Eleventh Grader

Wow – that's about all I can ay is WoW! I remember 10 years ago dropping Lexi off at a new school in Idaho Falls without any friends. I looked backed and saw her swinging on the swings all alone. Even though she felt fine, I cried all of the way home because my baby was going to school ALL day long! I cannot believe I am sitting here now typing this because on the way to school today Lexi proclaimed, "two more years of HS and then I'm done!" Where has the time gone??? Just to let anyone that is planning on reading the rest of this know – I am totally going to brag about this chic in the following paragraphs.  She is pretty good at being humble for the most part, so I need to document her latest and awesome accomplishments, because that is just what moms can and should do. I can take NONE of the credit for any of these cool things – it is just who she is, and it is amazing to get to sit by and watch her become who she is meant to be.

I sure love this daughter of mine. She makes me proud to get to say I'm her mother. She isn't perfect, and that is hard for her to accept – but she is pretty darn close most of the time. haha 🙂 But really, she works really hard to be her best in all she does and I greatly admire her for it.

At school she is known as "Parker", no. 6 on the girls soccer team. In fact, at the game I didn't get to see on Saturday she scored her first goal of the season! Way to start things off right Lex! She was voted the Jr. Class Captain of her team this year, and really felt honored about it. She takes things serious – sometimes a little too serious, but that is why we love her and how she can do some of the great things she sets out to do. She got a few fundraisers going for her team, and has been a great older sister to Mason as he is starting off his first season on the HS team. She looks out after him and is there to be a friend when he needs one. That makes my heart smile really, really big. She has also helped out with her choir a lot. She and a friend volunteered to pick out the outfits for both the boys and girls. She is pretty responsible and good at communicating to have a positive result. She also was excited about getting the solo of Cosette in the song, "Castle on a Cloud". She also get to be the Jr. Class President this year. She hasn't gotten put to work yet, but I know the Lip Sync is something she has been thinking about and wanting to help her class win this year.

At church Lexi is the one that her YW leaders like to ask to do things because she is willing and good at being dependable. She has developed great habits of reading her scriptures & praying. She is one of the people you could describe as a quiet strength to others. She isn't one to stand up and proclaim her beliefs – she just lives them every day. She is out of her comfort zone to bear her testimony all of the time, but heck ya she has a strong one! She has chosen and is determined to live a virtuous life and has set high standards for herself, which is inspiring. She has adopted a sweet old lady in our ward and often goes over to help her with some work or just to watch TV or visit.

At work, yes she has a job!, she is trying hard to do her best too. For her it is important to be punctual to make sandwiches and swirl yogurt at Mill Hollow Frozen Yogurt. She has enjoyed her work there and has made some fun new friends. She really likes working with her cousin Paige. They have become even better friends and have had a fun summer – along with Riley and Haley (and Kassie when she is in town). We seem to find ourselves stopping in for a yogurt more than we ever have, just to see the cute blonde girl behind the counter working hard to make money for College and Mission. She is a miser when it comes to spending and saving her money. She does not let it exit her hands without thinking really hard about where it is going to go. She splurged at bought herself a pair of Tom wedges (shoes) for school. She was so freaked out it almost made her sick. But I'll tell you what, she is so proud of those shoes and treats them better than any piece of china.

Friends/Boys/Dating because she is now 16. She has had fun doing some group dating this summer, but is finding it isn't THAT big of a deal. It is fun for her to spend more time hanging with boys & girls at parties because she didn't really do that as often before. She has nice and good guys all around her to hang out with, so that makes us as parents happy for her. She has a few that she has reserved at the top of her list, but mostly she is just waiting for "boys" to grow up into the "man" she is dreaming of. haha – that is totally her mother saying that – not her!

It will be a wonderful few years ahead with this girl. I love to cheer for her at soccer games, sit by her at church and sing the hymns – we switch who sings alto/soprano every other verse without even planning it…we just know, watching her ham it up on the stage of her swing choir songs and dimpley smile, curling her hair when I get the honored privilege, depending on her to take care of the family when I'm gone from home, and mostly all of the great talks found at the end of my bed after she gets home from work or playing with friends.

Strong willed, independent, dependable, & full of integrity is this girl in a nut shell. LOVE her to death!

