a LITTLE catch up

I took kind of a hiatus from blogging for a while, minus DeeKen's birthday post. There has just been too much going on, and so many emotions, that blogging just had to take a back seat. I am going to try and quickly review what has been happening in our lives.

A little while before John's dad passed away, these absolutely wonderful people came for a visit. Their presence makes me realize that Oregon was not just a good dream but an awesome reality. Now that we have lived away from there for over two years, Oregon seems like an alternate reality. When people from Oregon come to visit it is like my two worlds collide. These people are welcome to crash my Utah reality anytime. They are the Minetto's, Or more lovingly referred to as our Oregon family. Literally my kids thought of the parents(Jan and Steve) as grandparents, and the kids(Kaitlyn and Tyler) as awesome uncles and aunts...if not that, well awesome babysitters!!! Kaitlyn is here at Provo to go to the Y(we don't hold it against her) And everyone dropped in to say hello. It was such a fun night. It made me miss my Oregon home, and long for a time when we got to see these and so many more amazing people more often. We promised to consider Oregon when John is done with residency, but truth is we would go back in a heart beat! Here is a shout out to all of those who touched our lives in Oregon. We love you and are so glad for the many amazing relationships created there!!!

I wanted to include this pic. Mark, John's brother made it possible. It is our last Farr family picture, taken last August at our family reunion. One brother was missing because of running his girlfriend back to Rockland, but Mark made it possible for all of us to be contained in this one picture. It is so priceless to us. No family has changed in growth yet, although it will in time. We were planning on taking a new family picture at John's brothers farewell. Things changed. Take family pics whenever you can, you never know what lies ahead and how much you will regret chances lost.

When our family was up in Rockland in January visiting John's parents, the Spirit told me to take a picture of each of my kids with John's dad. I ignored the prompting, and as we were leaving I told John I had forgotten to do it. He said, "It's okay. It's not like he is going to die." And he didn't for another 8 months. I never did take those pictures. I can't believe I missed that opportunity. I am glad I have countless others for my kids to remember him by. Take pictures people.

The Monday after John's dad passed we wanted to go ride his horses...technically now our horses. We thought we would go honor him in that way. My own dad joined us to ride for a bit. I am glad I got a few pictures of it. Wish I had some of Ken on the horses but I don't. To many things I can think of like that, but you have to focus on what you do have.

This is right after grandparents day. It was the Friday of John's dad's viewing. My amazing mother-in-Love, came for it too, but left right after, so I didn't get her picture. Micah felt like the queen of the world having grandparents from both sides there. I am so grateful to live in Utah for that reason. Noah missed out on that with his grandparent days, I am glad Micah got this opportunity. I am in awe of Kerry and her desire to be there for Micah. We love her so much!

John's best man, Matt Willey, from our wedding happened to be in town that week, and we got to see him and his cute family. We love them. They are full of life and goodness. We technically are family since John's sister married Matt's brother, but even if we weren't the extended Willey family would still treat us like it. They always invite us to family functions. We love spending time with them. We love our Willey's.

Jill came for her yearly visit to see the Lyu's, and I got to take some pictures for them again this year. It is always a joy to see her. She adores her adopted family.

And then there was DeeKen's birthday. OI! What a crazy birthday this year. But thanks to a wonderful Aunt and Uncle DeeKen didn't feel the sting of Josie being sick with the flu, or Dad having to work on his Birthday. McKell and Joel took him to Chuckie Cheese and he was in Heaven!!!

He had always been a little afraid of the actual Chucky character, but allowed this pic to be taken!

Thank you SUPER HEROS! We love you so much!!!

Although Josie was not fully recovered, we decided to go ahead and have family come over for cake and ice cream on Sunday, the day following his birthday. DeeKen loved his cakeS that his Grandma Hyde made along with having his cousins over.

The day following that, Monday, I turned a little ward play group into a birthday party for Dee.

He had a great time, with some of his cute little friends. Yes, I do think he likes girls better than boys! Addy's(the one in green) mom told me that lots of her conversations with Addy started making a lot more sense when she realized that Deeken's name was DeeKen(Deacon) and that Addy was talking about him and not just one of the deaons in her brothers preisthood quorm.

