FHE with The Parkers

Tonight's FHE lesson was about Missionaries. I called to see if our Missionaries were busy to have them join us for our little lesson, but they had things to do. So I had David dress up as a missionary, and he was our "Special Guest" The girls got to ask him different questions about his mission, and then we looked at his Mission Scrapbooks. The girls loved looking at the pictures, and I think David loved sharing different experiences from his mission with the girls. After the lesson was over. We drew our Ward Missionaries pictures, and made them cookies as a thank you for all their hard work. Elder Dye and Elder Sloan were very excited to get our special treats.

Wordless Wednesday

stART Project

Today's stART Project comes from the book "All you need for a Snowman" by Alice Schertle. The girls have loved learning about winter even though we don't get much of a winter here in Southern California. I love that Lizzie and Krislynn have snowsuits and have never worn them, but the girls love to dress up in them and pretend they are making snow angels (too funny!) Today's craft is a cut and paste project. The girls enjoyed coloring their snowmen. I think Lizzie thinks snowmen are brightly decorated things, even though snow is usually white, but I will let her think what she wants. Go enjoy Winter while you can, since it is 81 degrees here, and the girls are ready to go get in their swimsuits and jump into the pool.

I would like all of you to meet my neighbor Larysa

Here is Larysa and her family! She is an inspiration to me, and I hope that you can find it in yourself to give a little donation to her family! I know times are tough, but if you can't give a money donation I would LOVE your help with the race, and especially on race day-March 19, 2011 @ 8am @ Brookside Park in Redlands, CA. Let's make a difference!

Palm Springs Half Marathon

(This picture was taken Dec. 09)

*Angie don't kill me for using this picture. I just want the blogging world to see how far you have come. You are my inspiration!

This is an account of The Palm Springs Half Marathon from Angie Lingo. She is my hero! She is someone who will NEVER give up, and I'm so grateful for her endurance, and that she now kicks my butt when we run together! Who is going to push me now that Angie is leaving me? I'm taking applications now, if you would like to be my new running partner please send me a response of why I should choose you. What you will bring to our running experience? How you will push me to go harder?

Angie's Account:
I used to weigh 338lbs.March 22,2010 I had gastric bypass surgery and saved my life.I have lost 187lbs. (Go ahead, do the math, I don't mind)This is what I did February 13,2011. (Not even a year later)* LOOK AT PICTURE ABOVE TO REMEMBER WHAT SHE LOOKED LIKE

Pre-race jitters included pacing, stretching, and lots of butterflies.

The sea of runners

I ran the first 5.4 miles. I felt good, like running was something I like to do. When I came to the relay tag area I was so excited to see my "Hot Mama" team mate who was there to take over the next 3.2 miles.


I spent most of her run standing in line at the port-a-potty. I should have spent more time stretching and walking. I needed to keep my muscles warm and I didn't. Rookie move.


Katrina coming back in to the relay tag area.

Team Hot Mamas off for the final 4.5 miles together

Coming in for the big finish with a time of 2:21:29

Not going to lie- I cried at the end of the race. I wanted to quit so bad the last few miles. I prayed hard for strength. I got it in the form of a friend running by my side, never giving up, supporting and encouraging my every stride.

Nothing more rewarding than seeing the sweet faces of our little girls so happy and proud of their Mamas

(*TAKE A LOOK AT HER NOW!) (ISN"T SHE AMAZING!)

Katrina stretching her brains out after the race. I did not stretch enough, another Rookie move. I was so sore, could barely move and so I sat and complained about how old I felt

This was an incredible experience. Hard and rewarding all at the same time. Thank you to all my friends and family who have supported me in my new quest for a healthier life. I could not do this without every single one of you.

Katrina- Thanks for inviting me out to your walking group a year ago, look at where it lead us too. We are amazing! Thanks for pushing me and encouraging me to believe in myself. You ARE a Hot Mama and you are so hardcore.

Kellie- I am so sad you could not make it this time. Thank you for all your love and support. Thank you for helping me finish this race. I wanted to be able to tell you that I didn't give up. I didn't give up. We will run together someday. :)

Elliott- Thank you for loving me no matter what I act like, or do, or say. Thank you for loving me no matter what I look like or how much I weigh. You are my best friend. I run for you. You deserve a happy healthy wife and I am doing my best to give you just that.

Ella- Someday I want you to know and understand the importance of good health and exercise is the key. I love you and I want you to live a happy healthy life

*My account: Let me just tell you training for this race has been a blessing. I'm so grateful to spend 4 days a week running with Angie. She has been one person I can truly say is an answer to my prayers. She is always there for me (to help me clean my house after we lost Peter-when I was a mess, to watching my girls and spending the night at my house, bring treats to my girls, etc.-the list could go on forever!) But the one thing that I have learned from her is to NEVER GET UP! She pushed so hard to get the surgery, and it saved her life. I'm grateful she became healthy not just for herself, but for her family as well.

