Righteous Traditions


This morning me and my little family, along with Brad and Bridgit, were able to witness my parents turn into official missionaries. It was so exciting and very special. They will be serving a part time mission as Welfare Missionaries in the Employment Department right there in Orem, UT where they live. This is the first first of many to come, I’m sure. (My Grandpa and Grandma Baldwin served four missions: Calgary/Alberta Canada twice, Family History in SLC, and Navuou Illinois) My parents also serve in the Mount Timponogos Temple as ordinance workers.

It made it even more memorable for me, and I know my parents, because it is Father’s Day. I have always listened to my dad talk about the day when he and my mom would serve a mission. He has truly looked forward to this day for many years and made the necessary sacrifices required to make this happen! It took a giant leap of faith for them to sell their home they raised their family in for over 30 years in preparation for this day that has finally come. My dad has always taught me to choose the right and has helped guide me through life by reinforcing the righteous traditions that he was also taught by his father. How grateful I am for a loving and righteous father.

I am also grateful for Stephen’s father, Bruce. He has also demostrated wonderful attributes and characteristics and taught me many things. I appreciate his goodness, tender heart and natural ways of service.

I plan to continue on in the righteous traditions laid for me and hope my children will also come to understand and cherish these noble habits of their heritage.

Comments:

Mzb said…

They will do great work as missionaries.
Sunday, June 15, 2008 5:48:22 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

It seems like that forever people have been greatly affected by the “traditions of their fathers”. These traditions seem to be our basic foundation upon which we live our lives. Elder and Sister Baldwin are some of our heroes.
Monday, June 16, 2008 12:16:53 AM

Oxymoron


Yesterday my dad, Mason, Lex, and Lily hiked up the “Y” here in Provo, UT. It is actually quite a steep little climb, but not too long. It was extra special to have my dad there with us. He helped Mason make trail mix and we all wore a whistle after learning about hikes in the Cub Scout Bear Handbook. With every step we were thinking about how fun it was going to be coming down. The view of Provo was awesome once we reached the top and I was a proud mamma/daughter of my little children and dad. We passed college age guys who were even wondering “how much farther?”. By the way, Lily climbed this one for her dad. She is very excited to tell him that she did it all by herself. Last year she climbed it with Stephen and he had to carry her a little.

We had a great climb with minimal complaints and on the way down I set a goal for myself to be down by 3:00. I began running with Lily and Lex. Well, while Lexi was picking up momentum she must have swung her arms out and accidently hit Lily. Lily was not happy, she thought Alexis purposely hit her and began having a serious melt down. This happened at 2:55 and we still had a ways to get to the bottom. I tried to be nice and rationalize with her for a few minutes to no avail. I explained my goal and tried to distract her into the same goal. She wasn’t buying it. I then said, “If you can’t get in control you can wait here by the side of the road for Grandpa and Mason.” The tantrum escalated and she ran after me, still crying loudly.

Then, it happened. I lost control (10 days without dad around can do that to a mother with five children). As I was running down the mountain, I kicked Lily’s rear of steel with my left foot. It hurt, but I kept on running and yes I made my 3:00 goal. She kept on crying until we reached the car and then Grandma and cousins helped her forget about her recent woes. When I stopped running, I noticed that the toe next to my big one hurt even more and coninued to keep throbbing worse as the night progressed.

I think it is broken or at least severely sprained. Now everytime I take a step I get to remind myself to be more patient. As for Lily, apparently it didn’t leave a mark on her, because I asked how her bumb was and she looked at me with a puzzled look. I guess it was my turn to learn a lesson.

Tengo in Buenos Aires, Argentina


We heard from every one we had talked to that we had to see a Tengo in Buenos Aires. So we did just that, we didn’t realize how fancy of a deal it is down there. Reminded me of a high class show in NYC. We felt a little out of place as we weren’t drinking like they were taking it down. Very cool show, a little PG-13 I would say, but fun. I liked how the orchestra was above the stage.

Iguazu Falls, Paraguay Brazil and Argentia


Tri bordersThis was a neat place to visit, reminded me a lot of Niagara falls, but much bigger. We ran from place to place to see the whole thing, we had to catch a flight at 1 PM so we were making some good time. Very hot and muggy as it was in the jungle. You could see three countries Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina from the tri-borders view point.


rugged wheel chair

sun came out for just a second
honey time I was getting low

John saved me by running and grabbing me a soda

look a monkey

We’ll be glad when Daddy comes home!

glad as we can be…

Since the father of our home is out of the country for Father’s Day we decided to bring Father’s Day to him – hope he can catch a view of this before or at least on the day of! Thanks to my brother Brad for helping me out with this – he is the best!

Hope you have a good day Stephen – we love you!

