Still posting!

FYI: This is from the half marathon we did in January! See how glad we are? It's because we were almost finished. This weekend, however, this point will only be HALFWAY! Crazy, huh? Please remember us as you head to church and throughout Sunday morning! The race starts at 7 am and we probably won't be done until lunchtime or so:) Thanks for all your prayers! They mean more to me than you could possibly know!

Headed Out!

We will be heading to the Big Easy this morning as we prepare to leave for the marathon that's tomorrow! Eeek! It's almost here! I have a combination of excitement and nerves! If you would, please pray for safe travel and racing, and continue to pray for the health of my kiddos as well as my parents. I hope it's a delightful time for all of us:) Because I'm committed to blogging everyday I am gonna do a post to stand in for tomorrow because I won't have internet access while I'm there! We will be retyrning on Monday and I'll fill you in on all the datails of the weekend! Happy weekend everyone:)

Believing

The dynamic duo! This is how I found Davis and Jude the other day! They were laying on the floor head to head watch Dora:) When I picked Jude up that morning from his house he was in a little brown sweat suit and Davis had a brown sweat suit on as well! See? Dynamic duo...right down to the outfit!

Well, Annalee went back to school today! Yay! She is still fever free and feels much better! Paige is still home today. She still felt a little warm this morning but felt tons better. Davis is still symptom free and we pray he will continue to stay that way! My mom, however, has been fighting a cold, so you could add her and my dad's health to the list as they take care of my little munchkins this weekend:)

The Lord has heard our cry, and He has answered our prayers! I'm always so skeptical to give God credit in situations like this. I try to talk through it and am afraid to say He did, just in case something goes awry and someone else gets sick. I hate that about myself! I want to give God ALL the glory He's due! I asked Him to stop a stomach bug in its tracks if that is what Paige had. And instead of praising God right off and saying that He did that, I try and explain it away by saying she probably just had a fever virus and when I gave her those meds it gagged her and she vomited! Shame on me! He heard the prayers of His people and ansered them! Annalee is better! Paige is better! They both had it before we left for the weekend! I still ask for prayers for Davis, but I need to really BELIEVE when I ask! I say I do, but my heart obviously still struggles with unbelief or I would never even think of explaining something that the Lord had done away with coincidence!

My struggle at this point lies with Davis. I can see the whole scenario play out in my head. Davis spikes a temp in the middle of the night and it scares my parents which leads to a phone call in the middle of the night which leads to a worried me who feels like I need to come home! Not to say my parents can't take care of a baby with a fever! They are more than capable, as they raised three healthy girls of their own! I do say, however, that they get more worked up over illnesses in their grandchildren, than they ever dreamed of with us! Am I right mom?;) I think I just had this trip all dreamy in my head. That this would be a nice sort of vacation for Scott, which he deserves, and would be this stress free time where I could be focused and run this race and finish and rest! So, please Lord! Help my unbelief! Pray with me still, the things I've mentioned and anyting else you feel led! Thank you guys! And praise the Lord that He IS the ultimate healer and has answered our prayers!

Update!

This is when you know my kids are sick...they fall asleep on the couch! For whatever reason, they have NEVER just fallen asleep on the couch! (ouside of being sick:) They like their bed, which is the only place that equals sleep to them I guess.
The update today is that Paige still has fever, but has not vomited since the episope yesterday afternoon. Annalee woke up fever free and has been so thus far today! Davis has had no symptoms yet. Please continue to pray! We are thankful for others who are lifting us up to the Father. I believe that He certainly hears us and is more than capable of answering provided it lines up with His will!

Prayer needed!

Annalee has been sick the past few days with fever and no other symptoms. She hasn't complained of anything but a headache, especially when she spiked a temp. So, I let it go for all of Monday and Tuesday and just tried to wait it out. Well, last night she woke up with a high fever, so I gave her some meds, cooled her off and we made a dr. appointment this morning. She had also said some things that made me think she might have a UTI, so we wanted to be seen early. We went and the results were that she did not have a UTI, but after holding her down while the dr. cleaned out wax build-up out of her ears (not fun btw) so she could actually see, she saw that her left ear was in fact infected and sent us on our merry way with antibiotic in hand!
I got home, fed the kids, and put them down for a nap. An hour later, I got a phone call from Paige's school that she had a temp and was complaining of a headache! I went and picked her up from school. We got home, and I got her all cozied up on the couch. I drew up some medicine to give her for her temp and started giving it to her, and lo and behold...she threw up! Ugh!
Please keep in mind, that we are supposed to be leaving to go out of town this weekend for my marathon in New Orleans! My parents are keeping my children and Scott and I , and Matt and Morgan, are headed to NOLA Saturday through Monday for the marathon festivities. If you could please pray for us over the next several days, we could certainly use it! I'm trying to fight being anxious about this. My mind hs already tried to go to a hundred different places, and I am also that person where when somebody throws up, 2 seconds later, I feel nauseated! Plaease pray with us:

1) No one else would get the vomiting part of this! Pray that God would stop it in it's tracks and it wouldn't spread!
2) That my parents and children would be and stay well throughout the time we are scheduled to be gone.
3) That I would trust the Lord as He can obviously see the bigger picture right now.
4) That He would allow Morgan and I to run this marathon together this weekend in full health, and trust in Him who gives us each and every step!
5) That He would keep Scott healthy and he can avoid being sick and actually enjoy this time off! (It's a rare occasion you know!)