Angie and I planned on running this race after I lost Peter. I wanted to get back into running and try to run away from all my fears and pain. Well it helped with the pain part, but as most of you know I lost it around Thanksgiving time. I was in a whirlwind of depression, and some days were better than others, but I just had this fog that I couldn't lift by myself. I was scatter-brained, and I felt like I was being pulled in a million different ways. It didn't help that I was pregnant with two of my good friends, and got to watch their belly grow. I wanted to be in their shoes so badly. I hated being left behind while they got to experience the joys of motherhood again. I remembered the day I asked for help. I had left my keys hanging in the nursery door closet at Church once again, and my friend Charlotte Peel came to my rescue. I remember asking her about pick me up drugs, and then I lost it again. She looked at me, and I will always remember what she said, "Katrina call your doctor! You need some medicine. You are losing it!"To that point I was going back and forth about going on anti-depression medicine, but at that moment if she could see the change in me EVERYONE COULD! So I closed the door and called my doctor. I broke down once again to Beverly Gilbert, The most fabulous lady at Kaiser Riverside, and explained that I needed something. We have grown to be the best of friends over the past couple of years. She explained that this was natural ,and that sometimes your body needs help, and that you can't do it on your own. David drove to Kaiser to pick up the pills. He had to wait three hours, and I'm so grateful I have such an AMAZING husband. I started taking them the following day. Beverly explained it might take up to 6 weeks to notice any difference, but it didn't! I felt it the first time I took it. It was a blessing in disguise. It has made me, me again! It has helped me become a better wife,lover,mother, and friend. I know there are A LOT of people out there that think ANTI-DEPRESSANTS are a joke, and you can do it by yourself. To those people you don't know what you are talking about. Dr. Shah, my girls pediatrician , said," It is like telling a person that is suffering from diabetes not to take insulin. Just have mind over matter. Diabetes patients NEED Insulin or they will die! It is the same with anti-depressants your body can't do it alone, you body needs a little more serotonin. If you don't get help it could lead to death." I know so many women who have either taken anti-depressants or are currently taking them. It isn't something to be ashamed of, trust me! If you need them don't wait! talk to your doctor. I promise it will help. Most of the time you only have to be on them a couple months, and it will help get you back to where you want to be, or for some it is a lifetime of using, but if it makes them whole why judge them? They want to feel whole again.

Sorry for the side note: going back to the race... I wanted to do it, but David and I were trying to get pregnant again. In my head I have this theory that running=miscarriage. I know it doesn't, but when I was pregnant with Peter everyone and their mom's told me I was stupid for wanting to run while being pregnant. So I told Angie that if I got pregnant I wouldn't run the race. Angie understood and got in contact with her friend Kellie Whiting who is a super amazing runner. Kellie wanted Angie to run this race so she bought a ticket out here, rented a car, got a hotel, and was going to run the race with her. So I continued to train with Angie each week. A week before the race Kellie called Angie telling her that she had H1N1, and that she wouldn't be able to come out and do the race with her. Angie didn't know what to do. I told her I would run the race with her (Since I'm not pregnant) and we would get this thing done! I saw this blog with this super cute outfit on it, and thought it would be perfect for our race. I sent the picture to Angie, she wasn't sure about the tutu. I said everyone was going to be jealous of our outfits since they were going to be so cute. So I got everything ready, and then I got sick. WHAT THE HECK!!!! I can't be sick and run. I kept praying just to get me through the race and then the sickness could attack my body. After a blessing from my husband and a ton of medicine I was ready for the race. I rested my body and I hoped that I wouldn't die. After Angie tagged me my body felt amazing. The sickness was gone. I pushed harder and harder. I tagged Angie again, and off we went. She was hauling buns like normal and I was trying to keep up, everyone kept telling us they LOVED our outfits. (THANK YOU!) At mile 11 Angie's Ipod died. She was the one who needed to finish the race, she had the chip on her ankle. I told her I would give her my Ipod so she could finish strong. Somehow she just bumped her Ipod and put it on pause, and we were off to mile 12. She said she wanted to quit multiple times, but she knew I was there just to push her through. At the finish line I gave her a HUGE hug and told her how proud I was of her. She did it! I'm so glad that Kellie couldn't run the race, and that I was able to take her place. This was an amazing experience. Thank you again Angie for always pushing me, and reminding me to find joy in my journey. I love you!

The Run Website is Up and Running!!!

