Doc Appointment 12/17/08

Well I went to the doctor today for my 14 week checkup. I was so proud of myself because in almost 4 months I have only gained 1 pound. That is excellent!!! I listened to the baby's heartbeat today and it ranged between 140 to 145 bpm. I head back to the doctor in 4 weeks on the 16th of January and then two more weeks after that I head back to the doctor for my ultrasound to see the sex of the baby.

And Finals have Begun!!

Well finals are here and it is crazy because it seems like this semester has just began.... what happened to the last four months!! Well I took my first final last Friday and I did pretty good on it. I ended up making a "B" on the final and in the class which makes me happy. I am taking my second final this afternoon at 3 and that is my methods reading and writing class. I have worked so hard in there and I hope that my teacher sees that I have been busting it to finish everything and do well in the class. My big resource unit that we have been working on all semester I ended up making a 95% on which really made me happy!!! After today I have a two day break and then off to math and astronomy. I will be so glad when this week is over because I will have a little break from school, but yay after this week I will be packing and getting ready to move because we only have three more weeks until we have to be completely out of our house so the demolition can begin!!! Well everyone pray for me that this next week runs smoothly and I end these classes with the best grades possible.

Baby Williams 10 weeks

Well my 10 week appointment was today and the baby is doing wonderful!! The little thing is finally looking like a baby ( YAY) The baby's heart rate is 174bpm and the baby was moving all over the place. It is so crazy that in four weeks the baby could have grown that much. I am really getting excited about my baby and about finding out if I am having a boy or a girl. Whichever is inside of me I pray that the baby is healthy and full of life and intelligence like its big sister is. I will head back to the doctor on the 17th of December for my next appointment.

The baby

Ok so I don't know if you can see it or not but here is the baby!! As of this upcoming week I am going to be 8 weeks along and really starting to feel it sometimes. It still hasn't hit me yet that I am really pregnant but hopefully it will hit in a few months. When I spoke to the doctor I told him the problems that I had delivering Larissa and he said that he saw no reason why I shouldn't have a C section which is good because that is what I wanted. The baby will come as of right now on June 2nd of next year. I'll keep posting on baby updates as the months progress.

October Updates

So I just wanted to do a sort of update to let everyone know how things are going. Larissa is now 21 months old and getting so big!! I can not believe that I am planning my baby's 2 year old birthday party soon!!! Well as most of yall know I have the biggest sweetheart for a daughterI love her Big smiles!!!



We have also been really working on the whole potty issue. I tried to explain to Larissa that she was a big girl and that big girls use the potty. She is so cute because she will tell me everyone that she knows that pottys ( And trust me she goes on for a while). But I told her that they are all big girls and boys that that she needed to be like them so we have been potting just a little bit but i am sure the more that we work at it the more she will be going.



We also changed Larissa's room into a big girl room. She has a big girl bed with Disney Princess sheets and we got her a canvas "thanks destiny" that she liked and wanted to help us put it up!!


Now I did not think that it would be so easy to explain to a 2 year old that they are going to be a big sister. One evening last week Larissa and I were laying in her bed reading a book and after the book was done I told her that Mommy needed to talk to her. I told her that she was going to be a big sister and that there was a baby growing in my belly. At that moment she screamed for her daddy and told him theres a baby in mommas belly. Now everyday we have the talk and she tells me where her baby is. Sometimes her baby is in her belly but then I just have to ask her where her baby is in mommas belly and she will show me and kiss and rub on my belly. I know that my baby is going to be a wonderful big sister!! I head to the doctor Monday so I will post something after the doctors visit!!!

Eagle Scout project dedicated to fellow Scout

There are 10 signs that show pictures and information about species of birds and the trailhead sign at the C. Bickham Dickson park in Shreveport. The project was to earn the rank of Eagle Scout for Tristan Davey, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron son and a junior in high school, and for his troop, which is based out of King's Highway Christian Church.

