Category: Jodi

Favorite song of the week…

U2’s “Grace”

“Grace finds goodness in everything.”

“Grace finds beauty in everything.”

“Grace makes beauty Out of ugly things.”

Here are a few of my home made projects…

I made this dress for myself – it turned out pretty well.
I love this skirt on Olivia – I made a matching one for Lily too. I used 11 jelly rolls strips to make both skirts and then added some satin blanket binding. Don’t you love it? I found this idea off of some random blog.
I also love this dress Lily has on – I learned how to do shirring on this baby. Using elastic thread!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

We love the dresses too, but the models are outstanding.
Monday, February 16, 2009 12:27:22 AM

michelle said…

Sooo cute-you are so talented Jodi! Clothes frighten me, so I am very impressed.
Monday, February 16, 2009 3:54:10 PM

Magan said…

I need to live closer so I can learn some better sewing skills. Very cute dresses! can I put an order in
Monday, February 16, 2009 7:14:29 PM

Michelle said…

Jodi- You look like a model. You are so pretty. Nice work on all the dresses.
Monday, February 23, 2009 10:56:26 AM

Great Ladies!I have been wanting to have a Top Ten party for a long time – thanks to Anne’s inspiration. I finally did it this past week and it was a great time! I found that my own top ten have changed since the last time I participated in one. We had fun laughing, telling stories, and eating our favorite foods.

Here are some fun things that were shared:
*Redd Family Food Challenge – one mom challenges her kids (one week out of the month) to make the meals and the best meal receives an award. Of course she has older children than me, but I am going to save that in the back of my mind for future use!
*One friend told us that her favorite saying is when her husband says “I just need to get jiggy with it.”
*I found out that one friend shaves her legs EVERY DAY! Yikes – I think she deserves and award for that.
*Another friend loves the 70’s – a funny discussion took place about hash jeans at this point.
*One person shared her yummy recipe for spinach artichoke dip – so yummy.
*Surprising that one friend loves to listen to “barracuda” when she goes down hill skiing.
*Another friend loves to wear red toe nail polish.
*Did you know ivory soap can be used to take out a stain? I didn’t!
*Many of us love getting a good deal!
*Jane Austen made the list of at least half of the ladies.

It is good to have fabulous people surrounding and supporting one another!

Today Olivia helped me make molasses cookies. We had a great time, especially rolling out the dough and then putting sprinkles on them! One of my earliest memories of my Grandma Beattie is helping her make these same cookies when I was just about Olivia’s age. It is funny how certain foods and smells can take you back to another time and place – kind of like magic!

Comments:

Stephen said…

What a cute little helper you have!
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:33:49 PM

Grandma and Grandpa Parker said…

That looks like a great tasting way to enrich covenant relationships. The kitchen seems to be a natural place to make sweet memories. We agree with Stephen, She is a cutie.
Thursday, February 12, 2009 11:33:57 PM

michelle said…

Fun memories-I love how you are passing them on to your cute little helper. She looks like she is loving every minute.
Friday, February 13, 2009 7:22:16 AM

The Blue line is where they have beenI had to smile when I saw Jodi and her friend running in the blowing snow, and ice covered roads. They ran 11 miles in this madness, all I can say is they are tough girls. I snapped these shots from my office window, and tracked her with her phone using GPS. Good Job!

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

That doesn’t look like too much fun, but it keeps you in shape. Be careful not to fall and hurt yourself. You can hardly see you in the snow.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 1:01:47 PM

Jodi said…

Tough or stupid?! BTW – What the poperotzie??? One can not get too comfortable with a photo lurker in the midst! How lucky for me that I have a fan – thanks for supporting me! 🙂
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 2:58:59 PM

Diana said…

We are so cool!
Thursday, February 12, 2009 9:16:40 AM

John said…

Great shots Stephen. Way to keep the poperatzi alive in Idaho. Jodi you are pretty darn committed. In more ways than just running. Fun Blog.
Friday, February 13, 2009 3:33:22 PM

Turquoise is probably one of my favorite stones. I love that color, a lot! I developed this found affection in my childhood as I went to Rock Shows as a little girl. My Grandpa Beattie worked with gems and would go to shows to sell his jewelry and such. I loved looking at geodes, rock book ends, and most of all turquoise. If my memory serves me correctly my Grandpa usually had a large rock of polished turquoise on his finger, my Grandma wore cool necklaces. When they passed away, my mom and her brothers received the remainders. It was always fun rummaging around and looking at the stones and settings. My mom had this cool spoon ring in her collection…I just had to have it. I love it, love it, love it – forever!

