Author: runlittlejo

“(Pride) In the Name of Love,” one of my all time favorite songs by U2. So is Silver and Gold. Both songs are written about human injustice In the Name of Love was written about Martin Luther King and racial segregation and Silver and Gold particularly about apartheid in South Africa. I have had these songs rolling through my head as I’ve been reading the past few days.

I have just finished reading a life changing book, “Left to Tell” by Immaculee Ilibagiza. It is a personal account of the Rwandan Holocaust. (Genocide defined: The systematic and planned extermination of an entire national, racial, political, or ethnic group.)Just like all of the other holocaust books I have read, this one was so inspiring! Immaculee found the power to forgive and find peace after witnessing such horrific tragedies! She used her faith, the power of God and positive thinking. She was confined in to hiding in a bathroom for three months (with several other women) at a pastor’s house and spent all of her hours calling upon God and fighting the negative thoughts put into her head by Satan. She overcame so much and her story is quite amazing. Please take time to add this book to your reading list and take a journey on a remarkable tale, it will help you see how great your life is. I cannot even begin to describe to you how appalling the mentality of the Hutu killers were- it is unimaginable and I found myself having to stop and cover my head when I would read. Thankfully, I have never had to go there before.

I cannot believe that this tragic piece of history went so unnoticed to me, especially at the time of its happening! (1994, the year I was married – not too long ago)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go listen to my songs…

“One man come in the name of love
One man come and go
One come he to justify
One man to overthrow

In the name of love
What more in the name of love
In the name of love
What more in the name of love”

Comments:

Dad Parker said…

There are so many human tragedies that occur as a result of evil men in high places, and it’s so hard for another government to enter into the fight. I guess we just try to keep our communities, states and country on the right path and hope world leaders have the wisdom to know the whens and hows.
Thursday, June 19, 2008 2:51:13 PM

mzb said…

I agree a life changing book. Highly recommended read. Are you ready for Pillars of the Earth next?
Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:40:03 PM

Steph said…

Wow! Thanks for sharing, I love to hear about good books. Our world is a crazy place, we are so blessed here in America.
Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:16:34 PM

This morning me and my little family, along with Brad and Bridgit, were able to witness my parents turn into official missionaries. It was so exciting and very special. They will be serving a part time mission as Welfare Missionaries in the Employment Department right there in Orem, UT where they live. This is the first first of many to come, I’m sure. (My Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin served four missions: Calgary/Alberta Canada twice, Family History in SLC, and Navuou Illinois) My parents also serve in the Mount Timponogos Temple as ordinance workers.

It made it even more memorable for me, and I know my parents, because it is Father’s Day. I have always listened to my dad talk about the day when he and my mom would serve a mission. He has truly looked forward to this day for many years and made the necessary sacrifices required to make this happen! It took a giant leap of faith for them to sell their home they raised their family in for over 30 years in preparation for this day that has finally come. My dad has always taught me to choose the right and has helped guide me through life by reinforcing the righteous traditions that he was also taught by his father. How grateful I am for a loving and righteous father.

I am also grateful for Stephen’s father, Bruce. He has also demostrated wonderful attributes and characteristics and taught me many things. I appreciate his goodness, tender heart and natural ways of service.

I plan to continue on in the righteous traditions laid for me and hope my children will also come to understand and cherish these noble habits of their heritage.

Comments:

Mzb said…

They will do great work as missionaries.
Sunday, June 15, 2008 5:48:22 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

It seems like that forever people have been greatly affected by the “traditions of their fathers”. These traditions seem to be our basic foundation upon which we live our lives. Elder and Sister Baldwin are some of our heroes.
Monday, June 16, 2008 12:16:53 AM

We drove to Logan with an intense wind prevailing. Siliently I was crossing my fingers that it wouldn’t be present in Logan the next day. (I have ridden my bike on a few occasions in the Rexburg winds and it is NOT fun.)

I was very happy and excited to have the help of Tara Thornock (Parker cousin) to help me out with my FIVE children – and wow was I feeling that number this weekend! I really haven’t been on a lot of outings with all of my kids and no husband and let’s just say, “WOW”! Needless to say I didn’t get a good night sleep – I think I saw every hour turn.

