16th Birthday Tea Party

This past Saturday, Sadie, Emilie, and I were invited to attend Mary Stricklen's 16th birthday tea party. The girls were to come as their favorite literary character (pre 1950).

Sadie with Markie Discher

aka

Elsie Dinsmore & Amy March

The mysterious Mrs. Discher and myself

Abigail Stricklen
aka
Lady Helen of the Scottish Chiefs


The young ladies at Sadie's table


The little girls' table
Lindsey Whidden, Emilie & Rose Discher


Mrs. Whidden, Mrs. Discher & Me
It was so nice to meet the Whidden family from Georgia

Grace Discher

aka

The Little Match Girl

The lovely hostesses

Mary, Mrs. Stricklen, Margaret, Callie & Abby

The Frodge, Harris, Stricklen & Discher Clans

Grandma Sue, Grandma Frodge & Great Grandma Harris

Baby Paul screaming in the background

Poor little guy. As soon as the photo op was over, he was all better.

He must be like his brother and not like having his picture taken.

After lunch, we played a guessing game.

Can you guess which literary character I am?

"Can you guess what's up my sleeve? Is it a knife? It's not a wrench."
The mysterious Miss Scarlet from the Clue game played by the lovely Mrs. Discher.

Christiana, wife of Christian from Pilgrims Progress

portrayed by Miss Kitty Discher.

Elsie Dinsmore

Sadie has grown to be such a lovely young lady.

The girls made such wonderful costumes.

Rapunzel

aka

the precocious Emilie

Amanda McAuley & Markie Discher

aka

Anne Shirley & Amy March

Another wonderfully imaginative costume!

"The hills are alive with the sound of music"

We had such a wonderful time.

helping in the kitchen

Nina Whidden holding Paul

Mrs. Stokes & Stacy Graves

aka

Mrs. Stokes & Christy : )

Many hands make light work.

Mallory Whidden

Mrs. Frodge

After the tea party we went over to the Frodge's for another party.

It's good to be back in Florida!

Mrs. Graves & me

Emilie and her new friends

The Whidden girls graced us with their talents

and so did the rest of the Whidden family.

Daniel and his friends Andrew Stevens & Josh Doolin enjoy the music from their usual perch. I even got a shot of the serious Mr. Sam Doolin.

One of the last times we'll be blessed with a joint musical

performance by the Dischers, Stricklens, and Frodges.

Emma Jane enjoying a snack.

Isaac Waldman enjoying his thumb.

The Waldman family also blessed us with a song.

Sarah Discher

Grace Discher

Grace and her penny whistle

What wonderful talent!

Emilie enjoying the music

Church & Fellowship

We had a wonderful day at church yesterday, followed by precious fellowship with the Stricklen family, Susan, and Mr. & Mrs. Frodge. We love our church family in Alturas and find ourselves there more and more, even though it is an hours drive. Each time we attend we intend to leave for home around four o'clock, but each time it's more like seven or seven thirty (or later). We don't regret it, just regret we don't live closer. Oh the years we did live in town and didn't attend regularly. That's a regret as well.

Well, I was told it was time for an update from the Franklins and it didn't have to be some big event, just normal everyday life. I agree. We didn't take any pictures so I'm just sharing. Yesterday was such a blessing to our family. "Emblie" (as Will calls her) and Daniel has such fun with Margaret, CJ, & Will. Thank you Mary, Callie & Abigail for helping Sadie find a dress to wear to the party and sharing said dress : )

The meal was delicious, the hospitality was superb, the music was entertaining and the fellowship was sweet!

Prayer Request

~UPDATE~

Thank you all for your prayers!

He passed his state exam!

Dear friends,
Please pray for Patrick this week and especially Friday. He is taking his state insurance exam Friday morning in Sarasota. He has been studying very hard and I know the pressure is on him to pass because our family income depends on it. Please pray for him as he studies these last few days and especially Friday morning. The test is at 8 am and he has to be there by 7:30.
Thank you all!
KelliPaige

Whazat?

What could this be?

It looks like a target pattern.

It couldn't be a cat. Could it? So far, Patrick hasn't shot it, but he has tried to name it Target.
As long as it stays outside, she has permission to stay. She has been officially named Febe /fee bee/.

A Visit with the Discher Family

Saturday, when we took Sadie for her birthday luncheon (see post below), we took Emilie and Daniel to spend the afternoon with the Dischers. Emilie had a wonderful time playing with Emma Jane and Rosie. Daniel was thrilled to be able to spend time with Peter.

Adoring Baby Paul

My mother holding Paul

He is such a precious baby

Rosie, Emma Jane & Emilie
Emma has grown so much since we last saw her. She cracked me up. "I like my daddy!" she said with a big smile on her face. "Do you like my daddy?"

Playing dress up, of course ; )

Grace & Sadie

Everyone took a turn holding the baby.

I was very pleased to hear that Daniel was a help in the Discher's garden.