Facebook | Tiffany Nef Maughan's Photos - Wedding Pictures

Facebook Tiffany Nef Maughan's Photos - Wedding Pictures

A gaggle of Firsts

I have had a lot of firsts lately. With Todd on break between semesters, I got to go help in Karla's class room. I helped them make marshmallow snowmen. Karla loved having me there!! (I know that might change). And it was fun for me to see how she did in the classroom setting as well as how things worked in the classroom. I think the ECAP program is a great program and has really helped Karla to grow into herself.
Then, Todd took me on a date. The only other date we've had this semeseter was when I caught him on his lunch break at McDonalds. We let the kids play, and Todd and I ate dinner together. Well, we still ate dinner at McDonalds. He had gotten free meals for doing something great at work. Even on his days off he can't stay away. :) He took me to see the 3D Avatar movie. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but it turned out to be really good!! I give it two thumbs up. And it was nice to be out just playing with my best friend!! So this is the first time Todd has taken me on a date without me knowing what we were doing since our very first date back in 2003! Also this was both of our first 3D movie. It was worth the little extra to see this movie 3D I think--but not something I will everytime either.
We are really enjoying having Daddy home for a while. He even did papers for me this morning! It was nice to get a break myself. Todd has spent a lot of time sleeping and catching up on sleep. We hope to get him well rested before he goes at it again come January. We are also enjoying the play time. And he is helping me catch up on some of the house work that just hasn't gotten done as we have been helping my mom with her broken shoulder.
All in all things are going great!!

2009 Christmas Letter

My favorite part of Christmas cards are the year summary letter, but instead of sending it: I am going to post it here. If you want a copy--feel free to print it. Otherwise we will pretend to go green and save the paper.
This year has been one of changes for us. The first change is that we didn't change residents. We have enjoyed our little house in West Richland. We keep thinking we will find a bigger house, but we like our low rent and big yard. So for now, we are still here. But we did change our family dynamics by adding another little girl. Kaylyn Ruth was born 5/26/09 after 30 hours of labor. She was 5 weeks premature and had a few complications. She ended up staying in the hospital for a week like Karla did. Unlike Karla, she stayed in the special care nursery instead of my room. She was the first patient to use the new special care unit at KGH. Kaylyn has since grown out of all her complications. She is still small though. She was 5 lbs 13 oz and is still only 13.4 lbs at 6 months. But she is growing and the doctor isn't worried. Kaylyn has been my best nurser and the only one to nurse this long. I am still on high blood pressure medication but so far my diabetes has gone dormant. Kaylyn has brought a lot of joy into our family. She is happy and quick to smile. And if I do say so myself, I think she is beautiful!
Kylee has become quite the big sister. She loves on the baby. And I think the most said phrase in our house has been first "is it my turn to hold the baby" and then "leave the baby alone!" Kylee loves to dress up and is all about princesses. She also loves to sing and swing. She is my night owl and has trouble going to sleep but loves to sleep in. She is independant, stubborn, and cute! We love her very much.
Karla has started preschool this year. She loves school. She is maturing some and with that comes a quietness about her. She is still great at making friends and makes friends everywhere she goes. She loves to play games, do homework, and read books. She still gets out and runs and plays with the best of them but takes some quiet time for herself. Karla seems to follow her dad in that numbers are coming to her better than letters. Her teacher says she is very independant as well as many other strengths.
Todd has also started school this year. He started off the year working for Keller's Supply as their out of town deliviery guy (just a 6 hour run round trip). He really enjoyed it. Unfortantly this economy hit. His boss said "I hate to let you go, but we are laying off good men just to survive." He wasn't the first to be laid off, but his turn came this August. With encouragment from Brother Hazel, Todd has gone back to school to become an x-ray tech. He is actually kind of excited about the career (not school). He has worked hard. He gets up at 6:00 to be to school by 6:50. He is on campus until 4:00 when he heads to McDonalds. He usually starts at 5 and works to between 11 pm and 1:30 am. He comes home and sometimes studys even more. I will wake up at 3 for my paper route and kiss him good night. And when I come I kiss him goodbye. He has read all his assigned reading, and he puts in hours and revisions for his weekly assignements.
As for me, my hobbies has changed to nursing and exercising. I still keep up on my blog because I can do it while nursing. I have started doing papers again. This time I have a friend also doing papers--since at that time in the morning minutes are free, we visit. I love ear buds! I am trying to find the right balance of trying to keep my house clean, caring for my kids (especially with Kaylyn nursing), and trying to get healthy.
We have been richly blessed. I find myself counting my blessings often. Most of all, I am learning that everything I am is thanks to my Savior. I am grateful for his atonement and infante love. I have learned a lot from Him and His example, and when I fall short, He makes up the difference. I know He lives! And I am so grateful He does.

