Adoption Day for the Bennetts

I wanted to take few moments and tell you about some of our best friends, Bruce and Emily Bennett.  We met them 5 years ago when they came to our church.  They were a vital part of our Pathway group.  Both gave their lives to Christ and then were baptized by Russell.  We have watched them surrender their lives and truly live out their faith by trusting Him. 

Bruce and Emily have one biological son, Alexander (Zander) and when we met them, they were both very involved and successful in their careers.  Due to a genetic disorder, they are unable to have any more children of their own (Zander himself is a miracle).  After giving their lives to Christ, they felt led to adopt another child.  We prayed with them and for them as they began the long and tedious process of adoption.  Emily stepped out of her successful career to be a stay at home mom.  A concept that was extremely scary for her as she will be the first to admit she hates cooking and just could not understand what she could possibly do all day to fill her time.  Nearly 3 years ago, after a lot of prayer,  William was born and adopted into the Bennett family.  He is a joy.

Will wasn't in their home but a few weeks and Bruce told Emily he felt God calling them to become Foster Parents.  Needless to say, it took Emily a while to get on board.  Will came to them as an infant.  Emily had been in the delivery room with his biological mom.  Being willing to take on other children who have such sad back grounds is a huge and frightening step of faith.  But, the Lord brought them together on the idea and they began the steps involved.  Almost a year later, their first Foster Child was brought into their home.  He was 6 months old at the time and fit right in perfectly. 

 Zander, Bruce, William, Emily and Oliver (Dec. 2008)

It's been amazing to watch this family foster children.  They have another one in their home right now as well.  Carter - he is a year old.  Emily has her hands full and now never wonders what she will do with her day.  Russell and I were fingerprinted so that we could help watch the kids and it has been such a joy to help them in any way possible.  From keeping them all so they can have a night out, to listening to the joys and frustrations of the "system".  We have been thankful to be a part of it all.  Fostering is a calling.  It's hard.  It's giving up your lives for children that are not yours.  They come into your home with lots of needs.  Mainly the need to be loved and cared for properly.  To have someone to finally fight for their best interest.  Bruce and Emily do that every day with such love and patience.  They constantly amaze me as their family continues to grow.

It's been another long and tedious process, full of lots of ups and downs.  William and Oliver are only 6 months apart but they have a strong bond.  After 2 years of waiting, hoping and praying, yesterday Oliver was officially adopted into the Bennett home.  Russ and I were asked to stand with them in the court room.  What an honor and privilege it was.

Emily and Bruce with William, Zander, Oliver and Carter along with Emily's parents in the Courtroom yesterday.

Oliver Reid Bennett

Zander, Ollie and Will making it official by slamming the gavel on the judges desk.

A proud daddy and big brother, Zander!

Before leaving Ollie grabbed the judges real gavel and had to slam it as well!  He's a busy one!

They are praying now that they will be able to adopt Carter and actually want another boy closer to Zander's age and of course a girl!  This will make a total of 6 children.  Children are a reward from the Lord (Psalm 127:3) whether they are adopted or biological.  The Bennett's are truly blessed.  And we are thankful to be a small part of it.

Until next time......

4th Grade Florida Fair and Snakes!

I didn't realize how quickly I had gotten behind on my blog entries.  As the end of the school year approaches, we seem to be even busier than usual.  June 11 just can't come fast enough.  Although, it will be here before we know it.  Crazy how that all works.

 

Jarod had another acting opportunity this week.  I already shared about the Fort Matanzas replica that he built as his end of the year project.  This past Thursday, all the 4th grade parents went to OPE for the Florida Fair. We we able to tour the classrooms to see all the student's projects.  Then we gathered in the cafeteria and the students put on a performance showcasing all they had learned about Florida.  Jarod's ES class did a skit about different places to visit in Florida and Jarod was Jesse Hellman, a native surfer.  Complete with wardrobe and a surfer lingo - he was a hit!  It amazes me how confident and comfortable he is in front of people.  I was terrified at that age!  I would be in my 20's before I was able to get in front of people and not want to crawl in a hole!  I'm intrigued to see what God has in store for him!

And a quick snake update.  We believe that we have 4 of these guys living under the sidewalk right out our front door.  My earlier post about the snake skin we found was fun - but since then we have found 3 more skins!  It is beyond the fun stage.  I'm done!  This photo was taken from my kitchen window and as you can see, he is not completely out of his nest.  This is only about 6 - 8 feet from my front door.  They are harmless black racers, but I hate that I have to open my front door slowly and that I keep running into them.  Last Saturday, the kids and I watched one emerge from the nest and go across the yard.  All from the kitchen window of course.  But why is it that we are behind glass?  Shouldn't it be the other way around?  I think it's time for some moth balls or snake repel.  They need to move into the woods beside our house and out from under out sidewalk.

