Our Family Getaway

This year we decided to scale back on the "stuff" and spend our money on quality time with the family.  The beginning of December we researched a few places and chose to go back to Ridgecrest in between Christmas and New Years.  The kids were out of school for almost 3 weeks and we had no other plans. 

Ridgecrest Conference Center has a great getaway for Pastors and their families.  As long as they are available and they are not filled up by a conference, pastors can come and stay on their property to relax and get away.  We called and made reservations the beginning of December.  Russ couldn't wait!  He absolutely LOVES the mountains and he was ready for a change of pace.

So Christmas came and went and we got up early Monday morning and took off for North Carolina with absolutely no agenda except family time.

We arrived about 4:30 or so and the place was empty!

 Inside Ridgecrest Conference Center Lobby.  How Pretty!

We unloaded all of our things and took off to Black Mountain for dinner and My Father's Pizza.  

Yummmmm......

 On Tuesday, we went back in to Black Mountain to do some shopping in all the fun local stores.  Russ found a great Cafe for us to have soup for lunch.  I can't even tell you how cold we were!  LOL!

Love this picture of Anne.  The server offered her a Tea Set to have her 7-Up in.  She thought she was big stuff!

Tuesday night we actually had snow flurries - and about an inch of snow stuck around until around 9:00 am.  Jarod said that he saw it when he woke up but the rest of us were all sleepy heads and slept in.  It was all gone when we woke up.  We had been up late playing games.

 We discovered that "Sorry" is one of our new favorites!  It gets kind of vicious in the Franklin Family.  Well - that or some of us get a little looney!  I won't mention who does what.  Also - notice the missing tooth!  That came out on Tuesday as well!  It was an eventful day!  She is such a nut!

By Wednesday, things were still a little too cold to be hiking so we took off to the NC Nature Center close by.  I thought Russ was crazy to suggest it as it didn't get out of the 30's that day and I couldn't understand what animal would be out and about in that kind of weather. But!  I was wrong!  Other than the bears - who are hibernating (of course!) - the animals were very active.  Our favorites were the otters.

Love Jarod's hair in this picture!

I took several pictures - but since I had to narrow it down for my blog post, I opted NOT to put photos of animals behind chain link fences on here so I can save room for the waterfalls.  You can thank me later.  Just know that the animals were amazing - otters, wolves, foxes, deer, etc. Everything native to North Carolina.  I really enjoyed the cougars - but I am becoming more and more partial to cats.  Uhem..... Anyway - on with the blog.  To see ALL of our photos - they are in an album on Facebook.

We believe this is Mt. Mitchell.  Russ reminded us SEVERAL times on our trip that this is the highest mountain on the east coast.  We could see it snowing up there - but everything was closed to get to it.  Sure was pretty though.

We decided to stay close to "home" on Thursday.  Ridgecrest has a few trails on property.  One is called "Rattlesnake Trail".  We have hiked it before so we knew what to expect.  We have just never done it in winter.  The mountains have a different beauty to them when all the leaves are gone and everything is brown and quiet.

 The one thing we do know about this trail is that it's mostly "UP" the entire way.  Ugh!

 I would like to say that I stayed behind on purpose to get these really cool shots of my family ahead of me, but the truth is - I was huffing and puffing this trip!  Last time I hiked this trail - I was doing Zumba 2 or 3 days a week and working out regularly.  Ya - not so much lately!  But - I made it - and got great family shots in the process.  Taking the photos gave me an excuse to stop for a few seconds.  Okay - I just told on myself.  I get some credit for that, right?

Still - it was beautiful!

Ridgecrest from our hike.  It was a mile "UP" to the top.

 And there was some snow along the way.

It got more and more difficult at the top.

 But it WAS worth it!

The summit!

 Russell wasted no time settling in and finding a "recliner".  

He would have stayed there ALL day if he could.

What a cutie!

The kids explored and found lots of things to climb on.

We rested at the top for a while, had a snack, enjoyed the view and then headed back down.

These really are only a few of my favorites!  I took so many that day. It was hard to narrow them down.  It was such a beautiful hike.

While we were coming down the mountain, Russ and I stayed behind, watching the kids ahead and talked.  We decided that we wanted to go over to Brevard the next day to some of our favorite waterfalls.  We also decided that since he had someone covering for him on Sunday at church, there really was not a need to go home on Saturday.  When we got back down to the Conference Center, we asked if we could add an extra day to our trip.  The room was available and we were thrilled that we didn't have to go home quite yet!  God is soooo good!

So Friday - we took off in search of waterfalls!

We started at the top and worked our way down this time.  Love this covered bridge.

Yep - that's the same covered bridge. Cool, huh?

 These are taken at the bottom of the same falls.

Russ had a wonderful idea of having our lunch on this rock by the falls.

 Lunch time! How cool is that?

So tell me - when did my little boy grow up?

 More falls.....

We LOVE grossing the kids out!  LOL!!!

On to the next one.....

 Sometimes, these two scare me.