Here is the link!!!! Please pass it on via: email, Facebook, Twitter, anyway you can!!! http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.runningintheusa.com%2FRace%2FView.aspx%3FRaceID%3D34661&h=32410

Thank you!!!!!

stART Project

So forgive me... I have been super busy the past week (with being sick, planning this birthday run, running a half marathon, etc.) but I did get to this today our stART Project!!!! Today's book is "Katy the Big Snowplow". Instead of creating art we worked on small motor skills. We built Parkeropolis out of Lego's, and then we built Katy our snowplow. The girls loved this activity. We went around to the different building, and helped just as Katy did in the story. Your kids will love this one! Enjoy!

Pledgie

Thanks to a great friend we are now open for Donations for Clarissa my neighbor. Just click on the donate button on the right side of the screen. I know times are tough, but please donate what you can. Let's Make a difference!

Please Help Me!!!!

Hi Friends!!! This year for my birthday I wanted to do something EXTRA special for my birthday. My neighbor Clarissa is a mother of four beautiful children, and she is dying of cancer. I want to dedicate my birthday to her, and this is where I need your help. I want to plan a run for her family. It is going to be March 19th @ 8 am. The course is from Redlands Hospital to the LDS Redlands Temple (5 miles) or you can do the loop which is ten miles. We would love runners, walkers, helpers of all kinds (water tables, driving crew to make sure everyone is okay, a nurse or EMT to drive the course for medical purposes. Timers, people helping getting donations (oranges, bananas, water, etc.) Cheering squads, busing people, etc. ) Please help me make this birthday a special one. This women is amazing, and if I can only give her one thing LOVE then I did my purpose. Also I will be collecting donations for her family. 100% of the proceeds are going straight to her family to have one last vacation as a family. If you have any questions please contact me.

Also, please forward this to all your friends, co-workers, and family.Post it on your blog.

Let's make a difference!

Thanks! Katrina Parker

Katrinam21@gmail.com

My girls

This morning Lizzie was up at 4 am. She came and snuggled me, and then quietly disappeared. She woke Krislynn up and then the screams began. David went and shut the girl's door, and Lizzie was sent into the living room to watch her shows. An hour passes and I hear Lizzie playing quietly. I'm thinking "Oh she is playing in the playroom" so I take my time getting out of bed. As I walk into the hallway I see Lizzie standing in front of Krislynn's bed, and then I see this!!!! Krislynn's crib is hallway filled with junk! (toys, books,blocks, you name it and it is in there) Lizzie then tells me," Mommy I was building us a mountain!" It took us 40 minutes to clean up this wonderful mountain. Oh my girls!!!! What am I going to do with you?

stART Project

Today's project comes from another great story by Jan Brett "The Hat". The girls loved this story, and enjoyed the colorful pictures. This story is about a hedgehog, who gets a sock stuck on his head, put tells all the other animals that he is wearing it to stay warm in the snow, at the end of the story all the animals are wearing different pieces of clothing as hats. So today we made Hedgie Hats. Here is the link for the hedgehog hat. Enjoy!!!

Happy Birthday Angie!!!

So today is one of my greatest friend's Birthday. Happy Birthday Angie!!! I'm so glad we are friends, and that our girls are the BESTEST of friends. Thank you for always being my wing man in all of my CRAZY ideas. We really are two peas in a pod. You have taught me so much about myself, and I'm so grateful that we will be friends forever. I'm going to miss you terribly, and I wish there was a way for you to stay, and not leave me. I know I'm being selfish, and you have so many other adventures ahead of you. Remember to always find joy in the journey wherever you go, and I can't wait to come and visit you so we can visit the Amish and ride in your horse and buggy. I love you, and you will always be one of those special people who has changed my life for the better!
Happy Birthday!!

stART Project

Today Project is from one of my FAVORITE books 'The Mitten" by Jan Brett. This is such a cute book, it is definitely a good read. It is about a little boy who wants his Baba (grandma) to knit him some mittens. The Grandma tell him not to lose his mittens in the snow, but he loses one of them. Some animals find his mitten and crawl in, at the end the bear sneezes, and out fly all the animals. The boy finds his mitten, and his Baba wonders why his mitten is all stretched out.

How to make it:

*Cut 2 pieces of felt into a mitten shape
*Hot glue around the mitten except when at the bottom so the Popsicle sticks can fit in
*Click here for the animal printables
*Color and glue the animals on the sticks, and let your child reenact the story using the puppets.
ENJOY!!

Chinese Lunch

So to help finish our celebration of The Chinese New Year we went to Mr. You's Chinese Restaurant, and ate some yummy Chinese food. The girls had a great time enjoying the atmosphere and asking about all the fun decorations. While we were there the delivery truck showed up to drop off their food delivery. This really impressed the girls! They loved watching the men take everything out of the delivery truck, and then wheel it into the store. Lizzie loved showing us all the different items she could pick out (eggs, vegetables, etc.) Thanks Grammie and Papa for the fun afternoon!

