Too behind

Wow, I have really slacked on maintain our family record the last month or so.  We had great time on vacation with our family.  After we left Moon River Ranch, we headed towards Glacier National Park for a few days.  We then drove back to Utah for an evening/day so Aubree could work and Ginny could catch her flight out that Thursday morning.  I was a little sad that our time together was drawing to a close.  Thursday morning as Ginny left, she bent over in the front seat of the car (I had been napping to take over driving and she can me the most tender hug and said "I love you, momma".  It felt as if she was really growing up and it was a sincere I love you. Fortunately everyone was resting so no one saw the tears trickle down my cheeks. We left the Salt Lake airport and began the last leg of our trip with Aubree and the boys. The last leg of the trip was filled with visiting volcanoes, National Parks, and icons from the Twilight series. We saw Mt. Hood, Mt Rainer (and ate fresh Mt Rainer cherries), Crater Lake, Multnomah Falls, Olympic National Park (stopping to put our feet in the chilly Pacific Ocean, walking through a rain forest, and seeing the world's largest Spruce Tree in Quinault).  We had lunch with my brothers driving back from Oregon to Logan and left Aubree that same night to head home. I am sure it goes without saying that I sobbed.  Our trip was almost 3 full weeks of memories.  Jake had even created a game for the kids to solve and had the first clues delivered by a musician in Amarillo TX. Jake had it all planned perfectly, even down to having old time photos taken. We left Bartlett on 6/27 and returned the evening of 7/14.

I began my new position at UTHSC on 7/17.  The first week was fine but I really missed Jake when teachers headed back on 7/26.  I have missed him several days now knowing he is at school and I am not with him.  I have also received some really sweet texts from other.  Two of which came from former bosses, so that meant a lot: "This is a TREMENDOUS loss to education. I brought my heart job to work next door to you. I have not seen that type of passion and dedication in a while. I am so happy for you and will be supporting Jake’s classroom. " (Cecily Shelton) and "You are hand down the best teacher I have ever worked with. Your passion and love for learning shines through so I can imagine what a tough decision it was..." (Kristi Murin).  It is true, I love to teach and love even more teaching side by side my best friend; we could literally open one another's doors from ours.  I will very much miss the time seeing him at school. 

Moon River Ranch, Satin TX

 We are on our second full day at Moon River Ranch. The kids have enjoyed playing nine square and swimming.  Jake has enjoyed visiting with his family. I have been completing new hire orientation stuff for my new job at UTHSC.  I also submitted by resignation to Bartlett City Schools today. It was very hard for me because I do not want to leave Jake but we feel there is more opportunity for the family by doing it.  It makes me sad.  He is my best friend and person I love the most!  I will miss him fiercely and being able to walk literally next door t see him and standing two feet from him in the hall at class change.  

Meanwhile in Bartlett, our power has been out since Sunday evening about 6:00pm as straight line winds of 80-90 miles per hour swept threw. As of today, there are many trees and power lines down with no estimated time of when we may get power back.  I am still looking forward to going home but now will have to toss much of your food that I just purchased in an effort to being proactive.  Fortunately our neighbor hooked up a generator to the outside freezers, so it will basically just be the refrigerator/freezer that will need to be emptied.  We are blessed. Our neighbor directly behind us had a tree fall over from their back yard but it fell sideways missing our home and the neighbor to our north directly beside us also fell but missed our home/yard.  The Lord continues to bless us.

Happy Days...

 

This past week was extremely busy.  Jake has been working at the house most nights very late getting is ready for floors that went it this week.  He has painted it all by himself. Monday and Tuesday they laid the hardwood floors (well it is a luxury vinyl we chose instead as it is supposedly more durable and easier to care for, so I am hoping we do not regret it) and Thursday and Friday the downstairs carpet.  We spent Friday and Saturday trying to move things back in to place and wipe white dust, which I am sure we will find more as the year progresses.

Friday (6/23/23) I had my first day at UTHSC as the Program Coordinator for Anesthesiology.  I have very mixed feelings about leaving the classroom.  I enjoy teaching but my most favorite thing has been working side by side with Jake daily the last 7-8 years.  I will miss that most.  I am sure I will also miss the longer breaks, but Jake and I believe that this may be best in the long run due to the benefits.  Although I do not feel stressed teaching, everyone says that teachers are stressed and may not see it until no longer on that field. Jake said that most all e-mails and calls are received are worrisome or negative.  I think the thing that I dislike most about teaching is disrespectful students and adults that do not hold students accountable nor give consequences (in the school and in homes). 

Now for the way happy parts. First., all my babies are briefly home for hot minute. Aubree flew in Saturday evening, and I cannot tell you how happy my heart was Sunday (6/25/23) having all my babies with me at church and for the next week and a half.   Second, much thanks to Jake’s constant work the last three weeks on the house daily, we checked out from the hotel Sunday morning and when we return home from vacation, we are going to our house to stay.  Yes, there is still work to be done (no trim or baseboards yet, a few rooms of painting, boys bathroom vanity and tile, kitchen tile, and loads of unpacking/organizing) but it is livable. We are going back home after six months and by the time we return from vacation, almost seven months. 

Yesterday (6/25/23) after sacrament meeting, we snapped a family picture by the temple, went by our house to change clothes, and hit the road for Texas.  We enjoyed standing in our closets to change and hang up our clothes.  We quickly did things around the house and hopped in the car to leave.  We said our prayer, turned on our traditional pulling away vacation song “Roll Out” and pulled out.  It was one of the best car rides yet as the kids enjoyed being together (we laughed and sang) and Ginny drove some while Jake and I napped. It is a memory I want to remember and hear the laughter and singing forever in my head. 

 

Happy Father's Day

     Our Father's Day did not begin as we awoke to discover 2 of our cars had been broken into at the hotel (this is now Jake's, mine, and Ginny's).  However, my dad was swift to help and got the boys to church.  Jake went to church and Ginny and I went to the house and wrapped our windows.  I arrived at church in time for the end of sacrament meeting but made it.  I am surrounded by wonderful influential men in my life that give so much for me and our children.  My dad and Jake exemplify unconditional love and patience.   We ate dinner at Beck's and then headed to the hotel for a nice, long, much needed nap. 

 

It has been too long....

 It has been too long since I have taken the time to provide an update on our life. Ginny and Aubree both finished their semesters strong. Aubree has loved being at Utah State and loved her roommates.  Ginny attended the Taylor Swift concert at the end of April and was so excited.  School let out for Jake, the boys, and I on May 19th for the summer.  We left to go see Ginny so she cold practice her dental hygeine skills May 23-26th.  Jake has begun acting as the general contractor for our home and has been working really hard trying to get it where we can move back in.  I think we are ready but have seen many blessings.  I am doing summer school again this year.

 

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.