My Best Friend Wins

So, as many of you know, I (meaning Tiffany) have an INCREDIBLE best friend. Her name is Charmaine Griffin. She lives in a different state, so we don't get to spend much time together, but over the years, and through many, many phone conversations and Skype dates, I have come realize that she and I aren't best friends. We're sisters. You know that type. We love to talk to each and make each other laugh (hysterically), but have completely different tastes in almost everything. Including food. She's the chow mein and I'm the fried rice.

Anyway, now that I'm completely off topic... What I'm trying to say is that in honor of turning 25 this year she decided to do 25 things that she has never done before. How cool is that? Pretty incredible right? In her honor, and as a VERY late birthday gift, I have decided to come up with 25 reasons why I love having Charmaine Griffin as a best friend.

Reason # 1: She makes me laugh. And not just chuckle, or giggle, or say, oh that's funny, but I mean really laugh! Like on the floor in a heap, gasping for breath laugh. I cannot tell you the number of times that have had to stop what we're doing to just laugh it out. I'm laughing inside right now.

Reason # 2: She understands my sarcastic humor. Meaning that she not only gets the joke, but understands that it's a joke and that I'm not trying to be rude or hurtful.

Reason # 3: She's sarcastic right back! Seriously. Fond memories... (We like death...)

Reason # 4: This is probably one of my favorite things about her. She is a spiritual GIANT! She spends more time in the temple than anyone I know, and loves to be spiritual fed. Watch out people, cause' this girl's testimony, will make you rethink your life! Seriously. If you are ever having doubts about your faith, talk to this girl. She KNOWS that her Heavenly Father lives, and that her Savior loves her, and it shows!

Reason # 5: She has impeccable taste in heels. Anyone who knows me understands that I have a thing for cute heels. I want hers... Enough said!

Reason # 6: She is incredibly dependable. I can call her, and leave a message, or text her and not worry about her getting back to me. She will, and does, regularly!

Reason # 7: She's a great listener! I can call her and not worry about being judged for the things that are bothering me that day.

Reason # 8: She is great with advice! When I was struggling with postpartum depression, she not only was there for me, but gave some great advice about what would help me get through it.

Reason #9: Charmaine genuinely cares about people. Not just me. If you are among the people that she calls friends, count yourself lucky, because she will take great care of you.

Reason # 10: She is incredibly selfless. She would fly to the moon for me and move it to the left so that the moon beams weren't in my eyes, if I asked her too. She will serve you in the best and most personal way, that will touch your heart.

Reason # 11: She is incredibly intuitive, when it comes to me. She can tell what I need, when I need it, and is great at cheering me up. Refer back to Reason # 1.

Reason # 12: She leaves the BEST phone messages. The one about the makeup brush wand will live on in our hearts forever!

Reason # 13: We don't usually fight, but when we do, it never lasts long, and we are back to being besties. I never have to worry about whether or not we'll still be friends after we fight. It's just an unwritten rule of our friendship. We're like an old married couple. "Well Charmaine, looks like your stuck with me! Better work this out..."

Reason # 14: She is a ridiculously talented singer/song writer. One day folks, she could be famous, and I'll be in the stands like, "I KNOW that girl! She's my best friend!!! Be jealous..."

Reason # 15: She doesn't judge me, based on my shortcomings. She picks me up when I'm down, dusts me off, and puts me back on my feet, along with the Savior and then tells me, "You got this." Please excuse me while I sit with my box of tissues and cry, while singing Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" in my head loudly and cheesily. I deflect emotional situations with humor. It's a thing. Look it up!

Reason # 16: She LOVES my kids. She's not just Charmaine to them, she's Auntie Charmaine. She even likes them still after they puked all over her. That's a great sign.

Reason # 17: She's not afraid to stand up for herself, or her beliefs. She has had to stand by her morals on many occasions, and each time she has had too, she has come out with a positive out look and a renewed strength in her beliefs. She has never regretted it. I admire this attribute greatly!