His preschool teacher call him the little casanova, because all the little girls seem to like him most of the boys. Don't worry ALL you moms who have your eyes set on this little man for your little girl, I am sure when he is older he will have his eyes set on her too. Hee hee!

We had to eat our donuts out in the van. The place wouldn't let me bring them in. But the kids didn't mind eating them in the car.

We finally got past DeeKen's birthday and I got to take some pictures of this handsome fellow. We love Kimball. Such a good guy to have around.

Here is another blast from our Oregon past. These guys happened to be in town, and we got to snap a few pics of them. These parents are very special people, and have two VERY special spirits in their home. We are quite smitten in this family with Alli. I think Noah just adored her once he heard her read. She was 2. She is Amazing!

I got to take some pictures of this beautiful family. They make me smile and laugh. I wish I had as much talent as this woman has in her little finger. I guess I will just have to settle for being friends, and benefiting from her talent. Thanks Mangums!

This little girl makes me wish my daughter could take harp(hint hint Maryann...I will pay in 1013). Anyway, these were so fun to take. She has the cutest name too, McKentri. Love it.

I have this nasty habit of not clearing my SIM card before I start taking new pics. Well, that was the case with this, I took a lot of pics, and then needed to hurry and erase a lot. I forgot to look what I was erasing, and pretty soon there was only one pic left of the fun run. Oh well! Better that then some family pics, I could never take again or something.

Noah and Micah and DeeKen and Josie all technically participated in the fun run, but only Noah and Micah were trying to earn money for their school while they got some good exercise in. It reminds me of this, it was only a few years ago, but seems like forever now. Time is going fast!

This puzzle is the result of hours of watching conference with my kids. Grandma took the initative to quietly entertain them. I LOVED Conference. It was so awesome! Can't wait to review the Ensign.

What a cute family? She is such a kind friend to me, and he is a well, kind of diligent home teacher!?! I am sure she could let her husband know if we needed anything! Thank You Hacketts for letting me take your pics!

Noah is now a bobcat or wolf, or something. I really don't remember, we just do the stuff with him and sign it off, and smile big when he pins stuff on us. I am so happy he is enjoying scouts. My dad loves that he loves it. John is not an EAGLE, and that is a tradition of my dad's I know he would like to carry on. When my dad's mom contracted polio on a Friday night and was near dying by Sunday, a nurse wrote down her last requests. One was for her boys to become an Eagle Scout. It is important to my family.

This is me on my first girl's weekend without my kids 10, 20, 1,000 miles within reach. I went to Texas with my mom for my nieces baptism. Eliza had the unfortunate luck of being born during hunting season, and I got the fortunate honor of going in my father's place. My mom pointed out to me that all of us kids were born in the spring and there was good reason for that.

I had a great time in Texas. It wasn't really a girl's only weekend though. Which was fine, my brother has cute boys that kept me entertained. When they didn't, I enjoyed the shopping and lots of book reading.

It was super fun, but I was very happy to see my family again. Which is always good to know. That you would miss them I mean. Cuz there are CRAZY days in my life, when getting OUT sounds really nice. It's good to know it wouldn't last long, I would miss the crazy!

Eliza's baptism was great. Unexpectantly, Amy Hyde was asked to say the closing prayer. It was very unexpected, and it took me a minute to realize who Amy Hyde was. So happy for Eliza to take the next step on her journey of becoming a disciple of Christ. Makes you grateful for a knowledge of the RESTORED gospel.

Well, I may get to add a few pics later of John's youngest brother's mission farewell. What a stalwart young man. Leaving for two years right after your father passed away three weeks earlier. He must KNOW who he is going to serve. Love that Kid!

John and I also got to go to the cabin this last weekend with his two sisters and their families. I always enjoy being around them. Love them so much. Especially love what good hard workers they are when it comes to cooking and clean up. They are truly Kerry's daughters when it comes to that. I love them, love her. I am so thankful for my in-loves.

and that is a wrap for now. Things are always happening in this house, hopefully I will be back soon!

DK Turns 4!

Dee Kenneth, how did you get your name?

D: I was named after grandpa Dee and Grandpa Ken.

Where do they live?

D: Grandpa Dee lives with grandma, and Grandpa Ken lives with Grandma Kerry.

Does Grandpa Ken live with Grandma Kerry?

D: No, he lives with Heavenly Father, and I miss him.

