18 Months old and.....

Parker got his first Haircut!

Yesterday was an adventure I will always remember.
I had to capture the moment on video since Daddy is away in Brazil.

I will be the first to admit that our child is NOT perfect and by no means "an angel !" But we sure think he is cute! Did I mention VERY strongwilled, hilarious and defineitely "ALL BOY!" I write all this explanation for his behavior in the first video. Of course, it was his FIRST haircut and he had never been in this situation before! After his tears and uncertainty,we bribed him to get through with this wonderful creation of nothing more then sugar on a stick, a.k.a "A SUCKER!" I assisted and had him sit on my lap. It turned out cute and so happy to have that "long hair finally cut!"

Update:
The week has been long since Mike was away and we were sick. On top of us being ill, I have had to pull out the nebulizer again for him. He has been wheezing and coughing a ton. But, he still has been a happy boy and not missed a moment with his time outside or playing with his ball! He got some extra playtime in with Kayleigh, even though I wasn't watching her, and I posted a few photos of our time.

Just this past month he took a deep interest in a spoon and fork . He is really growing up to be a big boy. He is 25 pounds and next week we will see where he is on the charts.
In the world of food, we still battle over certain vegetables, but he is getting better. :)
Each day is always an adventure (a true understatement) with him and we are so happy to have him in our lives.

Enjoy the videos : )

Yuck.....

Is exactly how I /we feel today! I had my fingers crossed that we would not have any drama here while Mike is in Brazil-BUT it all began yesterday.

When I got home from Church I felt AWFUL! I was feeling nauseous ALL day and crashed in the lazy boy at 2:00. Mike was cleaning the WHOLE house for me (He is SO good to me) and trying to pack for his trip!

Parker woke up screaming at 2:30 and I should have known-then-it was the stomach bug...but the other end! After Mike went in there and comforted him he went back to sleep. He woke up at 5 and he exploded in his diaper. Fortunately, Mike was still here and assisted me with his bath and the MAJOR cleanup!
I was still feeling yucky all night-went to bed at 9! I tossed and turned ALL night! Then at 5 Am it hits me and I puke away! (...sorry to get graphic...) After 5:15 I felt SO much better. I went downstairs and slept on couch till 7:30! Parker woke up at 7:30 with ANOTHER diarrhea episode....Thankfully I was over the worst of my sickness and had enough strength to get him in the tub -clean all the linens and clean his room...Lysol and all!

I really MISS Mike today. I am so glad he is NOT gone often!
(Still no appetite and can't seem to eat that can of soup yet-but the cherry 7Up is helping.)

So glad my little boy is a great napper and I can get some rest today too! This too shall pass-AMEN!

I do have a sweet reminder of Mike's love for me....he got me these gorgeous roses for Valentines Day! He knows my favorite color of roses is purple, and couldn't get them so he opted for white with a spec of purple flowers!

It will be good to see him again hopefully when we are fully recovered!

Jenn :(

Happy Valentines Day

Here is Parker's photo we had on some Valentine Cards for the family.

We hope you all had a nice Valentines Day.
Mike and I got out Friday. for a date( since he leaves tonight for Brazil). Once again, another business trip-but hopefully the 5 days will fly by fast!
We went out to Bugaboo Creek for a nice (peaceful) steak dinner, and then went to see Slumdog Millionaire. I was not excited about going to see it, but I will give a big high 5 to Mike for choosing a movie that was very well written and a bit romantic. I was actually touched by the story and now know why it got an Academy Award.
We have finally gotten back into a routine since being back from our cruise. It is so much fun to go away-but so NOT fun to do all the laundry upon return. I think it was 5 loads and I was so excited to have it done. Not to mention that Parker's car seat got a major wash too( due to all the vomiting on the way home)! I started back up with my Bible Study Group-Freedom for Mothers (Motherwise). I LOVE the series and always gain so much, insight from all the other mom's on top of Biblical growth!
This week I have some projects to do,(no Kayleigh this week-she has company coming this week to watch her. ) On Wed. we are gonna go to Monkey Joe's (an indoor play place )with her and her mom. I am sure Parker will LOVE that!
Fingers crossed Parker and I stay healthy and there is no major event while Mike is gone!