Reason # 18: She is an incredibly strong person. She has been through numerous trials in her life and she just keeps going! She's brings new meaning to the phrase, you can't keep a good girl down!

Reason # 19: She is willing to do stupid things with me. Like dragging a mattress down the hall, and running it into the door frame. So. Much. Laughter.

Reason # 20: She understands my issues in a way others don't, because she has seen them first hand. I'm talking an all access pass into my can of crazy. Very few people get a front row seat when I'm feeling anxious, and she is one of them!

Reason # 21: She would drop everything and be here for me if I asked her too. You can't buy that kind of loyalty for all the riches in the world. I prize this gift above rubies and diamonds!

Reason # 22: She is a great chef! I am looking forward to the day when I will get to try her famous homemade pretzels, and other yummy homemade food.

Reason # 23: She's there when I need her. Plain and simple.

Reason # 24: We can spend long periods of time apart and nothing changes about our friendship. We get to being in the same room again, and after the initial hysterical screaming and jumping up and down, things go back to the way they were before we were apart. It's like no time has passed! The jokes and hysterical laughter ensue as well as a Harry Potter movie marathon. (One of the few common interests we have).

Reason # 25: She inspires me to better! She is one of those people who you just want to catch up with and hang onto for the duration of this crazy ride called life. She makes me want to follow my dreams and catch the stars to put in my pocket and save for a rainy day.

Long story short? She inspires me and I am privileged to call her my best friend. I love you gil!!!

Newest Additions

Hello everyone!

For those of you folks who don't have facebook accounts, or aren't in our immediate circle, we have some exciting news! We are expecting our second child! Our baby is expected to arrive around September the 22nd, 2013 and we are very excited, if a bit apprehensive.

We also purchased an alarm system the other day! Its about time right? Tiffany can tell you that she feels much safer having it.

Tiffany's sister Megan is now officially a sister missionary, and is out serving in the field of Pocatello Idaho! She arrived there on Tuesday, and we are anxiously awaiting her next email. We are so proud of her! We know it won't be an easy journey, but if there is anyone that can make it work, she can. When she wants something, you better watch out!

We have had a busy, busy month! Tiffany's best friend in the entire world, Charmaine Griffin was in town for her spring break, and she and Tiffany had a blast. Nate enjoyed the company as well. They went to the Aquarium and the Zoo, and finally completed an entire Harry Potter movie marathon, something that has been attempted in the past, but never completed.

We have another house guest for a few more days. She is in town visiting friends, and figuring some things out.

Vincent has been very busy this quarter with school, and accomplishing a very big goal. He decided to try and get 1000 cervical quick scans (feeling the spine in the neck for mis-alignments or subluxations) by the end of the quarter. He was a little discouraged close to the end, but managed to pull it off! Tiffany is very proud of him for sticking with it! Way to go Vincent! This coming week is finals week, and then has an entire week off, which we are all looking forward to.

That is all for now! We are looking forward to celebrating easter, and getting through this next week in one piece.

I Love it When a Plan Comes Together!

Recently I was asked to help plan a large event. I learned some very valuable things through this process.

Number one: I really dislike being in charge of big events. I can handle smaller functions, like baby showers and birthday parties. In fact I enjoy planning those, but being in charge of something huge, and having to make executive decisions stresses me out. Big time. I am more of a follower than a leader, meaning I am really good at showing up, bringing things, and being told what to do. I will do it! I don't like having to tell other people what to do, or how to do it. Unless you're family, or a dancer. Those are the only exceptions. In other words? Big events? No. Small events? Yes!

Number two: I am cranky when stressed. If I am overwhelmed by something, then I will more than likely snap at you. I don't mean too, but hey, who doesn't get a little snippy when overwhelmed.

Number three: I don't like large crowds of people! I am a shy person by nature, and therefore, would rather be in a small group of people that I know, or at home by myself, than out in a crowd of hundreds. I get overwhelmed by the noise, and chaos of the situation. You can imagine my anxiety then, at having to be in a room of 250 people because I was half in charge of the event taking place and worrying about what they think of said event and of me as a result. Its like putting an ant under a magnifying glass and saying, "now dance for me!" Yeah right!!! This ant is getting the heck out of dodge!

