Cousin Fun and Misc.

My sweet babies...I am blessed

The loves of my life

My favorite person/thing ever

Cousin bath time

I love, love, love living close to family and love that my kids get to play with their cousins!!

Aubree's baptism Day

 

The weekend following Aubree's birthday was filled with much happiness and joy for our family, surrounded by our closest friends and family. Jake's parents (Tommie and Lynn Farrell) and brothers (both Tommie Farrell (TW) with Olivia (cousin) and Chris Farrell with Callie (cousin)), all arrived Friday afternoon into the evening. Friday night, we met us with all of my siblings and mom at Gus's Fried chicken to celebrate Aubree. We accidentally left the ice cream cake at home, one just in the refrigerator, so after the best fried chicken ever we came back to our place to open gifts, sing, and enjoy cake.



 
Then on Saturday morning, September 8th, 2012, our beautiful Aubree made a covenant with her Heavenly Father and became a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Personally, I was overwhelmed by the love felt that day and LOVED being surrounded by both sides of the family. Several of our friends from our previous ward came to support Aubree as well and the room was standing room only. Some of the friends included: Rob and Debbie Swanson, Steve and Tiffany Sandridge (with their girls), Marcia and Tony Taylor, Linsey Devey, Levi and Jenn Fearnley (with son, LJ), Sue Reuschoff, Josh Beers (with daughter Elle), Sandra Leumai (with daughter Celeste), the Ransoms, and all of may family (Even Papaw), minus Michael.  Michael drove to Jackson to site with Mr. John so that dad could come up  How I would love to live near both sides! It makes me sad some days to know that will never happen. Anyways, her baptism was perfect and you could see the love that she and her daddy had for one another. Due to all the excitement and I did not arrive early, I neglected to get pictures at the church but did get a few at home.

Baptism of

Aubree Rae Farrell

September 8^th, 2012

Bartlett 2^nd Ward

Memphis TN  North Stake

Baptism of

AubreeRae Farrell

September 8th, 2012

Bartlett Second Ward, Memphis North Stake

Presiding………………….............................Brother Dunlap

Conducting………………...………………….Brother Perry

Pianist………………………………………….Rob Swanson

Chorister………………………….……………Charity Dilgard (aunt)

Opening Hymn………………………………..Praise to the Man (#27)

Opening Prayer………………………………..Sandra Adamson (aunt)

Talk on Baptism…………………………………Rebekah Eaton (Aunt)

Baptismal Ordinance for Aubree Rae Farrell

Performed by Jacob L Farrell (father)

Witnesses:  John Eaton Rochelle (Papa) and Tommie Farrell (Papa)

Interlude Music

Special Musical Number by Aubree’s cousins and siblings

Talk on the Holy Ghost……………………..……Chris Farrell (uncle)

Confirmation Ordinance for Aubree Rae Farrell

Performed by Jacob L Farrell

Welcoming Remarks……………………..…….Julie Glover, Primary President

Welcoming Remarks……………………………Brother Dunlap

Closing Hymn……………………….………...Families can be Together Forever (#300)

Closing Prayer………………………………….Diane Eaton (Nana)

Please join us for refreshments following the closing prayer.

Photos may be taken in the foyer before or after the service, but please do not take photos during the baptismal ordinance.

Eight is GREAT

This week our sweet Aubree celebrated her eighth birthday. Over the weekend, we (headed up by Ginny) surprised her and took her to dinner and gave her the gifts. Then, a couple nights later we went to see a movie and for ice cream and on her actual birthday the next night, out to dinner again. Aubree is a blessing to our family and a source of joy. She is a great example to her siblings and ALWAYS thinks of other people. She has a huge heart and even when people are unkind to her, she tries to show kindness to them. Aubree loves to sing and dance. Her talent of playing the piano is improving daily. She enjoys playing dolls with the neighborhood girls these days too. Currently, Aubree favorites are as follows:
Toys- Monster High dolls and Brave dolls
Food- Pulled pork burritos
Restaurant- Olive Garden
Color- Purple

We love you, Aubree Rae Farrell and are excited for the decision you have made to be baptized. I am forever grateful that you are my daughter and the example you are to me.

Is it August already?

