The Parker Clan!

Video Tribute to Deanna Parker, 1940-2009

2009-03-09T20:25:00.002-06:00

Dear Friends and Family,

If you haven't got one already, go get yourself a tissue! You're going to need it if you haven't seen this wonderful video of Dee's life. Thanks so much to Aunt Judy and Jen for putting it together for the family and for showing at Dee's funeral. I could watch it over and over again!

Deanna Parker from Jen Jenkins on Vimeo.

It's high time for a post!

2009-02-16T00:07:00.002-07:00

Hi Friends and Family,

I never thought it would take my mother-in-law to pass to finally get ourselves in a family portrait of sorts, but alas...sometimes the truth hurts! At Mike's father's request, we took a drive looking for a nice background to take a photo. 8 photo attempts and 24 hours later, here's the final pic (see above)! So here we are, on Valentine's Day 2009, in front of Gooseberry Mesa on the way to Zion. For a mid-grade digital camera and a tripod, I think it turned out pretty well (too bad I can't use photoshop to slim my body down a bit, but oh well! I am what I am).

This photo will be displayed at my mother in law's funeral next Saturday. After 18 months of fighting peritoneal cancer, Heavenly Father took her back into his arms on February 12, 2009...ironically on the same day Mike and I were married 15 years ago. This woman was one of the most influential people in my life. I can proudly say that she was "the" best mother in law anyone could ever have. She was about as close to me as my own mother, but yet could be a friend you could tell things to that you might reconsider telling your parent (no offense to you moms out there! I think you probably know what I mean).

Obviously from the description I gave of her you probably expect that I am having a hard time accepting she's not here anymore. And yes, you're right. I miss her terribly, but on the other hand, am so grateful she is free from the pain and agony she's endured the last several months. I'm eternally grateful I was a part of her life and hope that I was the best daughter-in-law I could be to her.

If you knew Dee, she was very prim and proper, very classy and an extremely intelligent and organized lady. Someone who you could very well feel intimidated by. But what was so amazing about her is that in addition to these qualities, she had the gift of such compassion, love and service to everyone. She adored her two boys and loved to hear of their successes in life. She was also completely head-over-heels in love with her one and only "Brownie", of whom she spent 43 years of married life with on this earth. The two of them together made the near perfect couple; they complimented each other so well.

She also was such a wonderful grandmother to her 3 grandchildren. She was always kind and complimentary, and fully enjoyed her time being around them as often as she could.

So...for only a small moment in God's time...I say farewell to a wonderful lady. I know she will be eagerly waiting for her loved one's return, and I can say for a surety she will be a busy bee in the heavens serving others with the same love and compassion she did while in this estate.

I love you...my mother, my sister, my friend.

A tribute to all the wonderful women in my life

2008-10-13T22:37:00.006-06:00

Sunrise = hope and renewal

Over the last year I've had some dear women friends and family members that have endured some real heavy trials. Some are physical; some emotional, and others are family problems or financial woes. My sis sent the following to me and all I could think of were these women in my life who give all and then some. Don't dwell too much on the title, for you'll understand in the end why it was titled this.

I'd like to post this in dedication to each one of my "sisters" (who I will keep anonymous at least here) and to let them know that no matter WHAT challenges God gives us, we should NEVER forget our infinite worth!

You all inspire me and help me keep the faith when times get rough on my end. As always, my thoughts and prayers are with you, through thick and thin!

--Denise

One Flaw In Women
(you will see what it is in the end)

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have the compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God..."

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10

Please pass this along to all your women friends
and relatives to remind them just how amazing they are.

Heaven on Earth...at the Lavender Farm!

2008-10-07T23:00:00.042-06:00

Alright! I give in!
Here is a long awaited POST some of my friends and family have been waiting for. Can't take anymore complaints, hee hee! I've been extremely busy dedicating all my computer time to my newest addiction called GrocerySmarts. I'm about caught up now, so here's a lovely post about our trip through MONA, UTAH this summer!

For anyone who's ever looked west on the I-15 between Nephi and Mona during the spring and summer months, you'll know WHY I've called this blog Heaven on Earth. Imagine a beautiful sea of violet blue lavender, stretching for at least a mile in and to the sides. It's quite a pretty picture. And that's not all--if you take an hour break from your travels and come to this place, your 5 senses will thank you! You can literally SMELL the luscious lavender aroma from the freeway! Go on...roll down your window and take a sniff! You'll love it.

The kids and I came up in August to visit a friend of mine in So. Jordan and my sister Sherri in Tremonton, and I wanted to stop along the way to all the places I've typically passed by. This was one I was glad was on my "to see" list!

Not only does this place have a sea of lavender, but it also grows other herbs like sage, rosemary, and yes...thyme!! (Thank you Simon and Garfunkel...great song). It also has a house that's been converted into a store/information center, and in the back is a restaurant, where they serve lavender lemonade & lavender ice cream! We tried both items, and they were very delicious. The kids got a kick out of eating "herb ice cream". It was too fun!

To the north of the house, there is a whole other world waiting for you to
explore and wander. I would like to call it a very oversized herb garden,
with wandering sidewalks and park benches placed every so often for one to sit and experience the flavorful aromas.

I loved taking photos here. Beauty at it's finest!

Mount Nebo, to the east.

Below is my "professional" shot. Do you think Microsoft would consider this for a desktop feature??

If I'm not mistaken, isn't this flower is Echinacea? I'll have to look that one up.

Here's a map for those of you who would like to visit Young Living Farms. I highly recommend it! Don't forget to buy a lavender sachet to hang in your car! Mine still smells pretty good!

Young Living Lavender Farm Visitors Center

3700 N US Highway 91, Mona, UT
1-800-371-0819

YAY! School has started...

2008-08-17T22:49:00.009-06:00

Whoopee! School is officially in session! Can you tell I'm excited??

Here in So. Utah, school starts a bit earlier in the year than the schools in California, where we used to live. I've heard from people two reasons why:

1) Start early in August; get out in May before it gets TOO hot.
Okay, I can understand getting out in May, but as many times I've been here (I've been visiting here for 11 years before actually moving here in 2007) I know for CERTAIN that it's still DANG HOT (over 100 degrees) in August as it would be in September!

2) Staying with the traditions of earlier years.
Back in the time when EVERYONE had farms and crops, children were of course expected to work alongside their parents to keep their property productive. No work=no food! School back then would correspond with the harvests so the kids could help their families at home. Hence the letting out in May and starting in August.

Well, times have definitely changed over the years. Where crops used to be are now planted with homes and businesses of our modern time. Instead of children helping on the homestead, they're busy sitting in front of the television, playing the Wii or watching shows that are of no intellectual value. Looks like modern technology has both pros and cons. I hope that all of us will try to instill in our children that hard work will always make us better and stronger people. My kids often complain to me that I'm too strict about getting chores done, but I know in the end they'll be grateful I gave them "opportunities" while they were young to work. (grin)