Category Archives: family

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Parker Time.

October 2, 2008 – 8:54 pm

I remember back when we were newby parents we would watch the traditions of more let’s say “established” families.  I remember well a certain family we were on staff with in Springfield, MO.  They were all about family.  Once a week or so they would have some sort of family time.  The mom would have garden time, workout time, and play time scheduled throughout the day for the kids and herself.  In some ways I tried to model this super mom behavior.

The home of a Student Minister is a revolving place for students to hang out.  Or so it seems.  It was glorious for us.  Our students were a huge part of our life.  We knew them as our kids and would often refer to them as so.  Because of that we watched the need to make a special time for the two that were our very own.  And Parker time was born. We called it “Parker” time just because of the plain fact that if you were not a Parker you were not going to be there.  We protected this time with our two like crazy.

Today it does not need to be hoarded as much.  No matter the name stuck.  For more years than I can count we have celebrated Parker Time on Thursday Nights.  Lately it has meant going out to dinner somewhere and chatting it up over chips and salsa.  We decided to alternate eating out and game/pizza night.  Tonight was our first pizza/game night.

All that was said so that I could ask this.

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What do you do for family time?

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For some really great ideas for all things family night go here and meet the queen of fun moms.

By debra parker | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

notice anything?

September 24, 2008 – 1:22 pm

For my 32nd Birthday Ernest surprised me with a lunch picnic, cake buying, an appointment at a day spa (hint), and dinner with my favorite four.

What do you notice is different?

By debra parker | Also posted in Reflection | Tagged , , | Comments (13)

9 days. 9 nights.

September 22, 2008 – 10:51 pm

Ike came and took our electricity for 9 days and 9 nights.  He may have come to destroy us but instead we chose to relish in our Hurrication.

Ike helped me:

meet every one of my neighbors.

have a solid week of family time.

master my skip-bo game.

enjoy the romantic flicker of candlelight.

have long intimate conversations.

laugh a lot.

find beauty in the simple things of life.

gaze at the stars.

enjoy new life.

be quiet.

share food and drink.

reach out.

enjoy life.

I enjoyed so many wow moments over the last nine days.  I wish I could tell you all about them.  Let just rest in the fact that our God is strong and good.

Visit ALL the Hurricane Ike pictures here.

By debra parker | Tagged , , | Comments (7)

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?

By debra parker | Tagged , , , , | Comments (7)

playing in the rain.

August 18, 2008 – 3:38 pm

This is what we have been doing today.  What are you doing?

By debra parker | Also posted in For Fun | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

the mom i want to be. part two.

July 31, 2008 – 3:49 pm

For set up sake.

We let the kids go to kid only pool time last night.  We figured this is a good way for them to meet some friends for school.  What nice parents we are.  We even let them stay there until 9 pm.  Of course they were the first to be picked.  O well.

Everyone is home.  Kids are changed into pj’s when all the drama begins.  I knew it would happen.  It happens every time they pass the window of their normal bedtime (8:30).  All of a sudden they are afraid of everything.  They are going to throw-up.  They start the ugly cry.  When I say they I really mean her.  Poor thing.

By this time we feel like complete crazies.  We ourselves are tired.  We do not want to deal with drama.  We just want you to go to bed.

The night in this home gets ugly.  There are strong words shared.  I don’t mean shared in a nice way either.  Carly spouts off that “we are the meanest parents ever” and “we don’t even love her”  all because we are making her lay down in bed instead of sleeping next to the toilet all night (in case of throwing up).

This is where the exchange happens.

At the point of her ugly words (she is 10 and kind of hormonal so give her a break) I would usually spout of go to bed in frustration and leave the room for her to cry her heart out.  She would be hurt.  I would be hurt.

Tonight as I listened to this go down something different rose up within me.  I thought about how I have been spouting those same HARSH statements to God.  Because of this, this, and that, “You must not even love me…”,  or “You must love her more”… and so on. It is true that I have been battling some things out with God.  He knows my heart.

As I thought of my own raging battle I also thought of the way He deals with me.  The way I should deal with her.

