The first month of 2011 has came and gone so quickly. The last couple of days, I have been thinking about the impact we have on people whether for the good or bad. I hope the older I get that I am learning to try to have a positive influence on others and avoid being negative or saying hurtful things. Hopefully, my children will learn at an early age by example to not only be kind towards people but to refrain from saying anything derogatory or that could be hurtful. Now, a tad bit of catch up. To begin with, yesterday Jake got bit by a pit bull but we feel blessed it was him and not one of the children. Unfortunately, it happened but it could have been much worse. As for the dogs, yes there were two, they were taken to the pound. Jake still has a lingering cough but feels much better. Jake does the kindest things for me and makes me feel a little more loved every day.
Today at church, I was watching Ginny and noticed how beautiful of a little girl she has become. She radiates with happiness and is 100% precious. She is learning to play the piano quite well and is such a help around the house.Aubree, too is gorgeous. She is becoming a little concerned with her weight and self esteem, so we are aggressively working to be more active and help her understand that she is beautiful just the way she is. Aubree works very hard on her homework and it is paying off. She is learning to read quite well.Will, well, Will is Will....what more can I say. He is beginning to use his words more and still loves anything that is Toy Story. He has taken an interest in using the restroom outside, I can not help but laugh most the time. Christopher is becoming more active and chatty. He now has four teeth and you can see the whites of two more just waiting to cut through. He does not seem to enjoy baby food thus far, except for a select few flavors and has nothing to do with juice.As for me, life is just busy. One of the main things that I am trying to do this coming up month is to plan our meals and my trips to the grocery store. My goal is stay below $75 a week to feed a family of 6. Now, I know some weeks this will be more difficult than others but overall, I feel I can do it.

Aubree is just too cute. Jake was unable to go to church last Sunday because he was sick. When the kids and I were leaving, Aubree noticed that her dad was still home. She said it would be okay because she would "fill in" for him. I asked her what she meant and she said she would sit by bishop and make the announcements. Too cute, huh. Also, later she was telling me how babies were born, she insisted to tell us because she may be a doctor one day and needs to learn these things.

Okay, so I have some new years resolutions and will share them quickly. I am not sure how I will do but at least I am making them.

- I want to raise my voice less at my kiddos

- Exercise more regularly and hopefully this will help me lose 3-5 lbs a month and a total of at

least 30 by end of year.

- I want to teach Will his alphabet

- And lastly, I want to set a small goal each month this year and accomplish it.

It's a short listt hopefully doable, okay the weight one is a similar one I set every year and seldom accomplish that's why, I said exercise more. I plan to take stairs more often. I would like to go to the gym but like to nap in mornings and be with family in the evenings.

Did I mention that Jake got me a new camera for Christmas, it is nice and much needed since my other one broke? The kids were out of school Monday due to inclement weather. They enjoyed it, especially playing in the snow.

So, a new year is upon us and I have neglected to set any goals and feel I am already behind on things. Jake has been sick all week and finally Thursday night, I was persistent enough that he go to the doctor and he had a migraine as well. He was given 2 shots and 3 prescriptions. It is Saturday and he is still non- operational. The kids and I, however, are each doing well. The past couple days I have reflected on life in general, more in particular my life and how I want to remembered. Often, I do not feel that I have much impact on people but am reminded that I have the greatest impact om my children and they impact people as well. This week Ginny was invited to a birthday party that was to be held on a Sunday and before she even mentioned it to me, she had told the little girl that she would like to attend but would not be able too because that is not an activity that she can participate in on Sunday. When Gin told me, I was quite impressed with her. She is growing up and maturing all too quickly. My girls never cease to amaze me on their knowledge and understanding of things and my boys never cease to keep me on my toes. Each of my four children are blessings in my life.

Happy 3rd Birthday Will Farrell

My sweet, little boy turned 3 this week. He is a handful and a pure joy at the same time. Here are a few of his favorite things: Toy Story movies and toys, Monster House movie, dinosaurs, chewing gum, pizza, pajamas, aggravating Aubree, playing with Ginny and Aubree, juice, and playing outside on the trampoline. If you ask Jake, he says that Will's favorite thing is his daddy. Will enjoys trying to help with his baby brother too. We are very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed out family with him, although he does keep us on our toes. He is quite big for his age and most people assume he is 5 or 6. We would not trade him for anything. He is our LOVED 3 year old boy.

Happy Holidays

The Farrell family has experienced a wonderful holiday season thus far. Friday, Christmas Eve, began a little unexpected for us when Jake and the girls were not able to get the first flight home. There were only two seats left and Jake tried to just send the girls and he would catch the next flight out, which was also the last flight out for the day. However, that was not possible and the next flight did not look too promising either. I had planned to spend Christmas Eve just with my boys and hopefully Christmas day would bring my family back to me safely. However to our dismay, there was one seat not sold and two people did not show up for the flight, which allowed them to board and be home at 1:45 p.m. Christmas Eve. My heart could not have been fuller. We spent the rest of the afternoon together and allowed the kids to open their gifts too. We picked Beck up from the airport that night and headed to Jackson. Santa came that night in Jackson and we spent most the day there. We enjoy being around family. I can honestly say this holiday season, I felt the tender mercies of the Lord and my family had their own personal miracles.

Happy Birthday Renee!!!

On Sunday, I was celebrated another year of my life. Actually the celebration began on Saturday night, when I showed up to my friends house attending what I thought was a Christmas party. However to my dismay, Charity had put together a surprise birthday party for me. It was wonderful and would have been perfect if Jake and my girls would have been there. Jake and the girls flew to Texas for a few days for his brothers surprise birthday party. I had planned to go to Jackson for the weekend but mom was up here Saturday and we spent most the day together, so I decided to make an appearance at the party and then head to Jackson. It makes me feel good to know that people really do care about me and remembered my birthday. Thank you Charity!!! Then, on my actual birthday, Sunday, December 19, my mom made my favorite mean of hers that cooks. Homemade lasagna...sometimes it is hard to choose a favorite because she is such a good cook.
Jake spent the day yesterday with his grandparents and Ginny decided on her own, without being asked, to go visit with Grandma Smith....what a thoughtful little girl that she is. I am confident that it meant alot to his grandparents. I have actually stayed busy while they have been gone and was pleasantly surprised yesterday with flowers being delivered with a note that read "I'll be home for Christmas", how sweet was that. Bet you have already guessed they were from my sweetie. Oh, let me tell you the story briefly about them flying out. The birthday party was Saturday night and we decided to fly them out Friday evening when Jake got off work, the girls did not know they were going. Anyways, the tickets are standby and when the tickets were first purchased there were plenty of seats left. However, the flight became sold out and overbooked by two tickets. When I called Delta, I was told they would not be able to get out until Saturday night. So, we decided to try for all three but to definitely try to Jake on the flight and the girls could fly out Saturday night and Jake would pick them up. Now, I am a paranoid mom and prayed that there would be a way for them to all get on the same flight Friday evening. Heavenly Father answered my prayers and they were able to get on with no problem due to misconnects or other miscellaneous things. I truly am blessed.