sentences – like I said YOU WIN THIS WEEK – “everything we do creates a chain of events that continues on into the future” is exactly what I wanted to say. I also wish I wrote this sentence: “…is only one of a number of possible lives, each created by a single decision.”
    Perfect. And yeah, I’d say the Doctrine works. It took me a few weeks to “get it” but now? I get it. Kudos to you, friend.July 13, 2013 – 1:09 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Slu!
    I can’t believe we have almost the same tat! Awesome and I love that you came to the same conclusion. So freaking awesome.
    —
    Dani,
    Went there and commented. For me, it was more about the belly ring. But I suppose that may be due to life here being about me. Awesome and hilarious post, you!
    —
    Kate,
    I think it’s amazing you went back and apologized on Facebook. Seriously awesome.
    —
    Jen,
    Yup. I’ll take what I have, thank you very much. And mwah right back.
    —July 13, 2013 – 1:11 amReplyCancel

  • Sarah Almond - I ended up linking up two posts for this one, because my Secret Subject Swap prompt today just happened to be the same thing, and I also wrote about Do-Overs. The former is the list of things I’d be happy to experience again. The latter are the things that I’d really like to just do-over. Yup, I’m indecisive now aren’t I?July 13, 2013 – 1:28 amReplyCancel

  • Rich Rumple - Kristi – You’ve obviously discovered the secret of life. Acceptance and appreciation. We are who we are because of our achievements and failures. Our strength comes from our experiences, and creates the person we are … ever changing, but always the same. Our wisdom comes from life and the observations we make over the years. Our stupidity comes from the failure to observe or accept that change is inevitable. Your satisfaction with your loved ones displays a person, not only of compassion, but of one appreciative of what has been provided her, perfect in the eyes of others or not. You’ve also found that the love you give has no boundaries, and the love you receive is to be savored as a golden elixir to the last drop. I wish you and your family much continued happiness and strength to see through the days of clouds and bask in the rays of a warming sun. May God bless you all.July 13, 2013 – 4:02 amReplyCancel

  • karen - love that you wouldn’t change anything either, the thought of changing one thing and poof…I wouldn’t be Dino’s mom…and that terrifies me.July 13, 2013 – 7:16 amReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Golden spoons - This is such a sweet post! I said something similar in my post and referenced the Back to the Future movie. Remember how Marty McFly has to do things so as not to change the outcome? He can’t see his past self or else = doom!! That’s how I feel. Nothing is worth doing differently if it would change my present day.July 13, 2013 – 12:34 pmReplyCancel

  • Kera - This is lovely. I wouldn’t want a do-over, either. I believe that all of the things that happen in our lives lead us to those things that we love the most. The life we love the most. I would never trade my husband or my children for a chance to do anything differently.July 13, 2013 – 2:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Liz Allan - I’ve got too many too choose from! But my only serious long-term regret is getting a tattoo on my face! A very long, painful, expensive process to remove, but I guess once it is eventually all gone I will have well and truly learnt an important life lesson…to love myself the way nature intended me to be.July 14, 2013 – 6:32 amReplyCancel

  • Jhanis - Beautiful! Simply beautiful 🙂July 15, 2013 – 10:30 amReplyCancel

  • Deb @ Urban Moo Cow - Beautiful, lady. I like the idea that changing x changes the rest of the alphabet. Interesting post to read today in light of my most recent post on feeling I would be doing something different if I had not been held back by my own demons.

    Can I be contrarian though? I think there are some traumatic events that, despite having made you who you are, you are not better off for having had happen. I think I would go back and change at least one thing in that vein. Otherwise you get into this whole “everything happens for a reason” bs, and I don’t buy that. What do you think? Maybe a conversation for offline. 🙂July 17, 2013 – 12:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Julie Sparks - I thought you might like to know that I featured this blog in a post about my favorites. Julie’s Boyz Blogspot: Some Fantastic Blogs Excellent writing!July 17, 2013 – 7:01 pmReplyCancel

  • SocialButterflyMom - I would have worked out yesterday ;p I can pretty much use that one anytime.July 18, 2013 – 8:38 amReplyCancel

Those of you who have been here for a while know that on Wednesdays, I feature different voices, chosen specifically to make all of us think, wonder, and appreciate differing viewpoints and abilities. As a mother to a perfectly perfect boy with probably-autism, I’ve changed my mission in life from whatever it used to be […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Emily - Kerry, Your posts inspire me in so many ways…I needed to read something like this today. Thank you for writing it and for helping to spread the empathy and compassion that this world needs.July 10, 2013 – 9:10 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Truly love the way Kerry looks at this world and this little boy named Jack. As a teacher, I never understood how other teachers could write off kids with autism and other types of learning disabilities. I actually was commissioned one year to teach an 8th grade class of boys who had very severe learning disabilities according to the school district. They could barely add let alone multiply. It was my job to find activities to pretty much just keep them busy. That bothered me to no end and I fought tooth and nail to teach these boys basic arithmetic and even the multiplication tables using every damned trick in the book I could come up with and still try my hardest to make it fun for them. In the end, I like to think I did make a difference and isn’t that what teaching is all about!!July 10, 2013 – 9:19 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - I want to be Kerry when I grow up. I want her vision when she looks at the world and sees it’s beauty. Her writing should be required reading in every classroom and then sent home to parents.

