Nathan is HILARIOUS!

Nathan never ceases to amaze me. When I think back about last year's Christmas events he was only 18 months old. He knew that the season was special, but he didn't really know why. Now, only one year later, he understands SO much more.

I put up the Christmas tree today. I bought a new 4 and 1/2 foot tree and brought his train table from his room to the living room to place the tree on so he could enjoy it more. When I took the tree out of the box and told him what I was doing, he absolutely lit up. All he could say was, "Oh, my gracious. It's wonderful!" over and over again...I finally (after I quit laughing) remembered that Jamey put a recording application on my iPhone. I got him to sit down long enough to tell me about the Christmas tree again. It's pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

I want to attach the sound clip so badly, but I don't know how to do that on my blog. I would love to know if any of you can help me. I so badly want you guys to hear it. Please let me know if you can help.

God is so good! Have a GREAT Christmas Season!

wow

I'm rather speechless.  We found out today that my mother-in-law has Parkinson's Disease.  I'm still in the process of 'researching' the disease.  I just ask that you PLEASE pray for her.  Her name is Marion Parker...everyone calls her 'Mamye'.  I also ask that you pray for her husband (my father-in-law) Neal.  He's having a hard time with this also.  I know that God is in control.  He is the Lord of their lives and I know that He will provide healing in the best way He sees fit.

Sausage Balls

This is a completely random post. I've been cooking for 15 years. I've helped my mom with gourmet foods when she owned a restaurant. I've helped cater weddings and retirements. In all this time, though, I've never made sausage balls. I figured they'd be too complicated or have too many steps. It wasn't until tonight that I realized that there are only three ingredients...Bisquick, cheese, and sausage. I love sausage balls. I don't mind making them either. The end.

I'm married to a teacher and proud of it ...

There are times during the year, being married to a school teacher, where it would seem the term "second fiddle" would apply. Not that its intentional or not that teachers put their families on a shelf, its just during these times we share our caring, loving spouse with children ready to be molded with the knowledge teachers are excited to impart. The start of a new school year is one of those times.

I have heard some say that our public school system is simply an old system that has out-lived its usefulness and I guess those people have their points to make. However, I know those people don't live with a teacher! I see the love and care the teacher that I married has in her heart for the children that become part of my family for that school year. In fact, I have always told people that we have 15 to 20 kids every year. I know that these kids aren't "ours", but in a way they do become like our own children. There have even been times when my wife who has taught Kindergarten was even called "Momma". Now most teachers correct those children with a simple reminder of their name and move on about their day. But I see something different. I see those children feeling the care and, dare I say this in this day and age of political correctness, genuine love from a serving teacher.

There are times when this spouse of a teacher would like to be more selfish and hold onto my wife. Then I think of all those little minds walking in during the first day of school maybe even a little ... OK, alot scared. Its then I step aside and watch my wife from my self go off to help those little minds with all the preciseness of a Brain Surgeon, all the academia of a Scholar, all the determination of an Olympian and swell with pride. I then resign to the fact that a new school year has started, and, being honest, I look forward to the next summer break. Even so, I understand that at that time those little minds will be much bigger from knowledge of how to read, count coins, solve math problems, the excitement of Science, Music, Art, and on, and on, and on. So, I sit back and say a prayer for protection and open minds ... and for summer break.

-Jamey Parker

Very Tired

We were up all night -- about every 2 or 3 hours -- trying to keep Nathan's fever down. I'm very sleepy and definitely exhausted. He's acting more like himself; he's been playing with his trains all day. He's still running a fever -- I think the highest today has been 101, which definitely beats yesterday's high of 103. Someone I talked to today told me that there is a 'fever virus' going around, and that it only lasts 2 or 3 days. We were at McWane Center on Friday, so he could have definitely gotten it. Maybe we're over with the worst of it. We'll see how things go tonight. I think I'm about to take a short nap just in case.

A Very Helpless Feeling

Nathan has a fever tonight. It came on about 5 o'clock or so. It's been between 100 and 103 since then. It's 12:22 right now. I've given him medicine and even put him in a cool bath an hour or so ago. It helped for a little while, but the fever won't break.