San Francisco 2013 – part two

3. Transportation – walk, bike, bus, trolley, muni metro, BA metro, and airplanes. Lots of ways to get around and we did it all! I had fun being in walking distance to many fun places to shop! We were by some awesome malls and stores I don't get to very often so that was a fun bonus! On Sunday we walked to church – I think I saw more homeless people in San Francisco than I ever saw in NYC. We walked down a rough street about 2 miles to get there and I was happy when we made it for many reasons. Biking along all of the Piers, over the Golden Gate Bridge, and into Sausalito was probably my all time favorite thing we did! I LOVED it very much – it was a beautiful day, a challenging ride for me with all of those hills and 30 miles, and gorgeous ocean views! The trolley was a bit anti climatic because it was broken down for half of the ride and it was pricey. I'm glad we did it to say we rode on a trolley, but other than than – eh?! The bus was nice to hop on and off of for $2 – saved my legs a few times. 🙂 I sat by a cute little Chinese boy on one stop who made my day. He was a friendly, whistling, singing six year old. I was on my own to get back to the airport from the city and I had quite an adventure. Stephen walked me to the metro and advised me to get on the yellow line and stay on it all the way to SFO (the airport). Well I wasn't aware that there are two different trains- a muni train for around San Fran, and BART, a train that runs to Oakland and other larger cities near San Francisco. I was suppose to get on BART, but ended up on the yellow line of the muni.  I realized my mistake half way through the ride and made friends with a nice guy who helped me know where to get off and transfer to BART. I did so and got on BART – the yellow line. BUT apparently there is a yellow line train that bi-passes the SFO stop – that would have been nice to know! So I got to ride to the end of that line and make another friend who helped me get to the final yellow line train that eventually got me to the airport. Phew! That was a long & interesting morning. The airport was easy to navigate through and I luckily made my flight on time. Let's just say it was an educational adventure, that I'm glad I gave myself plenty of time to go on. 

4. Food – Let me just say here, that having been married for close to 19 years, we totally get each other's eating habits and desires. Neither of us are adventurous – strike off all of that cuisine first off! I'm a little leery of fishy tastes or dirty floors & tables, Stephen is a little worried about pricey and fancy. So we stay out of those areas and generally have good luck and we ate well! Fist night it was at Chipotle – a great fast food mexican restaurant. 10 stars from Stephen. Next night we ate at In-and-Out Burger. We loved it and don't care that we will most likely be judged for not eating clam chowder at fisherman's wharf.  My only complaint is there were way too many people, which lends itself to dirty. haha 😉 We also topped the night off sharing a yummy ice cream waffle bowl at Ghirardell on the Pier, very chocolately = good. Next on our hit list was the roof top Cheesecake factory at Union Square. So delicious, classsy, and filling = home run! Again lots and lots of people. We snuck over to chipotle for chips and gaucomole for an evening snack.  Last night I was there we headed back down to the Pier on the trolley for Boudin. The sourdough factory. We learned about why San Francisco has a special "sour" to their sour dough and why it is so famous. We saw them making and baking bread, and we smelled it too! After that we endulged in a San Francisco tomato, basil, and garlic sour dough pizza and also shared chili in a sourdough bread bowl. Woah – its a good thing we walked a lot and went on a bike ride to work a little of all of that good stuff off!

5. VM World – Stephen was so funny and every day he came home from the convention he would produce his "spoils" from the day and take a photo. He is definitely addicted to getting free stuff – especially t shirts. He beat his record from last year and is well past 50 shirts. I told him that if he gets the same exact tshirt it doesn't count to make it more of a challenge for him. I think that we may have to give shirts out to trick or treaters this year.

Well, it was a great few days and I am grateful I had the opportunity to go and have some great moments with Stephen! Until next time…I'll tuck these thoughts away and have fond memories.

San Francisco 2013 – part one


Ready, Set, Here we go!

Yesterday I got back from a fun extended weekend in San Francisco with my man. Stephen was able to go to a convention call VM World at the Mascone Center there and we fit in some fun times when he wasn't there.

