Long Time No Blog

Well, it's been a while since I posted. Things here are moving right along. I am 10 1/2 wks preg according to Dr. Gower. I really thinks it's further than that, but whatever.

It's rainy here today so everyone's kind of in a yucky mood. It is really cold outside. Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 80's. Go figure.

Well, I thought I'd also post some pics since everyone else is. Here are our babies.

P. Diddy Bowen

Yo! Yo! Yo! Bowen was pimped out for church today! We nick named this outfit, "The P. Diddy Baby Blue Striped Pimped Up Suit". Doesn't he look ready to attend the Hip Hop Awards here in the ATL? Hey even gangstas cry!

Oma & Opa had a farm....

E I E I O!

Here are some pictures of the girls helping Oma and Opa plant their winter garden. They had a blast planting the starter plants and playing in the dirt. They also liked helping Opa use the tiller! Thanks Mom and Dad for making our stay so memorable for the girls!

Jessica Stinks...I mean Sphinx

Here are some pictures Maria took of the kids with Jessica after we went to her play. Notice there are none of TJ...that is because he would have NOTHING to do with Jessica in her "get-up". Not even when she took off her wig! It was funny. I esp. love the one of Bowen...he looks like he is being tortured....what caption would YOU put for that picture...add your comment below!

More Cotton!

Here are a few more...

High Cotton in Aiken

Here are some pictures I took of the kids in the cotton field across from the Lynes house!

THE "Cake"

Here is the darling"cake" Mom and Jessica made for Kate's b-day. It is SO cute and was a huge hit! Now Kate wants me to make one for her to take to pre-school! Too bad I don't have the talents Oma has! :) It might look more like a moth than a butterfly!

Kate is FIVE!

Hello All! Here are a few pictures from Kate's big 5th Birthday breakfast in bed! She is really taking this "Queen for the Day" very literally! One of her favorite surprises was Aunt Jessica! She knew Jessica was coming today, but she didn't know she would be here when she woke up! Thanks Jessica for helping make her birthday special!

Smiling Bowen

I finally got a picture of Bowen smiling!

Smiling "Bright" Grandchildren

Here are the kids (Kate, Clair, and TJ)...what large yellow smiling craniums they have!

TJ & the towel

TJ after a day at the Oma spa!

Oma works her magic!

Here are a few pics of the girls with fancy hair a la Oma! Of course, after rest time they both looked like Medusa...look out Jessica! Also here is one of Little Man Bowen chillin' on Oma's lap and throwing down some gang signs!

I'm OK You're OK

Well sorry for the commotion yesterday. Thanks so much to everyone who came to see us. Dinner was fabulous. I still can't believe all y'all drove all this way to see us. I really appreciate it more than you know.

Everything is fabulous and I'm feeling better today. I think a lot of what I was feeling yesterday was worry. Dr. Miller even said that he didn't see any collection of blood in my uterus so that's a good thing. This means that the red blood (spotting) from yesterday was probably from irrirtation from my progesterone suppositories. ICK...I know TMI!

Well, I'm off to work for 12 more minutes before I go home. Have a good week everyone.

Thanks for the pictures of Bowen, I can't believe how much he's changed. I can't wait to see him and the girls at the end of this week. Below is a copy of the letter I sent to everyone concerning the TOFW assignments for the picnic lunch.

OK girls TOFW is not far Oct. 7th. Betsy please call Beth and see if she would like to come with us, let me know what she says. If she can't use this ticket then girls it's up for grabs. The price is $32.00. Let me know if you know of someone who would like a ticket. Below is a list of the things for our picnic lunch. As you look over this list check to see if we have everything covered. Let me know if you feel we need something else added to this menu. There should be about 10 to 12 people in our group. Maria - home made chicken salad and cookies.
Rhonda - luncheon meats.
Angela - bread any kind, we are to make sandwiches so whatever works for you will work for us.
Katie - plates, napkins, utensils & maybe a paper table cloth for each table, if possible.(Katie will Nicole be sharing this assignment with you?)
Rosalind - sweets and something salty and her picnic table.
Jessica - cheese. whatever works for you works for us.
Charleen - picnic table & water in a cooler.
Ida & Kara - veggies and dip & salsa.
Betsy - drinks & grapes.
I am looking forward to seeing all of you that day, I am hopeful that this will be an inspiring day.
See Ya on the 7th of October.Charleen

Lady's Man

Big Boy Bowen

We went to the doc yesterday and found out two things...
1. Bowen is up 12 oz from last week...what a porker! :)
2. Bowen has "silent" reflux...reflux minus the projectile vomiting! :(
Here are a few pictures from our beautiful afternoon outside yesterday. Bowen enjoyed looking up at the blue clear sky!

Idea

Hey family. Since my email is still not working I can only communicate on the blog. Someone asked for ideas on what to get Kate for her birthday in three weeks. Stephen & I are getting her a Leap Pad learning system…so getting her a book to go with this would work. (I got her the dinosaur one.) Here is the website so you can see what the books look like…
http://www.leapfrog.com/do/environment?environment=leappad&ageGroupKey=preschoolSo So this or really anything (games, art stuff, workbooks, books)…she’s pretty easy to please!

Post-er Child

Am I the only one who posts anymore? Where are you people?

Well, we're going to Aiken this weekend. That will be fun especially since I get free clothes (thanks, Maria).

The pregnancy is going well. I found out my friend Lauren Wright (Leeth) is also pregnant (with her 3rd) and a friend from high school Kim Georgen is also preg w/ her 2nd. It'll be nice to be preg w/ a friend. Since all y'all siblings left me in the dust. By all y'all I mean Maria and Rosalind.

Ok............so work is just so-so. I can't wait for the new building. It is really coming along nicely and I can't wait until I'm upstairs away from commotion so I can think! These quarters are too tight!

email issues

hey all....I am having big time issues with my email, so blogging will have to do for now. So don't even bother emailing me anything for a while. I'll keep you posted. Love ya!

little man

little mvp

Newest Clemson Tiger

Wednesday Bloody Wednesday

Well I had more bloodwork on Wednesday. My HcG level (in case you're wondering what that magic 140 number was last week) is 1770 this week. Wooo-hooo! We go in two weeks for the first ultraound. And we see the end of the tunnel for medications. I'm so excited for the day that the only pills I'll take are prenatal vitamins and folic acid.

WHY-OH-MING

Well, it is true. We are officially leaving the South, for the time being. It is kind of sad, because ALL of you are here and we will miss being able to get to you when we want. BUT it does give you all a reason to take a vacation. Believe it or not we are very excited about the move. Tyler and I feel that this move is a great thing. Who knows we might get out there and LOVE it (I doubt it), but you never know. Tyler has had a feeling that while he is working with the Reserve Unit he will meet one of the reservist who will offer him a job. WHO KNOWS????? Anyhooo I want you to all know that we expect visits and we will truly miss you all. I tear up just thinking about all the missed family events. But I am a big girl (I mean a BIG girl) and I can deal with it. If we are in Cheyenne for Thanksgiving we already have plans for dinner. We will be home for Christmas, we just might need a ride home from the Airport.

