out with the old..

When I met Sam Cassidi was just 16 and in need of her first car. I could not afford to buy her one so Sam was nice enough to let her take over his little truck. In all aspects Sam "gave" the truck to Cassidi. IT WAS A GREAT little truck for her. It was cute and sporty and did exactly what a first truck should do.. Time went on and now with Cassidi going off to college she wanted a car. So Cassidi bought her first car (I will post pictures soon) and so we had no need for the truck..

We sold it and its gone..

Thanks little truck for getting Cassidi through those high school years and taking a beating and being painted on time and time.. Egged a couple of times and I am sure a lot more things that I don't even want to know...

CASSIDI'S LAST DANCE!

Cassidi's final high school Prom was Saturday night. They went out with a bang. Their prom was at Utah State Capital building and they looked like movie stars..

I hope they always remember it.... (tears in my eyes thinking dances are done...)

Wow is she really this old. As I was getting her ready for this prom I said to her..

"Cass.... The next time you get ready like this will probably be your wedding!!"

although I hope and believe that is YEARS to come the thought brings a pretty surreal feeling to me.. no one told me that having your kids grow wings and finally starting to use them was going to be this hard on Mom..

SHE LOOKED SO SO PRETTY!

REMEMBER NOT TO TEXT AND DRIVE!!!

Mothers Day.

This year we are starting a tradition in our family for Mothers Day. We are going to make a team and start running in the "Race for the Cure"..

Most of you know that I am a breast cancer survivor. It has been years and years since I shed a tear about my surgery, or my scars or any of the emotional stuff that went along with breast cancer. However... When I watch this clip from Salt Lakes "Race For The Cure" and listened to the words of this song.. I CRIED.... it moved me and I wanted to share.

You can donate to my team by following the instructions below.. Or just google Race for the Cure Salt Lake City and my teams name is "HIKING FOR HOOTERS"..

I am going to tell you a story I don't know if I have ever told anyone.. and I have no idea if my Mom remembers it or not. She has never said anything if she does!
The Saturday before my surgery my Mom took me shopping to buy pj's and soft things to go on my chest and slippers, Stuff that you need when you are about to have a double mastectomy. We were in the lingerie department of Fred Meyers and I was looking at bra's and what I might be able to wear AFTER the surgery and a flood gate open.. I started to cry and I mean cry to the point I had to put my face in my hand and cried surrounded by underwear, bra's and slips!

We Need Your Support

Hello Friends and Fellow Bloggers,

My wife never asks for anything, accept a new vacuum... and a new refrigerator.... and a new oven... ok she hardly ever asks for anything lol but (all kidding aside) we are going to do the Susan G Komen Race for the cure on May 8th in Salt Lake City supporting the cure for breast cancer.
My beautiful wife sent this email out to a few friends and I thought it was perfect and shows who she is. I will post it here. I love her. Please support if you can. Its going to be a great day.

Hi All;
This is the only cause you will EVER hear me ask you to support.. Most of you know that I am a Breast Cancer Survivor. I will be 12 years clean on August 5th. EXCITING!!
For Mothers day this year I asked my family to join me in Susan G Komen's Race for the cure. So we will be walking to save boobies...
So what I am asking from my friends and family is to donate... or even better join my team and come walk with me..
It's easy to donate and support my team.. Here is the link... put in my name.. "Debbie Campbell" and it will take your credit card info. The donation can be as small $5 or as large as you want....

http://www.komenslc.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.donate
I will do my best. Please forward this email to anyone you feel may like to donate.. IF YOU DON'T HAVE BOOBS YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT DOES..

Help me save second base..
Love you all,

Debbie Campbell

Happy 23rd Josh.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture of little Josh and Sam!

I FAILED... It was Josh's Birthday on April 15th and I did not blog, and because we love Josh the most...I guess better late then never.

Josh is the oldest and lived with Sam and I for awhile until he went out into the big bad world. He is doing great and we are so proud of him. He came over for dinner on his Birthday and it was fun to catch up again and see what an extraordinary man he has turned into. Sam was younger than Josh is now when he had Josh.. hmmmm. *Josh that is a hint..