Carly, I love you even if you do not want to hear that right now.  I know that you know I love you.  I know you don’t believe that we are the worst parents ever.  I know that you do not mean what you said about wishing you were never born (Yes, she said this too).  I forgive your for saying these hurtful words.  I am not mad at you.  Not one bit.  I only love you.

She calms and lays her head on the pillow.

Mom, will you pray with me? (in a soft tone and tears streaming)

Amen.

::

Are you battling right now?  Bring your stuff to Him.  He is big enough.  His love is bigger and contains more grace than our little minds could begin to conceive.

(Your name), Know that I love you.  Know I made you special.  I gave you specific dreams.  I cherish your laugh.  I enjoy your words.  I know you love me.  I know your heart.  I love you, not in spite of who you are but because of who you are.  I am here.  Always.

He is good.  Actually, Better than good.

By debra parker | Also posted in Carly says, Reflection | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

and today she mowed.

July 30, 2008 – 6:01 pm

Today, I mowed the yard, front and back.  And yes, I want a medal or something.  Mowing should be outlawed in Houston for the fact that it is just too hot.  My dad has a landscaping business.  He has for many years.  How in the world does he do this every day?

I wanted to surprise Ernest with my good deed.  There was a cramp in the plan.  I had no clue how to turn on the weed eater.  I had to call.  Then the weed eater had no string.  I had to call.  Then the weed eater that had fresh green string kept turning off.  No gas.  I had to call.  Then I could not figure out how to attach the hose to our “special” weed eater gas can.  I had to call.

Surprise, Honey.

I did the nastier than nasty sweat.

Oh, and I almost forgot.  I have a show off neighbor.  Yes, I do.  While I was doing the whole trying to figure out the weed eater thing.  He and his lawn crew (I think he is a landscaper) came in and within 15 minutes completed their whole yard.  They mowed, weeded, and even took the blower for a spin.  I looked at him and in my sweetest voice said  “Show Off”.  I am most certain he heard me over all of the lawn equipment that was being used.  Wait.  Was he even looking in my direction? No.

I think I also served as comic relief for him and his crew.

Maybe comic relief could be known as one of my spiritual gifts.

At least I provided some laughter for his morning.

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In other news.

While I was glistening the nasty sweat.  Carly and Colt found a dead newborn something.  I think it is a baby squirrel.  It was so sad.  They were so sad.  They had a funeral for it and then buried it in our front flower bed.  Do you have any clue what it is?

By debra parker | Also posted in For Fun | Tagged , , , | Comments (8)

a bump in the plan.

June 30, 2008 – 12:23 pm

We are in a new place. The kids are relishing in the daily pool experience. I think I have already mentioned that on here. That is just like me. Yes, back to the reason for this post. At the pool Carly seems to make friends so easy. Extremely. Colton not so much. He is all about Mom being his friend. “Mom, PLEASE put down that book, get out of the shade, and jump into this AMAZINGLY FUN pool.” Basically stating: “Mom, I need a friend, will you be my friend?” I give in.

This is the funny part.

Carly swims up to me and details her plan. I am going to bump into that girl, you know the one who looks like she is my age, and say “Oh, I am so sorry”, (said with great zeal) “Hey what is your name?” It is so great to watch. The girl makes a plan and follows it to the end. She mostly walks away with a new lifelong (or pool day) friend. The girl is something.

Who knows maybe I will take her approach to make some new friends. Ha. Maybe that will be my first you tube video. Do you think this plan will work in the grocery store

Question of the day…

What is your approach to make new friends?

By debra parker | Also posted in Carly says | Tagged , , | Comments (5)

then and now.

June 25, 2008 – 5:32 pm

this was love at first sight

On the day you were born

My life changed forever.

c

On the day you were born

My laundry doubled.

c

On the day you were born

I was so happy.

c

On the day you were born

I counted all your toes.

c

On the day you were born

I held your little fingers.

c

On the day you were born

I watched you for hours.

c

On the day you were born

The miracle of birth amazed me.

c

On the day you were born

I was a mere Twenty-Two.

c

On the day you were born

I thought I was so old.

c

On the day you were born

I watched your daddy shine with pride.

c

On the day you were born

I thought you were worth all the pain.

c

On the day you were born

I was glad to not be pregnant anymore.

c

On the day you were born

I was proud to be your mom.

