Accomplished

today is one of those days where I feel really accomplished.  I feel very proud of myself for the work I've done in getting 3 pretty challenging short sales approved & closed.  And another came thru with an approval today! 

There are certainly days when I've gone home frustrated to no end & on the verge of tears out of pure anguish.  But today -- today is not one of those days.  And yesterday I got to experience two awesome events.  I was able to go to two signing/closing appointments for two of our clients.  One a single lady who works two jobs and is just a salt of the earth type of person.  And the second a small family, dad's a teacher & mom's a stay at home mom -- so incredibly sweet.  They were beyond excited that the buyers for their home were actually going to live there & not just have it be an investment property.  That certainly helped put everything in perspective for me & reminded me of the big picture of why I do what I do with my mom.

Today was a good day! :)

Beloved Long Weekend

This long weekend has been absolutely perfect -- exactly what this stressed out, tired soul needed.  We hosted Thanksgiving dinner for my parents (who conveniently were leaving for Mexico the next day!) & it was so relaxed!  So relaxed that mom & I wore nike pants, and after 1 1/2 rounds of eating all four of us were passed out in our living room! Legitimately at one point we were all snoozing & it was awesome.


Next of course Isaac & I were contemplating if we should brave the Black Friday sales or continue our sleeping endeavors.  Well, sleep won over and we didn't roll out of our house until about 645am to hit up the first store.  And to be honest, that was ideal.  Most of the crazies were already home in a coma, and we were able to easily walk thru the stores and find what we wanted/needed.
And after that -- not a whole lot happened! It has been an ideal weekend that is for sure.  We even picked up our Christmas trees & are all set to decorate tonight! And were able to enjoy the Oregon State/Oregon "Civil War" game with some friends.


Though tomorrow brings with it a bittersweet realization.  Back to work & back to reality.  But the sweet part of that realization is that in 3 weeks I will be basking in the beautiful Hawaiian sun & warmth.  Though there are spots of tension, it is an incredible blessing to be married to a man from Hawaii - because we have spent the last 3 of 4 Christmases in Hawaii.  And let me tell you, it does take some getting used to - but building sand castles & eating kalbi ribs for Christmas dinner does start to grow on you! :)


I hope you've had an enjoyable long weekend as well.  Here's the Christmas season -- and the start of Advent today!
<3

Days of Gratitude -- Day 24, 2011 Thanksgiving

Day 24 - Today I am thankful for a husband who is a wonderful cook, who let me sleep an extra hour while he got to work, and for parents who are super relaxed -- so much so that mom & I are totally wearing workout pants & leggings....bahahaha Thanksgiving HEAVEN :)


Happy Thanksgiving Friends -- today, like all other days, there are many things to be thankful for!


<3

Days of Gratitude -- Day 22, 23, 2011

Day 22 - Yesterday I was thankful for Isaac bringing home a slurpee for me on his way home from school conferences.  Small yet impactful. He's a good husband.

Day 23 - Today I am thankful that I don't have to come in to this freakin' office for 4 full, complete days. I will not be addressing emails, phone calls, nothing.  And I need it....


Hitting a bit of a limit with work and my mother right now.  She is driving me insane (she always does right before she leaves for a trip) & really showing no real care about the fact that we're actually hosting Thanksgiving this year & that it's a bit stressful.  I am irritated....and that's holding back.

Happy Turkey day tomorrow friends. I apologize for coming up on the the end of the series with a moderately solemn note. But boy am I tired of work and everything associated with it at this very moment.
<3

Oh Dear! Days of Gratitude!

Yikes! I am WAY behind on my days of gratitude! So sorry friends!  The end of last week did not go as I planned & was in a bit of slump.  Thankfully the slump seems to have been cured by a solo night in on Friday....wait...I'll share this info in my Days of Gratitude :)


Day 18 -I was thankful for a quiet night on my couch, dinner provided by Chipotle, and a cat nap that kind of made me feel like an old lady.  But I was also thankful for the relationship between Isaac & my dad -- I love how close they are, and how my dad loves Isaac as his own pretty much.  My dad's a character, and you really need patience with him sometimes.  But the two of them went to a playoff football game & got a beer afterwards.  Blessings abound in seeming them together, getting along!


Day 19 - Despite the fact that I was a royal brat to Isaac for the majority of the day - I was reminded of how much (and often) I need to be thankful for him.  He is incredibly kind & thoughtful.  And gracious....man is he ever gracious.  On a day when I absolutely deserved to be whipped with a wet noodle, the man showers me with grace.  God...are you sure you want me to be with him?? Really? God really must know what He's doing...


