The Camp In

Skyler had a "Camping" themed birthday party this year. With our winter temps we decided it would be more of a Camp "In" instead of a Camp Out. Somehow I never got a picture of the tent...I know but give me a break I was juggling the big event while trying to remain warm. Just picture an 8 man tent in your living room and you get the picture.

The party commenced after school with team type activities...

Teams had to design a treasure map, provide clues and find each other's treasure.

There were all sorts of relays...







The favorite relay ended with participants having to find 3 worms in the whip cream pie...






The teams also had to mummify one of their mates




They took a break from the brawn and got in touch with their creative side. Our friend Mutsa taught the girls the African art of potato stamping and each girl made their own t-shirt. They were too cute.


Of course dinner was cooked over the fire


And what would a camping party be without smores...I mean "dirt" for dessert?

Flashlight tag was cut short due to the frigid weather and because the $1 store flashlights kept breaking. The girls settled down for a movie "under the stars" (aka- glow in the dark stars on my lounge ceiling)

Any guesses as to what the preferred show was?



Yep...good ole Miss Garrett in Different Strokes. That is Sky's favorite at the moment.

After a few episodes the girls retired to the tent for more games, junk food and girlyness. Just prior to midnight the girls drifted off to their dreams and the day's festivities became a special memory .

Top 10

10 things I love about you…

Your chocolate brown eyes.

Your genuine love for the Lord.

Your thoughtfulness.

Your spunk and zest for life.

Your love of learning.

Your love of literature.

Your love of what is good.

You being our #1.

Your desire to do what is right even when it is hard.

YOU!

Happy 10th Birthday my precious Skyler Grace; you are dearly loved!

The Nightmare Bear

Skyler has a new class in school this year that she is very excited about, it is technology class. You know computers, spreadsheets, powerpoint....or so I thought!

When she came home and told me her semester project was to knit a bear I was slightly confused. And when I realized “technology” in this case was pertaining to the industrial arts, specifically knitting, I was horrified. Horrified because unlike my blog friend Leigh Ann who puts Martha Stewart to shame in the sewing arena; I am domestically challenged in the technology department of knitting, sewing, or anything of the sort. My last and only sewing project was a Poodle Skirt in the 8th grade and I am embarrassed to share that my mom had to finish it. (BTW, thanks Mom...you got an 'A').

I did remember seeing some beautifully knit bears that were being made and gathered for the poor, at a local coffee shop I frequent. Now I know I am a missionary so I shouldn’t have any faults (hee) but the thought did cross my mind to perhaps offer to buy one of the finished bears.

What can I say…I panicked. Don’t write me off yet as it did not take me long to realize the flaws with this plan, mainly the glaring fact that it would be dishonest and perhaps not the best example to my daughter.

Thank God for another idea….Enter Lizzy….our special friend, adopted family member and helper! Liz can remove the toughest of stains, is Tori’s favorite babysitter and glory be to God the girl can KNIT!

After a few weeks of working with Lizzy, Skyler finished her very first knitting project...the beloved bear.




And I gave Lizzy a raise!

Winter Wednesday

Since hibernation isn’t an option (boy, I wish it was) there are a few quintessential things keeping my winter blues at bay….

Hot Water Bottles

Love these and they are hugely popular this time of year. Very warm…come in all shapes and sizes and each year boasts new colors with fashionable covers to boot. Mine is the soft fleece orange cover and Tori’s is the elephant…sweet eh. She named hers “Ellie”.

Softening Agents

The only thing worse than having no heat when the cold rolls in is the dryness that accompanies it. My Burt’s Bees is one of my American favorites that I use all year round however is vital this time of year. A friend introduced me to Shea Butter last year and my hands have never been softer. (thanks Marci).


Hot Beverages

Of course coffee is a fav but I am a variety girl. These are a few of the choices keeping my taste buds happy.

Winter Wardrobe

Our tile floors and cement walls don’t make for toasty quarters so even while inside we are adorned in our winter wear.

So I may be mummified in my winter garb, but I have soft hands, spicy lips, a fashionable foot warmer and I’ve learned to make a pretty yummy Chocochino.

Definitely helps a Winter Wednesday feel a bit Warmer!

Man of the Match

At the beginning of the year, after much contemplation, we started Blake in an U7 soccer league. He was ecstatic and has remained so ever since. For those of you with kids involved in league sports you know it is a time commitment; one I was anxious about at the start.

However, I am so glad we made the decision as it has not only helped Blake in his soccer skills but allowed him an appropriate outlet to release his energy (which he has oodles of). Even his focus in school has improved and I feel it is much in part to this sport venture.

Col 3:23 comes alive in Blake when he is on the soccer field as he really does play with all his heart. For me as well, I cheer with all my heart. Thankfully there are a few other cheerleading moms on the sidelines just as zealous.

In his last match Blake scored the winning goal (the only goal of the game) and was awarded the “Man of the Match” patch….little gold star to sew on his jersey. His coach proclaimed that “Blake played like a demon”. I think in non-Christian soccer terms that is considered a compliment.

As you can imagine he beamed as did we!

