129
1
Back when I was in college, my roommates and I would spend hours entertaining ourselves by taking pictures of ourselves making all different types of faces. We’d count to 3, then make whatever face came to mind first. This was back in the day before cell phones and forward facing cameras, so seeing how these turned out was always a fun surprise. Fast forward to life with these crazies, and I love that they love to play the same game. And I still get the element of surprise because my eyes are so bad, I can’t see the camera screen from that far away before I’ve put my contacts in for the day. #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
199
2
The weather has been throwing us for a loop, as we’re not used to so much rain. ☔️ So getting out when there’s been breaks in the storm has been so good for our cooped up little souls. Especially when it means throwing rocks off of cliffs and enjoying how GREEN everything is! #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
436
16
I think this photo perfectly portrays each of their unique personalities. •Silas: “I’m going to stay back for a bit to observe and process my surroundings so I can decide how I feel about the situation and what I’m going to do about it.” •Junia: “Look at me! Look at me! Let’s all be friends and party together!” •Brontie: “Ummmm, what’s going on?” I adore how unique they each are and how their opposite personalities compliment each other so perfectly. Silas is the cautious protector to Junia and her wild ways, and Junia helps Silas let loose. They are so good for each other. #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
219
7
Happy Valentine’s Day from rainy Southern California! #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
348
24
Decade Day at school with my boy today! I’m not totally sure what decade Silas is...70’s? 80’s? But this kid can pull off any look, so who cares. My dress was my mom’s back in the 70’s, which she wore WITHOUT the leggings. And she’s taller than me. So yeah. Go Mom! Junia was supposed to be our little 80’s tagalong, but she currently has a fever and a cough, so she had to stay home with Daddy and miss the fun. We’ll have to save the leg warmers for another day 👩🏾🎤🕺🏾#silasfranklin
209
4
Junia had a little ice cream date today with her buddy Eli. Her brother tagged along, but that didn’t stop this girl from making a move. Swipe to see what caused these guys to make these faces. #junia_jebrianne #eliking
326
8
These unusually stormy Southern California days are really making us happy right now. We’re only lamenting the fact that we have just one umbrella between all of us ☔️ #junia_jebrianne
436
19
This morning Nick announced “This is the kind of weather most people stay home for, but not us.” Glad he pushes us to get outside even when it seems counterintuitive. Life’s a whole lot more fun out here. #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
369
5
Stormy morning walk! Grabbed some hot chocolate, then braved the high winds on the pier. So good to get out before the rain started dumping on us! #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
297
17
California winter ❄️☀️#silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
212
9
We took a fun family walk today before I left to head off to Atlanta for @rootedink this week. This time, my leaving was especially hard on Silas. He was tired and past bedtime when they dropped me off at the airport, so he was crying uncontrollably to see me go. Ripped my freaking heart out 💔😭. Within 10 minutes of dropping me off, he called me crying again and kept saying “I really love you” and “I really miss you”. I talked to him the whole ride home and told him soon he gets to go to bed, and he won’t feel sad anymore because he’s going to have sweet dreams. He said “yeah, I’m going to have sweet dreams about you, Mom.” 😭😭😭 Oh that boy! Meanwhile, my happy Junia was jibber jabbering in the background, very excited that I was about to fly on an airplane. Dang it, I’m going to miss them this week! #junia_jebrianne #silasfranklin
218
6
2019, here we come! #junia_jebrianne #silasfranklin
532
38
Things I want to remember about Junia this Christmas season... 1) Saying “Look mom! It’s Kissmas!” every time she saw a Christmas decoration around town 2) Decorating the tree and grabbing an ornament in each hand then running outside with delight to chuck them onto the cement just to see them explode 3) Watching some gymnasts go by in the Christmas parade then jumping into the middle of the street to do somersaults (swipe to see) 4) Attempting to Christmas shop at Target with her, only to have her take a roll of wrapping paper and swipe it across a shelf, knocking everything over 5) Announcing “Santa on a boat” to everyone all month long after we went on a boat ride with Santa 6) Her excitement over every single gift she opened This season with her was also perfection (contrary to what some of those examples might suggest 🤣) #junia_jebrianne
