It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, every where you go, except the Farrell home.  Haha, we have put up a few decorations on the interior but have not touched the interior. I am not sure as to why I am not feeling as festive yet this year, maybe I just have not taken the time too.  My mind races with things to share but I want to share just a couple of thoughts this evening.  Recently, at the last general conference, the announcement was made that church services would be reduced to two hours and more emphasis is to be placed on home study together. While, I like the idea of two hour church and the responsibility of gospel growth more placed on individual and family study, a part of me worries that as busy as we have allowed ourselves to get in this society, that the hour that should be spent strengthening family may get filled with something else.  Then my mind wonders more...is the reduction in time spent at church an effort to help us make more time for the Lord because we are not making adequate time. I am hoping that we will find ways to inspire our children. Speaking of inspiration and being a good example for our children, yesterday after work, Jake noticed one of our neighbors blowing leaves in their yard and within moments of being home, he had grabbed the leaf blower and whipped out the door. We did not know he had even left. However, after discovering where he was, I sent the kids to help. Will was the only one that chose to stay as there was not much else that others could have done.  I am grateful for the example set for our boy. Will has a pure heart. As difficult as he can be, he is a good boy.  Over Thanksgiving, I was reminded of how he stayed with Kilie in Georgia every where we went and made sure she was included. Megan and Grammy said he made that little girls trip enjoyable.  He often does notice the one and seeks to include them and be kind.  I need to notice the good more often and compliment it. I want him to recognize all the good that he does as well. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  This year we traveled to Cloudcroft, New Mexico for Thanksgiving to be with Jake's parents because for the first time, we were given a week off school for Thanksgiving break.  Jake as adamant about leaving Saturday morning, although I tried to convince him to leave Monday morning for a few reasons. First, it would give me Saturday to put up some Christmas and just get ready. And my brothers were both flying in Sunday so I could see them a couple hours on Sunday. My feelings were hurt that he would not even consider it, even though it has been a couple of years since I saw them.  We stayed in Abilene Saturday and Sunday to visit with Tommie and Karen.  There was a youth dance Saturday night, so we left early enough to get the girls there to attend. It was difficult for me to get up Saturday morning at 4:30, especially since I did not get to bed until almost 2:00 am.  To prepare to leave Saturday, I had a list of things that I needed to accomplish each day, including school work and felt like I stayed on top of my game for the most part. Monday after we left Abilene, we stopped in Midland to have lunch with Jenny and Megan's families on the way to Cloudcroft. Tuesday morning we visited the Petroglyphs Park and a lava ruins park. Chris and Crystal arrived in Cloudcroft on Tuesday afternoon.  It has been a nice visit.

November Update

The last week of October, I was fortunate enough to get the flu, type B.  This was the first time that I have experienced the flu and was leery when people would say that it hit quick and your body aches, however, I stand corrected.  It was within a matter to two to three hours that I went from feeling fine teaching to barely being able to stay warm (mind you, I am seldom cold).  The doctor put me on five prescriptions and it took almost two weeks before I felt normal.  I was off work for a week.  Jake was a super star and covered everything at school for me. Halloween was the day, I ventured back to work and it was a day calling for storms that evening. After work, I went to get Charity's kids from the baby sitter, so hopefully I could let them trick or treat before the storms with my kiddos. We barely beat the rain but were able to let the kids knock on doors for about forty minutes.  November 2nd, I had scheduled a personal day to attend Christopher's field trip with him at Discovery Park.  My voice was still raspy and I had a cough, it was a good day to be with my little man. My dad's sister, Anna Cook, passed away on November 10th and we decided it was best to drive to Jackson to be with him for the day.  That morning the kids and I cleaned the church (Jake had a headache) and I was planning to attend stake conference and my meetings beforehand but felt that I needed to be with my dad, so that is what we did. Mom was out of town on a cruise so was not aware and despite how strong you think you are, losing a loved one hurts. The boys love going to Papa's farm and he had not gotten the eggs, so the boys were more than happy to get them. Those boys, especially Will, belong in the open land.

Parenting Fails

Concluding our fall break, we spent the Friday at the zoo with our little crew.  It was a terrific time. A week later, this past weekend, I experienced my hardest parenting weekend.  The boys and I drove to Paris on Saturday for Clark's 1st birthday but Will ended up getting in trouble.  He decided to get into a fight with Riley, claiming it was self-defense.  Often I fear that I am failing my Heavenly Father, my husband, and my children when it comes to parenting.  I fear that I am not helping my children realize their divinity. Saturday evening, Ginny and I got into a nice argument and it blew up again Sunday again.  In hindsight, I am not even sure that I know the gist of it all but I do know that damage was done and I need to work very hard to repair it.  To make it even more hurtful, tonight we brought Ginny down and grounded her for the first time ever.  This decision was made last night but we wanted to address it when it was more calm.  The hardest thing is knowing she is such a good girl and she is hurting. We explained this can be a defining moment in her life.  Afterwards, I came to my room and just cried. Jake went outside and called his mom. This parenting stuff is so incredibly hard, especially having to be the disciplinarian. My heart hurts so bad and my eyes have now been swollen the last two mornings and I am uncertain that tomorrow will be even better for me eyes. I can only pray for Heavenly Father to help me know what I need to do for my children, after all they are his children too and he knows them best.  I am hoping that they feel love from me and never feel like they are a burden or that I do not have time for them.  Jake and these four crazies, I cal, my kids, are my greatest treasures.