Let it Snow!

 Monday and Tuesday schools were closed for a snow day. On Monday, February 15, the temperature was in the single digits with the wind chill at -8 at some points during the day.  Jake and the boys enjoyed playing outside in the snow and the girls and I enjoyed staying inside where it was warm.  Today, it continued to snow more. The schools did an all virtual day and will continue to do so for the remainder of the week.  Jake is loving the snow.  He is like a kid in a toy land! Jake and I did venture out today to receive our first dose of the Covid vaccination. 

He is as happy as he can be.

Snow fun for dad and the boys.

Sumo-wrestling

I just wanted a family picture...I will settle for this.

My crew.  I am grateful they at least took this with me.

I wanted the kids to come see the large flakes outside.

Our little looking at the plates became a snow fight.

Memories in the making.

It is so pretty!

Maybe it should snow more often so he will want to take a picture with me.

I am glad we ventured out to play at 7:30pm as the snow continues to fall.

Happy Valentines Day

 Today was our first Sunday back at church after going "virtual" the past month.  Jake spoke in church. He is such an eloquent speaker and does a remarkable job.  He began his talk about he proposed to me on the side of the road in Carlsbad Caverns. It was not intended but ended up being the better spot according to him.  He states he knew I knew he was going to propose so he wanted to throw me off and was just a jerk the entire day to me.  He really was, no small talk or anything. He answered everything with "yes" or "no".  As we were leaving Carlsbad Caverns, I hopped out of the car (he was driving slowly) and sat on a rock refusing to get back in the car until he told me what was going on. So, he went to turn off the car and got the ring out of the glove box and proposed. The initial plan was at his eagle scout project area that was in the middle of a cow pasture area, so the side of the road was better. Either way, I am just glad he is mine and chose me.  We have created a beautiful life together. It is began to snow that morning and temperatures are expected to have a wind chill of below 0 degrees. 

Our little family-yes, we are required to wear masks to church still.

The beautiful life we've made.

Ginny has been attending the Singles branch but joined us to hear her dad and the weather was getting bad.

My beautiful babies

Will and his cat.

Aubree and her cat.

Celebrating mom's birthday and valentines

 Jake and I came home from work Friday evening and I asked Jake if we could go to dinner.  We enjoyed a nice dinner out and then went for ice cream.  We can tell we are parents because our little date ended with a run into Kroger to get the kids a little treat and a few groceries. The weekend forecast is calling for snow and possible ice so we decided the ladies in the family would meet in Jackson and take my mom our for her birthday. It is also Charity's last weekend before she moves to Nashville with her kids. I love my sisters but sometimes feel as if I am the "unattractive sister". It is nothing they do, but I am guessing because I am the heaviest. 

Renee' Farrell, Rebekah Dickey, Mom (Diane Eaton), Sandra Adamson, and Charity Dilgard

My sisters, mom, and I

Aubree's head shot for her upcoming play

Welcome 2021

Scrolling through social media and realizing that there’s so much negativity about 2020 (people are so anxious for it to end), I was reminded 2020 was not my worst year at all. Yes, it had its challenges but also it’s blessings  2020 blessed our family with TIME, something we had let slip by with the unnecessary business of life  

😬Jake and I both passed our Praxis exams to become licensed administrators. We are both becoming master in-person and virtual teachers at the sane time. I’m so glad we get to work together (same school, grade, and subject- it’s sweet and makes it hard to ever want to change).  

😳Ginny graduated in the top 5% of her high school class and determined her college of choice, after going back forth between BYU- Provo age ETSU.  East Tennessee State University proved to be the best for her. She has decided to serve a full time mission and has her papers ready for submission this month. She demonstrates great trust in our Heavenly Father and shows faith as she moves forward into the unknown. 

😀 Aubree has learned to drive and has her license. She is navigating a new lifestyle of virtual  learning, requiring greater self- advocacy, responsibility, and determination. It is tough, but she somehow is managing all high A’s and is in all honor/AP courses. One of her greatest blessings is a new found closeness with her sister. 

🤩 Will has become quite the outdoor yard care helper and got his first paying yard jobs this year.  He exceeded expectations. He was so excited to be able to buy Christmas 🎄 gifts for all his siblings. He is also learning the importance of non-procrastination and being through as he navigates virtual school. Real talk- it is super hard for him and he struggles to stay focused but he is doing it and steadily improving. He has also learned the desire for in-person friendship days and big just video games. He longs to see his friends in person. 

😎 Christopher doesn’t want 2020 to end. Last night he shared the best thing about was COVID-19 because it brought family time and virtual school. He has championed the unexpected and reminded us that LOVE really is spelled TIME. He also mastered learning to ride a bike. 

🧐 2020 bring lots of personal/world heartache, grief, distress, and flat out negative for many. We hope to remember the good that happened too. We created stronger family relationships, loved home church- learning together (our gospel study became alive and more personal), and as much as we love vacationing-the minimal this year that forced us home with more time. May our little crew never forget the patio dinners,  masks 😷 and sanitizers new car necessities, bike 🚲  riding, family walks, trying new recipes,  games of 4-square, building puzzles 🧩, board games, card games, piano/vocal duets (the expected and unexpected) and our first (and probably only) Christmas 🎄 with just the 6 of us. 