I know that fever is his little body's response mechanism, but I hate the feeling of just not being able to 'fix it'. He's not his laughing, jolly self. He just doesn't feel good. I don't know what he is fighting off, but we went to the McWane Center yesterday. Jamey seems to think he picked up something from there. Who knows?! I just want him back to his normal self.

My prayer is that God will touch his little body and heal it. I pray that I'll know what to do and know when I need to do it. I LOVE being a Mommy, but it's times like these that are so stressful. I pray also that God will give me the discernment to figure out if there is any other way I can help. God Bless Nathan and his little body. Amen.

Sips and Strokes

When I started teaching I had no idea I'd be where I am now. I'll have to write an entry later and explain the depth that statement holds.

Anyway...during my first two years teaching I met two of the nicest girls (Jill and Wendy), both of which are two of my best friends now. We're at three different schools, and have three totally different sets of responsibilities, but manage to make sure we stay in touch. I love the fact that it may be a month between when we talk to each other, but it only seems like a few minutes have passed when we do get to talk.

Every summer we try to get together as much as possible (to make up for not being able to do so during the school year). We went to Trussville to paint at Sips and Strokes last night. It's a company local to the Birmingham area (I think there is one in Georgia somewhere, though). We had a BLAST!!! It's so funny to watch people all try to do the same thing at the same time. We all painted the same thing, but it all came out so differently because our personalities are so different. If you are interested in seeing how things turned out I posted the pictures on my Facebook page.

If you are local to the Birmingham area or if you are just passing through TRY SIPS AND STROKES!!! There are five or six different places around the Birmingham area.

I'm not being paid to plug them or anything. I just think it's an awesome experience!!! http://www.sipsnstrokes.com/

So Much Fun!

Jamey, Nathan and I went to visit Jason Simpson today at the TV Station (abc3340 in Hoover, Alabama). I really enjoyed myself. Up until the last 3 or 4 months, I haven't been in touch with Jason since High School. It is so nice to know that he's doing so well, and he is still as nice, down-to-earth, and funny as I remember.

Life (in general) tends to change people's personalities for the worse. So many people, especially Christians it seems, are bitter or resentful nowadays, no matter how good or bad their situation. You can tell that Jason knows where his strength comes from (The Lord), and that he is taking life in stride. Jamey and I strive to do the same daily. It doesn't always happen, but we try to let the Lord 'grow us' in spite of ourselves. My prayer is that Nathan sees this quality in us and our friends, and that he seeks the Lord daily in his life as he gets older.

Jamey and Nathan really enjoyed themselves today. We got to sit in on the Noon Day news broadcast to see how things worked during the show. Jamey's favorite part of the day was getting to be at the Weather Station, and getting to play with all the Tower Cameras and satellite images between the morning and noon shows. Nathan's favorite part was getting to climb up and down off the stage step! LOL Oh, the joy and simplicity of a two-year-old!

My favorite part was getting to catch up with an old classmate/newfound friend.

I'll post pictures of our trip as soon as I get them.

One Of My Favorites of ALL TIME!!!

Steve Harvey Introducing Jesus!

Interesting Site

www.anonymousmom.com

Just a random forum where you can post questions or answers to questions anonymously (or by name if you want). It's very interesting to see some of the answers to these questions.

Well Worth Reading!

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Favorite Quotes

This is just the starting of a list. I'll add more as I think of them.

1. Who is more irrational? A man who believes in a God he doesn't see, or a man who's offended by a God he doesn't believe? - Brad Stine

First Blog

Okay...I've known what blogs are for a while, but I've never taken the time to actually make one. Well, folks -- here it is. I really need to be cleaning my house right now, but I'm on the computer...lol. (And, yes, I really do 'laugh out loud' most of the time.) I have been married to my best friend since December of 2001. His name is Jamey Parker. We had a little boy in June of 2006 -- we named him Nathaniel Douglas. We call him Nathan, and he is pure joy. I love being a wife and a mommy. I also love teaching, which is what I do for a living. We live in Warrior, Alabama and go to Harmony Baptist Church. It's the church my husband grew up in; and, it's the church in which we were married. Jamey is the church pianist. He also teaches Wednesday night Bible Study to the adults. I teach Wednesday night Bible Study to our church kids (ages 13 and up). I absolutely love my life. God has blessed me so VERY much. I'll write more later as I think of it.