Thanks! I'll keep you updated:)

As promised!

Snow! In Mobile! It really happened! Not for long. And it didn't stick, but my 3 precious babies experienced it for the first time! So, my friends, it was well worth it! I was super excited myself I might add;)

A bit of a scare

This is Annalee at our local community center's mardi gras parade that ended up being inside due to the snow! Isn't she a doll?



Something happened last night that was so scary for Scott and I! We ended our community group and after everyone left, we put the kids down and sat down for a little R&R. A little while later we hear these gut-wrenching screams from the girls in their room. Scott ran back there and immediately screamed for me. I ran back there only to see a dresser toppled over and not really seeing both girls at first! I finally saw that everyone was out of the way of the dresser. Paige told me that Annalee had pulled all the drawers out and Paige was trying to push them back in. The dresser was obviously top/front heavy and fell over. Paige somehow got out of the way and had only a bruise on her thigh. After assessing everyone for injuries and seeing that everyone was good, we moved on to talking/disciplining. We proceeded to explain that their room is safe as long as they follow the rules set out. But, if you disobey, that safe place can turn very dangerous very quickly! We explained again that is why we tell them they should stay in their beds. Because we know what's best for them! It's not to be a mean strict mommy and daddy. It's because we have their very best interest at heart!
That whole experience was oh so scary. My heart was in my stomach. That could have easily killed one of them! It made us once again appreciate the gift of our children. We sat down to talk after we put them back to bed, AGAIN:) Scott said, "Why don't they just trust us?". That question just made me think about my own relationship with the Lord. I bet that's what He says of me all the time! "Why won't she just trust Me!" He knows what's best for me. He ALWAYS has my very best interest at heart! And yet time and time again, I find myself pulling things on top of myself! It's very gracious of the Lord to show me how I fall short in my own life, so I can compassionately parent my children. I can tell them, just like He can tell me, that I understand! I can share with them, that mommy is not perfect, and I do not have it all figured out! But He is and He does! I am sinful, and wretched, and saved and covered by His grace alone! I can say from experience that they need Jesus, just like I do! I believe that it is important that your children see you struggle at times. Because I want to be the one to show them where to turn! They need to see that modeled before them.
What a precious Father we serve! He finds it sufficient to show us Himself in the lives of our very own children! I am thankful that my girls are just fine. And, I am grateful to see the Lord more clearly through it all.

Fitting it in...

Sundays are definitely not our most relaxing day of the week! It's actually another work day for Scott. Today is no exception. Scott left early. I got the kids up, dressed, fed, and to church, where I was the nursery coordinator this morning. Went to Walmart real quick for the last few odds and ends we needed. Made lunch. Put kiddos down for a nap. Still haven't eaten my lunch yet (nor has Scott). Then, at 4 we have community group leaders meeting. Following that will be our communtiy group meeting at our house at 5:30 until, which we will be having a potato bar! So...I am fitting in this tiny blogging session and giving you the ongoing list of things that I have done, and that I will be doing throughout this busy day!

Remember?

Remember how I said I was gonna post snow pictures and birthday pictures of Davis and Paige? Well...I promise I will...one day.

Publix Trip Numero Dos!

I went to Publix again this morning and I spent $33 and saved $80! I am so excited! I am able to make SEVERAL meals and have plenty for sides:) God has really stretched our money this month. So far on groceries this month, minus another pack of diapers which will add about $15, I have spent $160! That is unreal to me! We still have one week to go, but still! I have done my shopping at Wal-Mart (pricematching), Winn Dixie (where I got ALOT of meat this month), and Publix! I feed a family of 5! Granted, I do have little girls who may not eat as much, but then again, I have Annalee:) Annalee, as tiny as she is, can eat like a full grown man! Anyway, I am super excited and thankful for the Lord's provision. I'm seeing alot more Publix trips in my future!

My Silly Boys

My silly boys! They keep my days bright:) Oh how I love them!

Funny...

Comment of the day:

The setting was all 3 kids arguing over a toy.

Scott: "Annalee, what's more important? Your brother and sister, or toys?"

