Happy 13th Christopher

The baby of the family is now a teenager. Christopher is resilient, courageous, and kind. He is learning to magnify his priesthood responsibilities.  He is a momma's boy and maybe an Aubree's boy too.  We are so glad that Heavenly Father saw fit to bless our family with him.

Facts about Christopher by Christopher:

You currently want to be when you grow up: archaeologist

Your favorite color is: blue

Your favorite show is: the flash

Your favorite game is: pvz

Your favorite toy or activity is: kickball

Your favorite girl is: mom

You are really good at: math

Your best friend is: Jonah Donald

You want to vacation to: Hawaii

Your favorite ice cream is: birthday cake

Your wish is to be: best person I can be

Your hero is: Christ

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is:  play

Your favorite holiday is:  Christmas

Your favorite person in the whole world is: Aubree

Your favorite song(s) is:  Hometown, Ghost, and Counting Stars

Your favorite restaurant is: Lenny's Sub shop (the philly salad)

Your favorite foods are: haystacks, pull pork burritos

If you had $1000 you would buy: a trip to Logan Utah and the rest will go in savings

 

Anniversary post from Jake

Post from Jake on Facebook: 

What a day.  I spent the day working next to my best friend.  Literally her class is next door to mine.  After school, we went to our still uninhabitable home wondering if it will ever get repaired.  Then on to dinner at Happy Mexican because it is Cinco de Mayo and Mexican food is the best.  After we went to visit some friends and offer whatever comfort we could to their family in a time of need.  Followed that up with a visit to the temple, and then back to the hotel and another visit with more friends.  I got to spend every waking moment with Renee Farrell.  This has been my life for the past few years.  Everyday holds something a little different, but the constant is Renee by my side.  There is nothing better.  We were probably crazy to get married 22 years ago, but ever effort to make our our marriage strong and our love last has brought the greatest happiness to my soul.  I guess that is why people say they have soulmates and you are definitely mine.  I hope you always feel how much I love you and God knows how grateful I to have our paths cross.

Still no home repairs....

We reached a point where we checked out of the hotel (originally we were house-sitting but that cancelled), and have tried to stay upstairs at our house. We are spending four nights at home.  We are glad to be in our house, although it does not quite feel like home because it is in still in such disarray, missing walls, flooring, bathroom vanity, and parts of the ceiling but there is still something about just being in our home.  The school year is drawing to a close, yay. I think we are all ready for summer break.  We hope that soon thereafter we are able to move back home and get back to normal.  Hopefully we are learning what the Lord needs us to learn. This summer will be somewhat different for us with the girls not here with us. I am not ready for this stage in my life but we are here, whether I want to be or not.  

I was very happy to get a couple of pictures from Kara of Aubree from Easter Sunday. I am glad she was able to go be with them over Easter weekend. 

April..

 This past week and a half has been a crazy week. A tornado hit areas in our stake 3/31, so Jake, the boys, and I went to assist with clean up.  Jake threw out his back after a few hours so we had to leave. It was very humbling and I kinda felt petty feeling for at times wanting to be back in our home, at least we did not lose everything.  We took the opportunity to teach the boys that instead of watching conference that this type of situation warranted working on the Sabbath. The victims were in crisis and although our efforts were small, we helped in large ways but truly only making a dent in the work to be done ahead.  

Jake had to take work that following Monday and Tuesday due to his back but was better by Thursday. Will attended his first formal dance and looked so very handsome. It was the stake Spring formal and was on the Memphis Riverboat. He had a wonderful time.  Ginny also made it home that night for Easter weekend.  It is always good for my soul when she visits but I greatly miss Aubree still too.  I feel a little guilty taking a family photo with her not in it. 

Happy Birthday Jake and Ginny

I am not sure if I can ever fully express how grateful I am that the Lord saw fit to give me Jake. He is my rock and best friend.  Happy Birthday to my forever chips & salsa date. The world is better with him in it. He touches lives for good and strives to be the man the Lord needs him to be. His wife and kids are crazy for him, even though he makes front of us.

Ginny was able to visit the week before her birthday on Spring Break. She and her dad went to their annual birthday movie and we just enjoyed having her around.  While she will not do my annual birthday questionnaire, I know the answer to a few. We feel so fortunate she is in our family. 21 years, 21 years…that’s how long I’ve been a mama. Ginny had the privilege of helping me learn to be a mom and is still teaching me. She’s patient, strong, and loves the Lord. She has always been our obedient one (until she left home) and makes her dad and I proud. Continue to grow Bug and rely on the Savior. We love you and hope your birthday has been wonderful. Here’s to adulting

 

Family time

 The weekend before Ginny's birthday, we went to Paris to see Elijah ordained.  While I enjoyed visiting with my family, I do not feel pretty around my sisters these days.  I feel like I do not belong and am the chubby sister. 

Spring Break

 We are mid-Spring break this week and it has been somewhat relaxing and in other aspects busy.  Jake went the week before to Washington DC with his dad and brothers for about five days and had an enjoyable time.  When they planned the trip, initially he thought it was his Spring Break when he looked on the calendar but did not note it had Aubree's name beside it, which I am good with because that means he is here with me this week. Still no progress on our house. We have Ginny here this week too so we are enjoying that.