Wishing you all a happy week,
Jenn :)

Our Disney Adventure and MORE

We are back from the "Happiest Place on Earth" and our Disney Cruise. One word to sum up the cruise-AMAZING! We had the BEST time and will go back again soon! We LOVED having the time with the family and of course just being on the cruise boat in 80 degree weather in Feb! Disney is unbelievable~! Compared to Carnival we gave Disney a 10 / Carnival gets a 6!

We spent the weekend prior to the cruise in Orlando. We went to Boma's Restaurant (at Animal Kingdom Lodge) to celebrate my parents 40th Anniversary. We had a great meal and loved seeing all the animals at the Animal Kingdom. We had some rain that weekend so we didn't do all that we wanted. We didn't let that put a damper on us though. Just seeing Parker interact with his cousins and really get acquainted was priceless. Friday, Parker and I went to the Orlando Science Center with my sister Julie, her husband,Rob and their son, Jack! (They were not going on the cruise) so we wanted the boys to spend some time together. It was fun to just let them run around!

Top 10 Highlights of our trip:


(Here is a family photo of the 12 of us that went on the cruise)

1. We had private fireworks from the top of the boat and got to spend a day in the Bahamas & Disney' Private Island (Castaway Cay)



2. 80 Degree weather the day we were in Nassau.
   



3. No cooking or cleaning the whole week ...so nice to have your room made up at night too!




4. I only gained .4 pounds the whole 10 days....and I was happy to not have gained 10!




5. Mike and Parker bonded a ton




6. I got a pedicure in the Spa




7. My parents room was right next to ours (and helped with Parker!! THANKS)




8. Mike got to watch the Superbowl on the biggest screen TV yet.... (They had a party on the top deck so he was THRILLED)




9. Great food, fabulous Broadway shows, and time alone at the pool!




10. We spent 6 days with my family and we treasured each moment with them.'

Now I must say that we had a few little adventures that were UNPLANNED and we will laugh about one day:

Jenn's wedding Rings~

Following the cruise we stayed in Cocoa Beach with my sister, Jolyn (her family) & my parents. We got off the cruise at 9:30 Thursday morning. We got early check in to the Marriott and we were all tired!( Last night on ship was a little rocky due to waves and it was a short night.)
We checked in the hotel and laid Parker down for a nap! I decided to lay down too. I took off my jewelry (including my wedding rings) and laid them on the dresser by the bed.Parker took a 3 hour nap (AND I DID TOO). We woke up at 1 and Mike had to step out for a conference call. I checked email-Parker woke up! I changed his diaper and let him play! *(Forgetting that my jewelry was laying on the dresser (at his reach). He discovers them and takes them away. We got ready to go over to my parents hotel and I was getting changed and went to get my rings....they were NOT there! I PANICKED! I instantly knew Parker took them! He is not at the age of reasoning and able to explain where something is...so I really panic now! I begin to cry and Mike is just thinking how expensive this vacation could become if we do not find them! I am starting to think he has thrown them in the toilet (seems to be a favorite place to put stuff). To make a long story short- after calling my parents to come and help, me being so weak and in desperate cry for them. We gave up-Mike found my wedding band, but my diamond set was GONE! I was sick and could not even eat! We left to go down to the hotel for a bit! Mike loads Parker in the stroller and puts him in the car. When Mike went to put the stroller away he found my RING IN THE STROLLER! It was in the bottom basket!! PRAISE the LORD! As you know rings "Appreciate" and Mike knew it would be expensive to replace. But it obviously has sentimental value! I was SO happy to have it back! FYI- I very rarely take my jewelry off to nap!

