beach bash.

Today was the last day of VBS Beach Bash at Covenant. Brooks and Ann Bennett had the BEST time with their friends this week learning that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life!

campbell: one year.

Camp, my beautiful baby boy, you are one year old and today my mama heart is feeling all the emotions and it's simply wonderful, and heart-wrenching, and unraveling all at the same time. I know that I already posted about how we celebrated your birthday, but for this post, I really want to display my love for you in this chapter of our story. I didn't have the time to snap your one year pictures, but I did get a few shots with my film camera that'll do. 

Let's start with the important dates and get those out of the way…

This month, you finally became sturdy on your feet. You walked really well while holding on to our hands or while pushing the push toy. On May 24th you took your first step with your left foot. Four days later, on the 28th, you took a whopping 8 steps total. Today, you are officially walking and it won't be long until you are running. 

You also have more teeth. On the 21st ish your top left and bottom left teeth broke through.  You have several more that aren't far behind. 

…Now on to what I really want to tell you. 

Campbell Alden, we are so incredibly thankful for your precious life and are overwhelmed that you are ours. You are ours to love and ours to lead. You are ours to nurture and ours to shepherd. You are such a gift, cherished beyond measure. 

In this broken and hurting world, desperate for the Gospel of healing hope and love, we pray that you will always reach up towards your Savior, sweet boy. 

You came quickly and quietly into this world and when they placed you on my chest, my heart tripled in size…and it just keeps on growing. Oh, the joy you bring to my life! You are the missing piece to our puzzle and we cannot imagine life without you.  

You are forever my brown baby love. 

like a fish.

This evening, you swam like a fast little fish in your first actual swim meet and your mama was in tears I was so proud of you! 

Your time was 00:39:45 and you placed 13th out of 23 in the 6 & Under Boys 25Y Freestyle. Afterwards, we went to La Paz with the Owens to celebrate! 

Way to go, Brooks!

fierce love.

John, you are good to your bones. You are warm and you are kind. You lead and love with a servant heart. You are generous. You are never proud or boastful. You fiercely love God and we fiercely love you. 

Happy Father's Day. 

Today, I got to celebrate Father's Day with my sweet daddy. It was such a treat! 

I am so thankful for these men. To know them is to love them and we all love them big! 

puppy pawty.

We celebrated our sweet ONE year old this morning at his precious puppy pawty! We had a hot dog bar, pretzels, pouches, mimosas and cake for our guests, beach balls for the kiddos to play "fetch" with, and an assortment of the most adorable little puppies for our best friends to pick out and take home as a thank you for coming.

Little man wasn't too fond of the cake smash, which was so surprising to us! He dabbled in it, but definitely didn't go-to-town like we had thought. 

I cannot believe our baby boy is an entire year old—most definitely the fastest year of my life! We are so thankful for our family and friends who came to wish him a happy birthday. You are so loved, Camp!

go shawty.

It's your birthday! We're gonna party like it's your birthday. 

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY, CAMPBELL ALDEN! This morning you woke up to me singing you Happy Birthday and you greeted me with the sweetest grin between those scrumptious cheeks. Downstairs your new chariot, and siblings, awaited you. 

You were one happy boy! 

…That is, until I took you to the doctor for your one year well check-up. Let's just say, you weren't a fan of the shots. BUT! You are growing and healthy and we are so grateful. You weighed in at 22 pounds, 9 ounces (70th percentile) and measured 29 inches in height (19th percentile). Your head circumference is 47.2 centimeters (81st percentile). 

We capped the day off with barbecue and ice-cream in Edgewood. 

You basically licked the bowl clean you loved it so much. We can't wait to celebrate you big tomorrow!

(Here is a little tribute to you, my love, that I posted on social media this morning.)