Takin' a Break

Tonight Brian and I got a lot of work done moving furniture around the house. We took down the bed in Jonathan's room, put up a bunk bed, re-put up the bed that had been in his room, and moved a dresser. All in under 2 hours, and with Jonathan running around "sweeping." He did a great job tonight, playing with his toys and just in general being in a good mood. After we finished, Brian laid down in the guest bedroom to rest, and Jonathan decided he wanted to be like Daddy. Too cute!

Jonathan

Please be praying for the Franklin family right now. Jonathan started getting sick with the fever/cough bug this past Sunday night. By Friday, when he wasn't better, in fact seemed worse, Brian took him to the doctor. There we learned that he has a mild case of pneumonia. So he's a pretty miserable little kid. Even with cough suppressants, he coughs most of the day, and much of the night. He's exhausted, and so are we.

Please pray for him to be healed, and to start feeling better quickly. Also, pray for Brian and me to have strength and patience. And pray for me to remember that God is faithful. Sometimes it's hard to see at 3 in the morning.

All About Brian

Ok, so a while ago I was tagged by Hannah to share some things about Brian. In the spirit of "better late than never" (and because I love to talk about him), here are some things you may not have known about Brian...


1. Where did you meet? We met in October of our first year in grad school, in Wade and Marian Coleman's kitchen. We had an RUF thing there on a Sunday night, and I walked into the kitchen to get a drink. I can't really say that there was an instant connection on my side, but he was pleased to finally meet me, as he had seen me a few weeks previous, and thought I was pretty. :)

2. How long did you date? We dated for about 7 months before we got engaged, and then had a sixth month engagement, so 13 months?

3. How long have you been married? 3 years New Year's Eve.

4. What does he say that surprises you? Every once in a while he'll tell me about something he did to serve someone, or help someone; or something he'd like to do to serve or witness. I don't know that I'm still surprised by those comments, but I'm always challenged. He has a very missional heart, and God frequently uses Brian to challenge me in that area.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? I really love his hands, among other things. And I think he's the perfect height. ;) Any taller and I'd get a crick in my neck when I kiss him.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? In the last few months I've been really touched by his selflessness and his servant heart. He had the perfect excuse to quit doing any kind of housework or cooking in the last few months while he was studying for exams, but he continued to spend time and energy helping me out.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Not really - Brian's not into nicknames very much. And the endearments he does have for me...are for me. ;)

8. What is his favorite color? Green

9. What is his favorite food? I actually asked his this a few weeks ago, and he said he doesn't really have a favorite, though if I had to pick one for him I'd probably go with ice cream or watermelon.

10. What is his favorite sport? I think baseball

11. When and where did you first kiss? In his first apartment, after we'd been engaged for 2.5 months.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Hmmm, we use to take weekly dates to Starbucks just to talk and see how each of us was doing, I think we both liked that.

13. Do you have any children? Jonathan


14. Does he have a hidden talent? He's written several songs, words and music, most people don't see that often.

15. How old is he? 25

16. Who said "I love you" first? Brian. One week before he proposed.

17. What is his favorite type of music? I'm guessing acoustic rock? I know that Jars of Clay is his favorite band - does that help?

18. What do you most admire about him? Over the last year I've grown to appreciate and admire his work ethic far more.

19. Do you think he will read this? Yep - I'm linked on his Google Reader.

20. Where did you go on your first date? Christopher's for dinner and jazz music, and then back to my apartment to watch the original "Sabrina." That day is still one of the favorite memories I have of us. :)

Call me Mrs. ABD

He's done!! Brian sat for his oral exams this morning and did excellently! He has worked so hard and diligently these last 7 months - it is a huge blessing to see his work rewarded.

He says he doesn't feel a big sense of relief yet, but I certainly do! I have gotten teary-eyed a couple times already just thinking about the big load of work that has been lifted off my hard-working husband. Now "all" he has left to do for his PhD is his dissertation, making him an ABD (All But Dissertation).

So to celebrate tonight, we're going to eat at the mall's food court, and buy some new shoes for our little guy. Woohoo, Franklins sure do know how to party! ;)

This Day in History

Four years ago today, Brian and I had our first date. He had arranged with the restaurant that night to have flowers on the table waiting for me.

He said he couldn't take me back to Christopher's again tonight, but he at least wanted me to have flowers on my table.

Thanks for brightening my day. I love you, Brian.

War Eagle (anyway)

Anyone who knows me more than a tiny bit knows of my love for my alma mater Auburn University. I am not alone - I come from a long line of Auburn fans, who are more gung-ho and rabid than I. Hard to imagine, maybe, but there you go.

My Auburn fan-ness was reinforced by living in University of Tennessee country most of my life. Of course, I brought some of the harassment upon myself by wearing Auburn shirts to school, and defending them against all detractors.

The last time I saw my parents, my Mom had a surprise for me - a couple small Auburn sweatshirts I had worn as a kid. And they fit Jonathan. Let the brainwashing begin...

No, he's not watching AU football here, though this expression does look like a grimace of pain.


I wish I could say he's learned how to yell a good "War Eagle!" but he hasn't. I'm still working on him, Mom. Just give me time. He's closer than a two-year old should be, probably. ;)

Funny Faces

Just so you know...this is one of my old sweatshirts. :) Pretty funny!

Mmm...Mrs Coats' spaghetti is good!



Is this close enough, Daddy?!

My two silly boys.