Truth is that you have grown faster than I could have ever imagined. You stand before me a young man full of life and dreams. Your silly sayings literally bring me to laughing tears. You are joy. I am amazed by your caring spirit. I watch you when you are least expecting it. Those are the exact moments that I tuck away in my memory. We are a few hours shy of your actual birth. I am thinking back to those last moments before you entered the world. We were so ready for you, our son. I have no idea what your future holds. I hope your continue to dream big and follow Christ. Our wish is to always find you running hard in the direction that he leads. I am so proud of you. Really, I am. I love you. I always will. Forever.

By debra parker | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

house.

June 24, 2008 – 5:22 pm

The kitchen.

1.  I have carried this bookshelf unit with me for the last 9 years.  I love it.  I have never used it for anything other than housing books until now.  I must say that I do enjoy this new setting for my dishes. (The dishes were purchased at Wal-Mart’s clearance aisle about four years ago.  The dining set was a hand me down gift from friends in Springfield, MO.  We painted and antiqued it.  The jars were bought at various thrift stores.)

2.  The kitchen in this sweet house has just been updated.  The back splash is slate tile which I love.

3.  This is the right side of the kitchen.  You may be noticing the lack of a fridge.  We currently own two of them but neither fit in this specific spot.  We are currently using one out in the garage.  I am going to try and sell the extra two that we have and get one brand spanking new one.  I also need to purchase some goop remover to get the sticker off the microwave.  What in the world?  Another nice feature about this home is that it came with all new appliances (minus fridge).

The family room.

1.  We almost rented a house without a fireplace and the idea made me very sad.  That is weird since I live in Houston, Texas.  I had the crosses and frame on my back patio in Abilene.  I no longer have that option so it found a new home here.  (I picked up the frame at Big Lots and painted it and the crosses were bought at Hobby Lobby)

2.  Our Entertainment Center just got a fresh coat of black paint.  I like the new look.  (This came from Mom’s house.  It use to be a small wardrobe that was transformed to hold a TV.)

3.  The door.  I posted this off center on purpose.  I just like it that way.  One note about the door- I need a peep hole.

4.  This window will be dressed soon.  The chest dates back to my middle school bedroom.  The chair on the left I picked up at a Thrift store in Springfield, MO. I think the lamp came from Dollar General or somewhere very similar.)

5.  Behind the couch if you look hard enough you can see the entry way area.  This couch is facing picture #4 and picture #2 is centered in between them on the wall.  The fireplace sits to the left back of the couch.  It is kind of out of the way.  The couch was bought 11 years ago at Star Furniture in Houston.  Since then it has transformed from the green and white checkered print to this natural colored fabric.  The pillows were either sewn by me or bought at Ross.  The coffee table/chest was bought at another thrift store in Springfield, MO.

Colt’s room.

Can we just say that this boy loves baseball.  Colt and Carly had a contest of who could keep their room the most clean at Nana’s and whoever won would get to choose their room first.  Colton won.  He got the largest room.  Lucky boy.  (The quilt was bought at Target and the bedspread was bought at Wal-Mart.  The desk we picked up at K-Mart.  The shelves we found at Wal-Mart.  The signed Jeff Bagwell bat was a gift to Ernest from a sweet student in Springfield, MO.)

If you look really close you will see a picture of a little boy dressed in a green uniform to the right side of Colt’s bed.  That is Ernest, Colt’s hero.

Carly’s room.

Fun.  We updated her bed with some teal paint.  Another sweet family from Springfield shared this hand me down bed with us.  We are still using it.  The desk was purchased at a thrift store in Springfield (do I sound like a broken record??)  The string of lights and mirror we found at Target for her 9th birthday.  The chair the one and only thing she asked for (from us) for Christmas.  The monogrammed pillow case was a gift from a fellow 1st grader who attended Carly’s first ever sleepover.  The hanging light was bought at Hobby Lobby at 1/2 price.  I think we paid $1 (for the shade).  Last but not least Harly (The American Girl Doll resting in her bed) is always close by.  Today was crazy hair day at VBS and you can see that Harly wanted to also take part in the festivities.

More to come.

By debra parker | Also posted in For Fun, house | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (14)