Franzone Family Blog

My wife and I actually had some time out a while back. After dropping the kids off with my parents we headed to one of our favorite restaurants, Bonefish Grill, and had a very nice (and quiet) meal. Afterwards we headed over to the movie theatre and watched The Dark Knight (yeah it’s been that long ago). Anyway, I’d never done this, but Aubrey insisted we get our picture made in one of those booths while we were there. It was fun of course and we had some funny pictures to take away with us. I just looked up at my whiteboard and saw them hanging there so I thought I’d share them with the world. Of course, I may be in trouble for posting these… but hey, life is short!

Here is a hilarious video from Mark Gungor on the differences between men’s and women’s brains and how their thought processes differ.

* Click through to the site if you cannot see the video

I just posted on my main (technical) blog about a giveaway that DevDad (Stay At Home Dad, Geek Style) is holding. It’s the Stay At Home Dad iMac Give-Away. Here’s a picture of the beauty below.

The interesting bit is that he has partnered with SitterCity to be able to provide this nice prize. Who is SitterCity? If you need a babysitter or petsitter you can go to the site, type in your zip code and find a listing of people who can fill the job. The site provides user feedback and ratings on their listed sitters as well as an indication of whether or not they have a background check on file. There are many details to view about potential sitters including their preferred rate, whether or not they have their own transportation, years of experience, educational background and they may also have a profile video.

If you are a sitter, for children or pets, and you need to find work in your area then this site is for you also! You will be able to register on the site and provide all of your pertinent information in your profile. Now people in your area will be able to find you, which means more jobs… and more money!

This morning I got a call from Macaroni Grill letting me know that I got the job if I was still interested.  I was shocked!  I start training on Saturday and then continue my training through next week.  I will be running food on Friday and Saturday of next week.  This comes to us with good and bad feelings as Jonathan just had a great interview in Ft. Walton and could actually have a job where he’d be commuting 2 hours each day.  I couldn’t work if that were the case and I’d have to tell Macaroni Grill about that new situation and it would be awkward, but who knows if he’s going to get that job.  We can hope.  We don’t know so I am moving ahead with Macaroni Grill just in case. Something inside is happy that with the two major restaurant closings in town (Copelands & Smokey Bones) and all the applicants that were looking for jobs that I made it to the acceptance call.  It’s just a waiting job, but I think that it was encouraging none the less.

Anyway, God is in control and He knows what needs to happen in our family right now and He always provides for our every need… abundantly and above.

Everywhere I look around… (music playing in head). Of course this is Florida that’s no big surprise. We hardly get a winter to speak of. Anyway, in celebration of the season I’ve updated the site once again with a new “springy” feel. Hope you like it!

Also included in this theme update is the ability to login directly on the front page. That’s right. You no longer have to go to that ugly WordPress login screen again… that is… if you don’t want to.

I’ve also updated my site (http://www.franzone.com) with a dark and sinister look… muahahahaha!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday season. I know that we did. It was very relaxing around here. No traveling and we only made a trip to each of our parents’ houses for Christmas.

Ragan and Gavin each got a brand new Gameboy Advance and they are putting them to very good use. I’ll say this… the car trips have been a lot less “chatty”. lol

Sorry my wife is correcting my lame grammar as I’m writing this post.

Anyway our New Year was very good too. We had a chili cook-off at Aubrey’s parents house and Aubrey was the 1st place winner! w00t for the Franzones! (Sorry had to put a little 733t speak in there in case any of my geek friends were reading this)

I also changed the site theme since it is no longer Christmas. Hope everyone has a wonderful new year and that you can stay on track with any resolutions you may have made. I know I’ve fallen off the wagon already… just the first week

Baaaaaaaaaa Humbug! LOL Just kidding. In the spirit of Christmas I found this neato theme to decorate the site with. It looks a bit more festive than the other one.

If you go to the Photo Gallery you’ll see that it’s a bit messed up though. I’ll try to get that fixed as soon as I can, but no promises.

Merry Christmas!

Well, this has been an exciting month for us as I’m sure it has been for many people. Ragan started 1st grade at Alethia Christian Academy. It is a major change from a large Kindergarden room with many “centers” and friends sitting together around tables to a smaller room, desks in a row, and no centers. She seems to really be enjoying it already though. She’s excited about the year ahead. Gavin started Preschool this month at Alethia as well. He ran to his class on the first day and told me that he loves going to school. I (Aubrey) am dealing with a changing identity with two children in school and only Avery at home, but so far, I’m enjoying this new stage. Avery continues to be such a sweet girl. At 12 weeks and 16.1 lbs she is an arm full of love. We are enjoying watching her grow and develop into an alert, observant, little baby. She loves to hear Ragan sing to her and watch Gavin as he plays with his many bugs and dinosaurs all around her. They both change their voices to a sweet high-pitched tune when they interact with her and you can tell she loves it by the way her whole body smiles in response. Both Ragan and Gavin began playing soccer for the YMCA here in town and have their first games on August 26th. We can’t wait to attend our first games. Jonathan continues to work at Smart Cop. He has started running early in the mornings and is loving the rush of adrenaline he gets from that.

We can hardly believe that Avery is already 6 weeks old! Time flew by too quickly and now our newborn baby is 12.2 lbs! Yes, we did it again…a big baby. She is such a happy little lady and we are thankful for her. She caught her first cold this past week and had to visit the Dr. Poor baby really doesn’t appreciate the saline drops and suctioning that is taking place around here. Milestones include smiling at her Daddy and I, ahh-goo sounds, blowing rasberries, a trip to the movies, and her first shower. I must say that she loves the shower.
Ragan and Gavin have been very active this Summer, although I was worried that they would be bored to death since we just had a baby, and they have done lots of fun things with friends and family…Vacation Bible School, swimming at Grahm & Grandaddy’s, the Movies (Ice Age 2 & Curious George), trips to the library & various playdates with friends. Ragan got her hair cut to her shoulders and she absolutely loves it! Her Daddy is especially pleased with his big girl’s new do. She feels so happy that Mommy is no longer working on the tangles in her hair. Gavin is really becoming more social. He asks to go places with people and is venturing out away from Mommy more. He is really growing up and becoming a polite little man. We enjoy watching him love on Avery by rubbing her hair and sniffing it so that it tickles his nose. Both of the kids love her and have been very attentive and helpful. We feel so blessed!