♫

How ironic, that DeeKen's birthday would be the first birthday after grandpa Ken's B-day and D-day. I am so glad we named him after his grandpa. Ken always joked about how when we spelled DeeKen, the K needs to be capitalized. I never have stressed the point much. Only recently when he was starting pre-school did I decide for sure that I wanted him to be learning his name with the capital K in his name. It is appropriate and very fitting to honor his grandfather in this way. He liked DeeKen so much. Loved that he was named after him. Loved to laugh at all the cute things he said. Loved to rub the top of his head. I miss him so much. I am glad I have my own little Ken.

DeeKen's 4 year old questions!

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Number:5, because it is a long number

Favorite Drink: Cream Soda and root beer

Favorite food: Cereal, fruity loops

Favorite game: Bingo, that has the shapes

Favorite animal: At the zoo? Something that doesn't scratch. An elephant

Favorite Song: The wise Man

Favorite TV Show: The cat in the Hat

Favorite Movie: Bugs Bunny

I feel sad when: grandpa Ken dies

I Feel Mad when: summer comes

I feel proud when: July? When i play with Gunner.

I feel scared when: Halloween comes.

I like it when my friends: come over to my house

I like it when my teacher: gives me cookies

I like it when I: play wack- a- mole

In the summer I: like to go to cherry hill

At school I: like to play

I am good at: playing uno moo

If you had one wish it would be: grandpa Ken to come back

I am special because: Heavenly Father sent me on this earth

What makes you laugh: silly faces

If you were a parent for a day, which rule would you get rid of: no hitting

What do you want to do when you grow up: A fireman truck. No, fireman people.

Do you think it would be hard to be a mom or dad: yes, it would.

Why: I would miss you.

If you could have a magical power what would it be: To be nice.

What is the best thing about being 4: eating ice cream

What is the best thing about being you? being bad or good. Taking care of everything that is on the world.

I can't believe how much he has grown since last year. He was the first kid I did pictures like this with. I love it. Hope you will continue to indulge me on my kids birthdays.

Well done thou good and faithful servant

Jack Kenneth Farr

Sept 4, 1943-Sept 4, 2010

Me: Life is weird right now. I don't want to miss a thing. I don't want to miss Jo's cute smile as she walks away holding her Daddy's hand. I don't want to miss DeeKen tell his daddy with full determination, "I WILL eat it!" We need to be kinder to one another, speak softer, and serve one another more. Life is too precious, it could be gone in a moment.

John: To worry is to doubt God.

Me: It's not doubt, it's grief. It's an awakening.

I will miss my sweet father-in-love so much. He went too quickly. Too unexpectedly, that I still can't quite believe that he is gone. That he won't walk through the door and give me a big hug. Tell me to "Cheer up" as I walk by. Remind my kids that we can all be friends with a quick mention of "buddies of buddies are buddies".

We love him so much, and are grateful for the Gospel plan of eternal families. He may only be a memory now, but we will see him again. He will hug me tight and treat me as one of his own. He will tell me he loves me and give me that Ken Farr smile. Until then, we will celebrate the new adventure he is taking and the place he is preparing for us along side him in heaven.

We love you grandpa!

We love you dad!

Back To SCHOOL!!!

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL,

IS SUPER COOL!

First this happened. Finding out the name of who your kid is going to spend more time with during the day then you, can be quite unsettling. Knowing a name gives you no idea of who they actually are. Then you get mixed reviews from all the moms and kids you talk to. Then there is that small fact that your sons teacher recommended to the school that he get a certain teacher, and he didn't get that teacher. You wonder, is this an answer to prayers(prayers you have been saying like crazy for your child, so that they will have a successful year), or has someone screwed up. You try to keep your cool in front of your kids, because you don't want it to effect their feelings about their teacher. But the whole thing, at least for me, can be pretty....unsettling.

It is nice however when you get a call from the school, a recording mind you, that says their had to be some changes made, and your child may or may not be effected. And you feel complete peace, knowing your prayers have been answered. And even though, you will later find out, your child still doesn't have the teacher you thought he would get, or the teacher you didn't want him to get, and now has Two teachers that you know nothing about, you feel like it is right, and things are good! That is very settling, calming, and gratifying

Then a week passes, and just like every year this happens! BACK TO SCHOOL FASHION SHOW!

