Happy New Year

Rebecca, Kate, Zach, and i rang in the new year. It is now after 12 and the kids are shooting fireworks that Zach and I bought earlier. Jake is at a party and is coming home later. I have had enough and am ready to go to bed. Nothing like the old days but then again these are "new " days with kids every year. Time flies as each year passes and New Years Eve is a vivid reminder. Everybody is a year older including my kids.
When I got home today rebecca had made the scrap books for each kid that I had wanted to do. Looking at them was another reminder of how fast the years go by. 2020 will be a real eyeopener. Jake will be 23, Zach 20, and Kate 17. What a difference from where we are now, but it will be here before you know it. Let's hope all are well until then.
I used to want to get drunk on this night and now I can't wait to go to bed and get up and drink some coffee. I think the older we get the more we value our time here, biology helps too. Maybe I can get some patience with age??

My Brother Todd

This month has really had me looking back in time. Todd's 40th birthday party is happening on january 9th of 2010. Looking at the invitation of he and Lana brings back alot of college memories. We lived together, and I was there when he first went out with her. We were 20 and 18 then. Recently we went back to my grannys to hunt and found a year book from 1986 from Martinsville high school. I graduated there almost 24 years ago ( because of bad behavior on my part). He and mom and dad were there. In the year book there was a picture of me on stage. It brought back good and bad memories. It was the kind of support I could always expect from my brother and a memory of how painful it was when I had to leave home unexpectedly. It also signified just how far these two guys had come over the years. We practice law together to this day and probably will until death or retirement.
In the past I complained of what I thought I did not have as a youth growing up but I continue to see and understand that everyone grows including the parents. I am reminded of that everyday with my 14 year old, Jake.
Todd and I are most certainly different but I love him and always will. I am excited and anxious about the next 20 years because of the potential issues we will deal with. Our parents getting older will be the greatest change we will face. We are use to them being young and always there. If and when that changes it will be unknown territory for us.
My New Years resoluton will be to enjoy all my family members more this year than last keeping in mind the preciousness of time. Happy New Year!

Did you know there is a MOVIE STAR in the family!

Drunk & Stoned

Today is my 2nd wedding anniversary (No - I wasn't either when I got married!). Last night we went to see Better Than Ezra ( No - I wasn't either last night at concert!). I only knew of 1 of their songs going to the concert but I ended up knowing several that I didn't realize they sang. The blog title is actually a really good song they sang at the beginning (and thought would be funny & eye catching). They were very entertaining and really good. I would love to see them in New Orleans -where they are from - maybe New Year's Eve - not this one unfortunately! - but maybe one new years. Have you ever noticed how a guitarist thinks their guitar is an appendage of theirs? - they hold it, strum it, shake it to the audience - this is how the lead guitarist was - very theatrical.

Anyways the past 2 years have flown by - i think all would agree who have been around Chad & I. It seems like we have done a lot in the past 2 years - traveled several places, bought a home, decorated our home (and still are), built a pool, and most importantly grown as a family. Through ups and downs - mostly ups of course - we have grown to be the Parker Reality - but that is family - thru good times and bad times.

To lots more years of "You didn't cut up my asparagus !?! - just kidding babe! - i love my Chad - to lots more years of parker reality craziness.

My wife, friend, essential employee, super stepmom, and lover

Wow! what a couple of good years. Today is our anniversary. Two years ago to the day I was crying as we got married at the Hotel Zsa Zsa in Dallas. It ended a few years of torture but was worth it. She and I almost did not happen but because we are both free spirits it seemed possible and not just fantasy. WE were right. I know it every day.
We had a good time with Luke and Courtney last night getting to see Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues in Dallas. We drove home and worked today at the office. Nothing really special because everyday is. An anniversary is just a number on month of calendar.
She just made me dinner. It was good of course. Ever had anything done half ass from Rebecca? We were suppose to have kids tonight but ended up not having them. I mean mine not producing additional tonight for those of you thinking the worst.
I hope 2010 is as good as the last two years. I think it will be. I bet our life is interesting reading next year.

Christmas at the Farm

Yesterday we had Christmas with Chad's family at the farm. The kids opened presents and played with their new gifts. The adults had great fellowship as my father in law would say and all enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Zach, Mason & Rhett practiced shooting the deer target (thanks to Chris) with their bow-n-arrows. This prompted Chad & Todd to take the boys (minus Jake) hunting today at their Granny's place in Martinsville. Zach was so excited to go.

I took the opportunity of an empty house to put all the christmas decorations away, clean afterwards and put away all of the kids christmas presents away. I love an organized house - just have the play room to finish it up.

Kate stayed and played with Granny at the Farm today - dress up is one of her favorites! Too cute!

Dinner with the Fam

We had a wonderful dinner - my mom out did herself - cooked lots of yummy food that we all enjoyed. Kate tooked a group pict of us. Reed had a crown on from the "poppers" we had at dinner - he looked so cute in it - i couldn't resist a photo. Reed and everyone else was worn out by the end of the night. What a day and what a Great Family! Off to bed to get ready for Christmas at the farm tomorrow!

Rebecca's impact

What a wonderful and easy Xmas. That is primarily because of you know who? and it is not me. My kids have never been better and getting better. Again, that is primarily because of you know who. The kids will be with us until they go back to school EXCEPT for the 28th when we are going to see Better Than Ezra with Luke and Coutney at the House of Blues in Dallas. Gotta go, Rebecca's clan is here. Drinks now. Later.

Christmas

Christmas morning - Chad & I slept till 10 - which we were so excited to do - then got up had coffee, breakfast and the traditional bloody mary! Chico lounged in the sun and enjoyed it not raining. The kids came over about 1:30 and saw what Santa brought them. Everyone was quite excited about their gifts and very thankful. I must say, Santa did quite well this year. After going thru stockings, the kids opened gifts - each taking a turn to open a present. All were a hit. Everyone is settled playing with something they received. I am waiting for my family to come over for our Feliz Navidad fiesta - doing mexican food for Christmas dinner! Here are some pictures from Christmas Morning.

1st Blog Ever

Today is Christmas Eve. What a better day to start a blog...really just nothing on TV and the fact Chad and I have been wanting to start a blog and decided it would be our new year's resolution - that and working out. Decided to atleast commit to the blog and leave the working out to Chad. So far all the kids have been getting along today - in fact that are all upstairs together and have been for about and hour - this maybe a record. Kate and Zach are excited for Christmas tomorrow. Kate is dying to open a present! I think Jake is just glad not to have school and being able to sleep till noon. All presents are wrapped except for a couple bow-n-arrows that I am not sure how to wrap. I do have a couple gift cards to get and the lottery tickets for the stockings.

Yesterday we had a christmas party for Kate - it was a cookie decorating party and we also decorated some christmas masks that turned out to be really cute. 8 girls came - 1/2 were her cousins - they put on 3 plays with the christmas masks - they are posted on youtube - search Kate's Christmas Party 2009. I had to use my camera so the filming isn't that great - hoping for a after christmas sale on a flip - i now have a reason to buy since i started this blog!

Now off to making beds - hoping for a White Christmas - Merry Christmas Eve!

by the way - i spoke too soon - how can 3 kids argue over 3 computers - i will never understand