A mother's worst nightmare....

locking your child in your car!!!!
Well, it happened today and today was one of the longest days for me as a mother!
Parker and I went and had lunch with "Aunt Lola" & "Aunt Sam" at the Teacup Cottage! Thanks for a great lunch "Aunt Lola!"
We left around 2:30 to do some errands! I was headed to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Old Navy...but we only made it to Jo-Ann's!
I got all checked out around 3:30 at Jo-Ann's! I unloaded my stuff, unloaded my purse (which had the usual...cell phone, wallet, and then I threw the keys in the seat too) FYI-I always take this with me when I get in the car....!
Next I loaded Parker in, shut the passenger door, & shut his passenger side door.
Grabbed his shopping cart cover, and thew it in the back of my SUV door....and off to the driver's door I go!
Here are my thoughts for the next LONGEST 45 Minutes of my day:
OH-NO! OH-NO! My door won't open??! (I look in and there are the keys on the passenger seat)...( I instantly knew if the driver's door doesn't open -then none of the others will open!!)
MY HEART STARTS BEATING FAST....
I go over and realize my "nightmare" has just come true!
NO! How can this be?
Why did I put my purse and keys in before Parker?
Now I really start to Panic!
There is an instant feeling of fear and hopelessness when you and your child are just separated by a piece of glass and you have no way to reach out to him!!!!
I look in at a HAPPY 15 month old sipping away on his juice.
However, he sees me (through the tinted window & thinks we are playing a "peek-a-boo" game)
So he throws down his juice and starts to laugh!
OH-NO! (That should entertain you ....now what do I do?!!!)
I leave him -"HOW DARE I LEAVE MY CHILD, unattended in a the car!!! Calm down Jenn, you have to call Mike-your phone is in the car!" I realize -no one can take him!
I begin to cry and try to compose myself.
I RUN into the store!
My face said it all!
"HI-I need to call my husband, I just locked my baby , my keys and phone in my car!"
Sales Rep-"Oh, NO!" Absolutely...she then speaks into her microphone (her private one) and says ("I need a manager up to the front. I need some help with a lady who is locked out of her car and her baby is in there!"....)
In the meantime I have to remember Mike's number....thank-goodness I know it...even though He is "2" in my phone!
(TODAY everyone is just one number in most cell phones....this wonderful tool called "speed dial"!!!)
I am crying and he hears it in my voice....he calms me down and leaves instantly....however he is 20 miles away-but a good 1/2 hour!
My mind begins to worry and I run back to the car.
Now the managers know and 2 are out to help me!
We tried to have Mike push the remote through his cellphone and into the managers phone! It didn't work...so after 20 minutes we called 911~!
Parker is now crying because Mommy is NOT getting in the car!
A really sweet lady, named Crystal insisted on giving me her umbrella! (It began to rain-but I didn't care! My boy was in the car and I had no where else to go!)
I think he could hear me-but he couldn't see me very well! Poor little guy!
(FYI-his latest is when he cries he says "Abbey -over and over again!" )
Within 10 minutes of the Management calling 911 the big red firetruck arrives!!!!)
My MIND-"A FIRETRUCK! I am SO embarrassed! This is really gonna be a great blog entry now-no even better....It will be a great story at the baby shower on Sunday!? (I was getting stuff to make a baby shower gift!)

So thank goodness for the local fire department and their little tools to open my car up!
My lesson: have a spare key somewhere (besides MIKE) , or with someone who can rescue me quickly!

When I got in the car, I was never so happy to take Parker out of that car seat!
It was the best hug I had with Parker yet!!!
All the feelings of fear and hopelessness faded as I embraced him!
Now I have a better feeling of how God feels when we are so close, yet so distant from him!
Hopefully this nightmare does not come true for any of you other moms out there!

(FYI-Mike pulled in just as the firetruck was pulling out!!!)
Jenn :)

Back home & healthy

...my Olympus Camera is back in business! LOL
According to the "Drs. report" they had to replace the lens. P.T.L. it was all under waranty!
Mike and his friends played in a local Softball Tournament today. They got 3rd place and did well, considering that they played against teams who play constantly in tournaments!
Parker, as I have mentioned in previous posts is ready to walk.
While we were at the ballpark, Aunt Lorelei was motivated to get Parker walking! Here are a few photos of Parker in action (not quite walking but so close) and one photo ( under mommy's legs LOL).
We only stayed for 1 game and then found ourselves all of a sudden at Old Navy getting some great bargains! Parker desperately needed a winter coat and they were 50% off today!

