New Year's Resolution

Tomorrow marks another year passing for the Farr family. When I look around at how far Nick and I have come over the past twelve years since we started college, I realize how truly blessed we are to have all the wonderful people and things around us. Two wonderful families just a hop, skip, and jump down the road who are able to share in Brooklynn's childhood. My grandparents were super special to me and I love that B is able to grow up knowing both of her grandparents so well. We both have jobs, a nice home and the things that we need. With all this in mind I know that there are others, many others, who are not as fortunate. I see this everyday when I walk through my classroom doors. I do what I can at school, but I know that I should be doing more.

Last summer I joined Hands on Greenville, an organization that matches volunteers with local agencies in need of assistance. So far I have volunteered with Loaves and Fishes, Serenity Place, and the Greenville Public Library for a whopping total of 7 hours. Pretty pathetic, right? I have the whole summer off and I have only volunteered 7 hours since June.

After thinking about all that I do during the school year and all that I don't do during my summer months, I've come up with my New Year's Resolution. In 2012 I will dedicate 50 hours to community service. Yes, I can do this. What is 50 hours? Almost two days? That's nothing in the grand scheme of things.

Why do this you may ask? Two reasons. The first is that I just have an itch to change something for someone, even if it is in just a small way. You would think teaching would do that for me, but it hasn't as of late. The second is that I want Brooklynn to grow up to be thankful for all that she has and make sure she is able to give back to those who may not have the same opportunities. Since she is only three the only way to do that is to model it. Spoken like a true teacher! I'm going to add a widget to the side of my blog to hold myself accountable. My first volunteer hours for the year are scheduled on the 14th. For Hands on Greenville's Martin Luther King's Week of Service, I signed up to help clean up an old cemetery from the 1800's. Sounds kind of depressing right? I have to admit though that old cemeteries intrigue me. Hopefully no ghosts follow me home! ;) Happy New Year!

Christmas in Dillard

We headed to Georgia on Christmas day to celebrate with my side of the family. We were very excited to spend a couple of days with Aunt Shay, cousin Meredith and her two kids Kylie and Keaton.

Brooklynn was spoiled with lots of gifts. She especially liked the Minnie Mouse hat.

Blake and Kaley with our new cousin, Keaton (Meredith's son).

Happy 3rd Birthday, Brooklynn!

Today we celebrated Brooklynn's third birthday!

Brooklynn's arrival

First Birthday

Second Birthday

Happy Birthday to our sweet Bbear!

Christmas Morning

Gram and Poopa stopped by with B's new train table.

Telling Gram "Thank You!"

The Goods

Nick and I were very excited about Christmas morning with Brooklynn. We were a little disappointed in her reaction and we learned a valuable lesson: DON'T WRAP THE PRESENTS! We definitely missed the wow factor that we had last year. She was pretty excited about her bike and once we got all the games out and unpacked she loved them. However, next year we will not wrap the majority of B's presents because it took forever to get everything out of the boxes which wasn't very exciting for any of us! Live and learn.

Dusty

Clayton and Jason stopped by on Christmas Eve to drop off B's present. Take a look!

If you hang around Brooklynn for any period of time you know that she loves, loves, LOVES giraffes. She was super excited to get this giraffe which she named Dusty. Brooklynn is currently sleeping with this giant in her bed. Good thing we just moved her up to a twin size!! Tugboat on the other hand is still a little spooked.

Wilson Family Christmas

Christmas Eve we headed to Taylors to celebrate with Gram's side of the family. Here are a few pics.

Brooklynn especially loved her baby doll and baby doll accessories. She also was very excited about the movie, How to Train your Dragon.

Farr Famly Christmas

Last night we celebrated Christmas with Poopa's side of the the family. We had a delicious dinner thanks to Bidney and her boys.

Below are some of the pics I took with my new camera! Nick gave me an early Christmas present!

B and me before we left. She was super excited about seeing Gram and Poopa.

We got to meet a new cousin, Margaret Ann, Aunt Bidney's first granddaughter!

