Elina, Adalin and I had never done a corn maze before, so that was the real reason for this trip. The weather was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a better day.
Adiana maturing
9 years ago
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Spicer's
Our good friend, Elina stayed with us the month of September and her last Saturday here we went to one of the many MI apple orchards. Spicers in one of my favorites because it has everything! You can pick all kinds of berries throughout the summer, apples in the fall. They have a corn maze, a nice kids play area and hay rides that take you out to pick the apples. Their cider and fresh doughnuts are to die for.
Elina, Adalin and I had never done a corn maze before, so that was the real reason for this trip. The weather was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a better day.
Elina, Adalin and I had never done a corn maze before, so that was the real reason for this trip. The weather was gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for a better day.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Adalin the Brave
So, Adalin's first day of school was today. It is just preschool (because she misses the cutoff for kindergarten by 2 months) but seems more like for-real school because she actually rides the bus! All who know miss Adalin know that new things to her are always very difficult to conquer. I made a bet with Adam that she wouldn't get on the bus, he bet that she would. Adalin's track record definitely predicted that I would win this bet, but I didn't! She was SO excited about riding the bus that when it finally came (20 minutes late) she just climbed right on and hardly looked back! I am so proud of her!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
It's a...
Refer to the 3rd picture for the answer to that question... :)
A 3-D image of the profile. Ok, I will just give it away now... Her arm is in front of her chin. You can see her tummy and skinny leg at the bottom. You can also see the head sutures here, on the side of her head. It looks like there are holes. Don't worry, they will close up. :)
A 3-D image of the profile. Ok, I will just give it away now... Her arm is in front of her chin. You can see her tummy and skinny leg at the bottom. You can also see the head sutures here, on the side of her head. It looks like there are holes. Don't worry, they will close up. :)
Her gender... We have seen those 3 lines many times!
Monday, August 17, 2009
A Journal Entry
This won't be the most exciting post for you all to read. I began writing on this blog a few years ago for a few important reasons. First, it is my journal. I believe that this will be a priceless record of our lives in the future for both me, my children and grandchildren... Second, it is a wonderful way to keep our family and friends updated with all that is important in our lives. Thirdly, I enjoy it!
So this is more of a journal entry... read on if you care to know Melissa a little (or a lot) better.
I have had a lot of thoughts going through my head the last few days. I think the last 3 years both Adam and I have been desensitized, in a way, to our emotions. In other words, we have been really just plugging along, trying to make it through this exam or that rotation, not really focusing on our spiritual and emotional needs. Life has been good, but life hasn't been very spontaneous or spiritual. Both of us have felt for a long time like we were in a rut, a spiritual rut. And its not like we haven't done the things that we should have been doing. We are good to our children, we try our best to serve those who need our service, we are good friends and neighbors, we read our scriptures daily and pray always. So, in short, it has been frustrating.
I have good news though. We both feel like we are coming back alive in a lot of ways. Maybe medical school has been harder on us than we realize. There hasn't really been time or energy to focus on our deeper needs and on things we enjoy. Finally, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Adam is heading toward the end of medical school. We are thinking a lot about residencies and houses that we would like to buy. We have a new baby on the way. Adalin and Kira are growing up and are wonderful girls.
Sunday was a wonderful day for me. I have been a Primary teacher for the last year, teaching the 6-7 year olds for 2 hours each Sunday. It has been difficult for me some Sundays to hardly get any spiritual revivement at all between taking care of my kids during the first hour of church and other people's kids during the last 2. For the first time in months, I heard exactly what I needed to hear during that first hour.
To put it shortly, I made some of the most crucial decisions of my life when I left for college. I left behind people I cared a lot about, a place I loved and habits that had to be broken. It was hard. I got into some very good schools like UofM and MSU that would have allowed me to stay closer to home. But when I opened that letter from BYU, I knew that was where I needed to go. It was the place I least expected myself to go. The way I lived my life then, I probably didn't deserve that prompting from the Spirit. But the Lord saved me from a life that I would have lived if I would have stayed here, a life in which I never would have been truly happy.
On Sunday two people gave talks and, without even knowing it, they confirmed that the decisions that I made years ago were the most correct and inspired of my entire life. It was an amazing experience for me, one that I needed right then. BYU is an amazing place that strengthened my entire being. From the statues on campus to the professors that were so much more than teachers, I was always reminded of the essential things in life. It is exactly what I needed. It was shortly after arriving there that I met Adam. Again, exactly what I needed. He has always strengthened me in ways that he doesn't even realize.
