Happy Anniversary!

Ya know, sometimes you just have to get away. This past weekend, Russ and I did just that. A little early, as our actual anniversary isn't until the 27th. But you take the babysitters when you can get them.

My aunt took the kids for a few days and we took off and went to Disney alone!!!! I know, I know, how can you go to Disney without the kids? Well actually, it was pretty easy! Last year, for our 10th Anniversary, we took our first cruise. It was the first time that we had been away together for more than one night, without the kids, that was not ministry related. We were hooked! We decided then and there that getting away by ourselves for our Anniversary was going to be a priority.

We drove to Tampa late Thursday night, spent the night and snuck out early Friday morning before the kids woke up. We were in the parks by opening time. We spent our day park hopping and riding the "big kid" rides that the kids can't or won't go on yet. Friday night we went to a nice dinner and then to the Cirque Du Soleil in Downtown Disney. What an awesome show! An hour and forty minutes on non-stop action and awe. If you ever have an opportunity to see it, don't pass it up. It is amazing!

Saturday we did the "Keys to the Kingdom" Tour at Magic Kingdom. It is a 5 hour walking tour of the theme park. It is an adult only tour as it reveals a lot of secrets that make Disney so awesome. We got to go "backstage" and see where they keep things like the floats for the parades and where Tinker Bell lands when she flies from the castle. We got to visit the underground tunnel system and learn how everything works. We had VIP seats on a few rides while we searched for the Hidden Mickey's. We learned a ton of history about the park, had lunch in Liberty Square and finished exhausted! But, not to exhausted to go ride more rides!!!! So, we hit our favorites and then went back to the hotel. I would tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the magic!!!!

We slept late today, did some shopping in Downtown Disney and met Marcia to pick up the kids. With presents, of course! I mean, if you are going to go without them, you might as well bring them something. They had an awesome time themselves. Sasha (that's what the kids call her) took them swimming all weekend. First to the pool and then Saturday to the beach. Jarod came home with about 9 complete Sand dollars! I was so excited as it's hard to find complete ones around here.

It was so nice to get away and have some adult time. I believe that God honors that. Maintaining and preserving our marriage relationship is so very important. I'm thankful for 11 wonderful years with Russell. It hasn't always been easy. There have been some really rough times, especially around the time that my mom was so ill and I was caring for her. We were put into a pressure pot and all the "yuck" came out. But it made us stronger and better. We have the wonderful relationship that we have today because of those tough times. We have a strong friendship as we were friends 10 years before we even dated. It's hard to believe that I have known him for over half my life. 22 years. I hardly remember a time in my life when he wasn't a part of it, even if only in some small way. God has truly blessed me with an amazing, Godly man. He is an awesome father, husband and friend. I pray that we have many, many, many more years to love each other and glorify God in the marriage that He has cultivated.

Until next time......

Happy 9th Birthday Jarod!

Jarod's Cub Scout Cake! We celebrated tonight with his Scout Pack. It was a lot of fun , but it all went very quickly. I only got these two pictures of the cake. Better then nothing, I guess.

Happy Birthday Jarod!

Jarod's Birthday Trip to Disney

Most of you know that we are huge Disney fans. We have passes and go all year long. One of our favorite times is for Jarod's birthday. Kids are already back in school and it's usually the same weekend as The Night of Joy. Because everyone is coming in the evening for the concerts - the park is empty! Man, I just gave away one of our secrets. Anyway - this year was no exception. And thanks to the added excitement of Hurricane Hanna, we walked on every ride with little or no wait!

This year they moved Night of Joy to Hollywood Studios and had the "Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party" at Magic Kingdom. So, we got to enjoy all the Fall decorations during the day, minus the crowd!

What is a trip to Disney with out visiting with Cinderella? Anne talked and talked and talked to her! Cinderella didn't miss a beat! She kept right up with her and made "Princess Anne" feel so special.

We stayed at the Coronado Springs resort this time and the kids got to enjoy the water slide on Saturday morning. This is Anne's first water slide experience ever. As soon as the water hit her, it flipped her around and she went down backwards. She did great - but after Daddy caught her and asked her if she wanted to go again, she politely answered, "No, I'm good." Hee Hee!!! I'm telling you - she'll try anything once!!!!!

Jarod, of course, is a pro!!!!!

Finding Nemo ride at Epcot

This Sting Ray was just smiling and saying "hello!"

YUMMM!!!!!

Of course, you have to say hello to Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore.