Love to you all

Maria, Tyler, and the TJ-man

Katie's Monday Post 8/28/06

This Wednesday we will find out if Alphonse and/or Berta have found a snuggly home. The preg test is at 8:15a on Wed. I’m so nervous. Everyone keeps telling me that I should take a home test the morning of, but I don’t think I will. I’m thinking since they’re doing a blood test that the pee test may not be accurate and I could either (a) get my hopes up or (b) be disappointed……both for no reason. So, if you think about it, say a little prayer for us on Wednesday morning.

In other news, some of you may know about the “water in the crawlspace” issue we’ve been dealing with for the past year. We got some quotes together since our builder agreed to pay for it to be fixed. To have the crawlspace fixed and the landscaping redone, it was coming out to almost $7,000. We had a phone call with him last week and he has reviewed the quotes and has agreed to pay for EVERYTHING! We were nervous b/c we thought the quotes were a little high (especially the one from B-Dry to fix the crawlspace – it was almost $5,000). We are so grateful that he’s agreed to pay for it!!!

Well, I’m off to work…..or at least pretend like it. Have a great week!

2 Out of 11 Ain't Bad

Well that's all we got. 2 embryos. I heard from Dr. Forstein today and the other two didn't make it. So all we've got is the two that have been transferred. Dr. Miller called them Alphonse and Berta. He said "you can change their names later." LOL!

We are praying for smooth sailing tomorrow for Bowen to join our family. We are excited for him to finally be here. I'm sure he was just staying w/ Alphonse and Berta until they got safely to earth. Then he was ready to join us. Thanks Bowen!

Love you all.........

Looks like we made it...

Bowen decided to not come while Stephen was gone. Stephen got home today, and mom and dad left about 15 minutes later. Thanks Mom and Dad for coming and babysitting me! :)

KT, we are still keeping you in our prayers! (My parents have put your name on the temple prayer rolls a couple times in the last week as well!) We feel really good about this! Keep your head up!

Maria, there are worse places than Wyoming! Plus, the church is pretty strong there. I feel sure we can totally work out the Christmas thing! So, don't get too worried about it. I am kind of excited for you guys. Moving is stressful, but there is something refreshing about a new start! I always kind of enjoy moving...sick but true!

It looks like we will make it to the scheduled date, Aug. 22nd. So, less than a week now! Love you all!

TOMORROW!

Well tomorrow is the day of extraction. Creighton gave me the hCG shot last night (in my upper-right-cheek-area). I'm a teensy bit sore there today. I couldn't sleep on my back all night. It's only 3:00pm and I wish the day would hurry up and be over. It has been nice to not have to take any shots today. I don't have any today or tomorrow. Then we start a whole new round of shots on Wednesday.

Friday is the really big day. Transfer! Then we wait 12 days. So we won't know for sure if it took until the pregnancy test on the 30th. Pray really hard for us, OK? We want this to happen. I'm 32 for Pete's sake!

I am really sad to hear the news about Maria and Tyler, but since there is a Target and a Wal-Mart right outside the base in Why-oh-why-oh-why-oh-me-Wyoming, I find this acceptable and approve of the move. Hehehehe!

Good luck Rozzie with keepin' that kid in until Stephen gets home. I know he'll wait for his Daddy to be there!

Love you all!

PS - found out who the new RS Pres. is and she's super cool. I'm gonna have fun working with her. :)

No News is Good News.... I guess

At least that is what they say (who is THEY by the way?). Anyhoo.... I don't know if all of you know and this is probably a real CRAPPY way to break the news, but Tyler has been in for a reassignment to Wyoming, yes folks that is not a typo WYOMING. The great state of ..... well RODEOS? I guess. Well, we haven't heard anything yet, so I guess that is good. I don't know. We are having real mixed emotions about the whole thing. I think we are both excited to venture out and try life on our own, but then again it sure is nice to have dependable babysitters at the touch of a button (Ros, you know what I mean). I do know that Heavenly Father will send us wherever we are needed. We do love Charleston, but we have both found ourselves getting very frustrated here, not only with Tyler's job, but with our ward. We know the church is true, but buddy these people in Charleston can sure drive you BONKERS!!!! We won't know anything about Wyoming for at least another week. Just keep us in your prayers and know that we will miss you all, if we go. Oh, I forgot to mention the tiny ity bity bit about when we would actually need to be there, (if you have a weak stomach you may want to stop reading now) we would have to be there in Decemeber. So for now Christmas is in the air. We love you all.

Love,
The Franklin Family

Fasting for KT and Creighton

Hello Family,

I will also send this out on email...I know we don't all check the BLOG (shame shame). I know we are all aware that this is going on, but I wanted to suggest that we all fast and/or pray for KT and Creighton this Sunday. It looks like things are a go for this weekend. Even if for same reason they don't happen this weekend, it might be a good idea to fast and pray that they will be able to happen soon and successfully! I have talked with KT about this (fasting) before, but didn't mention it recently. However, I feel sure they would not object to prayers on their behalf! There is power in numbers! So, this Sunday, let's all fast & pray for KT and Creighton and success in the invitro procedure!

Love,
Rosalind

Calm Before the Storm

Hello all! I have been feeling fabulous the past three days. I am pretty sure this is the calm before the storm. I am still a little tired, but I seem to be sleeping better and feeling better than I have in over a month. Full moon on August 9th...so maybe! If I don't have the baby this week, then I will just have to wait for the date the doc scheduled, because as most of you know, Stephen HAS to go to G'ville Aug 14-16 for work. So, thank goodness for mom and dad...they will come and "baby-sit" me and the girls! Anyway, hope you are all well. KT, you need to tell those ovaries to knock it off and behave! :) Love to you all!

Ain't No Misbehavin'

Welcome to another edition of “Katie’s Misbehaving Ovaries.” Today we will be delving into why they think it’s a good idea to form huge cysts and what Dr. Miller has to do to drain them.

Yes, folks, that’s right….last week I had a cyst aspirated off of my right ovary. 32cc’s of fluid removed. It was a successful procedure and we are moving forward with this round of in vitro drugs.

We started Gonal-F and Repronex on Saturday (the 5th). I go in for blood work tomorrow at 8:15am, so we’ll see how things are looking then. I just don’t see any difference or feel any different than last time so I’m keeping an optimistic outlook but if it’s not good news I won’t get too upset. So if y’all aren’t busy tomorrow around 8:15 pray for me to get good results, ok.

In other news….our entire RS Presidency is getting released except for me. Well, I guess technically I’m getting released and recalled into the same calling. I don’t know who the new president is, but I’m sure it will be fun to get to know someone else. I’m just sad that Susan and I only got to work together for nine months. :)

JCL and I went to the temple on Saturday and it was great. We barely made it to the 3:00 session and it was almost empty so it was nice that it wasn’t crowded. We stopped afterward and got a burger at one of our favorite places in Cola and then we headed home. All in all, it was a great day!

Better run…..as Chris Hawton likes to say “work hollers!”

Shoot 'em up Tex....

A few random thoughts from Katie:

Started shots last Friday. 10 units (5 mg) of Lupron. I've mostly been giving them to myself as cranky pants is usually still asleep when I'm doing this. I am scheduled for blood work and a baseline ultrasound tomorrow. That should be fun. Geez I need a bikini wax before this show gets on the road....and when I say show I mean SHOW! You girls know what I mean......