501
31
Things I want to remember about Silas this Christmas season... 1) Calling the needles that fell from the tree “tree hair” and collecting it all to go in the back of his dump trucks 2) Choosing to write “Jesus is with you” in every card he made 3) Teaching Junia “Jingle Bells” for them to sing while riding on the back of the bike 4)The sweet hug he gave me when he opened his new bike on Christmas morning 5)His excitement over Junia getting gifts he knew she liked 6)Wanting to leave Santa water along with milk and cookies because Santa would be thirsty during his busy night 7) Telling everyone “Santa REALLY knew what we wanted!” 8) His deeply concerned reaction when he opened a nerf gun from Santa, since we never let them play pretend guns. (Swipe to see) This season with him has felt like perfection. #silasfranklin
458
12
This has been my favorite Christmas ever. So much joy today. And now I am snuggled up on the couch watching a movie with these cuties just feeling like the luckiest mama in the world. Thank you Jesus! #junia_jebrianne #silasfranklin #christmas2018
353
1
Merry Christmas from the Kinniers! #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne #christmas2018
332
26
My kids absolutely love the @tcbandages we have! They find something on their body they need a bandage for multiple times a day just so they can use another one. I love that there is finally a bandage that recognizes diversity and matches my kids skin colors. We’ll be putting more of these in their stockings this Christmas, especially since we can easily get them last minute at Target! #trucolourbandages #bandage #diversityinhealing #silasfranklin
231
7
Santa 2018 🎅🏽 #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
419
21
Sunshine girl ☀️ #junia_jebrianne
551
35
Silas entered his gingerbread house into the Gingerbread Extravaganza contest at school today and won 1st place!! I’m so stinking proud of him and his creative mind. I helped with the construction of the pretzel part of the house, but the rest was all him! He was very quiet and timid when they announced him as the winner, but on the drive home, his excitement came out, and he told me “I really like winning.” Me too buddy, me too 😉 #silasfranklin #gingerbreadhouse
332
4
Trying to cram in all the Christmas activities before this month is over. So far, this boat ride has been the favorite, and Junia announces that she went on a boat with Santa multiple times a day. If only she would have smiled with him 🎅🏽 #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
341
9
It’s hard to not be happy with this one around ✨ #junia_jebrianne
269
12
Let’s just pretend this is a picture of Junia hugging Silas, NOT her trying to strangle him after he stole a stick from her. #reallife #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
313
10
Stormy morning walk at the ocean ⛈ #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
66
2
Today is the last day of our Black Friday Sale at @rootedink! You can still grab one of our advent activity packs in time to get them for the start of December. You can see them in detail in my story highlights. There's lots of other great stuff in the shop too that's all on sale through midnight tonight! Link in my profile 😊
449
48
I want to make a clarification on my last post about adoption. In believing God established adoption as a means of redemption, I am in no way saying there is not pain involved. I think there is space to hold a view that believes God gave us adoption as a gift while also acknowledging the deep pain and brokenness it comes from. I write from the perspective of an adoptive parent because that's the only perspective I have personal experience with. But I also write with the knowledge that I am the greatest beneficiary within the adoption triad. I am the only one who comes out of all of this without trauma. I know that there will be struggle and heartbreak along this journey of being an adoptive family, and my kids know they have a safe place to process all the hard. But I refuse to be doom and gloom about adoption. I have too much faith in God and too much hope for my kids. They are amazing and resilient, and I am in complete awe of them and their ability to overcome.
478
20
Thanksgiving 2018 🦃 Nothing but gratitude for this crew. Earlier this week, my dad was in the hospital with a pulmonary embolism, so the fact that he is home and was celebrating with us today was extra reason to be thankful ❤️ Love this family of mine!
