The Parker Family

New York-Day One and Two

2011-05-14T22:32:00.000-07:00

Well the long awaited day had finally come. We landed in NYC at JFK airport, and had our first cab ride in New York. As soon as we landed, I got a text from Bekki, saying she was still in Phoenix (she was supposed to land when we did). She was just getting ready to leave as we were landing. So we got into our cab to meet Russ (who was already there for business), and low and behold, we got a flat tire on the parkway. Little bit scary, but our cabbie had it changed in a flash. We met Russ at the hotel and checked in, The Rennaissance Hotel in Times Square was gorgeous, as was Times Square. Wow. The three of us went to Katz's Deli (made famous for that certain scene in When Harry Met Sally) and had some amazing brisket sandwiches and split pea soup. Yum. Bekki finally arrived, Yay, and we hit the town, taking in sites near the hotel. We got cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, where we saw......drum roll.....Tina Fey! Makeupless, wearing yellow rainboots and surrounded by an entourage. She clearly didn't want to be noticed. It was pretty cool though.

The next morning we were off and going to Central Park! I was so looking forward to this part of the trip, and it did not disappoint. the weather was beautiful, the cherry blossoms were everywhere, the nannies were out in droves with their charges, and we were in picture taking heaven.

Then it was on to the Met, where we saw a beautiful, yet creepy display from designer Alexander McQueen. We moved on to Egyptian artifacts, Roman statues, real armor from knights, and a million other fascinating things.

We were a little disappointed when we went to the United Nations building, and the flags weren't flying. But at least we could say we'd been there.

Then we went into Little Italy, picked a random little place to eat, and ran into an old friend from high school. It was so strange out of all the places in New York, we just happened to be at the same one, at the same time. Dinner was good, we of course were loud and laughing the whole time (we only got a couple dirty looks).

Junior Prom-2011

2011-05-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

Whitney's first Prom, Jordan's last. They both looked stunning, and so did their dates.

Sweet Sixteen

2011-05-14T21:54:00.000-07:00

So our little 6 pound 8 ounce peanut is now a beautiful, talented 16 year old! It's hard to believe how fast time goes by.

I so vividly remember when she was born. My water had broken, so we went to Madison Memorial in Rexburg. I was so excited to get an epidural since I hadn't had one with Jordan. It was great...on the left side of my body where it worked. I was to the point where I could't stand it anymore, to the anesthesiologist redosed it, and about 5 minutes later, I had to push. Jay went and told the nurse and she didn't believe him since I had only been 4 centimeters just a short time before. It seems so funny that I was wheeled into a sterile delivery room. The ones I help patients deliver in are so homey and comfortable. But I was, and soon after that our beautiful girl was born.

Utah Avalanche meet Texas Longhorn's

2011-03-24T03:35:00.000-07:00

San Antonio, Texas

2011-03-24T03:33:00.000-07:00

San Antonio, Texas-Riverwalk

Our Girls:)

Hot Momma Chaperones.

Ali---why are your hands in our faces? Love Ann and Christi

Texas, Day 2

2011-03-24T03:29:00.000-07:00

The girls, Davy Crockett, and some other guy.

Whit and Linds

Pose much?

Me- "Avery, take a picture of the hot mom's in Texas."
Avery- "Where?"

Don't Mess With Texas.....or Utah

2011-03-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to fly to San Antonio, Texas, with Whit and her soccer team for another round of ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) play. We had a blast, and had around 60 college coaches watching our games.

Blog Stalking and a Dose of Reality

2011-03-24T03:08:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love browsing (stalking) other people's blogs. I am continuously amazed at the creative writing, funny and inspiring stories, beautiful pictures, craftiness, and awsome homes. I have come to realize that so many people (myself included) tend to put the rosy picure about their beautiful kids, their beautiful homes, their beautiful crafts, their loving marriages, their fulfilling church callings, etc.

Since I started this whole blogging thing with the idea of journaling about my life and my family, I decided to throw in a post about the nitty gritty, not so attractive parts of my life.

1. My "OCD"ness about a sparkly clean house has gone away. I love the smell and look of a freshly cleaned house, but face it-I have 5 messy kids, 2 messy dogs, a full time job, and endless "to-do" lists that don't involve cleaning. My house spends more time looking like a bomb exploded in it.

2. I really, really love sleep. I love to climb back in bed after everyone is off to school and work and doze off for an hour or two. I try to justify it by telling myself I work a lot of night shifts, so I should catch my zzzz's whenever I can (which is true), but mostly I sleep because I LOVE IT.