Kaylyn 6 months

Kaylyn gets lots of Kylee kisses.

Thanksgiving was also Kaylyn's 6 month point!! Our little girl now weighs 13.4 lbs. She is now on the large end of 0-3 month clothes. I plan on pulling out the next size up when we pull out the Christmas decorations.

She is sleeping through the night most the time. She has also started taking actual naps. She has also started eating baby food just after her fifth month. She has now had rice cereal, applesauce, banana's, beans, and strawberries. She is also teething. We don't see teeth yet. But Karla did that too--where she seemed to teeth for almost a month before we actually saw the teeth. And then she got two at once. We will see how Kaylyn does. It's been hard. Kaylyn hasn't been fussy before, and she isn't handle this well. But I think it won't be long before she gets over it. Although this has lent itself to Kaylyn becoming a mommy's girl. With Grandma having a broken shoulder and daddy gone a lot, she is 100% mommy. And will on occassion cry for no other reason that she wants mom and no one else. As soon as grandma is better--Kaylyn is spending a Friday with Grandma to help elimnate this problem. I already have one mommy's girl and don't need another.

Kylee loves Kaylyn very much. I have caught her trying to share her corndog with Kaylyn once too. But she picks her up. This we are attempting put an end too. But I often find Kylee trying to snuggle with Kaylyn. Kaylyn doesn't mind sitting up with Kylee until she puts her down and bonks her head. Kaylyn gets a little nervous around Kylee. Kylee has also started speech. She enjoys it. And she loves that she goes to school like Karla even if it's just a half an hour a week.
As for Karla, she got upset one night and felt I wasn't listening. I was but the answer was still no. I'm sure that never happens in your house. Karla finally said "Mommy this is not a whining. This is a grumpy face. Grumpy means that parents not listening to kids!" I couldn't help but laugh. Kylee then sang her favorite line of a song I sing often "grumble, grumble, YUCK!" Kylee has been singing a lot lately. Her favorite tune is the one when Ariel looses her voice. I remind myself to be supportive as Kylee usually sings forte! She is starting to branch out to other songs usually sing the same line over and over again. UNDER THE SEA has been a fun one.

My mom is back to work but still has several things she can't do for herself, so we spend lots of time with Grandma. We pray she continues to heal and that the pain will stay managable.

As for me, I have started a third paper route. It's right next to my Wiley route and doesn't take a lot of extra time. I also was able to pick up two daycare kids for Tuesday and Wednesday. I like that it is part time because I can still schedule doctor appointments for Mondays. I also still get to spend Fridays with my mom.

Thanksgiving 2009

I am afraid I don't have any pictures. With trying to gather everything and everyone--the camera was left at home. Good news: that's all that was left and we survived the day. The sad part: no pictures. I am hoping that soon there will be a few on facebook from my cousin Janae.

So the festivites started Wednesday night when the girls got together and did a candy christmas tree. It turned out cuter than it sounds. My favorite was the snickers bars, but the andys, kisses, and doves turned out the cute too. And we had fun catching up and enjoying each other.

Thursday morning we ran in the Tingey Turkey Trott. It's a 5K run. I liked it because we ran a circle around the park--so even us slower people interacted with the faster ones on occassion. The girls rode their bikes. We cuddled Kaylyn up so that all you saw was little eyes and a nose. She was cute. I then went shopping with mom and got ready for Christmas while the kiddos napped and Todd and Garth watched Jack Frost.

Dinner at the church was fun too. It tasted great (even though I ate it cold). Josh swept the board in Settlers afterward. We went home tired and full.

Friday morning I hit the black friday sales for the very first time in my life. I got up and did papers early and made it to Best Buy by 5 am. I stood in line for 5 whole minutes to get in. We replaced our cell phones for $8 a piece!! At that price, I bought an extra just in case Todd looses his. I then ran into my best friend from my Senior year at RHS: Chris Walters. How fun!! Come to find out we have both been in the same city for a year now. We hope to catch up soon. I also got a present for Todd...so no hints here.

It was fun to get to spend some time with Todd. No work, no homework, just play on Thursday with Todd. Saturday was back to work for Todd. The rest of us went to my cousins sons birthday party. We then watched the BYU game. I admit, Kaylyn was fussy, and I spent most of the game nursing.

