Category Archives: family

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the mom I want to be.

June 20, 2008 – 2:49 pm

I found this little journal entry that I wrote while the family was at Camp. I thought I would share.

Today I was the mom I want to be.

I haven’t seen this woman in a while. Her kids adore her as she is adoring them. In her eyes they can see that God made them special. In her words they find courage to try something new. Words and laughter come easy because their mom is at ease.

After a three hour road trip we arrived at our first camp of the summer. The kids are in tow. I am so glad. We have enjoyed the company of one another. In the short hours that we’ve been here the kids and I have walked to the lake to skip rocks, listened to daddy share his heart, prayed together, talked about Haiti, talked about our dreams, watched a shooting star and made a wish, ran after and caught lighting bugs, ate dinner, did cart wheels, laid on the concrete parking lot to watch for shooting stars, saw the big dipper, talked, laughed, loved.

My soul is refreshed with the slowing down of this day. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes, the thankfullness is overflowing. my cup runneth over. My soul is at rest. I praise you Father. I praise you.

You are the giver of all things. You deserve more than my measly praise. In wreckless abandon I choose you.

I love you.

Here are a few pictures from the week. Nobody Famous did a wonderful job leading worship and Ernest did a wonderful job sharing his heart.

By debra parker | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

thoughts from my front yard…

June 17, 2008 – 8:15 pm

I am sitting in my new front yard.  The grass needs a good mowing.  I’ll just go ahead and add that to my checklist.  I hear the sounds of Carly’s voice saying Hello to anyone who is passing her way.  She is desperate to make friends.  Today we ventured out to the pool for some fun.  My new “green” self decided we would walk the four short blocks to the community pool.  I must say it was a fun walk, sweat and all.  While I was sitting at the pool I began to notice some dark clouds rolling in.  Hmmm. Before I could gather together a plan there was thunder and rain.  Let’s just say that the four blocks back were not as fun.  Unless you ask the two kids that were walking with me. They.loved.it.

Our house is good.  It is definitely coming along.  There is a problem that has been battling me all week.  That problem is the left over odor of cigarette smoke.  In the ten minutes that we searched the house I did not pinpoint the smell.  I thought it to be musky from lack of air flow and renters.  I was wrong.  I have shed many tears over this problem.  I think I am a tab bit emotional. (just a tad, HA.) On the brighter side, I love my neighborhood.  They feel is warm and welcoming.  We have already met the neighbors on both sides.  This house that we have leased is very similar to my home in Abilene.  That was the seal to this deal.  I made the decision while we were at our first camp after only having been in the house for ten minutes.

If you have any suggestions for how to rid a home of cigarette smoke odor, please share.

Pictures will come soon.  As soon as I feel the smell matches the cuteness.

By debra parker | Tagged , , | Comments (8)

my new home.

June 12, 2008 – 12:03 pm

I am currently behind in everything because I am moving into my new home.  I will have pictures to share when it is presentable.  At the moment all you would see is boxes, and well, more boxes.

So if you are wondering where I am or why I have not e-mailed you back it is because I am investing in the cleanliness of my new home.  Internet should be turned on soon (I am borrowing my in-laws at the moment).

By debra parker | Comments (8)

so much.

May 27, 2008 – 9:35 pm

It seems that the minutes of the last weeks have been super busy. I really don’t mind busy if there is some down time in the midst somewhere. Our midst moments have been just as good as our other moments have been busy. Balance, I love it.

The goods.

Friday. The kids and I lived up our Friday night at the sold-out Astros game. We had a great time but missed the man in our life that makes the game even more fun. Our beloved Astros won the game. Don’t ask me to recall the score. Isn’t it enough that I remember they won? In case you want to know, our snack choices for the night included Minute Maid Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, A Big Salty Pretzel, and last but not least Baseball Peanuts.

