Happy 3rd Birthday Will Farrell

My sweet, little boy turned 3 this week. He is a handful and a pure joy at the same time. Here are a few of his favorite things: Toy Story movies and toys, Monster House movie, dinosaurs, chewing gum, pizza, pajamas, aggravating Aubree, playing with Ginny and Aubree, juice, and playing outside on the trampoline. If you ask Jake, he says that Will's favorite thing is his daddy. Will enjoys trying to help with his baby brother too. We are very grateful that Heavenly Father blessed out family with him, although he does keep us on our toes. He is quite big for his age and most people assume he is 5 or 6. We would not trade him for anything. He is our LOVED 3 year old boy.

Happy Holidays

The Farrell family has experienced a wonderful holiday season thus far. Friday, Christmas Eve, began a little unexpected for us when Jake and the girls were not able to get the first flight home. There were only two seats left and Jake tried to just send the girls and he would catch the next flight out, which was also the last flight out for the day. However, that was not possible and the next flight did not look too promising either. I had planned to spend Christmas Eve just with my boys and hopefully Christmas day would bring my family back to me safely. However to our dismay, there was one seat not sold and two people did not show up for the flight, which allowed them to board and be home at 1:45 p.m. Christmas Eve. My heart could not have been fuller. We spent the rest of the afternoon together and allowed the kids to open their gifts too. We picked Beck up from the airport that night and headed to Jackson. Santa came that night in Jackson and we spent most the day there. We enjoy being around family. I can honestly say this holiday season, I felt the tender mercies of the Lord and my family had their own personal miracles.

Happy Birthday Renee!!!

On Sunday, I was celebrated another year of my life. Actually the celebration began on Saturday night, when I showed up to my friends house attending what I thought was a Christmas party. However to my dismay, Charity had put together a surprise birthday party for me. It was wonderful and would have been perfect if Jake and my girls would have been there. Jake and the girls flew to Texas for a few days for his brothers surprise birthday party. I had planned to go to Jackson for the weekend but mom was up here Saturday and we spent most the day together, so I decided to make an appearance at the party and then head to Jackson. It makes me feel good to know that people really do care about me and remembered my birthday. Thank you Charity!!! Then, on my actual birthday, Sunday, December 19, my mom made my favorite mean of hers that cooks. Homemade lasagna...sometimes it is hard to choose a favorite because she is such a good cook.
Jake spent the day yesterday with his grandparents and Ginny decided on her own, without being asked, to go visit with Grandma Smith....what a thoughtful little girl that she is. I am confident that it meant alot to his grandparents. I have actually stayed busy while they have been gone and was pleasantly surprised yesterday with flowers being delivered with a note that read "I'll be home for Christmas", how sweet was that. Bet you have already guessed they were from my sweetie. Oh, let me tell you the story briefly about them flying out. The birthday party was Saturday night and we decided to fly them out Friday evening when Jake got off work, the girls did not know they were going. Anyways, the tickets are standby and when the tickets were first purchased there were plenty of seats left. However, the flight became sold out and overbooked by two tickets. When I called Delta, I was told they would not be able to get out until Saturday night. So, we decided to try for all three but to definitely try to Jake on the flight and the girls could fly out Saturday night and Jake would pick them up. Now, I am a paranoid mom and prayed that there would be a way for them to all get on the same flight Friday evening. Heavenly Father answered my prayers and they were able to get on with no problem due to misconnects or other miscellaneous things. I truly am blessed.

"Mommy, Look!"

"Mommy, look!", this may be my newest favorite quote. You see last night when I got home from work, I climbed into bed. I had briefly contemplated sleeping on the couch because me bed was full with my husband, Will, and Aubree. However, I decided to climb into my nice, warm bed. I had almost dozed off when in a loud exclamation, I hear with excitement, "mommy, look". I loved it, my Aubree, is dreaming of me and its a good dream. I told Jake how I loved it and he told me that earlier that night, Aubree said that her body was preventing her from going to sleep, so she and Jake said a prayer together and she climbed in bed with her daddy. He proceeded to tell me that she told him of one of her bad dreams but she does not have them often because she says a prayer. However, her last bad dream, was about her daddy....he was bit by a snake on his penis....the imagination of that child. Where does she come up with that stuff? Yesterday, when I picked the girls up from school, Aubree's hair was a mess and I asked her what happened. She informed me she had a bad day because she had to do jumping jacks and play basketball. We continued talking and Aubree tried to convince Ginny and I to allow her to share our family secret but we convinced her, it was a bad idea. See in our family, we have magical powers and Ginny told Aubree that Aubree had the magical power of making people laugh when they are sad....I am glad the girls are turning into friends. They both make me smile and bring so much joy into my life.

