HAPPY 24TH, RACHEL!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RACHEL! HOPE YOU HAVE A WICKED-COOL DAY FILLED WITH DELECTABLE BAKED GOODS AND WELL-BEHAVED STUDENTS!

Hodge Podge

I thought I would save my brilliant tribute to the 80s post for another time (please know that I don't actually think anything I write on here is brilliant), and instead write about recent happenings in the Parker household.

First Baby Shower:
I had my first baby shower last weekend thrown by my uber-creative and talented friend, Sara. I was concerned that not many people would show up due to the massive snow storm that decided to hit last weekend, but I was pleasantly surprised. We had about 20 people there and it was a lot of fun! Sara (with assistance of Joy) did an amazing job making everything perfect. We got some great stuff! Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.








Opening presents with my adorable assistant, Haylee

-Nesting instinct
Yesterday, I got this sudden burst of energy and decided to clean our kitchen. I cleaned out our fridge and scrubbed it down with a vengeance. In gross-out news, I found the moldy remains of a tuna-noodle casserole for which I'm pretty sure we should have called in a HAZ-MAT team. I didn't know mold could be that many different colors. It was special. I ended up throwing the whole thing out--casserole dish and all.

-Parma Pizza
My adorable husband's new year's resolution was to try every pizza place in Jackson county. We shoot for the stars here at the Parker house. I'm actually a huge fan of this resolution b/c I'm pretty sure pizza should be a major food group. Last night we tried Parma Pizza. OH. MY. WORD. The pizza weighed about as much as my head and had massive amounts of toppings. I'm pretty sure we could have reconstructed a pig from the ham that was on our pizza. It was really good. I highly recommend it!

-Baby stuff
Today we purchased our travel system (car seat and stroller) at Babies 'R Us. I LOVE it. We ended up buying one that wasn't on our registry, b/c it's so much prettier (in a manly type of way).


I also purchased his very first Detroit Tigers outfit. He now has an away and home onesie.


-Twilight reading
Like many teenage girls, I too am reading the Twilight series. Almost all of my female students were reading this book, and I thought I would see what the big deal was. It is rather appealing. Although, I am slightly embarrassed to go into the Teen reading section to purchase the books. I just finished the third book, Eclipse. It was okay; not as good as the first one, though--which is by far the best one out of the three I've read so far. Here's hoping Book 4 is a winner...just like me (who reads teenage girl books).

-Cold weather
Not a fan! I hate when you go outside and your boogers instantly freeze in your nose. However, I do like when it's negative 25 and school is canceled. I hope this arctic misery is behind us (forever!)!

-24
One of my and Ben's favorite shows is 24! We can't get enough of Jack Bauer and his anger issues. We were counting down the days to the season premiere (last Sunday). It was everything I'd hoped it would be. I had to watch it by myself Monday night (because it was a 2 night, 4 hour season premiere--can life get any better?) because Ben had his EMT class. It was sad, but I got through it.

Okay, that's all.

33 Weeks

Okay so my last post was posted the day before my 32 week, but I posted it as 31 weeks, so sorry for any confusion. I don't want to be the cause of late night insomnia due to discrepancies in my blog. I know you would. So, officially, I am at 33 weeks TODAY. For all you non-math majors, that means I have 7 more weeks until he arrives.



We have also officially decided on a name. No, we're not telling--isn't that so mean of me to put that out there and not tell you? I will tell you that his middle name will be Steven (as a tribute to both of our dads) and his last name will be Parker (not banana-hammock--like on Friends).

Thanks again for all the prayers and support. We cannot wait to meet him!

You Know You Live in the Country When...

The other day I was driving down to Hillsdale, and had to stop my car so that...COWS... could cross the road. I didn't want to get out of my car and take a picture, b/c I thought that would be too country-bumpkin paparazzi, so instead, I looked creepy from my car and took one. It's not the best quality, but it made me smile.

Grandma

On Monday, December 29 one of the most beloved people in my life was taken early from this earth. She was an important part of who I am; her grace and love are woven throughout my existence. Though she is gone, I will have so many cherished memories of her presence in my life.

I remember...

Manicures and pedicures and lovely shades of pink

A beautiful garden that stopped people in their tracks

An aromatic kitchen with the promise of delicious things

Trips to San Francisco and picnics in the park


I remember...

Enduring patience with my swimming lessons

Playing dressup with your jewelry and finding gum in your old purses

Trips to Yosemite and Bodega Bay (I'm sorry you couldn't find me)

Playing solitaire and rummy for hours in your kitchen


I remember...

Shopping trips in Santa Rosa

Getting perms at your salon

Traveling adventures in your motor home

Your frustration with Rush Limbaugh while Grandpa snickered next to you


I remember...

Playing Barbies in your garden with Boots by my side

Easter egg hunts in your backyard

The excitement your visits would bring during Christmas and summer

The disappointment I felt as I watched you drive away


I remember...

Taking bets on who would first make you laugh so hard you cried

Your tears of joy when my good news reached your ears

Your encouragement and praise; I felt I could do no wrong

Your loving smiles and reassuring hugs


I remember...

Your presence during my most important milestones

Yours was the first face I saw the morning my baby sister was born

The love you so easily gave to Ben

The love you already had for your great-grandson


I remember...

Your love for your husband

Laughing when you called him Rick with that teasing look in your eye

Watching you two hold hands and share kisses and hugs

Inspired by your relationship that seemed stronger with each passing year


I remember...

Your beauty and your grace

Your inspiring presence in my life


I remember...

You, always


Love,
Your Nets

One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

-John Donne