Bullet Trains to Steam Engines ~ that's our life!

The year is zooming by as it normally does. All the kids are going in their different directions with jobs, schooling and taking care of their babies! I have decided that life is like riding a train. Most of the time is feels like we are on "bullet" trains - that stop only briefly and then take off with the speed of light. Every now or then we get to board one of those old fashion steamers that truck along slow enough one may run along side it by foot. But those rides are far and few between.

In July the bullet train did come to a complete stop when Kiana and Ryan tied the knot at Ashton Gardens. They had a storybook wedding and all the family was together again except for Raymond, who was stationed in Europe and could not make it home. We know he was here in heart and missed him greatly. The bride was breathtaking and my favorite comment of the day was when my grandson told his mother "look Mommy, there's a princess" ....this was when he came upon Kiana in her gown from the back. We love Ryan dearly and are so happy to have him as our newest member of the Parker Family!

Kila decided to stay at home this year with her two little ones and I must say I am so excited she is having the opportunity to do this. They are growing so fast and are two of the most adorable children on earth (OK...I am a little prejudice in this area!!) John John is still going to school and loving his trains, while Kennedy just wants to get into everything. She wants everything her big brother has!

Charles is always working and it is a treat when we get to nab him for the day. We had a family get together with everyone in attendance in order for the kids and Richard to all pick their Fantasy Football teams (Nope...I am not into that one at all!) They are all a little football CRAZY in my book! Nuff said! Blair finally graduated from Law School and is awaiting her results of her Bar Exam which should be coming soon. And then the real work starts - finding a job in the legal field. Her father in law tried to tell her not to go there. lol

Raymond is stationed North of London, but is currently serving in Turkey. We have not been able to see him since his brothers wedding last summer and we miss him terribly. He is very good about calling us and stays in touch regularly so that is a blessing. You never know what way the wind is going to blow them when they are in the military, but we are very proud of him and all he has accomplished.

That leaves me to Kai. Kai is 14 and over 6 Feet tall. He grew like 6 inches this past year and is towering over all of his brothers/sisters and his mom. I do believe he will pass his father very soon. Has not been doing the paintball scene lately, but is heavy into the gaming on XBox. He seems to think this would be a good career option.....hmmmmmmm...we think he better start "rethinking" really soon. lol

My three fur babies are still with me and the love of life. Kaizer actually had to go on a diet for some allergies...and lost 10 lbs. Poor boy weighs 95 now and acts like he is starving to death. Ralf is still has arrogant as ever and can not be trusted as he is a biter, while Buster is reaching the age of 12 and has turned totally gray except for about 2 inches on his tail. He is hanging on to his youth we feel with that.

Well thats about it .....the best news I have is that Richard, Kai and I will be traveling north on Dec. 20 for our trip to Panarama, Canada for a white Christmas and some heavy skiing. Counting down the days! The picture I posted is from our 2007 trip to Panarama and one of my favorites. Till next time ~ the train is boarding!

It's Summer Time...and that means some good ole down time for me!

My school year has officially come to an end and I know have a few days to spend with family and friends. The kids are all off doing their things: Raymond is somewhere on the other side of the globe...hope he has a great time and stays safe. Kila and John are busy with their new addition to the family, Baby Kennedy and keeping up with John John, who is growing bigger and smarter every day! He loves to spend the night with his "BeBe"! Charles is busy helping Blair study for the Bar Exam, we are very excited that she finally finished up her Law degree and now Charles is heading back to class to get a nursing degree. These two will be busy with the books for a little while longer. And then we have Kiana and Ryan who will be tying the knot on July 8th. We are all so very excited for the big day to finally arrive. Kiana has done an incredible job with all the wedding plans and I know she is ready to step into the next phase of her life becoming Mrs. Kiana Tatum!! I am dying to post those beautiful wedding pictures of her bridal portraits...but I have taken the oath to not do it until after that Big Day! Lastly, Kai is hanging in there. He had a rough year in school and I know he is looking forward to starting his 9th grade year and becoming a "high school" student. He is currently up at T Bar M at Lake Travis in Austin. He goes there every summer and really loves it. It is a christian based camp that really hits home for a lot of the kids. He has been attending T Bar M every summer since 2nd grade and he loves it. He is still deep into paintball and has plans on attending their national competition next year up in Chicago, we shall see!

Richard and I are just working working and more work! Its been a while since we took some time off to go on a trip of any type and starting to get the itch to travel! Hopefully this summer we can take a few days off and "escape"! It has been so dry and hot here in Houston this summer so far, and today was the first day that I have seen rain in a very long time. In fact, I was shocked to wake up to rain!! Love it...let it rain, let it rain,LET IT RAIN!!

My new team for next year started off on a roll! Have a great group of officers and looking forward to a fun year with some very talented young ladies. It will be an especially fun year in that I finally was able to get my district to approve taking my girls to Hawaii for their out of town trip. It will be a trip of a life time for them and I know they are going to love it. Plus I get to see my friends that I have not seen in over 10 -15 years....yes, it will be a great reunion in Honolulu~!

Well off to hit the sewing machine...have lots of projects started that I want finished before the end of summer...we will see! Till later ~ Happy Summer to all!

Kila and baby Kennedy

Ryan and Kiana at one of their wedding couple showers.

Another year has come and gone....life of a drill team director!