Went to ElliottDavis last week for a baby shower for a friend of mine that still works there. It was so nice to see everyone again and it felt good to be there. I really miss working there.

I'm throwing a bridal shower for a girl in my ward on Thursday. Luckily it won't be at my house. It's going to be at another girl's house. And it's at 7 on a Thursday so we're just doing cake an punch. Nothing exciting! She's marrying a boy from Gaffney. He is Dana Duncan's brother, Curtis. I was friends with Dana when we lived in Gaffney.

Our friends Aimee and Ken Perry moved on Saturday. They moved to Massachusetts. I am very sad. I miss them so much already. I don't have their phone number or anything so I don't even know if they got there ok. I'm hoping Aimee will call this week to give me an update.

Hope y'all have a good week. Only 2 more weeks until it Bowen-Time! Right? TTYL!

Did you know?

Did you know if you get oil based paint on your hands and face that petroleum jelly will take it off? Ask me how I know...

Stephen painted trim work and the door in the nursery last night. However, Kate and Clair were sleeping in there. So, before bed he told them not to touch the door or this one section of trim because the paint was wet. (Like waving a red flag in front of a bull.) Anyway, I put the kids down. Stephen went into our bathroom and closed (and locked) the door. My dad went to bed (in Clair's bed) and Emily and I went down to the basement to load some song on her I-pod. About 20 minutes later I hear crying/screaming. I run up the stairs and my dad has Clair by the arm and she has paint all over her face and hands. My first thought (because she is screaming like a maniac) is that she caused the door to fall on her. Then I realized she must have just been touching the door. I went and got Stephen and he blew a gasket! He got the petroleum jelly to clean her up. I said to her, "Clair, why did you touch the door when Daddy said not to?" She said, "Well, actually I touch it free (3) times." My dad said he heard someone go into the bathroom and turn on the water. When it stayed on for a while he went in to check on what was going on. He thought she got into toothpaste. But then he realized even her hands under the water were still white and he knew it was paint. He was trying to bring her to me, when she freaked out, and started crying. She wanted to get back into the bathroom to wash her hands. Paint was all over her pillow case, all over her PJ's, in her hair, on her hands and face (even in her nose a little), all over the knob to turn on the water, on the sink counter top, and on her step stool. Thank goodness for petroleum jelly and paper towels! We dd manage to get it all cleaned up. Needless to say, her dad spanked her. But...

just so you all know, petroleum jelly will take off oil based paint!

IVF and other News

Just a quick update to let everyone know what’s going on in Creighton and Katie-land. We’re...well...I'm back on the b.c. pill for the next two weeks. I start another round of shots on the 28th-ish of this month. We’ve been surfing other fertility pharmacies to see if we can find one that is cheaper than the one we initially ordered from. If any of you have IVF friends, ask them what pharmacy they used, for me. I’d love to know. We have to place the order this Thursday.

In other news, Rebecca Dunlap is moving here this weekend. We’re helping her Saturday afternoon. I’m excited for her. She’s starting a new chapter in her life and I think it’s going to be a great move for her.

My good friend Aimee and her family are moving back to Massachusetts. I’m very sad about this. She has become such a good friend to me. I am really going to miss her. Her hubby left three weeks ago. We went to dinner with them the night before he left. He hugged me and Creighton and said, “thanks so much for your friendship.” He’s not a member….and I know he feels pressured sometimes by other members. When we first started hanging around with them we decided we weren’t going to ever bring it up. We were just going to be his friend and hope that fellowship would do the trick. Aimee called him on Sunday morning last week, and she asked him if he was going to go to church and he said, “I’m just getting ready to head out the door.” It’s a small step and I’m not saying that we had anything to do with it, but it’s a huge deal to Aimee. I’m really going to miss them.

Well, I’m off to the gym for a nice rockin’ time of Step II. Hopefully I won’t die of cardiac arrest since I’m so out of shape!!!

TJ says KATE

Okay, so not really but he was close. Today, Tyler had TJ in his lap and was showing him a picture of Kate (the one he loves to take off of the end table) and Tyler was pointing and saying, "Kate" and finally out of nowhere TJ says his own version, "Tate". We tried to get him to do it again, but NO LUCK! I just wanted to share with everyone how sweet it is to hear him speak.

Love to you all!
Maria

Kids say the funniest things!

A few nights ago, Kate was saying the family prayer and she said (really slow and drawn out),
"Thank thee for ... Daddy ... Mommy ... Clair ... and especially for me."
I about choked trying not to laugh.

Then yesterday I was talking with Clair and I said to her, "You sure are pretty, who made you so pretty?" She got this disgusted look on her face like she was insulted I even had to ask and said, "My Mimi and Papa made me pretty!" (I was looking for Heavenly Father maybe!)

Our Fourth!

I hope you all enjoyed the 4th of July! We had a pretty good day!

We actually started the party on Monday night! We invited Duncan and his family over for FHE and the fireworks in Kennesaw. We also invited some firends of our from Church that don't have kids. He had to work until 8:00, so she came over and had dinner and joined us in the FHE with the Hammonds. Then we went and watched fireworks and ate cookies and brownies. Kate kept her ears covered with her hands, but only got upset right at the beginning. They weren't that loud, but now she just lets her imagination get away with her! (Not very rational, but at least she didn't cause a big scene.) Clair did ok...she sat in my lap and would shake if it was a little loud, but once Kate settled down, Clair was fine. They didn't get into the bed until really late that night.

The next morning, 4th of July, I got up early and ran to the store. I had to get a few things for games for the kids for our ward breakfast. (LONG STORY!) Anyway, it was HOT as where the devil lives and we hung around and got all sweaty for about 2 or 3 hours and then went home. I was totally spent so I took a nap, and Stephen slept on the couch while the girls watched a movie. When I got up it was 2:00 and no one had lunch or anything. I made sandwiches and then we put the girls down and Stephen and I watched Germany in a heart wrenching lost to Italy! It was a real heart breaker...but hey, not everyone can win! After the game Stephen painted the ceiling in the nursery and I took down tape. It is really coming together and will look SO cute. (Today I am taping up for the trim work and taping up for the dark blue stripes on the walls.) I can't wait for you to all see it! Then we cooked hot dogs and ate dinner and then we bathed the girls and we all went to bed.

So, that is our 4th in a nutshell. Hope you all enjoyed your 4th. We wish we could have been with family, but there is always next year!

KT, hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Oh Kate!

So, about two weeks ago, Kate notices a school bus driving by. She asks why the school buses are still going by when school is out for the summer. I told her that some kids don't do well in school and so they have to go to summer school to get extra help.

Fast forward two weeks...this afternoon we are eating lunch when the school bus goes by. Kate says, "There goes the school bus. I wish I hadn't done so well in preschool so I could be going to summer school. Although, I mostly like the playing part."

I about fell over laughing. Where do these thoughts come from? Like preschool was a pass or fail situation? Too funny!