Trip to the ER~
Yes! We ended up in the ER with Parker last night! He must have picked up a stomach bug after the cruise. We left Cocoa Beach at 10 AM Friday. By noon he started to vomit (IN THE CAR) ! I had the thermometer on the trip. He had NO fever. So, we pulled over cleaned him up-changed his clothes. We ate lunch and were back in the car by 1:00! At 2:00 he puked again! I was really worried now. He ended up throwing up 9 more times! I was in the backseat for MOST of our trip and he was getting weaker and pale. I was on the phone with Parker's pediatrician by 2:30! We had to stop and get Pedialyte for him. He could not keep that down. I started to get so worried each time he tried to throw up (and it was every 30 minutes)! He had dry heaves and was trying to sleep! We were told by 5:30 that we needed to get to an E.R. We were about 45 minutes from our Children's Hospital so we drove straight to it-Scottish Rite. By the time we made it to the ER- I had gone through 100 wipes (and I know that because the container had 107 and only 7 left) We had great service-thankfully we were in an out in 2 hours! They gave him Zofren. (My sister had to take it when she was pregnant for vomiting) we waited 20 minutes and then began to give him Gatorade! He kept it down and we were so happy to see him "Come alive again!" He is SO happy and energetic, and he had "no life in him" The thing that made me cry was his cry. He had no tears and dry diaper ALL day! Don't ever ignore a dry diaper!

Enjoy the slide show of our vacation!

So despite my trauma with my wedding rings and our visit to the ER -it was the best vacation we have ever had!
And there is ALWAYS drama with us.

We were so glad to get away and have the time together as a family.
Jenn, Mike & Parker

Make a Smilebox slideshow

MICKEY Here we come...

We are leaving tomorrow for our long awaited Clark Family Reunion. It is all in celebration of my parent's 40th Anniversary this coming August- 8/30 ! Definitely a great reason to go to Disney and clebrate-after all Disney is known to be "The Happiest Place on Earth!" We started planning the trip last May and it is finally here!

We will be staying in Orlando for 3 nights prior to our 5 day Disney Cruise! Some of the plans are : Animal Kingdom, Sea World, & Dinner Friday night to celebrate Mom & Dad, a family photo and hopefully a sister outing!
Mike and I last cruised (on Carnival ) for our honeymoon-so this will be a real treat. And we have been told- Disney is the best of them all! We will see and let you know when we return!
The weather is really rainy here in GA today-and Mike is still in Toronto! He is hoping to get on an earlier flight today. Lots of delays around the US today,at many airports ; my family is currently flying and some are sitting in Chicago with delays. Despite the delays it is so encouraging for them all to get out of the cold, snowy weather!
We obviously do not care if the weather is gloomy for a few days! I think it has been almost 3 years since all 15 of us have been together; (The original 10 adults that is -obviously we have expanded the family. )
Parker is napping and so I better go finish packing...clothes are out-but still trying to decide on what I definitely want to take?!
I will be happy when we finally get to Orlando. We are leaving tomorrow at around noon (or earlier) We are praying that we do not have rain the whole way!

MICKEY MOUSE.....Here we come!!
Jenn, Mike & Parker

17 Months

Parker is 17 Months Old!

I have made 2 slide shows of some exciting things we have done in the last few weeks. Amazing how busy we have been!

Parker is still being really picky with his vegetables. So, I am trying to sneek them in his food!Mike got me the cookbook Deceptively Delicious for Christmas and I am trying some new recipes from time to time!
He is almost 28 lbs and despite the interest in many "healthy" foods-he is growing like a weed! Still loves his Milk!

He is fascinated by Pop-Up Books and I am sure it is all to do with "Open/close" Which he LOVES to do around the house -and making me nerveous that he will one day LOCK me out!!!
It is still really cold here. Making it hard to explain to a 1 & 1/2 year old "NO" to go outside with Abbey! He throws tempur tantrums when we pull him indoors! It is pay back time now!-I was notorious for throwing fits when I was his age!! :( Well -we are ignoring him and removing him from his frustrations ,He is still to young to understand "time-out" BUT we are trying it! I am amazed how different boys/ girls are! Being an educator, I know that there are gaps in some areas with boys/girls! Kayleigh definitely can reason with me, go in time out and gets so many of my commands! They are 3 weeks apart and in some ways- a few months apart! Amazing that NO seems to be one word-they all understand so young! Thankfully, Mike and I agree on the same discipline plan and hopefully Parker will soon understand that we are in control-NOT HIM!

I think the 2 back molars are finally in! He sleeps GREAT at night-but the weekend days were SO LONG! I am SO happy that he got over it now-and hopefully he won't have any major events on the cruise!! Fingers crossed!