Ft. Matanzas

Jarod's end of the year, 4th Grade Social Studies project was to make a replica of a Florida Monument.  He chose Ft. Matanzas in St. Augustine.  He and Russ, along with Anne, drove down last week for some up close research and he's been working hard ever since.  He had to write a full report and build the model as well.  Thought we would share the finished product.  He's very proud.

Other than taking him to the store and guiding him a bit - we were hands off!  He built this alone.  Way to go Jarod!  Here's praying for an A+!!!!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

Anne's Pre-K Class had a special Mother's Day Brunch on Friday.  Anne was so excited!  She planted this special flower just for me.

She wrote my name on the table where I was going to sit. Mom Franklin - I love it! Way cute!

On Friday night, we celebrated Mother's Day at Nana and Papa's house. Corrie was there too.  Cute cousin shot!

Saturday, Jarod was involved in a county wide Math Field Day.  He and  7 other 4th graders were selected to be on the Math Team for Orange Park Elementary.  His team won a Gold!  Way to go Jarod!  Keep up the good work!

Russell couldn't wait any longer, so on Saturday afternoon he gave me my Mother's Day gift early.  It was hiding in the trunk of his car.   He told me to go check the trunk and when I did, I let out a big scream!  I have wanted one of these forever!  I have gone through 4 or 5 hand mixers since we have been married.  I just wear them out - the motors burn up.  This will be awesome come Christmas time with all the baking I do.  Of course, I couldn't wait to use it and they all requested chocolate chip cookies.  This thing was AMAZING! They turned out so nice.  What an awesome gift!  Thanks Russell!  You're the best!

This morning, my bedroom light flipped on at 6:01 AM with a loud "Happy Mother's Day" from both Anne and Jarod.  They had gotten up early (very early) and made me breakfast without any help from Dad this year.  Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast!  Everything was delicious.  Jarod is becoming quite the little chef.

As my family has honored me this year on Mother's Day, I have found myself missing my own mom.  Sometimes it feels as though she's been gone forever, and other times, it seems like just yesterday.  My mom was such a huge part of my life and it's hard knowing that she's missed out on the last 7 1/2 years.  So many things have changed, but I am thankful knowing that one day I will see her again in eternity.  She is with our Lord and that brings great comfort.

1972

1997

1999

2001

Linda Mickle

11/13/1948 - 12/8/2002

You are forever in our hearts.

Chloe's First Visit to Disney

My brother Marc's birthday was Friday.  We helped Sam surprise him and they joined us at Disney for the weekend.  It was Chloe's first visit.  As always, we had a great time.  Thought I would share some pictures with you.

Entering Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival

Oooh!!!  Riding Nemo!

Can you see the diver behind the kids?  They were cleaning the coral.

What a cutie!!!

We took Marc to the Steak House in Japan for his Birthday dinner.  You can see that all 3 of mine are mesmerized by the chef!  Ha!

He made a train with our food!!!!

Jarod was able to join him for a photo!  Love the hat!

The Flower Festival is always my favorite!  Everything is in bloom and the topiary's are great!

Chloe was a trooper!  She had a great time and was such a good baby!

Cousins!!!  Jarod and Anne entertaining Chloe before we took off for Magic Kingdom.

 Thunder Mountain!

LOVE this pic!

Happy Birthday Marc!!!!

Anne learning some new moves at Downtown Disney.

I took many more photos of the flowers and put them in a Facebook Album.  Just couldn't fit everything here.  These were some of my favorites.

Until next time......

Goodbye Purse - Hello Shoes!!!!

As you know, several weeks ago I discovered that Disney had collaborated with Dooney & Burke and came up with a really cool Mickey purse.  Like I said in my earlier blog post, I am VERY practical about my purses, but this one was just way cool.  I got to see it up close this weekend and I have to say it was quite the disappointment.  Which is an excellent thing for my wallet because it wound up being over $200.00!  CRAZY!!!!  It was way too big and had this tiny little strap.  Not practical at all!  Isn't God good?  No point in wasting that kind of money on something you don't really like.

Anyway - I was disappointed and relieved at the same time.  But!  I stumbled across these while at the wonderful new Tren-D store at Downtown Disney on Saturday.

Now seeing as how I needed a new pair of brown flip flops - these were practical!  And adorable cute!  And because I no longer liked the purse, Russ said I could get the white ones too!!!  Together they didn't cost anywhere near the price of the purse. He's so sweet!