Later in my life, I visited my brother Eric in Jackson Hole, WY during the summer after his senior year. He worked in a fun store with a section of jewelry. I remember trying on the great bracelets and thinking to myself, I am going to work here someday too. So of course that is just what I set out to do and accomplished. I talked two of my friends into working with me in Jackson the summer after our senior year. No need to even tell this, but I got to work in the jewelry sections of the store, the shortcut name on the job charts or lingo in the store was “turquoise”. You know I loved that. I was a buffing queen! I buffed and shined silver and tried on as many expensive pieces as I could. I felt right at home behind the counter, perhaps it was in my blood.

I couldn’t make it a profession, working there in Jackson. Too many days working on Sunday and I did have an education to continue, so I moved after Labor Day to go back to school. A year later, I got engaged to this amazing guy who just had come home from a mission and had 0 money! My mom showed him the wedding ring she inherited from my grandma and offered to donate 3 diamonds for the cause. My Uncle Morgan (took after my Grandpa Beattie in the jewelry department and makes it for a hobby) took the diamonds and set them in the setting I picked out. Stacie, Stephen’s sister, loaned Stephen the $300 it cost (which of course was a darn good deal!). I now get the honor wearing this ring – and people say I’m not sentimental!

After getting married I got to know Stephen’s grandmother – Elaine. You really KNEW where you stood with her – I liked that (most of the time). When Stephen first introduced me to her and told her we were getting married she said, “You’re marrying her?” I wish I could add inflection of voice through typing! I was pretty much scared of her for a few years, but I will readily admit now that I grew to love her as much as my own grandma! She was a special lady who left her mark wherever she went. On several occasions, I complimented her on the cool turquoise necklace that she wore. She was so proud to tell me all about how her son, Tom, had given it to her. After her passing, I was fortunate enough to get to take this piece of her home with me. Today I wore the cool, turquoise, bear necklace. It made me happy all day long! I treasure it not only because it is turquoise, but because it is a tangible piece of someone I loved – just like my rings!

My hair has had a long day, but my necklace looks great!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

You wear it well. We also love the memories of things that were valuable to others. Thanks for sharing these special stories and feelings.
Sunday, February 08, 2009 1:18:25 AM

Magan said…

Love this post, I too have been blessed with jewelry from my grandmothers and yours. I love the jewelry for it’s beauty but truly cherish the memory of the exquisite women before me.
Sunday, February 08, 2009 7:42:01 PM

Patricia said…

Jodi, I am so glad you are my daughter. I love you so much! You make me so happy! XOXO Mom
Thursday, February 12, 2009 10:24:12 AM

My mom forwarded me an email and I stole this list from it. I thought they were great reminders:

SIMPLE GUIDELINES FOR HAPPINESS:
1. Free your heart from hate.
2. Free your mind from worry.
3. Live simple.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

I am planning on starting with #5!

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

That’s a great list. We loves lists, it helps us stay focused. Thanks for sharing these great ideas.
Sunday, February 01, 2009 11:40:10 PM

Stephanie said…

Trevin always tells me when I ask him to give me a move in date that “expectation is the cause of disappointment.”
Monday, February 02, 2009 9:43:25 AM

Somebody took my brain away and I don’t know where to find it – help!

It is no joke – I’ve either lost some brain cells (a likely probability after 5 kids) OR I’m on brain overload OR I am just a “special” mom who needs some special education. Something really did happen to my memory, what little of one I had to begin with.

Here is the problem… I used to be able to rely on a pencil and paper. If I wrote something down, I could be depended on. Now I can’t be trusted. You can’t count on me…I don’t like the sound of that.