Other than our adventures with dreams, and keeping up with Will....life is good. We are preparing for the holidays and are looking forward to a few weeks off school to be with our little family. Will is into everything these days, he is your typical two year old boy. Christopher started cereal this week and he is not sure what to think of it yet.

Thanksgiving and Festivites

This may have been the busiest / craziest Thanksgiving that I believe that I have ever experienced but how I enjoyed having all my siblings here. You may be wondering what made it so crazy busy? Sandra was married the day before and her reception was the day after...congratulations Sandra. It was wonderful to see so much family and close family friends. There are many days when I wish that Michael and Amy lived this way with their family too and Becky too. However, I know it will almost be impossible for all if us to live near and should be grateful that I am able to live near the ones I do. Due the all the festivities, I was not able to share some of my greatest blessings this year, so I will now and in no particular order:
- I am thankful for my family always but especially this time of year. My family is wonderful...they bring out the best in me and the worse.
- I am thankful for a wonderful man who said yes across an alter almost ten years ago. Jake is my best friend, rock, example, and peacemaker. He has a calming effect on me and a wonderful husband and father.
- I am thankful to be a mother. Heavenly Father has entrusted me with four little angels who teach me and make me a little bit better. We were especially blessed this year, to add Christopher. My little angels motivate me to try to be a little better.
- I am thankful for luxuries we have in modern times. I love air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.
- I am grateful for four seasons and love the wind.
- I am grateful for my testimony of the Savior and the relationship that I have with Him. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit whom testifies of truth to me. I am thankful for the tender mercies that I feel daily from my Heavenly Father.

Christopher at 5 months

Christopher turned 5 months on the 11th and he is a CUTIE. His first tooth also broke through on the 13th of this month. He has chunked up a lot and is way too precious. He still giggles almost everytime that his diaper is changed or he is dressed. He is just the sweetest thing ever. I think his favorite activity may be sleeping. Oh, he also rolled over all by himself for the first time last week.

102% saved at Kroger

I had two good trips to Kroger today. I was very impressed with myself. The first trip, I spent a little more than anticipated but was uncertain if Charity would get anything and if so the cost...she pays for her stuff but with the coupons, its easier to put it all together. Here is what I got for $16.00 on this trip:

1 gallon milk- no coupon
1 Big Top Cupcake Maker- no coupon, Charity
1 Dove Soap- Charity, no coupon
1 Lever 2000- had coupon
2 Axe body washes- Chare, BOGO coupon
4 cans Evaporated milk- had coupon
2 cream of mushroom- had coupon
2 cream of chicken- had coupon
1 chunky soup- had coupon
1 cottage cheese- no coupon
1 Welchs grape juice- had coupon
1 Ranch dressing- Charity, no coupon
6 boxes pasta- Charity, no coupon
1 Yoplait 4pack yogurt- Mgr special and had coupon
70 packs Extra gum- had coupons

So, how did we get it all so cheap. The extra gum coupons had overages on them because the gum was BOGO at Kroger until tomorrow. Charity paid the $16.00. We could have saved more if we would have planned a little better. Our savings were 80%, not bad but we planned a little better for our second trip...here's the biggie, we saved 102% on this one.

1 gallon milk
1 box Mini Wheats
1 Windex All Purpose cleaner
4 bags Hersheys kisses (managers special and had 1 coupon)
2 packs corn on the cob skewer things (managers special)
7 Secret deodorants (7 coupons with a $0.12 overage)
50 Extra Gum packs (50 coupons, each with an overage because of BOGO)
1 Charmain toilet paper (had coupon)
1 M&M's
Why the M&M's because after all the coupons came off, Kroger owed us $ and we have to pay something.

So, I know couponing posts are boring but I may never have another couponing day like today.