3. I hate homework. I hate science fair projects, homework packets, mandated reading time with logs to fill in and sign, pestering kids about grades and assignments that are due.

4. I secretly like it when I find out that someone who seems to have the perfect body, perfect kids, perfect house, plenty of money, and perfect marriage really doesn't. Mean, I know.

5. I sort of feel like I have multiple personalities. At work I can bond with a patient in moments, make them laugh, be smart and witty. I have doctors that respect my skills and request me to take care of their patients. I have co-workers who are my second family. I am confident, and really really good at what I do. Then I have this other personality in social settings- quiet, shy, never feel good enough, skeptical and self loathing.

6. After working a couple of night shifts in a row, I am really grouchy. I try not to be, but some times the wicked witch pops in for a visit.

I'm pretty sure this isn't everything.....but you get the idea.

Sweethearts

2011-02-21T00:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday was the Sweethearts Dance for Layton High. Seems so weird that 21 years ago I was there with all my friends and their dates. Now Jordan and Krystal were going.
My senior year I went with a good friend, Loren, and I was the one driving since it was a girls choice. The roads were icy and it was snowing. We pulled up at Wayne Bennetts after the dance to play games, I stepped out of the car and promptly slipped on the ice and landed hard on my butt. My friends were laughing so hard at me they couldn't even help me up. Call me grace.

Bad Week For Bleeders

2011-02-07T19:46:00.000-08:00

So speaking of hemophilia, we've had quite the week or so at our house. Jordan has always been plagued by terrible bloody noses, especially with dry air. He averaged 5 or 6 a day the last few days.

Jackson came home from school the other day walking sort of funny, but his shoe was untied (as usual) so I thought it was because his shoe was loose. But then he walks up and says:

Jackson: Mom, I'm pretty sure I have a bleed in my knee.

Me: How come, what happened?

Jackson: I was playing football at recess and got an interception, a kid on the other team got mad and pushed me down and I landed funny on my knee. So pretty much I'm like Tom Brady when he injured his leg.

Me (laughing): Yep you sure are

Jackson: Oh, and I figured that school was almost out, so I didn't need to have you check me out.

I love that kid.

Then yesterday at Grandma and Grandpa's the kids were running around the yard and one of the kids opened the gate and Kaden hit the latch hard by on his lower ribs. I could tell it hurt, and he came in and iced it. I had to leave for work and awhile later Jay called and said he was pretty sure it was a bleed so he was bringing him up to work so I could infuse him. I was a little worried about the proximity to lungs, spleen, etc. so I called down to the ER and talked to one of the Docs on duty and he said he should probably have a CT scan. We infused him and the scan was clear, just a bleed into the muscle of his chest wall. After a little Morphine, and a day off from school, he is feeling a little better.

Hemophilia Sucks!

2011-01-29T01:50:00.000-08:00

So even in this day and age of medical news being in the forefront, and most people's families having some gentic disease or disorder..be it high blood pressure, asthma, etc: most people not associated with the medical field have never hear of the genetic disorder that graces the lives of my brother, my sons, and my nephews. So here is a little tutorial about it...and on a later post I will elaborate more about how if affects us in real life, with some scary stories. I really really try to be positive most of the time, but since one treatment for my oldest runs 5-6 THOUSAND dollars, it gets overwhelming sometimes. Sorry if I bore you.

Hemophilia---What is hemophilia?   Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding, or coagulation, disorder. Persons with hemophilia lack the ability to stop bleeding because of the low levels, or complete absence, of specific proteins, called "factors," in their blood that are necessary for clotting. Proper clotting of blood helps prevent excessive bleeding. There are several types of hemophilias, but the most common and well known include the following:

hemophilia A - lack of factor VIII
hemophilia B - lack of factor IX (this is the kind we have)   In the US, there are about 20,000 persons who have hemophilia, and each year approximately 400 babies are born with the disease.
What causes hemophilia?   Hemophilia types A and B are inherited diseases passed on from a gene located on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome. A female carrier of hemophilia has the hemophilia gene on one of her X chromosomes, and there is a 50 percent chance that she may pass the defective gene to her male offspring.

