ABC's...and circles...and a yawn

Easter Firsts

This was the oldest picture I have of me on Easter- could my dress have been any poofier or my legs any skinnier?? I wish that the latter was still an issue. I have very few memories of childhood Easters. My friends will tell you, when I do have a memory, I can recall every single detail- but childhood memories are sometimes few and far between.

I do remember always having massive Easter egg hunts with family which is a tradition we still carry on. Hill enjoyed a big hunt on Friday at our sweet Aunt Monk's house with all of "his girls" . He then went to the Ross Bridge hunt on Saturday morning which was just as much organized chaotic fun as last year- hence his covered ear stance. He had the most fun riding the train all morning with Wilson.

Easter morning, Scott and Hill went to Tuscaloosa to see Gin-Gin and since Rett got the lovely gift of the flu from big brother, we partied it up in the house all weekend...including today- Easter Day.

That takes me to my day of firsts.

First Easter without my Dad. First Easter at home without extended family.

But also, first Easter with my two sweet babies...in our new house in our wonderful new neighborhood. First time to have Boody here to wake up with us and see what the Easter Bunny left!

As hard as it was to be at home today thinking of Easters passed...it was very humbling to not be caught up in getting ready for Church and lunch and egg hunts...my mind was on the events of that empty tomb. I got a text message from my friend, Jaime, today that said, "He has risen!!" I quickly thought about the women that found the empy tomb and were instructed to go and inform the disciples that "He is not here, but is risen..." (Luke 25:6). The delivery of the message has changed quiet a bit over the years...but the glorious words are still the reason for celebration....no matter where we are or who we are with...or without.

And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Romans 1:4-5

Dad

O.H. "Hugh" Campbell

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Collier-Butler Chapel for Mr. O.H. "Hugh" Campbell, 66, Gadsden, who died Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The Rev. L. Roy Taylor will officiate with burial at Forrest Cemetery. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services directing.

Mr. Campbell was a native and lifelong resident of Etowah County. He was a retired captain with the U.S. Navy, a 1959 graduate of Gadsden High School and a graduate of Samford University School of Pharmacy, receiving his doctorate degree. He received his MBA at the University of Alabama and a Master's in Education from Jacksonville State University. He began Officer Candidate School in May of 1964. His first mission was as an engineering officer on a mine sweeping mission off the coast of Charleston, S.C. His last mission was as an engineering officer on a destroyer escort in Vietnam in 1967. He served in the Naval Reserves until 2002 when he retired as a Navy captain. Before his illness, he was an active member of Rainbow Presbyterian Church. He served as a deacon and on the building committee. He worked for several pharmaceutical companies and he established Accucare, one of the first home infusion companies in Etowah County. He enjoyed being a member of the Etowah County Historical Society, traveling the world, was an automobile enthusiast and dedicated Alabama football fan. The joys of his life were his grandsons and his dog, Oscar.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Oscar B. and Radah C. Campbell. He is survived by his wife, Judy K. Campbell; daughter, Valerie Campbell Hughen; son-in-law, Scott Patrick Hughen; grandchildren, Charles "Hill" Hughen and Everett Scott "Rett" Hughen; brothers, Randy (Marty) Campbell and Jimmy Campbell; and many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great- nephews.

Memorials may be made to the Rainbow Presbyterian Church, 3220 Rainbow Drive, Rainbow City, AL 35906.

Pallbearers will be Scott Hughen, Randy Campbell, Joey Campbell, Dr. Alberto Echeverri, Richard McFarland, Steve Wilcox, Felton Champion and Benny Campbell. Honorary pallbearers will be all personal friends, Advanced Home Care and all health care professionals that provided such excellent care.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 this evening.

Arrangements

Visitation will be at Collier Butler Funeral Home in Gadsden on:
Thursday 5:00-7:00
The funeral will be on:
Friday at 11:00 am.

Thank you for your prayers everyone. I'm doing okay and can truly feel my Father's arms around me during the time of losing my father on earth. I apologize in advance for, once again, not returning a lot of calls. Right now I'm just trying to be as strong as I can for Mom and the more I talk about it, the more that seems to weaken my emotions. I know all of my wonderful friends will understand that...I will need you all soon. But please know how much just knowing you called, and emailed, and texted mean to me....really.

Thank you again.

Prayers

For those of you that I haven't been able to call or for those of you that have not heard...my Dad went home last night to be with our Father.

Please keep our family in your prayers...especially Boody.

The List

A couple of weeks ago Ross Bridge had a big Casino Night at the hotel for the residents. It's the one function that they have just for adults and that was okay with us since Scott and I were long overdo for a date night. Now, all we needed was a babysitter- easy, right? Not so much. With everything going on with Dad, Boody wasn't able to stay...Scott's Mom had out of town guests...Margaret was sick...that left us with actually having to find someone out of the family/friend chain for the first time. When we first moved here, I called Samford to get their "babysitting list". I was on it all four years I was there and Lauren and I constantly had Moms (and an occasional Dad) leaving messages begging us to come sit for their kids. We always found it funny that they would just randomlly call some student on a list to come keep their children- but we never complained and usually always would sit...sometimes regretibly so. Oh, the stories we could tell.

So, I pulled out the list...dialed the number...and the minute the girl said "hello", I all of the sudden had flashbacks and quickly had to remember that I was now the "random Mom" in this situation...WHAT!?!?!?! When did that happen!?!?!!? When did I graduate college...almost TEN years ago...just to become the random Mom calling girls on a list to come babysit my TWO children...I mean, when did that happen!?!?!? I was the uncool Mom barging in on their sorority functions, and dates, and girl nights...and of all weekends, that happened to be Step Sing weekend. After about 20 calls (really) I found the one girl not participating in Step Sing b/c she was a fifth year nursing student. All worked out great.

Now, we need a sitter for this weekend. I wanted someone a little younger that might be around for awhile so that the boys can get to know her and provide some consistancy. Pulled out the list again. This time I called a girl that returned my call last time and sounded so sweet...sophmore interior design major from Florida. She still sounded really sweet and told me that she had a lot more free time since she "just quit cheerleading because of a torn ACL". Great, now I'm thinking that's ALL I need is a cute little college cheerleader to make me feel REALLY outdated and REALLY out of shape.

I keep repeating to myself, "I am a mom...I am a mom." At some point that will sink in...right?

"Dimples" Hughen

His favorite toy, a box.