It was all for Mason

After several weekends of putting Mason off, we finally did it! We went camping – o.k. so we didn’t go far (we went out to our forest), but we are counting it anyway. We ate tinfoil dinners, roasted marshmallows, and got out the sleeping bags. It was worth it all for the joy on Mason’s face. In fact, the whole family just loved spending time together laughing and feeling nostalgic from the past camping excursions!  Although Stephen was feeling a little like he has betrayed his old rockwood popup trailer he is trying to look forward to the future with our "new" trailer. The rest of us are just happy it will keep us dry, warm, and safe.

The other photos are from the mile run where Mason just ran his tail off!

Comments:

Grandpa said…

Mason, you are my kind of guy. Camping is good, even in the back yard. You guys have such a great yard. I used to sleep out in the back yard 5 days a week. We will have to get in some good camping this summer.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:20:32 AM

Anne said…

Looks like a fun camping trip to me! Glad you got it in Mason!
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:52:41 AM

John said…

Nice work. You can never go wrong with a sleeping bag and a fire. I am glad to see you guys having some great times together.
Friday, May 22, 2009 10:43:30 PM

Wrappin’ it up

Tonight was the last night of Club Spring Soccer for Coach Parker and Alexis. The "Bobcabulldiggers" ended strong in a tie game against the Bonneville Bonecrushers. It was fun to watch and take notice of how much improvement has been going on. The wind was also there once again to remind us that most things in life don’t always happen the way you want -you have to work hard, sometimes you win but most times you don’t, and keep moving forward! Lots of good life lessons. It is nice to know that our Tuesday and Wednesday nights on the calendar can make room for different activities.

Speaking of wrappin’ it up…today was Olivia’s last day of playgroup. She and her friends have had many fun times learning the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and shapes. Our field trip was suppose to be to the Nature Park for picnic and play but the wind made us take a detour to Arctic Circle. There were NO disappointed girls. We are afraid for next Wednesday when Olivia realizes that playgroup is really over – guess we can make room on the calendar for Wednesday morning too.

It’s all up to the memory now!

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Just to be on a team like that was winning, but having such a great coach and cheering section puts the icing on the cake. Great season Alexis and great job Stephen!
Thursday, May 21, 2009 12:30:57 AM

Anne said…

Sounds like a fun season! My team growing up had lots of victories and lots of losses, it just makes the victories even better. Olivia looks so grown up and happy in her play group. Good thing her siblings will be around to help keep her busy soon!
Thursday, May 21, 2009 7:49:50 AM

Magan said…

Such a sweet picture of Lex and her dad. Dads are very special.
Friday, May 22, 2009 8:46:14 AM

Michelle said…

Love the soccer pictures. . . reminds me of my fam. How fun to have Stephen be Lex’s soccer coach. Seriously Stephen. . . you are a great person – being a competition soccer coach is a lot of hard work. I’m sure you and Lex will have lots of great memories!
Monday, May 25, 2009 9:18:13 PM

Tough little Jodi

My work is having a little campain to help us get more active, and since spouses are invited to participate Jodi is in it too.  With us training for the Dam Marathon in June it really makes it the perfect timing for us.  I don’t want to have this come across as bragging, I just want her to know I am impressed with her. I am just so proud of little Jo and her hard work.  She is a real trooper!  Makes me proud to be her running partner.

Comments:

michelle said…

Go Jodi! I am impressed too-I am hoping you will pass some of your motivation my way-I am really needing it!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 8:46:57 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

You two are getting plenty active. You will live forever at that rate. You might as well live intense. That will prepare you to be better missionaries when you retire.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 3:55:43 PM

Jodi said…

Let us not forget who reminds me to add my “time”- Mr. Competitive and #1 spot holder. Definitely not what a “normal” exercise schedule would be, but convenient timing to get a better rate on insurance :). I’m sure I couldn’t keep up with the couple missionaries in Portugal.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 9:00:05 AM

Sunday’s


Sing it Lily

Growing up I always had a tough time with Sunday’s because I felt like I was getting nothing done, or at least there was nothing to show for my days work.  As a result I would try to find something physical that I could do, that was fit for the Sabbath, but still make me feel like I had made progress. 

Today as I looked around and saw what was going on with my family I found that I had made progress.  Mason was happy riding his bike around the circle, Lily and Olivia were enjoying the trike I fixed up for them.  (that was my stretch of keeping the Sabbath holy today, as long as I can do it without getting my Sunday clothes dirty it is ok?)  JT was enjoying his fully loaded diaper, while Alexis was chatting with Mom about the new stage of her life.  She enters young women’s and graduates from primary in less than two weeks.  So I guess sometimes progress can be measured in how others in my family are doing.  Today my joy was found in the joy of my family.