     Males who inherit the defective gene will develop hemophilia. Males with hemophilia do not pass the gene to their sons; however, they do pass the gene to their daughters.
Females who inherit the defective gene will become carriers who may, in turn, have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to their children. Although females who inherit the gene generally have no active problems related to hemophilia, some may have other problems associated with bleeding, such as excessive menstrual bleeding, frequent or severe nosebleeds, or bleeding after dental procedures or surgery.
In about one-third of hemophilia cases, there is no family history of the disease. These cases are due to a new or spontaneous development of the defective gene in the female.
What are the symptoms of hemophilia?   The most common symptom of hemophilia is excessive, uncontrollable bleeding because of the missing or low-level clotting factor in the blood. Bleeding may occur even when there is no injury. It most often occurs in the joints and in the head.
The following are the other most common symptoms of hemophilia. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

bruising
bleeds easily
bleeding into a joint
bleeding into the muscles
bleeding from injury or bleeding in the brain
other sources of bleeding
Blood found in the urine or stool may also be a symptom of hemophilia.
Bleeding from injury, or spontaneously in the brain, is the most common cause of death in children with hemophilia and the most serious bleeding complication.
Bleeding into the muscles can cause swelling, pain, and redness. Swelling from excessive blood in these areas can cause increased pressure on tissues and nerves in the area, resulting in permanent damage and/or deformity.
Hemarthrosis (bleeding into a joint) can cause pain, immobility, and eventually deformity if not medically managed properly. This is the most common site of complications due to hemophilia bleeding. These joint bleeds can lead to chronic, painful, arthritis, deformity, and crippling with repeated occurrences.
A tendency to bleed from the nose, mouth, and gums with minor trauma, teeth brushing, and/or dental work is often an indication of hemophilia.
Bruises can occur from small accidents, which can result in a large hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin causing swelling).
What are the effects of hemophilia?   The most common cause of disability from hemophilia is chronic joint disease, or arthropathy, which is caused by uncontrolled bleeding into the joints.
Hemorrhage, which is a severe internal or external discharge of blood, is a continuing problem.
Treatment for hemophilia:   Treatment may include:

blood transfusions
prophylactic (preventive) treatment with infused clotting factors


Blood clotting normally occurs when there is damage to a blood vessel. Platelets immediately begin to adhere to the cut edges of the vessel and release chemicals to attract even more platelets. A platelet plug is formed, and the external bleeding stops.
Next, small molecules, called clotting factors, cause strands of blood-borne materials, called fibrin, to stick together and seal the inside of the wound. Eventually, the cut blood vessel heals and the blood clot dissolves after a few days.
   Hemophilia usually is inherited. This means that the disorder is passed from parents to children through the genes.
   People born with hemophilia have little or no clotting factor. Clotting factor is a protein need for normal blood clotting. There are several types of clotting factors. These proteins work with platelets (PLATE-lets) to help the blood clot.
Platelets are small blood cell fragments that form in the bone marrow—a sponge-like tissue in the bones. Platelets play a major role in blood clotting.
When blood vessels are injured, clotting factors help platelets stick together to plug cuts and breaks at the site of the injury and stop bleeding. Without clotting factors, normal blood clotting can't take place.

Obviously platelets are very important to my boys since they are missing other components of the clotting cascade, which means Motrin is our of the question with a bleed because it inhibits platelet aggregation (or how the platelets stick together). Bleeds are often very painful, and Tylenol does nothing for the pain. It's hard to watch them suffer.

2011-01-23T23:10:00.000-08:00

She's 14!!!!!!
We had a blast at her party. It was exhausting, messy, and noisy, but we pulled it off.

Homemade Snickerdoodle Cupcakes, ice cream bar with homemade caramel and hot fudge sauce, pizza, sparkling cider, candy, and popcorn. Fat and sugar overload.

The girls had so much fun doing the crafts, and they turned out so cute.

Love my baby girl.

Merry Christmas

2011-01-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

Wow. Another Christmas come and gone. This year was full of traditions, much like any other, but every year I appreciated them more and more. New jammies.....this year homemade by Mommy. Red Velvet cake and cupcakes, with cooked frosting, made from scratch. I will only do this at Christmas. My kids beg for it for birthdays, but Christmas traditions are just that. Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's. We eat dinner, open presents from them, and unwrap and put on our new pajamas. Then it's home to bed where the window to the boy's room is cracked open a little so they can here Santa's sleigh bells (aka: Grandpa who is willing to drive to each house after the kids are in bed).

Top funny this year....we always do stockings first, and Jackson is super obsessed with hot chocolate. So Santa put a packet of hot cocoa mix in his stocking. As he was rapidly going through his stocking, he pulled it out and said, " Hmmmm, a packet of some sort of milk chocolate powder." We laughed so hard. That kid is so hilarious.