Now I admit, the real holiday started Wednesday at 4:30 when our financial aid finally pulled through!! What a relief that has been for us. We have a lot to be grateful for! We are now making what we made in Albuquerque--and we are able to live on what we use to not be enough--dispite having another member of the family. That is just one of many blessings. Karla has been very grateful for Christmas presents. But as we talked more--and they finally caught on, Kylee is grateful she can swing high. We are grateful for her healthy body too. Karla is grateful for her wonderful teachers: Miss Lara, Miss Lita, and Miss Dena at Tapteal and Sister Peterson in Primary. They have been wonderful, and Karla has learned and grown a lot this last year. Todd was most grateful to have food in the house again and that, in the mean time, we didn't ever go hungry. We have a long list of blessings!

Todd turns 27

Karla talked about gold fish in her preschool class. She came home and told me "I want to give daddy a gold fish." Since this is the first time she has expressed a desire to give a gift she picked out to someone else, and since daddy likes fish, I said sure. She picked out the fish, the rocks, and the bowl. When I tried to talk her into something else--she knew her mind and was persistant. But I think it turned out well. Daddy even likes it--especially because it's from his little girl.

Can you tell where Kaylyn got her blue eyes?


Cyntha--our master cook! Although, mom made the brownies--broken shoulder and all.

My beautiful mommy. She is off the oxycodine and weaning herself from pain pills--although this means she is still in pain. She hopes to be back to work next wendesday. She is incredible.

Daddy also took an oppertunity to catch up on some missed sleep. It is well deserved.

Are they going to burn down the house? Well the kids started singing as they were lighting the candles so that when they finished, he blew out the candles. And no, this is not a poorly taken picture: it's smoke from all the candles. But Todd got it all in one shot--including the trick candle.

Eating cake with cousins.

Cyntha ended up making 3 yummy choices.

Giving Kisses
We enjoyed just playing with Daddy. He enjoyed a break from studying.
We also played a game or two while the kids let us.

Now his Birthday isn't technically until the 19th, but Todd had Veterans Day completely off: no school, no work (because it was scouts night), and no scouts (because they had a temple trip on Thursday instead). So we took advantage of Cyntha also being here and Todd having a few minutes and celebrated.

Telephone Tag and other updates

Well Kaylyn is finally sleeping through most nights!! Yeah. I love having no more midnight feedings. And I'm sure Todd appreciates not interupting the little sleep he gets to give her a bottle while I run papers. Along with this, Kaylyn has started eating solid foods! She has had rice cereal, applesauce, and smashed carrots, pumpkin smush coming soon. She doesn't like the apple juice in a bottle. She is not nursing quite as well as she was, but we are starting to get back in the groove. I find she does better if I will cuddle up with her in bed and nurse that way--hense less posting time. (Yes we are trying to nurse at the computer this morning.)

As for this video, Garth and Karla were walking around Grandma's house doing this the other day. I thought it was so cute, I had them sit where I could video it. We also play telephone tag (usually in the car). Garth will call me "Ring, Ring, your it," on his play cell phone.
"Oh Pickles." I will then use my phone as a play phone "Ring, ring. Hello Cyntha. Your it." We sit for about 30 seconds "Ring, ring. Your phonr is ringing Garth. It's Dot!" And we continue to include our siblings. One of these days maybe we can get them to actually play with us. The girls and Garth get a riot out of it. I love to listen to them laugh.

Other new: Todd's Grandparents are going on another mission. They leave the first of the year for Salt Lake City where they will help in the family history center. They will be out for a year and if their health holds they will extend. We will miss them, but we are also excited for them.

Trunk or Treat

So I'm a little late getting this post up--and this happened before Halloween. But here it is: we went to my mom's trunk or treat. It was fun because our friends BobbieJo and her family came too. We played games and then trick or treated around the church--what a way to Trick or Treat!! They also had a Chilie feed. It was good!

Momma's Fall

Mom went to the urgent care Halloween night and then later had it reconfirmed by the specialist: there is nothing they can do for her shoulder but let it heal itself and medicate the pain. So Mom went on Oxycodine. For those who don't know, it's a heavy narcotic pain killer. She was taking it every four hours. And she got kind of loopy at times. She isn't suppose to move her shoulder, or she could make it worst and then need surgery. So we just haven't left her alone for long.

Here is mom's usual position on the couch. The pain killers have knocked her out a lot. She is now on a lesser pain killer and seems to be doing better, but she hurts.