Mike flys out this Sunday for Canada. (sigh :( Which will make my days long!
Please pray that they go by fast! I am looking forward to Tuesday, when our sitter, Hannah will take Parker for a few hours so I can get some packing done and have some ALONE time! Mike will return at 8 PM Wednesday and then we will be leaving , hopefully by nap time (noon) on Thursday to meet up with my family in Orlando ! The cruise departs on Sunday, 2/1! We are going to Nassau, Bahamas and on a 26 degree day like today ~WE CAN'T WAIT!

Enjoy the slide shows!
Jenn :)



Slide show 1 :


Parker's friend, "Courtney's" Birthday Party~ (My friend Samantha's Niece)
& Fun with Kayleigh (I took them to an in-door playplace.)

I am working on Slide Show 2 and I will post it shortly! It is of Parker's first visit to Charlotte, NC (Our visit w/ Mike's college roommate)

I thought we lived in Georgia NOT New York !!

YUP, we are freezing too! We have had COLD weather only in the 20's! It really has made us sympathetic to our families (in MI & Upstate NY!) Also, reminding us WHY we left Upstate NY 4 years ago! This is the coldest it has been in 5 years! We hear it is only supposed to last a few days! BUT-we have had enough of it!
This weather is making us SO ancy for our Disney cruise in just 2 weeks TODAY! (Sorry-I know you all want to go with us. We have not been on a cruise since our Honeymoon...and this is a really needed vacation!) Mike and I ALWAYS "vacation" to NY or MI so we really are looking forward to it!

UPDATE: I have a ton of photos to upload, but we are away for the weekend.
We came to Charlotte, NC to see Mike's college roommate, Chris and his family!
Chris & Meghan just had their first baby, Emma in August! So, we had to bring Parker to meet her before she turns 1! SHE IS ADORABLE and reminds us of where we were 1 year ago! (Parker and Emma are 1 year and 6 days apart!)
It is AMAZING how fast they grow and how irritable they get too!

Parker- Will officially be 17 months on Tuesday! His favorite words are still Ball, Abbey & Plane! Yet, he is putting them into phrases and amazing us each day with his words! Walking proudly and getting into mischief constantly....but I can't complain! So, nice not to have to carry him everywhere. And-once again, Parker is cutting 2 more molars! The top back 2! Bless his heart....for being away from home, his bed & surroundings he is being a great trooper. I just have to keep my eye on the clock and keep ahead of the Motrin wearing off!

Mike has 5 big upcoming trips for work! His first is just around the corner. Next Sunday he will be flying out to Toronto for 4 days! Thankfully, he will be home late Wed! We leave Thursday for Orlando! Feb-May he will be gone for 1 week each month! He is headed to Brazil, Indiana, Mexico, & Malaysia! I will be going to see family and my best friend, Joy during some of these trips. Definitely can't be home for 7 days with no family and help while he is gone!
I am back into the routine of going to the Y, back on Weight Watchers (still have a good 15 left over from Pregnancy) that I want to drop before we have another child! I am Also hoping to get back into another Bible Study at our church!
I can't wait for our weather to warm up so Parker can get back outside and ride his wagon! In the meantime it is indoors!
We hope you all are staying warm!
Jenn :)

Kitchen Update

Here is the finished kitchen (almost)

Still have to put all that shutters back on, mount some things and hang the new draperies!

Here are some before and after photos!

So glad to have this project ALMOST behind us.

Makeup and Kitchenmakeover

(Aunt Julie, her little boy, Jack and Parker this summer at a family friends house! )

I just have to brag for a minute about a famous Makeup Artist whom I am related to!
My baby sister, Julie is a makeup artist in Grand Rapids, MI! She's worked for a big cosmetic company (hint: starts with "Cha" and ends with "nel") as a regional artist for several years now. Aside from that, she's freelancing and becoming more involved in the fashion industry and has some exciting jobs coming up. She was recently invited to work an event as the lead makeup artist for a designer that shows at NY Fashion Week! Anyway, I'm so proud of her! Check out her website: http://www.juliestrating.com/

I am very proud of you Julie and excited to see how God is using your artistic ability!