Way to go my Bay…if you keep it up you might just give Mr. Ronaldo a run for his money.

Wacky Wednesday

Do you ever feel like something is wrong but you just can’t put your finger on it?

Hmmm....what is it?

Just might be one of those days.

Start Me Up

June has begun and on this side of the world it means frigid, hard to get out of bed mornings.

My wonderful, hot-blooded husband starts each morning a brewin’ knowing I need a little extra push this time of year.

Thank you Rich and Thank you Starbucks (and Thank you mother in-law for the cute cuppa coffee t-shirt)…you help start me up each morning!

Life's Motto

....according to a 4 yr old

Work Hard

Play Hard

Be Cute

Take the 2 Blanket Challenge and bring some warmth to Africa this winter!

We are more than half-way with our Blanket Drive and have 10 days left to reach our goal of 1000 blankets by June 1.

Why?
The weather has turned COLD! A couple mornings this week we woke to temperatures in the 30’s.

What?
Blankets to bring some warmth to those with very little!

One blanket costs approx. $6.00.

Where?
Our target audience lives in shacks made of corrugated metal, scraps of tin and pieces of wood, with little to no means of heat. Hundreds die each year due to the cold and being ill equipped to deal with it.

Who?
YOU, YOUR friends and YOUR Family, can help us by purchasing blankets.

Parents this is a very tangible way to get your children involved in helping those in need by doing extra chores..etc. I’ve received 3 reports of kids that are raising money to purchase blankets.


When?
We want to begin passing out blankets in the squatter camp communities June 1!
This gives us 10 more days to raise funds for the 440 remaining blankets needed.


How?
You can give via Paypal or check*…click here for details.


Take the 2 Blanket Challenge

Give $12 to purchase TWO blankets and help us bring some warmth to the African people this winter!

Click here for more information and daily updates on our progress!

*Please mark donations with code "blankets".

Does Anyone Feel My Pain

My 7 year old son has hordes of amazing attributes however cleanliness is not one of them. I guess listening (to his mother) doesn’t rank up there either.

A daily conversation with Blake might go something like this….

Me: “Bay, would you please take your uniform out of your school bag, fold it nicely and put it in your drawer.”

Blake: (even looking at me eye-to-eye) “Yes, Mom.”

Later when walking by Blake’s room this is what I find….

Does anyone feel my pain?

Wordless Wednesday

Rambling yet Making a Whole Lot of Sense

I will admit over the years I’ve increasingly become an American Idol fan. I like the show…am amazed at the undiscovered talent however I’m not much into the music beyond the show (sometimes even on the show).

I’m not sure how it is in America but lately I’ve noticed whether you are a Kelly Clarkson fan or not if you are in any establishment with music playing technology for more than 30 seconds you will hear her latest song.

I forgot my ipod when going to the gym recently and I promise you her song played at least 3 times in the hour I was there.

The interesting thing to me or the explicit depravity of taste is quite apparent to me when hearing Kelly's song. The tune…good…definitely sticks with you the rest of the day…I find myself humming the tune and I don’t even know the words. The lyrics…ridiculous! I mean the main line in the song is "My life would suck without you.” Really…the top grossing AI and that is the best you can do. Sorry, by the way, for using the ya know word. This is a G-rated blog and it is not a typical word in my vocabulary unless talking about a lollipop however there is a means to my rambling…umm point.

So when pondering the horrific means of articulating oneself and the popularity of this song, I decided, hey she just might have a point. Now when I hear the song and/or it gets stuck in my head I sing it to the Lord. After all, doesn’t life suck without Him? Mine would!
(Actually those are the only 6 words I know so it works in my little musical world....the one with me singing, in tune, on stage with a rhinestone studded microphone…although in my MW rest assured I’d be more articulate…oh sorry I’m rambling again)…

I guess there is an upside to everything even ridiculous lyrics. When put in the right context they just might make a whole lot of sense!

Franzenfam Good Times

Tis another holiday/day off from school today. Funny thing is it is “Worker’s Day” however everything is open and everyone is working. Somehow I think they missed the point of a day off.

With Rich gone and a 3 day weekend I decided it would be best to plan some activities to do with the kids.

Originally Friday morning we were supposed to hook up with some friends and all go bowling but when that fell through Skyler decided to enlist everyone in trying to convince mom we should go ice-skating instead.

I’ve taken Skyler and Blake ice-skating but a 4 year old. This just did not seem like a good idea.

Skyler being my persuasive child won out and we bundled up and headed to the rink.

Typically our ice-skating escapades entail Skyler and Blake hugging the rail and scooting around the rink while I sit bundled, as if expecting snow, and “guard” the hot chocolate. Hey it is a very important job and I take it very seriously. However with a 4 year old in tow (and she was literally in tow) I would have to lace up my skates and pull her around the rink.

I must admit it was a lot of fun probably the best part was just seeing them so excited when they mastered some amazing feat (like skating to the middle). And after 10 times of being dragged around the rink and 3 cups of hot chocolate, Tori got up the nerve and actually “skated” with just her hand held.

To sum it up… I got my exercise in for the day, had some fun with the greatest kids in the world and got a nap to boot….benefit of an energy releasing activity is a tired 4 year old (and a tired mama).