It truly seems like just a couple of weeks ago that I started my new job at LCHS with the Bailadoras. The year has gone by so fast and I have enjoyed ever minute of it. With my new job came a team of young ladies and their parents who have done nothing but make me feel very wanted and are supportive beyond words. I can honestly say that I wake up eager to go to work and do not mind staying late....I think the secret to this happiness is that they put as much into it, if not more than I do. We had a phenomenal contest season this spring and then came back hard getting ready for their annual spring show. Even with my putting in changes and doing things a wee bit different, they take it with a smile and very rarely doubt my reasonings. I feel truly blessed that the good lord sent me on my way last year from my past job and landed me where I am today.

Along with my great job I am also very proud to say that my family has grown. Kila gave birth to my beautiful granddaughter this past month. Kennedy Lane Savoy is a doll! She had a great delivery...almost delivering in the car, but we will pass on that story. And both mommy and daughter came home within two days. John John is more precious than ever and is loving being a big brother to his Baby Kennedy. Kila is quite content at the moment as she is going to stay home and be mommy and not return to the classroom.

In just a couple of months our family will continue to grow when Kiana marries the love of her life, Mr. Ryan Tatum on July 8th. She has done an incredible job with her wedding details and I must say if she ever decides to not go into medicine she should do weddings. Hers will be breath taking and I can not wait for the day. We have showers to attend this coming month up in the Ft Worth area and then one back here in the Houston area before the big day occurs.

All the other kids are doing fine. Charles and Blair are still working hard and Blair will be sitting for her bar exam this summer. Raymond was just shipped out for a 6 month stay in Turkey..not our first choice but I am sure he will make the best of it. That pretty much sums it up for Parker & Co.

After the next couple of weeks...I think I will actually have some down time coming around the corner :) Ready to hit the beach with my dogs, read and do some heavy sewing. Can't wait!

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Happy New Year! Time has flown and lots of exciting things to happen in 2011!

Our family finished out the year staying at home.  This was the first time in 15 years that we did not hit the road running when school got out and headed for the snow.  As much as we missed skiing this year, we all had to admit it was nice and relaxing.  I don't remember ever feeling so relaxed when I went back to work and I know it was due from not having all the hustle bustle of getting packed and rushing for the airport...not to mention the other stresses the ski trips bring.  But they are always exciting stresses...and very worth it once you hit the wonderful powder.  I know every year we come back from skiing and I am thinking ...Ok, now I need a vacation!! We have a tripped planned for February to Lake Tahoe, so I hope to get my ski fix at that time.  Not sure it will meet last years though....managed to squeeze in four ski trips in one year!!

Christmas was the quietest ever...even though we stayed home most of the kids all had places to go and people to see.  Kila and her family were able to spend the day with us and we had a great time!  Kiana and Ryan headed north to be with his family, Charles spent Christmas day working and Raymond is on the other side of the world.  We missed not having them all together but we did get to eventually meet up with everyone (except Raymond of course!)  We had everyone over for New Year's eve and managed to ring in the new year with our children.  It was lots of fun and again, just easy and relaxing.

This year will bring some new and exciting changes for our family as Kila is due the end of March with our first granddaughter!!  Kennedy Savoy is due around March 27th!!  We are so very excited!

Kiana and Ryan are tying the knot on July 8th here in Houston at Ashton Gardens ~ she will be a beautiful bride and we are very very happy to have Ryan in our family! In addition, we must toot her horn in that she is received her first interview for PA school at UTMB on January 12th.

I am also very proud to say that both Kila and Kiana have taken up the interest of sewing...so we have had a lot of fun making things over the holidays. Kiana received a sewing machine last Christmas from Ryan's Dad and this year Kila "invested' in a Bernina like mine.  Kiana is more into the craft projects at the moment and Kila is sewing the baby clothes.  I myself...just like to sew!!  Anything and everything! But I am very proud for them to carry on the tradition.  I have my eyes set on a new Bernina that I am hoping to acquire soon! :)  They are amazing machines.  (Funny thing is...I bought their top of the line machine an 830 in 1981 for 1200. and their new 830 top of the line is 11,000.  Hmmmmm do we call that inflation or what???)  Not so sure I will be getting another 830 model...lol.  

Blair will be sitting for the State Bar this summer!  We are very proud of her and I know she (and Charlest) will be glad to put Law School behind them. I think we are hearing interest  from Charles that he may be returning to school once Blair is out....not positive which direction he will be going but it does sound serious.

Raymond is still in Northern England representing our country well, and as much as we miss him, we know he is truly enjoying his traveling and loving England.  I know Richard and I will be getting over there sometime soon, hopefully this year.

Kai is now an 8th grader and will be a high school student next year!  OMG...I for sure am getting up there!  He had a huge growth spurt this past year and is now 5 Ft. 8.5 IN. tall!!  Yes, he just sprouted and towers both of his sisters and getting close to passing most of the boys.  I think even his dad may be "looking up" to him in the near future. lol  He is staying busy running track at school and has a girlfriend that keeps him very busy. This past weekend he attended his 2nd Cotillion ~ and he looks so very handsome in his suit!  He has taken up cycling with his mom ;), and yes I am loving it!  He got a very nice bike for Christmas and I hope to have him ready to do the MS 150 with me this spring.  We will see.....if not the whole thing maybe part of it.

That about sums it up for the Parker Family ~ and of course Richard and I are still working harder than ever!  I am loving my job at Langham and yes....the long drive is so worth it.  A very Happy New Year to all our loved ones and friends, please stay in touch.