Category: Jodi

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

Happy to eat my pink peppermint cany. They never taste as good as they do when I’m at Grandpa and Grandma’s house.I woke up this morning from a restless night and with a killer headache. I told Stephen that I needed to sleep in a little. He helped keep everything under control so that I could rest a bit. A GOOD HUSBAND helped me out!

This morning I noticed I had some bananas that were going bad. In an attempt to save them from the garbage I decided to make a quick batch of banana bread. Yummy, yummy, yummy I’ve got love in my tummy! Smelled GOOD and tasted GOOD.

JT decided to eat at very convienient times today! We were able to get to church on time and without too much stress! GOOD TIMING!

We got to church and I heard a GOOD TALK. I was in the mother’s lounge listening to the other ward’s sacrament meeting. A cute girl from Chile was talking about her conversion story. It was very touching. She said several times that she had a GOOD life before she was baptized, but now it is so much better. She was so grateful for the sacrifices that missionaries make to take the gospel truth to people all around the world. I thought about Bruce and Sharon and what GOOD things they are doing for others in Portugal.

You know, there are some GOOD PEOPLE in Sugar City. It has taken me some months to embrace this fact, but it is true. I have enjoyed getting to know their GOOD HEARTS.

Speaking of GOOD PEOPLE – Our friends, the Galers, stopped by to drop off something that Scott got for me while in China. I was reminded how nice it is to have GOOD FRIENDS.

We took our family to Blackfoot tonight for a Baldwin Family Home Evening. It was GOOD to see aunts and uncles and cousins and my Grandma. My Grandma is a silent giant who has done countless GOOD DEEDS all of her 93 years of life. I loved to see her happy smile tonight. She is very gentle and kind. Two characteristics I wish I had more of.

While I was at Grandma’s house, with the help of Lily we found the pink dish that holds the peppermint candies! (remember my nostalgia with these from my Grandpa Gussy post?) I was happy to indulge myself to eat this GOOD TREAT.

What a GOOD LIFE I had today.

And now it’s time to say, GOOD NIGHT.

This was the coolest toy ever! I loved playing on it when I was a kid. Doesn’t look too safe though!	“Don’t eat Pete” game.	Pin the tag on the missionary Mason!
Olivia helping give out the treats.	Grandma using “skype” to talk to my dad and mom.

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

GOOD FRIENDS and GOOD FAMILY are two of the Lord’s sweetest “tender mercies” that we prize in this life. We are blessed with both abundantly.
Monday, April 21, 2008 12:45:32 AM

Stephen said…

It all starts with a GOOD Wife 🙂
Monday, April 21, 2008 9:11:54 AM

jana said…

I agree with both of the comments above, you are an amazing wife, friend,example,and sister to me thanks for being so GOOD to me!
Monday, April 21, 2008 11:47:18 AM

Anne said…

Jodi my life is GOOD because YOU are in it! So glad that you had a GOOD day! Hugs!
Monday, April 21, 2008 12:58:36 PM

Steph said…

I love the Galer Family too. Tell them hi for me. It’s really is a GOOD life. Thanks for reminding me.
Monday, April 21, 2008 1:53:14 PM

Pam Thornock said…

Jodi (and Stephen), I wasn’t sure where the best place was to comment with a big THANK YOU for capturing Tara on Idaho’s 6 o’clock news for us. We hope to catch up to your technical expertise if and when we can keep Tara home long enough to teach us a thing or two. It was great having Tara home for a week. We had many good family times, and look forward to the day when we can record them in a family blog site such as this. I also want to let Jodi know that I just got called as Primary President in our ward and it appears she’s into Primary, so I may be calling to pick your brain for ideas. I’ve served in every part of Primary over the years, and I have loved it. I hope I will love being the President as much as being with the children.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 4:58:40 PM

John said…

You are a GOOD writer and a GREAT person. Thanks for sharing.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 10:17:24 PM

As requested, here is my menu for April. I like using it – it takes the guess work out of what to make for dinner. PLUS- my kids always know what is on the agenda, therefore there is less complaining. I guess they just gear up for a night that they aren’t excited about and eat a big lunch! 🙂 I usually figure out which ingredients I will need for the week and just go out once a week to the Grocery Store. Click on Simplify 101 for a grocery shopping list that I found from Anne’s link: Simplify 101 Happy Cooking…and if anyone has a great meal idea that your family likes please share it with me!

Comments:

Jana said…

Thanks a million! I will use it for sure.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:26:52 AM

Steph said…

You guys eat like kings! I need a more simplified menu, where is the macaroni and tomatoes?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:39:24 AM

Dad and Mom Parker said…

Sounds good, but we will need a simplified shopping list, cause we don’t have alot of the ingredients. How about beans and rice? Thanks for being organized. I know that it really helps to know what’s for dinner before 5 O’clock.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:06:55 AM

MZB said…

I am in AH of your menu! We talked about it the whole way home. It is a great idea and I am sure keeps you on a good budget. I really need to get in gear and plan better. I usually cook three meals a week, other nights we eat really really simple. Quesadillas, cottage cheese & tomatoes. Homeade bread and peaches. Thanks for the jump start into better planning. I am sure it would save me a ton of money if I planned better
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7:34:05 PM

For Ladies Only … read at your own risk if you aren’t. My mom sent me this email today and I thought it was so funny, and I needed a good laugh! I think I will have to print it up for Aunt Dot!

