Date for the future – Stephen and Jodi Parker Family

Priceless!

When I started dating boys at the age of 16 I hate to admit I didn't take enough time to realize the large impact it would have on the future of my children. Luckily, I had nice boys to choose from – my favorite, obviously, a certain handsome boy named Stephen Parker with rippling muscles :), a permanent smile, and perfect hug. As I dated him it became apparent that he loved to play hard, work hard, and serve with ease. I liked all of that and was very impressed. As the days, months, then years went on that I got to be his good friend, another fact stood out – this boy would always be young at heart!

Taking these thoughts into consideration and weighing in this past father's day – I have determined that Alexis, Mason, Lily, Olivia, and JT have won the father lottery! Without pulling out a list of itemized questions or a detailed examination of credentials while dating, I was lucky (ok blessed!) enough to be able to marry this boy and witness him turn into an AMAZING father to my five children.

A father who teaches the gospel by word and deed. (Gives delightful parables as he guides them through life and then practices what he preaches)

A father who is never too old to play or take time to show support to his children. (Sand Dunes Friday & Zoo Saturday)

A father who works alongside his children. (they washed all of the windows on Saturday!)

A father who loves the mother of his children. (I get lots of TLC and XxOos ad I love yous)

A father who eats Mexican! (We took him to dinner @ Plum Loco Saturday night)

Moral of the story: pray hard, read your scriptures, and live as good as you can so that Heavenly Father will guide you to date and choose a worthy companion who will in turn be the very important parent of your children.

look at the size of that mallow!	one of the kids	another “heaven on earth” moment for Stephen
		Play hard kids you only live once
Maybe Lex learned her cheerleading moves from him?	good times with good friends
Mason rarely smiles when I shoot a candid camera at him – this one of the few!	Alexis is such a nut	The aquarium is ALWAYS a hit until the chips and salsa appear!
Olivia always asks me to take her picture.	YIPPEE!	“Heaven on Earth” Quote from Stephen Saturday night
Cutie!	THE dad	Funny Story! Olivia pulled a string on Stephen’s pants during sacrament meeting and just kept pulling until THIS is what Stephen looked like at the end of sacrament meeting! He escaped afterward with our giant church bag pasted to his leg.
Good morning papa – I think Lily made him at least 5 cards	Baked him one of his favorites – Apple Pie!	Stephen talked me into sleeping in his new tent Saturday night
This lion was at the zoo when I was a little girl		Is it any surprise that JT like the monkeys the best?
Lex & Mason were trying hard to have fun for the little guys	JT had so much fun
Lily got Olivia to warm up to petting the goats.	JT was also very nervous initally, but finally came around	Free admission to the zoo with a teddy bear day
happy to be inside after a long wait in the admission line	Notice – I’m the only one outside the fence?