THE PARK POST

Every few months I drive to the temple while the kids are at school and invite anyone in the ward to come with me.  My usual takers are the older widows and women who have no transportation.   It is quite an experience dealing with walkers, women telling me I'm going the wrong way or driving a little too fast, and listening about the ailments and doctor visits they all have to get to.  But in the end I realize that this will be me too someday and they are always so grateful to be able to go that it makes it worth it for me.  This last time Mike had the day off work and so he got to come with me and all the older ladies.  I loved having him be the driver and all of the ladies loved having a doctor trapped in the car with them for 3 hours.  They could ask any health questions they wanted for free!  I'm not so sure how soon he'll be signing up to go again with us, but it was fun while it lasted. They realigned our wards here in Columbus on Su...

 McKell turned 14 on January 8.  All she wanted for her birthday was an ipod touch 5, (actually all she wanted was an iphone 5 but that's not happening for awhile) so she had to forfeit all of her grandparents' birthday money in order to afford it.  I think she thinks it was worth it.  I definitely can't accuse her of not getting enough use out of it. :)  McKell wanted to sleep in as long as she wanted on her birthday, but the funny thing was she was so excited she woke up earlier than normal.  We had a breakfast birthday party with Krispy Kreme and Starbucks.  I took her and Paige to get a manicure and she wanted her eyebrows waxed for the first time.  We live in a different world because I didn't even know that was an option until I was about 30.  Mike and I took her to dinner later that night and then she had her friends come and sleep over.  I think she had a fun day and enjoyed me not nagging her to do any work all ...

We loved having the Park clan come visit.  We went to Les Mis two nights in a row, ate great food, Katie and Nick went to Atlanta with the older girls, and we played pictionary several times. (BLUE TEAM)  Sam, Noah and Jackson all decked out with air soft equipment.  Not sure how I feel about this pic.   Sad modern day reality.  Even the grandparents are keeping up with the technology. Mike used his new panoramic feature on his phone for these pics. Nick likes to look mental, and this feature sure helps him out. Jackson actually smiling and letting us take a pic with Grandma. We went to Crepe Myrtle.  So delicious! Paige only performed a small role in the Nutcracker this year, but she still did amazing. Paige helping me out with Sydney's class Christmas party.  Somehow I got nominated to be room mom this year. The girls curled Sydney's hair and dressed her up on Christmas Eve.  We made our annual t...

 Last week Jackson performed with his school at the downtown Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony.  Their group performed dead last, so we stood through about 2 hours of other groups performing.  When he finally got up to perform he couldn't stop coughing.  It was painful to watch him try to not cough and we even tried to motion him off stage, but he was determined to stay and play his part on the   xylophone.  We took Sydney and him to Five Guys and Cherry Berry afterwards so that helped cheer up the night. On Saturday we took the kids to Annie at the Springer Opera House. Amazingly everyone liked it, although Jackson said he would deny he liked it if any of his friends asked.  After the play Mike and I dropped the kids at home with instructions to be out of sight and in bed when we came back and then we went for dessert by ourselves at 10:45 at night.  It made me feel young again to be out late and even bette...

      I am making calendars for our young women for Christmas and I have been reminded how amazing they all are.  My new favorite song is "I Am His Daughter" by Nicole Sheahan because it combines beautiful music with powerful lyrics. It really doesn't matter what age we are, we always need to remember these words:   The photos in the magazines Don't dictate who I'm supposed to be The world can't recognize, all that I am inside But I know in His eyes,  I am a part of, the bigger picture There's so much more to me He helps me see that I have so much to offer I am His daughter He loves me the way I am, He's my strength when I stand He is my King, and my Father, I am His daughter. The people on the TV screen, The leaders, rulers, and queens I watch them shape the world, And though I'm just a girl, I still know for sure, That I am a part of, the bigger picture   There's so much more to...

#1 Stress-Free Thanksgiving Meal.  Fresh Market provided the basics and we made a few favorite side dishes.  We miss our extended families on the holidays, but we have learned to be content and grateful that we have each other to celebrate with.  #2 McKell's tender side --Our neighbors, the Hansens, went away for Thanksgiving and asked McKell if she could watch their cat at our house.   I think all of the kids were in heaven for a few days with him around.  I learned that I must be getting a little soft in my old age to let a cat in my house, but actually it wasn't too bad other than the occasional jumping on my head and biting my feet at unexpected times.  I  was reminded of  McKell's softer side as I watched her take care of Toby.  Sometimes I forget about that when we are in the midst of her teenager angst.    #3 My husband--I love the way he loves me. Even though I am high maintenance sometimes he always se...