Wordy Wednesday

I thought I’d share a short quip from a really great parenting book that I am reading. It seemed to shed a lot of perspective with just a few words….

Merely giving birth does not make you a parent. Sacrificing while your children are small, laying down your “deserved” freedoms and deeply thinking about how you’re shaping your children will ensure their lifelong freedom from the chains of slavery to our culture.

It’s work, and it’s called loving your children. It’s called being a parent! (love those last two lines)

My prayer response…. "Lord, help me to love my little ones by giving them my best and not being so concerned with my so called “deserved” freedoms. You say you know my thoughts from afar…well than you know before I blow it and that it is a daily occurrence…forgive me! I know with your help and a lot of elbow grease we can set Skyler, Blake and Tori on a course that will bring freedom and relationship with You. For I am realizing that to train up my children in the way they should go requires initiative and intentional action on my part and the promise I hold to is that as a result when they are older they will not depart from it!

Your word says to acknowledge you in all my ways and you will direct my paths. Lord, I am acknowledging you in my parenting and with my children’s care and I thank you that you will direct me as I actively participate in their training and decision making!”

Amen

Spring Fever

The days have beamed beautiful, sunny, WARM weather….ahhh!!

Temps have been in the 70’s and will hit 80 degrees later this week. My hubby is already complaining he is hot and wants to pull out the fans….me, I AM LOVING IT! Bring it on….I hate the cold and these temps are quite comfy for me!

To celebrate this gorgeous weather we pulled out the Barq’s Root beer from the America stash and made Root beer floats. This was a first for my kids; can you believe it? We don’t get root beer here and I am a bit anal when it comes to kids drinking pop but hey warm temps equal frosty treats!

Cheers to Spring Fever and many more days of fun in the sun! (For those of us in the southern hemisphere that is)

Big Hair Genes

I was listening to a message delivered by Beth Moore, during which time she shared about her morning “big-hair”. Yep, I can relate! I retire with flat iron, straight hair and some how awake to a wild-do. Secretly I wish the late 80’s big hair trend would come back in-style as it was the one hair style I could not only pull off but did quite well! Remember big hair contests…there was no competition when up against the Michelle-fro!

My hair genes were not passed to either of my girls but to my son. He can get some volume! Here is Blake pictured at a Rugby game. Prior to leaving the house he wet his locks down and put on a baseball cap. While playing ball the hat came off and the do came out…

Hats off to big hair genes…me and my boy!

Goodbyes

In the line of work we are in we seem to say a lot of goodbyes. They never seem to be easy but there are a few that take the cake in terms of difficulty. We experienced one of those this weekend as we said goodbye to Rachel.

She was here serving with Impact Africa the past two months. During that time she not only did a great job with IA ministry endeavors she became a part of the family.

Ray, Ray we appreciate all you did for us and more so what you’ve become to us! It is a pleasure to be your “South African fam"!

Here are a few family photos

The Franzenfam Fantasy Land

Like most 3 year old girls mine is in the throws of long pretty dresses, crowns, and magical lands that only exist because of Disney. Every week Tori is a different Disney Princess and likes to be referred to by that particular Princess name. This week she answers only to “Jasmine”. And of course her b-day party theme changes according to that week's Princess preference. She did not like the suggestion of having an all princess party as that would be too easy for mom and since her b-day isn’t until December, well who knows what Princess she’ll be and/or if the phase will have past.

My favorite part is that the whole family has entered her fantasy land. She has appointed each one of us a storybook character, usually based on looks. I therefore am Cinderella (boy wouldn’t that be nice)…I am sure in her little mind it is because of the blond hair (or maybe it’s the long flowing blue dresses & matching gloves I wear daily—ha!) yet the sad part is the “blond” is brought to you by Garnier not God.

Rich is Prince Eric in our story! Admittedly, I helped to influence her choice on this one as he is my favorite Disney Prince. And according to our fairy tale, Prince Eric and Cinderella lived happily ever after (sorry Ariel). Then again I’ve always wanted to go red.


Skyler is Belle and she feels Tori has made a very appropriate choice as she has brown hair, brown eyes and loves to read. Although I am happy to report she isn't drawn to overtly large, furry creatures!

When we asked who Blake was she replied with a twinge of wit in her tone, “The Beast”. Ha! It didn’t make Blake too happy but it cracked me up! At least he isn’t a frog and he gets a book smart, pretty girl in the end.

Well there you have it the Franzenfam Fantasy Land! If you want to be a Prince or Princess for the day pay us a visit and Tori will get you all set up.

A Night with Ray-Ray

Rich and I went out with some friends an evening this weekend and Rachel better known as Ray-Ray babysat the kids.

Rachel is very upbeat and loves kids so as soon as we pulled out of the driveway I guarantee the wackiness began. She created a game to play with the kiddos that was interactive, action-packed, and carried a Pictionary on steroids type vibe.

It was such a hit they collectively decided to save all the pictures they drew to show mom and dad. Rach took it a step further and this is what we came home to…..


Under all the pics is a refrigerator. Yep, they took the “put the picture up on the frig for all to see” to a whole new level.


Rachel has definitely secured a spot in the Franzenfam best babysitters hall of fame.

How many people does it take to wash a dog?

With the Franzenfam the number is 5:

1 to hold the dogs ears (never heard of that one but my oldest insisted)
2 to wash (Tori and Blake)
1 to oversee....and catch the drenched dog when it escapes it's entrapment & makes its way through the house (Rich)

And

1 to capture the moment (me, of course)

How cute are these 4....