Easter 2012

Easter was great here in the Farrell home this year. The Easter bunny came Saturday evening while we were outside watching the Bible videos of the Savior's life. Jake and I were asked to be the speakers on Sunday and after church we went to my parents for the dinner with the family. Papaw was there too, so it was a nice day. It will be the last Easter dinner in the home I was raised in as they are getting a new home. Michael and Amy came down that week to search for a home too. We are looking forward to them moving here. As for our new home, we are hoping to close this coming week. We are excited but there are many things that I will miss about our place here. We have brought two sweet baby boys home from the hospital here and my girls have began to become little ladies. This has been a good home for us and a good ward. Jake has been in the bishopric going on four years and that calling has been wonderful for him.

Happy Birthday Ginny

My second favorite day this week was Saturday. My eldest, Ginny, turned double digits. It is very hard for me to believe that I have a ten year old. Each day, I am still learning to be a mom. Last Sunday, was one of the moments that I was proud to be a mom. In Relief Society, during the lesson, one of the ladies shared something that she learned from one of her activity day girls that has impacted her and she thinks about daily. The lady, Sister Sharon McGaughy, said that the little girl said, "if you don't love someone then you need to serve them until you do." After the comment, I turned around because I had a hunch because it is something that I tell my babies often, and she said "Yes, it was your Ginny." I was one proud mommy and today, she came to me after church with a few tears telling me how she would miss Ginny and the void in the ward from us leaving could not be filled. As I drove home, I contemplated the power and influence of a child. My child, my Ginny, had taught this lady and me a priceless lesson. Ginny is kind, obedient, and patient. She makes all A's in school and loves to read. She is an example to her siblings, parents, and classmates. Heavenly Father has blessed me from the beginning with remarkable children. For Ginny's birthday, we took a group of her friends to the movie and then to Dairy Queen. Nana came up to celebrate with her and the rest of the family here joined us a Dairy Queen. I love that my family is always there for the special days in my children's lives.

Happy Birthday Jake

This week has been super crazy...I had an early morning obligation each day this week and working nights, makes it even more difficult. But it brings us one step closer to getting into our new home. Jake and I are excited. This week there were two special days for me. On Friday, we celebrated Jake's birthday. He is my most favorite person in the entire world. I love that man. Unfortunately, I was exhausted and didn't get a cake made but that's okay. A little about Jake right now: he is 1st counselor in the bishopric, teaches 7th and 8th grade Science, loves to be outdoors (especially working in the yard), he enjoys playing basketball, and he loves being a father. Jake says that the reason that he enjoys taking the girls to school is because each morning, they read scriptures together on the way to school. Each night, he watches a show with the boys while I work. He is an excellent father.

Spring Break Fun

Spring break was March 12-16th and we had a great time as a family. We have been searching for a house and found one on March 10th that we really liked, so we submitted an offer. Our current house has been wonderful for our little family but we ave out grown it. We began looking a little while back and decided to spring break searching more...luckily for us, we found one we liked. We did not hesitate to submit an offer because the last time we found one we liked was gone before we ever had the chance to submit the offer. Fortunately, in our favor, a few days after we heard that our offer was accepted. We will be moving to Bartlett into a home twice as large as the one we currently live in and in a better neighborhood. I am very excited but nervous at the same time. Our mortgage is also doubling as will our electric bill, did I mention we will be paying two mortgages our current home sells. Also, last Sunday ward members found out, Jake informed bishop days earlier as soon as we knew, so be could prepare to submit for a new counselor. The last two Sundays, we have felt an out pouring of love and people saying they will miss us, a few have even shed a tear or two. I will miss seeing my sister most of all. Memphis 2nd ward has been a good for us to be a part of.
But on to Spring Break fun, Jake completed the tree fort for the kids, just in time to move. We took the kids to the zoo, Christopher loved the water area of the zoo, and then we went to Jackson and spent the day. We enjoyed a week as a family and anticipate the excitement of the next month as we prepare for our move.