    I hope she teaches in Boo’s school system someday. Someday really soon.July 10, 2013 – 10:23 amReplyCancel

  • Jessica - I always love Kerry’s posts; so eye-opening and inspiring. I wish we could all do something to help kids like Jack. Everyone just wants to be understood and accepted. Thanks, Kerry, and great work.July 10, 2013 – 10:35 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Kerri your stories are SO beautiful. I wish every child’s classroom could have one of you. Thank you for sharing Kristi.July 10, 2013 – 10:43 amReplyCancel

  • Jen - Kerry you are so amazing. I am sobbing over here. If only there were so many more of you. I hope your Empathy is as contagious in the real world as it is here.July 10, 2013 – 11:57 amReplyCancel

  • Anita @ Losing Austin - Kerry, you do rock. Wow. Can’t wait to read where life takes you- I believe it will be high.July 10, 2013 – 12:48 pmReplyCancel

  • that cynking feeling - Kerry, I certainly wish every teacher had your attitude. In fact, I wish I could say that I had your attitude when I was a teacher, but I’m not sure I can honestly say I was as accepting at your age.July 10, 2013 – 2:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa@Home on Deranged - Gah! You made me cry. But in a good way. I always keep hoping for that awesome Hollywood ending where the good guy swoops in and takes Jack to a special place where he is understood and can run and romp and sing and talk and draw and everything he longs to do. How far we’ve come and how far we have to go.July 10, 2013 – 3:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I’ve loved reading each piece you’ve written for this series, Kerry. Once again you share with us the pain of being different and misunderstood, and the belief that empathy and kindness can make a difference.July 10, 2013 – 4:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Sylvia - A beautiful, tear jerking post!July 10, 2013 – 6:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Kerry, you have a gift. Combining your insight, empathy, and incredible voice as a writer is a magical thing. Beautiful post.July 10, 2013 – 6:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Tatum - Whew, that’s a whole lotta different feelings you just conjured up from this reader, Kerry. First, I hope you already know, I’m completely jealous of your writing capabilities and I think you are one of the most insightful person I’ve ever “met”. I hope more and more of the world is meeting you as you continue to write.

    I also want to punch that teacher. I know I’m judging w/out knowing her side…but, I do. I want to punch her. I want Jack to have more Kerry’s in his life…he deserves that. We all deserve that…to know Jack better as a person and to give him the opportunity to be his best person.

    And then, I feel pride for Jack. Too many say that children with Autism don’t feel empathy. In your story, you shared a perfect example of true empathy and compassion.July 11, 2013 – 12:16 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Emily,
    I think we all need to read this each week. Empathy and compassion for everybody!
    —
    Janine,
    I’ll bet that you made an awesome difference. Yes, that IS what teaching is all about. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective!
    —
    Kerri,
    I want to be Kerry when I grow up, too. And if she becomes Boo’s teacher, we’re moving so Tucker can be in that class, too.
    —July 11, 2013 – 8:58 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Jessica,
    I agree completely! I wish more people would try to help or at least spread awareness.
    —
    Kenya,
    Me, too, friend. Me, too.
    —
    Jen,
    I hope her empathy is contagious as well. I’d love to know her in real life (and you, too! – all of my bloggie loves!)
    —July 11, 2013 – 9:00 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Anita, Cynking, Melissa, Dana and Syliva,
    YES YES YES. I want the Hollywood ending for Jack, too. In fact, I want it for all of our kids – those with special needs and those without. Every child and every person should feel accepted and understood. Be treated with kindness. With posts like Kerry’s, I think we’re getting closer. I hope.July 11, 2013 – 9:02 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Stephanie,
    I so agree!
    —
    Tatum,
    I want to punch the teacher, too. It makes me so mad to know that there are teachers out there who totally dismiss some of our kids. It’s sickening and sad and needs to be changed. The world needs more Kerry’s and Tatum’s and everybody who believes that each person deserves understanding and compassion.
    And yes – children with autism DO feel empathy. It’s stupid for people to say that they don’t. Perhaps they don’t always express it in a way that typical people do, but they feel it. <3 all you guys.
    ---July 11, 2013 – 9:04 amReplyCancel

  • GirlieOnTheEdge - Kristi, this is a great feature, this Our Land series. Don’t stop!