And of course, B and Marlee picked right up where they left off. They love playing together.

Granny and Papa

B opening some gifts.

Brooklynn thanking Granny for the goodies.

Brooklynn loved her number memory game from Aunt Bidney. Here she is playing it with Aunt Kayla. Kayla had to work and missed the first part of the party. It's a good thing, because Brooklynn sure was flirting with Uncle Justin.

We gave Granny a book of pictures that I made on Shutterfly. It took me about three hours to make but well worth it. We were super excited to give her some pictures of B from the past year.

Rainy Days

All this rainy weather has kept us indoors this week, so Wednesday we went to the Children's Museum with two of our favorite fellas, Garren and Grayson.

B was exhausted when we got home, but she sure had a blast.

Sorry for the lack of pictures lately. My camera isn't working so I am stuck with the camera on my phone. Tonight we are celebrating Christmas with the Farr family! Pics coming soon!

A Future Teacher?

Brooklynn sure had a good time helping me make all 30 gift bags for my class Thursday night. She helped sort all the goodies and put each in the bag. Such a good little helper!

Need a Little Help

While I have not contributed much to this blog over the last year, I have been a regular writer for my firm's blog, Abnormal Use. Last week, we were named by the ABA Journal to this year's ABA Blawg 100, honoring the top 100 legal blogs.

The editors of the ABA Journal have asked that their readers vote upon their favorite blogs in each category. We have been placed in the Torts category with five other excellent blogs. They are all great sites, and I encourage you to read them regularly. But the editors have asked people to vote, so I must bring that your attention, right?

I would greatly appreciate your support and humbly request that you cast your vote for Abnormal Use. Here's how:

Plug this website into your browser:

http://www.abajournal.com/blawg100

You will be prompted to register with the ABA Journal website. It's takes just a moment, as all you need to do is create a username and password.

Once you have completed the registration, you will be taken to a page with a large logo at the top with twelve categories of blogs listed below it.

Click on the category labeled "Torts."

Scroll down and find the entry for Abnormal Use. Click the "Vote Now!" next to the Abnormal Use logo entry.

I'll let you know how that turns out for us. In the meantime, remember that you can follow Abnormal Use on Twitter here and Facebook here.

Thanks for your support!

-Nick

Random Things from the Past Week

1. Grapes has been up to no good.

2. Brooklynn got to go to Hollywild to see the lights Sunday night. Nothing like a safari with lights everywhere. She loved every minute of it. Let's just say we are all thankful Nick was driving, because it could have easily turned into a demolition derby if I had been behind the wheel. Those of you who have experienced Hollywild at Christmas know what I am talking about. Fortunately, my husband has much more patience than myself.

3. Brooklynn has started sleeping in her closet. Who knows why?

4. Saturday night was Luminary Night in our neighborhood. So pretty!

5. Brooklynn has been learning about Christmas around the World at school. This particular hat was from the day they talked about Sweden.

6. Brooklynn was a little obsessed last night with a Christmas card we received in the mail from the Barefoots. It had cows on it which certainly peaked her interest. She was just certain that the cow on the front of the card was a lamb. I guess she has never seen a cow that color before. She then really studied the card before telling me all about the cow stuck in the mud and something that had to do with an octopus. She is still sitting on the couch tonight holding the card. If we have cows on our Christmas cards next year, you will now know why!!

Clayton and Jason

Over the weekend we celebrated Clayton and Jason's wedding!

They had a photo booth which made for hours of fun. I think I must be in half the photo booth pictures. I couldn't stay out of that thing, but here are the shots with Nick and Clayton

Nick almost strangled me on the bottom left picture and then I almost lost my top!

Below are my favorites

Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day, Clayton and Jason!

Happy Birthday, Kaley

Kaley celebrated her 24th birthday on Tuesday! Mom and Dad took everyone out for Kaley's birthday dinner Wednesday night.

Brooklynn had her eye on Kaley's dessert. Lucky for B that Aunt KK was willing to share! ;)