Valentines week

Valentines was on a Tuesday, so Monday work was early and long. I had to be there at 6:30p.m and did not get off until 3:00 a.m., so I as exhausted but wanted to make sure the kids woke up to something. We are trying to conserve money to buy a new home, so I decided to hear attack the doors. The week of valentines this week was crazy busy for me....I literally had things going everyday and most days multiple things going. However, the highlight of the week was being able to go watch Aubree's black history program at school. She wanted to be a slave so she could wear her jeans and she played up the part. She loved it and was so proud. One of my favorite things about that day was how she looked very hard to spot us in the audience. Sandra was there too and Aubree wanted to make sure that she saw us. It was also a bonus that I was off work Valentines night. The next morning, I enjoyed mornings with mom at the girls school.I had taken off because Jake and I were suppose to meet with the attorney from a car wreck over two years ago. We both took off work and on our way there, we received a phone call that they needed to cancel...I was mad but did enjoy the day with Jake. We went and got him botox again to hopefully help headaches to become less frequent for him. Then Friday, Jake and Aubree flew to Houston for Callie's baptism. Aubree loves Callie and enjoyed the time with her dad. I enjoyed a good weekend too. Mom came up Saturday evening and we went to dinner and the mall with Charity. Jacob William took Rebekah to dinner for being his Valentine. The Sunday, I was able to be with Sandra at Elijah's blessing and enjoy a nice afternoon at James's house with a lot of the family. Ginny and I came home and enjoyed a little "girl time", we baked cookies, had popcorn, and watched a "chic flick". The week ended on a high not because a little before midnight, Jake and Aubree arrived home. Jake is real funny, he packed me a piece of cake in his suitcase because he liked it so much, he wanted me to have some too..how sweet is that!

Hypocrite

This week, I would like to share a humbling experience that I had this past week. I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and as a member one of the responsibilities that I have is to be a visiting teacher. As a visiting teacher, it is my privilege to be able to visit assigned sisters each month with my companion. My companion is a neat lady but does not drive, which leads to my story. Our route, is not a simple one. We visit two inactive sisters, a new member, and an active person. One of the women on our route has no transportation, so each month, I take her to the grocery store. This takes about 4 hours with both my boys and sometimes Riley too on one day. Last Wednesday, as I sat in the car with my boys waiting on her, I was thinking of 20 others things that I could be doing and a few more why it would be easier if someone else took her...then it dawned on me, Renee', you hypocrite, each Sunday you tell your class the importance of loving and serving one another and here you are not having a joyful heart. After, I cleared my mind, the lady came back to the car and I had made a silent resolution to to do better. Also at church, for the past two years, I have been blessed to be the gospel essentials teacher. I love it and my testimony has grown from teaching the class and answering questions. It helps that the missionaries say if they can get people to stay for my class, they always come back. I am thankful for the eye opening experience and the reminder to practice what you preach! I also had the chance to have lunch with a sister that seemed to be having a hard time. When I mentioned we should do lunch one day, I did not really think it would happen but when I received the text asking if the day worked, I believe I was the one lifted more than she was. Happiness can really be strengthened when we help others cheerfully.
Today was stake conference and here is what I came away with today. One of the speakers, Elder Robert W. Hymas (from Lexington Kentucky) of the area seventy, began his talk by saying that he was going to share a few things that we always need to remember to do. My thoughts were that it was going to be the standard things like pray, read scriptures...but his responses really touched me. Here are his suggestions:
1. Always pay your tithing.
2. Always make your sacrament meetings and partake of the sacrament. It is an ordinance that
we can take part in every week and be renewed.
3. Always ask for direction for your packages from heaven. Each of our children are different,
learn differently, and have different needs. Pray to know how to reach each of them,
4. Always accept callings. We do not ask for callings nor should we ask to released from callings.
5. Always treat your spouse as they deserve to be treated. And tell your spouse you love them
everyday.
When our mind is set to do things, we only have to make the choice once and then there is no question.

Happy 2012

It has been a little while since I have been able to sit down and "blog" about our little life. Many people start the new year old with goals to achieve. I have contemplated goals many times in my head and came up with the idea just to set a monthly goal and try to achieve that. However, my goal for the year is just to survive. Between, being a mom, wife, employee, and student, my life becomes so over whelming sometimes just trying to stay caught up. Last Fall, I chose to go back to school not only to better myself but mainly for my family. Jake loves to teach but unfortunately teachers are not paid a lot but on the up, they do get a lot of time off work. I want him to be able to continue to teach and for our children to have things, so I am being pro-active and back in school. When Christopher goes to school, I can leave FedEx working nights and work during the day, making a larger salary as well. Over ten years ago, when Jake and I were married, I decided I will do what it takes to help provide for us...then babies began to come along and the determination was stronger. So, my overall goal is just to survive. Now, the month of January, I am working hard on not raising my voice at my sweets and this goal will continue into February as well. Likewise, I am encouraging the kids not raise their voices at one another. I want our home to one of peace and loving words.
We also have set a goal to being looking for another home this year. We are getting closer to becoming consumer debt free (only having house and school loans) and will try to get in another home for our little family, so we will see how that goes.