She definitely has an eye and is the one who helped me come up with my ideas for my Kitchen Makeover too!

And that's the other excitement.....

The kitchen is FINALLY getting painted TODAY! Here is the kitchen in progress! Looking forward to showing off the final product, new draperies & decorations soon! I have fallen in love with green and very happy with the way it will look!

I was a bit nervous about this shade-but Julie convinced me the bright color with the contrasting chocolate brown/green paisley print draperies will look sharp! She also said I could get away with it since there is so much edging and not allot of wall space! On top of all this , I am very grateful a friend could do it for us for a great deal!~Thanks Dave!

I will post the final product soon!

Jenn :)

Panic Attack ...take 2 & A Great Date!

How can a mom have a panic attack and a great date all in one day? Well ,it all really happened today! (And all in matter of 5 hours!)
I was cleaning the upstairs, getting ready for our sitter, Hannah!
Parker was happily entertaining himself by opening and closing the guest bedroom door. (He does this frequently around here! So, I didn't think anything of it-He was happy and I was getting MUCH done!)
I hear him in the room and I go to open up the door!!
"OH-NO! OH-NO!" It is LOCKED!! I can't get the door open! I begin to say "Peek-a-boo"
Instant Panic begins to take over my body!
Jennifer-"Think!"
I look at the door and I call Mike-NO ANSWER!
(I knew Mike was about to leave work-he was coming home by 5:30 so we could go on a date at 6:00!) However-it was only 4:45, and I still had to get Parker out of the room, feed him, get myself ready, and get everything ready for Hannah!!!
Onto my next thought-Our neighbor Rick-aka "Uncle Rick!" He was home and came to the rescue immediately!
Rick was able to take the door handle off and we got Parker out!
Thanksfully-Parker had NO CLUE!!!
(I have only begun the journey to being a mother of a BOY! How he got that room locked has me clueless- but he can reach the handles!)
I know I could have gotten him out myself, but I was in an instant state of panic and couldn't think!
THANKS UNCLE RICK!!!




After we got Parker out, I fed him dinner and Mike was home, Hannah arrived shortly after and
we were out for our date, FINALLY!
We really just wanted our local grocery store sub! A date out alone doesn't have to be fancy for us! We LOVE Publix Subs! It is not too often that we get to eat there by ourselves. We always get the subs to go! So, we enjoyed the delicious Turkey sub on my favorite 5 grain Italian bread! AND WE got a free upgrade- We paid the lower price for regular meet and got the luxury meat!! BIG DEAL to us!

During our dinner we battled over what movie we'd go see! I honestly didn't really care (I was just so excited to have a night out and go to a movie with Mike!) Last movie we saw together at the theater was Oceans 13!) Since Parker's arrival-we have taken nights out with friends... or waited for the movies to come out on Redbox!

So, we finally agreed to go see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I was not to keen on a 3 hour movie...but Mike is all over 4 & 5 star ratings! We got to the theater at 7:20 and movie started at 7:40! We got the best seats in the house (middle row /center) and anxious for this drama/romance to begin. We were instantly captured by the movie's plot!
As it thickened (2 hours in) the VOLUME DIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Picture was great-but we can't read lips! Instantly the audience is going ballistic!!! We are in the middle of the row. So, we stay in our seats (still trying to figure out what Brad Pitt is saying) and wonder if we will hear the last hour of the movie ,We soon get an announcement that we can leave and get a refund!
Well we jumped in line.......and here is what happened with our night;



Price of Publix Boars Head Turkey Sub...($7.49) (We paid $1.00 less!!)
Price of Movie Tickets..............................($20.00)
Price of Babysitter....................................($30.00)
Cost of Night............................................. ($56.49)
Time spent together..................................(Flowers from Mike-Great Subs-"Upgraded",Free Movie Tickets, and a Full Refund........................(PRICELESS!)

If you do the math (adding in our free movie tickets and full refund back)
we actually spent out of pocket...$18.49

That is one great date for us!
Now what movie to see next?

Is a sick day allowed in mommyhood?