Comments:

Mom and dad Parker said…

What a great tribute to a great dad. No work is more important than “homework”. Good singers too.
Thanks for everything!
Saturday, June 14, 2008 12:25:02 AM

Stacie said…

Jodi that is so cute! I sat here a cried as I thought about by great brothers being even greater dads! Love you Stephen!
Monday, June 16, 2008 8:50:34 AM

Death Highway Bolivia


top of the trailWhat an amazing bike ride. We started at almost 15,000 feet and finished at around 3,000 feet. Over 60 Miles of riding, mostly downhill but there were a few good hill climbs. One of them was about 2 miles long and I call it heartbreak hill because it was not easy climb. The cliffs along the ride were amazing, to start in the high mountains and finish in the jungle was pretty sweet. In the past over 100 people died every year on this road. For this reason they have built a new much safer route for cars and buses, but the bikers still love the excitement of a near death experience.


Starting Altitude

long way down

Jana (yana german) and Pablo the mechanic
remains of a bus that went over the cliff last year

Our little riding group, Members from Japan, Israel, Germany and USA

locals admiring the bikes
Ending Altitude

chillin in the jungle
Hotel in Coroico after the ride

Lake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia


It has been said it is is the highest navigational lake in the world, at just over 12,000 feet. It takes a freighter over 12 hours to go from one end to the other. The coolest part of the lake are the floating Islands. They are hand made Islands they made from the bamboo shoots growing in the water. They cut them, dry them, then stack them over 4′ thick alternating directions. We caught a glimpse of the locals playing a mean game of volley ball on the Islands as well.


here is there kitchen

Island Volley ball, where are the Men?

Official Member of the Riding Hood


We drove to Logan with an intense wind prevailing. Siliently I was crossing my fingers that it wouldn’t be present in Logan the next day. (I have ridden my bike on a few occasions in the Rexburg winds and it is NOT fun.)

I was very happy and excited to have the help of Tara Thornock (Parker cousin) to help me out with my FIVE children – and wow was I feeling that number this weekend! I really haven’t been on a lot of outings with all of my kids and no husband and let’s just say, “WOW”! Needless to say I didn’t get a good night sleep – I think I saw every hour turn.

Friday night we (Jana, Anne, and I) picked up our packets at the event location. That always gets me pumped up and excited. We ate a little dinner (see Hannah’s Blog) and then Ryon took us on a drive to see what our ride would be like. It was gorgeous! The mountains and lush green trees were perfect.

When I awoke, I mean got out of bed, I was very excited about the bike ride. Ryon drove us there, we used the porta potty, washed up and waited. Finally the start time arrived. There were masses of women bicylcers – very cool. My favorite jersey said, “Ride like a girl!” It was worn by a mother/daughter team on a tandem bike – so cute!!! We pushed forward to begin and went for it. I have to admit we did really well, at least I know it was probably Jana and I’s best ride as far as our pace was concerned. We were having so much fun and it was a beautiful morning. At about mile 25 we noticed the black clouds looming over where the ride began, this was the same time we were patting ourselves on the back for setting a good pace. Five-6 miles later we dicovered just what those black clouds were, because we were riding ride in the middle of them! Yikes – but kind of cool now that it’s over and we said we did it. Needless to say, we finished the ride soaking wet, wind blown, and shivering.

It was a blast and I can’t wait for many more rides. I am very excited about doing a ride/race with Stephen. I can feel an obsession starting to happen and I love the fact that I can do it with my best friend as we walk out our garage door.

Anne, Jana, and I were commenting on how much fun “Little Red Riding Hood Ride” would be for a girls retreat every year – so Stacie, Michelle, Stephanie and Sharon get ready!!!! (there were plenty of girls on mountain bikes with slicks)

When I got back to the hotel, I sat under the hottest water possible for 20 minutes to stop shivering and then we went up to the Aggie Ice Cream shop for lunch. Such a fun little weekend (I missed my paparozzi husband a lot, so hopefully I can get some photos from Ryon, Jana, Lance or Anne!)

Comments:

michelle said…

Wow-you girls are the best! Good job, it sounds like a great weekend! I’m not so sure about 35 miles! ouch!
Sunday, June 08, 2008 6:50:33 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

Hard things aren’t as hard with people you love and enjoy being with. We are so proud or you ladies and your “keep on goin'” attitude. Sharon might be a hard sell on a bike ride, but who knows? It would be fun to cheer you all on.

Monday, June 09, 2008 1:35:12 AM

Anne said…

Good job Jodi! Glad I could be there with you! Fun to read your feelings of the day! Good luck with the kids while Stephen is gone.
Monday, June 09, 2008 4:57:34 PM

Stephen said…

Sounds like a blast wish I could have been there to see…we had a very crazy day today. More details later. We are in La Paz for the night and going on a great bike ride down death highway.
Monday, June 09, 2008 6:40:39 PM

Jana said…

I just have to say I am so proud of us…We rocked that ride! Thanks for helping me get there. I am all over doing it again!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 9:12:44 AM

mZb said…

Can ride with you next year, my sister is hoping for another baby by then
Saturday, June 14, 2008 6:26:11 PM