Stephen and Jodi Parker Family

Remember the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004? I do. I was overwhelmed at the catastrophe. I couldn’t imagine it. The number of fatalities was outrageous and I felt wiped out emotionally. I felt like there was nothing I could do from my economic and physical status to make even a small difference. I was helpless, I thought.

I am one of those people who always appreciate other people who try to make a small difference for a big problem. I sat back and watched reports of Hurricane Katrina from my hospital bed while in labor with Olivia. My heart was sad…I personalized it and it became my devastation. I thought, "I wish there were something I could do, but…." I continued to watch and was comforted by all of the people who made a difference while I watched nursing my newborn baby at home weeks later. I felt a tinge of jealously when I heard of the people who traveled to New Orleans and helped in whatever way they could.

If there is something I learned from these two previous disasters, it is that I cannot stand by and watch any longer considering the calamity in Haiti. I have been inspired with peoples generosity monetarily, but more inspired am I by those who are doing small things to show their support and care- probably because that person could be me. It seems attainable. Perhaps it was the small comment made from my friend in Relief Society who said she is going to see if she can raise money from a bake sale or something, maybe it was when I watched a cute girl in the mid west from CBS news making bracelets with all of her friends to sale.  Probably both. Anyway I have been motivated to help. Lex wants to help. We need your help?! Help for Haiti!

I came across a cute idea to make a scarf out of an old man’s t-shirt (the shirt not the man and size m or larger) on the Internet. I quickly knew that I had to make some. So I did, they turned out cute – Lex and I both love them. Thinking about a way to help Haiti and loving these scarves seemed the perfect option for us to do our part.  We are joining efforts to sale at least 20 for $5 each. That is our first goal: $100. Not too much, but still something, right? So I have raided Stephen’s closet and found a few t-shirts (5), but in order to make the scarves with pure profit we are asking for donations of old t-shirts (to meet our goal we need at least 15 more), or you can buy one of our scarves? Either way, we would appreciate your support.

Finally, I want to share with you my new favorite song right now. Stephen and I watched Hope for Haiti last Friday evening. When we heard Justin Timberlake sing, "Hallelujah" (click on the song title to hear) we knew we would be buying the tracks of the evening off of iTunes. I would encourage you to buy them as well, you won’t be disappointed. Btw – who knew Justin Timberlake had such a beautiful voice? Not me! I thought he was a show-off dancer – who wanted a singing career? I was pleasantly surprised! Hope you are too! 

P.S. If you live in Rexburg and have some shirts for donations, let us know and we will come and take them off of your hands. If you want to order a scarf to buy we will deliver it to your door! Thanks 🙂

 Post Edit: My friend drew my attention to "Halo" from the Hope for Haiti soundtrack, another new favorite! Listen, Smile, & Enjoy.

My recipe project is finished! Here is the end result. It was a lot of work, but worth it. I love that these cards are laminated and sorted, and recipes we will actually use – plus they take up little space! I used these cute little cards everyday last week and enjoyed every minute. Tonight as I was planning this weeks meals it was a snap. So yeah  for the recipe project. (especially that it is finished!)

Comments:

Mom and dad Parker said…

Thanks for all your effort. We will all benefit from your project.
Monday, January 25, 2010 8:56:14 AM

michelle said…

Wow-looks like a great time saver. Way to be organized-your a great example.
Monday, January 25, 2010 3:45:48 PM

I am getting excited for the new addition to the blog site Stephen is working on! He is working on making a fun background design option when printing recipes. I am getting ready to print out a whole bunch of recipes and I really wanted to have them look cute – so he has delivered! I have been working on a project called 30 meals, an idea I found from this blog: littlenannygoat.blogspot.com/2009/04/30-meals-step-1.html

Yesterday I went through all of my recipe books and boxes and files and took out all of the recipes I actually use and added them to the recipe file here on the blog. I then threw everything else away! Such a good feeling. I am going to print and laminate the recipes that everyone in our family will eat, then sort and organize them into bundles on a ring as follows: Main dishes, Desserts, Side Dishes, Special Ocassion, etc.  (Most of the time I actually use my computer/blog to reference my recipes)  The only requirement the recipe has to have to make my bundle is if everyone in my family will eat it. I’m finding this is harder than I thought it would be. (7 different people with different taste – Taco soup didn’t meet the requirement!) As far as recipes like taco soup and others like it that most people like but not everyone – they will go into their own bundle and still come out every once in a while. These people need to learn how to deal with eating things they don’t like once in a while it’s good for them. But I really like the idea of diminishing whining, wasting, and delivering a healthy meal to an eagerly waiting & hungry child. I want them to remember liking to eat the food I cook. Food carries with it happy or bad memories.

