Parker Sunshine

This past weekend was really nice.  Parker spent the weekend with me.  He and I stayed up late and talked, cut-up and giggled a lot.  He reenacted his favorite commercial for me repeatedly...check it out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgSv1SKCteQ
Today he left and I feel an emptiness that only another Mother could understand. I couldn't help but cry.  I miss him so much.  I think that the rain may have made our parting worse.  I can't wait until we are together again.
Parker, I love you so much! You will always be my sunshine!

SCARED SILLY

Parker came home this weekend.  We decided to go to a haunted house.  Parker's girlfriend, Cassie, came with us.  We had a ball!  I screamed until my throat hurt.  I'm not sure why because I know it's all fake!  I haven't been to a haunted house since I was a kid.  It was crazy fun!

Parker & Cassie




Me & Ricky

  

Disclaimer?



ohhh...scary!



Flowers For My Sister

If I gathered up all my wishes for you and put them in a pretty basket,
your multi-colored bouquet would look like this.......

You'd have peace from every conflict you encounter in your life, all the love you need, and perfect health to enjoy your journey of life.

Your basket would be filled with dreams come true, goals met, and satisfaction with your achievements.

There would be many friendships to enhance your feeling of being loved.

A variety of meaningful relationships gives life spice and balance, so I'd fill your basket with the kind of friends you can call on, go places with and care for.

There would be prayers for your freedom from everything that binds you, and solutions to any problems you may have in life.

In this pretty basket of wishes, you would have everything you need and want.  Every situation and circumstance you encounter would enhance your  happiness.

May the time and concern you've invested in others translate into the kind of love and appreciation for yourself that you so deserve.

You are worthy.
You are beautiful.
You are loved.

As I stir through the memories of what we've shared through the years as sisters, I wish you happiness, and I hope your every dream is coming true!

Lisa, thanks for being the wonderful sister you are!  I love you with all my heart.  It's a wonderful feeling knowing you are also my friend.  May God always bless you and your family,  for you truly deserve the best life has to offer.

Welcome Back Alisha

Alisha is someone very special to me.  I love her like family.  I met her in 2008 when she started working for the company I work for.  Once I got to know her, it was as if I had always known her.  She eventually got laid off because she was pregnant with her 2nd child, Jeremiah.  I was sad to see her go, as was everyone else.  She is the type of person that gets along with EVERYONE..and that's a rare quality these days. She has such a loving nature and she is always smiling.  A few years ago she started working for me at Christmas & Easter to help with our seasonal photography, so we were able to continue to see one another.  She has always been an asset to our photography business.  She is bi-lingual so that's a plus.  She does a phenomenal job with the customers.  She also learned to operate the camera equipment, printers, and the register.  More importantly, she understands all my crazy idiosyncrasies, and that's worth her weight in gold.

Recently she was rehired with our company and I was elated.  I have  always tried to help her as much as I can (in other words, I've got her back) because her family all live in Oklahoma  She's kinda like a daughter to me. She'll always have a special place in my heart.

Alisha, I love you girl...I'm so glad you are back!

I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful friends and you are certainly high up on that list.

Thanks Lisa

 Last Friday night, Ricky & I treated Friends, Lisa (my forever BFF) and Mark to dinner.  It was a "THANK YOU" to Lisa for a recent referral that led to a sale.  Thanks Lisa!  Keep spreading the word!

Mark & Lisa Neal and Ricky at Zeno's.

A Weekend With Baby Jacob & A Unicyle!

Saturday night we got to keep Jacob.  We took him to church to our fall festival.  We had lots of fun.  Ricky brought his 36 year old unicycle.  He is still a pro-rider! It was a treat to have Jacob.  We always enjoy his visits.  I was sad to see him leave.

Pastor Hicks enjoying fun & games

the ever-competitive Ricky





Ricky & Pastor Hicks



Jacob loved the candy apples



yummy!

Multi-talented

It was awesome to see Ricky ride the unicycle

The little girls all loved my handsome nephew!



Bring on the Grub



Alisha & Joseph

Silly boy

Yep...all the little girls loved Jacob

Zoom-Zoom

The Parkers

Alisha & Jeremiah

Give Love

With the Christmas holidays quickly approaching, I was reminded of all wonderful Christmases' I enjoyed growing up.  My parents always managed to go "all out" during this time of year.  I have so many fond memories!  When I was 5 years old, my mama had dolls made for me and my sister.  It is the ONLY thing from my childhood that I've managed to hold on to. I was truly blessed.

These recollection's also reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. 

It's about giving and showing love, and not  about the commercial and secular ideas that we have allowed it to become. So what will you give Christmas day?

