April 30th ~ A special day

Typically the date of a loved one passing, is difficult and sad, filled with different thoughts and emotions. Although this date could do this for me, it doesn't so much. I guess because I know it is the day heaven got a little brighter, it's the day our family received our own guardian angel, it's a day that reminds me Families are Forever! It is also the day (one year later) that Chelsea received the blessings of the Temple. That was such a sacred and special thing for us to be able to do together as mother and daughter. I will never forget that!
My dear friend Jan Hicken, sent me a message on Chelsea's birthday. I loved it so much, and wanted to share it with you too. Jan would come sit with Chels on Thursdays so that I could go to the Temple. Her niece compiled a family faith book where everyone contributed an experience. This was Jan's contribution:

One of my favorite things to do with Chelsea was to read her Seminary assignments together. One March day when the early spring sun was shining, I wheeled Chelsea onto the patio so we could sit in the warmth. We read from the Seminary manual and accompanying scriptures. One scripture talked about sanctification. I asked Chels if she knew what that meant. She shook her head “no.” I then asked, “Chels, is what you wear important to you?” No. “Do you really care what your hair looks like?” No. “Is going to the next school dance something that occupies your mind?” No. Now, Chelsea was a very pretty girl and had been vivacious and very social. Things important to a teenage girl had been important to her. And I explained to her that those things were not wrong. But I told her that sanctification is the process by which we come out of the world, when our priorities become centered on the Savior and what He wants us to become. It is to become clean, pure and holy.
Over the weeks and months that I spent time with Chelsea, I could discern a change in her very nature. She had always been a good person with a testimony of the gospel. But she made the choice to become better, to be purified and sanctified by this most difficult of trials. She had had almost everything taken from her: the ability to speak, to move, dance, laugh, dress herself, eat, text on her phone, drive a car, go on dates, and every other normal thing a teen wants to do. And yet she made a choice to love the Lord and trust in Him no matter what. I could see the light of testimony and faith in her eyes. She knew the Lord. She was at peace. And I could always feel the Spirit while in her presence.
After 14 months of trial and testing, Chelsea passed away. I will always think on her with great love and admiration. She taught me how to face the unknown with total trust in the Lord. I once shared with her a quote by Elder Richard G. Scott and it remains a favorite: “Your joy in life depends upon your trust in Heavenly Father and His Holy Son Jesus Christ.” That is the key to all happiness in this life and the life to come.

Thank you Chelsea~ for setting this example! I love you. Thank you Jan~ for always teaching me!

Happy Birthday Chelsea

My Journal entry dated April 30th 1989

(I was 21 years old when I had her, the age she is today.)

"I am the mother of the most beautiful baby girl in the world! She is finally here. I left work early because I was feeling some labor pains. Decided to go get some groceries... am I crazy or what? Well, while at Smiths my water broke, so needless to say I left the store, and I called Rich to come home. Called the Dr and she said I'll meet you at the hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 p.m. got changed into a gown, got all hooked up, one monitoring the baby's heartbeat and the other monitoring contractions. An hour later at 7:00, I was only at a 2, but then contractions really began to hit. At 8:15 I knew I was getting close, they checked and I was still only at 3! I thought for sure it would be at least a 7, so I began to prepare for a long night. But around 9:45, I knew it was getting close. And at 10:27 p.m. on April 27th, 1989, Chelsea Franklin was born! The cleaned her eyes, nose, and gave her to me, she is beautiful! I am so thankful for all our blessings, Heavenly Father is really watching over us."

(This is a tradition for us. I read the kids my journal entry about the day they were born on their birthdays.)

As I reflect the day of her birth today, what I remember is her big dark beautiful eyes. The mother/child bond that happens even before birth, was even stronger as I held that beautiful girl in my arms. God's love was so evident to me, that he would send me such a choice daughter. to me! Little did I know at that moment, how much that daughter would teach me, and so many others. How she would brighten a room the moment she walked in, how she would be the best big sister, how she would work hard at whatever she did, how she would be a friend to everyone, how she would make such righteous choices, and lastly, how she would endure and trust in Heavenly Fathers will for her life.

Happy 21st birthday Chelsea~ We love you, we love you, we love you!

We are doing our best so that we can be with you again. Celebrate the day! I spent the morning in the Temple feeling close to you, and we will be getting our annual Frosty's to celebrate the day you were born. Happy Birthday my girl.

And I ditto the end of my entry 21 yrs ago, I am thankful for all our blessings, Heavenly Father is really watching over us.... and now you are too!

Prom (s) 2010

Lil Miss Mckena was lucky enough to be asked to 2 Proms this year. Last week she went with Michael to Northridge's ...

and this weekend she went with Ramon to Syracuse's...

along with this huge group of friends!

Such fun times! I love how this girl loves life and enjoys every minute. She had two of her friends stay over Friday night, then they got ready in the morning for the day date (paint balling), played all day, then came home to get ready for dinner (Timbermine) and the prom. I am a little partial, but I think she looked so beautiful, and way to grown up. She had a great time at both Proms, what a lucky girl.

19 on the 19th!

This year was TJ's lucky birthday! Turning the big 1-9 on April 19th!! We had a fun day~ it went something like this:

TJ is a huge fan of breakfast, so we started the day off at I~hop (his choice)

We then went birthday shopping. This is an area where he does not take after his dad. TJ loves to shop. But unlike the girls, who take FOREVER deciding what they want, TJ already has the color, size, store, price, etc down. He has quite the shoe fetish, so that was the first stop, Zumies. He had done his bargain shopping, because he knows we only give a certain amount for birthdays, and the shoes would have practically eaten the whole budget. So he did a price match on -line and saved himself (or I should say me, $45.00!) He then picked out some summer shorts and 2 shirts and a cover for his phone. For dinner he requested homemade Alfredo Pizza ... (so yummy and fattening!) He didn't want a cake, or even ice~cream. So non- traditional huh? Shayla's comment, "Well what about the rest of us?"

He also wouldn't let me take any pictures of him because he knew it would end up on, as he refers to it, "the stupid blog!" So we had to settle for pictures of the "stuff." ( Notice how he goes for the subtle not stand out look in his wardrobe. haha)

Happy Birthday TJ! I love you, and loved spending the day with you. You have always been a bit of a mamma's boy, despite my nagging, harassment, and mothering I do! It's all out of love.

Your Invited

Hi family and friends~

Due to some "unknown" visitors on our blog, I have decided to go private. So if you want an invite to follow the quirkiness of the Franklin Fam...l send me an email with your email address, or leave it in the comments and I will be happy to oblige. :) Have a good day!

wendy@tekcontrols.com

Quick update

Mckena and I took a trip with the Danceline to California! It was a lot of fun, quick, but fun! It was not a competition trip, just a fun trip. We left Thurs morning, and when we arrived, the girls got to go to a dance workshop. They loved it! Then Friday we went to Universal Studios. Saturday we went to the fashion district for some shopping, then Sunday we just relaxed out at the pool in the 80 degree weather before our flight left at 8:00 pm. It was soooo nice. I loved spending time with Kena boo.

Unfortunately while I was gone, I had to miss some of the "going ons" at home. On Friday, Shayla gave her speech and video for office. Friday after school they announced the winners. And... she did it again! Shayla is the 2nd Vice for SBO ~So proud of her. Saturday was also Shayla's first dance comp of the year. She had a great time, and her team danced well. They took three 2nd places. I hated not being there for her. Also, Sunday Rich spoke in church, and we had a friend farewell that day too!

I needed two of myself that weekend!