Last week Mike was ill and this week I am ill!
Mike went to our family Dr, last Friday and found out he had a sinus infection! He had his down time and was completely knocked out (after taking cough medicine with co dine)! Now, he is doing much better and I started feeling "icky" on Sunday! I went to my Allergy/Asthma Dr. this AM (Mike stayed home with Parker-THANK YOU for a flexible job that allows him to work from home sometimes!).
I felt like I was coming down with Bronchitis (I tend to get it yearly)-but the good news is, no infection in the lungs! I actually have a respiratory virus that last 7-10 days, sore throat-laryngitis, weak lungs,( got a steroid for that and the horrible cough) and just feeling crappy! My allergist is actually getting over it too! I am so thankful he did not just prescribe an antibiotic just because-he knew my body and is very aware of what is best!
So, Parker just took a good 2 & 1/2 hour nap and I got a good hour in of resting. Wish I could have a sick day!
I wish there was a form you could feel out and have the day off of being a "mommy!" But -thankfully Mike came home early Monday, and allowed me a night out with my BUNKO girls, and stayed with Parker this AM!
I will be grateful to have this behind me...hopefully next week!
Praying I can sleep tonight!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year-We clebrated the Holiday with the Hoeyes!

Happy 2009!

We brought in the New Year by celebrating with "Auntie Lola, Uncle Rick & Terry." It was Terry's 21st birthday,so I made a special Ice-Cream Cake for all of us to enjoy...(one last good sweet) before the Diets all begin again! HA-HA!
We grilled some burgers and hotdogs...entertained Parker till 8:30, and off to bed he went.
Then at 11:00 we had fireworks,just a few. We saved the best for the New Year!
Parker was sound asleep in his Pack & Play. Surprisingly-he only woke up 1 time!
It is a HUGE tradition for New Years Fireworks around here!
It was a blast!
I do have 1 video of a good display of them at the end.
We are so blessed and so grateful for a fresh start to another year!

Last night we watched Kayleigh, so her parents could go out on a date! Tonight, Mike is headed out with some friends. So, I am going out to a movie with Lorelei! Kayleigh and her parents are taking Parker! (It is great to swap kids and have "free babysitting!" )

UPDATE:
I got Parker's bathroom finished!

Aunt Joy, Uncle David and Trey got Parker a Pottery Barn Kids Shower curtain, and bath rug. I matched the rug for the paint and I LOVE it! I was nerveous it would be to "girly"-it is Periwinkle!!! The theme is frogs and he loves it!

Next Project=kitchen! My grandmother passed away this summer, and my mother shared with all my sisters and me the money that she received from Grandma!...So, I am redoing the kitchen! My Grandma LOVED to cook and bake! We have so many memories of her sending us Christmas packages with baked goods! Because of these fond memories, I feel strongly to make a special memory of it and re-do the kitchen! It would be so easy to just go and splurge and buy some nice jewlery or clothes...but having custom made curtains,decorations and a new Kitchen table is so special to me in her memory! I am getting the kitchen painted Olive Green~ big jump for me! The new draperies will be chocolate brown and green paisley! I am so excited. My baby sister, Julie is an iterior designer, so she helped me plan this and I am forever grateful!! I will post photos when it is finally done!

Our biggest adventure for the year will be going on a Disney Cruise Feb. 1-5 with my family! We are SO excited to all be together. We will be celebrating my parents 40th wedding Anniversary!

I have much to do between now and then!

I am forever grateful for the new Year and praising God for a wonderful family, great health, and great friends!!! We hope the new year has been off to a great start for you all!

Jenn' :)

VIDEO:

Here is Parker dancing to a famous song that Mike sings often to him-"Mini-Mike!"

I will upload the fireworks later!

Reflections over the past 6 + years!

As we are about to close this year, I couldn't help but reflect back on all that Mike and I have experienced together! It has been a true blessing to walk this journey of "marriage" with him! More then just being married to him, he has become; my best friend, strength, biggest cheerleader and a shoulder to cry on or comedian (which is an understatement)!

We did experience some tough times in the past 6 years and that was when we grew the most! The loss of Mike's dear Uncle Moose (April -2005) ,Grandma Parker (Feb-2007) & Grandma Wilson (July 2008). We will always cherish the memories that we have with them.

