Primary Program 2009

Well I got to hear Karla sing in Sacrament meeting for the first time. Not that it's the first time she has sung. She sang once while I was on bed rest. The second time she sung, I hurried and nursed Kaylyn so I'd make it in there to hear her. (The primary doesn't come across well over the intercom.) And Kylee needed to be taken out--so I missed her again. So I finally got to hear her sing during the primary program. She even had a speaking part: "My daddy takes care of my family." This year's theme is Eternal Families.
Two songs have really touched my heart this year, and they are the songs we sung at Kaylyn's blessing: God's family and I am a builder. "...And when I am a mom or dad, so glad, I'll help my family remember, God gave us families to help us become what he wants us to be." "I am a builder growing so tall and learning everyday to speak with kindness in my home. To help at work and play. My heavenly Father sent me here, and he knows I can be strong and righteous as I build my eternal family."
They ended it the same way they did last year: with a child talking about what it would be like to sit at Jesus's feet when he blessed the children. I remember sitting there thinking "what would Jesus have blessed me with?" And then I realized, I wouldn't have been blessed--It would of been my kids. And for half a second I was disappointed. Does that make me a bad mom? I then wondered what blessing my kids would have received. And that excited me too. And then we sang I am a child of god. I was sitting up front with the Sunbeams, and as the congregation started singing, it accured me that I really am still a child of God. And that will never change no matter what stage in life I am in. And I was comforted and reassured.
I have a lot to learn from my children. And I am so greatful that Heavenly Father saw fit to give this family to me. I know He lives and watches out for us.

Cloth diapers part 1

So in my attempt to cut out anything slightlly unneccessary from our budget while Todd goes to school: I am going to try cloth diapers. They aren't as bad as they use to be. They have gotten really fancy and low hands touch yucky stuff. What I really want--one size fits all (essencially grow with your baby) pocket diapers. But they are a little more expensive so I am doing the basic white fold and pin with plastic pants. I was able to get pink pants though. As I log off blogger, I am going to go feed my kids and then put Kaylyn in her first cloth diaper. So I will let you know how it goes in a day or two (or a week depending on crazy life gets). BUT I was looking on-line to find how to fold the diaper properly (it's becoming a lost art--but with everyone going green maybe it will come back). While looking I found this free giveaway for one of the diapers I want. So even though I try to stay away from give aways here--I really want this one: so here it is: She gives one away every friday. www.clothdiaperwhisper.com is the web site.

Karla's first day of school

At the preschool

This one she is going yeah! I get to go to school, but when we looked through the pictures she said "I hate that one. Throw it away." Man they grow up fast.

Karla had her first day of Preschool on the 17th. She had so much fun. Can't you just see how excited about going to school she is in her pictures? We walked to school--the girls riding their bikes. We all dropped her off. I got to go all by myself to pick her up, so that we could talk on the way home. Her new friend is Dophup (She is always correcting how I pronouce it.) She calls it her little school because they are in a protable at the edge of campus. They have their own little playground, but they've gotten to go on the slides at the big park already. They've made a picture of themselves. And they have fishy name tags that go to the different stations. She like the blocks but has talked about the kitchen too. She talks about circle time, but not in much detail. She gets eat lunch there. And she told me about the milk in a bag. All in all--it is very exciting.

As we were walking there, I gave ourselves plenty of time because I wasn't sure how long it would take us to walk to the school--yeah, we got there 45 minutes early. So we stopped at this park on the way and played for a little while.

Bechtel Annual Picnic

Bechtel puts on an annual picnic in September. Mom takes us every year we've lived here. The food is great. And we keep hoping Mom will get the grandprize drawing, but we are still waiting on that. Mom I usually bring a project to work on--like the baby blocks or a counted cross stitch project. This year, we just held the baby. As you can see, there are lots of fun things for the kids to do. Todd won the pie eating contest. And Karla got a bubbles thing for participating in the sack races with daddy. Kylee did not want to go with me. Oh well. It was fun. And it's nice to have a relaxing Saturday every once in a while.

Garth Mann and "The Stick Man: A Living Legacy"

My little brother is Garth Mann. He is not like most kids. He is mentally retarded. So although he is 20, mentally he is about 5 or 6. There was a youth in my brother's ward that wrote this essay "The Stick Man: A Living Legacy" and it is an excellent illustration of him. So I share it here (or atleast the part about Garth).