A few highlights/memories from the trip are as follows:

1. My Husband – Back in February Stephen begged me to book a flight and go with him on this trip. I was extremely reluctant given the timing and all that had to go on during this time, but saw that determined look in his eyes and consented. He can be very persuasive. I had a thought run across my mind from a conversation I had on a visiting teaching visit from when I was living in Idaho Falls. My wise bishop's wife told me, "Your kids are a temporary gift given to you from your Heavenly Father, but your husband is your to keep for Eternity. Your kids are going to grow up, move away, and have their own families – and your husband will be with you by your side always." Good timing to remember this and sealed the deal. I am so flattered that my husband wants to spend time with me and begs me to be with him. I love him all the more for it! I had a great time being with my best friend. He was a true friend and even though I know he could have flown past me on the bike ride, took time to enjoy the ride and talk to me. He also offered to get a room with bathroom in it, if it really bothered me (see below). 🙂 He navigated me through the city I would have been lost in and kept me safe. He encouraged me when my IT band started buggingg me on the bike ride, and he held my hand as we walked to church and talked to me about his spiritual feelings. I just love that man. Happy I get to be with him forever.

2.. Our Hotel – The Mosser. A fun surprise was waiting for me here. I didn't know that I would be staying in a place that had a community bathroom and shower. You decide if it was a good or bad surprise. 🙂 Stephen absolutely love it and thought it was awesome, probably to counteract my shocken facial expression. I decided in the first 5 minutes to not make it be a deal breaker and enjoyed it for the most part. I'm not going to lie though, showering in a tiny room was away from my room after some other person was in there was definitely way outside of my comfort zone. I guess I am going to chalk this up there as phase one into "preparing for my future mission with my husband someday". (seriously though!) We were on the 7th floor and slept with the window open – it was very LOUD! Sirens from ambulances & police, the taxi horns, the valet whistles, people laughing loudly – definitely different than the birds, tractors, and sprinklers I usually hear. The elevator was kind of slow so sometimes we took the stairs – they were really steep. Our hotel was very charming in its own way.


This is it – our double bed room and a sink that you can’t see.
waiting for the shop to open to rent our bikes
I think it should be called Fishermans/Seagulls Wharf of San Francisco

My highlights from Education Week

I decided to make a highlight list of the things that I learned and don't want to forget from Education Week – so I have a good place to come and reference them when needed.