Modeling his new winter coat

Peek-a-boo...I see you!

Parker and "Aunt Lola"

I got a little carried away, but love it when we get great bargains!

Here is a little video too of Parker "walking" for that softball

Jenn :)

PS: If you haven't signed up for the Parlee Pocket giveaway...we still have the contest going on for 1 more week!

A First for Everything....

Last night was History in the making....Our first Black President Elect come January! I hope that we get some good change that America needs. Now we must pray for him as he embarks upon this new role! Being an educator, I have been moved by this victory that the "dream has finally happened for the African- American Race, and believing that there was NO future for them ....amazing history in the making!" I really do wonder where we will be 1 year from now? Peace?!! Better Economy?! The list goes on!
Change is supposedly about to happen with our Government , but one thing will NEVER change...God is still on his throne and he is in Control!

Another "first" in our household....Mike and I awoke to a happy boy this AM! When I went in to get him ....(beacuse I heard this tap, tap, tap that couldn't be an object anywhere near his bed) he WASN'T IN THE BED! Parker was on the floor tapping the trash can like a drum! The room was in complete disarray, it really looked like a tornado hit! I said to Mike, "GET IN HERE! (Trying NOT to LAUGH) Did you come and get him out?" He laughed-at Parker's creative escape" (Parker has a door on his crib and it wasn't latched apparently last night.) So, this morning when he was singing away and dancing, the door opened and he happily hopped out!
A First for everything for sure! One of the moments I probably would have captured on my camera....but it is still "at the Hospital!"
Tonight the door will be locked on Parkers crib and come January, we will have a new President that we must all be praying for!

Jenn :)
Proverbs 3:5-6

Win a Parlee Pocket

We have a Parlee Pocket to give away!

Check out the website to the Left to see how you can win it!

Today is Novemeber, 4th (Election Day) so make sure you get out there and vote!
I was able to take advantage of early voting last week! I stood in line for almost 2 hours, but got it over with! I hear there is like NO lines at all today!
AHHHH!-Oh well!
Let us know what you think of the new Parlee Pocket we are giving away!

Jenn :)

Winne the "Parker" and Friends

Parker-roo was "Winne the Pooh" or as Mike likes to say..."Winne the Parker!"

I wasn't able to get the DVD finalized, so I can't show the video of Parker walking. Hopefully the new one I put in, I will get some footage.

In the meantime here is 1 photo of Halloween night of Parker and (his friends) all the mommy's planned this (obviously!)

My good friend Samantha has ALL the photos of the day. So when she sends them, I will post them!I really miss my camera and I will be happy to get it back! But, thanks to great friends for taking so many photos!

In this Photo:Kayleigh's mom took this one, (Kayleigh is the Lobster, Marlee ="honeypot", Parker= Pooh, Courtney (my friends Samantha's niece)=Piglet, and our friend Shawna's little boy, Luke=Piglet)

It was so funny to see them all look at each other, when we were taking their pictures.

We went to our church for Fall Festival and then came back and had some chili!

It was fun 2nd halloween for Parker...(he was more into this year vs. last year!)

Now that Halloween is officially behind us.....it's time for the Holidays to begin!

YEAH (so much to still do)

Jenn :)

WALKING....ALMOST!

As I stated in my last post...the camera is sick and at the hospital getting fixed!
But, I do have the lovely Camcorder and made good use of it the other day!
Forgot to put my memory card (for photos) -but I will have iti in this weekend.
Anyway-I captured Parker, "walking" behind his Buddybug the other day!
He LOVES to hear it play music.
About 2 weeks ago, he wouldn't walk with it,unless we were behind him!
All of a sudden he is taken a deep interest!
Maybe he will take his first steps on Friday-when he sees Papa!
My dad is flying through ATL airport and we are going to go visit him for lunch! He has almost a 2 hour layover and we will MAKE the time for sure!
I always jump to any opportunity I can get to visit with my family!
I will post the video once I figure out how to plug it in the to computer...urr ....frustrated and going to bed!

