debra parker

Monthly Archives: August 2008

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and they date.

August 31, 2008 – 8:42 pm

We have come a far walk from our first date on September 24th 1994. That night we doubled with another couple. I think our meal was all of five dollars at Taco Bell. That was high stuff for some high school seniors. After our glorious tacos and nachos supreme [minus green onions] we hit the bowling alley. Ernest was a smooth mover. I will never forget him putting his hand on my leg. Holy cow. I remember that feeling so strange. Ernest Parker was touching my leg. Ernest Parker, the guy that I have known all of my school years. The guy that I absolutely hated in middle school. Yes, that Ernest Parker. Who knew that ordinary night in September would be some of the moments that would define my future.

I am so happy that all these years later we are still dating.

I promised photos & words.

We drove downtown to eat juicy burgers at Jax. The atmosphere is glorious there.

Parking is horrendous but the atmosphere is worth the wait.

God knows that I am a SUCKER for sunsets. I hardly ever see them from my new neighborhood.

Is it weird that this made me feel special? I’ll take it as an I love you from God.

I had never been to Ikea. This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I have been

stalking their catalogs for some time.

My new dream living area. I am thinking we could bust out a wall and make

this a reality. [ha. we are leasing]

Can you tell by the look on my face that I LOVED this place. There was

much nesting happening in between those walls. Dreaming of the

future is good stuff. I highly recommend it.

After Ikea we drove over to the downtown aquarium. We rode this ferris wheel 4 times.

I am so afraid of heights that even this wheel gives me the shakes. It was more fun that I could have imagined.

Even though I would not let Ernest sit on the same side as me. Hello…

the weight needed to be evenly placed. Right?

After riding the ferris wheel I was seeking ground level fun. We walked the Buffalo Bayou and talked.

Talking is good. Why is it that we go days without a REAL solid conversation.

We need to work on that.

Your turn:

What is the best date that you and your man/woman have been on? Or what is your fairy tale dream date. [mine would be the dreamy one from Pretty Woman where he flies her across the world for dinner and a play]

[these photos were shot with my Casio Exilim snap and shoot]

By debra parker | Posted in marriage | Tagged dating your husband, ferris wheel, Houston, talking | Comments (7)

the DNC and the 9 year old.

August 29, 2008 – 8:00 am

Setting: Yesterday afternoon.

Colt is home from school. The news is playing a segment advertising the Democratic National Convention. I am on the computer stalking your blogs.

[colt] Barack is speaking tonight?

[me] yes. (read: not interested, into the blogs)

[colt] are you going to watch?

[me] yes. (still not real interested. your words must have been good.)

[colt] Can you please dvr Barack speaking tonight? I want to hear what he is going to say

[me] umm. sure. (finally looking up and a bit shocked)

[colt] I want to watch it in the morning before school…

[me] alright. (read: this may be the craziest thing you have ever asked me)

Scene change: about an hour later at the dinner table with all four Parkers present.

[colt] Hey dad tonight Barack is going to speak on TV. Mom is going to watch it and dvr it for me.

[me] colt, do you know who Obama is running against?

[colt] (insert curious tone) Umm. Yao Ming?

wow.

By debra parker | Posted in For Fun | Tagged barak obama, democrats, funny | Comments (3)

neighbors = love

August 28, 2008 – 3:03 pm

You know how the bible says that we should love our neighbor like we do our own self? I am experiencing some awesome neighborly love.

listen to this.

Jenny has used her awesome skills to create a beautiful painting. She has decided to auction it off and give all the profits to our adoption. I have never met Jenny in person but let me tell you she is a friend. Go visit her and tell how sweet she is. Check out her painting and make a bid.

and this.

My physical neighbor came over today to invite us to the Friday Night football game. In the process of talking she offered to shuttle me anywhere I needed. She said that she was always home and would be happy to run me to the kids school or even walmart for that matter. What a kind woman.

and this.