Here is Kylee and Karla watching a movie while we took care of Grandma. They were really good to be quiet and play in just a few areas. Towards the end they got cabin fever and wanted to be rambunctious.

Cyntha and her boys, Jamie and Ben, flew in to help. So I am back at home now (and getting a little more sleep). It's been fun to have them out even though we wish Mom wouldn't break anymore bones to have Cyntha out.

This is Ben playing with Kaylyn. And here is his brother Jaimie. I have enjoyed spending time with them. I try to get them out of the house every so often so they don't get cabin fever. It was really windy on Friday, so we took kites out. They had a blast trying to catch the kite flying right over their head--until Jaimie caught it and belly flopped on the blow up kite. All three kids took (slightly defective) kites and "flew" them up and down the park. We all had a blast!

Then Saturday morning, I took all the kids and Garth (with the exception of baby Kaylyn) and went to the Veterans Day Parade. It was cute. Jaimie really likes red mustangs. Kylee really liked the princesses. Karla liked the Cowgirls. And they all enjoyed the Candy.

Explaining to them why we were clapping for these heros brought home to me just how thankful I am that they kept this country safe for these little kids I love so much. Thank you to all our Veterans and future Veterans!!

As for mom, we wait and help how ever we can. It's been a blessing for me to finally be able to really help her. She has done so much for me.

Halloween 2009

So for Halloween, we went to Burger King and got a treat (to get the last peice to Kylee's costume). We then went over to Grandma's house and got in our costumes. Kylee was going to stay home with Grandma while I took the girls and Garth out.

Well...Grandma fell. She ended up breaking the ball part of the bone in her shoulder--all the way down. So Grandpa Tingey took Grandma Mann to the urgent care. I took the already dressed up kids along with the baby out for an early halloween. I figured we couldn't do much good while we waited anyway, might as well take them out while I can. I thought they might riot if we cancelled completely.

We started out at Ranch and Home's trunk or treat. We then stopped by Garth's friends houses (some of them). He usually goes to his Special Friends--so we went. To compromise with what the girls are use to, I made him trick or treat the whole cul-de-sac instead of just the one house per stop. It worked out well. We then rented movies and came home to watch movies and take care of Grandma.

This is our little strawberry. She was playing with her hat until I pulled out the camera.

Kaylyn Ruth 5 months old

Kaylyn is now 5 months old!
I have always loved to take pictures of sleeping people--ask my sister Cyntha. But I especially love sleeping babies: they are especially precious to me.

Kylee loves her baby sister. She is the first to run and talk or play with her (while I try to finish dinner or something). She is becoming more and more confident. And I find myself saying "DON'T PICK UP THE BABY!! Kaylyn sometimes likes this attention, and sometimes she crys and looks at me--you can tell she is saying "Save me momma!"

Do you remember when we were wondering which was the doll and which was the baby. It's amazing to me how big she has gotten. To put this in perspective though--Rodney and Julie just had a baby girl. Alice weighs 5 oz smaller than Kaylyn despite their 4 1/2 month difference!! Now Julie's twins were both bigger than any of my babies. So I tend to have small kids and she has bigger babies, but there's the story all the same!

Kylee loving on Kaylyn. I can't help but remember the pictures we took of this little newborn laying on Kylee's legs. And now look at her!! I don't think it's Kylee who has changed so much (atleast in size).

Kaylyn has been really big on faces lately. She is playing more and more with toys, but her favorite is still simply someone's hand. And she loves to feel faces. Kylee is so good to be patient with her.

"I'm eating up my baby bumble bee. Won't my mommy be so proud of me..."

Here Uncle Garth and Kaylyn are watching TV together. Kaylyn is very interested in TV. She must be her father's child. But despite our best efforts to not allow her to watch--if it's on and she's in the room, she seems to wiggle herself around.

Kaylyn has always been very mobile. She has always seemed to wiggle until she is cuddled up or has found the food. I leave her on a blanket on my hard floors, and she will find a way off of it--not that she likes the hard floors once she get there. She moved out a bassent fairly quickly, not because she out grew it--she still fits. But because she slept better with more room to maunvere. Here she is already walking around our livingroom. She loves this walker. In the last two to three days. She finally figured out how to go forward instead of backwards. It won't be long before she is keeping up with her sisters.

It has been fun to watch her grow and develop. In the last few days she's acting older. Playing better with toys. Better coordination. More movement. And just more intellegent. She actually needs naps--instead of simply cat napping it through the day. She needs to be put in her crib and left alone. She started biting while nursing. So I flicked her mouth and told her "No, no biting." It only took about 24 hours for her to learn not to bite: She is smarter than I gave her credit. I sure do think she is adorable. And she has brought so much to our family. We love her a lot.

