Island Park


We went to Island Park this weekend. The extended Parker Family has been working putting new windows in the cabin, siding, and building a deck. This has been a lot a work – especially for Bruce and Sharon, the busy working bees! Our family, John and Michelle’s Family, Jana and Ryon’s Family, and Stacie and Rick’s Family went up to work a little. Well, the guys decided they really wanted to ALL work on building a play set for the kids, first. So for basically the whole day the big “boys” played as they built. They had much fun. As you can see by the size of this play set it is big enough for any size of kid or adult for that matter. I really wanted to get a photo of the guys all playing on it after they were done building, but missed the opportunity! Bummer….. We topped the day off with a canoe ride adventure (see Alexis’ blog). The thing I’ve learned most about being a Parker is that even though they work hard, they always make sure to top everything off with a party!

Cabin, Cows, and Prayer


I wrote this for a talk I am giving today….This past weekend we went to my Grandparents cabin in Island Park. It was extra fun this time because my cousins from Utah came too. We have been helping put new siding on the cabin and building decks, but yesterday we got to build an awesome swing set with a cool, fun slide that you can stand up in. It makes us feel good to help out and make things look better. After all of the work, my Grandpa Parker said it was time to play and go canoeing. My cousin Haley and I decided to float in an inner tube.
It was a sunny day and we were excited to get wet. We made it in the water and were laughing and having fun, but soon we found out that inner tube riding is way slower than riding in a canoe. We were glad that the water was shallow. Everyone was far ahead of us, but we were still having fun. We saw fish, two vultures, hawks, dragon flies, and cows.
Pretty soon we were talking about how amazing the vultures we saw looked. Then realized that we couldn�t hear any of our families and we were yelling and nobody answered. After looking at the vultures we noticed a herd of stampeding cows heading our way. Haley and I were so scared. When we saw the cows heading our way we ran into their pasture � hey, we didn�t grow up on a farm like my grandma did! Anyway we felt safe because we were in the opposite direction of the cows. I said to Haley, �Maybe we should pray.� Haley thought it was a good idea to pray too, so we did. I have never seen a cow that close before, or even worse a herd of them. I even saw a cow standing up on its hind legs trying to get over the fence (hopping around), but before he made it he tripped on a rock and fell. It was hilarious � I wish I had a picture of it. Even though that was funny we were very scared. It felt like a long time since we had seen everyone. About 10 minutes after we prayed we saw my Aunt Jana. She was yelling that she found us and helped us cross the river. We felt safe again after that and know that Heavenly Father answered our prayer. I even found out that my family had been praying for us too!
There are many scripture stories that remind us that Heavenly Father answers our prayers. The one I am remembering most today is when Joseph Smith had his prayer answered. He was praying about which church was true. He thought about praying after reading a scripture in James 1:5. It reads, �If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.� The thing Joseph Smith was praying for was a big question, my prayer was about trying to find my family and being safe. I am happy that no matter what our prayer is about, it is heard. I am also grateful that Heavenly Father knows who I am and cares about what happens to me.

Terrific Two


Last night I ran to Wal-mart for the last minute gift and when I came home there were presents bagged up and waiting for Olivia in the morning. While I was out, Lex, Mason, & Lily went shopping in their bedrooms for some birthday gifts and wrapped them up – they even made special cards of “I love you.” Olivia is such a lucky little sister. She puts a smile on everyone’s face here. We are so glad she is in our family. Alexis was so excited for her birthday that she woke her up at 6:30 a.m. for the big day. We caught Olivia peeking in on her gift that hadn’t been put together yet (a dora the explorer trike). She was very excited about it – she really wanted a bike. Aunt Michelle sent a darling sailer dress from Gymboree with a matching hat. She has been practicing saying that she is two and it is very cute. She had a pretty relaxed day helping dad on the swing set and hanging out at home. It was nice to just watch her play and take time to read stories. Our friends, Darla and Lon Pyper, stopped in for a visit and helped us eat some cake and ice cream. Livvy is proving that she is a big girl and has been sleeping in her “big bed” for a few days – all we have to do is threaten her with going back to the crib and she stays put. It helps to have Lily sleeping right there too. The things you can find Olivia doing on a given day are, dressing herself in different clothes – and climbing the shelves in her closet to get them, pushing a bar stool over to the pantry to find a snack, getting a drink of water from the fridge, or roaming around on the kitchen counters. She also enjoys coloring, going with anybody when they leave the house, our cats, going to nursery, singing, and playing with baby dolls.