I found some pictures and the ones of Josh and Sam make me want to melt. I love them.

Here are some pictures of Josh over the years. HAPPY 23RD!

HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS, TEXT AND DRIVE IF YOU WANT TO MEET HIM!

Debbie's Morning!!

• Woke up to Sam kissing me good bye. He is out of town on business for a WEEK... *sigh


• got up got dressed and on the way to get in the bathroom I notice dog poop in our hallway.


• Clean up dog poop!


• Go in the bathroom, Wash my face and weigh myself... I GAINED 2 LBS SINCE YESTERDAY? WTH?


• Go downstairs for my morning coffee (diet coke) open it and drop it all over the kitchen.


• Clean up Diet Coke..


• It's Monday so its Laundry day!! Go upstairs and gather hangers and every one's laundry baskets.


• Carry each laundry basket down 2 flights of stairs.


• Drop Cassidi's laundry basket from first floor to second floor.. Pick up Cassidi's laundry.


• Separate laundry.. SERIOUSLY?????? (picture above of this weeks laundry) *rrrrrrr
• Chase dogs around because they are running off with everyone's underwear from laundry piles!
• Go in Laundry room to start first batch of laundry..
• Find this in the laundry baskets.. Life is better....
  

HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS, TEXT AND DRIVE IF YOU WANT TO MEET HIM!

new paint.

Sam is out of town quite a bit with his job. When a new Maverik opens or they have regional meetings he is there. I hate it.. It is hard for me and I tend to get quite anxious. He is gone this week for a couple days and ALL week next week, but that is not what this blog is about.

We have a small half bath off of our main floor family room. Like the rest of the house it needed to be painted. So the last time Sam was out of town I got my paint brush and painted the bathroom. I love it... It looks so much better. Yes it is really painted a greyish blue and I put bright orange with it!! I LOVE IT!

I wonder what I can get done in the next couple weeks while he is in and out!!

HONK IF YOU LOVE JESUS, TEXT AND DRIVE IF YOU WANT TO MEET HIM!!

To the cutest Step Dad!!

My cute Mom got married in December of 2008 to the cutes nicest man ever, Nolan.. He has taken on our crazy family and all of our crazy problems and does it with a smile. He is so gentle and kind to my Mom and after all the years my Mom was single it is nice to see her have a "soul" mate.
Nolan has given us quite a scare the last few weeks. He had a terrible pain in his leg and was just sick as heck and was put in the hospital.. To make a really long "medical mystery" short... they eventually found out he had a Aneurysm in his leg which was stopping blood flow to his lower leg. They operated on the leg. The went into the upper thigh and got a graph so they could remove the aneurysm.. Picture below...
then after the surgery to remove the aneurysm his lower leg started to swell. They said that when tissue and muscle has been this long with out blood it swells as soon as it starts to get blood. So the swelling caused a problem and they had to go in and LEAVE an open wound in his leg.. Picture below. Now the picture below is his leg as of yesterday, Saturday, afternoon. The wound care people came to take care of it..

So I am sure you are thinking the same thing we are all thinking..

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO SAVE THE FOOT?

Well we don't really know yet. There is skin that is dying on his leg and they said it will turn black and fall off but said only time will say about his foot.. on top of the aneurysm he has a really really bad staph infection.

I kinda thought hard before I blogged this because I didn't want to invade Nolan's privacy but I figure that now all my friends in my blog world can prayer for the cutest step dad ever to get better.

We love you Nolan!!

is it so hard to believe???

The first question Sam and I get asked A LOT, is...
"Did you really meet on eHarmony?"
hmmmm... I think it is obvious that we REALLY met on eHarmony but every time we meet someone and they hear about our commercial they just can't quite believe we are a real couple.
Well, I am here to tell you..

• We are a "real" couple!!


• We have a "real" house!!


• We do "real" things!


• We have "real" kids!


• We have two really spoiled dogs!