I feel like these song lyrics hold so true to my life:
So this is more of a journal entry... read on if you care to know Melissa a little (or a lot) better.
I have had a lot of thoughts going through my head the last few days. I think the last 3 years both Adam and I have been desensitized, in a way, to our emotions. In other words, we have been really just plugging along, trying to make it through this exam or that rotation, not really focusing on our spiritual and emotional needs. Life has been good, but life hasn't been very spontaneous or spiritual. Both of us have felt for a long time like we were in a rut, a spiritual rut. And its not like we haven't done the things that we should have been doing. We are good to our children, we try our best to serve those who need our service, we are good friends and neighbors, we read our scriptures daily and pray always. So, in short, it has been frustrating.
I have good news though. We both feel like we are coming back alive in a lot of ways. Maybe medical school has been harder on us than we realize. There hasn't really been time or energy to focus on our deeper needs and on things we enjoy. Finally, we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Adam is heading toward the end of medical school. We are thinking a lot about residencies and houses that we would like to buy. We have a new baby on the way. Adalin and Kira are growing up and are wonderful girls.
Sunday was a wonderful day for me. I have been a Primary teacher for the last year, teaching the 6-7 year olds for 2 hours each Sunday. It has been difficult for me some Sundays to hardly get any spiritual revivement at all between taking care of my kids during the first hour of church and other people's kids during the last 2. For the first time in months, I heard exactly what I needed to hear during that first hour.
To put it shortly, I made some of the most crucial decisions of my life when I left for college. I left behind people I cared a lot about, a place I loved and habits that had to be broken. It was hard. I got into some very good schools like UofM and MSU that would have allowed me to stay closer to home. But when I opened that letter from BYU, I knew that was where I needed to go. It was the place I least expected myself to go. The way I lived my life then, I probably didn't deserve that prompting from the Spirit. But the Lord saved me from a life that I would have lived if I would have stayed here, a life in which I never would have been truly happy.
On Sunday two people gave talks and, without even knowing it, they confirmed that the decisions that I made years ago were the most correct and inspired of my entire life. It was an amazing experience for me, one that I needed right then. BYU is an amazing place that strengthened my entire being. From the statues on campus to the professors that were so much more than teachers, I was always reminded of the essential things in life. It is exactly what I needed. It was shortly after arriving there that I met Adam. Again, exactly what I needed. He has always strengthened me in ways that he doesn't even realize.
I feel like these song lyrics hold so true to my life:
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true
Now I'm just rolling home
Into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you.
It is just a serene feeling, to know that God has had a plan for me all along. That the things in my life before I met and married Adam, shaped me into a person that would be perfect for him and into a person that deserves a life of spiritual richness. That He really has been beside me with every step I took, for good or bad.
I am grateful for my life, my husband, my precious children, my family, friends, talents and trials. They are all part of a grander plan that is coming true.
Monday, August 10, 2009
(Not-so-small) Smalls Falls and the Appalachian Trail
Smalls Falls is a classic Franson hot spot of Maine. Growing up, Adam's mom & dad took him and his siblings to these falls. And not just to admire the immense beauty. To cliff jump.
Adam really should write this post b/c he knows how high this ledge and that ledge is... All I know is that the one I jumped off of was high enough. It was like jumping out of a two-story window (no, it seemed higher to me actually) into a pool of water fed by a raging water fall. Intense. Not to mention the water was freezing and once you recover your sense of direction after the plunge, you have to climb back up a cliff.
It was fun, in the end. It took me quite a while to jump though. Even as a 4-year varsity swimmer, I have never liked jumping into water from anything higher than a starting block. It's a little too exhilarating, in my opinion. I am glad I did it though. Glad Adam was proud and won't feel the need to tease me b/c I was too chicken to do it. I'm also glad that I don't have to do it again any time soon. :)
The view from the bridge pictured above. This picture doesn't give the falls' size enough credit.
Adam psyching himself up to get in the freezing water. From this rock you can swim to a smaller jumping spot. We warmed up (haha, no it wasn't warm) with this mini jump.
I thought about it too much! I stood here for at least 10 minutes. The edge that I am resting my elbow on is where Adam jumped off. He would getting a running head start and fly off of there. I started with the ledge I'm standing on and then jumped off a higher one.
Adam used to jump off of this ledge but the 2 months of rain Maine had before we were there made the falls a little too wild to jump off at this spot. Can you tell?
The girlies during our mini-hike on the AT. I love this picture!
Kira found a dead dragonfly and just picked the thing up and showed it to all of us. Love it. Adalin wouldn't touch it.