My First Marathon – Mesa Falls


We did itToday I ran my first full marathon. Ryan Kirkham and I ran it together, you would think between the two of us we would know better. I got up at 3:45 AM and got ready to go, Ryan then picked me up and we rode up to Ashton. We picked up our packets and had a quick bite to eat at the free breakfast. Then we got on the cold bus with the A\C on…not a good combo. We arrived at the starting point around 5:45 AM where we sat and waited for the race to start. It was so cold we could see our breath outside. I wrapped my sprained ankle with some athletic tape just before starting, but soon found it was too tight. I ripped it off and re-wrapped it just seconds before starting. Finally at around 6:35 the host said, “On your marks, Get set, Go” and we were off. We held the lead for at least 20 seconds until the “real runners” flew by us. for the first 9 1/2 miles we ran up and down on a dirt road through the back woods. When hit the pavement at mile 9 1/2 it was a real treat to have a smooth road base under our feet. It was also starting to be a more downhill run so that felt good too. We ran past the Lower Mesa Falls overlook, looked pretty but we didn’t stop. Just a few more miles down the road and we met up with all the anxious Half-Marathon runners. It was a real boost to fly past them and hear them cheer us on. All was going great we were feeling vibrant and strong, until the dreaded hill. Wow, that could not be at a worse spot, at mile 17 we started up the hill and continued until mile 20 what a brutal hill when you have already run so far. It felt great to see the familiar faces of our wives and kids cheering us on. From mile 20 to the finish is a mild roller coaster run up then down. At about mile 22 or 23 I hit “The Wall”, my legs were done running. My heart and lungs felt ok but the legs were like Jell-O I began to think I would not be able to finish. I just kept picturing myself crossing the finish line and resting. It seemed to have worked although it was very difficult for the last 6 miles I did it. What an accomplishment, it feels great to have done it. I hate to think about the Logan Marathon in just a few weeks, but hopefully it will be easier. According to my watch my final time was 4:07, still have to see what the chip time says.

Olivia is cute


Here are some random photos of Olivia – playing on the jungle gym, trying on some lady’s shoes at the Madison County fair, (we have no idea who she was, and it is truly disgusting! Of course Stephen thought it was funny) patiently waiting and watching Stephen at the Rush Triathlon, and today sticking marshmallows all over her face! The moments are priceless! (o.k. all of them except for the green shoes – p.u.)

Fancy Fifth Grader


Is she really this big? WOW – time flies! She carefully selected her first day outfit on Monday and was decked out in her black leggings and denim mini skirt, complete with converse shoes. She is growing into such a fine young lady. Her teacher’s name this year is Mrs. Galbraith. When Lex came home from school she was very excited to tell me about how nice her teacher is. She also said she got seated next to an “annoying boy” that wouldn’t stop talking about religion – in fact the teacher had to tell him that they aren’t suppose to talk a lot about that at school. Too funny. She got to tell the class about herself through a true and false quiz…I learned a few things I’ll pass on. Her favorite color is orange, she doesn’t like peanut butter, her favorite sport is soccer, she hates to eat fresh tomatoes, her favorite shape is a square, she loves sewing, she is a daddy’s girl, she had dark hair when she was born, her favorite flowers are the tulip and rose, and she does NOT like to drink milk! Looks like the last few nights of worrying that school is “too long” are long gone – it was a good day.

First Day of Third Grade


Mason isn’t a man of many words. When I tried to drill him after school for all of the details of the day he ran to the bathroom. I pryed out a few things… “I like my teacher, I didn’t get homework, I played with Hunter and Joe at recess.” This year Mason has a male teacher much to his delight. His teacher’s name is Mr. Kennelly. We hope it is a fun year of multiplication and cursive writing!

Kindergarten Keepsakes


Today was Lily’s first day of Kindergarten. It started when she woke up with Mason and Lex in the early morning hours of 6:30, and school just wouldn’t come fast enough! The bus wasn’t to come until 11:30. “Mom, how much longer? It takes forever!”, was a common rambling heard throughout the house. Much to her and my delight, moms were invited to come and experience the first day – even the bus ride. On the bus she ditched me to sit with her two friends, I was happy for her. At school she found her desk and met her teacher. Her teacher, Mrs. Thomson just had a baby 11 days ago – and the baby was there! We also met the two week long substitute teacher. Lily is o.k. with this notion – she is understanding mostly because I’m going to have a baby like her teacher. We weighed and measured Lily at one of the centers and guess what? Lily is 42 1/2 ” tall, and weighs 42 1/2 lbs.- easy to remember and fun! She also got to decorate a stick and write her name on a lot of things. She also made a bus necklace which tells the teacher her mode of transportation. When we walked out the door she asked, “Mom, can I go to school everyday?”

Back to School Bittersweet?


Our annual Back to School Night Dinner was held this past Monday night. On the menu were alphabet soup, sandwiches, carrots, pickles, grapes, chips and a black cherry old fashioned soda. To top it all of we ate bus cake – complete with dual back wheels thanks to Mason’s suggestion. This has become a fun tradition – the family likes being served on cafeteria trays! It helps me and them get all geared up for school. Since the time has finally come to send the kiddies back to school, I am not sure if I want to do the happy dance or cry and be depressed – isn’t that the woes of a typical woman? GONE ARE THE DAYS of sleeping in, basking in the sun, playing in the sand, camping, going to matinee movies during the week, watching my children make wonderful memories with each other, giggling, exploring, eating watermelon, taking naps because we stayed up too late, canoeing, seeing Mason’s grin when he catches bugs, snakes, or furry creatures, Alexis learning to sew & bake brownies, Lily being brave on the rides at Lagoon and joining soccer just for the treats, Olivia (well she’s still around) being silly and crazy. NOW ARE THE DAYS OF many schedules, waking up early, homework, early morning practicing, having a routine!, bed time!, hopefully a clean house for at least 2 hours!, SPACE!, going to the bathroom without somebody knocking on the door, hoping my kids make good friends and are nice – especially to their teachers, growing up one more year. It is time to EMBRACE THE MOMENT!