"As a military brat, I know that only hard work and perseverance can bring about a job well done," Tristan said. "Using both, Troop 92 accomplished their goal of honoring a past scout.

Tristan said when it came to the quality of the product, his role as a military brat is apparent.

"Everything in the military has to be done right the first time or it's not worth doing, so I didn't want anything to go wrong with the project; it's going to have my name on it forever," Tristan said.

Tristan said his dad was an Eagle Scout, too, and he decided to pursue that rank when he realized he could keep it beyond the age of 18.

MaryBeth Davey, his mother, said scouting has been the one constant for Tristan. She added how the organization allowing him to keep his rank has helped his transition into a new troop during military moves.

Tristan had known Matthew in general, but didn't know much about him besides that he had been a Boy Scout, so he got more information from his Scout leader. Matthew had come to C. Bickham Dickson park for his first bird watch.

"I didn't want to make something temporary that just looks pretty, I wanted to make a usable memorial," Tristan said, adding there are the most species of birds available in that area, so it is a big bird-watching area.

Tristan had done an internship with LSUS in their life sciences division, and he worked through that school to get a permit to put in the signs.

"Tristan has a passion for biology, so it kind of fits both interests," MaryBeth Davey said.

Tristan did the measuring, the planning and the fundraising toward the project. The unveiling of the memorial and the bird signs came Aug. 9.

The most challenging aspect of the project for Tristan was not being able to do much of the hands-on work and had to let the Boy Scout troop do it.

"It's like telling me to plan something out of Legos without touching a Lego set," he said.

"The Eagle Scouts project is more about leadership — planning it and leading others to do it more than actually doing it," MaryBeth Davey said.

Matthew's parents also helped put the signs up.

"It was really interesting because the adults set up the first sign and then the Scouts helped more with the second sign, and it evolved so the last sign was done completely by the Scouts," MaryBeth Davey said.

The troop did fundraising at King's Highway Christian Church and Broadmoor United Methodist Church. The project was budgeted to be $540 and they received almost $1,000. A contractor, one of the Scout's dad, donated tools for the job and at first offered a discount, but then he chose to donate the plastic lumber signs, which cost $27 each.

With the money that is left over, Tristan plans to get a granite stone and have the Scout law routed into it and set up a scholarship for Scouts to attend camp.

Tristan passed a local board of review Aug. 21 and has submitted the project to a national panel for their review before he officially earns the Eagle Scout rank.

He plans to pin on the rank in a ceremony during his Christmas break.

Classmates Honor Late student-article in the times September 17,2008

I just wanted to share this..... As Matt's Birthday draws near its nice to know that there are still articles on him 7 months after his passing

This isn't your average school garden, and it's no outdoor classroom project. Rather, the new garden at Youree Drive Middle School is a memorial to one fallen classmate.

The Matthew Campbell Garden is a tribute to 15-year-old Campbell, born with hypoplastic right heart syndrome, who died Feb. 3 from a mold condition after receiving a heart transplant in Dallas.

The garden was last year's eight-grade class project.

Youree Drive Middle Principal Victor Mainiero said it all started with an idea from Nicole Ayers, yearbook sponsor, who thought to buy bricks, engraved with students' names to honor Campbell.

Then, eighth-graders decided to take it on as their class project. Mainiero said half of the class purchased bricks, and the other students' names were inscribed by the school.

"Really, it grew when we started getting more and more bricks. Every eighth-grader's going to be on it," Mainiero said. "More and more students decided they wanted to buy bricks, so we tied it into our eighth-grade class project. So it grew and grew."

Mainiero said the whole school, in some way, had a hand in the garden. With the size of the garden, bricks are still arriving weekly, and one-third is currently in place. The next step is a pathway connecting the garden to the patio walkway.

"Phase II will be with Centenary friends and family," he said. "That will be a pathway leading up to the garden."