Definitely good Franzenfam times!

Gettin' Me Through

Rich is gone for a couple of weeks and as I pondered what was needed to get me through, 3 words came to mind….

BRING IT ON…

Robed with prayer and caffeine...what else does one need?

How bout them marbles...

We awoke this morning to much jubilation over the loss of another tooth. Blake now sports a toothless grin...


I informed Blake that the Tooth fairy may have been affected by the plummeting world economy.

After explaining what that meant Blake replied....

"Well mom, it is a good thing you are the tooth fairy then!"

He may have lost some teeth but he still has his marbles...and I guess the Franzenfam toothfairy has a few pennies to spare.

Guess Who?

My brother in-law (Rich's oldest brother) just got engaged. Yeah!

And guess who was asked to be the flower girl?

I'll give you a hint.....



Funny thing is when Ronnie (brother in-law) asked Tori if she would be the FG she shook her head no....my shy, I'd rather not be in the spotlight child (just like her mom). Fortunately after 2 days of stressing about it, she has had a change of heart. She is now pleased as punch to perform her wedding duties!


Hope her excitement lasts 8 months.

Easter Traditions Old & New

Our pre-Easter activities were full of Franzenfam tradition…..

We made the traditional Easter lamb cake, colored eggs, had numerous egg hunts, ate mounds of candy, attempted various object lessons dealing with the Cross, sin, atonement, and forgiveness, spread lots of paint on Easter crafts, celebrated the empty Resurrection Egg on Easter morning and enjoyed a few special treats found in the Easter baskets.

We even had our pictures taken with the Easter bunny……

Well I don’t know if it was the actual Easter bunny but…..

He sure was cute!


One difference this Easter than in previous was the Easter attire. You know the new pretty spring dresses….getting all decked out for church. Well that doesn’t fit in very well with the culture here. We tried it our first Easter in SA and I felt like we were the only ones that didn’t get the “It’s Casual Sunday Memo”.

We took a different approach to Easter fashion this year. We went with Easter PJ’s…..


The Easter bunny even left matching ones for mom!

Who knows we may have stumbled on a new Easter tradition! Perhaps even Skyler will be more impressed with her hot pink, kitty cat, feeted PJs when winter rolls in next month!

Happy Easter or....

For a more "spiritual" Easter post click here

For a laugh read on....

ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY

Don't put all of your eggs in one basket

Walk softly and carry a big carrot

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears

There's no such thing as too much candy

All work and no play can make you a basket case

A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention

Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day

Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits

Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans

Good things come in small sugarcoated packages

The grass is always greener in someone else's basket

An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare

To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell

Unforgettable

Being this is my 300th post (wowza, have I really been blogging that long) I figured it should be an unforgettable Franzenfam post.

Not that anything else could be more unforgettable than the day Christ set into motion a life-saving plan for each and every person on earth! However this Truth became an unforgettable reality once again for the Franzenfam and I’d love to record it in the blog journals!

It happened a few days ago…we were meandering through a seemingly normal day, on our way to Jimmy Jungles for an afternoon of fun with the kids when one of those life-altering conversations began.

I am not even sure how the topic of conversation arose but our normal kid banter turned to a discussion about Good Friday, Easter and what Christ did for us. In the latter stages of the convo, Skyler began to reminisce, aloud, the day she professed her faith in God and asked Him to be the Lord of her life. I could see Blake was in intense thought when he uttered..

….“Mom, I can’t remember.”

Me: “What can’t you remember, Bay?”

Blake: “I don’t remember saying the prayer”.

It took me back for a moment as I clearly remember long ago that momentous day when I got to pray that significant prayer with my son. After some more dialogue I could see Blake’s concern and I felt it most important for him to remember the prayer, the day…the moment! I have/had no question as to Blake’s understanding of the Cross, belief in God or even that he has declared Him Lord; however it needed to an unforgettable experience for him.

On April 3, 2009 right there in the car on the way to Jimmy Jungles, I was privilaged to mediate that oh so special and life-altering conversation between my son and my Savior.

So as my 300th post…I am most grateful to my Lord for dying to give us life and that my son with all certainty calls Him “Savior”!

Definitely unforgettable in my book (or blog), Blake’s book and the “Lambs book”!

Eggstra-Special

Girls

Pretty Precious

When Tori was 3 her favorite imaginary friend was “God”. We have lots of fun memories of her interactions with God. My favorite was when she put him in time-out for fighting with Moses.

Most of her interaction with God as of late comes in way of singing or praying…no more time-outs. However on Saturday when we were getting ready for the wedding and I was curling her hair (not a common occurrence) she asked an interesting question.

Tori: “Mommy, will you make my hair look pretty like this when I marry God?”

Me: “When you marry who?”

Tori: “God”

Me: “Why do you want to marry God?”

Tori: “You said you married Daddy because you love him and I love Jesus with my whole heart.”

Me: (choking back the tears) “I’d be happy to curl your hair!”

Wow, we’ve come a long way from the "time-out" days.


She is pretty (&) precious, my little one!