Friday night we (Jana, Anne, and I) picked up our packets at the event location. That always gets me pumped up and excited. We ate a little dinner (see Hannah’s Blog) and then Ryon took us on a drive to see what our ride would be like. It was gorgeous! The mountains and lush green trees were perfect.

When I awoke, I mean got out of bed, I was very excited about the bike ride. Ryon drove us there, we used the porta potty, washed up and waited. Finally the start time arrived. There were masses of women bicylcers – very cool. My favorite jersey said, “Ride like a girl!” It was worn by a mother/daughter team on a tandem bike – so cute!!! We pushed forward to begin and went for it. I have to admit we did really well, at least I know it was probably Jana and I’s best ride as far as our pace was concerned. We were having so much fun and it was a beautiful morning. At about mile 25 we noticed the black clouds looming over where the ride began, this was the same time we were patting ourselves on the back for setting a good pace. Five-6 miles later we dicovered just what those black clouds were, because we were riding ride in the middle of them! Yikes – but kind of cool now that it’s over and we said we did it. Needless to say, we finished the ride soaking wet, wind blown, and shivering.

It was a blast and I can’t wait for many more rides. I am very excited about doing a ride/race with Stephen. I can feel an obsession starting to happen and I love the fact that I can do it with my best friend as we walk out our garage door.

Anne, Jana, and I were commenting on how much fun “Little Red Riding Hood Ride” would be for a girls retreat every year – so Stacie, Michelle, Stephanie and Sharon get ready!!!! (there were plenty of girls on mountain bikes with slicks)

When I got back to the hotel, I sat under the hottest water possible for 20 minutes to stop shivering and then we went up to the Aggie Ice Cream shop for lunch. Such a fun little weekend (I missed my paparozzi husband a lot, so hopefully I can get some photos from Ryon, Jana, Lance or Anne!)

Comments:

michelle said…

Wow-you girls are the best! Good job, it sounds like a great weekend! I’m not so sure about 35 miles! ouch!
Sunday, June 08, 2008 6:50:33 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Hard things aren’t as hard with people you love and enjoy being with. We are so proud or you ladies and your “keep on goin'” attitude. Sharon might be a hard sell on a bike ride, but who knows? It would be fun to cheer you all on.

Monday, June 09, 2008 1:35:12 AM

Anne said…

Good job Jodi! Glad I could be there with you! Fun to read your feelings of the day! Good luck with the kids while Stephen is gone.
Monday, June 09, 2008 4:57:34 PM

Stephen said…

Sounds like a blast wish I could have been there to see…we had a very crazy day today. More details later. We are in La Paz for the night and going on a great bike ride down death highway.
Monday, June 09, 2008 6:40:39 PM

Jana said…

I just have to say I am so proud of us…We rocked that ride! Thanks for helping me get there. I am all over doing it again!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:12:44 AM

mZb said…

Can ride with you next year, my sister is hoping for another baby by then
Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:26:11 PM

Baldwin Famiy Spring 2006Busy time of year for the Baldwin Clan!

It all started with my parent’s anniversary last week. They are the two people responsible for the rest of the birthday madness. Seems they had three children at the same time of year. Brother #1(Brad) and #3(Scott) and my only sister Michelle. I am happy I have the parents I do. They have taught me SOOO many good things. I am very glad that they married each other!

Michelle was born on the day after their anniversary. She is one of the funniest and funnest persons I know. She is a very funny mom and it is very fun for me to visit their home. One thing I love that she does is called “table text”. If her children receive a text message during dinner, they have to read it out loud. She is full of compassion and charity too- always ready to let you know she is thinking of you. When I’m prego she pulls out her lotion and works over my feet, and every once in awhile she’ll surprise you with a package in the mail. Everyone should get to have a sister like her!

Scott, my little brudder has a birthday today. Happy Birthday man! I think he is like the coolest ever. When I was a senior in high school- he was a freshman. I have always been proud to call him my little brother. He is very talented musically and has a cool music sense. He is also very smart, but the thing I love best about him is how great a dad and husband he has turned out to be. He is very considerate and thoughtful and leads his family in righteousness. He is a good friend and example to me.