Jamie wrote about our magazine sells for the adoption. She did not have to do that. She just wanted to. How awesome is she. Go over and order if you would like.

and also this.

This week I experienced one of the most uplifting calls from a friend. She lives VERY far away from me. It really did not matter this day because it was as if we were in the same room. She encouraged me to pray about a certain love that I have. God used her words to express love to me. It was good.

By debra parker | Posted in Reflection | Tagged adoption, love, neighbors | Comments (2)

dating my husband.

August 28, 2008 – 8:47 am

I was asked out on a date for tomorrow night. [insert hot date] That is what our kids call our date nights. Mom and Dad are going out on a hot date. Love it.

Here is the deal.

I am trying to think of something new to do. Let’s pass up dinner and a movie. Do you have any great ideas? I am having an issue with feeling inspired. If you live in Houston can you even suggest Restaurants and tell me what price range they are in.

If you help me gain inspiration I promise to share fun photos.

By debra parker | Posted in marriage | Tagged dating my husband, fun, Houston | Comments (9)

a birth story.

August 27, 2008 – 4:58 pm

This birth story is beautiful. Magical even.

I had the absolute honor to photograph the journey of this one sweet baby to meet his family. I am posting a few of the photos but as you can imagine the most tender I have saved for the family to view and decide who will see them.

I can’t seem to shake one thing. The beautiful birth story, that I was so excited to attend, helped fund the story of our son. With the birth of one family they are birthing into another. Life in community just amazes me.

By debra parker | Posted in Photography | Tagged a birth story, birth photography, kingwood, Texas | Comments (20)

him.

August 25, 2008 – 10:13 pm

i love this man.

By debra parker | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (1)

if you could be or do anything.

August 25, 2008 – 11:18 am

What would it be?

What is your biggest dream for the future?

I will post in a comment soon.

By debra parker | Posted in Uncategorized | Comments (20)

me. you.

August 22, 2008 – 8:05 pm

hmmm.

It is Friday night. I am vegging out watching TV in my room.

I am craving cake.

Not just any cake.

Wedding Cake. White cake with buttercream icing. Wait. Wait a minute. I mean COLD white cake with buttercream icing.

What are you doing?

Update with photos. (To understand you might want to read the comments.)

By debra parker | Posted in For Fun | Tagged me. you. | Comments (5)

free shoes. free earrings.

August 22, 2008 – 4:13 pm

That is what I got from Kohl’s.

Last week we were trying to find the last pair of school shoes for Carly. We came across a coupon for $10 off a $10 or more purchase from Kohl’s. Without hesitation we decided to make that our first shoe stop. Why not?

So we ended up finding this cute pair of “dressy” shoes for the girl. They were on sale for $6.

It ended up being an extra special trip for me because with four dollars to spend I found these amazing earrings. You cannot imagine how long it took me to spend those four free dollars. Poor Husband. He was so bored.

Speaking of school shopping…

We ordered all their clothes online this year. I waited for sales and saved about $40. I spent less this year than in any year past. Which is not usually that much. I got four pair of shoes for $37 at payless and their bogo event. Needless to say I feel accomplished. I am working hard to save all my pennies.

I sat with the kids while they pointed out what they wanted to order. They has a lot of fun making the decisions. I must say they made some good buys which surprised me a bit. This is what Colt says that he is going to wear for picture day. I think it is funny that he is thinking about that. Especially since I never order those photos. In the last year Colt’s style of clothing has changed drastically. It went from all Nike and and athletic to this style with his new chucks (actually airwalk from payless). What a kid. Did I tell you that Carly’s feet grew three sizes over the summer? Holy cow. She is one size away from me.

Tonight we have meet the teacher at the new school. I think the kids are going to love it. We also bought the last package of construction paper that we needed. It took forever to find. I can ‘t believe that I now know what sulfite construction paper is in comparison to the stuff at walmart.

Anyway.

Are your kids ready for school? Are you ready? Something that I am going to be thinking about this year… Home school… is it for us? Thoughts?