a post about me (accompanied by my fave 70's country rock jams)

Okay let's begin this post with one of my all-time favorite tunes James Taylor Sweet Baby James. It's a classic, and many of you already know this, but for those of you that don't or aren't familiar with this time period's musical brilliance, I've included some of my favorite tunes as we go along...

So, it's been a while since I've done a formal introduction on this blog. There are so many of you out there that I love staying connected with. Many of you I know personally and many of you I do not--that's the beauty of our world today. We can live states, countries, or continents away and stay connected with the click of a button or upload of a photo (cue James Taylor "You've Got A Friend")

That being said, I often feel like our "profiles" or the few lines of a photo caption don't give an accurate description of the real you and me. I had someone ask me something very simple about my life the other day, and it was almost shocking to me that it was something they didn't know! But after thinking about it for a minute, I realized that they don't know me in person--they only know what I post--so how would they realistically be expected to know that small detail?

It sparked the idea for a new introductory post. An official few paragraphs about me, my life, my family, and what makes me tick (cue Neil Young "Old Man")

I'll keep it brief--because obviously this kind of post could go on and on and on. There are million things you could know about me---like the fact that I love to write. I was a huge book nerd growing up--like I devoured most of the mystery novel series my grade school library had in their possession. I eat so much chocolate it might be border line addiction status--specifically chocolate chip cookies. I'm scared to death of tornadoes and nutria (don't know what nutria are--let me tell you--they are basically giant swimming rats that haunt my dreams and abide in plenty here in Texas) So yeah...that's fun and all, but that info won't really help you understand the core of who I am, but there a few simple things I'd like to tell you that will leave you with a much better understanding of who Kris Campbell is.

It's important for you to know that I love my home. As much as my husband and I love to travel the world, I am a homebody. And I've loved all of my homes that I've had throughout my 26 years. I was born in San Diego, California and lived there as a child  (cue Mamas and The Papas "California Dreamin'") I've always felt a sense of belonging there. After we moved away we'd go back every summer growing up, and to this day whenever I return to that dreamy west coast, it's near impossible to get me to leave again. It's like the forces of nature are drawing my soul back to where it all began. I'll truly be a California girl forever. That being said, I also love my mountain home in Utah (cue John Denver "Rocky Mountain Home") Where I spent my jr. high, high school, and most of my college life. Those mountains melt me every time I fly into the valley. I'm not one for snow sports (I hate the cold with a passion) but summertime in Utah is as close to heaven as I could ever imagine. If you haven't been please do yourself a favor and go--sooner rather than later. Hike some Wasatch trails...venture to a peak above Park City...head south and perch upon a red rock formation, take a deep deep breath in and let yourself get lost in the beauty that is the great state of Utah. It'll do you good, I promise. And then last but most definitely not least--my newest home--the great state of Texas (sense my already adopted Texas pride obnoxiously dripping from every word) and folks, it's quite possibly my favorite home yet. I mean that. I love it here. Wide open spaces, room to breath, country roads to just drive and drive and get lost on for hours. People that are genuinely so good. While I was pregnant here last summer, I can honestly say I never walked into a store or building without someone holding the door for me--and we pretty much make new friends everytime we go out to eat now. I'm telling you, the people here are just good down-to-earth people. So much history and pride in one state (granted it is a ginormous state) and I can't get enough y'all. This is our home, where me and my sweet little family are putting down roots, settling in and creating our life. And guys, it's a damn good life (cue John Denver "Country Roads")

Next, y'all need to know that I love my family. Starting with the family that raised me. My brilliant father, passionate mother, gorgeous sisters, and adventurous brother. The people that I can always turn to, always count on, and 100%-without-a-doubt find unconditional love from. Together, they all made me who I am today. I like to think I get my deep-rooted love for 70's country rock from my dad and my eye for interior design from my mom. I'm the oldest of four, and my siblings are my best friends. From them I get my humor, my imagination, and the memories of being a child--that I believe make me a better mother today. And then we have my own little family (cue Neil Young "Heart of Gold") Me, Roberto and baby M. The loves of my life. You know how people always use the caption "my world" when they show pictures of their kids or their family or their dog---or whatever it is that is that important to them...? It's kind of annoying right? But they say it because it's true! My family is my world. Without them I can't imagine how anything else would matter. My husband Robert is so different from me but so alike in many ways. It's almost toxic how stubborn we both are and how ridiculous our arguments can be over the dumbest things when we're both in a mood, but it's undeniably magic how well his extroverted-passionate-brilliance balances so perfectly with my introverted-creative-minimalist ways. We're soul mates--and I never believed in soulmates until he entered my life. He's the handsome-looking, opinionated-speaking, ex-football-playing, corporate-gigging, love-able gigantic teddy bear. And I'm the googly-eyed girl that loves every single bit of it. As Mila grows, her personality just keeps getting bigger and bigger--and I see so much of Robert in her, and at times see little glimpses of myself. It's so surreal. Part of who I am in a tiny perfect little human. And who really knows what good and bad traits she'll get from each of us, but one thing I do know is that she will be loved, because that is one thing we both do well. Yes, she will be so freaking loved. Our little sister golden hair (cue America "Sister Golden Hair")

And last my dears, I'd like you to know--on a serious but important note--that I love God and my Savior Jesus Christ. I don't express this enough via social media, but my religion--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (aka Mormon)-- is absolutely a huge part of who I am. I grew up in a religious family of diligent church goers. It was second nature to me. I honestly didn't even give it much thought when I was younger--but as a grew up, attended school, and eventually stepped out into the world on my own, I remember having an scary realization that religion had to be my own thing. It had to be something that meant something to me--not my parents or friends--but to me. I needed to be able to stand tall and bear testimony of my Savior and His love for each and everyone of us. This may shock you, but I'm a very flawed human being ;). I make mistakes and I have my own personal struggles. And it's because of that, that my relationship with Jesus Christ has grown exponentially--once I realized that I could turn to Him for comfort in moments of need and guide me through the darker times, I found that my relationship with Him is the most important relationship of my life. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved"- John 3:16-17

I'll be honest--I felt that I needed to include that in this post because I have been feeling anxious as of late, regarding the state of our country and the politically battles we have been facing. It saddens me that religion has become so "unpopular" and that so many religious voices are feeling intimidated to speak up. We are in tough times and I personally believe it's only going to get harder. And as much as I don't every have a desire to get into political battles (that's my husbands personality--not mine ;) I do want my friends, family and followers to know how important religion is to me and in my life.

(This one's not a 70's jam but I still love it--cue The Lower Lights "Come Ye Children of the Lord" and then this one is straight from 1970-- George Harrison "My Sweet Lord" and is one of my all-time favorites)

So there you have it, those are the three main things I want you to take with you and remember about Kris Campbell from A City Born Love or from @kriswcampbell on Instagram.Y'all already know that I'm obsessed head to toe with my babe (based on the amount of pics I post of her) and y'all already know I love anything home decor or design related...and that my husband and I are serious travel junkies. That's the stuff we post about all the time and the topics that are so great for social media--but what I don't say enough are those three things. I love my home. I love my family, and I love God.

Okay, now let's end this with another fantastic tune-- The Marshall Tucker Band "Heard it in a Love Song"

XOXO