Brad’s birthday is in two days. He is my oldest brother. I have to say that some of my early memories of him are of fear. He had a ram’s head ring he used to threaten us little annoying kids with. Now he is also a person I look up too. He is very savvy and creative. He and his wife Amy have raised some very great kids. He is not ashamed to be found curling his little girl Abby’s hair (age 3) or paint her fingernails. He always has the coolest and latest electronic devices to wow the crowd.

Brian, my sister’s husband’s birthday is the day after Brad’s. He is a great man as well. He is kind hearted and would help anyone in need. He is very supportive of his children and ALL of their many talents. Glad he married my sis.

Jeana, Scott’s wife, has a birthday a little over a week after Brian’s. She is also amazing. I love her patience and she is one darn good mom. She is one of the most enjoyable people to chit chat with and have a meaningful conversation. She is adventurous and is great at finding good balance in life.

Now that I’ve gotten started I am on a roll and thinking of all of the great people in my family and why I love them…but I am going to have to brag about them at another time.

Except Eric – He is the only one in my immediate growing up family that I didn’t get to say something about. (His birthday is in December) He is also so great. He is kind and inclusive. He never made me feel like a bother as we were growing up. He was just very nice to me. I am proud of all that he has accomplished. He is always up for a good time and makes a lot of fun memories with his family. He is a great dad too. We have a joke in my family that he is the “golden child”. Mostly because he is so agreeable and goes with the flow. Basically he is a peacemaker!

I know, I have a cool family! I wouldn’t trade a one of them and I’m very proud to claim them!

Comments:

Dad Parker said…

Nice blog. It looks like Stephen fits right in with the hair line in the family. All the men have about the same hair style so they can run fast.
Monday, June 02, 2008 1:06:05 AM

Brad Baldwin said…

Thanks for you kind words and thoughts. Sorry to inflict fear and trembling in your formative years. I have learned from you too. I still get sad when I think about questioning getting married so young and fast. You made a great choice!
Monday, June 02, 2008 7:56:46 AM

Magan said…

I am so blessed to be in such a wonderful family.
Monday, June 02, 2008 12:02:10 PM

Anne said…

Jodi you have a great family. What a neat family picture. It sounds like your siblings have some of your similar great qualities. Happy Birthday to all the Baldwin’s.
Monday, June 02, 2008 12:48:49 PM

Amy Baldwin said…

And you forgot to mention that sister Jodi is the kindest and most upbeat of all. Always a smile on her face and a positive attitude.
Monday, June 02, 2008 2:15:40 PM

Jeana said…

Thanks Jodi. You’re so nice. I was talking about you a few weeks ago when my sister was visiting and Danielle said, “Jodi seems like she would be an awesome sister-in-law.” I said, “She is. She is so easy to talk to.” I’m so blessed to have married in to such a great family.
Monday, June 02, 2008 7:35:29 PM

Jana said…

Jodi you are right up there with all those great qualities you shared about your family! Thanks for your great example and being my bike buddy! You pretty much rock and I can’t say enough nice things about you and your cute little family, glad we are related even if it’s just through marriage!!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 10:19:41 PM

So today I was sitting around trying to figure out when Olivia will be going to kindergarten. This stems from Lily’s kindergarten graduation last night. Olivia was born the last day before the dead line so we have a few options I guess. If she goes to school when she is five she will go for the 2010-2011 school year.

So after figuring that out I started wondering more and more things and here is what I came up with (I could save some of you some math, since our kids are the same age):

JT will be going to kindergarten in 2013-2014 school year (I will be running kids to Pre-School then kindergarten for a nonstop 4 year period of time!)

When JT enters first grade it will be the year Alexis graduates from high school!!!