989
128
While taking a Bible class in college and rereading the book of Matthew over again, something new dawned on me. The geneology of Jesus, which traces him back to King David and establishes his credibility as the Messiah, was done through Joseph, whom he had no biological connection to. Jesus is in the royal line of David through his earthly father who adopted him, not through a bloodline. My mind was kind of blown, as was the professor's I talked to about it. I've read more about this since then, so I know the revelation is not mine alone, but it seems to be a commonly overlooked fact. When people say that adoption wasn't part of God's plan, I get it. When God created the world, he created it perfect. And, in a perfect world, there would never be a need for adoption. But, I think it's also kind of a pointless argument, because God knew before he even created the world that it would only be perfect for a brief moment in time, and so he planned accordingly. Considering that God sent Jesus to be adopted, I think it's safe to say that adoption is and always has been a part of God's plan for the world and it's redemption. So I do tell my kids that God's plan was for them to be adopted into our family. I believe it because God made miracles happen to bring us together. This doesn't mean God caused the hardships that led to their adoptions or that our kids will never struggle with their adoption stories. It just means God is working and redeeming the brokenness, and he will be with us as we navigate all it means to be an adoptive family. Plus, this just means my kids got a little bit of a head start in learning what it means to be like Jesus 😜. #lovemakesafamily
572
26
First official school picture from the cutest little TK kid you ever did see! #silasfranklin
154
17
So excited to share these Advent Activity Packs from @rootedink with you! I poured my heart and soul into making these and am thrilled with how they turned out. You can see all the details in my stories. The back of these cards is the best part! Planning to use these to make our Christmas season a bit more intentional.
580
44
Reading through all the posts this month for Adoption Awareness Month has been a different experience for me this time around. Being in this adoption world for over 5 years now definitely doesn't make me an expert, but it has given me some time to learn and find clarity on certain issues. Some posts I've read have made me cringe for various reasons, and others have been incredibly beautiful and inspiring. I'm feeling the urge to chime in on some of the more complicated concepts around adoption. Not because I know better than other people or because I think my voice is more valuable than others who are speaking up. There are so many people from all angles of the adoption triad sharing incredible things this month, and my voice is not one of the most important of those. But, I can't seem to shake the need to articulate some of my thoughts this month in writing (because usually they are a complicated mess when they just stay in my brain). Plus, I have all these amazing new pictures to share thanks to @stevecowell_photo, and I need some words to post with them. So, all that to say, more to come.... • • #junia_jebrianne #lovemakesafamily #adoptionbuiltus #mykindredstory
239
2
Last soccer game of the season, and Silas came home with his first trophy! We had so much fun cheering him on. Can't wait for the next season! #silasfranklin #soccer #ayso
1K+
65
Today is World Adoption Day! I've been staying pretty quiet here during National Adoption Month. It's not because I don't have a lot to say. It's just that words matter a lot to me, especially with something as dear to me as this, so I want to say things right. It's a fine line to talk in a way that honors the hard while also celebrating the incredible beauty of adoption. I believe my family is worth celebrating. I believe adoption, despite it's flaws and complications, deserves to be celebrated. And most importantly, my kids deserve to know that the way we became a family is something to be proud of and also that they have the freedom to feel whatever complicated feelings might come along with it. Today, as we talked about it, their feelings were happy and uncomplicated. Silas announced at the end of the night When I grow up, I want to adopt 101 babies, then we'll need a really long limo to drive around in. So, today our family celebrates adoption. Because it made us a family and because it brought me the best dang gifts of my life. #worldadoptionday • • Family photo by our favorite @stevecowell_photo. Just got these photos today, and they are just a tad better than our failed attempts at family selfies with smiling hands 😝 (seen in stories). Can't wait to share so many more amazing photos from our shoot! #adoptionrocks #lovemakesafamily #mykindredstory #adopttogether
345
27
Halloween 2018 🎃 Silas and Junia decided pretty last minute that they both wanted to be pirates. Naturally they needed a pirate ship to share with their cousins. #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne #halloween
289
3
Silas has learned that the quicker he cooperates and smiles, the quicker the photo taking is over. Junia has not learned this skill yet and therefore prolongs this torturous experience for everyone. You can see the progression of Silas's annoyance towards her here 😝. Junia might not have it figured out, but her baby cousin sure does! #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
295
3
First costume of the day! It's career day at school, so a race car driver and a unicorn made sense. We're learning quickly that rules don't apply to Junia. Silas is going to be a pirate tonight, and he made a good case for why he technically could be a pirate when he grows up. But we went with this today instead.
185
5
Had to squeeze in one last pumpkin patch before Halloween! We only took like 800 photos today, so I'll probably be posting more tomorrow 😝. #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne #happyhalloween #pumpkinpatch
354
6
Family trip to the pumpkin patch! Going this close to Halloween means it's way too crowded, but it also means they're trying to get rid of pumpkins and we got to take home the biggest ones (opposite of the one Junia's holding). Tomorrow we'll carve. #pumpkinpatch #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
133
4
Another week, another pie. And this one was devoured entirely the same night we made it. Time for another!