Favorite memories we have experienced together.

1998-Mike & Jenn meet in July @ Camp BaYouCa

1999-Mike and Jenn meet again (I was the Assistant Program Director and Mike soon takes on a new summer project, winning my heart!)

2000-Jenn graduates from Baptist Bible College and begins teaching in Syracuse, NY (Mike is finishing out his degree at Syracuse University)

2001- Aug. 18 (Caro, MI) Mike proposes to Jenn at J.J Jamokes



2002-June 29th , Our wedding at Hendricks Chapel (Syracuse, NY)!



2003- Mother's Day ,We become parents of an 8 week old West

Highland Terrier!!



2004- May 9th (We become an Aunt & Uncle for the first time: Grace Elizabeth)

June 29th -We move to Atlanta, GA

( Mike begins working with PWC ,Atlanta Office)

Aug-I begin teaching at NCCS (Short summer break)





2005-June 6th -We purchase our first house!

Aug-I became the Lead Teacher for the 3rd grade staff @ North Cobb

Christan School



2006 -Feb.27- MIKE PASSES HIS CPA!

March 16th - (Our first nephew, Josh is born)

June 16th- (Our second nephew , Samuel is born)

December 14th -We find out we are expecting our first baby...Awesome

early Christmas Present!



2007-April-We visit my family in MI

(Our 3rd Nephew, Jack is born, while we are there!)

June 1st-Jenn says "goodbye" to teaching after 7 years!

June, 29th-we celebrate our 5th anniversary at Borios, (Syracuse,NY) where

we had our wedding reception

Aug.20th-Parker Wilson Clark Riese arrives @ 6:55 PM , 8lbs & 20 inches!

October-I say goodbye to 20's and turn 30!!!

(By Far-Our biggest blessing of the year was Parker!)



2008-Feb-Mike ends his career with PWC (after 5 HARD years)

Feb 19th-Mike begins his new job with GE!!! PTL

Aug, 20th- Parker Wilson Clark turns 1!!

Sept.-Mike and his friends from PWC- attend Softball tournament and WIN!

November-we spend Thanksgiving in MD with Mike's family

December-Our first Christmas spent in GA -with Mom & Dad Riese



So many memories that I have listed and how can I end this with out a big hug and kiss to Michael, for putting up with me these last 6 years! I cherish you, Parker and our families! We have SO much to be grateful for! God has richly blessed us and I can't wait to see how the new year 2009, unfolds!



I couldn't help it-I had to put a slide show together of some of these treasured memories!

We wish you all a wonderful New Year!

Mike, Jenn & Parker

Christmas Blessings...2008

We have so much to be thankful for, excellent health, wonderful family and great friends! But most of all the gift from our Savior!
We were blessed to have extra special company this Christmas (and it was our first Christmas in GA, since living here for the past 4 & 1/2 years) Mike's parents!
Parker loves spending time with them and he is enamored by big Poppy teaching him new things whenever he sees him!
We had wonderful Christmas Eve Service and had our friends the Fosters come over for Spaghetti following the service!
Christmas day we slept in!!! Yippee -Parker didn't wake up till 8AM! We had a wonderful morning opening up presents (and we always manage to get each other some little extra surprises....) and gave Parker his 3 big presents from us! Nana & Big Poppy loved seeing him explore so many firsts this Christmas! Of course most of Parker's presents all have BALLS or MUSIC! We are definitely entertained to say the least!
Our good friends "Uncle Rick, Aunt Lorelei & Terry" came and had Dinner with us! I got a fabulous deal on a Honey Baked Ham and it was Delicious! I am sure it tasted even better since I got it for $10.00 off ! We exchanged presents with them and watched Parker open up his ELMO Live from them...(they spoil him to much-but we are so blessed to have them in our lives!) Parker was fascinated with Elmo at times and then he ran from him too! It was funny.
The funniest part of the day was Lorelei and I almost giving each other the same thing. We each got a "friend" frame with a photo of us in it! It would have made it more funny if we had actually framed the SAME photo!
As I stated at the beginning-we are so blessed and we rejoice that God has given us so much to be thankful for!
We received a Christmas letter from my former Co-worker and good friend, (Elese Allen)
I LOVE getting her Christmas letter....she always writes a poem!
The ending of her Poem/ Christmas letter was touching and speaks volumes for what we all need to be doing during these tough times! I hope it touches you and that you will open up your heart to Christ this season if you have not already.

