Rhett's Dedication

On Sunday we dedicated my precious little boy to the Lord. As I really think about this the reality and symbolism of dedication is truly a glorious tradition - I think it's one that I took for granted growing up in the church. I was talking with my dad on Sunday afternoon and apparently there is a young mother in our church with a little 8 year old boy. She has a background in Catholicism and was wondering if she could get her little boy baptised or something. When she saw Rhett getting dedicated on Sunday she approached my dad after church and asked what it was that we did with Rhett. My dad casually explained that the dedication meant that we were giving Rhett to God and God was giving him back to us to take care of (what a huge responsibility). With tears in her eyes the mother said, "That's what I want to do with my son - dedicate him to God." She was so moved by the concept of dedication that it brought her to tears. I couldn't help but let it sink in and truly realize the magnitude of what it means to dedicate your child. I will never take another dedication for granted and I feel so blessed that we have a Creator who loves ALL of us so extremely much that he would entrust to us the responsibility of raising His precious children.

Lord, thank you so much for my precious boy. He has brought so much joy into our lives. We do not feel worthy of such a gift but we pray that you will guide our path as we attempt to raise him up to do Your will. Grant us the patience that we need and the courage to do what is right. May he grow to fall in love with You forever and always. We pray that you will instill in Rhett a steadfast spirit and may he always see people through Your eyes. We love you and can't thank you enough for Rhett. Amen!

I also want to thank all of my family for coming and supporting us during this day. We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family on both sides and could not express enough how wonderful you are. We also realize the priveledge of having both grandpas dedicate Rhett. What an honor! We love you and we look forward to all of the wonderful ways that you will contribute to who Rhett will become.

SNOWDAY!!!!!!!!

So - this morning began as a normal back-to-the-daily-grind kind of morning. Woke up at 5:30 a.m., fed Rhett while I did devotions, took a shower and began preparing for my first day back to teaching since Christmas break. As I was trying to get Addison dressed the phone rang and by now it's 7:03 a.m. and there is no way that someone is calling because school has been canceled - that call usually comes at 5:00 in the morning. So, I though it was Jeni telling me that she was feeling too sick to watch the kids today. However, as I answered the phone I was delighted to hear my friend/co-worker Janell's voice on the other line telling me that we have a snowday! I was in disbelief for a second because Melba NEVER closes for snow - our busdrivers are too proud and are GOOD. Apparently it must have been worse than I thought. It was a nice morning surprise and I have to say I have enjoyed every minute of today. Addison was super excited to go to aunt Jeni's today to play with her cousins and was devastated when she found out that mom would have to stay home for the day so I promised her that Kenna and Chade could come over after lunch and play for the afternoon. This is what they did:

Made snow angels

Had a snowball fight

gave snow hugs

And then came in for a nice warm cup of hot cocoa and

chocolate chip cookies, wrapped up in warm blankets (straight from the dryer)

and watched the Gummy Bears.

Best of 2008 - Hopes for 2009

As I look back on a year that seemed to be gone almost the moment I remember it beginning I would like to post my favorites for the year 2008. It has been a great year for Jeremy and I and our little family and we only look forward to the many blessings that God will have in store for us in the year 2009.

Best of 2008 ( Please anyone feel free to play along - it's kinda fun)

Book - "The Shack"

Movie - "The Dark Knight" or "Prince Caspian"

Song - "Washed by the Water" by NeedtoBreathe or "Give me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath

Memory - (1) The birth of my son, Rhett Douglas Franklin (2) the wedding of my little sister

Something new I've started - became a blogger

Quote - If you want to make God laugh then tell Him your plans

TV show - PrisonBreak and Lost (also like "The Office" for comedic relief)

New artist - David Cook (winner of American Idol)

Presidential vote - John McCain

Person - Rick Warren

Place - The cabin - always!!

Something I'm proud of - I'm proud of completing Dave Ramsey's FPU class and how dedicated I've been to making sure our budget has been followed. I'm proud of my husband for working so hard and enjoying his job. I'm proud of our kids who continue to amaze me every day. I'm proud of our church for taking on new ministries and seeing them take off and glorify God.


Top Ten Hopes for 2009 (in no particular order)

(1) I hope to read more books - I love to read!!

(2) I hope to lost some baby weight (from both kids) - just get more healthy and in shape ( I think I make this resolution every year (don't we all?)

(3) I hope to be more faithful to my devotions and making them a priority for every day.