Thanksgiving and Craft-o-rama

2010-12-12T23:14:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving this year was great, mostly because it was the first in 5 years we have been home. We have been traveling to one soccer tournament or another for Whitney the past few years, and don't get me wrong, it has been fun. We have usually been in California and have taken the whole family and spent time at Disneyland and the beach. This year we got to eat at Mom's, and it's no secret that her cooking is my very favorite. Here are a few pics of our day.

We spent the first Saturday in December with all the girls at Mom's crafting. We had so much fun (well, Sonja may beg to differ, she had a craft meltdown). We made some cute Christmas crafts, and I have to say I am pleased as punch with how cute they look with my other decorations.

Friends Forever.

2010-11-29T01:32:00.001-08:00

Over 20 years ago, I became best friends with four other amazing girls. Kristi, Raquel, Becky, and Mary. We had a remarkable friendship that has defied the decades. Though our paths have led different ways, anytime we talk or see each other, it's like no time has past at all. We have come together for good times, like weddings, missionary farewells, baby birth's, blessings and such. But the most poignant times have been the times we have come together in solidarity and support during crisis, illness, and tragedy. Being with Beck through her cancer ordeal was a humbling process, and thank goodness she is cancer free now.

Last night I got word that Raquel's 16 year old son Devin was killed in a tragic car accident Saturday night. Raquel was witness to the scene and the unsuccessful attempts to save Devin's life. I talked to her last night, and we wept together as she told me how cold his hand was when they had finally pronounced him gone. We wept at her sorrow for what could have been if his mortal life had gone on. We wept at the peace of a greater plan, and the knowledge that her sweet family will be reunited one day.

So here we stand again, together. For the funeral Friday for a boy who will be missed by so many. I love you Raquel.

Life....happens. And I am Thankful for my Life.

2010-11-26T04:01:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving has been a very jumbled mix of emotions. The past few weeks I have cried more, laughed more, been angry, been sad, been frightened, felt vulnerable, felt grateful for true friends who kept me going in the darkest hours. I never have liked to wallow in self pity. But sometimes you just cant help it. In our 19 years of married life we have dealt with house fires, serious injuries and illnesses, multiple surgeries and hospitalizations, car accidents, several near death experiences, school, jobs, moves, family conflict, death of loved ones, on and on. We have recently dealt with something harder than anything thus far. As I look back on the thoughts and feelings of going through yet another crisis, my new motto is BUCK UP MOMMA! I am the mother of 5 beautiful, intelligent, and talented children, who deserve ME! All of me. Yeah, LIFE SUCKS sometimes. But I am done laying in bed feeling sorry for myself. So I am focusing very much on gratitude. I even made a list.

I am grateful for Jordan. Beneath his tough, manly exterior, is a tender soul who loves deeply and forever. He is making life choices that will shape his future..and I have so much confidence and faith that he will succeed and be HAPPY.

I am grateful for Whitney. All of her talent in soccer is not going to her head. She is awesome, she knows she's awesome, she knows she will play in college-which is way up there in coolness. She is beautiful, smart, her grades are high, and she is very organized (except her room).

I am grateful for Boo. Otherwise known as Becca. My heart aches for what she has endured, but sings for how she is rising from it. I KNOW she will use her newly found strength for good. She is making herself a smart, capable young woman, who can play the piano like nobodies business. She is starting up tumbling and cheer again. There is a bright light in those beautiful brown eyes. My Boo Bear, my fashionista, my daughter.

I am so grateful for Kaden. He is a gentle, quiet soul who is usually reading a book somewhere around the house. He acts happy whenever he sees me, and still hugs me goodnight. He is trying to find his niche in this world and in this family, and I will do whatever I can to nurture the best in him.

I am soooo grateful for my funny Jackson. What 8 yr old kid stays home sick from school and watches football ALL DAY on TV. He does. When there weren't any games on he watched NFL news. He did lower his standards once and watched a college game.

I am grateful for Jay.
I am grateful for my sisters and brothers. I am grateful for their kids. I love that I have been the nurse present at 4 beautiful deliveries of a niece and three nephews. Not many people have a cool job like me.

I am grateful for my parents. I love my parents. The have helped to shape and mold who I am, and they are continually supporting me and my family any way they can.

I am grateful for my job. I love taking care of delivering moms, being there for that intimate moment of life coming into the world. I love the second family I get from my job. They know more about me than a lot of people do.

I HAD A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

When Did My Baby Grow Up? And How in the World Did I Finish the Marathon?