• We have "real" ugly pasts. Each of us had been married before and been in NIGHTMARE relationships and said are "do's" and then signed.. are dont's!!


• Sam's chewing ice annoys the hell out of me.


• My "analness" about how some things are done drives Sam nuts..

but the one thing that is "different" about us then the other relationships we both have been is.. WE WORK.. We don't fight, we love each other to death and we are very very best friends. So to everyone.. WE ARE A REAL COUPLE AND WE REALLY MET ON eHarmony..

remember Honk if you love Jesus, Text and drive if you want to meet him!!

FIRE FIRE FIRE!!!

Years and years ago my sister, Jill, went to her 6 year old son's, Brady, parent teacher conference. On the wall of the classroom were all these picture of what each child loves... Each child drew something they loved and wrote a short title. Most of the little kids drawing were of their Family, and their title would say.. "I LOVE MY FAMILY", or some of the Earth and would say, "I love the Earth" and then my sister spots Brady's.. There were flames all over the paper and it was messy and Brady's paper said.. "I love FIRE FIRE FIRE"...

any how onto why I am writing this blog!

WE HAD A KITCHEN FIRE.. A rag started on fire, started my cabinets on fire burnt my cupboards, countertops and made a heck of a mess. The insurance company has been here, they had a team come in and clean up and now I am just waiting for my counter tops and cabinets to be replaced..

I will post pictures but just wanted to tell you about our FIRE FIRE FIRE!!!

It was 1970 or 80 SOMETHING!!

These are all pictures of me from the 70's or 80's..I remember something from everyone of these photo's and I was looking through them and I thought to my self. "The day I got this picture taken...this happened or that happened so I wanted to share a few with you!!"

I don't remember anything from this day but I had to show you how cute I was!!
This is my kindergarten picture.. I remember this outfit like it was yesterday. It had cute peach pants that matched and a picture of an ugly doll on the back. I remember having to take a spare outfit to keep in my cubby for kindergarten (in case you had an accident). So I remember getting the picture above taken and then we went to recess and I peed my pants, I didn't want any one to know I peed my pants so I sat down in a huge puddle under the swings and pretended I fell in it. It was an eventful day because I got to change into my "spare" outfit!!

*side note.. are my bangs a little crooked?? WOW!

The day this picture was taken my Mom was out of town or had to be to work early or something and she could not do my hair for picture day.. TRAGIC IN the life of a 9 year old. So my sister Jill did my hair and I hated it.. My hair looked just like Jill's did every day and for some reason I hated it.. I hated these pictures and was quite certain my Mom would also.. My Mom got a huge 8 X 10 and put it in an ugly gold frame and there sat this picture for years...

I was not planning on getting my picture done this day. I was shopping with my Mom in Logan mall and we just swung by this place and got my pictures taken. I was in 8th grade and I remember the guy taking my pictures said to me.. "You have a string on your boob"... and I looked down and I had a grey string from somewhere and I was HORRIFIED that I had to pick it off in front of that man...

I feel like this picture should be on one of those... "what were you thinking emails".. YUCK!

This was my junior year in high school. This army green shirt had mc hammer like army green pants that went with it and I would wear white socks pushed down with army green tennis shoes.. It was horrific!!! I aqua netted my hair threw this out fit on and went to school. This guy that was a year older than me said to me.. "You look like the green hornet!!" and then I went and got my pictures taken..

and please remember.... DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!

My Brother Mark 30 years later

Most of you probably don't know that I have (had) a brother named Mark. He passed away when I was 14.. he was 24. I wont go into detail about his death since this blog is about his life when he was here. He was a great musician and was touched by the hand of God (along with his 12 string guitar). His music was truly inspiring and touched a lot of lives as he moved along in this world preaching the gospel.
Just recently he has been on my mind a lot and recently my sister Coyeanne found a 30+ year old cassette tape with nearly 40 songs of his. She converted this old tape into a CD and gave it to all of our family to enjoy and remember. She wrote down all the words and now this music can be passed down to generations.
Just today a long lost cousin of mine sent me an email on Facebook. He recently has gone through a family tragedy of his own and asked me how old I was when Mark died and we chatted a bit. I still dream of Mark singing with his 12 string and I wake up with tears even after all these years.
Here is a small portion of Pauls email this morning.