ISN’T THIS THE TRUTH ??????
You may need to stop at the women’s restroom . . . be prepared!

When you have to visit a public bathroom, you usually find a line of women, so you smile politely and take your place. Once it’s your turn, you check for feet under the stall doors. Every stall is occupied.

Finally, a door opens and you dash in, nearly knocking down the woman leaving the stall.You get in to find the door won’t latch. It doesn’t matter, the wait has been so long you are about to wet your pants! The dispenser for the modern ‘seat covers’ (invented by someone’s Mom, no doubt) is handy, but empty. You would hang your purse on the door hook, if there was one, but there isn’t – so you carefully, but quickly drape it around your neck, (Mom would turn over in her grave if you put it on the FLOOR!), yank down your pants, and assume ‘ The Stance.’

In this position your aging, toneless thigh muscles begin to shake. You’d love to sit down, but you certainly hadn’t taken time to wipe the seat or lay toilet paper on it, so you hold ‘The Stance.’ To take your mind off your trembling thighs, you reach for what you discover to be the empty toilet paper dispenser. In your mind, you can hear your mother’s voice saying, ‘Honey, if you had tried to clean the seat, you would have KNOWN there was no toilet paper!’ Your thighs
shake more.

You remember the tiny tissue that you blew your nose on yesterday – the one that’s still i n your purse. (Oh yeah, the purse around your neck, that now, you have to hold up trying not to strangle yourself at the same time). That would have to do. You crumple it in the puffiest way possible. It’s still smaller than your thumbnail.

Someone pushes your door open because the latch doesn’t work. The door hits your purse, which is hanging around your neck in front of your chest, and you and your purse topple backward against the tank of the toilet. ‘Occupied!’ you scream, as you reach for the door, dropping your precious, tiny, crumpled tissue in a puddle on the floor, lose your footing altogether, and slide down directly onto the TOILET SEAT. It is wet of course. You bolt up, knowing all too we ll
that it’s too late. Your bare bottom has made contact with every imaginable germ and life form on the uncovered seat because YOU never laid down toilet paper – not that there was any, even if you had taken time to try. You know that your mother would be utterly appalled if she knew, because, you’re certain her bare bottom never touched a public toilet seat because, frankly, dear, ‘You just don’t KNOW what kind of diseases you could get.

By this time, the automatic sensor on the back of the toilet is so confused that it flushes, propelling a stream of water like a fire hose against the inside of the bowl that sprays a fine mist of water that covers your butt and runs down your legs and into your shoes. The flush somehow sucks everything down with such force that you grab onto the empty toilet paper dispenser for fear of being dragged in too.

At this point, you give up. You’re soaked by the spewing water and the wet toilet seat. You’re exhausted. You try to wipe with a gum wrapper you found in your pocket and then slink out inconspicuously to the sinks.

You can’t figure out how to operate the faucets with the automatic sensors, so you wipe your hands with spit and a dry paper towel and walk past the line of women still waiting.

You are no longer able to smile politely to them. A kind soul at the very end of the line points out a piece of toilet paper trailing from your shoe. (Where was that when you NEEDED it??) You yank the paper from your shoe, plunk it in the woman’s hand and tell her warmly, ‘Here, you just might need this.’

As you exit, you spot your hubby, who has long since entered,used, and left the men’s restroom. Annoyed, he asks, ‘What took you so long, and why is your purse hanging around your neck?’

This is dedicated to women everywhere who deal with a public restrooms (rest??? you’ve GOT to be kidding!!). It finally explains to the men what really does take us so long. It also answers their other commonly asked questions about why women go to the restroom in pairs.It’s so the other gal can hold the door, hang onto your purse and hand you Kleenex under the door!

This HAD to be written by a woman! No one else could describe it
so accurately!

Comments:

Stacie said…

This is so true! We stopped in Downey at the gas station to use the bathroom! Kate Handed me one of her toilet seat covers bacause mine was out! Bless her little heart! It was crazy! It flushes before you get your pants up and gives you a good splash! Yuck! Thanks for the humor!
Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:26:32 AM

jana said…

I think we have all been in that same situation at least once in our lives!! Throw in a couple kids that you are trying to keep off the filthy floor or trying to expose you before your ready to exit while doing the rest mentioned above and you have had a work out that counts as your exercise routine for the rest of the week at least! I once went to a restroom in the mall in Ogden and a lady ran in before me she had to go a lot worse than me her daughter that was with her kept saying you “really did have to go you are stinky mom…wow” over and over I felt really bad for her.
Thursday, April 10, 2008 2:09:17 PM

Mzb said…

This is my experience except I was in an airplane holding a 3 month old baby/purse while my five year old sat alone. It was very interesting!
Thursday, April 10, 2008 6:40:55 PM

Anne said…

That is funny! I’ve had some of those moments. Thanks for the daily humor fix!
Friday, April 11, 2008 8:23:35 AM