Monday, December 29, 2008

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.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

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

Thursday, December 11, 2008

OH WHAT A MORNING!!!

Have you ever had a morning where nothing seemed to go quite right? This morning was one of those and oh, what a morning it was! Let's begin at the beginning - early, early this morning (4:55 a.m. to be exact) with the cry of my 9 week old son. That's right - he was ready for some food. So, I do as I always do and pop him out of the basinet and into my arms to nurse while I fall back asleep. As I was contemplating the time while drifting back into dreamland I realized that Rhett was going to be hungry again around 7 a.m. (right as I'm making last preparations for the day and getting kids prepared to leave for the sitters). But, that thought soon vanished as I fell asleep again. The alarm came oh too soon and I found myself hitting the snooze button three to many times. By the time I actually realized what I was doing it was 6 a.m. Panic set in and I jumped out of bed. Heading for the shower and glancing at myself in the bathroom mirror the realization that Rhett had just nursed on one side made me do a double take and in my mind I was thinking, "Oh crap," Will I have time to pump before I leave - not likely!! The next hour was a whirlwind of activity: showering, getting dressed, passifying Rhett (with 4 oz. of formula in his car seat while I finished getting Addison dressed and ready - don't judge!), and running around the house packing my lunch, Rhett's diaper bag, and all my school items (things I should have done the night before but was much too tired). Rhett finished his bottle just in time and without burping him (oops!) I stuck both kids in the car and we were off to Kristen's. We arrived at Kristen's a little behind schedule but nothing so drastic as to say that I was leaving them on the doorstep and running back to my car or anything. Instead I felt the need to chat and delay my lateness ever further. While there I realized that in my busyness this morning I neglected to remember to put Rhett's bottle in his diaper bag. Oh Joy! Now I need to call my husband and have him bring one to Kristen - not a huge deal though right? I hop back in my car around 7:50 a.m. (supposed to be at work by 8:00 a.m. - in Melba!) and say a nice little Christian curse under my breath as I realize the time for what it was - not only would I be late for work but I would also get ahold of Jeremy just in time for him to be arriving at work and the last thing he is going to want to do is go back home and grab a bottle. Luckily I make it to Melba with 7 min. until the bell rings - I quickly call Jeremy and he lovingly agrees to go back and get the bottle (love that man!) And then I realize that if I don't do something about my lopsidedness I'm going to be one hurting (or very wet) teacher in no time at all. This neglected breast has seen close to 9 hours with no nursing action and by golly it feels like it's going to explode. So, I take my handy dandy travel duel breastpump and head for the ladies restroom. That's right - I have to pump in a small ladies room. This room is about 5'x5' , one toilet, one sink and a small cabinet for womenly things. Not a very big space!! Anyways, at least there is an outlet and that's all I need. So, I get all of my equipment ready, expose myself to the chilly, stale air of this restroom, sit down on the toilet (no cover - apparently too much work) and try and get some relief. Well, you probably have guessed it by now but just as soon as I sit down the bell rings. At this point I don't care if my students have to wait a few extra minutes out in the cold, I have to express some of this milk NOW!! After I feel like the pressure has at least subsided and may at least last me until recess without any further leakage or lopsidedness I reluctantly begin putting away my things. I'm quickly trying to shove everything into the travel pack and wash my hands when I feel water dripping down my leg - I look on the toilet seat and notice that it's all wet. My first thought was oh great I just sat in urine and am going to smell like a toilet all day. No - actually my dress had been sitting IN the toilet while I was pumping and the bottom was soaked and running down my leg. At this point in the morning I just had to laugh because -seriously - it was funny! I did my best to squeeze as much toilet water out of my dress as possible, gather my things and head out the door to the lonely line of students standing out in the cold. Luckily none of them asked about the travel bag that I was carrying, or the reason behind the drips of water that followed me as I walked. Fortunately for me the rest of the day carried on without any major mishaps and I am able to laugh about the abnormal, crazy morning that I had. I'm sure some of you moms can relate and if any men end up reading this blog - I apologize for my bluntness but the story would just not be the same without the details. Hopefully next time you have a tough morning you can remember me and mentally put a picture in your head of me in a small bathroom, sitting on the toilet, fully exposed, expressing milk with my double breast pump and having my dress lazily float in the toilet water. Happy mornings to you all!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

THANKSGIVING!!

Our Thanksgiving this year ended up being a Franklin family reunion. My mother-in-law (Nancy) has 5 sisters and each one came this year with their families. So, that was 43 people in all, including the kiddos. Jim and Nancy had a FULL house. It was extremely good to see everyone and enjoy their company for a few days. We played many games (Risk, ping-pong, telephone pictionary, pictionary, apples to apples, PIT, and Rook to name a few). We also enjoyed celebrating Grandma Grace's birthday and having our own little Christmas together. It was a fun time and time well spent. Before we knew it the day had come for everyone to leave and the rest of us to return to work. Who knows when we will get to spend time together again, especially ALL of us at once but it was a time that I will cherish and remember. I feel so blessed to have married into such a wonderful family.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

I'm Thankful for . . .

The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Having a wonderful family
Addison and Rhett
Never having to fear about the future - God is in control
Katie - my little sis
Sunday's
God giving his son for me so I can live in Heaven someday
In 7 months I will be in DisneyWorld with my family
Veterans - Thank you!
Icicles (good for prisms, swords, popsicles and lots of laughs)
Nerds - without them we would be stuck in the stone age
Grandma's apple crisp