Baseball and more baseball

One of my favorite things about the spring is the evenings at the ball field for baseball.  I love watching the kids play.  Aubree is the pitcher for her team this year, Will plays first base, and Christopher plays third base and first on occasion. For Jake to not ever think that he would enjoy baseball,  he very much does.  We enjoy just throwing the ball some evenings.  Christopher and Riley are on the same team again this year and are super cute to listen to and cheer one another on.  Fortunately, Christopher's team this year takes pictures and downloads them, so I have several of him.

Aubree's Bio and Speech for Salutatorian

Bio-

The crowd was roaring, the team undefeated, adrenaline was pumping, but one couple’s adrenaline was rushing for an entirely different reason as they grabbed their soon to be forgotten toddler and left the stadium. Aubree Rae Farrell debuted to her parents and sister on September 4, 2004. Aubree has one older sister and two younger brothers. She has attended Richland Elementary, Altruria Elementary, Elmore Park Middle, and is concluding her middle school years with the Bon Lin team. Aubree enjoys acting, softball, painting, swimming, and being with her family and friends. Although her first act began in a football stadium, her favorite acts are now onstage in front of a roaring crowd.

 Speech- 

               As you just heard, mine is Aubree Farrell, and, in the spirit of middle school, I procrastinated on this speech. When I was told I had to write a speech, I didn’t really know how to begin. After all, I am tasked with having to send everybody off to high school with an inspirational attitude, so no pressure. In light of that thought, I’d like to start with a story about a young girl who went on a journey to save her island. In case you haven’t already guessed, I’m talking about Moana. Moana was chosen by the ocean to retrieve a demigod named Maui. Along the way, Moana ran into multiple challenges, she was first tasked with the loss of her grandmother. Nonetheless, her grandma had inspired her to save her people, so he pushed through this trial. Upon setting sail Moana ran into a storm, but once again she continued onward. Once Moana found Maui he was stubborn, but they eventually worked with one another to set sail. She had many other challenges along the way, but, moving on, she made it to T’Fiti, but the two were defeated. Maui had lost hope in their cause, so he left. Moana was heartbroken and upset. Just as she had lost her interested in trying, a surprise visit from her grandmother and ancestors changed her mind. She had felt inspired to persevere and finish what she had started. In the end, Moana saved her people and led them to start new villages with the help of Maui. Just as Moana was chosen by the ocean, we are chosen by our teachers and friends to lead as examples and push through.                               

 We undergo many challenges in our daily lives that we must learn and go through. One particular challenge that I faced and I’m sure many of you did too was one of my classes. Now, this person is a wonderful teacher, but he or she was very challenging. That’s right, I’m talking about my dad. I have made the lowest grade in my life in his class. At that moment, I wanted to give up and just blame the teacher, as some students do. Even though I just wanted to stop trying, I didn’t. I took that experience and learned from it. And apparently if got me somewhere, after all, I am talking in front of y’all right now because I didn’t give up. Now, I know I’m no inspiring grandmother, but I do think that Moana’s grandma and I are alike in at least one way, we are both the village crazy lady. Hopefully, I have inspired you all to go through, not just high school but life, with a wonderful personality and a persevering spirit. I’d like to end with a quote the Gordon B. Hinkley, “You have not failed until you quit trying.” I encourage you all to never quit trying but to instead keeping pushing ever onward. 

Thank you!

Hooray- Summertime

Today was our first official day of summer....yahoo!  Jake had the brilliant idea last Saturday to clean the garage but ended up deciding to paint it and re-do the floor.  Needless to say, tomorrow will be day seven and we can not park in the garage.  He also guesstimated about a $100 expense but we are nearing $1000, so I told him his approximations are getting more off with age so instead of tripling it, I may need to 10x all his estimates. I enjoy to give him a hard time as he does me. The last week of school is always a busy one between banquets, field days, field trips, and programs. All the kids finished with great grades (I am pretty confident that they all have straight A's).  Aubree enjoyed her 8th grade formal and looked beautiful.  We allowed her to go because they pretty much just eat and we were both there.  She also earned the title of Salutatorian for her class. Her speech was fantastic.  She really blossomed this year between conducting the music for the school concerts and becoming more confident in her acting abilities.  On May 15th, I was fortunate to be able to accompany Will's class on a field trip to Nashville to visit the capital building and the home of Andrew Jackson.  I think he was super excited I was there but I was exhausted by the end of the day.  Wednesday, I was able to attend to Christopher's little program. There are many days that I feel like motherhood is not my strength and I am doing my kids an injustice but that day when he lit up when he saw me, I realized that just being mom was good enough in their eyes.  Ginny somehow managed to balance her time between seminary, school, and softball the second semester and rocked it. I am ready for summer with my little crew!

Happy almost 17 years

Today would have been a day that I called to wish my Papaw Happy Birthday so after work, the kids and I will swing by Burger King in his honor.  This weekend Jake and I will reach 17 years of marital bliss.  While, I am uncertain as to how I have managed to be so blessed with him, I sure am glad he is mine.  There are days that he drives me batty but in a world where I often feel like I do not have close friends (maybe I am just not good at relationships), I know he is there.

Mormon Prom

Ginny had her first date and it was to Mormon Prom.  She was astoundingly beautiful and was kind to everyone.  Jake and I were able to attend and drove five other young women as well.  Gavin McKinney (Ginny's date) met us at the Seaman's home where the girls were taking pictures.  We allowed her to ride with him but they followed us there.