    Kerry, I don’t know what impressed me more – the maturity of your writing or your maturity! Damn…What am I trying to say here…
    You write beautifully. It is quite apparent your heart is huge. I haven’t been to your website yet so I am assuming from this piece your are a TA. You’ll make a most excellent teacher if this is your path.
    It’s obvious you have the capacity to “see” beyond. Beyond the limitations/labels assigned to Jack as a result of his diagnosis. How easy for some to simply give up because, well, they say he/she has (fill in the blank) “what more can we do?”.
    Jack is a lucky boy to have you in his life.July 11, 2013 – 10:49 amReplyCancel

  • K - Thank you, thank you, thank you for your encouraging comments. I truly appreciate each and every one of them. And Kristi, thank you for allowing me the privilege to share my thoughts on your incredible blog! xoxoJuly 12, 2013 – 10:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - Wow. This is awesome and wonderful. I have goosebumps.July 23, 2013 – 2:45 amReplyCancel

Ah, the 80’s.  They were a time in my life that brought so much remembered change. They seemed to last forever. (Insert Bryan Adam’s Summer of 69 here). From 1979 and having braless nub-boobs to 1989 when I was old enough to drink 3.2 beer legally. Good times. 1980-1982: Middle school. Puberty. My last year […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Mama Zen - This is just the most awesome post EVER.July 9, 2013 – 1:26 amReplyCancel

  • Jen - You are amazing, you know that? Just when I thought it was all freaking highsterical Kristi, you go and say something important. But you still had me silently laughing and shaking the bed trying not to wake the boy!
    OK, so how weird is this. My first car, Buick Regal – government auction. Leaked transmission fluid I had to fill it every few days. Took a permanent marker and wrote Peace Mobile across the faux leather roof… parents not too happy.
    Another weird one.. my license plate now will be featured on next weeks list… da da daaaaa….
    This post is fabulous as usual, but mostly because I love how you incorporated the songs, so many awesome memories… Shell Shocked me and my girlfriend on spring break together… Summer of ’69 my best friend Kara who has fallen off the face of the earth 🙁 Hungry Like the Wolf – LOVED and ditto on the Duran Duran thing, what was I thinking?? You’re the best! TTTx10!July 9, 2013 – 1:32 amReplyCancel

  • Sarah B. - Twisted Sister!!!!!!

    Awesome post. Loving the memories you shared. 🙂

    Me in the 80’s? Well being born in ’88, I don’t really remember much. 🙂 But I saw a video of me dancing to 80’s music as a toddler, so I must have had good taste.July 9, 2013 – 2:02 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Seriously, I don’t know how you do it, but I truly feel like I have gone back in time and was truly back in the 80s while reading your post. So many great music mentions here and a bit scary on how transported I did feel, but awesome job, as always. And One by Metallica by far is still one of my all time favorites, too!!July 9, 2013 – 7:42 amReplyCancel

  • Jhanis - Oh my goodness you had quite a blast way back then!I was born 1979 and all I can associate the 80’s with was the People Power Revolution here in the Philippines and I don’t even remember much 🙂July 9, 2013 – 9:00 amReplyCancel

  • clark - I would use my way-over-used, ‘damn’ expression to express, my…express…

    damn!

    you know what’s weird about clarks?* for all of the careful effort and deliberate applying of talents and skills to produce this here Post here, that you have clearly accomplished, the thing that resonated with me the most was:

    “… the door would stick. Passengers had to climb through the window.”

    that made we feel what it is to be/was to be young.
    (I once tried to write a time travel story and one of the plot devices was that the hero woke up in his 19 yo body in a college dorm…anyway, one of the ways that I had him ‘discover’ that he was back in time was that there was a knock on the door and he ‘just got up out of bed’… and noticed how ‘not involved’ that physical act was… just got up…no positioning, leveraging, planning necessary …;p)

    Your single line about cars with door handles that stick has made my day.**

    I also love your thing about today being the future’s ‘good ole days’… as difficult as it is to remember, it is so important to not forget that today is it.

    …good songs, *of course*

    * besides that! …*and* that too
    ** in a horribly fatalistic and resigned sort of way***
    *** lolJuly 9, 2013 – 9:04 amReplyCancel

  • Dream - I so enjoyed reading your trip down memory lane this week. I wanted a Jeep like yours and ended up with a station wagon. Not even close.July 9, 2013 – 10:09 amReplyCancel

  • Courtney - Oh, the 80s!!! I love the movies: Pretty in Pink, Say Anything, Sixteen Candles and so many more! I spent the 80s being a little kid, who eventually was old enough to love Kirk Cameron and John Cusack. (I still love John)July 9, 2013 – 10:37 amReplyCancel

  • Michelle Liew - The 80s was a decade of big earrings, spandex and yes, great music. Listed my faves here!July 9, 2013 – 10:53 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - OMG I was a Purple Rain girl, had the material girl bracelets but never wore the lace corset.July 9, 2013 – 11:56 amReplyCancel

  • Jessica - I love this! Especially the note at the end, because I think that’s important for us all to remember: who we really are (and were). I love Metallica! I was a hair band kinda girl, mainly. Loved the Headbangers Ball! LOL And that telephone book is awesome! I would have loved that. I had a toy that did something similar (looked like a soldier, I was pretty young so I don’t remember what it was called) and drove my parents crazy with it.July 9, 2013 – 12:15 pmReplyCancel

  • troy P. - Never enough! Loved it – the whole shootin’ match here. Just a fun, fun read. And as aN FYI, my New Order “Love Hard Song” was Subculture. Because, “in the end you will submit- it’s got to hurt a little bit…” =)July 9, 2013 – 1:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Tatum - Say What? A song book for the phone dial tones? Oh, man, had I known about that, the phone wouldn’t have been available for receiving calls ever. Caller ID and *69 sure did ruin all the fun with the phone didn’t they.July 9, 2013 – 1:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Lori Lavender Luz - I remember that jeep! And I can vouch for its cool factor.

