Helen GA with the family

We are spending 5 days in Helen GA with Jake's parents and his sister Sarah's family.  His parents spent 2 nights with us before the trip so one of the kids could ride to GA with them. It was so nice to have both sets of grandparents at church with our family. 

Thus far evenings have been spent visiting and playing games. Laughter has filled the evenings. It has been nice to pray as a large family and hear Papa share a short message one night. I hope my children always know we tried to have scripture and prayer daily. We walked around town today for a touch. 

Summer has begun

 Summer is in full swing in the Farrell household. Jake has set his eyes on building himself a new shed and it is going to be large, almost 400 square feet.  The only thing he has not done himself (excluding the kids and I) is having the concrete poured for the foundation.  He spends hours each day on it but will be proud of it when it is done.  We took a small break and spent the lake at the weekend with our friends the Paynes. It was enjoyable.  The boys went to Boys camp the following week. I ended up having to meet Jake to get Will because he hurt his knee. With that said, it was nice to spend some time with him. 

Happy Birthday Christopher

Christopher is 15! What a blessing he is in our family. He is kind and has a tender heart.  He loves to tell jokes and please his parents. He does his best to serve the Lord and grow his testimony. We are so glad he is in our family. 

Facts about Christopher by Christopher:

I love family time.

My favorite thing to do is play games.

I love learning math.

I currently want to be when you grow up: Palliative Care doctor.

My favorite color is all except barf green

My favorite show is Kpop Demon Hunters.

My favorite game is Clash Royale.

My favorite activity is sports.

My favorite girl is mom.

I am really good at comforting.

My best friend is Scotty Marshall.

I want to vacation to Japan and Paris.

My favorite ice cream is Blue Bell Grooms Cake. 

My wish is to repeat the day I got the wish, so I can change that wish and remember what I wished. 

My hero is mom or Will.

My favorite thing to do with your friends is play games.

My favorite holiday is Christmas.

My favorite person in the whole world is mom and Will.

My favorite song(s) is "Golden" and "Soda Pop".

My favorite restaurant is Dave's Hot Chicken. 

My favorite foods are pulled pork burritos, then chicken. 

If I had $1000 I would pay tithing then invest. 

May 2025 Final Recap (ER and Aubree back)

May ended up being a much busier month than anticipated. On Monday, May 12th, Will got his braces off, which he was happy about.  We let him choose where to have dinner and he chose Texas Roadhouse. That was the beginning of craziness for the month and we had no idea.  The next day, Tuesday Jake woke up sick and I called into work for him. He had been sick through the night.  That afternoon, he felt prompted to go to urgent care and had the thought "gallbladder".  He want and the physician told him it sounded like gallbladder issues or kidney stones and ordered an ultrasound for the following day.  On Wednesday, he felt well enough to go back to work and after school he went for his ultrasound. His stomach was not 100% bet he felt it was probably just filling back up and nothing more. Thursday was a typical day but Friday after lunch, he received a call while at school from the urgent care telling him the ultrasound results show gall bladder issues and he needed to go to the Emergency room and not go through the weekend with it.  Reluctantly, he left work and picked up the ultrasound results to take to our primary care doctor, who also saw the results and said to go the ER to request a CT Scan and will most likely go into surgery for the gall bladder to be removed.  He called me and I took the remainder of the day off work to take him.  Our Friday evening (over 7 hours) was spent in the ER, with about 5.5 of those in the waiting room. But I was able to chat with several people and let people borrow my phone charger since we had anticipated to spend the night, I had a couple.  We were finally called back to a room and a CT Scan ordered. The results came back good and no issues.  

Now, I shared that to lead to this point- God is a God of miracles!  I feel that Jake has extra protection as he serves diligently as bishop. Our family receives blessings. Now when he is released, we may have thyroid and gall-bladder issues, but for now, the Lord sees fit to have him serve and keep him healthy.  We have no explanation as to why the ultrasound showed something entirely different than the CT Scan and why two medical doctors, said go to the ER, except for but GOD. He watches over us and is a God of tender mercies and miracles. 