Lex graduates 2015 (If Mission 2018-2020?)
Mason graduates 2017 (Mission 2018-2020)
Lily graduates 2020 (If Mission 2022-2024?)
Olivia graduates 2024 (If Mission 2027-2029?)
JT graduates 2027 (Mission 2028-2030)

My life is now flashing before my eyes!!! I will be 40 years old when Lex graduates and 51 when JT graduates! I am not sure about this, I think I am in denial that things will always be what they are now. This little math session has put some things in perspective – CHERISH THE MOMENTS!

p.s. Kindergarten has got to be one of my all time favorite ages! I’m glad I have two more to go…

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Your math about tired me out. It’s a good thing we don’t have to live our lives all at once, but it is fun to plan out a few nice things a few years ahead. We’re sure you’ll enjoy the whole journey.
Friday, May 16, 2008 3:09:47 PM

Steph said…

Wow! I am right in line with your first four. That makes me feel overwhelmed. It seems far off, but the last 11 years have been quick. I remember thinking I was so old when I was a senior. I hope these kids make us all proud, no dumb choices! I love them all!
Friday, May 16, 2008 11:45:19 PM

Anne said…

Well that does put things into perspective. I think I will just Keep Moving Forward and take baby steps. Hope Lily’s graduation was fun!
Saturday, May 17, 2008 5:22:35 PM

JT two month old hand.Being Mother’s Day and all I usually go in with the attitude of remembering my own mother – careful not to dwell on my insecurities and inadequate mothering skills. Today was a different day, possibly because I have been gone away from my children on the Parker Girl Retreat and haven’t had any recent mothering woes. As I sat listening to motherhood tributes my mind wandered to the past and I recalled some of my own personal favorite moments of being a mother.

Alexis – child of firsts! I loved brushing her newborn hair and dressing her – very careful to choose a matching blanket and burp cloth. When she was 2 1/2 years old we would sing “I’m so glad when daddy comes home” when Stephen got home from work. About this time, I was sitting with her singing at the piano and she said, “I want to go back to live with Heavenly Father.” It was a tender moment for me. Alexis has a beautiful smile and fun laugh – it is contagious and makes me happy still to watch her be silly. She has always had loads of energy and a zest for life, always ready for an adventure. She has always liked to be silly and goofy to make people laugh.

Mason – Pleasant surprise, we thought he was going to be a girl. He is passionate and inquisitive. It almost feels like you can tangibly see the wheels turning in his head. He seems to always have a question, idea, or thought. When he was in nursery Stephen was serving in a college ward bishopric so Alexis would help me retrieve him after Primary. One Sunday I asked Alexis where he was and she didn’t know, we ended up finding him outside shoveling the sidewalks of our church house. When we moved into our second house in Idaho Falls, I remember looking out my kitchen window to watch Mason walk outside to play. I stayed there watching for many moments thinking to myself that one day he will grow older and not play with his Tonka trucks and dig in the dirt. Mason loves fruit, especially strawberries. I love to see him smile whenever he gets to eat them.

Lily – intense, independent, thoughtful, sweet, helpful. A few words to describe life with Lil. When Mason started kindergarten, it was just me and Lily at home. We had lots of fun together, she always likes to work alongside me and continuously compliments me. Once, while we lived in Idaho Falls, she walked over to our neighbors house who didn’t have any kids left at home. She knocked on the door and told them she was hungry and wanted a peanut butter sandwich. Of course they just laughed and made her one. At church a few months ago (age 6) she was writing down the words to the song, I am a child of God. She had misinterpreted the word earthly as nearthly. I tried to correct her when she asked me if she had dictated it the right way. She stayed firm in her belief that it was in fact nearthly. I opened the hymn book and showed her where it said earthly to which she replied, “Whoever wrote that book is wrong!”

Olivia – sweet and funny. She endured building a house and moving during her second year of life. What a whirlwind – wish I could remember more. It was a few years in between her and Lily and we welcomed her with much love and anticipation. I love to watch her play with her older siblings, she can keep up! It is a joy to read stories with her and hold her on my lap while the other kids are at school. When she tells me a secret she puts her arm around my neck and her cheek next to my cheek and starts whispering – needless to say I don’t get to hear much of the the secret, but is always makes me smile.

JT – can’t wait to make some more memories with him. But for now it satisfies me to listen to him coo and mimic him. He also is very good natured and smiles easily. My heart swells a little bigger when I’m holding him!

As tough a job as motherhood can seem at times, the sweet and tender moments make it all worth it! Glad I get to be one and hope I do them right…

Smart little kindergartner – loves to read and write!	Alexis one month old.	Olivia 6 months old
Snuggling with my baby, JT.	Olivia Michele Parker – two years old.	Mason – strawberry lover!
“I make dirt look good!”	Sweet Lily girl – 2 1/2 years old.	Crazy Lex – do not try this at home!

