My Best Friend

So considering I haven't posted since July I decided it was probably time to update and since I am sitting here with nothing better do to because I have a killer tummy ache I thought I would introduce you all to my best friend....Todd Wayne Lawton

Todd and I met last year at school during the end of the semester. The beginning of our story is pretty silly but I am glad that we have one and that he decided to stick around even when things got a bit weird haha.
Todd grew up in Santa Clara Utah and lived there for about 11 years when his family then moved to Heber City Utah and are currently living in Midway. He is studying Communications with an emphasis in advertising and broadcasting. While going to school he is also working at the KB. I have to give him credit that he goes to school full time and works just about that much as well!

Todd is by far one of the most amazing people I have ever met and I know that they Lord put him in my life for a reason. Todd is everything that I need and more! I don't think I have ever met a more patient person than him. Although I had to admit it I can get a bit of a temper and can be very impatient at times. Even when everything is going wrong and there is a million things to be upset about he always seems to find the thing that is going right and focuses on that. Todd has never lost his temper with me and is always so willing to understand!!! There have been so many times when I was having a bad day and freaking out about something and I probably did not treat him the way I should have, but he didn't hesitate to hug me and give me time to cool down. HE IS A LOVER! I am so thankful for his parents and the way that they have raised him and for their example to him. I am so lucky to have him and I couldn't have asked for anyone better! I Love you Tooodles!

Here are some pics of us this past year, I hope you enjoy!

Jackson Hole

Alright so after I uploaded all these pictures I realize they are in the wrong order I want them, its a bit backwards but oh well! Sorry!

One night Kj and me decided to go on a little nature walk, I am so glad that we did because about 5 minutes up the road we found a little valley with all this! These pics are gorgeous and as much as they are it was so much better in person!

These are the famous TETONS which I had never seen until this trip. Talk about gorgeous, I took soo many pictures! I have always wanted to get a shot of the Tetons with a reflection in the water but I wasn't able to get it this time the Lakes were too choppy!

This is me dumping the water from my boot after running the river

IT STARTS!

Hand up in the air

The End....I wish we could have kept going. I had a chance to do a bit of it all, paddle, enjoy scenery, ride the bull oh it was all wonderful

We went to the Bar J Chuckwagon for dinner and a show. It was well worth the wait. We met the nicest lady when we went to check it out and thank goodness we did. She saved our seats till 4 and then we stayed until they let us in at 5:30 and the show started at 7. It was delicious and worth every penny. The show and food was amazing. Because of the storm the power went out and we were worried that the food would not be cooked and the toilets stopped working but it all ended up working out.

Haha okay I couldn't help but put this one on here. We asked some guy to take our picture and he told us to squish in so at first Devin's hand was at my chest and I told him he'd better move it, then he moved it low and it looked like he was grabbing my lower belly so finally last chance the guy snapped the shot and this is how it turned out. We were al laughing so hard!

KJ- Me - Lyns behind some of the rapids we ran

Ahhhhhh aaahahah hahaha

I had a blast on the tire swing the first night, I couldn't stop laughing and I love how the pics turned out I made KJ take

This was the most beautiful sunset on the way to our cabin. The sky was cloudy from the storm but the sun rays were still shining through, the clouds look awesome in this pic.

What an AWESOME trip thank you everyone!

And below are more to enojy, feel free to click on any of the pics or the collage to make bigger!

Lake Powell....the greatest place on earth!

Our first day at Powell literally right after we set up our camp this HUGE rainstorm hits us! One of us was like hmm... it smells like rain and not 2 seconds later it starts pelting rain and hail and Darlene and Tanner's tent falls down so we all ran to help hold it down so that it didn't blow away in the wind. Well while holding onto their tent I realized that my tent was tipping up on its side and ready for take off right into the lake so I didn't even think I just ran and jumped onto it and grabbed what I could. They were all laughing, I didn't live that one down the rest of the trip. During this big storm I had to get inside our tent to hold up the sides against the wind and prop the heaviest things I could find in the corner. Todd stayed outside getting rained on also while holding down tents. It was a crazy crazy day and very tiring but it gave us such good memories! :) After trying to set up Tanner and Dar's tent we realized that one of the metal poles totally snapped right in half, so I had the idea to use a piece of wood and duct tape and make a splint- it worked well.

