Just let us choose how we want to go

In less than an hour, death row inmate, Ronnie Lee Gardner will be executed by a firing squad in the State of Utah for a crime he committed in 1985 and has spent the last 25 years on death row.  The controversy isn't the crime he committed anymore but the method he has chosen to die by.

It's bad enough most of our rights are slowly being taken away but even at our "death bed" we still can't do what we want and have our wishes granted.

Most inmates make their peace with their God and have their come Jesus moment while serving time.  I'm sure Ronnie has done his share and then some in the 25 years that he's been locked up.  What and who in society keeps feeling the need to stick their noses into everything we do, want or say?

We have a Catholic priest in Utah quoted saying idiotic things like,  "Guns are bad and it's the cause of this execution and how inhumane it is."  It's actually an end to the means.  What are we keeping these "people" around for?  So they can live better than our homeless at our expense?

"What is so bad about an eye for an eye...?

A Day with Little Man

Evan and I had the wonderful opportunity of hanging out together, just the two of us.  I really enjoy the one on one with my boys!  He helped me with some shopping at Costco just to get a few things...yea right! Who goes into Costco with just a few things!

I don't think it's humanly possible to buy just a thing or two there.  For us, a family of four we can't and do not use half of what these guys have to offer.

We did check out their book selection and their prices were very reasonable as always but it's always going to have to be the non perishable items we go for.

Then there's the occasional don't really need but want item that tempts you into coming out of there $300 poorer.  We went in for two or three things and ended up with at least 15-20 I think...oops!!

Evan wanted to go to Arby's for lunch; ahhh, the memories of my first job!  This is one of the crappiest looking Arby's and it would be the only one we have in our town.  It must be nice to have a monopoly on the roast beef franchise in one city.  I still love the taste of that roast beef though...! 

Didn't matter though we had a great time and he ate all his lunch!  It was still fun just to be with him. 

My Karate Kid! ♥

One Down, One to Go!

Hard to believe but another school year has come and gone! Evan graduated Wednesday from Kindergarten...yes, just kindergarten. It's like starting all over again cause...we are! It's been a really great year for him and myself cause I had the chance to work in his classroom quite a bit this year and he had an awesome teacher!  It was such a cute program  she put together, I know the kids enjoyed it.  On top of that, she burned discs for all the parents with a slide show to music and pictures of all the kids throughout the school year.  It took a lot to not cry but luckily there were a lot of funny pictures to keep us laughing more than anything!

A few of the moms put together refreshments and eats for the graduation.  It was very well done.  The group of moms we've had were fantastic, everyone was just so nice and friendly...unlike the typical "Parker" ladies.  Just down to earth and fun to work with!

Evan made a lot of friends in his class and all the kids were so sweet and a joy to work with.  Yes, even the girls were tolerable.  It's a long road for these little ones but as long as they have a lot fun along the way then it'll be OK!

It's 2010...Can you believe it?

As we approach the middle of January it is still hard to believe that it's the year 2010 and I've made it another year! The kids are getting older and we're definitely getting older that's a given. 2009 has been filled with many wonderful times and events that we're so grateful for and not soon forget.

I can't help but realize that we are also here for such a short time; really just a glimpse. I love my family and still can't believe how blessed I have been. What are your resolutions as we approach a new decade? It is still in question how we would address this decade...strange, never thought we'd get here!

In a couple of months we will join Steve and Kristal in Puerto Vallarta for a few days in the sun. Kurt and Steve will actually be there a week before Kristal and I for the boys portion of the trip. The Bays own a timeshare and traded them for two units in PV and decided it would be fun if the girls joined them for the last portion of it. It was a great surprise and I'm excited to go.

Steve's mom Judy has offered to watch our boys while we're away - couldn't ask for more generosity than that! She is such a sweet lady and the boys will be in good hands I know!

Jared is getting ready to turn 12 next month! I still can't believe it. He's made a good friend this year in his class. His name is Colton with a little brother Garrett who is 9. Colton and Jared have a shared interest in airsoft guns and his family also enjoys camping and hunting. They seem like a really nice couple. It's hard enough finding kids that comes from a good family with manners and are courteous let alone a family of boys! So it's been a win and win situation.

Jared is still active in his school band program playing the trumpet and looks forward to practice every Tuesday and Friday. Starting next Wednesday he will be taking a Jazz appreciation class; which will be exciting to introduce him to the world of jazz through instruments.

Mrs. O'Connor, his band teacher has been very motivational for him and seem to appreciate his presence in class; which is more than I can say for his room teacher. I think certain people just shouldn't teach if you like playing favorites...

Evan has enjoyed being in Mrs. Pierces kindergarten class even though we worried he would be bored academically. However he has really embraced being around his friends in class and out of class and the activities given. We invited a few of his friends to his birthday party back in October and really enjoyed having them there. We found he could also use a little brushing up on some handwriting, math skills and reading comprehension; so kindergarten is not a total waste of
time as I thought it might have been.

We will however be taking a welcome break from Northeast for a while and hope by the time Evan goes there it will be better and we'll have a new outlook on it.

As I close this entry I ask what will you do differently this year? There are the obvious personal physical and health goals but as a person of humanity I will be a more pleasant person, not talk about people so much especially in mixed company and try harder to go with the flow...!


Lastly, my main goal is to talk to and find people that are REAL. No hidden agendas, no lying but to speak with tact, how one really sees things and/or feels. I'm at a point right now where it somehow seems important to live this way.

Happy New Year !