    Thanks for reminding me about Tears for Fears. I’ll still stop on any station that’s playing “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Curt and Roland were so earnest.July 9, 2013 – 2:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Kate - Prank calling was so easy- even after caller ID because you could block your number. I miss those days 🙂July 9, 2013 – 3:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Lance - That jeep was hot! I bet Def Leppard blared from it too. Good list, miss!July 9, 2013 – 3:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa@Home on Deranged - Now, why you gotta hate on Duran Duran? You know I would still marry Simon LeBon today if he asked. Oh yes I would. I can listen to Hungry Like the Wolf all day in my t-top Camaro.
    And the Jeep. Still would love to have one. When the day comes that I’m not hauling around car seats and little people who could easily fly out when I hit a bump doing 80 mph. One day.July 9, 2013 – 3:47 pmReplyCancel

  • Slu - Wow!!! I feel like I know you so much better now!!! lol… Loved your story, love the Jeep, and I have to laugh looking at your pics, because I think to myself: “She does not throw away ANYTHING!!!

    Very nice selection of tunes as well. Enjoyed, SluJuly 9, 2013 – 6:01 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Roy - Aw girl! How cool were you? You owned my dream car. The elusive Jeep Wrangler and the plates were pretty sweet. The ’80s WERE long, weren’t they? Seems like every other decade kind of skated by, but the ’80s were one eventful, mofo decade. Good stuff on your list. They all take me right back.July 9, 2013 – 6:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Love, love, love this post, Kristi – it was a walk down memory lane for me, although I don’t remember nearly as much as you do! This was my decade – I listen to the 80s station on XM all the time. I wish I had known you back then; I think we would’ve been friends 🙂July 9, 2013 – 9:38 pmReplyCancel

  • GirlieOnTheEdge - Great post Kristi! Love this time traveling on Tuesdays:)
    One is also one of my most favorite songs by one of my most favorite bands…..
    Every now and then I have to put on We’re Not Gonna Take It. Puts a smile on my face every time and how can you not sing along. LOLJuly 9, 2013 – 9:56 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - I love your addendum- you are so wise and so right… How did I not know about the Telephone Songbook thingie? What a ripoff… Also- is it wrong that I kind of miss pants that cover your bellybutton? Or maybe I just miss my flat 80s-90s-up until 5 years ago flat stomach.

    Also- my husband is a huge 80s metal fan. The hugest. You should see his T-shirt collection. For real. This post made me so nostalgic- loved it! And I want to know what is behind the removed content- tee hee!July 9, 2013 – 9:59 pmReplyCancel

  • Kate Hall - Aww, that was beautiful at the end. I loved seeing you write out what we had been discussing via Twitter on your trip to NC. Awesome. I listed to Twisted Sister all the way through. I remember thinking that video was so unique – like nobody had humor in the music videos – not that like that. It rocked! Now it’s a little cheesey.July 9, 2013 – 10:27 pmReplyCancel

  • MIddleage Monologues - I wonder if that dude’s ass still feels the pain from sitting on that tail pipe after all these years? HAHAHAAAA! I was seriously laughing my ass of with this post…some of those songs are seriously classic and it did bring me back to a time that most of us would like to forget but your ending statement was really great! I have to admit that I would be ok if i NEVER see one more teased bang plastered sky high with Aqua Net…like EVER AGAIN! Yikes…that look was pretty scary! 😉July 9, 2013 – 11:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Jennifer - I admit to stuffing my bra in the 7th grade. I also wore 2 bras sometimes, which seemed less obvious than tissues at the time. We’re Not Gonna Take it was pretty much my husband’s theme song in middle school. He actually played the video for our daughters the other day, and said, “Look, that was my school”. They believed him. I enjoy reading your posts-they are so witty.July 10, 2013 – 12:35 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - The 80’s really were the best for EVERYTHING except for hair and clothes weren’t they? I wonder if everyone says that for their years of the same age. I’ll have to ask someone 10 years younger than me if they 90s for them was all that. I’ve gone back to having some jeans that cover my belly button. They are by Lee and they keep from having half my butt show in the back. If short shirts come back out there’d be a problem but then again I don’t have the short shirt torso so no worries there. Never heard of “The Pushbutton Telephone Songbook”, I’m off to see if there’s an app for that. There always is.July 10, 2013 – 10:57 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - No app. Phooey.July 10, 2013 – 11:00 amReplyCancel