Darlene and me high five each other while riding back to shore because the boys saw some dark clouds coming and didn't want to risk another one of those storms. Can you blame them?

Because of Todd's poor back he wasn't able to tube or wakeboard, he had a good attitude about it and designated himself as the flag holder! What a good sport!

My second time wakeboarding ever---I thought I did pretty good. I love wakeboarding!

Powell is so beautiful, check out this rainbow after the storm

And the sunset on the red rocks later that night

Mr. Lawton and I

I was so excited about this, we were able to drive the boat as far as we could and then take a very small hike to Rainbow Bridge. It was gorgeous and I have always wanted to see it!

Todd had to touch the fish, what a sucker, or maybe that was them.

Such pretty sunsets

And below are just some more shots from the trip

While waiting......why not

65 Questions You've Probably Never Been Asked...

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My hair
2. What color is your favorite hoodie? Can't think of one off the top of my head
3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Yep
4. Do you plan outfits? Not usually, just depends on what is happening
5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? My head hurts and I am thinking of all the things I need to get done!
6. Whats the closest thing to you that's red? A rose
7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? I honestly don't remember the last dream I had, I want to start writing them down right after I wake up...
8. Did you meet anybody new today? Yes at work
9. What are you craving right now? Hmm....I'll say a massage- can you crave that? Oh well
10. Do you floss? Yes
11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Milk can dinners
12. Are you emotional? I agree with Christy - depends on the time of the month and what is going on around me
13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? Probably counted that many sheep while trying to get to sleep at night.
14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Usually just lick, but it depends on the type of ice cream
15. Do you like your hair? Haha funny this question is on here, let's not talk about this right now
16. Do you like yourself? Usually lol
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? If he's paying sure! ;)
18. What are you listening to right now? The music from Christy's blog
19. Are your parents strict? Not as much as they use to be
20. Would you go sky diving? I'd sure try
21. Do you like cottage cheese? Mmm, hmm, yes please
22. Have you ever met a celebrity? I don't think I have officially met one, but I sure have seen lots of them!
23. Do you rent movies often? More recently than ever before
24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? A tinfoil star from a dance in High School
25. How many countries have you visited? Mexico and I think that is all, I have a lot to catch up on
26. Have you made a prank phone call? Yes I love it, just recently actually
27. Ever been on a train? Trax??
28. Brown or white eggs? Either I suppose
29.Do you have a cell-phone? Sure do
30. Do you use chap stick? Oh yeah, I'd be lost without it
31. Do you own a gun? Not yet
32. Can you use chop sticks? Uhhh..........
33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Considering its after midnight just myself now :( and whoever is in my dreams haha
34. Are you too forgiving? A big YES!
35. Ever been in love? Yes
36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow? Probably making cream puffs in Heaven
37. Ever have cream puffs? Haha wow couldn't have answered the question above any better. Yes I like them!
38. Last time you cried? Little cry today
39. What was the last question you asked? It's not really a question, but let me know when you make it home
40. Favorite time of the year? ALL
41. Do you have any tattoos? Nope
42. Are you sarcastic? Me Sarcastic??
43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Indeed
44. Ever walked into a wall? Always.
45. Favorite color? Love them all
46. Have you ever slapped someone? I am sure I have
47. Is your hair curly? Yes but not too bad
48. What was the last CD you bought? Celine Dion :)
49. Do looks matter? In a way
50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? I'd like to think so
51. Is your phone bill sky high? I'd like it to be smaller but its not sky high no
52. Do you like your life right now? Yeah, always room for improvement though
53. Do you sleep with the TV on? Nada
54. Can you handle the truth? I'd prefer it yes
55. Do you have good vision? What does this question say, I can't see it!
56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Don't want to admit it but yeah probably
57. How often do you talk on the phone? Depends
58. The last person you held hands with? Toddie
59. What are you wearing? Shorts and a t-shirt
60.What is your favorite animal? I like animals!
61. Where was your profile picture taken? Bear Lake.....oooo take me there, I wanna go there!!!
62. Can you hula hoop? Chya! I think I am loosing my touch though
63. Do you have a job? I do
64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Nickelcade admition and game coins
65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yes just did this past weekend