What a Lucky Kid

TJ sure is lucky to have such a great family and so many great friends. He had a SUPER 1st birthday. I wish that Stephen and Roz and the girls could have been here, but we really want her to WAIT and have that baby. Ya know!!! :) Anyhoo..... I did want to say THANK YOU, to everyone who helped out. You guys are the best. Mom, KT, Jessica, and even Roz all helped me either here or talking me through it on the phone (thanks Roz). I love you all.

Thanks dad, for helping Tyler so much. I love you all.

Maria

She's growing up too fast...

Hello All...I tired to post some pics today on the BLOG, but it wouldn't let me. However, it would let me post on the Call BLOG. Go and figure. (Normally I can't post pictures at all!) Anyway, I want you guys to see the funny picture I got of Clair...she got caught playing in my make up bag. Check out the Call Blog so you can see them!

http://www.callcorner.blogspot.com/

Love you all!

Father's Day

Hope you all had a great Father's Day. We had a pretty good one...except that Clemson lost their baseball game. They can't lose anymore or they will be sent home. :( We were all pretty sad about it. I am hopeful they can rebound and move on. It wasn't the way Stephen wanted his Father's Day to end, I am sure. But he did a good job of letting it go!

We did have a wonderful dinner. Stephen grilled steaks and we had baked sweet pots (with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon) and a tossed mixed greens salad with hard rolls. It was SOOOOO yummy! Clair didn't much care for the sweet pots which is sad considering how much she liked them as a baby. She kept saying, "There is hair in my mouth!" They are a bit fibery! Kate loved it all. She kept saying, "this is the best stake ever dad!" or "This is the best sweet potato ever mom." Then for dessert we had some of my yummy homemade peach ice cream. It was all fantastic! Stephen bought these HUGE steaks, so it looks like we will get to enjoy this meal again as we had left overs! You should see the sweet potato Stephen bought...it was the size of a football! :) Lucky for me he couldn't finish it all! It did take almost two hours to cook! Crazy boy...that's what I get for sending him into store while I waited in the car with girls. I can't complain, he did a great job picking out the steaks...even though they were rather large too!

Hope you all had an enjoyable Fathers Day! Wish we could be there next weekend so we could all be together! Our thoughts will be with you!

Good News.....Moving Forward

Just a quick post to say........good news! I had my baseline ultrasound today and my first blood work up. I passed and everything looks good. We are officially moving forward (see previous post for more detailed info. LOL!) See ya'!

Glucola!

I don't mean to make you all jealous...but I got to drink Glucola today! Orange flavored! Yes, it was time for my glucose test. Hopefully I pass it and don't have to do the three hour one. (Last time, with Clair, I failed the one hour test by ONE stinking point and I had to do the three hour test which I easily passed.) Anyway, I also got my finger pricked, and I also got my RH factor shot (since I am O+ and Stephen is A-). That dog hurts like the dirty devil himself! Anyway, so I am feeling a bit like a pin cushion today! Oh well, it is all for Bowen and therefore worth it! Anyway, just wanted to give a little update post.

Not much else going on. Kate got an invitation last night to a birthday party...for a friend at church, Cory. She is SO excited, but little Clair is heart broken she was not invited. So, Stephen told her he would take her on a date. So, she is happy about that, but gets a little sad every time Kate talks about the party (which as I am sure you can imagine, is constantly!) Saturday night can't come fast enough for Kate. It is a pirate party and she even wants to dress like a pirate! I told her that is not required! Crazy girl.

Well, we hope you all have a great week. Call and chat!

Lupron, Baby Aspirin, and shots to the Belly

We had our injection class yesterday. That was fun! Can I just say that in vitro is a Yuppie thing if I've ever seen it! One of the other couples in the class could have been our twins....our skinny twins.

Tomorrow is a big day. Our first day of injections. Creighton has to give me a 10 unit (0.5 mg) shot of Lupron in my belly ("right on the fat pad" as Noreen - our instructor- put it) and 81mg of baby aspirin. (Did I buy the big kid kind? The Bayer "swallow me whole"? No, I bought the "kid chew me up" kind! I need some laughs in this!) So the shots go in my tummy, right on the fat pad. I laughed out loud and said "I got plenty of that!" And we do that for four days, then discontinue my birth control pills but continue the Lupron and baby aspirin. Then on the 10th of June we start anti-biotics for me and Creighton (2x's a day each), 5 units of Lupron in the morning, 2 vials of Repronex in the morning, one vial of Gonal F in the evening, and baby aspirin, and prenatal vitamins, and extra folic acid, and some other junk to lower my Prolactin level since evidently my body wants to produce milk like nobody's business (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolactin#Variance_in_levels for more information)!

Then on the 10th we get re-evaluated on meds, etc. So really this won't be hard b/c I only have nine days to keep track of. Then we get re-eval'd and it will probably change.

Some time around the 18th (but could be as late at the 22nd) we'll start looking at extraction. Outpatient...have to take the day off. No perfume, hair products, deodorant, etc. Even Creighton can't wear any of that stuff. Then about three days later we do transfer, outpatient, no perfume, hair products, deodorant, etc. Even Creighton....we're gonna be stinky!

Then we wait.............................................12 days! This will be the longest two weeks of our lives. Just so you know.

Well....I know no one asked, but there's the update on the next month of our lives. Oh and this is all (fantastically so) right in the middle of the World Cup! Actually it works out well for JCL b/c he'll have two days to sit at home with me and he can just watch soccer! LOL!

Random Thought Transistion: We had a fantabulous visit w/ Stephen and Rosalind and the l'il chicas for Memorial Day. We ate way too much food and the girls we a lot of fun! I enjoyed seeing big ol' Rozzie's belly. That kid is gonna drop right outta her! The girls were a lot of fun. Clair seemed really taken w/ Creighton. I guess they all go through that phase. LOL! We scored a great hotel in Buckhead while we were there. It was the Doubletree and we got it for $50 a night!!!!! Gotta love Priceline.

Well......we're off to Chucktown for the rest of our vacation. We'll be there through Saturday. Hope all is well w/ y'all.....keep in touch.

Talented Jessica

So, the other day I was sitting at the table with Kate doing some school work. (She will do it for hours!) She asked if I knew how to make the color purple. I said, "No, how?" and she told me you need to mix red and blue. Then she showed me with her markers she was using. I told her I was impressed she knew that and she said, "My Aunt Jessica taught me that. You know mom, she is so talented!" I agreed. Then Kate said, "She can draw Mickey Mouse & Mortimer Mouse, she can play the piano really well, and sing and be an actress. She has SO many talents and all I am good at is helping." I told her, she already has many talents and that if she wanted to have as many talents as Jessica she needs to work really hard. I told her Aunt Jessica has been working her whole life to develop her talents and that is what she would have to do. If she wanted to have a talent as a ballet dancer, she would have to work really hard at ballet, etc. Obviously, she thinks Jessica is the greatest...don't we all! Love you Jessica! Thanks for being a good role model and for giving me that teaching moment!

We're back!

Hello Family!We are home.

