Stephen and Jodi Parker Family
We can do hard things!
Tonight while Jodi, Lily and Alexis were at the Temple celebration Mason pulled out the model car he bought last summer at a garage sale. We have been talking about building it for months, the time had come. It was a little tricky since we were missing a few key pieces like the right front strut assembly. We made one out of the extra plastics. It was fun to spend time together one on one. Mason was just so excited the entire time.
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Tonight was Mason’s first real PWD. He was so excited while we were making the car he kept saying I am going to win for the coolest car. He made it to look like “Bumblebee” from the Transformers movie, and of course his car was given that same name. Even on the way to the church tonight he was telling Lily, “I don’t care if it is fast, I am going for the coolest”. I was proud of his optimism and not the greed to have to be the “fastest”. He ended up doing really well though, he placed 2nd out of 9 cars and was very happy. He got the award for “the car that looked the most realistic”. (a.k.a. “coolest”) Fun memory for all of us.
 The pre race round up |
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 it was a close one for second, BYU took this one |
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Way Cool Car Mason!!
Saturday, January 26, 2008 1:46:41 PM
That is fabulous Mason! Sometimes the cars that you least expect end up being the fastest. Way to go!
Sunday, February 10, 2008 10:52:20 PM
Check out this book that Aunt Michelle B. gave me it is as big as me. It has every kind of tractor ever made it is so cool. Thank you Michelle!!!
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Mason, will your dad let you look at it?
Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:05:56 PM
Awesome, I want to know what you favorite one is.
Monday, January 21, 2008 12:03:16 AM
Mason, Mason, Mason. What a silly boy. He was so excited for Christmas morning that he was having a lot of trouble going to sleep…he thought that if he hit himself on the head enough it would make him tired and he could go to sleep. That is how we left him that night. He also hung on to a passing comment Stephen made right before bedtime about sneaking up to see the presents when he was a little boy…I heard Mason rummaging out in the Christmas Splendor at 4:30 a.m. (Hopefully that doesn’t happen again – the girls didn’t like him divulging what was out there for them) He was very excited about Santa Claus bringing him the “Ultimate Light saber” and I don’t think he let it out of his hands the whole day! He also loves listening to his mp3 player – on the cue list are songs from Star Wars movies! He claims he is going to get smarter because of all the classical music.
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Mason, careful about getting up too early. If you do it again leave the disposal switch alone. Ask your dad about it.
Thursday, January 03, 2008 11:04:53 PM
That is one cool lightsaber! Jed will be jealous!
Saturday, January 12, 2008 12:52:01 AM
Mason did a very nice act of kindness, by spending his hard earned money on Peeps for the family. Jodi took the kids to the dollar store to buy gifts for their friends and Mason took it one step further. Great Job Mason. I enjoyed them too…
Wrote this for the Baldwin Family Newsletter for the mystery person, thought we’d add it to the blog journal…
This person had a difficult time being potty trained. One day while waiting for dad in the car a number two accident occurred, unbeknown to dad. This person decided to take care of business on their own. They opened up the jockey box, pulled out the registration and insurance papers of the car and wiped away the deed. Being resourceful must be an inherently strong character trait. The stench was apparent when dad returned and he helped clean up the mess, so he thought. A few days later when putting something away in the glove compartment dad found a little treasure awaiting him! Whoops. He thought about comments he could make the next time he got pulled over by the police like, “Well this really stinks!” or “What in the crap?” as he handed over his registration and insurance information. We are proud to report that this person is fully capable of using the toilet like a big person now.
As we sat around the fireplace tonight Mason and I began to discuss how hot fire is, since we weren’t sure the exact figures we googled it and here are the astonishing facts. Watch out for the dazzling White flames they are the hottest.
The temperature of flames with carbon particles emitting light can be assessed by their color:
Red
o Just visible:977 F (525 C)
o Dull: 1290 F (700 C)
o Cherry, dull: 1470 F (800 C)
o Cherry, full: 1650 F (900 C)
o Cherry, clear: 1830 F (1000 C)
Orange
o Deep: 2010 F (1100 C)
o Clear: 2190 F (1200 C)
White
o Whitish: 2370 F (1300 C)
o Bright: 2550 F (1400 C)
o Dazzling: 2730 F (1500 C)
Mason participated in his final wrestling tournament of the year yesterday. I think now that it is all said and done he had a good experience.
To back up a little, last week we were at the Blackfoot tournament. It was a rough day for the little fella. He wrestled hard, but didn’t win any of his matches. They had him wrestling kids in the same weight class as him, but they had been in wrestling for three and four years. Keep in mind, this is Mason’s first. The last two matches really tested Mason’s emotional capacity. He was in pain – physically and emotionally. When the match was over and the other wrestler got to raise his hand in victory, it was hard. He ran off of the mat crying and had a little melt down in the hall claiming he would never wrestle again. I couldn’t talk him into shaking his opponent’s hand like a good sport. I looked around and saw other boys experiencing the same thing – I wondered to myself, “Is this all worth it?” As the day progressed, Mason was able to watch the older boys. He saw that they held it together if they lost – even if they were disappointed. We talked a lot that night about sportsmanship, not giving up, and just doing your best! Stephen and I both reassured him that he didn’t need to worry about winning, but to always do his best.
So now we come to yesterday…a day much like the Blackfoot experience minus the drama! I was so proud of Mason – he tried so hard and never gave up, though every match was difficult. When it was over he shook the opponent’s hand and walked off of the mat in complete control. He learned that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, never give up, and always do your best. When we got home, he even asked if I noticed his behavior. I told him, “Yes I did, and I am very proud of you.” Some lessons in life can only be taught through experience.
Good job Mason, I have only one once in my life, when I was 32 Riley and I beat Trevin and Matt at Kubb. I wish I could be more in control like you. Sometimes I feel like I never want to try for fear I might just loose again. I am glad you did your best, will you teach mat the rules, he wrestles like a Luchador. See you soon.
Sunday, November 18, 2007 10:52:10 PM
Good Job! There have been lots of times in my life when I tried and tried and tried and still lost. But also I have had times where I have won. I think it is important to lose, so when you win it is even BETTER! Also, the times I didn’t win, I still had a good time. Keep up the determination and it will all pay off!
Monday, November 19, 2007 1:58:28 PM
Today I wrestled in the Shelly Wrestling Tournament, it was a great day. The First person I wrestled I beat 17-3, just before the next match I threw up (I think I have the flu still) he beat me by a couple points my dad was too busy cheering to get any pictures of this match, the next one I pinned him, then I had a bye, then I won the last one. It was a round robin tournament so since I scored the most overall points I won first place. I was so excited because I thought I was going to get second until they added up the points.
Tonight my Dad took me up to the Rexburg Temple to get our trailer that the carpet installers were using. When we got there we went inside and saw the sealing room alter being built, it was very nice. We also saw tons of other rooms, the temple is big inside. We found some carpet scraps on the way out and I now have a souvenir from the Rexburg Temple. What a pretty place.