"Knock knock!" Garth leaned in to me, imploring me to play his favorite game.
"Who's there?" I whispered, faking interest while trying to pay attention to the Sunday school lesson as well.
"Banana," whispered Garth.
"Banana who?"
"You my friend!" laughed Garth, grinning from ear to ear and giving my hand an arm-flopping handshake. Suddlenly my mock enthusiasm turned genuine, and I couldn't prevent his contagious smile from infecting my face as well.
Garth was a stick man, though you wouldn't think so upon first glance. His Down-syndrome condition proved to be a challenge for his single working mother and overloaded teenage sister, mostly because of his size. His large stature made him clumsy in his coordination and ignorant of his strength. Still, Garth was a valuable member of our ward, and everyone was his friend. It soon became quite apparent that we needed him much more than he needed us.
"Knock, knock!" Garth turned to his other side, tapping Andrew on the shoulder.
"Who's there?" sighed Anderew, convinced he knew what was coming.
"Superman!" Garth's infectious laughter echoed through the room, suspending our discussion on King Benjamin's address.
"Superman who?"
"You my Frieeend!" Soon the dismal faces of our entire class were swept away with a pack of smiles. Our day had once again been brightened by Garth.
When he wasn't telling knock-knock jokes and giving people hand (arm) shakes, Garth was spreading cheer with his famous bear hugs. Though his size and strength scared me, I came to love Garth's hugs. I felt like a little girl, lost in a father's embrace. After every hug he slapped a hand on my back, looked me in the eye, and repeated his motto: "you my friend!"
There are many differences between the orginial stick man and Garth. Garth didn't care a large running stick to wave at motorists. Instead, he carried a large batch of genuine laughter, a reservoir of hugs, and his three word motto to share with all he met. He wore his heart on his sleeve, making his life not a deep mystery, but an open book for all of us to see. His journey wasn't one of physical strength, but rather one of mental endurance. Still, Garth was a stick man because of his love for people. He was a stick man because of the way he somehow made us all feel important, and reminded us of our heavenly heritage. He was a stick man because he was a catalyst for brighter smiles and better attitudes. And for that, Garth held a special place in each of our hearts.

One more story about Garth: The Bullocks have been one of our best friends. Lindsey was at a track meet when Garth saw her across the way. So Garth, being Garth, yelled across the way "I love you Lindsey! Lindsey you love me?" And in front of many students Lindsey didn't even hestitate to yell back "I love you too Garth." I am so grateful for those incredable people who have befriended and loved my baby brother. I love him so much. And he does bring so much love into our lives.

September 19

Can you believe it's been 6 years since Todd and I got married!! We were married in the Idaho Falls Temple--dispite the fact (or maybe because of) that when I went to Ricks, I thought Idaho Falls was one of the ugliest temples. I said I wasn't getting married there. But it just made sence, and it has since become beautiful to me.
So Todd woke up and had to can peaches or was it pears the morning of our wedding. I forgot what time I was suppose to get there so got there very early--the little temple worker lady was very worried that I had been stood up. But he showed up on time. And looking wonderful might I add.
Somedays it feels like just yesterday and other days I wonder if there was ever life without Todd. He has treated me so much better than I ever imagined possible. And although life isn't perfect for us, I wouldn't trade it. I still love you very much!!
I have a testimony that family is what this life is all about! And I am grateful that we have holy temples where we can be sealed as a couple and as a family for all eternity. I think eternity might just be long enough to be with you. And I am grateful for your (Todd's) unconditional love. He showers me with it daily. And I am honored to be the mother of your kids. We have beautiful kids--although I'm not sure how that happened: it happened all the same. I love you babe!

Tiffany and Spencer are Hitched!!

Tiffany married Spencer Maughn in the Idaho Falls temple. We are so excited to have Spencer as part of our family. Her reception was beautiful but not well attended since it was Labor Day Weekend. But it was fun getting all the family together.
Kylee, Kaylyn, Todd and I

Auntie Em holding Kaylyn. Everyone wanted a turn.

Grandma Nef with Karla. It was so good to see her again.

Tiffany with her brothers!! What a handsome group.

Aunt Trudy holding Kaylyn. She came and got her first thing.

Showing off the two newest additions to the Nef family. They are both due in October.

Trent has now taken pictures for me, Trudy, and Tiffany. He does an excellent job. You should see the pictures he takes of his boys. He even has had to sign at Walmart that they are his and not professional.

Here is Mr. and Mrs. Maughn. I left my camera at the church--so for pictures at the temple check our Emily's blog. I hope she has some up soon.

Here is Tiffany with Grandma and Grandpa Cook

Here we are setting up all the trees she wanted at her reception. She is a horticultural major and practiaclly manages a green house in logan.

Grandpa tended Kaylyn for me so I could get some work done!
The question always remains who put who to sleep?

Janice ironing table cloths.

Caleb wanted to help too!

At about two, most us girls went to the comentology school. Most of them got up do's. I got my hair cut. So we all felt great at the reception. And it only cost between $4 and $8!! It was fun and relaxing. I defently need to find a cosentology school here in the Tri-Cities.

Congrats newly wedds. We love you!

Also while in Idaho

While we were in Idaho, we had some time to do other things besides just wedding stuff. It was nice to be able to go for a few extra days. The big project for Labor Day Weekend was to re shingle Mom's roff. Here are the boys up on the roof. They would have finished had they not run out of shingles. While the men worked on Saturday, us girls took the kids to Julie's house. It was nice to not be underfoot. The kids played really well and us girls just talked. We even did a walk away the pounds video together.

Can you tell that Devin and Todd are brothers? Here they are on the rip sticks. Todd got pretty good while we were out there. And so of corse both Caleb and Karla had to be like daddy. We got to stay at Devin's house this time. Usually we like to stay where the action is. But this time around, it was nice not to stay at mom's house. We went back and played games with Devin and Emily. We played settlers and hot dice. Devin won at Settlers the first time. I won my first game of hot dice. Then I won a game of settlers too!! It was fun.

Here the boys are showing off their guns and having fun shooting.

They had a butterfly cacucoon. And the girls had a blast watching the butterfly come out.

Mom's ward had their corn feed while we were there. So we went. Easy meal was the idea. But someone rigged this up. And the girls loved it. I have found that farmers get very creative!!

All in all, it was a great visit. It was nice to be there and spend some time with family. I just wish we could visit more often.