It should've been graduation day...

My dearest Ginny-

         Today was supposed to be your graduation day, a day to celebrate academic accomplishments and for parents to cry on the sidelines, beaming with proudness and awe. Could our baby really be “crossing the line” into adulthood?!? Have we taught you all you need to know, have I done my part to prepare you for the tempest that may come, then I recall the world you entered. You do not remember 9/11 … the pain, the fear and the heartaches but you also do not remember the bonds formed and nation unified. I remember hearing of 9/11 lying on the couch becoming struck with sadness. What I did not realize is that a few months later, hope would be restored to my soul as I gazed into your newborn eyes. Ginny, you were born in a chaotic world but also under a banner of a strength as the nation unified. People seemed to be a little kinder to one another. Faith was restored as loved ones and strangers came together. Now, eighteen years later, our world is in turmoil again as your journey into adulthood begins, my heart worries as you prepare to embark into an unknown world. There is much uncertainty and unknowns, however, I believe that your class, the class of 2020 will change world. Though many of the “senior moments” are not the typical ones, you have learned to innovate and celebrate. You have not been deprived but blessed with an experience that has taught and is teaching perseverance, optimism, and innovation. You have proven that you do not have to have all the fluff to experience joy. You are an agent of change with a bright future. Born into country beginning to re-build itself, you set sail as an adult into a country “under construction” and without doubt, you were chosen to do so. I love you Bug….go shine, continue to scatter joy, and be one of the "rare" ones that looks for ways to help others feel joy. Do not fear and be the good! We love you!

On a side note, this little beauty is graduating with a 4.4 GPA and in the top 5% of her class (over 650 kids).

Look at the love between Jake and the kittens and how happy Ginny looks about a text she had just received.

We cut down the front trees and I think it looks nice.

19 years and counting....

     Yesterday Jake and I celebrated our 19th anniversary. It was quite different than others as the economy is starting to re-open this week but in slow phases- certain criteria has to be made and there are three phases.  However, we picked up Mexican and looked at rock.  Actually we purchased rock for the front yard and for Jake to begin his patio out back with...he was a happy camper.  That afternoon, we unloaded rock (2 tons) and moved rock again and again. It was an ideal anniversary to me just being around him.  If I had to do our life all over again, I would do it again.  He is my person.  I did not do or say anything mushy but did post this:"19 years with this guy and most days I still wonder why I was so blessed. He’s the best, a great dad, kind, creative, and .... All Mine! If you want the sweet, mushy mess- you can read his birthday post from March. Happy anniversary Jacob Farrell- I LOVE you!" 
     Last night for scripture though, he shared about marriage and told our children the importance of it. He also expressed that he hopes that they marry someone who brings them joy as I bring him (the opposite is also true...he is one of my greatest joys).  Then today, I see this from this morning: "
Yesterday my wife and I celebrated 19 years of marriage. I would describe our marriage as everyday. It is one where I want to do the everyday stuff with her. When I go to Home Depot I want Renee to go with me even though I know she is going to tel me that I do not need another drill. My favorite part of the day is sitting down, cuddling next to Renee, and watching our favorite shows. When a pandemic comes around and shuts you in the house, she is the one that I want to spend everyday with. In a word, our marriage is everyday.
Now, if I could give a piece of advice to my newlywed self... You have made it through day one and you already made at least two mistakes. This is great. You are setting low expectations, and you will make mistakes on the regular. Thing is, Renee is not looking for superman. She wants someone to listen, and your are pretty good at that even if you forget a lot of stuff. Her favorite is Mexican food and chocolate ice cream. She will eat the generic stuff, but be a pal and introduce her to Blue Bell. When you argue it is best to apologize quickly even though you are right, which is most the time. Good news, the biggest argument you will have is over a burrito. Do not mess with this girl's Mexican food. Renee has the most beautiful smile, do your best to see it daily. When you hug her you get to smell her hair. Your most relaxing moments will be listening to her talk, and this come natural to her. She likes to tuck her thumb when you are holding hands, which is different but still worth it. She will be the best decision and greatest joy of your life, so enjoy each and everyday. You are going to have a fantastically happy life next to her." How sweet is that and how elegant are his words! He truly is the best.