We got home around 7:00ish Sunday night. On the other side of Atlanta, Clair informed us she had to go poop. I asked her if she could hold it because we'd be home in about 15 minutes. She said, she could. To be honest I really didn't think she'd go. We had stopped several times on her request to go to the bathroom and then she didn't go. I think she was just wanting out of her car seat. Anyway, so we got home and she was still clean. So Stephen and I started to unload the van and the girls were playing in the yard. I was getting a bag and noticed Clair standing over to the side. She had her going poop face on and she looked up at me and said in a strained voice, "Auhhhhh, poop!" I about fell over laughing! I guess she did have to go! Too bad she didn't tell me so I could have taken her to the potty!

I sent out pics today to everyone. Hope I didn't over load anyone's mail box. We had lots of fun and we really loved being with Brooklyn (AKA Texas Tornado...as Em nick-named her!) She is so cute and her laugh is way too darling. The girls already miss her. While I was looking through pics to send, Kate commented on one of all three girls together. She said, "Oh isn't that picture so cute. You know what makes it so cute?" "What", I said. She responded, "Brooklyn, because Brooklyn is in the picture it is cute!" We really did have fun hanging out with Brit and Brooklyn during the day.

Stephen enjoyed Mexico. He gained a new knowledge on a country he had heard lots about but had never been too. It might have softened his heart a little in regards to the whole immigration thing...but not too much. Of course we all agree there is some serious work that has to be done with that issue. Anyway, he was impressed with the service and also how inexpensive things were. However, he said he has no desire to live there. Good, neither do I! :)

We enjoyed having KT and Creighton for a visit on Memorial Day. The girls loved it too. They talked NON-STOP the whole day. Clair was quite taken with Uncle Creighton or as she says, "Treighton". When she got in trouble and I sent her to her room she cried to me, "I want my Uncle Treighton". I said, "He can't help you now!" Then later we went to a store and I said, "Hold my hand in the parking lot." And Clair said, "I want to hold Uncle Treighton's hand." Poor Creighton, he was a good sport...even reading to the girls and playing the pizza game. We miss KT and Creighton. When they left, Stephen said, "Boy, I miss living near them and hanging out." I feel the same way!

Well, I better go. I have some things to do before Stephen gets home.

Love you all!

Haven't posted in a while....

Well it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, so here goes.

I don’t know what to say except that our lives are still so nuts! We had a crazy but fun weekend. I helped throw a baby shower for my Visiting Teacher. She’s so sweet and due any day now. I just love her. She just called me earlier today to see if I could go to lunch on Thursday. Her name is Nicole and her companion is Nicole Tallon (Rice) who I used to play with when I would stay w/ Mimi and Papa. Nicole Tallon just had a baby girl a few weeks ago. Her name is Anna Kate and she is adorable. So both of my VT'ers were preggers!

After the baby shower my friend from Columbia, Dawn, came to visit. We had a blast! We went shopping, which as you all know…for me means rummaging through the big pile of junk that is Marshall’s. I spent a grand total of $5.25. We had fun making fun of the silly fashions that are in style now.....like gouchos. Whomever brought those back into style needs to strung up and SHOT!

Sunday was a great day!! We had two really good youth speakers and a special musical number by the Primary. Then one of the men in our ward gave a great talk about Motherhood. I really enjoyed it.

Today, though, is back to the grind. I’m going to try to hit the gym after work, but we’ll see how that goes. I haven’t been in three weeks!

Wish me luck!

....and a Kate quote too!

The end of last week, Kate started to have some issues going to the bathroom...number 2 to be exact. (Disney World repeat!) She refers to this as "having the poop infection". (Her term not ours!) Anyway, after two days of issues, I got on the internet to look up which cereals and fruits and veggies have the most fiber. So, I am going through this list and asking her, "Do you like this?" or "Do you like that?" Anyway, she asks, "What are you doing?" I told her I was looking at a list of the foods that have lots of fiber to help her with her bathroom problem. She then says (completely serious), "What, are you on the poop web-site?" I honestly doubled over laughing, which I shouldn't have, because now she says it every time I am on the computer. However, it was funny. Anyway, just wanted to share...they both say the funniest things!

Crazy Quotes By Clair

So, yesterday, we were on the phone to family and Clair goes and gets like a MILLION tissues. She had this HUGE wad as big as her head! Kate came running to me and of course had to tattle. I went around and corner and there she was with her cranium sized wad of tissue. I said, "Clair, for the love of Nancy...what are you doing?" She says (in her most calm, plain, everyday, whats the big deal voice) "I have to blow my noes." Then she proceeds to put her tiny little face into that huge wad of tissue and make her mousey little attempt at blowing her noes. I would have lost if laughing if I was so mad about the fact that she just wasted almost an entire box of tissues!

Clair is almost over this one, but she is finally getting the hang of saying the prayer. However, she started saying something about Jesus, but Stephen and I couldn't figure out what it was. Then one day Kate said, "Clair, how come you bless that Jesus will get fixed?" (Kate obviously speaks Clair-ish.) "Clair said, "Because he has holes in his hands and feet." It made me happy to realize that she does pay attention in FHE...since we had several lessons about this before Easter.

Finally, both my girls are totally crazy about George Strait. I have his 50 number one hits in the van and we listen to it all the time...as requested by Kate and Clair. Kate's favs are "Baby Blue" and "Ocean Front Property". Clair loves "Baby Blue" (as well) and "All My Ex's Live in Texas". They both sing at the top of their lungs. While we were at church for the Cinco de Mayo party we weren't allowed to call Cinco de Mayo (long story if you haven't already heard) Clair got on a piano in the room off the kitchen and started playing and singing "Baby Blue". It was too cute.

Anyways, we are looking forward to a short week as we will be camping this weekend for Mothers Day. We are ALL so excited, esp the girls. We have fishing, paddle boating, hiking, playground playing, and bird watching on our list. Tonight for FHE we will be planning food. Kate's main concern is marshmellow to roast! We go on Thursday and will be back Saturday in order to get ready for church. (Pray for nice but cool weather!) The following weekend we will be on our way to Texas. Stephen is going to Monteray, Mexico and the girls and I will stay with my mom and dad. It will be great to see them, esp since they have never seen me full on in the radient beauty of pregnancy...I am being very sarcastic! :) Anyway, we hope you all have a great week! Love to you all!

We're BACK.......

We are back and better than ever.... NOT really! I mean we did have a REALLY great time. We got there Saturday evening and went to Wal-Mart and got groceries, then back to the resort for some much needed Hot Tub time. Then Sunday we drove to New Port Richey and spent the day with Tom and Laura. That turned out to be lots of fun. We took TJ to the park and he had a blast. Then we headed back to Orlando. We got up Monday and got ready for Sea World. It was great. We started our day off with the Dolphin show.... WOW!!!! Then we head out for other shows. TJ slept in the stroller or in our arms and was such a trooper. We stayed until the park closed at 7pm. When we got back to the resort we ate dinner and then went to the park and played. TJ loved it. He slept great every night. Tuesday, Tyler took me to the doctor, I had a REALLY horrid sore throat and I needed antibiotics. I am much better now. When we got back from the doctor we found TJ and the rest of the crew at the pool. TJ loved it. Tyler and I swam and played in the sand with TJ. TJ fell asleep down by the pool. We hung out for about 3o more minutes and then took him back to the room. He slept for another hour and half. We got ready and went back to Sea World. AGAIN another great day. We got home at 7:30. Wednesday was Busch Gardens and that was great as well. TJ really enjoyed the kid play area. We left Busch Gardens about 7:00. TJ stayed awake the whole hour back to Orlando, but crashed hard core that night and slept in until 8:30 the next day. Tyler and I went to the Orlando Temple Thursday morning and that was really cool. I will tell you guys all about it another time. Then we had family pictures made at the resort and went to Sea World then swimming. Friday we packed up and headed out around 9 am. What a great week we had.