 Seriously - when did he grow up?  LOVE this pic!!!

Ending the waterfall pics with my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE!!!!!

LOVE THIS MAN!!!!!

We had a marvelous day chasing waterfalls, telling stories, talking, hiking and just being together.  So thankful for such an awesome day.  It was cold - but not too cold and the day was just perfect.

On Saturday we decided to spend the day in Downtown Ashville.  We visited all of the local craft shops and then headed over to the mall.  While we were there we discovered a man at a kiosk that was selling photos that made letters.  You could spell whatever you wanted!  Jarod - while looking at the photos, spotted the "O" - which happened to be a guitar.  And he says, "Aw Man!  I wish I had an O in my name!"  I just looked at him.  Really Jarod?  How long have you been spelling your name?  We all had a good laugh from that one and I think it will be a family joke for a while!  We did allow him to make his name - he was so excited!  We found out that the D is the staircase in the St. Augustine Lighthouse!  Cool, huh?

 Then there is my hubby!  I have seen these pictures pre-made before.  Saying "Faith" or "Love".  I've been keeping my eye out for one that said "Grace" but have not come across it.  He got so excited about it and had to make one for himself.  He wrote on Facebook:
"Found a guy in Ashville selling tons of letter photos you could create words with and frame. I chose the word grace because of the impact that small word has had on me. I am so thankful for God's saving grace through Jesus Christ."

It was the perfect ending to our trip!

Thanks for your patience - I hope you enjoyed all of the photos!  There are so many more really great ones on Facebook.  This starts an incredibly busy week of baking.  Our sweet Anne Girl turns 7 on Wednesday!

More to come.......

Christmas!

So I guess it's time to catch up a bit.  Going on vacation in between Christmas and New Year's is awesome but it takes away all my down time to work on the blog.  Now I feel totally behind - but I'll get it caught up!  I'm determined since I have it printed each year as a family keepsake.

As you know, Christmas was much nicer and more relaxed this year.  We kept things simple and focused on family time.  Because of Christmas falling on a Sunday, we rearranged a few things this year so that we could  focus on both family and church equally.  Being a Pastor's family - Russ and I never want the kids to grow up resenting church - but enjoying it.  So instead of trying to fit church into our traditions, we just moved them around a bit.  It really made for a restful holiday.

We always get together with my brother's family on Christmas Eve.  This year, because we had a Christmas Eve service at church, our Christmas Eve came a day early.  We celebrated on Friday night.  We had our usual Lasagne Dinner with Marc, Sam and Chloe, along with a time of opening presents, playing games and Marc staying late so I could help him wrap his gifts for Sam and he help us with the kids presents.  This year he was helping us download about 1000 songs on to a new (to him) IPOD for Jarod. But I am getting ahead of myself.....

All smiles at dinner

LOVE this girl!  She is so funny and such a joy! Now that she is 2 - she can really contribute to our family times.  She cracks us up!

Sneaking into the picture with Uncle Marc and Aunt Sam

Ooooh!  Micky Mouse books and PJ's!!!  Fun stuff!!!

Having a picnic with mommy with her new picnic basket.  I think it was a hit!

Chloe played with her new toys while the rest of us played a Disney Trivia Game for the evening.  So much fun!  It was a great evening.

Marc left and took his family home and then came back with Anne's special gift because since we had Christmas Eve a day early - we decided to go ahead and have Christmas morning a day early too!  So, he brought her gift back and then stuck around and helped us with Jarod's.  When the kids got up on Saturday morning - the tree looked like this.

Anne wanted and needed a new bike this year.  She has completely outgrown her old one.  Jarod received a Camelbak Back Pack for his Scout Trips. (Lower left) It's a really cool backpack that also has a "bladder" in it to carry water.  It has a special tubing attached so he can stay hydrated while he hikes.

She was quite excited!

What Jarod didn't know was that tucked away in the pockets of the backpack was his dad's old IPOD fully loaded with songs (thanks Marc) and ready to go!  Russ decided that Jarod would use it far more than he has so he passed it along.  As you can see - he was thrilled!

One of Anne's favorite gifts was that stuffed monkey from Sasha - she is soooo into monkeys right now!

 Both kids received new robes and slippers as well.  

LOVE Anne's cupcakes!

 Ready to ride!!!!

Sharing the tunes!

Because we were leaving early Monday morning for vacation, having Christmas morning on Saturday enabled the kids to enjoy their things all day before we went to our Christmas Eve Service that night.

When we woke up on Christmas morning, we went to church as normal without having to try and rush through gifts, etc. And then we went straight to Nana and Papa's after church to enjoy yet another time with family.

Our Great Niece, Corrie

How cute are they?

 Anne has had her eye on this doll for a while!  Thanks Nana!

This was Jarod's big gift from Nana and Papa.  We came home that night and while we packed, he put it all together and had it running that evening!  So cool!