Mason clearing his 2×4 mark on the ground, Mom and Lex watching

Fill er Up J
Push Olivia

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

A general authority once said using the rule of thumb “Does it get me closer to my Father in Heaven?” You do what you think is best on the sabbath and don’t tell anyone else. Even a workaholic can use a day of rest.
Monday, May 18, 2009 10:48:55 AM

Steph said…

Gwenna Young told me when I was a Mia Maid that if you can do an activity in your Sunday dress and feel modest then it’s okay. I always enjoy a good walk or bike ride myself. Mason is like having a jumping buddy around. I remember in Hibbard you use to make jumps in Lafors’s side yard. You always got a lot of air because you had no fear. The Wilson boys thought you were the coolest, and you were. So did Coy Calderwood and Heather Wilson, he he he.
Monday, May 18, 2009 10:09:38 PM

Farewell my Friend

I accidentally lit my tie on fire the other day while cooking Sunday dinner, I have not untied this tie since July, 30 1994 when I wore it to my last baptism on my mission.  It is hard to see it go but it was getting a little a stinky.

Comments:

Anne said…

Bummer…good news is you will have a new favorite one of these days that you can wear til you burn it.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:36:17 PM

Dad said…

You catch that on fire one more time and you can trim it up and Mason can use it. You could always frame it and hang it in the bathroom. It served you well.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:08:08 AM

Evaluating my Priorities


sweet words from my big boy Mason – loved the picnic I got to go on with him on Friday at school

It is easy to get caught up with "life". When I say "life" that would mean the day to day living the revolves around the people I take care of: Stephen, Alexis, Mason, Lily, Olivia, JT, and I guess myself. Most the time I would describe myself as: Overwhelmed as I go through the days of my life. Before I realize it a week has gone by and then a month until I can’t believe my baby is 15 months old!  Ever wonder what you have to show for your time? At our house we just keep doing the best we can to get through what we have to work with.  I think we are doing pretty good, but on days like this it doesn’t hurt to think on the ways of improvement.

When my kids are standing right next to me am I present? Do I answer them when they have a comment or question? Do I look at them as they speak to me? Do I act too hastily when I am frustrated not trying to understand my child’s reasons behind the actions? I’m the first to admit my faults and weaknesses when I error too often with the answers to these questions and many other things. In fact, if I’m being honest, some of this happened just yesterday on the very special day held for Mother’s. I am grateful for the quick and natural way in which a child can forgive. 

There is one thing I can tell you: I love each one of these people [including my husband]  more than life and would give anything or everything to be with them or serve them. I would take a bullet for them and not even think twice. I will defend them in their time of need like any mamma bear would. I’ve got their backs.

While I don’t deserve the glory that comes from how that all sounds I will take credit for the fact that they are my "#1Top Priorities" just in case you were wondering.

So today I am going to do something I’ve never done before, and perhaps it is unethical or at least untactful. I am going to wish myself a happy mother’s day. Because becoming mother is what I have set out to be since I was a little girl holding a baby doll, and being a mother is something I would never want taken away from me. I am living my dream.


Sweet note and smells from Alexis
fun treasures from Olivia – a lightbulb, screw, crayon, ribbon, puzzle piece, and paper clips.

Lily was especially good at keeping her gifts a secret this year. She even said she wanted to wake up at 5:00 am so she could set it out before I woke up.

Comments:

Stephen said…

I think you are a great mother and friend. I wouldn’t change a thing. Keep up the great wrok.
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:19:39 AM

michelle said…

you are a great mother-thanks for your example. I love the gifts-the lightbulb and screw may come in handy sometime.
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:54:06 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

THANKS for that great blog. Being a mother is the greatest. Time does go so fast and before you know they are out of the house and you wish you had it to do over again. You’re good with words, that’s the way we should feel about being mothers.
Monday, May 11, 2009 2:55:17 PM

John said…

Inspirational words from an inspiring person. It is great to have you in the family. We are all sure blessed to be surrounded by wonderful mothers.

Monday, May 11, 2009 9:34:20 PM

Anne said…

Happy Mothers day to you! You are a great mom and I think you are doing a great job! Thanks for your thoughts!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:38:24 PM

Diana said…

Your priorities are right where they should be! Thanks for being an example & friend to me.
Thursday, May 14, 2009 2:03:19 PM

Megan said…

Great message, I totally agree!

