3 Joys
1. Taylor, Brynlie, Sadie, TJ and Kylie
2. Walking in the wind on a warm summer night...heaven! (P.S. Running into Jillyn and Elisa while I'm doing it...even better!)
3. I recently learned how to turn on and operate a 4-wheeler without help from anyone. What a personal thrill!
3 Fears
1. Being in closed-in spaces...I'm extremely claustrophobic!
2. Driving Strawberry in the winter
3. Crickets!
3 Goals
1. Albert and Mary Park Family History completed in time for the reunion '09
2. To eat better and exercise regularly
3. This last one is too scary to print, but I will let you know if I accomplish it!
Current Obsessions
1. Blogging
2. Family History research
3. Cranberry Black Cherry juice...delicious!
Random Surprising facts about me
1. Talking on the telephone makes me very nervous. Amazing, isn't it?! And I have a hard time using a phone that is attached to a cord...maybe an off-shoot of the claustrophobia thing?
2. I am from the tribe of Judah.
3. For one week a few years ago, I held two callings in my ward...Young Women's President and Relief Society President! Pretty cool!
People I Tag
Mike...Mickala...Meagan...Babz...just pick your favorite question and answer it in the comments or you could create your own blogs!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Park Family Reunion 2008
We finally got our pictures uploaded from the Park Family Reunion held at the 5 Star Ranch July 25-27. I have been to many family reunions in my life and I just have to say that I have never enjoyed myself more than at this one! On behalf of Mike and I, we want to give Rob and Sandee a HUGE Thank-You for a great job of planning and preparing and holding up well under pressure! And another Thank-You to Mom and Dad for their generous donation to the reunion fund so that we could stay at such a fun and fabulous place. I had a wonderful time. I can't think of a favorite activity, but I thoroughly enjoyed the yummy food, the games, the home movies, the golf tournament, and staying up late talking to Babz each night. My only complaint was that it ended too soon! Here are some of the pictures Mike and Mickala took.
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What a great reunion! And, in 2010, when it is the Merrell's turn to be in charge, Aspen has already volunteered to have the Merrell cousins take over the planning...I'm assuming that she has talked this over with her siblings, but it sounds like a great idea to me!
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What a great reunion! And, in 2010, when it is the Merrell's turn to be in charge, Aspen has already volunteered to have the Merrell cousins take over the planning...I'm assuming that she has talked this over with her siblings, but it sounds like a great idea to me!
P.S. One last Thank-You to Cindy and Annie who found my glasses in the grass on Saturday night. I know they were both concerned that they were ruined, but, when I took them in on Monday morning, the glasses tech put them in a machine for fixing bent glasses and in less than 5 seconds they were as good as new! Yeah!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Memory Lane
Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tender Mercies
In 1985, my sister Kris, died. We were living in St.George, and a short time later, we received word that the daughter of some dear friends of ours back in Vernal had suffered a serious illness, similar to the one that took Kris. At that time, Aspen, Vince and Annie were very young. I told them that we needed to pray for a sick little girl back in Vernal. They remembered her every night in their prayers. It was a simple petition..."Heavenly, Father, please bless Rachel Pinkham."
Soon after, I talked to a friend from Vernal who told us that the prognosis for Rachel was very bleak; that if she lived, she would be a "vegetable" for the rest of her life.
I was worried that my small children might be confused with this answer to their prayers, (for the second time) so I decided to quit reminding them to pray for Rachel. I reasoned that eventually they would forget.
But they didn't forget. Night after night, as I listened to their prayers at bedtime, they included the simple petition "...please bless Rachel Pinkham". I struggled to know what to say to them and settled on saying nothing. When we moved back to Vernal, I was grateful that we were in a different ward than the Pinkhams because the prayers were still coming.
Amazingly, Rachel did not die. But her recovery was slow and only partial; she was left with limited vision and walked with a very pronounced limp.
The illness did not, however, damage her spirit. When she walked into a room, her positive, joyful nature would create a very real light. I loved her smile.
When Rachel graduated from high school, I wrote her a letter and told her of the experience my three children had in helping to "pray her well." I was grateful that their faith had been stronger than mine.