Adam really should write this post b/c he knows how high this ledge and that ledge is... All I know is that the one I jumped off of was high enough. It was like jumping out of a two-story window (no, it seemed higher to me actually) into a pool of water fed by a raging water fall. Intense. Not to mention the water was freezing and once you recover your sense of direction after the plunge, you have to climb back up a cliff.
It was fun, in the end. It took me quite a while to jump though. Even as a 4-year varsity swimmer, I have never liked jumping into water from anything higher than a starting block. It's a little too exhilarating, in my opinion. I am glad I did it though. Glad Adam was proud and won't feel the need to tease me b/c I was too chicken to do it. I'm also glad that I don't have to do it again any time soon. :)
The view from the bridge pictured above. This picture doesn't give the falls' size enough credit.
Adam psyching himself up to get in the freezing water. From this rock you can swim to a smaller jumping spot. We warmed up (haha, no it wasn't warm) with this mini jump. 
I thought about it too much! I stood here for at least 10 minutes. The edge that I am resting my elbow on is where Adam jumped off. He would getting a running head start and fly off of there. I started with the ledge I'm standing on and then jumped off a higher one.
Adam used to jump off of this ledge but the 2 months of rain Maine had before we were there made the falls a little too wild to jump off at this spot. Can you tell?
The girlies during our mini-hike on the AT. I love this picture!
Kira found a dead dragonfly and just picked the thing up and showed it to all of us. Love it. Adalin wouldn't touch it. 
Monday, August 3, 2009
She's Done It
Kira is officially potty trained! (She still needs a diaper at night.) I don't know why I was so blessed, but it took a total of 1 1/2 days and she was done. No accidents since. And it has been 2 weeks. You go girl!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A Prego Update
Good news! My ultrasound 5 weeks ago showed that my due date is actually January 11th, not the 19th! That means one less week of pregnancy for me! Wahoo! That also means that I only have to wait 3 weeks for my next ultrasound, instead of 4. So in 3 weeks we will know if we are having a boy or a girl! I can also officially say that I am 16 weeks pregnant instead of 15. I like it.
A 16-week old fetus
A 16-week old fetusWednesday, July 29, 2009
Lucy, the Basenji
People walk into my house and see two small dogs that look like "a cross between a pig and a fox" and wonder, "Why this breed?"
Adam's Aunt Rosemary bred basenjis back in the day. From his aunt, Adam's family first got Mali, a red and white female basenji. Then along came Kido, the Franson's second basenji, who was black and white. Mali and Kido had puppies, one of which was Lucy, a black and white female, who was placed in a home as a young pup that wasn't able to keep her. Adam's family took Lucy back and kept her as their own. So, Adam grew up with, not one, not two, but three crazy basenjis.
I have grown to love these little dogs. When Adam and I wanted to get a dog of our own, I fought for a basenji. Mali, Kido and Lucy were an integral part in Adam's childhood. I heard too many stories about these African dogs not to want one for myself. Now I have two.
Driving around Farmington (we did that a lot when we were there), we wondered if Lucy was still alive, so we decided to stop by the family's house that Adam's parents gave her to after they retired and moved out of state. They were home and, what do you know, Lucy was there! (A little overwieght and slow-moving, but still there!) I almost cried, actually meeting one of the Franson's basenjis! I can't tell you how many stories I have heard about this dog. Meeting her was so special.
Adam's Aunt Rosemary bred basenjis back in the day. From his aunt, Adam's family first got Mali, a red and white female basenji. Then along came Kido, the Franson's second basenji, who was black and white. Mali and Kido had puppies, one of which was Lucy, a black and white female, who was placed in a home as a young pup that wasn't able to keep her. Adam's family took Lucy back and kept her as their own. So, Adam grew up with, not one, not two, but three crazy basenjis.
I have grown to love these little dogs. When Adam and I wanted to get a dog of our own, I fought for a basenji. Mali, Kido and Lucy were an integral part in Adam's childhood. I heard too many stories about these African dogs not to want one for myself. Now I have two.
Driving around Farmington (we did that a lot when we were there), we wondered if Lucy was still alive, so we decided to stop by the family's house that Adam's parents gave her to after they retired and moved out of state. They were home and, what do you know, Lucy was there! (A little overwieght and slow-moving, but still there!) I almost cried, actually meeting one of the Franson's basenjis! I can't tell you how many stories I have heard about this dog. Meeting her was so special.