Matthew Campbell's mother, Francine Campbell, said he had undergone multiple surgeries before he was 18 months old. After that, his condition improved, and during his younger days, he played sports like most children his age.

Then, about three years ago, Matthew developed a protein-losing enteropathy and needed a second heart, which his body responded to well, Francine Campbell said.

But, that wasn't Matthew Campbell's only triumph. His birth was considered a miracle, as doctors thought he wouldn't make it, Francine Campbell said.

"He truly was a gift, and that's why we named him Matthew," Francine Campbell said. "And he truly was a gift."

His life, too, was a blessing to others, Francine Campbell said.

"Matthew never complained, never in his whole life. He was in band. When he was younger, he played baseball and flag football. He got out there and did everything everybody else was doing. Then he had his Boy Scouts, and that's what he loved. He was a tremendous kid," Francine Campbell said. "Matthew's story brought hope to a lot of people and strengthened their faith."

And there was an outpouring of response from people, she said.

"Matthew just brought a lot of people together. He just instilled a lot of hope in people," Campbell said. "I got cards. We received mail. People from all over the world were praying for Matthew."

Because of Matthew's great spirit, Francine Campbell is happy his friends and classmates have honored him.

"The eighth-grade class does a project every year, and this was their project (last year)," Francine Campbell said. "It's a huge garden between the seventh- and eighth-grade wing. The whole garden is in his honor. It makes me very proud and very honored to be his mother."

Francine Campbell, who started a scholarship fund at Centenary College after his passing, didn't want the inspiration he brought to end with his death.

She hopes maybe 20 years from now someone may find strength from Matthew Campbell's story.

"That's the main thing — is to tell his story."

The First Day is OVER!!!!

YAY!! Its over... but now the hard part starts. WORK WORK WORK!!!! But I believe that I will have a pretty good semester. The two classes that I had today were both of my methods courses. My English/Language Arts class will have tons more work than my Social Studies class. But, my social studies class seems like it will be a more energetic and fun enviornment than the other, and plus my professor goes to Eastwood which she thought was ironic and funny. Now on to Math tomorrow, YUCK!!!!

First Day of School

So all today I was okay about starting school but on my way home from work today one of my friends called and said that there was already things posted for homework to turn in tomorrow and I haven't even gone to a first class yet. It really stresses me out because I want to do the best in these classes that I can. I want to get all the things done in the classrooms that I can that way I can focus on my direct schoolwork. Thank the lord for the teachers that I have met!! Without them I would be lost because I would have to try and find particular classrooms to observe. I know that my day tomorrow will be okay but with another semester comes harder classes and more time spent studying and at school. I have two night classes this semester also, YUCK!!!! It is so hard for me to keep my focus on class for that long but I have to try and find a way to do it. Just please keep me in your prayers that I will be able to complete this upcoming semester without any problems and finish with the grades that I need and deserve

Gulf Shores 2008

Well today my family and I got back from our vacation to the beach. The 8 hour car ride there was very hectic with Larissa in the car. I was surprised though because she did so god and was so calm. By the last two hours of the trip though she was so pooped that she couldn't even pick her sweet head up. But of course when we finally reached our destination she was ready to go looking around and oohhhing and aahhing at everything that she saw!!! Larissa did not know what to think of the beach and the sand at first. She had some problems walking in it but by the time that we had to leave to go home she was an old pro at it.

She loved to look up at the sky and call to the seagulls "by the way we learned a new word" and even chase them down the beach. Everywhere we went she kept saying seagulls, seagulls, seagulls, and it was hard trying to get her to understand why they wouldn't come to her and would rather fish in the ocean. She built some sand castles while we were there and loved to run up and down the beach!!


We had so much fun that I came home and started trying to plan a family trip for next summer where we have more time and can stay a week in the sand and the ocean!!