Fun to visit here. Life, like you said, gets busy and due to all of our craziness here I dropped out of the blog world for a while. It’s fun to catch up on you and your family! I’m so glad to see that you’re doing well!

BTW–are you on facebook?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 5:32:47 PM

The Naked Artist

Sometimes (when you’re three) you just have to strip down to be inspired!

Comments:

Grandpa and Grandma Parker said…

Sometimes clothes really get in the way. She probably didn’t want to ruin anything with the paint. Way to go Olivia!!
Monday, May 11, 2009 2:46:00 PM

John said…

That is what I do for all of my painting. Both on the canvas and on the walls. I just work better and it saves on clean up time. She is a cutie!
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:31:40 PM

Anne said…

Olivia just gave me a great smile for the day! So cute and funny!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:40:49 PM

baby tOOth Decay

The other day as JT was walking around being busy I noticed something when he smiled: THIS! It made me laugh. Apparently somebody left one of these beads laying around, he popped it in his mouth and then bit it down over the top of his tooth. It was stuck on there very well and needed to be pried off. What a funny boy.

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

You might need to get a dentist license with all the tooth work you have to do on the kids.
Monday, May 11, 2009 2:43:32 PM

Anne said…

Wow!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:42:21 PM

Family First

Saturday came and brought something new: A Duathlon.  Something none of us have ever done. The course was a 5 K run and a fifteen mile bike ride. Stephen, Jodi, Alexis, and Mason took their bikes to the Madison High School to the starting line. Lily was there as moral support and cheerleader. Olivia and JT got to stay home this time. The goal was to finish – which all accomplished and loved receiving a medal to prove it. The weather was perfect.  It was fun to share the day with family and friends both. We saw Stephanie and Paul, Ryon (the event planner), Jana and families. Stephen also talked our friends Dave, Ryan, Casey, Tanner and Ashlyn into participating as well.

Alexis was so excited to ride Great Grandpa Parker’s bike – too bad looks aren’t the same as functionality! It was a work out for her – Mason was awesome to come back with Stephen to check on her 2 or 3 times sacrificing his personal best time. It meant a lot to Lex when mentally she knew we would be the last ones crossing the finish line. There weren’t many kids (4 counting them to be exact) out willing to take this on.  They are awesome to try, do, and then finish! Both Lex and Mason proudly wore their shirts to school today.

By the way, doesn’t that finish line look fabulous? It was hand welded by Stephen as well as the racks for the bikes! Pretty talented fella.


The end – literally!

Mason ended up going even further than 15 miles when it was all said and done!
Lily’s reward was finding $5!

Stephen just took down a whole banana so he has chipmunk cheeks

Comments:

michelle said…

Good job guys-I could not ride 15 miles! I am so impressed with your family. You guys prove that hard things can be done!
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:51:21 AM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Good deal!! You leave the swimming out and we might even try it.
Monday, May 11, 2009 1:56:07 PM

John said…

That looks like a great race. We all should do it next year. Great work little Parker’s.
Monday, May 11, 2009 9:30:47 PM

Patricia said…

I am so pleased with all of you runners and bikers!!! Way to go. I don’t know how you did it Alexis and Mason!!! Wow! You guys are all so tough and buff. Did you get stiff and sore? I sure would have. Good job. Keep it up.
Love you all! Grandma B., Pat and Mom
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 12:07:20 AM

Magan said…

Good job guys
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:02:08 PM

Anne said…

Very cool! Way to go guys! You are so tough!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 4:35:06 PM

Like Daughter, Like Dad

Just the other day Lily ran the mile run at her school and won first place, so tonight when we were running to see who would make the AMX To Bone and Back running team I couldn’t let her down.  I just kept thinking what would Lily think if I didn’t give my all.  I coudn’t help but notice that I was the oldest runner in the group but,  I kept pushing myself and it paid off.  I finished the race first, now I can choose what leg of the relay I want to run, I am chosing the hill again.  I have done the hill the last two years, and it has about done me in, this year I plan on taking that hill down.  Maybe I am setting myself up for failure but, "if we don’t try then why are we here"? 

Comments:

Dad said…

You maybe ought to have Lily ride her bike along side you for morale support. It’s nice to see the old guys win once in a while.
Friday, May 08, 2009 11:42:13 AM

John said…

Nice work. A little training goes a long ways. I am excited for your runs you are doing this summer. Great work Stephen and Lily! I feel sorry for the hill.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 7:10:20 AM