Farmington, ME
The town Adam was born in and lived in until he left for BYU. It is a very sweet little town an hour or so north of Portland with plenty of nature trails, rivers and little shops to keep one busy. I really loved this place. We were able to hang around Farmington for a week. Adam did a lot of cruisin' down memory lane, where he would drive by this person's house who did this once or that store where this happened or this street where this race was ran or over this bridge that people jumped off of...
The first day we were there, driving through downtown, Adam shakes his head as if trying to wake up from a dream and says, "This is unreal! [pause] I can't believe I am here, driving my own car, with my own family." Adam hasn't been back for 7 years, and that was only for 2 weeks after being away for 3 years! It was fun for me to finally see all these places that I have heard SO much about. It was fun to see Adam on his old stomping ground.
Adam's childhood home. (above)
Where Adam's father taught English courses.
Adam worked at Pike's Farm growing up. The girls are enjoying large, ripe Pike's strawberries here. They ate them like candy! They loved the peas too!
The strawberry fields.
The health food store, where Adam's mom did some shopping.
The movie theater.
Renys! A 3-level dept. store. It is a one-stop shop, trust me. I was amazed at the variety of goods packed in this place! Rakes, rain boots, toys, food, clothing, coolers, fishing gear... you name it.
Bus #39, Adam seems to think that this is the exact bus #39 that he rode on 10+ years ago... We drove around the school yard searching for #39. It was funny.
The fitness center. Where Adam would sneak a visit with his girlfriends. :)
Adam's high school.
Jack's trading post. Just around the corner from Adam's house. The Franson kids got all their treats and sweets here, I believe.
The first day we were there, driving through downtown, Adam shakes his head as if trying to wake up from a dream and says, "This is unreal! [pause] I can't believe I am here, driving my own car, with my own family." Adam hasn't been back for 7 years, and that was only for 2 weeks after being away for 3 years! It was fun for me to finally see all these places that I have heard SO much about. It was fun to see Adam on his old stomping ground.
Adam's childhood home. (above)
Where Adam's father taught English courses.
Adam worked at Pike's Farm growing up. The girls are enjoying large, ripe Pike's strawberries here. They ate them like candy! They loved the peas too!
The strawberry fields.
The health food store, where Adam's mom did some shopping.
The movie theater.
Renys! A 3-level dept. store. It is a one-stop shop, trust me. I was amazed at the variety of goods packed in this place! Rakes, rain boots, toys, food, clothing, coolers, fishing gear... you name it.
Bus #39, Adam seems to think that this is the exact bus #39 that he rode on 10+ years ago... We drove around the school yard searching for #39. It was funny.
The fitness center. Where Adam would sneak a visit with his girlfriends. :)
Adam's high school.
Jack's trading post. Just around the corner from Adam's house. The Franson kids got all their treats and sweets here, I believe.Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Boston, MA
The second day of our vacation we stopped in Boston (on our way to Maine, our destination) to see a great friend of mine from HS, Kaileen. Kaileen is a grad student at BU and was very deserving of a visit. :)
We went to lunch at the Bell in Hand, a tavern where Paul Revere himself ate back in the day. Then we took a Boston Duck Tour... we rode on a transforming bus/truck around Boston and cruised down the Charles River all in one vehicle with an enthusiastic pirate-wannabe tour guide. Adalin is driving the boat/bus down the Charles in the picture below. It was fun, and pouring rain. I didn't get many good pics b/c of the rain. :(
I have to mention to anyone that reads this not to ever attempt to drive into Downtown Boston. It will most likely produce one of the most stressful events in a marriage, even equipped with 2 GPS's, both of which don't work when the highways spontaneously go underground. It is also very easy to hit pedestrians who jump out in front of your vehicle. Oh yeah, and Bostonians have not a clue how a 4-way stop sign is supposed to function. Besides the driving we did, Boston is a great place.
We went to lunch at the Bell in Hand, a tavern where Paul Revere himself ate back in the day. Then we took a Boston Duck Tour... we rode on a transforming bus/truck around Boston and cruised down the Charles River all in one vehicle with an enthusiastic pirate-wannabe tour guide. Adalin is driving the boat/bus down the Charles in the picture below. It was fun, and pouring rain. I didn't get many good pics b/c of the rain. :(
I have to mention to anyone that reads this not to ever attempt to drive into Downtown Boston. It will most likely produce one of the most stressful events in a marriage, even equipped with 2 GPS's, both of which don't work when the highways spontaneously go underground. It is also very easy to hit pedestrians who jump out in front of your vehicle. Oh yeah, and Bostonians have not a clue how a 4-way stop sign is supposed to function. Besides the driving we did, Boston is a great place.
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