Couponing fever

I am trying to learn to coupon better and am doing a bit better. I had a planned trip to Kroger for a few items at there Mega Event sale but discovered I had coupons for a few more things on there too that I did not realize. I had coupons for everything except the hot chocolate. For the large tubes of Mentos gum,I had $1.00 off and they were on sale for $1.00, so they were bot free but about everything else was free,money makers, or just a few cents. I also had $5 off my purchase of $75 or more that I used too. My savings were 87%! Hopefully, I will continue to improve. Oh, here is the breakdown: 18 32oz Gatorades, 4 Propel waters, 4 cans Carnation evaporated milk, 10 cans Campbells cream of chicken, 6 cans Campbells cream of mushroom, 8 boxes Nestle hot chocolate, and 2 50 piece mentos gum. Did I mention that my total was $6.82.

Happy Halloween

It is 10:00 p.m. on Halloween night and I am sitting at the hospital with my boys for the night as a sleep test is done on Will. They are doing this test to check his resting oxygen levels to determine if he needs his tonsils or adenoids out. It took us a little while to fall asleep and I felt so bad for him with the wires coming out everywhere and socks on his hands to keep him from touching anything. He is such an active little boy. I got in the bed and laid with him after I got Christopher to sleep and he fell asleep a little quicker. He nestled into me and I loved it.Today was Halloween but the kids did not go trick or treating because it is the Sabbath but they did attend the trunk or treat last night and had an enjoyable time. Ginny dressed up as a crazy, silly, good witch, Aubree dressed up Giselle from Enchanted, and Will was Scooby Doo. I had bought Will’s costume last year and got a size 4 but it was a little small, however, we just dealt with it. My friend, Haley, lent me a little dinosaur/dragon for Christopher but he fell asleep and I did not put him in it. We had an enjoyable evening last night at the trunk or treat.After church today, we had a less active member whom had recently lost his wife for dinner and the girls enjoyed making him a card and Halloween gift bag. Oh, last night, as we were leaving the church, Aubree wanted to take some of her candy to the poor people to share and because it’s a “wo” food and not healthy. I think we had a great Halloween holiday between the last two evenings.
Also, last weekend (23rd), I attended my first Halloween party and it was quite enjoyable. I looked 100% ridiculous, but isn’t that part of the fun, and wore a tutu with crazy socks and leggings. Jake enjoyed it as well but I believe his favorite part of the evening was my mad skills in the games. I just dropped to the ground and acting like a rock because I was not hidden before the game started but my graceful skills scored me a safe trip to safety.

I have decided that I love Halloween. I put up the decorations the last day of September and have enjoyed the entire month of October. It has thus far been a great month for our little family. This morning, the girls and I were out walking in the neighborhood and Aubree pauses, look up at me, and says, "I never noticed just how nice and beautiful our neighborhood is.". How cute is that, she has an optimistic little personality because our neighborhood is nothing fancy, just your average one, and yet to her it is great. I guess home truly is where your heart is and you do become fond of where you live or grow up. Also, this month, Jake and I were able to go see the play "Wicked". It was fabulous and a last minute decision. We were uncertain if I could get off work but I called and switched schedules with someone before I attempted to contact my manager for approval, that way he is more likely to approve it. The play was great and childcare also worked out easily for us. We also went out last night, just the two of us, to dinner...sometimes, it is nice to just be alone if only for an hour or two. Another wonderful thing that happened this month, is I had a few love noted from Ginny left where I would find them. It put my days off to a great start. She is a little whiz. She was exempt from her last math test but opted to take it, to miss zero instead of one. Ginny is also very good at helping Aubree as she learns to read. I have the two best little girls ever!!! Life is good.

Time flies when you are having fun or life is just busy. The kids fill my life with more and more joy each day. Christopher is at the age where he smiles at me. My most favorite thing that he does is how he laughs when his diaper is changed or he gets dressed. It is the absolute cutest thing ever, he has the softest, cutest laugh. My favorite time of year is here too. We went to family day at FedEx yesterday and had an enjoyable time. The girls very much enjoyed the games but my favorite was the food because they had cotton candy and I love cotton candy. This is random but I like ball games because I love nachos, especially BBQ nachos. I guess we can just say I like food. As a result of liking food and not being physically fit, I have gained weight. So to remedy this, I am trying to get more in shape. Now we do have a gym membership but I can not take Christopher until he is 6 months and I could go in the evenings but that is family time. But here is my reasoning, now some may be comical but hopefully it will keep me motivated. First, I want to show my children the importance of exercise. Secondly, my sister is getting married over Thanksgiving and I do not want to be the fat sister, now I will not be as small as my sisters, so I am hoping to be smaller than the grooms sisters. And thirdly, we are hoping to take a cruise or a get away next year for our anniversary and I want to feel more comfortable in a swim suit. And lastly, who does not want to be more beautiful for their husband? Jake thinks I am beautiful any way that I am but I want to be more physically cute for him.

