Happy Birthday to Emily Mitchell

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to my cousin Emily Mitchell.  

Hope you have a great day!   

Emily (Left) is pictured with her family at our Christmas Eve family party.

Franklin Family Connection: Emily Mitchell is the daughter of Tony Mitchell: who is the son of Judy Franklin Mitchell: who is the daughter of Earline Franklin Guinn: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

Christmas Day Photos 2011

Christmas Day, the Franklins -

 With my parents, Gene and Martha

Our middle son, Stephen and wife Leah and children (L to R) Sophie, Natalie, Meredith and Ethan

With my wife Cindy

Our youngest son, Brandon and his wife Rachel, and their children  Haley Grace and Charlie

Our oldest son, Joshua and his wife Janelle and their children (L to R) Brielle, Layton and Hudson

Our granddaughter Brielle in a picture with the rest of her K-5 classmates taken during Hope Christian's Christmas program.  Brielle was Mary (the first person from the left).

Video - Tebow talks with Hannity

For Christmas, I surprised my wife with her own copy of Tim Tebow's new book, "Through My Eyes". Of course, I will get to read it too :) 

I am posting Tim's interview with Sean Hannity above, and you can click to read more about this year no. 1 Christian author...
 

family photo Sunday

Christmas Day after the morning service at 
Berean Baptist Church in Lilburn, GA.  

Stephen and family from Wisconsin, Brandon and family from Florida, and my mom and dad from South Carolina.

Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Today we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord. It is hard for our human mind to fathom that God would humble himself and become a baby and then grow up to die on a cross for the sins of the world. But we know from scripture that God planned this to happen from the beginning. He spoke through Old Testament prophets that this would happen, and it happened just as He said it would. So many scriptures were fulfilled by the birth, life and death of Jesus that is hard to understand that so many people in our world today reject Christ the Savior. Let us celebrate and sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus" on this special day!

Happy Birthday to Brooklyn

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Brooklyn who turns 8 today!  

Hope you have a wonderful day. 

Baggett Family Connection:  Brooklyn is the daughter of Cindy's cousin Noel Baggett: who is the son of Kelsea Baggett: who is the son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.   

Happy Birthday to Kimberly Arthur

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" today to Kimberly Arthur. 

Hope you have a great day!  

Kimberly and her mom, Gloria, in a picture from last Christmas. 

Franklin Family Connection: Kimberly Walker Arthur is the daughter of my cousin Gloria Dorman Walker: who is the daughter of Annie Mae Franklin Dorman: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

something special took place sixty years ago

Congratulations to my mom and dad as they celebrate sixty years of marriage today!  

Happy Birthday to Miranda

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to cousin Miranda Pettit. 

Hope you have fantastic day! 

Miranda is pictured with her Mother, Dianne. 

Franklin Family Connection: Miranda is the daughter of Dianne Dorman Pettit: who is the daughter of Annie Mae Franklin Dorman: who was the daughter of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC.

Christmas Video "Somewhere In My Memory"

"Somewhere In My Memory" is one of my favorite "secular" Christmas tunes. It is from the movie "Home Alone" and was composed by John Williams. The recording on this video was published in 1992 when John Williams was the conductor of the Boston Pops. Enjoy this slideshow of pictures with lots of Christmas trees and lights "around the town." And remember, it's just 5 more days until Christmas!

Happy Birthday to Nyah

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Nyah Brown who turns 3 today! 

Hope you have a wonderful day.  

Nyah(L) is pictured with her mom (Charity) and sister Neeley.

Franklin Family Connection:  Nyah is the daughter of my cousin Jeff Brown: who is the son of Pat Franklin Brown: who is the daughter of Carrie Emily Franklin: who was the daughter of Charles C. and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

family photo Sunday

Brielle sat on Santa's lap to get a free kid's meal recently.  

Sure is a small list she's reading...:)

Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas

Hugh Martin wrote "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for the movie "Meet Me in St. Louis" back in 1944.  Years later Hugh became a Christian and wrote Christian lyrics to the same tune calling it "Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas".  Hugh died this  year. This video was recorded when he appeared with Joni Eareckson Tada on her "Joni and Friends" television show awhile back.  Click this link to read more...

Video - Spartanburg Christmas Parade

When our kids were growing up we always went to the Spartanburg Christmas Parade on the morning after Thanksgiving. Well, I guess people have to shop of "Black Friday" now, so the parade was moved to Tuesday nights in December a few years ago. Thanks to the Herald-Journal for posting this short video from December 13th.

Happy Birthday to Peyton

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Peyton Arthur, who turns 2 today!  

Hope you have a wonderful day! 

Photo taken Thanksgiving Day.

Franklin Family Connection: Peyton is the daughter of my nephew Ben Arthur: who is the son of Loretta Franklin: who is the daughter of Gene Franklin: who is the son of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

family photo Sunday

Nice Thanksgiving pose of Cindy's mom with

her brother's family taken at Susan's home. 

L-R: Winnie, Airel, Josie, and Sam 

Happy Birthday to Garrett Michau

Wishing a "Happy Birthday"  today to Allison's boy, Garrett, who turns 5 today.  Garrett (left) is pictured with his family at the reunion in AR.  

Hope you have a great day! 

Baggett Family Connection:  Garrett is the son of Cindy's cousin Allison Baggett Michau: who is the daughter of Leslie Baggett: who is the son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR. 

Happy Birthday to Amy York

Wishing a "Happy Birthday" to Cindy's cousin Amy.  

Hope you have a wonderful day!  

Picture above of Amy and her son Easton 

was taken at the reunion in Arkansas. 

Baggett Family Connection:  Amy Baggett York is the daughter of David Baggett: who is the son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR.

family photo Sunday

Our granddaughter Meredith turned 5 this week.   

We remember when she was a little Christmas baby, 

seems like only yesterday (picture above from Christmas 2005)  

They grow up so fast!  

will fall ever end???

I decided today that Spring is my favorite season after all!   I'm beginning to wonder if the leaves will ever stop falling around here!  So thankful that the city sends a truck once a week to suck up these leaves. I would hate to bag all of these up :) 

Happy Birthday to Meredith

Our granddaughter Meredith turns 5 today!  

Hope you have a wonderful day!  

Meredith (R) is pictured with her sisters Natalie and Sophie.  

Franklin Family Connection:  Meredith is the daughter of Stephen Franklin: who is the son of Tim Franklin: who is the son of Gene Franklin: who is the son of Charles C and Mattie Belle Keeter Franklin of Clifton, SC. 

Baggett Family Connection:  Meredith, the daughter of Stephen Franklin: who is the son of Cindy Baggett Franklin: who is the daughter of J.L. Baggett, Jr. : who was the son of Joe and Mildred Franks Baggett of Pine Bluff, AR. 

Tebow Time

Yep, it's officially Tebow Time - Tim Tebow is featured on the cover of the premiere issue of the NFL Magazine, December 2011 issue.  Click to read more