People making lists, buying special gifts,
Taking time to be kind to one and all.
It's that time of year when good friends are near,
And you wish you could give more than just presents from a store.

Why don't you give love on Christmas Day
Even the man who has everything
Would be so happy if you would bring
him love on Christmas Day,
No greater gift is there than love.

People you don't know smile and nod hello,
Everywhere there's an air of Christmas joy.
It's that once of year when the world's sincere,
And you'd like to find a way to show the things that words can't say.

Why don't you give love on Christmas Day?
The man on the street and the couple upstairs
All need to know there's someone who cares.
Give love on Christmas Day
No greater gift is there than love.

What the world needs is love
Yes, the world needs more love.

Why don't you give love on Christmas Day
Every little child on Santa's knee
Has room for your love underneath his tree
Give love on Christmas Day
No greater gift is there than love.

What the world needs is love
Yes, the world needs more love.

Baby Bump!!

Yesterday I had dinner with two really great friends....Debra & Mary Beth.  We all used to work together at the Robeson Journal and since then we have remained good friends.  We all live in different towns now but not too awfully far apart.  We usually meet a few times a year to get caught up on things.  They are both awesome women!
WELL>>>  Debra and I have been waiting for the BIG News from MB and tonight we got it!!  MB is going to have a baby girl in February!!!   Congratulations Mary Beth and Brad!!


Mary Beth....see what happens when you catch the bouquet at my wedding...lol!



Look....Aunt Debra & Aunt Jamie with big proud smiles!

A Few Favorites...

Little Baby Jacob has not had the greatest of weeks.  Between having a viral thingy and teething, he hasn't quite been himself.  Hopefully soon he will be back to feeling good again.  These are some pictures that I have taken lately, that I just really love, but of course, any picture of Jacob is a good picture!

18 Years ago...

18 years ago today my beautiful Baby Boy, Parker, was born at 6:27 pm.  He was 9 lbs 3 ozs; and 22 inches long.  He brought a whole new meaning of sunshine to my life.  I was happy beyond words.  That seems like only yesterday, and now he is officially an "ADULT".  With that said, he'll always be my baby boy.
Parker, I love you so much.  I am so blessed to have you as my son.  I could never find the words to explain how I feel about you.  I am so proud of you and I could never imagine my life without you in it.  You really are the apple of my eye.  I look forward to watching as you spread your wings and fly into adulthood. 
I sit here remembering all the times we cuddled together on the couch and I twirled your hair in my fingers as you sucked on your bottle and I wondered what you would be like, and look like as you grew up.  You have surpassed everything I imagined.  I remember all the Halloween costumes, Easters, Christmas', and endless other occasions that will stay in my mind forever.  I remember you starting kindergarten, playing t-ball, your first girlfriend, high school, getting a learner's permit to drive, driver's license, and starting college. The list is endless.
You are my Sunshine...I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Happy Birthday Baby!

Parker chillaxin with his "ninny" at 9 mths old

He just got more adorable with age!

Even with glasses he was adorable
and had a beautiful smile

My Graduate!

What a handsome young man!

I am so excited to see what the next 18 years will bring for you.  I miss seeing you everyday.  So many moments in life are taken for granted and I am guilty of not taking the time to enjoy the small things.  I think of you so very many times throughout each and every day.  Thank you for being such a fantastic son! Even though at times I have fallen short as a parent, I'm so glad God chose ME to be YOUR Mom =-)

  A few interesting facts about Parker:

•  Loves UNC Tarheels.
• Will vacuum a room in a flash...he's a "neat freak".  I should have known because he wanted his very own vacuum cleaner at 3 years old.
• Had perfect attendance for 9 straight years in school
• Sometimes slips into "Gouch Mode".
• Loved to play the harmonica at 4 years old.
• Each time he used to watch cartoons, he had to have all of the characters sitting beside him.
• Has the most beautiful hazel eyes on the planet!
• Was always a great reader and speller.
• Loves sunflower seeds.
• Loves mac 'n cheese and corn mixed together.

October 1993

In October 1993, the stork paid a visit to my sister and me both in the same week.  She got a girl and I got a boy.  This past weekend, we had an 18th birthday party for them both.  They both seemed to really enjoy
the party...

Birthday  Boy

Birthday Girl & Jacob

Let's get this party started

Ready to Party

Do I look awesome or what?

Woo-Hoo

I want a hat too!

Baby J

Food line

yummy

Ready set go

Lizzie's cake

Parker's cake

Fire!

Lizzie

a pose with grands



Double Trouble



Double Trouble



Jacob with Pres Obama

Alisha

Jacob and Uncle Ricky