Hooray- Summertime

Today was our first official day of summer....yahoo!  Jake had the brilliant idea last Saturday to clean the garage but ended up deciding to paint it and re-do the floor.  Needless to say, tomorrow will be day seven and we can not park in the garage.  He also guesstimated about a $100 expense but we are nearing $1000, so I told him his approximations are getting more off with age so instead of tripling it, I may need to 10x all his estimates. I enjoy to give him a hard time as he does me. The last week of school is always a busy one between banquets, field days, field trips, and programs. All the kids finished with great grades (I am pretty confident that they all have straight A's).  Aubree enjoyed her 8th grade formal and looked beautiful.  We allowed her to go because they pretty much just eat and we were both there.  She also earned the title of Salutatorian for her class. Her speech was fantastic.  She really blossomed this year between conducting the music for the school concerts and becoming more confident in her acting abilities.  On May 15th, I was fortunate to be able to accompany Will's class on a field trip to Nashville to visit the capital building and the home of Andrew Jackson.  I think he was super excited I was there but I was exhausted by the end of the day.  Wednesday, I was able to attend to Christopher's little program. There are many days that I feel like motherhood is not my strength and I am doing my kids an injustice but that day when he lit up when he saw me, I realized that just being mom was good enough in their eyes.  Ginny somehow managed to balance her time between seminary, school, and softball the second semester and rocked it. I am ready for summer with my little crew!

Happy almost 17 years

Today would have been a day that I called to wish my Papaw Happy Birthday so after work, the kids and I will swing by Burger King in his honor.  This weekend Jake and I will reach 17 years of marital bliss.  While, I am uncertain as to how I have managed to be so blessed with him, I sure am glad he is mine.  There are days that he drives me batty but in a world where I often feel like I do not have close friends (maybe I am just not good at relationships), I know he is there.

Mormon Prom

Ginny had her first date and it was to Mormon Prom.  She was astoundingly beautiful and was kind to everyone.  Jake and I were able to attend and drove five other young women as well.  Gavin McKinney (Ginny's date) met us at the Seaman's home where the girls were taking pictures.  We allowed her to ride with him but they followed us there. 

Rain, rain, and more rain.  It seems to constantly rain. We have been busy with state testing at school and baseball/softball in the evening.  Jake's parents sold their house, so this past weekend the siblings went up and literally helped clear it out.  They gave everything away. Jake brought a living room suite and bed back for us. We are thankful to have it.  I told him he should've brought the golf cart back to use when driving to the pool but he declined the opportunity.  Ginny has  Mormon Prom this weekend and we are trying to find a shawl to help make her dress modest.  It is proving more difficult than I thought.

Baseball and softball season are in full swing here in the Farrell household.  It seems that each night we either have practices or games.  I am also currently working with three clients looking to buy homes, so I feel so tired most nights because I do not get home until late and still have to make sure the house responsibilities are done and lunches are packed.  It will be nice though when my clients find a home and the checks start coming in.  The past couple of nights have not been great for me. I just feel frustrated at the world and know that I need to change my attitude...I would not want to be around me if I were someone else. 

Seventeen years ago on this date, a tall, handsome, blond hair (yes he had hair) young man took me for a day trip to Carlsbad caverns. He was not kind most of the day (which made no sense because that same morning, I heard him tell his mother he loved me), causing a hiccup in his plan. Due to his unusual behavior, as we were driving on some trails, I hopped out of the car and refused to get back in until he told me his problem. After minutes of trying to convince me to get back in the car, he went to turn it off, came back over to the rock where I was sitting, and asked me to marry him. Best decision I ever made was saying yes and following through with it a month later.....the rest of our happily ever is still unfolding. 

Happy Easter

Yesterday, we went to mom and dad's for an egg hunt and a taco bar.  The kids very much enjoyed egg hunting. It seems that Easter has meant a little more to me this year as I reflect on the resurrection and that because if Him, loved ones that have gone before live and I will live again.  I will one day be reunited with those I miss every day.  On the drive down we streamed conference and listened to it.  Additionally this Easter day, we watched conference as well.  It seems there have been so many changed announced this conference including: 2 new apostles called (Elder Ulisses Soares and Elder Gerrit W Gong), no longer will priesthood quorums (elders and high priest) meet separately, and home/visiting teaching to be "retired" and now ministering. Young women ages 14 and up can now join with the adult sisters in the ward to have ministering responsibilities. Elder Uchtdorf spoke on beholding the man and it spoke to me . When encompassed by sorrow or griefs behold the man. When you feel lost or forgotten, behold the man. The most important day in our individual life will be the day we learn to individually "behold the Man" I loved Sister Bingham and Elder Hollands talk as well explaining more about ministering and looking out for one another. Oh, and the previous mission president Elder Taniela B. Wakolo's talk made me smile.  I remember listening at stake conferences when he and his wife spoke, she always stood by his side and vice versa. I was a little disappointed that she was not by his side during his conference address. Overall, I am grateful that I am able to listen to conference wherever I am.  I am thankful to know that be because of the Man that I can see my loved ones again.