So that's our Christmas in a nutshell.  So thankful for the restful time with family.  I can honestly say that this was the best Christmas in a long time as far as stress is concerned.  There really is a peace at Christmas and with my new heart attitude, I really was able to thoroughly enjoy it.   It's hard to believe it's over already and we are in to a New Year.  Very excited to see what 2012 is going to bring.

Now..... on to our vacation!

You Are My Sunshine

I don't remember exactly why it started - or what triggered it, but when Jarod was born I would hum or sing "You are my sunshine" to him while I rocked him or soothed him in any way.  I would change the words a little as he got older to "You are my Jarod, my only Jarod" - you get the picture.  It became my "go to" song any time we were having those sweet, cuddly moments.  He would wiggle when I tried to cut his nails and I would sing the sunshine song and he would hold completely still and listen.  My heart melted and I cried - because that's what I do - when he was old enough and attempted to sing with me the first time. 

When Anne was born, 5 years later, I did the same thing.  Same song.  Same sweetness.  "You are my Anne Girl, my only Anne Girl.  You make me happy when skies are gray.  You'll never know Anne how much Mommy loves you.  Please don't take my Anne Girl away." 

Doesn't that put a lump in your throat? 

Okay - well it does me.

I again continued to sing this to her as she grew and used it when I would trim her nails or need to to be still for something.  Or when we would just snuggle.

Tonight we had our annual Senior Adult Soup and Sing at the church.  We bring soup, have a time of serving and honoring our Senior Adults, and bring in someone to play the guitar and sing with them.  Perry Hopper was our "singer" tonight and he took requests.  Someone requested "You are my Sunshine".  Russ looks at me - Jarod rolls his eyes (because now he's 12 - even though I saw a little smile behind his smirk). And of course mine get a little misty thinking back when my kids were babies. 

Anne was in another room playing with some friends.  I didn't even know she could hear the singing. She came running into the room to hear it - that made me smile.  After the song was over she turned and said, "I had to come in and listen - I told Blake and Preston  - that's the song my mom sings when she cuts my toe nails!"

UGH!!!!  (Banging my head on the table)

At least I made some impression, right?

Calligraphy by Cami has been Published!

I've known about this for quite a while and have had to keep it quiet until the publication came out.  It's been so hard!!!!  There is this really cool online wedding magazine here in Jacksonville and I have been privileged to get to know the owners via Facebook.  I submitted an article about Calligraphy during the Spring/Summer and they accepted it for publication!  Right before Christmas, they contacted me to have the video produced to go into the article.

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I have been!  This is a wonderful opportunity for my business and I am very proud to be a part of something so beautifully put together!

So - take a look by clicking on the link below the photo and let me know what you think!

 Jacksonville Wedding Styles Only Magazine

The entire magazine is interactive and full of great ideas, photos and helpful tips.  Take your time browsing through but make sure you stop on pages 21 & 22 to see yours truly!

 

I still have Christmas and our vacation to blog about - those are coming shortly!  

Happy New Year Everyone!

A Night Out on the Town

I have had a really sophisticated Christmas this year!  First the Nutcracker Ballet with Anne and now the Jacksonville Symphony with Russ.  I could get used to all this culture!

The Symphony was a last minute decision as we learned that Micheal W. Smith was performing a Christmas program with them.  He has been one of my absolute favorites since High School.  We won't talk about how long ago that was - but let's just have an understanding that I've liked him FOREVER!!!!!  We were laughing last night at how I used to have a poster of him in my room when I was growing up!  Now he's a Grandfather!  We won't go there.....

I will clarify and let you know that the school girl crush has been gone for a long time and has become a great admiration and respect for someone so talented and so steadfast in the Christian Music Industry.  He has never wavered even while keeping up with the constant change of music.  His message has always been the same.  There is something to be said for that.

Anyway, we got all dressed up last night (it WAS the Symphony, after all) and went out on the town.  At first, I will say that I was a bit apprehensive.  It's a girl thing - but let's just say that wardrobe is ALWAYS the first thing on a woman's mind when attending something like this and so my mind instantly went to my closet.  Yikes!  There is only one thing I could think of and I hadn't worn in in quite a while!  So now that whole mind game happens.  I don't want to spend the time or money searching for something to wear for one night if this doesn't work - not to mention that if it does fail - I will probably end up in a heap on the floor of my bedroom cursing the last few Christmas Cookies I just indulged in.  I worked way too hard this year for it not to fit - this could be devastating! 

But - alas!  It worked!!!  And with room to spare! YAY me!!!!!  Add a few pearls, a great hair day and a completely handsome man on my arm and you look like this:

Not too bad, huh?  Nana graciously took the kids for the night and we took off to dinner at Bonefish Grill (our FAV!) and the Symphony!  It was a marvelous night!  A friend on Facebook summed his evening up like this, "Highlight of our date- we sang "O Holy Night" accompanied by Michael W.Smith and the Jacksonville Symphony backed up by a choir of 2,500."  I totally agree!!!   IT. WAS. AWESOME!

We are thoroughly enjoying making special memories this Christmas instead of focusing on "Stuff".  God is so good.

Until next time.......