Category Archives: project 365

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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 family | 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 family | 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, family, haiti.love, ministry | Tagged , , | Comments (5)