Valentine's photos

Hello folks! even though it is 4 days after Valentine's day I wanted to share some picture with y'all. Since the 14th was on Sunday Aaron invited me to dinner with him and his sweet parents on Thursday.  It was a surprise dinner and Havi took it upon herself to dress me up and get me ready.

Holding a rose that Aaron brought me :) 

Havi also took LOTS of pictures for us before we headed out.

What can I say....I LOVE this picture! God has been so good to me and I'm amazed at the work He has done in my life in the last 2 years and particularly in bringing such a godly young man into my life.

Dancing on the "lawn"

As I look back on this very special day I can't help but consider the love of God....John 15:13 tells us, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" and God manifested this love in sending His only Son to die in our place.  I see God's love poured out in my own life in the fact that He brought me back to Himself after years of rebellion and darkness, in how He brought me and my family together, in how He placed us at Grace Reformed Baptist Church and in how (in His own perfect time) He brought Aaron into my life in such a special way.

 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: "Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,  does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails." 

Hiking at Table Rock

Monday was MLK day therefore I had my first day off from school! The Gardners invited me to join them on a hike at Table Rock and we had such a good time fellowshipping and enjoying God's creation. 

The view form the "half-way overlook."

Taking a break after that strenuous walk lol

Hannah, Parker, Aaron and I.  Had fun spending time with each of them! 

Aaron and I

All in all it was such a fun day. Thank you so much for inviting me y'all!

2 weeks (in pictures)

Have you ever felt like you get everything done - just to have to re-do it again? I know I have felt that way sometimes with house work or cleaning and cooking etc.  Well after my sewing/workroom day I was donated several bags of clothing and the process began again! Thankfully it wasn't nearly as much as last time so my sewing day was somewhat shorter. 

Project #1: The blue and brown skirt

Problem: Though the print was nice it just wasn't my style.

Solution: Chop off the waistband, hem the raw edge and convert it into a cute infinity scarf

Project #2: The blue and pink ponchos

Problem: I loved the color and details and thought it was a scarf....what a disappointment to find out it was actually a poncho!

Solution: Cut a straight seam down and make it a scarf.

Project #3: The orange blouse

Problem: Loved the feel and color, but just didn't like how it looked on me.

Solution: Cut off the sleeves, hem the neckline and make it a jewel necked blouse.

Besides workdays I also spent quite a bit of time with my siblings (I'll explain why in a minute) 

and this is what occurs when you get a bunch of Franco's together for an extended period of time!

Girlies

Typical us

Trying out the new AR!

Uhm....what can I say? LOL

"Alvina, Simon and Theodora" Maybe?

Boys

Love these guys

......boys. 'nuff said!

Havi and I

The chillens and I.

I was blessed to spend time with the kids before tackling the next project. Besides taking loads of crazy random pictures with my siblings I began acquiring notebooks, binders, pencils, highlighters, textbooks etc.

And drawing several notebook covers.

And you might ask what all this prep was for......WELL......because as of a week ago.....this girl is a college student enrolled in Culinary School!!!!

So needless to say my life has taken quite a change in 2016.  So far it has been quite fun and adventurous and I look forward to learning the ins and outs of chef life. However, I do covert your prayers as I am at school, there are many unbelievers surrounding me and I pray that I will be strong in the faith and a bright light to my teachers and fellow students. 

On a different note Friday evening the Gardner kids and us Franco kids went out for a evening of bowling and boy did we have fun! I think its safe to say that we are NOT experts but we had a blast anyway!

The whole crew.....God has truly blessed us with such sweet friends!

So there you have it folks....hope you've enjoyed a glimpse into my life as of late :)

A day in the workroom

At the start of this week I set myself the task of cleaning out my room - drawers, attic, shelves......all of it! In the course of my "new-year" cleaning spree I realized that my craft/mending/refashion pile was almost as tall as me!--granted that's not that tall, but still! I had been accumulating clothes that I liked but that didn't fit right....or  just needed fixing and I kept telling myself "I'll get around to it." Well to start the new year with a clean slate I got around to it today and spent all day in my workroom. 

Project #1: The green striped dress

Problem: Too short 

Solution: Add a ruffle 

Project #2: The sequined top with bolero jacket

Problem: Those sleeves looked like wings!

Solution: Take the sleeves in under the arm.

Project #3: The pink blouse

Problem: Sleeves were way too big under the arm.

Solution: Take the sleeves in under the arm.

Project #4: The striped top

Problem: A dress that was too short and too tight.

Solution: Chop off the bottom and make it an asymmetrical top.

Project #5: The white blouse.

Problem: Way too long

Solution: chop off some of the bottom and re-hem.

Project #6: The maxi dress

Problem: Un-flattering and somewhat dated

Solution: Chop off the top and make it a maxi skirt.

Project #7: The blue skirt

Problem: Cute but just not quite my style.

Solution: cut off the top and add elastic to make a shorter "cowgirl" skirt.

Project #8: The plaid skirt.

Problem: Waist was too big.

Solution: Add a couple darts in the waist.

Project #9: The OBX shirt

Problem: It was HUGE!

Solution: Take in about 3 inches in the back then gather it and wrap a band around the seam to form a bow in the back (and simultaneously hide the seam) 

There were a few other items which ended up in the trash bin because I either didn't like the way they turned out or I didn't love them enough to put that much work into them.  I also fixed up a few jean skirts and a skirt for Havi. So that was my day in the workroom, just remember "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" before pitching clothes! 

A Special Project

I have been wanting a trunk/chest to keep my special treasures in for some time but just haven't really gotten around to getting it. So when Havi asked me what I would like for Christmas I didn't really think much of it and said "oh a trunk that I can personalize." Little did I know that Havi was in cahoots with Aaron to find out something I would like for Christmas and lo and behold his gift to me was a wooden trunk full of goodies! I've made a couple personalized wooden boxes before so I was excited to try and personalize my new trunk.

So here is the trunk.....I measured the sides and mentally planned what I wanted it to look like and then set to work cutting tracing paper to size, experimenting with fonts and designs, and then putting it all together.

And here is the finished product!!! We had a few wrinkles (pun definitely intended lol) but all in all I am very happy with how it turned out!

"Trust in the Lord with all you heart...In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight" 

The side has a flowering vine with a sun rising in the back. 

I had so much fun with this project and can't wait to fill up this trunk with special trinkets and special memories! :)