I tag anyone who wants to do so!

"It's All Coming Back To YOU Now"

This last weekend I had the WONDERFUL opportunity to attend a Celine Dion concert held up in Salt Lake. In the early afternoon before the concert I decided to call the ticket office to see what time we could come and pick up out tickets. The lady told me that they would be open all day and so my mom and I decided to go early, I was thinking maybe I could "accidentally" find her dressing room while we were waiting haha. I asked and they said they were not allowing cameras, well I snuck two of them in!!! When we got into the arena we noticed that I wasn't the only one who had done so and I thought that there would be guards waiting to take our cameras if we used them but they totally didn't care!
The opening act for Celine was am an named Gordie Brown who performs in Vegas at the Golden Nugget. He is a singer, but also a comedian and very good looking! He does imitations of famous people and let me tell you he is hilarious! He did a ton of impersonations for us, some of which included; Elton John, Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise, Bill Cosby, Jack Nicholson and Willie Nelson to name a few. If you are ever in Vegas and are looking for a good time I would highly suggest getting tickets to his show. I looked online and they start at like $40. Although hard to choose one of my favorite things he did was the "invention of line dancing"! I couldn't find anything really good, but if you go to this site it has a small demo clip of him you can watch - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czRZMaar0sA or you can go to his website at http://www.gordiebrown.com/
Willie Nelson

Elton John

At last I want to talk about CELINE. There really are no words to describe this experience for me in a way that you would understand. After Gordie finished up and we knew Celine was on her way I started getting HUGE butterflies, I was so stinking excited!!! The lights started going wack and I noticed that about 5 feet away from me there was security and body guards standing in front of each of the rows on the floor. I quickly looked to the other side and they had no guards, I then realized that Celine Dion was going to be coming through the entrance closest to me and I started freaking out! I started shaking my mom and told her what was going to happen and I jumped onto the chair to get a better look. I told the kid next to me that she was coming through our door, I can't believe no one else was realizing this. Sure enough I was right and Celine Dion came walking through the isle close to me as ever! I frantically tried to get a good picture and gave my mom our extra camera to get some as well. I got a pretty good one, no zoom or anything, my mom sadly got the mans behind that was sitting in front of us. Good one mom :) ( I think I may have been more focused on taking pictures then actually just enjoying the show and although I don't regret all the pictures that I have, in some ways I wish I wouldn't have had my camera so that I could have focused on her--LIVE )
I took so many photos there is no way I could post them all, so I have picked a few to share with you. I hope you enjoy! P.S. The pics that are on the collage don't do justice for the actual photo until you click on the pictures and they become larger!!!

Above is the picture from when Celine was walking in to perform! (I promise she isn't naked)


Even though we were only 9 rows away from Celine we had the two tallest people in the arena sit in front of us -of course, however when one of them flipped her the ILY sign I had to snap a shot it was perfect!

I got my very own picture with Celine! ;)

My mom and I

My sweet souvenirs from the show- A shirt with my favorite french song of hers, an awesome photo book, and a bag of all the places she went on this World Tour

You MUST click on the above image to see the full results of the pics I took!!!

The second to last pic is the crew tearing down her amazing stage set up after the show.

The last picture is what was left up on the jumbo tron from Celine. THANK YOU CELINE!