Did I also mention that Aubree was awarded the Terrific kid at school this grading period and she was way excited.

In our family, we very much enjoy football season and enjoy watching the girls get involved as well. Our team is Utah because that is where Jake graduated from. I love that the weather cools off and the days are warm and the nights cool. I love this time of year as the leaves change.Our babies are steadily growing up. Ginny now wants to use deodorant and is out growing the toy stage. She is still excelling in school and is a huge help and blessing around the house. We are working on becoming more organized and responsible with her belongings. Ginny loves to read and reads very advanced for her age and beyond her grade level.
Aubree, oh Aubree. Aubree looks for opportunities to help with things, especially in the kitchen. She loves to help in the kitchen. She is working hard on being kind to her brother and sister. This morning, I went through her back pack and found papers in there from a week ago that she neglected to give me, even when I specifically asked if she had notes or papers for mom. Honestly, I think she purposely "forgot"because we have to go through and correct every one of them. For me this is hard, because I work every week with her on homework and things to help her to stay caught up with her class and avoid any special classes. After reviewing the papers, I think she just gets in a hurry because she is great at math and rhyming words. She is a witty child and loves to think of a plan for things or make a deal about something.Will, he is two and a giant two. I believe we are finished potty training. Will is still a little boy of little words but creatively finds his way into everything. He still loves Toy Story and to be outside. He is currently 42 lbs and 39 inches tall.
Christopher will be 4 months old in a week and has learned to smile and giggle. I love when babies hit this stage. Overall, he is a very good baby and does not require to be held very much. He has acid reflux but it is not as bad as it could be and hopefully he will outgrow it soon.
Overall, we are a blessed little family and look forward to forever as a family.

Ginny is cast free!!! I am happy to report that Ginny can once again now shower and not smell funny. Thing here in the Farrell home are going pretty well. We stay busy but isn't that how life is suppose to be? Recently, I gave a lesson on talents and it made me ponder a little about mine. In the past, I have felt that i was not a very talented person because I am not very good at anything physical really nor singing, dancing, or anything that requires reading music or rhythm. However, I think it is safe to say that maybe I have silent talents...I have the gift of gab too or talking. A talent can be understanding, making someone feel welcome, a listening ear, compassion, or any other thing like that. With that said, I have decided that anyone who feels they have none, including myself, really do not understand whom they are as a child of God.

Happy 6th Birthday Aubree

On Saturday, September 4th, the most beautiful red head I know turned 6 years old. What a joy and blessing she is in our lives! Here are a few of her current favorites:
color(s): pink, purple, blue, and green
restaurant: Olive Garden
type of cuisine: Mexican
book: any princess or fairy book
song: "Follow the Prophet"
character: Ariel (Little Mermaid)
drink: water, she chooses water over everything
Aubree wears a tiara every week to church and loves to wear them. She is a beautiful bright, little girl. Recently, Charity asked her what she thinks about during sacrament and Aubree told her she thinks about walking and smelling flowers with Jesus, how sweet is that! She is very kind hearted and enjoys learning. Aubree is a fine example to our family and a wonderful little helper.

Life is just plain busy but I love it. I love my life and the people in it. I am truly blessed! It amazes me how things always seem to work out, despite the fears that I may have about things. Jake is enjoying his new school but stays very busy writing new lesson plans for language arts and science. The girls are in piano after school once a week and I am hoping they both learn to play and enjoy it. Aubree has the funniest personality ever and says the cutest things. Her teacher this year is Mrs. Ault but Aubree calls her Mrs. Alte Poo or Aulty Walty. She loves her. Ginny is also enjoying her teacher. She had a dance challenge with her and Ginny showed her moves off. Unfortunately, she has my rhythm instead of her fathers...poor girl. Will is good and recovering from tonsillitis. He is all boy, he does not speak but he is a clever kid and makes us laugh when we are not cleaning up after him. Christopher had his 2 month check up a little back and weighed a whole 10.8 lbs but yesterday weighed 11.9 lbs. He has acid reflux and spits all the time but we still love him. I am enjoying having Charity near and had a great time today when we hung out with Kara too. Life is just good these days.