Me part II

So Nicole reminded me to not forget the things I have done. So here is a part two: accomplishments. It comes at a nice time because we just had our 8 cow Enrichment last week. They asked for accomplishments--and I couldn't come up with one to share. I called my sister for ideas. Her suggestion: Last year I helped can over 1,000 bottles of produce. Good accomplishment, yes.

I just had my 10 year reunion for high school--so that's a nice bench mark: In the last 10 years, I have...

received 3 degrees (Richland High School, an AA in English from Ricks, and an AA in Photography at BYU-Idaho).

I have even had paying photo shoots. I consider myself semi-professional.

I stuck with band through collage, and I loved it! (Even though I had to get up at 6 am!)

I even made an audition band on Tenor Sax! (So no one else auditioned--but hey, I made it! And I had so much fun that semester. For the most part I played football season on the Tuba. I did do one semester of concert band on the clarinet.)

I have published a poem called Aftermath in Rick's literay Publication.

I have made some incredible friends who have taught me a lot and changed my life. Of those friends, I mention Amber Young. She was my very first roommate at Ricks College. I don't think this was chance. God gave her to me because He knew I'd need an older sister and best friend. I've moved a lot. And I've tried so hard to keep in touch with old friends. I ususally fail. But Amber and I are still best friends and still in touch. This is probably more of her accomplishment than mine, but I will claim it here all the same.

I have found someone who I can love and loves me back--and made him my husband. I count this as an accomplishment. It seemed that I tended to love those who loved someone else. While those who loved me didn't seem to light that fire. I still love Todd, and he assures me it goes both ways. I will tell you--I wish I had kissed more guys instead of regreting those I did kiss. Let me clarify--I don't regret those I kissed. But I was careful with my kisses so I wouldn't regret it later on. I use to have a lot of regrets. In high school, I started trying to live my life so that I'd have no regrets. And I am much better. I count this an accomplishment as well. I no longer ask myself or think about this goal (of not regreting). Having said that, there are three boys I wish I wasn't as reserved about. I loved them whole heartedly but never kissed them. Oh well, Todd is an amazing kisser!!

We have created 3 beautiful girls. (I am surprised they are beautiful--have you seen pictures of Todd and me when we were younger?)

Now I haven't had the home birth we were aiming for: but I had Karla and Kylee as naturally as I could given my complications. Yeah--I had an epideral with Kaylyn and am totally doing it again! This goal is as accomplished as it's going to be!

I participated in a network marketing business at one point (this is how I met Todd). And I didn't achieve all my goals there. But they encouraged us to go 12 wide. I did! And maybe one day, we will go back and finish those goals, but now is not the time. Time and seasons thing again. I also hit recognition points of 1,000, 1,500, and team 10!! That probably doesn't make a lot of sence in less you've been there--but I am not going to try to explain it either. Let it suffice those are bench marks.

When we moved to Washington we had life hit us hard. So we made a goal to pay off our debt. It has made life a lot easier and this current venture of school possible. We paid off $16,000 in debt in one year (making only $19,000 that year--yeah we had a lot of miracles and a lot of help. We aren't all that). We have paid off everything but the car and my last semester of collage!! Yeah us! One day soon, we will be able to tell you we are debt free. Todd hates debt so much now--our goal is to get through school debt free. He even wants to purchase our house with cash. We will see.

I have failed at a lot of my goals. But instead of it crushing me, I am better for my failures. I move on and learn something, usually, and do better in the future. Not everyone can say that.

I have learned that the atonement is not just for the sinner but the sinned against. I am learning how to use the atonement to make up for my shortcomings--especially as a mom. The spiritual accomplishments are harder to list. This recent trail has taught me that I am not as humble as I thought I was, and that I needed to be compelled to be humble. Ouch! But I am grateful for the things I am learning. Although I pray that I learn it well this time around don't need anymore humbling. I am learning that God knows better than I do and to trust him. That if I keep the commandments, all things will be for my good. I'm learning to see that good. And I am constantly working on something to be more like Christ.

Sister Morgan once asked "why is it that Catherine breaks like a china doll once a year?" And I did. Something would come up, and I would break. I would cry. And then I would pick up the pieces and try to put something back together and move on. In Albuquerque, I had my first year where I didn't break. And since then, I take on challenges better. I don't think I break anymore although I still cry from time to time.