Long story short? Big things make me stress out, and I have some sort of social anxiety. Lessons learned? Take a break from the crowd every so often, and stick to people I know. Also, try to avoid being in charge of big events, if at all possible, but don't be afraid to offer assistance. Done.

Too Much to Choose From...

Have you ever had those moments in life where you can't decide what to do with yourself, because there are too many options? That's how I feel right now. There are so many things I want to do, so many things that I would love to learn to do, and so many other things that I would like to be able to say that I've done.

I have typically been the kind of person who would rather stand back and watch, then be in the spotlight, except when it came to dancing of course, but I have recently decided that I would like my turn to experience life, and find the freedom in pursuing a few of my dreams. I have so many!

The only problem with this way of thinking, is my timing. I just became a Mother less than a year ago, and my husband just went back to school. Time and money are not exactly things I have in abundance right now. But, I am still trying to pursue one or two of my passions. For instance, I have discovered that I have a love of writing. I enjoy putting pen on paper, or in this case letters on a computer screen, in a way that is witty and enjoyable to all who read those words. In light of this new found love of writing, I have started to write a children's book. I hope to publish it one day, and be able to say, "hey! I wrote that!"

I am still trying to decide which other passions to pursue, but am working at the ones I can do with my son in tow, and in the comfort of my own home.

The Fence

Well, we finally did it. We put up a fence just over a month ago. We pulled together some help, from the Elder's Quorum in our ward, and got it mostly done in five hours. You would think that would be the end of our trespassing problems, but no. It wasn't.

We have had two different teenage boys, either break, or try to climb over our fence. I have caught them seperately twice, and Vince has caught them seperately twice as well. Well one night, I had had enough! We had just gotten home from running a few errands, and getting dinner, when we saw a teenage boy walking along the neighbors property like he had just hopped our fence. Vince and I start talking to him, and find out his name is William, and that he doesn't come through our yard too often (supposedly...). We told him to find another way around and he went on his way. We went inside the house and I pulled out my phone and called the police. I gave them a very good description, and they came out to our house. All they said was that we need to get a picture of the kid, otherwise there isn't much they can do.

The next morning, Vince heard noises in the backyard. We've both been quite jumpy since this whole thing started, as you can imagine. Come to find out, it was the same kid, William, poking his head over our fence. He had the nerve to ask if he could cut through our property just this once. Vince told him that if he did, he would take a picture of him, and send it to the police. William reluctantly got down off our fence and went a different way.

The good news is, we haven't seen either of the kids who were using our yard as a short-cut since. I hope they stay away! If they don't, I have a camera stashed next to the sliding glass door, and I will not hesitate to use it...

Intruders: KEEP OUT!!!

Our house was abandoned for a few years before we moved in, and as a result, a lot of the kids like to use our yard as a short-cut to the neighborhood behind where we live.  At first I tolerated it because the kids weren't doing anything harmful to our yard, and they seemed nice. They were simply passing through. Then our house got broken into. Ever since then, I have been paranoid that someone is going to break-in again, and that this time, we'll be home. I suspect that it was one, or a few, of the kids that use our yard as a short-cut.

Now, due to the break-in, we are going to be putting up a fence! As of September 22, 2012, our property will be closed off to trespassers. I will not hesitate to call the cops, if I see people on our property. This will definitely ease my mind, and help to create a safer environment for my family.

Our Small Frame of Existence

Today I am reminded of how small and insignificant my wants and needs can be in this life, when compared to the Grand Scheme of things. Our Heavenly Father has a plan for us that we cannot possibly understand and fathom. At the same time, the Lord takes our concerns, wants, and needs into consideration. He is so loving that He knows exactly what will comfort, bouy-up, lift, humble, strengthen, and guide us. He is all-seeing and all-knowing, and I owe my life to Him.