The Church Fellowship

So I never knew that I could have so much fun with a group of women!! We most definitely need to make this outing a monthly one. It will always remind me of the day that I tried to cook but in turn smoked my whole kitchen but when I came home my dinner was more than half gone and was a big hit!! YAY!! I can not wait to see Sharron's pics of the evening that we spent together

The Outcome of Saturday

Ok so Saturday a surveyor came to our house to appraise and survey the land. He let us know that the city is planning on building a right turn lane at the corner of Shed Rd and Swan Lake Rd. Because of this the house next door to ours on the corner will have to be torn down. Our house on the other hand will now be the corner house on the corner of now two lanes of traffic going from both Shed Rd and Swan Lake Rd. The city will also be buying us out of 20 ft of our front yard so that they can widen the roads. So not only will we have to hear construction for a while but now we have less of a yard for Larissa to play in and cars coming from every direction around us. The construction will be done no matter if we refuse the cities offer or not because it is for "the good of the city" so now we have to wait at least 60 days to see what they will be offering us for our 20 ft of land and for the loss of value to our home.

Please Pray for Us!!

Well we had some wonderful news the other day. The couple that we are buying our house from called and said that the City of Bossier called them and want to send their attorney to come and speak to us about buying our house so that they can make a 4 lane at the end of Shed Rd, which would mean tearing down our home. We have been renovating our house for the past few weeks so I kind of hate that we have done all of these improvements to the house just for it to be torn down, but if they give us enough, which I am sure that they will then we will be able to pay cash for a nice double or triple wide and move it out to Haughton. We knew that this day would come where they were going to rezone our area but we did not know that it was going to be happening this soon. I am praying that we get offered a decent amount so that all of our dreams can come true now instead of in a few years after I finish school like we had been planning. I will let everyone know tomorrow after the lawyer leaves what happened

Larissa is 18 months old!!!

Well I can't believe it.... we have less than 6 months until my Larissa turns 2 years old. I never would have imagined that I would have such a smart and wonderful child. She has her own little bubbly personality that shines through the moment that you lay eyes on her. She does so much stuff now it is unreal. First, you can not keep her still for more than just a few minutes if your lucky. She loves to run and play and dance!! She has just started telling people that she loves them. She will point to herself and then wrap her arms around each other and kind of give herself a hug for loves and then say the persons name that she loves. She made me cry the other night because I told her that I loved her and then without me asking she pointed to herself and then did the love sign and then said mama. That was so sweet because she has never done it without me asking her who she loves before. She loves to swim this summer. I am excited because I think that next summer she will be ready for swimming lessons, yay!! She loves balls.... if it is round then it is a ball. We are working on that but at least she knows the shape of objects. She is learning animal sounds and parts of the body also. She can tell you what a dog, cat, duck, elephant, monkey, frog, cow, tiger, and rooster say. She can also show you were her or your eyes, head, hair, nose, mouth, teeth, ears, cheeks, chin, elbows, hands, fingers, feet, toes, knees and stomach are. Her vocabulary has also increased alot also. She is beginning to repeat things that you tell her to say, for example peoples names. I have already started looking at Christmas and birthday presents for a 2 year old and that is crazy because it seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with her and now my baby is becoming a sweet little toddler. It is sad that she is growing but it also excites me to see what the next year will bring us and what wonderful ways that my precious angel will fill my heart even bigger with love and joy!!

