tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55335933276734916132024-02-12T09:34:44.671-05:00Fransen FolliesLarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-18519935338667406852010-05-26T20:22:00.002-05:002010-05-26T22:22:14.822-05:00Preschool GraduationMonday night was Carter's graduation from preschool. It was by far, the most comical preschool graduation I have ever attended. As much as I'd like to say my son did not contribute at all to the hilarious-ness of the night, we all know that would be a bold faced lie. However, I will say as I look back on the videos, they do not do justice to how much we were laughing all night. Anyway, here you go! I hope you enjoy!
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After the Tooty Ta, I was laughing so hard I had tears running down my face. It was priceless! And something he'll never do again, I'm sure, since I can't even get him to do it at home for me!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-8113921513273062142010-05-21T15:01:00.003-05:002010-05-21T15:02:43.491-05:00SummerAs I sit here this afternoon, wondering what to do with myself as half of my family is away with friends, I find myself longing for summer. Most schools in Georgia are getting out of school this week. My kids still have a week and a half left. Britney is in Florida where the weather is hot and humid - just the way I like it. I feel the beach calling my name. Yep, I'm ready for summer.Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-78471851295926153322010-05-16T15:58:00.003-05:002010-05-16T16:04:06.757-05:00Snaggle ToothCarter lost his first tooth a couple of weeks ago.
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j-Yy8eUYj1N6QltDEM89-g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwhh5LiHgzhLfpcjomhDOrBkgsM11bOXKjJvZGzl3VKRCixLuoMp1m0kdd-qJkkndY6kwsWhYuXa1NeH68gv10jH9vW3t8ycfXLACHTNyxNt-jJBZKKoV8dZCONTrRWgx0IxIxWEQLM8/s400/DSC06796.JPG" /></a>
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He's growing up way too fast.Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-59040880588846064652010-05-11T18:01:00.002-05:002010-05-11T18:10:42.220-05:00BrilliantI can't think of a better word to describe my 8-year-old, Ashlyn. Her imagination is always running wild, and I am amazed at the games she thinks up and convinces Carter to play with her. She catches things in my conversations with Britney that I didn't even know she was listening to.
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So, I just have to share the answer she wrote on her weekly reading assessment last week. Her teacher's comment on the front, "Your #6 answer is outstanding!" prompted me to immediately turn to #6 to see what was so outstanding. The question was based on a passage they had to read about a museum and was worded like this:
<br> "Based on what you read in the passage, what would a trip to the art museum be like? Use details from the passage in your answer."
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And here is Ashlyn's brilliantly outstanding answer.
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"A trip to an art museum would be pleasant, cool and interesting because there are beautiful paintings, sculptures, and other beautiful objects. Some objects are very old. Some may be valuable. Others may have been presious to people that lived long ago."
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I was beaming with pride over her answer. She is so much smarter than I realize, and I'm so thankful her teacher took the time to point out that outstanding answer.
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But it does make me wonder what kind of comments we'll see on Carter's tests in a few years...Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-66999015906662538922010-02-23T20:29:00.002-05:002010-02-23T20:36:35.772-05:00Still No Pictures...So, I still haven't taken the camera outside to take pictures of the snow - you know because it's just so FAR. And I've been way too busy starting on yet another house project.
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Tonight I put a coat of paint on the 30th window that we've redone. That feels pretty good until I stop to think about how many more there are. And the fact that, even though it may not feel that way outside right now, spring is on the way. Which also means that all of the screens need to be painted before we put them on for the summer. Otherwise, we'll be back to 4 or 5 different colored windows on our newly painted house. Some days, it feels like the work never ends.
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But, it's not all tedious, window-related work. I'm finally working on our bedroom. I never got it done in our last house and it makes such a difference (at least to me) to have a nice relaxing place to retreat at the end of the day. Even if it means I only see it for 5 seconds before my eyes fall shut.
