Happy 9th Birthday, Emilie!!!

 Nine years ago today, Emilie Paige Franklin was born.

She was warmly welcomed by an adoring big brother....

....and a loving big sister :)

 She's always been enamored with her Daddy ;)

 I've always loved this picture!

 Happy girl!

 She has always been ready to lend a helping hand.

  And she's super fun to be around too!

 She just loves good food! ;D

 Emilie the dainty little lady....

Emilie the muddy mess... ;)

 Emilie the player of games...

Emilie the maker of faces. ;)

We love you so much sweet Emilie! You are such a blessing to our family, and we don't know what we'd do without your smiling face, good humor, and loving spirit!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!
Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Sadie and Daniel.

Fencing (Part 1)

Hey Y'all! I regret to say, as y'all already may have noticed, that this blog has been idle for 2 months now. I will rectify that fact right now.
Lately, (this has become quite the project) we have been putting up a fence in our back yard....

The beginnings of the fence. The three taller posts back there are going to be the back of the chicken house/shed.

String: essential for making a straight fence line.

"Oh, mighty power tool, ye are powerful, and a bit tool-like.. :P" For those of you who have seen Veggie Tales, you will not think that quote too strange. ;) I hope =)

Strong little helper :)

 Wonderful Daddy <3

Sweet tea, another essential tool for building a fence... ;)

 

"Many hands make the work go faster," as Daddy says. ;)

 Time to start stretching the fence!

Daniel expertly fastens the fence to the metal posts.

This whole time our precious Feebie cat has been sleeping while we have been working, or rather, while Daddy, Daniel and Emilie have been working, and I have been taking pictures of everything and running errands here and there ;)

I felt like such a bum that day, so I made up for it the next day by really working, but then I didn't get any pictures. :( Ah, well. :)

Wake up Feeber Puss, and check out what we've been up to!

All in a days work, my dear Watson. All in a days work. :)

Hopefully it will be soon when I post Part 2.

Until then,

~Sadie~

"It Might As Well Be Spring"

I will begin this post with two pictures side by side.  The picture on the left was taken in 2002 after Sadie appeared in Lake Wales Little Theater's "Enchanted Sleeping Beauty".  On the right they "reenacted" the pose ten years later after Sadie's solo at the Warner Spring Concert.  

 

This past spring, Sadie attended two classes at Warner University.  One was individual voice lessons.  She absolutely loved it and her teacher Mrs. Price.  She will be taking voice from Mrs. Price again in the fall.  At the end of this semester, the voice students put on a small Spring Concert.  Sadie sung, "It Might As Well Be Spring" from Rogers & Hammerstein's show, "State Fair".  I will try and post the video, but so far, I haven't had any luck. 

Sadie & Mrs. Price

Amanda, Sadie, Emilie, Margaret, Abby, &  Mary

It was so wonderful of the Stricklens and Amanda to come.

Mimi, Sadie & Drandad

Emilie & Sadie

Very proud family

I will attempt to post the video separately.  Keep checking back, although I am a bit biased, it's worth the wait :)

Resurrection Sunday

Happy Resurrection Sunday Y'all!

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the spulchre.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for HE IS RISEN as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

Matthew 28:1-9

Here are our family pictures...