We are glad to be home but are planning a return trip in October. Big D and Little D said that want us to come back in OCT. So we will see.

Love to you all

The Tan Franklin Fam

Crazy Week

Well, it has been a pretty crazy week...and it isn't even over!

We started out Sunday with about two and half hours of some pretty crazy contractions. After drinking a ton of water and staying down on my left side, they just kind of went away! The next morning I was VERY sore and called the doctor. They said to take it easy and to lay down in the mid-morning, afternoon, and mid-evening, and to avoid being on my feet for long periods of time. Well, I'll do it! The last thing I want is to be put on bed rest for the next 4 month! So, I've been following their advice and it really has helped. I can tell Bowen is getting stronger because he is kicking like a wild man every time I lay down!

Kate started ballet this week. She only goes once a week, much to her dislike. She wants to go every night! She really enjoyed it! She also has been looking forward to pre-school for today. They had to dress up as a fairy tale person. She had grand ideas and listed every fairy tale princess she could think of. We settled on the Princess and the Pea. She wore her Halloween costume from two Halloweens ago. It still fits pretty well. Then we took a pea off of the pea-pod costume that Clair wore, for her to carry! She looked cute and was so very excited to show everyone. She said, "Mom, I have stage fright, I just don't think I can do this!" I told her she has never had anything CLOSE to stage fright in her entire life! I think she was just excited.

Clair is totally growing up too! She keeps us smiling and laughing with the things she says! She is really into saying the prayer on the food. She thanks and bless the food, and then she always says, "Bless that Jesus will get fixed." Kate said to her one day, "Why do you bless Jesus to get fixed?" And she responded, "Because He has holes in his hands and feet!" "Well, they won't get better!", says Kate. I think it is cute! At least she paid attention enough to know that about Jesus. She also loves to help cook and she has to work on projects when I am helping Kate with her handwriting or with a workbook. Yesterday she was coloring a picture of Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh. Kate said, "Eeyore is a donkey!" Clair says, "Eeyore is a HONKEY?" I about feel out of my chair laughing. I called Stephen and a couple other people so she could tell them. She cracks me up!

Bowen is getting big. I know because he has really picked up the kicking and moving around. He really like me to lay on the bed, on my back with my head and shoulders propped up. The girls love to talk to my belly and Clair likes to play peek-a-boo. Kate wants to learn how to spell his name and also draws pictures of him! We got paint for the nursery and they both really want to help! (That would be scary!)

Stephens work hasn't been as bad this week. It kind of seems to go in waves. He is going to Mexico in May and still has lots to do to get ready for that trip. He will be the lead auditor, is working on his certification. That would be a great feather to have in his hat! He had to "work from home" yesterday because the green van is leaking coolant again. He is not happy with the shope in Simpsonville that fixed it last time and he even issued a complaint with Chevy....this is a known flaw on their Ventures and yet they still make them the same way! So, that has been the real damper on his week!We hope you are all well! Love and miss you all!

Franklin Family Vacation 2006

We are headed to Florida on Friday! We can't wait. Sun, sand, pool, and Shamu (sp?) watch out here we come.... I know TJ doesn't really understand that we are going on vacation, but I like to think that he is excited too. He has no idea that there is going to be 4 swimming pools, and huge bath tub and his NANNA!!! Wow! What more could a kid ask for. Okay, so Tyler and I are going to take advantage of the vacation with nanna. She has VERY willingly accepted the challenge to keep TJ while Tyler and I go to the Orlando Temple and do a session. I am so excited. That means I will have been to the Atlanta, Columbia, Provo, SLC, DC, and now Orlando Temples. That is 6 temples. I am so happy (yeah, so there is like 100 and something more). I also would like to share with you guys, that Tyler and I went to the Columbia Temple, Saturday so that my friend Diana and her husband and their kids could be sealed. It was the neatest experience. I will say that this experience helped me to really appreciate that Tyler and I are sealed with TJ forever. This sealing opportunity gave Tyler and I a chance to reflect on eternal families and how happy we are to not only be an eternal family but to be part of one. We love you all! Watch the mail for a postcard from our vacation.

Love to you all

Maria, Tyler, and the BIG man in Chucktown TJ

Air Show 2006

This was TJ's VERY FIRST Air Show. He loves being outside and so we thought heck yeah let's go! So, Oma andOpa came and we packed up the stroller and headed out. I must have been a little generous with the sunscreen because TJ woke up rubbing his eyes and crying . I think it got in his eyes. Oh, well. I learned my lesson. We had a great time and the temperature was wonderful. We ran into a few people we know. That was fun too. As for the rest of our weekend, Tyler is really feeling the change and merge into EQ. I am so very proud of him. He was at church pretty much MOST of the day. We went back last night for and EQ Fireside and it was great. I really felt boosted. The speaker was President Baughman (the singles branch pres). He spoke about the passage in the D&C "Many are called but few are chosen and why are they not chosen" We spoke about being prepared and about having a unrighteous dominion. Anyway it was great. The sad thing was that we had a great fireside great treats at the end an only 15 people total were there. That was including the speaker and his wife. I guess it just frustrates me that people in our ward and I am sure in other wards don't support ward things. That ticks me off. I just wish that more people in our ward and in the church would support activities done at church. SO... this is my challenge to our family for 2006 You need to all support activities that pertain to you. And mom that means you have attend Enrichment. Well I will talk to you all later.

Love you

Maria

Relaxing Weekend at Home

UGH! I just wrote a whole huge post and when I clicked the spell-check button, it erased the entire thing. I'm so ticked!

Anyway, we spent this weekend at home....sleeping. Literally. We slept until noon on Sat. Then I took a nap Sat. afternoon. Then another nap on Sunday afternoon! I must have needed it, because I could totally sleep right now again and it's almost 10pm!

Well....not much exciting happened this weekend. Just the sleeping. Hope you're all doing well. I better run.....Creighton is cooking and he needs his sous-Chef! TTYL!

Up-date on the Girls!

Clair filled up her first potty chart. She had to go eight times and have dry pants each time, before she could get a new game. I finally just asked her (after many unsecsessful bribes) what she'd like and after giving her MANY choices, she said she'd like a new game. Well, it took her two days, but she filled her first chart. Next chart will have 12 spots to fill. So today we went to Wal Mart and she picked the classic, "Cooties". She also said next time she wants "Monkeys in a Barrel". (Good that one is cheap!) So, maybe I found some motivation. We just need to work on getting her to tell me she has to go, not me just taking her every 30 - 45 minutes.