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So, the last few days have been full of patching cracks and holes, sanding, vacuuming, priming and more vacuuming. Oh and also finding time for more windows, cleaning the house and doing the laundry. It's no wonder I barely make it to the bed before I fall asleep at night! But, I do have to find some ways to pass the snow-filled days!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-23409414269682243992010-02-15T19:54:00.003-05:002010-02-15T20:01:04.047-05:00More SnowWe had another 5 or so inches of snow over the weekend. Combined with the howling winds, it has not been pretty! At least it was sunny today, so I wasn't too grumpy - even with the kids out of school - AGAIN!
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We're hoping to get some new pictures of all the snow tomorrow. Britney has been borrowing our neighbor's snow blower to clear the driveway, so I haven't really been out in the snow (except to get to the van in the garage!) for a couple of weeks. I think I'm oblivious to how tall the banks and drifts are now. They're just the same white stuff I see every day. Anyway, today he came in and said the piles at the end of the driveway are at least as tall as he is - if not taller!
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On top of everything, our dumb dog has run away twice this week. If anyone wants a 9 year old miniature schnauzer and can convince our kids to let you have her, she is FREE! I'm only half kidding...
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I'm coming up with some projects to make the winter go by faster. Hopefully I'll have some good befores-and-afters to show you soon!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-54378292920192273552010-02-11T12:02:00.001-05:002010-02-11T12:02:00.191-05:00Happy Birthday, Pop!Today is my dad's 65th birthday! Happy birthday, Dad! Wish we could be there to celebrate with you!!! We love you!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JUIkfcUfS2Pbv5KQjIadrA?authkey=Gv1sRgCOKWyvD57K3asQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAwSCxWU7nc0JTo-Ep-Upat0l2Y7CPwEOSJsRrNSqbl4iTkwKsQc62oot67PHdk7h6GEx5hE-luX918eOXLMoTb8cC9BBUomj6CEt5FTCf7hv3_MuhtuIUnoBJ79JkclLn5lxE3xn4_Q/s400/DSC00659.JPG" /></a>
Hey dad - just be glad it wasn't THE picture from Christmas! *wink* *wink*Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-77431474305819267742010-02-10T18:41:00.002-05:002010-02-10T19:00:34.196-05:00Back in the Saddle Again...So, after some persuading from my dearest sister ;) I'm going to try to start blogging again. I think I hit a wall late last year and just couldn't seem to go around it. Or over it. Or through it. Then the holidays hit, blah, blah, blah. Anyway, let's give it a go again.
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Christmas was a whirlwind trip to Georgia - oh yeah with a wedding and baby shower thrown in. Britney's brother got married on the 27th and then we threw a baby shower for his sister the next week. Most of the family from Minnesota was there - which was kind of weird. But not in a bad way. It was just another first - all of us visiting GA at the same time.
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Anyway, we came home just after New Year's to over 2 1/2 feet of snow on top of what we already had. There are some crazy pictures <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/larafransen/SnowDecember2009#">here</a>. Oh yeah and we've had more snow and more snow and more snow on top of that. The kids won't be done with school until the middle of June...
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We also celebrated Carter's 5th birthday in January! We let him pick his party this year and he opted for a very tame one - two friends to go with him to Chuck E. Cheese's. Being the brilliant mom that I am (with help from my most supportive husband), we picked the 3 boys up from preschool on a Monday and headed over to the mouse's house. It wasn't busy since it was a weekday and the boys were all very well-behaved. Carter had a blast and that's really all that matters. (Pictures <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/larafransen/CarterS5thBirthday?pli=1#5436768240106233186">here</a>)
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Aside from that, it's just the same ol', same ol' around here. Volunteering at the school, taking care of the family, shoveling snow...OH! Except I am in the middle of my first staging job for a friend who is putting their house up for sale - and they need it to sell quickly! So, if you know of anyone who wants to buy a nice house in rural Minnesota for a reasonable price, send the my way!!!
