Drayton's Year in Review

2013 was a very big year for me!  It was my only year as a baby.  For the next couple years, I'll be referred to as a toddler.  It was lots of fun growing up!  I did a lot of things for the first time!

At 2 months, I rolled over like a big boy in my bed.  My mommy was right there and caught me mid-roll!

 

 

During my 3rd month of life, I got really good at sitting in my Bumbo seat (those things are so cool!) and I also went on my very first evangelistic trip with my daddy.  I promise, I was a perfect angel the whole trip!

 



Hotels are very fun places to play!

I think my 4th month was the busiest for me the whole year...I did a lot of fun things that month!  I got to eat real food (cereal and apples, but real food for me!) for the first time!  I also got a walker...those things are so much fun!  I was able to go all over the house!

 

 

I was also dedicated to the Lord that month.  I'm not quite sure yet what that means exactly, but mommy and daddy tell me they promised to raise in me church and teach me to love the Lord.

 

 

I got to do 1 more big boy thing that month - my mommy gave me a sippy cup!  I've been very attached to them ever since!  Only babies use bottles :)

 

 

At 5 months I decided I didn't need that Bumbo thing anymore...I could sit up by myself!

 

 

I really enjoy doing smart things to amaze my parents...so, I decided I would start crawling when I was only 6 months.  Everyone loved watching me crawl around at church, I guess because I was so little and cute!

 

Crawling was not enough for me, I wanted to stand and see things whenever I wanted!  At 7 months, I thought it would be safe to try grabbing onto furniture, or my parents/grandparents, and seeing if I could see what they were seeing!  I tried it and of course, I was a pro!

I said my first word at 8 months.  Mommy doesn't have a picture of that, but you should have seen the smile on her face when I said "momma!"

I was only satisfied with standing for a little while, so soon I attempted to walk by myself.  It was very scary at first, so for a little while I only did it when there was something to hold onto.

That same month (9 months old), I celebrated my first Independence Day!  I don't know what that means either, but my mommy sat me in a little red chair, gave me a picture of a man I've never met, and started taking pictures of me!  I think I heard someone say this man's name was Joe and I'm named after him.  He must have been pretty special if they gave me his name!

When I turned 10 months old, I decided I needed to be brave and started walking by myself!!  No one has been able to stop me since!  I go nonstop from the time I get up in the morning, until I go to bed at night!

In October, I celebrated my very first birthday!  That was the day I became a toddler!  I didn't like my cake very much :(  I would rather eat macaroni and cheese.  I don't think I want a cake at all my next birthday...maybe just a giant chocolate chip cookie!

A few days after my birthday, it was Halloween.  I got all dressed up in my Sheriff Woody costume and patrolled the neighborhood looking for candy thieves! 

In November, my mommy decided I needed to have a haircut.  I didn't know ponytails weren't acceptable for boys in our family.  I behaved (thanks to Jonah) and my daddy was able to trim my hair without incident!

We just celebrated Christmas.  It wasn't my first one, but its the first one I remember.  I was a tiny baby last Christmas.  I couldn't even open my own presents!  This year was so much more fun.  I got a little puppy of my very own and a bunch of Veggietales stuff!  I hope you were as excited to see all the gifts as I was!

Well, I guess that's all.  My year in review.  I'm very excited about my accomplishments.  My mommy says they make her very sad because they mean I'm growing up.  Isn't that silly?  I can't wait to do more big boy stuff in 2014!

I love all my fans so much!

Drayton Joel Campbell





The Blessing of Family

Had to run a quick errand for the boss today.  When I got in my car, Steven Curtis Chapman was playing on the radio.  It was quiet since I was in the car alone (I'm usually singing and acting silly for Drayton!), so I had a chance to stop and listen to the words he was singing...

Well I guess I should go ahead and tell you [Santa] now
If it's really true about that list you have
Somehow I always seem to end up in a fight
But I'm really trying hard not to be bad
But maybe if I had a brother or a dad to wrestle with
Well, maybe they could teach me how to get along
And from everything I've heard
Sounds like the greatest gift on earth would be a mom

All I really want for Christmas
Is someone to tuck me in
A shoulder to cry on if I lose
Shoulders to ride on if I win
There's so much I could ask for
But there's just one thing I need
All I really want for Christmas

Is someone who'll be there
To sing me “Happy Birthday”
For the next 100 years
And it's OK if they're not perfect
Well, even if they're a little broken, that's alright
‘Cause so am I

...
All I really want for Christmas is a family

Just a family

That's all I really need

The line "even if they're a little broken, that's alright, 'cause so am I" really captured my attention today.   

The fact is, many of us come from large families.  We have lots of cousins, aunts/uncles and siblings.  Some of them get on our nerves.  Sometimes our parents, and even our children get on our nerves.  Occasionally our spouses get on our nerves.  You just can't grow up with someone and never have a disagreement.  Its impossible for 2 people to live together in perfect harmony, always seeing a situation in the exact same way.