They have so much fun doing it, it makes me laugh how crazy they get. Jo was an honorary participant this year, but DeeKen is actually becoming a member of the school attending children. I can't believe it! Even crazier, is that Jo will join them next year!!!

Then this day comes! and no matter how I think I have prepared, I am still running around like a mad woman. Oh well!

Here are my two grade schoolers!

and them plus my preschooler.

No matter how early I get up, I can not get enough time to do all the things I want to before school. We were trying to hurry like crazy, and still get all the usual pictures. I should take a moment to thank those friends who provided apples for my kids new teachers. Since Noah was starting preschool we have always given their teachers apples on the first day of school. We read it in a little Critter book, and it has been law ever since. I thought this was more common, but I never see anyone else do it. So THANK YOU KT for 3 apples, however, DeeKen got his hands on one and started to eat it before I could stop him, thus, THANK YOU Natalie, for your apple. THANK YOU also to my mom who knew we didn't have them, and went and got some so we had them by the time the flag ceremony(pictured Below) took place. We used one of those for DK's teacher the next day.

Micah's first time having a locker!!! Pretty COOL! I feel like I should get her a mirror and some other cool stuff in it. Too Junior Highish???

This is Micah's teacher. No I didn't get who I wanted for her either. I know little about her, but I have heard the parents think she is VERY interesting, but the kids LOVE her. We shall see.

My big first grader!!! She at least knew some kids in her class this year. Moos' response when we asked her if she was ready to go to all day school, "It isn't ALLLL day!" Micah is lucky, she started school at just the right time to get to stay in one school for at least 3 years. For Noah this is his first year getting to go to the same school. Poor kid, makes you feel for army kids.

By the time we made it to Noah's class, he was the LAST one in. They had already fully started their day.

This is one of Noah's teachers. I liked her. She was really kind and sweet even though he was late on his first day!

After we got Noah and Micah to school, DK and Jo and I played on the playground until it was time for the BIG moment...

Noah's scout troop got to retire the old flag and hang the new one, but that is not all. Noah got to lead the whole school in the pledge of allegiance. It was a very big moment for him, and even though he asked to do it, he was very nervous. He did a GREAT job!

My moo baby in the crowd.

My two kiddos I have left at home. Lots of hugs were given that day. It is good to know they can play pretty well together, and entertain each other. What a relief.

The day seemed to be a success! I am so happy the school year has started. Lots of fun things to look forward to.

And now for the hear breaker, my Dee started preschool, and he had to walk all the way...

across the street. I am lucky to have two great preschool teachers right in my cul-de-sac. After deliberation, Dee is going to the 3 year old preschool. He will miss the Dead line for Kindergarten next year and will have to attend two years. We could have put him in the 4 year olds, but we thought he might as well rule the school for a year. Plus his little buddy Gunner is in his class.

BREN, this is Deeken's best Preschooler poise. I thought it was pretty cute, I still need to capture the older kids!

Dee with his apple.

Mrs. Bridgette and my very handsome little man.

Jo wanted to wear her backpack to pick up DeeKen. Fast forward one year, and this WILL be her. So crazy!

This is Dee and little Gunner. I am so glad DK has found a good little friend!

Hopefully there will be lots of fun playdates to follow preschool. He didn't even have time to tell me about his first day, he just wanted to head right over to Gunners.

Which left me and Jo alone again, and me wondering how time has passed so fast!

I saw this poem on another blog, and thought it was very appropriate.

We Left You at the Door

We took you down to school today.

You’re just beginning now.

Although this year you’re five years old,

You seem so young, somehow!

We didn’t take you all the way,

For we’d been told before

“Don’t go into his room with him,

Just leave him at the door.”

Up to this time we’ve always gone

Together everywhere.

And we have had a lot of fun

While traveling here and there;

But I well knew before it came,

We’re parted more and more;

So many times we’ll stand outside

And leave you at the door.

You’re growing up so very fast

It’s hard to keep in step;

The fact of changing years is hard

For parents to accept.

You’ll have to walk your path alone

No matter what’s in store.

We’ll bring you up to life’s classroom,

Then leave you at the door.

While you were ours these tender years,

We treasured every day

Full knowing that the time would come

When you would go your way.

And though this love will still remain

Within the heart’s deep core,

Our eyes will sting to see you go—

And leave us at the door!