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Hopefully next time I'll have something a little more interesting to share. But for now, I'm actually happy to be back in the saddle again. Thanks, Pam!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-25914709092195979752009-12-09T15:46:00.002-05:002009-12-09T16:02:45.114-05:00Blizzard 2009<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JjnRTnwXJDlF_yzK0JZQ8g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90zDX5FyV_Cg7N55Slo29Tz5eFznfhPygk8Y_iN6VixEcKjsfwkBeUcYSrfxvwgZ53PokzfkEYnLEdUDwUeMN9ilKwete6LzMSXIbsg8rgHzvGhyphenhyphenrHHAdH7oxHzGuymKJy3WF7ozq2zA/s400/DSC06475.JPG" /></a>
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Here is a <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/larafransen/Blizzard2009#">link</a> to some pictures from the blizzard. It was unreal to me! All of the windows except for the ones on the north side of our house had a sheet of ice on them. You literally could not see out. It was quite unsettling for me!
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The temps have been hovering around a balmy 3 degrees all day, with 40 mph wind gusts. We all bundled up and went out in it a little while ago. Knowing we couldn't get out of the driveway if we had to was not a happy thought for me. School's out so the kids were playing while Britney and I were working.
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Hopefully this is the last blizzard for awhile and we can get to Georgia next week with no problems!!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-34634566347215821332009-12-08T20:08:00.002-05:002009-12-08T20:12:50.340-05:00Another FirstWell, just when I thought I had experienced all of the firsts of life in Minnesota, wouldn't you know there was one more. A blizzard. I would take a picture for y'all Southerners, but you wouldn't even be able to tell what you're looking at because it would just be white. We're supposed to get anywhere between 4 and 8 inches of snow between today and tomorrow with winds gusting like you wouldn't believe.
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Just to give you an idea of how bad it is, I wouldn't let Carter go with me to get Ashlyn this afternoon. And there are days in the middle of winter when I MAKE him go outside because he just gets wild cooped up in the house all day. The wind sounds like it's going to blow right through our house, and I even gave in and pulled all the drapes closed tonight because the cold radiating off the glass was just too much. I'm starting to feel a little claustrophobic!
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The good news is that the windows that we have re-done definitely seem to be making a difference! I guess that's the silver lining of a blizzard :)
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Check back in tomorrow. Maybe it'll settle down enough that I can take a picture of some good snowdrifts to give you an idea of what it's like! Until then, send warm thoughts our way!!!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-14891236121552671382009-11-10T17:24:00.002-05:002009-11-14T09:48:14.004-05:00A Sense of AccomplishmentShe did it! Ashlyn finally learned to ride her bike yesterday. It only took about 20 minutes of me really working with her for her to get it. And I didn't even lose my patience for the whole 20 minutes!! That was my accomplishment for the day :)
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Anyway, here she is in all her glory! She is so proud of herself.
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NIFu0i2nNpSuKY-fmxvHBA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiVTqvx5nrrRfl2b7LSKpNgu8TW0SjiilYbSF3RakVrL7RYzv30gb4Wt0Q_geEJ5oyPiVjbY9Lj-W5_XjAMjoFYVXmuYjCOCYSOU7eLBBLbb9SA5Q0zMIvDo_q7db3fhj5GVaaFWQtwk/s400/DSC06281.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kfl7ZFOJpN7h8Et9oZTnbw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOc-JXWGWaGQJ5rxla-5Ubf-DoWqhfg6jgsYl6E9ex4jtikETpaSLbvnkY-GboHh6VpIc_009oXIiUvkzxOYYe-fC47-a5XrYt7O-D3byqSRoSdv_l-lF1ru2SEAwGUrY3ATz2OqqpwY/s400/DSC06284.JPG" /></a>
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By the way - this is her awesome bike that someone was just going to throw away until I rescued it out of their junk pile!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-91896024134686682332009-11-08T08:59:00.002-05:002009-11-08T09:05:26.726-05:00Satan Hates SprinklesThis is my favorite blog post that I have read this week. If you've never visited the <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2009/11/satan-hates-sprinkles.html">(In)Courage</a> site, you really really should. Anyway, this is the post that was on their site this morning. I just love it and hope that I can start looking at defeat this way. Enjoy!
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Satan Hates Sprinkles
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My dad is famous for his optimism; as far as most people are concerned he is completely candy-coated. He lives out James 1:2 unlike anyone I have ever met. “Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds.” That’s my dad, joy in the face of trial.
