Miss Syracuse Royalty

Mckena competed in the Miss Syracuse Pageant Sat Night and was crowned 1st attendant. It was a very fun and rewarding experience for her. She had to have an interview with judges in the morning, and then the evening pageant consisted of swimsuit competition, talent, and then evening wear. She also had an onstage question that she needed to answer. She did a great job and we are so very proud of her.

Miss Syracuse 2011

Queen~ Carly Hawker ~ red dress

1st Attendant~ Mckena Franklin ~ Blue

2nd Attendant~ Jaylen Hernandez ~Pink

Heart of Syracuse~ Haley Hunsaker~ Yellow

Outstanding Teen 2011

Queen~ Emily George~ Purple

1st~ Logan Harker~ plum

2nd~ Janci Hamblin~ maroon

Spirit of Syracuse~ Misty Yamane~ Red

also in the picture Marti Skold (she was the emcee for the pageant) along with Bailey Johnson, (Miss Syracuse 2010) and Macee Bone ( Bailey's little miss)

Mckena won $2500 in scholarship money along with some other fun gifts, so it was well worth it! She is already talking about doing it again next year... really, can my nerves handle that again?

Memorial Day

We loved seeing all the "PINK" in remembrance of our dear Chelsea. We took flowers and butterflies (thanks Angie) and sat and thought about our daughter and sister. We still miss her every day, but we feel like understanding and tender mercies are becoming more clear.

We decided to spend the day in Salt Lake. We went to see the Joseph Smith movie "THE RESTORATION" at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Amazing! I have seen it before, but it was just as good the second go around. It is a real testimony builder. Then just for fun, we walked around beautiful Temple Square. We told the girls we stood in this very spot 22 years ago on our wedding day, and for them to set the goal of standing there on their wedding day. Although neither one of them plan on getting married in the SL Temple. Shay has her eyes set on San Diego, and Mckena is leaning to Bountiful. They still have a few years to decide :)

Families are Forever.. and this shall be my JOY!

Just what we needed!

Saturday morning at the Bountiful Temple. Nothing but pure joy and hope found here!

FINALLY!!!

So if it hasn't been a big enough week already~ we thought we might add just a little more excitement! Friday night was Shayla's last dance solo competition. She competed advanced this year which proved to be a difficult level! She has danced well, but has come up short of taking 1st. That is until Friday when the judges awarded her First Place! She was thrilled to end the year on a positive note!

"Our 1st place Shay"

But before that on Thursday, April 28th, after 5 years, yes that is not a typo, 5 years of waiting, 2 surgeries and lots of patience, Mckena finally got her braces off!

Before.....

...and after!

Beautiful! I would highly recommend Dr. Bret Coleman. We love him and his whole staff! About a year into Mckena's treatment is when Chelsea was hurt, and Dr Coleman graciously wrote off the remainder of our balance. What a true act of kindness. :) We are forever grateful to him for that. It was a great blessing.

Also on Friday, I got a surprise call from Elder Franklin! President Holzapfel just wanted them to call home and let parents know that all was well with them from all the disaster that has hit. It was so great to hear his voice. He is well, and once again we feel blessed.

Saturday was the day we refer to as Chelsea's Angel Day. Four years ago on April 30th, 2007 was the day she returned to Heavenly Father. The day brings both memories of good and bad. But we had something to help keep our thoughts good. Sat was also Shayla's team dance comp. We had to be at Taylorsville High by 9:00 a.m. and we were there until 9:30 p.m.! Yikes... such a long day. But her team danced well, they took a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place. I am so proud of my teams, they took all three 1st places! WOO HOO :)

Then last but not least, Mckena received her Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday after our Stake Conference. I have wanted her to get it for awhile now, but she didn't feel ready. I am proud of her for waiting and doing it when SHE wanted to. That has proved to be one of the more spiritual experiences for me as a mother. To be able to hear the blessing specifically to my children, directly from our loving Heavenly Father.

It was beautiful and I have to share: the moment Patriarch Doney began, I physically felt angels enter the room, and I know one of them had to be Chelsea. So grateful for those sacred tender mercies.

And after a week like that...... we all took a long Sunday nap!

Angels Among Us ~April 27th

Tornados all over Alabama and Mississippi, but thankfully for now all missionaries are safe and accounted for. The closest one to Elder Franklin was about 59 miles away. Some Elders have been moved to safer areas. We are so thankful that he is safe! President Holzapfel is keeping us updated about every 6 hours. He is wonderful and doing all he can to take care of those in his charge.

Also, Mckena and Shayla tried out on for the Syracuse High Dance Line. I am happy to report that they both made it! Mckena was chosen as President. They drew numbers to find out what order they would tryout with. Shay drew #18 and Mckena drew #2o which put them in the same group! What are the chances of that? They are both excited to spend next year dancing and spending choice time together.

And also today was our dear Chelsea's birthday. We can't help but feel her love and watchful care as she was with all of us today in one way or another. We had so many wonderful friends and family members remember her this day and that means the world to us!
For a day that started out very emotional and rough, we ended the day knowing that there truly are angels among us, in more ways than one!