Saturday. We loaded up in the Mazda to check out some houses. I think we totaled 5 hours in the car on this day. Our kids were just so happy crabby. We found some great options. Soon and very soon I will be sleeping in my own bed again. After our splurging on gas we opted for a night at home watching our newest release from blockbuster online, Untraceable. It was good enough to make me cover my face a few times. I love suspense movies but they push me to the edge of my comfort zone.

Sunday. After a wonderful morning at church we shared lunch with the Seays and friends at Mission Burrito. I enjoyed talking with a new friend Leslie as well as Liz while we watched our children take over the play ground. After lunch this crazy four made our way to discovery green for round two. Ernest and I lounged in the grass while the kids played hard in the fountains. It was fun to share conversation with those around us. I almost have my family talked into living downtown. I would love to take part in the free pilates class offered at discovery green. FYI…metered parking is FREE on Sundays. How great is that?

Monday. Can we say sleep in? Yes we can. I somehow conned my family into the latest photo shoot for the new blog header. I promised it would take no time at all, 30 minutes later we were done. They are so cool for allowing me those fun moments. Imagine me running back and forth from the camera to the stool we were standing all the while wearing my highest heels. I almost twisted my ankle a couple of times. It was worth it. We also relished in a fun bar-b-que with the family. My Mom, Dad, Brother and Co. came over for dinner with the extended Parker clan.

What was your weekend like?

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

Discovery Green. Oh Yes.

May 19, 2008 – 5:36 pm

Photos taken by Carly and Ernest for project 365.

After being sick all weekend it was more than good to get out and feel alive. Today was the perfect day for getting out. One thing to know about this family is that we love a good park. There has been a lot of buzz going on about the newest Houston Discovery Green Park. Let me tell you that this park is buzz worthy. It has all the styling for a wonderful day. The kids were absolutely happy about the play center and water area. We made notes of the fun water area…next time they MUST WEAR THEIR SUITS. While enjoying lunch I even decided to text Liz for a quick let’s plan to bring the kids here this summer. It is the perfect place for mom’s to come hang out while their kids run and play. That seems crazy since it sits in the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Side thought.

It never fails that each time I spend any amount of time downtown I want to move there. Am I crazy? I love my ordinary suburban life but downtown life calls to me. At least I think it does. Colt and Ernest would love being so close to the Astros. I think it would be fun to invest in some bikes and and stop using the Mazda so much. Are there places to shop for fresh food and fruits downtown? within walking distance? I would love that. I also could handle living in a quaint loft. One big happy close family. We would definitely have to visit parks a lot but HELLO when you have parks like Discovery Green that would be amazing.

I don’t know.

Maybe we will retire in a downtown loft somewhere. Hmm. Or maybe on a beach.

So.

If you could live anywhere where would it be?

By debra parker | Also posted in project 365 | Tagged , | Comments (3)

project 365 {2}

May 14, 2008 – 8:49 pm

My day is usually pretty mundane until I pick up two of the funniest people I know.  They seriously add spice to life.  You can see by there excited eyes that they have stories to share.  With Carly there is always some drama to unfold and with Colt there is a story of how he hung out with (insert name here) on the playground.  The girl is desperate for her parents to give in and let her become the girlfriend of one certain Justin.  From her lips to everyones ears “He is the cutest boy in school”.  Her parents are sticking to their guns.  Well really I have never even touched a gun but the statement seemed fitting.  She has gone as far to use the line “everyone else in fourth grade has a boyfriend” and then I proceeded with the all to familiar response. I won’t even bother to share because I think we have all heard it.

In some ways these days seemed like they would never arrive.  It felt like I was going to be potty training forever.  At the moment I have decided to relish the minutes in carpool line.  For 15 minutes these two share the most exciting happenings of their day with none other than me.  When I drive the car around their smiles grow and as soon the door opens I begin to hear the chatter.  Priceless.  I guess you could say that carpool is the best and craziest part of my day.  Crazy because my quiet calm self becomes less than calm in an instant.  The best because I would have it no other way.