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When I was growing up my siblings and I never had problems--we had opportunities. We didn’t have hardships--we learned lessons. We were always “better than we deserved”, “at an all time high” and super “f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c”!
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Even when joy didn’t make sense.
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As a young girl I remember a time when my dad ran for School Board re-election. I felt nervous about the outcome of the race and I recall asking my dad what he would do if he lost. He smiled his usual smile and laughed his usual laugh then said, “If I lose, you and I will go out for hot-fudge sundaes.”
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Before I was old enough to appreciate the spiritual application, I remembered how odd it was to celebrate losing.
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After all, nothing screams defeat like confetti and balloons.
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Or does it? Celebration in the midst of struggle is odd for our human nature because it can’t be attained without God. It can often be the only weapon we have that keeps us from falling.
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Our common enemy has come to “kill, steal and destroy but Christ has come to give us abundant life” John 10:10. Praise and thankfulness throw a big chink in the chain Satan specially designed to keep us down and out.
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My dad ended up losing the re-election that year, and he could have gotten angry. He could have demanded a recount. He could have scorned his opponent and vented his frustration. He could have wallowed, but he would have promptly chained himself in bitterness.
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Instead he kept his word and we went out for ice cream. In this particular situation I watched my dad rejoice rather than rant, and thanks to my dad, the joy of the Lord tastes a lot like sundaes with sprinkles on top.
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by Ginny MartynLarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-20786241044362752232009-11-07T18:40:00.002-05:002009-11-07T18:42:46.166-05:00It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!Call me crazy, but I was totally in the Christmas mood today. It was a perfectly beautiful day here in Minnesota! The sun was shining and it was in the mid-60's! Perfect Christmas weather if you ask me! I even made snickerdoodles.
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It was especially nice considering this was the date of the first snowfall last year. I don't know about you, but all I'm asking for for Christmas is more weather like this!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-3098956477512251952009-11-05T16:56:00.002-05:002009-11-05T17:21:11.132-05:00The Big RevealOur home's exterior is finally painted! It's taken two years and countless hours of phone calls to contractors who never showed up to get it done, but it's done! Britney and I decided to tackle the repairs ourselves and thanks to the help of our good friends, they really weren't all that bad.
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My job was the stucco. Britney's job was the OLD gutters :) We have what are called box gutters on our house. They're basically a wooden box lined with galvanized tin that are built into the rafter tails along the roof line. NO ONE that we called or had out to look at them had ever seen gutters like ours before. That was comforting. Anyway, Britney and Cameron did a super job on them. They're gorgeous and add so much to the character of our old girl.
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So, just in case you forgot, here's a before picture. Our house was built in 1885, heavily remodeled in the 1920s and then owned by the same family for over 40 years from the late 1940s/early 1950s until the 1990s. We were very very nervous about changing the color because the house is kind of an icon in Adrian. Everyone knows it as Doc Neely's house and EVERYONE has an opinion about it. So, here you go -
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Before
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8u_Agc8NO_lOMJ4Eu3SsWw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxyQ47rRUeLQIYiwvXrpCGVIg_KqkbTE-ELwfuobhZiGki5aXDQaBB-evCsigEoRYrJi9oUAcr-qH9IRRgtor43wnFgAAcW29kmGuZkw2U06Hu8JEbvyFNH3MpUeCXgiJEyB17beyNaA/s400/DSC05727.JPG" /></a>
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After MONTHS of agonizing over the right color to go along with our beautiful red scalloped roof, I of course ended up with the first color I picked out way back in April :) It's called Roycroft Bronze Green by Sherwin Williams. The trim is Navajo White by TruValue and the windows are (or will all eventually be) black.