  • We need good intrapersonal communication – an easier way to say it is to have a good relationship with ourselves! For increased positivity try doing the following for 21 days in a row: 1. meditate 5-10 minutes a day 2. exercise regularly for 30 min 3. Participate in random acts of kindess 2-3xs a day 4. express/feel gratitude 3-4 xs a day 5. Write at lest one of those things we are thankful for in a journal.
  • Date Night Dancing – at BYUI every Friday night for $2/couple with BYUidaho card. Let Stephen lead. 🙂 We learned the Box step…slow, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick.
  • 80% of a person's impression of you is visual. Teach kids the rules of good manners at a FHE. When meeting someone for the first time make eye contact, have a confidant & firm voice, a firm hand shake and use this format: GREETING (hello, hi, hey), BUSINESS (I'm first & last name), PLEASANTRY (I don't believe we've met).  For a response you mirror the same format: GREETING, BUSINESS (reciprocate with your name), PLEASANTRY (It's noce to meet you). Do the "re-do" if you forget someone's name….just apologize and admit it and acknowledge where you think you've met before. NEVER say, "remember me?"
  • HARD WORK & HUMILITY produce powerful spiritual growth" – President Clark (Use these words for our back to school motto this year!) Everything that matters requires hard work. Ether 12:27, pay attention to the word "may" – we have a choice. Sometimes the Lord says to us, "Your plan is NOT my plan."
  • D&C 88:119 *Organize 1st, so we can do the rest. Start holding a parent "presidency meeting" to discuss the concerns of our kids and make a plan for ways to help them. David A. Bednar, "…overarching spiritual quest to fulfill the mandate to receive the Holy Ghost." The Holy Ghost protects our family. Galatians 5:22-23. Goal in our family should be to "just do a little better." D&C 64:33? small and simple things…Thanks John!
  • Have Confidence in your own parenting. Have confidence in  your kids. Confidence at useful skills develops self-esteem. Girls respond to colorful things and can hear 80% better than males. Boys need action and more volume and directness. Work alongside your kids when you can. When evaluating the work our kids do – have them do it! Q. what did you like? what could use a little more attention? Is this your best?
  • Listening is hearing, understanding, remembering and responding. TOOLS: 1. acknowledge you can be a better listener and then practice it! 2. Take notes, especially on the critical conversations! 1 kings 19:11 also write down spiritual impressions. 3. Paraphrase – restate what is said 4. Use questions, only use "why" if it isn't used to ask about feelings.
  • Watch finding Nemo and be a little more like the turtle – trust my kids to know their limits to stay within the parameters that have been laid out when adventuring. Allowing and encouraging kids to explore in adventures can create a healthy self- esteem and realization that they can do hard things. Participate in adventures with your kids, teach them the boundaries and then allow them to fly.
  • Being the chocolate chip in the oven of life. (The chips keep shape when under pressure of heated oven) C.H.I.P. (Covenant keeping, Hold On –  2 Nephi 31:19-20 , Individuality with Integrity – D&C 124:15 love what is right, Personal Perfection – Moroni 10:32perfected means "finished, complete, whole" remember that Grace comes to us. think of this in terms of a daily experience NOT just at the culmination of life. Each day our perfect is at a different % and Christ's grace will come to us and make up the difference every time when we let it.
  • Apply this quote by President Ezra Taft Benson about missionary work to parenting(or anything else): "When missionary work ceases to become an irritant and becomes a quest…in that moment you find great power!" Raising resilient kids (they are needed in the world and in the mission field) 1. Be kind and firm in what kids need to do. Don't give in when the whining and complaining ensue…stop rescuing them. 2. Teach children to do hard things….work past their comfort level. 3. teach them to problem solve, empower them to find their own answers and solutions. let them think for themselves when situations arise. Ask questions and support them even if you know it might not work. Let them learn and then support them in trying again when they fail. 4. Specifically validate their effort – not the action. Don't want kids to feel like the "things they do" is more important than the effort involved.
  • Mosiah 4:30 (thoughts) watch the negative ones that can leave us feeling anxious. What is your 100% bad? Really think about it, it helps put worries, troubles, discouragement & hopelessness in the proper perspective. Replace the negative ones with positive thoughts like, "this is only 10% bad", "I can stand this", "I'm willing to submit", "I am a Child of God, I'm worth a lot", "I don't like it that's okay, I can stand it anyway".

Family BYUI Education Week 2013

Today we wrapped up BYUI's Education Week as a family. We have spent the past three days attending classes and learning various things. It was awesome to get to enjoy it as a family, yet go in our different directions for age appropriate instruction. It wasn't a flawless experience going as a family – we had a few bumps in the road to challenge us a little, but in the end we came home with a good memory in our hearts. I am confident that each of our testimonies were strengthened and we have a good idea list of ways to be better and the motivation to accomplish it. John Parker was one of our favorite speakers! He is a natural at teaching and gave great ideas. We were proud to be related to such a fine person! Mason got to come with us to his class and he enjoyed seeing Uncle John in his element. (note to self: encourage John & Bruce to give a mini EFY for all of "the cousins" sometime soon!)  After it was all over today we met at the bowling alley and threw some balls down the lane. I think this was probably my favorite time because we were all together and each of us were in happy, nice, and funny moods. NO one cried or pouted (too badly) :). I WON and Olivia came in second. The winner got to have the biggest frozen yogurt at Mill Hollow. Before we went there, we headed for dinner at Gringos. We were so happy when we saw Riley and she got to be our waitress. Stephen and I were able to top off the day after that with a temple trip. I was stunned and also surprised to see my mom sitting by Stephen as we waited to go through the session. It was so nice to get to be with her too. The new video shown for the session was compelling and thought provoking in a good way. Great way to call it a week!


Olivia’s new friend forever

good salsa

Baldwin Reunion 2013 @ Island Park

I love to spend time with the family I grew up with and their children. I truly do! I cannot even believe how lucky I am to get to claim them as a relative, they are each so cool.

