Spring break farrell style

Last week was spring break which can not come soon enough for teachers or students. Right after school we headed to Michigan to see Michael and Amy. The drive was a little longer than anticipated, party because of rainy conditions almost the entire way but enjoyable. We took the kids to eat at Lambert's Cafe on the way up and the boys lived trying to catch rolls. They tried to hold their hands up even if they did not need one. We enjoyed homemade pizza with Michael, frozen Lake Michigan (literally, we walked out onto it), Chicago style pizza, Willis tower, Millenial Park, Chicago mix popcorn, and outlet shopping. We made a day trip to Chicago while the kids were in school but took Claire with us. Willis tower was crazy, currently the tallest observation deck in the Western Hemisphere; the observation deck is on the 104th floor. Upon arriving back, dinner was prepared and Amy had made Ginny a Texas sheet cake to celebrate her upcoming birthday. We had s wonderful time and so much enjoy their family. Upon returning back to Bartlett, we dove into home improvements and are still working on them but out home is looking much better and we are totally making it ours. 

Happy birthday Jake and Ginny!

March 23rd and 24th are both special dats for me. The 23rd is the day that my eternal companion began his mortal journey. Every year I am more in love with this man and thankful to his parents for bringing him into this world. Happy birthday Jake! The 24th is the day I became a mother. Happy birthday 13th Ginny! Ginny is finally a teenager in her words but it makes me a little sad that she's growing up so quickly. We are extremely proud of her and the lady she is becoming. Some of her favorites right now are: concert band (she plays the flute), pistachios, clothes, and Minnie Mouse. 

Snow days

Tennessee has enjoyed some winter weather, leading to 4 days out school one day and most likely two this week. This week was the first time that we have had sine avid not just sleet or ice. Measuring the yard was over 5 inches if snow and there is at least 1/2 inch if ice under the snow. Jake loves the snow, unlike me, and he left yesterday for Salt Lake City to ski with his brothers. He was so excited to go but I'm sure he'd like to be here today to play in the sons with our little sweethearts. Speaking of our sweets, Ginny made concert band and has been inducted to the junior national honor society, Aubree has been inducted into Beta club, Will is quite the little reader now, and Christopher can wear size 4t clothes now (yes, he will be 5 this year but he's a small little fella).  Life for the Farrell household is good! 

Happy 7th Jacob William

My boy celebrated his 7th birthday this week. Unfortunately we were headed back home to Bartlett TN from spending Christmas in Cloudcroft NM with Jake's family. On his birthday, we took the kids to Carlsbad Caverns and showed the kids where we got engaged. When we arrived at uncle Tommie's house, they had cake waiting for him too. Will is as active as they come. He is all boy bug I wouldn't change it. He loves playing Skylanders, Infinity, and with Legos these days. He enjoys going to hibachi places and for pizza. He currently weighs 74lbs and is 4ft 4 inches tall, so he is big for his age and in size 10 clothes. Both sides of the family refer to him as "the plumber" because his bum is always showing. Will makes me proud of the young boy that he is and the boy he is becoming. He gladly helps his cousins and plays with his brother. 

Merry Christmas 2014

Reflecting on Christmas, I am forever grateful for the birth and life of Christ. His life provides me with hope, strength, courage, and reason to continue on daily. He lives today and I am thankful. This Christmas has been one filled with mixed emotions for me. Not too long ago we found that Michael and his family would be moving to Michigan, however, we had anticipated that it would be next Spring. However, he found out that they would be leaving right after Christmas. One of the reasons there are mixed feelings is because we left on the 20th to visit Jake's family in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, so that meant that when we pulled away, I had to say good bye to Michael's family. They will have moved by the time we get home. The kids did exceptionally well on the trip. We had let them open gifts the week before we left so they could play with them and we could travel lighter. It helped that they had a couple new small things to play with on the trip that were still new. On a side note, I am glad to see Jake enjoy his family. It is not always easy for me because I do not always feel apart of the family by certain individuals but I would not take this opportunity away from Jake or our children. There are times where I think it is because they do not know me well (but we have been married 13 years). I hope one day that they enjoy me and am glad I'm there. The kids are also having a great time and enjoying the snow. They have been sledding and ice skating. We also took them to the space museum in almagordo, NM. Several fun memories were made. Jake said his favorite part was chatting with his dad the night before we left. On the way home we went to Carlsbad Caverns and told the kids of our engagement there.