2010-09-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I have been doing a lot of reflecting as Jordan turns 18 and is in his Senior year of High School. I can remember vividly how it felt when I found out that I was pregnant. I can remember the look on Jay's face when I told him the news. He was at work at the hospital right across from the Newborn Nursery. Just a few short weeks after moving to Grand Forks, North Dakota, the most beautiful black haired, brown eyed, dimple faced baby made his grand entrance. He was the center of attention immediatley with those dimples. From a rambunctious toddler who gave us our fair share of heart attacks, including falling 12 feet from a tree and being life flighted to intensive care at Primary Children's with a severe head injury, to getting into a fenced field at age 3 with his little friends to chase the bulls, he has grown into a man, yes a handsome, loving, smart man, ready to graduate, go on a mission, and enter the adult world.

We spent his 18th birthday in St. George, bribing him to go by taking his adorable girlfriend Krystal with us. They supported me at the finish line, and I made him Fresh Peach Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting, from scratch, after the Marathon with my tendon searing in pain. If there was ever true mother love, that is it. After Jordan and Jay went to General Priesthood, we took Jord and Krys to dinner. It was a great weekend.

A Lot of Growing Up, and a Little Bit of Torture.

2010-09-21T08:23:00.000-07:00

Jordan is getting ever close to his 18th birthday. I find myself taking a lot more pictures lately, much to his dismay. Maybe I am holding on for dear life.

Yesterday I went to Physical Therapy, and got a diagnosis of Posterior Tibial Tendonitis, and a possible stress fracture. After a torture they call A-Stim, and various other cruel and unusual punishments, I am left with a wrap on my foot and ankle, bruises on my leg, and a promise of 2-3 more sessions of the same torture plus a course of steroids to decrease inflammation. All of this so I can run 26.2 miles of a whole different kind of torure otherwise known as the St. George Marathon. Why do I do it? Because in some masochistic way, I love it.

20 Years.....Really?

2010-09-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago we had our 20th High School Reunion. I can't believe I am really that old! It was so fun seeing old friends, and realizing that some people you didn't hang out with in high school are wicked cool and so fun to be around. The barbeque was so fun! Seeing everyone with their kids was a blast. At the adults only dinner, our table was the loudest, because we were laughing most of the time. We are already going on double dates, girls nights out, and planning trips with friends old and new.

Happy Days....Back to SCHOOL!

2010-09-07T00:37:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I have a senior, a sophomore, an eighth grader, a sixth grader, and a third grader. After sticker shock from the 500 dollars for registration fees for "free"public education, we are full speed ahead with High School soccer, signing endless papers, and homework. Here's a glimpse into happenings at the Parker Place.

Jordan- Sigh.....my baby will be 18 in a few weeks. Where has the time gone? He is trying to be independant and I'm trying to keep him needing his mommy for awhile longer. He would rather spend time with Krystal. (I don't blame him )He did stop at the hospital after a date on Friday, and I got a hug goodnight.

Whit-Is loving being at the high school. She has her driving permit (YIKES!!!), and is a varsity soccer player. As much fun as high school soccer is, she can't wait to be back with her comp team. They will be traveling to North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Colorado, and Vegas starting in December.

Becca-13 going on 20. Make-up, boys, Justin Beiber concerts, Lagoon, texting, avoiding any sort of household jobs at all costs, and piano. Jay is trying to get her to ride my road bike...since I never do. They rode 20+ miles on Saturday.

Kaden- My Kader Bug. A sweeter boy you will never find. He is growing like a weed, and takes great pride in having bigger feet than both of his sisters. He definately inherited the Parker legs...long and skinny. He loves baseball and soccer....tolerates piano lessons.....and would read books 24/7 if he could.

Jackson-the CABOOSE. Jay and I laugh daily at how much is reminds us of Jordan. Stubborn, funny, always thinks he is right, and loves to play with his friends. He hates to read, sulked when he got the "meanest third grade teacher", and is a natural at any sport he tries.

A few more pics from the Baptism

2010-08-25T15:56:00.001-07:00

A few more pics of the big day.....

Jackson's Baptism

2010-08-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

After finding a date that would be best for most of our family, the program was arranged, the brunch was served, and we made our way over to the church. SUPRISE!!!!! There was no one there and the doors were locked. after some frantic calles to the powers that be, we found out we were told the WRONG TIME!!!!!! Since we had family that could not wait, we ended up at a pool belonging to some family friends. It was a great day!

I am a Blogger Now!!!

2010-08-23T00:21:00.000-07:00

I love following blogs, and have been wanting to create one for our family. So here it goes.....