Tonight, I was reminded of that expereince once again, in a very unexpected, wonderful way.
Ten days ago, Mike's mother was placed in the care center. Being her legal guardian, this was the hardest decision of Mike's life. Mine, too. I wasn't ready. I'm still not doing too well. Last week, I forgot my dad's birthday. Today, I realized that I had forgotten Kylie's birthday, too and had to settle for sending a card, instead of a present. I don't do things like that. Never.
Visits to the care center have been very hard. Until tonight. When we walked in, we saw Mother in a large room with several of the other residents. They were gathered together singing old time favorite songs, led by a care center staff member... who just happened to be Rachel Pinkham. She is still making rooms light up with her sparkly spirit. What touched me most was the sweet, respectful way she said, "Thank-you, Miss Venna!" as she collected music after the singing time.
I left the care center with a light heart...the first time in ten days.
And, on the drive home, an amazing thought came to me. "My children prayed Rachel well! And now Rachel is blessing us in ways that only Heavenly Father could have known would happen all those years ago!" Tender mercies.
Soon after, I talked to a friend from Vernal who told us that the prognosis for Rachel was very bleak; that if she lived, she would be a "vegetable" for the rest of her life.
I was worried that my small children might be confused with this answer to their prayers, (for the second time) so I decided to quit reminding them to pray for Rachel. I reasoned that eventually they would forget.
But they didn't forget. Night after night, as I listened to their prayers at bedtime, they included the simple petition "...please bless Rachel Pinkham". I struggled to know what to say to them and settled on saying nothing. When we moved back to Vernal, I was grateful that we were in a different ward than the Pinkhams because the prayers were still coming.
Amazingly, Rachel did not die. But her recovery was slow and only partial; she was left with limited vision and walked with a very pronounced limp.
The illness did not, however, damage her spirit. When she walked into a room, her positive, joyful nature would create a very real light. I loved her smile.
When Rachel graduated from high school, I wrote her a letter and told her of the experience my three children had in helping to "pray her well." I was grateful that their faith had been stronger than mine.
Tonight, I was reminded of that expereince once again, in a very unexpected, wonderful way.
Ten days ago, Mike's mother was placed in the care center. Being her legal guardian, this was the hardest decision of Mike's life. Mine, too. I wasn't ready. I'm still not doing too well. Last week, I forgot my dad's birthday. Today, I realized that I had forgotten Kylie's birthday, too and had to settle for sending a card, instead of a present. I don't do things like that. Never.
Visits to the care center have been very hard. Until tonight. When we walked in, we saw Mother in a large room with several of the other residents. They were gathered together singing old time favorite songs, led by a care center staff member... who just happened to be Rachel Pinkham. She is still making rooms light up with her sparkly spirit. What touched me most was the sweet, respectful way she said, "Thank-you, Miss Venna!" as she collected music after the singing time.
I left the care center with a light heart...the first time in ten days.
And, on the drive home, an amazing thought came to me. "My children prayed Rachel well! And now Rachel is blessing us in ways that only Heavenly Father could have known would happen all those years ago!" Tender mercies.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
OH MY GOODNESS! CAN IT REALLY BE TRUE?!
Today is my dad's birthday!
I was given the great honor of being chosen to be his daughter.
He married the most beautiful woman in the world. This is my favorite picture of them.
He loves each child and each grandchild and each great-grandchild unconditionally, from the day they are born...
...through the childhood years and on to adulthood.
I cannot state it enough. Dad is happiest when he is surrounded by his family. Some people pretend, but with dad it is real. 
He wishes we would come to visit them more often...
...but in a most unselfish and generous fahion, he has tirelessly made the drive to see us...
Thursday, July 3, 2008
TAYLOR NICOLE!
We finally got our baby! Taylor Nicole was born July 2 and weighed in at 6pounds 1 ounce and is 19 inches long. She has lots of fairly dark hair and she is precious and adorable. 