Jenn :-)

Parlee Pockets

Samantha and I officially have started selling our new craft...Perky pockets...that we now officially call "Parlee Pockets" named after our 2 kids!
We have a website and blog....
Check them out and tell us what you think!
We will be giving one away really soon so keep checking out the site to see how you can get one!

www.parleepockets.etsy.com
http://parleepockets.blogspot.com

Jenn :)

My first encounter with Mike's CFO

Mike really wanted me to blog about my laugh of the week!
Actually, I call it my first encounter with one of the GE -CFO's!
On Tuesday, Mike forwarded an email to me.
He was telling me that he will be going to a Hockey game next Thursday with his finance team. He was just checking to make sure that there were not any conflicts.
(The FWD came from Jason his CFO;so Mike just fwd it on to me)
I only saw Mike's name.
I hit reply and (only see that it is going to Mike).
Here is what I said :
(thinking the email went to Mike)
None!
Just make sure I get Sunday to myself ....since you are playing ALL day Saturday in a tournament.
Or -just do me a favor and MOP my kitchen floor.
I realllllllly do not want to do it today!
It is SO sticky and dirty.
Jenn :)

In 10 Minutes here is the email back
(Not from Mike- but the CFO) :

Jenn, although we haven't met I will sign Mike up for whatever you have on the honey do list....Mike I want to see that kitchen floor spotless...I want to see pics...thx, Jason!

Yup- I was shocked!I was rejoicing that I didn't have anything negative about the company or none the less-something personal to Mike!

LOL
Hope this makes you laugh as much as we did!

FYI:
I will be looking forward to eventually meeting Jason...and sharing a photo of the clean floor!

Jenn :)

Pumpkin Patch with Kayleigh and MOPS group

Here is a cute video of Parker& Kayleigh at the pumpkin patch (below)! I took the two of them with my MOPS group Monday.

They had a great time and they each loved riding on the tractor for the first time !

Parker& Kayleigh were so excited to see the little and BIG orange "balls" (aka-pumpkins)!

It is getting to be a blast to go out more often with the 2 of them...it is hilarious (when I am out with them...I stay home mostly though these 2 days) the questions I get! "Are they twins? How old are your babies? Are they related?... I smile and say they are friends and I babysit her.

Parker is officially 14 months old and FYI-still has NO interest in walking! But he is starting to walk behind some of his little bikes. We are working on it, but not rushing it either. We figure he will be walking for the rest of his life-and when he is ready he will let us know! He loves to walk around things and stand all the time.
His favorites are still about the same, but we do have a few new words:
Ball- "Where's da ball?" (when he cries he says "Ball" over and over again. It is funny!)
Baby
Yites (light)
Cheese
Ju (juice)
He recognizes the sound of the planes that fly over our house (we live close to a small airport & also Dobbins Airforce Base) so we get planes flying over frequently. He Stops at whatever he is doing to listen and acknowledge the Plane! It is so cute.
Still can't say "Plane" yet-but he knows what it is.
He loves to eat Mac & Cheese and hotdogs. He would eat it everyday if I let him.
He has gotten better to let me give him some spoon fed food!
He goes in next month for his 15 mth checkup and I am guessing he is about 23-24 lbs!
We will see. The boy has NO waist & long legs so it is interesting to fit clothes on him!

FYI- My camera broke 1/2 way into the visit. Thankfully I am under a 1 year waranty. I have only had it for 6 months-so I have to send it back to get repaired. We will manage without for now! AND NO I DID NOT BREAK IT to all my family and friends who love teasing me about my electronics. I had it in the case pulled it out, turned it on and it wouldn't stay on. The lens constantly turns on and off! I have an Olympus FE 320 (I love it)! It is nice and small, and takes great photos for the size of camera that it is. I will be happy to get it back and take photos again. In the meantime we have to use our camcorder.

Enjoy this cute video-

FYI (in this video)*Parker is just chilling in the middle of the patch. Kayleigh is trying to figure out what to do with these "orange" things.

Google Game

I saw this done recently so I thought I would do it!
Here are the rules:
1. For each question, look up the answer in a Google Image search.

2 Then choose one of the first 3 images.

3. You get some fun and often cryptic answers.



Have fun learning more about me in a visual way!
(At the end of this post I am flagging some of my close friends to do it!)







My Age













Town where I was born















My current hometown












First job













My addiction or (bad habit)














First name













Maternal Grandma's Name

My husband's nickname...( LOL)

















My Favoirite Color

















My Degree















A past pet














Favorite Animal
















Place I want to visit

Favorite place growing up

Favorite Celebrity

Favorite Restaurant

Favorite food













Ok....so there you have it! Some fun facts about me!

Now I tag: (some of my most often blogging friends)

JOY

DANIELLE

SAMANTHA

LIZ

AMY

KARI

CHRISTY

CASSANDRA



If you want to know how to do it fast and quickly go to:

http://www.googleimages.com/

• do all your searches


• save as a file


• then post them into your blog!

Can't wait to see all of yours!

Jenn :)

Oficially a member of the "30+"club!