Matthew 10/22/92-02/03/08

My Matthew

So last Thursday was 5 months since my wonderful cousin passed away. I went to his grave today because I had not been in a few months and I needed to just talk to him. It feels weird saying all of the things that I should have said to him when he was alive now that he is gone. I never wanted him to feel like I looked at him any different than anyone else and I guess that is why I never told him how I truly felt about him. Not only was he my hero but he was the one that I looked up to because no matter the outcome of anything he always kept a smile!! When I got married 2 years ago I wanted him in my wedding. When I called to ask him I could tell that he was happy that I asked him but also not happy at the same time because he had to wear a "monkey suit". But of course he got measured and dressed up all nice for me, and doing that meant so much . He was my right hand man, literally!! We made a pact that we would always be there for each other when the other needed "an extra hand". It still breaks me apart inside that I was not there to hold his hand and tell him that it would all be okay the day that he passed away. But maybe it was gods wish that I not see him in that state and that was the reason that things happened the way that they did. I did make sure that everyone there told him how much I loved him and the reason that I was not there with everyone. I will always remember that he told me that no one understood him like I did and that with each others sides we were complete!! Now that he is gone I feel a part of myself is gone also. I had a dream about him about a week after he passed away. In my dream he was about six feet tall and he looked wonderful. He also told me that he had spoke to Jesus and because I was having such a hard time with his death that he had okayed it with Jesus and I can see him through the side gates of heaven. I remember in my dream that I just kept looking at him and could not believe what changes had occurred since he had passed. He told me that is what heaven does to you, it makes you normal! I knew that he would never need me again. But of course my wonderful Matthew reassured me that he would always need me and that even though he was gone physically he would always be there for me also. I love him very much and miss him every day of my life. I look forward to the day many many many years from now when I will be able to see my angel again and give him the biggest hug and just tell him that I love him!!!

My Wedding

The 4th

So the Fourth of July was a lot of fun this year!! Larissa is almost 18 months old so I knew that it was going to be an experience introducing her again to all the fun and excitement. Larissa and I went to the lake yesterday morning and she swam for the first time in the lake. After the lake we came home where we popped fireworks and did sparklers. Larissa did not too much like the big loud fireworks but she thought that the colors were "very pretty". Larissa did the sparklers with both her daddy and I. She was mesmerized by them. It was a wonderful day yesterday and I am so glad that Larissa had such a good experience

My Larissa

So I wanted to take a trip down the Larissa memory lane so here goes nothing.......I went into the hospital early in the morning on January 9th 2007, thinking oh in just a few hours I will have my baby in my arms..... boy was I wrong!!! Time progressed and so did the pain so of course I had to have the wonderful epidural. Then at 7:21 in the evening my wonderful baby was born and I was all smiles. The months just seemed to fly and my beautiful baby that was just born was getting older. Larissa began to do more things like trying to sit up and hold her head up all by herself. She even had her lazy moments and even her fits!!Then it became time for her 1st birthday... Boy I will never forget that one because she refused to take a nap and fell asleep before she got a chance to open her presents, but don't worry she ended up waking up close to the end. Now my beautiful baby girl is pushing a year and a half already. She is wanting to use the potty and her vocabulary is increasing by the day!! She is the smartest baby I know, but I guess thats normal for a mommy to think of her baby that way. I love her with all my heart and I hope that everyone enjoyed my walk down memory lane as much as I did.

Good News!!

I received a letter yesterday that stated that I have gotten into TEPAR ( Teacher Education Program-Add and Retention) at LSUS. This is a big step for me because never in my life did I think that I would have gotten this far into school or into a career path. When I graduated high school ten years ago I "did not need college and was not going to go". Now I realized that I was extremely wrong. It has taken 10 years but I finally am almost done taking classes for the profession that god put me on this earth to do!!

Matt

Well I'm new at all of this so here it goes. I have homework to do but I can not seem to get in the frame of mind to do it. I just put Larissa to sleep and started to think about my Matthew. Over two months ago he passed away and everyday I miss him that much more. He was so special to me and I feel as if he was stripped away from my family and I with no warning at all. I do not understand how someone with such a passion for life can not be living anymore. I never got to tell him that he is my HERO!! For so long I felt sorry for myself, but then there is Matt and even at his worst days still held that wonderful smile that I miss so much. Even in the last minutes of his life never did that wonderful smile stop. I love you Matt and I miss you more and more as the days progress. I am attaching his caring bridge site. I hope that everyone looks at it and finds as much strength and inspiration in my Matt that I have... http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewcampbell