the last 3 weeks. (this post is long)

The last 3 weeks have been FULL, very very full! 

It all started Wednesday May 23 when my mom and little miss Maezie moo flew into Billings. Chaney and I met them at the airport and picked them up. It had been 3 LONG months since I last saw them and I was so so happy to have my mommy and little sissy in Montana with me. :) After we picked them up we headed to the doctor's office for an ultrasound, baby was healthy and wiggly. It was fun to see it again and for my mom to be there. After running some errands in Billings we drove back to the lodge (our house in Ekalaka). 

The next day the ranch had its big branding so Chaney was off to work bright and early while mom and I took our time getting ready and letting Moo sleep in. But eventually we headed over to watch the end of the branding. Thankfully we had just missed Chaney's wreck of the day, apparently his horse fell over backwards...but they were both okay. And the rest of the branding went smoothly.

Friday morning Chaney stayed home to help us get ready to go and say goodbye :( and mom, moo and I headed out for Hamilton, MT a good 9-10 hour drive. It was very hard leaving Chaney, I knew I would miss him like CRAZY! The drive was good...made lots of bathroom/food stops (travelling as a preggo and with a nursing baby will do that to ya), had a blow-out (a baby blow-out), laughed, sang praise songs and listened to christian rap, talked a ton, and just had a blast being with each other. Oh how I loved having my mom to myself...well basically haha! We made it to my cousins house in Hamilton at about 11 that night and went right to sleep.

The next day my cousin Tiffani, who is 2 months older than me, had a baby shower (she is due July 2). It was so fun to see her and her mom and her sister, Brittany. I love them all so much and it was just an extra special blessing to be able to celebrate her and her baby. 

Here are some pictures from the shower:

My mom and her cousin Debbie.
The grandma's - to - be.

Tiffani, Brittany and me. Cousins and the best of friends!

Tiffani and Blake (her baby) and me and baby Bowen. :)
The mom's-to-be.

Auntie Brittany and Aunt Moo.
The auntie's-to-be. (aren't they cute!)

sisters 

Tiffi and Moo!

Isn't she just SO cute?! I can't get over it!

Measuring Tiffani's belly...

Seriously?! adorable!

After the shower mom, moo and I headed out for Cheney, WA to stay with some of my mom's long-time friends. The drive was quick (3 1/2 hours I think). And we visited with them for awhile and then got some much needed sleep. The next morning (sunday 27) my mom and Teri went for a run and left me alone with Moo. Let's just say she wasn't very happy about it.... :/ We had breakfast with Mike and Teri and then left for the last leg of the drive, about 6 or 7 hours.

When we made it home the kids were so excited to see us. It was so good to hug and kiss them all after so long! I missed them something fierce! 

The next several days were full full full. We did random errands. Kids had school. I looked at Kole's new bike with him. Went to Luke's baseball game and practices. Played lego's with Roo. Tried to teach him how to ride a bike (he refused to learn because he "wants to stay little"). Watched movies with the family. Went to a branding with Chars, Roo and my dad. Spent some time with my best friends- Brooklyn and Sydney. Enjoyed the last PB&J. Visited for a long time with a friend from high school. Spent some time with my in-laws. Went to my mom's bible study. Hung out with Charsie and my mom. Stayed up late. And so much more, it went by so fast and so much happened that I just can't remember it all but I enjoyed every minute.

Luke before a game. I love him so much!

the kids racing. Roo is SUPER fast ;)

Roo mad because "he didn't win". (he is a little competitive. )

On Monday, June 4th, I went for a walk with Brooklyn and her sister Taylor. Sydney and her sister Whitney and my sister Charsie. :) Then later that day I walked with my friend and mentor Kim. I love spending time with her when I get the chance. That night was also baccalaureate, of which my dad spoke at. And let me tell you, he brought the word! It was a perfect message for all the seniors finishing this chapter of their life. And also very fitting for everyone else listening! God is using him in big ways and I am so proud to call him Dad!

The next couple of days were spent preparing for guests (family chaos) and graduation. Thursday and Friday aunts and cousins started arriving and so we spent a lot of time hanging out and catching up with them. 