Here is the most recent brain disappointment from a whole lot of ’em…I like to go running in the morning, but I have had a few brain lapses on the correct meeting time in the past previous weeks. I’ve chalked it up to an honest mistakes, but I know something is really wrong because of what happened last night:
I got done talking to my running partner after we made a plan for the week (we are in training for the Canyonlands 1/2 marathon in March). I reassured her that I would write it down and would FOR SURE be ready. I immediately went to my alarm clock to set the correct time – So I wouldn’t forget and I would be ready! After that I went along with my business finishing up nightly tasks. I hopped in bed double checked my alarm one more time (I would feel so bad if my friend had to get up and wait in vain once again) – I was determined to be dependable, no more excuses. I went to sleep, slept pretty well, and woke up using my internal clock 20 minutes after my alarm was supposed to ring! Apparently I unset my alarm when I double checked – dub! It wasn’t a happy time for me or Stephen who had to listen to my melt down – I punished myself by running 4 long miserable miles alone on my hot, lonely, treadmill! I hated making the call to my understanding friend with my latest excuse. I’ve decided I tired of excuses, just give me a new brain. It is really sad when I try so hard – even over try!

I make a big deal of this incident because it seems like running was the last thing in my life that I had control over – and now that’s gone!

Help – I really want a smart brain, can I have yours?

Comments:

Dad Parker said…

You don’t want mine. I have forgotten so many important dates that you would be happy to stay with yours. I forgot to speak at a missionary farewell years ago, and I was the only speaker at the meeting because he didn’t have an active family. I forgot to go to the Sugar-Salem Jr. Mister to be a judge. The list is pretty long. I just rely on Sharon to keep me from embarrassing myself. I even forget that we haven’t eaten all day when we travel. Relax, it will keep you humble.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 1:28:22 AM

michelle said…

Jodi-thank you for letting us know that you are normal. I pretty much think you have it all together. You even get your thank you cards out! I just think about and kick myself until it’s embarrassing too late. I agree about the brain thing. I had to get that little palm phone to sing at me anytime I am supposed to be anywhere. Please just tell me it’s a mom thing. You are doing great!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:14:26 PM

Jodi said…

Phew – I feel better now…thanks for the sympathy! It’s nice to now it happens to the best :).
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:32:26 PM

Riley said…

The list of things I’ve forgotten is endless!!!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:47:49 PM

Susan said…

Jodi, sweetie, trust me, I KNOW for a fact that you don’t want to trade brains with me. As long as you remember yours , Stephen’s, your kid’s names and that the church is true, you’ll be just fine! Laughing at yourself is a great talent!
Thursday, January 29, 2009 12:47:01 PM

Megan said…

Ya, this kind of reminds me of one of the times when I was Primary chorister (the calling I have now incidently–it keeps coming back to me!). I was teaching “Beautiful Savior” and I think we had whipped through the first verse fast and so I approached a brief rundown of the 2nd verse before I had really prepared to teach it. So I’m up there and the verse goes “Fair are the meadows,Fair are the woodlands,Robed in flowers of blooming spring” and I (without a brain at the moment) pronounced “robed” instead as “ro-bed”. So I’m up there talking (no thinking going on here)”…Hmmm…Ro-bed..boys and girls, I think I’ll have to look up that word and let you know next week what it means.” Yes, and this was in front of teachers and everyone. I still can’t sing that verse without smiling and blushing a little. (The gem lives on!)
Saturday, January 31, 2009 12:21:40 AM

By the way, please don’t read this if you thought our family was perfect – I would hate to shatter the image of what I wish sometimes were a reality!

Last night my family and I finished watching “Singles Ward 2”. I couldn’t hold back the laughter when I saw the camera span over the Sunday congregation and stop on a mother with a bunch of children to take care of. She pulled a gallon of milk out of her church bag and started pouring bowls of cereal for her kids. A few seconds later you see her making a peanut butter sandwich for her little boy. – Cracked me up! I thought of it as a large exaggeration of a typical LDS sacrament meeting at least in Utah or Idaho, but after church today I’m thinking I might want to try that plan of attack! Maybe that is the trick to avoid the humility my children seem to give me the pleasure of learning.

I’m am almost positive that on one Sunday or another many latter-day saint moms wonder if it is worth subjecting themselves to the struggle (yes, I want to accentuate that word) it is to take children to church. I even have the added luxury of having my husband sit with me on the pew – lucky me!