Day 20  - Yesterday I was thankful for a reminder in church about giving (tithing specifically) and what is/should be behind our giving -- appreciation, a spirit of sharing, and an eternal perspective.  To give with a glad heart, knowing that the Lord has everything under control -- including my finances and my earthly surroundings.


Day 21 - Today I am thankful that I have a body that is able to wake up early (though it's not always pretty....) and be active.  This morning honey Isaac & I drug our butts to our local gym and got a work out in.  Sure, we debated skipping for about 15minutes -- but wonderful husband reminded me that I made the decision last night before going to bed & that's the decision that stands.  So off we went.  Also thankful for marrying a freakin' Renaissance man!  Isaac fixed my front bumper (*note to self..do not park with curbs/etc in front of me...) after we got home from the gym. He's pretty freaking awesome.


I can't believe the end of November is around the corner & that Christmas will be here literally in a matter of weeks.  Crazy how the year always seems to fly by.  I'm convinced it does so at a much faster pace with each passing year.  But it's always good to be reminded of how much we each have, how much we each can share, and how much we each are in need of the Savior born in a humble way.  That is what I'm most looking forward to with the upcoming Advent season...reminders of the quiet, gentle way that Christ came in to the world He would later save.


Happy Monday friends!
<3

Words..

There are so many thoughts running around my head right now.  Thoughts that I should probably keep to myself until they are filtered.  Thoughts that are likely being tainted by other feelings I'm having about totally different situations.  And thoughts that I'm not entirely sure how to fully express...


And with all those blocks, I don't quite have words...heck, I have no words that would be any kind of sense.  




One of those times when it's likely better to just put myself to bed.  So that is precisely what I am going to do....

Days of Gratitude - Day 17, 2011

Day 17 - Today I am thankful for my little brother.  He's a pretty spectacular guy.  I mean honestly, the girl who is blessed enough to grab his attention is going to be beyond lucky.  The kid is responsible, kind, and gracious beyond words. We've had our rough patches -- but our young adult lives have been filled with great conversations, fun adventures, & lots of love. Plus the kid is in the Navy, is a Corspman (and freakin' good at that!), and chose to serve our country.  That pretty much makes him the best person around.

He's pretty awesome!

From our brother/sister trip to Disneyland before my wedding in 2009

I'm proud of my little brother.  And I'm so interested to see who he ends up with and how his life will unfold!

Looking forward to the weekend already - nothing special planned. More work & a restful Sunday are on my agenda.  Can not wait!

<3

Days of Gratitude - Day 15 & 16, 2011

Day 15 - Yesterday I was reminded how thankful I am to have such wonderful, quality girl friends.  I know I've said it here a few times before.  But yesterday I was yet again reminded at the greatness of my friends.  Although I am a huge fan & lover of great fashion, but have never been able to quite pull it together for myself...I've never quite figured out how to make this fashion I love come together for me.  So when my new boots showed up I was struck with what to wear them with.  Insert my great friend Monique -- she joined me for moral support and to be an encouraging voice on a small shopping trip.  And with her help I was able to get a few pairs of pants & leggings (ps where have I been all this time on the legging front!).  Through it all, the best part was just hanging with my girlfriend.


Day 16 - Today I am incredibly thankful for my niece MacKenzie.  She is such a joy.  Probably one of the most respectful 13 year olds you'll ever meet.  And incredibly insightful & kind.  God has moved in her heart, she accepted the Lord this summer -- and it's crazy to just see how much she's changed from last spring to now.  God is good & is growing our relationship in such a great way. Love spending Wednesday evenings with that kid!


Waiting to hear on some potential football news in the next couple weeks.  Trying not to let my thoughts get ahead of me, and be thankful for our present situation.  But man it's hard some time to stay present in the moment.  But I'm also thankful for a really good, honest conversation with my mom today.  I think I was able to clearly voice my thoughts, fears, and more without feeling like I wasn't measuring up.  It was a relief....but perhaps that's a topic for another post. :)


<3

Days of Gratitude - Day 12, 13, & 14, 2011

Whoops! The weekend got away from me....perhaps because we had Hawaiian Feast to cook for & it was the 1st weekend post football.  Poor hubby's team lost in their 1st round playoff game on Friday night (it was an ugly game from start to finish....).  So I happily took the time away from blogging to snuggle, cook, to go to Target, and fully enjoy my husband for the first full weekend in about 3 months.  It was awesome!  But back to the series!