We headed up to Island Park to the Parker Cabin. Bruce & Sharon were so generous to allow us to use their wonderful cabin. My family loved it there and it was very accommodating to meet all of our needs. Scott & Jeana were the ones "in charge" this year and had a great balance of casual/organized play and fun. The younger and older kids love to just hang out with each other and us old fogies enjoyed visiting and catching up. We all had time to play together with are kids and also had a spiritual send off. I really admire these people, have I said that enough??! 

Hopefully the pictures can give a great representation of the memories made.

Parker Time

We partied it up this past weekend with the Parker Families! Many good memories were made….

THURSDAY: All of us headed bright and early over to Stacie and Ricks for a delicious fourth of July breakfast. We then headed over to get a spot to watch the parade. Mason talked all of his younger cousins to ride bikes in the parade to hand out flyers for his Eagle Project. They looked official in their scout shirts and it made me proud of all of the Parker Scouts for representing & supporting Mason in such a way. Thanks to even the cute girls who helped out!! After the parade we went over to Mill Hollow for lunch. It was fun to see Paige and Lexi working! (There were many other random visits to Mill Hollow over these days for a yummy frozen yogurt treat) Stephen snuck home after this to finish making a cool three-wheeled bike for JT. It was worth the effort as JT felt very special and happy riding this bike over the rest of the days. The water slide  – a fourth of July Parker tradition took place afterward. Lex got to experience of her most embarrassing moments and took it in good stride. 🙂 Jana and Ryon provided a delicious dinner of Pulled Pork for all of their very many guests and then Ryon put on a spectacular firework celebration for all of us to enjoy. He even got a license and permit to shoot off some pretty spectacular bursts.

FRIDAY: Stephen, Lance, John, and Mason woke up early for a fun Mt. Bike ride! Anne and I went for a lovely walk. After lunch we met out in Hibbard at the warm slough for a gentle canoe ride. While we waited for the vehicle drop off – most of the crew did a little bridge jumping. From our family Lexi, Mason, and Lily participated. It was fun to float down the river and look at the clouds with Olivia and hear JTs happy voice as Stephen paddled the canoe. Matt added some excitement when he found a cool turtle. After the canoe float all of the boys were taken to the skate park by the oldest granddaughters. It was so nice of them to take care of the boys. It was equally as nice of the second oldest set of girls to take care of and entertain all of the younger girls at John and Michelle's house while the parents enjoyed a trip to the temple and dinner. A disappointment came to the oldest kids as their reward for babysitting backfired when they realized the drive-in movie was sold out! Then ended up coming over to our house to watch a movie.

SATURDAY: Aunt Stephanie made lots of people smile as she invited kids to come over and participate in the Color Run 5k she was helping with. They had a blast and looked very colorful afterward. Most of the girls that participated drove down to Rigby Lake to rinse off and enjoy some more water fun. The boys puttered around our house building bike jumps. Poor sweet Zach had a sad four-wheeler accident and ended up with a gnarly broken leg. He is a tough little guy! The plan for this night was to go to the Demolition Derby but those of us who were running behind schedule ended up getting turned away – it was sold out! The girls ended up going to the movie and boys hit the bike jumps again. At 11 Lance & Stephen decided they wanted more ice cream so they took Anne and I over to Mill Hollow for a quick treat. It was fun laughing with them!

SUNDAY: We slept in! After we willed our eyes to open we went to church. Stephen received some new callings. He was called to be a Sunday School Teacher to the youth, a scout advancement chairman, and also a Camping Coordinator for the YM. He will be busy. We came home, ate dinner and then played a fun game that Anne taught us. It is called the no name game. We went over to Jana and Ryon's house for FHE and it was fun to see/talk to Bruce and Sharon via skype.

It was a FULL and FUN Holiday weekend.

Y hike, DI deals


At the Y

We decided to climb the Y while down here at a CES convention. I couldn't resist the temptation to climb clear to the top. Little did I know how much farther it was to the top. It was at least 3 times father than just getting to the Y, but I enjoyed the alone time in nature. Only challenge was rolling my ankle just a few steps after starting back down. That made for a long trip back to the car, then adding the fact that my sugar started going low about a mile from the car.  All in all it was a fun hike, I am a little disappointed with the lack of view from the top, too many trees made it hard to see directly below me.

Check out the deals I got at DI the next day.


