Adam goes this week to his personal interview with our social worker, I went to mine last week. These weeks meetings establish who we each are and what makes up "us." If Eva was older she would have an interview too. To prep for the meetings, we each had to get background checks for the past three states we've lived in and write our "autobiographies." I'm a hobby writer for sure, so it was a fun assignment for me. We had a list of questions to answer to guide the "story." In answering "describe your parents and family growing up," here is a small section of what I wrote:
"Mom set an infectious tone of hospitality, fun, and creativity which brought much joy to those who lived in and visited our home. Her joyful selflessness was a powerful example - I love to remember her singing loudly of her Savior over many a spaghetti pot. My dad was Mom’s perfect complement. He kept the fun orderly and the creativity from destroying the furniture. He was our dinnertime conversation referee, an excellent counselor, and ever-gentle leader.
The boys, my brothers, were affectionate and protective of my sister and I, and we girls enjoyed a world only sisters know.
Late March, 1990, I held little Elissa for the first time, and from that day on she would occupy a very special place in my heart. She and I were always together growing up, and most of the time we liked that. Sisters are treasures.
Each of my brothers also occupies a special place in my heart. Evan, being my only older sibling, was the one I so wanted to please. He was a lot of fun and easy to talk to growing up. My first little bro, Adam, and I fought for years, but now are very close. He’s fiercely protective, very loyal, and will never completely grow up. Joe and I always agreed on everything and we adored each other. He was the softy, a dreamer, and very affectionate with everyone. My little bro, Taylor, was the loudest, like I said, and so he was picked on a lot growing up by me and the others. Then God changed my heart, I became more of his defender, and ever since he’s trusted me deeply and we’re best friends. Patch was always full of joy and complements, had a kind heart, and was cute, so he got along with his sisters well. Each of the boys uniquely brought my life sweetness and fullness and learning to relate to them has helped me learn to relate to my own husband today."oh boy. that family-missing ache just doesn't go away, does it?
After this week, we will be two thirds of the way done with home study. The last meeting will be in our home as our social worker makes sure we don't have open sewage running through the back yard. (that reminds me... we need to rent that porta-john)
I can't wait to see the "unknown path" unfold as we go from 3 to 4 Campbells. (and then from 4 to 5?) I pray that our little ones will have something like the sweet childhoods that Adam and I each had growing up.
Us crazies with our buddies Diana, Sheree, and Caleb Jacob in maybe 1996?