the joys of the carpool line

By debra parker | Also posted in project 365 | Tagged , | Comments (1)

project 365

May 13, 2008 – 3:34 pm

So I have decided to take on a new project. I have been watching people play this out on flickr and have honestly admired them for doing it. I think it is the right time for me to tackle it. If you want to play along that would be great fun. You can find more information and ideas from here. I plan to capture an image of myself, my kids, my husband, and or life for the next 365 days. I am all about documenting moments and letting more spill over than I probably should. That is just me.

project 365: day one

As you can see from project 365: day one my mind is still full of thoughts + emotions to process from my time in Haiti. This is the couch that becomes my office from the hours of 9-3:30 each day. I realized that the last two days I have been doing alot of this starring off into the distance. It seems my mind is just rolling through all the images I have seen and the places they fell in my heart. I am trying so hard to hold onto each one. I do not want to forget one small minute but I know that is bound to happen. I am sure it already has.

Yesterday I walked into Wal-Mart and the first thing I noticed was a large display of Goldfish crackers. Noah, one fun and spunky Livesays, carried around a box of goldfish crackers just like that one. The silly connection made me smile and share the news with Ernest. I went on to talk up fun stories of Noah and the other Livesay children (seriously great kids). I miss Haiti. I miss all the people there.

There is a brush in the bathroom that no one uses. I have no idea why it is there. Every time I come across it I remember Haiti. On the handle is the word belle. Belle is the creole word for pretty or beautiful. I used that word many times in my seven days in Haiti. Each time I would snap a picture of a Haitian girl I would turn the camera around to show her the image. The same thing would happen each time. She would see with her own eyes how beautiful she was. Her eyes would light up and soon a huge smile would be held on her face. I had the awesome privilege to look into her eyes and assure her that I saw the same thing…belle.

The days have been full since I have been home. Ernest started a 2nd shift job last night. This is a blessing all on it’s own. He will work there until his funds are raised with AIM. This is the same company he worked for while he was in college here in Houston. They remembered him and decided to re-hire him for this period of time. He just started an already worked out all the time off he needed for camps and other speaking engagements that he has scheduled. Only God. They are also fully aware of his short term agreement with them. Awesome. Ernest is so excited about all the opportunities that lay before him. AIM is wonderful as well as working with Chris to begin a Youth Ministry at our church. I am proud to be the wife of my blue collar preacher man.

By debra parker | Also posted in Reflection, haiti.love, ministry, project 365 | Tagged , , | Comments (5)

Memory Keeper.

May 10, 2008 – 11:06 pm

Mom.

I have been searching for the right words to say that could possibly express my love for you.  It is huge.  Your strength overwhelms those who sit in watch of you.  How do you do it?  You have taught me with simpleness to love others more than I do myself.  I try to live that way.  I see you do it with ease.  Your sincerity pushes me to strive harder and love more.  I know that your love for me is unconditional.  After being a mom I understand the deep well of love one has for her children.  It is a beautiful thing.  I am honored to experience it.

You know full well my desire to adopt.  I believe that desire was transplanted from one baby lover to her other.  You know I love to hear the stories of my adoption and birth process.  It seems that I ask endless questions.  Every time that our conversation turns to this subject I feel something rise in me to squeeze every bit of information.  In your heart is where my story is kept for safekeeping.  I find much safety and security in that.

Today as we cooked together there were so many things I wanted to say.  I didn’t say them.  I love you mom.  I love you more than you know.  I respect you.  You are strong.  Your heart for God and your dedication to Church has made a lasting impression on your baby girl.  I watched you learn to read by studying your bible while listening to your KJV audio tapes.  I remember that on Sunday mornings you would sing your favorite hymns while getting ready for service.  Do you still do that?  I can recall a vivid picture of this in my mind.  You are wearing a light robe standing in the kitchen.  A light silhouette  from the window is creating your shape.  Your hair is in curlers and a sweet look is resting on your face.  The singing that can only come from your mouth is whispering an old song.  I will treasure this always.

Thank you mom for loving me.  Thank you for growing me.

I adore you.

always.

Debbie

By debra parker | Also posted in adoption | Tagged , | Comments (1)