Comments:

Stephen said…

I am so glad you are the mother of our children. They have a great example of a loving mother.
Sunday, May 11, 2008 7:17:52 PM

Patricia Baldwin/Mom said…

Very sweet stories, Jodi. I love watching you as you are raising your children. What a great Mom you are. I believe you are enjoying your role as a Mother. There is just nothing better, is there? Your little girls will enjoy motherhood, because they see you as a great Mother in action! Your are doing a fine job. Keep up the good work. It is work, but very rewarding. I love you very much. Your mom
Sunday, May 11, 2008 10:39:16 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

We love it when Moms are so in love with their children and really enjoy being a Mother.
Monday, May 12, 2008 11:28:16 AM

Jana said…

I love to listen as you talk about being a mother.. It really is expressed through your words and actions that you are indeed proud to be a mom! Thanks for your example.
Monday, May 12, 2008 1:27:24 PM

Anne said…

You are a great mom Jodi. What sweet memories and thoughts of your children. Keep up the good work and loving your children.
Monday, May 12, 2008 3:22:06 PM

Stacie said…

What a great tribute to your children!
Monday, May 12, 2008 4:32:07 PM

Steph said…

You are a great example to your daughters. They will be better moms because of your teaching them. It’s great to be a mom, even with those sticky fingers, we still love them all.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:08:56 AM

Pam said…

Hi Jodi, thanks for commenting on my blog. It was nice to hear from you. The Parker family so inspire me in so many ways. I appreciate all of you. About Primary, it’s going as well as can be expected. Every week is a new challenge for a President when teachers go home sick and substitutes fail to show. Other than that, it’s been great, I love being in Primary, I’ve been in primary most of my life. I’ve had a calling in every part of Primary now except music because I can’t play the piano. I’ll let you know when I’m in need of an idea . . .I’m sure you’ve had some good ones.
Friday, May 16, 2008 1:49:31 PM

Kristy Staker said…

Jodi, you are amazing, althouh I notice you hear that a lot. I read your blogs and just hope someday I can grow up to be just like you. The reason I stopped by the blog today was just to see what Jodi was making for dinner tonight. Thanks for being such a great example.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008 3:57:03 PM

My mom teaching me how to be a mom. June of 1997, a few days after Alexis was born!Baldwin mother highlights revisited from five years ago –

Because its Mothers Day, I have obviously been thinking about my mother and remembered this email dialogue my family shared. I wanted to put it somewhere that would help me preserve it as it is special to me. I love my mom and am so happy that I got to come to earth and learn from her. Happy Mothers Day once again mom!

Hello all – Eric asked me to share with him some things about our mom for a talk he is giving on mother’s day in his ward. (Maybe he asked you too) I just thought I would share them with you on mother’s day so you will know how much I love our mom and the things she has personally done for me. I am grateful to be a part of our family. All of my siblings are extremely wonderful examples, and have taught me many good things.
Top ten reasons why I love my mom –
1. She always places our needs and comforts before her own.
2. She is a hard worker.
3. She is compassionate and caring of others.
4. She is always there to listen and give advice.
5. She is friendly and puts others at ease.
6. She has taught me gospel principles by word and deed.
7. She has taught me the importance of ‘family first’.
8. She makes me laugh.
9. She is generally always happy.
10. She is very talented in many ways
A few stories or events that stick out in my mind about mom are these… First, I remember mom caring unselfishly for her own mother when grandma could not care for herself. She would carry her around, feed her, cut her toe nails, etc. Service! I went with her many times to elderly people�s homes or to the nursing home to visit the sick or lonely. We would go take treats, help them around the house or yard, or just visit. She always impressed upon me that we should always remember them and that some day we will be old. She always taught us to show respect and to share our talents with others. I remember playing my violin for many of her visiting relatives. This has helped me be willing to share my talents easier – even now. When the orchestra decided to go to California to Disneyland it was going to cost more $ than was available. Mom would wake up very early (earlier than normal even) to bind quilts and earn money for this trip for me. I don’t remember her ever asking me to contribute. – (this is something I am not proud of -I didn’t even try to help earn the money.) She was so excited and happy for me to get to go, because she had never gotten a chance to go there. I remember several times when I was 13 and 14 that mom would say ‘call up one of your friends and we’ll go out for a blizzard’. My friends loved to be around her as much as me. She was always fun to go with and could act just as crazy as us. I used to call her Preachy Pat because she liked to lay it on thick, but many of these preaching moments taught me great lessons. Lessons to be modest, to obey, to choose the right, listen to the holy ghost, pray, and the list goes on. I also love the fact that mom still burns the ditch bank. I am almost positive that I complained every year that it stunk – ironically when I smell that smell now I am filled with pleasant memories of being outside with her. I am remembering so many things and I am getting too long. I think I’ll end now. I hope that some of this will help you out – and I hope I’m not too late. It was fun reminiscing. We have truly been blessed to have the mother we have. She is a wonderful person. Have a great day.
Love,
Jodi
HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY MOM!