(4) I hope to become closer to my friends (I'm realizing that I need them more than I thought did - and I LOVE them all!)

(5) I hope to get caught up on my scrapbooking (just bought a srapbook program for the computer that hopefully will let me catch up a bit)

(6) I hope to keep in contact with people a little better (cards, email, phone calls, etc . . .)

(7) I hope to do something kind for someone else once a month (without expecting anything in return) - I gave this assignment to my 4th graders and I should probably do it as well!

(8) I hope to take my kids to Disneyworld in June and have a BLAST with my family.

(9) I hope to have more determination to finish projects once I've started them.

(10) I hope enjoy every single solitary minute of 2009 because I will only live it once!!

Family Date Night!

Every year my parents take us out on a date night during the Christmas season. It started when the Lord of the Rings movies came out during the Christmas season and we always excitedly went as a family and it has thence become a tradition. So, this year we braved the weather to meet as a family and watch "The Tale of Desperaux". I have to say my sister and I were super excited for this movie to come out because we LOVE the book. However, I think that sometimes reading the book before a movie is often times a prerequisite to be disappointed. We both were, to say the least disappointed with the outcome of this movie. I'm sure that if you were to go to the movie without reading the book it would be extremely cute - and Addison loved it. It is one that probably will be gracing the shelves of our movie library upon it's DVD release. I'm looking forward to watching it again and appreciating it for what it is this time.

After the movie we made our way through the snow to Johnny Carino's. We had a wonderful time of family fellowship and enjoyed yummy food (I recommend the Timballo to anyone who happens to find themselves there in the near future - it's really scrumptious!). We had a ton of fun on our winter excursion this year and look forward to many more fun family date nights in the future. Thanks mom and dad for starting this tradition (and paying for it) Hee! Hee!

My crazy sis and her new hubby!

My amazing parents - love them oh so much!

Our small family - minus our little boy who would not have done well in a movie.

playing "Lady and the Tramp" with Bapa

My sis, my bestest friend

Pics From Christmas!

Christmas at Grandma Elaine's in Meridian

Christmas morning at home!

Merry Christmas from the Franklins

I know that I didn't put pictures on my blog about our Christmas because my camera was left at my Grandma's house. So, here are a few pictures of our Christmas this year.

CHRISTMAS!!!

This year seemed as if Christmas were a blur!! I don't remember really enjoying much of it - time just went by so quickly and I had so much to do to prepare for the holidays this year. I really don't know why - nothing seemed that much different, except our budget (thanks Dave!), and the fact that I had another child which just makes getting out much more difficult. I'm kind of bummed because I LOVE Christmas. I think I'm going to have to make a few changes next year and become more organized. I also need to realize that I CAN buy a Christmas present in July if I want to - I don't have to wait until it's snowing outside and I'm in the Christmas mood. I feel like I'm always cramming to get all the presents bought. Anyways, besides my high stress level during this season I did manage to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my family. This Christmas was spent with my side of the family and so we were with my parents and my mom's folks on Christmas Eve which was so fun because of the snow and the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church - love it!! And Christmas day we spent the morning at home with the kids and then went to my grandma's in Meridian to celebrate with my dad's family. We always have lots of fun and food. Games were played, toy helicopter's flown (by Jeremy and Derek - that was one of their Christmas presents), movies were watched and food was eaten. Typical Wilson Christmas and it was just grand!! I wish a late Merry Christmas to all!!

ADDIE TURNS 4!!!!!

So, I know that I'm getting to this a little late - o.k. a lot late but the holidays have been CRAZY!!

On December 15th our little princess turned 4 years old. My how time flies!! These past four years with our little girl have been ones of joy, laughter, parenting trials and learning patience with a toddler. She is so extremely precious to us and we feel so fortunate that she is a part of our lives. Every day she seems to say something or do something that Jeremy and I laugh at - she definately has a strong personality, but we wouldn't have it any other way - it's just Addison!! We look forward to many more wonderful birthdays with our little girl. This year Addison had a friend birthday party and then a family birthday party. Let me tell you - by now she is partied out. Poor thing - don't recommend having a December baby. She had a lot of fun though and was grateful for all her wonderful friends and their generous gifts. She LOVES people deeply and I hope that is a quality that she continues to have throughout her life. Here are a few pictures of HER day!!

Playing princess, princess, prince (a.k.a. duck, duck, goose!)

Eating birthday treats - worm dirt salad!

Cousins stayed the day to play

Family party and her Barbie cake