11-21-11

Just yesterday afternoon we took family pictures. Our cousin, Brooklyn took them. By 7 o'clock last night we had the edited disc in our hands. SO COOL!! I think they turned out wonderfully. Love them! And yes, there are a lot of pictures with our pup Max. He's just so darn cute we couldn't leave him out :)

I seriously love them. Brooklyn you did a fantastic job. It was super windy and really cold, but the clouds were gorgeous and worth fighting the elements. I sure love my little family. I am so grateful and blessed to have so much joy and love in my life. I wish everyone an early happy thanksgiving! May your hearts and bellies be full:)


Last thing I'm gonna say: Shandi, where's your updated family pics? hint hint :)

Motherhood

Nope, I'm not pregnant, sorry. JD and I found this link last night about preparing for motherhood. We read it. We laughed. We are currently still laughing. This makes me super excited to be a mother someday:)

 http://www.parenting.com/article/suck-it-the-real-way-to-prep-for-nursing

Like vs Love

I like fall. The weather has been beautiful lately!

I love my pumpkins and gourds that I get every fall to put around the house. 

 I like the lamp shades I found on sale for 2 bucks.

 I love the make-shift pillow case I made to match them out of JD's old shirt.

I like when my puppy rides in the seat next to me all super cute like.

 But I LOVE when he sticks his head out the window to smell the fresh air!

Nothing to compare to this, we got to see Mami last month. LOVE

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My blog definitely suffers during the summer, sorry. Work is ridiculous for both of us during the warm months. The good news though, summer is OVER. Tuesday the pharmacy was swarming with the elderly, Wednesday and Thursday it rained/snowed, and Friday the snow-birds were gone:) Gooooooodbye snowbirds! You shall be missed, kinda. I'm glad work is finally slowing down. I'm not glad that it snowed in October. Oh well.

JD and I are still doing pretty good. He's taking 6 credits this semester and I'm taking 3. I love love the psychology class I'm taking! I'm learning so much on child development and a child's psyche. Hopefully I'll remember all this knowledge when it's my turn to be a mother.

JD is doing wonderful in all aspects. He's such a hard worker, a great student, and puts so much time and effort into his Elders Quorum calling. In comparison, I'm a slacker. I found a new love for my sewing machine! I haven't done anything fabulous for now, just a few pillows and clothes fixings here and there. I've had some pretty sweet back problems lately, ya know the sciatic pinching and lots of inflammation. I'm trying to be patient as my back calms down, but I'm getting a little tired of not being able to bend over or lift anything.

Sorry for the complaining. I know how blessed I am. I am so happy and lucky to be married to such an incredible man! And our family support is fantastic. Life is good to me :)

Lake Powell 2011

 Another year, come and gone. And once again, we were able to get to Lake Powell with my family for a day. It's a pretty long trip to just go for a day or so, but I think it's always worth it :) JD and I were really smart and lathered our selves with spf 5000+ so we wouldn't burn. We figured it was better to be white and still able to move the next day at work, rather than fried to a crisp and miserable. So yes, I am still incredibly white whilst my family all appears to be of another ethnicity.

 We took a trip to the huge sand hill. Since it was the middle of the day with the sand at a blistering heat, we opted to not climb the hill. Instead, we went cliff jumping.

 Bryan and Tayela definitely showed us all up with their cliff jumping. Seriously, they are fearless. I wish I had pics of them jumping, sorry.

 Max went with us this year. We discovered that he HATES water. Good to know. Yet he is an excellent doggy paddler. Also good to know. He got lots of attention from the little kids. Does he look miserable in the pictures? You best believe that he was. He hated the Lake.

 Shandi's kids are just too darn cute and entertaining out there. They love everything about the lake: tattoos, dirt, water, and sun. They were about 23 shades darker than I.

  There was one who was very ready to leave when our day was over. He was exhausted.

Hence the reason we both slept like this for a good chunk of the ride home:)

...

Some things that I LOVE from this past week:


We bought a new truck. Woot! I love it. I love the deal that we got even more. My husband spoils me and lets me drive it most since we traded in my car. It's 4-wheel drive (perfect for Show Low winters), and has a spacious back seat (perfect for 3 little Parker children some day).

I love that we got to puppy-sit for Matt and Danielle. Three puppies makes for a crazy time, but it was fun.

 These pups were very kind and made sure to keep my face warm whenever I napped.







It's no surprise that I love my husband. He has so much on his plate right now and he's excelling at it all. He recently got off the horrible night shift that he's been working for the last 9 months. It's nice to have a husband to come home to :)  This last week he moved up in his job. We're hoping for even better news in the next couple of weeks.

And finally, Happy Father's day to the incredible men in my life. I love you all!!!

Fire Prep

I'm sure you've all heard about the Wallow Fire burning outside of Alpine. It's burning one of my cousin-in-law's ranches. My heart is aching for everyone who is suffering right now. About a month ago, JD and I discussed that we needed an emergency evacuation kit in our home. I bought a 5 gallon tupperware, with the intentions of filling it up with supplies right away. It still sits empty in my guest bedroom. I heard today that there are 8, yes EIGHT fires burning across the state right now. It is time to get my butt in gear and get this kit done.  I need some suggestions on what I should put in the kit. I have bottled water as well as some gallons of water for food and bathing use. I also have a first aid kit, spare clothes, and spare puppy food. Our important papers box will sit right on top of the tub so it is included as well. Any other suggestions?

Uno

Almost five years ago I was set up on a blind date with the son of my mother's co-worker. I was instantly smitten with this young man. He did not share the same feelings. Our high school years went by and we built up a firm friendship, seeing each other once every few months.


This young man decided to serve the Lord for two years. He visited me the week before he left. We shared a few short hours of laughter and good conversation. I wrote him on his mission, every few months or so. Just enough to keep each other updated on our lives. He served and learned a lot. I schooled and learned a lot.

When he returned, I was sure to be at his home coming. I slipped him my number as we said our goodbyes that day. And FINALLY, the young man was as equally smitten with me, as I was with him.

Three short months later we were engaged. Four very long months later we were married.

And now here we are babe. One year down. I wouldn't trade these past 12 months for anything. I've never laughed so hard or loved my life so much. You constantly build me up and your words and support give me so much strength.

Happy Anniversary Jackson Parker!!! I love you, darling. OK:)