For any of you who have not seen Celine in concert I think it is definitely something you need to put on your bucket list!!! This concert was outstanding, she wasn't just sitting and singing, she was dancing around and talking to us and giving people high 5's. She isn't like most famous people, she is so grateful for what she has and she is always doing things to help others, she is real and genuine and such an example to me! So animated and fun to watch. Every dream that she has ever had or anything that she wanted in her life, even though at times it was so hard she never gave up and look at her now! Her cd's are great but she is even better LIVE! I was blessed with 2 opportunities to go and see her show in Vegas. I have never seen something so beautiful and unique. It was so good that I went back to her 2nd to last show in Vegas all by myself!!! I suggest you check out some of her videos on youtube from A New Day in Las Vegas, it is definitely worth watching!

IN REMEMBRANCE OF...

Shirley J. Croft

04/13/1936 ~ 02/03/2009

On the early morning of February 3rd I received several phone calls from friends and co-workers reguarding the passing of my beloved and darling friend. Shirley and I became extremely close with one another when I was working. We became the best of friends and I found myself going to visit her quite often, even when I was not scheduled to be at work. People say that best friends bring out the best in us and I can assure you this is true. From the moment that we met she had given me her respect, I didn't have to earn it like with most people. She made me want to be a better person and I was able to talk with her about anything! She always had the best advice and no matter how long it had been since I had seen her she remembered every detail and was constantly happy to see me. Such a remarkable women inside and out.


It has been very hard on me and I am not even sure that it has fully hit me that she is gone. I still expect to go into work and hear her coming down the hall or be able to smell her sweet perfume as she passes me along the way. I have never grown so close to someone in such a short amount of time, although I have known her for several years now we had a special connection from the moment we met. Shirley was and still is a huge example in my life, I want to be able to accomplish the incredible things that she has done in her life; cooking, sewing, being a great mother and adoring grandmother. Trying to find the words to express my love does not come easy, I wrote this poem and hope that it will give you some idea of the truely valued person that she was. You're always in my heart Shirley! You are free from pain and can finally cook, drive and breathe! :)

I would like to thank Shirley's daughter, Cindy and her family for all the love and kindness that they have continually shown me. They were always there for her to assist with anything and everything that she may have needed. Not to mention constantly coming around to visit. They are such genuine and kind people and I am so lucky to have known them. Cindy said that Shirley brought us together and I know that Shirley and her family have been placed in my life for a reason.

* S H I R L E Y *

She spent her time here being so kind

To everyone that she did meet

Unless they popped the attitude

And it was them she'd beat

She loved to play the Bingo game

But when you asked her she would lie

Even though you may not believe

She'd win some everytime

She did not love the food

And we cannot blame her there

Although it could be great at times

Everyone should still beware

It didn't matter where you'd go

Or where you may have been

You knew if she was near

You see she had this special scent

Saying hi and giving a warm smile

To everyone that she would see

I'm going to miss her dearly

I know that you all agree

Even when she couldn't breathe

And the pain was near a ten

It didn't matter with her you see

She wanted to know how you'd been

Lastly when it was that time of night

We would hug her and say goodbye

I'll see you in the morning

And down the hall she'd fly

There is so much more I want to mention

It will never be enough

She had a life full of good intention

In Heaven now and smiling down on us

Stefanie Ann Maycock

13.....9.....6....1....

Once upon a December

I know this post is long past due, but December was the busiest month for me! I had to take all my finals early because I was going on a 6 day Mexican cruise during finals week. I also had a ton of stuff to do for my Relief Society girls and with Christmas just around the corner I was losing my mind, there was so much to get done. (Remind me to never go on a cruise during finals week or in the month of December again) Because this post is already so long I will wait till another date to talk about the cruise and that way I can post some pics too!