The summer seemed to come to an end way too quickly for our little family. I am usually a little sad to see the summer end because my husband and girls both leave me and I seem to get a little less rest. However, this school year began with a lot apprehension on my part. I am confident that I was more nervous than my girls were to start a new school. As a parent, I always want to make the best for my children and transferring the girls to a new school was very nerve racking for me because I wanted to know that the schools were equally educationally compatible. Then, this morning for the first time, I allowed my girls to ride the bus to school. This was not an option at our last school and they were so excited this morning but I stayed behind and watched as they walked up the sidewalk, approached the bus stop, and minutes later hopped on board. I did shed a tear. It is only the second day of school this year but the girls seem to really like their new school. Each of the girls has a friend from the neighborhood and a member from their class at church in their class at school, so that helped make the transition easier for them.

Aubree 1st day 3rd grade

Ginny's 1st day of 5th grade

Today, was not a good day for me. We had a contract on our last house and were set to close tomorrow but today the buyer backed out. It was discouraging but at least we will get the earnest money back, right? Wrong, the other agent neglected to get a signature, however we have e-mails confirming all was well, she did not get the appropriate form signed and returned or if she did it get signed, she did not return it and is now stating it was not signed. Then Jacob William comes to inform me that Christopher needs a nap, so he locked him in a room. This was a problem because Christopher does not know how to unlock doors. After a few minutes of thinking, I was able to come up with a solution and open the door. Minutes before Jake got home, I was overcome with a peace though. Christopher had fallen asleep on me and after searching for Jacob William , I discovered that he had crawled in his bed to go to sleep. As I was sitting on the couch, pondering why the house deal fell apart (after all, we had fasted and prayed for a contract and then to close the contract after we got it), Aubree and Ginny start dancing and playing so cutely one with another and I was reminded that amongst my sadness today, I am blessed. The evening is drawing to a close with dinner, ice cream, and father's blessings as the school year begins.

Summer Fun at the Beach!

So, the first week of July, we traveled down to South Padre, Texas and spent a week. We left on a Saturday and spent Saturday night in Houston, then Sunday morning, followed Chris and Crystal the rest if the way down. While we were there, we were able to see a few members of Jake's family and have some good memories. My favorite memory of the trip was a late night walk down the beach after our sweets were asleep with Jake. My last morning there, Ginny and I went out aline while everyone was still asleep and gathered sea shells. Upon arrival, Jacob William was not thrilled the first day we walked over to the beach because he did not want to get dirty. Christopher, his brave little self was discovered, and he lived getting wet sand and covering himself in it. My heart was full of joy as I watched the girls play on the beach. We discovered that crabs come out at night to feed and learned how to catch them, originally, we were trying to catch them for Jake and Chris to use as live shark bait. It was quite funny watching them two attempt to kayak together, after the first day, they decided only one should go out at a time so the kayak doesn't sink. By the end of the week, Christopher was brave enough to jump in the pool alone. Christopher and I came home Friday evening but left the others for a few more days. We had a nice time and I was overjoyed when my little family returned back home safely to me.
Lately, I have felt that my faith has been tried a little. We still have not sold our other house and it is becoming burdensome, especially with school gearing back up soon. We have thought about renting it out but I prefer to sell it and sometimes think that by renting, I am not exercising the faith in God that I need to. So, I have prayed bit just to sell the house but to know if I rent or sell it. The home is still averaging a few showings and I even received another call on it yesterday, so I need to be in tune with the Spirit.
Three nights ago as I was showering, the water began to back up. Next day, Jake snaked it and thought the problem was fixed. Later that night, he was proven wrong when he went to bed and discovered part of the home was flooded. So, we called in a plumber...long story short, in the Bain drain under the foundation of the home, is our boys red, train table firetruck. The plumber says the only way to get it is to dig up part if yard or go through bathroom floor...we have another coming Monday. $1800 is a lot of money to spend on an inexpensive little car, so we are hoping the other plumber can use another method for about $300, either way that nice, strong, expensive toilet and inexpensive toy is going to cost us more money than a cheap toilet because then it may have just got trapped in the toilet. Boys will be boys....
On a side note, Jake and I were given callings today. Jake is now the SS president and I am a SS teacher.