Day 12 - Today I was thankful for great friends, new & old to share our love for Hawaii and it's food. I was thankful for the giggles of our friend's little girls and how they shared how loud they could roar as a dinosaur.  And I was thankful for a husband who enjoys sharing our home with our dear friends!

Day 13 - Sunday I was thankful for a full morning spent sleeping in & snuggling with my husband.  And I was thankful for time to spend with my parents -- and primarily for the way that they have completely loved & accepted Isaac in to our family with ease & joy.  It's as though he as always been a part of our clan. It's a blessing to say the least.

Day 14 - Today I am most thankful for my parents & the fact that today marks their 31st anniversary.  It is an incredible feat in these days for a couple to stand together, for one another, for 31 years.  This was both their 2nd marriage and the fact that they stayed together thru thick & thin has blessed my brother & I infinitely.  So much so that it's hard to quite put in to words.  They've experienced some really hard times, times of uncertainty & pain, scary times when life seemed to be able to slip thru their fingers, and times of extreme joy & happiness.  They've given my brother & I a real, solid picture of what marriage is & can be when you stick together.  Sure they're not perfect, and never have claimed to be -- but what they have shown us is that it is worth it to work at it!  So Happy Anniversary to my wonderful parents (Greg & Amy)!

Palm Springs, Spring Break 2010

This will be our 1st week without football -- trying to help Ike adjust back to the normal routine without too much depression over the end of football.  Thankfully the big guy has something to look forward to.  He'll be coaching a team for the Tanoa Bowl -- a Polynesian bowl game for Polynesian high school students.  The goal is to get a full Polynesian team, or a team consisting primarily of Poly kids.  That'll be our New Year's Eve plans...haha But I'm proud of Isaac for taking this on. It's such a joy to watch him coach, to plan, & prepare for things like this.  He's so good at it!

Ok...that's enough boasting on my part :)

<3

Days of Gratitude- Day 11, 2011

Day 11 -  Today I am thankful for the many Veterans, past & present and for the service they have given to our nation.  Many of the things we take for granted are available to us because of the sacrifices they have made.  Today is a specific day to be thankful for these men & women...but truly, we should all be thankful every day for what they do and have done for our nation.  


Each time you set a Vet - please extend your hand and let them know that you are grateful for the ways that they have served. 


Thank you Veterans!
<3

Days of Gratitude - Day 10, 2011

Day 10 - Today I am grateful for the United States Marine Corps.  I am grateful for the role that this branch of the military played in the lives of my parents; and ultimately my life.  I am grateful for the sacrifice of the men & women who proudly wear the eagle, globe, & anchor (symbolizing the Marine Corps' presence in the sky, on land, & on the sea).  I am grateful for their dedication to excellence, protection, and pride in our nation.  And most of all, I am grateful for the incredible sacrifices made & being made by past, present, & future Marines.

Marine Corps Memorial, Washington D.C.

My Devil Dog Parents: GySgt & CWO-4

Check out my pops fresh off bootcamp graduation!

I swell with pride when it comes to my dad & mom and their service!

Happy Birthday Devil Dogs! Semper Fi

<3

Days of Gratitude -- Day 9, 2011

Day 9 - Today I am grateful for a gracious, understanding mother who lets me go home early when I'm sick.


Boy oh boy this sickness is ravaging me -- I'm totally exhausted and can't quite seem to kick this bug no matter how hard I try.  


Oh well....I'm making this roasted tomato soup that Krystal shared! This is one of the 4 NEW recipes I'm making this week.  I'm definitely looking forward to trying it.  And to add some greatness with it, and because it's the fall...we're adding a classic grilled cheese sandwich to the mix.  Ahhh....I'm already excited about it!
New recipes scare me -- but what the heck, I'm going for it!
How do you approach new recipes??
<3

Days of Gratitude - Day 7 & 8, 2011

Whoops -- definitely meant to post yesterday but the day just got away from me.  Before I knew it it was 11:15pm and I was just getting around to washing my face!

Day 7 - Yesterday I was thankful that my husband & I could go in to the grocery store and purchase our items without anxiety.  And was also thankful that we are planning a huge feast for new & old friends!

Day 8 - Today I am thankful for Vitamin C, Emergen-C, Dayquil, and Water.  Though I wish I were still in bed....this cold is kicking my rear end! :(

Wish I had more exciting things to share, but alas my foggy brain is coming up with nada.
Hope you have a wonderful day friends!
<3

Days of Gratitude -- Day 5 & 6 2011

Day 5: This day I was incredibly thankful for the patience that Isaac so freely gives.  He is quite possibly the most patient man I know.  When I am on the brink of a silly, selfish bratty moment Isaac never holds it against me or throws it in my face.  He is the epitome of grace -- that man would swim thru shark infested waters TWICE to get me lemonade (I try not to take advantage of this trait too much of course). 