Everyone thinks that I am crazy because whenever I go home on weekend or holidays I work, work, and did I mention WORK! They may think that I am insane and not very often will I agree, but they just don't understand how much I adore my job. I work at an assisted living as a CNA. My mom also works there, we both took the class together a few years ago and were lucky to get hired at the same place when we were done. I worked every day I was home for the break, double shifts and all the Holidays. I know you are probably thinking wow that girl must not have a life, I do, but the life that I choose to have right now is with the people at Legacy House :) My family was in town and I was sad to not be able to spend as much time with them, but I also consider the residents to be my family and a lot of them had nothing so I chose to be there for them. We can't forget yes of course I enjoyed all the extra money coming in from all the extra hours I was working.

During my break up North I had 9 friends getting married in the month of Dec. I tried to make as many as I could, but with as much as I was working I admit there were a few I missed out on because I was so beat. (Sorry guys) It was so fun to see them get married off and to be a part of their weddings, I couldn't believe that some of them were now married and I wouldn't see them much, but I was so glad that they were so very happy! As excited as I was about the weddings something else happened in the month of Dec that I was not so fond of, not one bit. First my little sisters best friend KC's dad died, and my mom's good friend Carol's dad died who was Elder Worthlin. Across the month of December 11 of my precious friends from Legacy returned to their loving Heavenly Father. This making 13 deaths in one month.

While working at Legacy I have always been pretty lucky that I never found anyone after they had passed or had to deal with very many deaths, normally the people had passed while I was away at school. This December must have been the choice month to die. Some very unexpected and some who had long been awaiting to get rid of their pain. Losing them was very hard for me, harder then I would have expected. I was very close to most of the residents but for some reason there was one sweet lady who's death hit me like a ton of bricks, her name was Thelma. She was 93, about 4' 10'' and weighed about 90 lbs. She was an incredible lady and even with her disability she still managed to shine. I remember when she first came to Legacy, she was a little quiet and shy, but shortly after I began chatting with her she opened right up. She'd had a stroke and her right side was paralyzed, she didn't talk much but I knew her face and we were able to communicate even without words. What a lot of people don't understand is that although the residents may have Alzheimer's or cannot talk, they know you, they know your intentions and they are very aware of what is going on around them. I learned this very quickly while working there, I would go away to school and come back not thinking they would remember me and they did, not just my name, but where I had been and what I was studying. I remember that every time I came back, I would ask little Thelma if she remembered who I was and she would say yes....Stefanie. That was like music to my ears that she never forgot. Even after she started getting sick, she still knew who I was. I was with her the night she began to go downhill, her daughter Janice, who is a saint, would come in every single day and feed her lunch because she struggled to do it herself. While I was there over the break, I would feed Thelma dinner every chance that I got. She wasn't talking or eating much then and I could tell in her eyes she was not well. One night she wasn't eating for me and she kept asking for Janice, I thought that she was just having a bad night and I contemplated if I should call Janice or not. I ended up getting her ready for bed and hoping that some rest would do her well, the next morning she was worst and was not talking at all. I felt horrible because I felt like her last words and conversations was with me, and that I should have called her daughter. Thelma passed away a few days later and it was really hard on me, one of the hardest things about the residents passing away is watching the sorrow that their families go through, especially when they have to come and move out all of their belongings.
A groups of us from Legacy went to the viewing and then Laura and I went to the funeral the next day. It was a beautiful service and I was able to see and hear so much about Thelma's life before I knew her.

I want to thank my Heavenly Father for all my wonderful blessings, and for the opportunity I have everyday to make someones life better. I am the happiest when I am with these people and I can guarantee you I am getting far more out of it then them, I have been blessed in so many ways and I wouldn't change that for anything. It is hard to lose them and see them go, but I have become stronger and more capable to be the support for them when needed. Once I am away from them it all comes out, but I know that these people are in a better place, that many of them have been waiting for it for a long time and that they have so many angels on the other side who have been longing to embrace them.

To sum it up 13 deaths, 9 weddings, 6 days in another country and 1 month I will never forget

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season!