Welcome May and boys will be boys

       Here are a few quick stories to be remembered. The other night Jake was working outside with the boys and Christopher was sharing his chocolate covered raisins with his dad.  Later that afternoon, Will tells his dad not to eat the raisins because Christopher had spit on them.  When Jake asked Christopher, he said that was correct. He had spit on them so that his brother would not eat them.  We had a really good laugh.  That same night, Will caught a roll of paper towels on fire, Jake told his to put it out and drop it.  Of all the places he could have dropped it on the concrete outside, he dropped it on the future......once again causing a good laugh after Jake ensured nothing caught fire.
       Ginny received her cap and gown yesterday (5/1) and has been asked to take photos in it for a slide show by early next week since there is no definite on how graduation will be handled, so we took a few pictures today.

These kittens are getting more and more love.

Jake has pulled weeds for two days now...he loves his lawn.

Ginny loves the cats...she may become a crazy cat lady.

Up to day 46

          I feel fortunate and blessed to be alive during this pandemic. It has forced my crew to slow down and be together (some days are easier than others). A little over a week ago I was feeling sad for my kids (including Ginny and all the senior “rights”, activities, and mess) and then for myself missing out as a parent on those things for a child. However Jake reminded me he prefers the “alternative” because we are getting all this extra time with her before she leaves home. So this week, I have focused on the good- I may be missing senior things (she is officially done with high school as of last week, if corona would’ve paid a visit), Aubree’s role in HairSpray, baseball with my boys, end of year school year activities, Easter dinner with my crazy family, etc....I am glad to be “cooped up” with my crazy crew. I love movie nights, bike rides, four-square, board games, spades, trying new recipes, family prayer and scripture (like daily), home church, and just sitting outside with them, seeing all the good. Despite what is happening in our world, I am grateful to be a part of it and what it’s created in my little world. Here is a shout out to my kid that I posted on the "adopt a senior page" on social media: " Our daughter is Ginny, graduating this year from Bartlett High in the top
5% with a 4.4 GPA. When Ginny sets to do something, whether she wants to or not- she gives it her best and is 100% committed. Ginny looks for the “one”, the one that seems alone or needs a friend and reaches out to them. She has a servants heart and finds joy in others joy. She is one of the rare ones that will be remembered a lifetime for lifting others and helping them see their best too. Ginny scatters joy wherever she goes."
         Saturday (4/25/20), we drove to Jackson and cooked fish for my parents.  It got surprisingly cold but we still stayed outside most of the time to stay the appropriate distance from one another. Sunday we enjoyed church together as family and that afternoon had a drive by photo shoot. We decided to take one with real clothes and the remainder how we really spend the day in our lounge clothes.  We spent lots of time on the driveway and outside so we were just real. However no one bothered to tell me that my shirt was too tight...how embarrassing. Monday, Jake and I volunteered at the high school serving lunches to students.

Quarantine continues

Life as we know it as changed and I am guessing will continue to change over the next year or so until a vaccine is created.  Overall, I have not allowed my spirits to get down but last Friday I found myself in my closet sobbing.  I had watched a message from the superintendent stating that the students will not return to the school this academic year. He also apologized to the seniors and that is when tears filled my eyes and began to flow.  Naturally, I thought about Ginny and the things she was missing. Then I realized I was sad for me too that she is my oldest and I too, am missing out on these "senior moments" with her. The next day, I told Jake I had a moment and explained why and he reminded me that the this alternative is better because of all the time we are getting to spend with her before she leaves for college.  So, this is actually a blessing in disguise in some ways.  We do have time with her that was unanticipated and as a family before our kiddos start leaving the nest, so that is what I am trying to focus on and remember.  However, each time I go to the grocery (about every ten days) my heart is sad too to see shelves empty and people in masks.  I do not like it. However, with all the sadness, there is much good too.  People around the nation have come together to ease the burdens of one another. People in the mid-south are "adopting seniors", Ginny was adopted within minutes by three of our co-workers and we adopted one for a much less fortunate situation in a "not so great area" of Memphis and were able to send him his favorite snacks and a gift card to his favorite fast food restaurant.  Another positive is that we unexpectedly received masks in the mail for our entire family.  Sandra sent a few that she had for the boys but did not have material for adult ones but the same day, a senior missionary couple that had served in the branch had sent six.  It was a pleasant surprise to check the mail and magically have enough for our family. It was a tender mercy from above.