And another favorite - Mary Poppins!!!!

We came home on Saturday night and Sunday, Russ preached at his Dad's church while I attended another Bridal show at UNF. This was my last show until January. Have a couple of Open Houses next week at "The Wedding Party" on Philips Highway. Should be fun.

Tonight is Jarod's first meeting of the year for his Cub Scouts and I'm taking a cake for his birthday. It's cooling now and then I will decorate it. This year Jarod wanted a Cub Scout theme so it shouldn't be too challenging. I will post photos, of course. I can't believe he's 9 today. Next year will be double digits! Yikes! Where does time go? Seems like yesterday he was born and I was rocking him to sleep. Now, he's too heavy to sit on my lap! I'm so thankful for him. He brings joy and laughter into our home and challenges me as a mother and as a person. We are watching God grow him into a fine young man and are so proud of him and the decisions he is already making.

Happy Birthday Jarod!

Our Adventurous Anne

This weekend, Anne was invited to her first "big girl" birthday party and they had Rock Climbing. I thought she might be intimidated, but boy was I wrong! I don't think there is much this girl won't try! She didn't get far and she had help - but she did it!!!!

Horses - rock climbing - what's next???

As for me - I spent the day today at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine for a Bridal Show. It was the biggest one I have done yet and it was so much fun! They said about 400 people came through. I came home and crashed on the couch though. It was fun but exhausting! I will do another one next Sunday at UNF. I shut things down to a minimum while in Oregon but haven't seemed to skip a beat. I can't believe I've had my business now for 3 years. It is truly a gift from God to be able to do what I love to do and still be at home with the kids.

We are off to Disney on Friday and Saturday for Jarod's birthday. He'll be 9 next Monday. We are praying that Hannah steers clear of Florida so we can head to Orlando.

Until next time with Disney pics.......

Drying Out

We are finally high and dry. It cleared up pretty quickly now that it stopped raining and the sun has come out. We woke up this morning to see our grass again! And our mailbox! It will be a while before the ditch dries up - we call it our mote. It keeps water in it all the time - but not these:

Fish!!! In our front yard! Tadpoles too. Fortunately we haven't seen any snakes yet. Or gators. Now wouldn't that be fun.

We've had many new forms of wild life in the last few days - including the big white cranes. I guess they've been after the fish. I am quite tired of the tree frogs though. I had 6 of them in the door jam of my van last week. I had to get a guy in the Wal-Mart parking lot to help me get them out as I didn't want the mess from smushing them and I didn't want them to hop in my van. Each time I open my van, I find a new one. I finally had one in my van last night. I went to sit down and it hopped out at me. UGH!!!!! I guess they are just looking for a dry place - but my van is off limits!

Well, thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Let's just hope that Gustav stays clear of Florida. We have Disney plans next weekend........

Until next time...

Hooked on Blogging

We enjoyed creating our Oregon blog so much, that we have decided to continue with a new one from here at home. Instead of sending out mass emails with photos and such, both Russ and I can get on here and keep everyone up to date with all that God is doing in our lives.

We've been home from Oregon since last Wednesday and it has been crazy! Russ went right to work on Thursday morning and instead of the 3 days he has to prepare for Orientation, he had 2 hours. By 10:00 he had all these 8th graders and their parents in his classroom, wondering how the year was going to be. Russ wondered too! Then on Sunday, we went to Jarod's Scout "Back to School" gathering and he found out everyone had already decided he was going to be the Assistant Cub Master for the Pack! Guess that's what happens when you work for the scouts for 6 weeks! Needless to say, by Monday he was good and grumpy!

We took Jarod to his Orientation on Friday. He settled right in and was very excited about school starting. Although both he and Anne wanted to sleep everyday until 11:00 as their bodies were still on Oregon time. We finally have that turned around.

We've decided that God knew exactly what we needed and has given us some down time. We were in school for three days when Tropical Storm Fay hit Florida and shut down the Jacksonville area. So, we have had three, much needed, lazy days here at the Franklin house. Those three days may turn out to be more, as we are surrounded by water and cannot get in or out of our driveway. We are very thankful for our hill. The creek that this has come out of is expected to crest today so we think this may get worse before it gets better.

Still high and dry - just surrounded.....


Our Back Yard

This is the swing set - the swings are under water.



This was taken while standing on the front porch


Our mailbox. I don't think we'll have any mail deliveries today...

We'll keep you posted on our water situation, so, bookmark us and keep checking back. Until next time.......