  • Jak - Another great throwback post filled with excellent tunes! I, once again, was familiar with them all 🙂
    –
    It’s crazy just how shitty that government vehicle was. Is it possible your father lied and got it from a drug dealer or something? The story about the back seat (compared to the stories that one potentially can share about the back seat of a car) was hilarious.
    –
    An “I don’t kiss and tell” woman, eh? I may not have any idea what nasty, naughty things you did, but I can venture a guess! Olalala (or Muhahahahaha!?) Just remember:
    –
    Adventure should
    Never be in
    Absence of
    Love
    –
    So, I’d no idea what a ring phone song was. That’s interesting to say the least. I am really curious as to what the prank was that involved so much craziness and warranted such a life sentence to hard labor.
    –
    You’ve been to so many damned concerts I’m literally a bit jelly. I’ve never been able to see Metallica! That would be a great show. Not so sure how they would be live now? They are getting preeeetty old…
    –
    What music was I listening to?
    –
    DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Metallica, Megadeth, and also most of what you posted. Maybe a lot of Genesis and Peter Gabriel >.>
    –
    I LOVED Twisted Sister, though that is literally the only song I knew (or at least remember) by them. I’d listen to that song so much I’ sure it drove my mother batty lol
    –
    I agree it’s even more important to love your me of now!
    –
    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of InkJuly 10, 2013 – 1:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Kim Pugliano - You and I are about the same age. I didn’t do the math because my brain isn’t in a good mood, but I could tell. I have never fit in. I was always trying so hard. Elementary school was bearable, middle school started my life of suck when my straight hair was cut short and then suddenly curled up like pubic hair, then came high school when my older cousin and my younger sister were part of the beautiful partiers who got together with people and I was the dork watching TV on my bed. Then came college, where my mom said I’d find a bunch of girls like me. Apparently they all had bipolar2 without knowing it and drank and sexed. A lot. Like a super lot. And quit school but drink and sex was all that mattered. Sadly I wasn’t diagnosed until like yesterday so my behavior went on and on…but I LOVE LOVE LOVE my 40s and I realize it wasn’t all for nothing. EVERYTHING led me here. I may not like my husband today and my son is 14 and all that goes with that but I wouldn’t trade a thing about my life. And I too was beautiful back then, just not in the way society wanted me to be.July 10, 2013 – 6:07 pmReplyCancel

  • Sarah Almond - I’d never heard of a Pushbutton Telephone Songbook until tonight but I WANT ONE! You are officially the coolest person I know!July 10, 2013 – 10:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Molley@A Mother Life - Ok wait! I think we had the same childhood! That was fun!…
    Thanks for hooking up to the Hump Day Hook UpJuly 17, 2013 – 2:56 pmReplyCancel

  • Terrye - I loved the 80s. 🙂 I actually saw Ratt, Def Lepord, BoC, and a few others live. And pot was legal. AK was the only state that had legalized it back then. 😉 I had almost forgotten about those cool ass pants with the zippers at the ankles but were a bitch to wear in the winter with snow boots.:DJuly 17, 2013 – 4:33 pmReplyCancel

  • The Shitastrophy - Loved the shoelaces with the hearts/stars/smiley faces. I am sitting here typing this while my 8 year old sings the Twisted Sister song, parenting right over here! Thanks for the memories, I loved the A-Team/the Dukes/and everything neon too.July 17, 2013 – 4:43 pmReplyCancel

  • MJM - Girl…you rock it like a hurricane. Awesome…I freaking love the 80s…and really miss them.July 19, 2013 – 8:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - You featured One! I love you! <3July 23, 2013 – 2:46 amReplyCancel

  • Police Humor - This is attention-grabbing, You are an too much qualified tumblr. I’ve got registered the rss and check forward to in search of even more of your current wonderful article. Additionally, We’ve distributed your internet site in my web sitesAugust 12, 2013 – 5:40 amReplyCancel

  • Mike - You had me at RATT “Round And Round” (“You’re In Love” also is kick ass). Holy heck I was all about the 80’s too. Maybe I still am. Too much lol…as far as reminiscing. Thank gawd you didn’t set Jeff’s ass on fire! There are a gazillion Comments I have to this post, my friend. Loved it, Kristi! 🙂February 2, 2014 – 9:55 pmReplyCancel

If you’ve visited Finding Ninee in the past week or so, you know that in addition to today being the day the US adopted the Declaration of Independence, it is also the day, four years ago, that Tucker made his debut appearance in the world and forever altered and expanded my personal knowledge of love […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Courtney - Aw! Happy birthday Tucker! I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach! I am jealous!!!July 4, 2013 – 11:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Courtney,
    Thank you! <3July 5, 2013 – 12:22 amReplyCancel

  • Elena - Happy Birthday Tucker!! 🙂 wishing you nothing but the best and a lifetime of happiness 🙂July 5, 2013 – 12:29 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Elena,
    Thank you! I’ve been hoping to hear from you to find out how you and Eli are doing! Please keep me posted when you have time. I’ve been worried about you and wondering what is new. Hugs and I hope you had a great holiday!
    KristiJuly 5, 2013 – 1:12 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Happy Birthday again to Tucker and hope he had a wonderful day yesterday. I am with you on not quite believing that 4 years has passed either and that Emma will be 4 in only a few short days, too. Crazy seriously!! Will totally be linking up. I have my post ready to go early tomorrow morning. Taking a bit of time today off, because my husband has vacation and trying to catch up this morning now! Thank you as always though for co-hosting!! 🙂July 5, 2013 – 8:02 amReplyCancel

  • Anita@ Losing Austin - Happy to you!
    So glad to read of you being truly relaxed- you both deserve it. xoxoJuly 5, 2013 – 8:19 amReplyCancel