Ginny's ouch

Life happens all at one time. Last Monday, I had Charity follow me to the dealership to get my car worked on and nearly as soon as we left, the school called. Ginny had fallen off the monkey bars at school causing scratches on her face, a busted lip, and a hurt wrist. When we picked her up, the nurse said her wrist was sore and she would not able to write. So, I decided to taker her to the doctor and get it checked. X-rays revealed it was fractured and she was put in a long arm cast.To end the week, Sandra got engaged last night and Becky came into town too. I am excited for both. I have not seen Beck in almost a year at least and I am happy to see Sandra happy and to see how all her "my husband will be" and " my children will be" plans pan out. I wish them all the happiness and hope she has a fraction of the happiness Jake brings into my life and then I know she will be happy. I am not quite sure why everyone is so much more excited for her than they were for me but that's okay. Christopher is starting to smile some and it is ADORABLE.

Terrible Twos

In the past, I have believed that what is known as the terrible two's does not exist...but that was before my son came along. I am still not sure if it is more common among boys than girls but one thing I do know is that Will keeps me on my toes. Here are a few incidents from only two days. We were fortunate that Charity and Rob moved down to Tennessee a couple weeks ago and they are close to me, YEAH!!! The kids and I were at their new place as they were moving in, Will decides he needs to potty and tells no one nor asks for help. Upon walking into the restroom, we were not surprised to discover poop, all over the floor, in the bath tub, and along the toliet, somehow it also managed to be in his underpants too. About half hour later, we are preparing to leave and I begin to start buckling kids in the car. It had been raining, so I was trying to hurry out the door and suddenly I hear a big boom. As I turn around, I am not too surprised at all to see Will trying to drive a golf cart that he managed to crash into the building....my boy. He is such a quick, sneaky one. School has started back for the girls and I am back at work. I thought things were going pretty well, although I still need to get Will back in the sleep routine and develop one with Christopher but Friday morning, I woke to pure bliss. As I rolled over in the bed, I felt something wet and sticky, upon further investigation, it was discovered that my darling had the chocolate milk syrup and not only was his face and body covered, so was my bedding. The day began, so I stumbled out of bed to get him bathed and to my dismay as I entered the bedroom, there was marker scribblings on every wall....could it get more eventful. That is a dumb question, of course. In the bath, he emptied two bottles and shampoo and when the chocolate was washed off, I discovered marker up and down his legs. I am not superstitious but I was reminded that it was Friday the 13th, so that helped make it a good little story. He is a handful but he is my handful and I love everything about him.
School has only been in a week and the girls are enjoying their new teachers. Aubree misses her kindergarten teacher but seems to be adjusting well. Sometimes as I sit back and think, I am amazed at how quickly my babies are growing up....it seems to be passing all too quickly but occasionally, as it is happening it seems to be in slow motion. Each of my darlings, adds a little flavor, happiness, and lessons learned to my life.

Christopher's Blessing

Today we blessed our little boy. We were privileged to have several members of our families present (Kara even came with baby Jack). Chris, Sarah and David, Jake's parents, Michael and Amy, James and Kara, Sandra, and my parents were there. Jake gave him a beautiful blessing. He was blessed with the following: Blessed with strength to fulfill tasks that Heavenly Father has for him on this earth, blessed with sharp mind and the knowledge to gain employment to sustain his future family, to be fortified against temptation, desire to read the scriptures and grow close to his Father in heaven, Blessed to know he has a Father in Heaven that loves him and watches over him, and blessed to know his parents love him and hope to raise you in righteousness.
After church, we grabbed a quick photo before Jake's family had to take off and anyone who wanted was welcome to come grab dinner/ lunch here.I also wanted to capture the short time that Jack may be bigger than Christopher. I will have to also capture this short time with Riley when he gets here.