The new goal
Can you see the lizard?
view from the top

silly skunk was blocking my path, so I had to throw some rocks at him.
speakers from DI, I used a shopping cart to bring them home

She is 16!

So almost a month ago my fun loving daughter, Lexi, turned 16! It was a momentous occasion and one to be remembered. The celebration lasted nearly a week and she had to of felt special and loved.

To catch her off guard, Astrid and I decided to throw her a surprise birthday party a few days before her birthday so she wouldn't suspect anything. Astrid put a great list of friends together and spread the word, and I focused on buying enough ice cream and candy to make homemade cold stones. The night of the party arrived and she was going to ref a soccer game – it was the perfect amount of time to decorate and prepare for the arrival of many loud teenagers. Mason helped us put up zig zag streamers all over the ceiling and the sweet 16 water bottles made their debut on the counter. Astrid took photos of Lexi from all of the years her life and formed them into a 16 onto the window. People showed up and we had them dress up in random props for a photo booth option. They made a birthday message on a mini white board.  Stephen took lexi to the ref job, so we could have control of when to have her back home. We had all of her friends park in the forest, but still their cars couldn't be completely concealed….so as Stephen came to the cemetery he dropped a ton of papers and food on the floor of the car and told her to pick them up keeping her eyes down so she wouldn't suspect any visitors. When she entered through the garage door – she was genuinely surprised! It was an awesome moment – I loved it! Kids were jumping out of cubbies blowing party favors in her face and there was a grand chorus of happy voices. I sure appreciate her friends for giving her a happy moment to remember forever. I also appreciate Astrid for helping make it happen. FUN TIMES were had…the cold stones were a hit, and most kids ended up playing soccer in the backyard to top the evening off. It was super awesome to see Lexi so happy.

On her birthday morning the unveiling of a special and meaningful gift entered the scene. Stephen, Mason, and JT had been working for weeks to produce a gorgeous trunk for Lex to hold all of her special things and prepare for the future. She loved it and it looks amazing in her room. It is some of Stephen's finest work! From me she received a ticket to Les Miserable in Salt Lake City. I think she was excited, but felt conflicted because she had already accepted dates for Friday and Saturday nights. She got the date thing all figured out at school and I picked her up at noon. We hit the road and I told her I needed to go pick something up from Stephanie's house on the way. She didn't know that I had been planning for a few weeks to surprise her with a fun weekend with her Parker cousins. When we got to the Ricks house, she told Riley and Paige what had transpired and then I asked, "Should we take these two with us?" And then it dawned on her what was going on. I personally think she was more excited about hanging with her cousins than anything else that had happened for her birthday. We drove to Lance and Anne's house where they were so nice to let us stay, and Haley, and of course Kassie, were both there for a sleep over. We all went to Les Miserables and had an awesome time!It was definitely a very indulgent way to celebrate a child turning 16, and I hope we can live up to it 4 more times. 🙂

I just love this daughter of mine and the fine young woman she is turning into. After 16 years I have come to know how much she loves surprises, music, family, friends, & soccer. It is who she is and I value the contributions she makes to the world in being energetic, fun loving, bright, hard working, full of faith & testimony, studious, kind, ambitious, social, silly, great integrity, trustworthy, dependable, & great helper to name a few! She has a bright future ahead and many trails to blaze. Keep up the great work daughter!

Tender moments

Tonight as Olivia, JT and I were burning boxes and cleaning up the garbage in the forest.  I had Olivia and JT load a large bin full of papers and such items that had blown into our forest over the winter. The only way they could carry it was to each take a handle.  It was touching to see them each choose a side and begin the walk to the fire pit, singing the song "What's gonna work? Team work".  About ten feet from the pit Olivia's flip flop fell off, she kindly let JT know what had happened.  What happened next is what the ultimate virtual pat on the back to a parent.

Without words JT set his side down, located her flip flop in the tall thistles and weeds. While Olivia stood on one foot he gently placed it back on her tender foot. Olivia thanked him for his act of kindness and they proceeded to finish the task at hand.  I don't think either of them saw me admiring their tender moment, but I was deeply touched.  I reached for my camera but my battery was dead so I couldn't capture the moment digitally. As I lay here in bed almost asleep, I felt I had to write this down.  I am thankful for this tender moment my two youngest children shared with me tonight.