Snowy Days

 Aubree was initially scheduled to fly back to Utah on Monday, January 15th but her flight was cancelled due to weather conditions.  She was able to fly back yesterday after her flight being changed and delayed a few times.  It began to snow Sunday afternoon and through Sunday-Monday, we received about 7 inches.  Schools closed Tuesday and today thus far but I anticipate they will be out the remainder of the week.  Temperatures are getting as low as the low single digits with wind chills in the negatives.

Aubree and the temple

Aubree flew home yesterday to attend the temple today and take her endowment.  Her dad and I could not be more proud. Although we ideally wanted her to wait until March or this summer so all grandparents could attend and we could have more time with her, her decision to go through makes us happy.  We love to see our children making righteous decisions and growing their relationship with our Savior.  She was surrounded by many friends and family: my parents (John Eaton-Rochelle & Diane Eaton), my sisters (Sandra Adamson, Charity Hughes, and Rebekah Dickey (and Adam)), Marcia and Tony Taylor, Jason and Rebecca Bates, Sarah and Bobby Jenson, Dave and Eileen Seaman, Travis and Debbie Donald, Sherri Nelson, and Jim Ritter. It was a beautiful thing to see so many people we love there and to be in the temple with my husband, parents, sisters, and daughter.  I felt overjoyed in the celestial room as I watched people I care for enter in and most when Aubree came through the door. I can only imagine it is a glimpse of what heaven will be like.  

We are proud of her decision and love that so many love her to support her.

Welcome 2024

 2023 was filled with growth and development for our family, a year that I would not change.  It brought a closeness and learning more to rely on one another for the boys, Jake, and I. The girls learned a little more self-reliance and our family re-discovered the joy of all being together.  I anticipate that discovery will grow and become sweeter as our children continue to become adults.  Our house is still not 100% complete but it is so close. Jake has worked diligently on it and it is better than before. 

Aubree flew out this morning and Ginny leaves in the morning. It will soon be my boys (including Jake) and I. It does not seem so far distant in the past when it was a struggle to get my littles where they needed to be and now I yearn for that time again. What I would give to have kept them small and dependent upon me but I know the necessity of letting them grow and experience life.  I had a fond childhood memories but my greatest joy has come from being a wife and mother, so I want my babies to experience that same joy and development...if only, I could shield them from the occasional heartbreak though. So here is to 2024, a year of upcoming joys, disappointments, opportunities, and love.

Happy New Year's Eve

 Church went well. I LOVED having all 4 of my kids with me. We had the Young Men over for a sock exchange and then hung out as a family for a bit.  We celebrated the New Year with New York, so I could go to bed but the girls came back home a few minutes before midnight and rang in the new year. We are blessed beyond measure.

Charity's sealing

 It has been a very busy break for the Farrell crew.  We arrived home from Cloudcroft Wednesday evening and left Thursday morning (12/28) for Georgia for Charity and Owen to be sealed on 12/29.  We stopped in Jackson on the way for Will to take his driver's test and had lunch with my mom.  Then we made it to Nashville and stopped at Opry Mills mall for a little shopping for the kids.  I believe they had an enjoyable time. It was a lovely weekend overall and I so enjoy having all my babies with me.  I do know that the time is limited as they are each growing up and the girls are branching out more.  Charity and Owen were sealed on 12/29. On 12/30, we had ice cream cake for Will and spent the day at Stone Mountain.

Happy 16th Birthday Will

 Happy 16th birthday Will! He is the most inclusive person I know. He is diligent in reading his scriptures and prays regularly to build his relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

He’s also clumsy and forgetful but we are so glad he’s our son. We love you, son.

Facts about Will by Will:

I love my family.

My favorite thing to do is play with Chris

 I love learning new things about building

You currently want to be when you grow up: Marine Biologist

Your favorite color is: Cyan

Your favorite show is: Slug Terra

Your favorite game is: Fortnite

My favorite activity is playing Skull King.

Your favorite girl is: Mom

You are really good at: STEM

Your best friend is: Walker Orris, James Jones the 3rd, and Gage McGuffee

You want to vacation to: Disney Cruise again

Your favorite ice cream is: cotton candy

Your wish is to be 17.

Your hero is: Dad

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: play

Your favorite holiday is: Christmas

Your favorite person in the whole world is: Mom

Your favorite song(s) is: Stay

Your favorite restaurant is: Olive Garden

Your favorite foods are: pizza

If you had $1000 you would buy: a pool

Christmas Eve

 As sad as I was there was no church, the evening overall was well, with the exception of the boys arguing. We had a Christmas concert and during it Jake and the kids sang “Light of the World”, the girls did a number, and then Will played “It came upon a Midnight Clear”.  The kids spent a little time our room for scripture and prayer and we wore matching pajamas.