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bjD_nxpFmkhmMpdxnNrzaA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QUJNb5zJCJ9NyPHZ6mh-VgKuNB_dAsAj11s4KLv9rBfY_FNVYNIrWtOLURrd5brE_yqboGMYtB9cdtCKQqMQ0F8w7nNyGfGlS0EZrc8ml-SqvKnxCkyxrcH9JOQi_EKc_6XhyRs9_og/s400/DSC06268.JPG" /></a><br>
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We love it! It was funny when we were having it painted, so many people would stop and comment on how good it looked - after just the gray primer coat went on. Then once the color went on and the front was finished, we got even more compliments. In fact we still get compliments on it almost every day.<br>
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H7VKNjBP__XO7ulqz9pJTA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBiiH_wWnnfBsYEu4IFOWqaeen2bos_u2gO7v4NWUg5NBVfN-MWIaU5IFsu1poNIscI4Vs741LY0uIh_DD7Pjr7mlihkTAfm746ewN-0drAFXFv_bnAniV04xoBOD9Nr75SJlmvfS6HE/s400/DSC06273.JPG" /></a><br>
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I think the porch is my favorite part of the whole house. I thought I wanted the trim around the front door to be cream and just the doors to be black, but the painter painted this part when I wasn't home and this is what he did. I LOVE it! When I got home and it was done, all I wanted to do was sit outside and enjoy the new "view." It was so much better than the school bus yellow one before.<br>
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jXiUiTENuqaWXPNjCCoFlQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LZPMKcDHnKzhi51FEkd8vK6zdVzZbrt-T4pw3yLzHBjUIy89oBdmEgdYygkc5CVKHj5A-CpymggcbcN9yQdwfCzDAQradSIvTgk4rl4DOJpk2c30F6gNMH6YGPG-mYkyPJnjryae6tg/s400/DSC03719.JPG" /></a><br>
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I wanted the porch ceiling to resemble those of old Southern plantation homes, but a sky blue would have looked horrible next to the green. So, we went a little more gray and used TruValue Chicken Wire. It's perfect. And I will admit that the painter was not sure at all about my color choice for the ceiling until he got it all painted. Then he actually admitted that he liked it :) It's hard to tell from the pictures, but it's kind of a blue gray. This is my favorite view out the front door (minus all the kid equipment).<br>
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gvo0BldG9usCHrorbdr5tQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Quxr-35IuLdZqp0eCO16jVBwn_lbcOxTECcwq6HRSSl1OIyTCumakhbX8kXxbt2fSBcj-jNX27nSPOD_2v1PDrEiLCM8PBR1lpod07XIdQyDgsXem_ktldZAdVnsTaW1CIxgOn-o1s/s400/DSC06275.JPG" /></a><br>
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That's one big project that we can mark off our list. Of course three more smaller projects were added to the bottom after this big one was taken care of, but hey - at least we have something pretty to look at now!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-41182138312905736592009-11-04T19:32:00.002-05:002009-11-04T19:43:46.847-05:00Recipe WednesdayHey - what d'ya know! Two days in a row. That must be some kind of streak, right?
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Anyway, I made this soup for dinner last night. I wasn't sure how it would turn out since it had been one of those afternoons and I kept running out of ingredients. Britney went to the store for me the second time :) I think he would say the soup was worth the trip! Hope you enjoy it! It's great for a chilly fall evening.
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Creamy Potato Soup
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Ingredients:<br>
3 cups diced potatoes, unpeeled<br>
1 cup sliced carrots<br>
4 tbsp. butter<br>
1/2 of a large onion, diced<br>
4 tbsp. flour<br>
2 1/2 cups milk<br>
4 cups chicken broth<br>
8 oz. cream cheese, cut into pieces<br>
Salt and pepper to taste<br>
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Directions:
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Put the potatoes, carrots, onions and chicken broth in a large pot and bring to a boil. Add pepper and salt to taste. Once boiling, reduce heat and continue to cook until vegetables are tender (about 15 minutes). In a small saute pan, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook about a minute. Slowly whisk in milk. Lower heat, add cream cheese and continue whisking until the cream cheese is incorporated. Add cream cheese mixture to the simmering vegetables. Continue to simmer on med-low heat until ready to serve.
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We topped the soup off with some grated cheese and some bacon. Delicious!
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I used red potatoes for this recipe, but the recipe says you can use either red or Yukon gold.Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-904661054163633402009-11-03T19:39:00.002-05:002009-11-03T19:46:58.092-05:00Happy Halloween!So, I guess I'm back. At least for awhile. Things here were crazy busy this fall. They still are, but I'm finding myself with a little more "free" time so I figured I should jump back into blogging.
