November 13th, 2010

We arranged dinner with our parents to break the big news in November on the 13th. I don't think they saw it coming, but our mom's swear that they new something was going on. Haha. We all met at Rudy's BBQ and made sure it seemed very casual (so that they wouldn't suspect anything). I brought a bag of goodies in with gifts for each of our parents, but that could have been one thing that made them think something was going on. As we sat down to eat, I was shaking in excitement, I wanted Joseph to hurry up and blurt the good news, but of course our moms kept asking us questions about our week, what's been going on, hows work, etc. We couldn't get a word in for what seemed like an eternity! Finally, something led into Joseph being able to share the news. He presented it as if he had a job offer. We figured that would be the best approach to catch them off guard. They all new eventually we wanted to head back to Bryan, so we thought if we led them that direction, then they would definitely surprised. He said, "So, I got a job offer...." Both of our moms said, "really?" Joseph then proceded to tell them, "yep, to be a daddy!" Everyone looked at us in shock. They couldn't believe their ears! I distinctively remember my mom saying, "does this mean what I think it means?!?!" Yep sure enough, they were going to be grandparents! They were so excited and hugs were going around the table!

The next day, is when we announced the good news to our youth kids and the church. It was truly a great weekend!!! :D

October 31st, 2010

The past six months have been a whirlwind, so many of the coming entries are late! I guess it's better late than never!

Halloween is when Joseph and I found out we were going to have our first little one. A few days before we had a positive pregnancy test, but it was a very faint line. We decided to wait a few more days and so when I returned from Kurten after our Fall Festival weekend, I got a VERY positive test result! I was determined to have a definitive, "yes or no" answer, hince, the digital reading.

Speechless? Amazed? Humbled?

So starting this past weekend, we started Life Groups at church. For the next few weeks, we are following the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. It's been super therapeutic, despite only reading the preface and the first chapter. Joseph and I had a great conversation about the greatness of God.

Francis Chan has a video for to watch in the first chapter of the book, that describe the limitless universe we live in, that God created. I could not help but ask myself the very questions that he probes....Speechless? Amazing? Humbled? My answer....Yes! I just sat there so quiet. Despite the many Elementary School lesson plans that my 1st-5th grade teachers taught me about space, I never fully grasped the grand-ness of what God, Himself, created! The more I watched the video, the more my mind spun in circles.

And then, I realized that I wasn't suppose to grasp the full concept. Francis Chan asks in his book, why would we put limits on God? Something our mind can understand, limits the power of what God is capable of. I found huge comfort in knowing that my dumbfoundedness, was perfectly understanding.

Joseph recommended that I then read Revalations 4. It is a short chapter that describes heaven and what we could expect to see when that time comes. I read it, and again I was astonished. I not sure how I could ever limit God. He is so great and will always be.

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this book. I can already see the great things this book is going to do for the church and our thought process.

My Dad's 50th and Grandad's 80th!

Joseph and I went to celebrate my dad and grandad's birthday on the weekend of September 4th-5th. It was so much fun and great to see all of my family. The only person missing was my brother, who had to work that day. :(

We went to a restaurant true to the Cajun Culture, called Larry's. They had a huge balloon for my dad that said 50 and a huge balloon for my grandad that said 80. When we arrived there, my aunt, Lucy had name tags for each of us to fill out. They so politely said, "Old Fart's Friend" on them with a blank where we each added the nicknames we went by. Since I could remember my dad has always called me "Weezie" (from the Jeffersons). So I wrote that on mine, while Joseph contemplated what to put. He started with "Ditty" (the family nickname that corresponds with that delightful German last name). Then as we sat there, we realized my dad has a tendancy to call him, "Joseppie." So he ended up with two name tags! Lucky him! haha.

We danced and had a blast watching the Zydeco dancing. There was one couple that was so good. I could have watched them for days! Although, I think the best part was for sure my grandfather and grandmother! I had never seen my grandfather dance so much in one night, besides maybe our wedding. He obviously had his dancing shoes on! I think he danced practically every dance, and made it a purpose to dance with all of his girls! :D So ADORABLE!

We ate some AMAZING food there. We had boudin balls, char-grilled shrimp, and BBQ'd crab. I could have ate 20 more of those shrimp, but probably would have regretted it.

The next day, we moseyed about to get ready for church. Everyone was exhausted from the night before. We went to my grandparent's church. Where it turns out my uncle Calvin's family attends as well. It was so neat to have everyone at church as well. I think it meant a lot to my grandma and grandad.

After church, we headed to my aunt Lucy's and had lunch. Her spicy grilled chicken sandwich is to die for, and obviously the Parker Favorite! I think almost everyone ordered it!

We then proceeded to bring out the board games, thanks to my dad's endless supply! It is one of those things that inevitably brings us together and allows for fellowship. Some might moan and groan for the first few minutes, but then it turns out to be the best thing! We spent most of the afternoon there and I think it was a great ending to our weekend.

Happy 50th Birthday Pop-Pa!!!!

Happy 80th Brithday Biggun!!!!

Love you both!

New Addition to the Family

We have a new addition to our family to help us get around town!

It's a 2009 Nissan Murano. We even got it in the right color!

Today's Joy!!!

Just to make marriage seem more real, Amber, just finished getting her name changed at her work. And here is what she saw today at work...her "box!!!!!!"

JJ and Dave Heller

Joseph and I heard about a concert being put on by KSBJ (a local Christian radio station) where JJ Heller would be performing. For those of you not familiar with her music, she is amazing! She has written all of her songs, and the words are incredible.

Joseph and I learned about her last Fall when her new song, Your Hands, came out on the radio and decided to go buy her CD. Well, we ended up buying two, and two songs on the second CD ended up being the one's we decided to have as our first dance and our special music at our wedding. We figured it would be only appropriate to see her in concert.

KSBJ puts on these concerts throughout the year at Chickfila's in the Houston area. They are free to the public. JJ Heller's concert was at a Chickfila in Magnolia, Texas (only about a 20min drive from Spring, Texas (where we currently live)). My co-worker and friend, Diana, came with us and brought along a friend and her daughter. It was a great way to spend our Tuesday night!!!!

Needless to say, it inspired Joseph to start playing the guitar again, and now I get to enjoy the peaceful sounds at home!!!!!