Happy Birthday Mom! (DO I need to say anything more?)

Eating a free Canolli @ Ippolitoes

I had a great birthday on Tuesday and I appreciate all the cards, notes on facebook and calls from so many of you! My email was flooded with notes and it was uplifting!

Looking back over the last year has been a treasure!

God has blessed me with so much and I could not ask for a better husband or son. Now, I am officially into the "30's" club and establishing the family. Someone said to me recently, that the "30's are the new 20's!" Hmm, I was still trying to figure out what God had in store for me then! I really don't want to be back in my 20's! I am excited to continue this journey and hopefully expand our family and complete it before the big 4-0 ! It is hard to believe that I was a brand-new mom for my 30th birthday, and 1 year later, seems like Parker has been with us forever.

Mike, & Parker took me out to dinner at Ippolitoes (one of my favorite Italian restaurants).

We had a great time eating their good 'ol garlic rolls and then did a little shopping!

Thanks for a sweet day Mike (& Parker)

I look forward to seeing what the new year will hold.

Jenn :)

Birthday Celebration

Friends who might just look like "sisters!"
(having chocolate fondue at the Melting Pot with the Hoeyes)
(posing with my "comedian" husband-we were just wired from all the chocolate)

It is almost that time of year again! Yes, another birthday and I stop counting after 30! Haha

Last night Mike and I got out to a movie and then the Melting Pot with our good friends and neighbors Rick & Lorelei! Lorelei is one of my closest friends and like a sister to me! I love spending time with her and Mike and Rick get along great, they love their Sports. Lorelei and Rick are a great "Aunt & Uncle" to Parker! They are usually our first pick to watch Parker at a moments notice/ or when we need a "date"...but we have to have some fun too with them! So, a special thanks to my good friend, Yvette for watching Parker! She is one of my teaching friends and also another awesome "Aunt!"

I LOVE Chocolate and I was convinced that The Melting Pot would be healthier then some cake! It was fabulous! We got a Dark Chocolate & Peanut butter dip & we also got a Turtle dip.

I am too blessed to have all that God has given me the past 31 years (yup-almost 31); godly parents, 3 wonderful sisters, godly in-laws, in-law brothers and sisters and of course my great friends, Lorelei, Joy, Samantha, Liz and Yvette! Of course I did not leave out the most wonderful man and friend in my life: Michael! I am so happy to be married to this true man of God ,wonderful husband and father. He has been my rock and my best supporter the last 9 years (married 6 1/2 and dated the rest...can't believe how long we've been together)! Each Birthday and Anniversary, makes me feel more loved and blessed by you ! I will be honest that there have been some really tough times, but you have been through it all with me and have loved me no matter what "mood" I have been in! Thank you for loving me and being the man you are to me (which is usually one of these roles); friend, daddy to Parker, my CFO (LOL), love of my life, & best friend!

Thanks again to 2 other great friends, Rick, Lorelei for a fun night of celebration!

Jenn :)

Here's what's cooking and crafting with Jenn!

I love the fall and there is nothing better then homemade soup or chili!
I found this recipe last year for New Years and it's been a favorite ever since!
White Chicken Chili If you ever get a rotisserie Chicken and have some leftovers this is perfect for those left-overs!

I also got around to making a Pumpkin Roll! There is something about having it in the fall that makes me love the season even more! The taste of the sweet cream-cheese filling is what makes it so good!

Now for the "crafty" side of me: My friend Samantha and I are taking on a new "project."

Here is what we call "Perky Pockets!"

Perky Pockets =for a nursery or room that needs a little more "organization with a little bit of perky style!"
We made this for a Baby shower gift .We had a blast and now we want to make more!
What do you think?

We can make one for you!

Boys =Buttons
Girls = Bows
Just tell us the colors and style of the room.

Email me at mjriese@hotmail.com and I can tell you the pricing for the size and style you choose.

Blessings,

Jenn :)

Where does he get that red hair?

Playing in Kayleigh's ball pit at her house!



I often get asked where Parker's red hair comes from! As you all know Mike and I = have brown hair. However, my Grandma Clark, and my dad's 2 sisters all had/have red hair! Mike's mom and grandma also have/ had strawberry blond hair! So, Parker got the recessive gene from both of us! It is funny to go out places with him and make people wonder! Somehow it is a common phrase if a couple doesn't have red hair and their child does, then the baby must be the "mailman's kid!"

LOL But our mail person is a lady!


The day he was born the nurses started joking about his hair-till they heard about the family!


Now that I have cleared that all up -it goes on about my story of the week!