In high school, I realized that I was good at giving put downs. It was very popular at the time. It occured to me that it wasn't very Christ like. And I didn't like that I had gotten good at being mean--even if just in fun. So I started trying to give compliments. My first few were pathetic, but I feel I have mastered this one. I am much better about speaking my mind and saying those compliments that I use to keep to myself. And now my compliments, although always sincere, are much better.

After the divorce, I would have given anything to have my dad back. But after about 3 years, I had come close to my Savior because of it. At that point I realized I would not trade my testimony I had gained.

My point...I'm not sure. I've written 3 different points now and then deleted them. One question I ask myself often is "do I like who I am and who I've become?" Sometimes I do; sometimes I don't. And then I go to work. In writing this, I have accomplished more than I realized, and I have farther to go than I realized. And I am learning that of myself I am nothing. All that I am, all that I accomplish is because of my Savior Jesus Christ. He can do anything--even with me as a partner. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father's love, patience, and continued help.

Me

With Todd going back to school, I have been doing a lot of thinking. Paper routes tend to do that to me. I studied English and Photography at Ricks. I loved both subjects, but when I moved into the secondary education classes...they weren't what I expected.
I know there is a time and a season for everything under the sun. And my time to go to school is not now. Right now, my priority is helping 3 young girls figure out who they are and who they are going to become. And that's exactly where I really want to be. My dream has always been to be a stay at home mommy. Having kids has only strengthened that wish. I don't want to miss it. I just wish I could be better at being a mommy.
But if I knew then what I know now--I would have still studied English and Photography. I love those subjects. I would have studied the editing aspect of English rather than the teaching aspect. I didn't think I enjoyed editing although I loved working in the writing center. But I should have seen that I do. And editors make good money and can often work from home. I don't know if I would have survived the schooling though. The one grammar class I took was worst than the education class. I also think I would have enjoyed teaching--but what I really want to teach is college 111 or 101. I would love to run my own writing center. Jared, a co-worker of mine, just started running his own writing center. I'm not sure I could have made it through the required schooling though. A masters? me?
I have also learned that I love languages. I always knew that I loved them, but they did not come easily to me. If I went back now, I would study to be an interpreter: sign language, spanish, french. I would love to learn them all.
Another thing I have known about myself is that I would make a good massage therapist. But I decided not to pursue that route because of my father. I feared that everyday I would go to work and say "Look Dad, I'm doing it and your not." You know, I don't think much about my dad anymore. I could do it now. And I might, someday.
I would love to take a painting class. I really want to get a program (off the TV but on tape) and buy the supplies and just try. This is why I love photography. I can make art without being talented. The biggest secret I've learned about photography is to take a lot of pictures. We would take a whole roll to find just one picture. I found if I take 150 pictures there are several I like. Todd makes fun of me a little for all the pictures I take. But when I capture that one picture--I don't hear it.
I want to make beautiful cakes like Lorna. I want to be able to make my girls' prom dresses. I want to be able to help them feel like a princess. I want to make beautiful things like Mom. I want to learn to play the guitar. I want to write a book someday. My hardest assignments in creative writing was always the children's stories. I never wrote one I was proud to call mine--although my kids love the one I kept. The surprising thing is that I have a children's book idea that I think is really good. We will see. I want to someday write a novel. I want to write a song. It's about 100 little regrets but that I don't regret my girls. I'm not good at song writing.
(And maybe this doesn't fit here) I do want to serve a mission with Todd. I want to serve in Welfare Square.
I want to be a person of God. I want to be quick to forgive, quick to lean of faith, quick to trust God, quick to turn to God. When my family thinks of me, I want to be remembered as loving. I want to be a person that my mom is proud of while still staying true to myself. I have a friend, Eric Jones, who makes everyone he comes in contact feel like a million dollars; like they are the most important person in the world. I always felt better about myself after having spent time with him. I want to be like that. I want others to feel better about themselves because they were with me. Maybe I want to be superwoman--heck, I also want to keep a clean house--not spotless but one where people feel they can always drop by, one my family is comfortable in.
It will be interesting to look back and read this after my baby graduates from high school or gets married and see who it is I really do become.

Garth the senior

Because Garth is so special, he goes to high school until he is 21. Since he is 20--this is his senior year. These are some of his senior pictures. Garth has done the laundry for the football team. He has gone shopping and learned how to prepare a few meals like top roman soup. He has learned to do some minimal reading. He has learned a ton about computers. He is in two PE classes: power walking and then a more normal PE class where he loves to play kickball.