I am also doing away with my monthly meal planning calendar and going to a weekly one. This way I will be able to shop from what is on sale better. By seeing what is on sale I can then go to my recipe card bundles and pick recipes that go with ingredients that are on sale. I will also be able to stock up on items that I know for sure will get used! I am hoping this will make meal planning a snap by choosing recipes that I know everyone likes for 4 days of the week. Then for the 3 other days a week I will try a new recipe, go easy with opening a can of soup, or fit in a meal from recipes that most of us like but didn’t meet the requirements.  Having them laminated and on a ring will make it easy to take it out for the week and easily accesible when planinng my grocery list and cooking.

I have a question for you? What are some of your family’s favorite meals? I am finding it hard to come up with 30 that everyone likes. I am always excited for a new idea that is a family pleaser.

Here are some of our family favorites (most of the recipes can be found from the family recipe link):

#1 favorite meal is macaroni and tomatoes, crock pot cream cheese chicken, beef pot roast with potatoes & carrots, shepherd’s pie, spaghetti, pork burritos, bean & cheese burritos, chicken pot pie, ham & scallopped potatoes, creamed peas & potatoes, cool veggie pizza, bbq (beef or pork) sandwiches, easy lasagna, stuffed shells, cheesy manicotti, best bet burgers, tacos, nachos, chicken & noodles over mashed potatoes,  five hour stew, no fuss potato soup, sweet & sour chicken, pizza bombs, meatloaf with bake potatoes, beef topping for baked potatoes, chili rice & corn casserole, homemade macaroni & cheese, ham fried rice

I will keep you posted on my project ….until then…

One of my favorite New Year’s Resolutions that I’ve accomplished in my lifetime and have really strived for and been fairly successful at is about to be unveiled to you…..drum roll please…..Friday night dates with my Husband! It really is what keeps me going through the week.

I set this goal when we had 3 young children at home (probably 2002) and had to pay a babysitter every Friday night. This meant that the date we went on had to be basically free since all of our money was going to a sitter. It was worth the $$$$$ SERIOUSLY. I could elaborate of all of the benefits, but I won’t. I will just say it is nice to have a best friend by my side and know that Friday night he’s all mine and I don’t have to share!

I really love January – a month for me to reevaluate stuff, push myself to be a little better, and give myself a direction to go in, it also gives me something to look forward to. Very cleansing and also refreshing. Now it is time to get to work!

Comments:

Anne said…

That is a wonderful resolution to accomplish. Good for you two, Happy mama and papa, make for happy kiddos. I love taking time to set new goals to! I think the best present one could give one’s self is to take some time to meditate or ponder how to be a little better :).
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:54:45 PM

Mom and dad Parker said…

Dating your spouse gets easier as your kids get older. It really is good practice for future missions and the years of being empty nesters. The treasure of having a companion you really like to be with is priceless, but must be developed. It doesn’t come completely natural, kind of like a talent, but a very important one.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010 5:54:46 PM

michelle said…

I agree-dates sure keep me going. Its funny how a few hours together help you through the week of craziness. Thanks for Sharing!
Thursday, January 14, 2010 9:20:27 AM

My resolution list 2010 has been drawn and I’m documenting it as a way to committ myself into action. I actually just found it this morning after losing it and decided I needed to put it in a place where I can reference it easily. By sharing it with a select few I will have the added pressure of REALLY taking it seriosly. I have learned to be flexible with myself and NOT be too rigid or try to do everything all at once…hopefully those characteristics will help accomplish at least one thing off of this list this year. Which one will it be? Only time can tell…

SPIRITUAL: Attend temple at least monthly, pray morning and night, read Ensign better, read Jesus the Christ, Sudy scritpures with Stephen @ night

MENTAL: Learn how to use Photo Shop, teach Olivia to read, learn more about producing a garden

FINANCIAL: Balance check book every Friday morning with Stephen, get savings up to $5000, Save $ for family vacation, Christmas budget $700

PHYSICAL/HEALTH: Get down to 130-135 lbs, learn to swim, eat less sugar, drink more water, Tour De Cure

HOME: Buy a new lawn mower, Manicure forest and orchard this summer, finish off underneath the deck, shelves in the storage room

FAMILY: Read scriptures together daily, keep doinng fun projects together, get up to date on photo albums, more one on one time with children, take Lily to conference, & visit the Redwood Forest