148
10
Silas scored his first real legit goal today! (as in for his own team and not by accident) I'm just so stinking proud of him! He tends to be really timid on the field, but he didn't hold back today! Excuse my obnoxious mom cheering in the video. I get it from the obnoxious Grandpa you hear yelling 😝. Tonight Silas told me When I scored my goal, I just really wanted to give Junia a hug. 😭😭😭 I also put the slow motion version of the goal up because I just love how you can see his little arms go up in excitement when he scores. The real time video misses that. Okay, I'll stop gushing now. #silasfranklin #proudmom
172
3
Church may have been over for everyone else, but for these two it was just beginning. I posted this in my stories over the weekend. But I'm gonna need this right here forever too.
128
8
I'm a little bit obsessed with all of Silas's creations, and we have loved finding all sorts of fun activities to go with Room on the Broom. Also, this morning when I pulled out the playdough, I realized I didn't really have great Halloween colors. So, I made our own playdough for the first time ever. I'm not really that kind of a mom (I'm more of the store bought, make things as easy as possible kind of mom), but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was, and we all liked it better than regular playdough 🙌🏾. Also, I made a pie crust today for the pie we're going to make this afternoon, and I have a crock pot meal cooking right now. Who the heck am I??? I don't even know myself right now. (Because I'm also not the cooking, domestic type of mom either 😝) #firsttimeforeverything #silasfranklin #halloween
371
12
We all needed some new Disney ears. And every kid needs their own personalized ones, right? #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne #disneyland
231
2
We were going to go to the pumpkin patch today. But since it was 87 degrees, we opted for here instead. #californiafall
328
8
We've had a really good week that hasn't felt like total chaos. In my world of homeschooling/ having a full time job/ owning a business, that's a super good, super rare feeling. Getting to soak up so much time with these two this week without too many distractions has been so good for morale around here 🙌🏾 #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
271
12
I've set a goal to bake one pie a week with the kids during this Fall season. Today I ordered a bunch of cute pie cutters so we can get creative with designs. But we didn't want to wait for them to come, so Silas helped me hand cut some pumpkins and bats for this week's pie. Pumpkin pie felt like a good one to start with! Daddy doesn't like it, so more for the rest of us 😝 #pumpkinpie #pie
382
14
The last couple days, Junia has been waking up before the rest of the house and sneaking into Silas's room to wake him up. This usually means they are both running into our room way too early, but this morning I heard her get up and open his door, so I rushed in to try to get her out before she woke him up. But when I opened his door, they were both laying together so sweetly with their arms around each other 😭. I would have snapped a picture of the sweetness, but it was far too early for the sun to be up, so there was no light. But typing this up right here will make the mental image I have of it live on. And this picture of the two of them is pretty dang cute too. Yay for fun Fall activities like corn mazes 🌽 #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
270
8
We took our school day here today and ended the week on a high note ✨ #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
686
54
Lately, I've been getting several comments about how Silas and I look alike. I've never thought we look much alike, because he looks a whole lot like his stunning birth mom. But in some of the pictures people have commented on, I can actually see it a little bit. The funny thing is that he and I are actually A LOT alike. We like the same foods and have a major sweet tooth. We have similar temperaments. We are both opinionated but also reserved. We are super competitive and hate to lose. And we even share the same very rare blood type. I don't care if my kids look or act anything like me, but I do think our similarities are a neat little gift from God. Silas is at the age where he notices our differences and is sorting out some of what it means to be in a multiracial family like ours. Because we all look so different and not like normal families, he has to work a little harder to see our similarities, and they are very meaningful to him. So, I just think God is pretty cool to give us all these obvious things that we can easily see. Silas is a pretty awesome person to be like, so I consider myself lucky to share so much in common with him. Also, I think this is the obligatory pic you take when in Austin, right? #silasfranklin #adoptionrocks #adopttogether #austin
353
22
The San Antonio Riverwalk is 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾! We loved exploring this place and waving to the boats going by. Definitely somewhere I want to come back to and spend more time 😍. #silasfranklin #junia_jebrianne