Friday night was Kole's big night to shine. And shine he did! He was the first one to walk in at the graduation ceremony. He was recognized for top 10% of his class. Honor core. and University diploma. He was also one of six valedictorians, so he gave a speech. And was the first one to receive his diploma. All while wearing a morph suit! (I also think he had the biggest cheering section!) It was SO awesome to be able to be there and watch my little brother be recognized for all his HARD work! He has been so focused and determined and that night was finally his night to shine. He is an incredible young man and I couldn't be any more proud to be his older sister! Next year he is going to the University of Texas with a Navy scholarship and he is going to do WONDERFULLY! We are all going to miss him a ton but we are all very excited to see what God has in store for him. 

I love you Kole! :)

Proud parents. (sorry my pics aren't that great)

I love him so much!!! He's always been my best friend! 

:)

This is a morph suit. Only Kole can pull off a morph suit and cowboy boots
and be a valedictorian and future naval officer.
(he's always wanted to be a super hero and we think
this suit makes him feel like one. he's a hero in my book. Even without the suit)

my best friends and I at graduation. this picture depicts us very well.
;)

Saturday June 9th was FAMILY DAY!!! 

It was a day filled with Franke family only! And what a blessed day it was! We haven't ALL been together for quite some time, we are a very close-knit family, so being together is very important to all of us. So we set the day aside without any distractions so we could enjoy one another. The day started out with some YUMMY breakfast my mom made. After breakfast we had a family time of thanksgiving (we usually celebrate Thanksgiving day all together but the last couple years it hasn't happened, so we all said what we were thankful for, and we all had LOTS to be thankful for) and Worship. We sang worship songs and prayed. OH how blessed we are to have a family that ALL love the Lord Jesus! It blessed me bigger than words can say. I cried most of time and just thanked God for the incredible family that I have! 

When were done singing, it was GAME TIME (we have a competitive family) and oh my what fun we had!!! We played musical chairs, we had grandparents - 3 year olds playing. It was a blast and so fun to be a part of and watch. :) After several rounds of musical chairs we played bump. And for the final game we had a relay race. So we split up into teams like you do in elementary school. My mom and her 3 sisters were the team captains and they each got to pick one person at a time to be on their team. Of course, I was picked LAST! That's right dead last. (I knew it would happen though, who wants a preggo on their team ha?) The relays were complete chaos and so much fun. Of course everyone cheated. So who knows who won? but We laughed A LOT!!! 

When games were over it was lunch time! :) 

The rest of the day we all just hung out together. We were so worn out from the games it felt good to just sit and visit while the kids played and watched movies.

Sunday was family photos. Our family pictures were very out-of-date, with 22 grandkids it's hard to keep them up-to-date. So we took lots of pictures and had another big breakfast together. Then us girls went back to my parents house for a baby shower. My mom and sister put together a shower for me. Even though I just did the whole "shower" thing last year, it was such a blessing to be surrounded by women that I love and that have been an important part of my life. I am so thankful to know so many incredible women. It was a FULL house and we got lots of great stuff for baby! It was ANOTHER incredible day. 

After the shower two of the aunties and their kiddos headed home. And we cleaned up and relaxed for the rest of the evening.

Monday morning Brittany and I left for Montana. We drove all day but made great time. It was hard to leave my family :( I love them all so much leaving always makes me cry but I was more than ready to be with my hubby again. 

Getting the rest of the way home was a bit of a struggle...I ended up having to ride a bus Tuesday night at 11pm from Missoula, MT and arrived in Miles City, MT at about 9:30 wednesday morning. It was a LONG trip and not exactly how I wanted to get home but God used it and I made it home eventually. (I could talk a LOT about the whole bus experience but this post seems plenty long)

Now I am home with my man. My house is mostly back in order, Chaney doesn't do well on his own, he is a bit messy ;) and I am still worn out from the last 3 weeks but I am thankful for every moment and just feel so incredibly blessed, humbled, and filled up. 

*Thank you Thank you Thank you Jesus for such an incredible time at home with my family! God you are good and give GOOD gifts! To YOU be the glory for every moment. Amen.*

Oh and I am now 26 weeks pregnant.