"I want you to know that even though I was raised in a Christian home and went to church all my life, Mark was the guy that truly explained the Gospel to me on night when I was 15 years old, when we were both sleeping in the same room in Grandmommy's house in Louisville.

The next day, our family left for NY, and I got out my Bible and read the entire thing within a few days. I credit my parents for bringing me up right, but I will always credit Mark for bringing the point home to where I realized my need for Jesus as the savior."

Its so great to know that Mark is still remembered and in reality, still alive in peoples hearts.

I tried to post some songs on this blog but it wont let me. If I find a way to post some MP3's I will do it.

Dear:

Dear George:

The wine barrel to the right is

NOT for you to pee on!! Not today, Not tomorrow.. NOT EVER!!!

to my head:

Please get all better!!! I am sick of being

dizzy every time I look over my shoulder, down,

or lay down!! I know it has only been 7 months but

SERIOUSLY? It's not even a cool dizzy it's a bad

carnival ride dizzy!!

TO ALL DRIVERS:

I am on a voyage to do my part in stopping people from using their phone and driving. A car is for getting to point A to point B. NOT AS A PHONE BOOTH!!

Dear Bank Account:

I think you should have more money in you! I want to go to Greece

and Venezuela and Argentina and when you are low

that is just not going to happen as fast as I want it to!

Dear Sam's Motorcycle:

Please don't kill us this summer. I love to ride

you but riding you scares me and one head injury

in my life is ENOUGH. Keep us safe from dumb

ass drivers!!

Dear house and laundry:

CLEAN YOURSELF!!

Dear Sam's Cholesterol!

In the next few months it is my life's ambition

to get you down!! Sam will probably have to do

his part also. But I need Sam around to grow old

with and YOU will not stop that!

Dear Maverik:

I am so glad to see March coming to an end.

I WANT MY HUSBAND BACK! Thank goodness

March only comes once a year and soon Maverik's March Madness

will be over. END OF THE FISCAL YEAR SUCKS!

TO ALL SIX KIDS:

Please be safe, smart, and well!!!

DON'T TEMPT FATE!! THAT TEXT CAN WAIT.. DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!

Why these are the BOMB!!!

• They do not split down the sides and you do not have to chase your can goods to your front curb!
• They fit about three times the amount as one of the plastic bags!
• DUH.. they are environmentally friendly!!
• I have to make 1/3 of the trips from my garage to my kitchen..
• I look cool while using them.
• they come in different colors, blue, green, yellow, red!!!

any how you have the point.. I LOVE LOVE LOVE reusable grocery bags mostly for selfish reasons. It makes the chore of grocery shopping easier on me!! If you don't use these you should buy a couple of them and try it, YOU WILL LIKE IT!!

DON'T TEMPT FATE, THAT TEXT WILL WAIT.. DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE!

SUCH A FUN WEEK WITH SARAH!!

Sarah (Sam's oldest daughter) and her friend, Kelsie, just left to go home to Laramie. They are now done with their spring break and back to the college life at the University of Wyoming.. We had to laugh because some girls go to Mexico and get a bunch of HOT 21 year olds.. Sarah and Kelsie came to Utah and hung out with Sam and I and all our friends.. We had such a fun week and here are a few pictures of our highlights.. I MISS YOU GUYS ALREADY!!

We had some friends come from Logan and we all road bikes to Kelly's Roadhouse. Sarah and Kelsie got offered to play with finger paint and we are not talking on paper!!
We got a little "too" Irish on St. Patties Day!!! Sam looks so cute!! OOOO.

They looked so festive in GREEN!!


Brock's 12th Birthday. We went to Gateway and like you would guess.. With 2 girl at Gateway from Laramie.. WE SHOPPED!!