Eggs and Scriptures

    So, I want to remember the things that we shared and hope to keep these in a safe place to add to over the years. In our eggs:
"I am going to not watch any shows by myself in order to dedicate more time to the Lord." --- Ginny
"I want to sacrifice my feeling and service unto Christ. I would like to serve my whole family and express my feelings. Smart Goals: Heal my knee, individual study, don't pee pants, room clean, get over constipation, kind & loving heart." --- Will
"My sacrifice: Seminary everyday instead of procrastinating it" ---Aubree
"I will give him everything he want even my delicious yummy croutons and you know I will never sacrifice croutons besides to the thee God, Heavenly Father. PS and games" --- Christopher
"Mom's finest for Christ, What can I sacrifice for Christ and what does his Sacrifice mean to me? The sacrifice of Christ gives me hope and redemption. It allows me to feel like I can doe something even when I feel all is lost. What I see as defeat can become my win/victory. I will try to sacrifice guilt when I feel I am not enough. I will do my best to persevere" ----Mom
The scriptures:
Christopher--- Mosiah 1:5 Summary: preserved by the hand of God to understand.
Ginny --- Mosiah 16:9 "He is the light and life of the world; yea a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."
Mom--- Jacob 6:4 "How merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the House of Israel.." "We are never Forgotten!"
Will---Mosiah 23:23 " For behold I will show unto you that they were brought into bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God..." " We are Delivered"
Aubree--- Mosiah 2:31, Mosiah 3: 9-11 " For behold, and also his blood atoneth for the sins of those who have fallen by transgression of Adam, who have died not knowing the will of God..."

        As I read these this morning to record as my family was all still asleep, my heart was edified and softened. I saw something more in each of my children and what they can teach me. How forever blessed am I that they are mine!

While it may be simple and not beautiful to the eyes, it is gorgeous to me.

Happy Easter

        This year, we attempted to do something different as a family the week leading up to Easter.  I bought an Easter creche, which I love that will stay up with my nativity year round. Each part of the creche represents different people whom were part of the Savior's final week."A Christ Centered Easter" is the book that accompanies it and the book offers different traditions and challenges that can be used the week leading to Easter.  Our family wrote what the Savior's sacrifice means to us and what we can sacrifice for him and placed it on a folded sheet of paper in a plastic egg and hung it on the branch of a tree.  We added a scripture that reminds us of Christ and placed that on the tree too and a ribbon after we have eased someone's burden this week. While we were not perfect at it, I am excited tonight or tomorrow to share some of these with one another.
        Here is quick breakdown of the people we referenced (and we looked up scriptures about them too): The people of Jerusalem- they found ways to celebrate Christ and show their love for Him. Palm leaves were used as he entered the city (which is why we used a tree branch as the symbol and the task was the find a way to celebrate Christ. Simon- he was compelled to serve in an unexpected way (symbol was a ribbon knot on our finger and after we lifted the burden of another (the task), we tied the ribbon a branch). Joseph and Nicodemus- they sacrificed all they had and gave their very best (symbol was the plastic egg with a message on the inside of what Christ sacrifice means to me or what we will sacrifice for Him). Mary Magdeline- the first to see the resurrected Lord and went to tell others (the task is to share your testimony of Christ with someone). Thomas- symbolizes waiting and home, so we were tasked to find something in our home to remind us of Him. Two disciples on the road to Emmaus- felt the love and learned of the love through the Scriptures, even when Christ was right there with them, so we write a scripture that we cherish about Him and hang it on a branch. Like I said, it was not perfect but hopefully it strengthened us some.
       It was very odd not being able to attend church Easter Sunday or go to my parents but we watched a stake service in our home and uploaded a video to the branch facebook page.  Several families in the branch posted musical numbers on the page to share with others. I so enjoyed watching them and felt more love for them as I watched.  Although it was not the "ideal" Easter, we found ways to invite Him in and remember Him. We dressed in our Sunday best and observed the Sabbath.