Kate went to the dentist today. She LOVES going to the dentist. He said she has beautiful teeth. It was a mad house. It is the only ped. Dentist in our plan that is not all the way in Atlanta. CRAZY I tell you! But Kate liked it a lot....tons of kids. She immediately found a new friend! They gave her a little goody bag with a t-shirt (fancy), a new toothbrush, and tooth paste. The hygentist said, "oh wait, they didn't put your name one it." She got out her pen and Kate says, "K-A-T-E" (Like the lady couldn't spell Kate! I had to laugh! Clair will go for her fist apt. at age 3 and that is when I will take Kate back for her 6 month apt. By then, little Bowen will be going with us too! Oh scary...three kids! Anyway, Kate did well and was happiest that the hygentist suggested an electric toothbrush for her. (She has issues with plaque along her gum line up front, like her dad I guess.) Anyway, so while at Wal Mart, Kate also picked out a new tooth brush. Of course as soon as we got home she had to use it!

One more funny story...yesterday while the girls were napping I watched "Pride and Prejudice" (my most recent Netflix movie). Clair woke up right at the end. In the closing scene, the leading actress kisses her guys hand. It is all very tender. Clair was sitting in my lap and as soon as she kissed his hand Clair says, "Ewww, gross!" Kind of killed the mood. Then after they kissed for real, I said, "Ohhh!" Clair said "What?" I said, "They love each other!" She kind of looked at me like, who cares, turn on Elmo, he never kisses! Thank goodness it was the end, I might have had a rioting 2 year old on my hands! :)

Spring Break

Hello Folks! We are all doing "pretty good" as Clair says. Kate is having Spring Break this week. (She doesn't like to call it a break...she says it is vacation.) Yesterday we went with our friends to a dollar movie theater to see "Curious George". When we got there we discovered that Tuesday's are only 50 cents! So for $1.50 all three of us saw a movie. It was really pretty cute, a must see for folks who like animation and cute little stories. I was surprised to recognize several voices...Drew Barrymore and Will Ferell. When we got out of the movie I said, "So, Kate what did you think?" She said, "I LOVED it, can we stay and see it again?" "I asked Clair, "Did you like it Clair?" She said, "No, I didn't. It was scary." It was as far from scary as you get, but if Kate says yes than Clair will say no! (Kate is the same way, if Clair wants OJ for breakfast, then Kate wants apple juice!) They are so crazy. I think it was just too long to be still for Clair. Well, she better get used to it, free (air conditioned) summer movies will be my choice of entertainment this HOT summer! :) Today we will practice writing letters (Kate), practice recognizing shapes (Clair), and make blackberry freezer jam (Kate while Clair naps). We will also finish Kate's library book about parrots. Last visit to the library Clair and I made, Kate requested a TON of animal books. They are long and we have to break up reading them into a couple sessions. However, Kate is now an expert on lions, parrots, and peacocks. When they showed a map of India during conference Kate yelled, "Hey, that is where peacocks are from!" She can tell you what it is called when they put their feathers up, about how they keep their babies warm, how they build nests, what the feathery things on their heads are called, and where they came from. She is so smart and if she is interested in something, she remembers the facts...like her dad! However, it is the parrot book that worries me most, now she wants a bird! I say, "HECK NO" They make huge messes and they live a long time. Anyway, I better go...just wanted to give you the Spring Break up-date.

IT'S A BOY!

Yes, we are very excited and Kate isn't "darn mad" so all is well. Our little man looked good. He wasn't nearly as cooperative as the girls were at getting his picture done...hummm....perhaps an idea of things to come. Anyway, we are so excited and we have already decided on what to do with the nursery...planes! Kate says she can't wait for him to teach her how to play football. Clair was only concerned about why I had a band-aid on my finger.

So, world look out for
Stephen Bowen
coming this August to a family near and dear to you! :)

TODAY IS THE DAY!

My apt is at 2:30...any bets on what we are having?

TJ Goes to the Beach

Yes! We finally did it. We took TJ to the beach and he loved it. He was so intrigued by the sound and sight of the ocean. He really wanted to jump right in. We first put his feet in the sand and he loved it. Then we stripped him down to his diaper and let him play in the sand and he was so fascinated. After about 15-20 minutes we decided to go and he cried the whole way off the beach. He was not happy about leaving. This boy is true through and through B-O-Y! I am feeling much better after having my teeth removed. I was so thankful that Tyler's dad was here to help out. What a difference a pair of hands makes. We love you all a ton!

Love

The Franklin Crew

Who dat is? My baby daddy.........

Well.......we have baby money! We closed on the condo refi today. It was pretty painless and we should have the money to pay for the IVF tomorrow. I guess the addage "don't spend it all in one place" doesn't apply here!

We're headed to Chas. this weekend for the Bridge Run! And to visit Maria and her toofless self! LOL!!! PS - We'll be walking the bridge.........I don't run unless I'm being chased........by a rabid dog..............or and axe murderer!

Work is good but so busy I barely have time to think before the day is over. I realized the other day, that it has been six months since I went to work at BG. SIX MONTHS! Already!!! I feel like I just left ElliottDavis.

In other news, Rebecca Dunlap (one of Stephen's old flames) may be moving here. She stayed with us a couple of weekends ago and we had a great time showing her around G-Vegas! I hope she'll make the leap of faith and move, but like Creighton told her, she will be happy wherever she is as long as she is living the gospel.

Well, I'm off to bed since I'm old and it's 10:44 and I can barely keep my eyes open.

TTYL!

Ouch!!!

Okay, so Thursday is the day. I am having four teeth ripped from my living skull. YIKES!! I can't believe it. I am so sick thinking about it but I know that it will go fine. Tyler's dad is here and he will be watching TJ on Thursday while I am ALL drugged up. YES, it sure is nice to have family who are willing to come and help. Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers on my behalf. For those of you who haven't heard Tyler is now President Franklin. Yes, he is the new EQ. WOW! Can't wait to see you all on Easter. One last thing, Tyler should be sewing on his stripes end of June beginning of July. Talk to you all later.

Love you

Maria

Weird Dream

Hello All...just wanted to share a really weird dream I had last night. So, basically, KT and I were kidnapped. In the dream I knew the guy, but not the girl who was involved in the kidnapping. They gave us something to knock us out to transport us, and they gave me too much so for three days I was out. Then a few days after I came to, the police sent Stephen in for negotiations. Some how Stephen related to me that he was wired and the police were outside. Shortly after Stephen got there, the kidnapper guy pulled out a shot gun and I started yelling, don't shoot my husband! (Mainly so the police would know the guy had a gun and was pointing it at Stephen.) So, then the SWAT team came storming in and we were saved! It was a weird dream, but aren't you all glad that KT and I are ok? :)

Challenge

Hello all! Last night I was thinking how much I enjoyed Pres. Hinkley's challenge to read the B of M. I started wishing he would challenge us again. It really got me reading! Then I remembered that one scripture that goes something like, "It is an unwise and slothful servant who must be commanded in all things." So, I thought, why wait for another challenge...JUST DO IT! So, over the next 20 weeks (counting this week) I will be trying to read the entire B of M. (That takes me to the fist week of August, right before the baby is born.) So, the reason I am posting this on the Blog is two fold...one to let everyone know so they can keep me on my toes...kind of like telling people you are on a diet and then eatting non-diet food and someone saying, "Aren't you on a diet." and thus reminding you that double fudge triple layer cake with two large scoops of real vanilla bean ice cream isn't a diet friendly food! (Man that sounds good!) Anyway, and the second reason is to invite any and all to join with me. One of the best parts about Pres. Hinkley's challenge was the fact that I had so many really great conversations about the scriptures with family members since we were all kind of in the same place at the same time. So, if you'd like to join in, great! My dad made a reading schedule and shared it with my family...and it really helped me stay on course. So, if you'd like to join in and would like a schedule, I made one similar to the one my dad made last time. Let me know, I'll e-mail it to you! Who's with me?