Responses added from Scott, Brad, and Michelle:

Jodi,
Amen to everything. And can I just say that I busted out laughing when you brought up the ditch bank!!! I remember many times of burning the ditch bank. Also, I was so anxious for the time when I could play “Kentucky Babe” on the trumpet at the Senior Citizen’s center with mom like Eric and Brian. And going home for lunch in grade school to have a baked potato with chili. And working with her at Porter’s every day, and seeing how well she treated people and genuinely loved them. And staying up real late playing games…or having her make cookies in the middle of the games. And for talking to the cats (this fits into the number 8 of Jodi’s list)…the list does begin to go on and on once you get started…give it a try.
Mom, we love you! Thanks for being you!
Scott

Agree… Lots that could be added. A couple of important one from me…
1) Treat your brothers and sisters nice. I remember Mom telling me about how some day I’d look back at washing dishes with Michelle and how much I’d miss it. At the time, it didn’t make sense. But it certainly does now.
2) Learning to work hard through gardening…Was it just me that feels like all we did in the summer was pick and prepare vegetables? I remember with fondness all of us gathered on a quilt and snapping beans or shelling peas. Each of us had our own bowls. We’d work for hours harvesting and preparing food. Always mixed with the work was talking about what was important or just talking about nothing really important at all.

Great times to remember.
Brad

Okay~
~ Who remembers shelling peas and popping the ends off the beans. Wasn’t it Eric that got the beans stuck up his nose on two different occasions? I remember taking those huge “steroid” beans and flicking them at each other.
~ I also remember working in the garden on a few occasions with mom. She was always such a hard worker. I remember one time there were beetles/bugs on the potato plants & she had us take 2 rocks and beat the bugs off the plants.
~ I remember Mom serving others. That is a wonderful quality. She has such a love of people and wanting to help them in any way possible.
~ I love the fact that she helped us feel how important our heritage is.
It was neat to see the way she loved her brothers & sister, parents, uncles & aunts, great-aunts. I feel as though we all grew to love them as she does.
~ Memorial Days were always special to me. I remember going to visit the cemetery to take flowers to family member’s graves. I remember how she taught us all to show respect to the people by being reverent & not walking on the graves. I loved hearing Mom, Morgan, & Davawn share the stories about Grandma, Brent, Carol, Blair, etc.
~ Practice the Piano & don’t forget to count!
~ “If anything’s worth doing, do it right the first time.”
~ Saturday mornings & cleaning the bathrooms!
~ Mom taught us to be good workers- to do our best in all we do.
~ Mom is a people person! Any one she meets, they become her dearest friend. She seems to know almost everyone in the Rexburg area. I remember going to Frontier Pies with the family after Brian and I were married. It was pretty amazing to Brian & me how many people her and Dad knew. She generally cares about every person. She is pretty Christ like if you ask me.
~I feel our lives are better because of her. She always told us how her Patriarchal Blessing talks about honoring your parents. I know we all have wonderful parents. Aren’t you all grateful for them? I know I am. We have been “born of goodly parents”. I am grateful to them for the way they live their lives and for the examples Mom and Dad are to me!
~ I love you all!
– Michelle

I have been thinking about how lucky I am to have two working legs! Sometimes they are thick, and I always am hoping to have them more thin. Years have made them stretch in places I’d rather they didn’t. The years have also brought on unsightly varicoses and a few aches and pains and a bulge around my ankles…

BUT

These legs have been good to me and take me where I need to go. I have tried to imagine what life would be like without legs – I don’t like it! I am happy they let me run them around without a fight. I have been able to see and be in beautiful places because of my legs. I have also been able to accomplish things with my legs I just didn’t think they could do.