I usually double up on the deodorant for Primary, but I’m going to have to consider tripling up the efforts in that department, because here is what happened today during sacrament meeting:

1. We have Olivia! She is one of the cutest 3 year olds in the entire world and sweet as a button but chooses (because I know she knows how) NOT to whisper. She talks loudly or laughs loudly or gets upset loudly. O.k. so it probably seems louder than it really is when we are in a reverent quiet atmosphere such as sacrament meeting.
2. We have Lily! Again, one of the cutest, sweetest 7 year olds on the planet BUT don’t make her mad! She will make you pay and it is not pretty! (literally and figuratively)
3. We have JT – I forgot that I shouldn’t wear knee length skirts with a climbing baby – oops the people around me got more than they bargained for if they saw the show! Oh and I hope they shampoo the carpet at the church regularly because he has left several spit up remnants to help “break in the carpet”.
4. We have Alexis – now usually I can’t get on her case because she does a pretty good job, BUT today I looked over and she had pulled out a deck of face cards from her purse and she was telling Mason “pick a card”. Seriously, I got done listening to the new callings and bam – Lexi and Mason are playing with face cards? How did that happen, I didn’t even think we had a owned a deck cards? They were quickly confiscated – I am sure the people behind me loved watching that transpire because I was REALLY shocked.
5. We have Mason – honestly today, he did fairly well during sacrament meeting. But last week I looked over at him in Primary and he had an origami paper stuffed in each side of his nostrils.

Of course I am dwelling on the negative to prove my point – there really are some good things going on as well, but WOW the bad sure do stand out when you want things to go smoothly :).

I am learning about humility on my Sundays at church…I hope someday it will evolve into something much deeper and meaningful, but for now I am just hoping that I can pick myself up and gear up for one more Sunday!

Comments:

Magan said…

I think you guys spiced up church this week. Very funny. I can’t believe Olivia, I have barely heard her say one word.
Sunday, January 18, 2009 4:47:03 PM

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

This reminds us of what Sister Lent said in the worldwide training. She said a lady watched her at church and said “if my kids were as good as yours and if it was as easy for me as you, I would have a large family too.” They never know how hard it might have been, getting there. Keep up the good work, it gives others hope. They are good kids!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:37:13 AM

michelle said…

I’m with you Jodi! I have left many sacrament meetings feeling like we were the show. Zach chose to sing the closing song this week in his primary, scream at the top of his lungs, voice. The entire chapel could hear. I like your great attitude about being humbled. I will think of that each week as I am also humbled.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:05:58 PM

Magan said…

Eric reminded me how could I forget you want a bad church experience. My child pulled the fire alarm at stake conference!
Friday, January 23, 2009 4:48:26 PM

Today Stephen and I went on a lovely cross country ski date with two other couples from our neighborhood. We woke up at 6 am and were at the trail head near Cave Falls by 7:30ish. What a beautiful site to behold – the calm serenity was a big plus for a life that always seems on the go!

As we were unloading and finding our skis our friend, Matt, noticed that they had given him 2 extremely different shoe sizes at the rental shop. He was gracious and said he would just watch a movie in the car, etc. not wanting to damper our fun…when who came to the rescue? My husband – Stephen. He offered to wear the shoe (which was 3 sizes too small for him) – he then transferred his shoe to our other friend, Casey, who quickly saw the need. He then took of his shoe to give to the unfortunate Matt. Matt and Casey were each wearing a shoe that was two sizes two small on one foot. I’m sure all three will be sporting a nice blister tonight, but have absolutely no regrets or complaints.

I have to admit I was smiling deep inside at the analogy of it all. Isn’t that what life’s all about?

Good times, Good people, Good conversation, and a Good place to enjoy it all!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

“Flexibility is a sign of a happy family”, even a family of friends. It must have been a wonderful day. Looks like there’s plenty of snow.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 1:55:56 AM

Anne said…

Way to go jump in Stephen! Not surprising at all, just the kind of good man you are. Infact, if I can just say ALL the Parker men seem to be so good like that. Bruce you taught them all well.

Looks beautiful and like a great time with friends! So glad you got to go enjoy a fun day together in the beautiful snow and fresh air. Looks like a great date!
Sunday, January 11, 2009 2:43:54 PM

Steph said…

That looks like good cold fun. I am not surprised Stephen would offer his shoes, you have good friends and that makes it easier to want to help them.
Sunday, January 11, 2009 8:45:11 PM

michelle said…

looks like a great time. I love your ambition getting up for an early date. Way to be Stephen-the unselfish Parker way.
Monday, January 12, 2009 9:21:36 PM