No Fun in Acworth

Hello all...we are just hanging out at home, in the kitchen over the linoleum, having no fun potty training today! Yes, it WILL happen. Pray for Clair and pray for my sanity!

KT...it was wonderful to see you last week. We still really miss you guys.

Maria...good luck on your book show/going away party! It will totally be awesome!

Jessica...WHERE ARE YOU?

Creighton...congrats on advancing to the second round of the NIT! :) Creighton vs. Miami (Fl) tonight! Oh yeah...USC still in it too!

Tyler...Where's the stripes?

Mom & Dad...we are very excited to see you guys this weekend.

Go Tigers...beat Louisville!

Love to you all!

We are back!

Hello All!
We are back, but not really. Laundry is done, but we are still trying to get our clocks on real world time! I hope you all enjoyed the few pics I sent out. Sorry about not just posting on the blog, but the blog hates me and won't let me post pics! Maybe it's best, I might really be a blog hog if I could freely post the 200 plus pictures we took last week! :) Anyway, just wanted to post for the record, we had a wonderful time. The girls are still talking about it and Kate already has plans for the next visit. Speaking of next visit....Stephen also had so much fun he wants to go back soon...with the WHOLE family! What do you all think? Obviously due to expansions in our family...(Maria don't get any ideas or it will be two or more years before we can do this! :) it might be a while, but keep it in mind. I think it would be a blast! Anyway, like I said, I do have over 200 pics, so if you start to craving more...just let me know and I'll send out another round! Love you all...looking forward to Easter!

Some random thoughts

1. Toofy! I still can't get over Clair's version of Goofy! I saw the pics of the vaca to DW. That looks like y'all had fun!!
2. If you haven't heard Kate's talk yet, call her and get her to recite it for you (READ: Roz whispering it in her ear) it is soooooooooooo cute!
3. This past weekend we went to Aiken and had a great visit w/Mom and Dad and the Lynes'. Mom and I made some cute chair back covers for the dining room chairs. We made 6...7 if you count the one that I made that was toooooooo small. I think once we get the new tablecloth made it will be smashing!
4. I'm excited for Easter, too. It will be nice to see everyone. I counted the number of weekends we'll actually be at home for the spring and let's just say....Simpsonville 1st may think we've gone less active by the end of April. LOL!
5. I im'd with Regina today. She's grad'ing on 5/20. I'm so excited for her and proud of her! Wow what a contrast b/t her and her brother!
6. The teller at our bank took my "STRESSED OUT" doll for ransom....she wants me to bring her donuts as payment.........that might have to wait until Friday!!
7. Ok I think that's all for now.

Bzzagent.Com

Have y'all heard of this? It's great. You can sign up to get lots of free stuff and all you have to do is talk about it to your friends and family. You should try it.

In other news...life is good. Super busy and trying to keep my head above water. I think I say this everytime I'm on this blog. LOL! TTYL!

YOU'RE ALIVE!

I am so happy to see other folks post on this here BLOG. I was thinking about changing the name to Kate's mom blogs as much as Kate talks! I felt like a total BLOG HOG! Go ahead say that one out loud...it is fun! Anyway, I just want to tell everyone hello! We are all doing well and hanging in here...we will soon be in the "Magic Kingdom" not to be confused with J.W. Kingdom Hall....we'll let you all know how things are going. (However, wireless is not free where we are staying and in true cheapness, we will most likely not be on-line but maybe once or twice in the next week! So, look for the rare post or the rare email!) We love you all and Katie...did you ever solve the putrid smelling feces issue with the dork who stinks up the bathroom which in turn stinks up the whole bank lobby? You don't want people to start calling you guys, "Bank Stinkville"! :) Love to you all!

Oh, the sleepless nights... and days

So, here we go again! TEETHING... what a joy. TJ is teething AGAIN! This time I think it is his two front teeth on the top. We have had many sleepless nights again. Ahhhh, the joys of motherhood. I haven't written in like forever, and so I thought I would take a few minutes while TJ is actually resting well and update everyone on the Franklin family situation. Let's see.... Tyler applied for a job in Key West but did not get it, so he is looking again for another place to go. The other night he called me in the back to ask me how I felt about Naples, Italy? I said cool! Whatever! I mean he is the one that has to work there not me. :0) Tyler is dealing with a stinking cold and I am dealing with two young men who can't sleep at night. The other night EVERYONE was up at our house at 2:30am. Tyler couldn't breathe and thought he needed to puke, TJ was screaming and I was just trying to figure out how I missed all of this when I signed up to be a wife and mother. J/K We had a great trip home to Aiken and loved spending time with mom and dad and even CaCa Crash! I am going to run and maybe just maybe I will get my hair actually dried and then have a moment of peace to read my new Mary Higgins Clark book. I love you all!

Love

Maria

PS Jessica how did the sub thing work out for you?

PPS Roz thanks for the American Idol chat!

PPPS KT seriously if you are going to play pranks at work at least do it right!

I finally got five minutes to myself

Well that's not entirely true. I'm on hold right now with Fiserv Support. But it's the same right? I'm just listening to their cheezy on hold music. Which reminds me. I think I've found a royalty free cd that are going to use for hold music at the bank. Now I've got to go buy a cheap Durabrand cd player so Joey (the telecomm guy) can jerry-rig it for us. LOL!

Have I ever told y'all about my little friend at work? Her name is Cameron. Her grandmother (may she rest in peace) was this old southern lady. She didn't say her n's. So when she said Cameron's name it sounded like "Camera." Ok....it's only funny if you hear it!

Yesterday Camera decided she would pretend she was five again and put a "Kick Me" post-it on the back of the head teller (Judy). I (of course) had to assist her with this. But I didn't stick it hard enough and it fell off. All of this unprofessional behaviour occured whilst I was (once again) on hold with Fiserv support.

Let's see.......what else. Oh! I'm throwing a baby shower for an old friend on Saturday. Nicole Tallon...she's from Gaffney. Her name used to be Nicole Rice. Her baby is due in April. Mimi used to set up play dates for me with her when I stayed with them in the summer time. She's in my ward now in Simpsonville. She's also my VT'er. Anyway, you know what JCL and I will be doing on Friday night. Cleaning house. UGH!

We had our bball tourney last weekend. My girls made it to the final round and we lost to Gville 2nd. They are really good, but horrible sports. Not gracious at all! Bobby Gorski tried to get the women's team (which I play on) to play in a tourney at the end of March, but we'd end up playing G'ville 2nd in the final and I can't play the mother of those Gville 2nd girls. I'd probably intentionally foul her and that's just not Christlike. :)

Ok...I'm AUDI A6....ttyl!