  • Considerer - I have to say, Kristi, that’s one profound and wise kid you’re raising. Happy birthday Tucker, and Happy to You 🙂

    (I have a sneaking suspicion that this phrase is important, that he’s onto something and we should pay close attention)

    Have an amazing time at the beach and enjoy your relaxation as thoroughly and as deeply as possible. Drink it in. Revel in it. And tell us about it later, at some convenient point 🙂July 5, 2013 – 9:30 amReplyCancel

  • Jessica - Happy Birthday, Tucker! I’m glad you all are having such a great time at the beach. We went yesterday, and it was wonderful! I’m definitely grateful for that. And Happy to You! I love that. Smart boy. 🙂July 5, 2013 – 10:05 amReplyCancel

  • Lori Lavender Luz - What is this “Truly Relaxed” of which you speak? I am Truly Jealous of you — is that close?

    Seriously, I’m so happy that the sun and sand and sea are working their nature healing on your body and soul. Happy birthday to Tucker — what a cutie!

    “See” you when you return. Take care, my friend.July 5, 2013 – 11:38 amReplyCancel

  • K - Happy belated birthday Tucker! 🙂 (and OMG, he is too cute in his hat and sunglasses! *melts*)July 5, 2013 – 5:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Janine,
    Thank you so much! Time really does fly, doesn’t it? I look forward to pics from Emma’s fourth! Good for you for taking some time off. Enjoy it.
    —
    Anita,
    Thanks, friend. Hope you’re relaxing as well.
    —
    Considerer,
    I think you’re right and that Tucker really is onto something amazing and awesome. Happy to YOU!
    —
    Jessica,
    Thanks so much! Glad you had some beach time yesterday as well.
    —July 5, 2013 – 5:47 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean - Happy to YOU Tucker! Four. Oh my. How happy and amazing it is. I will have a four this winter and I cannot believe it. Have a great vacation and ignore the computer!July 5, 2013 – 7:41 pmReplyCancel

  • karen - what a super awesome way to spend Tucker’s bday. Love all your things to be thankful for…so beautiful and touching. Love that sunglass picture of him…so handsome.July 6, 2013 – 6:14 amReplyCancel

  • Slu - What a cool Post… Happy Birthday to the “little Man” there.

    Have a great weekend, SluJuly 6, 2013 – 10:21 amReplyCancel

  • Dyanne @ I Want Backsies - Happy vacation and happy birthday, Tucker! You will always have the BEST birthdays, because the whole country will be celebrating it, too! Bayou Wox = fireworks? Did I finally figure it out?!July 6, 2013 – 2:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Sandy - Cute pictures, and what an awesome way to double celebrate! Would love to post your adventures in DC with Flat Julia. Could you email me some details, pictures etc. Would love to talk about the assignment as well. No last names of course to protect the kids.
    my email is sandycrochet at gmail dot comJuly 6, 2013 – 3:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Lori,
    I know – I’d forgotten what Truly Relaxed was as well. Highly recommend re-finding it. It’s a pretty perfect place. I hope you get there, at least for a moment and SOON.
    —
    Jean,
    Four comes so FAST. I just can’t believe it either. Our babies! Eeep!
    —
    Karen,
    Thank you! I love that photo, too. He looks like such a little cool dude!
    —
    Slu,
    Thank you! You, too!
    —
    Dyanne,
    YES! Bayoux Wox = fireworks, Tucker-style! And I think it’s so cool that the whole country will always celebrate with him, too.
    —
    Sandy,
    I will email you! Thanks.
    —July 6, 2013 – 6:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Natalia Frost - Happy belated Birthday Tucker!! he looks adorable in that hat and glasses!July 7, 2013 – 10:08 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Life, Unexpectedly - Happy Birthday to your little man! Sounds like a perfect birthday! Glad that a day of sun and sad brought yo to a happy plan. I bet there are many more beach days ahead of you this summer!July 7, 2013 – 3:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - Happy happy Birthday, dear Tucker! Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration of your birthday with the biggest fireworks in the US! What a perfect day to celebrate!

    And what a happy day for you, my dear friend! I hope you all enjoyed yourselves and that you have a wonderful holiday! I envy you for the beach and the ocean!

    I loved to read that you are not anxious anymore! What a huge step! So glad for you!! xoxo

    Take care, my friend!July 7, 2013 – 3:49 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - …am I late to the party, again? damn! sounds like a splendid time at the beach.

    I actually have a memory remnant from being almost Tuckers age… being at the beach, (maybe 5, 6 at the most) and the memory is mostly the warm sand and that really curious, slightly iodine smell of salt water and seaweed. Still a powerful smell-whatver when I go to the water in summer.