We had a "Double W" party.. WAX AND WINE!!

I can't wait for Sarah to come back~

DON'T TEMP FATE, THAT TEXT WILL WAIT. DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROCK!!!

Brock turns 12 on Thursday.. 12.. he is the caboose in the family and usually is surrounded by all girls.. We love him so much and he is Sam and my little side kick!! He brings so much life to our house!! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY BROCK!!

Brock;

I've always loved you the best because endings generally are sad and you are such a joy. You readily accepted the mild-stained bibs. The lower bunk. The cracked baseball bat. The baby book, barren but for a recipe for graham cracker pie crust that someone jammed between the pages.

You are the one I held onto so tightly. For you see, you are the link with the past that gives a reason for tomorrow. You darken my hair, quicken my steps, square my shoulders, restore my vision, and give me humor that security and maturity can't give me.

When your hairline takes on the shape of Lake Erie and your children tower over you, you will still be "MY Baby."

LOVE YOU!~

MOM!

Bikers Prayer!!

Sam and I are starting up the engine today for the 2010 riding year!!
For all the biker's!!

PLEASE WATCH FOR BIKES!!


According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, of the 88,000 motorcycle accidents in 2009, 44,000 were caused by vehicle drivers who "didn't see" the motorcycle and either turned or pulled out in front of the motorcycle.

Sarah and Kelsie!

Sarah has come from Laraime to spend a week with us for spring break and she has brought a friend with her Kelsie. They got here Saturday afternoon and we made it though the first weekend..
My nephew and a friend from Logan came and spent last night here... Funny how that work. I have hardly seen him down here in a year and a half and we have 2 coed's at our house and BAM.. He is spending the night..!! Ha.. In all honesty it is GREAT to have the house full again...

We also had a funeral yesterday. One of our good friends Jerry's Mom passed away so we all went to Ogden to the viewing. Before the viewing we had a dinner/Dexter party at our house... We had a bunch of people and lots of fun!!!

kewl brutha!!!

Sam and I have made a "contract" or pack or a "deal" with each other.. NO TEXTING AND DRIVING.. or email and driving or facebook and driving or blogging and driving.. etc. etc. etc.. NO PHONE AND DRIVING!!!

I have nightmares about those terrible video's you see via you tube of the crashes from Texting and driving.. So I am "dead" serious about this.. and all of you should write up a contract about the exact same thing and have everyone in your family sign it!!

*side note.. So Sam does not text and drive we were headed to Logan last night to meet some friends and someone texted Sam.. So Sam says will you read that. So I read it to him and I notice a text that he had sent to a friend of his that simply said..

"kewl brutha"

which I think he meant.

"cool brother"

I HAD A TALK WITH HIM HOW HE SHOULD NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!! ;-)

"When I Retire........."

Today I made a trip to the Boise area to work on some new store layouts that are going to be built this year. I always tour stores as I travel and I happened to catch up with Steve.... the Executive Regional Director for the Boise area stores. Good friend and co-worker..... he is the one that originally hired me on to Maverik in 1997.... anyway.....
He said Sam I want to show you my cars that I am working on at my shop... hop in it will only take a few minutes. Now I know his new hobby is that he and his wife take a car to car shows around this area but what he showed me absolutely floored me!!!!!! He opened the garage door to his shop and I think I heard angels sing in the distance. The perfectly decorated and designed shop is the ultimate manroom. He closed the door and turned on all the display lights and not only did I hear angels sing but God himself spoke I think.
Everything in this shop is perfectly clean and immaculate. The cars are all in perfect show room condition. Old antiques that have been refurbished... cars have all been gone through and totally redone, even is office in the corner is decorated with old coke machines and all kinds of details. I could have spent hours and hours in here looking at every detail. I wish I would have brought my high resolution camera. Steve kept saying "When I retire I am going to finish this car..... or finish this project... or get another car.... get a bigger shop etc...." So I am saying...."when I retire I want to be just like Steve" haha... I hope you enjoy the pics..... it doesn't do it justice