Today take a moment with me to be grateful for your two legs.

Comments:

John said…

Three cheers for legs. I am a fan of them myself. I like the eyeball and skin too. Thanks for being grateful.
Monday, May 05, 2008 3:46:19 PM

Anne said…

Thanks for reminding me about my blessing of my two legs! I am grateful for my legs. I think I will enjoy them twice as much tonight on a fun fhe bike ride with the family.
Monday, May 05, 2008 4:07:04 PM

MzB said…

I just finished a great book. “Driving Bell and the Butterfly”. It is about a man after a CVA Cardiovascular accident (STROKE). It was very humbling and reminded me how blessed I am to have a working body.It would be great for your book club or just a summer read.
Monday, May 05, 2008 5:11:06 PM

Dad and Mom Parker said…

I always complain about my legs, they’re too fat at the ankles, but they sure do take me lots of places. I’m grateful you remindered me that we are never happy, with what we should be very grateful for. Thanks!!!
Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:07:52 AM

Just finished my menu for May …

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

We saw your menu and want to come to Sunday dinner!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 3:10:37 PM

Paulo said…

mmm. i like the cinco de mayo meal. You know i will be in town that day?
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 5:09:33 PM

MzB said…

You are killing me! A blog tribute to your super meal planning skills is coming soon. Your monthly menu was the topic at the park on monday.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008 8:37:00 PM

Stacie said…

Thanks man! You do all the work and we bennefit! What a gal!
Friday, May 02, 2008 8:49:08 AM

jana said…

Thanks…I think you eat a lot better than we do but I will improvise and try to use your mad planning skills!
Friday, May 02, 2008 9:13:30 PM

It’s official, spring has come long enough for the country folk to burn their ditch banks! The smell of burning weeds and sight of blackened banks is everywhere we go. I am really feeling badly that my mom isn’t here…you see this was one task that she just adored!!! She couldn’t wait to get her hands on a matchbook and rake, I always thought it was dangerous and most of all stinky. Today we drove out to Burton and past my old house. I am happy to report that the new owners have followed suit and the ditch bank was burnt (maybe they put that in the closing papers)! And for the first year I am catching the vision of why this must be done – I’ve even put in my request for the ditch out by our lane.

One other thing, I have to give a shout out to my great friend Dana. Her birthday is Tuesday. When she stopped by on Saturday we sang to her against her request, but we just had to let her know we love her. She is an amazing person and one of my favorite people to talk to! It is a special treat to have a friend you completely trust and can always pick up where you left off. She is nice to look over my flaws and faults. Glad she’s still around even though I’ve moved.

Comments:

Mom Parker said…

I remember that time of year and burning our ditch in front of our house. I never really did the burning that was my dad’s job but it makes me alittle homesick to think about it. I also have a wonderful friend who I love and trust and can pick-up with when ever, they’re great to have. I also have a wonderful family, thanks everyone!!!!!
Monday, April 28, 2008 9:39:21 AM

Mom Baldwin said…

Jodi, your comments are making me a little homesick! I’m glad that ditch bank got burned. The green grass will be coming along soon. I knew it was Spring when I could burn the ditch bank. I love the smell, too. It reminds me of when I was a little girl and my parents burned leaves, etc. I always wanted to be around and help them.

Friends are great to have. You are one of my best friends. I love you, Jodi.
Monday, April 28, 2008 10:52:43 PM

Steph said…

Aren’t we lucky to have good friends. I am looking forward to picking up where I left off with a couple friends there in Rexburg. I am blessed to have good sister-in-laws too. I always enjoy our retreats, we also pick up where we left off. I love you guys!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 10:43:20 AM

Anne said…

Yes, the spring ditch burning is something I didn’t grow up with, but have learned of since being married. My neighbors actually were burning last week.

Friends are so great! I am glad you have a great friend like Dana…Happy Birthday Dana!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 1:58:05 PM