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This year for halloween, the kids were the Cat in the Hat and a bat. Their costumes were pretty easy to make, and since it's something I like to do, I didn't mind :) Actually, making their costumes is something I plan to do until they want otherwise. Honestly, it's a bit of an ego boost when one of the neighborhood dads has to come out every year to see what my kids' costumes are. Ever since the combine, which he was still talking about at the neighborhood picnic this year.
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VU3PQwAQGqxePkoZDi6TyA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhHuyTfylG1EiyMZWmAOfFUg27IsI-JI_82laYJdLoITaJvK5CQldpQiPXgwEJOoHj2iGGZsGmvrY0606tN4AovILmZQKUTbBzyOP4jRPR9lafjCKZPm4YF5-XYfZEfFXv4JE8Yu1PLM/s400/DSC06264.JPG" /></a>
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Anyway, we only took a couple of pictures. Halloween was a whirlwind day with our friends moving to western South Dakota that day. Their kids were here playing most of the day while the parents loaded up their stuff to head out. At the last minute I decided that our porch needed to be a little festive. Ashlyn got in on the fun by making the cute spiders that we stuck in the webs.
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Now I guess it's on to planning for Thanksgiving, Christmas and our trip to Georgia!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-57035144564628690972009-09-11T08:01:00.004-05:002009-09-11T08:27:46.460-05:009/11<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A64ysXwf9KnJ_eu-hLw0Ig?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIG3V-CQ27IKXSkct_f2KHyDkVGokOSuQyvyOQrR8WRHDXXeU-E3G5NQqn-KUP2OpQNMYMQg1bG17BHviaarzO7lJfwXTaa4jDOG6jbYFu4hjlKMLtuinvr51tL4K-JuT3ypIfSwX4BI0/s400/DSC00767.JPG" /></a><br>
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I will never forget where I was 8 years ago today. I was sitting at work, pregnant with Ashlyn, when I got an email from my sister Jill saying a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. I went online looking for more information and then the guys that I worked with came pouring out of their offices and turned on the TV in the conference room. We all sat in stunned silence and watched the news coverage for the rest of the day.
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The first thing I remember thinking was, "What are we doing bringing a child into the middle of WWIII?!"
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Over the past year, Britney and I have watched several movies about that horrible day. And this summer, I finally read Lisa Beamer's book - Let's Roll - about her husband Todd's role in that day. Going through all of the emotions and thoughts of that day all over again gave me a renewed sense of gratitude for our military men and women who are still fighting for our freedom. And also how God protected some, but chose to use some so that His glory would be seen even on that dreadful day.
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All of the events of the last few weeks - thinking of Sept. 11 and our "enemies", adopting a soldier to send care packages to, reading through the Psalms and remembering how David was surrounded by his enemies and crying out to the Lord to save him - got me thinking about how my life is different today than it was 8 years ago.
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I now have two children to raise in a fallen world. I have friends with problems so great I don't even know how to begin to help them. I live in a podunk little town that would probably be one of the last places on earth to be bombed by a terrorist. I can let my kids walk down the block with no real worry that they will be taken by the child molester in the white van.
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But the true enemy is still around us every day. All of those things COULD still happen here. I'm not naive enough to think that they couldn't.
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But the Lord pressed upon me something very clearly this morning on my walk. As Christians, the battle has already been fought and won. No matter what earthly enemy we're fighting - it's done. We win.
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So, as we remember this day, let's mourn those who lost their lives, pray for those who are still fighting for our freedom, but most importantly, let's go out and fight for the ones who don't have HOPE - who don't know Jesus.