🥳 We are grateful for 2020 because we are better from it... we were reminded the importance of family time, trusting in God and His timing, learning patience as we venture in the unknown, having faith in the small and simple things and not only does God hear our prayers but answers them...most often in unexpected ways. In the beginning of the pandemic I felt sad for myself and kids. I wanted Ginny to have a gradation, prom, etc and I wanted to experience as a traditional mom but I’m glad I got to learn this new way. I was so sad when Aubree’s play was cancelled but later experienced a completely social distanced play where there was more opportunity to shine. So 2020 as you end, you’ll forever be one of my BEST years. 

🙏🏻We count ourselves fortunate this year and continually pray for our close friends and families who are/ were affected differently through the last year. We are aware 2020 has been the worst for some. Our family will continue to do our part and what the leaders have asked. May the Lord bless you and may you feel His love from Him and through others. May we all notice God’s grace more abundantly in our lives this year and act upon it. Welcome 2021! 

Happy 13th Birthday Will

Will, oh Will...our comical boy with the biggest heart.  Although you do not see every day nor may feel it all the time, you make us proud.  You are becoming a young man with a heart to help others.  You have questioned your faith a little this year but have not quit trying to develop your testimony.  You are determined. Each day you want to become more and more like your dad, your eyes light up to spend time with him and when he compliments you. You are super resourceful and witty. We love you exactly the way you are. 

Facts about Will, by Will:

You currently want to be when you grow up: Marine biologist

Your favorite color is: teal

Your favorite show: Beyblade Burst

Your favorite game is: Farming Game

Your favorite toy or activity is: Pickleball

Your favorite girl is: Mom

You are really good at:  baseball

Your best friend is: Walker Orris and JJ Jones

You want to vacation to: Disney Cruise

Your favorite ice cream is:  all, I do not really have just one favorite.

Your wish is to be: a shark

Your hero is: my dad

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: Roblox because cannot due much more during quarantine.   

Your favorite holiday is:  Christmas

Your favorite person in the whole world is: my family

Your favorite song(s) is:  Save our Crown (a Minecraft parody)

Your favorite restaurant is: Olive Garden

Your favorite foods are: pizza

If you had $1000 you would buy:  a yacht

Christmas Day

 Last night was one of my favorite Christmas Eve's ever.  We spent the evening together, ate a wonder dinner, sang Carols, read Luke 2, and began the obstacle course.

Captured Ginny in the moment of tripping

Trying to set up

Jake and I may can mark this as one of our best Christmas's yet.  I think Jake was the jolliest we have seen him in a while (the kids noticed too), we joked with him saying it was because no one was around.  We very much soaked up the moment of just our little family but on the same token, I missed seeing mine too and the traditional Christmas dinner with a family.  All in all, trying to stay "safer at home" was a blessing to us. 

Christmas Eve obstacle course

Let’s begin…

 

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the room, not a child was stirring, each unaware of their impending doom.  

Than arose such a clatter that they arose from the slumber to unravel a story of such awful wonder.

Will they overcome the obstacles and solve the clues before the sunlight hits the morning dew?

 

Here is the first hint: Everything requires hindsight, each lock to be opened- look at history for your insight.

*Lock combo set to 2020*

Clue in the lockbox reads: This is the 1^st game, introduced by Christopher with a ball but Follow the kings reign, or you just might fall.  (Four-square)

 

This is the month and year that we never saw coming. We got two sweet kittens and one with anger. Unlock the door for the kittens before it is too late for Stink, the newest member, for she is in mortal danger.

Lock combo set to 420  that unlocks the bathroom door.

 

You must tell Alexa to illuminate your clue, then slide down the stairs with all care. But name the wrong place and wake mom from dreams of vacation as she transforms into a very hangry bear.

Yellowstone is the code for Alexa to turn on correct light.

 

Papa would probably be mad enough to neat the band…

But we taught you to play poker so play your best hand!

Lock combo set to 000 (code on 10-J-Q-K-A written disappearing ink)

 

It took some effort to learn all together so many times we were “wrong”.

But the lessons centered around a babe and a sign to appease the evil throng.

Lock combo set to 407, code is discovered as page 407 of Book of Mormon highlighted (3Nephi 1)

 

You got so far and come so close, but return to the 2^nd week of February or the game ends and you are toast.

New clue is in the Farming game back upstairs (this in in box by bedroom door).

 

We hope you had fun and created some favorite memories this year. And no matter where or how the time moves us we love you each so dear.  (this is in Farming game attached to a paint stick to move alarm from under bedroom door)

 

This was supposed to be Ginny’s big day but we always knew there was a risk because “she’s going to college” but now is here to stay.

Lock combo set to 511 (should’ve been her graduation day)

 

It’s time to walk in faith especially since the day Aubree started to legally drive. Dodge the tree branches and honor the right away or might slip and take a dive. 

Hop scotch on Sept 18th.  (other spots have vasoline)

 

Possible one of my favorite Christmas Eves ever

Obstacle Course

 

Randoms from the day