    (Hey! Tucker… tell your Mom it’s ok, if you want to wear the Doctrine docTee… if you like, I’ll send you a grey one! …being your birthday an such)July 7, 2013 – 5:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Natalia,
    Thank you! I think so, too.
    —
    Stephanie,
    I hope there are more beach days!
    —
    Joy,
    Thank you love. Not being anxious on vacation is the best birthday gift I can give to Tucker…hugs.
    —
    Clark.
    Well. Duh to being late but you are forgiven. And that’s so cool about your early memory! It’s amazing how scents/smells take us back. And YES, Tucker would LOVE a doctee. I think he may end up as a Scott although he’s still developing and might become a Roger. He’s fascinated by the mechanical (as many autistic people are). I did take a photo (had hubs do which means it likely sucks) of me wearing my Clark Tee at the beach! I’ll see how it turned out and email it to you.
    —July 7, 2013 – 11:50 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Happy belated birthday, Tucker! Hope you had a relaxing weekend, Kristi. And “happy to you”…love it. Covers everything – I’m going to start using it.July 8, 2013 – 9:06 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - I am catching up on all my posts now, and I am so glad I read this one first! When I read #5 about how you were feeling truly relaxed, I felt like crying a little. Not just because I am insanely jealous that you were at the beach, but also because I was SO happy for you. I am so glad your anxiety melted away. Which, to do a cheesy segue-way, Happy to You totally melted my heart. What a doll. SO happy your trip, or at least the first few days, was fantastic! Can’t wait to hear about it- try to keep your relaxed vibe going as long as you can! xoJuly 8, 2013 – 9:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Jak - Happy Belated Birthday to Tucker! It sounds like it was a joyous time and it’s great you were able to finally relax.

    It’s been ages since being to the beach… for some reason I feel as though I’ve stated this recently…

    I really hope you are able to make more time for simple relaxing moments like this!

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of InkJuly 8, 2013 – 11:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa@Home on Deranged - Such a beautiful momma and a beautiful boy. And a beautiful husband, too, I’m sure! I love #2 because, well, cake and brownies. But I’m glad he got to enjoy fireworks and that Tucker felt like the man of the hour for his birthday. Showing off is allowed!July 9, 2013 – 3:22 pmReplyCancel

It’s Wednesday and that means that you get a break from reading my drivel because I’m honored to feature another amazing author in today’s Our Land Series. For those of you new to Finding Ninee, it began here because well, of you.  You. You people are amazing.  Today’s post has been authored by Just Jennifer (AKA Jenni, Jen, Jen-Jen, Jeffiner and other […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Michelle Liew - When I had two brain tumors diagnosed, I lost many of my fine motor skills (writing, holding a cup, pen, etc) for about a year. I was all of nineteen then and though it will never be the sort of thing any one ever wants to have, or wish on anyone, it did teach me what you’ve taught us today – that it is in appreciating little things.

    So true that we sometimes never truly appreciate what we have till we have lost it. I am a fan of the Our Land series.July 3, 2013 – 7:35 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - This is really a great take on how to perceive some one with a disability. They truly are stronger than the average bear. I don’t mind being humbled by Boo. But I do mind being humiliated when it comes to seeking services for our child. I think the land you describe is spectacular. Great addition to the Our Land Series!July 3, 2013 – 7:38 amReplyCancel

  • Chris Carter - This is just so powerful, inspiring, and beautiful all at once. Thank you for touching my heart in a new way, and encouraging me to be a better person. God BLESS you!!!July 3, 2013 – 8:27 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Michelle,
    How scary to get two brain tumors at such a young age! I’m so glad you’re okay today and love your perspective – yes! to appreciating the little things.
    —
    Kerri,
    I don’t mind being humbled by Tucker either and often am. I think the land Jeffiner (heh – love that) is spectacular as well. Thank you.
    —July 3, 2013 – 8:27 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - I actually saw this with my own father recently when he had a mild stroke. He had been trying for years to quit smoking and knew all the dangers, but just couldn’t kick this bad habit and addiction. He then had a mild stroke and was fearing what worse could happen to him. So just like that he gave up smoking out of worrying that he could end up with worse or even dead. So you are truly right that we, as humans have this great capacity to come out stronger from a tragedy. Thank you for sharing and another great Our Land addition!!July 3, 2013 – 8:30 amReplyCancel

  • Considerer - I adore Jennifer’s version of Our Land. I want to live there.

    I recently had the incredibly humbling experience of being invited to visit my friend in a mental hospital, and was so anxious about what it would be like, but when I was there, it was a haven. People were ‘for’ one another. They spent their time doing good, doing healing, doing cheering and helping.

    These fragile, broken, souls touched my heart very deeply and their lesson was clear.

    And yet, the more of life I live, the more I think that we are all broken in some way. We all hurt. We all have pain and a bit of crazy in our lives. And we’re *so* good at thinking we’re the only ones.

    Connectedness.

    This is what Our Land is beginning to create.

    Joining up the dots, the hearts, the minds, and letting people learn from one another.

    Jennifer, you are amazing and I love how you wrote this.

    Kristi, I am a little bit in awe of this here thing you’re making happen (I expect you might be a little bit, too).