I was in the garage playing with Parker & Kayleigh and Carol, our mail lady brought me up a package. (It was my new cell phone! YEAH!)


She was admiring how much Parker had grown. She said she remembered the day he was born!


I told her I had to clear up one thing with her:


The day we were coming home with Parker, my father-in-law was waiting for us in the garage. Carol (Our mail-lady) was delivering the mail and saw the blue bow on the mailbox. She shouted up "CONGRATULATIONS" to my Father-in-law said-"THANKS!"


Then she asked the name!


My F.I.L went blank. He forgot Parker's name and shouted out "DANIEL!"


So for 1 year she thought Parker was a "Daniel!"


I officially introduced Parker and cleared it up. She laughed and remembered it well. She got a funnier laugh when all say our baby is the mail-man's baby!


Nope, he is really ours!!!


We love our little red-head.





Jenn :)

Pumpkin Patch Adventure

Gas has been SO hard to get these days! I will not go into the long story, but if you hear it affecting the south it is true! We are at $4.29 a gallon right now and some days there is gas and some days you pass 12 -20 gas stations before it is available. If it is available, there might be a limit, 20-40 minute wait, or only good to get for an hour till it is all gone! So, I have been really trying to preserve my gas, and not just be "on the go" every day! Thankfully, I have 3/4 of a tank and hope it lasts a good week still.
I wanted to take Parker to a pumpkin patch (we went to 1 year ago with my sisters)however, it was a distance that was unecessary at this time. So, we went to a local Methodist Church that has a "pumpkin patch" that they create each fall! Afterall, I just wanted some cute photos and it was free! We went with Aunt Samantha, Marlee, Aunt Shawna & Luke!
I LOVE the fall! Some of my favorites about fall:
The smell of apple-cinnamon candles, freshbaked pies and breads, finally wearing longsleeves, OK, I'll admit I even like a few presents in October for my birthday , but I get really excited when all the pumpkins arrive and leaves start to change! One of the great things that our God does to bring change in the seasons and a time to reflect his beauty!
As Parker gets older, I hope he learns to love the beauty of the seasons!
Happy Fall to all of you!
Now, some homemade pumpkin pie would be perfect right now!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Softball tournament Photos

Here are 2 scrapbooks of our time in Orlando!
It was wonderful having my mom with us! As I stated earlier, I could not have been able to attend the games and be with Mike if Mom hadn't come.
The weather was in the high 80's and that made it HOT for Parker. He was a great trooper when we did have him at the Ball-park (and that was only 1 game a day!)
My mom and I took him to down town Disney on Saturday night. He was enamored by all the people and the ducks we saw on the way out.
We had a blast taking him into the hot tub at the hotel. It was mild (not hot at all) and he loved it. But he really loved riding his bike all over! He was on a first name basis with the ladies at the front desk (it was a riot)!
Enjoy the photos,
Jenn

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

And the winner is......

2008 PWC Softball Tournament Champions
ATLANTA

Wes (Senior Manager at PWC) getting the "victory water" poured on him!

Proudly holding up their well deserved trophy!

After competing in the tournament for 5 years, they finally won! They were estactic and completely speechless when they realized they won!

I was so thankful that I was able to be there for the win! Mom and Parker were back at the hotel napping. If Mom hadn't come I would have missed the championship win!

In my last blog I shared that they had won 2 out of 3 games on Friday's Round Robin. That night they got seeded 7 out of 30. Their first game was at 10:00 PM on Saturday. They played 4 games Saturday winning them all!

(Here is a photo of the bracket showing their seed on Friday night)

(Mike and I at the dinner Friday Night)

Sunday, they played for a spot in the winners bracket and got it! Their final game was against the defending champions, Tampa! (Who has won the last 3 years) ATL really wanted to beat them!) I am sure it was a huge dissappointment to Tampa, to lose. But, we are THRILLED for the Atlanta victory! I had nerves in my stomach the whole time of the championship game. I can only imagine how they were feeling!

(Mike running to 1st)

Now they are responsible for the 2009 tournament. One of the rewards(but work) for winning the tournament is to run and host the next years tournament! Sounds like a blast to me!..All of a sudden, it is alot of work. (There are 30 teams and around 13 girls teams and each team has 12-13 ...so it is alot of people to host and plan an event for!) They will have to scout out great towns since next year is the 25th annual tournament!

I am already looking forward to the 2009 tournament!

I am proud of you Mike, and (your team) for winning!

Way to go ATL!

Jenn & Parker (a.k.a-your number 1 fans!)