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yEri6IPAXM7QrMTq5CTU3Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9KA_JZZtcAnKQ-Fx80M-pkh6ziPD-GUuFBQMJuO4xubzGXdtQJsDfaZcfCuEMy4LP8kVZ3LGyXkohlV1Cp-S7bJWQCjFBOq-vQN-CePA3J6j9n7gzph4aXZ5KNiyPpNaVZjoNuX7oUcg/s400/DSC00762.JPG" /></a>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-21003479598326435622009-09-08T07:56:00.002-05:002009-09-08T08:06:19.239-05:00First Day of Second Grade<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u2rMeIWMgU4uEUph7FMIcw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AQ-5b3EOBIK_-m3X8ejL_KgA2lajy1s0sNx2g0t_k1OEdI8bsp4LxJdCQWmysgpv-EDUeXierL1v6UzCVAjXs3O-4Jyk2AYpZAlEEw-WsJ7qGsacS-nXMLouj2cNWcJk3j6_eAGdjRI/s400/DSC06103.JPG" /></a>
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<br>Today was Ashlyn's first day of second grade. She has grown up so much this summer. No more kisses at her locker when I drop her off. But, at least she did still need me to walk her to school this morning :) I thought I was ready for her to be independent, but now that she's actually starting to want some, I'm not sure I'm ready!
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MhSuKZstjYhaAtdWoCVwyA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEv1QDXibFP1_x8oFDh9te_NKT9jHWx3w5jxmn-TnYHRQTtXpZNo15zXk7l0itRF7YbXkySltoLEH6ANoPhAHRaDv_F7Wfio068HO_i2u4QaXBCyt8W7pxVco3TRKCNs40MJaJUbPeTk/s400/DSC06100.JPG" /></a>
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As for Carter...well, let's just say school for him starts next Monday and I think this may be the longest week of my life. He's been up since 6:45 and I don't think his mouth has stopped once. Well, maybe once to eat a couple of bites of breakfast. Did I mention he starts school Monday???Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-77388023517840427092009-09-01T20:00:00.002-05:002009-09-01T20:06:24.725-05:00Details, SchmetailsThis past weekend we took an impromptu trip to Omaha to see the airshow and go to the zoo after our painter called and said he wouldn't be able to start working on our house until the 8th. We had a great weekend doing fun family stuff. And spent one afternoon in Lincoln, Nebraska, looking at minivans I had found on Auto Trader.
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After looking at a few vans over the past few months, we just weren't finding one that was what we wanted at a price we were willing to pay. Until we got to Lincoln.
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We found a van, equipped exactly the way we wanted, the color we wanted at the exact price we said we would be willing to pay. We weren't in a pinch financially by buying the van, so we figured we'd sell the Passat as soon as we could, but weren't in a rush to do so.
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Imagine our surprise and delight when we sold it tonight - for the exact price we said we wanted for it. To the first person who came to look at it, without even advertising it. The guy who bought it works with a friend of ours right here in Adrian.
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Now, you tell me. Do you think God is in the details?Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-65921330749745273632009-08-24T11:46:00.003-05:002009-08-24T14:53:37.210-05:00Catchin' UpThis summer has been a whirlwind. We had family visit, Ashlyn and I went to Disney, we took a little trip to Okoboji, Iowa (courtesy of Britney's Uncle Doug and Aunt Kris). We went to the Sioux Falls Airshow and did some major work on our house. I finally feel like I can breathe a little and thought it would be a good time to catch up on blogging!
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/larafransen/Summer2009#">Here</a> are some random pictures of the things we did this summer. I hope you enjoy them!
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I also hope to start recipe Wednesdays back up again. And will hopefully have some awesome "before and afters" to show of some projects from the summer!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-60152274321932830202009-08-17T17:22:00.001-05:002009-08-17T17:26:06.284-05:00I Hit The Mother Load!Today the kids and I went to Sioux Falls for some shopping. I decided to hit the thrift stores since it was National Thrift Store Shopping Day. Bet you didn't know that one, did you?
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I love to shop at thrift stores. I'm not usually big on buying clothes or shoes there, but today was the exception. I found Carter 3 shirts and a pair of shorts, a pair of pants for Ashlyn, a brand new dress for me (still had the tags) and 2 pairs of boots for me. One pair I had been looking for for over 5 years!!! The other ones were just for good measure. The best part - my total! Only $22 for ALL of that! The dress alone was originally over $60 :)
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The only bummer was the $4 pair of Steve Madden boots that my feet absolutely refused to fit into. I sadly left them behind...Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-37431337202768486892009-08-13T20:24:00.003-05:002009-08-13T20:33:27.366-05:00Product ReviewTonight we froze some sweet corn so that we can have that yummy summer taste in the dead of winter when it's 20 below outside.
