Foot ran over by car

 "These are your children", followed by "I'm not sure if I am the father" are text messages back to back I received from Jake Wednesday afternoon.  He was referencing their clumsiness.  Will was working the drive thru at Chick-Fil-A, nearing the end of his shift when a vehicle pulling off ran over his foot. He had texted me at 12:48 wanted me to order him food to which I responded maybe after school when you have your brother since I knew it was a longer day for me at work with interviews.  At 1:23, he called 3x in a row, which is not unusual when he wants something , as he is not the most patient. I texted that I could step out if an emergency, thinking it was most likely to ask about food again, but he responded "EMERGENCY" then immediately "A car ran over my foot and you need to check it", so of course, I stepped out to call him.  Fortunately his foot is not broken but bruised. I know it had to hurt and that made me sad for him. Within moments of getting a doctor to see him, Aubree calls, then texts, that she is locked out of her car and the spare key is locked in there too.  I felt it was quite the busy afternoon with our children and chuckled when I received those texts from Jake.  I am by far the clumsy one between the two of us.  That evening, he and I did a dating activity/lesson with the older (15+ age) youth at church.  Overall, it went better than I would have anticipated.  Jake is a phenomenal speaker. 

Yesterday, we received work that Aubree's transfer credit for microbiology did not transfer (her original score was a D, which is not like her at all) and that her scholarship has been cancelled due to low GPA and low credits.  A big part of me wants to get a one-way ticket and fly out there and bring her home.  I fear she is going to question why we did not push harder for her to come back home when not in school.  Things have not worked out as she might have hoped in Utah thus far and honestly, I am surprised by her trajectory.  She has always excelled in school and was devastated if she scored below an A or B (in some things) on anything. It seems she allowed social activities to be a high priority her first year at school, leading to her lowest grades and having to repeat two courses. I fear she is making choices that she will regret and will have long-term effects.  She has now not been enrolled in classes at Utah State since June and cannot apply to the nursing program there with her current academic situation.  While I always want my babies near me, I understand school and was okay with her in school out there, however, while she is not in school, I do not think the wisest decision is for her to stay out there....she is not progressing towards her goal nor is she saving money. 

Tennessee Football

Will is a big Tennessee Volunteers fan. We are not 100% where the love came from but he has it, resulting in us wanting to be able to take him to a game.  The Vols are doing well this year, so tickets have been expensive, however the program manager in Knoxville has 3 season tickets, she was going to be unable to use this past weekend, so I purchased them from her. Will was so excited and has had a blast. Owen and Riley had tickets too but on the other side of the stadium, so we hung out ahead of time. I hope Will knows we made that trip for him and enjoyed the time with him.  While we were at the game, Ginny and Christopher went to Dollywood with Charity and her other kids. The game ended about 11:00pm and we began the trek home, after getting Ginny and Chris. We got on the road about midnight EST and arrived home about 4:30am. I drove most the way so Jake could watch Utes vs BYU game and get a little rest before church meetings (having missed a couple Sundays, then stake conference, we felt it important for him to be at church).  It was a good but quick visit to Knoxville  

Welcome November

 It is crazy for me to think that it is already November and another year is drawing to an end.  October ended on a high note for me with seeing Aubree, mini trips, and Halloween night, both Ginny and Christopher having friends over.  My heart was also warmed when I receive a text from Will stating he had the best sister because Ginny did his face make up to dress up a little for work.  I loved that he felt loved. I am still not certain what he was but he was happy.  November has been off to a good start as well. A couple of the highlights thus far this month are this past Wednesday, I was just plain tired. I had not been able to accomplish all the things that I hoped to in the evenings because I felt like I ended up doing things in the evenings unplanned.  Wednesday night, Ginny and I ran a quick errand and when we got home, I said I was going to shower and then come to her room to visit. When I made it up, she had the mood set. Let me preface by saying her room is exactly how she wants it.  She has dim white lights along 2 walls, her comfy chair (with a back massager when needed), a TV on the dresser, a kindle holder, and a kindle page turner so she can stay under the covers and turn the pages to her book.  When I got to her room, she had both her back massagers on the bed for us to use, the lights dimmed, a show on, and a piece of chocolate.  I hope to always remember that memory.  Then Thursday night, I took Christopher to a play in Collierville for a school assignment. I was not looking forward to it because we we were leaving for Knoxville Friday and I wanted to get things ready for that but I am so glad that I had that time in the car drive to and from with just him. On the way home after the play, he was asking me my favorite memories growing up, of Jake, and each of my kids.  I loved reflecting and sharing with him. The thought crossed my mind that I should compile them together or at least a couple about each of my babies, as I am certain as they continue to experience life, more will be added. I will include below the things I shared with him about he and his siblings. 

A few of my favorite memories about my babies: 

Ginny- as a toddler that she always carried a baby doll in a doll car seat, about the age of 4 she wanted to wear matching panties & bras, and currently she enjoys spending time with me. She loved to watch Jurassic Park.

Aubree-  as a young child, she always wore a tiara to church, her dream for years was when she grew up she wanted to be a mermaid, always enjoyed seeing her in plays, and I love hearing her play the piano and sing. 

Will- as a young boy he loved to ride his 3 wheel hot rod, he would pee anywhere (meaning he would open the van door and pee out the door or just drop his pants anywhere outside and pee), and he was a hider. 