Annalee: (in all seriousness, and with a small pause) "Toys."

Gotta love her! What makes it even funnier is that we really had full confidence, in what we've been teaching them, that she would've chosen the other option!

Paigey Poo!

At this time 6 years ago, I laid in a hospital bed completely exhausted. I had been awake for the last 72 hours and can't remember ever being so tired. However, as tired as I was, the reward was FAR greater! I held a 7lb 15 oz beautiful, healthy baby girl in my arms! She was breathtaking! She was the sweetest gift the Lord had ever given Scott and I up to that point! I was completely awestruck. I was smiling, and laughing, and crying, and basically just in a sweet stupor that one experiences after the birth of a precious baby:) I remember it like it was yesterday. I think I am gonna always feel like that. Even though the years obviously fly by so quickly, I can go back to that moment in an instant. If I close my eyes, I can still remember that yummy newborn smell:) She had the chubbiest little cheeks and some sad little forcep marks, which I will not comment on, because that, my friends, was not the good part of the memory;0) God made me a mommy that day. As overwhelming as it can be at times, it's a privelege that I am wholeheartedly thankful for. I had a baby girl. She was mine! And yet I was also completely aware that she will always be His first. And today, she is 6! I kinda never pictured myself old enough to have a 6 year old, but lo and behold, here I am! She is still just as wonderfully and beautifully made! So, today, we celebrate our Paige Kennedy Parks and all her 6 years! Happy birthday Paigey Poo!

Monday, Monday

My little ones are out of school today, but unfortunately, Scott had to work. Today was the make-up day for the hurricane day they had in November. He is off tomorrow though! Yay!!! We are definitely looking forward to spending an entire day with him! I genuinely love having my kids at home with me. It was, however, a little more difficult to get to the gym on time for the 8:15 class. When they are in school, we are already out and about and I go straight there. I was a little out of practice this morning, but we made it:) I am also sincerely regretting doing that muscle max class this morning after doing that long run this weekend. All is well, just still fatigued:) My babies are napping on this chilly day and we will soon be headed to gymnastics to burn some more energy! Hope everyone is having a good Monday!

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Love,
The Parks

Busy Day...

This is what I did today...

Woke up at 6:40 am
Drank coffee (Yum!)
Folded and put away 2 loads of laundry
Washed another load of laundry
Woke girls up and fed them breakfast
Got girls dressed, shoes on, hair brushed with bow in place;)
Baked a cake
Ran 20 miles with Morgan from about 9am to 1pm
Took shower and got ready to go to my parents for Davis' bday party
Got kids up from nap and in van
Drove 15 minutes towards my mom's and realized I forgot the bread
Turned around and got the bread
Drove about an hour to my mom's
Had a bday party for Davis (and Paige)
Hung out with the fam for a while
Drove about an hour back to our house
Got kids in pj's and in bed
Took shower
Blogged about my day

I am TIRED!

Snow Day!!!

We had our very first snow day today! The girls were out of school and so was Scott! It was such a great time! The snow came down in big fluffy flakes and made us all feel like little kids during that time! The kids absolutely LOVED it. Unfortunately, none of it stuck:( It is funny how everything shuts down in the South when we get a few flakes, but when it only snows once a decade here, you might as well enjoy it! Pics to come soon!

He's 2!

Davis is officially 2 today! When you ask him how old he is, he replies "I two". He is the sweetest! He's really been a joy! The difference in raising a little boy has been fun. He's still really sweet, but he just has different quirks than the girls do. I, personally, am just in love with him;) I think those big brown eyes are beautiful, and are gonna melt some hearts in the future! He's funny and playful and entertains us with the best of them! The Lord gave him to us and what a gift he truly has been. We don't plan on having any more kids, because of how difficult our pregnancies have been. However, I think that if I had been one of those people who just spit kids out with no problem, I would've had a ton! It's strange. I love each child so much, that it just makes my heart want more! It's like it just feels right when there's a baby in my arms:) So, it makes it a little harder to watch the baby grow up so fast. God has been so good to us, and has given us 3 healthy, beautiful children, and I am oh so very thankful! My baby boy is a precious blessing. If you get a moment, click on the archives on my page to the left. Click on 2008 and then on February. It's just a quick march down memory lane with lots of sweet baby pictures of my Davis! Happy birthday sweet boy!

Davis

Today is Davis's birthday. One of the coolest experiences of my life was getting to deliver him with the direction of Dr. Plessala. I was the first pair of hands to ever come in contact with Davis as he came into the world and Annie was the second. Sometimes when I hold him, I will think in my head "I held you first" Davis at times can be a bit of a mamma's boy, but who wouldn't want to love Annie all day long if you could! But I know he is extremely special to us and I can't wait to see how the Lord uses him! I love my son and hope he has a great birthday! Daddy

Can't Believe It!