There to welcome her were her mommy and daddy and her big brother. This picture doesn't do TJ justice. He is absolutley thrilled and already quite smitten with his beautiful little sister.Tuesday, July 1, 2008
2009 PARK REUNION BLOG
At Aspen's suggestion, I have created a 2009 Park Family Reunion Blog! The name of it is http://parkreunion.blogspot.com/Please let me know if I did this right and you actually found the blog!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
SICK!!!
One of the latest bugs to reach Vernal is a nasty little cold virus that hangs on for days. I had been dodging the bullet, until just before we left to go to St. George, when I was bombarded by contact from at least seven confirmed sources. I convinced myself I was escaping with little more than an occassional runny nose, but it finally arrived in all its glory Saturday morning. NO FUN! Mike's got it, too so we both stayed home from church today. (I don't recall that ever happening in 29-plus years of marriage!)
Right now the only thing I keep thinking about it this silly poem Sasha composed for English class once, titled Sick. The only line I can remember was about her English teacher Mrs. Limb who was so very thin.
I started screeming at Mike a couple of hours ago (in my sleep) to stop puting catsup on the funeral potatoes. He concluded that I was halucinating on too much NyQuil!
Signing off until I'm better!
Right now the only thing I keep thinking about it this silly poem Sasha composed for English class once, titled Sick. The only line I can remember was about her English teacher Mrs. Limb who was so very thin.
I started screeming at Mike a couple of hours ago (in my sleep) to stop puting catsup on the funeral potatoes. He concluded that I was halucinating on too much NyQuil!
Signing off until I'm better!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Sasha's Baby Shower!
Today, Mickala and I gave Sasha a Baby shower in Vernal. After the food (which turned out quite well, if I do say so, myself!) and after the fun little shower game (which I created myself and which was also quite fun...Marlene packed it up and took it home with her to use at Marlie's shower, much to my delight) and after we had already started opening presents, I remembered that I should have been taking pictures.
So, the "Wilhelm Women" came to the rescue and busily began snapping shots so that we would have something to remember this day by. Thank-you, Marlie and Marlene! What would we do without you!
We were squished in pretty tight, and they couldn't move around much while she was opening presents, so most of the pictures have Tarra and Cindy and Tarra's adorable little baby boy in the background.
I love this picture of Sasha and her dimple.
This is some of Jason's family. The little boy is Hunter; he was being born the day that Sasha and Jason got married. His grandma (in the pink top) was busy helping with the reception food that night and had to slip away early.
Doesn't she have a cute little baby bump?! Unfortunately, there is not too much room in there for the baby...they are monitoring some percentages...I don't undertand it too well...she is supposed to be at 50%, but is only at 11% and if she drops to 10% they may have to take her early. She is not due until the 16th of July so I am hoping that she can squeeze out a little more room for our baby.
This blanket was hand pieced (not by me!) and I knew that Sasha would truly appreciate the work that went into it. You can also see the "Baby Jeopardy" game that we played, although all the point cards have already been removed. Below it, is the piggy bank that was filled with each correct answer.
Look who "crashed" the party!
So, the "Wilhelm Women" came to the rescue and busily began snapping shots so that we would have something to remember this day by. Thank-you, Marlie and Marlene! What would we do without you!
We were squished in pretty tight, and they couldn't move around much while she was opening presents, so most of the pictures have Tarra and Cindy and Tarra's adorable little baby boy in the background.
I love this picture of Sasha and her dimple.This is some of Jason's family. The little boy is Hunter; he was being born the day that Sasha and Jason got married. His grandma (in the pink top) was busy helping with the reception food that night and had to slip away early. Doesn't she have a cute little baby bump?! Unfortunately, there is not too much room in there for the baby...they are monitoring some percentages...I don't undertand it too well...she is supposed to be at 50%, but is only at 11% and if she drops to 10% they may have to take her early. She is not due until the 16th of July so I am hoping that she can squeeze out a little more room for our baby. This blanket was hand pieced (not by me!) and I knew that Sasha would truly appreciate the work that went into it. You can also see the "Baby Jeopardy" game that we played, although all the point cards have already been removed. Below it, is the piggy bank that was filled with each correct answer.
Look who "crashed" the party!
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