Christopher- he is a mamma's boy and used to ask me out on dates from a young child (once he got dressed in his best Sunday clothes, got a bar of chocolate, and kneeled in my room asking me to dinner) and he would fall asleep anywhere whenever he was tired (I would get so worried because I did not hear him or could not find him and he would be asleep in the most random places).  

My life is filled with moments I cherish with the people I love most.  I love road trips together (even all of them harassing me in the car and making front of me), visiting national parks, Sunday family movie nights, holiday traditions (including decorating for my kids...I still do it for them), family dinners around the table (one of the best things that I believe we implemented), and watching them grow, excel, and be unique in their own ways. 

Travels and more travels

 I feel like we have been traveling so much lately  but I have enjoyed it.  It is exhausting, yet I hope that as Jake and I grow old, we have the privilege to enjoy traveling...exploring our world and eventually seeing our babies with their babies. This past weekend, we went to Houston to see the Utes play.  Chris and Papa Farrell joined the boys, Jake, and I for the game.  Ginny came to Houston as well but not for the game but to visit everyone there.  The visit was nice.  Driving home Sunday, I reflected on how I missed the sacrament and was ready to take it again.  With traveling back from Philadelphia, then Texas, and next week is Stake Conference, it will be 3 weeks since I have taken the sacrament.  I am not sure I fully appreciated it until now having missed it these consecutive weeks.  What a pleasure it is to have the privilege to partake of the sacrament and have religious freedoms. 

Life back to our norm

 We arrived home Sunday evening, unpacked, and then watched a 25 minutes episode of a show on television.  It felt right having all my kids with me watching the show. Monday, we returned to work. Christopher stayed home from school to spend the day with Aubree.  They went to the zoo and then back to the zoo when Will got off work.  I was not ready for Monday because I knew the next morning, Aubree headed back to Utah.  I am glad that she spent some time with her brothers and with her sister that evening.  It is never easy to watch your kids leave, I wonder if it is gets easier with time or if I will always be a little sad.

Fall Break Part 6, Day 6 Philadelphia

 Our break was coming to an end and it was conference day for me, well, actually I was working the recruitment table. That morning, after we checked out of the hotel, we walked to Independence Hall and explored a few of the historical sites. Some of the artifacts in Independence Hall were original, which was neat.  I enjoyed hearing the account of the coming forth of the Deceleration of Independence and even stories of every day people making a difference standing up for what they believe.  The mind set seemed to not just be on the present time they were living but for future generations.   I was not fully aware of so much there.  We saw the Liberty Bell through glass and saw the grave of Benjamin Franklin (I like old, old cemeteries).  During my work hours, Jake and the kids explored a little more and went bowling.  After the conference, we began our trek home.  It was an enjoyable time with them. I am reminded of how fortunate we are that are able to make small trips as this with our kids for their memories and ours. And I liked that Ginny sent me a couple pictures too. 

Fall Break Part 5, Day 5 New York

 Being less than 2 hours from New York, we decided we needed to go see the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and Times Square. We took the Staten Island ferry over to see Ground Zero and it passes right by the Statue of Liberty.  Aubree loves musicals so we tried to get tickets to "Hamilton" or "Wicked" but both were showing sold out on-line.  We also tried an area in Times Square but no luck.  I asked Jake if maybe we could walk over and check the box office; we were able to get the last 2 tickets to the show.  I think he and Aubree were both happy.  I always tease that the kids will remember their dad doing fun things with them but we best remind them, I am the one who stays back or secures the tickets (all smiles).  While they were at the production, the boys and I spent our time looking in stores.  Christopher was excited to custom make M&M's and Will purchased a light saber with his own money, against me trying to discourage it.  He did have to borrow some from us but I get to control his checks until the debt is satisfied.  I have never seen such a busy place as Times Square and even at 11:00pm, it was so very crowded.  

As much as I loved seeing the Statue of Liberty (and we saw Alexander Hamilton's grave which was neat because of the old cemetery), one of my favorite memories occurred in a watch store.  Will likes watches, we went in a watch store to browse. The had a "crack the code" where if you guessed the correct 4-digit combination that opened  the lock, you won the watch inside valued at $425. Each of the boys tried and then Jake tried, using our anniversary date and the door opened.  We heard excitement, so Aubree and I went over.  The employees were stating it had not been cracked in 2-3 years and Jake must be lucky, teasing he should buy a lottery ticket or something.  Jake responded, "I am lucky, I married her" and looked over at me.  He has a way of making me feel loved.  I am grateful for him.  Overall, we enjoyed sight-seeing in NY.

Fall Break Part 4, Day 4 Philadelphia

 Off to Philadelphia we go!  We stopped by Ft. McHenry for a bit and then had lunch in Baltimore.  That evening, Jake and I did a session in the Philadelphia temple with Aubree.  I felt a certain joy seated by her as we went through and then seeing her and her dad play around some after. It is a wonderful feeling to go to the temple with your children.  After the temple, we went back to the hotel, got the boys and walked to a philly sub shop for dinner.  We felt we needed a Philly cheese steak since they are known for that. In the end, we discovered that Will was obsessed and I think he ended up having 3-4 the couple days we were there.