As the school year winds down, Carrie Campbell finds herself having mixed feelings.

A full-time wife, mother and business owner, Campbell is looking forward to having her kids home for the summer, but will also miss having at least a few of them at school for the day.

"I'm looking forward to not having the rush of getting ready every morning, but then they will all be home all day," said Campbell.

Campbell and her husband, Ray, live in Coal Center with their four children, James, 8; Jordan, 6; Liberty, 4, and Joseph, nine months. James and Jordan attend California Area Elementary School.

A 1995 Charleroi Area High School graduate, Campbell, along with and her husband, own a painting contracting business, which is perfect for the stay-at-home mom.

"I can work from home and still be with the kids, so it works out...good for us," she said.

Not that she has much spare time, as her children keep her busy.

Both sons play for the California Youth Baseball League, and she can regularly be found in the fan sections cheering them on. In the fall, she attends her son James' midget league football games, and cheers on son Jordan, who also wrestles.

Her husband wrestled in high school, graduating from Charleroi Area in 1979.

Campbell said she is devoted to her family and enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, Joshua, 12; Jacob, 9; Jessica, 6; and 1-year-old Mary Catherine Addis and Jaimyn, 7 and Ethan Rauchfuss, 7 months.

"My kids are close with all of them," she said of her large family.

She said her kids are looking forward to fishing this summer and swimming. Campbell also enjoys singing in the choir at her church, Fundamental Bible Church in Perryopolis. Her kids are also active in the junior church there.

She also enjoys drawing and plans to go back to school to finish her college degree once her children are all in school full-time.

"I'm just happy that for now, I can be home with them," she said.


Stacy Wolford can be reached at swolford@tribweb.com or (724) 684-2640.