The month of May began with 5 of us at home and is ending with 6 of us at home. On Saturday, 5/24, I flew out to get Aubree. We left her apartment in Logan about 8:00am Sunday for our 1600 mile trek and arrived in Memphis about 6:15pm on Monday 5/27.  It was a very hard decision for her and she still hopes to get into the Utah State nursing program (she is currently an alternate).  The first weekend of May, she had told us she had decided to stay in Utah and attend Weber State. This decision would require student loans, and attending UTHSC would not, but we let her choose. On Tuesday (4/29) before we boarded the plane for Florida, we went over cost by cost for her between Weber State's nursing program and UTHSC's nursing program.  UTHSC should be debt free but Weber State would be over $10,000 debt was our best guess.  However, on Friday night when she had called to tell us she was staying in Weber and get her ADN, we said okay. However later that night, I looked up and discovered that Weber was an Associates degree, something she had failed to mention.  So Jake called and had a stern conversation with her.  Yes, it is dumb to go into debt for a lesser degree but we were most upset she withheld that information from us.  We were under the impression this entire time, it was a BSN like Utah State and UTHSC. Long story short, the next week she withdrew and on Sunday 5/18, she said we could come get her on 5/25 to come home for the summer (in hopes of the alternate position opening at USU) or to plan to attend school here as she has been accepted. It worked out because my parents were driving back from ID this same week and were able to grab a couple totes as well.  I know it is not ideally what she wants and I hope she does not have hard feelings for us but I almost feel it was a catch 22...she would be upset if we pushed for her to come back home and attend school or in the future upset because we did not push for it if debt was acquired.  Regardless, I am glad she is here for now and hope she finds joy in whatever course her path becomes. 

I like when he sends me photos too.....I'm a blessed lady!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Mother's Day song

 Christopher wrote me a song for Mother's day and had his dad play, while he sang it.  He sang it to the tune of "Forever" by Nathan Pacheco.

Mom’s song

Through all my trails and fears. 

You remained with me for years. 

Through every tear, you helped me grow 

You always loved me

You stayed and cared for me

You eased all my trials every time

 

You’re the best mom ever

You never looked away

From all the pain you took from us

I’ll always be so glad

You brightened up my days

Your hope for me kept me going

 

You are my hero

Full of kindness and hope

Your perfect love cannot be broken 

With you I’ll never bend

With you I’ll never break

You’ve always been my, my strength

 

I will always love you

I will share my joy with you

I will never leave you

I will cherish you, I will cherish you

 

You are my hero

Full of kindness and hope

Your perfect love cannot be broken 

With you I’ll never bend

With you I’ll never break

You’ve always been my strength

 

I will always love you

I will share my joy with you

I will never leave you

I’ll cherish you, I’ll cherish you

  

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

You gave up so much

 

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

You gave up so much

 

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

You gave up so much

 

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

I’ll remember you

You gave up so much

 

I will always love you

I will share my joy with you

I will never leave you

I’ll cherish you, I’ll cherish you

 

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

You are the best

May 2025 begins

The month started with my work trip to Ft. Lauderdale, and this time Jake was able to join me.  Everything seems to be better for me when he is around. We ate each evening together, walked along the beach, sat by the pool, sat on the beach and watched the Blue Angels practice, and enjoyed one another's company.  We arrived back home a couple of days before our 24th anniversary. The past few years we have eaten at Happy Mexican for our anniversary but changed it up a touch this year because there was a large party happening in the parking lot and we did not want go through the crowd or have a long wait. So, in the spirit of aging together, we went to Lowes and then to Olive Garden for dinner.  I am very blessed to be married to Jake, he is patient with my weaknesses and exemplifies what an eternal companion and father should be.  He, not only blesses my life, but the lives of others daily.  He is my person!

At the airport waiting to leave

Aubree sent a picture of a concert she went to.  I always enjoy getting pictures of my babies. 

Easter 2025

Yes, I am behind on my entries but I do joy down in my planner the things I need to update and record, although I am certain I miss much.  Easter (4/20/2025) service was beautiful at church. I loved hearing "He is Risen" so many times. Jake and the boys all three sang in the choir and Ginny joined me at church. Naturally I missed Aubree and I am thankful that she is welcomed by people in Utah and invited to join others but I would prefer her with me. We had my parents and Rebekah's family over for lunch after church, along with a less active member, widowed male, 2 of Ginny's friends, and the sister missionaries. It was a diverse group and maybe even a little chaotic at times but is that not what the Savior would do....welcome people from all walks of life at His table.  I find joy in being kind to others and trying to help them, even though I often fall short.  I am glad to know that I hope for and believe in a God of 2nd, 3rd, and even 4th chances.  There are times when I feel feeble but no reason to doubt God as there would be no good in that. He lives and has provided a way for my family to be together forever!  

On a different note, I bought the boys each new suits.  Originally Christopher did not want one but changed his mind when I made a return.  I am not sure if changed because he liked that it was in the men's section but either way, he got one.  Both my boys looked so very handsome! 

 

Christophe and his friend, Jonah Donald convinced Ginny to buy them a little pool to hang out in.