    God bless you both.July 3, 2013 – 9:10 amReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Janine,
    Congratulations to your dad for quitting smoking. One of the hardest things to quit even when the facts are there that it’s so bad for us. I’m so glad he came out stronger from tragedy!
    —
    Considerer,
    You’re so right that it’s easy to think we’re the only ones but we are all broken in some way. Connectedness gets us through. And yes, I’m a bit in awe of it as well. Thank you!
    —July 3, 2013 – 9:45 amReplyCancel

  • Jessica - Yay! I love Just Jennifer and her blog, and seeing her on another of my favorite blogs is so wonderful! I think it’s important that we learn everyone’s stories, and not judge them by what we see or what perceived notions we may have about them. We can learn so much from each other if we listen and are empathetic. Jennifer makes a great point about our challenges making us stronger and better. Great post.July 3, 2013 – 11:16 amReplyCancel

  • just JENNIFER - I’m kinda confused about Kristi’s comments here, so I’m doubling up I think: Thank you all so much for your wonderful comments! I really am Humbled. 🙂July 3, 2013 – 2:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Jak - Hello Jennifer,
    –
    I agree that showing “weakness” is a sign of strength, whether needing help physically or emotionally or on some other level. So often people think that it is shameful to ask for help. People with disabilities or those with none alike fall victim to this stubborn pride.
    –
    In terms of individuals facing hardships with words of wisdom to share with the rest of the world, I believe this is very true. I also believe that it’s important that those individuals have done whatever acceptance and healing needed beforehand. Sometimes tragedies leave people so distraught emotionally, that they aren’t at a place of peace and acceptance.
    –
    Not that they should necessarily be okay with what’s happened, but yet… be okay with whatever happened/is going on. Not sure that makes sense, but it does in my head.
    –
    Basically, sometimes people are full of hate/regret/shame/fear that it’s important before they impart their experiences to the world that they have come to terms with everything. Grasped balance, acceptance, and love so they are coming from a positive place and not a negative one.
    –
    These are the people you explain that overcome their limitations and continue to strive and live life to the fullest. Not that there aren’t going to be hard times mixed in.
    –
    Not sure if your husband was born as a type 1 diabetic, but at one time I had been diagnosed with it as well. It was a pretty scary moment, and I’ve not written about it yet, but plan to at some point once I get some information I need. I can’t imagine having to do dialysis, but others in my family have had to. My grandfather basically just “gave up” and stopped taking care of himself. I’m really glad your husband didn’t do that! And also that you continue to write and be a wonderful mother and living life to your fullest too!
    –
    I look forward to living in a world where no one is viewed as damaged goods.
    –
    Thanks again for sharing. Great post!
    –
    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of InkJuly 3, 2013 – 5:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Katia - Jennifer, as I was reading the sentence about disabled people being considered the strongest and wisest in our society I couldn’t help but think about the blind Greek oracles and future seers.

    I loved this sentence: But you know what? Showing weakness is actually a form of strength. I was thinking about this the other day. Weak people do not admit to mistakes.Weak people do not acknowledge their limitations.

    What a wise post.July 3, 2013 – 7:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa@Home on Deranged - Kristi – I never cease to be amazed at all the wonderful people you find for these posts. I look forward to it every week,just wondering what something new I will learn.

    Jennifer – Do you wonder if it is fear that causes some of us to behave badly around those with visible disabilities? I’ve tried to figure it out ever since my mom’s terminal illness forced her onto oxygen 24/7 and into a wheelchair. The few times she allowed us to take her in public, I was struck by how rude or dismissive or just plain unhelpful people can be. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!July 4, 2013 – 1:30 amReplyCancel

  • K - This is beautiful, powerful, and profoundly moving. Thank you so much for sharing. I am going to bookmark this post so I can read it again and again. And Kristi, thank you so much for starting this beautiful series, for showing us Our Land, and for introducing us to all of these amazing individuals.July 4, 2013 – 11:09 amReplyCancel

  • Jen - This is a great post, and I completely agree. My son has Sensory Processing Disorder, I did a post for Kristi too, and trying to get him services was impossible! He had a disorder you couldn’t see, and the questions were all about physical impairments. SO many people think that if you can’t see it, it’s not a disability.
    Meanwhile on the same note, so many people who’s disabilities you can see are treated differently, or even ignored. As a mom, that lesson: Do not be afraid of people who are different than you. Is so hard. But so necessary. We must model the behavior we want to see in our kids all the time.
    Thanks for the wonderful post!July 5, 2013 – 10:13 amReplyCancel

  • Anita @ Losing Austin - Jennifer, I love your post. But more importantly to me, I connected instantly with you over your husband’s health issues and the strength you clearly have- my best friend, who is more like my brother, is currently in the hospital for his 10th week, as a result of complications from Type 1- dialysis is part of the mix, as well as two strokes and multiple infections that have left him close to death a few times. We’re praying for him to get strong enough that kidney transplant is possible. He’s 37 and Dad to 4 young kids. His wife has so much on her shoulders.

    Can’t wait to go learn more about you on your site- thanks for sharing here as well.July 5, 2013 – 12:07 pmReplyCancel

  • TriGirl - My father had a stroke at age 53 and it was awful. But like you said, it made him so much stronger for it. It changed my mom and all of us as well. No sidelining happening here. My dad is back to being front and centre.July 7, 2013 – 1:33 amReplyCancel

  • Joy - What a wonderful world it is that Jennifer describes! Heaven on earth! Would love to be there!July 23, 2013 – 2:50 amReplyCancel

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