Wanting what others have

Okay, so I think we're all guilty of it, but me especially! Lately, I've been really wanting to a buy a house even though I know it's totally not feasible right now. Murad and I have talked about it over and over and we always come back to "let's wait until after the wedding." It makes total sense.

1. Whatever money we get at the wedding we can put towards a down payment, and paying off whatever wedding related expenses, which should only be our wedding bands if we save right.

2. my car will be paid off which equals more money to put aside or to use for unexpected house shit.

3. we will know for sure if we're staying in Dallas. Murad will know for sure where he'll do his doctorate. If we stay in Dallas we are definitely buying a home in the Richardson/N. Dallas area

4. we'll be married and can put our names as CAMPBELL on all the paperwork (minor detail)

5. I'll be done with grad school

Reasons why we want to buy a house:

1. More huskies! Murad and I want more dogs. In fact, we want to breed huskies. We absolutely love Sam & Maya and adding more puppies would make my life complete (& hectic)

2. All our friends are doing it....I'll admit that I want to keep up with the Joneses. Why? who knows. Fortunately, even though some of my friends are having babies, I DO NOT want to keep up with that for a long while. Think 4-6 years.

3. Abby. Right now things are so good with how often we see her. She may even spend a few weeks in the summer here. While there is a ton of space for her to play outside and tons of kids, it's not the same or as safe as a yard. Plus, right now she sleeps in the guest room/office. She needs to have a room of her own when she comes to visit!

There are always so many things I'll want in life. For example, I just received a co-worker's wedding invitation and I was drooling over the paper, the raised ink, tissue and envelope liner. However, I do not have an endless budget (and I'm not knocking those who do), so it's forced me to think outside the box and step out of my comfort zone. It's forced me to appreciate what I have. That's just what I need to do in life.
Things I appreciate:
1. my wondeful fiance! he is the best man I've ever met (besides my daddy) and he treats me so well. I'm so glad we found each other.
2. my family--my parents are so supportive of everything I do. They have always been my biggest supporters. My brother is like the male version of me except with a little more asshole thrown in =) He keeps me laughing and reminds me of what a bitch I was during high school to him!
3. Sampson & Maya--they should actually be number one on my list because they are the closest things I have to actual kiddos. They are the smartest and cuddliest little puppies. Right now I'm watching them play on the balcony.
4. EDUCATION-- I've had so many opportunities to advance my education formally and informally. My parents have always been in to education and have transfered that to my brother and me. My fiance is also into education and sees how much it can impact one's life.
5. Health--I'm healthy. What can I say. I rarely get sick. I exercise. I eat right. My asthma is almost non-existent. I've lost 25 lbs. My whole family has their health, which is good because this hasn't always been the case. Also, I'm very appreciative of it right now as my fiance is in between jobs and thus uninsured.
6. friends---I have an amazing group of friends. My friends are great, except for the fact that they are scattered across this nation. They support me in my decisions. They laugh with me (or at me). They cry with me. They just ROCK!
7. Abby---okay so this list is in no particular order now, so don't think I'm the evil stepmother. Abby is great. She is my little buddy. She reminds me so much of myself when I was her age. She loves to sing, dance and play. She also loves to draw. I just have a blast when I'm with her because I can do all the girlie things together. She's my little mini-me!
8. Miscallaneous--I'm sure there are more things I can put on this list, but I'm not going to do that!

So, it appears that the things that I have outweigh the things I want! I just have to keep it all in perspective and know that God will provide what is necessary for us. He already has given me so much!

It's a wonderful life!

Why? Because the school year is coming to an end! Six weeks left of school for me! Also, the Campbell-Woodard family got some wonderful news today.

