Time flies. Jake is gone more frequently with bishoping right now. Part of it is tithing deceleration was able to start a month earlier. I just try to be supportive. It does get lonely sometimes and is hard for me when I can tell things are weighing in him and we can’t discuss. With that said, I try not to ask questions and just let him hold me in his arms when he gets home from those hard days. I am learning that it is a calling no one understands until they’re in it and will forever be kind to bishops and their families. 

Ginny was able to come home for a couple days over fall break. It was good to be with her. How I miss my girls. Jake told me a couple night ago that no one told him how hard it would be when his girls left. He expressed how he missed the smiles, laughter, and music in her home. Me too, me too. I no am trying to focus inward on my boys (and girls when they let me) since much of Jake’s focus needs to be outward now. We balance each other well. 

Florida, Utes, Birthday, and a wreck

  Jake and I took the day off work on Friday 9/2 to drive to Florida for the Utah game and Ginny was meeting us there to get her new car, so we got to bed late and were excited for the fun the next day help. However,  Saturday, September 3 @ 4:27am (which would have been 2:27 am Utah time), the phone rang....you know when a call comes in the middle of the night, it is most likely not good news.  Rolling over to see the phone, you see it is your 17 year old daughter and fear strikes.  Aubree had been in an accident but is okay. From the best we can tell, she fell asleep at the wheel driving back from an out door concert.  I did not go back to sleep for couple hours after the accident to make sure she was sage back in her dorm.  Immediately after we hung a minute for the ambulance to check her out, I said a prayer of gratitude to our Father in Heaven that her injuries were minor. I was already a little bummed that we would not be with her on her 18th but adding a car accident the night before her birthday added to the stress.  Thank goodness for modern technology and the ability to see one another and that I was able to send medications, bandages, and food the same day via Wal-Mart delivery.  

It is so difficult for me to not be there and one of my greatest fears happened in less than a week that I left my baby there.  My worst fear is one of my babies being taken (kid-napped) but something happening to them when I am so far way is another.  Although, I know we have been blessed, I am emotionally tired.  I worry, as I am certain most parents do. We are beyond thankful it is not as bad as it could have been and our daughter is okay. 

 

Happy Birthday Aubree

 

How’s it possible that Jake and I have two children the world can classify as adults? Happy 18th birthday to our Aubree. She’s the epitome of beauty, kindness, and the desire to do right. Aubree spreads happiness wherever she goes and makes our family better. We are so happy you are safe.

She seems to like the evening of milestones birthdays up be big.we were at Utah football games the eve before her birth and the eve of her 18th. Aubree- continue to go big and be you. We love you! 

 

You currently want to be when you grow up: A pediatric nurse

Your favorite color is: Sage green

Your favorite show is: Parks and Recreation 

Your favorite game is: Pickleball & Volleyball 

Your favorite toy or activity is: Hiking

Your favorite boy is: Jesus Christ 

You are really good at: -

Your best friend is: Jesus Christ

You want to vacation to: Ireland 

Your favorite ice cream is: Aggie Birthday Cake, obviously 

Your wish is to be: like Jesus

Your hero is: Jesus Christ 

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: Play sports & paint 

Your favorite holiday is: Christmas & Halloween 

Your favorite person in the whole world is: Jesus Christ

Your favorite song(s) is: A poor wayfaring man of grief & follow me (John Denver) 

Your favorite restaurant is: Gus’s

Your favorite foods are: Pork burritos, grilled chicken 

If you had $1000 you would buy: my school books lo

 

Down to Two

 And in less than two weeks, we are down to only two of our kids. This past week was very hard for me.  On Saturday (8/21), we went to Jackson for Aubree to tell my parents bye (I cried then too as we pulled away) and to help a little around the house and farm.  Sunday she was released from being primary pianist.  Tuesday (8/23) when Noah and Amelia broke down telling her bye and Jake teared up during the father's blessing, I too, teared up.  We flew out Wednesday (8/24) and my emotions were crazy as Jake, Aubree, and Christopher embraced.  Thursday we spent the day in Boise. We purchased a car for Aubree there and the air/heat went out that afternoon, so I spent the afternoon and night trying to repair that and finally succeeded. I felt like a problem solver mechanic.  Friday, we left early morning to get to Logan for her move in.  That was crazy and not what we expected.  When we walked into her assigned dorm there was a large bulletin board asking you to choose a flag as to what you associate with. We got 1/2 her luggage up the 4 flights of stairs and I went to down to get the rest. I also wanted to call the housing office and see about getting her changed because each door had these flags on it and I did not want my daughter in an environment 24/7 where ideals contrary to the Lord's law was the expectation.  We were able to get her moved to a nicer dorm and she seems to be happier. I felt much better as we brought her things in. It is hard enough to take your kids to college but that made it so much worse.  I had told myself all week that I could do hard things but I did not anticipate each day presenting more challenges than the day before. Saturday was the hardest as I said good bye and then when the plane began to move. I encouraged her to go to the game and she did, so that made me happy too but  I sobbed a solid few minutes. I am excited for her journey but it is so hard and I am going to miss that child like crazy and music filling my home. I did come home to some happies from my handsome husband. 

Slow down

 We are back from taking Ginny to school......I did well and only teared up a few times. Naturally when we pulled off, another random time in the car, and then when a song "Slow Down" played from my playlist.  It is so true, now that they are growing, I really just want time to slow down and want my babies back as babies.  Charity let the boys hang with her as we moved Bug in, so that was helpful.  They had a good day, one moved in and 10 days till my next. 

Little something from my dad he texted

 

Family pictures

 It was the summer of rom-coms in the Farrell household. Each evening, when we are all home, we watch a romantic comedy and tonight was our last one for this summer with us all together. With school back in session tomorrow for the boys, it has now come to an end and our girls begin to head off this week. My heart and facial expressions are full of all kind of emotions. Our babes are in 7tn grade, 9th grade, freshman at Utah State, and junior at ETSU. I am learning all too well, how hard it is to let your babies begin to fly; you are excited to see them soar but how your heart hurts letting them. It makes me sad to think we are down one next week and then a few short days later, down to two.

We were able to have a friend snap a few pictures of the family this evening.  If it were up to me, I would have gotten many more but told our friend and the kids, we would not take more than 30 minutes and we did not, including drive time.  We went to her house a half mile away. Today and this evening are moments I will treasure.  I have done overall well with not getting too emotional but everyone headed to bed tonight, it came like a flood of emotions.  Here is to hoping I make it through this weekend dropping Ginny off and in a couple weeks taking Aubree.