" This year our world has been filled with so much fear and uncertainty.
With war, lay-offs, elections, gas prices, and foreclosures-there's a lot of anxiety.

Many are seaching for some sign of hope
And coming up with all kinds of ways to cope

Allow me to suggest there is only one REMEDY-
Trusting in the very God who created you and me.

The world is constantly changing but my friends, He does not
He is the same YESTERDAY, TODAY and FOREVER- what a comforting thought.

Christmas is the perfect time to remember and believe what is TRUE
Christ was born as a babe in Bethlehem to one day die for me and you.

Jesus willing chose to die in our place
So we could spend eternity with God -what AMAZING GRACE!

Nothing that happens to us takes Him by surprise.
The Bible tells ups we're the very apple of His eyes.

Won't you put your trust in Him? He's everything you need.
He is the WAY the TRUTH and the LIFE indeed.

No matter what the future holds, He can be your PRINCE of PEACE
His love endures forever-it can never cease.

We hope that as you reflect on this year, that you will have much to be thankful for
And that you recognize God's provisions like never before.

May Christmas with your family be a blessed blast-
Full of laughter and memories that will forever last.

May God bless you richly in 2009
And bring light and hope to others through your life and mine!
(Poem by, Elese Allen -2008)


Happy New Year!
Here are some highlights of this years Christmas!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Love,
Mike, Jenn & Parker :)

16 Months Old

(Photo 1-Parker pointing to "The Plane-The Plane!")

(Photo 2-Checking out the Christmas Cards!)

Parker is 16 months old today and took off walking this week!
He is a delight and yes....A HANDFUL at times! But, we couldn't ask for a happier little boy.
He is totally into "the plane(s)" flying over our house.
Hence the photo above of him pointing up! (It seems to be an everyday thing at least 20 times!) He has recently taken an interest in blueberries -prior to this month he had NO interest in their texture! Not to many more new things!
At his 15 month check-up he was 23 & 1/2 lbs. (30 %) and 31 & 1/4 inches length (50 %). He sure feels a whole lot heavier then 23 lbs!

On the home front,we put the tree up in the dinning room...and little decorations this year on it!

,

Someone is amazed by the "balls" that are on the tree...!

(Christmas Card Wall of Fame....Can you find your card?)

This past weekend Mike was in Memphis,TN for the Syracuse/Memphis College Basketball game. He went to the game with 3 of his friends from Syracuse who now live here in GA as well! I am glad he could have a weekend away-he deserves it for all the hard work and time he puts in!

I took advantage of redecorating Parker's bathroom. "Aunt Joy, Uncle David & Trey got Parker a Pottery Barn Frog Shower curtain set . So I decided to paint the walls to match the set! The bathroom is now,periwinkle blue & I love it so far. I will post photos when it is done! ( I managed to get all the painting done during his naps today! Yippee~)

Thanks to Aunt Lorelei and Uncle Rick for keeping me company and Parker entertained tonight! It was fun....and made the weekend go by faster!

Here is a video of him walking.

Jenn :)

GE Christmas Party Photos...

The night was a blast...and it was great to finally meet Mike's boss in person!
We had a wonderful full coarse meal, a surprise visit from Santa & great laughs during the gift exchange. FYI: Mike thought it was a White Elephant Party....but it was actually supposed to be a good laugh gift less then $20.00! Well we took a GE Hand mixer (that we got last week at a White Elephant Party) and Mike took an old toaster of ours ,that no longer works! It was so embarrassing -after I realized what we were suppose to bring!! Needless to say , I made sure he came home with the toaster. The mixer was wanted by 2 people! (That was funny-and I sure hope it works!!) Now I know what to expect for next year and I will go and take care the gifts!!

Here are some of our highlights of the night-we got home late, but we were so glad we got out!
Jenn :)