1. Murad is now the new president of the Social Work Student Association! Woo-hoo! I'm so excited for him. This is such a wonderful opportunity for him. He's already a natural leader and so outspoken! He's going to do an awesome job! Not to mention what this will do for his resume. This will really boost his application for grad school. He also is presenting on a panel on Muslims in Texas. The person in charge of the panel really likes him and told him that he most likely could pursue a Ph.D in Social Work for free if he applies for scholarships! Even more good news! Even though he initially wanted to pursue a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology, this one will still allow him to reach his goals in life and did I mention it may be FREE! Woo-hoo!

2. I have been selected to serve on a committee that develops the alternative state assessments for Texas! I get to go to Austin for free for a few days. I'll stay at a lavish hotel (okay, so it may be like a Holiday Inn, but it's free). I'm so excited. The English curriculum director for my district nominated me back in the fall. She told me there'd be a chance that I'd get it and a chance I wouldn't. I just feel this is an awesome opportunity for me to grow as a teacher and bring what I learn to my students. Not to mention that it will help my resume as well. However, my ultimate goal is to do what is best for the students! So exciting!

3. My future stepdaughter ROCKS! Okay, so she got into a little fight this week. I just think it shows how tough she is! She is so her father's daughter!
I was on the phone with her and she goes, "Ashlea, can you come to Meade and then I can come back to Dallas with you. I'll pack my bathing suit and we can go swimming." Melted my heart. I really hope she can come visit us this summer. Murad's mom may come too. I would love it if they were all here at the same time!

We are the champions and I love my fiance!

We are the champions! Yes, it's true! The KU Jayhawks are the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball champions. Let me just say when I enrolled at the University of Kansas eight long years ago (geez, I feel old), it was my dream to have a national championship while I was a student. And although it's still cool to be an alumni, it's not the same. It's not the same when I have to go to work the next day after I stay up all night due to excitement. That aside, I am happy for my boys and super excited that my brother got to experience it as a current student. He called me at 7am the next morning because he was still up (still up). He said it was crazy in Lawrence that night. He works as a bartender at my former hang-out, The Hawk, and he made a shitload of money due to all the drunk people there. My mom has called or emailed me each day with National Championship news. Her first email said, "Wish I were still 21 and attending KU instead of Emporia State." Then she emailed me a ton of video clips of the championship. Then, she was able to get champion t-shirts for our entire family from my brother's godfather's t-shirt shop. Lastly, today she called to say she taped the game when they replayed it last night in Kansas and would be mailing it to me soon. Ahh, yes! This is it...sweet success! ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK GO KU!

The national championship was just the beginning of my series of sleepless nights. April and May are some of my busiest months at school. Last night, Murad and I went to sleep at 7:00pm and we woke up at 4:00am to watch the Simpsons and then we went back to sleep at 6:00am and we didn't get up again until 9:00am. Well, I think Murad woke up around 11:00am. We have just been exhausted. Me with work and him with school. I feel like we've had something every night.

Yesterday, we had the memorial for Murad's good friend and that was hard on us both. Murad has taken his death very hard and I don't think he's fully come to terms with it. It all happened so suddenly. Murad had just gotten back in contact with him and then his cancer came and took him in a matter of months. I know he feels like he was cheated out of more time with him.

Despite all this, Murad has been himself to me and our "kids." He's had his moments, but he continues to be my rock and my support. He continues to take care of me and meet my needs. I just feel as though he's neglected his own. He also continues to inspire others. He's really established himself as a leader at his school, so much so that he's running for the president of the School of Social Work Association. Everyone in his classes loves him and admires him that I can not imagine him not winning. We'll keep our fingers crossed. Murad '08! No, but seriously, he's just a good guy. Today we were talking about where he would apply for his doctorate and he said, "I don't want you to leave Richardson. I'll do my best to make sure we stay in Dallas. This is our home and where we'll start a family." I just thought that was so sweet. I'm so open to moving wherever for him, but he sees how well I'm doing with my job and in our community. I just love getting all mushy about him. Maybe it's because I had a glass of wine with dinner! I do love him and I can not wait for these next eleven months to fly by so that I can finally be his wife!