I cannot believe it! My baby boy is gonna be 2 years old tomorrow! I seriously can't calculate the time, because it seems like it has gone by WAY too fast! Getting teary just thinking about it! So, I'll post more tomorrow about his big day with some cute pics of course;)

The Perks...

One of the perks of being a stay at home mom is being able to take advantage of the freebies throughout the day! For those of you who don't know me, I am a bargain hunter! Where there is free stuff, you will most likely find me:) Today was no exception! My friend Shay and I went to Denny's after our workout to take advantage of the free grand slam breakfast they were offering. I ran in real quick to see how long the wait was going to be. The lady told me it would probably be about 25 minutes and then asked if I would like a rain check instead. Well, I definitely took the rain check, or should I say 3 rain checks that don't expire until Feb. 19! Shay then took her turn getting her rain checks and we left, only to find ourselves at the nearest chikfila which was offering free chicken minis! So, Davis and I, and Shay and her 2 girls, all enjoyed our yummy breakfasts free of charge!!! I mean, really, what a great way to start off the day!!

I Forgot!

I forgot to post about my savings at Publix! I spent $26.46 and saved $66.27! I was able to make 6 meals out of that, not to mention an abundance of yougurt, and several other everyday snacks and food items that we use often! I was super excited and can't wait to do it again! I LOVE saving money:)

Not feeling well:(

So, I have a little cold that is making me want to cut my head off! I finally got some sinus meds and nose spray, so I'm about to head to bed and hopefully feel much better in the morning! Good night all!

Dreaded Kidney Stones:(

Scott is on his way to the doctor this evening. He has had back pain all day and said that it feels like a pulled muscle. However, he also said that is what it felt like in the beginning when he had kidney stones! I played the nagging wife role tonight and made him go get it checked out. At least if it's kidney stones, we'll know and have meds on board to try and deal with it. And, if it's a pulled muscle, then praise God! So....PLEASE PRAY that it is just a pulled muscle!

The First of Many I'm Sure...

I received a note from Paige's school yesterday, notifying me that today was crazy hair day. So, this morning I get the girls up and they start getting dressed and Paige promptly reminds me what today is. She tried to describe to me how she wanted her hair because evidently she had it all figured out. I couldn't understand what she was wanting me to do, which led to extreme frustration on her part, as well as a few tears! We finally came to a decision as I threw out a few ideas for her to choose from and she was happy with the final product:) I guess this is just gonna be the first of many tears shed over her hair! Lord knows I shed my fair share growing up;) I wonder where she gets it from?

M&M

This is waht happens when you give your almost two year ol a blue M&M.

Publix!

I am making my first trip to Publix on Friday! I'm getting my coupons all together and my mom is keeping Davis so I can get all focused and Save, Save, Save!!! Wish me luck:)

Paige's Teacher

Yesterday I got a not from Paige's kindergarten teacher. We love her and she is in need of prayer. This is what the note said:

Dear Parents,

I was away from school two and a half days last week. I was getting the biggest shock of my life. My husband was diagnosed with Acute AML Leukemia. He was sent immediately to Mobile Infirmary on Wednesday, and will remain there for 30 days. They began his chemotherapy Friday evening. It will continue for seven days, 24 hours a day. At this point, he feels and looks really good. He has a wonderful, positive attitude. He has excellent doctors and nurses. He has many, many friends who have showered him with love and caring. And he has prayers coming from all over the place. However, you can never have enough prayers and thoughts, so I would appreciate it if you would remember him and put him on your church's prayer list. I don't know what the future will bring. I hope to be here in my classroom each day. If, however, something arises that I'm not prepared for, I'm going to be with him. Thank you all for your support.


I'm posting this, asking you to please pray for this family. She is actually scheduled to retire this year. She is in her 60's, I believe, and has only been married about 7 or 8 years I think. I'm not sure if she had a previous husband that passed away or if she married later in life. I do know she has been a precious teacher and has loved my Paige. It does my heart good to see a teacher in a public school send this note home to the children in her classroom! God is not absent from the schools, because He resides in the hearts of His people and He WILL make Himself know through them! Again, please be in prayer for them as they walk this road. I'll give updates whenever we receive them.

I'm baaaack! The pic above is of Davis and his friend Jude. This is what the boys did while the princess party was going on. Brings a fresh new perspective to the "bowl" cut; ) We have really enjoyed being neighbors with Scott and Katie (Jude's mom and dad). We eat together probably twice a week or sometimes more! The kids play really well together, other than the occasional Davis/Jude tiff. It's just really sweet to really live out community. The Lord is continuing to grow us as we learn more and more about what true christian community should look like. Doesn't look too shabby from where I'm standing:) Happy Monday! It's 24 night!