Day 6: Today I am thankful for the healthy, safe delivery of my little cousin Liam & for his momma.  My cousin Kayla had a moderately risky pregnancy with a few scares scattered thru out, and that was followed up with a very challenging/tiring labor.  She was in labor for about 4 hours before the doctors decided to take her in for a C-section.  Apparently little Liam had wedged himself in pretty well and wasn't going any where.  But with the help and wisdom of the great doctors he is here & they're both recovering.  It was so sweet to see my cousin & her husband Robbie & how they've changed over night.  How a little 6lb baby boy, who's name means strong willed!, can move mountains and bring the best of people to surface.  So very thankful for my ever expanding family!  And it gives me hope for the day when we start having children!


Meal planning is getting done tonight -- I think there are a couple new recipes on the agenda! 3-packet Crock Pot (quickly becoming a Parker family favorite), slow cooker potato soup, & roasted tomato soup! Mmm....I'm already excited! Not to mention HAWAIIAN FEAST on Saturday with new friends! The food that will be cooked and likely consumed will be extensive! Can't wait!
What are you all thankful for this month??
<3

Days of Gratitude - Days 3 & 4

Day 3:
Super thankful for Isaac's high school coach -- he's helping coach at OSU now, and graciously offered to get us tickets for the game this weekend! I'm so pumped! I haven't been to an OSU game in AGES! And it's homecoming which should be fun -- neither of us are OSU alums, but whatever.  Bonus, his coach is getting us access in to the hospitality room after the game to hang out! How fun! But I'm crossing my fingers that Oregon stays true her to schizo weather ways and holds off on the rain!

Day 4:
Realizing that this time next week I won't have to be at work (Thank you Veterans Day) and will be prepping for a HUGE Hawaiian feast with some new friends.  They lived in Hawaii for 5 years and are aching for some "local" food.  Isaac & I are too happy to oblige :)  I mean, who are we to deprive people of some of our favorite food, that we make often.

Today is realtively quiet here in the office, and I can't say I'm disappointed.  An approval for a short sale came thru.  Found the boots I've been searching for online.  And I'm going to my alma mater's play-in football game tonight.  Despite the fact that I'll likely freeze to death, I'm very excited!  Finding that I am loving football more and more as I watch it.  What I don't find myself loving even still are the ridiculous long hours --- sometimes it just wears on you & you get tired of practice & film break down.  But such is life, right?
<3

Days of Gratitude - Day 2, 2011

Truth be told -- I am not in a very good mood right now.  Probably for a variety of reasons, one of which is that monthly jokester that likes to show up.  And with that comes the waves of emotions (man, I think I'm likely going to be an ugly MESS when I'm pregnant...oy), exhaustion, and the deep desire to curl up on my couch with a delicious, over flowing plate of green curry, egg rolls & pad Thai.  But that wouldn't exactly fit in with what I'm trying (or attempting to try...yes, attempting to try...) to do with my weight/eating habits.  Oh yah..and my heart freaking HURTS for my friend who experiencing extreme heartache today. Ugh.

So with keeping that in mind, I will try to find something to be thankful for today...

Day 2
Today I will choose to be thankful that I woke up in a comfortable bed & was able to take a shower in my own home, and drive my own car to my place of employment.

Beyond that I'm definitely in a blue mood -- how do you break these moods?
<3

Days of Gratitude! - Day 1, 2011

Well being that today is the 1st of November, I am compelled to bring back my Days of Gratitude series I started last year.  It's a good way to remember the small things that occur in our daily lives in the beginning of the holiday season when so many other things can steal our focus.


So here it goes -- Day 1
Today I am thankful for the partnership I'm blessed with in Isaac.  A partnership that's rooted in Christ, a partnership that is founded in trust, and a partnership that is OK with continued growth.  And recently our partnership and dedication has brought us to an awesome place -- we just made our VERY LAST school loan payment! I'm so stoked! Huzzah! We've already come up with our reward before we start going bananas on the car loan....one more thing before we're DEBT FREE.  You read that right...debt free! I can't freakin' wait - I feel pretty proud of us, that in our mid 20's & early 30's we are within feet of not being beholden to ANYONE except our Lord & ourselves.


What are you thankful for today?
<3