There are no perfect families.  Every family has times of drama, crankiness and rude comments.  We are all imperfect people, and since families are made up of people, they all have their own version of problems.  Families are usually pretty good at mending fences and building bridges though.  In my own family, I know we always find a way to forgive and love, and, although we may get on each other's nerves and let our opinions of each other be known with loud, boisterous, rude comments, no one from the "outside" had better mess with one of us.  We can come together again real quick if the need for defense should arise.

Amidst all the chaos we deal with comparing calendars and trying to get everyone together, we sometimes forget this simple truth:   there are people in this world who will spend Christmas alone this year.  People who would give anything to be part of a family, even a broken and imperfect one.  

If you will be spending your Christmas holidays in the company of even 1 person this year, you are very richly blessed.

Reflections

I just tossed my 2013 calendar in the trash can.  As I pulled it out of my purse, I thought about all the things that transpired in my life this year.

In January, I got my first taste of what its like to be a working mom and let me tell you, it's tough.  When you're involved in your church and work, life can be crazy hectic anyway.  Throwing a baby in the mix makes you wonder how you thought you were so busy before.  Looking back I realize, I had all kinds of free time last year!!

In March, I tagged along with my husband for my first trip as an evangelist's wife.  He had preached out of town before, but prior to that weekend I never accompanied him before.  That was an experience.  An entire weekend spent in a hotel with a 3 month old baby, a baby with reflux at that, hoping the 30 bibs I had brought with us would actually last for 3 days.  I remember praying that Drayton would behave during the services on Sunday.  I don't think I'll ever forget it.  Thankfully, the Smiths are very kind people and didn't act like they minded Drayton's constant fussing!

In August, we went on what turned out to be our last "youth trip."  Many memorable things happened that week...several bus breakdowns, issues finding restaurants open/able to serve a group of 40, unbelievable church services, amazing preaching...It was incredible to see the lives of those so precious to us being changed.  Hearing several say things like "God spoke to me tonight" or "I feel God calling me."  While at NAYC, I also got a call from my mom that the doctor had pronounced her "cured" of pemphigus vulgaris.  Something we had been told would never happen!

In September, after much prayer and many, many tears cried, we stopped working with the youth group.  It was by far the hardest decision made this year.  I still miss my girls (and guys...well, some of them anyway :)) so much.  I feel so at peace with our decision, yet I still wish it hadn't been something we needed to do...if that makes any sense at all! 

In October, we celebrated our sweet little Drayton turning 1 year old.  We couldn't imagine life without the little stinker.  He's such a silly bundle of boyish fun.  I love his squeals and laughter!!  Nothing in the world will brighten a dreary day like when he stops playing, runs over and gives you a spontaneous little hug. 

In November, Dathaniel and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. We had a great time traveling to Savannah and then to Charleston.  When Dathaniel asked me several months ago where I would like to go, I had an immediate response!  I had dreamed of visiting Savannah and Charleston since the first time I read Gone With the Wind in 4th grade.  It was a dream come true for me.  I got to imagine life as Scarlett O'Hara for an entire 5 days!!!

I can't believe how quickly time has flown by.  Now, we are looking with great expectation at the dawn of 2014.  I can definitely say I hope there are less "firsts" next year.  We are in a period of waiting, so maybe there won't be any firsts.  Then again, maybe the waiting will end and we'll have a mountain of firsts.  Either way, we are in God's hands. 

As we get ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior, I've been thinking a lot about Mary's experience when she was visited by Gabriel.  We've heard the story told so many times, we've read about it so many times, and yet it is still amazing to ponder.  This year I've been thinking Mary would have been around the same age as my niece, Camryn.  I can't fathom Camryn being a mother, much less being the Messiah's mother!!  I wouldn't even let her babysit Drayton!  How fearful must the angel's announcement have made her.  What a terrifying task to be given.  I don't think any task God could possibly give me could ever compare to her's. 

I began reading Jesus, The One and Only this week (for at least the 3rd time) and for whatever reason, just yesterday I realized, that when Gabriel said in Luke 1:31, "you are to give him the name Jesus," it was the very first proclamation of our Savior's name.  This is the first time He is referred to as Jesus.  The  name at which every knee will bow.  A name I've called on in many trials.  A name I pray over my child every day of his life.  A name that holds more power than any other.  That name heals the sick and causes demons to flee.  Oh, how I love the name!!

Jesus...the hope of the world.  A fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. 

No matter what God may request of us in 2014, with every great task there also comes a promise and a new hope. 

I hope we can all look to the future without fear, but with baited breathe...waiting for the promises of God to unfold in our lives.

Merry Christmas friends!
Amberly