Thumbprint Dragons

Today's stART project comes from Ed Emberly's Drawing book. We wanted to continue our fun Chinese New Year with one more craft so we made Fingerprint Dragons.

The girls loved sticking their fingers in the paint

If you look closely you can see what each dragon looked like before we added the details.

The girls were SUPER proud of their fingerprint dragons.

Go make some fingerprint art!

Draw a Dragon for Chinese New Year

So as I was surfing blogland I found this super cool website that teaches kids how to draw. I really love to draw and when I saw this tutorial I had to try it, plus the kids were napping so I could take my time. I love when artists give step by step directions, and then hopefully the picture will turn out like you want it to. I think my dragon looks pretty good. Maybe each day during nap time I will work on my art skills and start drawing again. I really want to go take some classes at the college out here, and spread my wings since my degree is done. You know all those fun classes you can't take since you are trying to fit in 15 units of classes for your major so you can try to graduate on time or a little early. I'm really glad that I took yoga the quarter I decided to take 21 units. Those three months almost killed me, but yoga kept me balanced, and I somehow made it though. Well go check out this website, and maybe we can practice our art skills together during nap time.

Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year!!! The girls are so excited to share their Chinese lanterns with you. They learned how to make them at the Library this week. I'm so excited to have the girls do a couple more crafts to celebrate the new year. Hooray for fun cultural events!!!

More Chinese New Year Fun

The girls wanted to make a Chinese Dragon that was similar to the one at our Library. Our printer isn't working still so I had to draw the body pieces free hand. The girls loved the craft, especially since the body is made of their hand prints. Click here for the link.

The girls wanted to pretend they were in a parade so we made a dragon puppet for the girls to march around the house with. Super Cute!!! Click here for the link.

stART Project

Today's stART project was with the book"There Was a Cold Lady who Swallowed Some Snow"by: Lucille Colandro. I love the original book "There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly" and it went perfect with our Winter Theme. Lizzie asks me to read her this book a zillion times a day, and she can almost read it to herself since she has memorized the dialog so well. So I decided to make a cold lady with a sandwich bag, and each little thing that she eats. The girls loved this craft!!! When we read this story at bedtime we used our Cold Lady and stuff her with all the things. At the end of the book she hiccups and out pops a snowman. *I included this, but I forgot to take a picture of the snowman. Enjoy!

Once there was a Snowman

Today we practiced cutting, and what better to cut than a snowman to go with our winter theme. Krislynn loved gluing with the glue stick. Lizzie wanted to give her snowman a pink and black outfit. All and all it was a great activity. While we were cutting and gluing the girls wanted to sing the song "Once there was a Snowman" If you don't know the words it goes: "Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman. Once there was a snowman, tall , tall, tall. In the sun he melted, melted, melted. In the Sun he melted, small, small, small."This is one of the girl's most favorite Primary songs. Hooray for fun learning activities.

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

What is Groundhog Day you ask... let me give you a little History Lesson. If the Groundhog sees his shadow that means that there will be six more weeks of winter or bad weather, but if he doesn't see his shadow the groundhog figures Spring is on its way and he stays above ground. It isn't very scientific but a lot of fun!!! Well for Groundhogs Day we made groundhogs. The girls loved learning about groundhogs, and we even did some predicting of what they thought the groundhog would do. Lizzie, Ella, Krislynn, and David didn't think that the groundhog would see his shadow, and that winter would be over and Spring is here to stay. I thought he would see his shadow, and we could have six more weeks of winter. What do you think happened???? He didn't see his shadow and Spring is ready to come and visit!!!

Go make some Groundhogs you kids will love them!!!!

Click here for fun Printable and activities to do with your kids for Groundhog Day

Our ABC's

So back in the day when my best friend Amanda's mom was teaching Kindergarten she used this technique. I thought it was genius! She used all cartoon characters that she knew the kids would be familiar with. I changed that part up a little bit as you can see since Lizzie already knew some letters corresponding to certain people. Lizzie and Krislynn LOVE these cards, especially since it's all people/cartoons they love. Thank you Jean for the FABULOUS idea, and now my girls are hard core alphabet geniuses! ( Lizzie knows all her letters but: U, V, W this one is super hard for her, and Z) Hopefully this month she will know all her letters; then we can move onto the sounds of each letter.

Davey's Countdown to Valentine's Day

So this year I was trying to think of something special to do for Davey. Of course we could go out to eat at our favorite restaurant, or go see a movie... BLAH!!! I wanted to make this year something special he wouldn't forget. So this year he is getting a countdown like the girl's, but his is using "The Great Sex Deck". Each day he will receive an envelope, and we will do what the card says. (Don't forget one of my resolutions was be be a better wife, and after these 14 days I will be the BEST WIFE in his eyes! )

So go do something special for your husband, and make him feel like a King!!!