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The "product review" is for the new Kernel Cutter from Pampered Chef. Yes, I used to be a consultant, but that was a couple of years ago. I had a party in May and ordered this just to see if it was any good. Some of the other tools that have been tried failed miserably, and we all just went back to using good old knives.
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Not anymore! This new tool is AWESOME! I could fly through the ears of corn, my hand didn't get tired, and there wasn't nearly the waste on the cob. It was well worth the $7.50! Fabulous!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-6434816485904057282009-07-27T20:30:00.002-05:002009-07-27T20:33:15.821-05:00Out of the Mouth of BabesSo today Carter and I had a conversation that went something like this.
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Carter: "Mom, when can I watch TV?"
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Me: "When mommy's show is over, then you can watch."
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Carter: "Well, how long will that be?"
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Me: "Just a few minutes."
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Carter: "Well, how many is that?"
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Me: "You just need to learn to be patient"
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Carter: "That will take too long."
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I couldn't have said it better myself!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-85962913397626207452009-07-15T19:33:00.002-05:002009-07-15T19:40:38.337-05:00Adding Another Line to the ResumeSo, tomorrow I'm going to try my hand at stucco. Yep, stucco.
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We've been trying for over a year to have our house painted. The kicker is that before we can have it painted, there are a few things that need to be repaired. The stucco is one of them. It's not too bad - just a couple of spots where the stucco has come loose from the lath, has cracked and is starting to come off. There are 3 spots that are probably 6 square feet each. Then a couple of other smaller areas.
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Why am I doing it? Because the one thing I really really really really hate about living here is the construction industry. There's only a few months a year when it's even possible to do work on the outside of your house. So, I started back in April calling contractors, for the second year in a row. I finally found a reliable painter. But, finding someone to fix the other things has been next to impossible. I've had a few people come out and look at what we need done, but even after umpteen follow-up phone calls, no one gives me a price. We don't want to just say "come do it" and then get a bill for $10,000...
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I worked for five years in the commercial construction industry. One of my "jobs" was soliciting bids for our projects. Of course there was always a few contractors who said they would get you a price, but then failed to. But overall, the response was good. I just don't get why they don't need the work - or at least won't tell me they won't do it. They just act like you don't exist.
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OK - enough of my rant. If you think of me tomorrow, send up a couple of extra prayers - for wisdom to know what I'm doing and for patience!!!! I'll let you know how it goes. And if it goes really well, I'll even post pictures!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533593327673491613.post-28354543489153713102009-07-07T08:56:00.003-05:002009-07-10T10:55:01.875-05:00Home Again, Home Again...<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3f1ZZ_ABjbW3P0RZRghUCA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6KVsduEgrUeGUU2iieGCW5v4t4TpDdzQr5f6KsMxHOMsRBEZlJl0f_OGNCNP78NrUmZq53B3N14Qt9ZuZKxTlOtUiK5LIPYoEqseUorIcQWOgX7JG_3dKENNgXzK-GzwxPQFc8iOD5s/s400/DSC05914.JPG" /></a><br>
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Have I really been home almost a week and haven't updated yet? I think I'm in denial that we're actually home and away from family once again. This was probably the most fun trip to Disney World I have had in a very long time. Thanks, Britney, for taking such good care of Carter and letting me go on this trip! I think my <a href="http://judysupdates.blogspot.com">mom</a> said it all better than I ever could...
Ashlyn and I got back from our trip last Friday. We had such a great time and she was COMPLETELY SURPRISED! It was well worth all of the extra work to make it such a treat for her. We all laughed and cried when she saw my mom (Nana) for the first time. Ashlyn knew we were going to Disney World, but had no idea that anyone else was meeting us there.
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Here is a link to all of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/larafransen">videos</a> I took this week. Click on the "see all" link to the right of the first video - there are 6 of them!
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Here are some of the <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/larafransen/DisneyTrip200902#">pictures</a> from the trip too.
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Enjoy!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16962152765994106854noreply@blogger.com4