#359/365--Junkie

I have found a new hobby...a new addiction, if you will.  I am an oxygen junkie.  I know, I know that sounds wrong.  We come by oxygen naturally, we breathe in, we exhale...it happens automatically, our bodies keeping us alive.  That's what I mean.  I like feeling alive.  I love inhaling.  No...not the "Clinton inhale."  But that crisp, fresh air I intake on my run.  That is my newest hobby.  Running.  I'm not good at it yet, but I love it.  I woke up this morning craving the deep inhales, the panting, the shortness of breath, the cold breeze through my hair.   After my run, while I was in "cool down" mode, I took some pictures.  Of things I probably wouldn't otherwise notice...

 

#358/365--Christmas

Our Tradition...

A Want...

A Need...

Something to Wear...

Something to Read...

And Stockings...

Merry Christmas 2011

Love,

Us Franco's

#357/365--One Dozen

Happy 12th birthday to my Angel.  

...a donut--his breakfast of choice-a reminder of my dad, 

who always got donuts for us when they were visiting.

My sweet son...

Who stayed up much too late last night...

...and was grouchy today.

Who is a master at chess...

...and also wit-filled comebacks.

Who makes me smile when I'm having a bad day...

...and also when he's in trouble.

Who loves to cook...

...and is growing in his love for reading.

My youngest child...

Who tried his hand (or, foot) at soccer...

...and also Whiz Quiz.

Who wants a bulldog...

...and is best friends with the dog we currently have.

Who dreams of his future...

...and enjoys being a child.

Michael.

Whose name means, "Who is like God?"...

...and has the very heart of a servant.

Who is a comedian...

...and a sensitive, wise individual.

Who thinks he loves me more...

and, yet, knows better.

My very own Christmas present.

Who wouldn't fit under a tree...

...and is already taller than me.

Merry 12th Birthday!

And a Happy Christmas, too.

#356/365--Celebrating Michael

Whirlyball (and Laser Tag)

Fun times.  <3

#355/365--Cookie-Boy Madness

More Franco fun...

...the whole army of "cookie-boys"...

...slaughtered-by-Santa-cookie-boy...

...wannabe-Justin-Bieber-cookie-boy...

...alien-cookie-boy...

 ...missing-an-arm-sticking-his-tongue-out-at-you-for-making-fun-of-him-cookie-boy...

...missing-a-leg-and-sad-because-that-mean-cookie-boy-next-to-me-made-me-lose-my-cookie-leg-cookie-boy...

...mean-cookie-boy-smashing-another-cookie-boy's-head-because-they-got-baked-together-cookie-boys...

...normal-cookie-boys...

...now-that's-just-laugh-out-loud-funny-cookie-boy...

...maybe NOW I'm in that Christmas spirit...
((Cookies created by my precious, creative children))

#354/365--Striving...

...to get into the Holiday Spirit...

 

 ...I went Christmas/stocking stuffer shopping...

...Lauren and I baked sugar cookies, made homemade frosting, and she decorated them...

...and I even went looking at Christmas lights (forcing myself to listen to Christmas music)...

I just can't seem to find that "spirit" anywhere.

Maybe I need a visit from Christmas Past, Present, and Future?

;-)

#353/365--Christmas Lights